NEED OF DELIVERANCE
For some time now I have felt a great need for cleansing and deliverance
of God's people. Like never before I have been made aware of the carnality
and spiritual bondage that exists. Many cannot worship the Lord in
the freedom of the Spirit. Many have psychological hang-ups that keep
them from hearing the word of God with an open heart. Evil spirits
have far too much influence on some. Inertia or just plain indifference
hold many in their grip.
Others need to be delivered from worldly and unnecessary activities
that keep them from church attendance, prayer and service in general.
Too many would rather play than pray. They are more concerned about
entertainment than they are the kingdom of God.
Many have closer ties of fellowship with unbelievers and the world
than they do with the church and God's people. As a result of this
many marry unbelievers and reap a harvest of trouble and sorrow. If
the minister preaches the truth according to the word of God he is
called a narrow-minded bigot.
Where such conditions prevail evil spirits operate without fear because
there is no discernment or anointing to cast them out. Satan and his
evil host do not fear a church that does not have the keys of the
kingdom.
SIGN AND WONDERS
Although signs and wonders are not necessarily in evidence every time
the keys of the kingdom are in use signs will certainly follow those
who use the keys of the kingdom.
In Mark 16:15-18 Jesus said, "... Go ye into all the world,
and preach the gospel to every creature.
"He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that
believeth not shall be damned.
"And these signs shall follow them that believe: In my name shall
they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues;
"They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing,
it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they
shall recover."
Please notice that there is not a single hint given that signs and
wonders were to cease after the church was established. To the contrary,
signs were to follow them that believe. As long as men continue to
preach his word in believing faith the promised signs will follow.
The difference in the early church and the apostate church is simply
faith. Even Jesus was limited in what he could do because of unbelief
when he went back to Nazareth. Matt. 13:54-58.
Although many of the early disciples were ignorant and unlearned men
they continued to heal the sick, cast out devils and on occasion raise
the dead. They expected as much as they went forth preaching the word
of God.
CONFIRMATION
Confirmation of the word was the rule rather than the exception. This
was God's way of saying, "These are my servants, I have sent them
to you with my word."
The great difference between the primitive church and the modern church
is in the one they represent. The primitive church represented God.
They were anointed and sent by the Holy Ghost. The modern church represents
man in the form of some church or manmade denomination.
The primitive church had God's inspired message relevant to the time
and the need of the people. The modern apostate church has a message
that projects its particular doctrine and traditions. And, I might
add, sometimes those are doctrines of devils inspired by seducing
spirits. I Tim. 4:1.
This principle of the word being confirmed by signs following was
characteristic of the Lord Jesus, the twelve disciples, the apostle
Paul and the early church in general. Speaking of Paul and Barnabas,
Acts 14:3 says, "Long time therefore abode they speaking boldly
in the Lord, which gave testimony unto the word of his grace, and
granted signs and wonders to be done by their hands."
Confirming the word with signs following or giving testimony unto
the word of his grace is exactly the same thing. It is God bearing
witness by the Holy Ghost that it is his word. Acts 5:29-33. Jesus
said, "... the works which the Father hath given me to finish,
the same works that I do, bear witness of me, that the Father hath
sent me." John 5:36.
FATHER GLORIFIED
Confirmation of the word is to be expected when we move in the Spirit
and preach his message. It is certainly no imposition to expect this
when we have his word. Signs and wonders through use of the keys of
the kingdom brings glory to the Father through the Son. John 14:11-13,
Acts 3:12-13, Mark 2:10-12.
The keys of the kingdom were given to the church, the body of Christ.
Independent operatives who say, "have gift will travel" have
no part in the use of the keys of the kingdom. The keys were given
to deliver the elect from the kingdom of darkness and bring them together
in one body under the headship of Christ.
Individual ministries who use the keys of the kingdom are actually
an extension or arm of the body. Such ministries carry Christ's burden
for the church and recognize it as Christ's body in the earth. They
know that whatever gift or ability they have was given for the unity
of perfection of Christ's body. Eph. 4:1-13.
The local church is the body of Christ in a given or particular place.
Paul said to the church at Corinth, "Now ye are the body of Christ,
and members in particular." I Cor. 12:27.
They were not a part of the church or body of Christ. They were the
church at Corinth. As a sovereign body under the headship of Christ
each local church should be in possession of and using the keys of
the kingdom.
There is no greater power or authority on earth than the church. Jesus
said in Matt. 18:18, "Verily I say unto you. Whatsoever ye shall
bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever ye shall loose
on earth shall be loosed in heaven."
Paul instructed the church at Corinth to turn one man over to Satan
for the destruction of the flesh that the spirit might be saved in
the day of the Lord Jesus. I Cor. 5:4-5. This man which was guilty
of fornication with his father's wife was actually being sheltered
and protected as a part of the church. However, it was and is the
duty of the church to act in judgment against such flagrant immorality.
According to Paul's teaching the saints shall judge the world and
even angels. We are actually forbidden to turn to the judicial system
of the world in the settlement of problems pertaining to the church
and God's people.
The local church does not have to be a perfect church or have perfect
revelation to use the keys of the kingdom. In spite of all the wrong
things that existed in the Corinthian church it was the body of Christ
and came behind in no gift. I Cor. 1:7 & 12:27.
I believe the Lord is saying to his remnant church in this hour, "Only
believe and you will see the glory of God." John 11:40.
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