Faith

In the Wake of #ResurrectionChallenge- The Mocked Resurrection in South Africa

A video of a South African Pastor supposedly raising a man that has been dead for 6 days trended on social media a few days ago. The trend, unfortunately, wasn’t praise to God for the miracle but a suspicion that the miracle was fake and staged.

As much as all evidence shows that the miracle was staged, and many other news proving same, we think believers should know the following about such.

1. Miracles are real

A popular saying goes thus, “The presence of a fake proves the existence of an original”.

That so many people fake healing and miracles, whether, for fame or financial gain, it will never discredit the authenticity of miracles of healing. And we must never become cynical that we don’t believe, expect or celebrate miracles when they happen.

The bible is filled with miracles where it was obvious to everyone that a miracle truly happened.

There was a case where Peter and John healed a man who had been lame from birth. Read this;

When all the people saw him walking and praising God, they recognized him as the same man who used to sit begging at the temple gate called Beautiful, and they were filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened to him. – Act 3:9-10

Here was what critics had to say concerning the miracle;

But since they could see the man who had been healed standing there with them, there was nothing they could say… 16 “What are we going to do with these men?” they asked. “Everyone living in Jerusalem knows they have performed a notable sign, and we cannot deny it. – Act 4:14-16

Everyone in the city knows this man, and they all knew him to be lame from birth, sitting by the temple gate begging for money. Think of a popular street crippled beggar in your area, and you see him with whole legs working, with the testimony that some men prayed for him in the name of Jesus.

There was another case, similar to that above, this time it was a man blind from birth, everyone knew him that way. Jesus met him, made mud and put it on his face and asked him to go and wash his eyes in a pool.

His neighbors and those who had formerly seen him begging asked, “Isn’t this the same man who used to sit and beg?” Some claimed that he was. Others said, “No, he only looks like him.” But he himself insisted, “I am the man.”

“How then were your eyes opened?” they asked.  He replied, “The man they call Jesus made some mud and put it on my eyes. He told me to go to Siloam and wash. So I went and washed, and then I could see.”

So, miracles of healing is real.

That people fake miracles, whether, for fame or financial gain, it will never discredit the authenticity of miracles of healing. And we must never become cynical that we don't believe, expect or celebrate miracles when they happen. Click To Tweet

2. Miracles didn’t end with/in the Bible (or Miracles still happens today)

I bet some critics don’t believe that miracles is a real concept, but quite a lot argue if it still happens today. Seeing some people faking it.

Read the next verses carefully, they are one of the last things Jesus told his disciples.

Later Jesus appeared to the Eleven as they were eating; he rebuked them for their lack of faith and their stubborn refusal to believe those who had seen him after he had risen. He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation. Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned. And these signs will accompany those who believe: In my name they will drive out demons; they will speak in new tongues; they will pick up snakes with their hands; and when they drink deadly poison, it will not hurt them at all; they will place their hands on sick people, and they will get well.” – Act 16:14-20

After the Lord Jesus had spoken to them, he was taken up into heaven and he sat at the right hand of God.  Then the disciples went out and preached everywhere, and the Lord worked with them and confirmed his word by the signs that accompanied it.

Everyone who hears the gospel and believes will do signs and heal the sick. And to show that it is true, even though there were just the eleven disciples present when Jesus said this, we see even average ‘brothers’ in the church all through the Acts of the Apostles do signs and miracles. If this isn’t a privilege exclusive to the eleven, then you and I are included if we have believed.

Everyone who hears the gospel and believes will do signs and heal the sick. Click To Tweet

So, what about fake miracle workers?

The bible isn’t silent about false prophets and people who pervert the gospel of Christ, whether to deceive people and sway them from the truth or for greed and to exploit people.

For false christs and false prophets will arise and perform great signs and wonders, so as to lead astray, if possible, even the elect. – Matthew 24:24

For such men are false apostles, deceitful workmen, disguising themselves as apostles of Christ. And no wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. So it is no surprise if his servants, also, disguise themselves as servants of righteousness. Their end will correspond to their deeds. – 2 Cor 11:13-15

But false prophets also arose among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them, bringing upon themselves swift destruction. And many will follow their sensuality, and because of them the way of truth will be blasphemed. And in their greed they will exploit you with false words. Their condemnation from long ago is not idle, and their destruction is not asleep.2 Peter 2:1-3

Jesus spoke about false prophets, he said we will know them by their fruits, so be watchful, don’t follow blindly.

“Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves. You will recognize them by their fruits. Are grapes gathered from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? – Matthew 7:15-16

Don’t let the presence of fake pastors and fake miracles change your faith in the God who heals. Are you sick in your body? Have faith in God, expect a miracle and command healing in Jesus name.

Don't let the presence of fake pastors and fake miracles change your faith in the God who heals. Click To Tweet

About author

Articles

Tolulope Oludapo is a young Christian who lends his voice through the media by sharing practical wisdom for everyday living in the most experiential and simplified fashion. This has fetched him the direct followership of over 30,000 users on his blog, lifegiva.com. A blog he founded. He loves to write on varying subjects that affect life, faith, relationship...everyday living.
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