The Book of Acts is replete with 'transitional stages' that are pivotal in the understanding of why all of these changes took place, and why, later, we see different signs no longer being used, or no longer operational in the sense of "signs and wonders," etc. Those who work in the nursery are my fellow-laborers, they take care of your He wasn't distressed because he was sick but because the Ministering to others' physical needs is a spiritual priestly Epaphroditus is also called: "The one who ministered to my need" -- The word "minister" is leitourgos. Paul commends Epaphroditus very highly for his faithfulness even unto death. Take medicine, for example. involved in. This morning we are going to look at the kenois of Epaphroditus who is much like us, he is a You can help further this work by your prayer and by contributing online or by mailing to: Berean Bible Church We need to reach out and take back three areas of toil that used to be so much a part Living in the modern world, we enjoy the benefits of centuries of technological and scientific progress. ), Apostolic Fathers (e.g., Clement, Ignatius, Polycarp), Apologists (e.g., Justin Martyr, Clement, Tertullian), Church Fathers (e.g., Gregory, Jerome, Augustine, Ambrose), Flawed Biblical Historical Literary Criticism, PART 8-Jesus Resurrection to the Death of the Apostle John. The Apostolic Gifts are no longer in operation today: 1) Laying on of hands to heal someone (if this were still the case, then people could walk into nursing homes and hospitals and begin healing people left-and-right, but this doesn't happen. guarding our lives and start taking some risks in order to meet the needs of others. (2 Timothy 4:20), The power to heal was present in Paul's ministry as described in the book of Acts, 8 At Lystra a man was sitting who had no strength in his feet, lame from his mothers womb, who had never walked. Epaphroditus was sent by the church at Philippi with gifts of support to bring to Paul who was living under house arrest in Rome. self, to give of himself wholly to others. Perhaps Paul said this precisely because the Philippians might be tempted to judge Epaphroditus for being ill, concluding that he was being chastised by God for some secret or even scandalous sin. But the multiplicity of Paul's experience with his companions regarding healing is giving me a sort of concern. Epaphroditus was at the door of death. If Epaphroditus were 'received in the Lord,' there would be no foolish and hurtful adulation of him, nor prostration before him, but he would be recognised as but the instrument through which the true Helper worked, and not he, but the Grace of Christ in him would finally receive the praise. Negative thoughts that flood our minds are the actual contributors to our self-defeating emotions. The next two letters that Paul wrote are the two letters to the Corinthians. Figuratively, it used for minister is deokonos -- deacon. We do read of prophecies that had been made about Timothy in 1 Timothy 1:18 and 4:14 and 2 Timothy 1:6, but these were given years before. Not only did He save the former Pharisee, but He also gave Paul extra gifts to help the Apostle bear his sorrows. There are very many Christian workers who never get their due of recognition and welcome from their brethren, and there are many who get far more of both than belongs to them, and both they and the crowds who bring them adulation would be freed from dangers, which can scarcely be over-stated, if the spirit of Paul's warm-hearted praise of Epaphroditus were kept in view. The word "necessary" is the Greek word anagkaios, it means: "indispensable, what one cannot [1] Norman Geisler and Thomas Howe, When Critics Ask: A Popular Handbook on Bible Difficulties (Wheaton, Illinois: Victor Books, 1992). We selfishly clutch life and guard our own interests when the mind of Christ is to be selfless and If so, then what I meant was that God working a certain miracle through a particular individual in a specific situation, is not quite the same as God hinting that He will, from that moment forward, constantly perform miracles for anyone, and at any given time, through that person. But we read that Epaphroditus was healeddirectly by the Lord: He was sick unto death but the Lord had mercy on him.. soon meaning: "together with" and stratiotes meaning: "soldier." This is the last letter written during the Book of Acts. If the gift of healing was still in operation, it's unlikely that Paul would have said to use something to merely "help" with your "infirmities." he was sick. be guarded at all costs. But the Lord revealed to Paul that that which is perfect was coming. "Epaphroditus is here to do what you can't do because you're so far away.". The word of God is a Spirit. 9 This man was listening to Paul as he spoke, who, when he had fixed his gaze on him and had seen that he had faith to be [f]made well, 10 said with a loud voice, Stand upright on your feet. And he leaped up and began to walk. 1000 Chattanooga Street The context gives us an interesting miniature of the last, and pathetic glimpses into the private life of the Apostle in his imprisonment, and it is worth our while to try to bring our historic imagination to bear on Epaphroditus, and to make him a living man. Timothys return from Macedonia mentioned in Acts 18:5 is also reported in 1 Thessalonians 3:6. Erastus remained at Corinth, and I left Trophimus, who was ill, at Miletus. We are not to selfishly guard our lives, we are to give them away in ministry to others. 4:18), fell ill around the time Paul wrote to the Philippians (2:2526). But Paul Asking for help, clarification, or responding to other answers. It's only of God's sovereign For indeed he was sick nigh unto death - Dr. Paley has remarked (Hor. The Greek word finds its origin in a 61 ( Acts 28:8 ), it may be that the special apostolic gift of healing (cf. May we not further draw from Paul's words here a lesson as to the honour due to Christian workers? Those who work in the tape ministry are my All through the Book of Acts Paul had only gnosis, partial knowledge of the message of grace, but when we turn to the Prison Letters we suddenly find Paul using that word epignosishe had now received that full knowledge which he didnt have when he wrote to the Corinthians: For I want you to know what a great conflict I have for you and those in Laodicea, and for as many as have not seen my face in the flesh, that their hearts may be encouraged, being knit together in love, and attaining to all riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the knowledge (epignosisfull knowledge) of the mystery of God, both of the Father and of Christ (Col. 2:1-2). Stack Exchange network consists of 181 Q&A communities including Stack Overflow, the largest, most trusted online community for developers to learn, share their knowledge, and build their careers. Epaphroditus was not distressed, i.e., depressed because he got sick, [8] because he let down his brothers and sisters in the Philippian congregation, or because he felt as though he had failed Paul. It is all the words that we say to ourselves all the time. Let me ask a question: Acts 2:21 Peter is preaching after receiving the Baptism in the Holy Spirit: 21 and it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved. 1 Corinthians 7:5. Testament use of this word. Then he goes on to say that he was To learn more, see our tips on writing great answers. have survived without him but that's not how Epaphroditus saw it. The word "esteem" is entimos, it means: For he longed after you all and was full of heaviness, because you had heard that he had been sick. that Paul didn't heal. Paul had the gift of healing didn't he? sadness. Paul was a great theologian, he knew that death for a Christian was a promotion, an end of pain theological term "kenosis.". When Paul wrote now I know in part, he used the common word for know, the Greek word gnosis. We need to stop trying to Interpret the scriptures by the intellectual and allow the Holy Spirit who is in you give you the Revelation Spiritually. All we know about him is what we learn from this passage. lowest service. Sustratiotes is a very honorable title used in Philemon 2 of Archipus. It is after ignoring the Holy Spirit he is told that he will now have to be a witness all the way to Rome. That makes Galatians the earliest of Pauls letters. rev2023.3.3.43278. The first fact about him is, that he was one of the Philippian Christians, and sent by them to Rome, with some pecuniary or material help, such as comforts for Paul's prison-house, food, clothing, or money. good friend. 'The cup of cold water' given 'in the name of a disciple' is grateful to the lips of the Master. That is an incredible thought; we are workers together with needs. Vote Up We need to meet people's needs Many in this movement even say shocking claims such as the erroneous idea that being poor is a sin, and that if you are sick, "it's your fault that you're sick." For instance if I have a gift of Knowledge does that mean every person I see I will do know things about them. Epaphroditus was ministering to Paul physically; he brought him a Why did the Apostle Paul leave Trophimus sick, while Epaphroditus was also sick to the point of death in Philippians 2:27? But when that which is perfect has come, then that which is in part will be done away. Timothy was suffering stomach problems and frequent infirmities (1 Tim. That attitude of mind stands in striking contrast to the heroism which said, 'To me, to live is Christ and to die is gain,' but the two are perfectly consistent, and it was a great soul which had room for them both. But neither does it say Paul attempted to heal him and failed. We have surveyed the 13 letters written by the Apostle Paul, arranging them in the order in which Paul wrote them: Then after the Book of Acts ends7 more letters: Having surveyed the 13 letters and having put them into their chronological order, lets see what they tell us about the question: when did the sign gifts cease? But, what happened? A trustworthy member of the congregation at Philippi, Macedonia, who was sent with a gift to Paul, then a prisoner at Rome (c. 60-61 C.E.). 0 Responses Amen. Epaphroditus was serving as a representative of the Philippian congregation and the apostle Paul. [3] Apparently on the way to Rome, Epaphroditus fell sick. Richard R. Melick, Philippians, Colossians, Philemon, vol. He wasn't a teacher nor preacher that we know of. The In all the seven letters written after the close of the Book of Acts, Paul uses this word epignosisthe full knowledge. He is a co-worker, it's speaking of common effort, diligence. The miraculous powers that Paul exercised were not his own; that is, they were not innate. Even medical doctors who are saved will tell you they rely on the power of God all the time and will encourage their patients to rely on God Who is the only healer. Paul Site design / logo 2023 Stack Exchange Inc; user contributions licensed under CC BY-SA. Was it perhaps meant to ask for a clarification of my own comment ? children so you can listen to the Word of God. It is important that our faith be based on the Word of God and not on experiences because experiences can deceive us. We can now give a scriptural answer to the question that we started with: when did the sign gifts cease? In fact, he would have probably sent a handkerchief or even went to him, personally, if possible, and laid hands on him and healed him instantly. "lovely or charming." fellow laborers, they send out what I teach to others around the country. "valued or honored, to hold one dear or in honor, to prize, to deem precious." It Paul says, No. means: "to abase, naturalize, to make of none effect, of no reputation." 12:12; Heb. derived from Aphrodite, the Greek goddess, better known by her Roman name , Venus. However, Paul was often an instrument of healing. Why would he just leave him there sick, if he still had the gift of laying on of hands to heal someone? Epaphroditus lived out Philippians 2:1-16, he is the "Loving Gambler.". We have what I But Paul uses leitourgos here. I don't really understand the question from your first comment. What have you risked to meet someone's needs? Browse other questions tagged, Start here for a quick overview of the site, Detailed answers to any questions you might have, Discuss the workings and policies of this site. 2:25; 4:18) While in Rome, Epaphroditus "fell sick nearly to the point of death; but God had mercy. This So, Paul's third example is Epaphroditus, he is not an apostle, nor an Berean Bible Church provides this material free of charge for the edification of the Body of Christ. So if you're not dead, how could you ever complain (verse 14). looked at it as "spiritual worship." "My brother" -- this is the Greek word adelphos, which means: "from the same womb." the proclamation of the gospel effective. Whether there were so or no, the exhortation itself traces lightly but surely the lines on which Christians should render, and their fellow-Christians can rightly receive, even praise from men. Healing was a sign gift that I believe faded away as the great commission was accomplished. They were to receive him "in the Lord." The ship sails across the track of the moonlight, and then vanishes ghost-like into darkness. He was sent there to serve Paul Why wasn't Pauls companion healed that day, I have no clue. In verses 26-28, we are given the reasons for In 2 Corinthians 12, Paul prays that a " thorn in the flesh " would be removed, but God refuses to do this. emptied himself. This is because the word of God is living and active. What to do? (verse 30). Because a wonder-workering saints are not miracle-mills. Of note: Reference Hebrews 6:2-3 which says: "Of the doctrine of baptisms, and of laying on of hands, and of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment. Epaphroditus was a plugger and they all would have missed him and it was no accident that he had left his congregation to take thousands of dollars to the apostle Paul. 1. At any rate he worked till he made himself ill. Following Christ's example, we should be willing to lay down our lives to meet the needs of We must not leave unnoticed the beautiful self-abnegation which sends off Epaphroditus as soon as he was well enough to travel, as a gift of the Apostle's love, in order to repay them for what they had done for him. Epaphroditus had nearly died in bringing the Philippians' gift to Paul in Rome, but God spared the apostle from great sorrow by healing him. Philippians 1:25, and note), was not, it seems, continuous; both were exercised only in accordance with the revealed will of God and on occasions of especial moment. In that he had heard about the seeds of division that had been planted in the church at Philippi. Honestly, because the power to heal didn't originate from within Paul. . The question has always been: when? 2:25; cf. But to understand when the sign gifts ceased, we need to read Pauls letters in the order that he wrote them. Paul does not seem to have healed Epaphroditus. sick. Epaphroditus did not invoke a certain claim to be healed or visit someone with the gift of healing. Proverbs 4:20-23. deliver the money and leave, he was to stay and to minister to Paul's needs. This is no fleshly or "secular" work in ministering to Paul's physical needs, it was spiritual. Possibly there were in Philippi some sharp tongues and envious spirits, who needed the exhortation. He could not merely raise anyone from the dead he chose to, nor could he heal anyone he chose to because he only exercise divine power under the direction of the divine will (1 Cor 12:6, 11). Making statements based on opinion; back them up with references or personal experience. In A.D. 252, plague broke out in Carthage; No wonder that men were eager to risk their lives for a leader who lavished such praise and such love upon them. be-shem omro)? Keyword: "IF". In the 3 Pastoral Epistles, as in the prison epistles, we do not read of tongues or the gift of healing operating at this time.
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