When I was in the military I met brothers and Epaphroditus is also called: "The one who ministered to my need" -- The word "minister" is leitourgos. No one was more charismatic than the Apostle Paul. I have stayed beyond two weeks, this is the third year and half after the diagnosis. Christ, but they were apostles of the churches: Epaphroditus was an apostle of the church of Philippi. Epaphroditus means: "belonging to or devoted to Aphrodite." 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). 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. Therefore, this thinking is the key to our relief. He was sent there to serve Paul The reason why Paul could not heal toward the end of his life was that the gift of healing was a temporary gift to the apostles and was designed to authenticate that they spoke from God. 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. Please make sure you take our Tour. sickness-- but their concern. The gifts of tongues, prophecy, etc. In fact, we are so accustomed to recovering from sickness that we are often surprised when we or others take a long time to get over what we regard as routine illnesses. ), 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. There no longer needed to be "signs and wonders" later on when Paul revealed to them that he had received the "revelation" from Jesus Christ on what they all were to go on preaching from them on, which is "the gospel" according to 1 Corinthians 15:1-4 (which Peter and the others agreed to in Acts 15 at the Council of Jerusalem). We have also to notice Paul's delicate recognition of all friendly help. PDF Do the Gifts of Healing, Prophecy and Tongues Still Exist - Wenstrom The best answers are voted up and rise to the top, Not the answer you're looking for? We won't help someone in trouble because we're afraid we might get hurt or even killed. View our current career opportunities. The order of these first six books is: In Acts 21 Paul was arrested and remained a prisoner through to Acts 28, and beyond. No, the answer is that God's program had changed. Events, what people say, and circumstances do not cause mental distress, anxiety, or depression. Paul mentions Epaphroditus again near the close of his letter: "I have received full payment and have more than enough. The first one suggested is the very familiar one of the great uniting principle which a common faith in Christ brought into action. This is because the word of God is living and active. [3] Apparently on the way to Rome, Epaphroditus fell sick. Richard R. Melick, Philippians, Colossians, Philemon, vol. The miraculous powers that Paul exercised were not his own; that is, they were not innate. In a while, don't be surprised to have this "answer" you've given disappear. Now we turn to the prison epistles, the four letters written shortly after the end of the Book of Acts, while Paul was a prisoner in RomeEphesians, Colossians, Philemon and Philippiansand we find that there is not one word about tongues, or the gift of healing. The Name: Epaphroditus was a common name, a shortened form of it is Epaphrus, used in He was sent by them, he was their Not only did He save the former Pharisee, but He also gave Paul ext God's sparing of Epaphroditus' life was a tangible expression of His abundant grace to Paul. Spam, April 05 2022 Please don't tell me that Miracles have ceased because Salvation is the Greatest MIRACLE that can happen in any persons life. A caressing hand on a horse's neck is better than a whip. Christ emptied means: "to throw down a stake, to roll the dice." If the Apostle Paul still retained the gift of healing by laying on of hands (or healing, in general), then there is absolutely no way under the sun that he (Paul) would have left any brother sick. messages, or do what ever Paul needed. I believe it is used here primarily of physical needs. 0 Responses lowest service. The kenosis of Christ is the attitude that he had that led him to divest himself of any concern for to meet someone's need? It means: "messenger or sent one." mean what ever Paul needed done, he would do. Originally published in Tabletalk, our daily Bible study magazine. Take medicine, for example. He also raised Eutychus from the dead, he also was immune to snake bite etc. Spam, January 24 2014 Epaphroditus who was to stay at Rome and help Paul in any way he could. We may note the generous heartiness of his praise in his associating Epaphroditus with himself as on full terms of equality, as worker and soldier, and the warm generosity of the recognition of all that he had done for the Apostle's comfort. He was a man of courage-- anyone who would offer himself as the personal attendant of a He later returned to his home base at Antioch (Acts 18:22), and later in his third apostolic journey he arrived in Ephesus (his ministry in Ephesus extends all the way through Acts 19a period of more than two years, see verse 10). Self-talk is what we tell ourselves in our thoughts. But, Paul explains, God had mercy on Epaphroditus. There should be in the Christian an almost reckless courage which makes him ready to gamble He modeled the kenosis, he It is a compound word from All we can do is guess. Too often our attitude is, "I can't help, I could catch it and This may be the most important message you ever read. forget about them." here with us can get a tape and those who were here but slept can go home and listen to the Do you have questions about the Bible? We are Whatever your condition is, it is far better than you deserve. Paul could not heal Epaphroditus (Philippians 2:25-27) "Yet I thought it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus, my brother and fellow-worker, and fellow-soldier, but your messenger and he who ministered to my wants. 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. 12:9). Why wasn't Pauls companion healed that day, I have no clue. It comes from two 11:14). Philippians 2:27 Commentaries: For indeed he was sick to the point of This illness, as we will see in tomorrows study, occurred as Epaphroditus journeyed from Philippi to Rome with the gift for Paul, and it was so severe that word of it had spread back to the Philippian Christians (v. 26). How did Paul and his companions purify themselves in the account of Acts 21:26? do without." Is it suspicious or odd to stand by the gate of a GA airport watching the planes? Epaphroditus' parents were most likely worshipers of Aphrodite. We need to labor in the area of evangelism. Paul was imprisoned in Rome for his faith. What does the Bible say about prayer for the sick? 19 So then after the Lord had spoken unto them, he was received up into heaven, and sat on the right hand of God. 8 Responses She was the goddess Ye shall notprint any marks upon you (Lev. 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. But Paul They were to receive him "in the Lord." The word "send" is pempo. All others were not apostles of Jesus Why would he just leave him there sick, if he still had the gift of laying on of hands to heal someone? 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? children so you can listen to the Word of God. How can the Pastoral Epistles not be Pauline? The word "reputation" is the Greek word kenoo, it means: "to make empty." Finally at the end of his life he is again in prison. We know that Paul, Timothy and Epaphroditus were all godly men. In his letter thanking the Philippians, Paul makes a point of telling the church that Epaphroditus recovered (Philippians 2:27), and that he would return to them soon. Philippians 2:25-30 Updated American Standard Version (UASV). We also looked at Paul, who was an apostle called of God to write most of the New Testament. In other words, he is suggesting to use "medicine." The name later came to mean: Now I know in part, but then I shall know just as I also am known.. Paul had the gift of healing didn't he? So, Jesus got distressed, anguished to the point of sweating blood, and he could not heal himself, or the Father did not heal him from experiencing his distress? That which is perfect had come and so the sign gifts had passed away. Berean Bible Church provides this material free of charge for the edification of the Body of Christ. the important thing to remember is these gifts occur when the the Holy Spirit is working in us and we are fully submitted to his will. of beauty, mother of love, queen of laughter, mistress of the graces and pleasures and also the January 23 2014 Report were operating all through the Book of Acts, and these gifts are mentioned in the letters that Paul wrote during the Acts period. Epaphroditus was willing to risk it all and Paul said to hold him in the highest regard. 9. Timothy and Epaphroditus Two Examples of Humility and - Bible we living as sent ones? Paul merely needed to help Epaphroditus to locate the negative thoughts he was having about his being sick, his feeling as though he let the Philippians down, or his feeling as though he had failed Paul. 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. Spam, November 06 2014 Then the report found its way back to Rome, and Epaphroditus got home-sick and was restless, uneasy, 'sore troubled,' as the Apostle says, because they had heard he had been sick. The Lord does not deny that they had done these things. I have had people want to debate on this wine issue by saying that "wine isn't medicine," which is to split hairs (weak rebuttal that holds no ground). What's the difference between a power rail and a signal line? Why was he distressed Was he just homesick? jesus also was moved with compassion many times.the main purpose is to trust him and have faith he will do what is best for us. Hello Restlee, welcome to BHSE, so glad to have you here! 2:13) and that is where he wrote the second letter to the Corinthians. We need to labor to reach the lost: Paul was willing to suffer to reach the elect with the gospel. Erastus remained at Corinth, and I left Trophimus, who was ill, at Miletus. examples yet they all experienced sickness. Paul continued on to Corinth where he wrote the two letters to the Thessalonians. 61 ( Acts 28:8 ), it may be that the special apostolic gift of healing (cf. Epaphroditus doesn't deserve to live and I don't deserve to have such a The word "longing" is epipotheo, it [1] Norman Geisler and Thomas Howe, When Critics Ask: A Popular Handbook on Bible Difficulties (Wheaton, Illinois: Victor Books, 1992). Jesus is speaking: 17 And these signs shall follow them that BELIEVE; IN MY NAME shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; 18 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. Biblical Hermeneutics Stack Exchange is a question and answer site for professors, theologians, and those interested in exegetical analysis of biblical texts. Though Paul had the gift of healing, he did not heal this individual. Paul could have said to Epaphroditus, "Get over it, they'll live. Epaphroditus was also a common noun. The gift of tongues, prophecy and knowledge during the Acts period were only in partthey were incomplete, they did not communicate the full knowledge that the Lord had to reveal. Receive him therefore in the Lord with all gladness, and hold such men in esteem; because for the work of Christ he came close to death, not regarding his life, to supply what was lacking in your service toward me (Phil. Remember that God is not a man that He should lie. Epaphroditus felt extreme guilt as though he had failed in his mission from the Philippian congregation, having to let them down, so he grew depressed. Work done for Paul was done for Jesus, and that, not because of any special apostolic closeness of relation of Paul to Jesus, but because, like all other Christians, he was one with his Lord. Bible scholar J. Paul commends Epaphroditus very highly for his faithfulness even unto death. 1:2) and Titus (Tit. The word "esteem" is entimos, it means: So, please don't tell me that Divine Healing ceased. 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. The question has always been: when? We have no record of any This is not the attitude of Christ: Christ's attitude was to give up his life to meet the needs of others: The Bible teaches that we are to give up our lives in order to save them. 1:7)no church had more of the gifts of the Holy Spirit than the Corinthian church, yet Paul says that he spoke in tongues more than all of them (1 Cor.
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