AMAZEDBYTHEPOWEROFGOD

CONTRIBUTORS

BILLJOHNSON

RANDYCLARK

CAROLANDCHRISTYWIMBER

S.J.HILL

BOBBYCONNER

DOUGADDISON

DAVIDTOMBERLIN

CHARLESH.KRAFT

MARCUSLAWSON

DENNYCLINE

PETERH.DAVIDS

GARYBEST

COMPILER

FRANKA.DECENSOJR.DESTINYIMAGEPUBLISHERS

©Copyright2009–FrankDeCensoJr.

Allrightsreserved.ThisbookisprotectedbythecopyrightlawsoftheUnitedStatesofAmerica.Thisbookmay not be copied or reprinted for commercial gain or profit. The use of short quotations oroccasionalpagecopyingforpersonalorgroupstudyispermittedandencouraged.Permissionwillbegranteduponrequest.Unlessotherwisenoted,ScripturequotationsaretakenfromtheNewKingJamesVersion.Copyright©1982byThomasNelson,Inc.Usedbypermission.Allrightsreserved.ScripturequotationsmarkedAMParefromtheAmplified®Bible,Copyright©1954,1958,1962,1964,1965,1987byTheLockmanFoundation.Usedbypermission.ScripturequotationsmarkedNASBarefromthe NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE®, Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972,1973,1975,1977,1995byTheLockmanFoundation.Usedbypermission.ScripturequotationsmarkedNLTarefromtheHolyBible,NewLivingTranslation,copyright©1996,2004.UsedbypermissionofTyndaleHousePublishers,Wheaton,IL60189.Allrightsreserved.ScripturequotationsmarkedNRSVarefromtheNewRevisedStandardVersionoftheBible,copyright©1989bytheDivisionofChristianEducation of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the U.S.A.; used by permission.ScripturequotationsmarkedNIVaretakenfromtheNEWINTERNATIONALVERSION®,Copyright1973,1978,1984 InternationalBibleSociety.UsedbypermissionofZondervan.All rights reserved.ScripturequotationsmarkedKJVaretakenfromtheKingJamesVersion.EmphasiswithinScriptureisthe authors’ own. Please note that Destiny Image’s publishing style capitalizes certain pronouns inScripture that refer to theFather,Son, andHolySpirit, andmaydiffer fromsomepublishers’ styles.Takenote that thename satan and relatednames are not capitalized.Wechoosenot to acknowledgehim,eventothepointofviolatinggrammaticalrules.

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“SpeakingtothePurposesofGodforthisGenerationandfortheGenerationstoCome.”

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Contents

INTRODUCTION

—FrankA.DeCensoJr.

CHAPTER1

InheritingtheSupernatural

—BillJohnson

CHAPTER2

Christianity’sGreatHealingRiverandItsContributingStreams

—RandyClark

CHAPTER3

ThePowerofHisPresence

—CarolandChristyWimber

CHAPTER4

PartneringWithJesusinPowerEvangelism

—S.J.Hill

CHAPTER5

GainingtheGazeofGod

—BobbyConner

CHAPTER6

EvangelismintheNewMillenium

—DougAddison

CHAPTER7

TestimoniesoftheSupernaturalOpensDoorstoSharetheGospel

—DavidTomberlin

CHAPTER8

TheMissingDimension

—CharlesH.Kraft

CHAPTER9

Really…WhatWouldJesusDo?

—MarcusLawson

CHAPTER10

StillAstonishedbyJesus

—DennyCline

CHAPTER11

PowerMinistryandEntryIntotheKingdom

—PeterH.Davids

CHAPTER12

HowDoYouMoveaMountainWithaSmallShovel?

—GaryBest

ABOUTTHECOMPILER

ABOUTTHECONTRIBUTORS

Introduction

Theonlybookthatshouldeverbewrittenisonethatflowsupfromtheheart,forcedoutbytheinwardpressure.Whensuchaworkhasgestatedwithinaman,itisalmostcertainthatitwillbewritten.Themanwhoisthus charged with a message will not be turned back by any blaséconsideration. His book will be to him not only imperative, it will beinevitable.

—A.W.TOZER,God’sPursuitofMan

HEARINGGOD

For some, hearingGod is an art. For others, hearingGod speak can be asurprise.IamconvincedbyeventsinmylifethatGodenjoyssurprisingmebyspeakingtomewhenIamengagedinthemostrudimentaryoftasks,likedrivingorshowering.

Not longagoaftershowering,an interesting“thought”popped intomyhead:AssembleagroupofpeopletowriteabookabouttherelevanceofMypowerintoday’sworld.Thethoughtcaughtmeoffguard;althoughitcameinamillisecond,Iimmediatelyunderstoodwhatitentailed.Buttobehonest,Ididn’tknowhow itwouldall come together.AfterprayingandsendingoutnumerousrequeststopeoplewhomIknewtobeinvolvedinpowerministry,Ireceived an overwhelmingly positive response. At one point there werealmost60peoplewhowere interested incontributing toabookorseriesofbooksaboutthepowerofGodtoday.

Armedwithcrediblecontributors,Isentoutafewfeelerstofindoutifanyone would be interested in publishing such a compendium by authors,ministers, and scholars. Destiny Image expressed interest, and you have inyourhandsapieceofthatoriginalmandatefromGod.

I’mconvincedthatGodwantsHischildrentocatchthevisionofmovinginHispowertochangeother’slivesandtotellallpeoplethatHeis inlovewith them. He can do it through subtle ways, but the church needs to beequipped so that He can move mightily through us in today’s world. Thehealing of cancer or deliverance from addiction can do more than anyapologetic argument, because the affected one will have been personallytouchedbytheliving,lovingGodoftheuniverse.Hispowerismoreeffectivethanourwords.

WHOCANMOVEINTHEPOWEROFGOD?

Peterwasafisherman.AndJohnatonetimewantedtokeepfolkswhoweren’tfollowingJesusfromcastingoutdemons,andhealsowantedtocastfiredownfromHeavenonthosewhodidnotreceiveJesus.Laterthesemenboth received power from on high by encountering God powerfully andpersonally, todoworksofministry.Theywereused tohealaman,and thereligiousfolksgotupset. Infact thePhariseessaid thatPeterandJohnwere

“untrainedanduneducated,”butevenso,therewasnodenyingthattheyhadbeenwithJesus.That’swhataccreditspeopleforministry—beingwithJesus,partnering with Jesus, loving Him more than any scholastic endeavor ormiraculousevent.

But “professionalministers” can’t change theworld alone.The churchneeds ordinary people willing tominister wherever they are, because livesneedtobechanged,thesickneedtobehealed,andtheoppressedneedtobedelivered.Thiswillhappenthrough“ordinaryChristians”whowanttobringGod’sKingdomtoothersthroughthemeansandgiftingstheyhavereceived.

God is not interested in humankind’s wisdom. He’s interested in ourobedience to beused as conduits ofHis power to change lives.Counselingfromatextbookisn’tgoingtodeliversomeoneoppressedbydemons.God’spowerwill.AndHecanuseanyoneatanytime—wejustneedtobewillingtobeused.

JohnWimber, the late leaderof theVineyardMovement, taught that inchurcheveryonegetstoplay.HetaughtpeoplehowtomoveintheSpirit—notbecausehe learned it inseminary,butbecauseJesus taughtandshowedhim personally. We need thousands more like Wimber who can reach theaverage Joes and Janes who walk into a church the day after becoming aChristian and ask, “What’s this Christianity about?” If we say, “It’s aboutlisteningtoDr.PastorJonesarticulateawell-exegetedsermononthedietarylaws’applicabilitytoday,”boy,we’reallinbigtrouble.

But if we say, “Come on in! Christianity is about loving God andlearning to hear His voice so you can tell your friends and relatives andneighborsaboutJesus,andshowtheminpowerhowmuchJesuslovesthem,”thentheworldwillberadicallyreachedandimpacted.

PURPOSE

It’smy firm belief that a revolution of power-enhancedministers willemergefromthegrassrootslevel—believerstiredof“Churchianity”andpew-warming. Part ofmy goal in life is to equip the saints in the church to doministry.Ministry isn’t just for professionals who can speak Latin. It’s foreveryone who can hear God’s heartbeat for a lost and dying world, andrespondwithclarityandtakerisksthatcanmakeapositivedifference.

It’smyhopethatthisbookwillpersuadeandequipChristiansofseveralgenerationsthatGodisinthepowerbusiness—nottoshowoff,buttobless,encourage,andhealhurtinglives.HecaredenoughtosendJesustodieonthecross;Healsocaresenoughtomovetodayinpower.

Chapter1

INHERITINGTHESUPERNATURAL

BILLJOHNSON

BillandBrenda(Beni)JohnsonareseniorpastorsofBethelChurchinRedding,California.Billisafifthgenerationpastorwitharichheritagein the things of the Spirit. Together they serve a growing number ofchurches that have partnered for revival. This apostolic network hascrosseddenominationallinesinbuildingrelationshipsthatenablechurchleaderstowalkinbothpurityandpower.

TheLordhasusedBill to launcha frontalattackagainstunbelief,complacency,anddoubt.Throughhealingsthatoccurateverymeeting,faith has been strengthened and revival fires fanned in the hearts ofbelievers.BillteachesalifeoffaiththatproducesarelationshipbetweentheFaithfulOneandthesurrenderedbeliever.ThepowerofGodrevealsHisnatureandisusheredinbyHisPresence.Billbelievesthatteachingtruths about God without an encounter leads to spiritual pride. AnencounterwithGodproducesbotharevelationofGodandrevelationofself,thustransformingus.

In this present move, God has brought Bill into a deeperunderstandingof thephrase,“…onearthas it is inheaven.”Heaven isthemodel for our life andministry. Jesus lived with this principle byonly doing what He saw His Father doing. Learning to recognize theHolySpirit’spresenceandhowtofollowHis leadenablesus todotheworks of Christ—destroying the works of the devil. Healing anddeliverancemustbecomethecommonexpressionofthegospelofpoweronceagain.

BillandtheBethelchurchfamilyhavetakenonthisthemeforlifeandministry.Healings,rangingfromcancertobrokenbonestolearningdisorders and emotional healing, happen with regularity. This is the

“children’s bread.”And theseworks ofGod are not limited to revivalmeetings. The church is learning how to take this anointing to theschools,workplace,andneighborhoodswithsimilarresults.Billteachesthat we owe the world an encounter with God, and that the gospelwithoutpowerisnotthegospelthatJesuspreached.

Bill’sreflectionaboutthepowerofGodfollows:

JESUSCHRISTISPERFECTTHEOLOGY

JesusChrist isperfect theology.Whateveryou thinkyouknowaboutGodthatyoucan’tfindinthepersonofJesus,youhaveareasontoquestion.JesusChrist is the precise revelation of the nature of the Father. As Jesus ismanifested to us in Scripture, so we are to present Him to this world.Revelationmakesusresponsibleandaccountable,forHesaidtous,“AstheFatherhassentMe,Ialsosendyou”(John20:21).

EarlyinlifethroughtheChristmasmessageweheartheangelsproclaim,“Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, goodwill toward men!”(Luke 2:14). This is God’s heart toward humanity. It’s the message thatintroduced Jesus to theworld andmust remain themessage that introducestheChurchtotheworld.

Believerseasilysay,“Yes,Godisgood.”Wehaveto;theBiblesaysso.Butwhen tragedy strikes,many say, “I knowHe’s good, butHisways aremysterious,”thinkingthatGodcausesevilbecauseHe’llworkitoutforgoodintheend.TheimplicationisthatGodsometimesbringscrises,disease,andtormenttoteachustobebetterChristians.ThereisnoquestionthatGodcanwork good out of evil. This is a testimony to His greatness, and Hisredemptive purpose in our lives. But to attribute evil to Him tragicallyunderminesourpurposeon the earth, as it cripplesour ability to re-presentJesus as the manifestation of God’s goodwill toward all. Furthermore itcompromises our ability to discern the difference betweenGod’s disciplineandactualdemonicassault.

ConflictoftenariseswhendiscussingthenatureofGod’sgoodness.TheportrayalofGod“asonewhoafflicts”usuallyhasanoldcovenantScriptureas itsproof text. It iswrongto takeanOldTestamentrevelationofGod,ofHisnature,andpreemptortrumptheNewTestamentrevelationofGodfoundin Jesus Christ. Inferior covenants do not provide clearer insights into thenatureofGod.ScriptureisScripture.Allofitwaswrittenforourinstruction.ButwhatisobservedintheLawandtheProphetsdoesnotpossesstheclaritythatisfoundinthepersonofJesus.

PURPOSEFORTHEOLDTESTAMENT

TherearecountlessbenefitsoftheOldTestamentScripturesfortheNew

Testament believer. But improper use of them has impaired many aChristian’slife.Hereareatleastthreebeneficialuses.

1. The Old Testament gives us an awareness of our sinfulness. Theapostle Paul explains it, “… where there is no law there is notransgression”(Rom.4:15).

2. The Old Testament Law is the tutor that leads us to Christ.“Therefore theLawhasbecomeour tutor to lead us toChrist, sothatwemaybejustifiedbyfaith.Butnowthatfaithhascome,wearenolongerunderatutor”(Gal.3:24-25NASB).

3. InthattheOldTestamentleadsustoJesus,itnaturallyportraysthisKing in His Kingdom. Throughout the time before Christ, therewere events, prophecies, and laws that spoke of life under grace.Therewereunusualmomentsofgrace that gave insight intowhatwascomingthrough“typesandshadows.”

WonderfulrevelationsaregainedfromtheOldTestamentthroughtypesandshadows.Forexample,weknowthattheJewssacrificedaspotlesslambat the templeasapayment for theirsin.ButwealsoknowthatJesus is theactualLambofGodwho takesaway the sinof theworld.Once fulfillmentcomestotheOldTestamenttypeorsymbol,there’snomoreneedtogobackandembracetheshadow.

The new covenant reveals the Father clearly in the person of JesusChrist. Jesus said, “If you’ve seenMe, you’ve seen the Father” (see John14:9).Hebrewsdeclares,“God,afterHespokelongagotothefathersintheprophetsinmanyportionsandinmanyways,intheselastdayshasspokentous in His Son” (Heb. 1:1-2 NASB). Furthermore, He is “the exactrepresentation of His nature.” God is now speaking primarily through thepersonandworkofJesus.Thetwoareexactlyalike.Thatiswhatissonew

abouttheNewTestament—GodisseenclearlyinJesus.

The entire Old Testament points to Jesus. He is the central figure ofScripture.TheLawandtheProphetsdeclareHisroleasMessiahandassureus that Jesus is the One—the fulfillment of God’s redemptive plan. Thestories, prophecies, and laws all point toHim at various levels in the sameway a highway sign points to an upcoming city. The sign is real andsignificant.But in itself it is not the realitywe are looking for. It points tosomethinggreaterthanitself.InthiscasewemustnotworshipthesignoftheOldTestament.ItservesitspurposebytakingustotheMessiahHimself.Afreeway sign never defines the city itself, and neither should the OldTestamentredefinewhoJesusis.HeisthefulfillmentofboththeLawandtheProphets.ThenatureofHislifeandpurposeisclear—Hecametodestroytheworksofthedevil.

ThereisadeeppersonalneedintheBodyofChristtoseeJesusforwhoHeis.JesushealedeveryonewhocametoHim.Thatdoesn’tchangebecausenot everyone I pray for gets healed.He stilled every life-threatening stormthatHeencountered.Anddeliverancecame toallwhoasked.This is Jesus.AndthisistheFather,exactly.

ThereisavastdifferencebetweenthegoodnessofGodseeninthelifeof Jesus and the goodness of God revealed in the Church because of ourpresent-day beliefs. It has become easier to believe either that the standardJesussetforourlivesisentirelyunattainableorthatitistheologicallywrongtoconsideritalegitimatestandardfortoday.Itisfartoodifficultformanytoreconcile the differences in the life of Jesus and the experience of theeverydaybeliever;sobadtheologyiscreated.It’ssometimeseasiertochangeour interpretation of the intent of Scripture than it is to seekGod untilHeanswers.

IfJesushealedeveryonewhocametoHim,andtheFatherwillspeopletobesick,thenwehaveadividedhouse—onethataccordingtoJesuscannotstand. Invariably it’sat thispoint in thediscussion thatpeoplebringupOldTestamentversesinanattempttoprovethepointthatGodcausessickness.Ican’t thinkofanareaother thanmiracles,signs,andwonders,whichwouldincludeprophecy,thattheChurchdoesthiswith.Wewouldneverendorsethesacrifice of an actual lamb to atone for sin even though theOldTestamentgave thecommand.Norwouldwemakepeople travel to Jerusalemso theycanbeinvolvedinacceptableworshiptoGod.Thesethingswewouldneverdo.Butwedo theequivalent to the subjectofhealing. If anOldTestamentScripturesupersedestheperfectrevelationofGodinChristonthesubjectofhealing,wehaveillegallytakenlicensetoredefinethenatureoftheKingdom.Wedothiswithnootherpartofthegospel.

Two thousand years ago Jesus considered all sickness to be from thedevil, and healingwas a sign ofGod’sKingdomcome.Even something assimpleasafeverwasconsideredtobeofthedevil.(SeeMark1:31.)ThingshavedisintegratedsofarthatmanyconsidersicknesstobesentorallowedbyGodtobuildourcharacter.Thosewhopursuehealingarethoughttobeoutofbalance at best, and from the devil atworst. It’s frightening to see how farthings can fall in 2,000 years.What is evenmore puzzling is that the veryoneswhoconsiderthesicknesstobeapprovedbyGodforourbenefithavenoproblem going to the doctor to find a cure and release from disease. SuchmindlessapproachestoScripturemuststop.

Believing thatGod isgood is absolutelyvital tobecomingeffective inthe ministry of the gospel. Without that foundation, it’s not possible todeveloptheclearfocusandthestrengthoffaithtopursuethebreakthroughsthat the earth aches for. The way we understand Him is the way we willpresentHim.HowweseeHimdefineshowwethinkandhowwelive.

I am not saying that God doesn’t discipline. When I talk about thegoodnessofGodandthegreatnessofJesusandHisgraceandHiskindness,Idon’tforgetthatHewasalsotheonewhochasedthemoneychangersoutofthetemplewithawhip.It’sjustthatHedoesnotusesickness,anymorethanHe uses sin, to disciplineHis children. If I did tomy childrenwhatmanyChristiansclaimGoddoestoHis,I’dbearrestedforchildabuse.

WhenweunderstandthenatureofGod,weseethatJesusisnotwarringagainsttheFathertorevealadifferentstandard.HeisperfectlyrepresentingandmanifestingthenatureoftheFather.Thisisabigdealbecauseinthebackof the minds of so many people is a picture of the Father willing certaincalamitiesanddifficultiesandJesusinterceding,tryingtotalkHimoutofit.Whilevery fewwillput it in that language, it is the imagery that isbehindmuch of how the Church lives and thinks. Insurance companies andnewspapers call natural disasters “an act ofGod.”Wheredid theyget theirtheology?Fromus.

Wedon’teverfindJesusblessingastormthatwascomingatHimandthedisciples.Heneverredirectedthestorm,saying,“Gotothatcity;destroythem.Itwill teach themhowtopray.Theywillbecomemore likeMe.”Onthecontrary,Hestilledthestorm.HerebukedHisdisciplesforwantingtocalldownfireonpeople,saying,“Youdon’tknowwhatspirityouareof.” (SeeLuke9:54.)WeneverseeHimusingHisauthority to increaseastormor tobringcalamityofanykind.WealwaysseeHimbringinganendtoastormorsickness. Regardless of how or why the storm came about, Jesus was thesolution.

Wecaneithercreateadoctrinethatallowsforlack,orseekGoduntilHe

answers.When the disciples didn’t get a miracle breakthrough, they askedJesuswhy. In otherwords, they expectedbreakthrough.An environment ofexpectationnaturallycreatesadesiretofindout“why”whenabreakthroughdoesn’t come. Today it’s easier to blame God than to accept the fact thatwe’retheonesHeleftincharge.

THENATUREOFTHEMESSAGE

“TheLawandtheProphetswereproclaimeduntilJohn;sincethattimethegospelofthekingdomofGodhasbeenpreached,andeveryoneisforcinghiswayintoit”(Luke16:16NASB).

“UntilJohn”isasignificantphrase,butonethatisnearlyforgotten.BoththeLawandtheProphetsweresupersededbyanothermessage,thegospelofthe Kingdom. One still exists; the other has become obsolete. One hasHeaven’s backing; the other doesn’t.One reveals our assignment; the otherdoesnot.

Amessage creates a reality.The nature of themessage determines thenature of the reality in which we will live and minister. The KingdommessagecreatesanenvironmentsuitabletothedisplayofGod’slove,purity,and power. It is the message that Jesus preached and in turn taught Hisdisciplestopreach.Itisthenowword.

The Church has largely replaced the gospel of the Kingdom with thegospel of salvation. The gospel of salvation is focused on getting peoplesavedandgoingtoHeaven.Thebeautyofthatmessagemakesitveryeasytomiss the fact that it isonlyapartof thewholemessage that Jesusgaveus.Thegospelof theKingdomisfocusedonthetransformationof lives,cities,andnations,bringingtherealityofHeaventoearth.Wemustnotconfuseourdestiny with our assignment. Heaven is my destiny, while bringing theKingdomismyassignment.ThefocusoftheKingdommessageistherightfuldominionofGodovereverything.

Whatever is inconsistent with Heaven, namely disease, torment, sinhabits,etc.,mustcomeundertheauthorityoftheKing.Thesekindsofissuesmust be dealt with and broken off of people’s lives because these inferiorrealmscannotstandwhereverthedominionofGodisrealized.Aswesucceedindisplayingthismessage,wearepositionedtobringaboutculturalchangeinbusiness, politics, the environment, and essential issues that face us today.Thiscreatesamostunusualphenomenon:thefruitofrevivalbecomesthefuelof revival, which produces the fruit of revival, etc. It is circular, untoreformation.

WHENHEAVENWASSILENT

Why did Jesus say, “until John”? Why didn’t He say, “until Jesus”?BecauseJohnwas theonewhobrokeHeaven’ssilencewith themessageofthe Kingdom. Before John the Baptist came on the scene, there were 400yearswithoutonewordfromGod.Heavenwassilent.Novisions,dreams,orprophecies.Nothing.Fourhundredyearsofabsolutesilence,and thencameJohn.TheHolySpirit is not carelesslyhighlighting this detail that theLawand the Prophets were until John because it was John who first declared,“Repent,fortheKingdomofHeavenisathand”(Matt.3:2).

There is another place in Scripture where 400 years is unusuallysignificant. Understanding the first mention of this phrase, 400 years, willhelp us to understand its significance in this case. Israel was a nation ofslaves, living in Egypt for 400 years. And then everything changed in amoment. The blood from a lambwas put on the door-post of each Jewishhomeon thePassover (seeExod. 12:23).TheAngel of theLord came andreleasedtheJewsfromtheirslaverytoEgypt.Inonemoment,theywentfrombeingslaves,tobeingfree,fromabsolutepoverty,topossessingthewealthofthemostprosperousnationintheworld.Ithappenedinamoment.Thefirstmention of the phrase 400 years in the Bible resulted in the rescue andcreationofanewnation,theredemptionofGod’speople.InthetimeofJohn,Godannouncesarescueandcreationofanewnationdeclaring,“It’sanewday!”

ThatisexactlythemessageofJesusinLuke16:16.It’sanewday!Thenewdayismarkedwithanewmessage.Onemessageisover,andanotherhasbegun.WhenJohntheBaptistcameforth,itwasevenmoresignificantthandeliverance from 400 years of slavery under Egypt. This deliverance dealtwith thenatureandpotentialofhumankind. John’spronouncementchangedeverything.

Jesusmadetheamazingstatement,“NowtheKingdomofGodisbeingpreachedandeveryoneispressingintoit”(seeLuke16:16).Isitpossiblethatthe nature of the message determines the size of the harvest? He did say,everyone! This is the message: “Jesus is Lord over all. His dominion iseverlasting. It isnow!”When you declare the rightmessage, you create anatmospherewhereeveryoneisabletopressin.Nomattertheneed,thereisananswer. The right message capitalizes on the truth that Jesus is called TheDesireoftheNations.TherightmessagechangestheatmospheretomakethemanifestationofHisdominionrealized.Perhapsthis is thecontext inwhichtheirresistiblegraceofGodisembraced,thusfulfillingthedesirebornintheheartofeverypersonalive.

ITISFINISHED

After this, Jesus, knowing that all thingswere now accomplished, thatthe Scripturemight be fulfilled, said, “I thirst!”…Sowhen Jesus hadreceivedthesourwine,Hesaid,“Itisfinished!”AndbowingHishead,HegaveupHisspirit(John19:28,30).

ItisamistaketothinkthatwhenJesuscriedout,“Itisfinished,”Hewasmerely proclaiming that His life as a human being was over. He came toquenchtheappetiteofanunquenchablefirebysatisfyingthedemandsoftheLawandtheProphets.WhenHesaid,“Itisfinished,”Hewasdeclaring,“Theappetite of the Law and Prophets has been satisfied. It’s a new day. It isfinished.”Wego fromaslave toapossessorof theKingdominamoment:from being the onewho has no right inGod to suddenly being the eternaldwellingplaceofGodHimself.

REPENTINGENOUGHTOSEETHEKINGDOM

“Repent,fortheKingdomofHeavenisathand.”OneofthewaysIliketo illustrate this is in Hebrews 6:1, “Repentance from dead works… faithtowardGod.”Fullrepentanceisfromsomethingtowardsomething—fromsintowardGod.ManyChristiansrepentenoughtobeforgivenbutnotenoughtosee the Kingdom. Their repentance doesn’t bring the Kingdom into view.Jesus tells us to repent becauseHe broughtHisworldwithHim. If I don’tshiftmyperspectiveonreality,Iwillneverdiscoverthatwhichissuperior—theunseenrealmofHisdominion.

Lukewrites it thisway: “Repent therefore andbe converted, that yoursins may be blotted out, so that times of refreshing may come from thepresenceoftheLord”(Acts3:19).Thepointis:thepresenceistheKingdom.It’s tooeasy toover-complicate theChristian life.Weare told toputon thefull armor of God, which includes the helmet of salvation, breastplate ofrighteousness, and so on (see Eph. 6:10-18). The apostle Paul gave us thisimportant instruction,butmostofusmiss thepoint.God ismyarmor.He’snotsaying,“PutsomethingonthatisarealitythatisseparatefromMe.”He’ssaying, “I’m it. Just abide in Me. I become your salvation. I am yourrighteousness, the breastplate over you. I am the gospel of peace. I am thegoodnews.IamtheswordoftheSpirit.”ThislistisaprofoundwordpictureenablingustorealizethefullerbenefitofabidinginChrist.

The Kingdom is about discovering presence, the person of the LordJesusChrist.Why?He’sthemessage.He’sperfecttheology.Wecan’tdefileordistortthemessageofwhoHeissothatwecanaccommodatesomethingthat took place in the days of an inferior covenant. To try to reactivate thevoice of the Law and Prophets, and let it trump and overtake the clearmanifestationofthenatureofGodfoundinJesus,istheologicallyimmoral.

RELEASINGHISPRESENCE

RememberwhenJesussentthedisciplesouttwobytwo?Hetoldthemtogo into ahome, let theirpeace reston thathome, and if therewasnot apersonofpeacethere,theyshouldtakethepeacebackandleave.(SeeLuke10:5-7.)Thatwasvitalministryinstructionthatmostofusknowlittleabout.In order to understand this issue, we need a stronger awareness of ourrelationshipwiththeHolySpirit.

There is an Old Testament type and shadow of the Holy SpiritdescendingasadoveinthestoryofNoah.Hereleasedthedovetofindoutiftherewasanydryland.Whenthedovecouldfindnoplacetorest,thedovereturnedtoNoah.EverytimeyoutalkandyoudeclareKingdomrealities,yourelease theHolySpirit.AndHe is looking for a life to rest upon.Learninghowthatpresenceisreleasedisessentialinministry.Ifindthatthesamethinghappens when we are with people who have a genuine hunger for theKingdom.They actually drawupon theSpiritwithin us.That is how Jesusknew thatpowerwentout fromHimwhen thewoman touched the edgeofHisgarment(seeMark5:30).HecarriedsuchanawarenessoftheHolySpirituponHimthatHefeltpowerbeingreleased.

Aswespeak,Hispresenceisreleased.Heisalwayslookingforanotherpersontorestupon.ThisistheircallandsummonsintotheireternalpurposeasthedwellingplaceofGod,andasabrokerofHisdominion.WhenwetalkabouttheKingdomofGodbeingathand,wearetalkingaboutthepresenceoftheAlmightyGod.YoucannotseparatepresenceandKingdom.

Our ministry is the release of presence. It is why we say what He issaying because aswe speak, ourwords define theministry of the Spirit ofGodthatisbeingreleasedandmanifestedintotheenvironment.WearecalledandassignedbyGodtostandwithinsocietyandbringtheWordoftheLord.WeareeventoldofadaycomingwhenthenationsoftheworldwillstreamtousseekingthewordoftheLord(seeMicah4:2).

AWORDBORNINCOURAGE

AnexpressionofthedunamispowerreleasedontheChurchatPentecostis courage. Courage enables us to speak with a boldness that God says“Amen”to.DeclaringHiswordrequirescourage.AndmanifestingHiswillisourintentionalresponsetothewordwejustdeclaredthatrequiresrisk.Muchofwhatispreachedtodayiswithoutboldness.IfJesushadpreachedwhatwaspreached inmost pulpits on any given Sunday,He neverwould have beencrucified.

“And they went out and preached everywhere, the Lord working withthem, confirming theword through theaccompanying signs” (Mark16:19).Much of what is presently taught and confessed by the Church can beaccomplishedapart fromGod.Mostof it appeals tohuman talent and skill.WhateverwecandoforGodisimportantbutsecondarytowhatwe’vebeencalledtodothatisimpossible.TheabilitytorallythepeopleofGodtogetherand work hard to accomplish a project for the Lord will never satisfy ourinnerlongingtoseeimpossibilitiesbendtheirkneetothenameofJesus.

ButtheLordisstirringupacouragethatisanchoredtoeternalpurpose.In Acts 4:29-30, Peter had just gotten out of prison; he had just sufferedpersecutionforthenameofJesus,yethewasreadytotakeitupanotch.Hesaid,“Lord,pleasetakenoteoftheirthreatsandgrantthatYourbondservantscould preach Your word with all boldness.” He asked God to increase hisboldness: the very thing that got him in trouble. TheLord is looking for awordthatisbornincourage,sothatHehastoshowuptoconfirmit.MaytheLordgiveusawordthatconfronts thepowersofdarkness,releasesHeavenon earth, and launches people into their God-born destinies: something towhichGodcansay“Amen.”

WeareapeoplechosenbyGodtodeclarewhatGodissaying,releasingthepresenceof theLord all over the earth.Thiswas allHis idea—that thegloryoftheLordwouldcovertheearthasthewatercoversthesea,andtherewouldbenoendtotheincreaseofHisgovernment.YouandIareservantsinbringingthekingdomsofthisworldintoHisdomain,wherethepresenceofGodisseenineveryaspectandareaoflife.

THEPOWEROFRIGHTEOUSNESS

Societaltransformationisnotanaccidentalby-productofrevival.Itistobe intentional. Inrevival theChurchbecomesmoreconvincedofabigGodthanabigdevil.Sucha shift in focuschangeswhat’spossible.But it’sourinternalworldthatisthefirstthingtochangeinthegloryofHisoutpouring.Forsucha transformation to takeplace in theworldaroundus, itmust firsthappentotheworldwithinus.Onlywhatistrueontheinsidecanbereleased

totheoutside.Jesusconqueredastormwithpeace.ItwasthestormHesleptin.ThepeacethatkeptHiminrestwasthepeacethatdeliveredHimfromthestormitself.Internalrealitiesbecomeourexternalrealities.Thatisthenatureofministry:livingfromtheinsideout.

Without the outpouring of the Spirit, the Church becomes moreconcernedwithbeingcontaminatedbyevil thanwedoofcontaminatingtheworld with righteousness. While we should never take sin lightly, neithershouldwebeignorantofthepowerofholiness.

Much of our present view of the world is built on Old Testamentrevelation. It’s not wrong; it’s just incomplete. If I lived under Jewish lawbefore Christ, and I offered a sacrifice to the Lord, but on the way to thetemple someonewhowas unclean touchedmy offering, the offeringwouldhavebecomeunclean.Sinaffects.That’swhytouchingalepermadeapersonunclean.Theemphasisintheoldcovenantrevelationwasthatsinispowerful.Itdestroyswhateverittouches.

ThingsaredifferentintheNewTestament.TheGospelofMatthewwaswritten primarily for the Jews. In his account of Jesus’ life, MatthewmentionedJesustouchingtheleperasthefirstmiracle.WhenHetouchedtheleper, the leper became clean. This testimony confronted an incompletemindsetthatwasnotadequateforHispresentworkofgraceontheearth.Thepowerofholinessbecomesevenclearerwhenwereadthatabelievingspousesanctifiestheentireunbelievinghousehold.ThisKingdommindsetrequiresashiftinhowweviewandvaluelifeitselfandtheeffectofthelifeofChristinus.FaithinKingdomrealitiesmanifestsKingdomrealities.

ThepowerofholinessbecomesclearerinthestoryofDaniel.GodtookDaniel and allowed him to be numberedwithwitches andwarlocks beforeKing Nebuchadnezzar. He lived righteously and brought about a NewTestament effect of holiness and loyalty on an entire kingdom until thatungodly leaderwas converted. Holiness ismore powerful than sin; it’s thepurityofChristinyou.

HIGHWAYOFHOLINESS

There is an environment created in the outpouring of the Spiritwhereholiness becomes the natural by-product. Isaiah speaks of the highway ofholiness. A highway is a road designed to expedite travel, where obstacleshave been removed. It usually involves easy access and fellow travelers.AhighwayofholinessbuildsmomentumforthepeopleofGodtoliveinpurity.It is so significant that even foolish things get covered. It’s not to call for,

allow for, or encourage foolish things. Many living righteously create amomentumwhereeventheweaksucceed.

Ahighwayshallbethere,andaroad,

AnditshallbecalledtheHighwayofHoliness.

Theuncleanshallnotpassoverit,

Butitshallbeforothers.

Whoeverwalkstheroad,althoughafool,

Shallnotgoastray(Isaiah35:8).

ThisHighwayofHolinesswillnotbeknownforcompromise.Youwon’thave people who outwardly pretend to be holy but inwardly are corrupt.“Whoeverwalks the road, although a fool, shall not go astray”means thatGodiscreatingsuchahighwayinthistimeofoutpouringthatit’sgoingtobehardtowanderoff theroad.Thisconcept isdifficult formanytoreceiveaswe are accustomed to the opposite.We are quick to speak about the “greatfallingaway,”butnotthegreatharvestandcitytransformationthatisalsoapartofend-timeprophecy.Adayiscomingwhentherewillexistarighteouspeerpressure,withoutthefearofman.

New Testament theology emphasizes the power of holiness, not thepowerof sin. It’snot thatwe shouldn’t fear sin. It remainspowerful.But ashift in focus will position us to invade the world instead of requiring theworldtocometous.

I rememberbeing taught thatholinesswasa listof thingsyoucanandcan’t do—and the “can’t do” listwas longer than the “can do” list.MostlywhatwasonthecandolistwasgotoChurch,tithe,giveofferings,witness,readyourBible,andpray.Throwinapotlucknowandthen,haveagoodlife,andwaituntilJesuscomesback.ButJesusdidn’tgothroughallthatHewentthroughsowecouldbebusywithreligiousactivities.HeplacedtheSpiritofresurrectionwithinusthatwemightconquersomething.

MosthaveanOldTestamentviewofholinessinaNewTestamentera—and the eras are completely different. The Old Testament was to preparehumanityforaSavior—notjusttopreparethemtoreceiveone,buttopreparethem to ask for one. The Law and the Prophets continually exposedrequirementsfromGodthatpeoplecouldnotkeep.Butgracecamealongandchangedeverything.Youcan’tdoenoughstufftomakeyourselfcleanbeforeGod.WeareindesperateneedofaSaviorandevennow,2,000yearslater,it

isvitalwelivewiththatconsciousness—thatwecannotworkhardenoughtoget God’s favor. We have His favor, and we must live from that favor toincreasewhatwealreadyhave.

It’sastrangeconceptintheKingdom.Youactuallygetmoreofwhatyouhave by living out ofwhat you have. If you canmake that adjustment andlearntoliveingrace,yourconductchangessomuchmoredramaticallythanwhenyoutrytoworktoobtainfavor.

The prophet Isaiah continues thismost beautiful picture of a highwayconcept.

Gothrough,gothroughthegates,

Clearthewayforthepeople;

Buildup,

Buildupthehighway,

Removethestones,

Liftupastandardoverthepeoples(Isaiah62:10NASB).

Ibelievethegatesinthispassagerefertopraise,asmentionedinIsaiah60:18.When thepeopleofGodgiveGodpraise, somethinghappens in theatmosphere.Theobstaclesofideologies,culture,andspiritualstrongholdsareconfronted. Continuous praise, that is both sacrificial, and a lifestyle,eventually removes the inferior and establishes a Heaven-like realm overgeographical locations. It happens wherever the people of God gather toworship, but eventually it has an effect on entire cities. This heavenlyatmosphere changes people’s perception of reality. This process is calledbuilding a highway.Aworshiping community changes the atmosphere overthecitythatactuallygivesthosewhodon’tknowChristaplaceofeasyaccesstoknowHim.

HOLINESSMANIFESTSINPOWER

Holiness in character is themanifestation of the power ofGod on thenature of man. Holiness affects the human body through healing. Holinessdemandsexpression,andthatexpressionisthemanifestationofpower,givinglanguagetowhattheSpiritofGodisdoing.TheLordwas“declaredtobetheSonofGodwithpoweraccordingtotheSpiritofholinessbytheresurrectionof the dead” (Rom. 1:4). Miracles, like the resurrection, are a normal

expressionofholiness.

AttimesourloveforGodismeasuredbythatwhichwehate.Heisstillthejudgeandwillalwayscondemnwhateverinterfereswithlove.HowmuchdidGodhatesickness?AsmuchasHehatedsin.Theyaredealtwithalmostasoneandthesame.Whatsinistomysoul,sicknessistomybody.HehatedsicknessenoughtoallowHisSontoexperiencesuchabrutalwhipping.Thebloodcoversoursin,butthewoundspaidforourmiracle.ThatishowmuchHe hates sin and sickness.We cannot be tolerant of those things, becausewhatyoutoleratedominates.

OURCOMMISSION

Holinesshasatransformingeffectonallcreationaswell.Romans8:22saysthat“creationgroansfortherevealingofthesonsanddaughtersofGod.”NaturelongstomanifesttheKingdom.Theearthgroansforthis,wantingtobehealed.Evenwaterlongstobewalkedonagain.WhileI’mnotcontendingforour trying tocreateanearthlyutopia, Iamalsonotdiscounting the factthat creation is affected by the manifestation of God’s presence upon Hispeople.

Whathappensinthespiritneedstobemeasurableinthenatural.IfyousayyouloveGodwhomyoucan’tseeandyouhateyourbrotherwhomyoucansee,thenwhatyouaresayingisalieaboutyourloveforGod(see1John4:20).Inotherwords,whatyouclaimtoexperienceintheunseenrealmhasto be able to be manifested in the seen realm, or what you claim is inquestion.Hewon’tletuslivewiththeoriesthatcannotbetested.They’vegottobeapplicablenow.

The prophets used natural language to teach of spiritual realities. ThedesertrejoicesinIsaiah35:1.Inverse2,itblossomsabundantlywithjoyandsinging and the glory of the Lord will be seen. Verses 3 and 4 are thecommission:“Strengthenweakhands.Makefirmfeebleknees.Saytothosewho are fearful hearted, ‘Be strong.Donot fear.YourGodwill comewithvengeance.’”

Runandlookforanyonewho’sfalteringandsay,“Thisisn’tthetimetofalter.Thisisourmoment,themomentyouwerebornfor.Don’tbeafraid.”Havingtherightmessageintherighthourreleasesanunparalleledrealmofsupernatural activity. This is Heaven’s response to our response to Hiscommission:“Thentheeyesoftheblindshallbeopenedandtheearsofthedeafshallbeunstopped.Thelameshallleaplikethedeer,andthetongueofthedumbshallsing”(Isa.35:5-6).ThisisGod’s“Amen”toourproclaiming

therightmessage.AndheusesnaturetoillustratetheabundantChristianlife:“Forwaterswillburstforthinthewilderness,andstreamsinthedesert….”

ADRINKBECOMESARIVER

Jesusbecamesinso thatyouand Iwouldbecome the righteousnessofGod.WebecameGod’srighteousnessintheearth.Hesays,“Arise,shineforHislighthascome,”not“Ariseandreflect”—becauseonceyouaretouchedbylight,youbecomelight.HesaysthatifwecometoHimanddrink,outofour innermost beingwill flow rivers of living water (see John 7:38). So adrink of Him turns your innermost being into a producer of a river whosevolumeissomuchgreaterthanthedrinkyoureceived.Youbecomeareleaserof that very Kingdom that impacted and changed you. Your nature, yourbeing, your person, everything about you, is dramatically shifted in themomentyoucomeintocontactwiththeKingandHisKingdom.

TheKingdom culture celebrateswhatGod is doingwithout stumblingoverwhatGoddidn’tdo.Wemustresistthetemptationtobuildourtheologyaroundwhatdidn’thappen.TheworldarounduscriesforanauthenticdisplayofChrist.Andwebecomethatanswerifwedon’tstumbleoverwhatdidn’thappen.

We are responsible to seek Him for specific breakthrough in private.Also learn from thosewho have already experienced the breakthrough youlongfor.Beingintheenvironmentoftheirministryreleasesagracetodothesame. Be ready to receive from those who are outside of your theologicalpreferences, as God often hides His best gifts for us in the most unlikelypackage,justtoensurewehavethenecessaryhungerandhumilitytoliveinthe gift once we receive it. Look for the impossible and take the risksnecessarytoconfrontitandgiveopportunityforamiracle.

May God release a Spirit of wisdom and revelation upon His peopleonceagainthatwemightseeJesusmoreclearly,andthatwemightre-presentJesusmoreaccurately.InthesamewaythatMoses’faceshonewiththegloryofGodafterseeingHisunlimitedgoodness,soGodwantstochangethefaceoftheChurchinourgeneration.

ThegoodnessofGodis thecornerstoneofour theology:onethatmustbelived,preached,anddemonstrated.

It’sallaboutJesus,whoisperfecttheology.

Chapter2

CHRISTIANITY’SGREATHEALINGRIVERANDITSCONTRIBUTINGSTREAMS

RANDYCLARK

RandyClarkwasusedofGodtobirththe“TorontoBlessing”in1994.Thisopened thedoor forhim tobecomean international speaker,whohas spoken in 36 nations. From 1994-2004 Randy focused on leadingrenewal meetings throughout the United States and around the worldwhere he equipped pastors and leaders of apostolic networks anddenominations.Heequippedthembyteachingthemhowtoprayforthesick and deliverance, receive words of knowledge, and giving them abiblicalbasisforhealing.

However, the most important aspect of his ministry was whenRandy would teach about impartation (the ability for the gifts oranointingtobetransferredfromonepersontoanotherpersondeterminedby thewill of God) and then pray for impartation for the pastors andleaders.Since2004RandyhasfocusedprimarilyonconductingSchoolsofHealingandImpartation,offeringthreedifferentschoolseachwithitsownfocus.Randyspeaksatconferencesprimarilyfocusingonrenewal,healing,andimpartation.

HisvisiontohaveatrainingschoolfinallycametopasswhentheGlobalSchoolofSupernaturalMinistrywasfounded.Thisschoolhelpspreparepeople forworkasmissionaries,churchplanters,pastors,or inthe market place with a stronger anointing for prophetic and healingministry. This school is patterned after the School of SupernaturalMinistryunderBillJohnson’soversightinRedding,California.

In 2005, Randy started the Apostolic Network of GlobalAwakening, a network of churches and itinerant ministries. He is thefounder of Global Awakening, through which he conducts hisinternationalandnationalministry.

In 2008, the School of Worship was founded to help prepareworship leaders andmusicians for church planting,worship leading inchurches,anditinerantworshiporministryofmusicopportunities.

RandyClarkshareswithyoutheamazingpowerofGod:

THERIVEROFHEALING

TheBibleusestheanalogyofariverthathashealingpropertiesassociatedwithitandtheleavesofthetreesthatgrowonitsbanksinEzekiel47:12andRevelation22:2.ThisriveranalogyhasbeenusedformovesofGod,andasametaphorforthehealingmovementofGod.IbelievethereisagreatRiverofHealingthathasbeenreleasedontheearththroughGod’sChurch.However,thereisagreatdealofprejudicewithintheChurchregardingthisriver.And,tobehonest,theflowofthisriverhascausedalotofcontroversyanddivisionwithintheChurch.

Itismydesiretoshowhowthevariousstreamsthatmakeupthismightyriver flow into theRiverofHealing.Oneof theproblemswehave faced ismistakingthesmallerriverorcreekthatweareinandfeelcomfortablewith,for theriver itself,andoftenseeingothersmallerriversorcreeksasfoulorpolluted tributaries thatdon’t really flow into the sameRiverofHealingasourdoes.

WhatdoIbelievethesevalidcontributingsmallerriversarewhichflowintothegreatRiverofHealingwithinChristianity?Theyare:

healing through sacraments (Roman Catholic and Orthodox andothers);

healinginanswertoprayersforthesickbythechurchortheelders(historicalreformationdenominations);

healing through faith in God’s promises and confessing andappropriatingthepromisesbyfaith,alsoprayingtheprayeroffaithfor others (Faith Cure Movement and the Word of FaithMovement);

healingthroughtheprayersofpersonswiththegiftsofhealingandone’sownfaithtoreceive(Pentecostalism);

healingthroughthehealingevangelists(LatterRainMovementand1948HealingRevival);

healingthroughChristianswhomoveinthegiftsofhealingand/orwordsofknowledge(ThirdWaveEvangelicalandVineyard).

I believe that each of these streams is a valid stream that flows intoGod’sgreatRiverofHealing.Are they all purewithout anypollution fromhumankind?No, there issomeofman’spollution ineveryoneof them,butwemustdiscernwhatispollutionfromman,andwhatisthewaterofhealingfromGod.Weneedtoworktoremovethepollution,cleanuptherivers,andnotrefusetoreceivetheblessingtheyareintendedtocarry.

I am hoping to present the best of each river, or to legitimize eachcontributing river so thatwecanhonorourotherbrothersandsisters in theChurchJesusdiedtoestablish,creatingmoreunitywithinHisBody.Ibelievethat this greater unity will also bring about a greater flow of the River ofHealing.UnityopensthewindowsofHeaventotheblessingofGod’sraintofallandflowintoalltheriversofhealing.Ihopetoaccomplishthistasknotsomuch through definitions and analysis, but through story,my story.Yousee, Ihaveexperiencedorbeenpartofalmostallof these smaller riversofhealingthatflowintoHisRiverofHealing.Itisahumblingthingtorealizethat“yourriver”doesn’texhaustHisRiver.

HISTORICDENOMINATIONS—SOFTCESSATIONISMANDLIBERALISM

MystorybeginsintheBaptistdenominations(GeneralBaptist,SouthernBaptist, and American Baptist). I always believed in healing; I can’t

remember a time I didn’t believe in it. Mymaternal grandmother told meabouthearingGod’svoiceaudiblytellinghertogointothebedroomtoprayandHewouldhealher.Shedidsoandshesaid it felt likeahothandwentdownherthroatcausingthelargegoitertoinstantlydisappear.

WewatchedOralRoberts’healingcrusadesinthebigtentontelevision,andIcanremembertimeswhenthewholechurchwouldprayforsomeone’shealing. However, I didn’t understand that the churches I attended reallyembraced a form of what today would be called “soft cessationism.” Thepastors, churches, and congregations believed God could heal today. TheHolySpiritcould inHissovereigntymove inanswer toprayerandheal thepersonsweprayedforasacongregation.Therewerenohealingservices,andifyouhadintroducedthemintotheorderoftheserviceonanyregularityyouprobably would have had problems with the Baptist Association or thePresbyteryoftheGeneralBaptist.

The soft Cessationist belief held that the gifts of healing no longerexisted in the Church, the office of healer no longer existed and tongues,prophecy, words of knowledge, working of miracles, had all ended. Theinteresting thing is that within the small General Baptist church that I wasraisedinseveralpeoplemovedinprophecyand/orwordsofknowledge,butdidn’trealizethattheyoperatedinthesegifts.Whiledenyingthe“charismaticor Pentecostal” terms for the gifts, theywere actually functioning in them.Theywould communicate these impressions, these knowings, as “God toldme,”“theLordwasshowingme,”“IbelievetheLordwasleadingme”typeoflanguage.

Idiscoveredthatweoftenexpressedarealityinourhymnologythatwewouldn’tfeelcomfortablewithinourtheology.Forexample,thegospelsong,“ICometotheGarden”withthelyrics,“Icometothegardenalone,whilethedewisstillontheroses.AndHetalkswithmeandHewalkswithme,andHetellsmeIamHisown.”TherewasabeliefinbeingledbyGod.ThepastorsofthesechurchesIgrewupinwerenoteducated,theyhadnodegreesfromseminary,norfromcollege,actuallymostdidn’thaveahighschooleducation.Iwas16beforethechurchhadapastorwithacollegeeducation.Thoughthepastorswerenoteducatedtheyhadbeeninfluencedbysoftcessationism.

GodcouldhealasthesovereignLord.Hemightanswerourprayers,“IfitwasHiswillforthisperson.”Webelievedinhealingenoughtoprayforthesick,buttherewasn’tastrongfaithforhealing.Withthistheologyforhealingwehadnoplaceforhealinginthenormalorderofservice.Thepastorsdidn’tfeelanyneedtolearnhowtocooperatewiththeHolySpiritorthegiftsoftheSpiritpertainingtohealing.

Therewereafewtimeswhenwegatheredtoprayforasickpersonatthe

frontofthechurchin“unitedcorporateprayer.”Icanthinkofonlyabout10timesin20years.Healingwaspossible,theHolySpiritwasstillactiveintheChurch, and He could heal. But, it wasn’t “normative”—possible yes,normative no! Consequently we didn’t see very many people healed; wedidn’tunderstand,butbelievedthelackofhealingwasconnectedtothewillofGod.Hedidn’tseemtobeverywilling.

IknewGodhadhealedmygrandmother.IneverforgotthestoryofherhealingshetoldmewhenIwasfiveyearsold.IbelieveGodhadalsohealedmySundayschool teacherwhenIwas12.HoweverwhenIwas16and thesamepeopleprayedformygrandfatherwhohadcancer,hewasn’thealedanddiedaverypainfuldeath.Mytheologyatthattimeandforthenextcoupleofyearswas,“GodhealssaintlygrandmothersandSundayschoolteacherswhohaveapassionateloveforhimandareveryspiritual,butnotnormalpeoplewho aren’t so close to Him.” Essentiallymy 16-to 18-year-old perspectivewas:GodhasspecialoneswhoarespecialtoHimbecausetheyloveHiminaspecialway,andtheygetspecialtreatmentlikehealing.

Thisviewpointwasshattered,though,whenIwas18.Iwasalmostkilledinacaraccident.Ihadsevereskullandfacialbonestructuredamage,multiplelacerationstotheface,10-20percentcompressionofthevertebraeinmymid-spine,paralysisofmydigestivesystem,andotherinjuries.Iwassupposedtobeinthehospitalfor50-80daysbecauseoftheseriousnessofmyinjuries,butI kept telling people that I was going to attend the special evangelisticmeetings at church in 28 days. Long story short—through prayers I washealedandoutofthehospitalin20days.

Iwentstraight tochurch that firstnightoutof thehospital to testify tomyphysicalhealing.Thedoctorhad toldme togohomeandstay inbed. Itoldhimhewasn’ttheone(Iactuallyhadateamofthreespecialiststreatingme)whohealedme,Godwas;andIwasgoingtogotochurchtopraiseHimand testify to my healing. (The full story of my healing is in the book,LightingFires.1)

This experience overturned my personal view of healing. I wasn’t asaintly grandmother, nor was I a Sunday school teacher, nor did I have aspecialrelationshiporcommitmenttoGodwhenIwashealed.IhadactuallyjustexperiencedarededicationtoGodoneweekbeforetheaccident.Ididn’tdeserve the healing. But, I had been healed. The healing resulted in mycalling into theministry,andwithin threemonthsof theaccident Iwas inadifferent college no longer pursuing a teaching degree, but in a Christiancollegepursuingtheministry,majoringinreligiousstudies.

Thisbringsmetomynextcrisisoffaithandchallengetomyviewsof

healing. From January 1974 to December 1977 I was training forministrymajoringinreligiousstudiesintheGeneralBaptistCollegeandthenseminaryatSouthernBaptistTheologicalSeminary.Almostallofmyprofessorswereliberal in their teaching.By liberal Imean they embraced a view thatGoddoesn’tbreakintoourworldinresponsetoprayerinawaythatwouldviolatethe “Laws of Nature” which He had established. Not only was there littleexpectationofmiracles today, somebelieved themiracles in theBiblewereonlylegendaryormythological.

This liberalismalmost destroyedmyChristian faith.At onepoint I nolonger believed in real demons, angels, or nature miracles, even thoserecordedintheBible.Sowhatwasitthatkeptmefromlosingmyfaith?Myhealing—I could never doubt that God had healed me. My healing was acontradiction of the liberalism I was being influenced by in college andseminary. Iwaseither anevangelistorpastoring throughoutmy theologicaleducation.IevensawGodhealoneofmyfriendswhileonaministryteamtripinFlint,Michigan,inasmallGeneralBaptistChurch.But,again,thiswasdefinitelyanexception,healingwasn’tnormative.

I believe that unfortunately the majority of seminary-trainedministerswithin the Presbyterian Church USA, most of the Southern BaptistTheological Seminaries until the early 1980s,Methodist, UnitedChurch ofChrist, and many of the Lutheran Seminaries, excluding Concordia in St.Louis; and many other denominations produced several generations ofministerswhohave littlefaithforanythingsupernatural tohappen.Theydonotbelieveinhealingtodayandevendoubtthestoriesofitinbiblicaltexts.

Little wonder there is so little faith for healing in the services of themainline denominational churches that have been influenced by liberalteachingbasedonthe“higher-criticalmethod”ofstudyingtheBible.SeveralyearsaftergraduatingseminaryIwrotethefollowingregardingtheinsightsIhadgainedaboutthebasisforthisliberalwayofinterpretingtheBible.

There isalsoaquotefroma termpaperIwrotewhile inseminary thatresultedinalongdiscussionwiththeprofessorofNewTestament.HetoldmethatIseemedverystronglycommittedtohealingandthatthissubjectwouldcausemeproblems in theBaptistdenomination.He toldme“healing isnotcentral to the gospel; it is only peripheral.” I told him I believed he waswrong,thathealingwascentraltothegospel.Hewasrightaboutonething,however;healingdidgetmeintroubleintheBaptistdenomination.

THEHISTORICAL-CRITICALMETHOD:INTERPRETING THE BIBLE AND THE

MIRACULOUS

Studying religion at college and later studying at aBaptist seminary, Iwas taught that the propermethod of interpreting theBiblewas to use thehistorical-critical method. This method involved studying the historicalsetting,studyingthemeaningoftheoriginallanguages(GreekandHebrew),andstudyingthesourcecritics,formcritics,textcritics,etc.

However, one of the unspoken presuppositions of this method is itsnaturalistic,philosophicalbias.Thesupernatural isnotacceptedbecausethemethod’s presuppositions are based uponAquinas’ synthesis ofAristotelianphilosophy(whichhadnoroomforthesupernatural)andtheChristianfaith.WalterWinkstatesinhisbook,TheBibleinHumanTransformation:TowardaNewParadigmforBiblicalStudy,“Historicalbiblicalcriticismisbankrupt.”He further states, “The historical critical method had a vested interest inunderminingtheBible’sauthority, that itoperatedasabackgroundideologyfor the demystification of religious tradition, that it required functionalatheism for its practice, and that its attempted mastery of the object wasoperationallyanalogoustothemythofSatanandthelegendofFaust.”

It was Van Harvey in his book, The Historian and the Believer: TheMorality ofHistoricalKnowledge andChristianBelief, who firstmademeaware of the logical consequence of applying the historical methodcompletely to the biblical text. The result would be the denial of anythingsupernaturalincludingtheincarnationandtheresurrection.Dr.FrankTupper(myformerprofessoratSouthernBaptistTheologicalSeminary),inalectureduring the courseon “BiblicalAuthority and theModernMind,” expressedfaith in the resurrection as a historical fact. However, he tended to see themiraclesasmythologicalandlegendary.ItisapparentthatDr.TupperhereisfollowingDr.PannenbergofSouthAfrica.

I do not see how one can accept the resurrection and deny themiraculous. Dr. Tupper stated in his lecture, “The unusual event of theresurrectionwillbeanalogoustotheexperienceofallintheconsummation.”However,healingwillalsobeanalogoustoallourexperiencesatthattime.

Whilewritingatermpaperinseminaryon“TheRelationoftheProblemofMiracletoNewTestamentInterpretationandChristianFaith”forDr.JohnPolhill, I made the following statement: “The incarnation is themiracle ofmiracles.Ifourworldsystemisopensothattheincarnationcanoccur,thenitis open for miracles to occur.” Dr. Polhill stated in his lectures on “Themiraclestories in theGospels,” thathisproblemin regard tomiraclesdealswith the incarnation. How can Jesus be fully man and have the power to

performmiracles?HowcouldmodernmanidentifywiththatkindofJesus?”

AtthattimeItriedtoresolvetheproblembypointingtothedualnatureofJesusandquotingtheorthodoxpositionoftheCouncilofNiceaA.D.325,that Jesuswas “verymanof veryman andveryGodof veryGod,withoutbeingatertianquid.”InowrealizethattheansweristhatJesusdidmiraclesbythepoweroftheHolySpirit.Thatsamepowerisavailabletoallbelieverstoday.Jesuswasnotabletodoanythingofhisownaccord(seeJohn5:19,30;8:28).OnlywhathesawtheFatherdoingcouldHedo.BeforeHisbaptisminpowerattheriverJordanHeperformednomiracles(seeLuke5:17b).HedidHismightydeedsthroughtheanointingpoweroftheHolySpirit.Thisviewisbased upon theKenotic passage ofPhilippians 2, and is very important forourunderstandingofJesusbeingourmodelforministry.Hewasdependentupon theHolySpirit. Jesushasgiven that sameSpirit tous to enableus tofulfilltheGreatCommissionofMatthew28:19-20.

THEIN-BREAKOFTHEKINGDOMOFGODANDMIRACLES

If in the life andministry of Jesus, the in-break (theKingdomofGodbreaking into the kingdom of this world, which Paul alluded to as thekingdomofthedevil,thegodofthisworld)oftheKingdomofGodoccurred,thenitseemsnaturalthattherewouldbeconflictbetweenJesusandtheevilforcesinhumankindandnature.ItwasbecauseaconflictactuallydidoccurandJesuswasvictorious,thattheearlychurchattributedLordshiptoHim.IftheseconflictshadnotoccurredIwouldbemostskepticaloftheideathatinJesus the in-break of theKingdomoccurred.Without themiraculous, Jesuswould be just anothermoral prophet likeGandhi of India, or Buddha, andnothingmore tome.Hewouldbeonlyoneof thegreat religious leadersoftheworld.

ThemiraculouselementinChristianityandthebeliefthatGodcanactinthis world of ours is essential to the vitality of Christianity. Without thisaspect, prayer becomes meaningless. One should study the social sciencesrather than theBible, andTheology should be replacedwithAnthropology.Preaching which is void of miraculous concepts is one reason for thephenomenal growth of theCharismaticMovement, amovement reacting tothe dead orthodoxy ofmuch of Christianity. Just as Jeremiah criticized theJewsforcreatingwiththeirhandsgodswhowerehelpless,modernmanhascreateda“god”whoishelplesstoactinthisworld,a“god”whomIrefusetobowdownandworship.

DEADORTHODOXY

TodayIwouldchangethepriorparagraphthatwaswrittenin1976from“thephenomenalgrowthoftheCharismaticMovement”to“thephenomenalspread of the New Age Movement also caused by the dead orthodoxy ofmuchofChristianity.”Agenerationhasarisenthatislookingevenmoreforthe reality of God’s presence, they can no longer be satisfied withpropositionaltruthsaboutGod—theywanttoexperienceGod.

Oneotherinsightthatisstrangebuttrueisthatthetwooppositesidesofthetheologicalpendulumswingfromliberalismtofundamentalism(whichisCessationist in its understanding of healing), ending up at the same place.Neither the pastor trained in liberalism nor the pastor trained in afundamentalist Bible schoolwould have healing services in their churches.TheywouldnottrytolearnhowtoflowinthegiftsoftheSpiritandwouldnot feel aneed toequip the saints for theworkof theministry (at least thehealingministry)becausetheywouldnotbelieveinit.

The liberal pastorwould not attempt any of these because he believesGod never violates the laws of nature. The fundamentalist pastor whobelievestheBibleistheinerrantwordofGodinallaspectsoflife,andwhobelieves in the miracles and healings as historical events, would also notpursuethesepracticesbecausehetypicallybelievesthatgiftsofhealingendedwiththedeathoftheApostles,andthatmiraclesweregiventoestablishthetruthofthegospelandtheChurchandthereforedon’toccurinourday.OncetheScriptureswereestablished,miraclesandhealinghadservedtheirpurposeand weren’t to be expected any longer. The liberal and the fundamentalisthavebecome“strangebed-fellows”whenitcomestohealing.

I continued after graduation from seminary to pastor within theAmerican Baptist denomination until 1984 when I was 32 years old. IministeredundertheBaptistcoveringfor14years.Iwasprivilegedtogettoknowsomewonderfulpeople,mademanyfriends,andlearnedalotaboutthestrugglespeopleandfamiliesgothrough.Ihaveagreatrespectfortheofficeofpastor.Ialsocametotheendofmyself,myabilities,mylimitations,andmy ministry. I had stood by many a hospital bed during those 14 years,conducted funerals for loved ones of my parishioners and parishionersthemselves.Ihadprayedforsometobehealed,buthadseenlittlehealing.

FinallyIwasledbytheHolySpirittoinvitesomeonetomychurchIhadneverheardof,butwhomGodconfirmed.IbelievedGodhadspokentometodothreethings.One,preachdifferently.Nomorethreepointsandapoem,butinsteadteachonlargerpassagesfromtheGospels.Two,teachpeoplethat

God still heals. Three, have a conference at my church on healing. TheseimpressionsweresostrongthatIwasshaken.

YOUAREINVITED

I wrote a letter and sent it to all the American Baptist pastors in theMidwest, and the Evangelical pastors in southern Illinois, and purposelydidn’t invite the Pentecostals or the Charismatics. I didn’t want theEvangelicalpastors tobescaredoffbythegreaterfreedomofexpressionofthePentecostalsorCharismatics.The invitation:“Ifyouhave felt like therehastobemorepowerforhealingthanwhatyouareexperiencingandaretiredof going to the hospital and praying for God to guide the surgeon’s hand.And,ifyouwanttolearnhowtopraymoreeffectivelyforphysicalhealing,thencometothisseminar.”

Iwassurprisedbytheturnoutatthethree-dayseminar.Thechurchwasfilledwithpastorsand leaders,aswellasmembersofmyownchurch.Godshowed up and filled many. I had never seen power like this before. Ipersonally receivedan impartation forwordsofknowledge,and forhealingfromthespeaker,BlaineCook,whowasoneofthemostanointedleadersintheVineyardMovement.Ilearnedinthosethreedaysnotonlyaboutthegiftof healing that could be imparted to others, but also about the gift ofimpartation.SincethenIhavegiveninvitationsmodeledaftertheonewhenIwassopowerfullytouchedbytheHolySpirit.

Five months later I felt led of the Holy Spirit to leave the Baptistdenominationandgotoacityandplantachurch—acallIhadsinceIwas18.IthankGodforeverythingthathappenedtomessupmycomfortablenesttopreparemetostepoutofmycomfortzoneandfollowHim.

THEVINEYARDMOVEMENT—THETHIRDWAVEMOVEMENT

IjoinedtheVineyardMovementandbecamealeaderintheearlydaysofthemovement.Itsleader,JohnWimber,wasanamazingman.HelovedGod,honoredChrist,hadfellowshipwiththeHolySpiritandwantedtoexperienceeverythingtheBibletolduswaspossible.IhadopportunitiestojoinseveralPentecostaldenominationsafter thepowerful seminaratmyBaptist church,butIfeltGodwasleadingmeintotheVineyard.

I liked the theology of the Vineyard regarding healing. There was a

strongemphasisnottohypethemeetings,nevertoexaggeratetheclaims,tolearnhowtomoveinthesupernaturalnaturally.Ifelt liketheVineyardwasonthecuttingedgeofwhatGodwasdoing.Itwasaplacetogoandfitinifyou were an evangelical who had been filled with the Holy Spirit, whoembracedalltoday’sgiftsoftheHolySpirit,andwhowantedtobeinvolvedinhealing,castingoutdemons,ministeringtothepoor,andplantingchurches.Therewasalsoagreatallowancefordoctrinaldiversity.

You could embrace all the gifts, the signs and wonders, healing andmiracles,butyoudidn’thavetobelievethattongueswasthenecessaryinitialevidenceof theHolySpirit’sbaptism. (Therewasa strongemphasison thevalueoftonguesandtheutilityofthegift,andatonepointthereweremorepeople in theVineyard, percentagewise, speaking in tongues than in somePentecostal denominations.) I loved it. I loved being a “Third WaveEvangelical” aswe called ourselves. (ThirdWaveEvangelicals believe thatall the gifts have continued to the present day—unlike Evangelicals whobelievethatwhattheycallthe“signgifts”haveended:tongues,interpretationoftongues,prophecy,giftsofhealings,andworkingofmiracleshaveended,according to these Evangelicals. They also reinterpret words of knowledgeandwordsofwisdomsoasnottohaveanysupernaturaldimensiontothem.)

For the first time in my life I could say that healing had becomenormative,itwasnolongertheexception,itwasnolongerrare.Ilovedthisseasonofmylife,andfor18yearscontinuedwithintheVineyardMovement.IhavetriedtoremaintruetotheessentialvaluesthatIsawinJohnWimberandIlearnedintheVineyard.IlovedandcontinuetolovetheunderstandingofhealingbeingintheKingdomofGod.Thathealingwasbothnowandnotyet. I loved the emphasis that healing was learning how to co-labor withJesus; thatwewerenot able todoanything inourselves,butonlywhatwesawtheFatherdoing.

TothisdayIstilldon’tlikeexaggerationofclaims,hype,manipulation,prideorbragging.IstillbelieveineverythingJohnWimbertaughtme,butIbelieveinmorethanhetaughtme.Mypursuitofmoreanointinghadledmeoutof theBaptistdenominationand in1993would leadme to lookoutsidetheVineyardMovement.

IheardofamanwhowasbeingusedofGodtobringrefreshingandjoyto burned-out Christians, and I certainly qualified. A friend told me aboutevangelistRodneyHoward-BrownfromSouthAfrica.Hetoldmeabout thebizarrephenomena thatoccurred inhismeetings, and thatRodneyhad saidGodhadtoldhim,“Youwilllayyourhandson1,000pastorswhowillreceivetheanointingandwillhelpyoutakerevivalallovertheworld.”

Iwantedtobeoneofthethousand.Iaskedmyfriend,“Whathasbeen

the fruit of this experience in your life?”He responded, “I have seenmorepeoplehealedinthepasttwoweekssinceIreturnedfromRodney’smeetingsthanIhaveseen in thepasteightyears.”Godknewhowtohookme,catchmyattention,andcreatenewhungerinmysoulforHim.2

Within a fewmonths thewordwas out that I had received a powerfulimpartationfromRodney,andthepoweroftheHolySpiritwasfallinginmychurch.IthadalsofallenattheannualRegionalVineyardPastorsConferenceI attended, resulting not only in people being refreshed in a very powerfulmanner, but also people being healed. This opened the door to go to theAirportVineyardinTorontoforafour-daymeeting.Iwent,Godshowedup,and the people began to come. The first night a woman was healed of aterminal illness.Themeetingswere extendeduntil approximately ten and ahalfyearslaterthemeetingsthathadcontinuedsixnightsaweekcametoanend. It became the longest series of protracted meetings in the history ofNorthAmerica.

TheVineyardMovement’s theologyofhealinghadplacedahighvalueontrainingitspeoplefortheministryofdeliverance,andhealing—emotional,physical, and spiritual. The Airport Vineyard (now Airport ChristianFellowship and referred to as TACF) had one of the best-trained teams forministry that I ever met in the Vineyard. With this new impartation andanointingIwasseeingmorehealingsthanIhadinseveralyears.

I loved the fact that theVineyardwasn’t aone-man show,but that theministry was dependent on trained laypersons, the saints who had beenequippedfortheworkofministry(seeEph.4:11-12).ThisviewofhealingintheVineyardrequiredthepastors topress informoreanointingforhealing,more understanding of healing, and more ability to move in the gifts thatoftenwere associatedwith healing, especially words of knowledge. It alsohadanaffectupontheorderofservice,theliturgyofthechurch.

Usuallyafteratimeofworshipinthecongregationalmeetingorasmallhomemeetingtherewouldbeapausetoseeifsomeonehadreceivedawordof knowledge regarding a physical healing, or a propheticword thatmighthelpsomeonereceiveanemotionalhealing.Oftentheministryteamwouldbeinvitedtothefrontofthechurchbeforetheinvitation,andtheinvitationwasoftenverybroadincludinginvitingpeopletocomeforhealingprayeraswellastorepentfortheirsins.

Itwasbelievedthathealingwasnotinthecrosslikeforgivenessofsinswas, but it was through the cross, through Jesus’ passion that healing wasmade available.Healingwas seen to be thewill ofGod because Jesus hadtaughtustopraytheLord’sPrayerwhichwasseentobeawarfareprayer,“…

ThyKingdomcome,Thywillbedone,onearthasitisinheaven.”Thoughitwas admitted that sometimes God could let us know that the sicknesssomeone had was unto death, this was more the exception, and was notthoughttobenormative.

Healingwastobeexpectedaspartoftheproclamationofthegoodnewsofthein-breakoftheKingdomofGodintheearth.ItwasnotenoughforapastortoteachorpreachabouttheKingdom.TheVineyardpastorneededanddesiredtobeabletodemonstratethepoweroftheKingdomofGod.Thiswasnosafeplaceforthetimidofheart.AsWimberwouldsooftensay,“Faithisspelled:R-I-S-K.”

IremainedintheVineyardfrom1984to2001—18growing,productive,challenging,andmaturingyears.

THEWORDOFFAITHMOVEMENT

InOctober 1994 inBerry,Ontario,mywife,DeAnne, and Iwere at ameetingwith John andCarolArnott,Wes and StaceyCampbell, andMarkDupont.Wehadallgonetoahotelroomtoprayandfellowship.DuringthistimeMarkDupontgavemeapropheticwordthatsooncametopass.Ithadcometohiminavision.Thewordwasencouragingandpartofitwas,“Yourministry is about to change. You are about to begin ministering with thePentecostals,Assemblies,andWordofFaith.And,Iknowyourtestimony,Iknowthatlastonewillbehardforyoutoaccept,butinthenearfutureGodisgoingtoopentoyouadoortothePentecostals,Assemblies,andtheWordofFaith.”

Iresponded,“IfthathappensthatwillhavetobeGod.Idon’tknowanyPentecostals,mytheologyisn’tclassicalPentecostal,andIdon’tevenliketheWordofFaithMovement. Itwouldbeamiracle if thathappened.”Upuntilthat time all my invitations were coming from the Vineyard, after thisprophecy it immediately went from 100 percent Vineyard to 10 percentVineyard invitations. The invitations were now coming from Pentecostals,Charismatics, Word of Faith, and some large Baptist, Lutheran, RomanCatholic,andIndependents,butthemajoritywerefromthePentecostalsandAssemblies.

Godwas teachingme things. I had gone to the leaders of the RhemaChurch in Tulsa, Oklahoma, where I had gone to hear Rodney Howard-Brown,toaskthemtoforgivemeforallthemean-spiritedthingsIhadsaidabout theWord of FaithMovement, and to tell them that Iwouldn’t speakbadlyaboutthemanymore.Godhaddealtwithmeaboutmyspirit,butIstill

thoughtmy theologywas rightandWordofFaithwasn’t correctorat leastwasunhealthy.MyproblemwasmyexperiencehadbeennegativeinregardtotheWordofFaithmessage.NowGodwasgoingtoletmeseethepositivesideofWordofFaith.GodwouldarrangeitsothatIwouldenduplisteningto someone tell about how they had received a significant healing, fromconfessingthepromisesofGod.ForawhileitseemedlikeeverywhereIwentIkeptmeetingWordofFaithpeoplewhohadbeenhealedofterminalillnessthroughstandinginfaith.I tooknoteofthesecoincidences,whilenotreallybelievingincoincidences.

Sometimearound1999IbegantoquestionmypositiononhealingthatIhad been so comfortable with in the Vineyard. I began to see that the“Kingdom Now but Not Yet” teaching was actually lowering people’sexpectationforhealing.IalsobegantorealizethattherehadbeenothermorepowerfulmovementsandpersonalitiesthathadseenmorehealingsthanJohnWimber.And almost all of them believed healingwas both in the cross ofJesus aswell asHisKingdom.Kingdom now but not yet,was in actualityonlyastepawayfrombelievingthathealingisdeterminedbythesovereigntyofGod.

I became convinced that He wasmuchmore willing to heal than ourexperiencesdemonstrated. I also thought that theVineyard andThirdWaveEvangelicals were too easily convinced that God wasn’t doing anything ifthey(we)didn’tsee it immediatelywhenweprayedfor theperson.WehadlearnedhowtorecognizetheeffectsoftheHolySpirituponthebody.Ifwedidn’tseethosephenomenaweoftenassumedGodwasn’tdoinganythinginthisperson.

Imet JoeMcIntyre in 2003. Joe is an apostolic leader in theWord ofFaithMovement. Bill Johnson gave me Joe’s book,E.W. Kenyon and HisMessage of Faith, the True Story, to read. I read it all, including everyfootnote.ManyfalseunderstandingsIhadaboutWordofFaithteachingwerecorrected. I gained a true historical understanding of the origins of theconfession-possessionteaching.Idiscovereditwasn’trootedinnewthought,unity,orChristianScience,butratherwasrootedinthebestteachingamongevangelicalsinthelatterhalfofthe19thcentury;menlikeD.L.Moody,R.A.Torrey,A.J.Gordon,A.B.Simpson,GeorgeMueller,andothers.

Theteachingwasactuallyrootedinthe19thcenturyHolinessMovementand the shorterway to sanctificationas taughtbyMrs.PhoebePalmer.Herteaching was that the way to enter into sanctification was to receive it byfaith,confessitastrueuntilitmanifestedinyourlife.Sheunderstoodthatthewaywe receive justification is the samewaywe receive sanctification, byfaithapartfromfeelings,andwiththeconfessionwithourlipstothereality.

BotharebenefitstousthroughthecrossofJesus.Itwasonlyonemoresteptomovefromjustificationandsanctificationtobelievingthatthisisthesamewaywereceivehealing.

TrustingandbelievinginthecovenantpromisesofGodprovidedinthecross of Jesus, and confessing those promises as already received, whilewaiting patiently for the manifestation of faith’s confession was how toreceivehealing. Itwasn’tsensorydenial,butconfessingagreater truth thanwhat the sick person was experiencing physically. It wasn’t denying truth,merelybelievinginagreatertruth.

Longphonediscussionsand laterpersonaldiscussionswith Joehelpedmetoseemyrealissuewasn’twiththeWordofFaithmessage,butthepoorpastoral applications of thismessage causing people to feel bad about theirfaith and themselves if they weren’t healed, and the overemphasis uponprosperitythatwasbecomingalltoocommon.

I soon discovered that I had spoken thewrongwords frommy pulpitabout the Word of Faith Movement. I had formed the wrong impressionsabout themovement frommy limited experience and I had receivedwronginformationfromfaultyhistoricalsourcesthatpurportedtobescholarly.

TheWord of Faith message would impact the liturgy or order of theservice and pastors in the following ways: the pastor would be strong onteaching the word in order to build confidence in God, His promises, Hisprovision, andHisplan forhealing.TheWordofFaithMovement, like theFaithCureMovement,wouldnotsomuchemphasize thehealingevangelistwithhisanointing,or thegiftsofhealingandwordsofknowledge,oreventraininguplaypeopletoprayforthesickasmuchasothergroupswould,likethePentecostalsandtheVineyard.Theorderoftheservicewouldhaveatimetocomeforwardforhealingthroughtheprayeroffaith,oftenprayedbytheelders.But,themainemphasiswasthepersonalresponsibilityforindividualstoreceivedirectlyfromGodthroughpersonalfaith.

The value of the message in the Word of Faith Movement is that itprovideshope,andbuildsconfidenceorfaithtoreceiveahealingbyrootingitinrelationship—notmechanicalconfessions,buttrustingrelationshipinGodasFather.ItprovidesastrongbasisuponwhichtobelieveGodfortheneededhealing—promisesintheWordofGodandthecovenantofGod.Ifyouhadnotbeenhealed inaprayer lineby theanointedhealingevangelist,hadnotbeen healed through aword of knowledge, or through teamministry; therestillremainedthehopeandpossibilityofreceivinghealingthroughyourownpersonalfaithandtrustinGod.

Therearemanypeoplewhoneed thishope. Inowunderstand thatour

opposition to this message is often an overreaction to poor pastoralapplications.IrealizedthatthepromiseswereofferedbyJesusnotthelatestfaithteacher.Icametounderstandthatitisbettertohavehopethandespair,becauseindespairthebasisofhopehasbeendestroyed.

IbelievethatthereistruthintheWordofFaithmessage,thatitisoneofthegolfclubsweneedinourbagtobemoresuccessfulinourgameofgolf(aWimberanalogybetweengolfandthehealingministry).Therewillbetimesto pull this club out and use it. For this reason I often have Pastor JoeMcIntyre teach the most balanced presentation on healing from the FaithCampperspectiveinmySchoolsofHealingandImpartation.Iwanttobringbalance to the “Now but not yet” theology of healing that is rooted in thepositionthathealingisintheKingdomofGodwhichisbothnow,butnotyet,thatis,notyetfullyconsummated.

During the past two years I have been spending a lot of time readingabout discoveries that are beingmade in themedical community regardinghealingandspirituality.AprofessorofmedicineatHarvardMedicalSchool,Dr. Benson sees importance in positive confession. He uses the term“cognitiverestructuring” inaveryspecialwaybutmeaningsomethingverysimilartothepreacherinthe“WordofFaithCamp.”Dr.Bensonisawareofthepossibilityfor“positiverestructuring”tobemisunderstoodandmaycausesometofeelasiftheyareresponsiblefornotbeinghealedbynotbeingableto“positivelyrestructure”theirthoughtlife.Hesignalsawarningtokeepthefocusoffofselfandnotfeelguiltyifhealingdoesn’toccur.Yet,Dr.Bensonbelieves the benefits of “positive restructuring” for people who are sickoutweighthepotentialforsometobehurtbythepractice.3Onecanchoosetojudge any of these streams by their worst representatives or their bestrepresentatives,andonecandecidetoillustratethelackofbalancebystoriesthat are nightmarish, boarding on the ludicrous, even embarrassing to otherleadersintheWordofFaithMovement.OntheotherhandIcanillustratethebalancewithinthemovementwithwonderfulstoriesofthedeadbeingraised,terminally ill being healed, and providing confidence in one’s ability toaccomplishgreatthingsforGod.

Othershaveattempted to judgeamovementby its roots rather than itsfruit,choosingnottofollowJesus’advicefordiscernment.Thisattempthasmistakenly,duetopoorhistoricalresearch,claimedthattherootsoftheWordof Faith Movement are in New Thought, Theosophy, Christian Science,becauseofE.W.Kenyon’ssupposedconnectionwiththesegroups.AsIhavealready stated, the roots of Kenyon are in the teachings of the greatestEvangelicalteachersofthelasthalfofthe19thcentury,rather thantheNewThoughtcults(McIntyre,1997).

About the same time that I was being exposed to the Word of FaithMovement,IwasalsomeetingandworkingwithclassicalPentecostals.Godwasopening thedoorformetoministeramongtheAssembliesofGod, theChurch ofGod—Cleveland, thePentecostalHoliness, the Four Square, andtheOpenBibledenominations.

PENTECOSTALISMANDHEALING

Historically speaking I believe no movement has had a greatercontributiontothegreatRiverofHealingashasthePentecostalMovement.When it began it embraced the best of the teaching of the Faith CureMovement.But itwasdifferent in that it saw itselfas the fulfillmentof thehopethathadbeenexpressedwithinProtestantismforalmostacentury—thatright before the endof time and the comingof JesusHewould once againpouroutuponHisChurchagreatempoweringanointing.

ThatanointingwouldrestorenotonlyofthegiftsoftheHolySpirit,buttheEphesians4officesoftheapostle,prophet,evangelist,pastor,andteacher.The“LatterRain”of theHolySpiritwouldbepouredout.TheChurchhadbeen looking forward to a new Pentecost, to a recovery of apostolicChristianity. This would be a restoration of apostolic Christianity thatpreceded thesecondcomingofJesus.Thiswould includeboth“situational”and“constituted”giftsforthepeopleofGod.

Itisasadchapterthattherewasanegativeaspectofhealingduringthistimerelatedtomedicineanddoctors.ThisviewpointwasalsoinfluencedbysomeoftheteacherswithintheFaithCureMovementwhoheldtothissameview.ThiswouldintimecausethemajorityofthepopulaceofAmericatoseethePentecostalviewofhealingas“fanatical.”

Out of this movement came the 1947 Latter Rain Movement—whichstronglyemphasized theequippingof thesaintsforministry, trainingwithinthelocalchurchformovinginthegiftsoftheHolySpirit,andanevengreateremphasisuponGodpouringouttheLatterRain,includingtheofficegiftsoftheapostleandprophet.SomeoftheseleaderswouldbeusedofGodtobreakopenentirenationstothegospel,likeArgentinaandKenya,aswellasothernationsthroughgreathealingscrusadesandresurrectionsfromthedead.

Out of Pentecostalism would be birthed some of the greatest healingevangelists during the 1948HealingRevival. It is true that the impetus forthisgreatrevivalcamethroughaBaptist,WilliamBranham,butthemajorityofthosewhosawwhatGodwasdoinginBranham,whobecamehungrytobeusedlikehimwerenotBaptists,butPentecostals.

Out of these latter twomovements with their Pentecostal roots wouldgrowamajormissionarymovementandchurchplantingmovement.ThoughtheEvangelicalarmoftheChurchthoughtforyearsthiswasapollutedriver,time has proven and vindicated the Pentecostal’s belief in a renewedChristianity.

The theology of the Pentecostal included the best of the Faith CureMovement, which was an Evangelical movement, not a Pentecostalmovement. But it also blended, as I have said, both the “situational” and“constituted”viewpointof thegiftsof theHolySpirit.SincetheBaptismoftheHolySpiritwasforpowertowitness,itshouldnotsurpriseustolearnthatitproducedthegreatestmissionaryexpansioninthehistoryofProtestantism.Today about 80 percent ormore of allChristians inLatinAmerica,Africa,andAsiahavePentecostalexperiences.Ithasbeensaidthat80percentofthepeople of Africa visited a church for the first time in order to be healed.4ConcernedRomanCatholics noting the phenomenal growth of Pentecostalsreport85percentof theProtestantChristiansarePentecostalorCharismaticinChina.5InBrazil,90percentofthenon-CatholicgrowthofChristianityisPentecostal.6

Over time the emphasis became stronger to look past the healingevangelistforhealing,andlookinwardforhealingthroughpersonalfaith.Itwas always important to have faith. Itwas believed thatwithout faith, onecouldn’tbehealed;notevenbyahealingevangelist.Butduringthistimetheexpectancyofbeinghealedthroughone’sownfaithwasnolongerthemainemphasisasithadbeenintheFaithCureMovement.

About tenyearsafter theoutpouringof theSpirit inToronto in1994, Ibegan to sense a calling ofGod to impactAmerica’s institutions of higherlearning:universities,seminaries,anddivinityschools.IbegantoaskGodtoopenthedoors,andsoontheydid.Itfirstbeganbyjustteachingoccasionallyinauniversitydivinityschool.ThenthedooropenedtosponsoraSymposiumonHealing:Catholic,Protestant,andMedicalPerspectives.ThiswasheldattheUniversityofSt.Louis,theoldestuniversitywestoftheMississippi,andaCatholicuniversity.Someprofessorsfromthemedicalschoolandthedivinityschool participated in the symposium as well as a research scientist fromWashington University in St. Louis. Dr. Francis and another person wereinvitedtoteachfromtheCatholicperspective,andIfromtheProtestant.

This experience powerfully impacted me. I wanted to have moreopportunities to speak to clergy, themedical professionals, and students ofboththemedicalandthedivinityschools.Ibegantostudymoreaboutwhatmodern medical science was discovering about healing, and how thisinformationalignedwiththebiblicalunderstandingofhealing.Ialsolearned

that therewas a strongNewAge type of emphasis on healing occurring incollegesanduniversities.

Godisopeningthedoorforministryincollegesanduniversities.Ihavereceived inquires and invitations from professors or head chaplains of sixuniversitiesinthelastthreeyears.InadditiontothesymposiumonHealing:Spiritual and Medical Perspectives, I also began conducting Schools ofHealing and Impartation with three different schools, each with their ownunique emphasis. This opened the door to learning more about RomanCatholicismandtheOrthodoxchurch.

ROMANCATHOLICANDORTHODOX

In2005whilepreparingtoteachthematerialfortheSchoolsofHealingandImpartation,IbecamemuchmoreawareoftherolehealingplayedintheCatholic church before its split into the Roman Catholic and Orthodoxbranches. The major three ways healing has occurred in this part of theChurch of Jesus Christ have been through the sacraments, especially thesacramentoftheEucharist(Lord’sSupper),thesacramentofHealing(basedupon James 5), and healing in connection to reliquaries (the honored placewhichholdsthebonesofsaints).Actually,intheMiddleAgesthemajorityofhealingsseemedtobeconnectedtoprayersofferedatthereliquary.

AnytimesomeoneishealedinJesus’nameorwithanunderstandingthathealing comes from His death at the cross, I think it is a good thing.WeshouldbeslowtomakejudgmentsagainstRomanCatholicsforthispracticewhenwehavefamousProtestantevangelistswhohaveaskedustoreachoutand touch the televisionscreen to receiveourhealing.Whether thepointofcontactforthereleaseoffaithisareliquaryorthetelevision,theprincipleisthesame;healingisrootedinfaith.

TheCatholicchurchandtheOrthodoxsometimeshavespecialservicesfor healing, and they still have someone in the diocese to performdeliverances.SinceVaticanIIthesacramentofLastRiteshasbeenrestoredtotheSacramentofHealing.

Thereislittleemphasisonthepriesttoequiptheparishionersabouthowto pray for each other. There is little expectation that the local priest beanointedtohealthesickorunderstandhowtomoveinthegiftsoftheHolySpirit.Evenso,therearemanypriestsintheRomanCatholicChurchwhoareSpiritfilledandmoveinthegiftsoftheHolySpirit.However,theliturgyoftheRomanCatholic Church for theMass does not allow time or place forsuch gifts to operate. The gifts would be relegated to special meetings or

prayergroupsintheparish.

WhenIfirstledateamonahealingtripitwastoassistJohnWimber.Iremember he told us that the Roman Catholics were the easiest to receivehealingbecausetheirChurchhadneverbelievedhealingshadstopped.Ihavefound that Roman Catholics do receive healing more easily than someProtestants.

CONCLUSION

LiberaldenominationsandpastorsdonotexpectGodtohealbecauseofananti-supernaturalbias.TheyseeprayerasnotaffectingGod,butaffectingus.Theprayerofthepastorisforthecomfortofthesickperson,aimedforhisearratherthantheearofGod.Thereislittleexpectationintheheartsoftheparishionerswhohavesatundertheteachingandpreachingofsuchpastors.Thechurchservices (liturgy)donothavehealingservices included,noraretherespecialservicesforprayer.Thisisgenerallytrue,butsomepastorsaresoliberalastoembracehealingfromnon-ChristiansourceslikeReikiand/ortherapeutictouch.TheyareopentoNewAgeandquasi-scientificapproachestohealing.ThispositioncanbelikenedtoapollutedstreamrunningintotheRiverofHealing.

The strongest version of cessationism has the least to commend it(excludingliberalism)becauseitdoesthemostharmtothehopeforhealingof the parishioner andpriest or pastor.This viewof healing is likened to asmall stream with barely any water in it leading into the great River ofHealing. There is almost no expectation of healing, and no expectation ofsomeonehavingthegift,anointing,orpowertoheal.Thereisnotheologicalbasis to expect a healing; instead there is a theological basis not to expecthealing.

Thisview,whichisheldamongtheReformationdenominationsaswellas the Restoration Movement—Church of Christ, Disciples of Christ, andChristian Church—is being modified. There is growing pressure to moveawayfromastrongCessationistpositiontoasoftCessationistpositionwherethereisrecognitionthattheHolySpiritisstillalive,andcananswerprayersfor healing according to thewill ofGod.There is a growingunderstandingthathealingispartoftheexpressionofthemessageoftheKingdom.

Still there is a rejection of gifts of healing in the church today and ofpersons with the gift of healing or the ability to work miracles. Whilerejecting thepossibilityofapersonmoving in thesegifts, theybelieveGodcanstillworkmiraclesandhealings inanswer toprayer.Somewhohold to

thisviewevenmakeroomintheservicesforatimewhentheelderslayhandson the sick after anointingwith oil and pray for healing. The elders aren’tseen as having the gift of healing, but as following the James 5 biblicaladmonitiontodosoaselders.

The people who hold to this modified position of cessationism havemore hope, faith, and expectancy thatGodmight heal in answer to prayer.Thisposition is likeaMidwest creek that isquite smallbut runningwithalittlewaterintotheRiver.Thereismoreexpectationofhealinghappeninginresponsetoprayerbecausetheteachingfromthepulpithasmoreemphasisonthe roleof theHolySpirit as continuing theworksof Jesuson the earth inresponsetofaithandtheprayersofthesaints.

UnliketheharderCessationistviewpointwhichrestrictsorseestheHolySpirit’sroletodayasonlyinrelationshiptosalvation,thissofterCessationistviewpoint sees the Holy Spirit having more to do today than simply Hisrelationship to salvation with all its dimensions: convicting of sin,righteousness, and judgment; calling or awakening the sinner; regeneration;sealing, baptizing into the Body of Christ, filling, sustaining, and guiding.ThisviewseestheHolySpiritstillcarryingoutthewillofGodtheFatherandtheSonontheearth.Hestillcouldheal,deliver,andintheplacewherethegospelwasbeingheardforthefirsttime,evenworkmiracles.

The ThirdWaveMovement, ofwhich theVineyardwould be amajorexpression, is a new source of water, an underground spring that suddenlyburstforthprovidingfreshwatertoaNortheasternlargecreek,(whichareaslargeassmallriversintheMidwest).Forawhiletherewasagreatamountofwater flowing in this tributary to theRiverofHealing.Thepastors and thepeoplerejectedCessationism,andbelievedinhealing, ingiftsofhealing, inimpartations for a stronger anointing for healing, and in authority fordeliverance.Therewasalotofteachingabouthealing,trainingforministryofthe laity—the emphasis was upon “equipping the saints for the work ofministry.”AsJohnWimbersaid,“Everybodygetstoplay.”“Weallgettodothestuff.”

TheemphasiswasupontheHolySpirit’sabilitytogivethepersonagiftofhealingforthesituation.Theviewwasreferredtoas“situationalgifting”likeaplumberwhogoes todoa jobandwhatever tool isneededat the jobwouldbe provided in that situation, but the plumber didn’t get to carry thetool chest.Theplumberwasdependentupon theHolySpir