Documented Miracles: Lie #8: “Miracles ceased with the apostles.”

7 Great Lies of Organized Religion – Lie #8

Where I grew up, they said: “Miracles don’t happen anymore. They ceased with the disciples.” I believed what they told me.

Dozens of personal experiences and medically documented cases have caused me to do a 180 on this. Miracles are REAL. The idea that miracles are fake is literally the 8th lie of Organized Religion. (Fake miracles masquerading as real ones are the other side of that coin, by the way… and there are many fake miracles.)

Miracles are far more common than many would have you believe. Today, I share several of my own personal experiences. And several thoroughly documented events.

Before we dig in, I need to tell you a conversation with my younger brother Bryan, whose story I tell in my book Evolution 2.0 and on my site www.cosmicfingerprints.com.

Bryan had gotten a Master’s Degree in Theology at Master’s Seminary in Southern California. Master’s is very conservative and holds a doctrinal position that miracles ceased after the disciples. He’d spent time in the ministry including a stint as a missionary. Because of mounting doubts, he was bailing on the whole thing.

He says to me:

“Perry, I’ve studied the New Testament inside and out. I’ve studied Greek, Hebrew and Aramaic. And you know what? There is NOTHING in the Bible whatsoever to suggest that miracles should stop.

“So… WHERE’S THE MIRACLES???”

I rifle through my mental file folders. I’ve heard lots of stories 3rd hand. No personal experiences of my own to report.

(Gulp.)

He continues: “Every single supposed ‘miracle’ can be explained by sleight of hand, placebo effect, or wishful thinking. There’s no such thing as a medically documented miracle.”

He was definitely right about the New Testament part. Nowhere is there so much as a hint that the miracles were going to go away. In fact miracles are held out as proof of the authenticity of Jesus as the Son of God. From healing the paralytic to forgiving sins to feeding the 5000 to rising from the dead, all are offered as things only God can do.

I was quite concerned that he was right about the placebo effect and the wishful thinking. Made me queasy.

Felt like a sucker. A mark. Gullible.

Plus, when you turn on the TV and see the faith healers plying their trade, most of us run out of the room screaming. Educated people are way too smart for that, right?

What if all this stuff about miracles is hocus-pocus and Santa Claus? What an icky, shameful feeling.

My eyes were suddenly wide open for information that would either confirm or deny this.

For several months I was almost persuaded that he might be right.

But little by little things started happening. The evidence began to point the other way.

Experience #1: I had lunch near Cincinnati Ohio with an old co-worker named Charlie Keck. September 27, 2002. Charlie was an engineer who lived in Tipp City Ohio. His wife was named Geri, and she’d had lupus.

She’d *had* lupus. But she didn’t have it anymore.

She and Charlie had treated it for years, prayed for years that it would be healed, and it wouldn’t budge.

Then one morning at her Bible study, a woman suddenly stood up and said, “God just told me to pray for you, to be healed, RIGHT NOW.”

So they did. And Geri felt this warm sensation flushing through her abdomen and the lupus was healed. Just like that. No more doctor visits, no more treatments. The whole chronic disease, gone.

Experience #2: I got to Rajahmundry, India in June 2007 with the customer service manager at my company, Jeremy Flanagan. Jeremy, as it turns out, has been having experiences like this himself. Healing people.

At a church service one Sunday, the pastor, Isaiah Gottimukkala, invites anybody who wants any kind of healing prayer to line up in front of Jeremy. Jeremy calls me over to help him and we start prayin’ for people.

One woman, maybe 60 years old, had fallen a year ago and hurt her arm. She could not raise her elbow past the middle of her chest. When she moved her arm up and down she complained that her shoulder would crack and pop and Jeremy and I could feel that too, when we put our hands on her shoulder when she’d move it.

He started praying for her. Probably spent 15 minutes. By the time Jeremy was done both shoulders felt identical, there was no cracking and she could raise her arm above her head on her own strength.

I asked her to do it for me and I snapped a picture. She said it didn’t hurt anymore and both arms were equally good.

Another lady, Mary, maybe 30 years old, had somewhat recently had brain surgery to remove a cancerous tumor. She pulled her hair back and I could tell just brushing my hand over her head that there was a big piece of her skull taken out and a large indention on her head.

She complained that she’d been having seizures since the operation, and she has had no feeling anywhere in her left arm.

Jeremy started praying that God would heal her entire skull and put everything back. We prayed for her and prayed for her. After about a half hour her head hadn’t changed but she started feeling tingling on her skin and by the time we were done, she said she could feel everything with her left arm exactly like her right arm.

No success on her skull filling in. Not yet anyway. But she was VERY excited about the feeling come back in her left arm!

We go home, and 2 months later I email Pastor Isaiah’s brother, Ananth. I want to know if these people are “still healed.” (Or did the problems come back? It sometimes happens.) Here’s his reply:

Respected Mr. Perry Marshall,

Greetings from India!

Thank you very much for your prayers.

Your trip to India was amazing. Many were healed and increased their faith in God.
They are sharing their testimony to many people. Many times they are asking about you and Mr. Jeremy for prayers. We told them that next year definitely they will come to pray for you and for many.

I would like to share the testimony of my Grand mother(My father’s mother). Her name is Mrs. Suvarthamma and her age is 75. She was suffering from severe headache and neck pain from so many years and also if she takes anything from her mouth she will be feeling pain in her throat.

After your prayers She is completely healed. She is very happy and doing all the works easily irrespecitve of her age. God did miracle in her life through your prayers.

Another women named Mrs. Mary, Her age is 30. She had operation on her head. Hair was fully sworn and the head was like smooth sponge. She used to have pain on her head daily. and also her hand is not working and she doesnt have any feeling on her hand.

After your prayers she bacame healed. She feels her hand and she can do works with that hand normally as another hand. Praise the Lord.

Every one hearing of her witness, asking us about you and requesting us to bring you back to India.

These are some of the Miracles happend because of your prayers.

My brother Pastor Isaiah and his wife Surekha and all the boys of the Rajah Boys Home and Pastors in the Deep Forest are sending their greetings to you.

Thanking you Sir,

Yours faithfully,

Ananth

I’ve told you about two people there in Rajahmundry India. There were many more – most got some benefit, some didn’t seem to get any. These are the most dramatic examples of what happened. But I’ll tell you one thing: I learned that prayer CHANGES things. Especially when administered the way the apostles always said to.

I fully understand that a lot of people reading this are very, very skeptical.

As well you should be.

After all, you weren’t there, were you? No you weren’t. You only have my word to go on.

Well, I forgot to bring my portable MRI machine on the plane so I could do before / after scans of all these people, and as concerns this particular event, my own eyewitness testimony is about as good as I can provide right here.

If you’ll stick with me, later in this article I’ll give you information on publicly documented miracles that you can investigate for yourself. Meanwhile I’ve got more personal experiences to share.

Healing evangelist Todd Bentley: Crazy as all get-out, but the miracles were real.

Todd Bentley: A crazy, controversial guy, but some of his miracles were real.

Experience #3: In the spring of 2008 a “revival” broke out in Lakeland Florida. Hugely controversial. A guy named Todd Bentley, a Canadian Harley-riding preacher guy with jeans and cowboy boots and covered with tattoos started healing people in this crazy tent meeting.

It grew and grew until 5,000 to 10,000 people were showing up every single night. This went on until August 2008. The whole thing caved in when Bentley was found to be having an affair with one of his staff members.

(Hey, I told you this thing was controversial. Wait, there’s more…)

I jumped on a plane and flew there to see the whole thing for myself. I was there May 27, 2008.

On the hotel shuttle bus to the meeting I met a woman from Hong Kong who had flown to London to pick up her daughter, a college student who had severe Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. The daughter was skinny as a rail and looked like the walking dead. They were there to get healing.

I get there and the whole place is a freaking nuthouse. Loud music, crazy people dancing and singing, and rolling around on the floor. This Todd Bentley guy is marching around the stage, shouting, kicking people, slapping them, proclaiming them healed.revival

Across the stage the people go. Bentley is yelling all kinds of proclamations. At one point he stops and says:

“I’m telling you right now, somebody in here has been deaf in one ear for 34 years. Who is that? Thirty-four years deaf. The Lord just spoke to me. Come up here.”

I’m in the center section near the back. About 20 feet from me, over my shoulder and to the right, a guy raises his hand. “That’s me. I went deaf from a gunshot 34 years ago today.”

Bentley prays for him and he’s healed, instantly. You can watch this in this video:

 

The man’s name was Brian Burgee. He’s pastor of Rock Church of Tampa Bay.

Brian’s story was reported in the Charlotte Observer on June 19, 2008. You can read it here.

I met Charles Chandler, the reporter who wrote it. We have a mutual friend who lives in North Carolina.  Chandler followed up with the people described in the article personally and checked their stories.

I was there that night. I saw it happen with my own two eyes.

This article is referenced on Wikipedia. My neighbor is the editor in charge of the Todd Bentley page on Wikipedia. The healings in Lakeland were such a hot potato, most of the mainstream media wouldn’t touch it.

When people are really getting healed and things are happening that the establishment claims are impossible, mostly what you get is silence. Or irrational protests from people who still insist it’s impossible.

(Not all that different from atheists trying to tell me DNA isn’t actually a code.)

 Jeronimo and Noemia Cessito, Beira, Mozambique

Jeronimo and Noemia Cessito, Beira, Mozambique

Experience #4: I have a friend named Noemia Cessito. She and her husband Jeronimo run a school, church, AIDS hospice, medical clinic and feeding program in Beira, Mozambique. I went to visit them in the summer of 2003.

Mozambique is extremely poor. Luxuries that westerners take for granted are simply unheard of there.

Noemia tells this strange story:

When I arrived in Mozambique in 1984, the country was in the middle of a 15 year civil war. It was a hard time. A lot of people were dying not just from the fighting but from starvation.

One evening our church met for prayer. People started to pray for things like shoes, a chair, a shirt, a loaf of bread. I never heard anyone pray for a pair of shoes or a loaf of bread before. I had always prayed: “Lord, please provide for my needs.”

So, I was sitting beside this little six year old girl and we divided into pairs to pray. That little girl began to pray, “Oh God, give shoes to my brother, Carlos. Oh, God, give some some bread to my sister Maria. And I said “Amen” to each of her requests.

Later at home, I got down on my knees to pray some more and when I was kneeling, I was trying to pray for the war because I had heard about a terrible battle on the Zamebezi river.

In the middle of thinking about that, I got this desire for some ice cream. I thought, “Good Lord! How could I possibly think about ice cream now when there is so much war and starvation?” But yet, deep in my heart, I heard a voice saying, “Ask for some ice cream from God.”

I ignored the thought. How could I possibly ask for ice cream when so many people are starving and are in so much need? I continued to pray. But my mouth started to water because I so wanted to have some ice cream. And then I began to cry. I didn’t have the courage to say, “God, please give me some ice cream.” I knew that I could, but I didn’t have the courage.

But, then at the end of my prayer, I said to God, “God, I would sure love to taste some ice cream.” And then, I cried some more. I thought, how selfish can I be! There are so many suffering and starving. I was crying because I was homesick for Brazil, and I so wanted a taste of ice cream.

About noon the next day a truck from Zimbabwe drove up to the door where I was staying and the driver got out and knocked. He wanted someone named, Naomi. I didn’t understand English at that time but he kept saying Naomi, Naomi and I finally realized that Naomi must be my name in English.

So I took the package and when I touched it my heart froze. I knew right away what it was because the box was cold.

So I asked the driver, “Who sent this? Where did it come from?” He didn’t understand me but finally through gestures I got out of him that someone at the airport gave him that box to deliver to “Naomi.” It had been flown in on a plane from South Africa. To this day I have no idea who sent it or where it came from.

Well, I put that little carton of ice cream in the freezer of the refrigerator with a sense of overwhelming gratitude. It was then that I began to understand that I can ask from God even the most insignificant things.

Since then I’ve faced a lot of hard times. I’ve nearly died of malaria, and I’ve gone hungry. But, as the many difficulties arose, I would remember that carton of ice cream. It’s the biggest lesson of my life.

Experience #5: I’ve got a friend named Jess Smiley. She and her husband Sam live about 2 miles from my house. We go to church together.

Jess feels the sorrow, but sings anyway

Jess feels the sorrow, but sings anyway

The last 7 years have been HARD on Jess.

7 years ago her husband Jamie contracted leukemia, a form that is lethal. After a 2 year battle she lost him.

In the fall of 2007 her son Alex was 11 years old. He had started developing bruises on his skin and a doctor’s appointment revealed that he too had leukemia.

Wow. An 11 year old boy with leukemia. Imagine facing that.

Alex went through 9 months of brutal chemotherapy treatments and it went into remission.

18 months later, it came back. With a vengeance.

More chemotherapy. More prayers. More desperation.

Alex chose to stand up and FIGHT.

Since Alex was losing his hair, several of his friends, including Dylan Fancher, all decided to shave their heads as a sign of Solidarity with Alex during his healing and recovery process.

Below is a video of Alex shaving Dylan’s head in the restroom of Alex’s hospital room:

Alex Smiley shaves Dylan Fancher’s head: Solidarity, and Friends Forever

Just the day before, Alex had begun his Chemo treatments. (The joy of shaving Dylan’s head sorta made up for the first day of chemo.)

That was July 6, 2009.

On Wednesday, October 14, 2009, an infection raged out of control and Alex died. A young man full of promise, gone at age 13.

Jess feels the sorrow, but sings anyway

Jess had remarried since Jamie’s death. She lost both her husband and first-born son to leukemia.

She made it through Alex’s funeral under the care of friends, lots of prayer and a couple pints of vodka.

Words cannot express how grieved we all were. We all prayed so hard. For Alex to be healed. For this curse to be lifted. But Alex lost the battle. For whatever reason, rescue did not come.

Jess soldiered on.

It just so happens that we were with Jess at a church conference in Toronto. On the night of January 20, 2010, God SPOKE to Jess and in a moment of laser clarity, showing her that He was pushing a “reset” button on the destiny she thought she had lost. He was restoring to her what she thought was no more.

That night God also gave her an impartation of JOY and LAUGHTER.

The bitterness and the grief melted away and she began laughing with delight. For weeks she was almost giddy and exuberant.

It was like nothing I had ever seen.

All I can say is, you had to see it for yourself to fully appreciate it. I’ve told you some miracle stories. People getting healed of lupus, deafness and paralysis are all remarkable. But being healed from aching loss and sickening sorrow over a lost husband and dear son – that one takes the cake.

It’s not that she doesn’t miss Alex or Jamie. Or that she doesn’t still grieve. It’s just that the bitter sting has been taken out. Jess experienced a literal impartation of the beautiful scripture of Isaiah 61:

For those who grieve in Zion— 
to bestow on them a crown of beauty 
instead of ashes, 
the oil of gladness 
instead of mourning, 
and a garment of praise 
instead of a spirit of despair. 
They will be called oaks of righteousness, 
a planting of the LORD 
for the display of his splendor.

They will rebuild the ancient ruins 
and restore the places long devastated; 
they will renew the ruined cities 
that have been devastated for generations.

My friend, I do not know why Alex and her husband were taken from us. God alone knows the answer to that question.

But God did minister to her in her sorrow in a most profound way.

YOU have also lost loved ones.

YOU have also had unanswered prayers. We all have. I know the feeling of exasperation and desperation when you pray and it feels as though those prayers are bouncing off the ceiling.

Jess Smiley knows that feeling too. Believe me, she does.

You pray for the uncle or aunt or grandpa or child. Your prayer doesn’t get answered the way you want it to. It’s bitter and dark.

But you know what…

You only have to experience ONE undeniable miracle and then you KNOW. After that, there is no going back.

And that’s what happened to me. I’ve only shared a small collection of stories. There are others. They’re real and I’ve seen them with my own two eyes.

Experience #6: 0n April 17, 2012, I was at a conference in Moravian Falls, North Carolina, sitting right next to a woman named Dierdre from Sydney Australia when she was healed after 40 years of severe hearing loss in one ear. Here’s me interviewing her about what happened:

Remember Brian Burgee from Tampa Florida, above, who was deaf in one ear and was healed in 2008? With the Dierdre experience I have now seen TWO people who were healed from deafness in one ear, both from childhood accidents, both deaf in that ear for more than 30 years. I was a personal direct witness and I have both testimonies on video. Recall that Burgee’s healing was also verified by reporter from the Charlotte Observer.

I solemnly attest to you that all these people and experiences are true and I have reported them to the best of my ability.

I will never again be at the mercy of theories from someone who thinks miracles are fake. Cuz I know they’re real.

But they are my experiences not yours.

Do you want God to show up in your life?

Then right now I give you permission to ASK HIM. If you seek God you will find Him.

But there’s something else I wish to offer you as well.

And that is:

Documented evidence of other miracles.

1. The book “Real Miracles” by Richard Casdorph, M.D., medically documents 10 miracles. Each chapter is a case study of one miracle, including doctors reports, xrays, etc. It reports ailments like huge tumors, Multiple Sclerosis and cancer vanishing completely, with medical documentation.

If you’re the least bit curious about this, just go ahead and buy the book. It’s on Amazon.

2. In Catholic circles, the Miracle of the Sun at Fatima on October 13, 1917 is very well known and has been exhaustively documented.  Literally 70,000 people including all kinds of newspaper reporters and people of every age and background testified to what happened near Fatima, Portugal. The event was predicted in advance on July 13, August 19 and September 13 that same year by three children. Which is why thousands of people were there to witness it.

Wikipedia does a good job of summarizing what happened. (Yes, I understand, if you’re a protestant you probably don’t relate to the “Virgin Mary” stuff. That’s OK. There’s no rule that says you have to.) I encourage you to study the event for yourself and see if there isn’t substantial evidence that something miraculous occurred.

3. In September 2010, the Southern Medical Journal published an article titled: Study of the Therapeutic Effects of Proximal Intercessory Prayer (STEPP) on Auditory and Visual Impairments in Rural Mozambique. The official publication can be found here and the original authored manuscript from Indiana University can be found here. 24 people were tested; hearing of deaf subjects improved by 10-60 decibels. Vision of some of the blind subjects also improved, ranging from none to 15X.

I am personally only 1 degree of separation from the healers involved in this study. Here in Chicago I have some friends Nathan and Liz Stanton. They were married in Mozambique by pastor Heidi Baker who is a missionary there. For the Southern Medical Journal research, Heidi Baker partnered with Global Awakening in Mechanicsburg Pennsylvania, who sent a teaching team to my own church not long ago.

Heidi Baker is well-known in Mozambique for going into villages, asking villagers to bring her their deaf, then healing them. At minute 5:56 you’ll see Heidi Baker heal a deaf woman in front of a large crowd of people, live:

This video is an excerpt from the movie Finger of God. by Darren Wilson. He’s the narrator of this documentary. I’m personally acquainted with him, having met him in November 2009. Darren himself was ardently against miracles until a relative experienced a miracle he could not explain, which launched him on a journey of investigation.

4. On Friday August 30 2010, Delia Knox was healed after two decades of paralysis. She stood up in her wheelchair in the Mobile Alabama Convention Center and walked around the room in the presence of thousands of eyewitnesses.

The following report appeared in the Mobile Alabama Press-Register, September 2, 2010:

MOBILE, Alabama  — On Christmas Day 1987 singer and evangelist Delia Knox lost the use of her legs after a car she was a passenger in was struck by another vehicle driven by a drunken driver.

Now, on a video made last Friday, Knox is seen walking for the first time in 22 years during a revival at the Arthur R. Outlaw Mobile Convention Center.

The video, which is on YouTube and on the site of the Mobile church run by Knox and her husband, Levy Knox, is said to be a testament to not one, but numerous miracles said to have taken place during the Bay of the Holy Spirit Revival.

You can watch the YouTube video of the live healing taking place here:


On Thursday October 21, 2010, Delia Knox returned to her home town of Buffalo, New York and into her mother’s arms. The local TV station WIVB Channel 4 taped the homecoming and reported the healing:


delia_levy_knox2

Delia Knox and her husband Levy, next to her wheelchair

Finally there are some things that need to be said about miracles. Quoting 1 Corinthians 12:28:

“And in the church God has appointed first of all apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then workers of miracles, also those having gifts of healing, those able to help others, those with gifts of administration, and those speaking in different kinds of tongues.

“Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Do all work miracles? Do all have gifts of healing? Do all speak in tongues? Do all interpret? But eagerly desire the greater gifts.”

If you’re a Christian, I challenge you with this:

Most of the church, the protestant church in particular, has been actively disobeying this command. These verses clearly present a hierarchy of authority and gifts:

1. Apostles

2. Prophets

3. Teachers

4. Workers of Miracles

5. Healers

6. Helpers

7. Administrators

8. Those who speak in tongues

The protestant church has amputated #1, #2, #4, #5 and #8. The teachers and administrators have been left in charge.

Paul said to desire the greater gifts.

The church has been banning them.

I know pastors and seminary professors who’ve been fired from their jobs because they believed in miracles. How tragic and anti-Christian that is. I have a friend who had severe ADHD and was deaf in one ear. He was healed of both at once in May 2007. He won’t let me use his name and picture here on my blog because his father is a prominent figure in evangelical Christianity and news of a miracles might threaten his dad’s career.

And we wonder why the church is anemic??? We wonder why there’s an atheistic bias in the western world? It’s no surprise church has become a flaccid, legalistic, boring institution. A dreary way to kill an otherwise enjoyable Sunday morning.

It’s because 5 out of the 8 spark plugs have been yanked out. The engine is coughing and sputtering on 3 of its 8 cylinders.

Why are “Cessationist” arguments invariably so complex and insert all kinds of assumptions which themselves have no scriptural support?

MANY Christians say to me, “Absolutely I believe God still heals. God can do anything He wants to. God just does it whenever he chooses to now. He doesn’t heal through healers.”

If that’s you, I’ve got a question for you:

Can you show me ONE place in scripture – Old or New Testament – where ANY person was healed without a healer?

Cessationists often say “The gifts were only present for the apostolic age – a short, special period of time to validate the apostles so they could finish writing the scriptures.” Where did they get that?

The Bible never says anything of the sort. When Paul says in 1 Corinthians 14 “Earnestly desire the greater gifts”, was he only talking to apostles?

Cessationists are often skilled rigorous expositors of scripture, but the cessationist arguments don’t meet their own standards of interpretation.

The church has sliced off one of its testicles and thrown it in the garbage. No wonder it doesn’t feel like a man.

This is one of the reasons that TV healing ministries have become such a circus: it’s partly because most of Christianity has marginalized the healing gifts. This is why some healers are charlatans. But it’s a whole different world when you see people whom you’ve known for years get healed in person, with your own eyes – not on TV. When you experience it for yourself, like I have.

My friend, let me assure you: When the church begins to operate on all 8 cylinders, it becomes a force to be reckoned with. As all my friends who’ve been healed will attest. The atheists and cynics and religious gestapo can whine and moan all they want to, but real people are being set free every day.

(Oh, and I haven’t said a single word about the awesome power of prophetic people. I’ll save that discussion for another post.)

You’re invited. If you’re ever in Chicago, come to Greater Chicago Church, 705 Jackson Boulevard, Oak Park Illinois on a Sunday morning and I’ll introduce you to some of these dear friends. They’ll look you in the eye and tell you their stories and you’ll know it’s all for real. If you need healing, they’ll pray for ya, too.

The same thing is happening in every city and town in the world. It’s seldom in the newspaper or on TV. But maybe that’s for the better. Cuz it’s going on just the same.

In Matthew 11, Jesus’ cousin John the Baptist was in prison. He was depressed and discouraged. Nothing was going the way he’d planned. He had grave doubts because his prayers weren’t being answered.

John sent a message to Jesus.

When John heard in prison what Christ was doing, he sent his disciples to ask him, “Are you the one who was to come, or should we expect someone else?”

Jesus replied, “Go back and report to John what you hear and see: The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy are cured, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is preached to the poor. Blessed is the man who does not fall away on account of me.”

Amen.

Perry Marshall

P.S.: There’s a popular atheist jingoism these days: “Why doesn’t God heal amputees?” It’s often stated with spitting anger and venom. The assertion is made that there’s no such thing as an amputee whose arm grew back. This held up as proof positive that miracles don’t exist.

To date I haven’t personally met an amputee whose arm has grown back. Today I told you what I have seen. The closest I’ve come is my friend Yosef Bender from Chicago. Yosef was at a Kathryn Kuhlman healing service many years ago. (Casdorph’s book “Real Miracles” investigates 10 of Ms. Kuhlman’s healing incidents.) Behind Yosef was a woman who had one arm that was too short with a single finger at the end instead of a hand.

From the stage, Kuhlman called out that there was someone up in that section whose arm was deformed. A few seconds later, Yosef heard this intense commotion and loud crying behind him. He turned around and this woman’s hand had fully grown back. She was so happy she was crying hysterically.

This is as close as I’ve personally gotten to a healed amputee.

Documented histories of healed amputees do exist. The Miracle of Calanda occurred in Calanda, Spain in 1640, according to 17th century documents. The documents state that a young farmer’s leg was restored to him after having been amputated two and a half years earlier. This event is described in detail in the book Il Miracolo by Vittorio Messori. This is described in detail on Wikipedia.

I rather suspect there are at least a few healed amputees out there. Will the skeptics listen to their stories? I don’t know. Will they change the skeptics’ minds? I don’t know. But if you want to think for yourself investigate these things on your own, I recommend that you start by reading Real Miraclesby Richard Casdorph, M.D.

820 Responses to “Documented Miracles: Lie #8: “Miracles ceased with the apostles.””

  1. Joe Conte says:

    Very persuasive material, and presented with great writing skill.

    • As you state: “Very persuasive material, and presented with great writing skill.”
      To be sure.
      Along with a dispicable display of a very UNSOUND mind, and counterfeit miracles. Hasn’t it ever occurred to you that Pharoah’s magicians could copy Yahwheh’s miracles? Hasn’t it ever occurred to you that it is the BEAST who is worshipped in the last days is marked by all kinds of counterfeit signs and wonders? Hasn’t it ever occurred to you that both Old and New Testaments speak of “strange fire”? Which the BEAST causes to come down from heaven?
      Hasn’t it ever occurred to you that 1Cor11:2-5 speaks of ANOTHER Jesus, a DIFFERENT spirit and a DIFFERENT gospel?

      Do you REALLY believe that the Holy God of Israel puts forth prophecies through someone OUT OF HIS MIND (even in your own words – “a freaking nuthouse” when he tells us, “We have not been given a spirit of fear but of love and of power and of a sound mind”?

      The Scriptures tell us that preaching Christ crucified is the POWER OF GOD UNTO SALVATION. It doesn’t say anywhere that “miracles” are the power. Performing miracles is just ONE of the Gifts given to the Children of God.

      Have you not read in Jude that in the end times there will be “animal like ones, not having the spirit”?

      Do you not know that “he(satan” deceiving the ENTIRE INHABITED EARTH…” (Rev 12:0)

      Don’t you know that the sexually immoral will end up in the lake of fire according to Revelation? This is no “LAUGHING matter”!

      Do you not know that “drunkards will not inherit the Kingdom of God”?

      Don’t you realise that whenever the holy people of God in the Bible PROPHESIED, and/or were “filled with the Spirit” that the WORD is the Spirit and they brought forth actual SCRIPTURE from their inner-most being. ie: clear, audible, coherant and meaningful SCRIPTURE, not “babble, babble, babble, ha! ha! ha!?)

      Do you not know that in the last days “Mockers will arise…”?

      Do you not know that Yahshua says, “Not one of those invited guests will get a taste of My banquet.”?

      Don’t you know that satan can do whatever he pleases in the name of the “holy spirit”, wreak absolute havoc, preach whatever lies and murder he wishes in his evil heart and be COMPLETELY SAFE from ANY scrutiny as to its origin, because he will tell you loud and clear “ooh… don’t you go and blaspheme the holy spirit now…ha! ha! ha! Laughing all the way to the depth of Hades!) and everyone just blindly obliges filled with FEAR that they may blaspheme the holy spirit? But I tell you, in the name of Yahshua Ha Mashiach (Jesus Christ the Lord)that if you indeed HAVE THE TRUE HOLY Spirit and you DARE to question ANYTHING in your persuit of the Truth, with a pure heart, the there is NO WAY He will allow you to blaspheme the One Who is in you and Who is greater than he that is in the world! We are dealing with a devil who hates the very NAME of Yahwheh/Jehovah/Yahshua and will kill and murder just as many as he can before he is brought into the day of reckoning. “Fear of God is the beginning of wisdom/knowledge.”

      Do you not know that the Roman Catholics who preach the most detestable gospel known to man are CONVINCED that they have the “holy spirit”?

      Do you not know that the Church of Satan says that s…n IS the holy spirit.?

      If you wish to be in the firing line for the mark of the beast, then stay in your wishy-washy feel-good mindset and don’t raise an eyebrow in horror or protest about what is going on in Jesus’ name these days.

      But “as for me and my household, we will serve Yahwheh (Jehovah)”
      and He says in Ezekiel 9:4, “And the LORD(YHWH) said unto him, Go through the midst of the city, through the midst of Jerusalem, and set a mark upon the foreheads of the men that sigh and that cry for all the abominations that be done in the midst thereof.”

      This is in stark contrast to the mark of the BEAST.
      One of the men referred to here in Ezekiel sent to wage war on Jerusalem, was clothed in “linen”. Linen in Hebrew comes from a word that indicates separated fibres ie:
      1) to withdraw, be separate, be isolated
      an army straggler (part.)
      a) of Ephraim (metaph.)

      2) alone

      This is also in stark contrast to the UNITY that is so typical of the end times deception and World-Council of Churches/World Peace thrust… The Seal of God being upon those who swim against the tide as it were and shun this adulterous union of church and state, world and church, truth and lies etc etc. (Thus being SEPARATE and ISOLATED)

      “Come out and be separate says the Lord Almighty and touch not the unclean thing and I will receive you unto Myself. I shall God to you and you shall be sons and daughters to Me. Therefore COME OUT AND BE SEPARATE.”

      Love and Peace (Not “World-Peace”)
      Anna

      • perrymarshall says:

        Anna,

        You are letting fear run your life. You ostensibly believe more in the power of Satan than you believe in the power of God.

        And you hold people to standards of perfection that they’re never held to in the Bible.

        I’m sorry but I reject what you’re saying. I think you are judging people far above and beyond your authority to judge.

        • Anna says:

          I certainly fear Yahweh and for the record, fear does not run my Life but as a Watchman on the wall, it is both my duty and my desire to sound the alarm. Sorry to poop the party but if you can’t handle little me, I doubt you would support John the Baptist and certainly Yahshua (Jesus) who had very stern words to say to the many hypocrites who claimed to know God. Like so many modern day Christians Perry, you seem to look out of one eye – thus not seeing clearly. For the Sword is double-edged.
          Christianity today doesn’t even resemble the Christianity of the Bible – surely you must be honest enough to admit that? Are you so certain that you are exempt from being deceived? Are you so certain that you follow the Jesus of the Bible and not the catholic Jesus?

          There is an enormous end-times veil of deceit shrouding the whole planet and if you are keeping abreast of CURRENT prophecy you will know this is true and that a great “revival” is nowhere to be seen. In fact the opposite is true. A great APOSTASY characterises the end times. ALL the virgins feel asleep waiting for the Bridegroom.

          “Because they lead my people astray saying, ‘Peace’ when there is no peace, and because when a flimsy wall is built they cover it with whitewash. Therefore tell those who cover it with whitewash that it is going to fall…”

          My request is that you do not simply reject what I say with lame words about what authority you think I do or do not posses, but address your disagreement with the Sword of Truth in order to negate what I am saying and destroy my “false” concepts.

          I KNOW what I know is true – my Testimony, confirmed in The Word make this quite certain. Jesus is not sentimental but “For this reason was I born and for this purpose came I into the world. That I should testify to the Truth. All those on the side of Truth hear My voice.”

          “Whoever stumbles upon this Rock will be broken to peices, but on whomever this Rock falls, he shall be crushed to dust.”

          Oh who will stand up and preach the really HARD Scriptures??!
          Do you think Jesus is a pussycat?
          NO! He is the Lion of Judah and who can stand when He appears?

          Love and Peace in Yahshua (Not “World-Peace”)
          Anna

          • Ryan Healy says:

            Anna,

            King Saul was anointed by God. The Holy Spirit was upon him. Yet Saul was not always of sound mind.

            God also has a history of speaking through donkeys. Are they of sound mind?

            In my study of the scriptures, as well as my personal experience, God doesn’t seem too picky when choosing the vessel through which He speaks.

            I believe Perry’s main point — that miracles still happen — is quite valid. Churches that teach otherwise are teaching a lie.

            I do agree with you that those who are still part of the church system are blinded, even acting out the roles of Ahithophel/Judas according to the Biblical patterns, but this would require a lot of space to cover — and this is not the place to do it.

            Ryan

            • time_2_get_ready says:

              I am not saying that miracles do not occur. They DO.

              What I am saying is what the Scriptures say, “A wicked and adulterous generation looks for a sign and wonder”

              What I am saying is that MOST “miracles” these days are COUNTERFEIT – Scripture backs this up in both Old and New Testament. The so-called “Virgin Mary” is the most famous “miracle worker”, yet is the Queen of Heaven, whom YHVH detests and condemns Israel for, for worshipping her! Are you saying this is from God?

              What I am saying is we are not to SEEK miracles in order to come to believe in the Lord Jesus, as a kind of bribe (the cart before the horse), but that true miracles occur AFTER one has a deep and genuine conversion and faith in the True Jesus Christ. And they do NOT always occur when one believes.

              The Bible tells us that John the Baptist performed NO miracles, yet Jesus says of him “No greater man born of a woman is there than John the Baptist”

              Miracles are a Gift, given by God, along with many other gifts but why then does Jesus say?:

              “Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and in your name perform many miracles?’? (Matthew 7:22)

              • time_2_get_ready says:

                “But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ. For if he that cometh preacheth another Jesus, whom we have not preached, or if ye receive another spirit, which ye have not received, or another gospel, which ye have not accepted, ye might well bear with him.” (2Corinthians 11:3,4)

                “Let him who has an ear listen to what the Spirit says to the churches”

              • time_2_get_ready says:

                “Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’” (Matthew 7:23)

          • Duncan Pugh says:

            Anna! You are definitely my favourite responder on this site. I have looked at your website too _ very engaging.

            I love the command of scripture exhibited in your writing and you apply it very well to the situation as you see it. It seems the Bible has much to teach us about the dangerous illusion of a present or future ‘unity’, be this based upon ‘religious’ or ‘secular’ ‘foundations’.

            He will only appear when we stand … I think that’s what you’re saying

            As for miracles, well I really wish I could believe in them but I just don’t. Either way I do not think that Jesus can, or should, be justified by any appeal to them having happened.

            Please elaborate on the really HARD teachings.

            • time_2_get_ready says:

              Dear Duncan,
              Jesus sometimes says very hard things to accept – the first one that comes to mind is John 6:51-68

              “I am the living bread which came down from heaven: if any man eat of this bread, he shall live for ever: and the bread that I will give is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world. The Jews therefore strove among themselves, saying, How can this man give us his flesh to eat? Then Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except ye eat the flesh of the Son of man, and drink his blood, ye have no life in you

              It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life. Whoso eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, hath eternal life; and I will raise him up at the last day. For my flesh is meat indeed, and my blood is drink indeed. He that eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, dwelleth in me, and I in him…

              Many therefore of his disciples, when they had heard this, said, This is an hard saying; who can hear it?…

              And he said, Therefore said I unto you, that no man can come unto me, except it were given unto him of my Father. From that time many of his disciples went back, and walked no more with him. Then said Jesus unto the twelve, Will ye also go away? Then Simon Peter answered him, Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life.”

              It seems that everyone is a “friend” of Jesus and wants to say they follow Him, as long as He is filling their bellies and spirit with nice things that they want, but come the time when this relationship turns into actually requiring that they GIVE something, “eat My flesh and drink My blood” ie: suffer persecution and torture by ASSIMILATING (eating and drinking)Christ into themselves – then it is way too hard and they turn back.

              The Roman Catholics have foolishly misrepresented this Truth by literally eating flesh and drinking blood, when it is written “abstain from blood”

              Jesus is clearly speaking here of the spiritual oneness that a true believer experiences when they follow the Way and in nowise even hints at anything like eating literal flesh. This is a copout for being persecuted and so instead, the Roman Catholics take it upon themselves to persecute OTHERS rather than be persecuted themselves. Jesus even tells us in Revelation

              “For they have shed the blood of saints and prophets, and thou hast given them blood to drink; for they are worthy.” (Revelation 16:6)

              There are many other Scriptures that the carnal mind cannot accept or grasp too, for “spiritual things are foolishness to the natural man because they are spiritually discerned”

              This is why Jesus spoke in parables.

          • David Springer says:

            “Address your disagreement with the Sword of Truth in order to negate what I am saying and destroy my “false” concepts.”

            I too disagree with your words. You say to disagree with the Sword of Truth. Read the parable in Matt. 25: 1-13. There were indeed 10 virgins. Five of them were foolish and ran out of oil and had to buy more. While they were gone, the wise virgins were let in when the bridegroom opened the door. When the five foolish ones returned, they knocked, but wouldn’t be let in.

            You said ALL the virgins fell asleep. Which is true, but you forgot to mention the result of the foolish versus the wise. I feel that you too have fell asleep and couldn’t wake up. I am sorry, but you got left out of the grooms party and maybe are angry about it. Open your heart and quit being so contentious about God’s work. A word of Prophesy–You don’t have to police the world. God is doing that on His terms. Your place is to know Him and abide with Him and follow God’s commandment: To love the Lord your God with all you mind, heart, soul, and strength, and to love your neighbor. My peace be with you.

            • time_2_get_ready says:

              If by the “Groom’s Party” you mean the RCC, then I am ETERNALLY grateful for being “left out. Jesus says, “Follow Me”.

              Here is what the Word of God says:
              “There is NO fellowship between Light and darkness.”

              http://www.blueletterbible.org/Bible.cfm?b=1Co&c=6&t=KJV

              And I think Perry has sufficiently sided with Rome with this comment:

              o perrymarshall says:
              February 17, 2010 at 2:25 pm
              “I applaud the Catholic church for expending considerable effort in acknowledging miracles and vetting miraculous claims.”

            • time_2_get_ready says:

              David Springer, this is but ONE edge of the Sword. Remember the Lord wields a TWO-EDGED Sword.

              The “other edge”, which is too hard for many to both with, is the JUDGMENT edge”

              It is written, “Have nothing to do with the evil deeds of darkness but rather expose them”

              It is also written, “Cursed is the man who withholds his sword from bloodshed”

              But I am guessing you are in full agreeance with the world on “going to war” to PHYSICALLY obliterate another UNSAVED human being in order to “save your country”

          • Chris Thomas says:

            Dear Anna,
            From your text I gather you believe that we are living in the period of the “end time”. Of course, many of the scriptures you use can be arbritrarily interpreted as one thing or another, so it’s hard to put your foot down about some of these things. But there are a few scriptures which are a bit difficult to interpret otherwise:

            “And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams: and on my servants and on my handmaidens I will pour out in those days of my Spirit; and they shall prophesy: and I will shew wonders in heaven above, and signs in the earth beneath; blood, and fire, and vapour of smoke: the sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before the great and notable day of the Lord come.” Acts 2:17-21

            So we either conclude that 1)we are not living in this period of “the last days” and therefore these “miracles” are not God’s doing, or 2)we are living in said period and indeed miracles are happening as was promised.

            One of the foremost books on this period is the book of Daniel, and yes, many things in there can be WIDELY interpreted. But consider this passage:

            “And such as do wickedly against the covenant shall [the beast] corrupt by flatteries: but the people that do know their God shall be strong, and do exploits.” Daniel 11:31

            Now, admittedly, “exploits” is most commonly used as brilliant acts of war, but it also can be understood as phenomenal or supernatural feats. So then you have to look to Jesus’ teaching for the answer.

            “Jesus answered, My kingdom is not of this world: if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews: but now is my kingdom not from hence.” John 18:36

            I mean, we really don’t need to debate indepth about nonviolence or anything, but the “exploits” seem to lean further to “supernatual happenings” than to “acts of war”, especially when cross referenced with other statements such as:

            “Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father.” John 14:12

            So what were his “works”? Well one can answer that without help, just reading the gospels, but just make a list of the “works” he did, and scale all of them up, because the passage says, “greater works than these shall ye do”.

            The whole point is, we can’t throw out the baby with the bathwater. Just because the prophets of Baal prophecy, doesn’t mean the prophets of God can’t. Just because the Beast does wonders, doesn’t mean all of a sudden that the servants of God can’t. What use is there for discernment if you just lump everything together as evil? That’s not what we were taught. “A tree is known by it’s fruits”. It’s easier just to steer clear from the supernatural because it is sometimes used by the Evil one, but that sort of “safety” doesn’t gain any ground in our struggle, it leads to stagnation, like the servant who for “safety” burried his talent. The more difficult path is what the other servants took, they INVESTED, and that is what we (God help us ALL) must do with our talents.

            • time_2_get_ready says:

              Much of this is true Chris, however, we also need to view prophecy in CONTEXT and that which is relevant to OUR time in history. ie: we, in THIS generation are NOT in the same time and experience as Acts 2 (Pentecost and tongues)but in the END TIMES when it is very possible that we are ALREADY part way through Revelation.

              The Word says that (now) “the dragon deceiving the whole world” (see Revelation 9:12) (the Greek word for “world” is OIKOUMENE from which we in MODERN TIMES, derive the word ECUMENICAL movement! – The Word of God tells us that “Asia and the WORLD” (oikoumene)WORHIPS DIANA/ARTEMIS!

              “False Christs will appear, deceiving if possible, even the very elect of God”

              So if you do not consider yourself the VERY ELECT OF GOD, then you ARE deceived

              And if you DO consider yourself the very elect of God then it IS possible for you to be deceived.

              Jesus says to us, “Beg that you be counted worthy to escape all that is about to happen and to be able to stand before the Son of Man”

              It is time to quit the “party” and get sober my friend!

              This is NOT giving more “power” to the devil, but “rightly dividing the Word of Truth”, which many on this forum would be wise in doing.

              For, “Man does not live by bread alone but by EVERY WORD that proceeds from the mouth of God”

            • time_2_get_ready says:

              Chris, the Word tells us “The Spirit which is the Word of God”

              And yes, the Spirit(The Word of God) IS being poured out on all flesh, therefore NO ONE will have an excuse.

              “And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.”

              If one researches this, it becomes apparent that the Gospel has indeed been preached in well over 50 percent of the world, in nearly all known languages.

              Couple this with the prophecy of Jesus saying it would be like the days of Lot when He returns, noting that the predominant feature of the days of Lot was HOMOSEXUALITY, then we are waiting for the Lord’s return any minute now!

              THAT is why it is time to WAKE UP!

              Consider this. Homosexuality has ALWAYS been a depraved part of the world throughout history. HOWEVER, we are the very first generation ever to have to suffer this abomination in the CHURCH that bears Jesus’ name!

              It HAS no more “territory” to invade, having gone right up to the Church of the Living God.

              How long now, do you suppose He will have patience for this?

          • Elyse Holland says:

            This is to Anna how can we get in touch with you, and do you have a website?

        • Anna says:

          “The spiritual man judges all things, but he himself is judged by no one.”

          Facts speak for themselves Perry. What is it that you are afraid of?

          In your replies to me, there is too frequently the word, “I believe…” rather than what the Word of God says.

        • time_2_get_ready says:

          Let me just say this much Perry.

          The Children of Israel who did not have the Holy Spirit IN them, were held to the utmost perfect standard and were duly punished and even KILLED for transgressing the Law.

          Nowadays, God’s people are said to be FILLED with the Holy Spirit, yet for some bizarre reason, are now ALLOWED to get away with murder and live in unrepentant sin? Thus having a LOWER standard that ancient Israel?

          Can you justify this by the Scriptures and the Spirit of Truth?

          • time_2_get_ready says:

            Let me just say this much Perry.

            The Children of Israel who did not have the Holy Spirit IN them, were held to the utmost perfect standard and were duly punished and even KILLED for transgressing the Law.

            Nowadays, God’s people are said to be FILLED with the Holy Spirit, yet for some bizarre reason, are now ALLOWED to get away with murder and live in unrepentant sin? Thus having a LOWER standard than ancient Israel?

            Can you justify this by the Scriptures and the Spirit of Truth?

        • Bob young says:

          Anna. All these miracles brought people to christ. The gospel was not preached differently. The point of demonic deception is to take away from gospel or from Jesus.

      • Lisa Dawn says:

        GO ANNA! Those who have ears to hear will hear you.

      • well said, Anna. well said.

    • Anna says:

      Quoting the above article: 2. In Catholic circles, the Miracle of the Sun at Fatima on October 13, 1917 is very well known and has been exhaustively documented. Literally 70,000 people including all kinds of newspaper reporters and people of every age and background testified to what happened there. Wikipedia does a good job of summarizing what happened. (Yes, I understand, if you’re a protestant you probably don’t relate to the “Virgin Mary” stuff. That’s OK. There’s no rule that says you have to.)

      In reality there is NO difference between Caholic and Protestant.
      There is only Truth and error. Both are in serious error in these days.

      You know, what a man sows, that shall he also reap.
      If we sow ignorance of the Word (“My people perish from lack of knowledge)we reap false religion/apostasy.

      Why are people today so naiive about believing everything they see and refuse to test all things as we have been instructed to?

      How I wish there were only EIGHT Great Lies of Organized Religion. But there are even MORE STILL in DISORGANISED RELIGION!

      2Thess2:10-12
      “They received not a love of the Truth in order for them to be saved. Therefore God shall send them a strong delusion that they should believe the lie. That they might all be damned who believed not the Truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness.”

      So what if someone performs a “miracle”!
      “If there arise among you a prophet, or a dreamer of dreams, and giveth thee a sign or a wonder And the sign or the wonder come to pass, whereof he spake unto thee, saying, Let us go after other gods, which thou hast not known, and let us serve them; Thou shalt not hearken unto the words of that prophet, or that dreamer of dreams: for the LORD your God proveth you, to know whether ye love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul.” (Deuteronomy 13:1-3)

      Why don’t we investigate HONESTLY and see which “god” modern-day preachers/churches are leading the masses to?

      Love and tears in Yahshua
      Anna

      • Duncan Pugh says:

        Superb response Anna!

        What is left then, after we dispose of ORGANISED and DISORGANISED religion?

        • Jay says:

          Perhaps God’s Truth and the Word he sent forth into the world? There is also the organised antichrist atheistic religion bringing further difficulties into the equation. There are many people giving testimony of having died and returning from heaven and some from hell. I was taught when a person dies they are conscious of nothing and that is true but these testimonies have given a different dimention to this.

          If these testimonies are true and I am inclind to beleive they are, when we die it is eternal light with our Creator or eternal darkness with Satan outwith times dimention and our worlds consciousnes. It is a higher, superior reality or a darker denser reality. This makes me realise how serious it is to preach and save people from their destiny if in opposition or in ignorance of God and Christ.

          When Jesus returns we are to be found without spot from the world. James 1:27-2:26 For whoever observes all the Law but makes a false step in one point, he has become an offender against them all.

          We need to learn, know, obey and teach God’s commandments so that blood guilt will not come on us if people are not saved who could be saved. In Ezekiel chapter 3 God instructs the prophet to warn others of their coming doom and if he failed to do that bloodguilt would come on him. Paul solemly charges Christians to preach the word urgently and diligently even although people have turned away from listening. 2 Timothy chapter 4. It is my belief that no earthly organised religion comes up to the standard taught by Jesus and the apostles. Even in those days the truth was being corrupted so it is no wonder we have false prophets, false teachings and false teachers. That is why God’s word from the scriptures is important. Hebrews 4:12 For the word of God is alive and exerts power and is sharper than any two edged sword and pierces even to the dividing of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is able to discern thoughts and intentions of the heart.

          The theme that is written through the whole bible is obediece. By obedience Abraham was judged righteous. When the Jewish nations were obedient they prospered. If our nations would turn from being warring nations and learned to love others as Jesus commanded they would prosper. But they have become aggressors and we should not support them. Having said that this is the last days and Satan will have us sifted as wheat.

        • time_2_get_ready says:

          Freedom to find the Living God!

        • time_2_get_ready says:

          Freedom to find the Living God!
          Amen

    • time_2_get_ready says:

      Just open your eyes and LOOK. Why does the photograph at the very top, of the Christian gathering, SO RESEMBLE the Hitler conventions – with the “heil Hitler” salute?

      Is there anyone else here who has “lifted up holy hands” in prayer, to notice that the palms of our hands are turned UPWARD towards Heaven, in anticipation of the inpouring of the Holy Spirit and NOT OUTWARD and AWAYWARD resembling more a policeman holding back traffic?

    • time_2_get_ready says:

      “The flesh counts for nothing, it is the Spirit which quickens and gives life”

      The healing of one’s SOUL AND SPIRIT for all eternity is the true miracle, thus allowing one to believe in the risen Christ.
      Why do we need more than that?

    • Jerry Ammons says:

      I have never commented on any forum EVER. But I had to say that this article has greatly increased my (rather humble) faith!

      Thanks!!! and PTL!!!

  2. Gerry Blanchard says:

    How do you know the miracles came from God and not Satan?

    • perrymarshall says:

      Better to let Jesus answer that question. I refer you to Matthew 12:

      24But when the Pharisees heard this, they said, “It is only by Beelzebub, the prince of demons, that this fellow drives out demons.”

      25Jesus knew their thoughts and said to them, “Every kingdom divided against itself will be ruined, and every city or household divided against itself will not stand. 26If Satan drives out Satan, he is divided against himself. How then can his kingdom stand? 27And if I drive out demons by Beelzebub, by whom do your people drive them out? So then, they will be your judges. 28But if I drive out demons by the Spirit of God, then the kingdom of God has come upon you.

      29″Or again, how can anyone enter a strong man’s house and carry off his possessions unless he first ties up the strong man? Then he can rob his house.

      30″He who is not with me is against me, and he who does not gather with me scatters. 31And so I tell you, every sin and blasphemy will be forgiven men, but the blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven. 32Anyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven, but anyone who speaks against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven, either in this age or in the age to come.

      • As Yahshua says and you have quoted above: “Every kingdom divided against itself will be ruined, and every city or household divided against itself will not stand. 26If Satan drives out Satan, he is divided against himself. How then can his kingdom stand?”

        I tell you BABYLON WILL NOT STAND! That is the whole point!
        And isn’t the “church” today in ruins already?

        “Babylon the Great is fallen! Is fallen! Come out of her My people!”

        Love and Peace in Yahshua (Not “World-Peace”)
        Anna

      • Zach Smith says:

        Perry, I came across your stuff through your consulting business, but, I must say, I never realized how religiously inclined thou art ;)

        Anyway, I am LDS (If anyone has questions, that is Mormon and I’ll be happy to answer them).

        I think what Perry has done here is very nice. Even if some of you argue that he doesn’t have the whole truth or, as Anna has vehemently asserted that Perry is leading people astray, I have to rebut that absurdity.

        Anytime someone is leading people towards doing good things, learning about Jesus Christ, and striving to live his teachings, how can that be a bad thing?

        I’ll answer this myself, it cannot! Show me one scripture, anywhere, that will refute what Perry teaches…i.e.showing that teaching that miracles STILL do exist, that Christ still speaks to us today, and that Prophets and Apostles are an essential to Christ’s Church.

        I’m going to start following these conversations much more closely and I look forward to sharing my beliefs and learning from others as well.

    • That is a VERY good question. One we need to find out.
      There is however no substitute and nothing more important for being born of the Spirit. For without the Spirit of Truth, no one is able to discern ANYTHING accurately. When the Spirit comes, we no longer need a man to teach us for the Spirit will be our teacher and what He teaches is true and not false.
      Therefore, the message is always the same:
      Repent, believe in The Lord Jesus Christ (Yahshua)
      and ASK for Him to give you The Holy Spirit.
      “Ask and you shall receive, Seek and you shall find, knock and the door shall be opened to you.”

      The issue of miracles is possibly a distraction from the main issue which is to “Preach the Gospel” of first importance.
      Be a witness to Yahshua IN LOVE and be actively engaged in saving people in whatever part of the Body of Christ He Himself places you. Not what people tell you you should be.

      It seems to me that emphasising miracles at best is puting the cart before the horse.
      Trying to “get miracles” as a sort of bribe to believe in Jesus is wrong. In the Scriptures, those who truly BELIEVED that Jesus is the Christ, BECAME healed as a RESULT of believing – not the other way around.
      At worst, The Lord says, “A wicked and adulterous generation looks for a sign and wonder.”

      Praying that you see through all the fog.
      Love and Peace in Yahshua(Not “World-Peace”)
      Anna

  3. Ed Jurick says:

    I do believe in miracles but not the ones you described in this newsletter. Some are healed this is true but not after praying one half hour over that person. The REAL healing from God is instant. Nowhere in the New Testament do we read that either apostles or healers took hours to heal someone nor was there a special ceremony concerning this matter. One must never forget what Jesus said about faith, “As thou hast believed, so be it done unto you.” Faith and healing go hand in hand. Perhaps you should write an article and call it “What is Faith?” We’ll take it from there and see if your article is convincing.

    • perrymarshall says:

      Mark 8:22 – even Jesus needed a 2nd try:

      They came to Bethsaida, and some people brought a blind man and begged Jesus to touch him.

      23He took the blind man by the hand and led him outside the village. When he had spit on the man’s eyes and put his hands on him, Jesus asked, “Do you see anything?”

      24He looked up and said, “I see people; they look like trees walking around.”

      25Once more Jesus put his hands on the man’s eyes. Then his eyes were opened, his sight was restored, and he saw everything clearly.

  4. David Smith says:

    Of course miracles are as real today as they were since the Lord God created Adam & Eve ….. but my friend , tell the whole truth not just the part that seemingly makes faith healing look real !!!

    Miracles are real today and they do exist but the real truth is God doesn’t need man (some preacher ,evangelist , healer , etc) to do His bidding. The Holy Spirit is NOT dependant upon lowly man to get the job done.

    The disciples were given the power of God to do miracles to give valid creedence to their verbage ….. that the long awaited CHRIST had come because the wrtten Bible as we have it today had not been written , therefore men doing miracles was a sign from God that their message was the real deal.

    Get off the validation thing that this still happens today …… in fact miracles almost all but vanished using man by the time the Apostle Paul hit the scene. Ever see Paul doing miracles or recording any of his miraclous powers ……???!!!

    I learned long ago that you never base the truth on experiences or what you see but it’s always based on the Living Word of God. Sinful and Evil man are always looking
    for a sign

    • perrymarshall says:

      Acts 28:8

      His father was sick in bed, suffering from fever and dysentery. Paul went in to see him and, after prayer, placed his hands on him and healed him. 9When this had happened, the rest of the sick on the island came and were cured.

  5. Billy Sims says:

    “Perry, I’ve studied the New Testament inside and out. I’ve studied Greek, Hebrew and Aramaic. And you know what? There is NOTHING in the Bible whatsoever to suggest that miracles should stop.

    The Miracle happen when the our heavenly Father and his Son restored the gospel to the earth through the prophet Joseph Smith.

  6. Greetings.Happy new year.I expect these miracles:healing;sound health,spiritual life,christian victory,deliverance from the power of evil,sin,laziness,poverty,want freedom uin christ.Sincerely:Ndockaye Maokété Laotaye,Tél.:+235 66 67 59 10.Is there anything too hard for the Lord ,

  7. George Cunningham says:

    Thank you, brother, for sharing the truth.

    It is the height of arrogance for anyone to say something is not true because they personally have not seen it, as they continue to believe the things they want to believe with no proof required.

    • keith seeker says:

      Believing in things without any proof is known as having faith. ‘faith’ is belief without knowledge. just hoping that what you believe in is true. people of ‘faith’ do not require evidence. at the last count there where something like 800 different ‘christian faiths’in America. is the Pope in Rome the spiritual leader of all these different ‘faiths’?

  8. Quote: Most of the church, the protestant church in particular, has been actively disobeying this command. These verses clearly present a hierarchy of authority and gifts:

    It’s not so much that the church is being disobedient, as if the gifts of God were up as in a job offer or as if we had a say in who would be gifted with what, but instead the “stereotypical” way we imagine these workings of the Spirit have for the most part been ignored.

    Someone need not say they are an apostle to do the work of an apostle nor prophet nor evangelist, pastor/teacher. In fact, I see this as a good thing in many cases to keep that one from becoming puffed up.

    The church is the body. Can the any part of that body function other than what it was designed to do? It is not up to the church to decide on these workings and gifts even if we wanted to we could not anyway. But what is important to know is that these gifts and workings have never gone away, how could they? Every time a new church family is born, Every time a person be saved, Every time a sermon preached, Every time a prayer answered.; it should be evidence enough that the body of Christ is doing exactly what it has always been doing.

    Gifts and workings have only become unrecognized in the stereotypical sense of the word. With that said, why bother trying to control something we cannot anyway. I see no disobedience here, just a shallow conviction towards the spiritual manifestations.

    • Forrest Charnock says:

      Nothing is more shallow than seeking attention and power instead of humility and obedience. Gifts are a sign to the unbeliever,read your Bible.

      We are to submit to the Holy Spirit, not command Him to perform on cue.

  9. Nice Perry :)

    I found myself crying at multiple points throughout this article.

    Best,
    Caleb

  10. This disparity has also troubled me.

    In 1971, in 8th grade at St. Anthony’s School in Falls Church, Virginia, two of my good friends were Cuban immigrants, Jose and Vicente Rodriguez. Their father had been arrested and tortured by Castro’s regime. When able to do so, with so many others, they fled Cuba.

    Here in the US, as a result of the brutality and torture, Senor Rodriguez was unable to work (the torture had inflicted a heart condition). So the family lived meagerly in the Culmore Apartments that were a local hot spot for Cuban exiles in the DC area at the time. I met Jose when I found two classmates “trying to teach English” to him. In fact, they were teaching him swear words. I interfered and befriended Jose. He was a loving older brother concerned for Vicente, who had survived childhood polio but was left lame and wore a heavy leg brace as a result.

    In 7th grade, along with other members of my catholic family, I was introduced to the Catholic Charismatic movement. In addition, I learned of, watched on TV, and attended three different Kathryn Kuhlman services over that time period.

    We learned that Miss Kuhlman would be speaking at a convention of Demos Shakarian’s Full Gospel Businessmen’s International at the Sheraton Hotel in Washington. My mom spoke with Vicente’s parents at our urging. They agreed to allow Vicente to attend with us … on the condition that his dad go as well to watch out for Vicente. It was a wonderful service. The one disappointment is that Miss Kulhman never received word that God was healing polio, and never called Vicente out.

    Although we were disappointed, we were also brash. After the service ended, we walked Vicente up to the stage right exit area. When Miss Kulhman appeared, we approached and asked her to pray for Vicente. After an explanation, she agreed. When she did, Vicente experienced being overwhelmed by God’s presence and Holy Spirit and fell into his father’s arms (he stood just behind Vicente when she prayed for him). As he caught Vicente, Senor Rodriguez was also overwhelmed by the sense of God’s presence and Holy Spirit, and he took collapsed, this time into the waiting arms of two ushers.

    After Senor Rodriguez and Vicente recovered, they stood to their feet and it was clear that Vicente, while amazed at the experience, had NOT been healed. We left joyful for their having been touched by God, but saddened and confused as to why God had not healed Vicente.

    What we did not know, what Vicente and his father did not realize at the time, was the very different plans of God. For, at some point, either during the service, or when he collapsed under the ministry of prayer for his son, Senor Rodriguez experienced a complete physical healing and restoration. Whereas he had previously walked only short distances, and quite slowly, and would be labored in his breathing because of the damage to his cardiovascular system from the torture he suffered in prison in Cuba, he was now completely healed. He had endurance. He was free from pain. He could, in a word, work.

    This healing completely changed the lives of the Rodriguez family. In short order, Senor Rodriguez became employed. Next, his family was able to move from the tenement housing to a rental home, and to purchase an automobile.

    We lost track of the Rodriguez family when my dad, a Marine Colonel, was transferred from Washington, DC, to Camp Lejeune, North Carolina. I don’t know what ultimately became of Vicente. But I do know that where I would have healed the child of his disability, and never thought then about the dad’s need, God healed the father, and the whole family was lifted for the mirely clay.

    • perrymarshall says:

      Jim,

      If people only knew how many stories there are like this. Actually, all you have to do is be in a room with a dozen or so followers of Christ, and if the subject comes up, you will hear them. They are everywhere.

      I deleted the post of a “proud infidel” who said “no one with an ounce of grey matter in his head would believe any of this stuff.” He apparently didn’t read the instructions that comments must be polite. And he apparently thinks the real world conforms to his infidel belief system.

      Thanks for your great story. Can’t wait to hear more from others.

  11. Simon Deppeler says:

    Haven’t you heard of Christian Science? So called ‘miracles’ are commonplace. There have been numerous healings in my own family with Christian Science.

  12. rick hurst says:

    perry, miracles did not cease with the DICIPLES. the word diciple is just another term for the word christian. miracles ceased with the APOSTLES after they died out, and those they laid there hands on to perform miracles died out. it stopped then. the actual miracle of passing on miracles to others was only accomplished with the apostles. they were the only ones who could pass on miracles to others. read acts, chapter 8.

    • perrymarshall says:

      I don’t see anywhere in Acts chapter 8 that says that only the apostles could pass on miracles to others. Please clarify.

      • Ralph Kapteyn says:

        Hope you don’t mind me answering Rick.

        1) Here we see Philip preaching Christ to Samaria. The people listened, they WITNESSED miracles preformed by Philip. People who were paralyzed and lame were healed.

        Acts 8:5-8 Then Philip went down to the city of Samaria and preached Christ to them. And the multitudes with one accord heeded the things spoken by Philip, hearing and seeing the miracles which he did. For unclean spirits, crying with a loud voice, came out of many who were possessed; and many who were paralyzed and lame were healed. And there was great joy in that city.

        2) As Philip preached, both men and women were baptized, because they believed.

        12 But when they believed Philip as he preached the things concerning the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, both men and women were baptized.

        3) Simon witnessed the miracles and was amazed.

        13 Then Simon himself also believed; and when he was baptized he continued with Philip, and was amazed, seeing the miracles and signs which were done.

        4) As we see the next scripture below, APOSTLES had to be sent. Philip, even though he was preforming miracles himself, could not pass on the Holy Spirit. Samaria had witnessed all the fine miracles that Philip had performed, healing and driving out of evil spirits.

        14-17 Now when the APOSTLES who were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent Peter and John to them, who, when they had come down, prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit. For as yet He had fallen upon none of them. They had only been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. Then they laid hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit.

        5) Conclusion: Even though Philip was performing miracles, he did not have the capability to pass on the Holy Spirit. Apostles had to be sent.

        18 And when Simon saw that through the LAYING ON OF THE APOSTLES’ hands the Holy Spirit was given…

        • Grady Patterson says:

          Both Ralph and Rick seem to me making an unwarranted logical leap – Acts 8 does not say that the Holy Spirit *could* not be received without Apostolic intervention – the text merely states that the Holy Spirit *had* not come upon them. I’ve read it in numerous translations, as well as both the UBS and Stephanus Greek texts – and in all cases, there is no indication of capability, only of eventuality. In terms of logical argument, the passage declares correlation, but not causation.
          In fact, verses 14 and 15 seem to indicate that the Apostles were unaware that the Holy Spirit had not fallen upon the Samaritans until Peter and John arrived.
          An alternate conclusion, then, is that this whole story was not recorded to demonstrate the normal pattern, but to record an unusual pattern!

  13. Richard Elm says:

    Hi Perry; firstly my thanks on your clear and reasoned articles and comments- they are inspiring to me to spread the word to other non- believers (as I once was). My query pertains to Job 41; 18-21. I accept that time stood still as described by Joshua and that Jonah was swallowed by a fish, but the leviathan description seems soo way out there- like an underwater dragon! Do you have any thoughts on how we can explain or understand it in modern terms? (assuming it’s not an allegory).
    Regards, Richard.

    • perrymarshall says:

      Richard,

      I haven’t studied it all that much and don’t have very many thoughts about it. You can find all kinds of perspectives in different commentaries very easily though. Most people take it to be some very large ancient creature that we don’t have anymore. It’s important to note that Job is the oldest book in the Bible and this could have happened eons ago.

      • keith seeker says:

        Jonah and the whale.
        or it may be just an ancient legend and never really happened at all. we do’nt know who the writer was or when it was written. but its in the bible so it must be true. If you do’nt believe it is a true story you will be condemned for all eternity.

    • Dalibor Šver says:

      Some say Leviathan is a crocodile.

  14. Chuck Harmon says:

    Perry, what a great, well presented article.

    It’s funny how God uses the crazy, controversial people to do His work. Read the Old Testament (and the New) for a look at a whole bunch of them. It confounds the wisdom of the wise.

    I absolutely love studying this stuff…Jesus Christ, the same yesterday, today and forever. Maranatha!

    • perrymarshall says:

      Chuck,

      How right you are. THIS IS A POINT THAT IS NOT TO BE MISSED.

      Todd Bentley was a very wounded, messed up guy. It didn’t keep God from healing through him. And just about everyone in the Bible is also a wounded, messed-up guy. Peter. David. Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. Paul. Samson. Moses.

      The genealogy of Jesus in Matthew chapter 1 is a pantheon of crooks, misfits and scoundrels. Most of the women mentioned in this chapter were prostitutes. Didn’t keep them from becoming grandmothers and grandfathers of the Messiah.

      Most of these people would never be able to get a job at a typical church. Too much baggage. Too much sin.

      God worked through them anyway. Please, my friends, don’t miss this. And don’t let God’s willingness to use imperfect, messed up people cause you to stumble.

      • But did Yahshua give them licence to CONTINUE in this sin? The Scripture says, “Those who continue to sin have never known God.”
        How then, can such people be trusted in matters of eternal salvation today?

        The FINAL message here is, “Go, and sin no more, lest something worse happens to you.”

        If God’s expectations were SO high and his method of dealing with sin SO radical in the OLD TESTAMENT, when the congregation didn’t even HAVE the Holy Spirit in them, but relied on the OUTWARD Law, don’t you think that He would be even MORE exacting when we claim to have HIS SPIRIT living IN us, moment by moment?

        It’s got to be worth thinking about…

        Love and Peace in Yahshua (not “World-Peace”)
        Anna

        • perrymarshall says:

          I warn you to be extremely cautious about your judgments of other people. Do you have any sin in your life?

          By your own standard of judging, you will be judged.

    • keith seeker says:

      Jesus Christ the same yesterday, today and forever?
      He who said he came ” to change not one jot or title of the law”. Who believed in the Devil and hellfire, for eternity forever. for those who do’nt have faith in Jehovah.

  15. David Gibbs says:

    Scholars now know that the Gospels were written about 150 years after the events that they purport to describe. They are nothing more than myths and folk tales. Miracles do not happen, neither then nor now. The Roman Church selected the content of the New Testament to suit and support their own agenda. The rest of Christianity has had no alternative but to go along with this, and thereby perpetuate the myth of Jesus. The god of the Old Testament, invented by the Jews, is a homicidal maniac, but the god of the New Testament is even worse, because he invented everlasting torture in hell for all of mankind…for those who do not fork out the money. People are starting to think for themselves, and are not so willing anymore to be taken in by fairy stories.

    • perrymarshall says:

      David,

      That is absolutely untrue. Even liberal scholars date the gospels at 90AD at the very latest. Look it up. See http://www.coffeehousetheology.com/tough-questions-real-answers/ – lecture #2.

    • Richard Vidrine says:

      David Gibbs: Actually, I am a scholar extraordinaire and I know that the Gospels were written within the first 30 years or so after the death and resurrection of Jesus. The Gospels were completed before the First Jewish-Roman War and the siege of Jerusalem and the destruction of the temple in A.D. 70.

      The reason so many ‘scholars’ put the writings at a later date is because they cannot believe the prophetic warnings given by Jesus to His disciples. Therefore, since information is revealed, it MUST be after the fact (according to their reasoning) which forces a later date.

      However, they foolishly forget that if the Gospels (or, in fact, ANY of the New Testament)had been completed after A.D. 70, there certainly would have been references to Jesus’ amazing prophecy concerning the temple and of the Jewish revolt and the ensuing war mentioned above.

      In fact, the language of Revelation shows that it was written just prior to these events. The persecution of the church by the Roman ‘beast’ (or power) is the central focus of this book written by the apostle John (yes, John) shortly before his death on the secluded Isle of Patmos.

      Scoffing and doubting is expected and allowed but don’t think that you can sway those endowed with true knowledge and wisdom that can only come from God.

      The Roman Church (RCC) indeed has an agenda but it was NOT able to destroy the true church though it persecuted it for over a thousand years, killing and torturing millions of the faithful who would not bow their knee to Baal. In fact, organized religion today is the resurrection of Satan’s counterfeit church and the true followers of Christ are persecuted as heretics and cults even still.

      The God of Abraham was NOT a homicidal maniac. Just like humans today destroy bacteria and germs and other types of vermin (rats, roaches, fleas, etc.) and pestilences, God also tried to eradicate the ‘weeds’ that His enemy planted alongside His chosen ‘fruit’.

      Also, like most of the rest of the deceived populace, you errantly think that God is going to punish sinful man with eternal torture in hell. If you would take the time to read the Book that you have such disdain for, you would see that what it says is vastly different than what people TELL YOU it says. As made clear in Romans 6:23:

      “For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.”

      DEATH…not eternal LIFE in hell.

    • Ryan Healy says:

      David,

      God did not invent “everlasting torture in hell” — although I know that’s what organized religion teaches.

      Click my name to visit my web site. I provide Biblical proof that God will indeed save everybody, just as He says.

      Ryan

      • Dalibor Šver says:

        So you’re universalist?
        Do you know Tony – AllSaved is his nick on Tangle? I constantly receive messages from him.

        • Ryan Healy says:

          No, I’m not a universalist and I’m not a Unitarian universalist. If you read my letter, you’ll understand better what I (and many others) believe.

          There is only one door and all must enter through it. That door is Jesus Christ.

          To put it simply, I believe in the Restoration of All Things. In Acts 3:19-21, Peter says:

          19 “Therefore repent and return, so that your sins may be wiped away, in order that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord;

          20 and that He may send Jesus, the Christ appointed for you,

          21 whom heaven must receive until the period of restoration of all things about which God spoke by the mouth of His holy prophets from ancient time.

          ******

          This is just one scripture reference of many.

          I know Tony Salmon — not sure if that’s the same Tony on Tangle.

          Ryan

    • Grady Patterson says:

      David – if the Gospels were written about 150 years after the events, then we have another miracle reported right here!
      P52 is dated conservatively at no later than 125 AD (and possibly as early as 90 AD!) – less than 100 years after the crucifixion. Similarly, P90 and P104 are both dated (again, conservatively) at 150 AD – still well under 150 years. All of these contain portions of the Gospels – both John’s and Matthew’s. Within another 25 years, we have P4, which adds Luke’s Gospel. By the time we reach the 150-year mark, we have fairly significant portions of 3 out of the four gospels – and these are the copies. Dy definition, the copies had to have been made after the originals, indicating that the originals were already in significant use as authoritative Christian texts. Additionally, Tatian’s “Diatesseron” is a “harmony” of all four gospels – which was composed between 160 – 175 AD: again, indicating that all four gospels had been in use as authoritative texts for long enough that differences between them were widely recognized.

      Unless Mel Brooks “breakthrough in Home Video Marketing” has a predecessor in the Bible, it is clear that the gospels could not have been composed any later than 90 – 100 AD (about 60 years after the events – and still within the lifetimes of many primary characters).

  16. George Cunningham says:

    We had a man at our church who had a confirmed diagnoses of MS. He had a meeting with his doctor to determine the progress of the disease about one week after he spoke at one of our church’s services.

    He had always dreamed of having a son and spending time with him doing dad things like sports, etc. When he spoke that week before his next doctor’s appointment he shared a message that really meant something to me then and still resonates with me today. And it especially meant something coming from a person who knew his dream was being taken away. He said “God is enough. I can make it through the rest of my life without fulfilling my dreams to do dad things with my son, but I cannot make it a day without God.”

    Our church prayed over him the Sunday before his next doctor’s visit. We prayed for healing.

    When he returned to the doctor, the doctor was stunned at how the MS had completely disappeared. His son is now in college, and by turning the problem over to God and trusting Him completely he was able to have God pull back the curtain just a little and let us see excellent example of how powerful, active, and involved He is today…so much so that he is able to even defeat an “incurable disease” such as MS.

    But you know what…even if he hadn’t been healed, because this man had placed all his trust in God, He still would have been enough.

    Thanks so much for what you shared with us today.

    • Tony Francis says:

      Another testimony from within this forum.

      I had been diagnosed with stage IV lung cancer. According to my doctors, while under anesthesia and very unconscious, I began “talking out loud” to Jesus. I was on the operating table at the Brody School of Medicine in Greenville, NC in the year 2000. Following my conversation with Jesus I died and was pronounced dead by my surgeons. Then, when I returned to my body the first thing I noticed was my surgical team across the operating room. They were in a football-like hudle and were engaged in prayer for my soul! When I was checked again I was cancer free! I have been cancer free for 10 years and know how much longer I have to live.
      I had been entered into a clinical trial with 11 others and today I am the only one of that trial still alive. The National Institute of Cancer has advised me that cases like mine (i.e.total remission after being diagnosed stage 4 non-small cell lung cancer) are not unique but are extremely rare. Apparently they are one out of every 140,000 cases.
      On the other hand, my life has changed in many of the same ways that your life has. I feel that I am being watched and protected by unseen angelic forces. I have been given the “Crown of Life” and know without a doubt that He Lives. The entire Bible can be summed up with His commandment of Thy shall love the Lord thy God with all your heart, mind and soul and thy neighbor as thyself”
      You might want to add the book: “Edgar Cayce’s Story of Jesus” by Jeffrey Furst to your list of research books. And in the meantime, I’m going to get a copy of your book today. Thank you very much for your book and
      Merry Christmas ,
      Chris Russell MSW, PLCSW
      910-527-8059

  17. Ralph Kapteyn says:

    Hello Perry

    I had a headache, and now it is gone. You talk about organized religion, but many of the examples you have given me come within the walls of organized religion. Also you conveniently left out 1 Corinthians 13. Why is that? You should be careful as demon possession runs prevalent in these churches, as well as in India, with all their occult religions.
    All “religions” are preforming miracles. All religions are not from God.

    http://www.dicksutphen.com/html/battlemind.html

  18. Dan Buckley says:

    Just in passing, in the Catholic Church, certified miracles are requirements in the process of the canonization of saints.

    • perrymarshall says:

      I applaud the Catholic church for expending considerable effort in acknowledging miracles and vetting miraculous claims.

        • perrymarshall says:

          Ralph,

          I don’t defend them for any of that stuff.

          But I must ask: If you became the leader a large organization whose members were doing Very Bad Things before you took office, would you seek immunity?

          Or would you take the rap for something you didn’t have personal involvement in, which in fact was in a different country?

          I read the article. Did you?

          If I were the pope I would seek immunity too.

          I’m not Catholic and I’m rather distant from the entire scandal. But I certainly do remember an article in the Chicago Tribune about 6 years ago, it described a priest going before his congregation and confessing to having participated in this. He came clean and committed himself to making amends for what he had done.

          There’s hardly a family in America who doesn’t have a relative who isn’t guilty of the same thing. What do we do?

          -Do we publicly condemn and humiliate people?

          -Do we cover it up?

          -Will we forgive those who confess their sin?

          • Ralph Kapteyn says:

            Yes I did Perry, but I do wonder if you did. Please read the words below from the article. The Pope is conspiring to cover up a felony. That is a very major offense. Perhaps he was involved as well.

            Lawyers for Pope Benedict XVI have asked US President George W. Bush to declare the pontiff immune from liability in a lawsuit that ACCUSES HIM OF CONSPIRING to cover up the molestation of three boys by a seminarian in Texas, court records show.

            What does scripture say about those who perform such an act.

            Psalms 50:18 When you saw a thief, you consented with him, And have been a partaker with adulterers.

            1 Timothy 5:22 Do not lay hands on anyone hastily, nor share in other people’s sins; keep yourself pure.

            Turns out the Pope isn’t so Holy after all, right? Makes me rather suspicious why you are defending him. Do you read scripture? Did Christ have a lawyer? No because He had the Law which is the WORD OF GOD. The Pope is an impostor. Your so against organized religion, well isn’t Catholicism just that!

            • perrymarshall says:

              Ralph,

              I don’t approve of anyone being molested by anyone.

              But I do not know that the Pope consented to what happened – it seems rather doubtful that he did – and the whole matter is out of my hands anyway, and beyond the scope of this blog post. You seem to be missing the point of what I wrote.

              Shall we make a list of people in the Bible who were partakers with adulterers? Or who were adulterers themselves? I know of no person or institution who is free of sin.

              I think 1 Timothy 5:22 applies to this conversation about judging the Pope. We have better things to do than indulge in blame and accusation.

            • Tony Francis says:

              If I was a foreign diplomat, or a patient suffering from a peculiar disease, and applied for immunity from getting frisked for drugs or dangerous arms at American airports, will that be enough reason for you to assume that I am a drug smuggler, or a terrorist planning to blow up a plane?
              I think all Protestants should use more logic in their protests if they are to at least sound genuine.

  19. Wendy Weger says:

    Hi Perry Miracles are in fact our natural birthright and all it takes is tapping into the appropriate level of consciousness – ultra violet blue – the fourth of seven bands of energy that surround our physical body. It takes absolute acceptance on the part of the healer and healee for this to occur. Again it really doesn’t matter what one conceives ‘God’ to be, it is simply the acceptance of more expanded levels of consciousness. Consciousness and energy create the nature of reality, e,g, focus and complete acceptance. God is not separate from anything we are all God within and without the essence that permeates all that was, is and forevermore shall be in all things. Quantum physics offers the best explanation to me at this point- but it is still limited. ABSOLUTE KNOWINGNESS – without the trappings of the three- dimensional world – is where miracles occur – greater mind – mind being different levels of consciousness interacting with the human brain. I know from experience – the explanation is beyond the levels of words – moves at a much more rapid frequency. Sincerely – Wendy.

  20. Regardless if one acknowledges the spirituals we should also realize that where the love is present (see I Cor 13) Everything else is subsequent to the working out of the love. Jesus also said that it is an evil and perverse generation that seek for a sign (seeking a sign for the validation of truth). I’m sure the “signs” that Jesus speaks of are miraculous acts. This does not imply we shouldn’t desire the spirituals for the purpose of edification.

    We must also note that these spiritual manifestations are for use in the edification of the body of Christ. There is nothing spiritually inclined within a “miracle” unless it be edifying to the body.

    The fact is, regardless of what one wants to believe about apparent “miracles” the result is the same no matter where you go. It has and always will be done according to ones faith. And even this is irrelevant when one recognizes that faith in itself is worthless without the love.

    I have been at churches that deny the “miracles” but they still work miracles because it is not up to them anyway. It is the Faith of Christ and anything we do out of ourselves means nothing. Without the Faith of Christ then there would be no salvation, no church and no miracles.

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