Appointed Miracles

Appointed Miracles
MIRACLES IN THE MAKING
Terry R. Baughman

“Now you are the body of Christ, and members individually. And God has appointed these in the church: first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, administrations, varieties of tongues” (1 Corinthians 12:27-28).

Few would disagree with the appointment of ministers in the church, like teachers and preachers. Not all embrace the contemporary positions of apostles or prophets, but all should recognize their importance to the foundation of the church. Paul saw all these offices as contributing individuals that comprise the body of Christ presently. This is what the church looks like in all generations. 

Continuing in that list of members of the body there are miracles, gifts of healings, helping members, administrators, and the spiritual gift of tongues. While some select individual members at will, the evident intention is that all members are required to present a unified body and fulfill God’s purpose for the church in this world. 

A body is completed by all members working together. If any part is missing there is dysfunction and the inability to properly perform its duties. In cohesive unity there is fluidity, utility, and purpose. It should be obvious that all ministries are essential in the church. It should likewise be evident that miracles healing and spiritual gifts are necessary components in the Church of Jesus Christ. 

While we want to value every facet of the body of Christ, our emphasis here are the spiritual elements. These are things that have been sorely lacking in the church for many centuries. Apostolic doctrine has been restored within the last two centuries. The baptism of the Holy Spirit has been broadly proclaimed and embraced since the time of the Azusa Street revival at the beginning of the 20th Century. Water Baptism in the name of Jesus Christ has been restored in the church for over 100 years. Now it is time to see the restoration of other spiritual elements: miracles, signs, and wonders! These all belong in the church!

The work of the Spirit is a normal demonstration of Christ working among us. He is the miracle worker. Paul explained that, “The manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all: … to one is given the word of wisdom …, to another the word of knowledge …, to another faith …, to another gifts of healings …, to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another discerning of spirits, to another different kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues” (1 Corinthians 12:7–10). Each is gifted and enabled by the Spirit. It’s all by given by Divine appointment and is operated by the work of the Spirit.

Every part supplies something that is needed. If anything is missing, everything is affected. Some of our past challenges and the lack of our success in previous decades can no doubt be contributed to the absence of the spiritual gifts working in our midst. It is now time for undeniable miracles. It is time for God-given prophecies. It is time for supernatural healings. It is time for the operation of the gifts of the Spirit in our prayer sessions and public gatherings. It is time to recognize our appointed destiny and embrace the empowering presence of the Holy Spirit!

God has appointed it. It’s time to embrace it. Miracles are in the making!
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Theme passage:
“How shall we escape if we neglect so great a salvation, which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord …, God also bearing witness both with signs and wonders, with various miracles, and gifts of the Holy Spirit?” (Hebrews 2:3–4).

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