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Bible students must set the stage to understanding! Some things have a larger context and can only be understood in light of that context. The focus text from which the title of this series is taken is a classic example of this principle. We will revert to that passage and see how its meaning is intertwined with other biblical events and passages.

Please recall that 2 Thessalonians 2:10 talks about the necessity of receiving The Love of the Truth. Also connected with this text is an inspired prediction that some people would be deceived through the evil workings of “...Satan, with all power, signs, and lying wonders.” (2 Thessalonians 2.9). Why would Satan choose to use these things (power, signs, and lying wonders) as a primary tool of deception? The answer to this question is of tremendous importance to understanding the focus text. We will make the connection that the biblical writers made.

“And when He [Jesus] had called His twelve disciples to Him, He gave them power over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all kinds of sickness and all kinds of disease.” (Matthew 10.1). Mark it down! Write it on the wall! Shout it from the rooftops! Jesus did not give His disciples the powers spoken of in this verse with the primary objective of healing and relieving human suffering!! There was another objective involved and common sense in biblical interpretation demands that conclusion.

Recall that on one occasion a man's servant was sick and near death. He asked Jesus to “...only speak a word, and my servant will be healed.” (Matthew 8.8). This Gentile was commended because he had such great faith; Jesus said, “I have not found such great faith, not even in Israel!” (Matthew 8.10). Without the involvement of any other person and from a distance of some magnitude, Jesus healed the Centurion's servant “...that same hour.” (Matthew 8.13). From this account, it is obvious that Jesus possessed the power to heal without regards to time or space! After all He was God in the flesh and possessed the power of God.

We conclude that had Jesus wanted to heal every person on earth, He could have done so in the very same manner that He healed the centurion's servant. This, in fact, He could have done from heaven – had that been His objective. Therefore, Jesus did not give His disciples power over diseases with the primary objective of healing! He had another objective in mind; He had no need for human intervention, the imposition of human hands, or any other such action. Why would Jesus give others power over human sicknesses and suffering? The answer is not contained in Matthew 10; the facts are stated but not the objective! If we are to learn, we will do so from another text!

The Hebrews writer asked, “How shall we escape if we neglect so great a salvation, which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed to us by those who heard Him, God also bearing witness both with signs and wonders, with various miracles, and gifts of the Holy Spirit, according to His own will?” (Hebrews 2.3-4). The delusion spoken of in 2 Thessalonians 2 is connected to the apostolic empowerment of Matthew 10.1., and to God's witness by means of the miraculous in Hebrews 2.3-4. (Cont'd)

Questions:

1. How often is context important when interpreting the speech or writings of another? Can it be truly said that context is always important? Why or why not?

2. What means did Paul say Satan would use to deceive some (2 Thessalonians 2.8-10)?

3. What power did Jesus give to the apostles during the limited commission in Matthew 10? Why is this called the “limited commission” (Hint: See Matthew 10.5-6)?

4. During the first century AD, how did God bear witness to the truthfulness of the message delivered by His ministers ?

"'Winging It" from Stan Smith

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