Last Sunday night, I was sitting in the evening service at Bellevue Baptist Church, where Pastor Steve Gaines preached a sermon on miracles. Now let me be clear, I believe the Bible teaches Miracles, I believe that Jesus performed miracles, and I believe that miracles still happen today. I would venture to say that miracles happen every day, but most people are unable to recognize one. It's possible that Jesus or his angels stopped you from being in a fatal car accident, or caused a violent person to be blind to you, or some other such thing, and you were completely unaware. Often, we pray for something, and God answers that prayer in a positive way, either by healing someone of cancer (like Pastor Steve's mom) or simply keeping you safe on a long journey as you asked.
One consistent hallmark of the miracles of Jesus was a command to "go and tell no one". (See Matt 5:20) Even in Pastor Steve's sermon he mentioned that Paul had asked those who witnessed the miracle he performed to tell no one.
This all being true, my belief is that Jesus is not a magician who performs tricks to woo followers. I also believe that the devil has the ability to "counterfeit" anything that is of God, including miracles. For this reason, I am very skeptical of the "Benny Hinn" show. I could go into what I believe is going on there, but it really doesn't matter. I would venture a guess and say that most people at Bellevue would agree with me that Benny Hinn's "healing" should be viewed with a healthy dose of skepticism.
Now my point. For those of you who were not there, at the end of the service, Pastor Steve had anyone who "Needed a miracle" to stand. This was clarified as a "health, financial, spiritual" or other miracle. He then asked members of the congregation around them to stand and "place their hands on them" as he prayed.
On it's face, there is no problem. Nothing has taken place that is not Biblically supported. Lifting needs to God, laying hands on one another (for spiritual purposes only of course), both are found in Scripture. However, in light of all that's gone on at BBC, and the other pieces of the puzzle (the music, etc) it's hard not to have your spiritual antenna go up when it looks like another step down the "charismatic" road has taken place, this one in the direction of faith healing.
To continue to put this in context, about a month ago, Pastor Steve had people who "had needs" come to the front before a morning service, and he and the ministerial staff walked among them, touching them and praying for them.
I have a question for those out there. I would rather not have to read any "Anti-Pastor" rhetoric (although I really like "antipasto"!). There is enough of that on other blogs. I'm interested in thoughtful, Biblically wise thoughts on the subject.
Do you think this is paranoid and overcautious? Do you think that this is a road to a Benny Hinn style "Faith healing"?
EDITED TO ADD:
Something someone said made me think of another question.
When is something a miracle, and when is it simply an answer to prayer?
