Word over Wonders

By the year 2000, statistically, India ranked 5th in the number of Pentecostals by country. Experientially, the last five years has seen an exponential growth in Charismatic visibility in South India and particularly the Telugu speaking states. The peculiar mark of most visible Charismatism in these Geographical areas has been an enthusiastic glorification of miracles especially healing. From extensive Christian television programming, to "healing festivals", miracles and healing have become an indispensable fixture of both promotion and presentation of Christian work.

At rare occasions when confronted with the need for a theological defense, the events in the early Church are presented as proof for the legitimacy of, and sometimes the need for, miraculous ministry.  Interestingly, the most extravagant of miracles in the early Church paints a very clear picture on the gradient between Biblical teaching and wondrous miracles. Acts 20:9-12 contains one of only two recorded instances of people resurrecting from the dead in apostolic times.

The man's name is Eutychus and whether it is out of fatigue or boredom, we are not told, but he is asleep on a window in the third floor as Paul is preaching at midnight. His fall must have been troubling, shocking and disturbing. But Paul, demonstrates faith-"for his life is in him", when there was clearly no hope-"and was taken up dead". As remarkable as the resurrection record, perhaps more startling is what happens after the event. The Bible goes on to say that Paul "had gone up, "broken bread and eaten", and "conversed with them a long while". Its startling because instead of creating a hype around his miraculous feat, Paul was more focussed on talking. Given Paul's incredible, incessant speaking of God's word, and the textual reference to "breaking bread" in association with "conversed with them", it is not unreasonable to suggest that the conversation was mostly around the Word of God.

What a great presentation of the Apostle Paul's heart to place Word over wonders. He was clearly more interested to lead people towards God's word than towards miracles. He was clearly uninterested in making himself a miracle man. What a rebuke for "ministers" today who sell a "gospel" for the price of cheap "healing". There is no wrong in exercising a miraculous gift(Paul certainly did) but its a shame  to make it an attraction and elevate wonders over the Word.

I Corinthians 2:2 "For I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and him crucified."

Psalm 138:2 "...for you have exalted above all things your name and your word."