The power is in the proclamation. Tell them what God will do. This takes boldness. Boldness produces more results." - Bert Farias
Sigh, we are not authorized to wield the power Jesus gave to His disciples. The portion of Mark quoted is often cited by Charismaniacs and they always seem to avoid the fact that this portion of Mark was not in the original manuscript and was probably added to the text. Now it is in the final canon of scripture so it counts but we cannot reliably form doctrine around it. This is the same set of scriptures that say we will handle serpents and drink poison. There are churches in America that actually handle poisonous snakes as part of their service! Pastors there have died from snakebites as a result. Notice here that Farias dabbles back into word faith. There is no power in our proclamation. We cannot speak anything into existence. How convenient for the false healer that if healing does not occur, they simply blame the sick person, often shipwrecking their faith. It does not take boldness to usurp God's power. It only takes arrogance and a poor understanding of the bible.
"As an example, when you see a sinner who is sick and diseased, inquire about their condition. How did it happen? How long have they been sick? Casual conversation also serves to establish a level of comfortability with them. Then say to them what Jesus told His disciples to say: "I've got good news for you today! The kingdom of God has come near you." They may look at you funny, but continue to offer them this challenge. "If you will give me your hand the power of God will go into you and heal you." Once they consent the rest is easy. Command them to be healed. Release the power of God into them. Believe that as soon as you touch them Jesus touches them. Now here's the most important part. Ask them to examine themselves. Tell them to do something they couldn't do before. Get them to act on the word. Bend over. Twist. Walk. Move the part of their body that was in pain or immobile. Keep getting them to act. Don't stop. Keep working with them. If you have to lay hands on them again, do so." - Bert Farias
This is very dangerous theology. Mind you, this is how they teach kids in their supernatural schools where they try to teach the gifts of the spirit. These instructions however are the same schemes fake psychics use. Casual conversation to gain trust. Gain their consent in the process so they are bought in. Let me tell you a quick story. Several years ago an itinerant healer visited the church I was attending. A good brother who needed hip replacement surgery went down for healing. It was commanded that he be healed and he was encouraged to test his new healing. He ran up and down the altar exclaiming Hallelujah! The following week I saw him limping and asked him what happened. He said that once the adrenaline wore down his pain came back. Please remember this is not an exercise in CAN God heal. Of course He can. The issue is whether or not He must. The question is whether He is God or if we believe that we are.
"A young student came to my house to explain to me why she hadn't been to Bible school for a couple of weeks. A log had fallen on her leg and fractured it. The leg was stiff and she couldn't bend it. She had no money or insurance to put a cast on it. I laid hands on her leg and commanded her to move it and bend it. At first she grimaced in pain, but I kept telling her to move it because the power of God was in her leg and was working. After about the third or fourth time she began to weep. The pain was gone and she was able to bend her leg perfectly.
She wept some more. As I bid farewell to her I saw her from out of the window of my house walking down the dusty road we lived on with her hands up in the air praising God. Lovely Jesus. What more could He do if we only believed? I could tell you many stories with these types of testimonies. I learned that the power is in the proclamation. Tell the person with the infirmity or afflicted condition what God will do. Don't pray for them. Heal them! The power is in the name of Jesus. Prayer can be encased in unbelief. Often it is a feeble attempt at hoping something will happen. Jesus told us to heal the sick. There is no trying to see if it will work.
You've been authorized by heaven. All you lack is boldness to act. Go do it now, and send me the good report. "Then they went forth and preached everywhere, the Lord working with them and confirming the word through the accompanying signs. Amen" (Mark 16:20)." - Bert Farias
I cannot respond intelligibly to anecdotal stories. Perhaps it happened exactly as Farias tells or perhaps he has embellished it for the sake of his false theology. It matters not. The bottom line is God is sovereign. Anytime someone has a teaching that says we should NOT pray, we should be suspect. I firmly believe God can heal and have seen Him do so miraculously. I also know however that I am not God and I do not want to usurp His powers and pretend I am. My words contain no power of creation or healing. My words can entreat God to act but they can demand that He do. We would be wise to always remember that we are the created and He alone is the Creator.
Reverend Anthony Wade - October 26, 2020
