© 12 Colin Melbourne
Faith’s Foundation
Bible faith stands entirely in the demonstration of the Spirit and power of God, and has no dependence on the wisdom or eloquence of men.
God’s word declares that the Gospel has not been fully proclaimed unless the power of God is demonstrated in signs, wonders, and miracles. So that our faith stands in God’s power alone. 1 Co. 2:4-5 KJV;
And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man’s wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power: That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God.
That is the Bible foundation: God’s Spirit showing forth His Almighty power.
Standing on The Rock
Our whole confidence must be in God alone, or it is vain and useless to save.
Creation
We see His power demonstrated in the wonders of Creation. His Word, the LORD Jesus Christ, sustaining all things. Jn. 1:3, Col. 1:16-17, Heb. 1:3 KJV.
All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.
For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him: And he is before all things, and by him all things consist.
Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high;
Resurrection
We see His power demonstrated in raising Christ from death and Hell, to justify those who believe in Him. Eph. 1:19-20, Ac. 2:31 KJV;
And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power, Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places,
He seeing this before spake of the resurrection of Christ, that his soul was not left in hell, neither his flesh did see corruption.
Miracles, Signs & Wonders
We must also see His power demonstrated in signs, wonders, and miracles, following the preaching of the Gospel of the LORD Jesus Christ.
That is why God’s Apostle to Gentiles wrote in 1 Co. 2:1-3 KJV;
And I, brethren, when I came to you, came not with excellency of speech or of wisdom, declaring unto you the testimony of God. For I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified. And I was with you in weakness, and in fear, and in much trembling.
Paul was a very learned man, he studied under the highly respected teacher Gamaliel. (Ac. 22:3) I’m certain he was able to recite much of the Old Covenant scriptures from memory, and expound them rightly in the context of Christ, the Jewish Messiah. He could display his learning and intricate Bible knowledge continually day and night.
But he would not allow himself to do so: No, he stuck to his commission of proclaiming the sacrifice of the LORD Jesus Christ for sinners, and the simple message that; whosoever believes on Him is made a righteous child of God, instantly, and by faith alone.
The burden of his heart was proclaiming Christ crucified; bearing our sins, infirmities and diseases; and Christ resurrected for our justification and healing.
The simple message of substitution that a child could understand.
That’s Christ’s Message: Now He will Confirm It!
Paul writes that it was insufficient to merely proclaim this Truth to sinners, they need to experience the demonstration of God’s Spirit and power in their midst. 1 Co. 4:20 KJV.
For the kingdom of God is not in word, but in power.
Unless God was confirming the preached word with both conviction, and signs and wonders, Paul believed he was not fully preaching the Gospel of Christ. Rom. 15:18-19 KJV.
For I will not dare to speak of any of those things which Christ hath not wrought by me, to make the Gentiles obedient, by word and deed, Through mighty signs and wonders, by the power of the Spirit of God; so that from Jerusalem, and round about unto Illyricum, I have fully preached the gospel of Christ.
The True Gospel has Signs Following
A Gospel of spoken words alone, is not Gospel. This is why he proclaimed Christ in trepidation, 1 Co. 2:3 KJV;
And I was with you in weakness, and in fear, and in much trembling.
- Weakness; knowing that by, and of, himself he had no power to confirm the Gospel.
- Fear; reverently respecting God, humbly obeying in word and deed, so that God would confirm His word to Paul’s hearers.
- Trembling; Genuinely nervous that he might fall short of the mark, by letting his flesh take precedence, and so grieve God’s Spirit. Fearful that Paul’s words would fall to the ground unconfirmed by God’s Spirit.
Paul’s Gospel was not complete unless God confirmed it with miracles, signs and wonders.
Not Just Apostles
Jesus promised, Mk. 16:17-18 KJV;
And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.
Notice, not only Paul, not just Apostles, but “them that believe“.
That’s you isn’t it?
The first believers obeyed, Mk. 16:20 KJV;
And they went forth, and preached every where, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word with signs following. Amen.
The preached word was confirmed by the power of God’s Spirit in signs, wonders, and miracles.
That is why we must have the demonstration of the real power of God’s Spirit today. 1 Co. 2:4-5 KJV.
And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man’s wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power: That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God.
So that sinners will repent from idolising man’s wisdom, and turn to God and trust in His power alone.
That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God.
Smith Wigglesworth became England’s greatest Evangelist. Mighty signs and wonders accompanied his preaching, so Satan stirred up criticism, but Smith had learned how to forgive and remain under the Anointing.
His critics have perished, long-forgotten. But Smith Wigglesworth’s ministry continues unabated through books of his sermons such as this classic, Ever Increasing Faith. If you are hungry for God, this book will feed you.
© 12 Colin Melbourne
