Descriptive Verses: Mark 6:12-13
“12) They went out and preached that men should repent. 13) And they were casting out many demons and were anointing with oil many sick people and healing them.” Mark 6:12-13
I want to make a few more comments on these two verses. First, they are descriptive and not prescriptive. In other words, these verses are describing what the disciples were actually doing in ministering to people. They were casting out demons and healing people in Jesus name.
Second, the timing is important. This was happening prior to the day of Pentecost. They were not acting from spiritual gifts of healing, they were were doing these things through the Name and the authority of Jesus Christ.
These two insights may sound trivial, but they are of profound importance. It sounds like each of the disciples were getting these results. Granted this is describing the twelve. We could argue that this authority only applied to the Apostles. But in Luke 10:1-20, Jesus gave the same command to the seventy, and they had the same results.
As easy as it is to skip over the implications of these verses, Mark 16:16-18 includes casting out unclean spirits and healing people as part of the Great Commission. These are among the signs that wound accompany those who believe. Again, Mark 16 was prior to Pentecost.
What does that mean? It appears that casting out unclean spirits and healing is not restricted to the Apostles or those with gifts of healing, rather it is for every believer who understands their authority “in Christ.”
Having been involved in deliverance ministry for years, I totally understand how unclean spirits respond to the Name and authority of Jesus Christ. We have worked with many people and watched Jesus Christ set them free.
But when it comes to healing people, I have been shy about even praying for healing. To my shame, I have hidden behind the excuse that “I do not have the gift of healing!”
That is why I wrestle with these texts in Luke and Mark. (Similar texts also appear in Matthew and John) These texts when understood in the context of timing, totally obliterate my excuses. I have shared this previously, but I will highlight it again, these texts are not based on the spiritual gift of healing, they are based on the authority of Jesus Christ!
Could it be that we have not because we ask not? The root problem may be that we are ignoring the simple command of Jesus to heal people in His name. We do not understand our authority “in Christ.”
Daily Bible Commentary By Terry Baxter: Cofounder of GoServ Global
“12) They went out and preached that men should repent. 13) And they were casting out many demons and were anointing with oil many sick people and healing them.” Mark 6:12-13
I want to make a few more comments on these two verses. First, they are descriptive and not prescriptive. In other words, these verses are describing what the disciples were actually doing in ministering to people. They were casting out demons and healing people in Jesus name.
Second, the timing is important. This was happening prior to the day of Pentecost. They were not acting from spiritual gifts of healing, they were were doing these things through the Name and the authority of Jesus Christ.
These two insights may sound trivial, but they are of profound importance. It sounds like each of the disciples were getting these results. Granted this is describing the twelve. We could argue that this authority only applied to the Apostles. But in Luke 10:1-20, Jesus gave the same command to the seventy, and they had the same results.
As easy as it is to skip over the implications of these verses, Mark 16:16-18 includes casting out unclean spirits and healing people as part of the Great Commission. These are among the signs that wound accompany those who believe. Again, Mark 16 was prior to Pentecost.
What does that mean? It appears that casting out unclean spirits and healing is not restricted to the Apostles or those with gifts of healing, rather it is for every believer who understands their authority “in Christ.”
Having been involved in deliverance ministry for years, I totally understand how unclean spirits respond to the Name and authority of Jesus Christ. We have worked with many people and watched Jesus Christ set them free.
But when it comes to healing people, I have been shy about even praying for healing. To my shame, I have hidden behind the excuse that “I do not have the gift of healing!”
That is why I wrestle with these texts in Luke and Mark. (Similar texts also appear in Matthew and John) These texts when understood in the context of timing, totally obliterate my excuses. I have shared this previously, but I will highlight it again, these texts are not based on the spiritual gift of healing, they are based on the authority of Jesus Christ!
Could it be that we have not because we ask not? The root problem may be that we are ignoring the simple command of Jesus to heal people in His name. We do not understand our authority “in Christ.”
Daily Bible Commentary By Terry Baxter: Cofounder of GoServ Global
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