a PURE vision for Supernatural Ministy - AD180

Irenaeus (AD 180) - “Those who are in truth His disciples, receiving grace from Him, do in His name perform miracles, so as to promote the welfare of others, according to the gift which each one has received from Him. For some do certainly and truly drive out devils, so that those who have thus been cleansed from evil spirits frequently both believe [in Christ] and join the Church. Others have foreknowledge of things to come: they see visions and speak the prophecies they have received. Others still, heal the sick by laying their hands upon them, and they are healed. Moreover, as I have said, even the dead have been raised and remained among us for many years. And what more can I even say? It is not even possible to number all of the gifts which the Church, throughout the whole world, has received from God, in the name of Jesus Christ, who was crucified under Pontius Pilate, and which Christians demonstrate daily for the benefit of the unbelievers, neither deceiving them nor taking any financial reward from them [on account of such miraculous ministry]. For as Christians have received freely from God, freely also do they minister [to others]” Matt. 10:8  (Against Heresies, Book 2, Chapter 32, Section 4)

I can't think of quotation in the history of the church that is more relevant in critiquing the modern-day Charismatic church than this quotation from the Irenaeus in the late 2nd Century. A one that casts a purer vision for what we should be endeavoring to restore!

A couple of phrases/concepts jumped out at me.

First of all, miraculous ministry was done by "disciples" in the 2nd Century. And it was demonstrated "daily". In other words, it was by regular believers and being done in their normal lives - not at conferences or in big meetings! And sorry, cessationists, but ALL the gifts of the Holy Spirit were continuing long past the Apostolic age and had not ceased! But, Charismatics please notice it wasn't by the "5-Fold ministers" or "prophet" or "apostle" so and so. It was ordinary believers. No celebrity pastors were mentioned? 

Secondly, the motivation was "to promote the welfare of OTHERS" and "for the benefit of unbelievers". Not to build the ministry platform of some celebrity minister! Today so much is done for self-promotion. To somehow validate and/or to promote the "anointing" on the man or woman of God. The church in the 2nd Century would reject wholesale what it being marketed today in much of the Charismatic church. 

Can somebody pray for someone today and it not be plastered all over their social media? Can a Christian leader who is going into the White House, not have to post 20 photos and a video? 

The motivation was to bless others for God's glory. A rarity these days.

Thirdly, the "freely you've received, freely give" instructions from Jesus (Matthew 10:8) were still being followed. Not so much today - Charismatic ministers charge people for ministry all the time in the 21st century. I think of the one of the most egregious of false apostles, Kathryn Krick, who literally manipulates people for money to ensure their deliverance. And threatens people who leave her ministry that they will lose their freedom! The irony of ironies is that they actually end up getting more demonized from her ministry because she is in fact a witch. But the fact that she is tolerated at all when she manipulatively charges people for ministry shows the dismal state of affairs in the modern Charismatic church. 

Sadly, Krick is not alone. Many other Charismatic ministers essentially charge people for their "services" - I know of those who take money for their prophetic ministry, for their healing ministries, etc. All of it is just disgusting! This would have gotten a person marked as false 100% of the time in the 2nd century church, but today this "financial pay-for-play system" is firmly established in Charismatic circles. To book some of these ministries, huge fees are required through their professional booking agents. 

How far have we departed from Charismatic ministry in the year AD180 when no supernatural ministers were "taking ANY financial reward from them" [the people they ministered to]??

These are things the Lord is currently doing to purify His Church. He is working to restore a purity to supernatural Kingdom ministry. Many 'shows will go on' so to speak as the those who have fallen, their "conference spots" will be filled right up by others willing to step right in and take their place (and $$) - to be booked at the next exorbitantly-priced conference, requiring huge honorariums. 

But God's power will be leaving the stage (being replaced by "another power" (i.e. Kathryn Krick's meetings). The lampstands will be removed as God will no longer be mocked. And our God who has never changed will in fact continue to demonstrate His Kingdom power through the lives of those who will endeavor to do God's work IN GOD'S WAY - which is how it was being done in AD180.

To those who have ears to hear, let them hear...