Expert: Rev. Robert Woods - 3/23/2007

Question
I grew up Southern Baptist and am currently a member of a Baptist rooted church with the following purpose: "Sharing Christ - Building Believers." Our structure, programs and decisions are based upon this simple, yet far-reaching, mission statement."

My church is a "Seeker" church and seemingly avoids topics that might be controversial. Why do baptists put such a priority on the Salvation aspect of Jesus' Ministry and seem to almost exclude the Healing and Deliverance part of His ministry? There are examples of Jesus healing and casting out evil spirts over and over in the gospels and I also read that he gave his disciples the authority to do the same. As a believer do I have that same authority?

Am I, or are we, missing out on the Power of God by not focusing on the healing and deliverance aspects of Jesus Ministry? Would our hard hearted culture respond to seeing the Power of God healing the sick and casting out evil spirits. I wonder if our watered down approach as a church is disallowing many Christians to live transformed, victorious lives each day.

Thanks for your insight.
Randy

Answer
Blessings and thank you for your question.

You are right on both accounts. First, Baptists do put a lot of emphasis on salvation.  The reason is that is the most eternal of all of Jesus' ministry.  If a person isn't saved, then they have no hope and cannot understand the things of the Spirit.  

Baptists, to be quite honest, are afraid of the things of the Spirit.  They often ignore the gifts of the Spirit (especially tongues and prophecy) because they have seen the abuses.  So they through the baby out with the bath water.  This is wrong.

My church, although it is Baptist, sees the importance of merging the word (the Bible, salvation, discipleship) with the Spirit (intercessory prayer, the gifts, delieverance, and healings).  Most Baptist churches do not.

I think if most Baptist churches would see the miracles that we have seen, then there thinking would be different.

You can't blame most Baptist ministers though.  In the Baptist Seminaries, they are not taught anything about delieverance or the gifts of the Spirit.  In fact, these things are either ignored or are taught that they no longer exist.  

Seeker churches are good at Salvation but if you want a deeper relationship with Christ, I would suggest that you look elsewhere.

Blessings