When you study history, centuries are remembered by the movements within each age. Whether you are talking about the Renaissance, Industrial Revolution or Nuclear Age, culture. technology and trends shape the next generation. As philosophers like Plato once proclaimed, these shifts have caused human beings to turn their faith from above to within.
Do not neglect your gift, which was given you through prophecy when the body of elders laid their hands on you, 1 Timothy 4:14.
During periods of spiritual Dark Ages, individuals wandered away from the truth. As access to the Bible was limited to priests and spiritual leaders, saints were unable to fully practice the apostles teachings. Thus, the notion of laying hands on individuals was likely a foreign concept. It wasn’t until the 15th century when Johan Gutenberg’s printing press provided Bibles for the masses, making sure there no excuses from here on out.
Be diligent in these matters; give yourself wholly to them, so that everyone may see your progress, 1 Timothy 4:15.
Within one of the apostle Paul’s letters is an interesting concept, spiritual gifts are conceived following the laying on of hands by elders of a church. In fact in the next verse, spiritual progress is attributed applying spiritual gifts and laying hands on needy people. This leads me to ponder, is this a lost art or a ceased power limited to the Pentecost generation? While theologians will tend to lean toward the latter, perhaps this lost art is the difference between a dying church to one on the verge of revival. Whatever you believe, the next time you have an opportunity to reach out, say a prayer and release the power of the Holy Spirit, just do it!
by Jay Mankus
ExpressYourself4Him 