JOEL 2 GENERATION PODCAST

This message is all about the meaning of "the Name of..." in its ancient, Biblical context, understanding.  What is it to pray "in the Name of Jesus"? Why do many Christians treat it as some type of formula? Why is His Name so offensive?? Maybe the most critical/important part of this message.

The Divine Council is a central Old Testament teaching. I would argue that much of the Old Testament doesn't even make sense unless one grasps this concept.  In a recent message on Zechariah 6, which itself is a Divine Council passage (revealing the outcome of a Divine Council meeting), I reviewed two of the most important Divine Council passages in the Old Testament: 1 Kings 22 and Psalm 82. Due initially to the abandonment of this teaching by the rabbis around the year 100AD, and for Augustine's influence later, the Divine Council concept has been at best ignored and at worst utterly rejected. Thankfully, in recent years, there seems to have been a recovery of this truth. 

In AD 180, Charismatic ministry was very different than today. By God's grace, we need to somehow recover what was lost. 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)

We have had this podcast now for nearly 20 years. As I've gone back, I realize that there are ministries and people mentioned, and even endorsed, that we can no longer recommend. Some of the ministries we would reject entirely - i.e., Todd Bentley and Fresh Fire. He marked, and to be avoided as an unrepentant sexual deviant. Other ministries still have good things but they have also had mixture, and/or have tolerated teachers/teachings that are false.  Ideally, I will one day go back and either give a disclaimer on each podcast that endorses one of these teachers/ministries or will edit the podcast. But until then, I have put out this disclaimer. #mikebickle #ihop #toddbentley #freshfire #rickjoyner #morningstarministries #physicsofheaven #bethel #toddwhite #lifestylechristianity