Question: What does it mean when a “Bible Scholar” refers to John as being a “Signs Gospel”?
Bill; I had heard this phrase used in a Group we visited years ago, when trying to sort the wheat and chaff; as regards Christian teachings!
Most of the time, the comment refers to Jesus, and His Work of “miracles” (signs).
In their context; (respectable and esteemed teachers), they insisted that True Christians would be able to perform “signs”, similar to Jesus and His Apostles; which to me did not sit well.
Long story short; after prayerful effort, we were given the solution, which simply put, revolves around the fact that at Acts 28:25–28, the Holy Spirit’s actions were changed, due to the denial by Israel of Christ Jesus; which changed the direction of the Evangelizing effort to the Gentiles Worldwide, (Rom.11:25–27), but by Gentiles, instead of the Jews; who should have become “a Kingdom of Priests”, which as Jesus said repeatedly to Israel would happen if they accepted Him; and “John can be as Elijah” (see Malachi 4:5).
That put the Jews into the state of “Lo-Ammi” (not My people), which is a temporary state, which will reverse when the events of Zech.12:10 is de-facto! At that stage Israel will become “a Kingdom of Priests unto God” (Ex.19:6, Isa. 61:6,1Peter 2:9 & Rev. 1:6)!!
I reminded the above Group that their teaching did not work when their young Leader died when only 39, but to no avail (as he was/is a much loved man)!
The final ‘evidence’ re. post Acts healing, is that Paul was unable to heal Trophimus!
Summarizing: the above understanding has been available for approx. 120 years, latterly; but was taught by Paul and the Apostles post Jesus’ Resurrection; but was not understood even by the “Church Fathers”, and especially the Roman Church, under Constantine!
The protestant Churches have been weakened by the insistent error Teaching; which if they had compared and understood the Prophecy of Joel; they would have seen the clues, and would have been more helpful to thousands of sincere seekers!
If you have questions or comments, please click here.
Subjectindex or