Paul’s Experience in His Late Ministry vs Christ as the Believers’ Physician

 

Paul’s Experience in His Late Ministry vs Christ as the Believers’ Physician

Acts 19:11 God performed extraordinary miracles through Paul's hand.

Acts 19:12 So that even a handkerchief or apron taken from Paul and placed on a sick person, and the sickness left them and the evil spirits went out.

1 Timothy 5:23 Because you have been sick and have been malnourished, do not drink water as usual, but drink a little wine.

2 Timothy 4:20 Trophimo was sick, so I left him in Miletus. 

Item	Paul’s Experience in His Late Ministry	Christ as the Believers’ Physician
Theme	The maturity of life surpassing miraculous gifts in the apostle’s late ministry	Christ mainly healing believers in life, especially in spirit and soul
Meaning	Paul no longer relied on outward healing gifts but lived under the inward ruling of life	Christ heals believers inwardly through His life, not mainly through miracles
Reason	The ministry had entered a stage of suffering, maturity, and completion	God’s economy focuses on life growth and transformation
Illustration	Using ordinary, human care instead of supernatural healing	Like a wise physician who restores health through long-term care
Effect	Coworkers were preserved in the reality of life rather than gift-based experiences	Believers gain deeper inner healing, peace, and renewal
Explanation	Paul did not pray for healing nor exercise healing gifts for Timothy or Trophimus	Christ’s healing emphasizes the healing of the inner man—spirit, soul, and sometimes body
Mutual Relationship	Paul’s experience unveils the true nature of Christ’s healing today	Christ as the Physician explains Paul’s conduct in his late ministry
Examples	Trophimus was left sick in Miletus (2 Tim. 4:20); Timothy used a little wine (1 Tim. 5:23)	Christ heals inward wounds, restores faith, love, and peace
Application	Serve others under the ruling of life, not by displaying gifts	In sickness, turn first to Christ in the spirit for inward healing
Burden	To bring believers into the grace of life rather than miraculous power	To know Christ as the Physician of life, not merely a miracle worker
Prophesying Guidance	Declare: We are under the ruling of life, not the power of gifts	Declare: Christ is my Physician in spirit, soul, and occasionally in body
Conclusion	Paul’s late ministry shows life maturity replacing gift-centered ministry	Genuine healing is the healing of life that transforms believers
Related Scriptures	2 Tim. 4:20 – “Trophimus I left sick at Miletus.” 1 Tim. 5:23 – “Use a little wine for your stomach.” Acts 19:11–12 – Earlier healing gifts	Psalm 103:3 – “Who heals all your diseases.” Isaiah 53:5 – “By His wounds we are healed.” 2 Cor. 4:16 – “The inner man is being renewed day by day.”
Core Points (Summary)	Life governs ministry in maturity; gifts become secondary	Christ’s primary healing today is for the spirit and soul

 

• The Focus of Christ's Healing: 

👉 Spiritual Restoration

👉 Healing of the Soul

👉 Physical Healing is Secondary and Occasional

👉 If we see this vision, we will no longer be attached to outward methods of healing, but will trust in and experience Christ as our daily, profound, and inner physician.

 

*Please refer to the 2025 Thanksgiving International Symposium on the All-Inclusive Christ Revealed in the Gospel of Matthew, Part Two: Christ as Physician and Bridegroom

The Grace of Life vs Miraculous Gifts

 

The Grace of Life vs Miraculous Gifts

1. Gifts of Life

These gifts refer to the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, enabling believers to live out the fruits of life and spiritual character embodying Christ. Examples include love, joy, peace, and patience (Galatians 5:22-23). ​​These gifts allow us to experience God's life and live out His character.

Paul exhorts, "Pray in the Spirit at all times with all kinds of requests. Be watchful" (Ephesians 6:18). We receive life strength through the Lord.

While miraculous gifts can attract people to the Lord, the gifts of life are even more powerful testaments to God's presence and power manifested in daily life, influencing relatives and friends to turn to Christ. Both types of gifts are given by the Holy Spirit, working together to reveal God's glory. 

2. Miraculous Gifts

These gifts refer to special supernatural abilities given by the Holy Spirit, such as speaking in tongues, interpreting dreams, healing, and performing miracles. These gifts often demonstrate God's power and lead people to Christ.

In the Book of Acts, we see the apostles performing miracles, healing the sick, and making people know that Jesus is the Savior (Acts 3:1-10, 5:12-16). Paul also mentions that "the miracles are imparted by one Holy Spirit" (1 Corinthians 12:10). These miraculous gifts demonstrate God's presence and power. 

Aspect	The Grace of Life	Miraculous Gifts
Source	The dispensing of God’s life	The manifestation of God’s power
Nature	Inward, of life	Outward, of power
Way of Operation	Through the ruling and growth of life	Through supernatural acts
Continuity	Stable, lifelong, progressive	Occasional, temporary
Purpose	Maturity and transformation of life	To testify God’s power
Sphere of Influence	Spirit → soul → (sometimes) body	Mainly the body
Representative Stage	Paul’s late ministry	Paul’s early ministry
Typical Examples	Enduring sickness with inward supply	Healings and miracles
Potential Danger	Easily neglected	Easily exalted and glorified
Spiritual Value	Builds up the Body of Christ	Does not necessarily build life
Place in God’s Economy	Central and primary	Secondary and auxiliary
Key Scriptures	2 Cor. 4:16; Rom. 8:10	Acts 19:11–12; 1 Cor. 12

 

Teaching Summary:

A mature ministry emphasizes the ruling of life, not the display of miraculous power.
God’s highest healing today is the healing of life.

 

*Please refer to the 2025 Thanksgiving International Symposium on Christ as All-Inclusive as Revealed in the Gospel of Matthew, Part Two: Christ as Physician and Bridegroom.

Biblical Examples of “Overflow / Flowing Forth”

 

Biblical Examples of “Overflow / Flowing Forth”

John 7:38–39 — “He who believes into Me… out of his innermost being shall flow rivers of living water… this He said concerning the Spirit.”

Acts 2:1–4, 17 — “I will pour out of My Spirit upon all flesh.”

Romans 5:5 — “The love of God has been poured out in our hearts through the Holy Spirit.” 

Aspect	Biblical Examples of Overflowing Life
Core Meaning	Overflow is not something produced by human effort, but the spontaneous outflow of divine life, the Spirit, and spiritual reality after being filled inwardly. It is a matter of life, not imitation or performance.
Cause	1) Receiving and containing God (Christ, the Spirit, the Word) 2) Having an inner source of life (a living well) 3) No blockage or quenching of the Spirit 4) Maintaining fellowship and openness to God
Effect	✔ Supplies oneself and others ✔ Testifies of God’s reality ✔ Builds up the church ✔ Brings renewal, healing, joy, and power ✔ Glorifies God
Explanation	In Scripture, overflow is often illustrated by water, Spirit, word, love, righteousness, and praise, indicating that spiritual reality flows out naturally when God gains full ground within a person.

Examples:

Example	Explanation	Application	Related Scriptures
Rivers of Living Water	The believer who receives the Spirit becomes a channel of life flowing outward	Turn to the spirit daily; drink of the Spirit	John 7:38–39 — “He who believes into Me… out of his innermost being shall flow rivers of living water… this He said concerning the Spirit.”
Outpouring of the Holy Spirit	Pentecost was not organized by man but issued from divine filling	Pray, wait, and be one accord to give God ground	Acts 2:1–4, 17 — “I will pour out of My Spirit upon all flesh.”
Spring unto Eternal Life	God’s life within continues to spring and overflow	Abide in the source; live by continual drinking	John 4:14 — “It shall become in him a spring of water gushing up into eternal life.”
Overflow of Divine Love	God’s love is experiential, poured into the heart by the Spirit	Receive God’s love first, then live it out	Romans 5:5 — “The love of God has been poured out in our hearts through the Holy Spirit.”
Spontaneous Praise	Praise flows naturally from a heart filled with God	Practice thanksgiving and be filled in spirit	Hebrews 13:15; Acts 16:25
Righteousness like a Flowing Stream	Righteousness is God Himself expressed, not mere regulation	Live before God, not by religious form	Amos 5:24 — “Let justice roll on like water, and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream.”
Overflow of the Word	When the word fills within, supply flows out through speaking	Eat the word before speaking it	Matthew 12:34; Colossians 3:16
Joy Overflowing	Joy issues from God’s presence, not circumstances	Remain in the Lord and turn to the spirit	John 15:11; Romans 15:13

 

Conclusion:

What comes from God is never forced, but always flowing.
Behavior can be imitated; life can only overflow.

 

Outline of Prophetic Messages: Christ the Morning Star → Living Stars (For Meeting Use)

 

Outline of Prophetic Messages: Christ the Morning Star → Living Stars (For Meeting Use)

This outline is organized according to the tone and rhythm of prophecy. Each major point can be developed into a 1-2 minute prophecy, or it can be combined for use in Sunday prophecy, edification training, and leading fellowship.

Christ the Morning Star Producing the Living Stars for God’s Kingdom

📖 Rev. 22:16; Rev. 1:20; Dan. 12:3

Prophesying 1 — Christ Is the Morning Star

Brothers and sisters, Christ Himself declares, “I am the bright Morning Star.”
The Morning Star appears in the darkest moment of the night, announcing that the day is near.
Christ today is not only our Savior; He is the heavenly, living, present, and instant vision.
Wherever Christ shines as the Morning Star, hope is released and direction is given.

📖 Rev. 22:16; 2 Pet. 1:19

Prophesying 2 — The Living Stars Are the Reproduction of the Morning Star

In Revelation we see that Christ is the Morning Star, and the messengers of the churches are the stars.
The living stars are not angels in heaven, but faithful believers in the churches who shine in darkness.
They are not famous, not official, but shining.
They are the reproduction and expression of Christ.

📖 Rev. 1:20; Dan. 12:3

Prophesying 3 — Stars Shine in the Night to Turn People to Righteousness

The church age is a night age; therefore, we need stars.
Stars do not remove the night, but they guide people in the night.
Daniel tells us that those who turn many to righteousness will shine like stars forever.
Today the Lord needs shining ones to bring people from the wrong way to the right way.

📖 Dan. 12:3; Phil. 2:15

Prophesying 4 — Paying Attention to the Prophetic Word

We are told to pay attention to the prophetic word as to a lamp shining in a dark place.
Before Christ appears openly, He wants to rise as the Morning Star in our hearts day by day.
When we touch the Word with prayer, Christ shines within us, even in today’s darkness.

📖 2 Pet. 1:19; John 6:63; Rev. 2:28

Prophesying 5 — Living by the Principle of the Morning Star

The principle of the Morning Star brings us to meet the Lord early.
Early morning is the best time to fellowship with God, to praise, pray, and enjoy His Word.
A morning-star life produces a shining life.
Those who meet the Lord early become fresh and bright throughout the day.

📖 S.S. 7:12; Psa. 5:1–3; Exo. 16:21

Prophesying 6 — Walking in God’s Light, Not Self-Made Light

Those who fear the Lord and trust in Him may walk in darkness and still have light.
But those who light their own fire will fall into sorrow.
Today the Lord calls us to walk in the light He gives, not in the light we make for ourselves.

📖 Isa. 50:10–11; Isa. 2:5

Prophesying 7 — Shining Brings in the Kingdom

In Genesis, the stars were created to rule by shining.
Where there is shining, there is God’s authority and the growth of life.
Every time Christ shines on us, the kingdom comes to us in reality.

📖 Gen. 1:14–19; Matt. 17:1–8; Rom. 14:17

Conclusion — A Call to Become Living Stars

Christ today is still the Morning Star walking among the churches.
The stars are not in religion; the stars are in the churches.
May we not only admire the Morning Star, but follow Him and become living stars, shining in the night until the kingdom fully appears.

📖 Rev. 22:16–17; Matt. 13:43

 

*Please refer to the 2025 Thanksgiving International Symphony Conference, Chapter 1: The Vision of Christ as the Living Star—Present, Immediate, and Living—of the All-Inclusive Christ Revealed in the Gospel of Matthew, Part 1.