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By Prof Ben Onyeukwu
The records of the miraculous works of JESUS CHRIST, as we have in the Holy Scripture, were just simple journalistic reportage, which catalogued the infallible miraculous signs that go with genuine preachers, and not intentional media or personal advertisements that seek to market or magnify any individual. This is because genuine miracles will always attract the people to the source, and not the source advertising them.
The Gospel according to Matthew, narrates that, "JESUS went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing all kinds of sickness and all kinds of disease among the people. Then His fame went throughout all Syria; and they brought to Him all sick people who were afflicted with various diseases and torments, and those who were demon-possessed, epileptics, and paralytics; and He healed them. This, resulted in great multitudes that followed Him, from Galilee, and from Decapolis, Jerusalem, Judea, and beyond the Jordan."
Worthy of note, is that, the biblical account of the miracles of JESUS CHRIST above, carries no trace of His personal or media advertisement, trying to showcase Himself as a great miracle worker, as most modern preachers presently do, for self-projection, which has often resulted in rented crowd and fixing of miracles. But, JESUS CHRIST, our exemplary LEADER, was never in the habit of attention seeking, or the advertising of His miracles, which HE demonstrated when..."a leper came and worshiped Him, saying, "Lord, if You are willing, You can make me clean." Then Jesus put out His hand and touched him, saying, "I am willing; be cleansed." Immediately his leprosy was cleansed. And Jesus said to him, "see that you tell (or advertise it) to no one; but go and show yourself to the priest, (to confirm your healing), as well as offer the gift that Moses commanded, as a testimony to them".
From the afore-stated, it becomes obvious that, the present day "advertising of miracles", by most preachers, is not a biblical practice, but a dubious strategy to deceive the unsuspecting public, or to divert the attention of the gullible individuals in society. To this end, this "Gospel Treatise" becomes a clarion call that seeks to alert the general public of the need to be wary of the unsubstantiated claims of miracles, from certain religious leaders or quarters, as advertised in both social and other media platforms. Furthermore, since, genuine miracles can never cease, just because JESUS CHRIST, the SOURCE of real miracles, is the same yesterday, today and forever, there is, therefore, the need to checkmate the excesses of certain self-aclaimed "faith-healers", who are all out to take undue advantage of the people.
In conclusion, please, be certain, that media advertisement of the miraculous works of GOD, by the standards of JESUS CHRIST, is not biblical, but if the self-willed deviants insist on doing so, they should be compelled to backup their claims with medical certificates from experts, as the evidence(s) of the genuineness of their claims, just as JESUS CHRIST sent the lepers HE cleansed, to the priests of His time, who also served as medical personnel, to confirm their healing. REPENT AND BELIEVE THE GOSPEL! (See Matthew 4:23-24; 8:2-4, Mark 1:44 and Luke 5:14).
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