I wrote this email to a couple of church leaders, in a diminishing attempt to dissuade “The Elijah Challenge” being conducted in our church towards the end of the month.
Brothers
Just so that we are on the same page and there is no confusion about my understanding, the following is how I understand the Elijah Challenge. I want to know if you are both comfortable with the below, ie whether you agree, you think I’m wrong or where my understanding is inaccurate.
Again, I attach a document written by William Lau, downloaded from The Elijah Challenge website. The below points are based on this document.
1. In 1 Kings 18, Elijah challenged the followers to Baal to consider who was God. If Baal was, then worship him but if God was, then they ought to follow/worship God.
2. William Lau takes this account and used it to suggest we ought to be taught how to heal in order to bring the gospel to others.
3. He brings you from the first point to the second point in the following way:
a. Elijah’s ministry (as was John Baptist’s) was to backslidden Christians (God’s people).
b. Many aren’t really disciples of Jesus because we are only hearers, but not doers of the Word
c. To be doers of the Word, we need to be like Jesus and do what he did
d. The reason we are not doing what Jesus did, was that we received a “compromised gospel”
e. So we should receive an uncompromised gospel by doing what Jesus did.
f. This to William is the Elijah Challenge. We must repent for believing in a compromised gospel (ie Baal) and must receive an uncompromised gospel (ie God)
g. The key is to do what Jesus did – ie healing, signs and wonders
h. So we must be taught how to heal.
i. When we do, we can do what Jesus did and therefore return to an uncompromised gospel
j. Then we can effectively preach the gospel
If you think the above accurately reflects what he wrote, do you have a problem with it – ie do you see any flaws in this?
Am I seeing shadows where there aren’t any?
Ante 