Disciples "pillar of fire"

[Frisbinator]

Apparently, a couple of Jesus' disciples had the ability to call down fire from heaven, as indicated by this passage in Luke:

51 As the time approached for him to be taken up to heaven, Jesus resolutely set out for Jerusalem. 52 And he sent messengers on ahead, who went into a Samaritan village to get things ready for him; 53 but the people there did not welcome him, because he was heading for Jerusalem. 54 When the disciples James and John saw this, they asked,

[eric]

Fribinator,

I dont know what version you are quoting from, but if you read the whole passage in the kjv, you wll get a better picture. My answer is no, they weren't able to calldown fire.

hope this helps.

cheers,

eric.

[Frisbinator]

Fribinator,

I dont know what version you are quoting from, but if you read the whole passage in the kjv, you wll get a better picture. My answer is no, they weren't able to calldown fire.

hope this helps.

cheers,

eric.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Read the KJV and I will get a better picture? Ok, sounds like a great idea your deragatory-ness! Here is what the King James version says: (LUKE 9:)

53 And they did not receive him, because his face was as though he would go to Jerusalem. 54 And when his disciples James and John saw this, they said, Lord, wilt thou that we command fire to come down from heaven, and consume them, even as Elias did? 55 But he turned, and rebuked them, and said, Ye know not what manner of spirit ye are of.

Looks to me like it says the exact same thing, which brings me back to my original question: Could the disciples call down fire from heaven, or not?

Edited April 15, 2005 by Frisbinator

[eric]

Deragatoryness??

Well I believe that Jesus was politely telling his disciples that they were not of the same spirit as Himself and were not able to do everything that He was capable of. So my answer to your question is still no. Not in my own opinion anyway.

e

[OneAccord]

I think this is an interesting question. I never thought about it before, although I love this verse.

It also says elsewhere that the disciples were given the power to bind and loose, they were given "authority" to trample on snakes and scorpions and over all the power of the enemy. It says they were given the ability to forgive sins.

Later in Acts, post ascension, they were able to heal the sick, help the lame to walk, even raising some from the dead.

Whose to say they didn't also have the ability to call down fire from heaven? We know that Jesus had legions of angels at His beck and call, perhaps the disciples were given access to this heavenly host as well, but they had to do a bit of maturing and gain more understanding of the nature of the kingdom before they could use it responsibly. As it says, He came to save not destroy, and that was their commission as well.

[other one]

Deragatoryness??

Well I believe that Jesus was politely telling his disciples that they were not of the same spirit as Himself and were not able to do everything that He was capable of. So my answer to your question is still no. Not in my own opinion anyway.

e

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

For what it's worth eric, I agree. Truth is that they had no power at all outside what Christ had given them, and he was pretty much putting them down that they even ask the question at all.

I don't know anyone that I would recomend that kind of power be given to.

[eric]

other one,

Actually what I was basing my assumption on, and I am only assuming, that at that particular time they hadn't even received the Holy Spirit, which He filled them with just prior to His ascention. I mean to say, they didn't know how to calm the sea when it cut up rough, but after pentecost, as OA said they did perform miracles.

cheers,

eric

[traveller]

Personally, I've always taken that "we" to mean, "you." Like when my husband says that "we" should have dinner for the kids, meaning he'll be there to support me, but I do all the cooking.

[eric]

Aha, Trav,

Personally, I've always taken that "we" to mean, "you." Like when my husband says that "we" should have dinner for the kids, meaning he'll be there to support me, but I do all the cooking.

Trav, you have married a very clever man.

eric

[Frisbinator]

Thank you all for your comments.