When I first realised that the promises of both the Old and New Testaments were not just for the Jews in the past and for the first disciples, but also for me as an inheritor of the same promises as a ‘son of God’, it opened up a whole new experience for me. Whilst receiving my healing from throat cancer many years ago began to lead me into a more positive experience, it was the miracle which finally brought me out of a communist prison which confirmed this. It challenged my own faith, that God could actually physically open my prison doors in Czechoslovakia. It happened to Paul and Silas in Philippi 2000 years ago (Acts 16), why could it not literally happen for me today? – And it did, God even used British Prime Minister Harold Wilson to make it more dramatic and provide unquestionable proof.
It is a challenge! It is easy for us as believers to read and hear about these things that happened in the Bible without personally identifying with them. But if God did these things in the past, why not believe for them today?
The Power of Biblical Inheritance: From Scripture to Modern Miracle
The transition from viewing the Bible as a historical record to a living document of personal inheritance is a pivotal moment for many believers. When a Christian identifies as a "son of God" (Galatians 3:26), the promises of both the Old and New Testaments shift from being "theirs" to being "mine."
1. Identifying with the "Son of God" Inheritance
The core of this transformation lies in the legal and spiritual standing of the believer.
Theological Foundation: You are no longer an observer of the Covenant but a beneficiary.
Personal Application: Moving from a passive reader to an active inheritor allows for the manifestation of "The Great Commission" and the promises of divine protection and provision.
2. Divine Intervention: From Healing to Deliverance
Real-world evidence of God’s power serves as "unquestionable proof" for both the believer and the observer. My experience highlights two specific types of miracles:
Physical Healing: Overcoming throat cancer through faith.
Physical Deliverance: A modern-day "Acts 16" experience.
3. The Czechoslovakia Miracle: A Modern Acts 16
The account of Paul and Silas in Philippi (Acts 16:25-26) is often relegated to Sunday school stories. However, my release from a Communist prison in Czechoslovakia serves as a contemporary case study in intercessory providence.
Why Don't We Believe for Miracles Today?
The "Challenge of Identification" is the gap between belief in God's ability and belief in His willingness to act for the individual.
"If God did these things in the past, why not believe for them today?"