Posted by Genesis 26:18
“Isaac reopened the wells that had been dug in the time of his father Abraham, which the Philistines had stopped up after Abraham died, and he gave them the same names his father had given them.”
Historical Continuity
Isaac maintains patriarchal blessings through historical continuity; first by remaining in the land his father dwelt in before him, and second, by reopening the wells Abraham had dug. Isaac also demonstrates his respect for his father by keeping the original names for the wells.
There’s spiritual significance to digging out his father’s wells. Water is a necessity especially in the dry lands where Isaac set up camp. In essence Isaac locates, reactivates, and begins drinking water from the same wells that kept Abraham alive in his own day.
There is a powerful lesson to be learned in drinking water from the same wells of our fathers in the faith. Never underestimate the power of historical continuity.
The full blessings of our fathers in the faith will only flow to those of us who will respect our spiritual heritage, emulate their obedience by drinking the same water from the same wells of salvation.
Keep in mind that Isaac stays in Gerar in obedience to God’s directions. He’s reminded that he’s an heir to the promise of Abraham and is only experiencing the blessings and the privileges of God’s presence because of his father’s obedience to God (Genesis 26:2-6).
Types and Symbols
Throughout the Scriptures water is used many times as a metaphor for the Holy Spirit and His ministry. We see prophetic words and visions describing rivers, rain, outpouring, wells, and springs, all pointing to the work of the Spirit.
Any honest assessment of the Scriptures will show an explosion of Apostolic and Prophetic power with the advent of Jesus Christ.
This power increased exponentially with the outpouring of the Holy Spirit. Our fathers in the faith were all Spirit filled, Spirit empowered, and Spirit directed in keeping the Great Commission.
It was by these powerful rivers of living water flowing from within them; that the Apostles, Prophets, Evangelists, Pastors and teachers gave birth to the spontaneous expansion of the Church, thus advancing God’s Kingdom with astounding demonstrations of power.
“An apostolic anointing adheres to Biblical blueprints for spontaneous Kingdom expansion, while a prophetic anointing brings a plumb-line for keeping the work of Kingdom expansion in alignment with Biblical blueprints.” – JSP
“We have been left with an overwhelmingly large volume of documentation from the first century to the present day, attesting to the ongoing ministry of the Holy Spirit by proclaiming the gospel with miraculous signs and wonders following.
Apostolic and Prophetic ministry has continued to be a powerful force to be reckoned with in the local Church and on the mission field throughout the world.
There have never been any recorded instances throughout history of these gifts of the Spirit ever ceasing to exist.
Taking the position of a cessationist viewpoint can only contribute to stopping up the wells of our fathers in the faith, using the soil of a hopelessly flawed theology that has never been verified by any thoroughly intelligent, unbiased study of the Scriptures, nor has ever been substantiated by any accurate record of history.”
The Church’s responsibility in this regard is twofold:
First, the Church must continue its current commitment to reopening the floodgates of Rivers of Living Water, following in the way of Christ and His apostles. I am of course referring to the continual outpourings and fillings of the Holy Spirit which the New Testament encourages the Church to do as a lifestyle.
Second, the Church must continue its present course of unstopping the Apostolic and Prophetic Wells of our fathers; whenever it’s discovered that they’ve been clogged with faulty theological soil.
The Church has been built upon the foundation of Apostles and Prophets. The gospel message is best demonstrated through continued respect for the fivefold ministry functions of Ephesians 4:11-16; which enables all believers to be empowered for service to one another and to the world at large.
May we continue to reopen the wells of our fathers in the faith so another generation may proclaim Christ to the world in the power of the Holy Spirit sent down from heaven.
© 2015 JSPJOURNAL.COM
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