PHANEROSIS
by Steve Pegram

Phanerosis. Don't know what it means? Never heard of it before? Well, you should get used to it, and get used to it soon! Why? Because it is going to be the lifestyle of modern Spirit-filled believers very soon. And what exactly does that mean? Let me explain.

Phaerosis is a Greek word that means, "the tangible, visible display of God's power in action". Where is it used in our Bibles? Well, two real quick examples would be, first in 1 Corinthians 12:7 where it says, "But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man withal." The word there manifestation is the English translation of the Greek word "phanerosis." In other words, the Apostle was saying that the Spirit of God in us is supposed to be the tangible, visible display of God's power in action while here on this earth.

Now, right after that verse 7 comes the nine gifts of the Spirit being listed. Why? Because the emphasis is being made that it is God's will to give us the power of the Spirit through the giftings of the Holy Spirit in order that we may show the world the true real power of God in action! And the nine gifts of the Spirit do just that! The gifts of the Spirit are not just for church! No! They are to be used out in the world so that people may see the tangible visible display of God's power and know that there is but one true God, and His name is Jehovah!

Another verse in our Bibles that uses the word "phanerosis" is found in 1 John 3:8 where it says of Jesus, "For this purpose was the Son of God made manifest, that He may destroy the works of the devil." Wow! You know what that is saying? It is saying that Jesus was sent on this earth to not only die for the sins of mankind, but to put on a visible display of satan's defeat! And my friends, this is exactly what we are supposed to be doing right now in our very own lives. We are supposed to be putting on a display of satan's defeat by preaching the Gospel of Jesus Christ to all the world. We are supposed to be putting on a display of satan's defeat by healing the sick, raising the dead and casting out demons. We are supposed to put on a tangible visible display of God's power and satan's defeat!

Let us each and every one purpose within our hearts to pursue God until we can get so close to Him that we too can have the power of God in our lives that we can show this sin-sick, lost and dying world that there is but one true God and one true answer to their problems. How? By putting on a display of God's power in action!