IT'S ALL ABOUT JESUS!
God Hath Set in the Church
Miracles, Gifts of Healings
By Pastor Max Solbrekken, DD.
The Bible says: “And God hath set some in the Church first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues.” (1 Cor. 12: 28).
According to God's Word, Spiritual Gifts like miracles, healings and tongues belong in the Christian Church. As long as there is a Church, there will be miracles! Since God has placed His gifts in the Church, no one has the right to remove them! If there are no miracles in our churches, it should cause us to seek God for His presence and power to do His work more perfectly!
Jesus said, These signs shall follow them that believe; In My name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues. They shall take up serpents (St. Paul in Malta); and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them (some preachers in Soviet prisons); they shall lay their hands on the sick and they shall recover. And they went forth and preached every where, the Lord working with them with Signs following.” i (Mark 16:15-20)
CRUSADE AT ALBERTA COLLEGE 1962
Our first crusade in Edmonton was held in July 1962. We were still living in Prince George, B.C. and employed by McCormicks Ltd. I was broadcasting on CFCW Radio from Camrose so was able to publicize the crusade at Alberta College.
Pastor Billy Leggette, an accomplished violinist and able song leader, joined me in the Meeting. Since we had no contact with local churches, I was determined to test the ‘waters of evangelism’ and to trust God totally!
Many people attended and wonderful healing miracles happened, 95 people answered the altar calls and on the final service nearly 700 people were in attendance! Two interesting things happened:
A man who claimed to be a hypnotist accused me of hypnotizing the people. I countered by saying, I believed that hypnotists were using Satan’s power in their nefarious craft. When I asked permission to lay my hands on his head and pray, he declined and immediately left.
Due to my upbringing in the Lutheran Church and my studies of the false teachings of the Roman Catholic Church, like St. Peter being a pope, papal infallibility, Mariolatry, transubstantiation, and purgatory, I expounded on that as well.
One evening, 10 very upset young men from St. Joseph’s Seminary attended. They warned our head usher, that if I said anything derogatory about the Roman Catholic Church they were going cause a confrontation.
I was not, however, informed about that threat. As usual, Billy Leggette with his shock of white hair, walked onto the platform carrying his violin. When I followed him onto the platform, I heard the voice of God, saying: “Give the pope a rest tonight, son.” As I knelt to pray, I said, “Yes, Lord.”
GOD SHOWED HIS GREAT LOVE!
GOD SHOWED HIS GREAT LOVE!
That evening as I preached on the Cross and Christ’s sacrifice for the whole world, the altar filled up with seeking souls wanting to meet with Jesus in repentance and faith through the blood of the everlasting covenant.
Seven of the ten seminarians were among those at the altar. Later, they asked if I would meet with them privately. They told me how wonderful it was to hear the gospel and how they were moved by the Holy Spirit.
One seminarian said that I didn’t say anything derogatory about their church. I replied that I always seek to obey the Holy Spirit! The next evening, I was told about the reason the young men had come to the meeting, and again rejoiced for the leading of God!
That crusade which we conducted during my holidays proved that we were ready to launch out in full time Ministry for Jesus! And it led to our first Tent Crusade on Tower Road and Kingsway in Edmonton two years later! Our three week 1964 Tent Crusade was backed by 14 churches and stirred many for Christ in that City!
My first crusade after resigning from McCormicks was in Prince George where we had lived for about six years. It was held at the Prince George Pentecostal Tabernacle on Sixth Avenue where we were attending. Since we were founding members of Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church and I had been their first deacon, and because I was so well known in the Business community, we had a record number of visitors and first-time attendees at the ten-day Revival.
Rev. Arthur Townsend, the distinguished author and pastor of the church wrote a very positive and encouraging report of that meeting!
THREE WEEK REVIVAL IN LANGLEY, B.C.
My next crusade was held at the Langley Pentecostal Church which lasted for three weeks. Rev. John Erhardt was a very spiritual pastor and a genuine ‘man of God’ who longed for revival. Our meetings had broken through among the Nazarenes who received the Baptism of the Holy Ghost and Fire. The first person to be filled was Marge Hill and more followed!
Marge's husband Joe was an engineer on the CNR and a wonderful caring husband and father to his children. He was not, however, interested in coming to the crusade as he was not born again. She asked me to pray for Joe and invited him to the meetings, but he refused.
One Sunday morning I noticed Joe sitting beside her and while making the altar, Marge was signaling me that he was there. I made a call for people who needed a miracle in their body and Joe and Marge joined others at the altar. I moved toward them and Marge introduced me to Joe. I asked if he wanted to receive Christ as his Saviour but he declined.
They explained that Joe had been scheduled for surgery at a later date but suffered an attack that morning and were on their way to Emergency where the doctors were waiting for him. Marge had urged him to stop by the church and have me pray for him. He said that he was in terrible pain and would like me to offer a payer for him.
YOUV'E JUST GOT SAVED, JOE!
YOUV'E JUST GOT SAVED, JOE!
I immediately laid me hands upon him and called out to God in Jesus' Name for a miracle. All of a sudden, Joe shouted, “The pains are gone! The pains are gone! I am healed!” I said, “Joe, lift up your hands and say, Thank You Jesus. Thank You Jesus!” He was filled with joy as he thanked the Lord. I said, “Joe, say, 'Come into my heart Lord Jesus' and he did. I gave him a big hug and said, “Joe, you just got saved!” He smiled and said, “It sure feels good. I thank the Lord!”
Joe Hill canceled the operation. He became a strong vibrant Christian, together with Marge and their children. Hallelujah! Again, we have seen how God's miracle power in healing the sick, is an open door for sinners to receive Jesus Christ as their Lord and Saviour!
At that time, my son Ken who was 3 ½ years old, was with me. We were staying in the attic of the church. Each evening when I was through preaching, I would go down to the altar and lay my hands upon the new converts as the knelt in prayer. And Ken would follow behind me doing the same. Before going upstairs, I would lay my hands on Ken and ask God to bless him. Then, I would pick him up and carry him into our little attic room on the second floor.
One night just before going to bed, Ken said, “Daddy, you didn't pray for me tonight.” I saw how serious he was, so I said, “Ken would you like to ask Jesus to come into your heart?” He said, “Yes.” Then, he and I knelt beside the bed in that little old attic and he gave his heart to the Lord! And that prayer held. He became an exemplary man with a powerful testimony for Jesus Christ and a strong Church leader and preacher. And today Ken is married to Lena and have three children and seven grandchildren!
1964: THREE TENT CRUSADES!
Early in 1964 we acquired a large canvas Army Tent that had been used earlier by several Gospel Ministers. It had three 45 ft. long telephone poles holding up the structure. Brother Casperson, a godly Norwegian fisherman living in New Westminster, B.C. gave us the $2,000 to buy the tent, trailer and truck.
Ken and I picked up the unit and drove across the Pattullo Bridge, exiting onto Scott Road heading to White Rock. Climbing that hill, pulling a heavy load was the first trial for the old 3-ton tractor. It was an exciting time for Ken, who was only five at the time! Thomas B. Nash, who had been the interior decorator for C.N.R. Hotels, painted these powerful words on the old Trailer: Solbrekken Revivals: Bible Days Are Here Again! Salvation: Divine Healing: Holy Ghost!
Our first Crusade was in Surrey, B.C. My good friends, Rev. Don and Joyce Gossett sponsored that crusade. Joyce Gossett was our organist and led the music and singing. Since Don Gossett and I were both on Radio Kari it was well announced, and many people came to meet with God.
There was, however, the case of a youth with his arm wrapped with surgical cloth, saying that it was broken. I cautioned him about approaching God in honesty and faith. At that moment, he and his friend bolted in fear, leaving behind many feet of surgical cloth.
Rev. Don Gossett wrote, “People are still talking about the tent meetings and the great things that God did during those two memorable weeks. Brother Solbrekken’s preaching about holiness, judgment and the Second Coming of Jesus Christ brought great conviction. And his ministry under the anointing of the Holy Ghost has challenged and stirred my soul.”
Max Solbrekken A Radical for Jesus!
By Dr. Don Gossett, 1992
When I think of my friend, Max Solbrekken, words come to my mind; integrity, honour, anointing, zeal, sincerity, uncompromising! It was in 1962 I met Max and his family at Prince George, British Columbia where the Solbrekkens lived at that time. I was immediately impressed by the deep heart hunger of this man for the power of God.
The next year he moved to White Rock, B.C. where we became fast friends, sharing together many ministry opportunities as well as rich personal fellowship.
Through these more than 30 years, our friendship has never been marred by personal differences or any form of strife. That's exceptional in this world of communication breakdowns, between even the saints.
I have ministered in the nations of the world where Brother Max has been. Pastors and leaders all over the world speak so highly of him and the effectiveness of his ministry.
His radiant smile has warmed the hearts of the coldest peoples of this world. His sparkling Norwegian eyes have penetrated the hardest of sinners.
Max is well known in Hell as a fearless, courageous preacher of the Word of God that pulls down the strongholds of the wicked one wherever the Lord sends Max.
Yes, there are a few words that come to my mind when I consider my friend Brother Max Solbrekken....A radical for Jesus.
A man ready to die as a martyr. A world overcomer through his faith in God. A remarkable family man. Brother Max, you are loved by millions in India, Africa and the Philippines.
- Dr. Don Gossett, D.D., President of Bold Bible Living, Surrey, B.C.
SHELLY BEAR HEALED
FROM PERTH’S DISEASE!
Shelly Bear states: “Twenty years ago, Jesus gave me a miracle – a brand new life! He healed me from incurable Perth’s Disease.” The Cry of His Coming 1998 Magazine carried this great testimony:
When I was ten years old (1998) my grandfather Marlo Kenny came to take me to the Max Solbrekken Revival Crusade in the Corona Motor Hotel, Yorkton. Because my left hip bone was disintegrated due to Perth’s – bones turn to chalk – I could not walk. My left leg was 1 ½ inches too short. They had given me special crutches and were outfitting me with a permanent wheelchair. My grandfather carried me to the car and when we arrived in Yorkton he carried me down the steps into the large ballroom at the Corona Motor Hotel.
When Pastor Max asked for people who needed a miracle, my grandfather carried me up to the ‘Man of God’! When he prayed for me all the severe pains were gone immediately.
I could walk, run, jump and do anything a normal 10-year-old girl does! And I didn’t need the special orthopedic shoes had to wear. I had spent many weeks and months in the hospital – in traction – since I was seven.
MY DOCTOR REJOICED WITH ME!
We went back to my doctor and he verified the miracle. Excitedly, Dr. Kim said, “Look at these two x-rays. Here’s an old one that shows you have total deterioration in your hip bone and here is the one I took today that shows a normal hip.”
When I told him what happened, he rejoiced with me and marked my chart, “HEALED BY FAITH”! Then he spent a long time asking my father Andy Farkis about the miracle in my body!
During my High school years I excelled in all sports, playing softball and ice hockey and winning trophies and first place honours across Saskatchewan, Alberta and British Columbia!
Even today at 30, I still play on an ice hockey team and a softball team. I have three children and am expecting number four soon. I thank God for His miracle in my body, which happened 20 years ago. And I am still perfectly well today. All glory to Jesus!”
CHRIST OUR SUBSTITUE ON THE CROSS!
The Old Testament prophet Isaias made it clear that when the Messiah arrives, He will liberate the human race from the power of Satan and destroy his ability to oppress, steal and kill those who reject him and his evil agenda.
The Bible states: "Surely He hath borne our sicknesses (heb. choli) and carried our pains (heb. makob): yet we did esteem Him stricken, smitten of God and afflicted, but He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon Him and with our stripes we are healed.
"All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned everyone to His own way: and the Lord hath laid upon Him the iniquity of us all." (Is.53: 4-6);
"When even was come, they brought unto Him many that were possessed with devils: and He cast out the spirits with His Word, and healed all who were sick, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Eaias the prophet, saying, Himself took our infirmities and bare our sicknesses." (Matt. 7: 16, 17). And St. Peter verified Isaiah's prophecy!
"Who His own Self bare our sins in His own body on the tree, that, we being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes you are healed." (1 Peter 2: 24). Amen
----- To be continued
----- To be continued
