Page 117 - Way of Life Encyclopedia of the Bible Christianity. Based on the King James Bible

CHARISMATIC MOVEMENT

5. WE REJECT THE PENTECOSTAL-CHARISMATIC In fact, this is so far from what we believe that it is
MOVEMENT BECAUSE OF THE FALSE DOCTRINE THAT libelous. We believe that the Bible teaches that the sign
THE APOSTOLIC MIRACLES CAN BE REPRODUCED gifts exercised by Christ and the apostles were special
TODAY. and had a temporary purpose and thus ceased, but we
The Pentecostal-Charismatic movement has taught do not believe that God’s miraculous power has ceased.
that apostolic miracles should be performed by the Jesus Christ is indeed the same yesterday, today, and
churches in general and particularly by the churches at forever, but He does not do exactly the same thing in
the end of the age when the “latter rain” is poured out. every dispensation. He is not instructing men to build
Kathryn Kuhlman said, “Every church should be seeing arks to escape a worldwide flood nor is He confounding
the healings of the Book of Acts” (Jamie Buckingham, tongues as at the tower of Babel nor is He giving the
Daughter of Destiny, p. 104). Law on Mt. Sinai with lightnings and thunderings nor is
In fact, though, the healing ministry of the apostles He being born in a manger today nor is He dying for our
was unique and was for the purpose of authenticating sins nor is He coming forth from the tomb nor is He
their work. See 2 Corinthians 12:12; Mark 3:14-15; Acts shedding forth Pentecost with the sound as of a rushing,
2:43; 3:6-8; 4:33; 5:12, 15; 9:40-41; 19:12; 28:3-5, 7-9. mighty wind. Nor is He doing “the signs of an apostle”
All Christians could not do the sign miracles. The today, because the work of the apostles was completed
in the first century.
only exceptions were a few men closely associated with
the apostles and upon whom the apostles had laid This is not to say, though, that God no longer does
hands. If such miracles could be done indiscriminately miracles. He has done great miracles in every century of
by Christians in general, the sign would be rendered the church age and He is doing great miracles today. He
ineffective. If I tell a stranger that is meeting me at the is spiritually raising the dead and giving light to the
airport that I will be wearing a red hat when I come off blind and conquering rebellious souls by the power of
of the plane, the red hat is the sign of recognition; but if the gospel and supplying the needs of His churches and
other people on my flight disembark wearing red hats granting spiritual understanding and guidance to His
the sign is destroyed. There simply was no general people and healing the sick in answer to prayer
miracle-working experience among the first churches. If according to James 5 and granting supernatural power
there had been, Paul could not have pointed to his to those who are persecuted and oppressed and many
miracles as “the signs of an apostle” in 2 Co. 12:12. If all other things. God works this type of miracle today, but
believers could have performed miracles as a matter of the sign miracles had a temporary purpose that ceased
course, the brethren at Joppa would not have called for with the apostles.
Peter to come and raise Dorcas from the dead (Acts We see the same thing in the Old Testament
9:36-42). Peter’s miracle that day was the “sign of an dispensation. There were only two great periods of the
apostle.” miraculous. First, miracles were done during the days of
It has never been God’s will for all Christians to Moses when God confirmed Moses’ authority to
perform sign miracles and to heal everyone. It did not establish Israel as a nation and gave her the Law.
happen in the first century and it certainly is not Second, miracles were done during the early days of the
happening today. Don’t be deceived. Don’t seek that prophets to confirm their authority to rebuke Israel and
which God has NOT promised and thereby leave to complete the canon of Old Testament Scripture. The
yourself open to spiritual deception. Jesus warned that sign-type of miracle was not done indiscriminately
an evil generation seeks a sign (Mt. 12:39). Let’s not be throughout the Old Testament dispensation nor is it
identified with evil. Let us rather seek those things that done throughout the New Testament dispensation.
God HAS promised and that He wants to do in and for I am convinced that the doctrine that the apostolic
and through us to the glory of Christ. Let us rather seek miracles had a specific temporal purpose refutes the
to live holy lives and to preach the gospel and to walk Pentecostal and Charismatic movements.
by faith and to see souls saved and lives changed for the 6. WE REJECT THE PENTECOSTAL-CHARISMATIC
glory of God and to be looking for Christ’s return. MOVEMENT BECAUSE OF THE FALSE DOCTRINE
It is common for Pentecostals and Charismatics to ABOUT THE BAPTISM OF THE HOLY SPIRIT.
misrepresent the non-Charismatic position on miracles, From the beginning, most Pentecostal denominations
claiming that we do not believe in the miraculous. have taught that the baptism of the Holy Spirit is an
Michael Harper says, “According to them it is as if God is experience that must be sought subsequent to salvation
now paralysed. He does not intervene any more in our and that it is accompanied by tongues speaking.
lives. His hand is shortened” (These Wonderful Gifts, p. For example, the Assemblies of God’s Statement of
105). Fundamental Truths gives the standard Pentecostal view:

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