Health, Wealth and Prosperity Gospel Teaching

Also known as, “Prosperity Doctrine,” “Health and Wealth,” “Name It and Claim It,”

The prosperity teaching is an aberrant doctrine, largely promoted by the Word-Faith movement.

Here’s how it is sold: God wants you to be rich (and/or healthy), but He can not bless you unless you first send money (also known as a “seed-faith offering”) to whichever televangelist or teacher tells you about this scheme. Perfected by Kenneth Copeland,Oral Roberts, Benny Hinn,Marilyn Hickey, the Universal Church of the Kingdom of God, et al.

The teaching is part and parcel of ‘Positive Confession,’ one of the doctrinal pillars of Word-Faith theology.

Here is a good article about Prosperity Teaching at its Most Brazen Has Established a British Presence...:

http://www.ukapologetics.net/08/elsh.htm

Speaking in Tongues - What is the real truth about tongue

Speaking in Tongues - What is the real truth about tongue? Foreign language, Heavenly language or both?

Dear Christian,

I was listening to your audio message about speaking in tongues. I believe it was a month ago I want to share few thoughts from the word of God.

I don't want to judge any particular group, but the bible warns us to be careful of false teachers and doctrines.

1 Timothy 1:3

3 As I urged you when I went into Macedonia, stay there in Ephesus so that you may command certain men not to teach false doctrines any longer

There is a lot of ignorance and emotionalism when it comes to issues of tongues.

After studying the Bible about this issue I came to the following conclusion.

So what is the real truth about speaking in tongues ?

Can we go by experience and feelings or do we go by the Word of God? The only way to find the truth to these questions of course has to be the Bible and the Bible alone. There is no other way. Everything we need to know for our Christian life can be found in the Word of God , and if it is not clearly taught in God’s Word, then we should not follow it lest we be deceived. The Bible warns us often of this fact.

In this document we will cover pertinent aspects of speaking in tongues from the Bible alone. We will not be going by experiences, feelings or so called “physical evidence.” We cannot afford to adopt an interpretation which demands a change in God’s Word. It is our interpretation that should change if necessary to fit the Bible – not the Bible changed to fit our interpretation. Since the enemy can and does counterfeit miracles of God we must follow the scriptures only.

2 Timothy 3:16 says, “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:”

Many Christians that practice speaking in tongues as we see it today exclaim it is not possible for this feeling not to be from God. They make this statement with absolute confidence as if it is totally impossible for them to be deceived despite the fact that Jesus Himself warns us ever so clearly that even the elect can be deceived.

Matthew 24:24 says, “For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall show great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect.”

We must also heed the following warning;

1 John 4:1 “Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God…”

Joel 2:28 “And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions:”

It was this very prophecy you will recall, that Peter quoted on the Day of Pentecost (Acts 2:16-21) but its completed and final fulfillment still awaits us when God cuts short His work in righteousness in “a short work” (Romans 9:28) in the last days when in tremendous power the whole earth will be “lightened with his glory” and the message of God is represented as crying “mightily with a strong voice.” (Revelation 18:1-2)

The people that spoke in Acts 2:1-12 they all spoke in known tongues and people understood and praised God. In Acts chapter two we have the first and most significant mention of speaking in tongues.

How were the Apostles to preach the Gospel to every nation?

It was by one of the gifts of the Holy Spirit – the gift of speaking in tongues. This is the entire purpose of the gifts of the Spirit – to benefit all for the advancement of God’s Kingdom.

It is obvious from this passage, in Acts chapter two, that all of these people from many different countries were hearing the Gospel in their own language for their nation. The languages in which the disciples were speaking were known foreign languages and dialects, not unintelligible mutterings. And they were amazed that these Galileans, uneducated in the “proper” schools, and all from a lower class of society, could speak these foreign languages.

Luke is emphasizing to the reader that the miraculous gift of speaking in other languages at Pentecost was the ability to speak, articulate, intelligible, foreign languages which had not been learned previously and were not learned at that time.

The gift of speaking in tongues (languages) was instant and spontaneous and not “learned.” As Paul said in 1 Corinthians 12:7, the gifts of the spirit were for the benefit and growth of the whole Church and here we see no better demonstration on how speaking in tongues not only benefited the Church, but made it grow at a phenomenal rate and no assumptions are required.

Acts 2 – The Holy Spirit comes to Jews

Acts 8 - The Holy Spirit comes to Samaritans (half Jew/half Gentile)

Acts 10- The Holy Spirit comes to Gentiles

Acts 19 - The Holy Spirit comes to believers from the OT economy (some of the Baptist's followers).

Therefore, all four groups in the world already received the The Holy Spirit. From then on it is all one way people receive Him - by faith through belief. Transition period it was, and now there is only one way to receive Him by faith at salvation.

When I hear today people speaking in tongues in their meetings, the first question we should ask, do we need to speak in tongues when all the people that are gathered speak the same language i.e Armenian, Arabic, English,…and easily can communicate the message of the bible in their own language.

Take this example:

If someone is in China and does not speak Chinese yes God is willing to give him the gift of tongues at that moment to witness in the known tongue Chinese. Saying this we can see today missionaries going to schools and learning languages before becoming missionaries in different countries. why? Because the gift of tongue had a purpose when the church was born and started growing.

There were many languages and God wanted these people to hear the message in their own languages.

Mark 16:17 “And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues;”

This statement made by Jesus to His Apostles on the gift of speaking in tongues is in the context of the Great Commission, to preach the gospel to the whole world, to every creature. Jesus' disciples were to receive the power of the gift of the Holy Spirit and they were to proclaim the Good News of what Jesus had achieved for all mankind, first in Israel, and then to all nations, tongues (foreign languages) and peoples. Note how the signs were to confirm the Gospel message.

Mark 16:20 “And they went forth, and preached every where, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word with signs following.”

Hebrews 2:3-4

3 how shall we escape if we ignore such a great salvation? This salvation, which was first announced by the Lord, was confirmed to us by those who heard him. 4 God also testified to it by signs, wonders and various miracles, and gifts of the Holy Spirit distributed according to his will.

God used world tongues (unknown to the speaker and even most of times to hearers which needed interpretation), along with sign, wonders, and miracles to substantiate the proclamation of the gospel during the church's infancy and subsequent growth - Heb. 2: one of the first verses in that chapter.

Therefore, once the church got going, there is no more "dependent" need for such gifts in the same way they were needed in the first century.

If you notice verse 4 in Heb 2 it is in past tense God also testified to it by signs,. It is important to know this. Today there are different translation of the bible in this way people can understand and see who Jesus is and come to salvation.

What about “unknown languages”

Now that we saw from the bible that these languages that the first century Christians spoke was known to the hearers, Charismatic/Pentecostal groups claim that the language that they speak is ‘unknown’ so they don’t need to translate, they claim it is prayer language or Angelic language. They base their argument on such verses as I Cor 13:1; I Cor 14; and Rom 8:26.

Let us look at this argument:

1 Corinthians 13

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1 If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal.

Human and angelic languages are known languages (1 Cor. 13:1). Please notice the use of the plural for both groups of beings. Keep also in mind that each time the angels spoke in the Bible , it was a known world language to the hearers.

The bible states the tongues is a sign for the unbelieving, not the believing. Tongues is not a heavenly language, tongues is plural meaning more than one language, if it was heavenly it would be only one language and it would be called the gift of tongue. And the apostles were given this gift to preach to other foreign language speaking areas without having to learn them for a sign and testament of them being commissioned by God.

Rom 8:26

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26 Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.

Romans 8:26 is not a reference about praying in tongues since it is the Holy Spirit who is doing the intercessory praying on our behalf, and not us doing the praying. Then what about the "groanings which cannot be uttered?"

Tongues are uttered the groanings are the Holy Spirit's and not ours.

Many associate the word utterance with uttering, as in quiet mutterings as seen in much of the tongue speaking today. But the word translated “utterance” in Rom 8:26 actually means “to speak out loudly and clearly” or “to speak with emphasis.” Strong’s gives this definition: “apophtheggomai” pronounced “ap-of-theng'-om-ahee” From G575 and G5350; to enunciate plainly, that is, declare: - say, speak forth, utterance.

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1 Cor 14

2 For anyone who speaks in a tongue does not speak to men but to God. Indeed, no one understands him; he utters mysteries with his spirit.

As we can see here tongues are unknown languages to the speaker but not to the hearer.” he utters mysteries with his spirit.”

He who speaks in a tongue edifies himself, but he who prophesies edifies the church. 5 I would like every one of you to speak in tongues but I would rather have you prophesy. He who prophesies is greater than one who speaks in tongues, unless he interprets, so that the church may be edified.

You see here speaking in tongues is plural (Armenian, Arabic, Hindu…)

Unless he interprets these tongues which can be interpreted and should be interpreted according to this verse.

Unless you speak intelligible words with your tongue, how will anyone know what you are saying? You will just be speaking into the air.

13 For this reason anyone who speaks in a tongue should pray that he may interpret what he says. 14 For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays, but my mind is unfruitful. 15 So what shall I do? I will pray with my spirit, but I will also pray with my mind; I will sing with my spirit, but I will also sing with my mind. 16 If you are praising God with your spirit, how can one who finds himself among those who do not understand say "Amen" to your thanksgiving, since he does not know what you are saying? 17 You may be giving thanks well enough, but the other man is not edified.

The conclusion of this verse is for this reason anyone who speaks in a tongue should pray that he may interpret.

18 I thank God that I speak in tongues more than all of you. 19 But in the church I would rather speak five intelligible words to instruct others than ten thousand words in a tongue.

Notice it is plural here many tongues languages.

22 Tongues, then, are a sign, not for believers but for unbelievers;

Today some Christian groups speak in tongues in their prayer meetings.

All of these must be done for the strengthening of the church. 27 If anyone speaks in a tongue, two—or at the most three—should speak, one at a time, and someone must interpret. 28 If there is no interpreter; the speaker should keep quiet in the church and speak to himself and God.

Interpret what is spoken in a known tongue.

39 Therefore, my brothers, be eager to prophesy, and do not forbid speaking in tongues. 40 But everything should be done in a fitting and orderly way.

Notice it is plural here many tongues languages.

So was the gift of speaking in tongues for the benefit of the Church? Was it a sign to unbelievers as Paul said? Paul wrote in 1 Corinthians 14:22

“Wherefore tongues are for a sign, not to them that believe, but to them that believe not…”

What Paul is saying is that tongues are a sign to unbelievers who are moved when they hear the gospel spoken in their tongue by men who had never learned or understood it. This is exactly what happened at Pentecost. They were all amazed when they heard these unlearned Galileans speaking in their own native tongue. So did the gift benefit the Church? We find the answer revealed towards the end of chapter two.

Acts 2:41 “Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls.”

Note the word “gave” in verse Acts 2:4 denotes a gift of the Holy Spirit. The gift of speaking in tongues is not a learned experience. This is in contrast to the common practice in Pentecostal and the Charismatic meetings where they are taught or instructed how to receive the gift of tongue speaking. When the true gift of tongues is given, no prompting or teaching is required, it just happens naturally by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Conclusion:

In the very book we see the Church established, we also see the first use of speaking in tongues and being used for that very purpose. Every mention is a known language for the purpose of taking the Gospel to every nation. It is never introduced as a personal communication language with God.

Fundamental Principles of Bible Interpretation

Here is a simple checklist for us to make use of whenever we interpret a passage of Scripture. By no means this is exhaustive, but it has many of the major questions we can ask when doing interpretation. Please let me know if you may have questions regarding the points below. I hope that it will be of benefit to you.

When approaching a verse or a given Bible passage so that you may understand what it means and how it applies, you need to do the following:

1. Acknowledge the Bible is the innerrant and inspired Word of God as it pertains to the original authographs.

2. Acknowledge the Diversity and Unity of the Bible, where the diversity of the multiple authors, their differences of personality, the times in which they lived and the dates when they wrote unite under the superintending umbrella of the Spirit of God to form this unique book.

3. What is the immediate context of the given verse or passage, above it and below it? Never isolate a verse or a passage when interpreting.

4. What is the broader context? Meaning, the whole chapter, section of the particular book, the book itself, parallel passages, or even the whole Bible.

5. What is it saying? What is its actual meaning as it was addressed to the original audience?

6. Who were the original audience? No immediate personalizing. Application comes after the proper meaning is discerned as given to the original hearers/readers.

7. Consider the progress of Biblical revelation. All teachings become clearer as the revelation of God progresses towards the end of the New Testament books.

8. Consider cultural issues such as education, social life, work, religion, habits, sports, customs, ethics, dietary laws, etc...

9. Consider the historical setting, background and the date surrounding the work.

10. What is the literary genre of the passage - Meaning, type of literature to be identified? Is it a psalm, a proverb, a prophecy, a narrative, a parable, a letter, etc...

11. Know about the author, his personality, pshyce, prefered words and phrases.

12. What is the rhetorical goal of the author. Meaning, what does he try to communicate or wants to achieve in his hearers or readers with the things he says? What is his purpose? For example, John 20:31 clearly defines the purpose for which John wrote His Gospel.

13. Verify grammatical issues whether something in the language structure is a verb, the tense of the verb, noun, adverb, adjective, preposition, conjunction, etc...

14. Interpret unclear verses/passages in the light of the clearer ones. The implicit should be interpreted by the explicit.

15. Check out for geographical issues such as terrain, land, area, etc....

16. Determine the meaning of words. Understand the theological significance of words, especially the important ones.

17. Check if there is a precedent of a Biblical word being used in your passage. Does it have a prior usage elsewhere in the context of the passage being studied? In the same book? In another writing of the same author? In the Bible? Check for all other usages. Remember: it is always the context which determines a word's meaning.

18. Idioms/expressions need to be understood from the vantage point of the culture during which a passage/book was written.

19. Literal vs figurative. Always try to interpret it literally unless the passage alerts you otherwise.

20. Compare Scripture with Scripture to arrive at a proper doctrinal formulation regarding a topic.

21. Don't allegorize/spiritualize unless the passage permits clearly. For example, be careful of not spiritualizing everything in a parable.

22. Think about the theological issues involved - think theologically as theology permeates the whole Bible and it's entirely practical.

23. Recognize the rule of inference - an inference is a fact logically implied from another fact. Scripture is its own best interpreter and clarifies itself regarding its more difficult passages (see point 20).

24. Compare Bible versions for textual reasons (if original languages are not accessible to you). The NASB is a good literal translation (word-for-word) while the NIV is a good dynamic translation (thought-for-thought).

25. Identify the main/key theme of a passage from its secondary themes.

26. Seperate interpretation from personal belief and bias. Let the Word 'read into you' rather than you reading into it.

27. No Scripture contradicts other Scriptures.

28. Be careful to the exact wording of a passage's sentences and do not attempt to change the order of words.

29. Do not invent answers to silent areas of Scripture to accomodate to people's needs.

30. A doctrine should not be formulated based on only one verse or passage, unless clearly there's no other comparative passages. (Each of the major doctrines of Christianity are supported by multiple passages).

31. Compare your interpretations with good commentaries as possible.

32. Interpret the Old Testament in the light of the New (due to the progress of revelation).

33. Seek to understand the author's intentions. Meaning, what does he want to convey to us through his teaching, characters involved, occurences, etc...

34. Understand the figures of speech. (Metaphor, irony, simile, personification, etc...)

35. Understand the types and symbols of the Biblical literature - that is, their meaning.

36. Recognize if a passage's significance is culturally conditioned (i.e. pertaining to that culture alone) or is timeless.

37. Understand the meaning of a given passage first, as it exactly meant to the original audience. Next, understand its significance whether you can draw timeless principles from it. Then try to apply it to your life. Never try to immediately apply a passage without understanding its original intended meaning as given to the original audience.

38. Whenever our situation corresponds to that faced by the original readers, God's Word to us is exactly the same as it was to them.

39. Whenever our situation does not correspond to that faced by the original readers, we should look for the principle underlying God's Word to them. We can then apply that principle to comparable situations today.

40. Re-examine any of your interpretations in the light of new incoming data. Be open to them and humbly be willing to modify your initial conclusions regarding a passage. Do not let your preunderstandings and presuppositions get in the way of proper interpretation.

Ohannes Bajanian

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Bible Tongue Speaking and Modern Impostors!

Tongue Speaking of today is not the tongue speaking of the Bible.

Compare the genuine in the Bible with the fakes of today!

First century	Today
Spoke a known language. Acts 2:8	Today don't even claim to use known languages.
Were understood. Acts 2:6; I Cor. 14:19	Don't claim to understand today.
Were edified. I Cor. 14:26	No such claim today.
Confirmed the word. Acts 10:46;Heb. 2:3-4	Today, they don't accept confirmed word today. Add to and deny it.
Spoke by turn. I Cor. 14:27	All speak together today in Mass confusion.
No interpreter? - Silence. I Cor. 14:28	Don't want to be interpreted today.
Sign to unbelievers. I Cor. 14:22	Used today for excitement.
For use of edifying I Cor. 14:26	Show, entertain.
Spirit subject to speaker. I Cor. 14:26-31	Today - "Don't stop me, I'm getting a revelation.
Spoke to profit the church I Cor. 14:6	No profit today.
Prayed for interpretation. I Cor. 14:13	Today - pray for tongue speaking.
Spoke to instruct. I Cor.14:13	Revel in confusion - no instruction.
Believed Gospel. Mark 16:16	Deny gospel because getting new revelation.
Spoke to benefit hearers. I Cor. 14:9	No so today. Benefit in glory of speaker.
Interpret so unlearned understand.; 1 Cor. 14:16	Interpretation not done today.
No accusation of madness. I Cor. 14:23	Today confusion rampant.
No confusion allowed. I Cor. 14:33	Today, all in confusion.
Women kept silence. I Cor. 14:34	All speak today. In regulating usage of gifts, women had not abilities.
Holy Spirit Baptism audible. No mistake in knowing H. S. came upon them. Acts 2:2	None will say so today.
Holy Spirit baptism visible. Not mistaken in seeing. Acts 2:3	None will say so today.
Holy Spirit baptism heard. No mistake in hearing. Acts 2:4	Not so today.

Compare the truth with the fake:

Simon The Fake Vs Apostles the truth: Acts 8:5-13

Purpose of the gifts
Bible	modern Pentecostals
To confirm God's word	Word confirms gifts
Bring About Unity Of Faith	Many Different Churches Claim To Have Gifts Confirm False Teachings
Miracles
Bible	modern Pentecostals
Dependent On Faith Of Healer Acts 3:7	Dependent On Faith Of Person Healed If Not Healed- "No Faith"
Truly Supernatural Acts 3:7	Scientific Explanation
Healings Were Instant Acts 3:8	Healings Usually Take Months
Healings Total Acts 3:8	Partial Improvement, Remission
Person Healed Known By All Acts 3:10	Person Often Unknown
Miracle Known By Miracle (Obvious)	Miracle Accepted By Personal Testimony
Even Enemies Accepted Acts 4:16	Highly Questionable, Always Internal and unseen
Tongues
Bible	modern Pentecostals
Real Human Language Acts 2:8	Total Gibberish And Nonsense
Max Of 3 In Church 1 Cor 14:27	More Than 3 Speak (visitors view as madness: 14:23)
Each Must Speak In Turn 14:27	Many Speak Simultaneously
If No Interpreter Keep Silent 14:28	Rarely Any "Interpreter"
Only One Interpretation Possible	Often Interpretations Vary
Emphasis On Public Demonstration	Emphasis On Private Devotion
Considered a childish gift of lesser importance 14:5	Stressed As A Sign Of Spirituality
A Sign To Unbelievers 14:22	A Sign To Believers

Modern Day Tongue Speaking Is Not From God!

In the Los Angeles area which consists of about 12 million people, every kind of religious cult that can be imagined is here. One of the churches, called the Rainbow Revival Church, located at 890 Crenshaw in Los Angeles, sent out an instruction sheet a number of years ago giving instructions as to how one may receive the baptism of the Holy Spirit. Listed below is the sum and substance of the instruction.

Words Of Praise To Receive The Holy Ghost. Jesus who baptized 120 believers with the Holy Ghost on the day of Pentecost 10 days after He ascended to heaven, is still baptizing Christians with the Holy Ghost today Acts 2:1-4. Usually Jesus baptizes believers with the Holy Ghost while they are praising the Lord, and their words change from words of praise to unknown tongues, which is proof that they have received the Holy Ghost. We suggest these words of praise to use while seeking the Baptism. To try to say words of praise too perfectly hinders the Holy Ghost from speaking in His Heavenly languages through you. SAY THE WORDS OUT LOUD! As you praise God, do NOT try to stop stammering. In fact the more you get the words of praise mixed up, the easier it is for the Holy Ghost to take control of your tongue and speak in unknown tongues through you. Isa. 28:11: "For with stammering lips and another tongue will I speak to this people." To Start Seeking, say the words of Praise in a paragraph below over and over very rapidly for 2 or 3 minutes, then go to the next paragraph, repeating the words of Praise in each paragraph about the same length of time. After you have repeated the words in all of the paragraphs, you may start at the beginning, and use these words of praise over and over. 1. Glory To God, Hallelujah Glory To God Hallelujah Glory To 2. Praise Precious Jesus, Prince Of Peace, Praise Precious Jesus 3. I Love You Jesus, I Love You Jesus, I Love You Jesus, 4. Jesus Savior Save Sinful Souls, Sanctify Saints To Serve Thee 5. Praise God The Father, God The Son, And God The Holy Ghost, 6. I Beseech Blessed Baptizer Bestow Bountiful Baptismal Blessings 7. Glory To Jesus Glory To Jesus Glory To Jesus Glory To 8. While Wholeheartedly Worshipping, Willing Waiting, Jesus Baptize Me With The Holy Ghost. While Wholeheartedly Worshipping 9. Glory To God, Gracious Generous Giver Of Good Gifts. Glory To Rainbow Revival Church, 890 Crenshaw, Los Angeles CA So what Happens? The individual commits a few phrases to memory and begins to say them over and over. His tongue gets twisted, but he must keep on trying. Finally he is muttering, stammering and stuttering and he blames it all on the Holy Spirit ... HOW SHAREFUL! Now I wonder if Peter and the rest of the apostles had this list in Acts 2 while they were waiting in the upper room for the Holy Spirit? Do you reckon that they were practicing all that time? Of course, the above is IGNORANCE GONE TO SEED. But a very remarkable thing happened soon after I received this list. I was in Pampa, Texas in a meeting and watching a religious program from Amarillo. They had a Catholic nun on the program who claimed to have been baptized with the Holy Spirit. Her "testimony" was that she had not been able to speak well because she DID stutter. But, when she received the baptism of the Holy Spirit, SHE QUIT STUTTERING. So, to stutter or not to stutter-that is the question. I hope that we all understand that those who were baptized with the Holy Spirit in the days of the apostles were given languages that could be understood as the Bible reveals in Acts 2:8 -1 1; and they were not the kind of gibberish that would be produced by one who practiced according to the "Rainbow Revival formula." (Contributed by J.T. Smith) J. Hurt, Steve Rudd

"Unity without doctrine is hypocrisy, while doctrine without unity is arrogance."

"Unity without doctrine is hypocrisy, while doctrine without unity is arrogance."

Benny Hinn -The Healer?

What I will share here is not to judge or prove someone like Benny Hinn is right or wrong. As a brother in Christ and a committee member serving in the same Armenian Evangelical church I would like to warn my brothers about false healers who claim themselves to be healers but who lack the Scriptural support for their ministry.
I used to watch Benny Hinn and have read his book called 'Good Morning Holy Spirit'', what opened my eyes were few things which I will list here below.

1) CBC’s The Fifth Estate challenged his claims of miraculous healings and described his lavish lifestyle of fancy cars, a 7,000-square-foot ocean-front mansion and luxury travel to five-star hotels on a private jet. You can read/watch CBC’s The Fifth Estate movie here:
http://www.religionnewsblog.com/19050/benny-hinn-10

2) He has also been criticized by a number of Christian watchdog groups for not joining the Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability . The Council is the leading accreditation agency that helps Christian ministries earn the public’s trust through adherence to seven standards of accountability. It has over 1,100 members, including Billy Graham. Benny Hinn refuses to join. Although most major American churches and ministries release financial information voluntarily, there are no public records for how much the Hinn ministry makes or how that money is spent. Read the whole report here:
http://www.cbc.ca/fifth/main_miracles.html

I do believe in miracles because I believe in God. However, if one is drawing one's knowledge of God out of the Bible, one needs to be aware of exactly what the Bible teaches on miracles.
Those people who claim themselves to be healers, they prepare their healing meetings by creating the right atmosphere for healing by praise songs, heightening peoples’ feelings, emotions, just before healings start.

-Where do we find in the New Testament that the apostles were preparing the atmosphere for healing? In Acts chapter 3 we read that Peter and John were going up to the temple, on the steps up to the temple was a crippled man to whom Peter said, "Silver or gold I do not have, but what I have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk."

-Why all these so called healing meetings happen in closed stadiums, arenas and not in shopping malls for everyone to see and praise God as the apostles did?

The fact is: A thorough knowledge of the Scriptures will show that miracles are not as common in them as so many continue to believe; they 'cluster' around certain important events/ministries: Creation, the delivering of the Old Covenant at Sinai, the ministries of Elijah and Elishah and - especially - the ministry of Jesus, and then the first century apostolic ministry. If one left those vital events/ministries out of the picture, then the Bible contains almost no accounts of the miraculous! In a real sense, everything in the Old Covenant points to Jesus, but the ministries of Elijah and Elishah, and then our Lord's ministry, followed by the apostolic ministry especially point to Jesus and to salvation through Him.

It was granted to the apostles and to the '70' to perform mighty works, even to the degree that the people believed that the very shadow of Peter passing over people would cause them to be healed (Acts 5:15). The miracles of Jesus provided clear evidence for his identity: His miraculous ministry was a fulfillment of Old Testament prophecy (Matthew. 11:3-5). Jesus Himself cited his utterly unique miracle ministry as one of the evidences for his Messiahship (Matthew. 11:3-5; Mark 2:9-11; John. 5:36; 10:37, 38).
For their part, the apostles (and the 70 disciples) were specifically required to be witnesses to the ministry of Jesus and were empowered for this purpose. They lived during the same time as Jesus and could provide direct testimony of the incredible things which they witnessed - none of us can claim that today. Just note Matthew 10:1; Matthew 10:8; Mark 16:20; Luke 9:1-2; Acts 2:43; Acts 5 12-16; Acts 14:3; Acts 15:12; 2 Corinthians 12:12 and Hebrews 2:3-4. Indeed, the New Testament writers usually referred to the miraculous 'signs of an apostle' in the past tense - this alone tells us a whole lot.

I am not fully 'cessationist' and do not believe that miracles are now impossible, but in everything I have seen of modern-day 'healing evangelists' I remain unconvinced that any of them have been granted particular gifts of healing - this does not surprise me since I feel that the fullest manifestation of this Gift has now passed. After all, why look for what the New Testament refers to as 'the signs of an apostle' in an age in which the apostles have long since departed?
But (it could be asked), are not some sick people still healed in a sudden and possibly dynamic way? Undoubtedly, but I tend to put that down to the faith of the sick person, or to the faith of the person praying for the sick person, or to the faith of a group of people involved in such prayers - but that in itself still does not necessarily mean that the 'Gift of Healing' has - in our day - been granted to any one person or to any one ministry! If it had been, this would surely grab the attention of even this sceptical world; Just think of it: every child and adult with 'down's syndrome' dramatically healed, every blind person receiving sight, every cancer sufferer instantly healed! Every amputee finding a new arm or leg miraculously reappearing! Yes, I really mean 'every'- not just claims by a tiny minority who attend 'healing meetings.' I have heard of the desperate sadness and depression of hundreds (Did you, literally? :-) of mentally and physically handicapped persons leaving typical large charismatic healing meetings. These people had been told that they would be healed “as long as you have the faith” and since no healing occurred then people who had thought themselves to be rich in faith, leave in a doubly depressed state. Truth is: they had fallen victims to some pretty poor biblical teaching. This teaching blames the failure for God to heal on a lack of faith - but this is entirely wrong. If such people lacked faith they almost certainly would not have attended the healing meeting in the first place! No - The problem is that the theology is wrong in the first place.

There is no doubt in my mind that the overwhelming majority do not receive supernatural healing in our age simply because the extensive presence of that particular Gift only accompanied the apostolic age. The New Testament seems to frankly tell us that, so why not just believe it? Some like to only read their preferred Scriptures on the topic of healing when it has always been a cardinal rule of good biblical interpretation to take all scriptural teaching on any doctrine into account before deciding what the correct scriptural teaching really is.

So, to conclude, sincere or not this man seems quite representative of a long line of charismatic preachers who hold a view of divine physical healing which lacks Scriptural support.

In Christ,

Khoren

Baptism of the Holy Spirit

It's ironic that Christians have argued so much about the baptism of the Spirit, when the apostle Paul used it as one of his main arguments to prove that we are all united in Christ!

Some churches believe that the baptism of the Spirit is an experience different than initial salvation. They see it as a second experience that gives a person much greater spiritual power and boldness, and the ability to live a more victorious Christian life. Some groups teach that the baptism is accompanied by such signs as speaking in tongues.

The Bible does not actually use the term "baptism of the Spirit" very often. John the Baptist predicted that Jesus would come and baptize with the Spirit and with fire (Matthew 3:11; Mark 1:8; Luke 3:16; John 1:33). In Acts 1:5, Jesus recalled John's words, and told His followers that they would be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from then. The spectacular events of the day of Pentecost ten days later seem to be the obvious fulfillment of His words (see Acts 2). The only other mention in Acts (11:16) refers back to Pentecost, explaining that Cornelius, the first Gentile convert, had an experience very similar to the Pentecost manifestations.

While these passages make it clear that the believers in Acts 2 experienced a baptism of the Spirit, we do not find a clear explanation of what that baptism means. Nor do we know whether there were other works of the Spirit that were happening at the same time.

The clearest explanation of the baptism appears in I Corinthians 12:13. Paul is dealing with a situation where the Corinthian church was splitting into factions over the issue of spiritual gifts. Overemphasis on certain spectacular gifts had led to the attitude that some people had the most desirable gifts, while others were deficient. In response, Paul exclaims, "We're all one! Don't divide up into cliques!" And to prove his point, he explains, "For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body, whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free, and we were all made to drink of one Spirit" (I Corinthians 12:13).

His main point? All believers share the reality of being baptized by the Spirit.

What does it do? It makes us part of the body of Christ, the Church.

When did it happen? If every believer has been baptized in the Spirit, then it must happen at the moment you accept Christ and become a Christian.

Great Christians down through the years have often experienced dramatic encounters with God after salvation. There is no reason to deny that this is a genuine way that God works with His people. It is also true that equally devout, effective Christians have gone through life without such a "second work" of grace.

We may use whatever words we want to describe our experiences with God. But it is most accurate to say that the Bible uses "baptism of the Spirit" to refer to one of the wonderful things that God does for us the instant we trust Christ and enter His family!

Author: Dr. John Bechtle.

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"Women pastors / preachers? What does the Bible say about women in ministry?"

www.GotQuestions.org

Question: "Women pastors / preachers? What does the Bible say about women in ministry?"

Answer: There is perhaps not a more debated issue in the church today than the issue of women serving as pastors / preachers in ministry. As a result, it is very important to not view this issue as men versus women. There are women who believe that women should not serve as pastors and that the Bible places restrictions on the ministry of women - and there are men who believe that women can serve as preachers and that there are no restrictions on women in ministry. This is not an issue of chauvinism or discrimination. It is an issue of Biblical interpretation.

1 Timothy 2:11-12 proclaims, “A woman should learn in quietness and full submission. I do not permit a woman to teach or to have authority over a man; she must be silent.” In the church, God assigns different roles to men and women. This is a result of the way mankind was created (1 Timothy 2:13) and the way in which sin entered the world (2 Timothy 2:14). God, through the Apostle Paul’s writing, restricts women from serving in roles of spiritual teaching authority over men. This precludes women from serving as pastors, which definitely includes preaching to, teaching, and having spiritual authority over men.

There are many "objections" to this view of women in ministry / women pastors. A common one is that Paul restricts women from teaching because in the first century, women were typically uneducated. However, 1 Timothy 2:11-14 nowhere mentions educational status. If education was a qualification for ministry, the majority of Jesus' disciples likely would not have been qualified. A second common objection is that Paul only restricted the Ephesian women from teaching (1 Timothy was written to Timothy, who was the pastor of the church in Ephesus). The city of Ephesus was known for its temple to Artemis, a false Greek / Roman goddess. Women were the authority in the worship of Artemis. However, the book of 1 Timothy nowhere mentions Artemis, nor does Paul mention Artemis worship as a reason for the restrictions in 1 Timothy 2:11-12.

A third common objection is that Paul is only referring to husbands and wives, not men and women in general. The Greek words in 1 Timothy 2:11-14 could refer to husbands and wives. However, the basic meaning of the words are men and women. Further, the same Greek words are used in verses 8-10. Are only husbands to lift up holy hands in prayer without anger and disputing (verse 8)? Are only wives to dress modestly, have good deeds, and worship God (verses 9-10)? Of course not. Verses 8-10 clearly refer to men and women in general, not only husbands and wives. There is nothing in the context that would indicate a switch to husbands and wives in verses 11-14.

Yet another frequent objection to this interpretation of women pastors / preachers is in relation to Miriam, Deborah, Huldah, Priscilla, Phoebe, etc. - women who held positions of leadership in the Bible. This objection fails to note some significant factors. In relation to Deborah, she was the only female judge amongst 13 male judges. In relation to Huldah, she was the only female prophet amongst dozens of male prophets mentioned in the Bible. Miriam's only connection to leadership was due to her being the sister of Moses and Aaron. The two most prominent women in the times of the Kings were Athaliah and Jezebel - hardly examples of godly female leadership.

In the Book of Acts, chapter 18, Priscilla and Aquila are presented as faithful ministers for Christ. Priscilla's name is mentioned first, likely indicating that she was more "prominent" in ministry than her husband. However, Priscilla is nowhere described as participating in a ministry activity that is in contradiction to 1 Timothy 2:11-14. Priscilla and Aquila brought Apollos into their home and they both discipled him, explaining the Word of God to him more accurately (Acts 18:26).

In Romans 16:1, even if Phoebe is considered a "deaconess" instead of a "servant" - that does not indicate that Phoebe was a teacher in the church. "Able to teach" is given as a qualification for elders, but not deacons (1 Timothy 3:1-13; Titus 1:6-9). Elders / bishops / deacons are described as "husband of one wife," "a man whose children believe," and "men worthy of respect." In addition, in 1 Timothy 3:1-13 and Titus 1:6-9, masculine pronouns are used exclusively to refer to elders / bishops / deacons.

The structure of 1 Timothy 2:11-14 makes the "reason" perfectly clear. Verse 13 begins with "for" and gives the "cause" of what Paul stated in verses 11-12. Why should women not teach or have authority over men? Because - "Adam was created first, then Eve. And Adam was not the one deceived; it was the woman who was deceived." That is the reason. God created Adam first and then created Eve to be a "helper" for Adam. This order of Creation has universal application to humanity in the family (Ephesians 5:22-33) and the church. The fact that Eve was deceived is also given as a reason for women not serving as pastors or having spiritual authority over men. This leads some to believe that women should not teach because they are more easily deceived. That concept is debatable...but if women are more easily deceived, why should they be allowed to teach children (who are easily deceived) and other women (who are supposedly more easily deceived)? That is not what the text says. Women are not to teach or have spiritual authority over men because Eve was deceived. As a result, God has given men the primary teaching authority in the church.

Women excel in gifts of hospitality, mercy, teaching and helps. Much of the ministry of the church depends on women. Women in the church are not restricted to public praying or prophesying (1 Corinthians 11:5), only to having spiritual teaching authority over men. The Bible nowhere restricts women from exercising the gifts of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians chapter 12). Women, just as much as men, are called to minister to others, to demonstrate the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23), and to proclaim the Gospel to the lost (Matthew 28:18-20; Acts 1:8; 1 Peter 3:15).

God has ordained that only men are to serve in positions of spiritual teaching authority in the church. This is not because men are necessarily better teachers, or because women are inferior or less intelligent (which is not the case). It is simply the way God designed the church to function. Men are to set the example in spiritual leadership – in their lives and through their words. Women are to take a less authoritative role. Women are encouraged to teach other women (Titus 2:3-5). The Bible also does not restrict women from teaching children. The only activity women are restricted from is teaching or having spiritual authority over men. This logically would include women serving as pastors / preachers. This does not make women less important, by any means, but rather gives them a ministry focus more in agreement with how God has gifted them.



© Copyright 2002-2007 Got Questions Ministries.
http://www.gotquestions.org/Printer/women-pastors-PF.html

"I feel led.... God Told Me...."

"I feel led.... God Told Me...."

http://reformationinprogress.blogspot.com/2007/05/i-feel-led-god-told-me.html

One of those issues that has gotten under my skin for a long time is the issue that I call the "God told me" syndrome. People who suffer from this problem often experience symptoms such as, but not limited to:

* Weak theology
* Self justification of sin
* Gratification of the flesh
* A rejection of Sola Scriptura and the Sufficiency of Scripture

I myself, a former charismatic, have suffered from this condition. Yes it's true, there was a time when I would often say things like, "God told me..." or "God led me to do this" or "I think God is leading me to..." I would use these catch phrases to justify something I wanted to do. I sometimes genuinely convinced myself that God had really said something to me, but Got frustrated when it did not happen. I've had other experiences where friends would tell me that God told them something. I had a girlfriend in High school break up with me because God told her to. I had a friend that told me God told him that I shouldn't get married to the person who is now my wife of almost 4 years (whom I love and God has blessed our marriage). I couldn't figure out why God would tell my friend that, and not me. Maybe I wasn't listening, or maybe I was right that my friend just wasn't happy with the relationship I had with my fiance' that moved to quick for most people. (I asked Susan to marry me one day less than a month after meeting her.) So I have been guilty of this disease and I have suffered from the symptoms of others as well. But let me ask you this, when can we actually say that God told us something?

I submit to you that the only time we can confidently say "God told me..." is when we can follow it up with something like "...In John chapter 10..." After all, the only way we can know for sure the will of God is through his word. 2 Timothy 3 :17 tells us that Scripture makes the man of God "...competent, equipped for every good work."
Therefore when we come to a difficult decision or we are needing some guidance on any given issue, where should we turn? Do we stop and listen to that inner voice? No. We go to the Scripture that is sufficient to make us competent, and equipped for every good work.

When a person says that God told them something, my response is always, "What did God sound like? I mean if you heard from God, tell me what He sounds like, I'm eager to know!" Of course, that's not what they meant. They did not hear the audible voice of God. So then they might say, "Well, I feel God leading me to do this." Then of course I can't help but ask, "Really? How does it feel when God leads you?" About that time they are tired of my questions.

But here is the point, what do people mean when they say "God told me..." or "God is leading me..."? How does God do this to them? They just feel it in their heart? But Jeremiah 17:9 says,

"The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick; who can understand it?"

The problem here is that we are sinners. We have been seriously marred by sin. And even if you are a new creation in Christ, the Scripture tells us that we will struggle to defeat the flesh (our sinful old nature) for the rest of our earthly existence. So can we trust our feelings? Absolutely not. Our feeling are subjective. Think, right now as you are reading this, how many ungodly thoughts and feeling have you had this month, this week, today? If you're honest you will say, "I've had a whole lot." I know I have. Why? Because I'm a jacked up sinner in need of God's grace every moment I draw another breath.

So when I have a decision that needs made, or I need guidance, what do I need to do? I need to pray and go to the word of God. It is a dangerous thing that is being taught that people should merely pray, ask God for answers and sit quietly and listen for his voice. That is not how God tells us He operates. Who knows what you might here? You might hear your own desires saying "Yeah, do this" or perhaps a demon might speak to you and you think it's God! How do you know? What does God sound like?

I'm certainly this is where someone will say to me, "But the book of James tells us that 'if anyone of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given to him.'" (James 1:5) Well, yes it does. But it says wisdom and not knowledge. Wisdom, biblically speaking, is the application of knowledge. So Scripture is not saying, if you don't know something, ask God to tell you, rather, if you know the truth but don't know how to apply it, ask God for wisdom in how to do so.

How then do we let God lead us? Obviously it is something we want to do. We must let God take control. Take Ephesians 5:17-21 for instance:

"17Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. 18And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit, 19addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with all your heart, 20giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, 21submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ."

Being filled with the Spirit is contrasted with being filled with too much wine. Wine controls in a negative way when a person become drunk, but the Spirit controls in a good way when people immerse themselves in Him. We are to give ourselves to the worship of God, the study of the Scripture, the fellowship of other believers, and other things that we are told bring glory to God. This is how we give control to the Spirit and let Him lead us, by doing what He tells us to do, being obedient to the word of God.

When Jesus talks about the coming of the Holy Spirit he tells His disciples that the Spirit will teach them all things and bring to remembrance the things that Jesus taught. This is how God speaks to us today also. As we worship God, pray to Him for guidance and wisdom, and seek Him in the Scriptures, the Spirit will bring to remembrance the things God has told us, in His word.

When we make decision about buying a home or a car, God might remind us about the parable of the talents and being a good steward with the money He gives us. We pray and think and then make a decision that we believe most honors the Lord with what He has given us. This doesn't make our decision inerrant, but it's a much better approach then just doing what we want and saying "God told me." The same is true for any circumstance. Dating for instance. Should I date this person or not. Well the Bible tells us to be evenly yoked, is she a Christian? Does she hold my conviction about the Bible and things that matter to God? Seek the word of God in Scripture, pray about it and make the decision that you think honors God.

Scripture alone is our authority that equips us for every good work. Trust God's word, not inner voices and urges, you do not know who those voices belong to.

Hebrews 1:1-2

"1Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, 2but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world."

We have the word of Christ in written form. You need seek nothing else for answers. Ask God for wisdom as you read His truth that is already revealed.

Here is a link on this same issue that I appreciated by Pastor Steve Cornell:
http://thinkpoint.wordpress.com/2007/05/26/do-inner-promptings-reveal-gods-will/

You're probably a cessationist, too

You're probably a cessationist, too

http://phillipjohnson.blogspot.com/2006/01/youre-probably-cessationist-too.html

If you believe any of the miraculous spiritual gifts were operative in the apostolic era only, and that some or all of those gifts gradually ceased before the end of the first century, you are a cessationist.

If you believe all the spiritual gifts described in the New Testament have continued unabated, unchanged, and unaltered since the initial outpouring of tongues at Pentecost, you are a continuationist.

It's pretty hard to find a real continuationist. Absolute non-cessationists exist only at the bizarre fringe of the charismatic movement. They are the sort of people who like to declare one another "apostles," claim (and inevitably abuse) all the apostolic prerogatives, sometimes invent fanciful stories about people raised from the dead, and twist and corrupt virtually every category of doctrine related to the gospel, the atonement, or Christian discipleship and self-denial.

But evangelical charismatics (especially the Reformed variety) do not really believe there are apostles today who have the same authority as the Apostles in the early church. Some may use the term apostle, but they invariably insist that the apostleship they recognize today is a lesser kind of apostleship than the office and gift that belonged to the apostles in the first century.

Now, think through the implications of that position: By arguing for a lesser kind of apostleship, they are actually conceding that the authentic, original New Testament gift of apostleship (Ephesians 4:11) has ceased. They have in effect embraced a kind of cessationism themselves.

Note: There is no more or less biblical warrant for this view than for any other kind of cessationism.

Nonetheless, every true evangelical holds to some form of cessationism. We all believe that the canon of Scripture is closed, right? We do not believe we should be seeking to add new inspired material to the New Testament canon. We hold to the faith that was once for all delivered to the saints (Jude 3)—delivered in the person of Christ, and through the teaching of His apostles, and inscripturated in the New Testament. We believe Scripture as we have it is complete. And those who do not believe that are not really evangelicals. They are cultists and false teachers, who would add to the Word of God.

But notice this: if you acknowledge that the canon is closed and the gift of apostleship has ceased, you have already conceded the heart of the cessationist argument.

That's not all, though. Most leading "Reformed charismatics" go even further than that. They freely admit that all the charismatic gifts in operation today are of a lesser quality than the gifts we read about in the New Testament.

For example, in Wayne Grudem's book The Gift of Prophecy in the New Testament and Today (Wheaton: Crossway, 1988)—probably the single most important and influential work written to defend modern prophecy—Grudem writes that "no responsible charismatic holds" the view that prophecy today is infallible and inerrant revelation from God (p. 111). He says charismatics are arguing for a "lesser kind of prophecy" (112), which is not on the same level as the inspired prophecies of the Old Testament prophets or the New Testament apostles—and which may even be (and very often is) fallible.

Grudem writes,

there is almost uniform testimony from all sections of the charismatic movement that [today's] prophecy is impure, and will contain elements which are not to be obeyed or trusted.


Jack Deere, former Dallas Seminary prof-turned charismatic advocate, likewise admits in his book Surprised by the Power of the Holy Spirit (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1993), that he has not seen anyone today performing miracles or possessing gifts of the same quality as the signs and wonders of the apostolic era. In fact, Deere argues vehemently throughout his book that modern charismatics do not even claim to have apostolic-quality gifts and miracle-working abilities. One of Deere's main lines of defense against critics of the charismatic movement is his insistence that modern charismatic gifts are actually lesser gifts than those available in the apostolic era, and therefore, he suggests, they should not be held to apostolic standards.

Again, consider the implications of that claim: Deere and Grudem have, in effect, conceded the entire cessationist argument. They have admitted that they are themselves cessationists of sorts. They believe that the true apostolic gifts and miracles have ceased, and they are admitting that what they are claiming today is not the same as the charismata described in the New Testament.

In other words, modern charismatics have already adopted a cessationist position. When pressed on the issue, all honest charismatics are forced to admit that the "gifts" they receive today are of lesser quality than those of the apostolic era.

Contemporary tongues-speakers do not speak in understandable or translatable dialects, the way the apostles and their followers did at Pentecost. Charismatics who minister on the foreign mission-field are not typically able to preach the gospel miraculously in the tongues of their hearers. Charismatic missionaries have to go to language school like everyone else.

If all sides already acknowledge that there are no modern workers of signs and wonders who can really duplicate apostolic power, then we have no actual argument about the principle of cessationism, and therefore all the frantic demands for biblical and exegetical support for cessationism are superfluous. The real gist of our disagreement boils down only to a question of degree.

In a very helpful book, Satisfied by the Promise of the Spirit (Grand Rapids: Kregel, 1996), Thomas Edgar writes,

The charismatic movement gained credence and initial acceptance by claiming their gifts were the same as those in Acts. For most people this is why they are credible today. Yet now one of their primary defenses is the claim that [the gifts] are not the same [as those in the New Testament.] Faced with the facts, they have had to revoke the very foundation of their original reason for existence. (p. 32)


As for biblical arguments, in Scripture itself, there is ample evidence that miracles were extraordinary, rare events, usually associated in some significant way with people who spoke inspired and infallible utterances. It is obvious from the biblical narrative that miracles were declining in frequency even before the apostolic era drew to a close. Scripture says the miracles were apostolic signs (2 Corinthians 12:12), and therefore by definition they pertained specifically and uniquely to the apostolic era.

Phil Johnson