Author: wbcoc

The modern practice of miraculous divine healing (so-called) is based, in part, on erroneous conclusions from biblical principles. One such unfounded assumption is that along with the atoning work of the Lord Jesus Christ, healing from physical maladies is included. A passage appealed to is Isaiah 53:4-5. “Surely He hath borne our griefs and carried our sorrows; yet we did not 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 His stripes we are healed.” Since the prophet affirmed that we are healed by His stripes, and since He did cure certain individuals during His personal ministry on earth, some opine healing is part of and coextensive with atonement.

Continue reading “Pentecostalism – Miraculous Healing and the Atonement”

How many religious groups today claim divine powers to heal people of physical diseases! The number grows nearly every day. Every single one of them claim that miraculous divine healing continues through their “ministries” and they base this claim on exactly the same distorted biblical principles. They preach conflicting doctrines, often openly attack one another’s doctrines, and yet claim that God is working through them to heal people. If that doesn’t make God inconsistent, what do you suppose it would take to do so?

Miraculous divine healing is not healing received from doctors, medicines, therapy, or hospital care. What is called “divine healing” is healing that allegedly results only from supernatural causes. It is not a healing resulting from natural processes. Rather it is the healing one reads of in the Bible, as in the instantaneous cure of the leper, the palsied, the blind, speechless, deaf, and the lame. Jesus and His disciples cured all of these by supernatural powers. No one today can duplicate those miraculous deeds. The purpose of this lesson is to vividly and forcefully demonstrate this from the Scriptures. I affirm that all those who claim to possess the same miraculous powers Jesus had and gave his disciples are fakes, frauds, charlatans and impostors. I affirm they feed off of sincere people who are duped and deceived into thinking that these quack preachers have some divine power granted to them by the Almighty. My friends, listen carefully: no man today can do what Jesus and his apostles did by direct miraculous divine power. Study further and you will believe me.

Continue reading “Pentecostalism – Miraculous Healing Today – A Fraud”

Holy Ghost Baptism – Article 5

The beloved apostle Paul wrote to the church in the ancient city of Corinth and said, “For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit” (1 Cor. 12:13). Then he added, “For the body is not one member, but many” (verse 14). Do you understand this to mean that the entire body of believers in Corinth had received Holy Spirit baptism? If so, you misunderstand it, dear friend.

Throughout our study of the biblical information relative to Holy Spirit baptism we have clearly seen that it was something very special, something God Almighty limited to the first century, and could not possibly be experienced today (in truth, that is). Our reasons for this are simple. And, as I go over some of these things again, would you do me a very small favor — especially if you believe that you have been a recipient of this magnificent experience? Be as honest as you can possibly be and see if you really believe it is possible that the following passages apply to you, or to anyone today.

Continue reading “Pentecostalism – Holy Ghost Baptism V”

Holy Ghost Baptism – Article 4

Many religious groups, particularly Pentecostals and Charismatics, believe Holy Spirit baptism is for all believers of all ages. This has caused many to believe they have some divine grant specially given to them enabling them to speak in “tongues” and perform miraculous feats. Many TV evangelists commonly urge people to seek this baptism in the Holy Spirit. With no fear of successful contradiction, I say they are all as wrong as they can be. Holy Spirit baptism today is impossible. Don’t believe me?

Study the following scripture carefully with me. “And now also the ax is laid unto the root of the trees: therefore every tree which bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire: Whose fan is in his hand, and he will thoroughly purge his floor, and gather his wheat into the garner; but he will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire” (Matt. 3:10-12).

Continue reading “Pentecostalism – Holy Ghost Baptism IV”

Holy Ghost Baptism – Article 3

Have you, or anyone you know, ever been “filled with the Holy Spirit?” That expression is found numerous times in the Bible and is badly misapplied. The worst misapplication comes from those who equate it with Holy Spirit baptism. As we have learned in this series of lessons, no one today can receive Holy Spirit baptism — no one should even desire it

There are a number of references in the Bible to being “filled with the Spirit.” Of John the Baptist it is said, “For he will be great in the sight of the Lord, and shall drink neither wine nor strong drink. He will also be filled with the Holy Spirit, even from his mother’s womb” (Luke 1:15). Of his parents, Luke also says, “And it happened when Elizabeth heard the greeting of Mary that the babe leaped in her womb; and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit” (1:41) and “his father, Zacharias, was filled with the Holy Spirit and prophesied, saying: ‘Blessed is the Lord God of Israel…’” (1:67).

Continue reading “Pentecostalism – Holy Ghost Baptism III”

Holy Ghost Baptism – Article 2

A few years ago The National Catholic Reporter, an official organ of the Roman Catholic Denomination reported, “At the private gatherings, a growing number of Catholics have been experiencing the same ‘baptism in the Spirit’ that Protestant Pentecostals experience.” The “Protestant Pentecostals” have generally held reception of Holy Spirit baptism as their hallmark. They add further that it is always evidenced by speaking in tongues. The charismatic movement has touched and influenced just about every religious movement in existence. Among nearly every religious group all around the world you will find someone who claims to have received this extraordinary experience which they call “Holy Spirit Baptism.” Are their claims valid? What do you think about these matters?

Continue reading “Pentecostalism – Holy Ghost Baptism II”

Holy Ghost Baptism – Article 1

How often have you heard someone claim they have received “Holy Ghost Baptism?” Very sincere people claim that over and over again — but there is something very troubling about such claims. There are so many discrepancies between what one can read in the Bible and the variety of these personal testimonials that it is impossible to accept all the claims that are made.

The basis for claiming reception of Holy Ghost baptism varies according to who makes the claim. Generally, those of the so-called “Pentecostal” persuasion claim that Holy Ghost baptism accompanies their conversion, in one way or another. Some of them affirm that it is essential to salvation; others deny it. Some Pentecostals urge their converts to seek the baptism of the Holy Ghost in their lives, and nearly all of them affirm that the evidence of it is the ability to speak in what they call “tongues.”

Continue reading “Pentecostalism – Holy Ghost Baptism I”

Rom. 4:1-25; Gen. 15:6; James 2:23; Gal.3:6

Introduction:

1. Imputed Righteousness is clearly taught in the passages we have read. That is not an issue.

2. The question is whether such imputation of Righteousness is mediate or immediate–by means or on conditions or without means and unconditionally. Same as studying operation of the Spirit.

3. It will by my purpose to show that the sinner who has faith in Christ is declared righteous by our Maker. This will involve the study of the two words which make up the subject: Imputed and Righteousness.

4. I also would like to introduce some historical material which should give a good background for such a study.

Continue reading “Calvinism – The Truth about Imputed Righteousness”

The theories and speculations with respect to the work of the Holy Spirit in conversion are numerous and varied. Doctrinal issues in denominationalism these days are unheard of, but formerly, Baptists and Presbyterians were known to preach and defend their doctrine of the immediate and direct operation of the Holy Spirit on the sinner. The root of this concept sprang from the sectarian seeds sown by John Calvin, the great reformer. He argued that the sinner was born in sin and totally depraved, inclined completely to evil, and incapable of doing any good at all. From this he argued that only the power of God could “burn out” the Adamic sin in the “unregenerate.” So, no matter how much a sinner wanted salvation, it was impossible unless and until God sent the Holy Spirit directly to the sinner. This meant the Holy Spirit’s operation was direct and without any medium, such as the Word of God.

Continue reading “Calvinism – Direct Operation of the Holy Spirit”

by Franklin T. Puckett; Calico Rock, Arkansas

If the doctrine of “inherited total depravity” be true, and man is totally dead in sin, unable to do anything for himself (cannot hear, cannot believe, cannot obey) until God operates on him, then God is a respecter of persons. It places the complete responsibility upon God for the damnation of every soul who is lost, and makes God alone to be the direct author of every lost soul’s ruin. If the whole of mankind is totally depraved, so completely dead that not one individual can hear, think, say, or do one single thing pleasing to God until and unless God “operates” upon him, then God alone is responsible for every man on whom he does not operate.

Continue reading “Calvinism – Refuting the Total Depravity Arguments”