Category: Denominational Studies

One rather large group of Pentecostals is the United Pentecostal Church International (UPCI). They list around 1.2 million members and are represented in 118 nations. They claim an annual growth rate of about ten percent per year. They are largely known for two doctrinal tenets, The One Person of God, Jesus Only, and Water Baptism Only in the Name of Jesus. There are other erroneous views they hold, but these two distinguish them from other charismatic and Pentecostal groups.

The modern Pentecostal movement had its origin in Topeka, Kansas. It began in 1901. Charles Parham is the recognized founder of the Pentecostal movement. Please read: “Parham formulated classical Pentecostal theology in Topeka, Kansas, in 1901 and thus deserves recognition as founder of the Pentecostal movement.” Dictionary of Pentecostal and Charismatic Movements, page 660. One need no further information to recognize that such a church is not the one Jesus founded. If Charles Fox Parham founded the Pentecostal movement — Jesus didn’t.

Continue reading “Pentecostalism – Historical Data on Pentecostals”

Many in the denominational world contend that God is still working miracles as He did in the time of the Old and New Testament periods. The “Healing Lines,” and “Healing Campaigns” are not only very popular, they have become a very lucrative enterprise for the modern day “Faith Healer.” Most of the miracles people believe in today do involve healing of physical maladies. In this lesson we will define miracles, notice what the Bible says about them, find out just what purpose they served, and why they are no longer available to Christians today.

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“Faith Healing” is the practice of curing diseases by nothing more than faith. Medicines, Doctors, Therapy, and other medical practices play no role in faith healing. A “Faith Healer” is an individual who allegedly possesses a great gift of healing from God Almighty. Whether the “healer” or the “healee” must possess faith differs on demand. If a “healer” processes a sick person through the “healing line” and no cure is effected, the “healee” lacked faith. If the individual is “cured” then the “healer” had great faith. One of the most often parroted lines in the “healers” spiel is, “I believe, in Jesus Name, be healed!” Now quite honestly, dear friends — I believe all of it is fakery. Want to know why — please read on.

Continue reading “Pentecostalism – “Faith” or “Fake” Healing?”

Tongue speaking is nothing new — it has been around for a long time. Outside of the genuine tongues of the New Testament era, those who have sought to perpetuate the practice have left behind an interesting chronicle. Tongues were to “cease” according to divine information (1 Cor. 13:8). That cessation came when the perfect revelation was completed (1 Cor. 13:10; Jas. 1:25). At the time James wrote, the law of Christ was “perfect” or complete. That does not mean it was complete in written form, but it was absolutely perfect in its revealed form.

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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.

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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.

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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).

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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).

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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?

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