Other Features "Contrary To Sound Doctrine."

by G. PRASHER, JR. | Category: Miracles And Miraculous Gifts | Oct 1952

Direct study of the alleged recovery of miraculous powers in modern "Pentecostalism" is sufficient of itself to reveal the hollowness of the claim that there has been a genuine renewal of such gifts as were exercised in apostolic days. Other characteristics of these movements add to the evidence that they are far astray from God's Word. A few of them may be touched upon here.

1.Multiplicity of doctrinal differences.

The testimony of Scripture is emphatic that when God granted miraculous powers to His servants it was to confirm the revelation He had given. They were custodians of His truth. To that truth the signs bore witness.

The "evangelical" groups that claim and practise recovery of miraculous divine gifts to-day are legion. It is the speaking in tongues and healing power which they claim in common. Apart from that aspect, their doctrines may differ widely. On such vital matters as the truth concerning the Godhead there is separation between large North American groups. There are two schools of thought in regard to the eternal security of the believer. Wide variations in doctrine concerning the Holy Spirit lead to much confusion. Some baptize only in the Name of Jesus, making this a point of denominational distinction. On matters of church order and ministry there is little understanding of the truth of God.

In the light of these facts, to which group is God bearing witness through the miraculous powers they all claim to have received from Him ? The very fact that all these groups specialize in tongue-speaking and supernatural healing speaks for itself!

2.Effect of Gospel Testimony.

Could movements which lay themselves open to familiarity with unclean spirits be used of God in the saving of souls? In God's sovereign grace, souls are saved wherever "the word of the truth of the gospel" is presented to men, and where the Saviour is genuinely accepted. Because these groups employ such sensational methods, they are able to bring large numbers under the sound of the gospel. Many profess to be saved as a result. It is not for man to judge the proportion of genuine cases, although the emotional character of these campaigns would lead one to expect a considerable number of spurious professions. A more serious thing is the prevalence among them of the "falling away doctrine".

This has two very evil results-

(a)In the claims of numbers converted are included people who had formerly professed to be saved, but then thought they were lost again because they did not continue to walk with the Lord. They are counted as fresh converts each time they are restored!

(b)Under the impulse of fear lest they fall away, there is a proneness to sustain the emotional level which often marks their conversion. There is a sense of insecurity; "a holding on to Christ", instead of the settled enjoyment of having found peace with God through Christ's work.

3.A lack of spiritual balance.

Insistence on seeking after tongues, healings and "powers" has not led to any outstanding manifestation of the fruit of the Spirit. Where are the peace, gentleness, meekness and self-control of Galatians 5.22-8? There is a measure of failure in the experience of every Christian. That is a different matter from a movement whose adherents are habitually marked out by a restless lack of peace, an aggressive arrogance, and a lack of self-control. This is especially prominent when the origin of the spirit-power which moves them is questioned. In reply, reference is usually made to the sin of blasphemy against the Holy Spirit, and there is unwillingness to submit to prayerful examination of the Scriptures in relation to these things. It is asserted that having had the experience, no one could persuade them differently. They know how much nearer to the Lord these experiences have brought them, and so forth. The instructed believer can clearly discern how far astray these spirit-influences have led such people, because they allow their feelings and experiences to guide them instead of the Word of God. For are we not warned to try the spirits, whether they are of God? The believer who is filled with the Holy Spirit will gladly submit his experiences to the test of God's Word, being ready to give every one a reason concerning the hope that is in him, "with meekness and fear" (1 Peter 3.15).

4.The place of women in leadership, ministry and prayer.

While details vary from group to group, it is unquestionable that in the overall picture of "Pentecostalism" women have a very prominent place. This is a natural consequence of the emotional aspect of the movement, and of the susceptibility of the "weaker vessel" to spirit-influences.

The leadership of scriptural churches of God was in the hands of spiritually-minded men, God's instructions on this point are unequivocal, as a glance over 1 Timothy 3.1-18 will remind the earnest seeker after truth. While women have a valued and honoured place in connexion with the work of God, it is not a place of leadership.

Nor does God intend them to take part in public ministry. His Word, in 1 Corinthians 14. 34 and 1 Timothy 2.11, 12, makes this clear without any shadow of doubt. No amount of arguing around the point can remove the solid landmarks of apostolic teaching and practice established by these portions of God's Word.

Again, 1 Corinthians i4. 84 does not contradict verse 5 of chapter 11. When reference is made to a woman "praying or prophesying" in chapter 11. the context shows that she is part of a praying or prophesying company. While engaged in these collective acts, women must have their heads covered. They were nevertheless not permitted to lead the company in prayer or otherwise at gatherings of the churches of God; for by doing so they would "usurp authority over the man

On this point, the result of putting experiences before the authority of God's Word is often clearly shown. The scriptural teaching as to the place of women in the churches of God is dismissed as being merely "Paul's opinion". This aspersion is most deplorable in view of Paul's words in this very portion. As though the Spirit of God anticipated such arguments, Paul declares: "It is a shame for women to speak in the church .... the things that I write unto you are the commandments of the Lord."

The will of God in regard to women is flagrantly ignored by those professing to have recovered the gifts of the Holy Spirit in this day. Nothing is more certain than the fact that people who so lightly refuse to bow to God's Word in this matter have not been given a special endowment of Holy Spirit power.

5.The predominant place given to "experiences with the Holy Spirit".

"When He, the Spirit of truth, is come, He will guide you into all truth: for He shall not speak of Himself; but whatsoever He shall hear, that shall He speak .... He shall glorify Me: for He shall receive of Mine, and shall show it unto you" (John 16.18.14).

Such words epitomize the character of the Holy Spirit's work as revealed to us in the Scriptures. There is a helpful parallel in Genesis 24. where Abraham's servant typifies the work of the Holy Spirit. The whole emphasis of Eliezer's message was on the glory of his master and his master's son. In like manner, it has ever been the blessed function of the Holy Spirit to reveal the Father and the Son, glorifying them. The Scriptures teach us to rejoice greatly in the indwelling of the Comforter, but this provision is to the end that our hearts might be centred in the Son through whom we have been reconciled to the Father. In contrast to this, experiences of "Spirit-power" soon dominate the spiritual horizon of those ensnared in "Pentecostalism", and their "growing up in all things into Him which is the Head " is consequently stunted. The Devil achieves one of his favourite objectives-to detract from the glory of the Lord Jesus Christ.

6.Lack of understanding of major principles of truth.

God has been pleased to grant steadily increasing light to many of His children who have made quiet progress with His word. For example, there has been fresh understanding of the importance of the weekly remembrance of the Lord Jesus Christ in the breaking of the bread. This ordinance not only keeps the heart centred on Christ, but helps to ensure that God obtains His rightful portion in the worship of His people. Again, a flood of light has been thrown on the vital subject of the distinction between the unity of all believers with Christ as members of His Body, and the unity in churches of God of those believers who are obedient to His will. Such progress in the understanding and practice of the will of God is of much greater consequence than seeking after sensational experiences. Had all believers put first the carrying out of God's will, the weight of their witness would have been tremendously increased.

Examples might be multiplied, but sufficient has been written to show that quite apart from the merit of claims to have received miraculous gifts of the Holy Spirit, the claimants do not show a corresponding appreciation of the truth of God's Word. The cult of spiritual signs and wonders leads rather to disobedience to the Word of God. The fact that many earnest children of God are devoted to these movements is in accordance with 1 Timothy 4.1

"Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of demons."

These words show that some who were walking according to the faith would be led to depart from that body of sound doctrine by giving heed to seducing spirits and doctrines of demons. It is the close imitation which is often so dangerous t6 the child of God who fails to hold fast the words of the faith once for all delivered unto the saints.

"Hold fast the form of sound words .... that good thing which was committed unto thee keep by the Holy Spirit which dwelleth in us" (2 Timothy 1.13-14).

G. PRASHER, JR. | Oct 1952
Miracles And Miraculous Gifts