While on an on-line dinar investors site KTFM, populated by predominately by charismatic Christians, an individual was discussing a prophecy by Pastor Wilkerson Wrath of God Prophecy and its relationship to the dinar.
I said I didn’t buy David Wilkerson's wrath of God Prophecy...... Originally Posted by a Pastor.. Again the question is, "what are your reasons for not buying it?" I'm sure David Wilkerson has studied the bible a lot longer than you and I both. And I have studied the bible also. So instead of making a blanket, unsubstantiated statement that you don't buy it, please explain why and educate us as to why you know more than David Wilkerson, please.
The real question here is Does GOD give modern man the ability to Prophecy and perform Miracles??????
Why I don’t Believe in the Modern day
Prophecies and Miraculous Indwelling of the Holy Spirit
Let me say at the beginning, “I believe in miracles;" just not through the hands of modern men. Many people today believe in the miraculous in dwelling of the Holy Spirit. They believe God miraculously heals people through men of faith, gives modern prophecy the future and we can speak in tongues just as in the days of the Apostles. People also believe that if you can't speak in tongues then you are a substandard Christian. You must not be spiritual enough or God would have given you the baptism of the Holy Ghost. I don't believe this for a moment. I believe we all receive the indwelling of the Holy Ghost at baptism. Acts 2:38 Peter replied, "Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. (NIV)
I believe the miraculous indwelling of the Holy Ghost ended between 70 & 130 AD. Let's investigate this aspect of the Holy Spirit. What were the miracles the first century church had. 1 Corinthians 12:1-13 1 Now about spiritual gifts, brothers, I do not want you to be ignorant. 2 You know that when you were pagans, somehow or other you were influenced and led astray to mute idols. 3 Therefore I tell you that no one who is speaking by the Spirit of God says, "Jesus be cursed," and no one can say, "Jesus is Lord," except by the Holy Spirit. 4 There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit. 5 There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. 6 There are different kinds of working, but the same God works all of them in all men. 7 Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good. 8 To one there is given through the Spirit the message of wisdom, to another the message of knowledge by means of the same Spirit, 9 to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by that one Spirit, 10 to another miraculous powers, to another prophecy, to another distinguishing between spirits, to another speaking in different kinds of tongues, and to still another the interpretation of tongues 11 All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he gives them to each one, just as he determines. 12 The body is a unit, though it is made up of many parts; and though all its parts are many, they form one body. So it is with Christ. 13 For we were all baptized by one Spirit into one body -- whether Jews or Greeks, slave or free -- and we were all given the one Spirit to drink. (NIV) In the first century as verse 7 states the gifts were for the common good of the church. Not mentioned above is the ability to raise the dead and heal the sick or crippled immediately [Acts 20:7-12, 19:11-12, 5:14-16]. Could someone with these gifts just do it anytime or were these gifts for the specific purpose of spreading the gospel.
There were times when even the Apostles could not perform miracles. Philippians 2:25-30 25 But I think it is necessary to send back to you Epaphroditus, my brother, fellow worker and fellow soldier, who is also your messenger, whom you sent to take care of my needs. 26 For he longs for all of you and is distressed because you heard he was ill. 27 Indeed he was ill, and almost died. But God had mercy on him, and not on him only but also on me, to spare me sorrow upon sorrow. 28 Therefore I am all the more eager to send him, so that when you see him again you may be glad and I may have less anxiety. 29 Welcome him in the Lord with great joy, and honor men like him, 30 because he almost died for the work of Christ, risking his life to make up for the help you could not give me. (NIV)
2 Timothy 4:20 Erastus stayed in Corinth, and I left Trophimus sick in Miletus. (NIV)
1 Timothy 5:23 Stop drinking only water, and use a little wine because of your stomach and your frequent illnesses. (NIV)
Galatians 4:13-15 13 As you know, it was because of an illness that I first preached the gospel to you. 14 Even though my illness was a trial to you, you did not treat me with contempt or scorn. Instead, you welcomed me as if I were an angel of God, as if I were Christ Jesus himself. 15 What has happened to all your joy? I can testify that, if you could have done so, you would have torn out your eyes and given them to me. (NIV)
2 Corinthians 12:6-9 6 Even if I should choose to boast, I would not be a fool, because I would be speaking the truth. But I refrain, so no one will think more of me than is warranted by what I do or say. 7 To keep me from becoming conceited because of these surpassingly great revelations, there was given me a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me. 8 Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. 9 But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me. (NIV)
Galatians 6:11 See what large letters I use as I write to you with my own hand! (NIV) Why did the apostles choose not to heal there own people. Was their faith not enough, on the contrary. Miracles were used to confirm that what they said was true. Acts 14:1-4 1 At Iconium Paul and Barnabas went as usual into the Jewish synagogue. There they spoke so effectively that a great number of Jews and Gentiles believed. 2 But the Jews who refused to believe stirred up the Gentiles and poisoned their minds against the brothers. 3 So Paul and Barnabas spent considerable time there, speaking boldly for the Lord, who confirmed the message of his grace by enabling them to do miraculous signs and wonders. 4 The people of the city were divided; some sided with the Jews, others with the apostles. (NIV) Miracles were used to let the people know that what they said was real. There was not the complete written word as we have it today and the church was still an infant.
How sad it is when we today say, “show me a sign” when they have the Bible in front of us. Remember Thomas. John 20:28-29 28 Thomas said to him, "My Lord and my God!" 29 Then Jesus told him, "Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed." (NIV) Thomas believed the sign he saw. But many in the Bible did not believe. How sad it is to be in a generation that seeks after signs. Remember the two generations that the Bible said was the most corrupt were given the most signs. Matthew 16:4 A wicked and adulterous generation looks for a miraculous sign, but none will be given it except the sign of Jonah." Jesus then left them and went away. (NIV) That does not speak very well for us does it? We are as guilty today as the generation of Moses and Jesus. God gives us the signs but they are not what we want.
The question is, are these gifts around today? In the Old Testament the Bible tells us that these miracles were going to end. Zechariah 13:1-3 1 "On that day a fountain will be opened to the house of David and the inhabitants of Jerusalem, to cleanse them from sin and impurity. 2 "On that day, I will banish the names of the idols from the land, and they will be remembered no more," declares the LORD Almighty. "I will remove both the prophets and the spirit of impurity from the land. 3 And if anyone still prophesies, his father and mother, to whom he was born, will say to him, `You must die, because you have told lies in the LORD's name.' When he prophesies, his own parents will stab him. (NIV) The first verse is speaking of the Messiah coming into the world and cleansing us from sin. The statement of, "On that day" in verse 2 usually refers to a short period of judgment and punishment. After this judgment and punishment, prophesies will end verse 2 says. Verse 2 also infers that people will still try to prophecy to no avail.
The Paul also tells that miracles are going to cease. 1 Corinthians 13:1-13 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. 2 If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. 3 If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain nothing. 4 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5 It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6 Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7 It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. 8 Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away. 9 For we know in part and we prophesy in part, 10 but when perfection comes, the imperfect disappears. 11 When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put childish ways behind me. 12 Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known. 13 And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love. (NIV) So in 1 Corinthians 13 all of the gifts were going to go away except faith, hope, and love [verse 13] "when perfection comes,". Some people will say that "when perfection comes, " is Christ; he is the only perfect one; so, when Christ returns spiritual gifts will end. Some people will say "when perfection comes," is the word of God; so, when the Bible is fully assembled spiritual gifts ended. Others will say the miraculous ended when the apostles died and those whom they laid their hands on. I believe that just as God introduced his Covenant with great miracles and then they tapered off when Israel matured; so also, I believe God introduced the New Covenant with great miracles and when the Church was mature miracles went away. I believe when the Church matured to perfection God removed the Mosaic government, form of worship, and economy leaving the Church in full view as the only true way to worship God.
The beginning of the Miraculous indwelling of the Holy Spirit began after the resurrection of Jesus. Jesus told the apostles to stay in Jerusalem and wait for the baptism of the Holy Ghost. Luke 24:44-53 44 He said to them, "This is what I told you while I was still with you: Everything must be fulfilled that is written about me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets and the Psalms." 45 Then he opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures. 46 He told them, "This is what is written: The Christ will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day, 47 and repentance and forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. 48 You are witnesses of these things. 49 I am going to send you what my Father has promised; but stay in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high." 50 When he had led them out to the vicinity of Bethany, he lifted up his hands and blessed them. 51 While he was blessing them, he left them and was taken up into heaven. 52 Then they worshiped him and returned to Jerusalem with great joy. 53 And they stayed continually at the temple, praising God. (NIV) Luke and Acts were written to Theophilus, by Luke as separate letters. Where one leaves off the other begins. After the ascension 10 day later the Apostles are still waiting in Jerusalem as instructed by Christ. Acts 1:26-2:15 26 Then they cast lots, and the lot fell to Matthias; so he was added to the eleven apostles. 1 When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. 2 Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. 3 They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. 4 All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them. 5 Now there were staying in Jerusalem God-fearing Jews from every nation under heaven. 6 When they heard this sound, a crowd came together in bewilderment, because each one heard them speaking in his own language. 7 Utterly amazed, they asked: "Are not all these men who are speaking Galileans? 8 Then how is it that each of us hears them in his own native language? 9 Parthians, Medes and Elamites; residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, 10 Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya near Cyrene; visitors from Rome 11 (both Jews and converts to Judaism); Cretans and Arabs -- we hear them declaring the wonders of God in our own tongues!" 12 Amazed and perplexed, they asked one another, "What does this mean?" 13 Some, however, made fun of them and said, "They have had too much wine." 14 Then Peter stood up with the Eleven, raised his voice and addressed the crowd: "Fellow Jews and all of you who live in Jerusalem, let me explain this to you; listen carefully to what I say. 15 These men are not drunk, as you suppose. It's only nine in the morning! (NIV)
Remember Jesus was the one baptizing with the Holy Ghost and fire. Luke 3:16 John answered them all, "I baptize you with water. But one more powerful than I will come, the thongs of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire. (NIV) Remember Jesus himself never baptized anyone. John 4:1-2 1 The Pharisees heard that Jesus was gaining and baptizing more disciples than John, 2 although in fact it was not Jesus who baptized, but his disciples. (NIV)
So who received the baptism of the Holy Spirit? Some will say all the 120 believers on that day received the baptism of the Holy Spirit. Some will say no just the Apostles received the baptism of the Holy Spirit you have to follow the antecedent of the pronouns. I believe we should keep an open mind and let the Bible tell us who received what, by what they did. Lets take a stroll through the Book of Acts and get some answers. The first encounter with miracles after the THEY and THEM received the baptism of the Holy Ghost in Acts 2:43. Acts 2:43 Everyone was filled with awe, and many wonders and miraculous signs were done by the apostles. (NIV) The apostles are the ones performing miracles not the 120 disciples; not the 3000 who were baptized and add to the Church; the apostles alone performed miracles on this event. Acts 3:6-8 6 Then 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." 7 Taking him by the right hand, he helped him up, and instantly the man's feet and ankles became strong. 8 He jumped to his feet and began to walk. Then he went with them into the temple courts, walking and jumping, and praising God. (NIV) Peter the apostle was the one performed the miracle and not one of the other believers. Acts 5:12-16 12 The apostles performed many miraculous signs and wonders among the people. And all the believers used to meet together in Solomon's Colonnade. 13 No one else dared join them, even though they were highly regarded by the people. 14 Nevertheless, more and more men and women believed in the Lord and were added to their number. 15 As a result, people brought the sick into the streets and laid them on beds and mats so that at least Peter's shadow might fall on some of them as he passed by. 16 Crowds gathered also from the towns around Jerusalem, bringing their sick and those tormented by evil spirits, and all of them were healed. (NIV) Here the apostles performed the miracles; not the 120; not the 3000; not the 5000; not everybody in Jerusalem. The apostles alone performed the miracles. Verse 15 is a powerful verse. How many people have you heard of today that their shadow healed people. So far no one except apostles performed miracles. Therefore, I believe the Baptism of the Holy Spirit in Acts 2 was given to the apostles and the apostles alone.
In the 6th Chapter of Acts something happens. Seven deacons are appointed Stephen and Phillip are among them. Acts 6:5-8 5 This proposal pleased the whole group. They chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit; also Philip, Procorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas from Antioch, a convert to Judaism. 6 They presented these men to the apostles, who prayed and laid their hands on them. 7 So the word of God spread. The number of disciples in Jerusalem increased rapidly, and a large number of priests became obedient to the faith. 8 Now Stephen, a man full of God's grace and power, did great wonders and miraculous signs among the people. (NIV) Stephen already was had the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. He received that at baptism [Acts 2:38]. But, after the apostles laid their hands on him he now had the miraculous indwelling of the Holy Spirit and now is performing powerful miracles. Before this time we never read of anyone performing a miracle, wonder, or signs except the apostles. Only after the apostles laid their hands on him, he now is performing miracles.
Philip one of the seven deacons, whom the apostles laid their hands on, went to Samara because of the persecution that had arisen in Jerusalem. There he preached the Gospel and confirmed the teaching with miracles wonders and signs. Here an interesting event takes place. Acts 8:12-20 12 But when they believed Philip as he preached the good news of the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women. 13 Simon himself believed and was baptized. And he followed Philip everywhere, astonished by the great signs and miracles he saw. 14 When the apostles in Jerusalem heard that Samara had accepted the word of God, they sent Peter and John to them. 15 When they arrived, they prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit, 16 because the Holy Spirit had not yet come upon any of them; they had simply been baptized into the name of the Lord Jesus. 17 Then Peter and John placed their hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit. 18 When Simon saw that the Spirit was given at the laying on of the apostles' hands, he offered them money 19 and said, "Give me also this ability so that everyone on whom I lay my hands may receive the Holy Spirit." 20 Peter answered: "May your money perish with you, because you thought you could buy the gift of God with money! (NIV) Philip baptizes the people but he can't pass on the miraculous indwelling of the Holy Spirit. Two apostles Peter and John were sent down to confer the miraculous indwelling of the Holy Spirit. If Philip could have passed on the power, then why did the two apostles have to walk all the way from Jerusalem to lay their hands on the people. When Philip baptized the people they received the indwelling of the Holy Spirit; the same as we receive today when we are baptized. Simon may have had the miraculous indwelling but wanted the ability to pass it on. Simon saw that it was the apostles who had the power to pass it on through the laying on of hands.
Paul received the miraculous indwelling and was baptized. To me it is unimportant but, I would assume that it was the same as Cornelius which is the next person we will speak of after Paul. Acts 9:15-18 15 But the Lord said to Ananias, "Go! This man is my chosen instrument to carry my name before the Gentiles and their kings and before the people of Israel. 16 I will show him how much he must suffer for my name." 17 Then Ananias went to the house and entered it. Placing his hands on Saul, he said, "Brother Saul, the Lord -- Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you were coming here -- has sent me so that you may see again and be filled with the Holy Spirit." 18 Immediately, something like scales fell from Saul's eyes, and he could see again. He got up and was baptized, (NIV) It is important to note that Ananias is not an apostle. It is also important to note that, description of how he received the Holy Ghost is unclear. We don't know if it fell on him as the other apostles or if Ananias laid hands on him. All we know is Ananias was sent to him to heal him, baptize him, and so that he could receive the Holy Ghost.
Cornelius was a Gentile Roman Battalion Commander who feared God and prayed to God continually and he knew, Paul reminded him and did not go into great detail, about what was going on in Jerusalem because he knew all of this things and of the teachings of John and Jesus. Acts 10:34-48 34 Then Peter began to speak: "I now realize how true it is that God does not show favoritism 35 but accepts men from every nation who fear him and do what is right. 36 You know the message God sent to the people of Israel, telling the good news of peace through Jesus Christ, who is Lord of all. 37 You know what has happened throughout Judea, beginning in Galilee after the baptism that John preached -- 38 how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and power, and how he went around doing good and healing all who were under the power of the devil, because God was with him. 39 "We are witnesses of everything he did in the country of the Jews and in Jerusalem. They killed him by hanging him on a tree, 40 but God raised him from the dead on the third day and caused him to be seen. 41 He was not seen by all the people, but by witnesses whom God had already chosen -- by us who ate and drank with him after he rose from the dead. 42 He commanded us to preach to the people and to testify that he is the one whom God appointed as judge of the living and the dead. 43 All the prophets testify about him that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name." 44 While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit came on all who heard the message. 45 The circumcised believers who had come with Peter were astonished that the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out even on the Gentiles. 46 For they heard them speaking in tongues and praising God. Then Peter said, 47 "Can anyone keep these people from being baptized with water? They have received the Holy Spirit just as we have." 48 So he ordered that they be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Then they asked Peter to stay with them for a few days. (NIV) Cornelius and his the group received the Baptism of the Holy Ghost. They did not have the apostles lay their hands on them as did those of Samara. Plus, as with Paul they were baptized. Why did it happen in this fashion? I believe it took not only a three visions to Peter but also a vision to Cornelius for Peter to use the keys of the kingdom to open salvation's door to the Gentiles. In short this baptism of the Holy Spirit was a sign for the Circumcision (Jews) that God had excepted the gentiles also. Listen to Peter try to explain himself and see if you don't come up to the same conclusion. Acts 11:1-18 1 The apostles and the brothers throughout Judea heard that the Gentiles also had received the word of God. 2 So when Peter went up to Jerusalem, the circumcised believers criticized him 3 and said, "You went into the house of uncircumcised men and ate with them." 4 Peter began and explained everything to them precisely as it had happened: 5 "I was in the city of Joppa praying, and in a trance I saw a vision. I saw something like a large sheet being let down from heaven by its four corners, and it came down to where I was. 6 I looked into it and saw four-footed animals of the earth, wild beasts, reptiles, and birds of the air. 7 Then I heard a voice telling me, `Get up, Peter. Kill and eat.' 8 "I replied, `Surely not, Lord! Nothing impure or unclean has ever entered my mouth.' 9 "The voice spoke from heaven a second time, `Do not call anything impure that God has made clean.' 10 This happened three times, and then it was all pulled up to heaven again. 11 "Right then three men who had been sent to me from Caesarea stopped at the house where I was staying. 12 The Spirit told me to have no hesitation about going with them. These six brothers also went with me, and we entered the man's house. 13 He told us how he had seen an angel appear in his house and say, `Send to Joppa for Simon who is called Peter. 14 He will bring you a message through which you and all your household will be saved.' 15 "As I began to speak, the Holy Spirit came on them as he had come on us at the beginning. 16 Then I remembered what the Lord had said: `John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.' 17 So if God gave them the same gift as he gave us, who believed in the Lord Jesus Christ, who was I to think that I could oppose God?" 18 When they heard this, they had no further objections and praised God, saying, "So then, God has granted even the Gentiles repentance unto life." (NIV) Peters summation is powerful it makes the case that this was a sign from God. Not only a sign that God was offering salvation to the Gentiles. But, truly there was no difference between Jew and gentile in Gods eyes. Because the Gentiles received the gift of God just as the Apostles did.
Paul also laid hands on people in Ephesus and they received the miraculous indwelling of the Holy Ghost after they were baptized. Acts 19:1-7 1 While Apollos was at Corinth, Paul took the road through the interior and arrived at Ephesus. There he found some disciples 2 and asked them, "Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?" They answered, "No, we have not even heard that there is a Holy Spirit." 3 So Paul asked, "Then what baptism did you receive?" "John's baptism," they replied. 4 Paul said, "John's baptism was a baptism of repentance. He told the people to believe in the one coming after him, that is, in Jesus." 5 On hearing this, they were baptized into the name of the Lord Jesus. 6 When Paul placed his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came on them, and they spoke in tongues and prophesied. 7 There were about twelve men in all. (NIV) The power of the Holy Ghost was strong in Paul. Tel-evangelist try to replay his miracles all the time by selling prayer clothes. Acts 19:11-12 11 God did extraordinary miracles through Paul, 12 so that even handkerchiefs and aprons that had touched him were taken to the sick, and their illnesses were cured and the evil spirits left them. (NIV)
You will never receive the kind of miracles that Paul performed because modern man doesn't have the miraculous indwelling of the Holy Spirit as the first century church had. God still performs miracles daily but not through the hands of men.
I hope that I have lead you through a logical systematic study of the indwelling of the Holy Ghost. As I stated in the beginning I believe the age of miracles ended with the Mosaic age; when the old order was destroyed and out of the way and the church was in full view. This subject is one of great controversy today. I am sure I will receive lots of conversation on this paper. One final thought if we have modern day prophets we need to consider updating the Bible.... Right???
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Examplesof some Responses:
The Pastor that challenged me in the begaining responded by saying, he believes David Wilkerson's prophecies.
Another said: You can quote all the scriptures you want, I totally disagree with you. the Bible is an example of Jesus’ life which shows us as humans and a child of God as he is what we are capable of doing. He taught unconditional love, when you really have unconditional love in your heart for all life it raises the energy vibration in your physical body when this happens, your energy level being higher that someone who is sick you can heal them, and them help them by teaching them to become more spiritual and raise their own bodys energy vibration. One you understand that everything is alive, everything has a certain vibrational rate, and that we really are all one, the more healing we can do on this planet.
Another said: To throw my 2 cents in to this... I think you need to define what a prophet does...a prophet does 2 things: He foretells and forthtells. We have examples of both throughout the Bible, forthtelling Israel about all the bad stuff they were doing and how God felt about it...the foretelling deals with the predictions, in cases again with Israel they involved destruction/punishment for the bad stuff, and they also included a promise of a future (Messianic)....
So the question is, do we have this role in prophets today? I think we definitely see people that forthtell all the time, discussing the wrongs/unaligned from God things we do. Some of our best Christian thinks/preachers/writers do this...some of my favorites include A.W. Towzer, Rob Bell and John McArthur.
But what about the foretelling? We have people that think they are God's mouthpiece for the future, making statements of "this will ______ next year" or "God told me _______ about the future..." I can't say for fact that God does not do this, but I find it hard to believe that anything is added to the words of the Bible....so IMHO, if it does not "jive" with the Bible, then you should be weary....
As far as the topic of the Holy Spirit, and Miracles/gifts being around today, it is hard for me to say "absolutely not", because with God anything is possible...if He wants them to occur, then they do-but again IMHO I am not sure they are around. But it is up to Him ultimately!
Another said: Without going through an in depth Biblical exposition, I just want to say that "the man with experience is never at the mercy of the man with knowledge." Not sure where I picked up that quote but it certainly was not made up by me.I come from a Pentecostal background. I speak in tongues. I have seen with my own eyes people being healed in services. I have been prophesied to by Prophets. The miraculous happens everyday by people whom God called to due so. I am very familiar with David Wilkerson, and I'm pretty sure (although I could be wrong) that he has never referred to himself as a Prophet but many people do, and I have read some of his older writings that have come to pass.Do I think I have a superior Christianity because I speak in tongues? absolutely not. Do some have that viewpoint? I'm sure they do. I just ask that you would not allow thier ingnorance to speak for the rest of us. Randy9 I would like to say great job on giving an in depth answer. IMO the "Gifts" did not cease with the close of the Canon or with the death of the Apostles, and I give my opinion based on experience. There is plenty of Scripture to back up modern day miracles and the indwelling Holy Spirit, and everything else that you rebuttled. If you go to God with an open heart and mind and ask Him to show you and then search the Scriptures like you have shown you are capable of, then you will find your answer. If you are interested in learning more I suggest you check out http://www.elijahlist.com/ I personally like Dennis Cramer alot. The bottom line IMO with this or any other theological debate is unity. Pentecostal, Baptist, Methodist, Catholic, Luhteran, Episcipol, Non-Denomination, Congregational, blah blah blah, only one title is important.....Christian! a.k.a One who follows Christ.
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