Concerning Signs and Wonders

For the record, I personally believe that God can, has, and does heal people according to His discretion, and I don’t know any born-again followers of Jesus who would say that God can’t, doesn’t, or won’t heal whomever He chooses to heal.

From my interaction with Cessationists, they don’t categorically discount the possibility that God still heals people in the 21st century; they rightly question the deceptive and manipulative methods employed by far too many people who claim to use the gifts of the Holy Spirit — rather than the Holy Spirit using them as humble servants to display God’s love, mercy and grace.

The Holy Spirit isn’t a circus performer or a carnival act, and He isn’t subject to the commands, Decrees, Declarations of anyone. And lest we forget, Jesus rebuked the religious leaders who asked to see “a sign,” and instead referred them to the Scriptures; which was, is, and should always be our definitive and final authority concerning biblical doctrine and application. (See Matthew:12:38-40 [38] Then certain of the scribes and of the Pharisees answered, saying, Master, we would see a sign from thee. [39] But he answered and said unto them, An evil and adulterous generation seeketh after a sign; and there shall no sign be given to it, but the sign of the prophet Jonas: [40] For as Jonas was three days and three nights in the whale's belly; so shall the Son of man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.
See All...)

Simply stated, subjective experiences should always be tested by the written Word. If there’s a disparity between the two and someone’s experience contradicts the clear teaching of the Scriptures, it’s the experience that should be rejected.

A few simple and obvious questions should be addressed to anyone who claims to have the gift of healing. (And by the way, there are many pagan, wiccan and occultic groups and gnostic/metaphysical religions like Christian Science, which is an oxymoron because it’s neither Christian nor Science), Religious Science and numerous other “Mind Science” groups claim to experience “divine healings,” — which presents a dilemma for Charismatics who rely on subjective experiences and personal testimonies when people who reject the Bible claim to have the same experiences that they have.

People who claim to “impart” miraculous powers that are ascribed solely and ONLY to the Holy Spirit and are subject to His discretion are nothing more than charlatans, frauds, and hucksters.

Hyper-charismatic salesmen and saleswomen who charge money to “train” people how to “heal and/or prophesy” in their schools of “Supernatural Ministry” are no different from Simon, the sorcerer in Acts:8:4-24 [4] Therefore they that were scattered abroad went every where preaching the word. [5] Then Philip went down to the city of Samaria, and preached Christ unto them. [6] And the people with one accord gave heed unto those things which Philip spake, hearing and seeing the miracles which he did. [7] For unclean spirits, crying with loud voice, came out of many that were possessed with them: and many taken with palsies, and that were lame, were healed. [8] And there was great joy in that city. [9] But there was a certain man, called Simon, which beforetime in the same city used sorcery, and bewitched the people of Samaria, giving out that himself was some great one: [10] To whom they all gave heed, from the least to the greatest, saying, This man is the great power of God. [11] And to him they had regard, because that of long time he had bewitched them with sorceries. [12] But when they believed Philip preaching the things concerning the kingdom of God, and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women. [13] Then Simon himself believed also: and when he was baptized, he continued with Philip, and wondered, beholding the miracles and signs which were done. [14] Now when the apostles which were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent unto them Peter and John: [15] Who, when they were come down, prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Ghost: [16] (For as yet he was fallen upon none of them: only they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.) [17] Then laid they their hands on them, and they received the Holy Ghost. [18] And when Simon saw that through laying on of the apostles' hands the Holy Ghost was given, he offered them money, [19] Saying, Give me also this power, that on whomsoever I lay hands, he may receive the Holy Ghost. [20] But Peter said unto him, Thy money perish with thee, because thou hast thought that the gift of God may be purchased with money. [21] Thou hast neither part nor lot in this matter: for thy heart is not right in the sight of God. [22] Repent therefore of this thy wickedness, and pray God, if perhaps the thought of thine heart may be forgiven thee. [23] For I perceive that thou art in the gall of bitterness, and in the bond of iniquity. [24] Then answered Simon, and said, Pray ye to the LORD for me, that none of these things which ye have spoken come upon me.
See All.... He was quite willing to pay money to receive the miraculous gifts. And Peter’s response was quick and direct:

“May your silver perish with you, because you thought you could obtain the gift of God with money! You have no part or portion in this matter, for your heart is not right before God. Repent, therefore, of this wickedness and pray to the Lord that, if possible, the intention of your heart may be forgiven you. For I see that you are in the gall of bitterness and in the bondage of iniquity.”  (Acts:8:20-23 [20] But Peter said unto him, Thy money perish with thee, because thou hast thought that the gift of God may be purchased with money. [21] Thou hast neither part nor lot in this matter: for thy heart is not right in the sight of God. [22] Repent therefore of this thy wickedness, and pray God, if perhaps the thought of thine heart may be forgiven thee. [23] For I perceive that thou art in the gall of bitterness, and in the bond of iniquity.
See All...)

But Simon did what was right and should be an example to the marketers of miraculous gifts. They should do what he did and repent.

Simon answered:

“Pray for me to the Lord, that nothing of what you have said may come upon me.” (Acts:8:24Then answered Simon, and said, Pray ye to the LORD for me, that none of these things which ye have spoken come upon me.
See All...)

My hope is that the charlatans of the hyper-charismatic movement will repent before they experience the judgment that Simon desperately wanted to avoid.

https://midwestoutreach.org/2025/01/16/concerning-signs-wonders/#comment-107238