Spiritism versus Spirituality

by Terry Wane Benton Spiritism is occultic, feeling and mood-based, and imagination-based, whereas “spirituality” is revelation and scripture-based. Those who are truly “spiritual” will acknowledge that the things Paul wrote are the commandments of the Lord (I Corinthians 14:35f). Spiritism is trying to contact the dead, spirit world through imagination and feeling-based seances. Here, you…

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The Providence of God and Miracles

by Osamagbe Lesley Egharevba via Unmasking Sophistry, Vol. 4, No. 2, April-June 2024 It is a common teaching among the Pentecostals that miracles exist today. We often hear various claims among different churches about certain miracles that were performed. Sadly, even among some members of the churches of Christ, there seem to be those who…

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How do I convince a Pentecostal of the truth about miracles?

Question: When you get time would you look over these responses I saw from a Oneness Pentecostal in a discussion with a brother over miracles? I completely agree that miracles ceased, and that which is perfect is referring to the word of God, but the Pentecostal Oneness member brings up some stuff I have never…

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Your answer on the Azusa Street Revival was excellent

Question: Hello. God bless you. I read your excellent question and answer about the Azusa Street Revival. Most of the documentaries that I have been able to find on this cursed movement of Satan are apologies, speaking of it in glowing terms when they should be lamenting the error-prone and unbiblical elements of this “bad tree” that…

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The Anointing of the Spirit

Text: I John 2:18-29   I.         The other day, one of my boys needed help with a math problem, so I asked him to show me the problem. He brought in his paper on which he was working.             A.        “No,” I said, “I need to see the original problem in the book.”             B.        “But I copied just as…

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If Christ Built Only One, Where Did They All Come From?

by Jefferson David Tant At the beginning of the gospel age, there was but one church, and now, 2000 years later, according to some reports, there are over 1,200. How did this happen? People wonder where they all came from. Is this division and confusion what Christ intended? Let’s examine this situation to see just…

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The Charismatic Movement

https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/CharismaticMovement.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Download Audio Text: I Corinthians 14:6-12   I.         As we continue our tracing of how various denominations came to be,             A.        We examined how the Pietiest influenced the beliefs of John Wesley and the Methodist societies that he established.                         1.         In particular was an emphasis on the need for a personal experience to…

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Why I am No Longer a Pentecostal

by William Davis There were no miracles, no power, no gifts, no healings, nothing but the theatrical antics and delusions of men. What was claimed as the great power of God was nothing more than musical hype and psychologically induced emotionalism. I would like to begin by giving some background information concerning my roots in…

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Coming Out of Pentecostalism

by Bill Davis One of the greatest challenges for any Pentecostal to overcome is to accept the fact that God no longer works miracles today as he did in times past. Three years ago I wrote a series of three articles in Seek the Old Paths on Why I Left the Pentecostal Church (June, July, August 2013). In those…

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What about the prophecy and tongue-speaking that I’ve witnessed?

Question: Whether prophecy has ceased or not ceased is one of the issues I am struggling with as a seminary student. I read your article about the gifts of the Holy Spirit, and let’s say you are right. But what about those prayer warriors who prophesy and speak in tongues in today’s Christian churches? And…

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How do I convince my Pentecostal parents of God’s truth?

Question: Dear Minister, My father and mother are pastors of a Pentecostal church. I do not agree with what they believe — relying on experience and emotions rather than being fully grounded on the Word of God. I do not want them to stay in that belief forever. I want them to be brought into…

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I sinned with the girl God sent to me. Can God turn this around?

Question: Hello there, I just found this site, and I’ve been reading it quite a bit. I’m not quite sure how to form my question but I need to tell the background of it first. I wasn’t a reborn Christian years ago, but I did grow up in a Pentecostal family. Back then I prayed…

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Going to the Source (The Anointing of the Spirit)

https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/GoingToTheSource.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: I John 2:18-29   I.         The other day, one of my boys needed help with a math problem, so I asked him to show me the problem. He brought in his paper on which he was working.             A.        “No,” I said, “I need to see the original problem in the book.”…

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How do I call prayer points?

Question: Hello Sir, I will be leading a prayer meeting (small group). The title is “Trusting God”, from Psalm 125:1. Please how do I go about it, especially calling the prayer points? I have led prayer meetings in the group in the past, but I want to do this right. My church, the teenage church,…

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Have Miracles Ceased?

https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/HaveMiraclesCeased.mp3 Text: John 9:14-34   I.         Several denominations teach the continuance of miracles             A.        Proofs offered are based on emotional feelings and indirect evidence (I know a person who heard a person claim they saw …)             B.        The standard appealed to is what a person thinks is right             C.        To oppose is taken as the same as calling the…

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Why does my wife despise me?

Question: I desperately need godly counsel concerning my marriage. Let me start out by setting up the scenario first. I met my wife at church when I was a teenager. We were friends for the first few years, then started dating, and then got engaged. She is the only woman I have ever dated or…

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Must a person fall when hands are laid on them?

Question: Dear Sir, Many pastors expect the person they lay hands and pray for to fall backward. Many worshipers also seem to be attracted to this falling, thinking it’s an act of the Holy Spirit though there was no result from this. To me, this act does not seem to be biblical. Please let me…

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What is the difference between Pentecostals and Baptists?

Question: Hi, I have a question about the differences between the Christian religions. I started going to a Pentecostal church. I love this church. I got baptized in this church, but I moved to a different city so I started to look for a Pentecostal church. I found one near my house but after going…

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Why was I lied to about finding a wife?

Question: I see that you are of the Church of Christ. I don’t know much about the Church of Christ.  I was raised Baptist and for the last ten years, I have been in the Pentecostal faith.  Of course, I love all my brothers and sisters in the Lord. My story is a unique one,…

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How do I reach my Pentecostal girlfriend with the truth?

Question: I have been dating my girlfriend for quite some time now. We are very much in love and care very deeply for each other. We’re both Christians, although I attend a non-denominational church of Christ congregation and she attends a Pentecostal-ish congregation. I tried my best to show her what I know as the…

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I enjoyed your article on the Azusa Street revival

Question: I grew up in a Church of Christ. I’m in a foreign country teaching English, and a friend of mine sent me a book about revival. It’s called The Blueprint: A revolutionary plan to plant missional communities on campus. I don’t really like the book so far because of a lot of charismatic gibber jabber.…

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Things You Will Never See at a Pentecostal “Healing” Service

Author Unknown One raised from the dead, like Jesus did (John 11:38:44). The blind made to see, like Jesus did (John 9:1-12). The deaf made to hear, like Jesus did (Mark 7:31-37). An ear restored, as Jesus did (Luke 22:49-51). A leper cleansed, like Jesus did (Matthew 8:1-4). Restoration of a withered hand, as Jesus…

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What do you think about the Azusa Street Revival?

Question: What do you think of the Azusa Street revival with William J. Seymour? Answer: The events at the Azusa Street revival in 1906 is frequently cited as the beginning of the Pentecostal movement. Numerous charismatic denominations refer to this revival as the beginning of their particular beliefs. Four denominations which were founded in the…

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Must you speak in tongues to have the Holy Spirit?

Question: Is it true, as most Pentecostals say, that if you do not speak in tongues, you do not have the Holy Spirit? Answer: “Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I do not want you to be ignorant: … There are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. There are differences of ministries, but the same…

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