Doctrinal Misconceptions - Protestant Apocryphal/Teaching Is This True or False, According to the Bible.... - An individual’s claim to be a prophet or an apostle, or to have the gift of miracles (leading in miracle and deliverance ministries,) is proven by the fact that during his ministry he proclaims Jesus as Lord, leads those gathered in worship hymns, casts out demons and performs miracles. Dear Prayer Warriors, Each week, I will be posting a series of true and false questions, with the answers appearing below. The object of these questions is for you to test yourself--not a test of obscure Bible trivia but a test of whether you are holding on to Biblical revelation or to myths and legends passed down by men. You should ask yourself, “If I have believed this myth, what other myths do I believe?” The goal is that you will be challenged to faithfully read and study the Holy Scriptures and base your convictions on the holy, eternal, inerrant, written Word of God.
1. FALSE - An individual’s claim to be a prophet or an apostle, or to have the gift of miracles (leading in miracle and deliverance ministries,) is proven by the fact that during his ministry he proclaims Jesus as Lord, leads the congregation in worship hymns, casts out demons and performs miracles in the name of Jesus. The test of a false prophet, false apostle or false miracle-worker is not simply his ability to repeat the phrase “Jesus is Lord,” when performing signs and wonders. Simply to do miracles in Jesus’ name and praise Jesus is not sufficient to pass the testing of their ministry. a. Demons can and do – prophecy Acts 16:16 “It happened that as we were going to the place of prayer, a slave-girl having a spirit of divination met us, who was bringing her masters much profit by fortune-telling.” Revelation 2:20 'But I have this against you, that you tolerate the woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess, and she teaches and leads My bond-servants astray so that they commit acts of immorality and eat things sacrificed to idols. (On a side note, notice that one of the indications of the demon spirit Jezebel is that she leads and teaches men in the name of her gift of prophecy. Contrast this with the teaching of God the Holy Spirit in 1 Timothy 2:12 “But I do not allow a woman to teach or exercise authority over a man, but to remain quiet.” A good question to ask is, “Which spirit am I obeying?” b. Demons can and do – perform miracles Exodus 7:11 “Then Pharaoh also called for the wise men and the sorcerers, and they also, the magicians of Egypt, did the same with their secret arts. “ Exodus 7:22”But the magicians of Egypt did the same with their secret arts; and Pharaoh's heart was hardened, and he did not listen to them, as the LORD had said.” Exodus 8:7 The magicians did the same with their secret arts, making frogs come up on the land of Egypt.” c. Demons can and do – cast out demons Mathew 7:22 " Many will say to Me on that day, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name cast out demons, and in Your name perform many miracles?' d. Demons can and do – proclaim Jesus as Lord Mathew 7:21 " Not everyone who says to Me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven will enter. Mark 5:7 “and shouting with a loud voice, he said, " What business do we have with each other, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I implore You by God, do not torment me!" Acts 16:16-17 16 It happened that as we were going to the place of prayer, a slave-girl having a spirit of divination met us, who was bringing her masters much profit by fortune-telling. 17 Following after Paul and us, she kept crying out, saying, "These men are bond-servants of the Most High God, who are proclaiming to you the way of salvation." e. Demons can and do – sing worship hymns—i.e. The Mormon Tabernacle Choir. As we have discovered in #5, pagans can and do perform praise music and put on great praise events. In fact, many pagans can do these performances professionally and with great skill. f. Demons can and do – perform signs and wonders 2 Thessalonians 2:9 “that is, the one whose coming is in accord with the activity of Satan, with all power and signs and false wonders ,” Mark 13:22 “for false Christs and false prophets will arise, and will show signs and wonders, in order to lead astray, if possible, the elect.” g. As you read this warning from Jesus in Matthew 7:21-23, take a moment to reflect on the power of demons to deceive. What do you believe concerning the proof of one’s ministry that would make you susceptible to deception? 21 " Not everyone who says to Me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven will enter. 22 " Many will say to Me on that day, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name cast out demons, and in Your name perform many miracles?' 23 "And then I will declare to them, 'I never knew you; DEPART FROM ME, YOU WHO PRACTICE LAWLESSNESS.’)
By His mercy, II Corinthians 4:1 Rev. John S. Mahon Director – Grace Community Int. Grace Community International goes mobile! The Grace Community International free app for iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch is now available on the App Store. Now available as well on Android Listen to sermons and workshops delivered at conferences around the world. Keep up-to-date with Rev. Mahon's blog. View Grace Community International ministry photo albums. Search "Grace Community International" on the App Store today!
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