Christian Publishing House Blog
Apologetic Defense of the faith, the Bible, and Christianity
While it is widely held that all one hundred twenty in the Upper Room received the gift of tongues on the Day of Pentecost, Scripture nowhere says this. In fact, there is good evidence to indicate that the gift of tongues was limited only to the apostles or to those to whom they gave the gift.
The speaking with other or with new tongues, or simply speaking with tongues, which, along with miraculous powers, the Lord had expressly promised to his disciples before his ascension, (Mk. 16:17), marks, in its first appearance, that creative act of the Holy Spirit, in which he for the first time broke through the confines of nature, took forcible possession, so to speak, of the human mind, and solemnly consecrated human language to become the organ of the gospel.
"Because Christ is all in all, and all revelation and redemption alike are summed up in Him, it would be inconceivable that either revelation or its accompanying signs should continue after the completion of that great revelation with its accrediting works." Counterfeit Miracles is a vigorous argument against the existence of the supernatural spiritual gifts.
What was the purpose of the miracles that Jesus performed? Why, then, are all those today not cured? Does God work miracles through multitudes of often conflicting channels and frauds?
Jesus performed healing miracles. Faith healers today claim to imitate him. Interest in faith healing is at an all-time high. Does the Bible support the claims of faith healers? Are actual cures performed, and if so how can they be explained? A study of the Bible reveals several crucial differences between the cures reported in the Bible and those reported by faith healers today.
Snake handling or serpent handling[1] is a religious ritual in a few Pentecostal churches in the U.S., usually characterized as rural and part of the Holiness movement. The practice began in the early 20th century in Appalachia, and plays only a small part in the church service. Practitioners believe serpent-handling dates to antiquity and quote the Gospel of Mark and the Gospel of Luke to support the practice
Speaking in Tongues was an extraordinary gift conveyed through the Holy Spirit to a number of disciples starting at Pentecost 33 C.E. that made it possible for them to speak or otherwise glorify God in a tongue in addition to their own.
What was the reason for the speaking in tongues and has it ever ceased?
Really, there are three different thoughts when it comes to faith healing: (1) the scandalous evangelist standing on stage healing some cripple, and (2) some person living through or recovering from some tragic illness or accident. (3) For others, they picture Jesus and Paul healing the sick, Jesus raising the dead. Most though, see or imagine the little girl in the wheelchair in an audience that can move nothing but her eyes, as the preacher is ...
Many miracles took place during the times of both Moses and Elijah/Elisha in the Old Testament. The Gospels also record at least 35 miracles by Jesus, while the New Testament records many others that took place at the hands of His disciples. Yet often we do not experience similar miracles today. Does God still perform miracles?