Since the Charismatic movement puts so much emphasis on Signs & Wonders, and most of all "Speaking in Tongues", I thought that I would put down some scriptures to help point people in the right direction. It is clear from looking at their teachings that they don't put much credence in Rightly Dividing God's Word. The Bible is clear on just who the "Signs & Wonders" are for. You will see this as you follow this study.

Origin of Signs & Wonders:

The first mention of signs in your Bible, is in {Ex. 4:8}, and has to do with the Nation of Israel. God is preparing Moses to lead the Children of Israel out of Egypt, but they are an unbelieving people that want a sign from God. Tongues, Healings, and Miracles are all signs for Israel, but Satan has counterfeited them and is using the Charismatic movement to help incorporate them into Christianity today. Below is a list of signs for Israel.

1 Corinthians 1:22 - For the Jews require a sign, and the Greeks seek after wisdom:

[1]. Burning Bush - First real sign for Israel {Ex. 3:2, 11-15}.
[2]. Healing - First actual healing {Ex. 4:6-9} see also {Ex.15:23-26}.
[3]. Moses' Rod - {Ex. 4:1-5}.
[4]. The Rock - {Num. 20:7-9,11}.
[5]. Serpent & Healing - {Num. 21:7-9}.
[6]. The Sabbath - {Ezk. 20:10-12,19-20}.
[7]. Circumcision - {Rom. 4:11}.
[8]. Tongues - {1 Cor. 14:22}.

History of Signs & Wonders:
The Apostles and Jesus must have Signs & Wonders to convince Israel!

[1]. Healing - {Matt. 4:23-25}.
[2]. Casting out devils - {Lk. 4:33-39}.
[3]. Apostles have the same signs - {Matt. 10:1-8}.
[4]. Healing - {Mk. 6:1-10}.
[5]. Signs for Apostles & Jews - {Mk. 16:14-18}.
[6]. Apostolic Signs - {2 Cor. 2:12}.
[7]. To be an Apostle - You Must have seen Jesus {1 Jn. 1:1-3}, You Must be a witness of his resurrection {Acts 1:15-26}. An Apostle must remain true to his calling {Rev. 2:2 found to be liars}.

Many Charismatic and Pentecostal people claim to have Apostolic powers. Even the Pope "thinks" this. He believes that his power was handed down to him from St. Peter. If these so-called "Apostles" don't meet the about criteria, they are liars according to God's Word {Rev. 2:2 found to be liars}.

End of Signs & Wonders:
As God turns from unbelieving Israel to the Gentiles, the signs begin to fade out.

[1]. Importance of Tongues begins to fade - {1 Cor. 14;1-end; after Acts 19 tongues is out}.
[2]. Healing begins to fade out - After Acts 7 there's no healing in Jerusalem {2 Cor. 12:7-10}.
[3]. Medicine is okayed - {1 Tim. 5:23}.
[4]. People are left sick - {2 Tim. 4:20}.
[5]. The ability to get out of jail fades - {Acts 5:19; 12:7 - can't get out after Acts 28}.

Signs & Wonders Today:
The signs are counterfeited by Satan and will be done by the Antichrist

[1]. The Antichrist - {2 Thess. 2:1-10}.
[2]. His Power - {Rev. 13:1-18; 16:13-14}.
[3]. His followers, present and future - {2 Cor. 11:13-15}.

Summary:

Tongues, Healings, and Miracles are all signs given to Israel, by God to show them that he is dealing with them as a nation. They have to do with setting up a nation, and Jesus Christ reigning over them. If you will notice they all have to do with something that is predominately "physical". Since the Kingdom of Heaven is a physical, visible kingdom here on earth, these signs are needed to convince an unbelieving people of God's intentions.

Since Gentiles seek after wisdom (1 Cor. 1:22), these signs fade away after God turns from Israel to the Gentiles when they reject his message.

Most of the emphasis today by Charismatics is on the physical and not the spiritual. This in turn is one mark of a carnal bunch of people. The Corinthian church of Paul's day was the most carnal church that Paul dealt with. They too put a great amount of emphasis on the physical ... especially "Speaking in Tongues".

Remember Paul's command: 2Tim. 2:15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

 

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