CHARISMATICS 1

By Rick Mathes

1 Corinthians 12:7-11 But to each one is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good. ⁸ For to one is given the word of wisdom through the Spirit, and to another the word of knowledge according to the same Spirit; ⁹ to another faith by the same Spirit, and to another gifts of healing by the one Spirit, ¹⁰ and to another the effecting of miracles, and to another prophecy, and to another the distinguishing of spirits, to another various kinds of tongues, and to another the interpretation of tongues. ¹¹ But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually just as He wills.

Fifty years after Paul penned Second Corinthians, Clement continued this epistle because the next generation of the Church of Corinth was still abusing the sign gifts as they are today. I have a standing offer of $1,000 for anyone on this planet that can prove they have a sign gift.

Let me ask you Mr. Spirit Filled Christian, “Do you really have a closer walk with God than I do?” Is your walk with Him closer than Chrysostom, Luther, Calvin, Spurgeon and a litany of other fellow believers who do not claim to have the sign gifts?”

I have personally witnessed Jim Baker’s staff provide rented wheel chairs to older people standing in line for the healing service to be later wheeled out on the stage and miraculously walking from the chair! This “show time” is the equivalent of Saturday Night Wrestling on TV.

Even the famous Kansas City Prophets claim that they are only 70% successful with prophesies which is laughable. Faith healer Oral Roberts claimed that 4% of those patients in his ministry hospital (do you see the humor) were cured by prayer. Doctors of any hospital will tell you that 4% of their patients have psychosomatic illnesses (in their head). I could write a book on all the bogus claims I have seen and heard in my lifetime alone.

Their false prophets and faith healers with anointed prayer cloths are a complete charade. I stop just short of claiming that they are all from hell. Even Kenneth Hagen, Ken Copeland and Benny Hinn have led souls to an awakening of their salvation. My assessment before you and God is that this whole industry of merchandising Christ is pure spiritual humbug. Stay tuned for “Charismatics 2” to soon follow!