Anyone who has been in a church under the umbrella of Charismatic Christianity (which includes Pentecostal, Assembly of God, etc) has seen the ‘signs and wonders’ which had been seen in the works of the Apostles in the first century of the church. I have already written on tongues, that can be view by going to the main list of articles. This article is going to be a general overview and why the ‘signs following’ as seen in Holy Scripture no longer occur in that manner.

First we must look at the position of Apostle. With the original apostles (the 11), and we will include Justus Matthias as he was chosen by lot to replace Judas. This will also include the Apostle Paul. These 12 men were the only Apostles of Christ. By definition, an Apostle has to have one very specific criteria. Interacted with and chosen by Jesus Christ himself. Matthias is included, because Judas needed to replaced after his apostasy and death. The number was 12 because there were to be 12 main disciples (later Apostles) to correspond with the 12 tribes of Israel. And while Paul started towards the Jews, he was sent to the Gentiles. While others also went out of Israel into the world, we know that Paul was the one for the Gentiles.

From the death of John on Patmos, no other disciple (slave of Christ) meets the requirements to be an Apostle. And I do understand that today we have many self described “apostles”, but they don’t meet the requirements of the first century Apostles. Today’s so called apostles, are so only because of a supposed personal revelation. Revelation tells us not to add or detract from scripture. A personal revelation adds to scripture and would make the Holy Scriptures a continually added to book, not the Inspired Word of God in its finality.

None of those deemed Apostolic Father (those who studied under the Apostles like Clement and Polycarp). The majority of denominations recognize these men because there is proof of their being with the original Apostles. But their writings are not considered Inspired of God and placed in Canon of Scripture. They are considered theologians, but humanly so, meaning their writings could contain errors. But if you read their writings (and I do suggest that you do for theological perspective due to their proximity to the Apostles), you will not see any ‘signs and wonders’ beyond the Apostles.

Nowhere between the death of John and the early 20th century are there any records of ‘signs following’ from any slave of Christ. None. For a great history on the modern Charismatic Umbrella ‘signs and wonders’ check the Strange Fire Conference and the Charismatic history presented by Justin Peters. Both can be found on YouTube. These programs have a very detailed history of the Charismatic Umbrella.

The gifts of the Spirit: tongues (which is a known language according to the Greek word helios), healing, etc were for the Apostles to show the magnificence of God’s glory when the church was first being formed. After that, what the Holy Spirit gives us is listed in Galatians 5:22-23 “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,   Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.” It is these fruits that show a person has the Holy Spirit indwelling in them.

James tells us how healing comes. “Is any among you afflicted? let him pray. Is any merry? let him sing psalms.   Is any sick among you? let him call for the elders of the church; and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord:   And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up; and if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him.” (James 5:13-15).

We are told by Paul that even those who come from Satan will show signs. “Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders,   And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved.   And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie:   That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.” (2 Thess 9-12)

I must make this clear. YES, God still heals. Yes, God still can raise from the dead. Yes, God can do as He wishes. With something like healing, yes its real. Not because a person lays hands on someone, but because God chooses to. Paul himself asked for healing for an eye issue. God told him no. I have seen the power of healing. In my own family, as well as others. But in the Charismatic Umbrella, when someone is not healed, its because the person ‘lacks faith’. NO, its because there are times when God’s glory shines the brightest through the tribulations and trials we have to face.

So be careful and don’t fall into the erroneous assumption that signs and wonders are from God. 1900 years, or so, of history shows that the signs by the Apostles were for that time of the church. Now everything needed to know comes from scripture, not personal revelation. Healing is from God’s sovereignty alone. And as James tells us, comes through prayer. But we have to remember that sometimes, God says NO. Not because you lack faith or that God is mean. But because He will show His glory however he chooses to.

Read Holy Scripture, listen to theologically sound biblical doctrine, and pray. If you are a true believer in Christ and follow his commandments (yes, those two go together as stated in multiple verses), then you have the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. The fruits are the proof, not Apostolic signs and wonders as promoted by the Charismatic umbrella of denominations.

May God keep you blessed.