Tag: Charismaticism

Protestant Reformers: Apostles or Not?

John Calvin distinguishes between ordinary and extraordinary church offices, asserting that Pastors and Teachers are permanent, while Apostles, Prophets, and Evangelists were temporary. He argues that while the latter were essential for the church’s foundation, God may still raise them up in special circumstances, emphasizing the Reformers’ roles in restoring purity during crises, analogous to the Apostolic mission.… Read More Protestant Reformers: Apostles or Not?

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Satan’s Feigned Retreat

Demons retreat in exorcism, not because it is of divine efficacy, but because they want to further entrench men in superstition. That demons would feign to be defeated by the use of mere formulas of words, crucifixes, holy water, prayers to Mary, or any other carnal means should be no surprise to us. Scripture teaches that Satan is the father of lies (John 8:44), and that he presents himself as “an angel of light” (2 Cor. 11:14) in order to deceive us into error and sin. False teachers likewise appear to us “in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves” (Mat. 7:15; cf. 2 Cor. 11:13). Demons love to harden men in their superstitions by pretending that carnal means are inherently efficacious, so that men will be turned away from true remedies and sound doctrine.… Read More Satan’s Feigned Retreat

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Cessation of the Miraculous Gifts | John Calvin

Miracles were promised only for a time, in order to give luster to the gospel, while it was new and in a state of obscurity… The true design for which miracles were appointed was, that nothing which was necessary for proving the doctrine of the gospel should be wanting at its commencement. And certainly we see that the use of them ceased not long afterwards. … Read More Cessation of the Miraculous Gifts | John Calvin

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The Crucial Value of Experimental Religion

Robert Burns (1789–1869)The Works of the Rev. Thomas HalyburtonIntroductory Essay, pp. 9-21. There are two extremes into which professing Christians of the present day are very apt to fall. While one class adopts a system of doctrinal sentiments without any practical regard to their influence on the heart and on the life; others satisfy themselves… Read More The Crucial Value of Experimental Religion

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