It is so funny to me how believers pick and choose what things they think are “New Age” and what things are “Christian.” For example, are trances “New Age” or Christian? Well, the Apostle Peter fell into a trance. Here is the reference: “I was in the city of Joppa praying; and in a trance I saw a vision: A vessel like a great sheet was descending, let down from heaven by four corners, and it came to me” (Acts 11:5).
The Apostle Paul also experienced a trance. Here is his reference; “When I returned to Jerusalem and was praying in the temple, I fell into a trance” (Act 22:17).
Are angel visitations “New Age” or Christian? Are you aware that angels are mentioned 185 times in the New Testament alone? There were at least 20 angelic visitations in the book of Acts alone. In contrast, the Holy Spirit is mentioned 223 times in the New Testament.
When some people read the words of Jesus like these, “For false Christs and false prophets will arise and show great signs and wonder to deceive, if possible, even the elect” (Matt. 24:24), they are convinced that Jesus said, “In the last days all the prophets will be false.” Nobody would be fooled if there were no real prophets. Most of the heresy-hunters don’t believe there are prophets in the last days, so they deem all signs and wonders as false.
Of course there are false prophets, false signs and wonders, demonic trances and demonic tongues, but the devil only counterfeits things that are valuable. Nobody ever counterfeited a penny or a dollar bill; it’s too much work for very little impact. But in their zeal to not be deceived, some Christians take anything that is counterfeited and assign it to the New Age movement; consequently, what’s left is a powerless church. Paul warned Timothy about these people when he said, “Know this: In the last days perilous times will come … [People ] having a form of godliness, but denying its power. Turn away from such people” (2 Tim. 3:1, 5).
The Gospel Is Powerful
The truth is that you can’t separate the gospel from the power of God. Paul put it like this: “By the power of signs and wonders, by the power of the Spirit of God, so that from Jerusalem and as far around as Illyricum, I have fully preached the gospel of Christ.” (Rom.15:19).
If someone teaches that there are no longer gifts of the Spirit—prophecy, healing, deliverance are not for today—all spiritual experiences and/or supernatural encounters have passed, are not these people false teachers? Is it just not just as dangerous to remove the power of God from the people of God as it is to be deceived? In fact, isn’t this deception?
Peter said, ” … just as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies …” (2 Pet. 2:1).
“For if you were to have ten thousand instructors in Christ, yet you do not have many fathers. In Christ Jesus I have become a father to you through the gospel. But I will come to you shortly if the Lord wills. And I will know not only what those who are arrogant are saying, but also their power. For the kingdom of God is not in word, but in power”. (1 Cor. 4:15, 19-20).
Many of the heresy teachers have become the very thing that they are warning everybody about. As Job said, the thing they feared came upon them (see Job 3:25).
The devil has a great strategy to disarm the church: Convince her that the weapons of warfare are of the devil.
My Spirit Guide
I have a Spirit Guide; His name is Holy, and he guides me into all truth. “But when the Spirit of truth comes, He will guide you into all truth” (John 16:13).
How has this blog impacted you? Let me know in the comments below. {eoa}
Kris Vallotton is the senior associate leader of Bethel Church in Redding, California, and co-founder of Bethel School of Supernatural Ministry (BSSM). Kris travels internationally, training and equipping people to successfully fulfill their divine purpose. He’s a best-selling author, having written more than a dozen books and training manuals to help prepare believers for life in the kingdom. He has a diverse background in business, counseling, consulting, pastoring and teaching, which gives him unique leadership insights and perspectives. Kris has a passion to use his experience and his prophetic gift to assist world leaders in achieving their goals and accomplishing their mission.
This article originally appeared at krisvallotton.com.
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