[boatbums]

And with these gifts, there's no mention of them passing away when perfection comes.

Yeah, but, then the passing collection plate may not get as full as fast with THOSE gifts among the congregation as with the fancy, wowy, showy ones. ;o)

[metmom]

You know, when I hear about the lifestyles of those faith healers, their lavish lifestyles, their immoral escapades, and some of the completely whacked out things they teach and write, I don’t know why on earth anyone would follow them, signs notwithstanding.

The signs don’t negate all the rest of their unscriptural lifestyle and teachings. Their fruit should disqualify their gifts as being authentic, as opposed to their gifts disqualifying their fruit. IOW, you ignore the gifts if the fruit is rotten, not ignore the fruit if the gifts are there.

After all, we’re told that by their fruits we will know them, not by their gifts we will know them.

[caww]

All these counterfiet gifts, practiced by many cults, false religious teachers as well as the Pentacoastal/Charismatic movements, and those who adhere to their teachings, know the 'uniting' these gifts bring among them.....it makes them feel significant and important... and something which they share a comradery about....it is "common ground" which connects them and seemingly rises them above this world into "heavenly places" ...much as the New Age Spirituality practices and beliefs claim today....different means but the end result is identical.....a strong emphasis on the "experiences" and the "feelings" which come and "believing" these confirm they are ok in the eyes of God.

..... Note I didn't say Jesus connects them because it is primarily 'the expereinces' they have as individuals, the sharing of and participation in as a group which unite them....they "expereince" a sense of being set apart by what they perceive is from God....and these practices characterize the 'Counterfeit Revival' currently showing it's face more and more.

Certainly this applies to the Pentecostal-Charismatic movement. It has rightly been called.... 'the glue of the End Times Apostasy.'... The only protection from it is to obey the Bible and separate from it.

The Bible clearly warns:

"Mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which you have learned, and avoid them" (Romans 16:17).

I have said before this world is ripe for signs and wonders because "faith" is no longer coming from reading and studying The Word of God...it's now based on these various "experiences"....rather than THE Faith which comes by hearing and hearing the Word of God"...not by signs and wonders with Jesus's name attached in order to qualify them.