Are you interested in the Truth from God's word?  If so, you
have come to the right place!  

This web site is dedicated to teaching the truth that is found in
the Holy Bible, which is the inspired word of God.  The Bible is
the only source we use for what we believe and teach.

Confused by all of the different religions in the world today?
The bible helps to clear up this confusion by clearly teaching us about the
only church that God established through his Son Jesus.  Click on the
"About Us" link to learn about this church.  

Have you ever wondered what you need to do to be saved?
Clink on the link "How to Be Saved" and see the steps that the Bible says
one must follow to be saved.                       

Interested in listening to a sermon?  Just click on the "Audio
Sermon" link and you can listen to a sermon right on the web
site or you can download it and listen to it on your mp3 player.
Aurora church
of Christ
                                 The Bible warns us of
                     The Dangers of Denominationalism

    And here's what it says…

In the U.S. there are over 250 different kinds of mainstream denominations; and many more splinter groups
from off these denominations.  Have you ever wondered where they all came from?  Are they all pleasing to
God?

What is a denomination?
In Mt. 16:18 Jesus said "I will build my church".  I believe that the Son of God meant what He said.  Most
other folks, though, believe that He really meant "I will build my denominations".  Are these two statements
the same? - NO
Notice how Webster's New World Dictionary defines the following terms:
'Denomination' -- "1. the act of denominating" (denominate - to give a specified name to)  "…  3. a class or
kind …having a specified name or value [coins of different denominations]  4. a particular religious sect or
body, with a specific name, organization, etc."
'Sect' -- "A religious denomination, esp. a small group that has broken away from an established church."
'Denominationalism' -- "…3. acceptance or support of such principles or system  4. division into
denominations" (Webster's, 1984, pg. 377).

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                                             Have miracles ceased or a they still being performed today?
    Here is what the Bible says:

Miracles Were Given To Confirm Truth:

God worked miracles thru men in times past to spread and confirm His truth.  He did so with Moses (Ex. 4:1-8, 29-31).  Moses spoke God's truth,
and then God confirmed it with signs.

The miracles which Jesus performed were to confirm His Divinity, and His words as coming from the Father (Mt. 11:2-5; Jn. 20:30-31).

The miracles that the apostles of the Lord performed were done for the same reasons (Mk. 16:17-20).  Jesus promised His apostles a 'baptism of the
Holy Spirit' (Acts 1:5).  They would be guided into 'all truth' (Acts 16:13).  They would receive power to be witnesses (Acts 1:8).  When the promise
was fulfilled, they were able to have the word be confirmed before others (Acts 2; Heb. 2:3-4).

Does Jesus have to return to the earth and perform miracles for us to believe that He raised the dead, gave sight to the blind, cleansed lepers, and
healed the sick?  Do the apostles have to come back and perform miracles for us to believe their testimony about Christ?  Once a thing is proved, it is
forever proved, is it not?

We now have the evidence in writing -- the written word of God (Jn. 20:30-31).  This is how God established that we could have faith in Him and His
Word (Rom. 10:17).  And, His inspired written Word furnishes us completely in all things that God wants us to do (2 Tim. 3:16-17).  If a person will
not be convinced by God's written word, how can he be convinced though one come back from the dead? (Lk. 16:19-31).  Miracles have fulfilled
their scripture-revealed purpose.  They are no longer needed to do the things which God had ordained them to do.

The Means Of Men Obtaining Miraculous Power:

Miraculous power was bestowed upon men in the N.T. times by two means: 1) Baptism of the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:4, 43); and, 2) Conferring by (the
laying on of) the apostles' hands (Acts 8:14-18; 19:1-7).

The apostles of Christ were the only men upon whom the baptism of the Holy Spirit was promised.  They were the only men who actually received
an overwhelming of God's power.  All other men received limited power from the apostles coming into physical contact with them.  A solitary case
mentioned in Acts 10 showed the household of Cornelius receiving the miraculous power to speak in tongues, not by the apostles but directly from
God, as a sign of the Gentiles' acceptance into the realm of those who could believe and obey the gospel and become Christians (Cf. Acts 11:15-18).

It is certainly obvious that the "Baptism of the Holy Spirit" was meant for those to whom it was promised.  And, it was never promised unto anyone
else but the apostles.  It is also obvious that this was a limited-time offer, for Paul in Eph. 4:5 (over 20 yrs. later) wrote that there is only 'one'
baptism.  And, Peter wrote in 1 Pet. 3:21 that baptism is in water.  Thus there is no more Holy Spirit baptism by which men may receive power to
perform   miracles.

Since the promise of H.S. baptism was fulfilled, and since the men unto whom it was promised are no longer alive, then the means by which this
power was conferred (laying on of apostles' hands) is no longer valid or possible.  The apostles being dead, they cannot pass on any measure of the
Holy Spirit -- thus there is no baptismal measure of the Holy Spirit in existence today.  If there is, then it has to come about by some other means than
the scriptures have revealed.  And that, my friends, would have to be proven.

That there were other men besides the apostles who could further impart these supernatural gifts which are evidenced in Mk. 16:17-20, and delineated
in 1 Cor. 12, is without scriptural proof.  But, proof that the gifts of the Holy Spirit could only be imparted by the apostles is found in Acts 8.  Philip,
a man full of the Holy Spirit, could perform miracles (Acts 8:6) to confirm the words which he preached.  But, it took the apostles Peter and John to
come from Jerusalem to impart the power of miracles to the new converts (Acts 8:14-18).

The Presence of Miraculous Power:

No one in their right mind can question the fact that miracles were performed in the New Testament times: The lame were healed (Acts 3:7-8), the
dead were raised (Acts 9:40-41; 20:9-12), and deadly occurrences curtailed (Acts 28:5).  Those upon whom the gifts of the Spirit were conferred
could also speak in tongues, prophesy, and discern spirits.  But, So the same God who foretold the performing of miracles, also told of their having
been performed, and of their fulfillment and end according to His plan.  This is in the Bible.

Yes, the apostles could perform miracles.  Also, they could impart this miraculous power unto others.  But, those others upon whom they imparted
the spiritual gifts could not themselves impart them to anyone.  Thus the age of spiritual gifts is long gone.  That was God's will, and that was God's
plan.  It was and is a perfect, heavenly plan which was completed as He saw fit.  Can God work miracles thru men? - Yes!  Does He choose to do so
today? - Not according to the scriptures, for that time and purpose was fulfilled.

The Counterfeiting Of Miraculous Power:

The apostle Paul warned the early Christians that miraculous power would be feigned, faked, and counterfeited in order to deceive the simple.  Hear
him: "The coming of the lawless one is according to the working of Satan, with all power, signs, and lying wonders, 10 and with all unrighteous
deception among those who perish, because they did not receive the love of the truth, that they might be saved. 11 And for this reason God will send
them strong delusion, that they should believe the lie, 12 that they all may be condemned who did not believe the truth but had pleasure in
unrighteousness." (2 Thes. 2:8-12)

The so-called miracles which are displayed today are nothing but mere imitations of the real ones from Bible times.  They, like Simon the sorcerer
(Acts 8:9-11) are only performing with lying wonders.  They mostly take advantage of human will-power (mind over matter) to suddenly empower
one to get out of a wheel-chair and walk.  How many of these folks get to stay out of that wheel-chair?

The Bottom Line Is This:

We should and must be willing to accept the scriptures, and to examine and put to the test those who claim to do what only the apostles were
promised, or the first-century Christians were given.  Put these spirits (people) to the test (1 Jn. 4:1; Rev. 2:2) and find out if they can really do the
things they claim to do.

We personally challenge any person alive today who claims to be able to perform miracles like Christ and His apostles, to put his actions where his
mouth is.  If he is truly God's servant, is really proclaiming God's word, and affirms that he can work miracles, then there is no reason why God
should not confirm his words by miraculous signs, right?  After all, that is what he believes and teaches, is it not?

We will provide for a place and an audience in which he may so do.  Let him show before all men the truth of his doctrine, and settle this matter once
and for all. May God show His glory to all who are present, and may His truth be magnified forever.

If you have a comment, question, or are willing to accept this challenge to perform real miracles in public, please contact us at givemethebible@yahoo.
com

Sam Csonka-Minister