Miracle Healing and Charismatic Christianity

The New Testament teaches the importance of baptism. On the Day of Pentecost, Peter told the masses how they could receive salvation: repent and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Repentance brings the gift of the Holy Spirit. Similarly, Ananias, who led Paul to Christ, exhorted him to be baptized. He did so and called on the name of Jesus Christ.

Pentecost, the story of the descent of the Holy Spirit, is the predominant mode of this empowerment. On Pentecost, apostles spoke in “other tongues” and crowds from every nation under heaven gathered. This is a powerful story, and a logical conclusion from a purely historical perspective. But it lacks the transformative power of the gospel. Rather, charismatic Christianity is a powerful movement, but its followers should be wary of any claim of racial purity.

Despite these claims, there is some evidence that healers were largely absent during Jesus’ ministry. Although miracles did occur, they were not always given to members of the church. During Jesus’ ministry, miracles only occurred when he was dealing with unbelievers, not to keep church members healthy. Healings, however, are now portrayed as a powerful way to attract people to Christ, but it’s not a valid method.

As the apostolic tradition has long been about the mission of the Church, evangelism has always been central to Christian life. With half a billion adherents worldwide, charismatic Christianity has brought Christian evangelism to the masses, reinvigorating the militant subject. Spiritual warfare is a weapon of the Christian warrior. A key part of Christian redemptive praxis is prayer. It is the most powerful weapon of spiritual warfare.