From Pastor: “A NEW TESTAMENT CHURCH”
“And He said to them, ‘Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned. And these signs will follow those who believe; in My name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues; they will take up serpents; and if they drink anything deadly, it will by no means hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover.” Mk. 16:15-18
If you call yourself a “New Testament Church,” you should be doing all of the above otherwise you are not a New Testament Church. It is unmistakable that the first Christians were Pentecostals. But, they were called “Christians” not “Pentecostals.” Check it out in Acts chapter two. No matter what denominations claim, Pentecostals were the first. There are dozens of Pentecostal groups today, and their doctrines are widely varied. Man has added many things to Pentecostalism since New Testament times, thus polluting the true meaning of the term and diluting the power of the Gospel message.
“The signs accredit the gospel message, and cannot be limited to the apostolic age any more than the Lord’s commission to carry the gospel throughout the world. The signs, therefore, confirm the ministries of Christ’s ambassadors in every generation.” (Footnotes in the Spirit Filled Life Bible, p. 1502)
There are many “opinions” concerning the signs mentioned but there is a “truth” concerning them that can only come by sincere impartial study of the Scriptures and a humility that leads to guidance by the Holy Spirit. It is not our job to make the Scripture support what we believe but rather to make sure our beliefs are true to Scripture.
There is ample evidence throughout church history to prove that signs and wonders have continued since New Testament times. Those who believe see the signs following them. Those who choose to believe not have no signs to see. There have always been more doubters than believers. That is why Jesus said, “When the Son of Man comes, will He really find faith on the earth?” I can truly call myself Christian, I can truly call myself New Testament, I can truly call myself Pentecostal, and I have Biblical proof for it all. That is what I believe and that is what I preach and teach. The message I preach is to proclaim all of the Scriptures as still true and at work today. Why would I want to preach against the very things on which Christianity was founded?