Warning: This is a christian forum for Christians (Those who truely love God) and people who are interested in learning about Christianity. So this thread is a examination of what the BIBLE has to say about this topic. If you want to offer a Pagon's, or a Wicca's perspective on what Witchcraft is, then perhaps you would want to go to one of the three boards under the discussion section that is more open to non christians.
From what I can tell, there are two different kinds of Witchcraft mentioned in the Bible. The first is what pertains to THIS discussion and can be found in: 1 Samuel 15:23a "For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry."
Witchcraft here means: divination. As it applys to the church today, it has to do with false or "lieing" signs and wonders and what they call "false prophecys". Perhaps you have heard the term: "Charismatic witchcraft".
I have heard about a Evangelist out of Africa. I am not sure which one, because there are two or three of them that have come over here to North America. In their ministry, I have been told, there just did not seem to be any signs, wonders or the power of God. Their ministry did not seem to be going anywhere. Then they began to show forth false signs and wonders and the ministry began to grow and people began to attand their meetings.
In other words, there did not have enough of the power of God in their ministry, so they had to turn to the power of the devil. At least that is what I have been told, I do not want to accuse any one person. But I was a member of the Charismatic Episcopalian movement, and I did see this. The people wanted signs and wonders, they wanted power, but they did not want to live Holy Sanctifed lives in order to get that power from God.
That is not to say there are not any true "charismatics" that do represent God. But Jesus tells us there are many who think they are and really they are not even saved:
Matthew 7:22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?
Here is that word: "MANY". Jesus does not say there are a "FEW", He says: "MANY will say to me in that day". What they say to me sounds VERY charimatic or pentacostal. That is why I prayed about this passage so much, so that God would show me it's meaning. Prophecy, casting out "devils" and showing others signs and wonders is a very charismatic thing. I do not see very many non charismatic or pentacostal churchs claiming to do this sort of thing.
Anyways, open for discussion is 1 Samuel 15:23 and also if you feel it relates: Matthew 7:22. There is at least one other kind of "witchcraft" mentioned in the Bible. But that perhaps could be discussed in another thread. That has to do with drugs. pharmakeia is where we get our modern word for pharmacy. To try and control or manipulate people through the use of drugs.
There is freedom in Christ. It is the enemy who tries to control and manipulate people so as to bring them into bondage. We see that a lot in witchcraft, trying to control people and trying to bring them into bondage. But as Christians we know that who the son sets free, is free indeed. Thanks, JohnR7
From what I can tell, there are two different kinds of Witchcraft mentioned in the Bible. The first is what pertains to THIS discussion and can be found in: 1 Samuel 15:23a "For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry."
Witchcraft here means: divination. As it applys to the church today, it has to do with false or "lieing" signs and wonders and what they call "false prophecys". Perhaps you have heard the term: "Charismatic witchcraft".
I have heard about a Evangelist out of Africa. I am not sure which one, because there are two or three of them that have come over here to North America. In their ministry, I have been told, there just did not seem to be any signs, wonders or the power of God. Their ministry did not seem to be going anywhere. Then they began to show forth false signs and wonders and the ministry began to grow and people began to attand their meetings.
In other words, there did not have enough of the power of God in their ministry, so they had to turn to the power of the devil. At least that is what I have been told, I do not want to accuse any one person. But I was a member of the Charismatic Episcopalian movement, and I did see this. The people wanted signs and wonders, they wanted power, but they did not want to live Holy Sanctifed lives in order to get that power from God.
That is not to say there are not any true "charismatics" that do represent God. But Jesus tells us there are many who think they are and really they are not even saved:
Matthew 7:22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?
Here is that word: "MANY". Jesus does not say there are a "FEW", He says: "MANY will say to me in that day". What they say to me sounds VERY charimatic or pentacostal. That is why I prayed about this passage so much, so that God would show me it's meaning. Prophecy, casting out "devils" and showing others signs and wonders is a very charismatic thing. I do not see very many non charismatic or pentacostal churchs claiming to do this sort of thing.
Anyways, open for discussion is 1 Samuel 15:23 and also if you feel it relates: Matthew 7:22. There is at least one other kind of "witchcraft" mentioned in the Bible. But that perhaps could be discussed in another thread. That has to do with drugs. pharmakeia is where we get our modern word for pharmacy. To try and control or manipulate people through the use of drugs.
There is freedom in Christ. It is the enemy who tries to control and manipulate people so as to bring them into bondage. We see that a lot in witchcraft, trying to control people and trying to bring them into bondage. But as Christians we know that who the son sets free, is free indeed. Thanks, JohnR7
