Spiritualism

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What is spiritualism defined to be?

 

“A belief that departed spirits hold intercourse with mortals by means of physical phenomena, as by rapping, or during abnormal mental states, as in trances, or the like, commonly manifested through a medium; spiritism.” – Webster.

 

Spiritism: “The theory that mediumistic phenomena are caused by spirits of the dead.”

- Webster.

Note  - The word spiritualism (or spiritism) is not found in the Bible, but there is general accord that spiritualism is based on the belief in the natural immortality of man, and that the spirit that leaves the fleshly body at death can and does return to communicate with the living through “the medium” and “the control.”

 

Spiritism in Bible Times

 

Did this belief exist in ancient times?  

 

“Do not turn to mediums or seek out spiritists, for you will be defiled by them. I am the Lord your God.” Leviticus 19:31.  (See also 1 Chronicles 10:13,14.)

 

How does God regard sorcerers?

 

“So I will come near you for judgment. I will be quick to testify against sorcerers, adulterers, and perjurers, against those who defraud laborers of their wages, who oppress the widows and the fatherless, and deprive aliens of justice, but do not fear me,” says the Lord Almighty.” Malachi 3:5.

 

What does He say of the teachings of enchanters and sorcerers?

 

“So do not listen to your prophets, your diviners, your interpreters of dreams, your mediums or your sorcerers who tell you, ‘You will not serve the king of Babylon.’ They prophesy lies to you that will only serve to remove you far from your lands; I will banish you and you will perish.” Jeremiah 27:9, 10.

 

Before their entrance into Canaan, what instruction did Moses give Israel concerning these things?

 

“Let no one be found among you who sacrifices his son or daughter in the fire, who practices divination or sorcery, interprets omens, engages in witchcraft, or cast spells, or who is a medium or spiritists or who consults the dead. Anyone who does these things is detestable to the Lord, and because of these detestable practices of the Lord your God will drive out those nations before you. You must be blameless before the Lord your God.” Deuteronomy 18: 10-13.

 

Under the theocracy of Israel, what was the law concerning witches and those who had familiar spirits?

 

“Do not allow a sorceress to live.” Exodus 22:18. ‘A man or woman who is a medium or spiritists among you must be put to death. You are to stone them; their blood will be on their own heads.’” Leviticus 20:27. 

 

With what does Paul class witchcraft, and what does he say to those who are guilty of such things?

 

“Idolatry and witchcraft, hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissentions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.”

Galatians 5:20, 21.    

 

What does one do if asked to inquire of a familiar spirit?

 

“When men tell you to consult mediums and spiritists, who whisper and mutter, should not a people inquire of their God? Why consult the dead on behalf of the living.”

Isaiah 8:19.   

 

Should we allow ourselves to be influenced by signs or wonders performed by those who would try to lead us away from God and His law?

 

“If a prophet, or one who foretells by dreams, appears among you and announces to you a miraculous sign or wonder, and if the sign or wonder of which he has spoken takes place, and he says, “Let us follow other gods” (gods you have not known) “and let us worship them,” you must not listen to the words of that prophet or dreamer. The Lord your God is testing you to find out whether you love him with all your heart and with all your soul. It is the Lord your God you must follow, and him you must revere. Keep his commandments and obey him; serve him and hold fast to him.” Deuteronomy 13:1-4. 

 

 

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