The connection of the visible with the invisible world, the ministration of angels of God, and the agency of evil spirits, are plainly revealed in the Scriptures, and inseparably interwoven with human history. There is a growing tendency to disbelief in the existence of evil spirits, while the holy angels that "minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation" (Hebrews 1:14) are regarded by many as spirits of the dead. But the Scriptures not only teach the existence of angels, both good and evil, but what does it have to say about the spirits of dead men?
Spiritualism Bible Study
1. What is Spiritualism defined to be?
“A belief in the frequent communication of intelligence from the world of spirits, by means of physical phenomena, commonly manifested through a person of special susceptibility, called a medium” Noah Webster’s dictionary.
“The very central truth of Spiritualism is the power and possibility of spirit return, under certain conditions, to communicate with those in the material form.” N.F. Ravlin, Spiritualist Lecturer, of California.
2. Did this doctrine exist in ancient times?
Regard not them that have familiar spirits, neither seek after wizards, to be defiled by them: I am the LORD your God. Lev 19:31
“The phenomenal aspect of modern Spiritualism reproduces all the essential principles of the magic, witchcraft, and sorcery of the past. The same powers are involved, the same intelligence’s are operating.” J. J. Morse, in the book “Practical Occultism,” Page 85.
3. How does God regard sorcerers?
And I will come near to you to judgment; and I will be a swift witness against the sorcerers, and against the adulterers, and against false swearers, and against those that oppress the hireling in his wages, the widow, and the fatherless, and that turn aside the stranger from his right, and fear not me, saith the LORD of hosts. Mal 3:5
4. What does God say about sorcerers?
Therefore hearken not ye to your prophets, nor to your diviners, nor to your dreamers, nor to your enchanters, nor to your sorcerers, which speak unto you, saying, Ye shall not serve the king of Babylon: For they prophesy a lie unto you, to remove you far from your land; and that I should drive you out, and ye should perish. Jer 27:9-10
5. What was the ancient law concerning witches, and those who had familiar spirits?
A man also or woman that hath a familiar spirit, or that is a wizard, shall surely be put to death: they shall stone them with stones: their blood shall be upon them. Lev 20:27
There shall not be found among you any one that maketh his son or his daughter to pass through the fire, or that useth divination, or an observer of times, or an enchanter, or a witch, Or a charmer, or a consulter with familiar spirits, or a wizard, or a necromancer. For all that do these things are an abomination unto the LORD: and because of these abominations the LORD thy God doth drive them out from before thee. Deut 18:10-12
Thou shalt not suffer a witch to live. Ex 22:18
6. What is witchcraft classified as by the Apostle Paul?
Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. And they that are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts. 3 Gal 5:19-24
7. What should one do if asked to inquire of a familiar spirit?
And when they shall say unto you, Seek unto them that have familiar spirits, and unto wizards that peep, and that mutter: should not a people seek unto their God? for the living to the dead? Isa 8:19
8. Is it possible to test every spirit to see if they are from God?
Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world. 1John 4:1
9. By what are we to test them?
To the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them. Isa 8:20
10. Should we have any confidence in signs or wonders presented by those who would to try to lead us away from God?
And the sign or the wonder come to pass, whereof he spake unto thee, saying, Let us go after other gods, which thou hast not known, and let us serve them; Thou shalt not hearken unto the words of that prophet, or that dreamer of dreams: for the LORD your God proveth you, to know whether ye love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul. Deut 13:2-3
11. What course should one pursue under these circumstances?
Ye shall walk after the LORD your God, and fear him, and keep his commandments, and obey his voice, and ye shall serve him, and cleave unto him. Verse 4
NOTE: That is, one should have nothing to do with such work; but rather cling to the Word of God.
12. We are directed to “the law and to the testimony” by which to try these spirits that assert to be voices from the dead. After someone dies, how much does he know about what is going on among the living?
Thou prevailest for ever against him, and he passeth: thou changest his countenance, and sendest him away. His sons come to honour, and he knoweth it not; and they are brought low, but he perceiveth it not of them. Job 14:20-21
13. Do the dead know anything, or have any memory?
For the living know that they shall die: but the dead know not any thing, neither have they any more a reward; for the memory of them is forgotten. Eccl 9:5
14. What else is added in the Word of God, that forever removes the idea that the dead come back to earth to communicate with the living?
Also their love, and their hatred, and their envy, is now perished; neither have they any more a portion for ever in any thing that is done under the sun. Verse 6
15. Then when miracles are performed by spirits pretending to be those of our dead friends, to what should we attribute them?
For they are the spirits of devils, working miracles, which go forth unto the kings of the earth and of the whole world, to gather them to the battle of that great day of God Almighty. Rev 16:14
16. What will be characteristic of “the last day” apostasies from the faith?
Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; 1 Tim 4:1
17. How will Satan deceive the people?
And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. 2 Cor 11:14
18. What role will Satan’s agents assume before the end?
Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works. Verse 15
19. Will Satan try to counterfeit the coming of Christ, by signs and wonders?
Then if any man shall say unto you, Lo, here is Christ, or there; believe it not. For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect. Matt 24:23-24
20. After these signs and wonders are shown, what will immediately take place?
And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming: Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders, And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved. 2 Thess 2:8-10
21. What will those say then, who have maintained their love for the truth?
And it shall be said in that day, Lo, this is our God; we have waited for him, and he will save us: this is the LORD; we have waited for him, we will be glad and rejoice in his salvation. Isa 25:9
Grace be with you, mercy, and peace, from God the Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of the Father, in truth and love. 2 John 1:3
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