Reformed. Christianity. Evangelism. Modern Culture.
It’s a while now since we last saw Todd Bentley warn a bewildered chap that he was just about to leg drop him so that he could earn a “revival” in his church. Another time he supposedly gave another man a two minute head start before he broke his teeth and sternum. Bentley’s erratic behavorisms were outlandish but they drew crowds. People came to see and be subjected to mesmerising antics. No one seemed to question the biblical basis of his practices.
People actually will crown any one as king if he can create an illusion or pretend to conjure up one. A couple of years before Mr Bentley graced the Evangelical scene, there was a like minded charismatic man called Smith Wigglesworth. No, he didn’t knock people around with his coat like some famous televangelists do on television or huff and puff a glory cloud to make people drowsy “in the holy ghost”. Mr. Wigglesworth is said to have punched a man so hard during one of his “revivals” that the man died. He then went on and raised him back to life, or so the legend goes. Today we will look at the teachings of Mr. Smith Wigglesworth. So, to begin with – who was Wigglesworth? Was he orthodox or a heretic? I am glad you asked….
SMITH WIGGLESWORTH (1859-1947) was a famous Pentecostal evangelist and faith healer. Many books have been written about his unusual life. He was converted in a Methodist church, confirmed as an Anglican, and as a young man was associated with the Salvation Army and Plymouth Brethren. In 1907 he claimed that he was “baptised in the Holy Spirit” after hands were laid on him by Mary Boddy, who alleged to have had a Pentecostal experience only a month prior to that. Mrs. Boddy believed in the doctrine of healing in the atonement, but she spent the last sixteen years of her life as an invalid. Wigglesworth, too, believed that physical healing is guaranteed in the atonement of Christ. He taught against the use of all medicine. He believed that signs and wonders should always follow the preaching of the Gospel. He taught that a Christian can be justified and sanctified but still not have everything necessary from God. “People are never safe until they are baptized with the Holy Ghost” (Wigglesworth, “The Place of Power,” June 1916, reprinted in The Anointing of His Spirit, p. 151). He taught that handkerchiefs which are prayed over will bring life if carried in faith to the sick (The Anointing of His Spirit, p. 231).
He taught: “Jesus came to set us free from sin, to free us from sickness, so that we should go forth in the power of the Spirit and minister to the needy, sick, and afflicted” (Wigglesworth, “Divine Life Brings Divine Health,” Pentecostal Evangel, Jan. 17, 1942). He claimed that the Christian has the power to speak things into existence: “God declares, ‘You have an anointing.’ Believe God and you will see this happen. What you say will come to pass. Speak the word and the bound shall be free, the sick shall be healed” (Wigglesworth, “Power from on High,” Pentecostal Evangel, May 27, 1944).
Like today’s Word-Faith preachers, Wigglesworth failed to make a proper distinction between the person and ministry of Jesus Christ and that of the Christian. He claimed that Jesus Christ increased in the fullness of God and in the power of the Holy Spirit. “I want you to understand that after the trials, after all the temptations and everything, Jesus comes out more full of God, more clothed in the Spirit, more ready for the fight” (Wigglesworth, “The Place of Power,” June 1916, reprinted in The Anointing of His Spirit, p. 146). This is heresy. The Lord Jesus Christ was God the Son. He could not be “more full of God.” Further, He was given the Spirit without measure (John 3:34). The Lord Jesus Christ did not come to be our example; He came to be our Savior (Lk. 19:10). Wigglesworth also taught that the Christian can operate in the same omnipotent power that Christ exercised. “Dare you come into the place of omnipotence? … God’s design is to bring you to the place where you will be a son clothed with the power of gifts and graces, ministries and operations, to bring you into glory, clothed with the majesty of heaven. For he shall bring many sons and daughters unto glory–unto son-likeness, son-perfection” (Wigglesworth, “The Privileges of Sonship,” August 1924, reprinted in The Anointing of His Spirit, p. 221). This is very similar to the false Manifest Sons of God theology of the perfectibility of certain saints, and it is the same heresy as that taught today by Kenneth Hagin, Kenneth Copeland, and other Word-Faith teachers. Again, it is a confusion of this present life with that which is to come. They would mock this statement, claiming that my problem is unbelief and spiritual blindness, but the fact remains that they cannot do the miracles that Christ performed. The Lord Jesus Christ never conducted a healing crusade and He never took up an offering before He performed His signs and wonders. He did not have any rock music to stir up the crowd. He did not laugh hysterically or stagger about like a drunk man. He could raise the dead and heal every sickness without fail. No Pentecostal preacher has ever been able to do this.
Wigglesworth taught a form of sinless perfection. He stated: “I am realizing very truly these days that there is a sanctification of the Spirit where the thoughts are holy, where the life is beautiful, with no blemish” (Wigglesworth, “Count It All Joy,” August 1925, reprinted in The Anointing of His Spirit, p. 226). Oh, that this were the truth, but it is not. The Apostle Paul described his experience in these words: “For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not. … O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death” (Rom. 8:18,24). There is spiritual victory through the Holy Spirit in this life, but it is not the experience described by Wigglesworth. It is not a life in which the thoughts are perfectly holy and in which there is no blemish. This is the destructive heresy of perfectionism, of complete sanctification, which has led multitudes of sincere people down the road of confusion and despair. To encourage people to seek and demand that which God has not promised is to expose them to demonic delusion and fleshly fanaticism.
Wigglesworth preached constantly on the power of faith, but he failed to balance his teaching with the absolute necessity of submitting one’s faith to the sovereign will of God. He failed to distinguish properly between this present life and the resurrection life which is to come (Romans 8:18- 25). Instead he taught: “Jesus would have us come forth in divine likeness, in resurrection force, in the power of the Spirit, to walk in faith and understand his Word, what he meant when he said he would give us power over all the power of the enemy. Christ will subdue all things till everything comes into perfect harmony with his will” (Wigglesworth, “The Substance of Things Hoped For,” Pentecostal Evangel, Oct. 25, 1924). This is a destructive doctrinal error which causes people to be confused about what they can and cannot expect from God in this present time. Such false teaching produces great confusion and results in the overthrowing of the faith of great numbers of people who, having tried to exercise the faith spoken of by the Pentecostal preacher and having failed to achieve the desired miracle, give up in great despair. Faith is trusting God and His Word NO MATTER WHAT THE CIRCUMSTANCES, whether He does miracles or whether He does not do miracles. Faith is waiting on God to bring His promises to pass, regardless of what I am experiencing in this present life. Hebrews 11 reminds us that there are two kinds of faith: that which overcomes difficulties (Heb. 11:32- 35a) and that which endures difficulties (Heb. 11:35b-40).
It is important when some one comes to you and says “God has told me….” Check and see if what he says next aligns with scripture. Scripture alone is authoritative for the faith and practice of the Christian. The Bible is complete, authoritative, and true. “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness”. For the Bible is the standard. It is God’s revealed will and word to us.
If you digress from Scripture and start listening to new voices and revelations, do not be surprised when you get kicked in the guts by hirelings, snakes oil sales men and heretics.
A Twisted Crown of Thorns ® 
Are you saying that Smith wriggles worth was a heretic ?? Please give me an absolute answer yes or no !!
Having read many of Smith’s sermons and reading his life story in at least 3 publications, his life was an amazing example of faith, power and someone absolutely surrendered to God.
If you start from a certain theological premise, scripture is filtered through that theological premise, be it reformed, 5 point Calvinism, dipensationalist etc, then you’re hardly going to give Wigglesworth an accurate, biblical assessment due to your theological assumptions.
There’s such a naivety in writing as if you are not aware of your own biblical prejudices.
The sheer amount of healings that confirmed his preaching and his dedication and love for Jesus and the spread of the Gospel seems to negate your doctrinal worries about heresy.
I was given a Wigglesworth devotional. The thoughts he shares on some of the pages (I just simply couldn’t continue reading) are so disconnected form the scripture trying to be expounded. It just didn’t make any sense to me when reading. I am not saying that Smith W was not a Christian. I just think that he seemed confused with some things that are taught us in scripture (I am sure he was on point with other things). God bless…
The Living God is sovereign over sanctification, just as He is over justification. Phil 1:6.
SMITH raised d DEAD,do d BIBLE says satan did d SAME?how can his SONS?
So dont believe what the word says about God having the power to give wealth and when Christ asked if they had faith to be healed is nothing. The fact that Gods word teaches we are co heirs with Christ isnt true. The bible doesnt teach the believer in Mark 16:16-18 isnt true and meditating on Gods word and seeking to do all that he says wont prosper you in all your ways and see you have good success. So why do you believe the word at all. Just because a person hasnt seen it then it must mean it doesnt happen. Your right you dont get it and thats not a God your serving.Im sorry you feel that way and your missing out.
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I have read Smith Wigglesworth’s sermons, and I only find a man in love with God, dedicated to reading, believing, and obeying the Bible. The Bible clearly teaches that believers in Jesus should heal the sick and cast out demons. I agree with one of the above commenters, if everything you said was written out for everybody to read, would all of your Biblical beliefs be perfect? There are errors taught in pretty much every church!
I’m not surprised at this kind of post because even Jesus Christ the Son of God was criticised by some religious scholars and teachers as being a false teacher, a heretic, a pleasure-seeking, corrupt, materialistic glutton and an occultic. Which are basically similar to the accusations you have made about Smith Wigglesworth . I wonder if some of these criticisms aren’t born of vanity, envy and rebellion. Even some of the Master’s (Jesus Christ’s) sayings were misunderstood.
read the Word of God not of men
Smith Wigglesworth, Kenneth E Hagin, Billy Graham, Benny Hinn, Joseph Prince, Creflo Dollar, Joyce Meyer and every famous evangelists, teachers and preachers are false than who is true? If you know than let me know, if you’re so wise to discern the false teaching than we would really be glad of you to come up and start giving the true teachings of God. 🙂
Funny how Wigglesworth was one of the best students of the Bible – he barely let it leave his hands and was the only book he ever read. Probably read it and studied it a lot more times than any commentators here. He had a deep love for God and an intolerance for any doubters of God’s love and power.
Easy to condemn someone from taking snippets of sermons. Are all your sermons without potential heresy if taken out of context of entire sermon? Indeed if all your sermons are perfect in word and truth it appears that you are the one who has reached perfect sanctification of your mouth here on earth already !
I remember how I was blessed by reading one of the books on Smith Wigglesworth one of the mighty servants of God,
Has God used any of the persons who were so quick to find the faults of the Lords anointed servant. When our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ moved on this earth He healed every kind of sickness, delivered those in need of deliverance, and also said . He who believes in me the works that I do he will do and greater work he will do.
agreed! these people on here I have seen do not fully believe the holy word of the god that says Jesus was our example as well as our savior! God said in his word “be ye perfect as your father in heaven” it also says ” that jesus was the firstborn among many bretheren” also these deceived people dont believe when jesus said GREATER THINGS SHALL YOU DO BECAUSE I GO UNTO THE FATHER!
Anyone who knows his Bible can see the errors of Wigglesworth. He did not rightly divide God’s Word. He was anointed by a woman who cannot be allowed of God to teach or have authority over a man. Snippets from sermons is all it takes to see how false this revival was. Pentecostalism is based on experience which is forced upon God’s Word. As usual the power of the gospel is not the most important to them. Instead they focus on gifts and power which they would have from God instead of cooperating with the Holy Spirit who will never glorify HImself, but will always glorify Christ. Get to know Christ and His gospel, and you will used by the Spirit of God to win the lost to Christ. Jesus said truth sets a man or woman free, never an anointing or a supposed baptism of the Holy Spirit.
You know them by their fruit. How many people have you raised from the dead? So we should listen to you over Smith Wigglesworth. The devil cannot glorify God and raise the dead, nor can a man raise the dead in Jesus name if he teaches false doctrine. Proving Smith Wigglesworth is a true son of God, full of God and his power. Everything Smith Wigglesworth says is backed up by scripture. When you are filled with the Spirit like Smith, the Spirit of Truth comes with it. Raising people from the dead proves he was a real man of God, NOT a false preacher like the people blinded by Satan want to believe. The pride of man is a big satanic reason to why Smith Wigglesworth is accused of being a fake, yet his fruit proves otherwise. If all christians knew the Word like him and believed like him, there would be a lot more people filled with the Spirit and with power, which is Gods Will. Smith Wigglesworth is the proof of what God said he will give to the real children of God, which is Jesus living inside you reining, His Will, not ours, His mind, not ours, holy, sinless, perfect as the Word of God says we should be, and if we truely have Jesus we will be, thats His Will. And thats exactly what Smith Wigglesworth preached, he was the living proof of that Supernatural Power and what Gods Will is for us, but to only those who choose to believe it. So believe it! You cannot raise a person from the dead without being filled with the Spirit, without being filled with Jesus, which proves you can trust everything that Smith Wigglesworth has said.
Todd Bentley is a joke. Benny Hinn is a joke. Ken Copeland is a joke. Whatever happened to preaching the gospel? Jonathan Edwards and Spurgeon, Luther, Whitfield, Phinney and Calvin wouldn’t even recognize Christianity today. Woe to the wolves!
So what is your gospel? Remember they accused Jesus for using the power of the leader of demons to perform miracle!
Pentecostals have a tendency to be excellent apologists… for Pentecostalism and their Pentecostal protagonists. The origins and history of the Pentecostal – Charismatic movement, when examined in the light of Scripture, SHOULD raise red flags for any serious student of the Bible. Humbly, I submit.
Smith was usesd by God and that is true, if Jesus spit on the ground and mixed it with the soil to heal the blind, then any mearsures to be taken to heal the sick is accepted by God. I thank God for using Smith Wigglesworth to bless his people.
Bro. Smith Wigglesworth -One Of The Mightiest Servants Of GOD who Ever Lived-I Am Tremendously Blessed By The Way The Mighty Holy Spirit Used Him & Continues To Use Him Through The written Word!!! His Was A Powerful Ministry!!!!!!!!
Hi John, it’s good to know that you have been ‘blessed’ in many ways by some one. Did this blessing expound on your knowledge of God as revealed through the the scripture? Or did his ministry make you feel good and excited about something? Many people are excited about sports and hobbies and talk shows but when we say a man has been ‘used of God’ that calls for a higher measure and standard. Paul was used of God to preach the gospel to the Gentiles. He chose to know nothing else but Christ crucified. I hope it is the same with Smithwigglesworth and me plus you…that people not get drawn to signs and wonders that surround us but are drawn to Jesus Christ and his death for our sins to purchase our redemption.
This post in particular highlights subtle false teachings that crept into Wigglesworths teachings. Some of them are rank false and heretical. Others are purely not held as orthodox christian beliefs. It’s upto you to consider this for your self and see if they align with what the bible says.
Acidri, thankyou for your truth in this post, Wigglesworth is a hero to many who have no proper doctrinal and biblical orthodox foundation adhered to by the church fathers many who died terrible deaths and suffered to bring us the cannon of scripture. Its seems so sad that satan has advanced false theology doctrine with signs and wonders in the vacuums of christendom. “we prophesied in your name – depart from me you workers of lawlessness” Christ Jesus warns of power hungry decieved perfectionists trying to attain a human righteousness over and above His offer of mercy for our sinful condition. God bless.
Many are they that have lost there way because they believe the lie that we will always sin.
Ro 8:29 For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.
We are to be striving to be conformed to the image of HIS SON this side of glory. The other side is to late.
many like to quote paul in Ro. 7.
But that is not the end of the story. paul pressed on knowing the truth of a Holy life.
Heb 12:1 Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,
(KJV)
Jas 1:12 Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.
2Ti 4:7 I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith:
1Co 9:24-25; Php 3:14; 1Ti 6:12; Heb 12:1
8 Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.
Ga 4:19 My little children, of whom I travail in birth again until Christ be formed in you,
i would have to believe that when CHRIST is formed in a person they would not be sinning.Hmmm
WE ARE TO BE PURSUING RIGHTEOUSNESS AND HOLINESS.
Eph 5:26 That he (JESUS CHRIST) might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word,
Joh 3:5; 15:3; 17:17; Tit 3:5; Heb 10:22; 1Jo 5:6
27 That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.
Without spot or blemish or any such thing. Hmmm
The gospel is to be preached with signs and wonders.
Ac 2:43 And fear came upon every soul: and many wonders and signs were done by the apostles.
Ac 4:30 By stretching forth thine hand to heal; and that signs and wonders may be done by the name of thy holy child Jesus.
Ac 5:12 And by the hands of the apostles were many signs and wonders wrought among the people; (and they were all with one accord in Solomon’s porch.
Ac 7:36 He brought them out, after that he had shewed wonders and signs in the land of Egypt, and in the Red sea, and in the wilderness forty years.
Ac 14:3 Long time therefore abode they speaking boldly in the Lord, which gave testimony unto the word of his grace, and granted signs and wonders to be done by their hands.
Ro 15:19 Through mighty signs and wonders, by the power of the Spirit of God; so that from Jerusalem, and round about unto Illyricum, I have fully preached the gospel of Christ.
2Co 12:12 Truly the signs of an apostle were wrought among you in all patience, in signs, and wonders, and mighty deeds.
the man that wrote this article is a cancer in the body of CHRIST. He has lied. The miracles that took place under Smith Wigglesworth were verified by many eye witness’s. Not like tod bentley and the false teachers of this day which bring shame to the kingdom of GOD.
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Jesus came to deliver us from the POWER of SIN while we are here. We should be increasingly freed from the power of sin from our life day after day..If that is not happening in your life you are believing another gospel. The first promise in the new testament is-Jesus Christ will save people from their sins. Not only forgiveness from sins, but also from the power of sins as well.
Hi Abraham, there is no question as to the effectual work of Christ on the cross. No one can add to it or subtract from it. It was finished! How about the process of sanctification? ‘Sinless perfection’ as taught by many adherents has no biblical basis either in the Pauline letters or in Christ’s teachings. Instead we see the scriptures talking of the Christian walk as pilgrim’s journey thru trials and tribulations to bring him to the measure and stature of Christ. In the fullness of time the Christian will be glorified after death and the mortal will put on the immortal….the imperfect will put on the perfect. Yes, we have been saved but not yet. Yes we have reached His ‘rest’ but not yet. We all look forward to that blessed hope…when we are finally with Him and lack nothing. Then He will wipe away the tears from our eyes and we will sin no more.
Dear friend Acidri, we are commanded to press on to perfection. We can live a life perfect in our conscience. We can have victory over all KNOWN SINS in our conscious life. But even then there will be unconscious sins in our life for which we are not guilty of. When we walk in the light, more and more of the unconscious sins we will discover and we will come into light in that area. Thus we will grow in the likeness of Christ right now day by day. One of these days we will see the Lord face to face and instantly we will be like Him. Then there will be NO SIN in us. Until then there will be unconscious sin in us. We can be more than conquerors right now. One who is living in sin (in the thought life) is living an old covenant life. (See the rich young ruler who could not obey the 10th commandment-‘thou shall not lust’). In the new covenant life, sin will have no dominion over us since we are living in grace. Grace is the power of God available to overcome sin. And every Christian should overcome sin. If we are not overcoming sin, then we are living an old covenant life. That is not the will of God for any one of us..
Thanks, Abraham.