Why Can Someone Perform Miracles and Still Not Enter Heaven
Question:
How is it possible for someone to cast out demons, heal the sick through prayer, hear God’s voice, speak divine revelations about others, and even uncover hidden things—yet still not make it to heaven or be raptured? Isn’t that a sign that God is with them?
Answer:
This is a deep but important question. The simple answer is this: spiritual gifts are not the same as salvation. Just because God uses someone to do powerful things does not mean that person is right with Him or guaranteed eternal life.
God, in His grace and sovereignty, gives many good things to all people—including the wicked. As Jesus said:
“He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust.”
— Matthew 5:45
So, miracles, visions, or hearing God’s voice are not always proof that a person is spiritually mature or saved. Gifts of the Spirit can function in a person without the fruit of the Spirit being present (Galatians 5:22–23). A person may operate in gifts but still live in disobedience.
Spiritual gifts (like healing, prophecy, and miracles) are given by the Spirit as He wills (1 Corinthians 12:4–11). They are for the building up of others—not as proof of personal righteousness. A person can perform miracles and still have a heart that is far from God.
Consider what Jesus said:
“Do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rather rejoice because your names are written in heaven.”
— Luke 10:20
This shows that the real cause for celebration is not power over demons—but having your name written in the Book of Life, which only happens through a genuine relationship with Christ (Philippians 4:3; Revelation 20:12).
Biblical Warning: Miracles Without Obedience
Jesus gave a serious warning about this kind of situation in:
Matthew 7:21–23
“Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven.
Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?’
And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!’”
This passage is crucial. It shows that doing ministry or miracles in Jesus’ name does not guarantee entrance into the Kingdom. What matters is doing the will of the Father, which includes obedience, holiness, and walking in love (1 Peter 1:15–16; John 14:15).
Old Testament Example: False Prophets with Real Signs
Deuteronomy 13:1–4
“If there arises among you a prophet or a dreamer of dreams, and he gives you a sign or a wonder,
and the sign or the wonder comes to pass… saying, ‘Let us go after other gods’…
You shall not listen to that prophet… for the Lord your God is testing you to know whether you love the Lord your God with all your heart…”
This teaches that even if someone performs real signs or wonders, if they don’t lead people to stay faithful to God’s Word, they are false. God may allow such people to function to test others’ loyalty to Him.
Spiritual Gifts Without Fruit Are Dangerous
You can have gifts—but without the fruit of the Spirit (love, patience, humility, self-control), those gifts can lead to pride, manipulation, or false security. That’s why Paul said:
“Though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge… but have not love, I am nothing.”
— 1 Corinthians 13:2
The true mark of salvation is not power, but transformation—a life conformed to the character of Christ.
The Two Builders (Matthew 7:24–27)
Jesus compares two people—both hear His words. One obeys, one does not.
- The obedient one builds on rock. When the storms of judgment come, they stand.
- The disobedient one builds on sand. When judgment comes, everything collapses.
This parable shows that the foundation of eternal life is obedience to Christ’s Word, not ministry success or supernatural gifts.
Don’t be deceived by spiritual gifts—yours or someone else’s. Gifts can be present even when the heart is far from God. What matters is abiding in Christ, obeying His Word, and living a holy life through the power of the Holy Spirit.
“Rejoice because your names are written in heaven.”
— Luke 10:20
That’s the true goal—not just doing miracles, but being known by Jesus.
Be blessed and remain faithful to His Word.
Who Are the People Baptized for the Dead?
Question: In 1 Corinthians 15:29, Paul refers to people being baptized on behalf of the dead. Who are these people? Is the practice of baptizing others for the dead biblical and correct? I want to understand this better.
Answer: To understand this properly, we need to look at the passage in context. Paul was addressing the church in Corinth, where some doubted the resurrection of the dead. Let’s read 1 Corinthians 15:12-14
“If Christ is preached as raised from the dead, how can some of you say there is no resurrection of the dead? If there is no resurrection, then Christ has not been raised. And if Christ has not been raised, our preaching and your faith are useless.”
This shows Paul confronting those who rejected the resurrection, which is the foundation of Christian hope.
At the same time, some people in Corinth practiced baptisms on behalf of those who had died without believing or being baptized. According to early church historian St. John Chrysostom (4th century), there was a custom where a living person would be baptized “for” a deceased person to secure their salvation. This involved the living person lying over the dead body, and a priest asking the dead if they wanted to be baptized. Since the dead could not respond, the living person answered for them and then was baptized, believing this would save the deceased from eternal punishment.
Paul mentions this practice in 1 Corinthians 15:29
“Now if there is no resurrection, what will those do who are baptized for the dead? If the dead are not raised at all, why are people baptized for them?”
Paul’s point is to expose the inconsistency of those who deny resurrection yet practice baptism for the dead. Baptizing for the dead implies a belief in life after death and resurrection. This highlights that the resurrection is a critical doctrine in Christianity (cf. 1 Corinthians 15:20-22).
However, Paul does not approve or practice this baptism on behalf of the dead himself, nor does he teach that true believers should do so. The phrase “those who are baptized for the dead” likely refers to a group outside orthodox Christian teaching.
This false practice was part of a broader problem in those churches, which included other erroneous teachings such as the claim that “the Day of the Lord has already come” (2 Timothy 2:18; 2 Thessalonians 2:2).
Today, similar misunderstandings exist in some churches, including the Roman Catholic teaching of purgatory. Purgatory is described as a temporary place of purification for Christians who die with unconfessed sins or incomplete sanctification. It is believed that prayers or masses by the living can help shorten this purification period, eventually allowing entry into heaven.
However, this doctrine is not supported by Scripture. The Bible states clearly in Hebrews 9:27
“Just as people are destined to die once, and after that to face judgment.”
This verse teaches that after death comes judgment, not a second chance for purification or salvation through the actions of the living.
Praying or baptizing for the dead as a means to alter their eternal fate is a false teaching. It offers a false hope that people can be saved after death, encouraging sin and reliance on works instead of the finished work of Christ on the cross.
The Bible warns of such deception:
“The Spirit clearly says that in later times some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits and things taught by demons.”
(1 Timothy 4:1)
In summary:
- Baptism is a personal act of faith and repentance, symbolizing union with Christ (Romans 6:3-4). It cannot be done on behalf of the dead.
- The resurrection of the dead is foundational to Christian faith (1 Corinthians 15:17-22).
- After death, each person faces judgment (Hebrews 9:27).
- False teachings like purgatory and baptism for the dead distort the gospel and should be rejected.
Amen.
May God bless you.
