Are fake miracles really a thing?
Influential pastor Alexander Pagani is sounding the alarm about exaggerated and unverified claims of miracles circulating within the church, especially in charismatic and Pentecostal circles.
In a recent video, Pagani, known for his involvement in deliverance ministry, speaks candidly about the need for a more rigorous verification process before promoting miraculous testimonies.
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Pagani begins by acknowledging that many preachers, especially those within their own established circles, may be out of touch with the real experiences occurring on the ground. He describes how he recently stepped outside his usual environment and began engaging with hardcore fundamental Baptist churches. He notes a growing acceptance of deliverance ministry among these churches, but is concerned by what he describes as “exaggerated testimonials” and, at times, “white lies for the sake of marketing and promotion.”
“The church doesn’t verify things the way other industries do,” Pagani says, comparing the lack of scrutiny in church circles to the verification process in industries like health insurance. “We just take people’s word for it, and that’s problematic. Just because someone says they were healed, how do you know they were authentically sick? No one knows, and we promote it because it’s good for business and good for marketing and very good for videos.”
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Drawing on biblical examples, Pagani emphasizes that verification has always been a part of the Christian tradition. He points to several passages in the Gospels where Jesus instructs those He healed to first go to the priest to be examined before publicly testifying to their healing (Matthew 8:4; Mark 1:44; Luke 5:14).
“Jesus heals a leper, and He says, ‘Don’t tell anyone about this. Instead, go to the priest and let him examine you,'” Pagani says. “Notice how there is a process before you testify. Your healing has to be examined before you testify.”
Pagani’s call for accountability comes at a time when ministries often are under pressure to showcase dramatic miracles for promotional purposes to get people in the pews. “Exaggeration is lucrative business,” he says. “Miracles are marketed as big business, and the truth can sometimes be obscured for the sake of attracting attention.”
To combat this, Pagani offers a step-by-step process for verifying miracles: First, do not immediately tell anyone about the miracle; second, go to a credible authority to authenticate the claim; and third, follow the protocols laid out in Scripture, including offering a sacrifice of thanksgiving.
Pagani’s message is a call for wisdom at all times, and he insists that questioning miraculous claims is not a denial of the miraculous itself, but a necessary step in maintaining the integrity of the church. “We have to stop making people feel like they’re doubting the miraculous just because they want to verify the claims,” he says.
For Pagani, ensuring the authenticity of miraculous events is not only a matter of honesty but also a step toward greater accountability and truth in the body of Christ. As Christians, it should be our genuine heart to see people healed and set free, and we must use proper discernment when determining if a miracle truly took place or not.
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Abby Trivett is content development editor for Charisma Media.
