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Charisamercia

 

The Charismatic and Pentecostal streams of the church have strong roots in America. While Pentecostal teaching has penetrated places like Ethiopia and other nations, it is a fact that the United States is where it has a stronghold. But what is Charismatic Movement Does it have Scriptural support and should it be embraced?

The Pentecostal and Charismatic movements have strong connections to Scripture. They cite Pentecost in Acts 2 and 3 as their main support, but examples of the Holy Spirit falling and gifts like tongues manifest as far as in Acts 10 with Cornelius. While there is a strain of believers who claim the Gifts and Miracles of Holy Spirit where for the Apostolic Age, many resist this notion and have two major supports for why the gifts still move today: firstly the Scriptures never put a cap or say the Gifts will end except when Jesus Christ Returns and He is with us and thus we won't need the gifts because Gift Giver will be With us: "Love never fails; but if there are gifts of prophecy, they will be done away; if there are tongues, they will cease; if there is knowledge, it will be done away. For we know in part and we prophesy in part; but when the perfect (One) comes, the partial will be done away..." (1 Corinthians 13:8-10), and secondly there are genuine healings, raisings from the dead, and other miraculous that happens on daily basis.

The truth is that Pentecostal and Charismatic churches have it right when it comes to the Holy Spirit. It says in Scripture, "The Gifts and callings of God are irrevocable," (Romans 11:29). They cannot pass away. However, there are some practices in Charismatic movement that cannot be found in scriptures. One is unbridled laughter, which violates one of the fruits of the Holy Spirit, "self control." (Galatians 5:23). The other is the "slain in the spirit" phenomenon which only appears in the Bible as reprove against the rebellious and enemies of God: see Jesus knock over the soldiers with a word (John 18:6), See Ananias and Sapphira slain unto death by Peter's words (Acts 5:1-11), and see Saul knocked over by Jesus on the Road to Damascus (Acts 22:6). The other problem I have with "slain in spirit" is that is doesn't measure up to the fruit of the Holy Spirit, "gentleness, peace, kindness, self control." Nor does it align with what Jesus said, "I am gentle and humble of spirit.." (Matthew 11:29).

Every church is going to have problems. The more liturgical and reserved churches like the Catholic Church do well on reverence, looking at sin, accountability, and etc., but tend to fall into Marian worship, saint supplications, and closing the Holy Spirit off to lay people. The point is that each church something to offer. The Pentecostals and Charismatics have Holy Spirit and actually bother to hear God's voice. But in their charisma they can become undisciplined, loud (even verbally abusive), and out of balance with Scripture.

Moving in the Gifts of the Holy Spirit is important. I believe in them and see in Scriptures evidence for using them. However, the Fruit of the Holy Spirit: "love, joy, peace, forbearance/patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self control.." (Galatians 5:22-23) are meant to help us discern what is of the Holy Spirit. If some experience takes away your self control, by throwing you backward or takes away your peace or isn't gentle, loving, then you need to question if it is of the Holy Spirit. I wish more of my Charismatic brethren would heed this Scripture, "Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world." (1 John 4:1). I would also say that more of my Pentecostal friends need to "test all things, hold to what is good, and abstain from what is evil." (1 Thessalonians 5:21-22).

The Apostle Paul actually admonishes believers to get the Gifts of the Holy Spirit, He says, "Follow the way of love and eagerly desire gifts (special abilities) of the Spirit, especially prophecy." (1 Corinthians 14:1). And for those who forbid the manifestations of the Holy Spirit such as tongues read this, "Therefore, my brothers and sisters, be eager to prophesy, and do not forbid speaking in tongues." (1 Corinthians 14:39). It is quite clear that gifts are to persuade, practice, and proclaimed. In this the Charismatic and Pentecostal churches are doing well!

According to Scripture and the Holy Spirit I encourage you to be "baptized in the Holy Spirit," and "Receive the Gifts." Too many Christian brothers and sisters walk this Earth without power. They are saved, they believe in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, and they are written in the Book of Life, but they don't have Holy Spirit Power. The point of the Holy Spirit Gifts & power are to help proclaim the Gospel (who wouldn't listen to Gospel after seeing a healing or raising of the dead!), encourage believers, help believers, help unbelievers, and to increase connection with Christ. Jesus did not instruct us to "Baptize in name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit," (Matthew 28:19) for no reason! The Holy Spirit is a major part of the Trinity and often is the most rejected and neglected in many streams of the church (especially in America). Choose today to open yourself up to Holy Spirit and do works that will win souls to the Kingdom!

Note:

For a List of all the Gifts of the Holy Spirit read 1 Corinthians 12:9-11 (best to read the whole chapter).

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