The Charismatic Movement
April 23, 2009
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“Charismatics” is a word popularized in the 1960s for Christians flowing in the gifts of the Holy Spirit as outlined in 1 Corinthians 12:8-10. Charisma is derived from the basic Greek noun, charis, which means “grace,” or the free, unmerited favor of God. From it, we have the English adjective “charismatic,” which is used to describe a person possessing great powers of charm or influence. Within the Church, Charismatics are Christians who believe they have been “graced” with the presence and power of God.
Because the largest and more progressive churches in most cities tend to be Charismatic, they are often a point of fascination in the culture. Due to their inclination toward the supernatural and emotional, the media and their critics have unfairly portrayed them as a bizarre Christian subculture, a “sect” whose beliefs and behavior are an embarrassment to mainstream believers. What anti-Charismatics fail to realize is that Charismatics are very much a part of mainstream Christianity.
The Charismatic movement is the fastest growing segment of the body of Christ worldwide. With more than 600 million adherents globally, more than one in four believers today are either Pentecostal or Charismatic. A 2008 report by The Barna Group states that in America, a slight majority (51%) of all born again Christians is Charismatic. Nearly half of all adults (46%) who attend a Protestant church is Charismatic. One out of every four (23%) Protestant churches is a Charismatic congregation. One third (36%) of all Catholics is Charismatic.
Apart from size, Charismatics are also among the most fervent of the body of Christ. Consider the following data from the same report by The Barna Group:
- God: Almost nine in 10 Charismatics believe that God is the all-knowing, all-powerful Creator of the universe who still rules the universe today. Yet, barely seven in 10 non-Charismatics view God that way.
- Great Commandment: 90% of Charismatics believe that their purpose in life is to love God with all their heart, mind, strength and soul. Only 66% of non-Charismatics believe similarly.
- Bible reading: 55% of Charismatics read the Bible in a typical week, whereas only 36% of non-Charismatics do the same.
- Active Christianity: 42% of Charismatics read the Bible, attend a church service, and pray to God in a typical week. Only 25% of non-Charismatics do so.
- Evangelism: Slightly more than half of Charismatics believe they have a personal responsibility to share their religious belief. Less than one in three non-Charismatics possesses a similar commitment.
Without a doubt, Charismatics on the whole are Bible-believing and Bible-obeying. Unfortunately, a casual browse through cyberspace reveals legions of bloggers hammering away at Charismatic leaders and churches. Why isn’t there a greater counter-response from the Charismatics? Personally, I half suspect that most Charismatic pastors and ministries are so busy in the work of evangelism, discipleship and missions, they have little time or passion to answer the criticisms leveled at them.
With 600 million Charismatics in the world today, to generalize or stereotype the Charismatic faith is like saying, “All Asians believe in this,” or “All Americans believe in that.” The spectrum is just too wide in terms of doctrinal and ministry views. The only commonality is their connection to Jesus Christ and the belief that the gifts of the Holy Spirit are still valid and active today.
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Are there Charismatics who are unbalanced or extreme in Bible doctrines? Of course there are, as with non-Charismatics. Are there Charismatics who live only for self instead of the Savior? Of course there are, as with non-Charismatics. Are there Charismatics who are shallow and superficial in their walk with Jesus? Of course there are, as with non-Charismatics. But taken as a whole, survey after survey has shown Charismatics to be fervent followers of Christ, serious in advancing the kingdom of God.
Let us consider some typical criticisms directed against Charismatics:
- “Charismatics twist Scripture to justify an opulent lifestyle.” Not true. The vast majority of Charismatics are not fixated with wealth or materialism. Like most Christians, they believe that God provides for their need, not their greed. Having said that, Charismatics are not abhorrent to wealth that comes through diligent work or God’s blessing. Most believe that prosperity is God’s plan for the believer simply because of the abundance of Bible texts to support that. Take for example, 2 Corinthians 8:9 says, “For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, that you through His poverty might become rich.” The word, “rich” (Gr. plouteo) means to become financially wealthy and increased with goods. For most Charismatics, success and wealth are means to help the poor, better society, and fulfill the Great Commission.
- “Charismatics despise the sick and those in suffering.” Not true. This statement ignores the fact that Charismatics are globally active in eradicating systemic poverty and addressing healthcare problems. As the most mission-minded segment of Christendom, Charismatic ministries donate significant portions of their annual budgets into medical and humanitarian aids. Scriptures like “He Himself took our infirmities and bore our sicknesses” (Matt. 8:17) give them cause to believe that healing is in the atonement, and thus is the general will of God for everyone. Whether through faith, medicine or therapy, most Charismatics value the need for a healthy body to live a fruitful life and serve the purpose of God.
- “Charismatic meetings are shallow in doctrine and theology.” Not true. The fact is that Charismatics read the Bible and believe in its inerrancy more so than non-Charismatics. Most Charismatic churches have well-organized Bible classes and seminars to expound on the Holy Scriptures and Christian doctrines. But these are usually conducted outside of regular services. Most Charismatic meetings are designed to help attendees find wholeness in their soul and wisdom for daily living. Praise, worship and prayer are featured more prominently than non-Charismatic services. Sermons tend to deal with practical themes like marriage, family, work life and behavioral change. Most meetings end with a time for attendees to receive prayer for salvation, healing, and other practical needs. As such, to prejudge Charismatic meetings as shallow because of their focus on the mundane borders on religious arrogance and intellectual chauvinism.
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“Charismatic churches are conning the gullible of their money.” I often wonder if the rage of anti-Charismatics here is targeted against the ability of Charismatic churches to exact money from their congregation, or the quantum of money that is collected? Is it the attendees’ willingness to give, or is it the amount collected that is more upsetting? A common rant of anti-Charismatics is that flamboyant Charismatic preachers are conning the gullible “to sow their seeds” and give big amounts as a form of religious lotteries in their quest to be rich.
What anti-Charismatics fail to realize is that Charismatic services are filled with the educated and sophisticated. They don’t arrive at relative affluence by being naive. Most Charismatics have the common sense to see through the shenanigans of tricksters behind the pulpit. But they do appreciate preachers who encourage them to go beyond their fears and stay faithful in their financial stewardship. Besides, didn’t Elijah challenge the poor widow of Zarepheth to sacrifice her last morsel of bread and trust God for a multiplication of provision (1 Kin. 17:11-14)? Is Elijah the prophet a heartless con artist then? Besides, isn’t “sowing and reaping” a principle of life and the Scriptures?
Instead of questioning the what and how of giving, one should ask the why. Why are Charismatics so willing to part with their money? For most, they give out of a passion to advance the cause of Christ, and the faith that God will bless them back so that they can keep financing the work of the kingdom.
Instead of Charismatic-bashing, non-Charismatics should look beyond the differences and focus on the goals every Christian has in common—becoming salt and light in society, and making disciples of every nation.
Well said Pastor! Proud to be Charismatic Christian! Will pass your sharing around, thanks :)
Wow! This is awesome. A well-thought out and articulated post on the charismatic movement.
I proud to be a Charismatic Christian too! Thanks so much for sharing about this! (:
Wow pastor! these enlightenments really delve into the “harder questions in life” that many of us strive to answer correctly. Thanks so much for empowering us as a new generation! :)
Very well said. I joined the C3i (Ps Phil Pringle) church in 2001 and it took me a few months to quit holding onto my wallet. When I listened closely, the things written above became much more clear to me. My expression of faith is much deeper and above all else, it works for me. Thank you for the article.
I love your blog entries Ps Kong, such a great cyber platform for discussion, I feel like I’m in a Christian synagogue discussing real issues. Thank-you :)
For me personally I choose the charismatic movement because it has the most freedom and where there is freedom there is G-d. It may have the youngest history and identifies most with market principles or some may call ‘worldly’ corporate agendas but its the only movement I can think of that welcomes anyone, of all backgrounds, of all families, of all cultures, of all generations to all religions if need be.
They hold no grudge against Catholicism to Judaism, homosexuals can participate in communion, you don’t need to memorise religious texts for this or that ritual. I use to get so lost in the traditional Anglican church, so self-conscious I may read out the wrong prayer, as a newbie you lose the plot and I believe G-d’s intention for the Church is more than just ritualistic lip service and keeping up traditions.
I’m sure Paul, his crew, the pentecost did not imagine so many pretty steeples with empty cores. They were given FIRE, not a mason map to build the most buildings with a crucifix on it. I do believe Christians from generations down have a responsibility to keep that fire alive, not only for personal Jesus convictions but for the Church in large and for the movement that carries it.
I believe that movement is in the charistmatic church because we take the effort to identify with the ever-changing world, to allow freedom to reign, to allow anyone with a soul to walk through our doors. We actually carry that flame as individuals and together as a movement because that’s the only thing we have, the only commonality that binds us together, that same aspirations from the pentecost. It’s harder to keep that flame alive than build lamps or torches hoping there is a flame.
We welcome the youth to jump and dance, express bodily manifestations of the Holy Spirit, now how many religions would tolerate that? We’re cool, we’re hip and on the same token this is the kind of depth I don’t think we humans are suppose to understand, and in that sense the sons of light are strong for battle because we allow the Holy Spirit to take precedence before our conservative self which most often than not pervade for restraint and social etiquettes which in turn bruises the Spirit.
Of course there are many different types of churches, pastors, congregation within the movement but I noticed the one with bad seed, like the separation of the wheat and chaff get tossed to the side when that fire dies and the presence of G-d is no longer there. I noticed the charismatic movement does not have a centralised command centre, if that particular church dies then it dies, it doesn’t get replaced with a bishop, priest, rabbi cultivating the same dead which should’ve been left to die as per G-d’s will.
I believe this rapid pruning means rapid growth, this freedom to grow anywhere, any culture, any place, any city, any home, anyone willing to recieve Jesus as their Lord and Saviour, born again of the Spirit etc. etc. we don’t get constrained by religion or social mannerisms, we don’t hold grudges but most of all it allows us to be a human being. There ain’t gonna be no persecution or religiously frowned upon from your Jesus friends just because you decided to save a murderer, a homosexual, for welcoming non-muslims into your muslim home or for not wearing a tallit or tefillin box on your forehead or what have you.
As a movement we forgive so easily, we judge so little, we’re so open and free. We’d be pretty attractive to G-d’s will because His Spirit has to eventually pour to the ends of the earth and our movement don’t need no approvals from a centralised religious command centre. We could walk into the Maasai Mara and impart His Spirit or walk into an Inuit community and have a spirit filled gathering.
Most of all I believe the charistmatic movement is a reflection towards heaven. I have my doubts heaven will look like one giant mosque or a giant cathedral consisting of only Jews or just Arabs or just asians or just europeans. I’m sure to some extent it’ll consist of the excellence of this world, the charisma of this world but of course of magnitudes unimaginable by our cognitive constraints. So we should be grabbing the excellence in the world and plug it into our movement.
A movement that allows the Holy Spirit to move around as freely as possible, to allow G-d to work as much as possible, to utter the name of Jesus as freely as possible. The depth of this is not something we need to understand, it would be beyond us to fathom G-d’s will. So I praise the charismatic movement to which Kant says ‘allows for cognitive free-play’ , a hallmark of genius.
‘…Genius requires a talent academically trained as a basis so they can furnish the rich material of fine art and stand the scrutiny of judgment but the genius does not have a rule for form and content but simply ‘feels it’; it can not be taught or acquired. The genius is blessed with an unteachable ability to produce coherent imaginations which through aesthetic analysis expresses an underlying concept.’ (Critique of Judgement, Kant)
I believe the charistmatic movement is genius and I think it’s the best thing we as humankind could ever come up with collectively as a religion to serve His will because I believe this movement has the most freedom to do His will. Ironically despite what the pharisees say, the only one with the collective depth to transform humanity towards Him by reaching whole cities for Christ and to build His Church.
I love being a Charismatic Christian! Cant wait for more posts Pastor ;)
Dear Pastor Kong Hee,
I do pray you remember me – the Punjabi Christian school teacher who brought students to your seminar sessions and to your church at Raffles City in the early 1990’s and to whom you wrote a personal letter.
I have since graduated with a Master’s Degree in Applied Theology from Regent College in Vancouver, Canada but am now based in Singapore pioneering a South Asian Church – at Saint Andrew’s Cathedral. SAC has adopted us as an independent church but with exceptional church plant status with free usage of their facilities to further missions locally in Singapore among the South Asians community.
This article is well researched and a good polemic for Charismatic Christians.
I have tried to get you a few times but all have been unsuccessful.
Blessing on you Pastor Kong Hee. You and your family are in our prayers.
Amen!!! We Charismatics understand that obedience is better than sacrifice and the more you give the more He gives to you. They call large congregational Pastor “Money Wranglers,” but occupy a seat they didn’t pay for, sit in the cool air condition they didn’t pay for, and don’t give their rightful TITHE.
Jesus is coming back for an unblemished Bride. So everybody better start getting prepared for our Savior or they will get left behind wishing they did what the Charismatics did to be caught up with Jesus!
Pastor this is a homerun. Will show many of my members who are under attack
What an awesome post Pastor! It is clear and concise, and I am so proud to be a Charismatic Christian! Will post this on my blog as well :)
Wow – a THIRD (33.33%) of Catholics are Charismatics??! I have to spread this word! Thanks Pastor!
You are very eloquent.
Great! I had always wanted to uncover this issue to the non-charismatics… But did not know how to phrase it with good attitude and withe right word.. I think you did it! Yeah!=) I love God more than before!
Maybe you never encounter this in Singapore. but in my country, many preacher/pastor from charismatic churches do not get their “Educational” background on bible study.
They get the pastoral post by “grace” yet they do not learn with proper systematic way. As the result, the teaching and theology sermon from pulpit is getting too shallow or even sometime “is out of proper tradition”. And reading the bible without proper guidance, they can come out with some weird teaching. For example, for those who has faith, do not need to see doctor as God will heal (always) and many other weird teaching. Based on this fact, we are become a subject of critics from non-charismatic.
One think that I observed, this “assault” may be a result from “exclusiveness” of each denomination. Each denomination do not try to understand other as part of body of Christ. Dialogue between churches and denominations are the solutions to “reduce’ this kind of “assault”
Is the Holy Spirit charismatic or not ?
I think He is.
Wow pastor, this is a great article, filled with facts and conviction!
Amen! So glad we can love God & love people “charismactically”! Thanks Pastor for this!
I think the Charismatic movement strikes both awe and sometimes fear in many non-Christians. Some find us downright wierd. Especially when you have people delivered from demons, speaking in tongues, and doing strange stuff.
I have a friend, who used to be Christian. He was quite amused at reading healing testimonies of how “God has given me 3cm in height” and such similar testimonies. Maybe it’s not outright rejection, but rather skepticism. In the age of rationalisation and science, miracles aren’t exactly daily experiences.
Nevertheless, perhaps we should keep out the more “heavy” charismatic stuff for believers only, in order to build a bridge to non-Christians.
This has truly blessed me once AGAIN.. Thanks Pastor.. God Bless.. See you soon…
Wow Pastor! What an AWESOME word of our time! Your love and boldness for truth is such a wonderful inspiration to us all :) so proud to be under such great and wise leadership! Praying for you, Sun and Dayan.
Charismatic or Non-charismatic so what? In 1996 I fractured my left-clevical and busted my left ankle – I was a backslider, don’t attend church don’t read the bible. The first three days, I was bedridden at home, the pain was like hell. Even as a backslider, I would cry out to Him for healing – and my collar-bone was healed in 20 days and on the 21st. day I was cleared by the Medical Board to resume my flying duty.
That experience struck me really deep – so I went to church again : Wesley Methodist Church for service, until one day I came to CHC. I watched and listen to a lot of Sermons from different preachers over the internet and the WORD eventually got into me.
Rev.Kong assigned Rev.Tan Ye Peng for my Water Baptism lessons. I received my Holy Spirit Baptism thru watching Kenneth Copeland ministries and later Rev.Tan baptised me – AND LIFE WAS NEVER THE SAME AGAIN !!! You Bet!!!
Back then I still didn’t read my Bible – Pastor Tan told me to continue praying in tongues and “To Be Obedient to God”! The funny thing is every morning about 4 – 5 am HE would wake me up to pray in tongues (like spiritual fellowship) and not long after that, I started experiencing miracles .. and ‘much’ more miracles. That got me hooked and very curious – I started reading the Bible & with the presence of the Holy Spirit the Bible became 3-D.
I began hearing HIS voice and the relationship became revelation-ship. When I went to work, I started telling people stories about HIS Miracles and my experiences and after some time I became more confident as Christian. Charismatic, you bet ! I was no longer ashamed to be a Christian anymore. When a person encounters Jesus , tithes becomes automatic, because it pleases the God he knows – and its an obedient thing to do. No need to be TOLD. If God is your friend, its not nice to free-load on Him (Pai-Seh) all the time.
Man can argue until the cows come home. Its not by might, its not by strength, but by the SPIRIT of THE LIVING GOD/LOVE/WORD. When preachers preached the RHEMA, people enter into Holy Sprit encounter – they are stirred up / touched by POWER.
Arguments/Finger Pointing (or even paying attention to these) will not be productive. People make stupid remarks and gossips because they lack that knowlege and experience. Let the WORD be preached and the chips fall wherever they maybe. I haven’t heard of anybody that was really touched by the Holy Spirit and not be on ‘fire’. Trouble is a lot of traditional churches emphasize on getting the custom right, the uniform crisps, the sermons dry, and even Holy communion w/o the ‘blood’ element. And if you don’t do it their way, they’ll even snatched the bread back from your hands.
Just preached the Rhema,see Holy Spirit touch lives, it’ll put fire on their tails and they’ll be Charismatics for sure. RC/non-RC/etc. when the power of God moves its unstoppable. RC / Baptist / whatever, shall start praying in tongues – and their Snr.Pastor have to give in. How can a man stop the works of God? No way man. Just stop putting labels on one another – let the Holy Spirit be the revealer of truths.
In the world small kids call each other names and poke fun @ each just to get the other to conform and be like them – identity crisis, security image problem. Take that bait and you’ll get sucked into their world / ways.
The mature adult men go about doing the Father’s Business and have no time to fool around like the kids.
Hallelujah! Glory to God. Amen.
Thanks Pst for the powerful message! Totally agree that we should look beyond our differences and focus on being the salt and light in the society!
Well said pastor AMEN ! Proud to be in CHC: :)
Pastor, this is a very good article.
I’m just imagining that if all the Jesus-believing Christians will just stop critising one another (all denominations are guilty), we can achieve global revival and make disciples for Jesus much easier. The body of Christ won’t be wasting time resolving conflicts.
The bible calls us the “body of Christ”… yet I guess we behave more like some mis-wired machines…
Now we have the different body parts (e.g denominations). The brain trying to signal the hand to reach out to something (the lost?) and the nerve refuse to send that signal to the hand (because he felt the leg should step out instead).
Then we have the mouth chewing in something (a rhema revelation?) but the gut refuse to release the enzymes for digestion (because the gut thinks that the food is too “spicy” – think tattoos, wearing spegatti strap and CHINA WINE!).
And we have the stomach that just managed to digest a meal and want to get rid of the waste (e.g cheap grace meatballs?) but the rectum choose to clench it’s muscle and refuse to open (because he thinks the waste is not exactly waste and the stomach should redigest and transmit the “essence” to other body).
In a sense, I cannot help but feel that we Christians are S-I-C-K!
Our hands/leg/eyes cannot coordinate to grab, move, react in unison to fulfil a simple instruction, our digestive system cannot function, our buttocks want to the brains and our dear stomach want to send waste through the mouth .
Maybe that’s why the body have no choice but to come up with a cell called “cultural mandate” (hiak hiak hiak) – a cell that grew from 20 into an organ that truly wants to make a difference, to penetrate and be relevant inside and outside. But that also is not helping because the entire body began to attack it – and they call it “cancer” and start attacking it in full force.
Nevertheless it just grows, bigger and bigger, but eventually the body dies because of all these attacking.
Just thinking out loud what it means to be the body of Christ in such an environment.
And I wonder if God is beating His chest right now. Maybe He realized that He should not count on Moses, David, the apostles, etc to write the bible.
Imagine God saying…
“Hey dude!!! Moses!!! That’s not what I said!!!”. “er… Paul… alamak!!! I meant CELEBRATE, not CELEBATE!!!! Listen to me!!!”
“And you… yes. You. I know you rock in the 80s, but hey I said “GRACE”. Can you not try to be too helpful by making it CHEAP for me? Grace is costly. It cost me My Son you #$#$@@#. Look what you done now!”
“Oei!!! Listen to my instructions! You don’t score points trying to help me here because you can never phantom my thoughts!!!”
Something to laugh about (maybe to some it’s not funny).
But hey if I’m not a christian, and I see all the confusing bickering, I won’t want to even come because we seem like a confused lot beating each other up. Did the church watch too much of the show “Jackass”?
I really look forward to the day where there’s no more charismatic bashing, no more tattoo criticism and all the stuff (of course, no more “hymms are boring” mockery)… a day wher we all keep it simple and just do what we’re told plainly in the bible in Matt 28…
When we stop Majoring on the Minor… gimme a C-Major!!!!
That’s Christ-Major for all of you :)
Keep walking!
Good job! Pastor! It’s a very powerful article to read and to teach to all the members in charismatic church. ??????????
It really makes me wonder, why do some Christians ( non-charismatic ) get offended when we pray in tongues? I mean is it that evil that we are more like ostracized by them? I seriously am very curious about this. In my college CF, we practice this inter-denominational thingy where you know Christians from different denominations worship at the same place and praying in tongues is discouraged and disallowed from the main pulpit. Now I don’t think this is inter-denominational. Because if it is denominational, it would at least respect the Charismatics and allow them or perhaps encourage them to worship freely like praying in tongues. Could this be the evident why the CF is struggling so hard to grow yet the attendees keep decreasing? I really do wonder and I am part of the committee and my spiritual life itself sucks and I do not know how to make a difference.
Hi Pastor. Thank you for sharing the truth of God’s Word! Our spiritual eyes are yet, open to another spiritual insights. Thank God for putting us CHC under great leadership! Jiayou Pastor!
Pastor Kong. This is a great article. Thank you!
I am one of those saved at City Harvest Expo on Easter Day .. I have been reading your blog posts, not only are your post entries captivating but they are also insightful and they never fail to shed new perspectives. I have linked you on my personal blog. Will keep checking back for more great posts. God bless !
I agree wholeheartedly with everything Ps. Kong has outlined about sincerity & verve of many Charismatic Christians in living out their faith & love for Jesus.
I also feel a bit sad that there are of course some within Christian Charismatic circles who are not being example as they should
But then again…I think this kind of Christians can easily be found and are plentiful outside charismatic circle as well.
Anyhow…everything that Ps. Kong has said, should encourage all of us & myself, to strive to live as example of excellence and grace and love with God’s help.
Let’s strive to be more like Christ and love Him and love precious people with all our heart and strength!
Wad’s up, Reverend KongHee? The invitation by my friends, to visit City Harvest City has been such a blessing to me. GODalmighty has richly blessed me, to be a blessing unto many others, even though i am fallen. I grew up, in a denominational congregation, like you and have been richly blessed to be well trained by the Word Of YAHWEH. Let’s continue to pray that we (the full body of JESUS CHRIST), will be united as ONE, even though we are uniquely different. I urge every believer-inJESUS CHRIST, to look beyond our individual self-pride and our accomplishments, to continue to strive to be a blessing unto others, like how we are already doing so. We may accidently elevate a certain movement/ denomination over one another, accidently causing disunity. Rather let’s try to avoid that as much as possible and encourage one another to accept one another, care for one another and to find ways to work in unity as a CHURCH of Singapore and even learn from one anothers’ positive aspects in our walk with GODalmighty. Not every member/individual of our denominational churches society, hate you guys and the work you are doing. We are even praying that GODloving will keep you guys burning for HIM and not be consumed by the fire of the Holy SPIRIT. May the peace of the LORD be with you and keep you going, till we meet again together with the perfect and most high GODeternal in the brand new and everlasting heaven and earth as described in Revelations. Hallelujah! Amen!
watch
http://www.theoldpath.org
wow ps kong! this is very enlightening. i came to chc abt 2 years ago in december 2007. when i first came to spore, i was from some other church from other denomination. well, since then i always long to find a church where i can experience God in real life and to know Him personally.
so, back then, one of my friend brought me to her church and so being “blur” and new in spore i just follow her. well, i couldn’t share how it was then.. i just didnt feel really comfortable there. and since i’ve heard abt chc, i tried to search online for the address and one weekend i tentatively tried to go to expo (quite far :D )
it was so different really! i met a cgl in chc and she kindly greeted me and showed me the way to chc. all the way very kind and open to me even though she had just met me for the first time.
also it strike me that christians can wear all those funky and trendy clothes. and since it’s a charismatic church, and i was told by my former church leader to be careful in such churches. i always kept a distance. and so i couldn’t experience the power of the Holy Spirit back then.
Honestly, i backslided, not because of the church but because my own disbelief and unwillingness to be open to the Holy Spirit. it was then that i started to move by faith that i know that being charismatic is not about being trendy, or musical or sophisticated. but its about us who search God wholeheartedly and at the same time loving people fervently and shining in the society
now im glad and proud to be a Christian, even more, im proud to be a Charismatic Christian.. as i’m enabled to encounter God in a real-life situation and on daily basis. truly now i know that our God is a living and almighty GOd
Hi,
I think the above article on charismatics are accurate as they are
moved much by the Holy Spirit.
In John 3:8, Jesus explained that the wind blows wherever it wishes. You hear the sound, but not knowing where it is coming
or going. It’s like that with everyone who is born of the Spirit.
This characterized a real born-again charismatic.
However I also think that the charismatics need to be grounded
in the Word with regard to other aspects of their walk.
Regards
A very well written post! I will love to see you write a post on continuation-ism(continuing of the gifts of the Holy Spirit) as there has been a lot of non-charismatics(Cessasionist) trying to disprove and “attack” the gifts of the charismatic Churches by quoting from scripture.
How will you bring out the fact that gifts still exists today?
let us all as Christians just stop bashing and saying bad things about each other, let’s just learn to walk in love and unity ok?? anw, that’s what christianity is about. (btw i’m a charismatic christian also, but this is what i strongly feel we christians should change from)
so instead of doing all those things and being a stumbling block for others, lets just come together alright? it doesn’t matter what christian u are. let your faith proclaim that God is righteous
God bless
amen, bro van F I agree with you completely! I wanna apologize if I my previous post was offensive or stumbling. sorry. I was just curious on the view point of continuation-ism.
God bless :)
HI elv_elijah_wan ,it’s ok, i was commenting generally and did not meant to zoom in on specific person. so yes, just dont let all these differences destroy us (christians) from within :) anw, it’s because of diversity that the world existed right, without diversity, it’ll be so uniform and not colorful :)
Hi Pastor
Where is the source from which you get those typical anti-Charismatic criticisms? Are they from a majority of the churches in Singapore? Which are the churches that have made these anti-Charismatic accusations?
charismatic movement is usually associated with prosperity gospel. The other extreme end of wad bible says about wealth. I personally do not believe in poverty theology. I believe in stewardship theology.
What you have is what god has given you and you are suppose to make the best out of it. But prosperity gospel believes that an invisible transaction takes place once you have tithed and GOD is bounded by his own words to bless us in health and wealth. The only reason many christians are not receiving it is the lack of faith and lack of tithing.
I think this theology is extreme and very dangerous because many will be disappointed. Gifts are elevated above the giver.
We are the most protected Christians throughout church history. I hope many will wake up and turn back to christ and trust in jesus for their salvation in fear and trembling. God can bring us home through cancer or a car accident or aeroplane explosion.
Praise God! He is sovereign! Rather than believing its the lack of faith that caused your terminal illness, believe that maybe its time for rest? God can heal or not heal you i do not know. But i do not believe giving Benny Hinn 1000 USD, GOD will heal you through your so called “faith”.