The word ‘Charismatic' comes from the Greek word for 'gift' in the N.T.
Today, however, this term is synonymous with what is known as the Charismatic movement. This movement claims that the baptism of the Spirit is evidenced today in the outpouring of certain gifts upon New Testament believers, such as: healing, prophecies and especially tongues, & a number of others.
Three things define the beliefs of the Charismatic movement:
[1] Restorationism. This is the belief that the supernatural gifts of the apostolic church are available for the church today.
[2] Continuing revelation. The belief that God speaks to His people, collectively and personally as He did in the N.T. Church. That the Holy Ghost gives new, authoritative, extra-Biblical revelations today, which are binding upon the people of God
[3] Ecumenism. They pursue unity on the basis of experience rather than revealed truth. David du Plesis [Mr Pentecost] insisted that to be truly charismatic you must be ecumenical and to be truly ecumenical you must be charismatic. It is easily seen that these three points pose a serious threat to the purity of the Gospel and the calling of the Church to contend for the faith.
As a denomination we disagree with and oppose the Charismatic Movement. Today we want to consider why?
1. The confirmatory purpose of New Testament gifts
2. The cessation of these gifts
3. The corruption of these gifts by modern day Pentecostalists |
