Hey Guys,
This week's sermon is on the charismatic movement. If you have not heard of it or have no idea of it, then you can click
here. Nothing will happen, and you should read on.
Notice that it is called a movement because it is a movement, not a denomination or cult or things of that sort. Just a brief introduction, if you have been to a charismatic church, you might find some of these things familiar: Falling; Praying in tongues; Hip music; Healing etc. Some of these things might only be applicable the more extreme churches, but that's exactly what we're looking at.
History of the Charismatic movement
There are three different movements that have made the charismatic movement what is today, namely the pentecostal movement, the charismatic movement and lastly the Vineyard or
Signs and Wonders Movement.
The First Wave or Pentecostal movement started in 1906, in a church called "Apostolic Faith Mission" in Los Angeles had an occurrence of a member being able to speak in tongues. The pastor of that church, with his mentor, came up with the doctrine that speaking in tongues was the evidence that one has been baptised by the spirit. Which meant to say that they believed that if one could not speak in tongues, then that person has not been baptised by the spirit. Why did they think that way? Because of Acts 2:1-4, where the Holy Spirit came upon the disciples of Christ and they were able to speak other languages.
The Second Wave or the Charismatic movement started around the 1960s, where people started to question the pentecostal doctrine. Some rejected the idea of speaking in tongues as a necessity as a sign of baptism by the spirit. While speaking in tongues still remained as an important part of the Charismatic movement, more emphasis was being put in experiencing salvation in the form of having a new life.
The Third Wave or the Vineyard/Signs and Wonders Movement started in 1982, by this guy called John Wimber. He believed that in order for evangelism to be effective, it must be accompanied by signs and wonders, like faith healing and casing out demons. Since, well, it's signs and wonders, people started to buy the idea. Also partly because in Hebrews 13:8, "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever" they believed that this meant that the actions of Jesus, healing and etc. must be also done today and forever more.
What are our views?
As a traditional church, what should our stand be?
Well for speaking in tongues, we believe it is a gift from the Holy Spirit, and not some complimentary gift that comes with baptism of the Spirit. What this means that the Holy Spirit will give the gift of tongues to whoever it pleases, and is not a sign, and not a necessity for salvation. We believe that salvation is from faith in Christ and accepting Christ as our personal Saviour. Same thing for Healing.
ESV: I Corinthians Chapter 12:8-11 To one is given through the Spirit the utterance of wisdom, and to another the utterance of knowledge according to the same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by the one Spirit, to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another the ability to distinguish between spirits, to another various kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues. All these are empowered by one and the same Spirit, who apportions to each one individually as he wills.
However, there are things that we can learn from the Charismatic movement. For example, they're heavy emphasis on evangelism, and the enthusiasm to worship the lord.
To read more, you can go
hereLabels: sermon, 异端邪说
