Charismatism - Miscellaneous & Summary
Is it wrong to judge the Charismatic movement? : Christians who question the practices of the Charismatic movement are often rebuked with this verse: "Judge not, that ye be not judged" (MAT 7:1). A careful reading of the whole passage (MAT 7:1-5) will reveal that Jesus was not forbidding the act of judging but rather was condemning self-righteous judgment, ie, judging others without first judging one's self. In this passage we are taught that after we have first judged ourselves, it is our duty to "cast out the mote out of our brother's eye" (v.5)
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In JOH 7:24 we are told to "Judge righteous judgment." In 1JO 4:1 we are told: "Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world." In MAT 7:15 we are told to "Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing…." How can we beware of false prophets in sheep's clothing until we first judge them to be so?
God has given us a conscience and the powers of observation and reasoning and we use it every day to judge between good and evil - and then make our choices. Every one knows the importance of making good judgments and choices.
A Christian can make better judgments because he has the Bible to guide him, instead of just his imperfect wisdom, conscience and moral standard. The Bible is the only reliable yardstick that we should use in judgment. Let us learn to "judge righteous judgment."
If we judge Charismatic practices, will we be committing the unpardonable sin of blasphemy against the Holy Spirit? :
Charismatics are often warned not to judge the behavior of fellow worshippers, even if it is grossly unbiblical or bizarre, because they might be in danger of blasphemy against the Holy Spirit.
In the Gospels, we find blasphemers of the Holy Spirit in people like the proud Pharisees (MAT 12:24-32, MAR 3:22-30, LUK 12:10). They had seen the wonderful works of the Holy Spirit through Jesus Christ, were obviously convinced that these were works of God and yet called them the works of "Beelzebub, the prince of the devils" (MAT 12:24). Jesus said that if they had rejected the Son of man (who in appearance was just a poor carpenter's son), "it shall be forgiven them." (MAT 12:32). However, if they rejected the indisputable miraculous works of the Holy Spirit which made the "blind and dumb both speak and see" (MAT 12:22) as works of Beelzebub then they were "blaspheming against the Holy Ghost" (MAT 12:31).
In HEB 10:29, this unpardonable sin is further explained. If a person has heard the Gospel and is convicted of its truths (namely: that he is a sinner, that Jesus died for his sin, and that His blood washed away his sin) by the Holy Spirit, but he willfully rejected these convictions of the Holy Spirit as unworthy of his consideration (ie, "he hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace") - then how shall he be saved? He has committed the only unpardonable sin!
When a Christian sincerely questions a false practice because he is convinced that it is unbiblical, he has not committed a blasphemy against the Holy Spirit. Blasphemy against the Holy Spirit is a willful rejection of the clear work of the Holy Spirit in one's life - that comes from a rebellious proud heart.
Are Charismatics saved? Any one who really believes that Jesus died for his sins, is saved. Only God knows those who are really saved (MAT 7:21-23) but "we shall know them by their fruits" (MAT 7:16). A saved person will have the desire to pray for others, a love for God's Word, a burden to share the Gospel, a more Christ-like life, etc.
Are visions, prophecies, tongue-speaking, etc. inspired by Satan? : Some Christians reason that since many Charismatic practices are not of God, then they must be of Satan. Human behavior is much more complex that this simplistic either/or theory. Surely we cannot attribute every ungodly behavior of a Christian to Satan! In fact, many sincere Christians behave in an ungodly way because they think that it is the right way to behave. For example, if they are taught that God speaks to them in dreams, they will soon be trying to interpret their dreams and "prophesying" their messages to others. If they are taught that they will have a spiritual break-through when they speak in tongues, and if they are given enough coaching to do so, they will probably speak in tongues.
While these practices are unlikely to be directly inspired by Satan, they may lead to situations that expose them to possible Satanic involvement. For example, he may give them dreams that teach anti-biblical principles (eg. an unsaved deceased grandfather appears in a dream and says that he is in heaven).
We must be careful to differentiate between the victims of error and the promoters of error - and deal with them differently.
Charismatics often claim that they have a close relationship to God and they are happier :
Human emotions are complex. These feelings may be the result of several factors, eg. a sincere belief that they are obedient to God, the sheer "release" of an uninhibited worship experience, encouragement of brethren. Christians should walk by faith not by sight. A desire to obey God's Word is more important than the desire to seek good feelings.
Disillusionment among Charismatics : Many Charismatics become troubled by the repetitive meaningless worldly style of worship. Others are troubled by the ungodly behavior of their leaders. Others discover that many claims of "miracles" are exaggerated. Others are shocked by the extremism of new forms of Charismatic practices (eg. holy laughter). A few are troubled by the disparity between what they read in the Bible and what is practiced.
We must lovingly and patiently try to help our Charismatic brethren and lead them to the truth.
Summary of Main Points (beginning with the first lesson on Charismatism):
1. Charismatics are the fastest growing segment of both the Protestants and Romanists.
2. Their common unifying doctrine is the second baptism of the Holy Spirit that results in a tongues-speaking experience. Charismatics say "Doctrine divides, experience unites."
3. The final authority of the Bible for faith and practice is the dividing line between Bible-believing Christians and other Christian groups (eg. Romanists, Charismatics, cults).
4. Pagan religions are basically experience-based, Christianity is based on the Bible.
5. The biblical gift of tongues is the ability to speak a real language without learning it.
6. "Wherefore tongues are a sign, not to them that believe, but to them that believe not" (1CO 14:22). It is not a heavenly praise language.
7. "Tongues shall cease" when the Bible was completed (1CO 13:8-10).
8. All sign-gifts (eg. tongues, healings, exorcism) were "signs" to authenticate the Apostles and their representatives (2CO 12:12, HEB 2:4).
9. Spiritual gifts are not for personal edification but for the edifying of the church (1CO 14:12).
10. Miracles were performed mainly in three periods of history only, ie, during the times of Moses/Joshua, Elijah/Elisha and Jesus/Apostles.
11. We are given the privilege to do the greatest miracle of all, ie, the leading of a soul to salvation (JOH 14:12).
12. "Miracle healing" today is confined to functional and psychogenic illnesses, not organic ones.
13. After we are saved, though the penalty of sin is removed, we still struggle with sins, problems and sickness.
14. Physical healing is the main attraction of most pagan religions. Eternal life is the attraction of Christianity.
15. The most important "prophecy" that we must proclaim is that sinners will go to hell if they do not trust in Jesus Christ as their Savior. We should not be fortune-tellers.
16. Christians cannot be possessed by demons because they are the temple of God (1CO 3:16).
17. We must not worship with mere outward form but "in spirit and truth" (JOH 4:24), ie, our spirits must be active in worship and we must worship according to truth (ie, God's Word).
18. Too much physical response in worship quenches spiritual activity.
Conclusion: Bishop Moses Tay of the Anglican Church in Singapore accurately described the role of the Charismatic movement: "In many instances the Charismatic Movement has brought a fresh and deeper unity between the Anglican and Roman Catholics, and has broken down denominational, social, cultural and other barriers" ("The Charismatic Movement: A Way or The Way of Renewal," The Courier, Jan. 1988).
Since many Charismatics believe that the tongues-experience unites, all miracles are from God, and we must not judge what is happening - it will be the catalyst to bring together many religions into the Ecumenical Church of the Last-days (as prophesied in the REV 17:5).