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put on the site 03/14/2008

Charismatics or non-Charismatics

Let us catch all the depth of what Christ accomplished on the Cross

Certain Christian authors are wary of the Pentecostal and Charismatic movements. Their disapproval is partly based on the general criticism of the excesses that have been apparent in their midst for a long time now. On this point we entirely agree with them. Too much emphasis on personal experiences, weak discernment and poor knowledge of the Bible have all too often led to the excesses which these Christian authors describe and denounce. They have contributed to discrediting these movements in the eyes of many Christians. In our opinion, because of the great spiritual confusion which now reigns in the Pentecostal and Charismatic movements, the greatest dangers are those coming from their midst. However, these authors also base their disapproval on the belief that the Pentecostal and Charismatic movements were inspired right from the start by a spirit other than the Holy Spirit. Because of this conviction, it is easy to understand why they tend to blame all the present day spiritual seductions on these movements.

 

We do not adhere to this view. On the contrary, the Pentecostal and Charismatic movements have put the emphasis back on a great many Biblical truths which have been lying dormant for far too long in the more traditional denominations. Amongst these Biblical truths we could mention the gifts of the Spirit, Divine healing through faith and the Baptism of the Holy Spirit, just as the Bible describes them. For this reason, we believe that, from the outset, these movements were truly inspired by a moving of the Holy Spirit .

 

Unfortunately, many churches and denominations arising out of the Charismatic and Pentecostal movements, did not follow the Biblical model in their presentation and teaching of these Biblical truths. Through instability and too many excesses they lost their way. All this explains why so many non-Charismatic Christians continue today to reject these movements, along with their doctrines.

 

Some non-Charismatic authors particularly criticize the Sanctification movement, (from which the Pentecostal movement stemmed), because of their teaching of the "second blessing" of sanctification, which comes after conversion. In the same manner, they criticize the Pentecostal movement for teaching the "second blessing" of the baptism of the Holy Spirit, which follows on after conversion. These are the traditional fault lines between Charismatics and non-Charismatics.

 

We prefer to defend a position which we believe to be closer to Biblical truth, but which agrees neither with Charismatics, nor with non-Charismatics. Our position is as follows :

 

The Bible does not specifically teach the existence of any "second blessing", (or even a third, or fourth, etc...) which follows after conversion. However, it states that we have been blessed "with all sorts of spiritual blessings in the heavenly places, in Christ" (Ephesians 1:3). In Christ, we have already received not just one or two blessings, but "all sorts of blessings"! However, this verse states that they are "in the heavenly places, in Christ".

 

At his conversion, the Christian receives Christ completely. All spiritual blessings are complete in Christ, and are received right at the beginning of the Christian life.

 

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