What is a Charismatic Church?

[Peaches]

since JC and Sarah are always asking me questions here is what charismatics believe.





A charismatic church is a born again believing, Bible-based Christian church. It preaches that Jesus is Lord in resurrection power, manifesting gifts of the Holy Spirit to minister to the lost and edify the church. It is called full-gospel and New Testament emphasizing the completeness of the gospel message and the practice of spiritual gifts for today.
Where did the term Charismatic come from?
In order to answer this, it is important to understand the history of Spiritual gifts that manifested after the day of Pentecost:
1. The manifestation of the gifts declined after the apostolic age, due largely to the fact that the church had become lukewarm. This is evidenced by the Lord’s warning to the church at Ephesus in Revelation 2:4-5.
2. In the second and third centuries they continued to more or less manifest.
But shortly after Constantine’s Edict making Christianity the national religion, at which time the church came into Imperial favor, the ministry of the gifts rapidly declined. Although it is important to note that the operation of the gifts never altogether ceased. The story of St. Francis contains thrilling incidents of miracles of healing.
3. Middle ages. The history of the persecuted sects of the Waldenses and Albigenses shows that the gifts of the Spirit were in manifestation even then.
4. 18th Century. John Wesley records remarkable Pentecostal phenomena in his journals in the meetings of the early Methodists. The Morovians and other contemporary groups also experienced many unusual supernatural manifestations.
5. 19th and 20th century revivals. When at last men began to earnestly to pray for their restoration to the Church, outpourings of His Spirit resulted. The Azusa street revival started in 1906, lasted three years with continuous services, and ignited spiritual gifts around the world.
In the early days of the restoration of the gifts of the Spirit the movement became known as Pentecostal, referring to the outpouring of the Spirit in Acts chapter 2 during the feast of Pentecost (A harvest festival):
Acts 2:1-4 When the Day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. And suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. Then there appeared to them divided tongues, as of fire, and one sat upon each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.
In the 1960’s and 70’s, to the surprise of some Pentecostal traditionalists, the Holy Spirit began to move among traditional denominational churches: Catholic, Methodist, Episcopalian, etc. This moved the Holy Spirit’s presence among the middle and upper class people as well, becoming more main stream. The term “Charismatic Renewal” began to be applied to this new move of revival.
The word charismatic comes from the Greek word charis, which is often used for the word “gift” to describe the spiritual gifts. It means Grace, often interpreted and used in words such as favor, gifts, grace. One definition calls it a “gift of grace”. As with salvation, the gifts are not based on our merit or personality, but on the grace and favor of God.
The dictionary defines “charismatic” as having or possessing great powers of charm or influence; to have a magnetic personality. A great leader and motivator can be known to have charisma, or a charismatic personality. While this definition is not negative, it does not
apply to a charismatic church. The world’s definition is man centered. The Bible definition is God centered and resourced by Him.
A Charismatic Church is Characterized by:
1. Desire for a Manifestation of the gifts of the Holy Spirit:
1 Corinthians 12:7-11 But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all: for to one is given the word of wisdom through the Spirit, to another the word of knowledge through the same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healings by the same Spirit, to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another discerning of spirits, to another different kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues. But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually as He wills.
A charismatic church is open, and gives opportunity, to the manifestation of the Holy Spirit in its services. That manifestation could be a message spoken in tongues and interpretation, prophesy, laying on of hands, healing, or a miracle.
2. Exuberant worship
A charismatic church has responsive worship often marked by lifting of hands, verbal praise such as “Hallelujah”, “glory to God”, “praise You Jesus”, “I love you Lord”, “thank you Lord”, and singing in the Spirit (tongues).
1 Corinthians 14:14-15 For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays, but my understanding is unfruitful. What is the conclusion then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will also pray with the understanding. I will sing with the spirit, and I will also sing with the understanding.
3. Spiritual Hunger
Zeal in the things of God and a desire to read, study and meditate on the Word of God.
Psalm 119:162 I rejoice at Your Word as one who finds great treasure.
2 Timothy 2:15 (KJS) Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the Word of truth.
4. Desire to witness
Acts 1:8 "But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth."
5. Desire for fruit of the Spirit and the greatest motivation of all: Love
1 Corinthians 12:31 But earnestly desire the best gifts. And yet I show you a more excellent way.
1 Corinthians 14:1 Pursue love, and desire spiritual gifts, but especially that you may prophesy.

[Peaches]

ok, will do i did copy it, my thanx to the Victory Life Church, for putting it into words easier than i could. I didn't say I was going to wright it, and i didn't take credit for it. It was left unsaid but I figured that you guys would figure it out considering...

1. I don't use allot of those words. ( lukewarm)
2. all the proper grammar and stuff isn't very common in my posts

So my apologies if it was to hard for any of you to figure it out and had to Google it and see.

[Pastor Scott]

Very interesting topic.

Here are a few things to think about and keep in mind.

1. Christ Wesleyan is not a charismatic church, but...

• we also believe in the active role of the Spirit
  
• we also believe in the ongoing empowerment of the church through spiritual gifts
  
• we also have "spiritual hunger" and pursue the fruits of the Spirit, often taking that to even more extreme lengths as we pursue holiness
  
• we also have great worship - especially on Wed. Night
  
• we also have a strong desire to witness
  

So, aside from the long perspective on the Holy Spirit's activity through the ages, most of Victory Life Church's actual description is also a description of any mainline denomination and church.

Here are the points in that description that truly identify the differences that a "charismatic" church would hold on to:
1. "A charismatic church is open, and gives opportunity, to the manifestation of the Holy Spirit in its services. That manifestation could be a message spoken in tongues and interpretation, prophesy, laying on of hands, healing, or a miracle."

2. "A charismatic church has responsive worship often marked by lifting of hands, verbal praise such as “Hallelujah”, “glory to God”, “praise You Jesus”, “I love you Lord”, “thank you Lord”, and singing in the Spirit (tongues)."

Translated in layman's terms - it is not uncommon to have individuals speak out in the middle of a service (in English or Simlish), jump in the Spirit, run in the Spirit, laugh in the Spirit, cry in the Spirit, clap in the Spirit... you get the idea. These outbursts are not regarded as interruptions but rather as manifestations of the Spirit within the Body of Christ. (I am not exaggerating - read this article to see the "laughing in the Spirit" phenomenon described: www.bible-knowledge.com/Laughing-in-the-Spirit.html)

I think this confuses many people and often trivializes the role of the Spirit to being primarily just the source of people's uncontrollable emotions. This can also confuse the presentation of God's Word as compared to a more orderly service. Since this type of open and interruptive service style is uncomfortable to many, these churches many times become inwardly focused to where their service is the only place they comfortably act on their understanding of these Spiritual "manifestations" or gifts. This is especially interesting, when you understand that the purpose for spiritual gifts is not self-edification but rather is for the spreading of the Gospel outside of the church. I challenge you to find an example in Scripture of the early church exercising their spiritual gifts exclusively within their home meetings.

One of the largest differences between most churches and those labeled "charismatic" is the understanding of spiritual gifts, their purpose, and usage within the church today. The fact that more than half of the description presented by Victory Life Church is dedicated to this proves my point.

I believe that the Spirit is active in the life of Christ-followers but is a lot more than just a biblical version of "the force" from Star Wars. The Spirit is God and like the Father and the Son, He is also a "person" of the Trinity. He empowers believers with spiritual gifts as "He wills" according to the needs of the church as they relate to the advancement of the Gospel. This is not to say that any gifts have ceased - for that is not something we can even begin to determine but some gifts may not be necessary within our mission field.

Here is my understanding of the gift of tongues, as I have witnessed it in its many practiced forms...

Acts 2 gives us the best example:
1When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. 2Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. 3They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. 4All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them.

5Now there were staying in Jerusalem God-fearing Jews from every nation under heaven. 6When they heard this sound, a crowd came together in bewilderment, because each one heard them speaking in his own language. 7Utterly amazed, they asked: "Are not all these men who are speaking Galileans? 8Then how is it that each of us hears them in his own native language? 9Parthians, Medes and Elamites; residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, 10Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya near Cyrene; visitors from Rome 11(both Jews and converts to Judaism Cretans and Arabs—we hear them declaring the wonders of God in our own tongues!"

What I learn from this passage about the gift of tongues is this...

• it had purpose and that was to advance the Gospel
  
• it was the presentation of the Gospel in known languages that were understood by the audience (the original word translated "tongues" actually means languages)
  

I have missionary friends that I believe have used the gift of tongues as described in Acts 2, so I do not believe that it has ceased. These missionaries had a reason for a supernatural gifting of languages and were able to learn an unknown language enough to present the Gospel in about a week and later developed a written form of the language for this native (unreached) people group, taught them to read it, and had much of the New Testament translated in this new written tongue in about two year's time! Wow!

Much of what we see in America that is labeled "the gift of tongues"...

• is done exclusively amongst those that are already believers
  
• is not understood by the hearers
  
• is an outward expression of emotion in the form of glossolalia or "gibberish"
  
• is not translated as most charismatic churches say is necessary
  
• is often required by most charismatic churches as evidence of your salvation and the indwelling of the Spirit - so it is sought after and chosen by the believer just as the Scriptures clearly discourage/ warn against
  
• has not contributed to spiritual growth in any way, shape, or form
  

The Spirit is not evidenced by what happens within the church service, but rather what happens through the Church.

Here are some questions about spiritual gifts that everyone should have an answer for...

1. What is a "spiritual gift"?
2. What are the spiritual gifts described in the Bible?
3. What is the purpose for "spiritual gifts"?
4. What distinguishes a spiritual gift from a talent/ability?
5. What is the evidence that a person is using a spiritual gift?
6. Where/How should a person use their spiritual gift?
7. What is your spiritual gift(s) and how are you being responsible with its use?

[not known]

can I just say that I find it very disconcerting to hear a pastor say, we have great worship especially on wednesday. worship isn't singing and it isn'tl ifting up our hands and shouting hallelujah. none of these things in a service can be used to measure the worshipfulness. as we all know we can get caught up in emotions, I myself have done this. now i am not saying that people aren't truly worshipping but worship isn't singing....it's a lifestyle. i have known many ppl to raise there hands in church and then on monday swear curse and act as if not a christian. i think it is important to keep these definitions in mind. sorry to go off on a tangent. I just thought that should be clarified.

[Angst]

Unfortunately, Pastor Scott isn't ever-present in the lives of the youth. None of us are. I do know what you mean though... I won't give examples, because that's not my place. But keep in mind: We're a fallen race and struggle every single day. It can be VERY difficult to change, and it's only even possible because of the surpassing strength of God. For those of us who start off steeped in sin, it can be hard to break the habit, or lapse into it, or even... sometimes... somehow... to forget God. Yes, worship is a lifestyle, but all of us

"have been a liar
And will never own up to
The kind of person
Who deserves to worship You"
-Relient K

I can't read minds, and I'm a pretty lousy judge of actions, but failure to follow God's commands doesn't mean the worship was insincere... Of course it's a pretty good indicator usually. But please don't judge too harshly... But you're right.

"Empty hands held high
Such small sacrifice
If not joined with my life
I sing in vain tonight
May the words I say
And the things I do
May my lifesong sing
And bring a smile to you
May my lifesong sing to you!"
-Casting Crowns

Btw, I'm JC Reich for whoever is wondering.