I have written about my experience in the Charismatic Movement because I have a great concern for the spiritual welfare of those who get involved in this movement. I am convinced that almost everyone who becomes involved in it is harmed spiritually in some way. This does mean that God has not used this movement. People become Christians and receive some basic teaching in Charismatic churches. I have known many wonderful Christian people in Pentecostal churches. However, they need to know that there are real dangers associated with involvement in the Charismatic Movement.
Question
The question that more Christians need to ask is, "where is the line that causes a church to cross over from Biblical Christianity into unorthodoxy?" From the very beginning of the early church Christians have had to ask this question because of the constant presence of groups that claim to be Christian but fall outside Biblical Christianity. What Christians believe must be established on the teaching of the Scriptures. Failure to do this means the undermining of the Faith. In the New Testament the first major group that challenged the doctrinal stand of the early church were the Judiaziers. They were a group who wanted to compel Gentile Christians to be circumcised. Then a few years later the church had to deal with Gnosticism. In response to each challenge the leadership of the early church defined the essential components of the faith and exposed false teaching. Much of the New Testament is written for this very purpose. We should do no less today. We have a duty to hold all groups responsible, including the Charismatic Movement, if their teaching crosses over the line from sound doctrine into false teaching.
The term that we use to describe a group which claims to be Christian, yet teaches doctrine which is inconsistent with Scripture, is "cult". Webster's dictionary defines cult as, "a religion that is unorthodox or spurious." There are teachings and practices in Pentecostal and Charismatic Churches that fall into this category. Even ardent supporters of Pentecostalism will admit these practices, like snake handling, exist. In the latest edition of "The Kingdom Of The Cults" there is a section on the Word Faith Movement which is considered to be part of the Charismatic Movement. (pp. 495-516) Word Faith is now considered to be in the category of being a cult. There is also a section which debates whether the Seventh-day Adventists are a cult. (pp. 517-520) Seventh-day Adventism is tame when compared with some of the things that are going on in the Charismatic Movement today.
Conclusion
I hope the testimony of my involvement in the Charismatic Movement has been helpful to you. It is my conviction that Christians must take a harder look at the teachings of this movement. I have written several other articles which lay out a Biblical basis for the Baptism of the Holy Spirit. I urge you to continue to research this subject and to determine for yourself what the Scriptures teach on this very important subject. If my testimony has been helpful to you, in any way, I am indeed very grateful.
Personal Note: I receive e-mails from people all over the world. Many of them are deeply troubled by what they experience when they go to Charismatic churches. This is a copy of an e-mail I received from a young lady in England. This young person is not alone in her confusion. There are many other people who have questions and are struggling to find answers.
