The Charismatic Movement

 By it's very nature there is a wide range of doctrine practised by assemblies falling into this category, but a common element is the emphasis on the exhibition of the Gifts of the Holy Spirit, especially "Speaking in Tongues."  This is a very emotive subject and both those for and those against the practice can be careless in their quotations from Scripture.  This is a great pity as the New Testament is absolutely clear on the purpose and use of that particular gift. It is quite clear that the gift of "Tongues" refers to two distinct purposes: the ability to communicate with foreigners and the ability to speak in a non human language  for the purpose of personal spiritual benefit. I know of no scripture which presents Speaking in Tongues as being a message FROM God, except when used to communicate with foreigners. If you do, please tell me. I see absolutely nothing in Scripture which suggests "Tongues" are used as a two way communication with God.

Act 2:4  And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.

Act 2:5  And there were dwelling at Jerusalem Jews, devout men, out of every nation under heaven. 

Act 2:6  Now when this was noised abroad, the multitude came together, and were confounded, because that every man heard them speak in his own language. 

Act 2:7  And they were all amazed and marvelled, saying one to another, Behold, are not all these which speak Galilaeans? 

Act 2:8  And how hear we every man in our own tongue, wherein we were born? 

Act 2:9  Parthians, and Medes, and Elamites, and the dwellers in Mesopotamia, and in Judaea, and Cappadocia, in Pontus, and Asia, 

Act 2:10  Phrygia, and Pamphylia, in Egypt, and in the parts of Libya about Cyrene, and strangers of Rome, Jews and proselytes, 

Act 2:11  Cretes and Arabians, we do hear them speak in our tongues the wonderful works of God. 

In the above, the Tongues involved is clearly the ability to be understood in other languages. At the onset of the Reformation, the prominent view of the leaders was that the gift of tongues referred solely to the ability to be understood by a foreigner and there is nothing in the New Testament to directly contradict that. However I believe some instances can only refer to a supernatural language as the absence of an interpreter  leaves the speaker to communicate only with God. That also makes it quite clear the "Tongues" are a method of speaking to God and not of God speaking to us. possibly in accordance with 

Rom 8:26  Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. 

It appears that many charismatic assemblies do not agree with this, as I understand that there are many instances of "interpretations" which claim God is speaking to the assembly. I know of no scripture which supports such a belief (that would be a "Prophesy" which is an entirely separate gift  not involving Tongues).  

1Co 14:28  But if there be no interpreter, let him keep silence in the church; and let him speak to himself, and to God.  

Act_10:46  For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God.  

The gift of Interpretation of tongues is a separate gift and must be present if Speaking in Tongues is  to be performed in the presence of other people.

1Co 14:26  How is it then, brethren? when ye come together, every one of you hath a psalm, hath a doctrine, hath a tongue, hath a revelation, hath an interpretation. Let all things be done unto edifying. 

1Co 14:27  If any man speak in an unknown tongue, let it be by two, or at the most by three, and that by course; and let one interpret. 

1Co 14:28  But if there be no interpreter, let him keep silence in the church; and let him speak to himself, and to God. 

This clearly indicates that the person speaking in tongues may be "Edified" by the experience, but there are many verses in the Bible which proclaim the edification (personal spiritual benefit) of prayer and praise, so the "Edification" is not confined to Tongues.

If several people claim to be speaking in Tongues at the same time or several one after the other, that is clearly contrary to scripture and must be considered suspect, as must be interpretations which claim to be God speaking to the person/assembly. Obviously, if a truly  born again Christian claims to speak in tongues in accordance with scriptural guidance  no one can  dispute that but, clearly, it is not a necessary experience for all true Christians and is not a sign of spiritual maturity, In fact, most of the occasions it is mentioned in Scripture happens at the beginning of the person's life in Christ.  The big danger facing the Charismatic approach  is that all the Gifts of the Spirit can be fabricated and can allow  the intrusion of false believers into the assembly, even into positions of authority.

2Co 11:3  But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ. 

2Co 11:4  For if he that cometh preacheth another Jesus, whom we have not preached, or if ye receive another spirit, which ye have not received, or another gospel, which ye have not accepted, ye might well bear with him. 

Gal 2:4  And that because of false brethren unawares brought in, who came in privily to spy out our liberty which we have in Christ Jesus,  

Another common "Charismatic" item is the timing of the receipt of the Holy Spirit. It is often claimed He is received some time after becoming a Christian.  This is based  on one text solely in the King James version.

Eph 1:13  In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise,

The claim is that "after" means "later".  However, there is no word at this point in the Greek text. It was simply chosen by the KJV  team. They could just as easily put "when"  or  "upon" and several other translations do,  e.g  NIV  and  ESV.  Other verses leave us in no doubt

.

Rom 8:9  But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his. 

Which makes it clear we receive the Holy Spirit immediately on being born again., otherwise  we are "none of His".

I have heard some charismatic claims that the terms "Holy Spirit", "Spirit of God" and "Spirit of Christ" refer to three different Spirits,  I do not believe that is consistent with scripture.

1Co 12:9  to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by that one Spirit, 

1Co 12:13  For we were all baptized by one Spirit so as to form one body—whether Jews or Gentiles, slave or free—and we were all given the one Spirit to drink

Eph_2:18  For through him we both have access to the Father by one Spirit.

Eph 4:4  There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called; 

Another practice of many Charismatic assemblies is to recognise some of their members as "Apostles".  That is not supported by scripture. The clear understanding of the Apostles chosen by Jesus is that their number was limited to 12. This is shown when they quoted scripture to support the replacement of Judas Iscariot

Act 1:20  "For," said Peter, "it is written in the Book of Psalms: "'May his place be deserted; let there be no one to dwell in it,' and, "'May another take his place of leadership.' 

Act 1:21  Therefore it is necessary to choose one of the men who have been with us the whole time the Lord Jesus was living among us, 

Act 1:22  beginning from John's baptism to the time when Jesus was taken up from us. For one of these must become a witness with us of his resurrection." 

 Act 1:25  That he may take part of this ministry and apostleship, from which Judas by transgression fell, that he might go to his own place. 

Act 1:26  And they gave forth their lots; and the lot fell upon Matthias; and he was numbered with the eleven apostles.

Remember, this took place before the Holy Spirit was "guiding them into all truth" and although 

they recalled the appropriate scripture, they came to a wrong conclusion and we never hear of Matthias again. Quite clearly,  Paul was the replacement for Judas Iscariot and Paul later emphasised that he "was appointed (an Apostle)   out of time"  as a special  act, meaning that the time  for appointing Apostles had passed .  Furthermore, a necessary  qualification of an Apostle was that they had personally witnessed Jesus' resurrection, Paul achieving this either by special revelation or was an actual eye witness of the Crucifixion.

Act 1:21  Wherefore of these men which have companied with us all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us, 

Act 1:22  Beginning from the baptism of John, unto that same day that he was taken up from us, must one be ordained to be a witness with us of his resurrection.

Act 1:26  And they gave forth their lots; and the lot fell upon Matthias; and he was numbered with the eleven apostles. 

1Co 15:8  And last of all he was seen of me also, as of one born out of due time.

Clearly there is no one alive today who can meet the qualifications for being an Apostle.

This is confirmed by

Rev 21:14  And the wall of the city had twelve foundations, and in them the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb.

from which we learn that by the end days there would only  ever have been 12 Apostles. and  Jesus said

Rev 2:2  I know thy works, and thy labour, and thy patience, and how thou canst not bear them which are evil: and thou hast tried them which say they are apostles, and are not, and hast found them liars: 

shows that such imposters have been common throughout the history of the true Church.

There is one passage where the name of Barnabas was referred to with that of Paul  as an Apostle

Act 14:14  Which when the apostles, Barnabas and Paul, heard of, they rent their clothes, and ran in among the people, crying out, 

but that is unsupported anywhere else (apart from Acts 14:4 which is part of the same incident) and should be regarded as I expressed  in the page "Authority of the Scriptures"  i.e. Luke was not one of the disciples blessed with inspired memory.

What we do have is the clear authority for the teaching of the Disciples -  the 12 Apostles, Paul replacing Judas Iscariot - plus at least 1 of Jesus' half-brothers who were present when Jesus said

Joh 14:26  But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.

That covers every book of the New Testament except those written by Luke  (his Gospel and the Acts of the Apostles which may well be accurate representations of historical events, but do not bear the stamp of inspired authority for doctrine.)

Our faith needs continual attention. As in many other matters, movements which started off in the Christian Church with good intentions must be carefully watched. I have no doubt that the practices of the Charismatic Movement were initiated in good faith but it has become wildly corrupted in very many cases and was a divisive influence. When it arrived in the UK in the 1950's, I, in common with several of my Bible Believing friends truly sought the "benefit" of speaking in tongues, In attending a meeting designed to spread the practice, I was instructed by a gentleman who, when I said I did not feel worthy of the gift, told me to try and suggested the word "Abba" appeared in most languages. I was immediately aware of the danger of such a suggestive approach and recoiled from it.  Since then, I have many times sought the Lord to give me the gift if it is His will, but have never received it.  I understand that the word "Abba" is repeated hundreds of times in some charismatic assemblies.     I cannot dispute the right of a Bible Believing Christian to hold a view  contrary to mine on any subject, but when I meet this particular occurrence, I do take great care in dealing with the people involved and do not automatically assume the apparent exhibition of a Gift of the Spirit is proof of the possession of the Holy Spirit.

The only spiritually approved visible evidence of the possession of the Holy Spirit is that clearly defined by Jesus.

Mat 7:16  Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? 

Mat 7:17  Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit. 

Mat 7:18  A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. 

Mat 7:19  Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. 

Mat 7:20  Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them. 

Gal 5:22  But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, 

Gal 5:23  Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. 

1Co 13:13  And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.  (NIV)