How to Stay Above Deception Part 15

THE CHURCH REFORMATION

By Apostle Felix

I give you the name Peter, a stone. And this truth of who I am will be the bedrock foundation on which I will build my church—my legislative assembly, and the power of death will not be able to overpower it! Matthew 16: 18

PRESENT CHURCH

The present church has largely been influenced by it’s predecessors. The church is both traditional and Biblical. Once we realize that, it will help us to examine the church and attempt to identify traditions in the church. Without doubt, traditions are deeply enshrined into the church and have been assumed as part of the Word of God. Those are practices that have been done in church and been accepted as part of the church practice. Some practices are more cultural than Biblical. The African church is a mixture of western and African culture.

The Charismatic

The church has gone through different stages of development since inception. It has experienced different types of schisms due to doctrinal disputes. The last movement, the charismatic which began in 1960s with an emphasis on the baptism of the Holy Spirit and the exercise of spiritual gifts, is no exceptional. Though the charismatics and Pentecostals share these same beliefs, there are differences. The main difference is the mode of operation. The charismatic ministries are ran by individuals, who may not necessarily be under any other denomination, such as Assembly of God. The ministries may have the Pentecostal doctrine but in reality doctrine is not strictly adhered to. Personal revelation is more reverenced than Bible revelation.

In the 1950s through 70s, individuals started leaving mainline denominations for the purpose of expressing their new received revelations from God. Revivalists, such as William Branham, Oral Roberts, A.A. Allen and many more started holding large interdenominational meetings which emphasized the gifts of the spirit. These revival meetings were centred on healings and miracles. Crowds were drawn from all across the world. Individuals, who were leaders of the ministries in charismatic movement became cult heroes. They became the ministry, without them the ministries would not be that effective. However, the movement introduced the dependence on hearing from the Holy Spirit and faith in God. It is very vital then to look at some of positive contributions of the charismatic movement to the church.

Positive Contributions:

1. Flexibility: The charismatics are flexible to the leading of the Spirit. They are spontaneous and robust in their implementing what the Lord is asking them to do. They have less channels of consultation before implementing something.
2. Visionary: The charismatics have the inclination to pursuing visions at personal level. The drive to accomplish a dream is more among the charismatics than in denominations.
3. Self-motivated: Charismatics are normally self-motivated. One can easily obey to go and plant a church in far country upon receiving an instruction from the Lord. They are courageous and bold.