The Errors Of The Charismatic Movement

-->

    The main problem with the Charismatic Movement is its denial of God’s sovereignty. This denial is manifested in its decisionism. The idea that “I can decide to speak in tongues. I can decide to prophesy. I can decide to name and claim it. I can just say the sinners’ prayer and be saved.” Salvation requires Divine Revelation and not a magic prayer.

Another error is the doctrine that it is God’s will to heal everyone. Jesus did not choose to heal everyone. This, also, is a denial of God’s sovereignty. God is the One who decides; not man. God decides when to send revival, also.

    Another error is the presumption that “God told me so and so.” Some seem to hear from God more than Elijah did. When people say God told them something that He did not say, it is blasphemy. Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain. The Lord will not hold him guiltless that takes His name in vain.”

    Another error is the “copy-cat” falling prostrate. In the great Calvinist Presbyterian revivals of history people some times passed out under conviction of sin. But in the Charismatic meetings they do not fall because they are under conviction of sin. They fall because the preacher wants them to fall. They think it is a blessing. In the Presbyterian revival of Stewarton, Scotland the Presence of God was so real that they cried out, “O my sins. God have mercy. God have mercy.” And they had to be carried out. When they awoke they were converted and at peace with great calm.

    The danger for modern Calvinists is to reject the real thing because they can’t discern the difference between the real and the fake Charismatic stuff. I suggest they google “The Stewarton Sickness” and The Irish Revival of 1859.

    Another error of the Pentecostal/Charismatic movement is the idea that they can work up a revival. God has His own timetable. He usually precedes it by sending a Spirit of prayer. True prayer cannot be “ginned” up.

    Another error is the doctrine that the gift of tongues is the only sign that one is filled with the Holy Spirit.  The main problem with the said movement is that they believe in man’s ability to obey God. True Calvinism would correct its many errors that I do not mention.

    Does this mean that the gifts of the Spirit did not manifest in John Knox, John Welch, Columba, Anthony of the Desert, and many others? By no means.

My Position On Carnal Israel”

 I support the so-called “Nation of Israel” not because they are carnal descendants of Abraham, but because that nation stands for Western Culture as an ally of the U.S.

The Bible says, “flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God” (1 Cor 15:50).  God never made His covenant with flesh and blood. His covenant with Abraham was based on the promise of a miracle (the birth of Isaac), nor are Jews in the flesh “all children [of the promise] because they are the [carnal] seed of Abraham; but, ‘In Isaac your seed shall be called’” (Romans 9:7). Any doctrine based on the holiness of “blood and soil” is just as wrong as Hitler’s doctrine of “blood and soil.”

That is why John the Baptist said, “ Therefore bear fruits worthy of repentance, and do not begin to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father.’ For I say to you that God is able to raise up children to Abraham from these stones” (Luke 3:8). And when the Jews told Jesus, ““Abraham is our father.’ Jesus said to them, ‘If you were Abraham’s children, you would do the works of Abraham… You are of your father the devil, and the desires of your father you want to do.’” (John 8:39 & 44). Every unbeliever is a child of the devil.

The one and only true Israelite is Jesus Christ. The only ones who can call themselves Jews or Israelites are those who are baptized into Christ. In carnal words only carnal Jews can be called Jews. But in spiritual words (i.e. God’s language), only those in Christ are the real Israelites. “For he is not a Jew who is one outwardly, nor is circumcision that which is outward in the flesh; but he is a Jew who is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the Spirit, not in the letter; whose praise is not from men but from God” (Romans 2:28-29).

“What advantage then has the [carnal] Jew, or what is the profit of circumcision? Much in every way! Chiefly because to them were committed the oracles of God” (Romans 3:1-2). They be respected for that reason only. “For there is no difference [between carnal Jew and gentile]; for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:21-22).

The only reason there is a nation today called Israel is because the English Puritans believed that so they shall come to Christ after all the other nations are converted. Puritan Oliver Cromwell wanted to open England to the Jews after hundreds of years of banishment. “All the ends of the world Shall remember and turn to the LORD, And all the families of the nations Shall worship before You” (Psalm 22:27).

Isaiah speaks of a day when Egypt, Assyria, and Israel will all turn to the Lord. “In that day Israel will be one of three with Egypt and Assyria--a blessing in the midst of the land, whom the LORD of hosts shall bless, saying, ‘Blessed is Egypt My people, and Assyria the work of My hands, and Israel My inheritance’” (Isaiah 19:23-25).