If you never rebuke sin, have worldly attractions, and give people everything they want, you'll see growth, but you won't please God.
Charismaticism weakens churches that are committed to the fundamentals of the faith, while it energises ecumenical liberal, worldly churches.
2. Numerical growth does not equal God's stamp of approval. Mormons, Jehovah Witnesses and other cults can boast amazing growth statistics, yet their beliefs are very unbiblical. What about growth of Charismatic churches that hold to the fundamentals of the faith? Jesus' parable of the wheat and tares (Matthew 13:24-30; 36-43), mustard seed (13:31, 32), and the leaven (13:33) all predict outward growth in Christendom, but this growth would be accompanied by growth in evil influences (leaven, birds) from within. Therefore, numerical growth does not mean that God approves all a church's doctrine. Numerical growth, even by true conversions, can occur amidst false doctrine, e.g. The Corinthian church grew rapidly even though it was full of false doctrine and wrong behaviour.
Many churches claim to be evangelical, but challenge them on:
- The 100% inerrancy of Scripture.
- The historical, literal accuracy of Genesis 1-11.
- The factual nature of Jonah being swallowed by a fish.
- The scientific accuracy of a literal creation week, and they show themselves to disbelieve the Bible.
If we loudly profess to believe every Bible truth, except where the world and devil are at the moment attacking, we are denying Christ and proving disloyal. Today's battle against the Bible takes the form of an invasion of new revelations. This is why Rome can happily endorse the Charismatic movement because Rome also has her new revelations that are contrary to the Bible. We must be sound in belief, sound in a Godly life, and sound in serving Christ. (Mick Alexander)
12 comments:
These churches are growing in leaps and bounds because people are really really naive when it comes to being lead down the garden path into destruction. We do not understand how so many people can be taken in by these charlatans.
It's really obvious that you have taken a lot of time to research about the Pentecostal/charismatic movements. I believe that your concerns are genuine and it is really too bad that these influences are sneaking into the main stream churches each and every week. All we can do is pray for God to intervene sooner rather than let all of these Christians continue to be deceived. Your blog is a good starting point for discussion in our small group and we have permission from our pastor to use it starting this month.
This is absolutely insane. I cannot believe that so many people (including some of our family) have been suckered into this. We cannot get any of them to listen to reason about what is really going on in their churches.. and they are mixed up in a number of different ones. Thank you for sharing. We will be continuing to follow your blog for more information that may help us get our family out of these churches. By the way, these churches are spread throughout Canada from coast to coast.
Thank you for publishing these recent articles. It has opened our eyes to what is going on in our church. I am appalled that we were part of those who were deceived by the leaders. We need to get out but it will be hard for our children to leave their friends.
We have been following your blog almost since the beginning and have really been most upset by what is going on. Some of the comments are so heart wrenching and we really didn't think that we could possibly have been drawn into a church such as these. Well, on New Year's Eve, in our service, our new pastor started "gobbledegooking" all over the place. Over half of our congregation was in shock, some left, some started shouting at the pastor.. it was AWFUL!!! We vetted this pastor.. had no indication that he believed in such a thing .. and now the Board is trying to figure out what to do next! All of our Board are now researching and we have started with your blog, library and comments. Thank you, thank you, thank you .. and all because we originally looked up Joel Osteen and your blog came up!
We were absolutely astounded by this information. We know now that some of our family are involved in one of these demon-possessed churches. Now, how do we get them out?
Thank you, thank you, thank you. God has opened our children's eyes and they have left their church.. it only took a whole year of sending them your blog information!
We have been watching your blog for some time and are extremely interested in the perspectives that you put out. We have always known that some of our family are involved but had no idea of what could possibly happen to them if they stay in these fringe churches. Thank you so much for posting and we have sent the link to your blog to the ones who we believe are in these churches. We pray that their eyes will be opened.
I have now realized that I am part of the problem because I attend one of the Victory churches and part of my "job" is to recruit unhappy Christians from other churches. I have brought over 20 families into our church over the last three years. Another part of my job was to follow your blog and see what was being put out about us. What your blog has done is made me realize that we are wrong. I don't know how to make it right but I am going to try. Don't let anyone stop you from continuing.. this is a valuable service and I know that I would not be aware without it.
How sad to read some of these comments. We are just finishing up bankruptcy proceedings after tithing over 50% of our income to the church. We were fortunate that we did not lose our home but everything else we worked so hard for is gone. We wish that we had found your blog earlier but all we can say is that if people are in one of these churches.. Get OUT.. do not TITHE 50% of your income .. do not LOSE your family because the church takes over your lives. We are starting over... and will be very careful about what church we attend in the future.
Incredible. These churches keep growing because they are the "feel good" churches.. and draw people deeper and deeper into their mysticism until they cannot get out. Keep writing, Brother Poo-Bah!
I wish that I had found your blog before I signed up to become a pastor in a Rhema church. Turns out I was totally deceived until I had signed away my entire life .. literally to this corrupt organization. I am now totally against anything related to these churches and would strongly warn everyone to research research research before getting involved.
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