6. Why Are Charismatic Churches The Fastest Growing Churches in the World?

1.  Much Charismatic growth is by attracting Christians from other churches.  Because Charismatic churches place little emphasis on sound doctrine, this breeds an atmosphere of acceptance, which assists numerical growth.

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:

1. The 100% inerrancy of Scripture.
2. The historical, literal accuracy of Genesis 1-11.
3. The factual nature of Jonah being swallowed by a fish.
4. The scientific accuracy of a literal creation week, and they show themselves to disbelieve the Bible.

Christ prayed that the Father would sanctify believers through His Word (John 17:17), before He prayed that believers would be one (John 17:21).

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)