The Charismatic Movement
The Charismatic Movement has had and continues to have a great influence in many denominational bodies, varied churches and in our world. It is important to understand their teaching and their goals and compare them to Biblical truth. Harold Bredesen coined the phrase “Charismatic Movement” in 1962. To understand the modern movement we must comment on the Pentecostal Movement from the early twentieth century.
The Azuza Street Revival of 1906-1913 was the flashpoint for the worldwide Pentecostal movement. The main focus and teaching was the necessity of the baptism of the Holy Spirit. This event was to happen after salvation and would be evidenced by speaking in tongues.
The expectation was that this movement would restore apostolic doctrine and would lead to a “latter-rain” revival, leading to a great spiritual harvest, after which Christ would return. By the 1920’s “latter-rain” expectations had subsided. While Pentecostalism did not realize its stated goals it certainly stirred a greater hunger for “spiritual reality,” based in personal experience and focused on apostolic doctrine.
In the mid-nineteenth century a new and controversial focus arose within the Pentecostal Movement. Individual evangelists brought a new emphasis in their preaching – divine healing. The “Deliverance Revival” stirred a great following and flourished between 1947 and 1958. The “moment” in these meetings was not speaking in tongues but the outpouring of the Holy Spirit in “divine healing.” The lack of integrity among “deliverance” evangelists was well known within Pentecostal denominations. Three notable men led the Deliverance Revival Movement: William Branham, Oral Roberts and Gordon Lindsey.
This “Latter-Rain Movement” is the outgrowth of that which was named the Charismatic Movement in 1962. The doctrine within this movement included the baptism of the Holy Spirit, evidenced by speaking in tongues and the deliverance revival miraculous healings. However, we must note seven new teachings that guide the movement even today. Restorationism teaches that God is progressively restoring truth to the church since the reformation. Fivefold Ministry focuses on the restoration of the Ephesians 4:11 gifts to the church, namely the emphasis upon modern apostles and prophets. Laying on of hands is a practice by which modern apostles and prophets impart the Holy Spirit and other spiritual blessings. Prophecy would include personal and detailed revelation for guidance and instruction. Recovery of true worship suggests that God’s presence and power require singing in tongues, clapping, shouting, praise dancing and singing prophecies, all of which is referred to as divine worship. Immortalization of the saints teaches the possibility of those in the latter-rain restoration obtaining an immortal state before Christ returns. Unity of the faith instructs that the church will attain unity before Christ returns.
The modern Charismatic Movement has mushroomed into many diverse movements such as Pentecostal, Charismatic, Vineyard, Word-Faith and Holy Laughter. Notable names among these movements include Richard Roberts, Benny Hinn, Kenneth and Gloria Copeland, Kenneth Hagin, Robert Tilton and John Wimber. There are many other names that could be listed. It is interesting to note that many within the Movement are suggesting that the Charismatic Movement has finished its course and fulfilled its purpose, and that the Restoration Movement is now in the forefront. The doctrine in both movements is similar but the “New Charismatics” believe the restoration wave of God is on the horizon and that it will change the course of human history. This will require a unity in philosophy and purpose in all churches that will supernaturally transform the world.
Richard Roberts heads the Oral Roberts Evangelistic Association. His daily television program, “The Hour of Healing” recently broadcast a show, November 12, 2008, celebrating his 60th birthday. The program can be viewed at his website www.orm.cc. There were two couples brought out to reveal prophecy and pray over Richard Roberts. Both couples made it clear that Richard Roberts was an “apostle of the healing ministry” and that he is going to be leading a prophetic, healing, world-changing ministry in countries around the globe. Richard Roberts was born in 1948, the same year that Israel became a nation. It was suggested that 1948 was a very prophetic year and that is why Richard has been specially chosen to lead this great movement throughout the world.
The Charismatic Movement in all its forms places more emphasis on subjective experience than on biblical truth. A careful study of I Corinthians 12 and 13 will show that the “sign gifts,” as they are commonly known (more rightly known as “diversity in operations” I Corinthian 12:6), have “failed, ceased and vanished away” (I Corinthians 13:8), with the completion of the revelation of God, the Bible (I Corinthians 13:9,10). We also note that the restoration movement goal of religious unity ties this movement to the one-world religion, which will be led by the false prophet (Revelation 13,17). New revelations from God and apostolic restoration must be rejected and God’s completed revelation, the Bible, must be accepted and elevated. The ministry of the Holy Spirit is explained and limited in the Scriptures,( John 14-16), namely His guiding us into truth (John 17:17 “thy word is truth”), not speaking of Himself and glorifying Christ (John 16:13,14).
The Charismatic Movement has impacted the world and will continue to do so. It is a dangerous movement that must be exposed and rejected (Ephesians 5:11). There may be some true believers involved in the Charismatic confusion but they must face the truth and separate from this unbiblical, ungodly movement (II Peter 2:1,2; II Thessalonians 3:6).
The Azuza Street Revival of 1906-
The expectation was that this movement would restore apostolic doctrine and would lead to a “latter-
In the mid-
This “Latter-
The modern Charismatic Movement has mushroomed into many diverse movements such as Pentecostal, Charismatic, Vineyard, Word-
Richard Roberts heads the Oral Roberts Evangelistic Association. His daily television program, “The Hour of Healing” recently broadcast a show, November 12, 2008, celebrating his 60th birthday. The program can be viewed at his website www.orm.cc. There were two couples brought out to reveal prophecy and pray over Richard Roberts. Both couples made it clear that Richard Roberts was an “apostle of the healing ministry” and that he is going to be leading a prophetic, healing, world-
The Charismatic Movement in all its forms places more emphasis on subjective experience than on biblical truth. A careful study of I Corinthians 12 and 13 will show that the “sign gifts,” as they are commonly known (more rightly known as “diversity in operations” I Corinthian 12:6), have “failed, ceased and vanished away” (I Corinthians 13:8), with the completion of the revelation of God, the Bible (I Corinthians 13:9,10). We also note that the restoration movement goal of religious unity ties this movement to the one-
The Charismatic Movement has impacted the world and will continue to do so. It is a dangerous movement that must be exposed and rejected (Ephesians 5:11). There may be some true believers involved in the Charismatic confusion but they must face the truth and separate from this unbiblical, ungodly movement (II Peter 2:1,2; II Thessalonians 3:6).