Beliefs - What is a charismatic church?
Charismatic Churches derive their name from the Greek word `Charismata`, which refers to the gifts of the Spirit.
As a Charismatic Church we believe that the gifts, power and baptism in the Holy Spirit are as real and relevant now as they were in the early Church.
Paul wrote this of the spiritual gifts:
"Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good. 8 To one there is given through the Spirit the message of wisdom, to another the message of knowledge by means of the same Spirit, 9 to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by that one Spirit, 10 to another miraculous powers, to another prophecy, to another distinguishing between spirits, to another speaking in different kinds of tongues, and to still another the interpretation of tongues. 11 All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he gives them to each one, just as he determines."
1 Corinthians 12v7-11.
In one of the few descriptions of New Testament Church worship Paul makes it clear that gifts of the spirit should play a key role:
"What then shall we say, brothers? When you come together, everyone has a hymn, or a word of instruction, a revelation, a tongue or an interpretation. All of these must be done for the strengthening of the church."
1 Corinthians 14v26
Some Christians do not believe that the gifts of the spirit are for today's Church but died out at the same time as the apostles. This is unbiblical. There is nothing in the scriptures to suggest that this is the case. Peter when preaching on Pentecost made it clear that the gift of the Holy Spirit (who is of course a person - not an impersonal force!) is for everyone of every generation:
"Peter replied, "Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39 The promise is for you and your child nd for all who are far off—for all whom the Lord our God will call."
Acts 2v38-39
Some commentators suggest that the charismatic churches began in the mid 1960`s as Churches began to re-experience the manisfestation of various spiritual gifts. This is only partly true.
The use of spiritual gifts, such as healing and speaking in tongues, never completely stopped in the Church through the centuries. There are various reports and stories of miracles, speaking in tongues and prophecy from various Churches around the world throughout the centuries.
It is, however, true that there is now greater acceptance that such experiences are the work of God than ever before.