Charismatic?

[faithgirl]

Are all non-denominational churches charismatic? I also don't really under stand what Charismatic is?

[Asaph]

Are all non-denominational churches charismatic? I also don't really under stand what Charismatic is?

No. Nondenominational actually covers a great deal of ground. Many are charismatic, but not all by any means.

Charismatic has to do with the belief that the Holy Spirit still works in the individual believer and gives spiritual giftings and uses and impowers the believer to do the work of the Kingdom now.

Asaph

[Highland Watchman]

No. Nondenominational actually covers a great deal of ground. Many are charismatic, but not all by any means.

Charismatic has to do with the belief that the Holy Spirit still works in the individual believer and gives spiritual giftings and uses and impowers the believer to do the work of the Kingdom now.

Asaph

Yes, and you'd often find an emphasis on the spiritual gifts and manifestations within a Charismatic church. Charismatics are also (as a generality of the majority) very much experience driven and oriented. This is why there is a strong emphasis on what Jesus has done in YOUR life, and the feelings are considered of high importance, especially during times of corporate worship. This is why most Charismatic churches will have a full band playing contemporary worship music. You MIGHT find the odd hymn thrown into the mix, but this is usually quite rare. You will usually come across expressions like, "Let's give God a hand" (indicating that the congregation clap for God), and "free" worship times, when everyone just fandomly says or sings things. Hands uplifted during songs is something usually found in Charismatic circles as well, as is laying on of hands during prayer.

Not all Non-Denominationals are like this, though. For instance, there was a church that I pastored for a few months that had more of a Baptist flavour to it. The songs were Country/Gospel on some weeks, Contemporary on others, and Hymns on others. And NOBODY lifted their hands, and it was an effort to get them to have any clapping or moving about. Heck, even getting them to sing was something in itself... And the emphasis was on being a "community church", with a hoped-for focus on evangelism, rather than on personal warm fuzzies and spiritual gifts.

Also, whereas most Charismatics tend to ignore the Old Testament (as do many Evangelicals), I personally take great joy when looking there and seeing the background of our heritage, as well as the examples found there of men and women who had actual relationships with the Living God. I am interested in the original context of Scripture, rather than "proof texts" and "memory verses", although I do tend to use proof texts here and there, as long as I am not stretching the meaning beyond what it was intended in it original context. I do also have an interest in church history and looking at how God has brought his people since the time of when the Bible was written... and there is much that can be learned there. Also, unlike most (if not all) Charismatics, my eschatological viewpoint (as in, End times view) is not pre-tribulation rapture.

[janny108]

I believe in the gifts of holy spirit and hearing contemporary music at church, but what I don't care for is , do people believe something because they experience it, or do they believe it because it's scripturally accurate? That seems to be a big question. Ex. falling over, getting "holy" laughter,losing control of one's faculties in church.

Jan

[Entertaining_Angels]

Many are charismatic (believe the gifts are still used today) and while some tend to be hyper-charismatic (their focus being primarily on gifts, emotions and less on anything else), many can be more Biblical as well. The New Testament talks extensively on gifts and how they are to be used. If you really study your Bible and not just a few select verses given by some churches, you can really see the bigger picture.

[Leimeng]

~ The vast majority of 'charismatic' non-denominational churches I have attended have a very strong emphasis on studying the Old Testament. Remember, when Paul, Peter, and Jesus preached, iit was revelation of the Old Testament given by the Holy Spirit.
~ Most of the 'traditional' churches are driven by experiances more than God's Word. They do things because that is how they have always done them and anything different does not fit into their experiances. They feel uncomfortable doing anything outside of their paradigm and in fact seem to take great pride in remaining as comfortable as possible. Look at how many churches are afraid to go over 60 minutes for their Sunday morning church services... Let alone asking people to stand in the presence of GOD during a time of corporate worship.
~ Continue to discuss amongst yourselves...

Peace,

Leimeng

Flatulo Ergo Sum ~~~

(***Insert Personal One Liner Here***)

[talitha]

You must spread some Reputation around before giving it to Leimeng again.

most Charismatics tend to ignore the Old Testament

that is not true.

blessings
tal

[Adammi]

That seems to be a big question. Ex. falling over
Revelation 1:17

getting "holy" laughter
Though not specifically found in the Bible, we do know that God gives joy to those who serve him and if he loves someone enough to make them laugh, then why not.

losing control of one's faculties in church
LISTEN UP!!! Just because we Pentecostals are crazy doesn't mean that you have to make fun of our church staff.;)

[Highland Watchman]

that is not true.

blessings
tal


~ The vast majority of 'charismatic' non-denominational churches I have attended have a very strong emphasis on studying the Old Testament. Remember, when Paul, Peter, and Jesus preached, iit was revelation of the Old Testament given by the Holy Spirit.

Perhaps the "charismatic" churches that I have gone to and heard of do not fit the "typical" mold then, with an exception to the one I currently belong to. I apologize.

And yes, I VERY heartily agree. All of the sermons in the New Testament have a basis in the Old Testament, and so do even the miracles, and so do almost all of the apocalyptic images in Revelation. However, the sad part is how many students come to Bible College year after year who don't even know what exists before Matthew and after 2 Timothy except one or two memory verses that are warm and fuzzy... some are even worse than that!


~ Most of the 'traditional' churches are driven by experiances more than God's Word. They do things because that is how they have always done them and anything different does not fit into their experiances. They feel uncomfortable doing anything outside of their paradigm and in fact seem to take great pride in remaining as comfortable as possible. Look at how many churches are afraid to go over 60 minutes for their Sunday morning church services... Let alone asking people to stand in the presence of GOD during a time of corporate worship.

Very correct here, and very aptly put. But note that I did not deny this in my statement above. But whether a church does things the "traditional" way or the "contemporary" way does not make them any better than the other, nor does it remove the "this is how I like it, so this is how it is going to stay" type of attitude. And yes, the 60 minute rule bites, hard... but it is also one that seems to exist across the board.

[Asaph]

Revelation 1:17And when I saw him, I fell at his feet as dead. And he laid his right hand upon me, saying unto me, Fear not; I am the first and the last:


Though not specifically found in the Bible, we do know that God gives joy to those who serve him and if he loves someone enough to make them laugh, then why not.


LISTEN UP!!! Just because we Pentecostals are crazy doesn't mean that you have to make fun of our church staff.;)

ROFL! I was actually thinking that the "losing control of the faculties" thing just meant that charismatic churches should have more stratigically located restrooms. :D

Asaph

[Adammi]

ROFL! I was actually thinking that the "losing control of the faculties" thing just meant that charismatic churches should have more stratigically located restrooms. :D

Asaph
ROFL ROFL ROFL ROFL!!!!