1 CORINTHIANS 2:2
For I determined not to know anything among you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified.
CHARISMATIC
Charismatics can be found in many denominations including Catholic. This classification of Believers was birthed out of the Pentecostal movement around 1960. According to an article found in Christianity Today as of 2011 there were over 300 Million Christians who considered themselves Charismatic. Why would a person not want to be a Charismatic Christian?
Charismatics firmly believe in the manifestation of God via the Holy Spirit. Baptism of the Holy Spirit with speaking in a heavenly language referred to as ‘an unknown tongue’ is significant. It is the Spirit of God that empowers the believer to do the work God has called them to do which includes: healing, casting out demons as well as other signs and wonders that come from Father God.
ACTS 1:8
But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.
ACTS 6:8
And Stephen, full of faith and power, did great wonders and miracles among the people.
Of the various Charismatic leaders Oral Roberts is probably the most known, some consider him the ‘godfather’ of the charismatic movement. What I remember of Oral Roberts was his passion for prayer and the move of God. His boldness of faith and what God would do despite other people’s opinions is the epitome (my opinion) of faith.
Charismatic ministries such as the one lead by Kenneth and Gloria Copeland shattered many stereotypes. Early in my Christian walk I discovered Kenneth Copeland Ministries, both he and his wife Gloria served as an introduction to teaching the word of God as oppose to preaching (yelling) based on a few Bible verses. There biblically based lessons present the promises of God and how a believer obtains them.
The word charisma is of Greek origin and means favor or gift. A Charimatic believer is one incorporates their God given gifts in his life.
1 PETER 2:24
Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.
Charismatics believe God has already healed every disease there is, those who are sick simply need to believe to receive. Kenneth Hagin Ministries like Oral Roberts and the Copelands, has a television ministry that promotes the blessings of God. This ministry also focuses on the blessings of God through his word- rhema.
Charismatics are an extension of the Pentecostal movement. So what is the diffence? Pentecostals, based on my research, believe that a person is baptized in the Holy Spirit if he or she is speaking in tounges; charismatics do not believe this is a mandate. How gifts are recieved is another nuance- Pentecostals say laying on of hands, Charismatics say they are just recieved. What is important to know is that both Pentecostals and Charismatics believe in the gifts of the Spirit of God.
Again, this is a brief overview based on my own study. It is important that you read your Bible and do your own research. Resepctfully……written by Marsha L F Randolph
NOTE: Am I Pentecostal or am I Charismatic? I would classify my beliefs as charismatic.
A MATTER OF FAITH reflects the opinions and property of the author MARSHA L F RANDOLPH. All rights reserved- do not use without permission. All Scriptures quoted are from the New King James Version of the Bible unless otherwise stated. Don’t miss weekly faith based post FOLLOW THIS BLOG and receive notifications when a new article is posted.
Please check out and subscribe to my YouTube Channel MY COUNTRY CITY PROJECT at NETTIE FR
