The Errors of Modern Pentecostalism

This is not a study to just criticize a movement, but it will present many doctrinal challenges to our present beliefs within this movement.
I will throughout this give my own testimony along with some alarming facts.
To begin with we will tackle with the term Pentecost.
Pentecost was a Jewish feast of weeks, at the close of the grain of harvest 50 days after Passover, or in modern terms 50 days from Easter.
It was on this day that the Holy Spirit fell, in language used by the King James Bible.
You will find this phenomena in Acts 2.you will have to read the whole chapter to get the full understanding.
This was a tremendous manifestation of the Holy Spirit and the inauguration of the church.
The disciples spoke with tongues, various languages, we sometimes get hooked on the very word tongues as it also gives a kind of mystical feel to it, but all it is, is the ability to speak in other languages by the help of the Spirit.
This is now where we are coming to understand the seat of error within this movement.
In Acts 10;44 Cornelius and his house received the Holy Spirit, and for the disciples the confirmation was that they heard them speak in languages, in the same way as they received it, this left them without a shadow of a doubt that it was genuine.
In acts 19;1-6 followers of john also had to receive the Holy Spirit, and they spoke with tongues and prophesied.
It is clear that tongues was not the only manifestation Acts chapter 8:17-18 What did Simon see !, it does not clearly state what the manifestation was, but whatever it was they were clear that Simon received something.
The problem is to turn a manifestation into a doctrine, to explain further whilst I believe that many of whom are baptised in the holy spirit will speak in languages unknown to them, to take this manifestation as the only evidence of the Holy Spirit is not hermeneutical.
Namely their were other manifestations of the spirit, prophesying(preaching), supernatural love and unity was mentioned as brought on by the holy spirit,
It would fill them and manifest itself in boldness, a fearlessness in declaring the gospel.
We must remember that the book of acts is not a doctrinal book. It is an account or a report, of the workings of the holy spirit in the apostles.
For doctrine and church order we have the epistles, rooted in the old testament theology, it is amazing then that there is not one epistle where it teaches that speaking in languages was an initial evidence of the holy spirit.
Remember it was the apostles that said that the holy spirit was received in the same way as they received it, this confirmed the baptism for them at that time, it was a response not doctrine, otherwise it would be emphasised in the epistles.

It was to confirm the incoming of the gentiles as being identical to their experience in Acts 2
The Apostles cast lots in acts chapter one to decide who should take Judas place as a minister, should we continue this as doctrine and Christian tradition?
In Acts they sold their houses and laid it at the apostles feet, should we continue this practice ?

In Acts 15 James taught that we should eat Kosher, (meat that was not killed by strangulation) should this be christian doctrine?

The list is endless and it should convince us that the book of Acts is not doctrinal, but a witness or a report of early church practice.
It is indeed a blueprint, but as we know the blueprint is not the finished product, their are always details that change or it would be more accurate to say becomes clearer.

Let me at this point give my testimony, I am born again for twenty three years, I have seen in my ministry sick healed, demons cast out on a regular basis, I have received genuine prophecies that have come to pass, I speak in tongues, privately and in prayer.
But by the grace of God I do not trust in these things or use them as a measure of my spirituality, the true measure is the life I lead, and the question is...do I posses the fruit of the spirit as mentioned in Galatians 5
Read Matthew 7:15-22
" not everyone that says Lord shall enter into the Kingdom"
It is clear throughout the scriptures that you can be even used of God and go to hell.
Cyrus was a heathen but used of God, Nebuchadnezzar was also used according to Jeremiah.
Ciaphus prophesied yet he was one of the Sanhedrin that was responsible for crucifying Christ.
When we look at these characters though they were used of God, can we really say that they are to inherit the Kingdom of God.
True Christianity is built on the words and teachings of Christ, we do well to follow his example in ministry lifestyle, humility, integrity, righteousness.
The Problem is we like to add things, and we even see things in scripture that are not really there, we interpret scripture to suit ourselves, or shall I say our belief systems,

some preacher taught that when Jesus rode on a donkey it was the most prestigious animal to have at that time, similar to a limousine to justify his greed and covetousness for wealth and filthy lucre; What absolute fallacy. This actual prophecy was made by Zachariah in chapter 9 verse nine . The whole text would lose its meaning, the words preceding are a key, meek, and lowly so it is obvious that this form of transport was probably common among the very poor, and hence the sign of a great king yet found not with a chariot and horses but an ass.

How easily scripture is prostituted to suit our own needs!

To have a clear understanding of were I am coming from, I would like to make the point that sometimes it was the practices that the Jews were into that angered the Lord.
In the same way, in modern Christianity there are practices hat are held as the norm that are closer to animism than biblical Christianity I will name a few.
Deliverance ministry
Healing ministry
Intercessory ministry

(So called spiritual warfare, calling names of territorial demans andd casting them into the pit........My question is after all that binding and losing by so many christians surely he must be in the pit by now!!!No their is an allotted time when satan shall be cast in their and all your spiritual warfare will not change that.)

These are whilst all very biblical practices, the problem is when you isolate them as I have above.
All of these are rather part of a whole.
For instance as I quoted earlier that have had the experience of conducting many exorcisms yet I am not what you call a deliverance minister, because such an office or calling cannot be traced in scripture.

I have witnessed and will continue to witness many healings but I am not a healing minister, but you find these gifts accompany an evangelist, or an apostle, or anyone with faith in the lord
A perfect example is in Acts 8;5-8 these abilities accompanied Phillip, but his Calling which was later found out was as an evangelist.
To take this point further, Phillip did many signs and wonders, is he no to call himself a sign and wonder minister?
Phillip Knew his limitations after such powerful crusades he called Peter and John to pray over them for the holy spirit and to ground them, and establish a church there.
Again I will say that I intercede on many occasions sometimes for hours, yet I am not an intercessor( in an official capacity, there is no such ministry in scripture, yet we are called to intercede.
There are some especially women that have a great ability in this area to pray, but unfortunately there is no special status associated with it

Many so called intercessors become advisers to pastors and leaders, and delve into, and see things that do not concern them, and open themselves up to spirits of divination, and witchcraft, many an intercessor has taken his path.
In contrast we have a man called Simon, who had a different idea about Christian service.
Acts 8:18-24
I think if we looked carefully today at some of the ministries we would see Simon in many of them, but they go unchallenged.

Before I go on further note: the miracles in Acts were never staged, they were situational, and God was seen as the Author through the Holy spirit.
Acts 9:32-35 While Peter was passing through an area, just enjoying the day the Holy spirit directs him to raise up Aneus.
In Acts 14:8-10 while Paul was speaking he perceived by revelation knowledge that " a certain man had faith" and told him to rise to his feet. It was never planned or staged.
Note also in comparison to many false teachers today, Paul & Barnabus when offered the chance of fame, refused and made it clear that they were just men.
Many today would have used this miracle to build their ministry, and the sacrifices to build a great empire around themselves.

Before we go on we need to discuss; what is the emphasis in scripture…….

It is overwhelmingly character.
Galatians 5:22-24
Mathew 5:20 our righteousness must exceed that of the Pharisees.
Jesus said by their fruit you shall know them. Matthew 7:15-20

Always look at the fruit, James says can the same fountain bring forth sweet and bitter?
James 3:11-12

Lets take an analytical look at the church in Corinth this clearly implicates and foreshadows modern Pentecostalism, and the Charismatic church.
To begin with: this church had some very serious issues to contend with…..

Chapter 1-3 Strife and contentions about ministers….sectarianism

Chapter 5 Incest and Immorality

Chapter 6 Lawsuits against one another

Chapter 7 Sexual problems between husbands and wives, and how
abstinence had to be agreed

Chapter 8 Christian liberty and Idolatry, disagreement about wether to eat
meat offered to Idols

Chapter 11 A problem with women and there hairdo's, and hats ect
Disorder at the Lords table

Chapter 12-1 Disorder…Disharmony, lack of love concerning gifts and the use
of them

Chapter 15 Doctrinal errors of the worst sort concerning the foundational
doctrine of the resurrection

After looking at these problems, can we say that the Corinthian church is a church we can model….!
No !

It is clear that this church moved in the gifts and they majored on the gifts, when the priority should be righteousness and love.

In fact the two great Commandments are to Love the lord God with all your strength.

To Be Continued