I recently did a lot of research on what is commonly known as "The Charismatic Movement". This seems to be yet another issue of great controversy (to the church as a whole), and is only received by a relatively small, yet growing, number of Christians. I asked the question, "Why do so many genuine believers casually reject the 'charismatic renewal' and the gifts that are clearly outlined in Scripture?" Upon much reading, and multiple interviews, the answer became obvious.
Proponents of "anti-Charisma" are known as "Cessationists". They strongly believe the gifts and power that were once present have now expired with the completion of the canon of Scripture, and the death of the apostle John (the "last apostle"). The primary Scripture they use to support it is 1st Corinthians 13:8-10 . They assume "that which is perfect" has already occurred, as the completion of the canon.
In one interview, I spoke with a "cessationist" pastor. Even when I showed him from Scripture the continual theme of perfection referring to a PEOPLE (not the canon), he still would not receive it. Even when he agreed with me about my thematic findings, he still had many reservations. His main one being the misuse and abuse of such "charisma" that is evident in the body of Christ today (he had been watching TBN). Honestly, I can't say that I blame him! I simply said, "well, you can't throw the baby out with the muddy bath water. Men abuse the grace of God on a daily basis, but we don't say grace has ceased. Similarly, we cannot use abuse as an excuse for neglect."
His final argument was concerning the "renewal" in and of itself. He said the Charismatic renewal was the "start of a new church, a satanic church." He claimed that the body of Christ has never experienced such things since the early church, so why start now? Thankfully, however, I had done my research! Following is just a small sample from church history showing that they did, in fact, possess some form of Holy Ghost power ALL THROUGHOUT the growth of the church. It was not the "start of a new church". Contrary to popular opinion, the candle was not extinguished. It may have been dim, but it was lit nonetheless. Observe:
1. Justin Martyr and the Anti-Nicene Church - From his own personal writings, Martyr testifies that Christians in the 2nd century were continuing to exercise authority over demons and sickness.
2. Irenaeus (125-200 A.D.) - Irenaeus is best known for his writings against Gnosticism and other major heresies of his day. He was actually a student of Polycarp, who was a disciple of the apostle John. In one of his famous writings, entitled Against Heresies, he wrote of the power that existed in the church, the dead being raised, the gift of prophetic utterances and the existence of visions. He also wrote of how the gift of tongues was yet operative. He wrote all of this as a defense against Gnosticism and it's heretical belief that Jesus' miracles were "simply in appearance".
3. Antony (251-356 A.D.) - Antony is usually considered the father of monasticism. He lived his whole adult life in a cave in the desert, completely devoted to prayer and meditation. This man was actually famous for the miracles and power that went along with his ministry. The Life of Antony, written by bishop Athansius, is filled with accounts of the supernatural. Such accounts were: Antony's discerning of spirits, the gift of healing, and the gift of prophecy.
4. Jerome (347-420 A.D.) - Jerome was a devout and famous Bible scholar. His writings include personal accounts of visions of Jesus, the gift of healing and even one instance where a man calmed a raging sea that was about to destroy a small town.
5. Bernard of Clairvaux (1090-1153) - Bernard was a minister from Burgundy (modern France). His preaching was largely responsible for the Second Crusade (1147-1149). He was said to have had the gift of healing, and many written records of him doing so exist.
6. Martin Luther (1483-1546) - Luther himself described one instance where he thought he had been caught up to the third heaven, as Paul had been. He also widely wrote and spoke of the prophetic gifts, the gift of healing, and divine authority.
7. Menno Simons (1496-1561) - Simons began ministering around 1535. In his writings, he speaks unashamedly about the gift of tongues.
8. The French Prophets - Speaking in tongues seems to have been a common practice among the French in the late 1500's. John Wesley was once asked the question of cessation. He was accused that there were no current records of "charisma" in the church. His reply was, "Sir, your memory fails you again... It has been heard of more than once, no further off than the days of Dauphin", a reference to the "French Prophets".
9. George Fox and the Quakers (1650) - The Quakers were said to have been very active in the spiritual gifts of the Bible. Records of divine healing, the presence of God, and prophetic visions and dreams are prevalent.
10. Charles Finney (1792-1873) - Finney was one of the most successful evangelists of modern times. Finney was quoted as saying the Baptism of the Holy Ghost "is a second blessing". He also reported many times in his meetings where the power of the Holy Spirit fell upon the people, and many signs and wonders were done.
Clearly, therefore, the cessationist assumption is incorrect. The Charismatic renewal was not the start of a new ungodly church. How preposterous! Rather, it was a renewal to the CORPORATE body: truths that were hidden in remnants of the church were then brought to the forefront and highlighted. Thank God!
Concerning such an important facet of truth, shouldn't we REALLY try to discover its validity, rather than casually accepting what a man or denomination has to say?
I think so: "These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so" (Acts 17:11).
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