More Than 1 in 4 Christians Are Pentecostal, Charismatic

Christian Post ^ | 12/22/2011 | By Brittany Smith

[achilles2000]

The strongest group in China is Reformed.

[ItsOurTimeNow]

Because “pizzaz” appeals to the ego and pride of man - no wonder it grows.

The “dusty old book” religion abases man before an all-powerful God, teaches us that there is no confidence in the flesh, and that man is nothing apart from Him to whom all glory and praise is due!

[SeekAndFind]

Joining a Charismatic or Pentecostal church is “pizzaz” ??

Are all Charismatics pizzaz?

[P8riot]

Both groups can be characterized as placing emphasis on the Holy Spirit.

 26 “But when the Helper comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth, who proceeds from the Father, he will bear witness about me. 27 And you also will bear witness, because you have been with me from the beginning. John 15:26,27

We and the Holy Spirit are to bear witness to Christ. The Spirit does not bear witness to himself, and neither should we. I left Pentecostalism due to the sickening sideshow atmosphere, and the lack of emphasis on Christ and sound scriptural teaching.

[SeekAndFind]

RE: The strongest group in China is Reformed.

Do you have a source for this factoid? ( a link maybe?)

[ItsOurTimeNow]

Just commenting on the quote in the article:

>>“If someone is going to be religious in today’s world, it (Pentecostalism) has a lot more pizzazz than sitting around reading an old book. With Pentecostalism [you] can call on the spirit; there is an element of control.”<<

Pride wants us to feel like we’re in control, and “pizzazz” appeals to the flesh. Why wait and pray patiently when you can have a direct ‘download’ of the Spirit to satisfy your needs?

Personally, based on my experience, the above mentality is exhibited in a lot of american churches and coupled with the prosperity gospel, not just Charismatic.

[P8riot]

Maybe they meant “pizzas”.

[good1]

Pentecostal theology is Arminian, or "man-centered" rather than God centered. That's why the experiential gifts of the Spirit are so ardently sought and so extravagantly displayed.

Eschatology is where they come closest to the truth of Scripture.

[ItsOurTimeNow]

Amen

The speaking in tongues “hamna-shalamba-shalamba-lamba-ooohhh-sama-nahama” (you can almost script it if you hear it enough) is what always got me. On the day of Pentecost, yes they spoke in tongues, but they were speaking known languages - not gibberish.

[P8riot]

Eschatology is where they come closest to the truth of Scripture.

I woudn't even go that far.

[ItsOurTimeNow]

>>That’s why the experiential gifts of the Spirit are so ardently sought and so extravagantly displayed.<<

And if you can’t perform them as well as another, the problem is you and your lack of faith!

One of the most dangerous things I heard while speaking with a Charismatic was them recounting a story to me - they were tired and didn’t feel like going to a service, but they felt the devil’s presence and rebuked him - “I told him Satan, I bind and rebuke you! And then all of a sudden I felt a lot better and went to service!”

If I remember scripture right, not even the archangel Michael dared to rebuke the devil in his own power, but said “The Lord rebuke you”.

[Clay+Iron_Times]

Acts 19

2 He said unto them, Have ye received the Holy Ghost since ye believed? And they said unto him, We have not so much as heard whether there be any Holy Ghost.

3 And he said unto them, Unto what then were ye baptized? And they said, Unto John's baptism.

4 Then said Paul, John verily baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying unto the people, that they should believe on him which should come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus.

5 When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.

6 And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Ghost came on them; and they spake with tongues, and prophesied.

[Cronos]

What’s attracting many in the middle class, Roozen observed, is the “prosperity gospel” – the teaching that essentially God will bless you with health and wealth – that preachers like Joel Osteen are spreading

I wonder if that really is Gospel teaching os a self-help group / financial advisor teaching...

[Cronos]

<“If someone is going to be religious in today’s world, it (Pentecostalism) has a lot more pizzazz than sitting around reading an old book.

pizzaz! why not just Cross it up!

[Cronos]

where do you get that from? The demographics of China say that there are officially 15 million people belonging to various Protestant denominations, with 50 to 100 million belonging to underground movements

[Cronos]

are all pizzaz? The definition of pizzaz is
1. Dazzling style; flamboyance; flair.
2. Vigorous spirit; energy or excitement.

So I'd guess most are filled with style, flamboyance,flair, energy and excitement.

[Cronos]

I left Pentecostalism due to the sickening sideshow atmosphere, and the lack of emphasis on Christ and sound scriptural teaching.

I don't think one can say that about all Pentecostal groups, right? The Assemblies of God in particular strike me as orthodox in their teaching. Or am I wrong?

[Cronos]

Pentecostal theology is Arminian, or "man-centered" rather than God centered

Arminianism is not "man centered" it just rejects the idea of puppets with no ability to truly love God.

[Cronos]

On the day of Pentecost, yes they spoke in tongues, but they were speaking known languages - not gibberish.

True, that is why the Jews from Ethiopia, etc. were surprised to see these Galileans speaking their languages...