Jesus Christ made it clear that since He was rejected, anyone who followed Him would be rejected as well (John 15:18-25). Paul warns us that all who place their faith in Christ should expect persecution (2 Timothy 3:12).
Yesterday, I read an article in Charisma magazine by J. Lee Grady (a regular contributor to the magazine- BECAUSE HE IS THE EDITOR!)lambasting the current charismatic movement (thanks to the Pyromaniac for pointing to it). The bottom line: it is getting nutty out there, and charismatic Christians are biting. Wake up and read your Bible! We have alleged prophecy coming from whole cloth, that blatantly opposes the revelation of the Holy Spirit Himself- the Scripture in the Bible! So, scatterbrain, what does this have to do with persecution?
Much of the gospel preached in these over-the-edge charismatic churches (as opposed to ALL charismatic churches- I am not a cessationist by any means, but the only tongues I speak is during the first ten minutes after rolling out of bed) is not the Gospel of God as Luke calls it. The Gospel of Jesus Christ, the good news of God's promises, the salvation that has come to all who receive and believe (John 1:12), includes all that Jesus taught and commanded. Confessing is total acknowledgement that Jesus is Lord and deserves your worship, and that you as a man or woman in utter sin deserve NOTHING in return, especially salvation. Instead, even though they may deny a prosperity gospel, they claim that Jesus wants you to be successful in everything you do, including business, finances, family, relationships, investments, cars, sports, smear-the-queer, and probably the lottery. There is no hard edge preached, although they may take an extremely conservative stance on politics and what they have determined is the Lordship of Jesus Christ.
There is no correlation in the gospel preached in these prosperity churches to the gospel preached in the persecuted churches around the world (which is going on more today than anytime in church history). I cannot imagine approaching a soon-to-be martyr, and telling him that I expect Jesus to get that new Caddy for me- check that, supersize it to an H3--He wants me to have this success, right?. "But I'll be sure to pray for you brother...just have enough faith, and you will be delivered from that steamroller and get your business back on track..." Tell that to someone about to get there skull crushed by a steamroller for refusing to deny Christ. "But that is silly Colin." Really? It happened, just read about it today here. Oh, yeah, not only was one man steamrolled, but several were- the elders and deacons of a church in North Korea- right out in the middle of the street, with crowds watching...on bleachers. I was praying for a pastor just two weeks ago that was scheduled to be executed...by beating. They were going to beat him to death, and as far as I know, they did.
Jesus Christ isn't about success and fullness of earthly life. I was asked to look at a church that is exploding in Round Rock, Texas. It is called Celebration Church, and they have recently combined on one campus after the pastor would drive around to each of his three campuses to preach on Sunday mornings. I have been listening to his sermons- and it makes me sad, especially in light of the story of the martyred Christians. This is the most popular church in town, and I have yet to hear any preaching from the Bible, save a few reference verses to go along with the story of the morning. (I learned that Paul's sailing journey to Rome in Acts 27 is about a desperate marriage (as the sermon series is based off of Desperate Housewives) and how to repair it, and that husbands are usually wrong, and wives are usually right). This church is a very well run business, and seems to be administratively flawless. I want to be fair, though, so any of you who want to listen can let me know if you find a gem here. Positively, this church emphasizes the power of prayer and fasting. I am always hesitant to criticize any church, because Jesus said to let those doing works in His name continue to do so. I am willing to change my mind if this proves to be a church after God's own heart.
May the Lamb that was slain receive the reward of His suffering.
Thursday, November 17, 2005
What does Christianity Cost?
Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)
2 comments:
I happened across your blog while doing a search to see if anyone else has had the same experience we have at Celebration Church. After worshiping there almost a year, we recently finished the third of the "gates" (classes) in the membership series or "Growth Track." They are called "gates" as in, Airport Gates, signifying your journey to your God-given destiny. At the end of this all-day class, we were told we could receive the gift of the annointing of the Holy Spirit. I assumed this was for anyone who had not become a believer yet, had not acknowledged Jesus as God's son and had not asked for the Holy Spirit's indwelling in their heart. Nope. They laid hands on and prayed over anyone who wanted to be annointed and instructed in speaking in tongues. They instructed that this is to be done daily and one leader in the church even described to one class participant how she does it --ba ba ba, dee dee dee dee dee... We aren't going back. I sent an email to the pastor asking for a biblical explanation. It was handed off to another pastor because he was out sick. I still have not gotten a response.
Anonymous,
I have heard your same story from a buddy of mine at Hagee's church in San Antonio.
I know that it is popular in charismatic circles to teach that the anointing of the Holy Spirit is a secondary experience after salvation. I am happy to hear that you have demanded scriptural proof for this teaching, and would love to hear their response. You can email it if you like: cmcgahey(at)gmail.com
Consider this verse:
1 John 2:18 Children, it is the last hour, and as you have heard that antichrist is coming, so now many antichrists have come. Therefore we know that it is the last hour. 19 They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would have continued with us. But they went out, that it might become plain that they all are not of us. 20 But you have been anointed by the Holy One, and you all have knowledge. 21 I write to you, not because you do not know the truth, but because you know it, and because no lie is of the truth. 22 Who is the liar but he who denies that Jesus is the Christ? This is the antichrist, he who denies the Father and the Son. 23 No one who denies the Son has the Father. Whoever confesses the Son has the Father also. 24 Let what you heard from the beginning abide in you. If what you heard from the beginning abides in you, then you too will abide in the Son and in the Father. 25 And this is the promise that he made to us—eternal life.
26 I write these things to you about those who are trying to deceive you. 27 But the anointing that you received from him abides in you, and you have no need that anyone should teach you. But as his anointing teaches you about everything, and is true, and is no lie—just as it has taught you, abide in him.
It is the believer who has the anointing of the Holy Spirit, and that anointing comes at salvation. Moreover, notice who it comes from- God, not laying on of hands.
Thanks for the comment.
Colin
Post a Comment