Pentecost
and the Coming of the Holy Spirit
By: Brian
Schwertley
Part 6--Excursus on the Charismatic Movement
Many modern “Christian” historians
and authors describe the rise and spread of Pentecostalism and the Charismatic movement
as a great modern revival; as, first, a breath of fresh air upon a dying,
formalistic Protestantism and, then, a great reviving force upon Roman
Catholicism. There is no question but that the spread of the Pentecostal
experience and doctrine throughout Protestant denominations and the Papal
church that has taken place from the 1960s onward has been astounding. Also,
the fastest growing denominations in the United States in the last thirty years
have been Charismatic (e.g., the Assemblies of God). The major doctrinal
distinctives of the Charismatic movement–the baptism in the Holy Spirit,
tongues speaking, prophecy, the gift of healing, the emphasis on having a
personal experience (together with a sensationalist eschatology and very
entertaining “worship services”)--are primary reasons for the movement’s growth
and popularity. Given the fact that the Charismatic movement is one of the most
popular and growing forces in professing Christianity today, and the fact that
it is commonly viewed as a reviving force, we need to briefly examine the
question: Is the Charismatic movement a great modern work of God (i.e., a true
revival) or is it a gigantic corrupting fraud? Jesus said that Christians can
identify a true or false prophet by his fruits (Mt. 7:15-20). The fruits that
our Lord spoke of refer to teaching (or doctrine) and ethics (or behavior). An
examination of the Charismatic doctrine and behavior will prove that the
movement is not a great revival as many suppose but rather is a great
corrupting tide leading multitudes toward heresy and apostasy. This sad truth
will be demonstrated under a number of different topics.
(1) One can tell a lot about a
movement by examining its origins. For example, the great revival that sprang
from the Protestant Reformation has its roots in the rediscovery of the
Scriptural doctrine of justification by faith alone by Luther and Zwingli and
the rediscovery of biblical principles of worship primarily by Calvin and Knox.
The reformation was a great revival founded upon the bedrock of Scripture. The
Holy Spirit used God’s truth to awaken Europe, then America and beyond. But,
what is the origin of modern Pentecostalism? Was it founded upon a rediscovery
of a great doctrine lost through neglect and declension? No. On the contrary,
the doctrine of Spirit baptism as a second work of grace grew directly from the
heretical soil of the second-blessing “holiness” movement of the nineteenth
century. Many holiness teachers in the eighteenth century rejected the orthodox
doctrine of sanctification77 as a lifelong process of spiritual growth,
in which sin is never completely eradicated in the believer. Methodistic
holiness teachers taught that Christians could receive a “second blessing”
which gave the Christian in one moment “entire sanctification.” The sinful
nature was supposedly completely eliminated in the believer. And, thus, the
believer was perfect and sinless. The second blessing doctrine of entire
sanctification, or sinless perfection, is condemned by the Apostle John: “If we
say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves; and the truth is not in us” (1
Jn. 1:8). The original Pentecostals took the second blessing doctrine one step
further and taught the “baptism of the Spirit” as a third blessing. Although
most Pentecostals eventually rejected the idea of entire sanctification,
nevertheless the fathers of modern Pentecostalism were heretical.
“In 1901 Charles F. Parham carried
the prevalent ‘Pentecostal’ insistence on ‘baptism of the Holy Spirit’ (as
described in Acts 2) to the conclusion that tongues should still be the sign of
a Pentecostal experience. Parham’s student, W. J. Seymour, popularized this new
Pentecostalism beginning in 1906 at the Azusa Street revival in Los Angeles,
after which this movement grew into its many varieties....The original
Pentecostal teachers, Parham and Seymour, taught a Methodistic Holiness view of
a ‘second blessing’ of entire sanctification in which the sinful nature was
eradicated. This, they said, was followed by a third blessing, ‘baptism of the Spirit,’
accompanied by tongues.”78 Within twenty years of the founding of
modern Pentecostalism by Charles Parham, many people became Pentecostal who had
Baptist rather than Methodist holiness backgrounds. These new Pentecostals
rejected the second blessing idea of entire sanctification. Thus, the third
blessing, “the baptism of the Spirit”79 became the “second
blessing.” Pentecostal theology has retained the second blessing idea to the
present. Pentecostalism and the modern Charismatic movement did not grow out of
the careful exegesis of God’s Word but rather out of heretical “holiness”
revivalism.
(2) The most compelling evidence
that the Charismatic movement is not of God is the rejection of the biblical
definition of the gospel by the vast majority of Pentecostal and Charismatic
preachers, teachers, authors and adherents. The Holy Spirit is the Spirit of
truth (Jn. 16:13), who came to exalt Christ (Jn. 15:13-14) not man. Yet, when
one examines the preaching and teaching in Charismatic churches (with very rare
exceptions) one finds the false gospel of Arminianism or semi-pelagianism. This
perversion of the gospel states that salvation is a cooperative effort between
God and man (synergism) in which man has the decisive role. Man (it is said)
allows God to save him by an act of the human will. In this system,
regeneration and saving faith are not gifts of God that flow from the merits of
Christ, but rather the new birth is God’s response to faith as an autonomous
self-generated act of man. In the other words men are saved because of
faith and not through faith which is God’s gift to the elect. Further,
the great biblical doctrine of justification by faith alone has been replaced
by the expression: “accept Jesus as your personal savior.” The doctrine of
justification which has God the Father declaring the believing sinner perfectly
righteous on account of Christ’s merits (which takes place outside the believer
in the heavenly court) is replaced by the subjective experience of asking Jesus
to dwell in one’s heart. Such a view is closer to Romanism than the great
creeds and confessions that arose out of the Reformation. Furthermore, a Roman
Catholic, Buddhist, eastern mystic, Russian Orthodox, or any flaming heretic
would have no problem asking Christ to come into his heart. But believing in
Jesus and His objective work of redemption according to Scriptures
requires a radical change of mind concerning God, creation, sin, Jesus, etc.
There is not one example in the New Testament of Jesus, the apostles or
evangelists ever using the expression “accept Jesus as your personal Savior.”80
The message is always “repent” and/or “believe the gospel”.
(3) There is a general tendency
within the Charismatic movement to elevate having an experience over belief in
orthodox doctrine. This dangerous tendency is totally contrary to the work of
the Holy Spirit which is to lead believers into a belief in the truth (Jn.
16:13; 1 Cor. 2:13-16) and the teaching of the apostles who were obsessed with
advocating and defending orthodox doctrine (see Ac. 20:29-32; Rom. 16:17-18;
Gal. 1:8-9; 1 Tim. 1:18-19;
4:1-3, 16; 2 Tim. 1:13; 2:2, 15-18; 3:10, 14-17; 4:3-5; Tit. 1:9; etc.). When
debating various Charismatics regarding tongues, prophecy, “healers” and other
Pentecostal distinctives this author repeatedly runs into the argument that: “I
have had (or, my friend or relative has had) this or that experience.” Given
the fact that Christian Scientists, Mormons, Hindus, mystics and a multitude of
bizarre cults claim similar experiences is ignored. In examining any issue, the
most important question is, “What saith the Scripture?” (Gal. 4:30 KJV).
The most troubling thing about the
Charismatics’ implicit existentialism is their extension of the right hand of
fellowship to blatant, damnable heretics on the basis of these infidels
receiving “the baptism of the Holy Spirit,” “tongues” and so forth. Many
Charismatics have built bridges of acceptance and extended ecumenical
cooperation toward Roman Catholics solely on the basis of their acceptance of Pentecostal
experiences. After these Romanists have supposedly received Spirit baptism and
the gift of tongues, do they turn from their heretical teaching on salvation
and their gross idolatry (e.g., the Mass, the worship of Mary and the saints,
the use of statues, etc.)? No. The exact opposite is the case. They give
testimony after testimony about how their Charismatic spirituality has deepened
their love for and participation in the Mass (the Mass is an explicit denial of
the sufficiency and “once for all” nature of Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross);
their adoration (i.e., worship) of the virgin Mary (Mariolatry); their
increased use of the confessional and penance (i.e., salvation by works). Roman
Catholic author Edward D. O’Connor writes: “Some people have been brought to a
frequent use of the sacrament of Penance through the experience of baptism in
the Spirit. Others have discovered a place for devotion to Mary in their lives,
whereas previously they had been indifferent or even antipathetic towards her.
One of the most striking effects of the Holy Spirit’s action has been to stir
up devotion to the Real Presence in the Eucharist.”81 In other words, the
Pentecostal experience has enabled Papists to be more faithful Judaizers and
idolaters. Obviously, such things cannot be the work of the Holy Spirit.
(4) The Charismatic movement is
revealed as false by its disregard of God’s law-word. A true revival brings
greater obedience to the Bible not antinomianism (i.e., anti-law-ism). There
are many examples of a blatant disregard of Scripture within the Charismatic
movement. (Once again keep in mind that we are talking about a large movement.
There are rare exceptions to these examples of lawlessness). (a) Among
Charismatic churches there is a total disregard of the Lord’s day–the Christian
Sabbath. This sinful behavior is probably due to wide-spread acceptance of
dispensationalism (i.e., the idea that the whole Old Testament law [even the
Ten Commandments] has been abrogated and is not binding in the new covenant era).
Contrary to Charismatic thinking, the Bible teaches that although the day has
changed (from the seventh to the first day of the week) the Sabbath is
perpetual.82 (b) It is very common among churches in the Charismatic to
permit women to preach and teach in public Christian assemblies. Many
women “preachers” even have celebrity status, are popular guest speakers in
various churches and conferences, and even frequently appear on “Christian”
television programs. The apostle Paul says that such behavior is unbiblical,
shameful and unspiritual. He says, “Let your women keep silent in the churches,
for they are not permitted to speak; but they are to be submissive, as the law
also says. And if they want to learn something, let them ask their own husbands
at home; for it is shameful for women to speak in church....If anyone thinks
himself to be a prophet or spiritual, let him acknowledge that the things which
I write to you are the commandments of the Lord” (1 Cor. 14:35-35, 37). Almost
a decade later the apostle writes: “Let a woman learn in silence with all
submission. And I do not permit a woman to teach or to have authority over a
man, but to be in silence” (1 Tim. 2:11-12). In both 1 Corinthians and 1
Timothy, Paul appeals to the pre-fall creation of Adam and Eve (which
established the covenant headship of the man) as the primary reason for women
not being able to teach (1 Cor. 11:8 ff.; 1 Tim. 2:13 ff.). The apostle does
this to shut the mouths of those who argue that Paul was culturally conditioned
in order to circumvent the plain teaching of God’s Word.
(c) Most Charismatic churches have
adopted the carnal Christian heresy. This teaching asserts that one can accept
Jesus as Savior and then at a later time (if one decides to get serious about
Christianity) he can repent and submit to Christ as Lord. According to this
demonic doctrine, people who “accept Jesus as their personal Savior” yet who
continue to habitually lie, fornicate, steal, commit adultery, love the
world and act like the heathen are merely carnal Christians. As a result of
this teaching, church discipline (which is one of the marks of a true church)
is almost non-existent in many Charismatic churches. (One can remember the slap
on the wrist that Jimmy Swaggert received from the Assemblies of God for
repeatedly committing adultery with a prostitute. When this author was a
Charismatic and attended an Assembly of God church in
(d) Charismatic churches have
probably done more to corrupt the worship of God in the last generation than
any. They have turned the reverent worship of God into a stage show with rock
groups, dancing, stage plays, comedian pastors, slap-happy camp fire songs and
so forth. Jesus told the Samaritan woman that, “God is Spirit, and those who
worship Him must worship in spirit and truth” (Jn.
(e) The special claims of
Charismatics to have the special sign-gifts such as the gift of healing,
prophecy and tongues has been exegetically, theologically and even empirically
proved to be a lie. It is obvious to any unbiased observer that what is
occurring in Charismatic churches today (babbling gibberish, making unspecific
unprovable prophecies, foot lengthenings, etc.) has nothing in common with what
occurred in the apostolic church (speaking real foreign languages, making very
specific verifiable prophecies, amazing obvious healings and even raising the
dead to life).
(f) Charismatics are notorious for
sloppy, shallow, and even unbiblical theology. One of the most popular
Charismatic speakers (Rev. Benny Hinn) taught that were nine persons in the
godhead. After being confronted about his heresy he recanted but months later
began teaching the nine person view again. Kenneth Hagin and his disciples
(Kenneth Copeland, Fred Price, Charles Capps, etc.) teach a cultic view of
faith and a heretical doctrine of the atonement; yet, they are wildly popular
and have been embraced by many Charismatic leaders.83 It is not by accident
that all the great theological works written since the beginning of the
Reformation (including works on the Holy Spirit) were written by
non-Charismatics: Martin Luther, John Calvin, Zwingli, John Knox, Bucer, George
Gillespie, Samuel Rutherford, Jonathan Edwards, John Owen, Charles Hodge, John
Murray, etc. Also, it is telling that throughout church history those in favor
of the advancement of speaking in tongues (i.e., nonsensical gibberish) have
virtually always been heretics (Montanists, Jansenists, Quakers, Irvingites,
Shakers, Mormons, Charles F. Parham, W. J. Seymour, etc.). The Holy Spirit is
the Spirit of truth. Jesus said, “My sheep hear My voice” (Jn. 10:3-5). If
Charismatic theologians have a greater Spirit-blessing than other theologians,
then why are their works inferior and unbiblical?
When the Charismatic movement is
analyzed doctrinally, ethically and historically and their “supernatural gifts”
are examined empirically, it is revealed as a gigantic fraud and a great force
for declension in evangelical Protestantism. The Charismatic movement is not a
genuine revival but rather is a man-invented, man-centered, man-generated
movement
Copyright
2004© Brian Schwertley, Haslett, MI
77The biblical doctrine of sanctification is probably best defined by the Westminster Confession of Faith: “They, who are once effectually called, and regenerated, having a new heart, and a new spirit created in them, are further sanctified, really and personally, through the virtue of Christ's death and resurrection, by His Word and Spirit dwelling in them: the dominion of the whole body of sin is destroyed, and the several lusts thereof are more and more weakened and mortified; and they more and more quickened and strengthened in all saving graces, to the practice of true holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord.
This sanctification is throughout, in the whole man; yet imperfect in this life, there abiding still some remnants of corruption in every part; whence arises a continual and irreconcilable war, the flesh lusting against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh. In which war, although the remaining corruption, for a time, may much prevail; yet, through the continual supply of strength from the sanctifying Spirit of Christ, the regenerate part does overcome; and so, the saints grow in grace, perfecting holiness in the fear of God” (13:1-3).
78George M. Marsden, Fundamentalism and American Culture: The Shaping of Twentieth Century Evangelicalism, 1870-1925 (New York: Oxford, 1980), 93.
79The phrase “baptism of the Holy Spirit,” is commonly used by Charismatic s, is unbiblical. The Bible always uses the phrase baptism in or with (Greek: en) the Holy Spirit. This is because the Holy Spirit is not the one baptizing. It is Christ who baptizes with the Holy Spirit. He receives this privilege as the divine-human mediator, as part of His glorification by the Father.
80The apostle John does use the phrase, “But as many as
received Him” (Jn.
81Edward D. O’Connor, The Pentecostal Movement in the
Catholic Church (Notre Dame: Ave Maria Press, 1917), 14-15 [As quoted by
Gordon H. Clark, First Corinthians, 226]. Gromacki writes: “Some
searching questions must obviously be asked. How can Protestant Pentecostals
accept the Charismatic Catholics as brethren in Christ without leading these
converts out of the Roman Catholic Church? How can they fellowship with them
without criticizing the clear errors of the Catholic system?... Also, do the
Protestant Pentecostals regard the Roman Catholic experience to be the same as theirs
when the Catholics do not equate the two and when the Catholics base their
experience upon the sacraments? How can the Full Gospel Businessmen’s
Fellowship International [this organization is one of the best financed and
organized proponents of Pentecostalism in the world] publish and circulate the
booklet Catholics and the Baptism in the Holy Spirit containing
testimonies of Catholics who express great love for the Roman Church and its
sacraments?” (The Modern Tongues Movement, 159-160). Can one kiss the
Son of God and the ring of antichrist at the same time? Can one serve God while
at the same time preaching a false gospel and worshiping idols? Can one promote
Christ’s kingdom and Satan’s dominion at the same time? “And what agreement has
the
82See Brian M. Schwertley, The Christian Sabbath: Examined, Proved, Applied (Holt, MI: Reformation Forum, 1997) available online at http://reformedonline.com/view/reformedonline/sabbath2.htm.
83The plagiarism by Kenneth Hagin and the many blatant heretical teachings of the “word of faith” movement have been documented and analyzed by: D. R. McDonnell, A Different Gospel: A Historical and Biblical Analysis of the Modern Faith Movement (Peabody, MA: Hendrickson Publishers, 1988); also, Hank Hanegraaff, Christianity in Crisis (Eugene, OR: Harvest House, 1993).