1.

  It has been said that all Believers are 'charismatic' in the Biblical sense of the word, because every single Christian has been blessed with various spiritual gifts. This is perfectly correct.  As one who came from a Calvinistic background, I understand why and how some Christians tend to shun the subject of gifts, saying that they all ceased with the Apostles.  It is really a defence mechanism, based on a fear of offending Almighty God with the excesses of certain charismatics. But we ought not to reject what is proper in an effort to distance ouselves from what is unbiblical.  There is really no proof that the gifts have ceased, so we should not insist that this is so. In fact, to insist that they have ceased is to deny our own salvation, for salvation is called a 'gift' of God, as are faith, righteousness, love, etc.!

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3.

We tend to distinguish 'old style' Pentecostalists from current charismatics, whose existence really goes back only to about the 1960’s. The 'old style' Pentecostalists are usually opposed to charismatic excesses, sins and beliefs. Many of them are godly folk who wish only to worship God in Truth. And many of them believe in the gifts but have rarely seen them in operation (the experience of us all). They view the current trends with great alarm and distance themselves from them. Thus we do not include these folk amongst the 'charismatics' we oppose. Mainly, with a few individual exceptions, their beliefs in the gifts are orthodox and Biblical.  However, we must add the following to this statement....

4.

We will oppose any belief that is not scriptural. Thus whilst we might indeed accept as our Brethren many 'old style' Pentecostalists, we might also, at the same time, oppose or reject certain of their beliefs or practices. We would do this purely on the basis of God's Truth, and not because a person is a Pentecostalist. This is a fair thing to do, for all denominations (and others) are permeated with unsaved or rebellious people. We cannot oppose one type of denominational error whilst ignoring the errors of other denominations!

5.

We oppose and reject any denomination or group that preaches rank Arminianism. By this we mean open and deliberate Arminianism, which is really religious humanism. It preaches that we may become saved by our own effort, i.e. we can 'choose' Christ whenever we wish and that salvation is the product of our own response.  Almost all denominations and preachers tend to fall into a modified form of this trap, mostly unintentionally, being unaware of the theological implications.  Thus whilst we may accept such preachers, we nevertheless point out their error.

But current charismatics deliberately use Arminian means and methods, which are worldly, without a shred of Biblical holiness.  Their preaching and teaching are plainly unscriptural and they revel in their own glory. It stands to reason that if a church or preacher preaches salvation by self effort, then those who are 'saved' under such preaching are likely to be unsaved.  These same folk go on to 'serve the church' and pass on their unscriptural teachings to others.  Thus we oppose charismaticism and rank charismatics, whereas we do not generally oppose 'old style' Pentecostalists...although we will oppose these also, if they turn to blatant charismaticism or preach other heresy.

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  Charismaticism was born out of Pentecostalism. This had to happen at some time in history, because of the seed of heresy contained within Pentecostalism (just as different seeds of error are contained within other denominations). What happened to Pentecostalism can happen to any denomination - which is another good reason to drop the title 'Pentecostalist'. Far better to say that a Christian is one who accepts scripture as it stands, including gifts, fruit and the work of the Holy Spirit in one's Christian life!  There is no need whatever to add another name to those already given by scripture (and there are several, including 'Christian', 'Believer', etc). (Important: Read Article on Azusa Street).