A long time ago, in a far, far away land there lived a young and beautiful queen who was married to a compassionate and handsome king. He had everything any wife could desire in her king. In the process of time, the young, beautiful queen's love waned and she began to esteem other young men. Later her heart was drawn toward one young man in particular. One flirtation led to another. Secret rendezvous's occurred. One touch elicited another. One day passion overwhelmed both. What had begun so innocently had now tainted a marriage with unfaithfulness and adultery. Though they tried to hide their affair, a child was conceived to their anguish and dismay. The king knew in his heart that the child was not his, yet he loved it and gave it the name of Charismata.

The Pentecostal movement at the turn of the 20^th century emerged from people who had been influenced greatly by the Methodist Holiness movement and its second work of grace and sanctification. Pentecostals built upon and extended the Holiness of John Wesley.

Just as the Methodist Church gradually drew back from Wesley's sancification precepts after the Civil War, so did the Pentecostals holiness stance begin to wane after World War II. Since the 60's the Neo-Pentecostals, Charismatics, or Charismatic Renewal are the majority of the millions of Pentecostal persuasion.

The Charismatic Renewal, as it is known, does have beneficial worship aspects, yet does not exhibit the features which belong to True Scriptural Revival. It has a Faith, yet is empty of radical repentance. It forsakes the Sanctification aspects of God while attempting to embrace God's Love and Grace. It focuses more on the benefits of Salvation, rarely denying the flesh. The genuine grace of God brings us to salvation and yet teaches us to deny ungodliness and worldly lusts, and to live soberly in this present world. (Titus 2:11-15)

Charismaticism is not truly an extension of Godly Revival. The Charismatic move today as seen in America is the illegitimate child of an adulterous affair between the lukewarm Church of God and the World System (kosmos). As any child, she has features and nature of both her mother, ...the lukewarm, lustful church, ... and the principles of this present world and evil age. Finally, the secular church-world and Hollywood have a christian church environment they can attend and yet boast of the same trappings and atmosphere of the New Testament church.

We wish to take a little time to share with you why the Charismatic religious movement is a renewal and not a revival. It has features and characteristics that are common to religion, yet are foreign to the New Testament apostles doctrine and preaching. She definitely has the ways of her adulterous Mother and her Worldly Seducer.

Heresies have always clothed themselves in alluring and seductive voices. The greatest appeal of heresies is to either an individuals PRIDE, LUST of the FLESH, or LUST of the EYES. That is why the Chrismatic move is so appealling. It looks and sounds like the real thing. Like Apostle Paul said, It's ANOTHER GOSPEL !

Remember the old commercial : Is it LIVE? OR Is it Memorex? It uses the same words, inflections and phrases, but it is only a replica, ...not the original. Heresies can not stay with the original gospel. They must stray away in some regard from that gospel which was ORIGINALLY and for ONCE and for all time DELIVERED to the church.

Someone has said of the Charismatics : There has probably never been a gospel which has promised so much and yet demanded so little. This gospel has been tailored to fit the baby boomers and baby-busters of the post WWII generations. It is a gospel fueled by covetousness, pride, materialism, and prosperity.

Let's look at the Characteristics of Charismatics. If you find any of these in you, you should pray for the Lord's help to flee out of Babylon, the Mother Harlot before her day of destruction comes.

FEATURES AND CHARACTERISTICS OF CHARISMATICISM

* Please note that whenever a group is identified with broad brush strokes many individuals will be hit who are not guilty. If you count yourself a charismatic and the following characteristics do not apply to you, then come completely out of Babylon. Quit fellow-shipping the Harlot.

The Typical Charismatic :

A> Is More Fellowship Conscious that Word Conscious

Going to church becomes a thing to do, a social event, a recreational program. Where people get together to be around other people. When people are more God conscious, they don't assemble for the hype, the drama, the personalities, the social, the recreational. They assemble to pray, to be preached to, to be washed . The washing of the water by the Word. Thus they take on more of Christ's character rather than remaining the same.

B> Emphasizes Visions, Dreams, and Unctions

Everyone has a dream, a vision, and an anointing. The Anointing has become a toy at their disposal and is emphasized more than the Word. Dreams, visions, or unctions take precedence over what the Word of God says. If a choice has to be made. They will disregard the scripture to following their own spiritual leading.

C> Exalts Prophecy and Gifts Higher than Scripture

Charismata means spiritual gifts. Thus a greater emphasis is placed upon the spiritual rather than upon the teachings of scripture. There is a greater interest in how to get the Spirit to operate or getting a "move of the Spirit" or receiving a "word from God" than the will and word of God being preached.

D> Believes in a Casual Plan of Salvation

Repentance is very weak. Just accept Jesus, become a believer without radical repentance and conversion. Water Baptism is an option, very un-like the New Testament Apostles of the book of Acts. The gift or baptism of the Holy Ghost has become an accessory, something subsequent to Salvation. In the New Testament it was the norm.

The Roman Road is emphasized more than the actual plan utilized by the New Testament preachers. Roman 10:9's "confessing with the mouth and believing" is emphasized more than the "what shall we do to be saved" of Acts 2:38. "Repent and be baptized everyone of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost."

E> Spurious Ways of Receiving of the Gift of the Holy Ghost

1> repeating of Phrases ("should of bought a honda")

2> accepting of the Holy Ghost by Faith (tongues comes later)

3> Stop speaking in English, speak out the un-intelligible sounds you hear in your mind.

No such techniques existed in the scripture. These are the results of encouraging an UN-born-again person to ACT born-again.

F> Identifies with a Hollywood / Worldly Lifestyle

1> They have No condemnation for walking after or in the flesh (Rom 8:1) They love the NIV version. Why? Read Romans 8:1. The NIV leaves out about condemnation for walking in the flesh.

2> No line or a faint line of separation from the World

They walk, talk, and look like Hollywood A Strong conformity to the World. God's Word is ignored. (2Cor 6:17, 1John 2:15-16)

3> They condone Women with cropped Hair and Men with Long Hair. God's Word is ignored. (1Cor. 11:14,15)

4> They condone emphasis on make-up, jewelry and outward adornment. God's Word is ignored. (1Tim 2:9, 1Pet 3:3)

5 > They Condone Uni-sex apparel, the wearing of garments pertaining to the opposite sex , women wearing pants, thus sending mixed signals concerning gender identification. God's Word ignored. (Deut 22:5)

(They say God looks on the heart and the spirit, ...not at the body or flesh) Yet if any man love the world, the love of the father is not in him. Cleanse yourselves from all filthiness of flesh & spirit)

6> Identifies with Hollywood as much as with Christianity

They are just as comfortable at the Movie Theater as they are at Church. Just as comfortable worshiping God. As Cheering their Team. Just as comfortable with Television's decadent lifestyle as listening to a good sermon. Just as comfortable at the beach on Saturday as in the Sanctuary on Sunday. with 90% of their clothes removed as singing in the choir. Just as comfortable with Rock & Country Music as Contemporary. Christian Music. Just as comfortable Laodicea !? Movies / Television / Sports / Recreation

G> Thinks Financial & Material Prosperity is a Barometer

They suppose that God wants to make us wealthier and that the gaining of wealth is a sign of faith and a victorious walk with God. "Supposing that gain is godliness, from such turn away." It is merely a Covetous, Lustful Spirit.

H> Has Faith in Faith

Faith becomes a tool, or ticket to get from God's Storehouse every thing you deem that is yours by right......becomes a covetous spirit

I> Charismaticism is the Greatest Force for Unification

What the Ecumenical Movement of the 40's and 50's could not do to bring about unification across the mainline denominations and Catholicism, ....the Charismatic movement has accomplished. It has succeeded in bringing a spirit of unity to the church world. Yes, it has succeeded in bringing unity within the Mother Harlot Church.....the World's Church. It explains why there are so many Charismatic Catholics.

J> Faith Teaching Elements Come From Cult Teachings

Much of the meta-physical Cult : Christian Science positive thinking, "faith" teachings are now taught as New Testament precepts to believers as gospel.

1> Denial of Sensory Symptoms

2> Revelation Knowledge

3> Positive Mental Attitude

4> Confession to Possession

5> Negative Confession inflicts Disease

6> Realize Your True Spiritual Identity

7> Power of the Spoken Word

8> Law of Prosperity

9> Confession to Prosperity

10> Natural Law Principles Work

K> Feminism & the Ministry The Spirit of Feminism has created women looking like men and men looking like women. Women wanting to stand as men. When women begin to lead, preach and stand in equal positions of ministry with men it is a sign of a backslide, lukewarm church. God is not in it, or he is in it as much as he was in approving Baalaam's desire to go prophecy; ...then later God killed him. Doing God a service outside of God's will. God does not ordain Women in the ministry gifts to perfect the church. God does not break his word.

L> Has Direct Conflict with the Teachings of Holy Spirit and the Apostles

M> Mocks Obedience to Scripture and "cries Legalism"

Jesus said that man shall live by every Word that proceeds out of the mouth of God, ... Not just the words we agree with.

N> Fail to Earnestly Contend for the Faith that was ONCE Delivered to the Saints

O> The Scripture is not the Absolute Authority

O > Follows the Sensational, Signs, & Wonders

Because they have not a love of truth, they are highly motivated by the sensational whether it be hyped-up praise teams, slayings in the spirit without conviction or change, recreational worship, entertaining ministry, a non-offensive atmosphere, a Show-biz mentality.

M > Mock & Cry Legalism to Strong Doctrinal Preaching

P> Has RELATIONSHIP Without COVENANT

The physical pleasures of sexual relations are the same for the married as for those who are unmarried. It is the sin of fornication. What's the difference? It's the same act. The same experience. The same pleasure. The difference is covenant.

The Marriage Covenant before the Almighty God has two parts.

--The 1^st part is, ... Dedication and Consecration to One

--The 2^nd part is, Separation from all Others.

There can be NO SETTING-APART unto a Spouse, ...if there is NO SEPARATION from all Others.

This is the definition of Sanctification and Holiness in the Bible, ..."dedication, setting apart unto" and "separation from." Adultery takes place when we are married to one, but do not separate from others. It is Sanctification or Adultery. Holiness or Worldliness.

Q> Seeks Truth "IN" Scripture rather than Seeking the WORD which is TRUTH

Typically, the scripture is not absolute. The scripture is an avenue to truth. The scripture is not truth. That's why they can accept or reject scripture according to their disposition. They seek truth through the word. Rather than seeking the word of truth. THE FAITH WAS ONCE AND FOR ALL DELIVERED TO THE SAINTS. IT WAS DONE ONCE AND NO MORE, AND NEVER NEEDS REWORKING. (Jude 3) Each believers mandate is to contend for that FAITH which was once and for all time delivered to the saints. They typically call themselves Word Churches, but are not.

GOD has COME to us as THE WORD! The Voice of God came walking in the cool of the day in the Garden. "If any man have an ear to hear "..GOD IS THE WORD" The honoring of His Word, to God, is paramount over other concerns and expressions.

P > Exalts Praise & Worship Above the Word & Doctrine

God has come to Man as The Word, not as Praise. Worship, the sacrifice of the praise is a powerful weapon for the believer who wields it. But, worship and praise do not replace obedience.

King Saul was told by Jehovah that HE (God) preferred obedience over sacrifice.(sheep offering) The failure to comprehend this cost Saul his kingdom. The N.T. Parallel is that animal sacrifice has now been replaced by the spiritual sacrifice of Praise & Worship (Calves of our lips) YET, God desires obedience - above his desire for worship and praise. IT is Better to OBEY than to SACRIFICE /WORSHIP)!!!!

S > Are Not Wall Builders

A SUMMATION

The Mainline Denominations could not receive the gift of the Holy Ghost experience as long as the Holiness - Sanctification -Separation Barrier existed. When the main-liners did receive (as a whole) they came out! Pentecost's lukewarm state provided a rapport with those of the traditional mainline denominations. The prevalent spirit of THIS century has been one of challenging and breaking existing barriers and social more's. That same turbulent, rebellious spirit of the fifties and sixties entered the church. Thus the peoples of the Harlot Church System became comfortable accepting the gift of the Holy Spirit since no longer would it mean that these New Charismata would have to live a life of holiness and separation from the world. Lukewarm Pentecost made the world at ease with the gift of the Holy Ghost Baptism.

One of the principle complaints of the Charismatics is NOT that they have received the Holy Ghost Baptism and operate in the gifts of the Spirit, BUT that they exhibit the image of Worldliness. The scripture precludes this in 2 Cor. 6 : Come out and be ye separate. To Charismatics, the flesh is not represented by the body, thus there is no need to glorify God in your body and your spirit

2 Cor 7:1 >Glorify God in your flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God

1 Cor 3:16 If ye defile the temple of God, him God shall destroy.

Rom 12:1 I beseech you......present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God

Presenting our body to God in a holy, dedicated, separated manner is acceptable to God and is a reasonable expectation. In so doing we are not conforming to the world (presenting our BODY not our SOUL, Not our SPIRIT) TO God opposes the shaping and fashioning of our body to the world

The Bride of Christ has WALLS. They are wall-builders. See Rev

The New Birth (Born Again Experience) is not an end in itself, any more than the birth of a newborn child is an end of the parent's desire for that child. Birth is simply the beginning. It gives one the ability, capacity or choice to decide what will become of their life. Birth gives us the opportunity to mature in honor or dishonor.