"Pentecostal" Manifestations?

Affiliations with other churches?

World Council of Churches?

Only true Church?

Do you practice the "Toronto Blessing" and other "Pentecostal" Manifestations?

No.

Firstly, we would like to make a difference between "Pentecostal" as used as a term to describe modern Pentecostal churches and "Pentecostal" in the Bible sense of pertaining to the day the Holy Spirit was poured out (Acts 2). We align ourselves in relation to the Bible sense and find ourselves sometimes disappointed by the actions of some modern "Pentecostals".

The myriad "special manifestations" put forward by some churches have no foundation in the Bible.

Being "slain in the Spirit" (falling over), "laughing in the Spirit" (the so-called Toronto Blessing), being "drunk in the Spirit", the "velcro blessing" (being pinned to the walls or floor) etc etc are an insult to our intelligence and dishonouring to God. We have even seen video (on the Internet) of people "hooting", "oinking" and acting drunk, supposedly "in the Spirit". This is a long way from Bible instruction on running a meeting.

Paul the Apostle set out how a meeting should be run in 1 Corinthians: - there are to be manifestations of the Spirit (eg 2 or 3 to speak in an unknown tongue, interpretation of that language, prophecy, healing etc), but he warned that we must do all things "decently and in order".

Is it true that you don't affiliate with other churches?

Firstly, we are happy to talk with anyone, in any church, about the Lord Jesus Christ and to discuss the work of the church. In our everyday lives we associate with people who come from the broad spectrum of society, including, of course, people from all the other denominations.

However, our church organisation does not affiliate itself with other church organisations. Perhaps the questions and answers under this section provide the best explanation. On the one hand some churches deny the manifestations of the Holy Spirit in our time, and appear to have lapsed either into a dry formalism or pursue purely social agendas; while on the other hand there are those who pursue extreme manifestations that are not found in the Bible.

We do not affiliate with the first group as they, in effect, deny the power of God. The Bible tells us of those who are described as "having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof" and tells us "from such turn away" (2 Timothy 3:5).

Regarding the second group, the extreme and unscriptural practices undertaken unfortunately by some charismatic and pentecostal churches are also spoken against in the Bible. Paul warns that meetings should be run "decently and in order" and gives instructions on how this would be attained. Many ignore these statements, and allow behaviour that is dishonouring to God.

Paul, speaking on these matters says: "If any man think himself to be a prophet, or spiritual, let him acknowledge that the things that I write unto you are the commandments of the Lord" (1 Corinthians 14:37). In another letter, Paul gives this instruction: "And if any man obey not our word by this epistle, note that man, and have no company with him, that he may be ashamed. Yet count him not as an enemy, but admonish him as a brother" (2 Thessalonians 3:14-15).

Another difficulty with some pentecostal and charismatic churches is that many do not teach the significance of the Holy Spirit experience. While this observation does not apply to all members of these churches, it is hard to get official statements that support the Bible stand on the necessity to receive the Holy Spirit with the evidence of speaking in tongues. Generally, the idea of receiving the Holy Spirit with the accompanying sign of speaking in tongues is unfortunately only seen as an "optional extra".

Are the Revival Centres a member of the World Council of Churches?

No.

The answer to the previous question outlines why we are not.

Do you consider yourselves the only true Church then?

No. We are aware of other churches that preach the same steps to salvation that we preach. We are also aware of many Spirit-filled people in many church organisations. We note from the Bible that Paul said there would be differences of administration, but the same Lord (1 Corinthians 12:5).

However, we do beleive that what we read in the Bible is the only way. We do believe we form a part of the one Church spoken of in the Bible.

The Church is the body of all Spirit-filled believers. Some walk disorderly; some are not hearing advice on how to walk in the Spirit; some are not encouraged to pray in the Spirit (because others in their congregation cannot); some are prepared to put up with non-scriptural additions; some are not prepared to run their meetings according to the Bible; and some pastors are not prepared to uphold a scriptural standard in all matters within their assemblies, for fear of losing numbers.

We do not presume to bring about some kind of man-made organisational unity, based on trying to find some areas of agreement while "agreeing to disagree" on fundamentals. Nor do we propose to back away from the scriptural instructions on running the Church. This stand keeps us 'non-affiliated'.