STATEMENT 6

CHARISMATIC RESOLUTION

The International Council of Christian Churches from its inception has recognized that the Charismatic-Pentecostal Movement is not consistent with the Christian faith over these 2000 years. The manifestation of tongues in their churches are not the tongues spoken of in the Bible, which were needed while the Apostles were alive to confirm their authority. These gifts of the early church have not only ceased, but they were listed among the lesser and temporary gifts.

In the light of the spiritual confusion among Christians and the curiosity factor arising in the world, it is essential that those called to evangelize others maintain a biblical understanding of the issue of the gift of the Spirit. Our belief and understanding of the nature of God's spiritual gifts in an age obsessed by such phenomena, which too readily equates as supernatural activity with the divine; should be of considerable concern to all who love Christ and His Word. Further, given the Bible's own clear warning that the end time church would be marked by false signs and wonders that 'look and taste' like the real thing (II Thessalonians 2:3), counterfeit Christianity will be reliant on 'special effects' for its power, rather than faith in the written Word of God alone. Pentecostal practice is a de facto denial of the sufficiency of Scripture.

At no time was it the pattern for the church to be a 'third person movement' but rather a 'second person movement' - "the church which is the Body of Christ" (Ephesians 1:22-23). This superimposition is a master stroke of the devil, and is all the more deceitful and deceptive because the Word of God is used to accomplish it.

From God's side there is no more revelation or spiritual knowledge to come and therefore no need of prophecy as such today. To have prophecy today is to superimpose another 'Word of God' upon that which we have in the Bible (Revelation 22:18-19).

We, therefore, meeting at the 17th World Congress of the ICCC being held in Seoul, Korea, June 8-14, 2005, call upon churches in membership to teach their people:

   A. the dangers of the Pentecostal/ Charismatic Movement;
   B. by emphasizing the teaching of sound doctrine (II Timothy 4:2);
   C. to pray for believers that they have discerning spirit in these days of deception.

THE ANSWER TO ERROR IS ALWAYS TRUTH.
Back to [Top]