A History of Christian Doctrine #3 - Online Christian Library

A History of Christian Doctrine
saved people from other churches rather than by converting
the lost from a lifestyle of sin to holiness. When
their megachurches mushroom, there often seems to be
little concern for ministerial ethics, qualifications for spiritual
leadership, and discipleship of every member.
How do the Charismatics relate to Pentecostals?
Initially, Trinitarian Pentecostals had great reservations
about the Charismatic movement, but today there is widespread
acceptance, interaction, fellowship, mutual influence,
and mutual transfer of ministers, churches, and
members. In 1994, major Trinitarian Pentecostal and
Charismatic organizations joined together in the
Pentecostal/Charismatic Churches of North America
(PCCNA), which replaced the Pentecostal Fellowship of
North America (PFNA).
While we have discussed various practices and
emphases that are typical of Charismatics, we must also
note that many classical Pentecostals, especially trinitarians,
have adopted many of them. Although Pentecostalism
gave rise to the Charismatic movement, the latter is
now exerting greater influence on the former. The Charismatics
have generally prevailed on matters of holiness
and fellowship, and they are significantly affecting forms
of worship, views of end-time prophecy, and the initial
evidence doctrine.
Classical Pentecostal organizations have taken clear
stands against the doctrinal innovations of Charismatics,
however. For example, the Assemblies of God has adopted
official position papers against the Positive Confession
doctrine, the Kingdom Now doctrine, the excesses of the
Shepherding movement, the belief that Christians can
have demons, absolutist views on divine healing, and
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