Anglobapticostal
I
was talking to someone the other day and he asked me what is my background in
church. I said that I was raised Anglican – we all were and when asked at
school – the answer was “C of E”. Yessir, raised an Anglican, Baptist relatives
and in-laws, and Pentecostal nowadays. He asked, “What does that make you
then?” I replied, “Anglobapticostal I would think!” I explained that I don’t
have much time for labels but that I was what many people term ‘a charismatic’.
I went on to explain further that the Charismatic
Movement is the international trend of historically-mainstream
congregations adopting beliefs and practices similar to Pentecostals. Fundamental
to the movement is the use of spiritual gifts – that is an emphasis on communal
prayer and the practice and use of the charismatic gifts of speaking in
tongues, healing, prophecy, and deliverance.
Actually,
I don’t understand good and well-meaning folk who do not accept the Bible as
God’s Word. I don’t really understand either, those who select a single ‘verse’
of that Word and build a whole doctrine around it, while ignoring the rest of
God’s Word. I guess that makes me a fundamentalist too? It strikes me that all
that is missing is ‘evangelical’. All in all, that would make me a
“Bible-believing Fundamentalist Evangelical Charismatic AngloBaptiCostal”
Can
you see just how foolish all these labels are? They cannot define us in any
way. In fact the labels only serve to bring ridicule upon the Name of our
Saviour. I am happy, indeed I prefer, to be called Christian. Yes, I do
subscribe to the labels but no, they do not in any way describe me. Actually, I
would describe a Christian as one who worships God; who loves his neighbour as
himself; who obeys the Great Commandment to preach the Gospel, heal the sick,
cast out demons; who practice the gifts of the Spirit; indeed one who knows the
Holy Spirit as their personal friend.
So
where now would you place me? Heretic? Fanatic? I still prefer Christian for
myself AND for those of any different set of credentials. Just so long as they
love God and their neighbour and demonstrate that in their lives and
life-style, then we are all Christians together.
Is
that not more important than any denominational label?
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