Charisma Vs. Charismania

I came to the Lord in a Baptist church. I backslid many times in my young life. Not the fault of the Baptist church, but my fault.I received the filling of the Holy Spirit in a Pentocostal church. After this the scriptures came alive for me and I craved listening to Christian music, instead of some of the negative lyrics in secular rock and roll. I know the gifts are real. Once one of my family members was in the process of trying to commit suicide. The Lord told me to pray...I said I don't know what to pray...The Lord said "that's what the gift of tongues is for". I obeyed and my family member did not succeed in his suicide attempt. The reason I love this book by Chuck Smith so much is because so many weird doctrines are coming out of some of the Pentecostal churches. The Shepherding movement, the Word of Faith, and now the Manifest Sons of God and Dominionism. I was familiar with the Word of Faith and was confessing things which felt like New Age formulas and not a relationship with God, so I decided to read about what they actually believe. I came to the conclusion all of the above mentioned are heresies to deceive the elect. This led me to confusion about the gifts of the Holy Spirit which I know are real, but why have so many unsound things come from the Charismania churches. This book explains why from the Word of God. I've heard many Christians critisize Calvary Chapel for reading through the entire Bible over and over. That's how we become grounded in the Word instead of experiences at church. Not knowing the word is how deception creeps in. Now there so called new apostles and prophets that are going to bring on Jesus' second coming through signs and wonders. A lot of these so called Movements make a lot of money from their "seed gifts" and healing schools. A lot of their prophecies never come true, but if you dare to to question they accuse people of having a "religious" spirit. If you are sick and you don't get better after they pray for you there is something wrong with your faith. Where is the agape love in that? I was to the point where I was so confused about the Gifts of The Holy Spirit I wasn't even sure if I had any of them or if they had ceased altogether. They haven't, but if you get into the Word the New Testament shows how to operate in the gifts the way God wants us to. That way we won't become confused or be led astray. Chuck Smith is now in heaven but I am so glad the Holy Spirit led me to this book.

This book, though published in 1983, should be read by anyone desiring to honestly sort out the real from the abusive concerning the Holy Spirit. Chuck shows how being filled with the Holy Spirit gives us the power to live the Christian life by conforming us, little by little perhaps, to the image of Jesus Christ. The Holy Spirit reveals God's agape love for us and allows us to experience that love. The Holy Spirit reveals God's word to our hearts so that we can understand it and make it personal in our daily lives. He helps us learn to submit to the Master and walk with Him. The Holy Spirit gives us victory over the enemy and his strongholds in our lives so that we can reign in life. Characteristically, Chuck spends only a little time on the abuses connected with the infilling of the Holy Spirit and attributes them to lack of sound Bible teaching. We must allow the Bible to be the final authority of our faith and practice.

Excellent teaching on the Holy Spirit and what he has for us today.

Even though Calvary Costa Mesa Pastor Chuch Smith is now with Jesus, his timeless wisdom based on sound Bible teaching will never fade.Great little book that cleared up some questions I had.

I was looking for an easy-to-read book that would help me understand foundational truths regarding spiritual gifts.In his own special way, Pastor Chuck lovingly laid a sound Biblical foundation, helping me better understand what the Biblical use of spiritual gifts being used to bring glory to God.

Sound scriptural view on the place of spiritual gifts in the church today

Very informative. Clear. An easy read

Very pleased, Thank you.

Great!