What does it mean to be a "Charismatic?"

For years, I have proudly called myself a Charismatic Christian without being completely sure what the term “Charismatic” means. One day my curiosity was peaked and as I began researching, I was pleasantly surprised by the rich meaning of the word. Traditionally, the distinctives of the Charismatic faith include experiencing the infilling of the Holy Spirit, speaking in tongues, believing in healing, and preaching the word of faith. What are some other implications of our name?                                                                  

1. Charismatics are gifted.

The nine gifts of the Spirit found in 1 Corinthians 12:8-9 are often called charismas which is a Greek word which means “gifts.”  The term “charismatic” was coined in the early nineteen sixties to refer to the branch of Christianity that believes in the gifts of the Spirit. Of course, as one professor at Oral Roberts University pointed out, “Those who believe in the Spirit-filled life are not a branch of Christianity, we’re the roots.”  

2. Charismatics are leaders.

When a political leader has “charisma,” it means he has a leadership quality that is charming and appealing. In the same way, Charismatics are leaders in the body of Christ and have an undefinable glow which attracts the lost like a light draws bugs on a dark night.  

3. Charismatics are graced.

The root in the Greek language for the word “charisma” is charis which is most commonly translated as “grace.” It is defined as “undeserved merit and favor.” So Charismatics are those who are smiled upon by God even when we do not deserve it. We literally walk in the grace of God.

4. Charismatics are joyful.

The Greek word for “joy” is chara, which comes from the word charis. Our joy is not based on a human experience that gives brief pleasure, rather our joy is obtained from the Lord and sticks with us in the midst of both the good times and the bad. 

5. Charismatics are healers.

  1 Corinthians 12:9 specifically mentions the charismas of healing or “gifts” of healing. As Charismatics, we use God’s power to heal people: spirit, mind, and body.

6. Charismatics are givers.

The term “charismatic” refers to a gifted one, but it could equally allude to to one who gives gifts. In 2 Corinthians 8-9, Paul mentions the grace (charis) of giving ten times when urging the church in Corinth to send an offering to the saints in Jerusalem. In other words, the word“Charismatic” could be translated “Givermatic,” defined as people who give automatically and cheerfully. Whenever the offering bucket passes, we are excited about giving.   

7. Charismatics are blessed.

A final meaning of the word “charis” is blessing. So, Charismatics are “Blessed-o-matics,”those who are automatically walk in the fullness of God’s blessing.

7 Things I Learned About Pastors on Twitter

I am not a pastor, but I am interested in why pastors do what they do. For the last two months I have followed hundreds of pastors on the new social networking tool Twitter.com. Here are seven things I've learned about pastors:

1. Pastors are looking for new ways to reach people. For those of you who have not caught the buzz, Twitter enables you to use your cell phone or computer to send out "tweets" or short updates about what you are doing to all your friends. Basically, it is text-messaging lots of people at the same time. I was amazed at how many pastors are using this technology to build relationships with their flock. It shows that pastors can be cutting-edge and innovative.

2. Pastors can reinvent themselves to reach a new generation. Are bulletins boring, offerings blah, and church announcements putting people to sleep? Why not film your announcements, post them on YouTube, and send everyone a tweet to go check it out. Then provide a link to give tithes and offerings online through PayPal. Today's generation lives online. Relevant churches desiring to be effective will join the online conversation.

3. Pastors are using new terminology to express age-old truth. A new vocabulary has arisen to communicate to a modern generation. "Christian" is out, "Christ-follower" is in. No one is a "head pastor" instead they are called "lead pastors."  In addition to being pastors, many have added life coach, spiritual entrepreneur, or success motivator to their resume. Relationship is now more important than denominational labels.

4. Pastors like to preach. From messages about grace and forgiveness, to exegetical studies of First Thessalonians, pastors spend a lot of time studying God's word and preparing to communicate truth to their congregations.

5. Pastors are normal people. Pastors pick up their kids from soccer, watch Lost and American Idol on television, go to the grocery store, play Nintendo Wii, and love their wives. Pastors are not supermen or superwomen, but they do rely on a supernatural God. 

6. Pastors have one of the toughest jobs in the world. Who is called when someone gets sick? Or dies? Or has a problem in their marriage? Usually, the pastor is there to offer comfort and advice. Continually putting out fires can be mentally and physically draining, but pastors keep going because they genuinely care about people. Some of the tweets I read brought tears to my eyes as pastors dwelt with human tragedy by offering hope.

7. Pastors have one of the most rewarding jobs in the world. I have read statistics that show many pastors think about quitting the ministry, especially on Monday morning, but I saw little evidence of this on Twitter. Most of the pastors I follow are excited, energized, and motivated. They are reading, learning, and continually looking for new ways to communicate the Gospel through modern methods of evangelism. Eternity is their focus, the world is their parish, and changing lives is their reward.

Daniel King is a missionary evangelist who has ministered in more than fifty nations. He invites you to follow him on his Twitter profile: danielking100. Or check out his website:www.kingministries.com

What does the Bible say about...the Bible?

What does the Bible say about...the Bible? 

“This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success” (Joshua 1:8 NKJV).

“If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you” (John 15:7 NKJV).

“For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart” (Hebrews 4:12 NKJV).

“knowing this first, that no prophecy of Scripture is of any private  interpretation, for prophecy never came by the will of man, but  holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit” (2 Peter 1:20-21 NKJV).

“Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path” (Psalm 119:105 NKJV).

“All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness” (2 Timothy 3:16 NKJV).

How to Apply the Bible to Your Life

How to Apply the Bible to Your Life

Read God’s Word. Always read God’s word in the present tense. It is not what God used to do, it is what God is doing for you right now, today.

Believe God’s Word. The Bible contains 7,000 promises to you, about you, and for you. It is not just an ancient book, it is a Living Word.

Memorize God’s Word. The time to prepare for battle is long before the enemy troops are banging on the door of the castle. By memorizing God’s word, you prepare to defend yourself from Satan’s attack.

Speak God’s Word. God’s word in your mouth is just as powerful as God’s words in His month. Faith comes by hearing. You should read the word out loud to yourself because the voice you believe the most is your own.

Confess God’s Word. Confession of God’s promises brings possession of God’s promises. Life and death are in the power of the tongue.

Trust God’s Word. If you cannot trust God, what can you trust? Your friends might desert you, your family might fail you, your investments might disappear, your newspaper might give you a bad report, but God’s Word is true.

Obey God’s Word. What use is God’s Word if you do not apply it to your life?

Live God’s Word. 

How to Study the Bible

4 Steps to Reading the Bible

1. Selection - What do I study?

            - Pray

            - Pick a passage

           

2. Observation - What do I see?

            Study different translations, commentaries, Bible dictionaries, Bible encyclopedias, interlinear Bible (Greek and Hebrew to English), Bible handbooks, and Bible atlases, time lines, and topical Bibles.

A. Look at the Text

            Who are the people in the passage?

            What are the important ideas in the passage?

            When did this occur?

            Where are the places in this passage?

            What is the literary genre of this passage? Is it poetry, narrative (story), Epic, Priestly Writings, Law, Liturgy, Lament, Teaching, Prophecy, Gospel, Parable, Letter, or Apocalypic Literature?

B. Look at the Context

            What comes right before and right after the passage?

            What events are happening in the original time period?            

C. Look at the Historical Setting

            When was the passage written?

            Where was this passage written?

            Who is the author?

            Who is the audience?

            What was the original purpose for this passage?

           

3. Interpretation - What does it mean?

           A. Language

                        What is the meaning of each word in the original language?

                        How are the significant words used in other places in Scripture?

                        How does the genre effect the text?

                        What is the sentence structure?

                        Why are these particular words used?

                        Compare the passage in other versions of the Bible?

           B. Historical

                        How does the historical, sociological, or historical situation affect this text?

            C. Theological

                        What truths are taught about God?

                        What truths are taught about human nature?

                        What does the passage tell us about sin or about salvation?

                        What does the passage say to the church?

                        What does the passage say to me as an individual?

4. Life Application - How does this apply to my life?

            How does this passage apply to the contemporary situation?

                        How do we apply this passage to our modern day assumptions, values, and goals?

                        What principles apply to our society today?

                        What does this passage say about social issues?

                       

            How does this passage apply to me personally?

                        How do these principles apply to the church?

                        How do these principles apply to my friends and family?

                        How do these principles apply to me personally?

                        How does this passage effect my moral decisions?

                        How does this passage effect my personal goals?

                        What am I going to do with what I learned?

                        How does this passage impact my relationship with God?

                       

What personal goals am I going to set in my life to apply these principles in this passage? Pray for God to help you apply the principles in the passage to your life.

           

DO NOT’S

Do not “proof-text.” (Take verses out of context.)

Do not be too literal. Ex: Matt 5:29-30

Do not ignore cultural, historical, and literary background of the Bible.

Do not read your own ideas into Scripture.

Should I be Baptized in Water?

Being baptized in water is an important part of the Christian life. It symbolizes the death of our old man and our resurrection as a new creation. Jesus told his disciples, “Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned” (Mark 16:16). Jesus commanded his disciples to “Go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit” (Matthew 28:19). Jesus was baptized in the Jordan river at the beginning of his ministry (Matthew 3:13-17).

On the day of Pentecost, Peter preached a mighty sermon, then he told the people who responded to the message, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit” (Acts 2:38). All those who “accepted his message were baptized” (Acts 2:41). 

Peter baptized the entire household of Cornelius after they had received the Holy Spirit (Acts 10:44- 48). Paul was baptized after he was saved (Acts 9:18). Throughout his ministry, he continued to baptize people (Acts 19:1-6; Acts 16:31-33).

Here is a video of us baptizing people in Madagascar. 

This is an excerpt from Daniel King's book, "Welcome to the Kingdom." Over 600,000 copies are in print. Get your copy by clicking HERE.