Charismatic renewal (Christianity)

Personal baptism in the Holy Spirit is the focus of a current charismatic renewal in the Church, bringing spiritual power and joy into people's lives and resulting in more authoritative prayer, worship, service and evangelization. There is real repentance and inner healing, and the movement seems to be arising spontaneously throughout the Church. Relationship with Jesus Christ becomes more personal and there is a powerful sense of union with other Christians in Christ. Spiritual growth becomes of immediate concern. Particular gifts are spiritual healing and speaking in tongues. Spiritual renewal is at the very heart of Christ's teaching; a new beginning so radical it can be thought of as a rebirth.

What is interesting in the present movement is its independence from denominations. Not just a branch of the non-conformist Church, the charismatic movement exists in all denominations, including the Roman Catholic. Some organizations bridge the denominations completely and comprise members of a number of Churches. Within local congregations, individuals begin to respond at greater depth to the life of the Spirit. They are more aware of belonging to the body of Christ, and this description of the Church takes on more meaning. The ministry becomes more dynamic as mature members of the congregation share both administrative and pastoral responsibility. Large congregations are subdivided into smaller house groups. Individual ministries of administration, prophesy and healing are recognized, as the ideal is approached of having each individual a functional member. Healing and counselling are an important component of the congregation's programme; and training and teaching become more central, not only by the priest but by other gifted individuals. Planned giving is accepted, frequently tithing (giving to the Church one tenth of net income or even more). Worship which is joyful and spontaneous and the flowing of gifts of the Spirit are included in the regular pattern. The congregation shares all kinds of united mission with other local Churches. Worship involves individuals feeling more, and expressing this feeling in swaying of the body, raising hands and looking at each other during worship. The framework may be traditional but spontaneous and local additions are incorporated as the Spirit leads.

Distinctive features of charismatic renewal are: (1) Belief that the Holy Spirit is available to all who have repented of their sins and accept Jesus Christ, through baptism in the Spirit. (2) Belief that the gifts of the Spirit revealed in the New Testament are available to the Church and to Christians in every age. (3) Expectancy that the guidance of Christ will be experienced as every part of the individual's life is submitted to Him. (4) Reassessment and response to the word of God as revealed in the Bible. (5) An emphasis on joyful praise and thanksgiving in worship. (6) Experience of oneness in Jesus Christ beyond denominational and theological differences. (7) Recognition that every believer has spiritual gifts to be used in the ministry of the Church. (8) Awareness of evil as an objective power and of an inner battle being waged against its forces. In this context, despite the contention that the Charismatic movement is related to the rediscovery in current times of the supernatural and the occult, the movement itself is clear that New Age phenomena are in fact just such manifestations of evil.