Gabby,
Thanks for the link, I wasn't aware of this history of the Pentecostal denomination.
Destiny,
I have never been to a Charismatic church. I can not understand things like feathers falling, (?) or teaching little ones to talk to angels, and other such things. I have never had any of those things happen while in worship, nor has the Holy Spirit ever led me to pray for such "signs and wonders." Concerning miracles, I see them daily as I walk with God. I love Him for all His works, and wonders. The Heavens tell us of who He is, and what He is able to do, and all the layers of Truth that exists in every day common things blesses my heart from moment to moment. And our answered prayers, and directed walk...well, that's amazing. It seems to me that feathers, and angel language lessons, fall short of the beauty that enriches us daily that comes directly into our hearts by the Holy Spirit who shares with us the deep things of God, and teaches us, and conforms us to the image of Christ. I don't know enough about the Charismatic church to openly say anything against them, but I will say that to chase after such things (if that is what they are doing) is not the focus of God's children, and is NOT revival. Genuine revival is from God alone, and is born in the heart of a single believer lit up brightly, and it spreads across the world because of the Holy Spirit...it's the miracle in the heart of a lost soul, and another, and another, and another...till many are born of God, and our family grows. It is all of us learning to be of one accord in Christ, and walking in obedience as a church, and representing God in our good works as a force for Him...it is the bearing of much fruit individually, and corporately, and the witness of God to a lost world, and to all of Heaven, for His glory.
Jack,
I do not mean to offend you, but I must say that I strongly disagree with you, and perhaps you may think me guilty of the false humility that you mentioned because of that disagreement, I don't know, but I must say it none the less. I am not a god (like God), and I do not believe that Scripture teaches that I am a co-god, but rather a co-heir with Christ. I am a daughter by adoption (in no way deserving that adoption), of the most High, but I am His creation, and have no power of my own, outside of what He has given me. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me, and though I fail, I strive to walk worthy because of His love, and my responsibility to be about His business. I am thankful. I do not need to exalt myself to the status of a god to know the measure of the blessing that Christ's atonement has provided for me, or the authority with which I walk as His daughter...in fact, it would definitely have to be the other direction, because I had my eyes opened by Him alone. We are to esteem others before ourselves, and never be presumptuous about who God says we are...this does lead to the Great Temptation. I was a broken vessel, but now I am being restored, purified, made strong, and made more useful by God every day, but I have not become the Potter, or even an assistant potter, nor will I ever. I don't really know what else to say about that, except that I disagree with the article on this point, and I would walk out on any preacher who attempted to equate me with God, or even skirted such a thing, because it is walking as close to the boundary as they can, if not past it, and it does not honor God. It may also cause some young believers to stumble, and walk in self-righteousness. I think it also lays the foundation for claiming wealth and riches as some sort of entitlement here. I don't agree with that either. Those verses you mentioned are still referring to man as human, and do not equate man with God, or even as "gods" in a supernatural sense, but rather in a sense of dominion on earth, or rulers, and heirs as sons.
Psalm 82 in context shows that those in powers of position, "gods", are still subject to God, and then the next reference show that though we are the sons of God, humans, "gods" we will still die, fall, and will be judged...there is nothing in context that says we are gods, LIKE GOD, but rather gods like rulers here. This speaks to authority, or dominion, not being gods, like God.
John 10, is literally Christ quoting the above Scripture in the face of the Pharisees who were angry that He called Himself the Son of God...HE was saying that if men, who are placed in authority of this earth, men who are human can be called "gods", then how much more does Christ, whom the Father sent into the World, the Word, have the right to call Himself the Son of God. The Pharisees were keen enough to know that man was not to make himself equal with God.
The power we receive as the sons of God, is that to do His work through His Holy Spirit...it is nothing of our own, or that we deserve, as we have been grafted in to an inheritance that is not ours by birth.
Perhaps we agree to a point, I don't know, but I would never use "gods" in the context of power, but rather authority...and as sons, and as His creation, our power is from Him alone. I actually wouldn't throw the word around too much in these modern times because people would only think of it in terms of supernatural, and not as a ruling position. There is still nothing to feel exalted about, though I do agree we are to walk worthy, and boldy come before His throne of grace...this is the power of the Holy Spirit in us, and love in us being perfected, and bringing confidence. Anyway, the Lord bless you, and I am sorry that I do not agree with the bold usage of this word, nor the hint that we are something greater than what we are...humans, subject to our Creator, and in need of redemption. Again, the Lord bless you.
