TBC Doctrinal Class - Separation (Part 18c)

S TAT E M E N T 1 8 THE DOCTRINE OF SEPARATION S TAT E M E N T 1 8 We believe in the separation of the local church from groups which are guilty of apostasy or heresy. e.g., We have no part with the following movements: a. The World Council of Churches and affiliates. b. Roman Catholicism (Galatians 1:8) c. The modern day Charismatic Movement (Titus 3:10-11) d. Jehovah’s Witnesses, Seventh Day Adventists, Mormons, Herbert W. Armstrong, and other cults (2 John 9-11). FENCES ARE A L W AY S RESTRICTIVE BUT NOT A L W AY S UNLOVING. Photo: T1GSheila Separation arises from God’s holiness. 2 Corinthians 6:17; 7:1 (ESV) Therefore go out from their midst, and be separate from them, says the Lord, and touch no unclean thing; then I will welcome you, 1Since we have these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from every defilement of body and spirit, bringing holiness to completion in the fear of God. Separation arises from God’s fatherly love. 2 Corinthians 6:17–18 (ESV) Therefore go out from their midst, and be separate from them, says the Lord, and 18 touch no unclean thing; then I will welcome you, and I will be a father to you, and you shall be sons and daughters to me, says the Lord Almighty.” What is worthy of separation? “We believe in the separation of the local church from groups which are guilty of apostasy or heresy.” •threats to the Gospel message •threats to Gospel unity What is apostasy? apostasy: to fall away; to defect apostasy: the total rejection of Christianity by a baptized person who, having at one time professed the Christian faith, publicly rejects it. https://www.britannica.com/topic/ apostasy. accessed 20 August 2026 1 Timothy 4:1 (ESV) Now the Spirit expressly says that in later times some will depart from the faith by devoting themselves to deceitful spirits and teachings of demons, What is heresy? heresy: Commonly, aberrant doctrine or opinion arising within the Church in opposition to biblical revelation or apostolic tradition Eerdmans Dictionary of the Bible, p 577. Titus 3:10 (ESV) As for a person who stirs up division, after warning him once and then twice, have nothing more to do with him, Damnable heresy vs. simple heresy 2 Peter 2:1 (ESV) But false prophets also arose among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them, bringing upon themselves swift destruction. 1 Corinthians 11:18b–19 (ESV) I hear that there are divisions among you. And I believe it in part, 19for there must be factions [lit. heresies] among you in order that those who are genuine [lit. approved] among you may be recognized. What is the di erence between apostasy and heresy? Apostates as not Christians. They are going to hell unless they repent of their abandoniment of the Saviour. ff Heretics may still be Christians if their error or controversy does not deny any doctrine necessary for salvation. I.e., Not every error or controversy is fatal. Observations: 1. Just because a heresy doesn’t send you to hell does not mean it cannot wreck your life. 2. Sometimes a simple heresy is a gateway to a series of heresies or to apostasy. Guilty of apostasy or heresy? We believe in the separation of the local church from groups which are guilty of apostasy or heresy. e.g., We have no part with the following movements: a. The World Council of Churches and affiliates. Guilty of apostasy or heresy? a. The World Council of Churches and affiliates. b. Roman Catholicism (Galatians 1:8) Guilty of apostasy or heresy? a. The World Council of Churches and affiliates. b. Roman Catholicism (Galatians 1:8) c. The modern day Charismatic Movement (Titus 3:10-11) What is the Charismatic Movement? “The Pentecostal/Charismatic movement began at the beginning of the 20th century by a series of revivals on four continents – Asia, Europe, Northern America and Latin America – almost simultaneously.” Todd M. Johnson, World Christian Encyclopedia, 3rd edition (Edinburgh University Press) republished at https://www.gordonconwell.edu/blog/pentecostal-charismaticchristianity/. accessed 9 September 2026 Pentecostalism before Charismatic Movement “Most Pentecostals trace their origins to Charles F. Parham and Bethel Bible College, where on January 1, 1901, both teacher and students spoke in tongues and felt that this experience was de nite evidence of the baptism of the Holy Spirit.” fi bolding mine; Nathan P. Feldmeth, Pocket Dictionary of Church History: Over 300 Terms Clearly and Concisely Defined, The IVP Pocket Reference Series (Downers Grove, IL: IVP Academic, 2008), 112. What is Pentecostalism? Pentecostalism: Worldwide movement based on the belief that Christians in every age may receive the baptism in the Spirit and the same Charismatic gifts of the Holy Spirit as did the first Christians on the day of Pentecost in Jerusalem. George Thomas Kurian, Nelson’s New Christian Dictionary: The Authoritative Resource on the Christian World (Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Publishers, 2001). What is Pentecostalism? “These gifts include speaking in tongues or glossolalia, prophecy, physical healing, and exorcism, the exercise of all of which are given to the believer in an experience known as baptism in the Holy Spirit, an experience distinct from conversion and baptism.” George Thomas Kurian, Nelson’s New Christian Dictionary: The Authoritative Resource on the Christian World (Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Publishers, 2001). Pentecostal beliefs spreading outside Pentecostal denominations = the start of the Charismatic Movement “Before 1955, the Christian mainstream did not embrace Pentecostal doctrines. The high church wing of the American Episcopal Church became the first traditional ecclesiastical organization to be affected internally by the new movement. The beginning of this charismatic movement is usually dated to Sunday, April 3, 1960.” https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charismatic_movement Spread of the Charismatic Movement 1960s-1970s “The movement reached Lutherans and Presbyterians in 1962. The Catholic Charismatic Renewal began in 1967 at Duquesne University in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Methodists became involved in the 1970s.” [9] [10] [11] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charismatic_movement Quasi-denominations in the Charismatic Movement “A number of groups have become quasi denominations. These include Chuck Smith’s Calvary Chapels, Bob Weiner’s Maranatha Christian churches, Larry Lea’s Churches on the Rock, and John Wimber’s Vineyard Christian Fellowships.” “ George Thomas Kurian, Nelson’s New Christian Dictionary: The Authoritative Resource on the Christian World (Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Publishers, 2001). What is the di erence between Pentecostals and Charismatics? “Pentecostals are members of the explicitly Pentecostal denominations. . . . include[ing] the Assemblies of God, the International Church of the Foursquare Gospel and the Church of God of Prophecy. Subcategories . . . include Oneness, Baptistic, Holiness and Apostolic.” Todd M. Johnson, World Christian Encyclopedia, 3rd edition (Edinburgh University Press) ff republished at https://www.gordonconwell.edu/blog/pentecostal-charismaticchristianity/. accessed 9 September 2026 What is the di erence between Pentecostals and Charismatics? “They [Charismatics originally] remain within, and also form organized renewal groups within, their historical non-Pentecostal denominations (Catholic, Orthodox or Protestant), instead of leaving to join Pentecostal denominations.” Todd M. Johnson, World Christian Encyclopedia, 3rd edition (Edinburgh University Press) ff republished at https://www.gordonconwell.edu/blog/pentecostal-charismaticchristianity/. accessed 9 September 2026 Pentecostals in Australia ACC (Australian Christian Churches) “The Assemblies of God in Australia was formed in 1937 and has experienced consistent growth. It adopted a new name of Australian Christian Churches in 2007 and consists of over 1,100 churches with over 400,000 constituents, making it the largest Pentecostal movement in Australia.” https://www.acc.org.au/about ACC in Cairns Calvary Christian Church - Cairns CBD Gateway Church—Hilton Hotel Cairns CBD Faith Alive - Dream Centre Cairns—Westcourt Lighthouse All Nations Church Cairns—Manunda Cairns CrossCultural Church—Mooroobool Freshwater Church Ltd—Brinsmead Alive Community Church—Gordonvale ACC a liated in Cairns ffi Royals Church—Portsmouth Charismatic Renewal movements “The largest Charismatic movement today is the Catholic Charismatic renewal, found in significant numbers mainly across Latin America. The largest Catholic Charismatic populations are in Brazil (61 million), the Philippines (26 million) and the United States (18 million), though the highest concentrations of Catholic charismatics are in Guatemala (34% of the country), Puerto Rico (31%) and Brazil (29%).” Todd M. Johnson, World Christian Encyclopedia, 3rd edition (Edinburgh University Press) republished at https://www.gordonconwell.edu/blog/pentecostal-charismatic-christianity/. accessed 9 September 2026 Independent Charismatics “Thousands of other churches and movements resemble Pentecostals and Charismatics but do not fit their definitions. These constitute a third Pentecostal/ Charismatic type, called ‘Independent Charismatics.’” Todd M. Johnson, World Christian Encyclopedia, 3rd edition (Edinburgh University Press) republished at https://www.gordonconwell.edu/blog/pentecostal-charismaticchristianity/. accessed 9 September 2026 Independent Charismatics “Independent Charismatics are largest in the United States (33 million), Nigeria (27 million) and China (24 million), and over one third of the populations of Eswatini, South Africa and Zimbabwe are Independent Charismatics. These traditions often grow by planting new churches or by breaking off from existing denominations.” Todd M. Johnson, World Christian Encyclopedia, 3rd edition (Edinburgh University Press) republished at https://www.gordonconwell.edu/blog/pentecostal-charismatic-christianity/. accessed 9 September 2026 Independent Charismatics in Australia & Cairns INC (International Network of Churches) “Christian Outreach Centre was born on 16 June 1974.” • Elevation Church—Cairns • Clear Ministries Cairns —Smith eld fi https://www.inc.org.au/about/history Source: World Christian Encyclopedia, 3rd edition Why does TBC separate from the Charismatic Movement? 1. Wrong doctrine 2. Wrong practice What are the biggest doctrinal errors of the Charismatic Movement? 1. A misunderstanding of the Person of the Holy Spirit 2. A misunderstanding of the gifts of the Holy Spirit • Tongues • Prophecy • Healing How do Charismatics misunderstand the Person of the Holy Spirit? 1. Isolate Him from the Trinity 2. Make Him the focus 3. Presume to know Him primarily through their senses rather than through His Word Scripture never speaks of the Holy Spirit as an independent agent. John 16:13 (ESV) 13When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come. The Holy Spirit is sent from the Son. John 15:26 (ESV) But when the Helper comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth, who proceeds from the Father, he will bear witness about me. The Holy Spirit is also sent from the Father. John 15:26 (ESV) But when the Helper comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth, who proceeds from the Father, he will bear witness about me. John 14:26 (ESV) But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you. The Holy Spirit does not speak His own mind. JoJohn 16:13 (ESV) When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come. The Holy Spirit focuses on Christ. John 15:26 (ESV) But when the Helper comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth, who proceeds from the Father, he will bear witness about me. John 14:26 (ESV) But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you. What happens if the Holy Spirit is made an independent agent who becomes the preoccupation of our worship? Ask Dylan How Do Charismatics misunderstand the gifts of the Holy Spirit? 1. Some gifts are overemphasised (e.g., tongues). 2. Some gifts are re-defined (e.g., tongues and prophecy). 3. Spiritual gifts become confused with the fruit of the Spirit. The over-emphasis on tongues “Most Pentecostals trace their origins to Charles F. Parham and Bethel Bible College, where on January 1, 1901, both teacher and students spoke in tongues and felt that this experience was de nite evidence of the baptism of the Holy Spirit.” fi bolding mine; Nathan P. Feldmeth, Pocket Dictionary of Church History: Over 300 Terms Clearly and Concisely Defined, The IVP Pocket Reference Series (Downers Grove, IL: IVP Academic, 2008), 112. Do Charismatics still emphasise speaking in tongues as proof of being baptised in the Holy Spirit? “We believe that in order to live the holy and fruitful lives that God intends for us, we need to be baptised in water and be filled with the power of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit enables us to use spiritual gifts, including speaking in tongues which is the initial evidence of baptism in the Holy Spirit.” bolding mine; https://calvarycc.global/beliefs.accessed 10 September 2026 Should all Christians expect to speak in tongues as evidence that they have been baptised with the Holy Spirit? 1 Corinthians 12:8–11 (ESV) For to one is given through the Spirit the utterance of wisdom, and to another the 9 utterance of knowledge according to the same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of 10 healing by the one Spirit, to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another the ability to distinguish between spirits, to another various kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues. Who decides what spiritual gift you will get? 1 Corinthians 12:8–11 (ESV) For to one is given through the Spirit the utterance of wisdom . . . to another various kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of 11 tongues. All these are empowered by one and the same Spirit, who apportions to each one individually as He wills. Does the Holy Spirit give the gift of tongues to everyone? 1 Corinthians 12:29–30 (ESV) Are all apostles? Are all 30 prophets? Are all teachers? Do all work miracles? Do all possess gifts of healing? Do all speak with tongues? Do all interpret? No!!! What happens if speaking in tongues becomes the test of being baptised by the Spirit? We deny 1 Corinthians 12:13 (ESV). 13For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body— Jews or Greeks, slaves or free—and all were made to drink of one Spirit. What else happens if speaking in tongues becomes the test of being baptised by the Spirit? Ask Jude Dorge Assurance of salvation and higher levels of sanctification become available only to a few Christians—those whom the Holy Spirit selectively chooses to speak in a foreign language that they’ve never studied. Does God intend for only a few to have assurance of salvation in this life? 1 John 5:13 (ESV) I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life. John 1:12 (ESV) But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, What is the gift of tongues in the New Testament? Intelligibly speaking a known language that is not your native language and that you have never studied. Acts 2:4 (ESV) And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance. Acts 2:8–11 (ESV) And how is it that we hear, each of us in his own native language? 9Parthians and Medes and Elamites and residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus 10 and Asia, Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of 11 Libya belonging to Cyrene, and visitors from Rome, both Jews and proselytes, Cretans and Arabians—we hear them telling in our own tongues the mighty works of God.” Is praying in a private prayer language the same as the NT gift of speaking in tongues? Perhaps, but probably not. It depends whether your private prayer language is the native language of a people group. Acts 2:8–11 (ESV) And how is it that we hear, each of us in his own native language? How do charismatics re-de ne the gift of prophecy? fi Instead of prophecy being an infallible word from God, prophecy becomes a revelation that may or may not end up coming true. What’s the problem with re-de ning prophecy? fi Scripture makes the “does-it-come-to-pass” question the way to test whether a prophet is speaking truth or lies. What’s the problem with re-de ning prophecy? fi Deuteronomy 18:21–22 (ESV) And if you say in your heart, ‘How may we know the word that the LORD has 22 not spoken?’— when a prophet speaks in the name of the LORD, if the word does not come to pass or come true, that is a word that the LORD has not spoken; the prophet has spoken it presumptuously. You need not be afraid of him. What are the practical e ects of the charismatic movement? 1. Human experience and feelings become functionally authoritative in place of God’s Words. • “The Spirit told me to do X.” • “I got a strong word from the Lord to move here, start this, do that, etc.” • “I know the Bible says X, but I feel like the Spirit ff wants me to do Y." What are the practical e ects of the charismatic movement? 2. The Holy Spirit is trivialised. • The Spirit become a genie in a bottle or reduced to the effects of a smoke machine. ff 3. Because the Word of God has been generally devalued, people are susceptible to add-on errors. Add-on errors to Charismatic’s devaluing God’s Word • the Prosperity Gospel • Oneness Pentecostalism (Modalism, e.g., T.D. Jakes) • misunderstanding of revival (e.g., the Toronto Blessing) What is the Toronto Blessing? “The Toronto Blessing has become synonymous within charismatic Christian circles for terms and actions that include an increased awareness of God's love, religious ecstasy, external observances of ecstatic worship, being slain in the Spirit, uncontrollable laughter, emotional and/or physical euphoria, crying, healing from emotional wounds, healing of damaged relationships, and electric waves of the spirit. "Holy laughter", as a result of overwhelming joy, was a hallmark manifestation, and there were also some reports of instances of participants roaring like lions or making other animal noises.” bolding in original; https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toronto_Blessing [1][2] [3] How should we respond to Charismatic people? 1. Gently refer them back to Scripture. “The only place where the Spirit speaks infallibly is in His word.” (John Owen paraphrase) How should we respond to Charismatic people? 2. Distinguish between fallible impressions and infallible scripture. (Note: Many godly Christians have recognised a place for the personal, subjective leading of the Holy Spirit although never in contradiction to scripture, e.g., Jonathan Edwards, C.H. Spurgeon, etc.) 2 Timothy 2:24–26 (ESV) And the Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome but kind to everyone, able to teach, 25 patiently enduring evil, correcting his opponents with gentleness. God may perhaps grant them repentance 26 leading to a knowledge of the truth, and they may come to their senses and escape from the snare of the devil, after being captured by him to do his will.