He beat me to it!

This guy, Samuel Lee, wrote an awesome new Statement of Faith for Pentacostals/Charismatics...It's like a list of stuff I have wanted to say for a long time...AMEN, BRO!

Here is a link to his site...And below is his proposed Statement of Faith...

http://tinyurl.com/25djvmw

The New Kind of Pentecostals are:

1.Those who do not claim exclusivity of the Holy Spirit to a particular denomination or church.
2. Those who respect other Christian denominations and traditions and are willing to fellowship, share and cooperate with them.
  1. 3.Those who believe that the unconditional love that is inspired & directed by the Holy Spirit in believers is the greatest sign of being filled with the Holy Spirit.
4. Those who share the Good News with all mankind, but in a manner full of grace and love and not through arrogance and “the-we-know-better-than-you-mentality...”
5. Those who believe that miracles, signs and wonders are still possible today, but one should not elevate these above the humility and the message of Jesus Christ. They are those who are against commercializing and merchandizing the gifts and signs of the Holy Spirit.
6. Those who do not tolerate any form of fear-theology and manipulation techniques in the name of the Holy Spirit in order to gain wealth, even for the ministry.
7. Those who believe in the grace that is in giving tithes and offerings but are against abusive and manipulative forms of preaching/using Malachi 3:8... Tithes and offerings should not be controlled and must come from the heart of the giver and not from the fear preached from the pulpit.
8. Those who may disapprove of the non-heterosexual lifestyle, but are not witch-hunting homosexuals. Instead of using hateful vocabulary toward homosexuals, they listen to and pray for them.
9. Those who are balanced in their theology on Israel/Zionism. New Kind of Pentecostals are those who aim to play the role of bridge builders between the Jews and Palestinians. For God loves both…
10. Those who are not only concerned with miracles, signs and wonders, but are also concerned with social justice, and with the poor, the oppressed, the orphans, the widows and the immigrants.
11. Those who respect other cultures’ and people’s convictions and even religions, and are willing to enter into a mutual dialogue with them, without any hidden agendas.
12. Those who respect and have a dialogue with other cultures, yet when it comes to any form of inhumane practices within these cultures, the New Pentecostals are willing to address them.
13. Those who are concerned with the environment and are willing to bring in Pentecostal input in caring for the creation.
14. Those who believe in the Bible as the inspired collection of Holy Scriptures, yet they use the scriptures to bring forth grace and mercy and offer blessings instead of doom and gloom theology.
15. Those who believe that leadership should be servant hood; that leaders should serve instead of being served. Leaders should sacrifice instead of demanding sacrifice. Leadership should be based on love and fellowship and not on spiritual rank.
16. Those who respect traditional churches, or organized churches, but believe that the real church is built of people and their relationship with God and with each other. They are those who believe that the church is not a “building”, but it is a part of God continually fulfilling kingdom.
To be continued...
May be you have more suggestions or inputs to complete this statement of faith... feel free to share your ideas with me...

http://web.me.com/slwe/iSam02/Main.html

Comments

Francy said…
That's awesome! Does this mean I'm Pentecostal now?
12:38 PM
Helen Ann said…
Well, no....I don't claim that title myself. I am a Charismatic. But they are similar enough that it applies to our little circle of crazy Spiritual Realm people!
2:13 PM
Samuel Lee said…
Hello Helen. This is Samuel Lee. I saw your comment on my site. I like your #17 input. Thank you. I really appreciate that. Unfortunately many wrongs and hurts have been done in the name of Pentecostalism...

May be when you have time you can read my other posts: like (95 Concerns of Samuel Lee), (Post Pentecostalism1,2,3) & (I am still a Pentecostal) & (Prosperity Gospel is not a Pentecostal Message) may be these will encourage you as well...
blessing.
Samuel

BTW if you are on facebook ypu can search for me through slwe@mac.com
4:47 PM
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