Ecstatic Worship
The charismatic movement has brought a number of alarming trends into Protestant churches—uncontrollable laughter, trembling, sobbing, and drunkenness. This uncontrolled worship is a breeding ground for demonic activity. In the Bible, the Spirit brings self control (Galatians 5:22), but many are calling these riotous experiences "the outpouring of the Spirit." Does Pentecostalism satisfy the Biblical criteria about manifestations of the Spirit?
Some images in this album are featured in Amazing Discoveries' Total Onslaught: Strange Firelecture. Purchase Strange Fire DVD or view the lecture online.
Morning sun worshipers with open hands in the River Ganges.
Source: Madanjeet Singh, The Sun in Myth and Art (London: UNESCO, 1993): 135.
Source: Madanjeet Singh, The Sun in Myth and Art (London: UNESCO, 1993): 135.
Sûrya-namaskar, or "salute to the sun," on the banks of the River Ganges in India, offered with hands raised and palms facing the sun.
Source: Madanjeet Singh, The Sun in Myth and Art (London: UNESCO, 1993): 189.
Source: Madanjeet Singh, The Sun in Myth and Art (London: UNESCO, 1993): 189.
The Toronto Blessing took place in the Airport Christian Fellowship in 1994. Outward manifestations with this experience include trembling, drunkenness, deep sobbing, as well as laughter. These events have been hailed as the great outpouring of the Holy Spirit.
Source: Richard Ostling et al., "Laughing for the Lord," TIME (August 15, 1994).
Source: Richard Ostling et al., "Laughing for the Lord," TIME (August 15, 1994).
The uncontrollable laughter and other physical manifestations of charismatic worship have spread globally. The charismatic movement needs careful evaluation as the Bible warns that at the end of time, Satan through the Antichrist will deceive people through false signs and wonders.
Source: Richard Ostling et al., "Laughing for the Lord," TIME (August 15, 1994).
Source: Richard Ostling et al., "Laughing for the Lord," TIME (August 15, 1994).
A kind of a trance falls upon the worshipers participating in the charismatic movement. They often fall down in a stupor. Healings, or at least so-called healings, also often take place at these meetings.
Source: Richard Ostling et al., "Laughing for the Lord," TIME (August 15, 1994).
Source: Richard Ostling et al., "Laughing for the Lord," TIME (August 15, 1994).
Emotion-based religion changes the focus from Christ to the believer and works through the senses instead of through the mind. God invites us to "reason together" (Isaiah 1:18). When we base our faith on our senses, whether sight, touch, hearing, or just feelings, we are opening ourselves up to delusion. Satan can use these avenues to reach our souls with lies. The Bible tells us to do all things "decently and in order" (1 Corinthians 14:40). Self-control is one of the fruits of the Spirit, and these manifestations are completely devoid of self-control. One can only conclude that the spirit behind these manifestations is not God's.
Source: Richard Ostling et al., "Laughing for the Lord," TIME (August 15, 1994).
Source: Richard Ostling et al., "Laughing for the Lord," TIME (August 15, 1994).
An Egyptian relief showing Egyptian worshipers lifting their hands to the sun god.
Source Unknown.
Source Unknown.
