Local Church of Christ Preacher Boldly Questions Relevant Church Part 2

As promised in his previous commentary, Burleson Church of Christ preacher Todd Clippard has had published parts 2 and 3 of his thoughts on the relevant church movement in Hamilton, AL. Here is part 2:

Last week, I noted how modern-day Pentecostals were once satisfied to leave everyone else alone to their own practices, but that now a militant and belligerent attitude pervades among them, especially the younger generation. Now they point a finger at us and mock us as if we should be ashamed for not acting like fools during our worship assemblies. By way of reminder, there is nothing unkind or unbiblical about examining someone's teaching and practice in light of the Bible. I welcome such comparisons and questions. Furthermore, I made no accusations against the RAMP that cannot be verified by watching their own videos on YouTube.

As 1 Corinthians 14 is given to regulate the exercise of genuine spiritual gifts, (which in no way resembles the foolishness of practices seen today), it was noted how their practices violated 1 Corintians 14:22-23. This week we continue to compare their practices in light of what the Bible teaches.

Consider the practice of "speaking in tongues" during their assemblies. In the first century (when real tongue-speaking took place), this practice was regulated by 1 Corinthians 14:27-28....

"27 If anyone speaks in a tongue, let there be two or at the most three, each in turn, and let one interpet. 28 But if there is no interpreter, let him keep silent in church, and let him speak to himself and to God." NKJV

How often have we seen the modern-day babblers all "speaking" at the same time? Pentecostals violate this Bible text in three ways: (1)it is more than two or three, (2) it is never in turn, and (3)I have yet to see the first interpreter. Pentecostal practice and 1 Corinthians 14:27-28 - - three strikes and you're out.

In an article regarding the practice of one of our local charismatic groups, the author and preacher spoke of a service as getting out of control. Worse still, he credited the Holy Spirit for the confusion and lack of control exhibited in the assembly. However, in 1 Corinthians 14:33 we read, "God is not the author of confusion but of peace, as in all churches of the saints."

Are present-day Pentecostal assemblies noted for confusion or peace? Paul said peacefulness is the sign of the worship assembly of God's people (saints). Yet by their own admission, Pentecostal practice stands in direct violation and contradiction to 1 Corinthians 14:33.

Lord willing, next Saturday there will be a third article in this series of examinations. In the meantime, we welcome your comments and questions.

Clippard, Todd. (2009, August 8). Pentecostal Finger Pointing Part II. Journal Record. p.3

Local Church of Christ Preacher Boldly Questions Relevant Church

I can't remember the last time I read my local newspaper in Hamilton, AL and was surprised by something I read. Word tends to travel fast in this small town. However, as I fingered through the Journal Record today, a commentary, placed off to the side of page three took my breath away. Mr. Todd Clippard, pulpit minster of Burleson Church of Christ in Hamilton, AL has apparently had enough of the relevant movement that has taken place in our little small town and he is ready to do something about it. He has provided the readers of this small publication with a scathing commentary about the wool that many feel are being pulled over the eyes of the residents and children of this little town in northwest Alabama. In a hope that more than just the few who read the Journal Record will get to enjoy this writing, I would like to post his commentary below. Feel free to leave comments as I intend to send a link to this posting to Todd Clippard as well. Enjoy some discernment:

Pentecostal Finger Pointing or,

Not All Ramps Lead Upward

I recently watched some YouTube videos of the foolishness that is passed off as worship at the local RAMP. {find the referenced video below} One young man gave his "testimony" how the Lord had set him free, not from sin or some self-destructive lifestyle, but from (and I quote)"the biggest devil of all... dry, dead, religious tradition & bondage." He went on to rant about how "God wants to act normal again, but God can't act normal because he can't find his church that will act normal."

It must be noted that there is nothing unkind or unbiblical in comparing one's religious faith and practice against the teaching of Scripture. I invite comparisons of my faith and practice with the Scriptures. John warned us not to believe every spirit, but to put them to the test since many false teachers were in the world (1 John 4:1). Paul said Jews had "a zeal for God, but not according to knowledge,... being ignorant of God's righteous" (Rom. 10:2-3).

Pentecostals once practiced their traditions privately and were satisfied to leave everyone else alone, though they privately admitted they thought the rest of us were missing out on "real spirituality." But today things are different. There is a belligerent attitude among present charismatics, especially among younger practitioners. Now they openly and loudly point their fingers at us as if we should be ashamed for not acting like fools during our worship assemblies.

While you may find crude or offensive my use of the word "fools," it is actually nicer than Paul's description of those who possessed (unlike today's false practitioners) but misused genuine spiritual gifts. Writing to the Corinthian church in 1 Corinthians 14:22-23, Paul said,

"Therefore tongues are for a sign, not to those who believe but to unbelievers; but prophesying is not for unbelievers but for those who believe. Therefore, if the whole church comes together in one place, and all speak with tongues, and there come in those who are uninformed or unbelievers, will they not say that you are out of your minds?"

I find it beyond belief how today's charismatics jump around, holler, dance and roll on the floor, and then accuse the rest of us of failing to act normally! Such practices stand in direct violation of the very laws Paul laid down for the exercise of spiritual gifts. Modern day charismatic practice has been divorced from 1 Corinthians 14:22-23 for irreconcilable differences!

Lord willing, our examination of the Bible in view of modern pentecostalism will continue in a follow-up article next week. Until then, we welcome your questions and comments.

Todd Clippard

Burleson Church of Christ

END

Here is the video that Todd references in his commentary: