The Abuses of Ministerial Gifts Pentecostal Churches: a Case Study of Modern Day Churches
CHAPTER ONE
Objective of the study
The objectives of the study are;
- To ascertain what causes the abuse of ministerial gift in Pentecostal churches
- To ascertain the effect of abuse of ministerial gift and God relationship
- To ascertain whether only Pentecostal churches abuse ministerial gift
CHAPTER TWO
REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE
Four Groups Addressing Spiritual Gifts Today
Today’s discussions and positions on spiritual gifts fall into one of four general positions. A brief survey of positions underlines the breadth of thought and conviction about the gifts and the need for biblical clarity. C Classic Pentecostalism The historic beginning of the modern tongues movement is traced to Bethel Bible School of Topeka, Kansas, founded in 1900 by Charles Parham (1873-1929). Parham encouraged his students to examine the apostolic age for a witness of the baptism of the Holy Spirit available today as an event subsequent to salvation. One of his students, Miss Agnes Ozman, requested that hands be laid on her to receive the Holy Spirit, and according to Parham, she responded by speaking only in the Chinese language, unable to speak her native English for the next three days. Parham considered this the restoration of the Pentecostal power of the Book of Acts.Nichol points out that the significance of the Topeka event was that “for the first time the concept of being baptized (or filled) with the Holy Spirit was linked to an outward sign—speaking in tongues. Parham began an evangelistic effort in various cities which he identified as “Pentecostal” or the “Full Gospel,” reaching as high as 25,000 Pentecostal converts in Texas alone by 1905. William Seymour (1870-1922) came in contact with Parham’s preaching in Houston and then was called to Los Angeles, where he lead the renowned Azusa Street Revival (1906- 1909). Based at the Azusa Street Mission (312 Azusa Street), Seymour spoke in tongues for the first time on April 9, 1906. Seymour’s activities associated with the Azusa Street Revival launched American Pentecostalism, and Azusa Street became a “veritable Pentecostal Mecca to which pilgrims from all over the world came and from which the news of supernatural signs and wonders was broad- cast.
CHAPTER THREE
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
Research design
The researcher used descriptive research survey design in building up this project work the choice of this research design was considered appropriate because of its advantages of identifying attributes of a large population from a group of individuals. The design was suitable for the study as the study sought to the abuses of ministerial gifts Pentecostal churches: a case study of modern day churches.
Sources of data collection
Data were collected from two main sources namely:
Primary source:
These are materials of statistical investigation which were collected by the research for a particular purpose. They can be obtained through a survey, observation questionnaire or as experiment; the researcher has adopted the questionnaire method for this study.
Secondary source:
These are data from textbook Journal handset etc. they arise as byproducts of the same other purposes. Example administration, various other unpublished works and write ups were also used.
CHAPTER FOUR
PRESENTATION ANALYSIS INTERPRETATION OF DATA
INTRODUCTION
Efforts will be made at this stage to present, analyze and interpret the data collected during the field survey. This presentation will be based on the responses from the completed questionnaires. The result of this exercise will be summarized in tabular forms for easy references and analysis. It will also show answers to questions relating to the research questions for this research study. The researcher employed simple percentage in the analysis.
CHAPTER FIVE
SUMMARY, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION
Introduction
It is important to ascertain that the objective of this study was on the abuses of ministerial gifts Pentecostal churches: a case study of modern day churches. In the preceding chapter, the relevant data collected for this study were presented, critically analyzed and appropriate interpretation given. In this chapter, certain recommendations made which in the opinion of the researcher will be of benefits in addressing the challenges of the abuses of ministerial gifts Pentecostal churches
Summary
This study was on the abuses of ministerial gifts Pentecostal churches: a case study of modern day churches. Three objectives were raised which included: To ascertain what causes the abuse of ministerial gift in Pentecostal churches, to ascertain the effect of abuse of ministerial gift and God relationship and to ascertain whether only Pentecostal churches abuse ministerial gift. In line with these objectives, two research hypotheses were formulated and two null hypotheses were posited. The total population for the study is 200 members of Christ Apostolic church in some selected congregation in Osun state. The researcher used questionnaires as the instrument for the data collection. Descriptive Survey research design was adopted for this study. A total of 133 respondents made pastors, elders, deacons and members were used for the study. The data collected were presented in tables and analyzed using simple percentages and frequencies
Conclusion
There are a number of other unique characteristics of the neo-Pentecostal movement that vary from place to place. Some of these different practices include “slaying in the Spirit” with the blowing of a speaker’s breath on the audience (or waving the speaker’s tie at the audience) as the power that Jesus demonstrated when He responded to the crowd in Gethsemane, levitating or floating in air, fillings in teeth, laughing uncontrollably, jerking, going unconscious in a trance for long periods of time, extended jumping up and down for hours or holding up your arms without getting tired, dancing for hours without rest, reading of people’s minds or foretelling their future (as a prophecy), and many more bazaar practices unique to their movement. “However, the Neo-Pentecostal’s serious flaw is its existential authority base (dynamic inspiration) and its uncritical stress on the continuative gifts with deep implication in the realms of canonicity and revelation (elitist prophets, etc.). A premium is placed on feeling, the hermeneutic of our age, with the complimentary neglect of propositional truth. The individual becomes the source of authority in the leap to truth” Dr. John D. Hannah, 1998, p. 24.13). Despite their humble beginnings in relatively small revival meetings, denominational Pentecostals have grown to what accounts for the largest Protestant group on the world scene in the 21st century. Major Christian publishers have given their primary attention to noncessationists since their numbers are the preponderance of evangelicals today
Recommendation
The study advises all churches should adhere to bible instruction do and stop where bible advises
References
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- Basham, D. (1974). The miracle of tongues. Old Tappan, N.J.: F. H. Revell Co. Bell. Little Prophets of Cevennes.
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- Cox, H. (2001). Fire from heaven: The rise of Pentecostal spirituality and the reshaping of religion in the 21st century. New York: DaCapo Press.
- Dallimore, A. A. (1983). Forerunner of the charismatic movement: The life of Edward Irving. Chicago: Moody Press. Dr. John D. Hannah. (1998, July). History of Pentecostal Movement.
- Classnotes, D. Min., Dallas Theological Seminary. Duncan, P. a. B. R. D.. Encylopedia of Pentecostal and Charismatic Christianity. Retrieved 3/2/07, from http://www.routledge-ny.com/ref/religionandsociety/pentecostal/prot.html. Fee, G. D. (1991). Gospel and Spirit: Issues in New Testament Hermeneutics. Peabody, MA.: Hendrickson.
- Guthrie, S. (2000). Missions in the Third Millennium. Waynesboro, GA: Paternoster Press.
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- Lindstrom, H. G. (1996). Wesley and Sanctification: A study in the Doctrine of Salvation. Nappanee, IN: Francis Asbury Press.
- MacArthur, J. (1978). The charismatics: A Doctrinal Perspective. Grand Rapids: Zondervan.
