Charismatic Worship: Responding To The Spirit

Worship, for Pentecostal and charismatic Christians, is an expression of the experience and empowerment of the Holy Spirit-an event which for many brings the Scriptures to life and continuously incarnates Jesus Christ in his church. The release of a life of praise, of intercession, and of spiritual gifts for ministry takes place in the setting of the body of Christ at worship. Although tongues and interpretation are an important manifestation of the Spirit in the worship of Pentecostals, emphasis is also placed broadly on others gifts of the Spirit, including those of healing and prophecy. The modern Pentecostal movement originated in revivals which occurred in Kansas, Los Angeles, and other places early in the twentieth century. As Pentecostalism came to be perceived as a "dangerous" influence in denominational churches, those who had experienced the revival were often forced to leave their congregations. The formation of Pentecostal churches and denominations was the result. This n…