WHAT DIVIDES PENTECOSTALS AND CHARISMATICS?
(We do not need to become identical to become united)
God does not show partiality. Peter declared in Acts 10:34–35: “In truth I perceive that God shows no partiality. But in every nation whoever fears Him and works righteousness is accepted by Him.”
God sends rain on the just and the unjust. Therefore, we must ask ourselves:
Is it God's plan for His people to fight one another, or to help one another grow in love?
The issue is not whether we have differences. We will always have differences. The issue is whether our differences will become walls that separate the Body of Christ.
1. WE FOCUS MORE ON DENOMINATIONAL NAMES THAN OUR RELATIONSHIP WITH CHRIST
Many people identify Christians by asking: “Which denomination do you belong to?”
But the greater question should be: “Can we see Christ in your life?”
The early disciples were first called Christians at Antioch because people saw something of Christ in them.
Acts 11:26 says: “And the disciples were first called Christians in Antioch.”
We should not merely carry the name Christian; we should carry the character of Christ.
Therefore, our greatest identity is not our denomination. Our greatest identity is Christ.
We can belong to different congregations and still belong to the same Lord.
2. WE FOCUS MORE ON WHAT DIVIDES US THAN WHAT UNITES US
The Body of Christ contains diversity. 1 Corinthians 12:12 teaches that the body is one, yet has many members.
We do not need to become identical to become united. We can recognize legitimate differences while still loving one another.
Jesus prayed: “Holy Father, keep through Your name those whom You have given Me, that they may be one as We are.”John 17:11
Jesus prayed for oneness.
3. WE PROTECT RELIGIOUS TRADITIONS INSTEAD OF GUARDING THE FAITH
There is a difference between guarding the faith and defending every tradition.
Paul said: “I have kept the faith.” 2 Timothy 4:7
We must ask ourselves: Are we defending Scripture, or merely defending what we are accustomed to?
Sometimes we interpret Scripture through the experiences of our founders, leaders, or traditions instead of allowing Scripture and the Holy Spirit to shape our understanding.
We must therefore examine our interpretations carefully and remain humble before God's Word.
We will ultimately stand before God—not before our denominational traditions.
4. WE FAIL TO RECOGNIZE THAT THE HOLY SPIRIT CAN WORK THROUGH PEOPLE DIFFERENTLY
God does not change, but God can change the way He works through people and circumstances.
In Numbers 11:27–29, Joshua wanted Moses to stop Eldad and Medad from prophesying.
But Moses responded: “Are you jealous for my sake? I wish that all the Lord’s people were prophets and that the Lord would put His Spirit upon them.”
Joshua saw someone outside the expected circle and wanted him stopped.
But in Luke 9:49–50, the disciples saw someone casting out demons in Jesus' name and tried to stop him. Jesus said: “Do not stop him, for he is on your side.”
We must learn to distinguish between testing spiritual activity and rejecting God's work simply because it is outside our familiar structure.
5. WE USE DEROGATORY LANGUAGE INSTEAD OF HELPING ONE ANOTHER IN LOVE
One of the most destructive weapons among believers is our tongue.
We label one another. We use names that diminish the spiritual standing of other believers.
We criticize another ministry while claiming to be reaching the lost.
But what does love require from us? Love requires that we help one another grow.
John the Baptist gives us a powerful example. When his disciples followed Jesus, John did not fight to keep them. He pointed them toward Jesus. John 1:35–39
The purpose of ministry is not to build our personal kingdoms. The purpose is to lead people to Christ.
THE TRUE CHURCH IS GREATER THAN A DENOMINATION
A POWERFUL EXAMPLE: CORNELIUS' HOUSEHOLD
In Acts 10:44–47, while Peter was still preaching, the Holy Spirit fell upon the Gentiles. The Jewish believers were astonished. They had not expected God to pour out His Spirit upon people outside their traditional boundaries.
Peter then asked: “Can anyone withhold water for baptizing these people, who have received the Holy Spirit just as we have?”
This gives us a powerful lesson: When God is working in people, we must be careful not to build barriers that God Himself has not built.
Dr Lawi Mshana, +255712924234, Tanzania
