I was not brought up in a reformed church, So I continue to mature in my understanding of Reformation Theology. I still, however, was resistant on some points, particularly on the gifts of the spirit and the reformed views.Then, somewhere in the early 2000's, I read a book that absolutely turned my theology upside down! and at the same time answered alot of questions I had been having (It has almost been like getting saved all over again!)The book was entitled Chosen by God, by RC Sproul, which introduced me to the Reformed theology.  Nothing has been the same since! 

Since then I have read many books and websites on the Calvinist/ Reformed views and have learned that the Arminian way of thinking truly "limits" the Atonement!  It limits it and makes it subservient to the supposed free will of man, which is thought to be able to actually trump the Sovereign will of an Omnipotent God!  I also learned that while we do have a will, and we do make real decisions in our lives that have real consequences, our will is anything but free!  It is in absolute bondage and slavery to sin - that apart from Grace, it has no chance of either understanding or desiring spiritual Truth!

I have further come to understand that this Limited or Effective Atonement is really "the Truth" that brings assurance and security to our hearts as Christians!  We have security because the Blood of Christ was totally effective in securing all those that the Father intended it to secure.The Father, before the foundation of the world gave these "Elect" to the Son, and at that time their destiny was set.Therefore, it is Reformation Theology alone that can impart true faith through its teaching that God is Sovereign in every detail of our lives!

Another book that has been influential is No Place for Sovereignty, by R.K. McGregor Wright. In it he chronicles the history of the "Free Will" debate.  I began to see that this struggle, bottom line, is simply a manifestation of the idolatry that exists in the human heart.  We simply cannot bear the thought that our destiny may be in someone else's hands!  Mr. Wright exposes this as the root of the current shift in evangelicalism towards the "Openness of God" theories.

As I was reading it, however, it dawned on me that this idolatry is also at the root of the "Word of Faith" heresy.  In this movement there is great emphasis on our "taking of authority" and being able to control our own life and destiny.  If this theology is true, my contention is, that, it actually produces fear and doubt, not faith!  If I am in control of my own destiny, I'm in serious trouble!  The only way this theology can produce something that even resembles faith is if we really believe we are capable of making decisions of eternal value, and that they are dependent on our will.  This attitude is not however, real faith.  It feeds on, and is, arrogance and pride.  Again, I repeat, at the bottom line this is simply a manifestation of the idolatry that exists in the human heart!

As a lay person of the body of christ and a ex-Charismatic believers we have a great burden for our Charismatic brethren that labor under the delusion of Arminian thought. We've been there and recognize that apart from Grace we would still be there. We do not feel superior, but we do believe that great damage has been done throughout history because of this heresy.  Luther, in his letter to Erasmus said that this question of Man's ability (free will) was the hinge on which the door of the Reformation was hung. It was and is the central question.  Do we or do we not ultimately chart our own destiny?  Do we even have the capacity to do so?  Scripture gives the answer, and it is a resounding "No"!

In closing, I should say something about the Charismatic aspect of the fellowship.  We do embrace the view that the gifts of the Holy Spirit are still operational today, being sovereignly distributed as He wills. We understand that many of our reformed brethren are not in the same views on this point.While we understand the reasoning, we simply and very respectfully disagree.We do wholeheartedly agree that there are many excesses and dangers in the movement (just as there were at Corinth!). Our main concern with "charismania", of course, is doctrinal - particularly with the Arminianism that controls so much of the movement.  However, we also absolutely abhor the showmanship and pride that is exhibited in many of these churches and ministries.  Also, particularly offensive, is the constant begging for and emphasis on money.  (A Reformation understanding even corrects this! Why beg, if God is Sovereign?)

At any rate, we do want to state the great respect we have for all of our Reformation brethren! We would love to fellowship with anyone whose central concern is the issue of Reformation theology.We extend an open invitation to contact us regardless of your view on this point of cessation of the gifts.If this article has resonated within you, and you are so inclined, please feel free to respond.