Characteristics of the Philadelphia Movement (continued)

4) Further are we distinguished from our opponents by the fact that we accept the whole Bible as our guideline of faith, while they throw whole chapters overboard. Therefore we acknowledge in particular the passages in 1.Corinthians 12 and 14 and similar verses. In contrast, our opponents assert that these truths no longer apply for our time, which is a contradiction of the teaching of the Bible. (Acts 2.17) Similarly are disputed other truths of the Bible. The moment, though, our opponents submit to the whole Word of God and not just part of it, the unity of the Spirit will be restored at once.

5) Because we submit to the whole Word of God, we are also distinguished from our opponents by the fact that we , just as the Bible, don't consider our human intellect - may it be ever so big - adequate to explain and understand the Word of God; for Christ testified that the wisdom of God is hidden from the wise and learned (Mt 11.25-26),which is also confirmed by Paul in 1.Corinthians 1.19-21. The prevalent church doctrine in some churches, however contradicts this statement of the Lord with the view that the human intellect and human wisdom is big enough to understand and teach divine things. For this reason, they appoint the most talented people to teachers and professors with the biggest intellect, without consideration whether they are enlightened by the Spirt of truth or not. Since this church doctrine disputes the existence of direct, divine revelations - as they are promised for the end-time - they consequently prove that they don't acknowledge the whole Word of God as their guideline of faith, but idolise and worship the human understanding and give it more credit than the teaching of the Word. (John 14.21, Eph. 1.17, 1.John 2.27) Of course, it is well known that there are much deceptions and satanic revelations and demonic influences in this area. These counterfeit revelations, however, don't hinder us to accept the genuine ones, just like counterfeit currency doesn't prevent us from using real money. A true disciple is promised protection by his ability to hear His shepherds voice and to tell a lie from the truth. It is because of the poverty of the Spirit that the churches lack the gift of distinguishing between the spirits and despite being told different, they throw out the baby with the bathwater, rejecting genuine gifts with the counterfeit ones. The deeper cause for the poverty of the Spirit, though, lies in the unbelief and insincerity, mendacity and hypocrisy of the believers; for the Holy Spirit, who wants to give us revelations, is the Spirit of truth and does not condone insincerity and hypocrisy, but as in Jesus' time takes drastic measures against it. (by Christian Roeckle)