Principles on the Exercise of Spiritual Gifts

"WE praise Almighty God for raising great men and women of faith in these last days to declare His glory, to preach the good news of His Son Jesus Christ and to love and minister to the needy, sick and dying by the power of the Holy Spirit.

We are overwhelmed by God’s gifts of service. We know that it is not because of any qualification on our part but due to His grace and empowerment alone. We acknowledge that those who exercise spiritual gifts are not better than others but equal, and with the added responsibility to be accountable to Him at the day of reckoning.

We reaffirm that He alone is the Saviour, Healer, Provider and the One who bestows every blessing. We reject all attempts by His servants, no matter how greatly used, to interpose or to share in the glory and worship that belongs to Him alone.

We recognise that we differ in our views concerning the exercise of the gifts of the Holy Spirit. We are united, however, in our desire to see God glorified at all times. We never want to see the name of Jesus Christ mired in controversy or besmirched in any way.

We believe, above all, in God’s Sovereignty to move as and when He wills, according to His infinite wisdom and perfect knowledge. Although His ways are not our ways, we are certain that, whatever the outcome, "all things work together for good to those who love God and are called according to His purpose. (Rom. 8:28)

We undertake, in our words and deeds, to never be so pre-sumptuous as to claim absolute certainty of His will or His way. While His Word to us is un- changing, we pledge never to make irrefutable statements about how it should be applied to situations.

We regard the matter of our teaching of others with the utmost responsibility, knowing that lives can be beautifully transformed or tragically destroyed because of our words. We promise to teach uncompromisingly but with a temperate, wise and loving spirit, always aware of the adverse implications for mankind and the Kingdom of God.

We undertake at all times to maintain high ethical standards and to be seen to maintain high ethical standards. We reject every effort to omit information, exaggerate or falsify claims of signs and wonders, as this is unpleasing and contrary to the nature of God.

For this reason also, we agree to have a submissive spirit, allowing God to use others, such as a local church or an overseeing committee, to hold us accountable, to dispense wise counsel and, if necessary, even rebuke. We uphold this willingly because we know that the whole is more important than the parts, and that the Church is a community and not individualistic.

In our ministry, our thoughts and actions will be predicated on compassion, love and humility and we will never judge or lay low another believer because of prejudices about his or her convictions or practices. The gifts that God has given us are always to "build up the church" (1 Cor. 14:12) and never to destroy." - Published in Berita NECF, January - February 2004 issue