What is a "Move of God"? Is it Bible or Culture?
 

Within our Pentecostal subculture we have a lot of terminology and concepts that are derived more from our Pentecostal culture rather than Biblical precident. The list is long but one I'm curious about is the idea of a "move of God". The Bible doesn't use that phrase anywhere that I'm aware of. I don't know of where the NT Church ever said, "We had a move of God!" And then some of the things we attribute to a "move of God" like passing out, screaming, goosebumps, running, rolling, wild seizure like dancing, etc are things not found in Scripture.

Do you think these things are legit, do you think they are wrong, do you think they are of God or do you think they are man-made, cultural issues?

Re: What is a "Move of God"? Is it Bible or Cultur
 

I don't know for sure but in the OT the spirit of God moved upon the waters and the sea parted. So, can you put a label on what will happen when God determines to touch something or his spirit comes upon something.
Most of the old time pentecostal sayings were created by some portion of scripture.
The spirit of God came upon Samson and he with the jaw bone of a wild donkey, killed 9,000 Philistines. Wouldn't someone think that was strange today.
The spirit of the Lord came upon King David and he took off his clothing and danced before the ark of the covenant, wow, that don't fit into modern day thinking.
Any how, God is God all by himself, he'll do whatever he wishes and in response, don't be ever surprised how it all comes out..

Re: What is a "Move of God"? Is it Bible or Cultur
 

A "move of God" is the presence of God active in amongst the church. God or the Spirit of God moved many times in the NT. Whenever there was a miracle, a healing, a soul converted, hearts healed, believers renewed in the Spirit, souls baptized in the Spirit, etc... I don't consider the things you spoke of as a move of God.

Agreed.

I believe the phrase "move of God" is loosely used to denote a sovereign move of God's Spirit such as in what we see in Scripture on the day of Pentecost and among the Gentiles in Acts 10.

Re: What is a "Move of God"? Is it Bible or Cultur
 

A move of God - n. A situation wherein the presence of God is manifested in such a way through prayer, dedicaton, consecration, and total submission that repentance and faith is strengthened, and the people who experience it walk out of the place of worship with a definite change that effects their entire life and lifestyle.

Re: What is a "Move of God"? Is it Bible or Cultur
 

Agreed, and I have been in other denominational churches where this has happened. That does not mean that we shouldn't shout or dance with joy, as a response to glorify God.

Think about the theological implications of your definition.

Re: What is a "Move of God"? Is it Bible or Cultur
 

.no such thing as a move of God. God doesn't change or budge (not much) He moves waters, planets, people, stars attitudes, tumors. But He doesn't move. But I understand the expression.

Re: What is a "Move of God"? Is it Bible or Cultur
 

I think the fact that in just a few posts we have very arbitrary definitions underscores the fact that this terminology and concept isn't really defined in Scripture. Like a lot of things in Pentecostalism, something becomes commonly accepted, the cliches become a part of the vocabulary and then we end up with a lot of bad doctrine and theology.

I find too often we as a movement grasp after what we perceive as "deeper" spirituality but ultimately turns into "sign seeking". Whether conservative or liberal there is a lot of "faux-spirituality" that opens the door to all sorts of craziness 7tI Cor. 14). Too often the power of the simplicity that is in Christ is ignored for something else. Is there anything deeper than grace? The Cross? Redemption? Faith?I've been guilty of it and I've seen it happen wasy too often that we don't feel validated unless we have a manifestation of power, a miracle or some supernatural event to point to.

I say let's celebrate and rejoice in the Cross, let's believe like never before and let's find peace and assurance in God's grace. Let's leave the miraculous up to Him when where and how He chooses.