on the attitude towards phenomena associated with spiritual revival

Statement by the Supreme Church Council of the Pentecostal Church in the Republic of Poland on its stance regarding phenomena associated with spiritual revival

The members of the Supreme Church Council of the Pentecostal Church in Poland, at their extraordinary meeting, which was attended by several pastors from outside the Council, on 20 June 1995, following fraternal discussion and prayer, agreed on their position regarding the phenomena accompanying the spiritual revival that has recently been observed throughout the world and in our country. The following was stated:

1. A passionate spirit and a living faith – this is the natural state of every member of a Pentecostal Church congregation.

2. The spiritual revival that has recently been observed in our congregations is regarded as the work of the Holy Spirit; this does not, however, imply approval of all behaviour caused by human factors.

3. Given the deeply emotional and psychological nature of the phenomena that accompany spiritual revival, it is essential to pay particular attention to the sound teaching of biblical doctrines.

4. We encourage you to avoid a critical approach and to counter those who advocate such experiences.

5. We respect the sovereignty of the Holy Spirit; however, this does not relieve us of our duty to maintain a clear head and to assess events properly.

6. Pastors have a duty to the Lord of the Church to distinguish falsehood from truth and to make the faithful aware of this.

7. God is sovereign in His actions and unique when it comes to signs and wonders, but it is only through God’s signs that lasting spiritual growth takes place and true fruit is borne in the lives of individuals and communities.

8. The measure of the authenticity of these experiences is a deepening spiritual bond with Jesus, a love for the Word of God, and loyalty to our brothers and sisters in faith and to our superiors in the Church.

9. Attention is drawn to the need to take into account the culture of our society and how our behaviour is perceived by others.

10. Pastors should uphold the dignity of the Church and of worship in accordance with the apostolic exhortation: “But everything should be done in a fitting and orderly way” (1 Cor 14:40).

Warsaw, June 1995