Terry Virgo
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Terry Virgo (born 20 February 1940) is a prominent leader in the
Early life
Virgo was born and raised in
Ministry
As a young
Newfrontiers
The network of churches that related to Terry Virgo originally used the name Coastlands, and then New Frontiers International, finally settling on Newfrontiers. By the end of the 1990s Newfrontiers had had become the largest Apostolic network in the UK.[8] William K Kay believes that significant numbers of Baptist churches joining the movement, and avoiding scandals and other negative events contributed to this hegemony.[8]
Newfrontiers has used week-long conferences, known as "Bible weeks" as an important strategy for growth and the development of its identity. Known originally as Downs Bible Weeks, running for a decade from 1979, they were later called Stoneleigh. The Downs Bible Week ran for a decade from 1979 and gathered up to 20,000 people at its height.[9] Expositional Bible teaching from its main leaders, or Apostolic Team and lively worship were major features of the event.[citation needed]
In January 2011 it was announced that Terry would move from Church of Christ the King in Brighton to help lead a
Theological views
Reformed and charismatic theology
Terry Virgo is a conservative
Terry Virgo is a
Baptism in the Holy Spirit
Terry Virgo believes that baptism in the Holy Spirit is a distinct/separate experience from conversion. He thus differs from many evangelicals on this matter, including John Wimber's tentative view[unreliable source?] and Wayne Grudem.[13] Virgo would say that the Samaritan experience in Acts 8 and the Ephesian disciples' experience in Acts 19 make it clear that baptism in the Holy Spirit does not always happen 'automatically' upon conversion.[14][self-published source?]
Regarding the common argument that one cannot get doctrine from narrative passages like in Acts but must rely on didactic portions of scripture like the Epistles,
Virgo does not believe that tarrying meetings are necessary (as taught in some Pentecostal circles), he says: 'After the day of Pentecost no one is ever told to wait [for the baptism in Holy Spirit]… The waiting is only until the day of Pentecost…'[17][self-published source?]
Apostles
Terry Virgo, along with many British New Church Movement leaders, believes the Bible teaches that the ministry of an apostle is for today, and did not end with the death of the first Apostles. He thinks the widespread belief amongst Evangelicals that apostles are no longer for today is largely a result of the Reformers opposition to the Roman Catholic notion of apostolic succession which has strongly influenced the Evangelical view ever since.[18] He says: 'We do believe in the ongoing role of apostles and all Ephesians 4 gifts. We do recognize that of course the original twelve Apostles were unique, and that the canon of Scripture is complete. We do see the need however, today, for master builders in helping to establish foundations in local churches and for fathers in the faith."[12][self-published source?] Church historian Derryck Lovegrove has observed that Virgo has "enjoyed a powerful personal hegemony," referring to Virgo's influence both within his own movement, and the wider British New Church Movement.[19]
Terry Virgo thinks that restoration of apostles is the most important and distinctive feature of "Restoration" as defined by Andrew Walker.[20] Terry is widely recognised as an apostle within this movement.[20]
Water baptism
Terry Virgo teaches believer's baptism in contrast to infant baptism, and that water baptism should be done by immersion rather than by sprinkling.[12][self-published source?][21]
Gender roles
Terry Virgo holds to a
Books
Virgo is the author of 14 books, including;
- No Well Worn Paths
- The spirit-filled church
- God knows you're human
- Start[23]
- God's Lavish Grace
- Does The Future Have a Church?
- The Tide is Turning
- The Church and You
- Restoration in the Church[24]
- Men of Destiny
- Weak People, Mighty God
- Life Tastes Better
References
- ^ Hocken 2002.
- ^ "Terry Virgo". Terry Virgo. 23 October 2015. Retrieved 3 December 2015.
- ^ "Leadership". UK: Church of Christ the King. Retrieved 21 August 2011.
- ^ Hewitt 1995, p. 68.
- ^ a b c d Hewitt 1995, p. 69.
- ^ Hewitt 1995, p. 70.
- ^ Brett McCracken: Rise of Reformed Charismatics Christianity Today, 21 December 2017.
- ^ a b Kay, William K; Dyer, Anne E (2005). "Apostolic Networks in the UK: the dynamics of growth". Journal of the European Pentecostal Association. 25: 25–38.
- ^ Walker 1998, p. 18.
- ^ "Moving to Kingston". Terry Virgo. Retrieved 21 August 2011.
- ^ "The History of Newfrontiers". Terry Virgo. Retrieved 13 August 2013.
- ^ a b c d Warnock, Adrian (June 2007), Terry Virgo on distinctives.
- ^ E.g. Grudem, Wayne, "39", Systematic Theology, it is argued primarily on the basis of 1 Corinthians 12:13.
- ^ Virgo, Terry, "Baptism of the Holy Spirit", New frontiers, 2x stream hosting.
- ^ For instance Stott, John RW, Baptism and Fullness (book).
- ^ Virgo, Terry, "Baptism of the Holy Spirit", New frontiers, 2x stream hosting, 11min 50s.
- ^ Virgo, Terry, "Baptism of the Holy Spirit", New frontiers, 2x stream hosting, 36min 50s.
- ^ Virgo, Terry, "Wayback Machine has not archived that URL.", www.janga.biz, Janga, 19min 30s[dead link]
- ISBN 0-415-27192-4.
- ^ ISBN 0-340-51406-X.
- ^ [in which publication?]Partridge, Matt (October–December 2009), in which publication?, vol. 3, p. 26.
- ^ "Women in Ministry in the Vineyard USA", Journal, 12 (2), CBMW, paragraph 4, archived from the original on 22 February 2012.
- ISBN 978-1842913703.
- ISBN 0-86065-387-0.
Bibliography
- Hewitt, Brian (1995), Doing a New Thing?, London: Hodder & Stoughton, ISBN 0-340-63013-2.
- Hocken, PD (2002), "Terry Virgo", The New International Dictionary of Pentecostal and Charismatic Movements, Zondervan, ISBN 978-0-310-22481-5.
- Kay, William K (2007), Apostolic Networks in Britain: New Ways of Being Church, Milton Keynes: Paternoster, ISBN 978-1-84227-409-5.
- Virgo, Terry, "Baptism of the Holy Spirit", New frontiers, 2x stream hosting.
- Walker, Andrew (1998) [1985], Restoring the Kingdom, London: Hodder & Stoughton, ISBN 0-340-37280-X; first edition Guildford: Eagle.
External links
- Virgo, Terry, Web site & blog.
- CCK, UK: Terry Virgo's home church.
- Reeves, Michael 'Mike' (July 2008), Table talk – Terry Virgo on Grace (interview), Theology network.
- Interview with Terry Virgo on Church by Mike Reeves
- Interview with Terry Virgo
- Terry Virgo preaching on Grace
- Virgo, Terry, CCK (sermons), UK.
- Virgo, Terry, Preaching, Cambridge, UK: City church