Pentecostals claim that without evidence of tongues the Holy Spirit is not in you. The Bible says Mat 7:20 Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.
But Pentecostals claimed that you shall know them by a gift. (speaking in tongues) Sorry pentecostal brothers but when most of you think that you are speaking in tongues you are really not. Most of it are emotional outbursts. And Larry the tongues are languages and yes they can be a sign. But they are not a sign in themselves. Any one can mimic them. I have seen them do it. God bless us as we continue to find the truth that is in His word.
A big generalization with no visible means of support. That is not what the majority of Pentecostal denominations 'claim' so you might want to dip your size 12 brush in a different can of paint.
As for your claims about tongues, I wouldn't know where to start. I see many people who harbor disdain for anyone or anything labeled 'pentecostal' use the same bogus argument over and over, that tongues are just different languages and it is simply another claim with no visible means of support. Nothing like dumping everyone in the same tarnished basket and saying if they speak in tongues, they must be faking it. I could say the same thing about anyone who claims to be a Christian, because there are plenty of fakes. How about if I made this statement:
"Anyone can mimic Christianity. I have seen them do it."
Does that then mean that everyone who claims to be a Christian is a fake? Zero validity. Some fake it = All fake it is circular logic.
Should I pidgeon-hole you into a certain negative slot because you seem to like to go around criticizing Pentecostals? Does everyone get to play the blame game?
I know that its been awhile since anyone has posted here, but I couldn't help it. I am amazed at some of the things I read in these threads. It saddens me to see us at each others throats. It is important for us to remember that we should not be comparing ourselves to another, we are individuals, all delt with indivdualy by our Father. He has no favorits. To bash one church for their gift is not right. We all have gifts that God planed for us before the foundations of the world, so telling someone that speaks in tounges that they must be faking it is horrible. We also need to know that by speaking badly or against the Holy Spirit is the unforgivable sin.1Jn 5:16 If any man see his brother sin a sin which is not unto death, he shall ask, and he shall give him life for them that sin not unto death.
There is a sin unto death: I do not say that he shall pray for it. This refers back to Matt 12;31,32 Wherefore I say unto you, All manner of sin and blasphemy shall be forgiven unto men: but the blasphemy against the Holy Ghost shall not be forgiven unto men.
32 And whosoever speaketh a word against the Son of man, it shall be forgiven him: but whosoever speaketh against the Holy Ghost, it shall not be forgiven him, neither in this world, neither in the world to come. Not saying that anyoe here has done that just a warning to tread lightly when speaking of The Spirit of God. The Word of God says that
1Co 12:1 Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I would not have you ignorant.
1Co 12:2 Ye know that ye were Gentiles, carried away unto these dumb idols, even as ye were led.
1Co 12:3 Wherefore I give you to understand, that no man speaking by the Spirit of God calleth Jesus accursed: and that no man can say that Jesus is the Lord, but by the Holy Ghost.
1Co 12:4 Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit.
1Co 12:5 And there are differences of administrations, but the same Lord.
1Co 12:6 And there are diversities of operations, but it is the same God which worketh all in all.
1Co 12:7 But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal.
1Co 12:8 For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit;
1Co 12:9 To another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit;
1Co 12:10 To another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another divers kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues:
1Co 12:11 But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will.
1Co 12:12 For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ.
1Co 12:13 For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.
1Co 12:14 For the body is not one member, but many.
These gifts are given to us as God planned. Wedo not all have the same gifts. I have been blessed with the Git of healing and teaching, but I also speak in tounges. The gifts are given to us as God sees fit.
These gifts where given to us by Christ JesusEph 4:1 I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called,
Eph 4:2 With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love;
Eph 4:3 Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.
Eph 4:4 There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling;
Eph 4:5 One Lord, one faith, one baptism,
Eph 4:6 One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.
Eph 4:7 But unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ.
Eph 4:8 Wherefore he saith, When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men.
Eph 4:9 (Now that he ascended, what is it but that he also descended first into the lower parts of the earth?
Eph 4:10 He that descended is the same also that ascended up far above all heavens, that he might fill all things.)
Eph 4:11 And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;
Eph 4:12 For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:
Eph 4:13 Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:
Eph 4:14 That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;
Eph 4:15 But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:
Eph 4:16 From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.
We must stop the spirit of pride from creaping in. My way may not be your way but who am I to ever tell you that you are wrong and vis versa. I we could concentrate more on Gods will for our life so that we may prove what is that good,and acceptable, and perfect will of God, we wouldn't be worried if someone agrees with the way you beleive or not. Becoming distracted from your personal walk is a dieception of our common enemy. I am not at all telling anyone not to preach or teachthe Gospel I am saying that we should all have our own understanding of Gods word and not depend on others for understanding. Anyway I could go on forever and I don't know if anyone is even going to read this. I was led to say something so I did. God bless you all.
