The Pentecostal Faith scares me . . . Fear of what is not understood

[OnceForgiven]

I have recently come in contact with the Pentecostal faith.  Parts of it are exciting (the charisma) and parts of it are down right scary; speaking in tongues, claims of performing miracles (Only God can do that) and especially the way they call anyone a Devil who challenges their beliefs or their clergy.  The Pentecostals I have come across are even violent, yet I know that all can't be this way.  Can someone tell me what is normal and what is not.  Can anyone speak in tongues or is it a select few?

[tuturt]

I can see where PH services would be scary.  After attending PH churches growing up, I remember attending Catholic masses as a young adult.  They seemed more reverent to me at that time.  But I learned that quiet doesn't mean reverent and loud doesn't mean irreverent.

In many PH churches they are just more expressive in their worship of Yahweh than many other denominations. This contrast with many in our society who want us to show lots of emotion in most any other setting but definitely not in our churches.

As far as them doing the healing, they know they aren't - only Yahweh does that.  It's just a human is just being used to pray, lay hands on the sick, have faith, etc.  Sometimes it's just a great surprise that He's allowing us to be used in various ways.  Yes, He could do it all right by Himself.  There would be no reason to have missionaries, pastors, priests, etc.. But for some reason He told us to "heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils: freely ye have received, freely give."  It's with faith that a believer prays for someone to be healed.  Yet everyone's well aware that they can't even heal the flu but with Yahweh all things are possible according to His will. For example, everyone in the church could sincerely pray for a person to be healed and this person isn't healed.  It's His call - He does things the way He wants.  But all praise and honor is given to Him.

Not sure what you mean by them being violent.

No, not everyone speaks in tongues.

Does this help any?  Any more questions?  We'll try to answer them.

[Third Day]

One thing to keep in mind: there are all kinds of Pentecostal churches that stress differing ministries and have varying points of spiritual emphasis and biblical interpretation. It's like a person saying they are a Jew. There is a lot of difference between the Orthodox and Reformed branches. The word pentecostal has a broad connotation.

[Renae610]

If you have not experienced the Pentacostal church, it may seem strange to you. But the way to assess any church is by the Word of God.  Does it line up with the Word?

Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever.  He did miracles that were recorded in the four Gospels books and He is doing miracles today.  His miracles proved that He is the Son of God and He demonstrated what the Christian life is about.   He also said that signs and wonders would follow those of us who are believers.  Jesus gave His disciples His power to do great things in His Name and in His power, not by their own strength.  And today, any miracle that occurs can only happen because the Lord does it.  He can work a miracle through His people too.   

The Bible says, "let everything be done decently and in order".  I can't imagine God would want violence in the church! 

The Bible also says "where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty". In a Godly environment, people will be set free of bondages that have held them back from salvation and spiritual growth. So they will express joy, love, and worship to God when they are freed!  The Pentacostal church was intended to be a place where we express praise to God for all He has done for us!  We worship Him in Spirit and in truth.  We allow God's Spirit to move and do supernatural things. The Gifts of the Holy Spirit are allowed to operate.   

But there is one Pentacostal denomination that I know of that is not about Biblical, true spiritual liberty and growth. And there are many other churches in and outside Pentacostalism that operate like this too.  I'm referring to an environment or individuals who claim to be Christian but are legalistic, controlling and abusive.  If they don't allow you to question anything, then they are a "closed system" that does not promote spiritual growth for themselves or you!  You should not be considered a devil because you question things.  We learn by asking good questions!  If they are Godly teachers, they will accept good questions if you express yourself tactfully with respect.  It is also important to be discerning about what spirit is really present.

Legalists are like the Pharisees in Jesus's time, who pride themselves in keeping laws and rules and thinking in doing so that they are more perfect than anyone else and right with God.  That is wrong!  They isolate themselves because they think they alone are right and don't want to compromise or be contaminated by others.  That is wrong, because Jesus prayed in John 17 that believers would be in unity, not be separate from one another.   These legalists have created their own oppressive rules and demand that you comply now!.  They do not recognize that believers grow in the GRACE of the Lord.  Instead they have a spirit of controlling and demanding you to be a certain way just because they tell you to. They think it is obedience to God, but it is about them controlling you and not allowing the Holy Spirit to bring you into maturity. 

I'm not saying that a church can't have any rules.  All organizations need some basic organizing principles. But I'm talking about an oppressive, controlling spirit, that is not in line with the Holy Spirit. I have studied the subject of "abuse" in general and also "spiritual abuse".  So if you found a spiritually abusive environment, do not stay there.  Ask the Holy Spirit to guide you to a Godly environment where there is Biblical order, grace, truth, worship, the gifts of the Holy Spirit are operating, souls are being saved, Christians have the fruit of the Spirit and are growing, and definitely LOVE-- because without love, God is not there!     

[Renae610]

About "tongues".... Again, go back to what the Word of God says and you will find the purposes for which God gives "tongues" or special languages to believers:

Before Jesus went back to Heaven, He promised that the Holy Spirit would come to us, believers, and we would be His temples to dwell in.  

So when you become born-again, the Holy Spirit comes to dwell in you, seals your salvation, begins the sanctification process and starts leading you into truth, which goes on for a lifetime.

Jesus also told the people that they would be "endued with power" from on high,  by the Holy Spirit.

I think all Christians can agree on that much.  But they split into separate denominations after that, about how that all happens and more!

Pentacostals tend to believe that after being born-again, you will get a separate experience with God, called the "Baptism of the Holy Spirit".  I personally believe that this "Baptism" in the Spirit can occur right at Salvation when you are "washed" from sin by the blood of Jesus and the Holy Spirit comes to dwell in you. You simply ask for the Holy Spirit to fill you!  

Some Pentacostals believe that the "evidence" that you have been baptized in the Spirit is that you begin to speak in tongues at that moment.  Other churches simply believe we are recognized as Holy Spirit-filled believers as we demonstrate the "fruit of the Spirit" in our lives and that tongues is a special gift that God gives to some believers, not all.

Some Pentacostals have experienced tongues as a "prayer language", personal between the person and God.
The Holy Spirit intercedes in prayers between them and God.  

O.k., so it comes down to how one interprets certain verses, but you should always understand verses in their context.

And it is about how God decides to work in and through you and others!  We should NOT put God in a box, but let Him move as He wills to!  

 As for myself, I have been around Pentacostals and other kinds of believers, and I accept how God works with each of them and do not debate.  But "tongues" is clearly in the Scripture, so it should not be ignored, feared, or shunned.  

I have been in Pentacostal groups where the Holy Spirit gives a prophecy in tongues to a certain person and another person gifted with interpretation lets us all know what was said.  That is good!  

One thing I like about most Pentacostal churches, is that you can usually find someone who will pray with you, because they believe strongly in the power of prayer, not where it is just religious words or a ritual, but real powerful prayer!!  They do as the Scripture says, to come boldly before God and ask! And when we ask and receive, our joy becomes full!!  And we share in each other's joy!  

Pentacostals also do as the Scripture says, to lay hands on the sick and believe they will recover!

Yes, they believe in divine healing, miracles, and living an active faith!  They go beyond the milk of the Word and get into the real meat too.

[Renae610]

I realize that the original post here was in February and it is now April.  But I figured even if that person doesn't come back to read, others may want to learn from this and keep carrying on this discussion.

[Lifesaver]

I have recently come in contact with the Pentecostal faith.  Parts of it are exciting (the charisma) and parts of it are down right scary; speaking in tongues, claims of performing miracles (Only God can do that) and especially the way they call anyone a Devil who challenges their beliefs or their clergy.  The Pentecostals I have come across are even violent, yet I know that all can't be this way.  Can someone tell me what is normal and what is not.  Can anyone speak in tongues or is it a select few?

All I can tell you is, to make sure you are walking in God's ways and doing His will, read a fairly accurate version of the bible (NKJ) is an example, its written in pain English, to help you understand better.  There are some other good ones, but when deciding be careful you are not following the dictates of some organisation instead of following the bible.

Read the bible every day and try to understand it so that you will not beceived by any church.  As another poster touched on, make sure that the preaching of any church is in line with what is in the bible.

Once you get the above two points correct and you are comfortable with it, you will be able to decide which follows the word of God more closely and make your own decision from that point.  Yes, YOUR OWN DECISION, not based on ayone's advice.

Whilst reading and meditating on the bible, if there is any point you do not understand, ask God Himself in your mind and He will answer you.  This will bring you closer to God at the same time.  Do not ask any pastor, priest, and the like, unless, of course, God tells you to do so. 

Listen to the preachings by all means but do not do anything insructed by any church that you are not comfortable with - unless it is the word of God and it is required to improve your spiritual life with God, and you both understand and are comfortable with it.

Whatever you do for God, make sure it is your own decision.  Be strong in this and do not follow the crowd.



Lifesaver       

[floresa]

I speak in tonguesI've been baptized in the holy spirit a long while.But in answer to what you asked about miracles(God is the only one who can do that),that is true,but God uses believers here on earth to do the miracles.he works thru us.If He comes himself and do the work,the bible says,no-one can see .God and live.Most of us would be dead.But he works through us ,thru the Holy spirit which is in us believers.The devil wants to destroy us,God wants to give us live,and that more abundantly. ::smile::Jesus loves you.God bless you!

[fenton]

i like your reply Renae

[jimmyjake]

Mar 16:16  He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.
Mar 16:17  And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues;
Mar 16:18  They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.

God created everything, good and bad. He is the Almighty and there is none like him