pentacostal. to be or not to be?

Question

okay. well I'm confused on whether or not I'm right in what i'm doing. I go to a Pentacostal church. [UPC]. but i don't know if i can truly say i am pentacostal or not, because i watch t.v., i don't wear skirts 24/7, i do wear jewelry now and then, and i just don't follow all of the "rules." I've heard of something called "Jesus Name" which is like pentacostal without all the baggage...so what would i call myself and am i wrong for doing this?

okay, this is turning into two questions. can anyone help me with information about recieving the holy ghost? i feel like i'm doing something wrong, and i kinda need help, so if anyone sorta kinda wants to tell me anything about it, go for it, and thanks.

and i am NOT changing the church i go to, thank you very much.

i asked for ADVICE not freakin criticism

Also, i have no intention of changing denominations or "church-hopping," though in some small way that could be right. I love my church and all of the people who go there. I have no problem BEING pentacostal as i might of accidently suggested by the title of this question. It's AM I WRONG, not for what i believe, but for not calling myself pentacostal....sorry for the confusion.

Answer 1

1) dont belive everyboody says


It doesnt matter what you are classified under, as long you are a believer of Jesus Christ and live by what the Bible says

It doesnt matter what you wear 24/7. I dont always wear skirts, (im a guy) and youre free to watch TV

wrong for doing what?

The holy ghost is what Jesus Christ left for us after he died, it guides us in our dailey life and allows us to speak in tounges

You need to want the Holy Spirit. Pray for it and be Patient

God will annoint you with the Holy Spirit when He is ready. So dont give up

Answer 2

wow...you've got a bit of a dilema...
first of all, Christianity is not about rules like those you mentioned. Being a Christian is about having a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. If it were all about rules, then that would mean that we could earn our way into Heaven. But we can't...that's why Jesus came in the first place.
Pentecostles can be a bit wild, and I don't agree with them all, but that doesn't necessarily mean they're a bad denomination. But if you don't feel like you're growing there, then check out some other churches in the area (church-hopping).
As for receiving the Holy Spirit, nobody really knows when the Lord gives it to you, b/c the Bible shows so many different situations...after hearing and believing the gospel, after being baptized, after laying on of hands..there's no formula. See, the Holy Spirit is God's Spirit...He gives it to you when you give your life over to Jesus. When you ask him to come into you, that's the Holy Spirit that He sends. Chances are, you already have it, and just don't know it. But if you don't, pray for it, and He'll give it to you. (see John 16:24)
Just focus on growing closer in your relationship with Jesus through reading the Bible, praying, and gathering with others who have accepted Jesus, too.
And finally, don't be identified by denominational labels. Find a church and stay there, but be identified as a follower of Christ.

Answer 3

I was married for 15 years to a Pentecostal man-- he was a true to his religion -- his grandfather a Pentecostal preacher -- I am not but i do remember the no jeans no makeup no dancing no tv etc etc -- this is what he told me if you are doing something and it makes you feel like you are doing wrong-- you know that feeling you get (like you just fluked a test feeling) that is called conviction of the spirit - we have been divorced for 12 years now and i still believe that he is the only true Pentecostal I've ever meet he lived it and never tried to push his beliefs off on me- - he said live by example-and he did-- as far as receiving the holy ghost well that's a question for you to ask god -- I'm not touching that one- oh and by the way -- you call your self a christian nothing more nothing less -- one more thing remember it states in the bible "judge not lest ye be judged" so if the UPC church disagree with you -- theirs your answer to them -- amen

Answer 4

I tried to receive the HOLY SPIRIT for 2 years in various churches, because I did not want to follow the "rules", but it just was not happening. Then I started attending a Pentecostal church.

As I became more comfortable with their so-called rules, I began to follow them. About 4 months after that, I was baptized in the Name of JESUS and was filled with the HOLY SPIRIT, and began speaking in tongues.

I still do not like all the "rules". But the prize (being filled with the HOLY SPIRIT) is worth the price (the rules).

Answer 5

The Holy Ghost

Because God does not want us to be without His influence, He sends the Holy Ghost to comfort and help guide His children. The Holy Ghost—sometimes called the Holy Spirit—is the third member of the Godhead. His mission is to testify of the truth, comfort us, sanctify us, and bring all things to our remembrance (John 14:26; John 15:26; John 16:13).

Who is the Holy Ghost?

The Holy Ghost is a member of the Godhead, along with God the Father and His Son, Jesus Christ.
The Holy Ghost is one in purpose with the Father and the Son, but is a separate being. Through Joseph Smith, the Lord revealed:


The Holy Ghost has not a body of flesh and bones, but is a personage of Spirit. Were it not so, the Holy Ghost could not dwell in us. [Doctrine and Covenants 130:22]
The special mission of the Holy Ghost is to testify of the Father and the Son, to reveal the truth, to comfort us, and to sanctify us. He is a divine guide and teacher.

How can the Holy Ghost help me?

The Holy Ghost can bless your life in many ways. Christ promised His Apostles that the Holy Ghost would “teach you all things” (John 14:26) and “guide you into all truth” (John 16:13). He also said that the Holy Ghost “shall testify of me” (John 15:26).
Likewise, the Holy Ghost can help you. Through the inspiration of the Holy Ghost, you can recognize and understand truth and make right choices and inspired decisions.

The Holy Ghost can inspire you with thoughts and ideas, warn you of danger, and comfort you in times of sorrow.

You may have already felt His influence at times in your life. That influence includes “love, joy, [and] peace” (Galatians 5:22).

Here is a link to where I got the info from, it also has a video that you can watch.
http://www.mormon.org/learn/0,8672,812-1,00.html

I hope this helps you about your questions about the Holy Ghost. Maybe the problem with your religion is you haven't felt the Holy Ghost. Once you truly believe in something then it's easy to understand and follow the rules. It isn't baggage anymore, but a desire to turn your life over to Heavenly Father.

Answer 6

the pentacostal church is a breeding ground for the devil's minions. I love and believe in Jesus. I have actually felt demonic spirits in pentacostal churches. The loved ones you know who attend are being deceived. To be robbed of your joy on this Earth by following the false prophets, only to be banished to hell when it is said and done, is actually what the devil lives for. Some of these people are the ones who perpetuate hate crimes such as white/black prejudice.

Answer 7

Not to be...

It's all about being a Christian, not religious doctrine or denominations.

If you are a Christian, you have the Holy Spirit. He was given to you the moment you accepted Christ.

2 Cor. 1:21,22
Now He who establishes us with you in Christ and anointed us is God, who also sealed us and gave us the Spirit in our hearts as a pledge.

Eph. 1:13,14
In Him, you also, after listening to the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation--having also believed, you were sealed in Him with the Holy Spirit of promise, who is given as a pledge of our inheritance, with a view to the redemption of God's own possession, to the praise of His glory.

You may not be aware of His operating within you and your life, but He is there. You do not need signs or tongues as "proof". The Spirit can and will gift you, according to His will and purpose, not ours. He does this as we continue to grow in Christ, and humble and submit ourself to God.

Read and learn from God's Word, and pray that He reveal to you His Spirit within you. He will teach and guide you into all that you need. Follow your heart and the love of God that you find there, and you will go beyond the "rules" of religions. Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.

2 Corinthians 3:16-18
but whenever a person turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away. Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as from the Lord, the Spirit.

Galatians 5:1
[ Walk by the Spirit ] It was for freedom that Christ set us free; therefore keep standing firm and do not be subject again to a yoke of slavery.

Answer 8

Just pray and live your life as God directs. Pray for the Holy Spirit to fill you. There should be no set prescription in spiritual matters. We are all made in the image of God but he deals with each of us as an individual child. Be yourself...that is who you were created to be!

Answer 9

avoid pentecostal, become charismatic. Life is better that way.

BTW, are you serious? I thought pente's were happy go lucky non-conservative anything-goes-as long-as-you-speak in-gibberish types? skirts? get yourself to a presbyterian church, and don't stick to the rules.