What was ur 1st reaction when U visited a Pentecostal Church?

Answer 1

I thought they were insane. The speaking in tongues was deranged, and it just got weirded.

Answer 2

I visited a Pentecostal Chruch for the first time only a week or so after I was saved (born again). I was 23, I think. This was indeed a old-fashioned Pentecostal church - people were crying, clapping their hands, shaking - even before the service began.

I didn't know what was going on!!

But the preacher preached a good sermon and then asked if anyone wanted prayer to come up front and kneel at the altar.

I was hungry for God so I went up front and there I was praying fervently with people all around me. People were praying, speaking in tongues, shouting, etc.

And I remember I said to the Lord, "Lord, I don't know what is going on - I don't understand all this - but I WANT YOU. " And I really did.

And a minute later, the Lord filled me with the Holy Spirit and I began to speak in tongues....

Now, years later, looking back, I am so glad someone invited me to that church that night and I am so thankful to God for filling me with the Spirit!!

AMEN!!

Answer 3

Never have been to a service, but I do have family who are Pentecostal. It does get a little weird at times. The whole speaking in tongues, "Be healed" thing, and anointing people, is just a tad bit too charismatic for me.

Answer 4

It was great to see people worshiping God according to His word. When I'm happy I dance before the Lord just at King David did. I asked God to fill me with His Holy Spirit and He did And the evidence of it was I began to speak in tongues which is edifying and to see friends who had fatal illnesses healed WOW. But understand that there are several kinds of Pentecostal denominations. Some of which are not scriptural

Answer 5

I grew up Southern Baptist - my husband was Pentecostal. (Assembly of God). The first time I ever went to church with him when we were dating, I was kind of thrown. I enjoyed the praise and worship and I enjoyed the sermon, but it took me a while to get used to the tounges & interpretation.

Now, 15 years later, I wouldn't miss a service. Our pastor has made me hungry for the Word. It's wonderful to be in a service where people are so passionate for the Lord!

Answer 6

I was raised in a Pentecostal church, but have since moved over to more Baptist/Non-Denominational. I was never comfortable at our family church. Lots of pressure. Really great people and fellowship, but more charismatic than I am comfortable with.

Answer 7

I accepted Jesus Christ as my personal Savior the first time I visited one. That was 31 years ago.

edit
The first time I heard someone speak in tongues, I thought it was a guy praying in Hebrew who was in the wrong building. There was a big synagogue right next door to the church.
I now know about the Baptism of the Holy Spirit.

Answer 8

there is a variety of styles in pentecostal churches. some are very excitable and very into showing it. Some are open to leading of the spirit without feeling they have to prove the presence of God is there by getting wild. some have scared the bee gee bees out of me. After a while you know who moves in the flesh and who moves in the spirit. It is not a church for the faint of heart. I am not untolerant but I am not a big fan either.

Answer 9

I was freaked out just a little...I thought that these people really get fired up on the Power of the Lord.....I also thought that some of it was way too much, the talking in tongues didn't bother me so much but the convolutions...and kicking..now that freaked me out! It scared my son, and he started crying and he refused to go back. He was 5 at the time.

Answer 10

JOY ! I had been hungry for something, but didn't understand what until I visited a Charismatic Church,I was so awestruck I couldn't wait to go to the Alter.

Answer 11

Crying, moaning, speaking in tongues...WOW. I attended Lutheran services until I was ten or so, then ended up going to an AOG church. It was frightening, to be perfectly honest.

I had been taught to believe a certain way, and upon going to the AOG church, was told that almost everything I had believed was wrong. It was this disparity in teachings that led me to realize that there was nothing to go on in religion other than the authority of other people. If both of these churches differed so widely, one of them had to be wrong. That led to the conclusion that, most probably, they were all wrong, since they were all using the same source material, but teaching very different things.

So, my first reaction was anxiety and confusion, my eventual reaction was to reject Christianity altogether.