Why is my kind looked down upon?

Question

I am a Pentecostal Christian. I go to an Assembly of God church, and my father and grandfather were Assembly of God pastors. I have never said that Jesus is only coming back for Assembly of God Christians. I only have love for others. So what is wrong with me? I just got done reading an answer that said the person was driven away from an AG church, because there was speaking in tounges and the moving of the Spirit. I speak in tounges, almost every day. It is Biblical, Pentecost is Biblical. So what is the problem with it? Do people not understand that when we pray in the Spirit we pray in the perfect will of God? Paul said that he was glad that he spoke in tounges more than them all. I am just a little confused, and saddened. God bless you all.

Mel,
Who said that we have to speak in tounges one at a time? In the upper room, they all were blessed with tounges, one at a time. And I have not read where they had an interpreter there. I feel that God blesses us with two types of tounges. A message in tounges, and every one of these that I have seen, there has been an interpreter. And then there is praising worshiping and praying in tounges. Some do this aloud, and some quietly. I tend to do this to myself, but there has been times that I can't help shouting to God. God Bless

Gnostic,
I too fear for those who accuse the believers. For the only accuser of the brethren is Satan, and to accuse other Christians is to join the league of Satan. I do not partake in this practice anymore. I feel that there is one way to salvation and that is through Christ, not a church. I condemn no one, for that is not my job or my right. I hope that I can be the example for those around me. God Bless.

Answer 1

Hey, I am a spirit filled believer and I go to an Assembly of God church too. Jesus said that in the world we will have tribulation but to be of good cheer because He has overcome the world. The righteous shall suffer persecution. If we suffer with Him we will also reign with Him.
It is part of saying no to your flesh, feelings and allowing the power of the Spirit to give you the strength to overcome the flesh. Begin to say what God says about you. You are more than a conqueorer. Greater is He that is in you than he that is in the world. Use the Word, the Sword to cut down the lies. Use the shield of faith to quench all the fiery darts of the enemy. Tap into the power brother! Don't forget to pray for others that are being persecuted for their faith to the point of beatings, prison, being disowned by family, even death for serving Christ. The same Spirit that raised Christ from the dead dwells within YOU!

Answer 2

I was born again in an Assembly of God church. I love them. The first time I went to church I was so impressed with the hands up in worship. I thought I was in heaven. I have now become a dancer and I speak in tongues also. I am very honored to have this gift. Some people are not attracted to this type of worship, that is okay, we are all different. The only way to heaven is through Jesus, not a church or type of worship. God loves us all.

Answer 3

I am a fundamental Bible-believing Christian, have a lot of knowledge about the Bible, am confident in the things I believe in..... but there's still so much I don't know. I think it's important to not form an opinion on doctrine unless we are sure why we believe what we believe, using the Bible for those foundational beliefs. I think it's OK to say "I just dont know".

With that said, I have to admit that I'm waayyy fuzzy on this particular doctrine, so I can't speak with any real authority on the issue, but I can tell you how your church (or mainly just speaking in tongues) is perceived in general. These are just things that I've heard others say or my own thoughts. I'm being totally honest here because you asked:
- it's all for show
- if no one else can understand it, what good is it?
- it's emotional in nature vs. spiritual in nature (people get caught up in the "moment" and worked into a spiritual lather before it's manifested)
- it is in the Bible and is listed as a spiritual gift, so it's worth investigating further, but it also means that not everyone has it
- if it's a spiritual gift, why don't you see it in other denominations just like all the other spiritual gifts?
- I don't need it to worship God completely, in spirit and in truth
- I personally don't believe that we become MORE filled with the spirit, ever. I think we get all we're going to get when we are saved. I believe our level of communion with the Spirit varies depending on our own level of commitment to follow Him daily, even momentarily.

I can say, with 100% conviction, that I have been in the presence of the almighty Spirit of the living God, moved by His divine work in my life, have lifted my hands in worship, but have never even come close to speaking in tongues. If it's truly a spiritual gift as you are interpreting it, then maybe that's just not my thing. I have identified several spiritual gifts that I have, but this is definitely not one.

Bottom line, I don't look down upon you. I just don't understand you because I haven't made an attempt to. What that means for me is that I can't judge you and I can't draw conclusions regarding your practices because I haven't done the Biblical study to be able to speak with authority that what you're doing is wrong or right.

The other thing that comes to mind is something that I've heard Hank Hanegraaf say about Christianity in general - there are things we should debate, but not divide over. If I asked you how you're sure you're a Christian and your answer was something like "I'm a good person or I go to church every week" - I'd tell you you're as wrong as can be. If your answer includes something about the finished perfect work of Jesus Christ on the cross, then there's no reason to divide, but still plenty of room for healthy debate. Since your concern is how the Holy Spirit manifests himself in your life, I'd say you can't be too far off track. Most Christians are unfamiliar at best with ANY doctrine concerning the Spirit and are usually totally unaware of his presence or His power in their lives....

I just wanted to share with you the general opinions/questions that people like me, and those that worship with me, have so that you can understand a little more about why people might judge you the way they do - but just know I'm at least one person that doesn't feel qualified to judge you!

Love to you - God bless.

Answer 4

I won't make any comments on tongues, but on your general question. In my circles Pentecostal AG's tend to be "looked down upon" because of the endless lists of rules of "do not's". We do not necessarily look down upon our brothers (we do love them, we are on the same "team" even though we may differ on minor issues), but to nit pick on silly little rules flys in the face of the freedom we have in Christ. Salvation is not obtained by works, not a single one. So to say "No drinking, no tobacco, no dancing, no pants, wear a hat, tithe 10%, spend two days a week at church, you must speak in toungues, wear a tie, tie your shoes, don't talk, paint your pastors house, etc." it starts to look a little bit "pharasiacal" If you want to do all of those things, then fine, good for you, but do not make them a mandatory list as to who gets into heavan, and who does not. It just makes no sense. Stick to the two big rules "Love God..." and "Do unto others..." all the rest will fall into place, without making a ton of new silly little rules. Non-denominational evangelical.

Blessings to you brother.

Answer 5

Although people at my church don't speak in tongues, (in church anyway, haha) that is sad that there are so many angry divisions among Christians. I've always wanted to go to a Pentecostal church and see what it's like for myself and talk to the members instead of hearing about it thirdhand. God bless you!

Answer 6

1. Speaking in tongues(like the one on The Upper Room) is the SIGNATURE of someone baptised in the HOLY SPIRIT. Then,in his daily prayers he may use it,especially when he is in deep of unspeakable problems,The HOLY SPIRIT is in charge sending all his sorrows to The FATHER in CHRIST JESUS.
2. Some people have that GIFT. Paul is teaching us about that in I Corinthians 12. A lot of us(even priests,I'm sorry to mention that title.)unfortunately ALWAYs interpret it wrongly.
They think The GIFT of SPEAKING IN TONGUEs is the same as The SIFNATURE of someone baptised in The HOLY SPIRIT.
Well,The GIFT of SPEAKING IN TONGUEs is someone with this GIFT always uses(by the will of The HOLY SPIRIT,not because he wants to)it whenever he prays,but(as to The GIFT of SPEAKING IN TONGUEs)it usually accompanied by someone else who has The GIFT of INTERPRETATION,to interpret that AWESOME LANGUEGE.
Another eg. Check out Galatians 5:22. The fruit of The SPIRIT is "LOVE",LOVE in many a kind of "KINDNESS".
May I take "to GIVE" as "KINDNESS"? Yes. So, EVERY SINGLE believer was REBORN to have the fruit of The SPIRIT,meanwhile ONLY SOME have The GIFT of "GIVING". As to these people with The GIFT of GIVING,he always GIVEs,GIVEs, GIVEs and GIVEs and GIVEs ..................(ofcourse every believer MUST understand he MUST GIVE,even it is not like the ones with that GIFT.)
3. Praying in(using) TONGUEs is NOT WRONG AT ALL, sweetheart. THEY REJECT IT by ignorance,as well as lack of knowledge,bacause Mathew 13:10-17.(Mark 4:12.)
(It might sound cruel,unfortunately it is the way it should be fulfilled.)
!!!!!!! I CORINTHIANs 14:32, 40. Well controlled,not to scare the whole assembly with our overwhelming praying NOISE.
4. Let's serve The LORD JESUS CHRIST. I love you.

Answer 7

Don't be confused and saddened.I have found
out that churches are not teaching what the
bible says about certian subjects.
Have you ever done a thorough study on what the bible(Jesus) says about tongues.Read
1 Cor.Chapter 14.and pray for God to give you
wisdom and understanding.He will!

Answer 8

We have all heard this before... unfortunately, unless the person HAS the Holy Spirit in their lives, they do not understand it....they see a lot of people acting as though they be aliens and our prayers in our tongue sounds like many bells clanging in confusion....

Visitors should be warned in advance, lol... or, maybe we should have signs up with a caution that "TONGUES AND THE HOLY SPIRIT ARE PRESENT HERE" on our homes and churches so they can ask what that is and leave if they feel they must. :)

Peace be with you :)

**Mel..sorry, but he was referring to our individual, personal prayer tongue and not the GIFT :)

Answer 9

I was raised Pentecostal in an Assembly of God church no less. I don't look down on you. I occasionally get my dander up when I hear how many people don't know Christ and are therefor going to Hell. Lets see, Baptist, Catholics, Presbyterians, Mormons, Methodist... etc.
I've also seen them trying to convert people that were already "saved." I don't know if the young man arguing with the Nun about her salvation was Pentecostal or not.
I don't hate you....
I'm scared of your brothers and the damage they would do to Christianity.
Feel loved.


Blessed Be!

Answer 10

i don't look down on you. it is a gift to speak in tongues. i don't know much about it and i have nothing against anybody who loves God. we all worship him in our own way. it just like multiple children in a family. each child shows there love to there parents in a different way. people are scared of things they do not understand. do me a huge favor and say a prayer for my present situation. thank you and God bless.☺†♥ Let the love of God keep you positive!!☺