I was baptised as a methodist and have had a very loose relationship with God, rarely going to church and not having much of a Christian identity. Now I desire to become closer to God and do his will, so I attended a new church in my neighborhood that seems to be really laid back, young and fun. I went to one service and liked it, but after some research found out that they follow pentacostal beliefs about the second coming and Jesus being the only path to salvation. I really want to be open to God's message, but I also want to avoid getting indotrinated into a holy roller tent revival sort of thing.
The service I went to seemed really opened minded. Do I have the wrong idea about the pentacostal church? Have things changed over time? Or am I falling for the message they use to lure in people who don't know much about religion so they can teach their message to a blank slate, free of other influences?
2007-12-24 15:49:14 · 18 answers · asked by ELK 4 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
I don't know much about the Pentecostal faith, but do it if you want. Don't listen to ones who say "God's not real"
2007-12-24 15:52:43 · answer #1 · answered by St. John Bosco 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I was raised in a penticostal church. I have been to Baptist churches, Methodist churches, Catholic churches, you name it, I have been there and I resent being called a hell bound sinner Jiahua44, who died and made you God? You talk about something you know nothing about. The penticostal faith follow the Bible. Speaking tongues are one of the 7 gifts God can give you, not everyone gets the gift of tongues. If you don't know what to do or what church to go to maybe you should do what we do and pray and ask God to lead you where he wants you to go. Jesus is the only path to salvation and there is a second coming, read your Bible, The Holy Bible, it is in every Bible about a second coming, it is not something we dreamed up. If you studied your Bible more you would know. Yes, you have the wrong idea about the penticostal church. I can't guarantee you that the church you choose will not have some who fake their religion any more than other people in other churches fake being a christian but you are going to have that no matter where you go. You just have to pray God leads you in the right path and that you can tell the sheep from the wolf in sheep's clothing.
2007-12-25 00:29:12 · answer #2 · answered by Medicine Woman 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Stay away from Oneness Pentecostal churches. They are way off.
I am a part of the Body of Christ, and I attend a Pentecostal church. We are full-gospel, meaning that we believe that the very same Holy Ghost that filled people just as Jesus promised, and performed great miracles, and caused people to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave utterance, is still alive and well, and still has that same power today as when Jesus ascended, and left the Comforter, the Holy Ghost for us, to strengthen and encourage us.
We believe in the fullness of Christ, and that OBEDIENCE to Christ is a MUST for salvation to be valid. That is how we show our true faith. By obedience to Christ's word.
As for your remark about Jesus being the only path to salvation, honey, if a church preaches anything but that, they are NOT a Christian church!
John 14:6, "Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me."
That is truth, 100%.
Salvation is serious business. Your very soul is at stake. Satan would like you to take it lightly, as a joke. It is no joke. Furthermore, Jesus said this:
"Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate , and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way that leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it." Matthew 7: 13 & 14.
Don't sound like he is playing, does it? Neither should you.
God bless.
2007-12-25 00:14:06 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Hi,
I was born and raised in a Pentecostal church!! I fell in love with it then and I love it even more now!!
Pentecostals have received a very bad reputation because of the many "fakes" and "charlatans" that seem to be drawn to it.
Basically being a Pentecostal means that we believe in a second baptism. The Baptism of the Holy Spirit. We believe in Acts 2:4 in the "literal" sense. Meaning that we believe that we receive the indwelling of the Holy Spirit and that when we are filled with the Holy Spirit "we speak in tongues".
Most Pentecostal churches are "exuberant" in their praise and worship. Which means that we'll lift our hands and each will praise and worship God in unison. We clap our hands and yes we'll even dance.
We belive in the "gifts of the Spirt" such as healing, phrophesy, faith and all the others. Read 1 Corinthians 12
If you find a Pentecostal church where people are "drunk" in the Spirit, leave. That is fakery!!
If you find a Pentecostal church where they are rolling on the floor, run!!! That is not of God!!
Here is a good sample of a Pentecostal church;
http://youtube.com/watch?v=6vd_C5KX_lk
The rolling on the floor is just a "tounge in cheek" reference to being Pentecostal.
I would also suggest you search youtube for "Bishop T.D. Jakes" He's a black minister and He is a real Pentecostal.
Be careful, once you get a hunger for the real Spirit of God you'll never be the same!!! lol
Praise the name of Jesus!!!!
Lori
2007-12-27 15:45:14 · answer #4 · answered by Lori C 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
That's okay for you to join up. I am a member. Only one word of caution. Do not judge any other sect or denomination of other Christians as not being followers of God.
In physics there are many manifestations of light that has different frequencies. So too are many denominations of the gospel of Jesus Christ that have many different doctrines. There ares some that are pure gospel and do not stray from the truth. And there are many others that are close to it. I do not condemn others for not believing in the whole truth. Especially if they are not aware that is not the whole truth. Because even what little faith they have they are sincere and God will bless them in their lives.
Also remember that Paul was sincere as a enemy of Christ who was jealous of his Jewish faith. He judged harshly the Christian faith until Jesus showed him the way. Was he an over zealous Jew? Definitely. He was wrong. But God chose him to do his work. And he became very zealous for Jesus Christ and his church.
God knows our hearts. We have no right to judge another man's faith or belief. God is the one through the Holy Spirit to do that.
I hope this helps and by all means do join that church. But do not get judgmental. But becoming a regular church attendee and knowing doctrine. And seeing people saved is great! God bless you.
2007-12-25 00:50:59 · answer #5 · answered by Uncle Remus 54 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Why not read the new testament first? Then you'll know what the true Christians look like. Pentacostals are bible believers.
Start with the gospel of John.
John 1 (New King James Version)
John 1
The Eternal Word
1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
2007-12-24 23:58:10 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
You definitely have the wrong idea about the Pentacostal faith. There's a church like you describe in every town. But its not the norm. Follow God's leading. God will never lead us astray. Just compare everything your taught to the Word of God.Ask questions about anything you aren't clear on. You should do great! Take a leap of faith! God is waiting for you.
2007-12-24 23:58:35 · answer #7 · answered by paula r 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I don't know how to answer, really. I was raised Methodist but really have been atheist all of my life. I enjoyed the humanist principles of Methodism.
My best friend is a Pentacostal. He's originally from Africa, where the Pentacostals are doing great conversion business by promising wealth on earth to people. The church near me is worth millions of dollars, with a display sign along the highway that would be the envy of any football stadium.
They use the group effect quite well. Very noisy and unruly during services. Sometimes my friend goes off on one of what I call his Jesus Seizures for no reason at all in public places.
You may want to ask for the pastor's address to see what lavish life he lives. They require lots of giving.
2007-12-24 23:53:23 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋
I'm a Apostolic Pentecostal and the joy and freedom to worship God in spirit and in truth is something there is no comparison to. Once you have been in Pentecost you will never be satisfied anywhere else, nothing else can satisfy your soul like the move of the Holy Ghost in worship. To truly observe and experience the anointing of the Holy Ghost during a service watch this video on youtube. There is much joy in the house of God during the song service.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6vd_C5KX_lk
gatita_63109
2007-12-25 00:37:29 · answer #9 · answered by gatita 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
as a child i attended a baptist church.... as an adult i now attend a Pentecostal church.... the difference i can tell between the two are.... the baptist did not teach me how Satan can ruin your life, only showed me how god loves us. the Pentecostal faith, however, god revealed much more than i could imagine... i received the baptisms of the holy ghost, began to speak in tongues... i didn't have the opportunity to receive those gifts from being in the baptist church... and much more!
2007-12-25 00:02:41 · answer #10 · answered by sweetthang 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Try an Assembly of God church. They praise and dance to God, but do not push anyone to exhibit the gifts when they are not ready.
See my answer here:
http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=AvGe1ceWZRkkwBSm81YD9QTty6IX;_ylv=3?qid=20071017211120AAlFVA4&show=7#profile-info-mD6OqahRaa This should give you an idea of what the different denominations are about, and I've visited them all. I prefer Assembly of God churches, for the reasons I said in that answer.
2007-12-24 23:57:37 · answer #11 · answered by frenzy-CIB- Jim's with Jesus 4 · 1⤊ 1⤋