Ok. I'm back after a short break. I've been thinking more on this movement we call the Pentecostal movement. The last two posts have produced some interesting comments. I want to say again that I believe in the empowering of the Spirit. I believe in the operation of every gift. I'm part of a denomination that teaches me to trust in the empowering of the Spirit. I get aggravated when people think a Pentecostal church must have certain signs to be called Pentecostal. I feel that popular sign is speaking in tongues.
Let's ask ourself a question. Do we feel special because we can speak with tongues and others can't? Pentecostals can act like a bunch of schoolyard kids gloating like they just received the coolest 3 ring binder. Have we treated the baptism of the Spirit as more of a heritage than a baptism? Is it more of a tradition than empowerment?
Tongues. This is the gift that Pentecostal churches display more than any other gift. You know Paul says that he doesn't want us to be ignorant concerning the gifts. I think there are not just a few but many people in Pentecostal churches who are ignorant to the other gifts. Hey, if we speak with tongues then we are Pentecostal! I hear discussions that it's all about the dwelling of God's Spirit. Today I ask "What about the work of God's Spirit?" I have a good friend here in VA Beach that continually talks about giving God a habitation so He can fill you with His Spirit.. Which I agree with and it sounds great and can grab someone's ear. Are we hung up about the experience and how it makes us feel rather than the empowerment? If it's about the empowerment then we are ready to use the gifts to carry out the redemption plan of God.
Tongues. Which one. Are there three ways of speaking in tongues? Is there the initial evidence that Pentecostals feel if it doesn't occur then someone is not baptized in the Spirit. Is it the tongue that is spoken as a prayer language? At the time when someone doesn't know what to pray then the Spirit begins to pray. Then there is the gift of tongues. The gift given by the Spirit. When the gift of tongues is in operation then an interpretation will come. The gift is used for a purpose. Is it because the local church body or church meeting is in lack or is bound? So if people take joy in knowing that the church experiences many moments when the gift of tongues and interpretation are operating, think again. The church or you could be in lack or held captive in some way.
Listen, all my Pentecostal friends! There is more to the filling of the Spirit than speaking in tongues. I don't want NEW FAITH to be Pentecostal. I pray that God continues to move us into the empowerment of His Spirit. This means though I pray that everyone can speak with tongues. But I would rather NEW FAITH be a church that is eager to prophesy. Which means go and speak about the goodness of God to others. Do everything in faith, perform miracles, discern all spirits, heal using words of wisdom and knowledge. Friends, our un-churched neighbors come in to our churches and hear us speaking in tongues what does that do for them? It confuses and scraes many. But if we speak the words of our heart which wil place them before the truth. Then we will see them face God and know that God is among us.
You know I've seen actors speak in tongues as I'm sure any church member can speak in tongues. Whether they are filled or not. I know I just said something risque. I'm just saying what others are thinking. There are many that can speak in tongues but how many have the faith to go and witness (martyr) for God? How many can recognize a spirit trying to take control or offer healing in the name of Jesus? Who can offer words of wisdom and knowledge? Release the focus from ourselves, overbearing services and reposition it on Jesus.
Let's stop the arrogance of thinking if our churches don't exercise tongues inside the church service then they are not Pentecostal. Instead look at the way the church is being empowered to confirm that the redemption plan of God is being fulfilled using all the gifts.
4 comments:
Pastor Chuck:
Interesting thoughts. I believe Pentecostal-ism has become more of a namesake or tradition too. I also believe it's the reason why many people who take on the label of Pentecostal get a bad rap.
I am a firm believer that the gifts of the Holy Spirit are very real and in use today. However, I do not believe that the gifts are for the "setting apart" of one denomination over another.
Amazing how we can take something that is supposed to be completely about Christ and slide the focus onto ourselves.
I guess that's human nature to want to be in the spotlight.
Listen to yourself. You call yourself spirit-filled. Every service should be filled with tongues and other dynamic moves of the Almightys Spirit. Today church is about the only place you an get the touch of God's hand. What you are saying will eliminate the power of God from the church. You should take another look at what you are speaking here. Pentecostals are known for their exciting worship, tongues and evangelism. Are you trying to throw that out the door?
I can vouch that my Pastor is indeed Spirit filled. I see signs and wonders follow him. Not only in the building where we meet, but I see lives being changed outside of the four walls of where we meet. Our coming together needs to be more than just a pep rally; otherwise people leave like they came. God is great and much bigger than the building we call the church. I see my local church (Christ’s body) growing in numbers and in maturity, moving closer, becoming more humble, and growing in God’s grace because we see and touch God’s hand in ministering to those He has called us to minister to, which is, nine out of ten times right out side of those four walls.
I have to disagree with what "Pastor C - church of god" said. It's almost as if he said if there is no speaking in tongues, then God's Spirit is not present.
That's awfully presumptuous.
Today, church is not the only place you can get a touch of God's hand. You can get a touch of God's hand anywhere you are. That's the beauty of God. He's everywhere. He is not limited to a church building. I think people are more prone to emotionalism while inside a pentecostal church.
They see people hooting and hollering and, I know from experience in the past, some join in just to keep from feeling left out.
God's annointing is everywhere. He said, "all flesh". Not "all pentecostals".
But hey, what do I know?
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