Pentecostal/church of God beliefs speaking in tongues and baptized in the Holy Spirit

***Living~By~Faith*** · Jul 21st 2008, 03:17 PM

I attended a Freewill Baptist church for a couple of year until a couple months ago. I'm now going to a Penecostal church. They believe in speaking in tongues and being baptized in the Holy Spirit. I witnessed this for the first time while at camp a couple of weeks ago and again last night at the revival. I want to get a better understand on their beliefs in speaking in tongues and being baptized in the Holy Spirit.

There is a guy that I'm interested in that goes to the church that is having the revival. He's working towards being ordain, so I figured he would know a lot about this. Last night I gave him my number and asked him to call me today so I could ask him about these things. But I really don't know what exactly to ask him about it. What are some questions that I may be able to ask him about to get a better understand about being baptized in the Holy Spirit and speaking in tongues?

Last night was the first time that my mom had been to a service like that and as soon as alter call started she got up and went outside because she was uncomfortable with what was going on. I'm also still a bit uncomfortable with it since all of this is new to me, but I figure that if I learn more about this, then I'd be more comfortable.

***Whispering Grace*** · Jul 21st 2008, 03:23 PM

I guess your best bet is to ask him the Scriptural basis for being baptized in the Holy Ghost and speaking in tongues. That's a good place to start, anyway.

You could always post your questions here in Bible Chat, but be forewarned you will get many conflicting answers (as there are many here who don't share the Pentecostal views of speaking in tongues and being baptized in the Holy Ghost).

**th1bill** · Jul 21st 2008, 07:09 PM

Originally Posted by *Living~By~Faith*

I attended a Freewill Baptist church for a couple of year until a couple months ago. I'm now going to a Penecostal church. They believe in speaking in tongues and being baptized in the Holy Spirit. I witnessed this for the first time while at camp a couple of weeks ago and again last night at the revival. I want to get a better understand on their beliefs in speaking in tongues and being baptized in the Holy Spirit.

There is a guy that I'm interested in that goes to the church that is having the revival. He's working towards being ordain, so I figured he would know a lot about this. Last night I gave him my number and asked him to call me today so I could ask him about these things. But I really don't know what exactly to ask him about it. What are some questions that I may be able to ask him about to get a better understand about being baptized in the Holy Spirit and speaking in tongues?

Last night was the first time that my mom had been to a service like that and as soon as alter call started she got up and went outside because she was uncomfortable with what was going on. I'm also still a bit uncomfortable with it since all of this is new to me, but I figure that if I learn more about this, then I'd be more comfortable.

... You said that you attended a Baptist Church but you said nothing about having been saved, they are very much different. If you are uncomfortable in the service it might be that you should do as your mother and understand that as a red flag.
... As for questions, the first and most important is, "Must one speak in tongues to be saved?" Then, regardless of his answer you need to call his pastor and ask the same question. If the answer is "no" they might be solidly based and other basic questions need to be asked. If the answer is "yes," run like Satan is touching your back, he is a member of a cult.

***Living~By~Faith*** · Jul 21st 2008, 08:18 PM

Yes, I've been saved a little over a year. My mom is also saved, but is in a backslidden condition.

**th1bill** · Jul 21st 2008, 08:41 PM

Originally Posted by *Living~By~Faith*

Yes, I've been saved a little over a year. My mom is also saved, but is in a backslidden condition.

... That tells me that both of you were alerted by the Spirit of God that where you were was not the right place. All you really need to do is to ask yourself what are you going to decide to do. Will you obey God or strike out on your own, without Him? You need not answer that question to me for this is between you and God.

***Whispering Grace*** · Jul 21st 2008, 09:01 PM

Originally Posted by th1bill

... That tells me that both of you were alerted by the Spirit of God that where you were was not the right place.

I suppose that would depend on her mother's reason for being uncomfortable. She never said what about the alter call made her mom uncomfortable, so I don't think there is a need to jump to conclusions about this not being the right place for them.

***Living~By~Faith*** · Jul 22nd 2008, 01:48 AM

I personally liked that you could really feel and see the Holy Spirit working in this church. I hadn't experienced that in a long time. But I guess I'm just uncomfortable because this is all new to me.

My mom was uncomfortable with everything about the alter call. With people yelling, speaking in tongues, falling to the floor. She got up and left as soon as it started. She also went outside at another church we visited a couple of weeks ago during services because she didn't like the bible study. But I'm concerned that she's not comfortable with church in general. She also seemed uncomfortable and uninterested at the Baptist church that she went to a few times.

I don't think this church is right for my parents, which really bothers me. There are so many possibilities (ministries and things like that) for me there. But I want to go to a church where my parents may go with me.

There is also a guy that goes to this church that I'm interested in. He's working on being ordained which is what attracted me to him the most. So I hope that I will come to understand and feel comfortable with their doctrine and beliefs.

**th1bill** · Jul 22nd 2008, 02:36 AM

Originally Posted by *Living~By~Faith*

I personally liked that you could really feel and see the Holy Spirit working in this church. I hadn't experienced that in a long time. But I guess I'm just uncomfortable because this is all new to me.

My mom was uncomfortable with everything about the alter call. With people yelling, speaking in tongues, falling to the floor. She got up and left as soon as it started. She also went outside at another church we visited a couple of weeks ago during services because she didn't like the bible study. But I'm concerned that she's not comfortable with church in general. She also seemed uncomfortable and uninterested at the Baptist church that she went to a few times.

I don't think this church is right for my parents, which really bothers me. There are so many possibilities (ministries and things like that) for me there. But I want to go to a church where my parents may go with me.

There is also a guy that goes to this church that I'm interested in. He's working on being ordained which is what attracted me to him the most. So I hope that I will come to understand and feel comfortable with their doctrine and beliefs.

... I'm going to give you a true life example from my own past so please do not concentrate on me but the moral.
... As a soldier, I never went anywhere in the combat zone without a couple of loaded guns. One day I walked into an eatery just outside my base of operations and was immediately struck with an ill feeling. As I sat down to order I took the retainer loop off my pistol and as I sat my rifle down beside me I felt for my spare piece in my trousers and thumbed the safety off on the forty-five there. Immediately a Vietnamese man jumped up and through some local money on the table and quickly left. Mama-san came over to me and told me it was good that I had my weapons today and she left through the kitchen taking everyone with her. I brought myself into full battle ready and sure enough the gent returned with an American made pistol.
... I was never comfortable in Vietnam and every time I've been uncomfortable, since taking the LORD as my Savior, there has been something wrong.
... We had young soldiers that became accustomed to their circumstances and all of them died because they lowered their guard. The folks in Jonestown are all dead because they became so comfortable that they ceased to check what they were being taught with the written word of God's Scriptures. The same is true of David Koresh's followers, the LDS, the Witness' and millions of others in the cults today.
... You and your mother must try to seek after God and allow Him to give to you the right things to have, including a mate. And never, ever, ignore your feeling and just get used to them. My feelings are one very large reason I survived three tours of Combat.

***Athanasius*** · Jul 22nd 2008, 04:29 AM

Originally Posted by *Living~By~Faith*

I attended a Freewill Baptist church for a couple of year until a couple months ago. I'm now going to a Penecostal church. They believe in speaking in tongues and being baptized in the Holy Spirit. I witnessed this for the first time while at camp a couple of weeks ago and again last night at the revival. I want to get a better understand on their beliefs in speaking in tongues and being baptized in the Holy Spirit.

There is a guy that I'm interested in that goes to the church that is having the revival. He's working towards being ordain, so I figured he would know a lot about this. Last night I gave him my number and asked him to call me today so I could ask him about these things. But I really don't know what exactly to ask him about it. What are some questions that I may be able to ask him about to get a better understand about being baptized in the Holy Spirit and speaking in tongues?

Last night was the first time that my mom had been to a service like that and as soon as alter call started she got up and went outside because she was uncomfortable with what was going on. I'm also still a bit uncomfortable with it since all of this is new to me, but I figure that if I learn more about this, then I'd be more comfortable.

Some questions?

1. Are tongues the initial evidence of the Baptism of the Spirit?
2. If you don't speak in tongues, are you still saved?
3. Where in the Bible is this supported?
4. Do you believe we all speak in tongues, or just a few?
5. Why does your church allow yelling when Paul commands order?
6. Do you feel those who speak in tongues have a better relationship with the Lord?
7. What is the purpose of tongues?
8. Have you ever spoken in tongues?
9. What do you believe the 'perfect' is that is mentioned in 1 Corinthians 13:10? Is the partial here referring to manifestations of the Spirit, such as tongues?
10. Do you ever 'challenge' what's going on in your church?

***Literalist-Luke*** · Jul 22nd 2008, 03:59 PM

Originally Posted by th1bill

... I'm going to give you a true life example from my own past so please do not concentrate on me but the moral.
... As a soldier, I never went anywhere in the combat zone without a couple of loaded guns. One day I walked into an eatery just outside my base of operations and was immediately struck with an ill feeling. As I sat down to order I took the retainer loop off my pistol and as I sat my rifle down beside me I felt for my spare piece in my trousers and thumbed the safety off on the forty-five there. Immediately a Vietnamese man jumped up and through some local money on the table and quickly left. Mama-san came over to me and told me it was good that I had my weapons today and she left through the kitchen taking everyone with her. I brought myself into full battle ready and sure enough the gent returned with an American made pistol.
... I was never comfortable in Vietnam and every time I've been uncomfortable, since taking the LORD as my Savior, there has been something wrong.
... We had young soldiers that became accustomed to their circumstances and all of them died because they lowered their guard. The folks in Jonestown are all dead because they became so comfortable that they ceased to check what they were being taught with the written word of God's Scriptures. The same is true of David Koresh's followers, the LDS, the Witness' and millions of others in the cults today.
... You and your mother must try to seek after God and allow Him to give to you the right things to have, including a mate. And never, ever, ignore your feeling and just get used to them. My feelings are one very large reason I survived three tours of Combat.

There's some excellent wisdom here.

***Literalist-Luke*** · Jul 22nd 2008, 04:06 PM

Originally Posted by *Living~By~Faith*

I'm also still a bit uncomfortable with it since all of this is new to me, but I figure that if I learn more about this, then I'd be more comfortable.

I'm not going to try to impose my beliefs on you, but I will tell you that a large number of Christians (including myself) are convinced that "tongues" is something that no longer authentically occurs. There's a long explanation from the Bible behind that which I won't bore you with right now. If you're not comfortable with it, you might want to reconsider if this guy is really somebody you want to pursue. I know it probably seems like I'm switching gears on you from the other thread, but this tongues thing hadn't come up. I'm not saying you should drop it just because he goes to a church that practices tongues because, again, I'm not going to try to impose my beliefs on you. But if your beliefs are out of synch with his beliefs, that could lead to major problems down the road if the two of you were to pursue a long-term relationship. Be careful.

***cheech*** · Jul 22nd 2008, 05:11 PM

I highly suggest you go directly to the Bible for your answers regarding tongues and being baptized in the Holy Spirit. Here are some scriptures you can read:

1 Corinthians 12, 1 Corinthians 13, 1 Corinthians 14, Mark 16:15

I myself attend a Pentecostal church. If I had sought this out a few years ago, I would not have been ready for it (unless my parents had gone to it maybe). Meaning, because of my lack of knowledge in the Bible, I would have probably found it uncomfortable. I was brought up in one religion and remained in it for many years, going to church regularly, until I became closer to Christ and yearned for more learning. God realized this and sent a Pastor from another religion into my path. My husband, child and I began attending church there and we learned so much while attending Bible study. Our faith grew stronger and I became part of a ministry. When we moved, we attended a church of the same religion where we moved too. We again learned much and I now became director of this same ministry as the last one I was in. By this time, God had gotten me through many fears and problems as he did with my husband and child. We were constantly growing, but for us we still needed to learn more and through friends we came upon the church we are in now and we are getting ready to begin the same type of ministry in this church as well. These were all stepping stones to where God wanted us to be where he had planned on using us to expand his Kingdom. I guess I can say this church is a tamer Pentecostal church

. Some do speak in tongues but not to disturb during service although once in a while you will hear it from the Pastor when in prayer off to the side and from one of the Elder's. Neither my husband nor I nor several in the church speak tongues and that's ok. If you look at the scriptures I gave you, although one can do this after being baptized in the Holy Spirit, not all are given the same gifts either. Paul even says it's not the top gift to have. At altar calls, there have been a few who have dropped like hotcakes when prayed for but not all the time. My family is probably the most reserved people there but are loosening up a bit

. It's ok though. People worship in different ways...we are just more reserved than others...and it's ok.

It sounds to me like mom may be uncomfortable with church period and in this case a Pentecostal church may be too much for her...yet you said Bible study was uncomfortable for her. Maybe there was something she wasn't understanding. She needs to speak to someone who can guide her.

I do have to agree with the1bill...sometimes we have to listen to our feelings cuz ya just never know. But there are other times where fear will hinder us from moving forward also...that was the case with myself.

Study your bible...that way you can make sure the church you do decide on is biblically sound. Attend a bible study to learn more. Always ask questions. And most importantly...when in doubt...go to God. We must always seek God's will and answers. We can ask a hundred people advice and get a hundred different responses due to personal views, but God will always give you the answers you are looking for. He will lead you in the right direction...allow him to do so. If you know the word of God, you have a better chance at not being deceived.

James 1:5
If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him.

It's true some feel that tongues (along with other gifts of the spirit according to some) are no longer necessary or used, but then again, Christ didn't specify a timeline or an expiration date on these gifts (not that I could find but you can go to God with that one

).

***Living~By~Faith*** · Jul 22nd 2008, 08:07 PM

This is all just confusing to me in general. There are so many things in the bible that I don't really have any beliefs on one way or the other yet because I haven't studied the bible very in depth. So I'm going study the scripture on this that is mentioned and some other to try to get a better understanding of this to see what I believe about it. The church that I left a few weeks ago was the only Freewill Baptist church in my area, so I'm going to be faced with this no matter what church I go to since all denominations have different doctrine beliefs.

I just don't understand why there are so many different denominations and beliefs. What's important is we as Christians believe that Jesus is the Son of God and is God in the flesh, that He died on the cross for our sins and rose on the third day. And is now at the right hand of the Father in Heaven as an intercessor.

**th1bill** · Jul 22nd 2008, 10:09 PM

Originally Posted by *Living~By~Faith*

This is all just confusing to me in general. There are so many things in the bible that I don't really have any beliefs on one way or the other yet because I haven't studied the bible very in depth. So I'm going study the scripture on this that is mentioned and some other to try to get a better understanding of this to see what I believe about it. The church that I left a few weeks ago was the only Freewill Baptist church in my area, so I'm going to be faced with this no matter what church I go to since all denominations have different doctrine beliefs.

I just don't understand why there are so many different denominations and beliefs. What's important is we as Christians believe that Jesus is the Son of God and is God in the flesh, that He died on the cross for our sins and rose on the third day. And is now at the right hand of the Father in Heaven as an intercessor.

... It is a tough thing for a young lady or gent to figure out. When you boil it all down it is very simple and most churches calling themselves Christian, not all, are grounded in the basics. There will be a lot of bickering over this one but the only thing you need for your salvation is to believe that Jesus was who He said He was and that He died for your sins. (Acts 2:21) Then other essentials are belief in the Virgin Birth, belief in the Death, Burial and the Resurrection. You will likely see many others come along and add to this list and every time you see one that involves you doing something other than believing, remember Ephesians 2:8, we are saved by faith, just as Abraham was. (Heb. 11:all) I am not a Bible scholar, I just a very old man that our LORD took mercy upon but if there is anything I can help you with about the Bible, please do not hesitate to email, PM, IM or ask me here. I have but one mission and that is to help folks.

***Athanasius*** · Jul 23rd 2008, 01:35 AM

Originally Posted by *Living~By~Faith*

This is all just confusing to me in general. There are so many things in the bible that I don't really have any beliefs on one way or the other yet because I haven't studied the bible very in depth. So I'm going study the scripture on this that is mentioned and some other to try to get a better understanding of this to see what I believe about it. The church that I left a few weeks ago was the only Freewill Baptist church in my area, so I'm going to be faced with this no matter what church I go to since all denominations have different doctrine beliefs.

Well, start studying that Bible in depth then :}

Denominations, for the most part, really don't have to be divisions.

I am a Christian who worships corporately with people who consider themselves Pentecostal. I'm a Christian who attends a Pentecostal church. While my beliefs line up more with Pentecostalism than with Baptist doctrine, I wouldn't call myself Pentecostal. The only reason I attend a Pentecostal church is because, like I said, our views are similar.

Originally Posted by *Living~By~Faith*

I just don't understand why there are so many different denominations and beliefs. What's important is we as Christians believe that Jesus is the Son of God and is God in the flesh, that He died on the cross for our sins and rose on the third day. And is now at the right hand of the Father in Heaven as an intercessor.

Which Jesus are we talking about? Did He die for all our sins, or for only the sins of the elect? Was he crucified on a cross, or on a stake? Was someone crucified in the place of Jesus? Did he rise spiritually or physically? Is Jesus really at the right hand of the Father, or is Jesus now embodied as the Holy Spirit? Those are some short reasons why there are so many different denominations. Now you might think the answers to these are obvious, but you'd be surprised...