PENTECOSTALISM

[stevehut]

What is a "perennial believer"?  Sounds new age?

No, I said "perennial seeker".

She is always tring some new spiritual path, a new church, a new philosophy, trying to find her way. Then she tries them all again, just in case she mised something the first time. But "New Age" would not be far from accurate.

[Scudbuddy]

Steve,

I have just been informed that this is not a Charismatic website. I thought so since I found out about it through a Charismatic resource. My mistake. Flail away! But I still find it hard to understand the obsession Cessationist have with us Pentecostals.

[stevehut]

I have just been informed that this is not a Charismatic website.

Which website? My church?

[WayneB]

Steve,

I have just been informed that this is not a Charismatic website. I thought so since I found out about it through a Charismatic resource. My mistake. Flail away! But I still find it hard to understand the obsession Cessationist have with us Pentecostals.

Brother, we are Spirit-filled though. That is what matters.

The answer to your question is because people FEAR what they do not understand and they have a hard time understanding because of the way many of us try to explain it.

As I wrote earlier, so many Pentecostals teach the gifts...not about the gifts but teach how to "do the gifts." WRONG thing to do. Secondly, so many Pentecostals use the gifts like "notches in a belt" and the more notches one has, the greater their spirituallity. WRONG again.

We need to testify to the gifts of the HOLY SPIRIT and not argue with those who refuse our testimony. They are only asking and we, as Peter in Acts Chaper 11, should patiently explain ourselves and our experience.

Be Blessed,

Wayne

[stevehut]

Alright guys, here it is. Everyone suspects me of concealing something, so I might as well say it.

Yes, I am a member of a church that was affiliated with the ICOC. Have been for a few years now. The reason why I tried to deny it earlier, is because I was hoping to elicit some responses from people based upon the issues and nothing else.

The congregation that I currently attend was (until recently) sort of a mission field for the church in Los Angeles. At the beginning of this year, for purely administrative reasons, we became an independent congregation. We are still in fellowship with the L.A. congregation, and we will continue to hold some joint events with them. But it was always in the plan for us to "grow up and move out", so to speak.

I think that about covers it.

I apologize for the deception. I was wrong.

[traveller]

steve, I'm sorry that I gave you such a hard time about it. You see, when someone hides their church, I have to wonder why. We should be joyous with our walk with the Lord, and proud to say so. When someone evades the issue, it concerns me. Anyway, again, I apologize to you for putting you on the line in the past and now.

I AM pleased that you're not in a blood-drinking, spell casting cult.

[stevehut]

I AM pleased that you're not in a blood-drinking, spell casting cult.

[WayneB]

I AM pleased that you're not in a blood-drinking, spell casting cult.

[BobTriez]

steve, I'm sorry that I gave you such a hard time about it. You see, when someone hides their church, I have to wonder why. We should be joyous with our walk with the Lord, and proud to say so. When someone evades the issue, it concerns me. Anyway, again, I apologize to you for putting you on the line in the past and now.

I AM pleased that you're not in a blood-drinking, spell casting cult.

Pretty much what I was gonna say too Steve

God bless,

Bob

[Guest LindaInChrist]

The first Pentcost did not take place in Acts. It took place 50 days after the children of Israel had the blood applied to the doorposts and lintels of their homes and the death angel passed over. Fifty days later, Moses goes up to the top of Mount Sinai and receives the law of God written on tablets of stone. Even while that was taking place, Israel was already breaking that law. In the Feast of Pentecost in Acts, which was fifty days after Jesus was raised from the dead and then had ascended to the Father, the law of God was written on the fleshy tables of the hearts of those in that upper room and they began to speak. Everyone who was there heard, in their own tongue, the message of the Gospel. The finger of God, which is the Spirit of God, came that day and wrote something that began to flow out. When we believe, we receive the Holy Spirit but there is a difference between receiving the Spirit and being filled (to overflowing) with the Spirit so that His Spirit is upon you and not just in you. Paul said, "I speak with tongues more than you all" and Paul was one of the most steadfast apostles that I know of because he would consistently edify himself by praying in the Holy Ghost. Jude says to keep ourselves in the love of God, praying in the Holy Ghost. We are to build ourselves up by praying in the Holy Ghost. We are to pray in the Spirit and with the understanding also; to sing in the Spirit and to sing with the understanding also. The baptism of the Holy Ghost has not passed away.