Thinking of switching

[mickd7]

HI there. At present I am a Pentacostal but have grown dissatisfied with some aspects of this group and I am pondering going to a Southern Baptist Church. My question is do you think I will have any problems there because even though I would leave the Pentacostals I do believe in the gifts of the Holy Spirit and speaking in tongues. I would not impose my thoughts or beliefs on the Baptist but I would not want to be criticized for who I am. I really like the conservative message of the Baptist and having a chance to sing hymns again is what turns me on to the Baptist. Thanks for any response. Fat Eagle.

 

[aReformedPatriot]

HI there. At present I am a Pentacostal but have grown dissatisfied with some aspects of this group and I am pondering going to a Southern Baptist Church. My question is do you think I will have any problems there because even though I would leave the Pentacostals I do believe in the gifts of the Holy Spirit and speaking in tongues. I would not impose my thoughts or beliefs on the Baptist but I would not want to be criticized for who I am. I really like the conservative message of the Baptist and having a chance to sing hymns again is what turns me on to the Baptist. Thanks for any response. Fat Eagle.

I accept the gifts of the spirit as being valid. I cant speak for everyone, but I dont have a problem with it, nor have I encountered anyone who does. The SBC is a great group to worship with and I've found solid fellowship.

Cheers,
Mark

 

[brotherjim]

Hi Fat Eagle,

I can empathize with your situation. Being char./pente. myself, and for more than two decades, I am most often ashamed to even admit it--and seldom do.

For years I would go to a fundamentalist Bible church on Sunday mornings, for example, and the "holy rollers" at night. That's actually somewhat of an old joke among many of "us," but also quite realistic.

And it's so very, very sad.

I recall a pop-up ad for a full gospel seminary that I opened the window of, and they claimed to be the largest in the world, claiming also to have an alumni of I think 5,000. That's it!!!!!!!!1 5k total and they're the largest in the world?!?! Not that I'm big on seminaries--though they are necessary and for some, but it's a good indicator of the imbalance in the char/pent arena in general. (I know how much I loathed even the mentioning of the word doctrine my first decade in the Lord and as a charismatic. Funny how I [allegedly] now am the man of Grace like the ones I hated with a passion not all that long ago. But we serve a Merciful God.)

I'm wanting to weep, so I'll sign off.

Yes, of of course you can do what you are hopefully being led of the Lord to consider, but best to keep your charisma to yourself unless you are certain the HG wants you to share something of it at a certain time with a specific party. The small, free-to-read on-line booklet by Stephen E. Jones, The Purpose of the Wilderness would help keep you from making some mistakes in the transitiuon perhaps. He's at www.GodsKingdomMinistries.org

Blessings, jim

 

[SonOfThunder]

Hi Fat Eagle,

I can empathize with your situation. Being char./pente. myself, and for more than two decades, I am most often ashamed to even admit it--and seldom do.

For years I would go to a fundamentalist Bible church on Sunday mornings, for example, and the "holy rollers" at night. That's actually somewhat of an old joke among many of "us," but also quite realistic.

And it's so very, very sad.

I recall a pop-up ad for a full gospel seminary that I opened the window of, and they claimed to be the largest in the world, claiming also to have an alumni of I think 5,000. That's it!!!!!!!!1 5k total and they're the largest in the world?!?! Not that I'm big on seminaries--though they are necessary and for some, but it's a good indicator of the imbalance in the char/pent arena in general. (I know how much I loathed even the mentioning of the word doctrine my first decade in the Lord and as a charismatic. Funny how I [allegedly] now am the man of Grace like the ones I hated with a passion not all that long ago. But we serve a Merciful God.)

I'm wanting to weep, so I'll sign off.

Yes, of of course you can do what you are hopefully being led of the Lord to consider, but best to keep your charisma to yourself unless you are certain the HG wants you to share something of it at a certain time with a specific party. The small, free-to-read on-line booklet by Stephen E. Jones, The Purpose of the Wilderness would help keep you from making some mistakes in the transitiuon perhaps. He's at www.GodsKingdomMinistries.org

Blessings, jim

I liked this mans honesty. I did look up that booklet by the way, and thanks for sharing the link. Yes we do have a merciful God and I am sure we dont shock God too much, he may have a little grin here and there and on occasions a little frown but it's not easy changing direction. We have sat under teachings so opposite each other and ways of worship also so opposite each other, that we almost have to drop everything and empty our minds in order to allow the Holy Spirit to give us the grace necessary to fit into another church.

We are human and as such we get fixed with what is right and what is not.

I came from 22 years as one of Jehovah's Witnesses. Imagine the differences, they are huge. Either I return or I try and allow the Holy Spirit to guide me.

Freedom to worship in a pentecostal type of church is good, providing it is done (as always) with a right heart. Man can get high and lofty and as such there is a danger of extremes to be seen as 'more holy' than the person next to you. Gifts of the Spirit I have yet to study out...so I can t comment on those.

Hope you settle in your new church and enjoy the songs mickd7, praying for you as I know it isn't easy.

James

 

[Matthan]

Hi there, mickd7,

The Holy Spirit has obviously blessed you with clearer spiritual sight, to seek out His truth. Do not be too surprised if, down the road somewhere and sometime, you find He has a special plan for you and you fit right into it. Such is the guidance of our merciful God....

Matthan <J>< (Festina Lente)

 

[Galatians513]

Hi!

I say pray about your decision and do whatever the Lord asks you to do... If He says stay, maybe you are somehow supposed to impact the congregation you are currently with- or maybe you are supposed to be learning some sort of life lesson. If he says go, maybe you are to go to the Baptist church to impact someone who doesn't know about the gifts of the spirit. Who knows.

Whatever you do, remain neutral- meaning don't get caught up in the concepts of denominationalism (meaning who's right and who's wrong...) That will cause you to get sidetracked and you'll be soooooo busy getting mad at every misinterpreted verse of scripture that you'll either miss your blessings or miss your opportunities to bless someone else. (Take it from someone who is walking in shoes very similar to yours, and trying to get back on track.)

Whatever you choose to do, I wish you good luck. I know how difficult this decision is for you.

 

[mesue]

Pray.

Then speak to the Pastor of the church you are thinking of attending. Sometimes we see scripture one way, until someone asks us
"Have you considered this?"

 

[mickd7]

Thank you all for the nice replies. There was a lot of wisdom in what you each said.

Mesue, I did just as you suggested. I emailed the pastor and told him exactly what I have shared with this forum and he said come on ,you are welcome here but he will preach what he has to preach according to his belief system, and I can live with that honesty. I am going to give his church a try before I make up my mind. Thanks again all.

 

[Iollain]

What is the difference between Pentecostal and Baptist? I watch a few Pentecostal preachers on tv, and from what i can tell it is the use of tongues in church?

 

[repoland2]

*hugs eagle* You precious person. I pray completely for you.

Please don't let what anyone thinks of you affect your PERSONAL relationship with God. I wish you the best of blessings, may the Lord lift you up!

*love*

 

[brotherjim]

Hi Iollain.

What is the difference between Pentecostal and Baptist? I watch a few Pentecostal preachers on tv, and from what i can tell it is the use of tongues in church?

Perhaps you can cull some info. from the www.pfwb.org site (Pentecostal Free Will Baptist). Although there are also Sov. Grace Pentecostal Baptists, I'm near certain, but I don't know their sites--and I should, sorry. Why not try a Google/Yahoo search. All these groups usually post their doctrines, and many do so in levels from a brief skimming to in-depth. And, yes, Pentecostals have the added practice of praying and speaking in tongues (two separate manifestations, btw, and used both in church and privately), but there's more to it than that. Reading over on the"'Spirit-filled'/charismatic" denom. group of this forum might yield something also, and they even have a pentecostal sub-group over there.

Peace and blessings, jim

 

[mickd7]

*hugs eagle* You precious person. I pray completely for you.

Please don't let what anyone thinks of you affect your PERSONAL relationship with God. I wish you the best of blessings, may the Lord lift you up!

*love*

Thank you for those kind words. You deserve a blessing for that . Fat Eagle..God Bless.