My girlfriend's brother (Phil) is a Pentecostal preacher in the town where I live. I had never given Pentecostalism a thought before, seeing as I was born and saved in a Southern Baptist church. God has blessed me in many ways, and to this day I continue to get closer to God.
I was talking with Phil a few months ago about what God was doing in my life. We began to talk about doctrinal issues, and it was then that I first gave Pentecostalism some serious consideration. I was told that it was fine to be a Baptist, but that I was missing the miraculous things that God could do.
Naturally, I was skeptical at first. I read the Bible, attended some Pentecostal church services, and was amazed at what people were claiming. Some claimed to see gold fall from the sky. Others claimed to be raised from the dead. I was becoming more convinced that this was the right thing for me. I opened myself up to the idea. I wanted in on the charismatic movement.
I began to get involved, and this is when problems arose. I had people pray for me, lay hands on me, etc. I felt nothing. I looked around to see people convulsing with the Spirit. They felt a "fire" within them. I told them that I couldn't feel anything, and they kept trying with me. Still nothing. I was told that I wasn't open to the idea, but I know that I was. I was not closing my heart off to God, but on the contrary, my heart was wide open.
I returned three other times, but I felt nothing. I wasn't going to lie to the church or to myself. I began to seriously doubt the charismatic movement.
I tore my ACL over the past summer, and since I am running short on some money, I have yet to get it fixed. Instead, I limp around with pain and discomfort. I was approached by Phil who knew I was struggling with the idea of Pentecostalism. He told me that he would heal my knee, and that I would become a believer. He spoke with 100% surety that I would be healed. I was excited. I told him that I was willing to believe, and let him pray for me.
Nothing. My knee still hurts. I have given up on Pentecostalism and the charismatic movement. During the two to three months of experimenting with this type of Christianity, my relationship with God suffered more than ever. I was unhappy and distraught. I have worked hard to rebuild my relationship with God since then, and I feel closer to him now after going through my trial.
This is not a critique of Pentecostalism. I am coming here to ask...
What am I doing wrong?
I was talking with Phil a few months ago about what God was doing in my life. We began to talk about doctrinal issues, and it was then that I first gave Pentecostalism some serious consideration. I was told that it was fine to be a Baptist, but that I was missing the miraculous things that God could do.
Naturally, I was skeptical at first. I read the Bible, attended some Pentecostal church services, and was amazed at what people were claiming. Some claimed to see gold fall from the sky. Others claimed to be raised from the dead. I was becoming more convinced that this was the right thing for me. I opened myself up to the idea. I wanted in on the charismatic movement.
I began to get involved, and this is when problems arose. I had people pray for me, lay hands on me, etc. I felt nothing. I looked around to see people convulsing with the Spirit. They felt a "fire" within them. I told them that I couldn't feel anything, and they kept trying with me. Still nothing. I was told that I wasn't open to the idea, but I know that I was. I was not closing my heart off to God, but on the contrary, my heart was wide open.
I returned three other times, but I felt nothing. I wasn't going to lie to the church or to myself. I began to seriously doubt the charismatic movement.
I tore my ACL over the past summer, and since I am running short on some money, I have yet to get it fixed. Instead, I limp around with pain and discomfort. I was approached by Phil who knew I was struggling with the idea of Pentecostalism. He told me that he would heal my knee, and that I would become a believer. He spoke with 100% surety that I would be healed. I was excited. I told him that I was willing to believe, and let him pray for me.
Nothing. My knee still hurts. I have given up on Pentecostalism and the charismatic movement. During the two to three months of experimenting with this type of Christianity, my relationship with God suffered more than ever. I was unhappy and distraught. I have worked hard to rebuild my relationship with God since then, and I feel closer to him now after going through my trial.
This is not a critique of Pentecostalism. I am coming here to ask...
What am I doing wrong?