What do you think about Pentecostals?

allen.hudson · Jan 2, 2011

I was raised in an Assembly Of God Church, I attended the same church for about 15 years. I never realized, until about 2 years ago, that many of the things that I was raised to believe were wrong and out of context. Mainly what they teach about "speaking in tounges," and the way they teach salvation.

I started Bible College a year and a half ago, now that I am learning how to study God's word properly and hermeneutically enterprit scripture I can safely say that I will never be going back to another AOG church.

Im not trying to inflame or anger anyone that is AOG or Pentecostal, I just personally believe that they are a little off on their teachings.

What are your views on AOG churches? Do you believe they are accurate in what they teach? This isn't going to be a debate or anything, I just want to have a mature conversation with people.

bsd31 · Jan 4, 2011

Like any other discipline in life your choice of college is going to do a lot to influence your view on your religion. Just keep that in mind. As for me I have no dog in the fight. I'm comfortable attending both pentecostal type churches and conservative ones. I've not come across anything in either that is particularly alarming in matters of doctrine or the faith.

SoaringOnHisWings · Jan 4, 2011

Yes, honestly I do think many Pentecostal churches are very off base with their teaching.

perrfekt · Jan 4, 2011

i think like any church not every denomination has a 100% grasp on doctrine. what matters is the nature of salvation, and who God is. AoG is the major proponent of the Word of Faith movement which turns God into a vending machine and it is also taught that those saved must speak in tongues to be saved. this doesn't mean that all AoG churches teach these things, especially the WoF view, but many do. the speaking in tongues imo isn't a big ordeal because it is only one of many gifts. the WoF doctrines though are heretical, and people should run far and fast from these teachings.

i like to think of the pentecostals as the rowdy disfunctional part of the christian family

Mixolydian · Jan 9, 2011

perrfekt said:
i think like any church not every denomination has a 100% grasp on doctrine. what matters is the nature of salvation, and who God is. AoG is the major proponent of the Word of Faith movement which turns God into a vending machine and it is also taught that those saved must speak in tongues to be saved. this doesn't mean that all AoG churches teach these things, especially the WoF view, but many do. the speaking in tongues imo isn't a big ordeal because it is only one of many gifts. the WoF doctrines though are heretical, and people should run far and fast from these teachings.

i like to think of the pentecostals as the rowdy disfunctional part of the christian family

You're right, not every denomination has a 100% grasp on true doctrine in every aspect. We all see dimly now until He returns. I do think you have a few errors in what you wrote.

The AoG repudiated the WOF name it/claim it doctrine 31 years ago. (http://ag.org/top/Beliefs/Position_Papers/pp_downloads/pp_4183_confession.pdf)
so it's not accurate to say they're a proponent of WOF doctrine. The AoG also doesn't teach that tongues are necessary for salvation. You might be thinking of non-trinitarian oneness pentecostals who believe so.

I don't know about dysfunctional, but they are a most rowdy bunch!

perrfekt · Jan 9, 2011

i was raised in pentecostal churches so i'm all too familiar and unwierded out like some people are with the standard worship practices example, went to a friends AoG church, and it was my wifes first experience with "tongues" and all the other little things pentecostals do it was funny cause she was raised mormon.

anyways, i do stand corrected on the WoF statement, i sometimes confuse the oneness group with the AoG. i do stand by the statement that tongues are not needed for salvation though.

Mixolydian · Jan 11, 2011

perrfekt said:
i do stand by the statement that tongues are not needed for salvation though.

Standing with you there!

allen.hudson · Jan 11, 2011

bsd31 said:
Like any other discipline in life your choice of college is going to do a lot to influence your view on your religion. Just keep that in mind. As for me I have no dog in the fight. I'm comfortable attending both pentecostal type churches and conservative ones. I've not come across anything in either that is particularly alarming in matters of doctrine or the faith.

Very true, I try not to believe things just because it is what I am taught. Whenever there is something I have question about, I go to the Bible and seek out the answer.

I think my original post came out a little harsher than I had intended. I agree, I don't see anything alarming, I am not fully against pentecostals, I dont walk around saying, "CRUCIFY THE PENTECOSTALS!!!" Its just that my views after what I have studied, are a little different than that which they teach.

At the end of the day I don't think it really makes a big difference, my mother and the rest of my family are pentecostal.

allen.hudson · Jan 11, 2011

I finally made my decision to leave my A.O.G. church when we had an evangelist come in, and he was trying to tell everyone how to "speak in tounges." He said, "If you have never spoke in tongues, I want you to come down here in the front." So, a lot of people went down there. He told them, "Okay, you are all about to be speaking in tongues. Tilt your head back, open your mouth, stick out your tongue, and lift up your arms. When I count to three and snap my fingers, you will all speak in tongues!"

That was the craziest thing I have ever heard in my life, and no where is it biblical to do all that to "Speak in Tongues."

Before he spoke that night, the pastor of the church introduced him and was like, "This is one of my really good friends, he is a great man of God."

DamianWarS · Jan 11, 2011

allen.hudson said:
I started Bible College a year and a half ago, now that I am learning how to study God's word properly and hermeneutically enterprit scripture I can safely say that I will never be going back to another AOG church.

Im not trying to inflame or anger anyone that is AOG or Pentecostal, I just personally believe that they are a little off on their teachings.

Is there something specific that you do not agree with or how general is this question? I am a pentecostal (not AOG but PAOC which is the Canadian equivalent) I would be happy to comment on some doctrinal issues that you might have.

Waxwing · Jan 11, 2011

When I was much younger my family started going to Pentecostal Churches, my memories are fixation on the end times, lively music, service on wednesday evening (still think this is a good idea) ,on going building projects, and warm friendly people for the most part. Certain things I look back and think they had this right, ala the the Sunday AM and PM service, the Wednesday Service, the focus on people coming together for more than 1.5 hrs one day a week. Other things of more theological and liturgical nature I always questioned a little

allen.hudson · Jan 11, 2011

DamianWarS said:
Is there something specific that you do not agree with or how general is this question? I am a pentecostal (not AOG but PAOC which is the Canadian equivalent) I would be happy to comment on some doctrinal issues that you might have.

There are a few things that I did not agree with, nothing major. The first thing was their doctrine of Salvation, I personally believe in predestination. They believe in free will. They also teach that you can lose your salvation, I believe once saved always saved. The last thing, it seems the way in which they use tongues is not biblical. In AOG, everyone in the church will be speaking in tounges, and there will be no interpreter or anything else. I don't think any of these matters will affect your salvation, but I just didnt necessarily agree with all of them. I still talk to my old pastor from time to time, I just talked to him a few days ago. I am not full blown against AOG, I just like the teachings more at the church I am at now.

healiheal · Feb 6, 2011

perrfekt said:
i think like any church not every denomination has a 100% grasp on doctrine. what matters is the nature of salvation, and who God is. AoG is the major proponent of the Word of Faith movement which turns God into a vending machine and it is also taught that those saved must speak in tongues to be saved. this doesn't mean that all AoG churches teach these things, especially the WoF view, but many do. the speaking in tongues imo isn't a big ordeal because it is only one of many gifts. the WoF doctrines though are heretical, and people should run far and fast from these teachings.

i like to think of the pentecostals as the rowdy disfunctional part of the christian family

From my understanding speaking in tongues usually is evidential infallible proof that one has received the baptism of the holy spirit. Tongues is also from I believe a language you can pray so that Satan cannot hear your prayers or decipher them.

I see being pentecostal more of a focus on the gifts of the holy spirit and miraculous healing and miracles.

I take more into the charismatic area of being pentecostal.

we might be loud and dysfunctional...but we sure can get the Holy Ghost moving.

JCFantasy23 · Feb 6, 2011

It's always seemed to me they misunderstand gifts and focus too much on tongues, signs (in how they worship, outwards, etc., and emotions. Not seeing major issues with them just not my thing. It doesn't help that the very limited real-life experiences with anything Pentecostal has been negative somehow.

cajunhillbilly · Feb 24, 2011

I think David Wilkerson was AOG wasn't he? I may be wrong.

laconicstudent · Feb 25, 2011

I think the blessed Father Seraphim Rose wrote an interesting booklet on it.

http://www.fatheralexander.org/booklets/english/charismatic_revival_s_rose_e.htm

Schroeder · Mar 6, 2011

i agree they have doctrine issues. holy spirit is not given as a extra gift after salvation later on it is salvation the speaking in tongues is wrong as well. BUT i am quaker so i would argue against water baptism and communion. So i see most denoms as having bad theology.

HarryCovert · Mar 6, 2011

Every flock has it's quirks. My first serious girlfriend was Pentacostal, much to my parent's chagrin. She was a lady in every sense of the word. She had an abiding love of Christ, and a deep desire to do what was right before Him. I cared for her very much. I went so far as to attend services with her. Last I heard she was married and had a flock of kids. Still Pentacostal. A good woman from good people.

Heavens · Mar 10, 2011

allen.hudson said:
I was raised in an Assembly Of God Church, I attended the same church for about 15 years. I never realized, until about 2 years ago, that many of the things that I was raised to believe were wrong and out of context. Mainly what they teach about "speaking in tounges," and the way they teach salvation.

I started Bible College a year and a half ago, now that I am learning how to study God's word properly and hermeneutically enterprit scripture I can safely say that I will never be going back to another AOG church.

Im not trying to inflame or anger anyone that is AOG or Pentecostal, I just personally believe that they are a little off on their teachings.

What are your views on AOG churches? Do you believe they are accurate in what they teach? This isn't going to be a debate or anything, I just want to have a mature conversation with people.

Hi Allen, VERY pleased to meet you brother.

To answer your question, I avoid pentecostals like the plague. For all the reasons you've given and more you haven't given.

The speaking in tongues thing is the greatest evidence of not being of God. The faith healing and prophecies and other goings on are totally of the flesh to one who isn't caught up in their delusions.
I spent about three years amongst them teaching and leading folks out of various pentecostal denoms until I get in trouble by their heavy handed 'leaders' and get their 'right foot of fellowship' hehe.

I don't go to those places anymore though. It is such an evil 'presence' that even in my strength in Christ, there is still a vile kind of seepage that I think can affect even the strongest who hang with them. I'm sure you know what I mean.
It is so disappointing isn't it. Then, as time goes on, you say, "what was I thinking" lol. But then, the rejoicing in being delivered out of their error gives so much rejoicing that it's hard to even remember the sadness.
Can you relate?

Blessings in Christ Jesus our Lord and praise Him for your deliverance!

sedg · Mar 30, 2011

perrfekt said:
i think like any church not every denomination has a 100% grasp on doctrine. what matters is the nature of salvation, and who God is. AoG is the major proponent of the Word of Faith movement which turns God into a vending machine and it is also taught that those saved must speak in tongues to be saved. this doesn't mean that all AoG churches teach these things, especially the WoF view, but many do. the speaking in tongues imo isn't a big ordeal because it is only one of many gifts. the WoF doctrines though are heretical, and people should run far and fast from these teachings.

i like to think of the pentecostals as the rowdy disfunctional part of the christian family

Could you please bad up your accusations about the AoG being a major proponent of the WoF from the AoG websites statement of faith...located at: ag.org ?? (Hint: you won't find any, because your statement is FALSE)

I'm sorry, I posted this before seeing that you corrected your original statement about the AoG being into the Wof

What do you think about Pentecostals?

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