stepping away from the pentacostal movement

[carey]

When I got saved It was through a pentacostal church, I became deeply involved, but after 7 years I started noticing practices and attitudes that didn't match up with what the Bible teaches, I myself became very judgemental, self righteous, legalistic, and religious, so I left, but now I feel lost, what do you continue to believe and what do you toss out? I'm trying to find a good church, but I've just about given up on that. Can someone help me?

 

[Nancyer]

Prayers for you, that God leads you to the right church and the right people. Above all, don't give up. Pray without ceasing, check out other churches close enough that you will actually attend regularly. Don't know where you are, but if your in S. California pm me. Churches change and it's hard, but God's Word stays constant and that you have to hold on to. If they are not following His Word then it is right for you to find one that is.

I know you mentioned becoming judgmental, legalistic, and self righteous, so it sounds like you are right in that their doctrines don't line up with God's Word. Have you spoken to the pastor about it? Do you feel you can? Our pastor, who was just reassigned to a different church, was great when someone disagreed with him. He was always willing to talk about it, clear the air, see where the difference was and why. I think this is a sign of a good pastor.

Again, prayers for you, carey, I hope you find a church that fits. God bless you,

 

[Bryancampbell]

There ain't no true church, not even mine is true. But whatever God presses upon your heart which is best is the best. I don't agree with Mormonism but my grandmother went from a secular Christian to a devout woman in God, and she says she prayed all the time for God to show her what's true and Mormonism came into her life not by missionaries but by the heart. And now she is content and godly and she said she wasn't the same believing in Baptist or Lutheran or any of the other denominations. I think personally God is alright with its going to different deformations that best fit you and how you approach it personally, cuz I'm not going to spend my time judging Lutherans, Presbyterians, Baptists, Catholics, orthodox......I think some might be way off the truth but somewhere I believe God is still using them within those churches even with false doctrine, he is trying to clean it up but I have no right to say God judge him to hell. Cuz you never know maybe that one denomination made him closer to God and by your bashing it will separate his relationship....

 

[NiceneCreed]

When I got saved It was through a pentacostal church, I became deeply involved, but after 7 years I started noticing practices and attitudes that didn't match up with what the Bible teaches, I myself became very judgemental, self righteous, legalistic, and religious, so I left, but now I feel lost, what do you continue to believe and what do you toss out? I'm trying to find a good church, but I've just about given up on that. Can someone help me?

I am sorry to hear about your story, but if there is one thing I know for sure, God will always give us a way. I personally don't have any advice to give you, other than to trust in God, and if you do that, I know with my heart that He will give you the strength to endure this trial! God Bless!


Grace and Peace!


P.S. I will keep you in my prayers.

 

[danschance]

When I got saved It was through a pentacostal church, I became deeply involved, but after 7 years I started noticing practices and attitudes that didn't match up with what the Bible teaches, I myself became very judgemental, self righteous, legalistic, and religious, so I left, but now I feel lost, what do you continue to believe and what do you toss out? I'm trying to find a good church, but I've just about given up on that. Can someone help me?

I've seen this once before. You are inside a spiritual network (similar to soul ties) that says it is of God, but is not. So it is spiritually affecting you. You should leave that church like greased lightning, repent for following ungodly leadership and find a new church or none at all.

 

[nathan3]

When I got saved It was through a pentacostal church, I became deeply involved, but after 7 years I started noticing practices and attitudes that didn't match up with what the Bible teaches, I myself became very judgemental, self righteous, legalistic, and religious, so I left, but now I feel lost, what do you continue to believe and what do you toss out? I'm trying to find a good church, but I've just about given up on that. Can someone help me?

. . . . yes . . . .

 

[ed2]

Carey, I can say I know how you feel. My prayers are with you. God saved me and I started attending a Pentecostal church. Not long after, I felt that God was calling me into ministry. I never told anyone, not even my wife. I just began studying scripture. As I was seriously studying, I started noticing things that were being done and taught that were not in line with scripture. Anyway, as I began preaching, I just preached what the scriptures said without pointing out any of the wrong doings. As I preached more at my church and various other churches, I got a little more boldness and started pointing out some of the things that were being done. Some things were contrary to scripture and some things were extra-biblical. I would
preach that we needed to repent of these things and stand on scripture, rightly divided, as our final authority.
My hope was that God would bring reform to the Pentecostal churches. It wasn't long before I was "black balled" and labeled a heretic. I eventually gave up and started a church. I lost several friends over the ordeal. I still maintain some of the Pentecostal roots, such as the charismatic worship style. I see nothing wrong, biblically, in raising our affections to God as long as it is orderly and not chaotic.

Anyway, hang in there and find you a good Bible based church, even if it is not Pentecostal. Ask them for their statement of faith and attend several services to see if they teach what is in their stated beliefs. If I can offer this advice, don't choose a church based on the programs they offer, if you can fit in, if you can make friends, or even if the people are nice. Choose a church based
on what they teach. If they are truly Christ centered and Bible saturated, all the other stuff will fall into place. Again, prayers for ya and God bless.

Eddie

 

[HeRoseFromTheDead]

Carey,
You might feel lost, but you are obviously not lost because the spirit is working in your heart to show you the right path. The spirit is what convicted you of the things GOD doesn't like, that you have now turned away from.

The reason you knew things weren't right is because the spirit was able to witness in your heart with your knowledge of the bible. So it makes sense for you to continue reading the bible prayerfully.

But when he—the Spirit of truth—comes, he will guide you into all the truth. For he will not speak from himself, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will proclaim to you the things to come. He will glorify me, because he will take from what is mine and will proclaim it to you. Everything that the Father has is mine. For this reason I said that he takes from what is mine and will proclaim it to you. John 16:13-15
​

GOD wants to make you inwardly stronger so that you are not led astray by people again as you were before.

And you have us to come to when you need something.

 

[Mooky]

I recommend that you check out Grace Community' church ,pastored by John MacArthur- if you live near Sun Valley , California.
He is deeply committed to thorough bible exposition and is a very devout and godly man and frankly , if I lived in the U.S. I would relocate just to be able to be part of that congregation.
Check out his sermon series entitled," ,charismatic chaos" - Charismatic Chaos -chaos

Whatever you do -don't disengage fro the church just because of some people who dont know how to stick to biblical Christianity - ask God to lead you to the best church for you - where the Word is the final authority(not dreams and visions and supposed miracles) and where the leadership are accountable for pastoring the congregation in a way that is Christ centered and brings God glory - oh yes ) and where you can serve others with your spiritual gifts.

 

[JaumeJ]

I have been there. There are many beloved family members in the Pentacostal assemblies, yet, as with all denominations, there are probably just as many hypocrites. I loved fellowshiping with these folks, and did for a long time until I was told I was demon possessed for having stated Jesus Christ was a Jew adding that we really should recognize this when we think of His mission in the flesh.

It is a very sad fact, if one finds something from the Word and it is not in the teachings of the particular denomination, he is in danger of being shunned.

There is no reason for anyone to disqualify a brother or sister for a custom or tradition they have given importance unless that custom or tradition is a blatant disrespect of the Savior. If people wear certain items of clothing, eat according to a certain diet, practice observing one day over another, etc. None of this should annoy another believer as long as the practicing members are not jeopardizing salvation. When anyone who claims to love all the family in Jesus, Yeshua, wishes to disqualify another for any harmless practice, it seems they are not very familiar with the teachings of the Word.

A refresher, if your brother is weak in the faith, do not let your food, your days of observing or not observing, or any of your practices that conflict be a cause of stumbling for him. If some eat pork, do not condemn, if they do not, why ridicule? If someone wears a yarmulke or does not, tzit-tizit, or whatever is really no one's business but the one who wears it, between him and His Savior.

I have all the freedom of Yeshua. Anyone who understands this knows we are free of the rabbinical teachings of yesteryear or the teachings of the hypocrites of today, both are the same.

Before attacking any denomination for its practices, it is best to make certain we are practicing what we truly believe.

Carey, thank you for this post, it is right in line with what the brethren are mulling over in the forum. You must be being led strongly by the Holy Spirit.

When I got saved It was through a pentacostal church, I became deeply involved, but after 7 years I started noticing practices and attitudes that didn't match up with what the Bible teaches, I myself became very judgemental, self righteous, legalistic, and religious, so I left, but now I feel lost, what do you continue to believe and what do you toss out? I'm trying to find a good church, but I've just about given up on that. Can someone help me?

 

[Reformedjason]

In my experience this happens a lot. My wife went to a Pentecostal church as a child and was saved. I believe the Spirit led her away from there. She told me that she always felt like something was not right.

 

[Stephen63]

When I got saved It was through a pentacostal church, I became deeply involved, but after 7 years I started noticing practices and attitudes that didn't match up with what the Bible teaches, I myself became very judgemental, self righteous, legalistic, and religious, so I left, but now I feel lost, what do you continue to believe and what do you toss out? I'm trying to find a good church, but I've just about given up on that. Can someone help me?

I'm gonna tell you a little secret about the church. The more true manifestations are in a church, The more false ones will be seen because the two are knowingly or unknowingly compared.

Take for example, a dead church. You won't "see" much bad going on (publically, anyway) because there's no good to compare to it. Everything's the same with everyone.

Now take a church that's half dead. Most of the people are doing the same things, but there's this little handful of people that tend to stand out, sometimes for the good they do, sometimes because others are conflicting with them out of envy.

The more true good a church does, the more conflicts you will find in it. The difference is what is the leadership doing or not doing about it. This is why we have this scripture:
James 3:1 (NASB)
[SUP]1 [/SUP]Let not many of you become teachers, my brethren, knowing that as such we will incur a stricter judgment.

James 3:1 (NLT)
[SUP]1 [/SUP]Dear brothers and sisters, not many of you should become teachers in the church, for we who teach will be judged more strictly.

And rightly so, for they are the ones not only telling us how to live, they should be exposing the troublemakers:

Ephesians 5:11 (NASB)
[SUP]11 [/SUP]Do not participate in the unfruitful deeds of darkness, but instead even expose them;

Ephesians 5:11 (NLT)
[SUP]11 [/SUP]Take no part in the worthless deeds of evil and darkness; instead, expose them.

Pride, Jealousy, & covetousness are fruits shown in most half/near/totally dead churches. Even narcissism will be rearing its ugly head, taking over offices & the church itself. This is seen when a single family or two makes up/runs the church. I call them "family-owned-and-operated", lol. You will NEVER accomplish anything in one of those churches.

You'll do well to find a "decent" church nowadays. As a Pentecostal pastor, I recommend a lot of prayer, & driving thru the neighborhoods checking them out. If you believe in the leading of the Holy Spirit, you'll know it when you see it. You'll just know.

 

[notuptome]

Churches are hard to find, churches that preach the word of God to the edifying of the body and the evangelization of the lost. This opens up a whole host of controversial issues. Doctrinal issues, music issues, and of course style issues. Do not give up. Stay the course God will have a place for you to fellowship and contribute to your growth.
Forsake not the assembly of yourselves together as is the manner of some. Heb 10:25

For the cause of Christ
Roger

 

[zone]

When I got saved It was through a pentacostal church, I became deeply involved, but after 7 years I started noticing practices and attitudes that didn't match up with what the Bible teaches, I myself became very judgemental, self righteous, legalistic, and religious, so I left, but now I feel lost, what do you continue to believe and what do you toss out? I'm trying to find a good church, but I've just about given up on that. Can someone help me?

Carey, could you explain what you noticed as unbiblical?

i went a long time without a church as well, Carey, but stay in the Word (i know you will).

The Lord finally led me to The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod...the one i had never noticed

About Us - The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod

i couldn't be more blessed.
i wish i had found it sooner.
zone

 

[tribesman]

When I got saved It was through a pentacostal church, I became deeply involved, but after 7 years I started noticing practices and attitudes that didn't match up with what the Bible teaches, I myself became very judgemental, self righteous, legalistic, and religious, so I left, but now I feel lost, what do you continue to believe and what do you toss out? I'm trying to find a good church, but I've just about given up on that. Can someone help me?

Go to a conservative reformed or lutheran church. Where law and gospel are clearly distinguished. Best wishes.

 

[zone]

Carey, I can say I know how you feel. My prayers are with you. God saved me and I started attending a Pentecostal church. Not long after, I felt that God was calling me into ministry. I never told anyone, not even my wife. I just began studying scripture. As I was seriously studying, I started noticing things that were being done and taught that were not in line with scripture. Anyway, as I began preaching, I just preached what the scriptures said without pointing out any of the wrong doings. As I preached more at my church and various other churches, I got a little more boldness and started pointing out some of the things that were being done. Some things were contrary to scripture and some things were extra-biblical. I would
preach that we needed to repent of these things and stand on scripture, rightly divided, as our final authority.
Eddie

hi eddie.
could you be specific about the things you experienced and saw that were contrary to scripture and extra-biblical?
it's rare but helpful to have people come out of the Movement testify directly to what they saw was wrong, and what was right
God Bless
zone.

 

[Stephen63]

carey,

be careful in receiving recommendations for a certain denomination. If you noticed in my post, I didn't recommend mine for that very reason. I want God to show you the church He wants you to go to, not the organization I would favor.

 

[zone]

When I got saved It was through a pentacostal church, I became deeply involved, but after 7 years I started noticing practices and attitudes that didn't match up with what the Bible teaches, I myself became very judgemental, self righteous, legalistic, and religious, so I left, but now I feel lost, what do you continue to believe and what do you toss out? I'm trying to find a good church, but I've just about given up on that. Can someone help me?

hi carey.
were you asking for input from people on churches they are happy with?
why people believe they have found a good church is perhaps a good follow up.

i suppose they would answer according to: practices and attitudes that match up with what the Bible teaches

k....zone

 

[JaumeJ]

I believe you have received the Holy Spirit, allow the Holy Spirit to lead you to the correct Way in Yeshua, Jesus. Otherwise you will be looking for what you like first. The Holy Spirit leads you? Allow the Holy Spirit to choose for you.....

When I got saved It was through a pentacostal church, I became deeply involved, but after 7 years I started noticing practices and attitudes that didn't match up with what the Bible teaches, I myself became very judgemental, self righteous, legalistic, and religious, so I left, but now I feel lost, what do you continue to believe and what do you toss out? I'm trying to find a good church, but I've just about given up on that. Can someone help me?

 

[carey]

I tried bringing things up to them and I got two replies, first I was told I should probably be on medication because my accusations were crazy, then I was told, even when we're wrong, we're right, after that I was removed from all of my ministries (prayer, choir, usher, & home bible study)