Can I jump in here really late? I honestly read every single post, well, except for the unbearably long ones with no paragraphs, so I just want to comment.
When I got saved in 1980, God spoke to me. The Holy Spirit was in my heart from day ONE. I did not speak in tongues. God spoke to me, which was more important than me speaking out loud or in any kind of strange known or unknown tongue.
But everyone told me that I needed to go to a Pentecostal Church, because they were the best, and the most exciting and God was there, pouring out his Spirit.
So for 15 years I went to a variety of Pentecostal and Charismatic Churches, including non-denominational, PAOC (affiliated with A of G) and some wacky Vineyard and other types.
I tried to fit in and speak in tongues. I was told that I should never have any problems or health issues, or depression or be unhappy. I was told that because Christ died and rose again, I was going to always be victorious in my Christian walk.
Now, I tried to be a good church member, and I always read my Bible and prayed to God for direction, for the salvation of family and friends. But more and more, I began to see the that what I was seeing was some kind of "hyped-up" kind of spirituality. I didn't see anyone being transformed into people who were closer to what Christ was. I saw people with every weird kind of doctrine, visions which didn't line up with the Bible and people just leaving the church in disgust or worse to go back to lives of blatant sin.
Then marriage problems struck. I won't go into details, but I was ostracized by the Pentecostals for not being a good enough wife. He was supported because I had been a bad wife. In what way, I do not know. I was the one who got the kids to Sunday School and helped with various ministries. I tried to speak to the pastors of that church of 3000 people (all 10 of them!) and somehow none of them were available.
So I started to get depressed, and then I got physically ill. I was told I was not praying enough in tongues (OK, true, by this time I had totally given up the practice because I thought it was SO hypocritical). I was told I was out of order for getting sick. I was humiliated for being sick and ignored by the staff and other church members. I guess you could say, the church did not have love!
So I went to a very orthodox small denomination who welcomed me with open arms, gave my husband and I marital counseling, and brought me food to eat when I was so so sick I could not dress myself or get out of bed. They reminded me daily of how God was real, and loved me in spite of my illnesses and marriage issues.
Then a move left me with no church. Because I was afraid and I was ashamed I had failed God because I was not victorious. I stopped reading the Bible and praying. But God was gracious and moved me back into reading the Bible and led me to a church where there was love and real preaching from the Bible. I always said the pastor was preaching from the same Bible I was reading. Which I NEVER felt in 15 years of being in Pentecostal/Charismatic churches.
Now I know the bible is about SO MUCH MORE than speaking in tongues. Personally, I don't care how it makes you feel, or whether your church loves it or hates it. The gospel is NOT about the isolated experience of the book of Acts and 5 times (or whatever!) when speaking in tongues is mentioned, in totally different circumstances.
I still fail to find the term "Baptism of the Holy Spirit" anywhere. As believers, the Holy Spirit is our birth right, and it is given when we are born again. Not at some later time, although we can always be renewed when we are not walking with God.
I do not want to alienate anyone, but I truly believe that speaking in tongues today is something that is taught or "hoped for", is fake, and detracts from the central teaching of the Bible - that we are to be transformed into the image of Christ - and that it is a process and a journey, not a one time spectacular event.
"Do not be conformed to this world,but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect." Romans 12:2 (I can do an analysis of the Greek for the word TRANSFORM if anyone wants!)
The day of Pentecost was the BIRTH of the church. Tongues of fire and a rushing wind occurred, and I don't see that happening in any church which is claiming that the sign of the Holy Spirit is the language God gives us when we receive that second blessing. NO!! Tongues was just one of the signs of the birth of the church and that the Holy Spirit would be given to ALL who believe and trust in Jesus.
So, coming from another ex-Pentecostal, I think we could argue Scripture all day. My personal experience is that tongues (at least in North America) are sadly false. Not to condemn anyone who has been misled!
That's my story and I'm sticking to it!
