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.
Sure, I will do my best. But to be balanced, I will also tell what I thought was right. I think that is only fair.
I think the first thing I recognized was that leaders would get a so called personal revelation, and then claim it as authoratative. When I challenged these revelations with scripture, I would be told things like, "Oh, your problem is with God and not us, because He said it. Go question God about it." When I would reply with something like "No, you said it. I cannot find in scripture where God said that", I was pretty much told I wasn't saved, because if I was, I would understand. Let me clarify, they wouldn't come out and say I wasn't saved. They would say I needed the baptism of the Holy Spirit to understand. I view the baptism of the HS and being born again as the same thing.
Another concern I had was this so called "slain" in the Spirit. I probably don't need to go any further with that one. Kind of the same thing happened when I asked for it's biblical support. I was even told, on several occassions, that "we sometimes do things that are not in the Bible." That one blew my mind. I even had folks try and push me down.
Then there is the abuse and mis-use of tongues. I will say, I am not a cessationist. I think there is a place for BIBLICAL tongues today. From what I can tell in scripture, there was no abolishment. Man, I would like for the scriptures to say they have definitely ceased, and I could probably stretch a few scriptures to make them say that. But I try my very best to just let the scriptures speak for themselves. However, the tongues that are practiced in Pentecostal churches are not Biblical tongues, and I say that with 100% confidence. Even if they were, biblical guidelines are rarely followed concerning the gift of tongues. Even though I don't see sound scriptural basis for God abolishing this gift, or any other, I often times ask is this gift really necessary in a church where everyone speaks the same language. Don't get me wrong, I see a vital use for this supernatural gift. But if everyone speaks the same language, just say what you gotta say in that language so everyone understands.
There are other things also that I may mention at a later time. But to stay balanced, I will talk about the good that is there.
They preach a pretty sound gospel. Faith in Christ is key. All the aboved mentioned things do not save or evidence you are saved. It is faith in Christ alone, apart from any works, that saves. The evidence of that faith is repentance. I say "pretty" sound because even though Christ is center, they still teach that WE must come to Christ. I believe Christ comes to us, we don't go to Him. But the point is, they keep Christ at the center of it all.
Another thing I like is the worship style. I can find nothing biblically wrong with publicly or corporately showing our affections to God, and I have looked. Of course, the worship has to come from the heart and not some desire to be seen as super-spiritual. There also has to be some order to it. People's definition of order may vary. If someone is so overwhelmed with joy, I have no problem with them raising their hands, shouting out loud "glory be to God", running down the aisle, I'm for all of that as long as God is in it. Of course, if someone wants to sit there quietly and worship, I am for that too.
Anyway, running a bit long so gonna shut it down, for now. Hope this helps.
Grace to you all
Eddie
