Pentecostal and Charismatic

What is wrong with being a pentacostal??
I am
I believe tongues and prophecy is still here, so long as it's spoken in accordance with Gods word
I have seen first hand demonic possession, and deliverance from it
the sick have been healed through the laying of hands
I have been a part of spontaneous worship,
And danced in the spirit
Church is not ment to be a funeral procession but a celebration, after all Jesus is not dead
I would rather attend a church where the pastor is obviously being moved by the spirit and my attention is captured than a pastor that just puts me to sleep


My opinion, like it or not

As a generally cessationist individual, I've been quite surprised by the great number of Pentecostals and Charismatics ("P/C" from here-on-out) on this forum. It isn't that I'm angry about it, just that I find it interesting that so many people of the same theological outlook find their way to the same page. Maybe there are others who do not fall under those categories and leave, but anecdotally I still see an overwhelming body of people on these forums with those outlooks.

I'm really interested to know how everyone came to this specific faith--or, if you left it, why you did so. Were you in another church but decided that P/C was the correct view? Were you raised in the tradition? Did you join a P/C church first on your own volition? Or did others invite you?

I would really enjoy hearing any stories or Biblical arguments anyone might have which led them to the P/C faith. I don't mean to trivialize your faith as data, but P/C churches are likely the most-quickly growing religious group in the world, and I'm very interested to hear how that has played out in the personal lives of our brothers and sisters in Christ. Plus, a nice conversation between Christ's children seems like an appropriate way to further bring us together.



But maybe I should explain first what I'm thinking of when I say P/C. While it is obviously not the ONLY statement of their faith or even necessarily the most important, I have perceived many individuals discussing demons/possession, the devil, specific and concrete inspiration by the Holy Spirit, and some sort of dramatic and spiritual conversion experience. I understand this is not a definitive picture of the P/C churches, but I feel that they serve as reasonable indicators for them. I hope I haven't implied anything cross or offended anyone; I just thought I should explain my thinking.

Thanks.

I am not Pentecostals, but just to add my two cents:
I am under the impression that the Pentecostal views often displayed on this forum are more *looks for a good word * intense (?) than what I have experienced in churches here.

JaumeJ: Well, I guess what I said would go for any denomination in here. Let me try to explain a bit better

People tend to show more intense views on the internet than what is displayed in church. For instance claims in either directions of a) "There are no longer any gifts" or b) "people who don't speak in tongues are not saved".

Internet seems to make people more intent on stating their views as absolute, but maybe that is because we only have text to relay what we think.

who in the world said you have to have a congregation full of mad people all babbling..or seemingly mad..for it to not be a dead church?! see this is where charismatics n.pentecostals miss it big,you claim one must have evidence of tongues in order to.have the holy spirit..simply not true,tongues..when its real..is for self edifying..Paul even who prayed in tongues said that not all pray in tongues..see,you seek after signs and wonders..whatvyou consider a 'live' church..tongues cannot save you..nor is it a confirmation that someone has real faith show me your fruitnot your gifts..i left a chirch like thos becaise more emphasis was given to the gifts,than to the one who gives these gofts..i need no prophetic word....i have the word,his word..the Bible...make sure you are following adter God and not some prophetic word a man gives you....

I wondered when something like "if you don't speak in tongues, you aren't saved" was going to come out. Unfortunately, this is common amongst Pentecostals and Charistmatics. At best, you're a "lesser Christian" if you don't speak in tongues as Pentecostals believe it.

I think what was said that one does not have to do so

Not sure why this was put down as my post but i never said this jimmy did
And i am a firm beleiver that you do not have to be saved to speak in tongues, it's one of the nine gifts, just like not all are called to be pastors or teachers also not all speak in tongues

I never said that if you don't speak in tongues you aren't saved, when i say the unsaved see it as babbling, this reasoning comes from 1 Corinthians 14:22-23
How about you read my entire post first