>>Take a Look at This<<

[EA]

http://www.stltoday.com/stltoday/new...3?OpenDocument

[EA]

It's the Holy Spirit that provides Pentecostals with the practice that sets their movement apart from all other evangelical Christian churches: speaking in tongues, or glossolalia.

"The distinguishing feature of classical Pentecostalism is to say that unless you have spoken in tongues, you don't have this baptism in spirit," said Russell Spittler, emeritus professor of New Testament at Fuller Theological Seminary in California.

But during an hour of worship at First Assembly, no one audibly spoke in tongues, and elders in the Assemblies of God are worried about what a younger generation's more practical theology might mean for the future of the practice.

Speaking in tongues is so central to the 3 million-member, Missouri-based Assemblies of God, that denominational leaders voted unanimously to reaffirm it as doctrine, at the church's General Council meeting in August.

Reaffirmation of one of Pentecostalism's central tenets was necessary, according to the resolution voted on at the meeting, because speaking in tongues "has come under certain scrutiny."

Glossolalia has become the church's real battle of the generations. Some young pastors say that while they recognize the foundational importance of speaking in tongues, other features of their faith are more pragmatic and helpful for their flocks.

Hmm

[RevDWW]

Originally Posted by Edward Anglin

Hmm

Are the looking our way???

This is a good thing that a movement that started with the outpouring of the Holy Ghost exhibiting speaking in tongues would go back to their roots.

[noeticknight]

Sentiments like that worry an older generation of Assemblies of God pastors…

"…It's a legitimate concern that these churches are not being fully Pentecostal."

Brooks said one might hear speaking in tongues once a month in his church — "Not as often as I would like," he said.

Sentiments like that worry a younger generation of Apostolics (including me). There is a culture and mindset among certain leaders (and church members), which seeks this type of external compliance to satisfy their own judgments regarding the salvation of others. Quite frankly, comments like that, and like the one we heard weeks before we left our former assembly, “Everyone should be speaking in tongues right now,” frightened and disturbed my wife and I. I tend to agree with Harris. Let the Spirit do the work of the Spirit. Who are we to orchestrate God’s divine gift? Why do some people feel the need to probe and gauge other Christians' spirituality by outward displays of an experience that should be privy to God alone? Harris’ approach is less divisive and exhibits a great deal of wisdom.

[jfrog]

Originally Posted by noeticknight

Sentiments like that worry an older generation of Assemblies of God pastors…

"…It's a legitimate concern that these churches are not being fully Pentecostal."

Brooks said one might hear speaking in tongues once a month in his church — "Not as often as I would like," he said.

Sentiments like that worry a younger generation of Apostolics (including me). There is a culture and mindset among certain leaders (and church members), which seeks this type of external compliance to satisfy their own judgments regarding the salvation of others. Quite frankly, comments like that, and like the one we heard weeks before we left our former assembly, “Everyone should be speaking in tongues right now,” frightened and disturbed my wife and I. I tend to agree with Harris. Let the Spirit do the work of the Spirit. Who are we to orchestrate God’s divine gift? Why do some people feel the need to probe and gauge other Christians' spirituality by outward displays of an experience that should be privy to God alone? Harris’ approach is less divisive and exhibits a great deal of wisdom.

Two thumbs up!

[Hoovie]

Very interesting. I have mixed feelings on this myself.

While I do understand speaking in tongues is central to the "Pentecostal Experience", I think a good case in made in scripture that the church assembly is not the place to practice speaking in tongues - at least when heard by others, and without interpretation.

It is even more problematic if Christians are wrongly judged for observing the scriptural restraint.

[EA]

Many of you have read my concerns about a drift away from Pentecostalism within our own movement. I fear we are focusing on external "standards" more than the internal cleansing and empowerment that the baptism of the Holy Ghost brings.

The word "Pentecostal" is becoming archaic in our movement.

[Jermyn Davidson]

I think it is good for our brothers and sisters in Christ to be concerned if the Lord is not manifesting Himself in their services.


We don't need any more dead religious folks in America.


I'd love to see the A of G and the C of G to experience a genuine Holy Ghost revival!


As far as I know, the COGIC is not having this issue.


Yes, I do differ doctrinally with these folks.
Yes, I consider them my brothers and sisters in Christ.
Yes, I fully hope to see them in Heaven.

Just thought that I would make that perfectly clear.