Bible Study Question

[jfrog]

Focus on tongues and worship (and maybe even holiness). Those are the things that exemplify all pentecostals. And then to either close or transition to the next part you could say something like, beyond these things pentecostalism kind of splinters into many diverse groups with different teachings on key things such as salvation and even the godhead. If you want to speak about your particular brand then doing so here would be perfect because it would illustrate one extreme of pentecostalism in a very real way. You could say some pentecostal churches are more like baptists and methodists and such in doctrine, while others like mine believe...

[MissBrattified]

Originally Posted by noeticknight

Pun intended??


My only caveat would be to avoid the history of Pentecost if possible. Also, if she belongs to one of the brand name churches, "salvational standards of membership" should be mentioned along with the other tenets of faith, since it would be the honest thing to do.

If she's not feeling ethical though, focusing on common ground may be the best route.

Nope, pun not intended, and my friend is 100% ethical and honest.

[MissBrattified]

Originally Posted by Pressing-On

She needs to ask God for direction. We don't know the hearers present and only God would be able to direct her to the very words she needs to say that day.

I definitely passed this on. She would have anyway, though.

When I speak to the ladies at church, I never look for a topic. This is my prayer, "Lord, you know I need to speak. You know what they need to hear. I pray that you would direct me in your Word that they may be blessed and strengthened by your words. I want them to have confidence that you hear them when they pray and that you answer their prayers."

Always happens. Never fails. God is awesome. I remember Sister Freeman saying that many times God didn't give her a message until she was behind the pulpit! That's some pressure! At least He gives me what I need to say the day before. Sometimes that morning, but never at the last minute. Thank you, Jesus!!! lol

[BeenThinkin]

Have you thought about just giving each of them a free subscription to Apostolic Friends Forum? lol

[noeticknight]

Originally Posted by MissBrattified

Nope, pun not intended, and my friend is 100% ethical and honest.

No doubt. I suppose it only becomes unethical if you promote teachings like mandatory tithing, the "Initial Evidence doctrine," or "outward holiness standards," while being cognizant of their falsities. She doesn't adhere to those does she?

Which would then beg the question, which is worse, ignorance, or unethical behavior?

Like I said, finding common ground is always a safe bet. I find it a bit arrogant when folks look at others through the "holier-than-thou-I-possess-complete-truth lens. Of course, since it is a critique of religious denominations, she could point out the differences of Pentecostals from a business perspective. She could show how they adequately serve their niche market with superior services and products, as opposed to her religious competitors who are apparently serving the wrong product, but still enjoy most of the market share.

[Fiyahstarter]

So what really does make us special? It's not the tongue talking, per se. It's the Power. That's the difference between a dead church and a live one. The Power (of the Holy Ghost). So you HAVE to go there, but I think I'd say something along the lines of:

We believe the Power of God is alive today...and that power is available to every believer, once filled with His Spirit. Then perhaps quote some from Corinthians about the gifts and the value of every member in the body: (ICorinthians 12)

8For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit;
9To another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit;
10To another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another divers kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues:
11But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will.
12For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ.
13For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.
14For the body is not one member, but many.

Then spatter it with some of the best from Ephesians 4:

4There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling;
5One Lord, one faith, one baptism,
6One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.
7But unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ.
8Wherefore he saith, When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men.

11And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;
12For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:
13Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:
14That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;
15But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:
16From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.

23And be renewed in the spirit of your mind;
24And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.
25Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbour: for we are members one of another.
26Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath:
27Neither give place to the devil.
28Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labour, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth.
29Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.
30And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.
31Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice:
32And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you.

I pray the anointing be on her.

[MissBrattified]

Originally Posted by noeticknight

No doubt. I suppose it only becomes unethical if you promote teachings like mandatory tithing, the "Initial Evidence doctrine," or "outward holiness standards," while being cognizant of their falsities. She doesn't adhere to those does she?

Which would then beg the question, which is worse, ignorance, or unethical behavior?

Like I said, finding common ground is always a safe bet. I find it a bit arrogant when folks look at others through the "holier-than-thou-I-possess-complete-truth lens. Of course, since it is a critique of religious denominations, she could point out the differences of Pentecostals from a business perspective. She could show how they adequately serve their niche market with superior services and products, as opposed to her religious competitors who are apparently serving the wrong product, but still enjoy most of the market share.

Wow, this post could almost qualify for acerbic wit, except that it's really not entertaining.

I really don't think my little thread is worth your valuable time and superior insight, so why bother?

[MissBrattified]

Originally Posted by Fiyahstarter

So what really does make us special? It's not the tongue talking, per se. It's the Power. That's the difference between a dead church and a live one. The Power (of the Holy Ghost). So you HAVE to go there, but I think I'd say something along the lines of:

We believe the Power of God is alive today...and that power is available to every believer, once filled with His Spirit. Then perhaps quote some from Corinthians about the gifts and the value of every member in the body: (ICorinthians 12)

8For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit;
9To another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit;
10To another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another divers kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues:
11But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will.
12For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ.
13For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.
14For the body is not one member, but many.

Then spatter it with some of the best from Ephesians 4:

4There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling;
5One Lord, one faith, one baptism,
6One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.
7But unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ.
8Wherefore he saith, When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men.

11And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;
12For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:
13Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:
14That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;
15But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:
16From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.

23And be renewed in the spirit of your mind;
24And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.
25Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbour: for we are members one of another.
26Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath:
27Neither give place to the devil.
28Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labour, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth.
29Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.
30And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.
31Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice:
32And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you.

I pray the anointing be on her.

Thanks, Fiyahstarter! Great scriptures! I'll forward these to her.

[noeticknight]

Originally Posted by MissBrattified

Wow, this post could almost qualify for acerbic wit, except that it's really not entertaining.

I really don't think my little thread is worth your valuable time and superior insight, so why bother?

Sorry, I can only afford the seats in the peanut gallery I suppose.

Seriously though, why do you withdraw when confronted on doctrinal issues?