I don't want to demonize any specific organization. However, I came out of a very legalistic organization that was only teaching believers to be conformed into the image and likeness of the organization and not the image and likeness of Jesus Christ Himself. Sadly, these individuals will stand before God one day shaped only by their religion. They will be STERILING Pentecostal members of this organization. Sadly... this organization isn't the Kingdom of Heaven.
I love many members of this organization. But I had to abandon it all for the sake of having Jesus.
No, no organization is the Kingdom of heaven or Kingdom of God (I believe they are the same thing). The Kingdom of God is not something we can see with natural eyes. Only through eyes of faith. We can see the effects of it though. The Kingdom of God is not meat and drink, but rightousness, peace and joy, in the HOLY GHOST. Too many people look to an organization, or a pastor, or even parents, etc., to save them, but it won't happen. We MUST look unto JESUS, the Author and the Finisher of our faith. We MUST TRUST in the LORD GOD with all our heart and not lean unto our own understanding. We MUST acknowledge Him in all our ways and love and serve HIM with ALL our heart, and HE SHALL direct our paths. Don't look to anyone or anything, BUT LOOK to GOD. I believe the KINGDOM OF GOD/HEAVEN is LIFE IN THE HOLY GHOST! Not just receiving the Spirit of God, but going deeper and deeper IN HIM! READ HIS WORD. Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the WORD OF GOD. EAT the WORD. CHEW and DIGEST it. MEDITATE on it, day and night.
Can we say that we are FULL OF THE HOLY GHOST! When a glass is full, there is no room for anything else. We should not be hungering and thirsting for anything else.
I guess it could be both, some are and some aren't. But as we all know what's inside eventually comes out. I also believe some lose trust and even turn away from God. That is the sad part about following men instead of Christ. I hope most are still living for God and are not bitter.
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If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.
2 Chronicles 7:14 KJV
He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the LORD require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God? Micah 6:8 KJV
Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is. 1 John 3:2 KJV
I guess it could be both, some are and some aren't. But as we all know what's inside eventually comes out. I also believe some lose trust and even turn away from God. That is the sad part about following men instead of Christ. I hope most are still living for God and are not bitter.
It is heart breaking. My ex-wife told me that she's now an atheist.
The things we experienced in church caused her to turn her back on the very notion of God.
I HEARD IT SAID during a teaching that the common denominator among those that turned charismatic was bitterness. Do you agree? Why or why not...and of course our opinion of what charismatic is will vary...
No, I don't agree. I think anyone who believes the Acts 2:38 message will practically kill themselves holding to it, no matter the cost. Most of the time a change in belief is why people leave.
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Those who say it cannot be done should not interrupt the people doing it. ~Chinese Proverb
When I was young and clever, I wanted to change the world. Now that I am older and wiser, I strive to change myself. ~
I HEARD IT SAID during a teaching that the common denominator among those that turned charismatic was bitterness. Do you agree? Why or why not...and of course our opinion of what charismatic is will vary...
When I left the Oneness Pentecostals, it was after much soul-searching, prayer, fasting, counsel and reading of the Word to ensure that the difference that I perceived in what I now believe and what I used to believe was really there.
I have some experiences that I could allow myself to be bitter over, but stuff happens and there isn't one Christian denomination or organization that is perfect.
I know what I believe and I know why I left-- even though I miss them.
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"The choices we make reveal the true nature of our character."
Boy...I just went to a Charismatic church because I realized one day that I had heard everything the Baptists had to teach me...and I had Pentecostal relatives
Boy...I just went to a Charismatic church because I realized one day that I had heard everything the Baptists had to teach me...and I had Pentecostal relatives
Follows Timmy...
Yes for the Baptists "Charismatic" is a good step forward. I used to vist the Centerville Baptist Church when I lived in Dayton Ohio. They were closer to being a New Testament type Church than most of the Churches I knew of then. They were Charismatic.
Of course my identity is first and foremost a disciple of Jesus. When I am in conversation with someone who understands such things I could be counted as a Charismatic/Pentecostal.
I am "Oneness Pentecostal" in that I do believe Jesus is the Father. I do believe Acts 2:38 is the original plan of salvation.
Yet I could not abide the Oneness Churches from the beginning. Once past the two things mentioned they seemed to have very little understanding of New Testament type Christianity.
I am not bitter against them neither against the Charismatic, Pentecostal, Jesus People I left before I left them.
This walk is about following Jesus/Yeshua. Theres no time for bitterness. I can preach against the doctrines of men without walking in bitterness.
The last Trinitarian Church I associated with was stricter than any Oneness Pentecostal group I have ever seen yet. And yet oddly there was so much love in the midst I had a difficult time initially breaking ties with them.
Last edited by Michael The Disciple; 08-10-2012 at 03:13 PM.
Hybrid Mode
