Ask A Pentecostal

I personally don’t see anything wrong with it. I take from time to time. If you’re concerned about it being a vanity thing trying to improve your looks or something like that then to me I don’t see it like that because it is a vitamin and is used ultimately because your diet or whatever is lacking in certain things that affect those things. If you feel uncomfortable taking them then don’t take them but I don’t see a difference in taking them or taking an iron or vitamin d supplement both of which I take. Jessie

The simple answer is because no matter what denomination or what group we’re talking about we are all still human and imperfect and subject to the same wrong and bad attitudes. Not that that excuses their behavior because there is no excuse and personally I can’t stand people who think they’re better than anyone just because of something like that. Whether you’re 4th generation AP or the first in your family makes no difference to God and therefore should make no difference to us. But unfortunately as long as the world turns we will always have people like that to deal with be it in the church or at work or your socio economic class or whatever. The best way I’ve found to deal with people like that is to pray for them, be polite and show the love of God to them but to avoid them if you think it may affect your walk with God or if it may negatively affect your attitude or thinking.

I would say start my with talking to a pastor or leader is not a bad decision. Or at least someone who is wiser and can give good advice like a family member or something along those lines. Especially if it is a long distance situation or if you’re like me and don’t have a lot of relationship experience. No matter how the relationship may go it’s still a big decision and ultimately the decision is yours but getting advice is never a bad call.

“Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. But his delight is in the law of the Lord; and in his law doth he meditate day and night.”‭‭Psalms‬ ‭1:1-2‬ ‭KJV‬‬It is not wise to hang out with friends or family who are drunk or are high. Why? Things can happen that put you or others at risk, both physically, and spiritually. If your friends are Christians, then you should listen to Paul's teaching to the Church at Corinth. (1 Corinthians 5:9-13) Paul advised not to sit with them, and not to eat with them. That is a clear admonition not to associate with them. That being said, because wise as serpents , as the saying goes, and follow peace with all men as the Scriptures say. You can be friends, but not participate in their sin. You can love them, and show them God's love, without placing yourself in an awkward or dangerous situation.Do not place yourself in a situation where you could be tempted to sin. If that means not hanging out with your friend, then don't do it. It isn't worth losing your testimony, or your eternity with God. Red

The first thing you need to do is get to know the girl and her family. Become a friend and a person she can count on to be in her corner, yet correct her when she does wrong. Pray for her every day. If her family isn't in Church, pray for them, as well. Let her know that you will keep her accountable, but that you will be a friend. Have a devotional date, or a bible study date...etc. Keep reaching out to her. Show her how to live for Christ by example.Red

What is meant by "taking Communion unworthily"?1. Are you taking Communion in a manner that is not given in the Scriptures?2. Are you taking Communion to fulfill your physical need instead of the spiritual remembrance of Christ Jesus's death and payment of our redemption? 3. Are you taking Communion, but don't believe in God, or in Jesus?4. Are you taking Communion to please another person, and not because you are doing so out of a loving obedience to the Word?If the answer to any of these questions is yes, then you need to examine your heart and repent. For the act of continuous repeating actions that you know are wrong is a sin. Once you repent, you need to go and talk with your pastor about what it means to take Communion, and what does the Bible teach about it. If you have repented and changed your ways, God has forgiven you and forgotten about it. There is no reason to invite doubt and fear to take up residence in your mind over something that God has blotted out of His memory. We are harsher on ourselves than God is, because we forget about His merciful love. Red

Some forget that this is not a debate blog. We know very well where the Apostolic Pentecostal denominations came from, and how they began. We also know that the popular understanding of Church history is not exactly the way that certain organizations would like to portray it as being. There was a time when the Church did not have to be "organized" to be recognized as a gathering place of and for believers in Christ. Shortly after the Day of Pentecost occurrence mentioned in Acts chapter 2, the Church met in houses, and in the synagogues, and the Temple. As persecution forced the Church out of Jerusalem, they continued to meet in houses or in synagogues (as long as they were allowed to by the local Jewish community). In Rome, the Church was often forced to meet in inconvenient places while hiding from persecution by well meaning Romans. During this time, the Church itself was not "organized", so much as gathered together. Yes, there were deacons and bishops, but they did not operate in the same manner as some denominations would have us believe. And, contrary to contemporary belief, women took active roles as apostles, deacons, and pastors. Another look into history can see that there has always been a remnant who rejected pagan infused teaching, and clung to Biblical doctrines. We are not ignoring that other denominations arose and fought wars and persecuted the Church itself. History teaches us this quite clearly. However, the line of believers of clear Apostolic doctrine is blurred due to the fact that they have been persecuted because of their adherence to the Apostolic doctrine. That being said, when the Welsh revival swept Wales in the late 1800, speaking in tongues had been relatively relegated to the cloister, and denied by the rest of the Church. Baptism by immersion had only just began to be popular again, even though William Penn had been advocating a return to the Biblical doctrine of baptism in the name of Jesus Christ and by immersion sometime in the 1600's. By the time Charles Parham and his group held their prayer meetings, other groups had already experienced the infilling of the Holy Ghost as evidenced by speaking with Other Tongues. They were not the first. The Azusa Street Mission was not even the second great revival of Apostolic Pentecostal history. One should turn to Houston, TX where many people were healed and filled with the Holy Ghost. Great revival was in that city, and the message of Acts 2:38 was heard for the first time in a long time. The split among Pentecostals came over a disagreement with teaching Acts 2:38 and implementation of Apostolic doctrine through baptism in the name of Jesus Christ and the Oneness of God. No matter the denomination of Pentecostals, there are only two branches: the Assembly of God, and Oneness Pentecostals (often referred to as Apostolic Pentecostals, or Jesus only). The numerous denominations of Apostolic Pentecostals stems not from a disagreement on Apostolic Doctrines, but on culture and isolation. Essentially Apostolic Pentecostals believe the same doctrine, but are separated by the details of other things. Red

When a person hears the Gospel and responds with repentance, baptism, and the infilling of the Holy Ghost, they are set free from sin, shame, fear, and anything else that would hold them captive. Some is no longer your master. You can, by the power of the Holy Ghost, resist temptation and the siren song of sin. The blood of Jesus has redeemed you from that life, and the Holy Ghost has adopted you. Now you are a sin or daughter of God. Furthermore, you are not bound by the Law. The Law was our school master, leading us to Christ. Now that Christ is risen, and the Holy Spirit abides in the hearts of believers, we are led by the Spirit. Jesus has fulfilled the Law through His death on the cross, and has enacted a new testament by the resurrection on the third day. This new testament is summed up in a few sentences. Love God. Love your neighbor. Obey the Word. And by doing these things you will be keeping the Law of God, which is inscribed upon our hearts by the Holy Spirit. We can do all things through Christ who strengthens us. We have the liberty to talk with God in prayer, to share the Gospel, to pray for the needs of others and see God fulfill them, to minister to the needy, to feed the hungry and take care of the orphans. But, even though we have this freedom in Christ, we should remember not to offend or cause the weak members of the Body of Christ to sin. We should not be so lax in our living for God that we forget to live for God. We should not forsake the gathering together of our fellow Christians in worship and in studying the Word, as this is a means of fellowship and strengthening our spirits against the temptations and wiles of the devil. If we skip church, we do ourselves a disservice, and we cause others to observe our weakness as if it is a good thing ... Bringing many to skip church because we do, and weaken the Body of Christ. So, while we have liberty /freedom in Christ, we also have a responsibility to act according to the Scriptures in obedience. Red

Wear what you are most comfortable with wearing to a church service. No one will say anything about it, other than they are glad you came.Kris

No, it is not a special anointing. It is just something that can happen when people are worshipping in the Spirit.Kris

Yes, Apostolic Pentecostals take Communion. No, we do not believe transubstantiation.

Grace is a synonym of Mercy. Both are unmerited acts of divine assistance towards humanity for their regeneration or salvation. The archaic meaning of Grace is mercy, or pardon, but also privilege speaking of a divine clemency or exemption from the eternal consequences of sin. Mercy, however goes a little further as to the just nature of God. Mercy is defined as kind or forgiving treatment given to someone who could or should be treated harshly. Mercy is also kindness or help given to those who are in a bad or despirate situation. By being merciful, God shows a willingness to forgive, spare from deserving punishment, and help to those who have transgressed or broken His law (sinned against God, also rebellion against God).While grace and mercy may be interchangeable in certain situations, mercy is a better choice when expressing God's unmediated favor to us, even though we were yet sinners. Red

There is nothing wrong with you. A lot of people get intimidated by overzealous altar workers. They are... Overwhelming at times. Personally, I did not like to be surrounded by a bunch of people. This has to do with a couple of incidents in my life that were traumatic, and have left me with a trepidation about crowds. I get panicked when hemmed in. Recently, in order to prevent overzealous altar workers from suffocating people seeking the Holy Ghost, our church has instituted a policy of only two people praying with them at the altar. Others may pray around them, but only two may talk with the person and give instructions other than the pastor. This has cut down confusion and contradictory statements. Now, in your case, I would encourage you to talk with your pastor about your experiences with those who were praying for you. Seek his council and advice. No two people have the same Holy Ghost infilling experience. We are all unique in that. Your pastor will have some good wisdom to share from his experiences as a pastor, utilize this. Also, a person can get the Holy Ghost anywhere. It doesn't have to be in a church or at the altar. I have met people who got the Holy Ghost in the bathroom of a hotel. I have met people who got the Holy Ghost in the middle of lunch rush at Cracker Barrel. I have seen people filled with the Holy Ghost on the street corner, on a bus, in a classroom after school, in their car, and at home while worshipping the Lord. It can happen anywhere, and anytime. Hold your own prayer meeting. Ask a couple of elders in the Church, or friends who have the Holy Ghost, to meet you at a certain place. Worship God together, and pray for God to fill you with the Holy Ghost. Ask people to pray for you to receive the Gift of the Holy Ghost. Believe that God will give you the Holy Ghost. I encourage you to talk with God, before you even get out of Bed, and thank Him because He will fulfill His promise and fill you with His Spirit. Don't talk yourself out of your blessing. Don't walk away discouraged if today was not the day. God's timing is perfect, and it is right on time. It might not be when we want it, but it is right when He wants it. He meets our needs before we even know what to ask for. What I am trying to say is tarry and wait. Believe and trust God will fill you with the Holy Ghost. Expect to be filled with the Holy Ghost. Pray with faith believing that He will complete the work He has begun in you. And, finally, thank Him because He is going to fill you with the Holy Ghost and He will imbue you with power through His Holy Spirit. Red

I cannot speak for any of the thousands of people who sell leggings. None of us have such an occupation. None of us are familiar with such particular businesses. We do know that not all of these companies are truly 100% legally operated, and some of them are scams. Much like the oft maligned Avon lady, a person has to be careful of whom they do business with.But as for you and your wife, you have three choices here, pay their bills, pray for them, or mind your own business. As much as we would like to at times, we cannot control another person's life. Not even our pastor or his family members. Their road is made already harsh when people judge them based upon assumptions rather than reality or because they do not measure up to the pillar we try to place them. They are human beings, not perfect. We should never place them in such a precarious position that when they display human faults we judge them harsher than everyone else around us. Actually, let me change my answer... You don't have the choice to pray for your pastor and his family. You should already be doing that. You should already be praying for his needs and the needs of his family. They need prayer because they are already vulnerable. They need the stabilization of the Holy Spirit to guide their lives into His will.KrisI know, I probably sound harsher than I intend, but I know first hand what it is to be called out and judged simply because my grandfather or great grandfather were the pastor of our church. It was very uncomfortable, and often mean spirited. If I wore green, someone would turn it into a major catastrophe. If my siblings played football out on the church lawn on Saturday evening after youth night, people complained that it was unbecoming of the pastor to let us play with our friends (some of whom did not come to church regularly due to being from non Christian families.) if I brought my school fundraising to church to sell after church, people would get uppity with my parents even though their children were doing the same thing. It is not my intention to be overly harsh, but sometimes we have to say things. It really is no one's business if your pastor's wife has a business. It shouldn't be brought up as part of the service, but it isn't anyone's business, either. If she is in debt, then that is also no one's business. That is between herself and her husband, especially if the Church is not giving them a living wage (because not all church congregations do this).Instead of getting mad or judgemental, we need to stand back, and pray about it. Before a word is spoken, we need to have at least prayed about it. If someone shares information about things that are not one's business to know, the first response should be to pray about the situation, and then bring it to the injured party's (the person who is being gossipped about) attention. Nothing else need to be said. The reason I say our first response should be to pray about it is that it should be God who disciplines us as an individual or a corporate body of believers. It should be God who gives us wisdom in how to approach a situation without causing shame or harm against another person. There are enough people out there who do not have self governance, and spouting off in anger or intended offence to others. Believers in Christ should not be that way. And if you are not a Christian, excuse my assumption. But I think cool heads are better at expressing a concern, than those who act in the heat of emotions. Take some time and pray for wisdom before acting. It won't hurt, and you might just find that God will give you the wisdom needed.

There is always forgiveness for the repentant heart.

If it isn't acceptable to go to a movie theater, why would it be acceptable to go to a drive in?It is the atmosphere, the content, and the appearance of evil, not just the address.Red

There are no fence-sitters when it comes to a relationship with God. Either you stick with it, developing it daily, and grow it out, or you break it off. The choice is yours to make. No matter what you do, know that it is not God quitting on you. Honestly, as one who tried to quit God, listening to feelings is not the best indication of what one should do. Listening to your heart is also deceptive, and a really bad indication of direction. Why? Because the emotions fade and leave you empty, and the heart is deceptive and full of wickedness. If your heart and emotions are leading you away from God, then that is the opposite direction you should go.Instead of leaving God, build up a strong foundation in Christ. Put your trust in Him, and let Him lead you into His season of rest. Red