"Gifts can be mimicked, but fruits can't be." Fantastic. I'm commenting so I'll remember, because when I write or type something, I tend to remember it.
My teachers usually thought I was making a "cheat sheet", but no, I was writing all the answers to the test because that's how I memorized the material. I usually just handed the "cheat sheet" to my teacher, and then aced the test! (Sometimes notes were allowed, so I didn't always hand them over)
@@-Thelordismyshepherd- Peter , who was filled with the Holy Spirit and saved that day on Pentacost, believed for a moment to a false gospel told by judaizers that he shouldn't recline at the table to eat with Gentiles. He acted in hypocrisy which is a sin and moreover caused others to follow his way. Paul had to confront him. - from Galatians 2. Are you saying that Peter wasn't saved? More correctly to say - one who isn't repenting and forsaking sins from one's past or/and sins willfully - isn't saved.
Back in the day I learned this little illustration: Facts, Faith and Feelings were walking on a fence. Feelings fell off and Faith wavered. Faith looked at Facts and stood strong. Feelings soon followed.
You both need to read Cat & Dog Theology. Such a great explanation of the "me theology". Here's the premise: a dog looks at his owner and says "you pet me, you feed me, you love me... YOU must be God." A cat says, "you pet me, you feed me, you love me, I must be God". And a great conversation about how much cat theology has crept into the church.
I was raised in a word of faith background & their is such an emphasis on emotionalism, tongues, speaking/declaring in the atmosphere, signs and wonders etc! It’s so exhausting, & you never get fulfilled by any of this you are striving for. Im thankful the Lord saved me from this, and the Lord has me searching through His word for truth, Im patient for finding a church that’s biblically sound, & not chaos from what I was in for years.
Wow, I had the opposite experience. Being in an atmosphere of miracles fuelled my faith. And speaking in tongues is one if the gifts of the spirit that I value. And we had great biblical teaching, as well.
sameee, I actually had "fun" and enjoyed the journey however, once I learned the truth about wrong interpretatiom of scripture and a bunch of other things it really hit me and my husband. Lost friends, but were they really friends? anyway.. Im praying for them and the church ppl whp arent aware of the deception :(
Not everyone has the spiritual gifts of tounge’s. The reality of a entire congregation having that same unique gift is rare.. unbelievable really. For these congregations and “pastors” to almost require it to be part of the church is cruel. For understanding speaking in tounges is not gibberish. It’s the language of the Angels.. Gods messengers and the person speaking should also be able to understand in human language what is said. It’s a rare gift. We should be focusing on true repentance and transformation and with that transformation gifts naturally occur. I always find it bizarre that entire congregations have a plethora of THE SAME gifts.. but fear of pastoral staff is greater than love of Gods grace, and Jesus’s sacrifice
@🌼Brianna Jenell🌼 I am sure you did. I can tell you.. nothing is wrong, and I assure you if you ask in prayer for God to transform you in HIS will, many of your own unique gifts will come forward
Oh my I completely understand the not going to women's Bible studies anymore !! I stopped as well. It was just SO emotional and allllllll about praying for every little thing that was bothering everybody. The "Bible Study" was a pre-packaged study about how we feel about a verse or two and how we can make our lives better . Honestly, my husband won't go to men's Bible studies either. He was massively uncomfortable with the touchy feely let's get in touch with our vulnerability junk. He came home from one and I asked how the study went. He said "What study??? All we did was talk about our feelings." He hasn't been back to one since. HOW is it so hard to find a group of people who want to talk about God, Jesus, the Bible and NOT ourselves ??
Talking about feelings matters - we see the consequences of people who box things inside. However I think you and your husband discovered that biblically minded social support is a different concept and entity altogether than Bible study. I wish the studies would start the Bible study first and be diligent and have time for "being the body" and discuss struggles after the study.
Yep! Dropped out of Women's BS!! Got tired of the drama, everyone ' one-upping each other' spiritually, and other people telling me THEY could deliver me, like I'm their God Project.
As a "new" Christian 18 months ago I attended a church with a woman's "bible study", but majority of it was the women either saying what they "thought" the scripture meant, what characters we aligned with in the story and WWJD kind of mentality. At the time I just wanted to know God and have help understanding scripture, because even though I believed in God growing up there was spiritual abuse in my past that made me not want to read the bible for myself as I found what I did read triggering. Anyhow, there were other concerns with this church I'd had but I kept going until I really started to feel dissatisfied that I wasn't learning or understanding much and one particular day in this group people were talking there talk on scripture as usual and I felt like I was underwater, couldn't really hear or absorb the stuff the others were saying. I got the sense that I wasn't meant to be listening to people's opinions so much but learning from God directly for myself.
@@user-vj2fn2ub8h this is why I recently left a "womens bible study" as well. Way too much of the "choose your favourite verse and then write 3 ways how it relates to your life rightnow". Good grief!
@@hvbuitenen There’s many WoF churches that are very legalistic. The big AOG split in the 90’s divided them into the legalistic ones, and the liberal ones. Both are wrong.
Thank you for sharing this. I grew up in a pentecostal church and understand the 2nd class christian statement. This has made me realize I am not the only one that has to unlearn a lot of things.
That is so true about that “feeling.” I attended a Pentecostal church from my childhood up until the pandemic and relied on that feeling. Once the pandemic hit and my life got a little more chaotic, I wondered where that feeling was. I did the same praise and worship and listened to the sermons online. Still nothing. Curiosity got the best of me and I walked right into witchcraft. Thankfully I now believe in Jesus Christ as my Lord and savior. However, I had to learn the Bible! The Bible was taught in a different way at my old church. It was mostly based around reading a bunch of verses in the Bible to get a reaction from the congregation, not for teaching purposes.
I was a Baptist Christian 3 years ago left cause I learn about how Christianity started it is a man made religion started from Constantine. I'm Born Again Whole Bible Believer now 1yr ago. Read: (Matthew 19:16-17,4:4) (John 14:15,14:21,15:10) Isaiah 8:20) (1John 2:3-7) (Revelation 12:17,14:12,22:14)(Isaiah 8:20 kjv) I Word Study now from strong's concordence to ancient hebrew lexicons. (Yahweh YHWH Exodus 3:15 His Memorial FOREVER) (Psalms 68:4 kjv YAH) (Isaiah 42:8 YHWH is YaHWeH) (Psalms Ch 119 the longest for a reason) (Leviticus Ch 23 YHWH's Feast His) I come in my Father's Name John 5:43 YAHshua means Yahweh saves. Messiach in Hebrew, Messias in Latin, Messiah in English. No need to change it unless making a new religion. TRUTH WAS AND IS NOT POPULAR. REPENT and Turn Back to His YHWH ways not what man's ways are churchianty is a religion time to UNLEARN The Lies. HalleluYAH💜🙏🙌
Always went to a more conservative type of expository church. Years ago, several times, I went with a friend to her charismatic church where folks would come up to you and give you a supposed word from God. I had a hard time believing it was from the Lord. People were so hyper emotional, crying and such. My friend would get a word then cry, almost sob. My spirit didn't feel right. One time, some guy came up to me and gave a word whereas my friend didn't get one as she was accustomed. Driving home she was very upset I got a word but she didn't. It seemed to be a competition who was more special. I didn't even want the word in the first place from a stranger whom I had no knowledge who he was. I took him singleing me out as a flirtation. I then knew this could be a danger hooking people in with emotion. Sadly, that friend has gone deeply into new age, still seeking that emotional roller coaster high.
I'm truly on my journey to rekindle my relationship with God. And seeing so many claim "God told me" rather than what the Bible says. When you pray for discernment...watch out!
This is absolutely excellent!!! In the past I had a very good prison ministry. The women inmates were always curious about the Bible and God, some would come in a listen to my Bible study and others just made fun of me calling me "the Church Lady.". I rather did not care what they thought of me. During the studies, I would often say "I don't really care what you feel (remember I'm teaching a bunch of young female inmates) you need to listen to what God is saying in His Word. God worked tremendously!!! In 12 years almost. 200 women came to faith in Christ. Quite a few wanted to be Baptized immediately. I praise the Lord Jesus for working in their hearts. As the old song says: His Truth is matching on.... Glory Hallelujah!!! Keep preaching what is right and true, Melissa and Shanda. Love what you are presenting. May God continue to Bless your ministries. With love in Christ to both of you,. Sister Monique 🙂
I was raised the same way. Women in the church would pursue me as a teenager and lead me to the altar and press on my stomach to “teach” me to pray in tongues. Youth Camp was exactly like Shanda said. All emotions. Scream preaching. Worship music to make you fall to your knees because certain keys and verses were played over and over looking for your emotions. I’m so glad God opened my eyes over the last few years and allowed me to learn from a Bible teaching church.
This is soooo good! I was raised exactly like Shanda, right down to church camp with only memories of crying 😆. As an adult I couldn’t understand why I “felt rejected” by God so often. About a year ago God began to open my eyes about TRUTH and emotionalism and MEology that I had been in for decades . He is totally transforming me now. So glad to see others share similar testimonies! ❤️
I’m so glad I clicked on this video tonight. This has made me realise I’m a baby still on milk and haven’t even got to the toddlers part and weaning yet. I want to thank you both tonight for totally opening my eyes into my own (Me-ology) and how I’ve lacked getting to know God and struggle with getting anywhere with my faith and I would ask you to please pray 🙏🏼 for me to give me strength to read the Word. I truly appreciate your video’s and the message you give.
Sometimes it’s not about “finding strength”, but rather forcing yourself to submit to what you’re commanded to do. Try listening to scripture being read on audio, you may find that it works better with your learning style. ♥️🙏🏽
Love this! We are called to walk in spirit and in truth it’s a balance! We need to want the healer more than the healing. I enjoy the gifts but will take the savior without the gifts. I will ask God for the gifts because that’s what the word tells me to do but even if my God decides the answer is no I will not waiver from him because he is God and has that right in my life.
I can greatly appreciate this video. I was raised Pentecostal and I am a very emotional person by nature so the two things together made for a very unbalanced relationship with the church and God. However I LOVE truth and it has helped me grow past this and at 52 years old I am coming out of Me-ology more and more in that every moment with God has to "feel" like something. But I can't help crying when I hear the truth of God! When we are in communion with the Father that is going to humble us and sometimes that is going to cause that snot blowing glued to the floor moment because we realize how wretched we really are and how AWESOME HE IS!! Churches today have lost discipleship. They are not teaching people how to live the Christian life past Salvation. Prayers and Blessings for all of your efforts to get the truth out. The World desperately needs to hear it!
"..To seek God not to know him but to know us..." That absolutely convicted me! This conversation is making me realize the pressure I've always felt when worshiping and reading the Bible. I've never been able to figure out this pressure that I've always felt. I've always struggled to consistently read my Bible but now I realize that, without knowing, I get discouraged if I don't have a big emotional reaction every time. Thank you for this conversation!
I relate to so much of this coming from a Mormon background. “WE have the ‘truth’” and “what you FEEL testifies to the ‘truth’”…Grateful my eyes have been opened, but so sad for those who just can’t see.
I was a Baptist Christian 3 years ago left cause I learn about how Christianity started it is a man made religion started from Constantine. I'm Born Again Whole Bible Believer now 1yr ago. Read: (Matthew 19:16-17,4:4) (John 14:15,14:21,15:10) Isaiah 8:20) (1John 2:3-7) (Revelation 12:17,14:12,22:14)(Isaiah 8:20 kjv) I Word Study now from strong's concordence to ancient hebrew lexicons. (Yahweh YHWH Exodus 3:15 His Memorial FOREVER) (Psalms 68:4 kjv YAH) (Isaiah 42:8 YHWH is YaHWeH) (Psalms Ch 119 the longest for a reason) (Leviticus Ch 23 YHWH's Feast His) I come in my Father's Name John 5:43 YAHshua means Yahweh saves. Messiach in Hebrew, Messias in Latin, Messiah in English. No need to change it unless making a new religion. TRUTH WAS AND IS NOT POPULAR. REPENT and Turn Back to His YHWH ways not what man's ways are churchianty is a religion time to UNLEARN The Lies. HalleluYAH💜🙏🙌
I so agree with what you both are saying ,the Bible is a more sure word of prophecy, I love, study the Bible and knowing God through His word brings the truth.
Thank you so much for sharing this. It is liberating to hear another person say they grew up in a pentecostal church and have had the same experience that I have had. Learning a lot from your channel.
Amen! I thank God for taking the scales off my eyes too. Also for slowly leading me down a road that showed me what He is really like. He is so good! 🙂
My only critique with this conversation is that there wasn't the opportunity taken to correct the thought "why a good God would send us to hell." You said that Jon Steingard expressed that was the thing that caused him to leave his faith, and that that is Christianity 101. Yes understanding why we go to hell is Christianity 101. But we misunderstand it if we think a good God SENDS us to hell. He doesn't send us so much as we choose an eternal existence without him and we spend an eternity facing our own depravity that separated us from him. That's what sends us to hell. It's our choice. And God is good and just in letting us make that choice.
Hi. Yes, God does send us to hell because we have broken God’s law. Hell was created by God. Just because He sends us to hell doesn’t cancel His goodness. Those are not opposing things. His goodness is seen also (not solely) in His provision of an advocate, Jesus Christ, His Son, who is the propitiation for our sins.
You are correct that it is because of human rebellion against God and our desire to be like God (see Genesis 3) along with our rejection of his provision for salvation through Jesus Christ that we are sent to hell. God is not willing that any should perish, however he is both good and just. His goodness gave us a way of salvation, but his just judgment demands that those who reject Jesus must now pay the consequences of our sins.
I was raised in Pentecostal church. I left 13 years ago. The last Sunday I was sitting in service and I felt incredibly uncomfortable. Now, I’ve been raised in this. I’ve never experienced worship the way the people around me did. I lived my whole life feeling like I did something wrong. That God thought I didn’t deserve this experience. I believe God gave me clarity in His word. Once given that clarity sitting in a service made me uncomfortable. Leaving was difficult in a sense that my family was there. Fortunately, some of them followed me.
I grew up Pentecostal as well and know exactly how you feel. Thankfully the Lord led me out of this denomination. It’s not easy when your friends and family’s eyes have not yet been opened. I’ve tried to explain bible truths to them, but they don’t get it and some of them get angry.
Rhonda you are amazing. You have been in my prayers all week. I am thankful for you and I pray that you keep using your gift. Encouraging. Inspiring. Enlightening. Comforting. God bless you sister🩷
Thank you for this video!! I feel like a lot of women’s Bible studies are super into emotionalism. I’m glad you mentioned waiting to act because a bible study I did a year ago was all about just jumping to obey every thought or word we get from God. That got me into a lot of trouble, because most of what I was hearing was definitely not from God.
SOO important to read our Bibles EACH day. AND study with GOOD commentaries. AND listen to good theologians.... Thank you girls for this good conversation spurring us to grow each day !
I feel lucky because even though I was mostly raised in an apostolic setting, my dad had always told us that speaking in tongues was a gift where someone else should be able to interpret. And the church was misinterpreting those scriptures, so to ignore those aspects.
Melissa, first of all, thank you for what you do for Christ’s kingdom. I was raised in the baptist and Nazarene church. I’m 54 and God truly changed me in 2015 and converted me with His truth the way He wanted me to finally receive it. I was led to believe that “jumping the pews” and shouting “hallelujah” and writhing around on the floor and receiving the Holy Spirit this way was “normal” and speaking in tongues was just something that you would eventually be gifted from God with. Not true…none of it. God brought me His truth and hunger for His word through people like Paul Washer, Voddie Baucham, Ray Comfort, Pastor Tim Conway, Frank Turek and now, you. I appreciate you and your channel has been very helpful to me. Thank you for your zeal and keep up the great work for God’s kingdom!
This is sooo on point. This issue is no one is MAKING disciples. I come from the NAR movement into reformed. There is very little training in theology. It is all about feelings and personal purpose. For years I never understood basic Christianity. We must walk with new believers and teach them. Matt 28:19-20.
Hi Melissa, just recently started watching you and I love your content. I recently found a great Bible teaching church 2 years ago. I grew up in Church and was very active until I married my first husband and was in an abusive relationship. And then I was mad at God for a long time. Coming back to the Faith and being around great ministry, has changed my life. But the best part has been our Bible Study. It has helped me so much because it is about studying the word and having a true relationship with God. It is our focus and it is incredible. I have learned so much in my Bible and have grown my relationship with God. So, there are worthwhile Bible Studies out there. And some people don't like it, they want to be told what to do, what's the "right" answer and that's not what a relationship with God looks like. Because of you I am starting to dig into Apologetics! I want to defend my beliefs! Thank you!
Experienced this at my church, The “Spirits” moving is either quantified by how many people come to the altar to get more of the spirit, or qualified by how loud the speaker yells or how repetitive the same word is spoken. That’s called being “anointed” 😏
Wow, you ladies are hitting it down to the core. This makes so much sense and it is so practical. Wooooooo, you women are making it make sense!. Thank you, Lord! And thank you ladies for allowing God to use your experiences to reach so many.
I went through a period looking for God in the Pentecostal movement, thinking I needed to be more spiritual and speak in tongues, heal and be healed, etc. I understand what you’re talking about 🙂
This conversation is so powerful in addressing all the points of Christianity that have been bothering me for years. Thank you for this priceless discussion that can even address deeper concerns.
Agreed. I'm still Pentecostal but avoiding NAR/WoF nonsense, but struggling given I know the roots of it...the bad history (even in newspapers) the Assemblies of God has covered up and make seem pretty and this amazing thing. Even pastors that talk highly about the revivals and "fathers" only hold it all in high regard, seemingly without idea of the past. The Pentecostal fathers and influential leaders had issues and a cultish following, not to mention the Latter Rain cult and 1949 the AG General Council disapproving of the teaching of it, then 2000 they referenced it again...but we see where we are now. However at one time the Latter Rain and the AG denomination mixed way back, if I remember correctly. William Branham (Latter Rain ties, Jim Jones associations are slowly being revealed, ect), Charles F. Parham ("Parhamite" killings after he left, his followers tortured people to death to "cast out demons") and on. It's concerning and certainly something I've NEVER heard in my years with the AG denomination. But, I know folks will uplift the newspaper articles praising the good of it, and say the journalism on the concerning facts of it are of the devil as a collective whole with anything painting it in a negative or questioning light...no matter how true (the gruesome Parhamite deaths, ect). I want the full story of our history, the good bad and ugly! If t just feels dishonest, and rewriting history to fit the narrative. - www.themessedupchurch.com/blog/the-parhamite-killings (Newspapers.com is good for more research, but it takes a subscription) - william-branham.org/ (in depth historical website for W. Branham, ran by a fellow brother in Christ who grew up in "The Message" cult and escaped it) - 1949 MINUTES and CONSTITUTION Assemblies of God (disapproving of Latter Rain practices, there is a .pdf file you can download of it on google)
Thank you for a truly inspirational show. It was a kick in the butt I needed. The two of you have matured in the word by seeking the truth of God and scripture and becoming knowledgeable of who He is. God bless you both.
This message is a blessing. Thank you! As a new born again (almost 4 years) I was raised as a lukewarm Catholic following some of the rituals and then totally abandoning that and finding myself in the grips of new age and then leaving that behind. I then entered into the nothingness where I didn’t believe in anything. It was such a weird season for me. I was relieved in some way but also felt there was something missing. Long story short, here I am. I have found a wonderful church which happens to be Pentecostal but lead by a Holy Spirit filled Pastor. I will say, however, that praying n tongues is encouraged. I started to put pressure on myself to seek that ( partly my own need to be the best Christian I can be) I am finally realizing that some Christians can make God’s gifts idols. I no longer feel the need to seek tongues. I will only seek Jesus and his word. This message is so encouraging. God bless you both 🙏🏻✝️♥️🙌🏻
Listening to Shanda talk feels like I'm listening to my own testimony. I also grew up on the Pentecostal side and saw a lot of emphasis on emotion and the spirit moving and for years I thought there was something wrong with me because those things never happened to me. Thankfully the fact that they never did, my searching led me to American Gospel.
Hey Melissa! Really love your channel! Do you think you could do a video about repentance and how important it goes with salvation? I think it's underrepresented, and I know you would address it well. Two other suggestions are that hell does exist (and why it exists) and the biblical argument for no premarital sex. I've seen more than a few people say hell doesn't exist and having premarital sex isn't supported by the Bible. Thanks for all you do and God bless and keep you!
I was raised as a Pentecostal, and I’m still one, but I don’t ever remember the teachings to be that focused on tongues. I don’t know if it has something to do with me living in northern Europe, and that the teachings here are not that similar to the US and America. This is not the first nor the second video I have watched that tells Pentecostals to be focused on speaking in tongues, yet that is not what i have experienced. Our teachings are always centered around Jesus and His work on the cross, repentance, fruits of the Spirit, loving your neighbour and just solid Bible teaching overall.
If you want a word from God.. read your Bible. Not a single passage, but read the entire thing, then breakdown each book, then chapter then verse. Context matters, and will give you a real message. Pray.. pray daily in thankfulness, guidance, transformation
This episode was awesome . I related so much to her story . I too grew up Pentecostal , my husband too grew up in church, I too made changes during Covid ( particularly about denominations - thankful she talked about that and the beliefs I had grown up with ) . Melissa you were the first person I stumbled across back in 2020 I was in the brink of despair from that moment on I’ve had such hunger to read , study and memorize scripture thanks to you for your time and effort that you continue to pour into your ministry I want you to know that your audiences are listening to what is being shared . May God continue to use you for his glory !!! Thank you 😊
So... I grew up in a Pentecostal church where we were always told to not seek the gift but to seek God and Jesus and to study the word of God. Yes I have seen some of the things you are speaking of and yes I agree there are some factions that think they have the patent on the Gospel. Also, many a wonderful time seeking God and praying together at the altar, tears or not, it was a practice we learned that helped shape my personal spiritual walk. I wholeheartedly agree that the gift of speaking in tongues is often taken out of context and also subject to wrong ways of " coaching " is just plain extrabiblical. and wrong. The tears don't indicate change, just an expression of emotion . The proof is in the fruit of someone's life Thank you for sharing this
I agree about the tears and emotions. I mean, some of us did experience this and not go into new age practices! I don't like the condescending tone of this video. Also that they spoke about their beliefs while tearing down others and not offering where they got their truth from exactly. Im not opposed to their entire conversation, but it left a lot of holes for me and the attitude was not appreciated.
I would like to Add that I truly enjoy your content Melissa…. I have and do speak in tongues during my prayer time and it is not forced it follows out of my praising and thanking God for saving my soul and His unfailing love for me.
I love this so much because I can totally relate to Shanda! We left a cult like church organization also thanks to the turmoil of 2020, it woke us up. Our former denomination was International Church of Christ, and their big hang up is that only those who are baptized with their bible studies, in their waters are saved. I was there for 25 years. And although I didn't believe this ideology for the last 10 years, I didn't let it bother me enough. Until the 2020 riots, when I saw christians from that denomination affirming the riots as necessary, and supporting BLM I knew we were in big trouble. I started searching for truth and came across Jack Hibbs from Calvary Chapel Chino Hills. He was the one pastor who was teaching a biblical worldview into that cultural moment. And teaching expository style. And then to my surprise his church is just 30 minutes away. After 25 years in a cult like denomination we made a huge change... and my world view and intellectual understanding biblically has grown tremendously. My kids are being taught apologetics, and how to see the culture biblically... it is absolutely mind blowing. I am grateful beyond words.
Oh! Shanda!! a woman after my ♥. I grew up in AG...pastor's daughter. It has only been about 12 years where I have realized i didn't understand some basic things. i still attend AG but my pastor does NOT put an emphasis on speaking in tongues but does put an emphasis on knowing & reading the Word & teaching it . praying for You. Melissa thx for posting ya'll's convo!!
I loved this video! I was raised in a non-denominational/charismatic church, so I know all of what she is talking about. Especially the speaking in tongues.
I was a Baptist Christian 3 years ago left cause I learn about how Christianity started it is a man made religion started from Constantine. I'm Born Again Whole Bible Believer now 1yr ago. Read: (Matthew 19:16-17,4:4) (John 14:15,14:21,15:10) Isaiah 8:20) (1John 2:3-7) (Revelation 12:17,14:12,22:14)(Isaiah 8:20 kjv) I Word Study now from strong's concordence to ancient hebrew lexicons. (Yahweh YHWH Exodus 3:15 His Memorial FOREVER) (Psalms 68:4 kjv YAH) (Isaiah 42:8 YHWH is YaHWeH) (Psalms Ch 119 the longest for a reason) (Leviticus Ch 23 YHWH's Feast His) I come in my Father's Name John 5:43 YAHshua means Yahweh saves. Messiach in Hebrew, Messias in Latin, Messiah in English. No need to change it unless making a new religion. TRUTH WAS AND IS NOT POPULAR. REPENT and Turn Back to His YHWH ways not what man's ways are churchianty is a religion time to UNLEARN The Lies. HalleluYAH💜🙏🙌
I left my church because they shut down, and found one that stayed open during the gov't shutdowns - I think scripture is pretty clear that church is essential. That was only the last straw. Shallow, "my-life-application" teaching.
Wow I can relate SOO MUCH ! I left the church because I was sick of the fake sermons I felt like there is no way I could learn more I was a teenager spent my whole life in the summer camps you talked about where we cried for hours and it led me away I struggled so much after all through my 20s until I had my babies and covid happened God saved me for real. I met him for what seemed like the first time and I 100% agree the truth just is truth and eveything else is noise
I've spent the last 30 years in Word of Faith and had almost the exact same experience as Shanda in these last 2 years. But I would say that the two Word of Faith churches I attended didn't just say other denominations were "a few notches down." They would actually call them dead denominational churches. Now that I've come out of that it's like waking up and I'm just appalled that I thought that way. So prideful.
Yeah, I'm coming from a Seventh-Day Adventist background and they're a bit bad for that too (maybe not as bad as what you said, but it's still there). They think they have all the truth, and others may not be saved. I couldn't swallow that - I do think they're right about a few things but I seriously doubt they have everything right (who could?) And I doubt that God would abandon people who genuinely love him and want to follow him, just because they don't have it all figured out correctly yet (because that's all of us, haha).
I was raised in a pentecostal church but i recently learned there is a difference between speaking in tongues and praying in tongues. A couple days ago i got my prayer language and now i can pray in tongues! God is so amazing 🙌
@B B praying in tongues the act is the same only it's done more in a private setting where the individual is talking to God and an interpreter is not needed. As it is, say, if you speak in tongues, it's typically in church or a social setting and requires an interpreter.
@Dakota Bledsoe In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans. Romans 8:26
Life seems like a great big school full of parables to learn. When I pray God does answer in one way or another. Always measuring and testing with the word.
Yes! I enjoy your talks you do with other Biblical Christians, Melissa! Can't wait to crunch down on this one! Hope you're alright and I love you, Melissa! 😊💙
As a kid, I went to church camp and went forward for rededication/ altar call. Everyone around me speaking in tongues and when I couldn’t, more people gathered around me and laid hands on me. I finally mumbled some gibberish and they let me go, celebrating 🥳 Didn’t mess me up… no one’s perfect. God is so good! ❤️
Awesome video I love how you ladies explained everything with theology vs me-ology! I was raised in that movement too, and had to unlearn a lot of that stuff over time. Keep making these awesome videos to get the truth of the word out there!!👏👏👏
I was a Baptist Christian 3 years ago left cause I learn about how Christianity started it is a man made religion started from Constantine. I'm Born Again Whole Bible Believer now 1yr ago. Read: (Matthew 19:16-17,4:4) (John 14:15,14:21,15:10) Isaiah 8:20) (1John 2:3-7) (Revelation 12:17,14:12,22:14)(Isaiah 8:20 kjv) I Word Study now from strong's concordence to ancient hebrew lexicons. (Yahweh YHWH Exodus 3:15 His Memorial FOREVER) (Psalms 68:4 kjv YAH) (Isaiah 42:8 YHWH is YaHWeH) (Psalms Ch 119 the longest for a reason) (Leviticus Ch 23 YHWH's Feast His) I come in my Father's Name John 5:43 YAHshua means Yahweh saves. Messiach in Hebrew, Messias in Latin, Messiah in English. No need to change it unless making a new religion. TRUTH WAS AND IS NOT POPULAR. REPENT and Turn Back to His YHWH ways not what man's ways are churchianty is a religion time to UNLEARN The Lies. HalleluYAH💜🙏🙌
God did give me a burning in my heart when I first experienced Him at my most heartbroken. I have never been the same since. But my faith is in God through Jesus and I love scripture! I am thankful to experience that in my life more than once, but it's not what defines my faith. I can see how it can be a sneaky thing though. I didn't know it was a mormon thing, nice to know :) All I knew was that it was God and He loves me so much I'll never know how much! Thank you Jesus!
That's what happened to me! I can't tell you how many times I walked the isle to get that "1st time feeling". In my mind.. when the feelings left.. God left 😢
I too was raised in a charismatic word of faith new age church for 29 years. Suffered spiritual, mental and emotional abuse from the congregation and it almost destroyed my family. But now, I'm learning that everything I've been taught about my faith has been a straight up lie or some sick twisting. I was led to believe that i was saved and no matter what i did. No repentance, or sorrow over my sin I was all good. So I did whatever I wanted with no fear. But despite all the lies and abuse, God pulled me out of it and now I can only bring myself to praise God and thank Him that he kept me alive long enough to see His glorious truth and didn't kill me in those awful days. Praise His Holy Name!!!
I am so thankful of both new finds and that yunger folks like you are willing to make the link between historic finds and scriptural messages. Then recognize powerful realities.
Hey Melissa, this convo was so needed for me as someone who grew up Pentecostal and also had many of these struggles and still have many of them. Thank you so much. This really blessed me
This has been an interesting interview. God used what was meant for evil, 2020, and used it for good in many of our lives, although I wish I had spent more time searching the Bible. I did however, start breaking out of the matrix, and seeing things in the church that werent filling the longing of my heart to know God more intimately. Thank you for the encouragement and avenues to learn with more direction and from excellent teachers.
I was told something by a pastor's wife, who was leading the women's Bible study group. She told that I didn't have the Holy Spirit in me because I mentioned I didn't have emotional experiences during sermons. It was a Vineyard Church.
Hope you ran from the vineyard 😂. I grew up Pentecostal and I never spoke in tongues or slain in the spirit. Thankfully the Holy Spirit lead me out of those beliefs that were not based on scripture.
That was very deep! I recognized myself many times in what Shanda said in your video and what she said hit me really hard but it was true. I'm French and I begin to understand my faith and I'm learning everyday or I'm trying to but I have my moment of doubts and yes it's not easy because I know it is not clamed to be easy. And I have to admit that Shanda said here opened my ears and my conscience and I'll follow her advices. Thank you.
Everyone can "speak in tongues" in the way that hypercharismatics think of it. You just make up words and speak gibberish (that nobody can actually interpret). The Biblical definition of "tongues" is an actual language that can be interpreted. For example, if a Missionary comes accross an undiscovered people group in the jungle and they are instantly able to speak THEIR LANGUAGE (and someone else in the group can interpret) so that the Gospel can be shared - that is true speaking in tongues. Every time someone speaks in tongues someone has to be able to interpret it or it's not Biblical. Period. So if a whole church is proving they're saved by speaking gibberish and there aren't also people who can interpret everything that is being said, it's not Biblical. It's not supposed to be chaos with no way of knowing for sure that it's even being interpreted correctly. Every cult has a leader who believes God only speaks to them. Or that they're the only one's who can interpret what's being said. We serve a God of truth, not a god of chaos and confusion. It's also interesting how we sinners always want the "showy gifts" like tongues, healing and prophecy. Those things feed our sinful egos. Paul said that Love is the most important spiritual gift - but we sinners think that's boring and doesn't make us special. There's a reason certain gifts have ceased.
The Holy Spirit Comes at Pentecost: Acts 2: 1-13 "When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heave and filled the whole house where they were sitting. They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them. Now there were staying in Jerusalem God-fearing Jews from every nation under heaven. When they heard this sound, a crowd came together in bewilderment, because EACH ONE HEARD THEIR OWN LANGUAGE being spoken. Utterly amazed, they asked: "Aren't all these who are speaking Galileans? Then how is it that each of us hears them IN OUR NATIVE LANGUAGE? Parthians, Medes and Elamites; residents of Mesoptomia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya near Cyrene; visitors from Rome (both Jews and converts to Judaism); Cretans and Arabs - WE HEAR THEM DECLARING THE WONDERS OF GOD IN OUR OWN TONGUES!" Amazed and perplexed, they asked one another, "What does this mean?" Some, however, made fun of them and said, "They have had too much wine." They were not speaking gibberish or some special language that only true believers can speak and understand.
I was a Baptist Christian 3 years ago left cause I learn about how Christianity started it is a man made religion started from Constantine. I'm Born Again Whole Bible Believer now 1yr ago. Read: (Matthew 19:16-17,4:4) (John 14:15,14:21,15:10) Isaiah 8:20) (1John 2:3-7) (Revelation 12:17,14:12,22:14)(Isaiah 8:20 kjv) I Word Study now from strong's concordence to ancient hebrew lexicons. (Yahweh YHWH Exodus 3:15 His Memorial FOREVER) (Psalms 68:4 kjv YAH) (Isaiah 42:8 YHWH is YaHWeH) (Psalms Ch 119 the longest for a reason) (Leviticus Ch 23 YHWH's Feast His) I come in my Father's Name John 5:43 YAHshua means Yahweh saves. Messiach in Hebrew, Messias in Latin, Messiah in English. No need to change it unless making a new religion. TRUTH WAS AND IS NOT POPULAR. REPENT and Turn Back to His YHWH ways not what man's ways are churchianty is a religion time to UNLEARN The Lies. HalleluYAH💜🙏🙌
Right on Brother👍💜 it's a actual language not made up words. I was a Baptist Christian 3 years ago left cause I learn about how Christianity started it is a man made religion started from Constantine. I'm Born Again Whole Bible Believer now 1yr ago. Read: (Matthew 19:16-17,4:4) (John 14:15,14:21,15:10) Isaiah 8:20) (1John 2:3-7) (Revelation 12:17,14:12,22:14)(Isaiah 8:20 kjv) I Word Study now from strong's concordence to ancient hebrew lexicons. (Yahweh YHWH Exodus 3:15 His Memorial FOREVER) (Psalms 68:4 kjv YAH) (Isaiah 42:8 YHWH is YaHWeH) (Psalms Ch 119 the longest for a reason) (Leviticus Ch 23 YHWH's Feast His) I come in my Father's Name John 5:43 YAHshua means Yahweh saves. Messiach in Hebrew, Messias in Latin, Messiah in English. No need to change it unless making a new religion. TRUTH WAS AND IS NOT POPULAR. REPENT and Turn Back to His YHWH ways not what man's ways are churchianty is a religion time to UNLEARN The Lies. HalleluYAH💜🙏🙌
@@bindilouwho3338 everyone heard them speaking on their own tongues... and yet some people believed they were drunk and did not understand what they were saying. So, who is it to say that the miracle was not at the point of the listener and not at the speaker? If multiple people heard the same message in different languages being spoken.. the speaker did not speak one known language right?
@@jvdmeritt No. Each of the Disciples were speaking a true different language. There were multiple Disciples speaking - not just one. There were people outside from every nation who each heard their own language being spoken and the Word of God being preached in THEIR OWN LANGUAGE. They were not speaking gibberish. The Holy Spirit gave them the gift of speaking a language they did not know prior so that they could share the Gospel. What good is gibberish? Then you are putting all of your faith in the person supposedly translating without any way of knowing if the translater is telling the truth. And the Biblical application of tongues is that there is always someone who can translate (or multiple people so that the truth can be known). We don't serve a God of confusion. The people who thought they were drunk were just like all the other people over time who hear the Gospel and mock it. Let's not twist that into believing in tongues as gibberish. Nowhere in the scriptures do we see that.
I also come from a Pentecostal background. I remember the way we saw tongues was that it was indeed the evidence as to whether you were filled with the Spirit and since leaving that environment I have learned that Jesus spoke more about the fruit of the Spirit than He did about the gifts of the Spirit. Also that speaking in tongues isn't so much evidence of being filled with the Spirit as being able to control your tongue is.
What a great question? How much of our faith can rely on our subjective emotions, along with 'head knowledge'; knowing the scripture for what The Word truly says, and interpreting The Word truly. Can one feel the presence of The Lord, and feel the indwelling of The Holy Spirit, and not just know Him intellectually through His Word? I think we all desire to know The Lord experientially, personally; and intellectually perusing The Word can feel insufficient as far as knowing The Lord in a personal manner. Thus, we have the charismatic movement and pentecostalism, and, unfortunately, the 'wolves in sheep's clothing' that too often come along with them.
Wow that was so true I remember summer camp and as an adult at men's camp was all about getting emotional and going to the front to speaking in tounges
As you were talking I couldn't help thinking about the movie "The Letters" about the life of Mother Theresa and how she confessed to her best friend (a bishop?) that she was so lonely and felt abandoned by God even though she had dedicated her entire life to obedience to Him after she "knew" that he was asking her to go out and care for the poor, she suffered from that terribly. It really helped me to know that about her, of all people since I often struggled with thinking he isn't there for ME even though he has proven many times that he is. I injured my back several years ago and cannot sit or stand for any real length of time so even going to church can be very difficult so I have been on this journey, just myself and Him and many books and listening to so many of the wrong preachers but God guiding me back to truth and many people like yourselves and Messianic Jews like those at "One for Israel" (they have such an amazing understanding of scripture) and so many more. I had opportunity to read the entire Bible from front to back, in that order and wow, what a difference in my understanding of God and well ... wow. That sure helped me to realize the focus was not me, it was so convicting (and so many other things). Anyhow, I would want to be in the Bible study that you both were at, this was really interesting and thanks to you both, such great insights and interesting stories to boot.
"Gifts can be mimicked, but fruits can't be." Fantastic. I'm commenting so I'll remember, because when I write or type something, I tend to remember it.
My teachers usually thought I was making a "cheat sheet", but no, I was writing all the answers to the test because that's how I memorized the material. I usually just handed the "cheat sheet" to my teacher, and then aced the test! (Sometimes notes were allowed, so I didn't always hand them over)
👏👏👏🤗
@@-Thelordismyshepherd- Peter , who was filled with the Holy Spirit and saved that day on Pentacost, believed for a moment to a false gospel told by judaizers that he shouldn't recline at the table to eat with Gentiles. He acted in hypocrisy which is a sin and moreover caused others to follow his way.
Paul had to confront him. - from Galatians 2.
Are you saying that Peter wasn't saved?
More correctly to say - one who isn't repenting and forsaking sins from one's past or/and sins willfully - isn't saved.
Or you can comment and snapshot it?
Thank Jesus so happy 😃 day
Back in the day I learned this little illustration:
Facts, Faith and Feelings were walking on a fence.
Feelings fell off and Faith wavered.
Faith looked at Facts and stood strong.
Feelings soon followed.
I think it may originate from Watchman Nee’s book,The Normal Christian Faith. Online for reading at Living Stream Ministry.
Cool! Ta!
So helpful to know this.
Thank you, that is very helpful. God bless 🙏
Words to live by
You both need to read Cat & Dog Theology. Such a great explanation of the "me theology". Here's the premise: a dog looks at his owner and says "you pet me, you feed me, you love me... YOU must be God." A cat says, "you pet me, you feed me, you love me, I must be God". And a great conversation about how much cat theology has crept into the church.
I was raised in a word of faith background & their is such an emphasis on emotionalism, tongues, speaking/declaring in the atmosphere, signs and wonders etc! It’s so exhausting, & you never get fulfilled by any of this you are striving for. Im thankful the Lord saved me from this, and the Lord has me searching through His word for truth, Im patient for finding a church that’s biblically sound, & not chaos from what I was in for years.
Wow, I had the opposite experience. Being in an atmosphere of miracles fuelled my faith. And speaking in tongues is one if the gifts of the spirit that I value. And we had great biblical teaching, as well.
sameee, I actually had "fun" and enjoyed the journey however, once I learned the truth about wrong interpretatiom of scripture and a bunch of other things it really hit me and my husband. Lost friends, but were they really friends? anyway.. Im praying for them and the church ppl whp arent aware of the deception :(
@@heartstrings110 same as well .. I've been healed , encouraged, strengthened in my faith and relationship with Abba
Not everyone has the spiritual gifts of tounge’s.
The reality of a entire congregation having that same unique gift is rare.. unbelievable really. For these congregations and “pastors” to almost require it to be part of the church is cruel.
For understanding speaking in tounges is not gibberish. It’s the language of the Angels.. Gods messengers and the person speaking should also be able to understand in human language what is said. It’s a rare gift.
We should be focusing on true repentance and transformation and with that transformation gifts naturally occur.
I always find it bizarre that entire congregations have a plethora of THE SAME gifts.. but fear of pastoral staff is greater than love of Gods grace, and Jesus’s sacrifice
@🌼Brianna Jenell🌼 I am sure you did. I can tell you.. nothing is wrong, and I assure you if you ask in prayer for God to transform you in HIS will, many of your own unique gifts will come forward
I want a relationship with God not a religion. 🙏🏼✝️❤️
Oh my I completely understand the not going to women's Bible studies anymore !! I stopped as well. It was just SO emotional and allllllll about praying for every little thing that was bothering everybody. The "Bible Study" was a pre-packaged study about how we feel about a verse or two and how we can make our lives better . Honestly, my husband won't go to men's Bible studies either. He was massively uncomfortable with the touchy feely let's get in touch with our vulnerability junk. He came home from one and I asked how the study went. He said "What study??? All we did was talk about our feelings." He hasn't been back to one since. HOW is it so hard to find a group of people who want to talk about God, Jesus, the Bible and NOT ourselves ??
Talking about feelings matters - we see the consequences of people who box things inside. However I think you and your husband discovered that biblically minded social support is a different concept and entity altogether than Bible study. I wish the studies would start the Bible study first and be diligent and have time for "being the body" and discuss struggles after the study.
Yep! Dropped out of Women's BS!! Got tired of the drama, everyone ' one-upping each other' spiritually, and other people telling me THEY could deliver me, like I'm their God Project.
As a "new" Christian 18 months ago I attended a church with a woman's "bible study", but majority of it was the women either saying what they "thought" the scripture meant, what characters we aligned with in the story and WWJD kind of mentality. At the time I just wanted to know God and have help understanding scripture, because even though I believed in God growing up there was spiritual abuse in my past that made me not want to read the bible for myself as I found what I did read triggering. Anyhow, there were other concerns with this church I'd had but I kept going until I really started to feel dissatisfied that I wasn't learning or understanding much and one particular day in this group people were talking there talk on scripture as usual and I felt like I was underwater, couldn't really hear or absorb the stuff the others were saying. I got the sense that I wasn't meant to be listening to people's opinions so much but learning from God directly for myself.
@@user-vj2fn2ub8h this is why I recently left a "womens bible study" as well. Way too much of the "choose your favourite verse and then write 3 ways how it relates to your life rightnow". Good grief!
Exactly. The world is self obsessed!
I’m so happy a former Pentecostal denomination member is talking about this, I needed to hear my concerns and wounds voiced out by someone else.
Me too!
@@hvbuitenen There’s many WoF churches that are very legalistic. The big AOG split in the 90’s divided them into the legalistic ones, and the liberal ones. Both are wrong.
Thank you for sharing this. I grew up in a pentecostal church and understand the 2nd class christian statement. This has made me realize I am not the only one that has to unlearn a lot of things.
@@jaquirox6579What is the AOG split?
I love that! "The gifts of the Spirit can be mimicked. The fruit of the Spirit cannot be mimicked."
That is so true about that “feeling.” I attended a Pentecostal church from my childhood up until the pandemic and relied on that feeling. Once the pandemic hit and my life got a little more chaotic, I wondered where that feeling was. I did the same praise and worship and listened to the sermons online. Still nothing. Curiosity got the best of me and I walked right into witchcraft. Thankfully I now believe in Jesus Christ as my Lord and savior. However, I had to learn the Bible! The Bible was taught in a different way at my old church. It was mostly based around reading a bunch of verses in the Bible to get a reaction from the congregation, not for teaching purposes.
I was a Baptist Christian 3 years ago left cause I learn about how Christianity started it is a man made religion started from Constantine. I'm Born Again Whole Bible Believer now 1yr ago. Read: (Matthew 19:16-17,4:4) (John 14:15,14:21,15:10) Isaiah 8:20)
(1John 2:3-7) (Revelation 12:17,14:12,22:14)(Isaiah 8:20 kjv) I Word Study now from strong's concordence to ancient hebrew lexicons. (Yahweh YHWH Exodus 3:15 His Memorial FOREVER) (Psalms 68:4 kjv YAH) (Isaiah 42:8 YHWH is YaHWeH) (Psalms Ch 119 the longest for a reason) (Leviticus Ch 23 YHWH's Feast His) I come in my Father's Name John 5:43 YAHshua means Yahweh saves. Messiach in Hebrew, Messias in Latin, Messiah in English. No need to change it unless making a new religion. TRUTH WAS AND IS NOT POPULAR. REPENT and Turn Back to His YHWH ways not what man's ways are churchianty is a religion time to UNLEARN The Lies. HalleluYAH💜🙏🙌
Always went to a more conservative type of expository church. Years ago, several times, I went with a friend to her charismatic church where folks would come up to you and give you a supposed word from God. I had a hard time believing it was from the Lord. People were so hyper emotional, crying and such. My friend would get a word then cry, almost sob. My spirit didn't feel right. One time, some guy came up to me and gave a word whereas my friend didn't get one as she was accustomed. Driving home she was very upset I got a word but she didn't. It seemed to be a competition who was more special. I didn't even want the word in the first place from a stranger whom I had no knowledge who he was. I took him singleing me out as a flirtation. I then knew this could be a danger hooking people in with emotion. Sadly, that friend has gone deeply into new age, still seeking that emotional roller coaster high.
Just Keep praying for her and being a light in her life. Hopefully she will come to the truth. 🙏🏻
I'm truly on my journey to rekindle my relationship with God. And seeing so many claim "God told me" rather than what the Bible says. When you pray for discernment...watch out!
"Seek first the Kingdom of God and His Righteousness, and all these things will be added to you". Simple, timeless, eternal Truth!
This is absolutely excellent!!! In the past I had a very good prison ministry. The women inmates were always curious about the Bible and God, some would come in a listen to my Bible study and others just made fun of me calling me "the Church Lady.". I rather did not care what they thought of me. During the studies, I would often say "I don't really care what you feel (remember I'm teaching a bunch of young female inmates) you need to listen to what God is saying in His Word. God worked tremendously!!! In 12 years almost. 200 women came to faith in Christ. Quite a few wanted to be Baptized immediately. I praise the Lord Jesus for working in their hearts. As the old song says: His Truth is matching on.... Glory Hallelujah!!! Keep preaching what is right and true, Melissa and Shanda. Love what you are presenting. May God continue to Bless your ministries. With love in Christ to both of you,. Sister Monique 🙂
I was raised the same way. Women in the church would pursue me as a teenager and lead me to the altar and press on my stomach to “teach” me to pray in tongues. Youth Camp was exactly like Shanda said. All emotions. Scream preaching. Worship music to make you fall to your knees because certain keys and verses were played over and over looking for your emotions. I’m so glad God opened my eyes over the last few years and allowed me to learn from a Bible teaching church.
This is soooo good! I was raised exactly like Shanda, right down to church camp with only memories of crying 😆. As an adult I couldn’t understand why I “felt rejected” by God so often. About a year ago God began to open my eyes about TRUTH and emotionalism and MEology that I had been in for decades . He is totally transforming me now. So glad to see others share similar testimonies! ❤️
I’m so glad I clicked on this video tonight. This has made me realise I’m a baby still on milk and haven’t even got to the toddlers part and weaning yet. I want to thank you both tonight for totally opening my eyes into my own (Me-ology) and how I’ve lacked getting to know God and struggle with getting anywhere with my faith and I would ask you to please pray 🙏🏼 for me to give me strength to read the Word. I truly appreciate your video’s and the message you give.
🙏
Sometimes it’s not about “finding strength”, but rather forcing yourself to submit to what you’re commanded to do. Try listening to scripture being read on audio, you may find that it works better with your learning style. ♥️🙏🏽
Would love to hear an update on your journey! ❤
Love this! We are called to walk in spirit and in truth it’s a balance! We need to want the healer more than the healing. I enjoy the gifts but will take the savior without the gifts. I will ask God for the gifts because that’s what the word tells me to do but even if my God decides the answer is no I will not waiver from him because he is God and has that right in my life.
I can greatly appreciate this video. I was raised Pentecostal and I am a very emotional person by nature so the two things together made for a very unbalanced relationship with the church and God. However I LOVE truth and it has helped me grow past this and at 52 years old I am coming out of Me-ology more and more in that every moment with God has to "feel" like something. But I can't help crying when I hear the truth of God! When we are in communion with the Father that is going to humble us and sometimes that is going to cause that snot blowing glued to the floor moment because we realize how wretched we really are and how AWESOME HE IS!!
Churches today have lost discipleship. They are not teaching people how to live the Christian life past Salvation.
Prayers and Blessings for all of your efforts to get the truth out. The World desperately needs to hear it!
"..To seek God not to know him but to know us..." That absolutely convicted me! This conversation is making me realize the pressure I've always felt when worshiping and reading the Bible. I've never been able to figure out this pressure that I've always felt. I've always struggled to consistently read my Bible but now I realize that, without knowing, I get discouraged if I don't have a big emotional reaction every time. Thank you for this conversation!
I relate to so much of this coming from a Mormon background. “WE have the ‘truth’” and “what you FEEL testifies to the ‘truth’”…Grateful my eyes have been opened, but so sad for those who just can’t see.
I was a Baptist Christian 3 years ago left cause I learn about how Christianity started it is a man made religion started from Constantine. I'm Born Again Whole Bible Believer now 1yr ago. Read: (Matthew 19:16-17,4:4) (John 14:15,14:21,15:10) Isaiah 8:20)
(1John 2:3-7) (Revelation 12:17,14:12,22:14)(Isaiah 8:20 kjv) I Word Study now from strong's concordence to ancient hebrew lexicons. (Yahweh YHWH Exodus 3:15 His Memorial FOREVER) (Psalms 68:4 kjv YAH) (Isaiah 42:8 YHWH is YaHWeH) (Psalms Ch 119 the longest for a reason) (Leviticus Ch 23 YHWH's Feast His) I come in my Father's Name John 5:43 YAHshua means Yahweh saves. Messiach in Hebrew, Messias in Latin, Messiah in English. No need to change it unless making a new religion. TRUTH WAS AND IS NOT POPULAR. REPENT and Turn Back to His YHWH ways not what man's ways are churchianty is a religion time to UNLEARN The Lies. HalleluYAH💜🙏🙌
💛 Thank you. I’m learning to allow the Word to simply be ENOUGH.
Amen 🙏🏼
It is so comforting to know that God loves us as His people not because of how well we have done or performed but because of who He is. 🥰
Amen
I so agree with what you both are saying ,the Bible is a more sure word of prophecy, I love, study the Bible and knowing God through His word brings the truth.
Thank you so much for sharing this. It is liberating to hear another person say they grew up in a pentecostal church and have had the same experience that I have had. Learning a lot from your channel.
I grew up Pentecostal and I’ve had to unlearn many things that were not biblical. Praise the Lord for taking the scales of my eyes.
Amen! I thank God for taking the scales off my eyes too. Also for slowly leading me down a road that showed me what He is really like. He is so good! 🙂
My only critique with this conversation is that there wasn't the opportunity taken to correct the thought "why a good God would send us to hell." You said that Jon Steingard expressed that was the thing that caused him to leave his faith, and that that is Christianity 101. Yes understanding why we go to hell is Christianity 101. But we misunderstand it if we think a good God SENDS us to hell. He doesn't send us so much as we choose an eternal existence without him and we spend an eternity facing our own depravity that separated us from him. That's what sends us to hell. It's our choice. And God is good and just in letting us make that choice.
Hi. Yes, God does send us to hell because we have broken God’s law. Hell was created by God. Just because He sends us to hell doesn’t cancel His goodness. Those are not opposing things. His goodness is seen also (not solely) in His provision of an advocate, Jesus Christ, His Son, who is the propitiation for our sins.
You are correct that it is because of human rebellion against God and our desire to be like God (see Genesis 3) along with our rejection of his provision for salvation through Jesus Christ that we are sent to hell. God is not willing that any should perish, however he is both good and just. His goodness gave us a way of salvation, but his just judgment demands that those who reject Jesus must now pay the consequences of our sins.
Sin without repentance, separates us from God.
I wholeheartedly agree. God doesn’t send anyone to hell. He allows them to choose to go.
I was raised in Pentecostal church. I left 13 years ago. The last Sunday I was sitting in service and I felt incredibly uncomfortable. Now, I’ve been raised in this. I’ve never experienced worship the way the people around me did. I lived my whole life feeling like I did something wrong. That God thought I didn’t deserve this experience. I believe God gave me clarity in His word. Once given that clarity sitting in a service made me uncomfortable. Leaving was difficult in a sense that my family was there. Fortunately, some of them followed me.
I grew up Pentecostal as well and know exactly how you feel. Thankfully the Lord led me out of this denomination. It’s not easy when your friends and family’s eyes have not yet been opened. I’ve tried to explain bible truths to them, but they don’t get it and some of them get angry.
Rhonda you are amazing. You have been in my prayers all week. I am thankful for you and I pray that you keep using your gift. Encouraging. Inspiring. Enlightening. Comforting. God bless you sister🩷
Thank you for this video!! I feel like a lot of women’s Bible studies are super into emotionalism. I’m glad you mentioned waiting to act because a bible study I did a year ago was all about just jumping to obey every thought or word we get from God. That got me into a lot of trouble, because most of what I was hearing was definitely not from God.
SOO important to read our Bibles EACH day. AND study with GOOD commentaries. AND listen to good theologians.... Thank you girls for this good conversation spurring us to grow each day !
I feel lucky because even though I was mostly raised in an apostolic setting, my dad had always told us that speaking in tongues was a gift where someone else should be able to interpret. And the church was misinterpreting those scriptures, so to ignore those aspects.
Melissa, first of all, thank you for what you do for Christ’s kingdom.
I was raised in the baptist and Nazarene church.
I’m 54 and God truly changed me in 2015 and converted me with His truth the way He wanted me to finally receive it.
I was led to believe that “jumping the pews” and shouting “hallelujah” and writhing around on the floor and receiving the Holy Spirit this way was “normal” and speaking in tongues was just something that you would eventually be gifted from God with.
Not true…none of it.
God brought me His truth and hunger for His word through people like Paul Washer, Voddie Baucham, Ray Comfort, Pastor Tim Conway, Frank Turek and now, you.
I appreciate you and your channel has been very helpful to me. Thank you for your zeal and keep up the great work for God’s kingdom!
This is sooo on point. This issue is no one is MAKING disciples. I come from the NAR movement into reformed. There is very little training in theology. It is all about feelings and personal purpose. For years I never understood basic Christianity. We must walk with new believers and teach them. Matt 28:19-20.
Yes @Marlisha Walton there is absolutely no discipleship these days.
Wow! Thank you, so wonderful to know there are women who desire to truly know the Lord by studying scripture.
I thought I was the only one rolling my eyes while reading the fluffy women’s bible studies. 🙄🤣
Just give me God’s Word! Amen 🙏 😍
Amen
Beth Moore fluff immediately comes to mind. I think of the Bible Studies who use her books instead of the Word of God.
Hi Melissa, just recently started watching you and I love your content. I recently found a great Bible teaching church 2 years ago. I grew up in Church and was very active until I married my first husband and was in an abusive relationship. And then I was mad at God for a long time. Coming back to the Faith and being around great ministry, has changed my life. But the best part has been our Bible Study. It has helped me so much because it is about studying the word and having a true relationship with God. It is our focus and it is incredible. I have learned so much in my Bible and have grown my relationship with God. So, there are worthwhile Bible Studies out there. And some people don't like it, they want to be told what to do, what's the "right" answer and that's not what a relationship with God looks like.
Because of you I am starting to dig into Apologetics! I want to defend my beliefs! Thank you!
Experienced this at my church, The “Spirits” moving is either quantified by how many people come to the altar to get more of the spirit, or qualified by how loud the speaker yells or how repetitive the same word is spoken. That’s called being “anointed” 😏
Wow, you ladies are hitting it down to the core. This makes so much sense and it is so practical. Wooooooo, you women are making it make sense!. Thank you, Lord! And thank you ladies for allowing God to use your experiences to reach so many.
I went through a period looking for God in the Pentecostal movement, thinking I needed to be more spiritual and speak in tongues, heal and be healed, etc. I understand what you’re talking about 🙂
This conversation is so powerful in addressing all the points of Christianity that have been bothering me for years. Thank you for this priceless discussion that can even address deeper concerns.
The roots of Pentecostalism are cultish to say the least. As a former Pentecostal/WOFer/NARer for a decade- Shanda was on point
Agreed. I'm still Pentecostal but avoiding NAR/WoF nonsense, but struggling given I know the roots of it...the bad history (even in newspapers) the Assemblies of God has covered up and make seem pretty and this amazing thing. Even pastors that talk highly about the revivals and "fathers" only hold it all in high regard, seemingly without idea of the past. The Pentecostal fathers and influential leaders had issues and a cultish following, not to mention the Latter Rain cult and 1949 the AG General Council disapproving of the teaching of it, then 2000 they referenced it again...but we see where we are now. However at one time the Latter Rain and the AG denomination mixed way back, if I remember correctly.
William Branham (Latter Rain ties, Jim Jones associations are slowly being revealed, ect), Charles F. Parham ("Parhamite" killings after he left, his followers tortured people to death to "cast out demons") and on. It's concerning and certainly something I've NEVER heard in my years with the AG denomination. But, I know folks will uplift the newspaper articles praising the good of it, and say the journalism on the concerning facts of it are of the devil as a collective whole with anything painting it in a negative or questioning light...no matter how true (the gruesome Parhamite deaths, ect). I want the full story of our history, the good bad and ugly! If t just feels dishonest, and rewriting history to fit the narrative.
- www.themessedupchurch.com/blog/the-parhamite-killings (Newspapers.com is good for more research, but it takes a subscription)
- william-branham.org/ (in depth historical website for W. Branham, ran by a fellow brother in Christ who grew up in "The Message" cult and escaped it)
- 1949 MINUTES and CONSTITUTION Assemblies of God (disapproving of Latter Rain practices, there is a .pdf file you can download of it on google)
Thank you for a truly inspirational show. It was a kick in the butt I needed. The two of you have matured in the word by seeking the truth of God and scripture and becoming knowledgeable of who He is. God bless you both.
Emotions do not equal truth.
Strictly amazing insights. I can't express the awe. So let me simply say "thank you"! as I'm at loss for the words.
This message is a blessing. Thank you! As a new born again (almost 4 years) I was raised as a lukewarm Catholic following some of the rituals and then totally abandoning that and finding myself in the grips of new age and then leaving that behind. I then entered into the nothingness where I didn’t believe in anything. It was such a weird season for me. I was relieved in some way but also felt there was something missing. Long story short, here I am. I have found a wonderful church which happens to be Pentecostal but lead by a Holy Spirit filled Pastor. I will say, however, that praying n tongues is encouraged. I started to put pressure on myself to seek that ( partly my own need to be the best Christian I can be) I am finally realizing that some Christians can make God’s gifts idols. I no longer feel the need to seek tongues. I will only seek Jesus and his word. This message is so encouraging. God bless you both 🙏🏻✝️♥️🙌🏻
Listening to Shanda talk feels like I'm listening to my own testimony. I also grew up on the Pentecostal side and saw a lot of emphasis on emotion and the spirit moving and for years I thought there was something wrong with me because those things never happened to me. Thankfully the fact that they never did, my searching led me to American Gospel.
This was awesome! Thank you! Makes me hungrier for the Word.
I didn't expect this, but I think I have been into Me-ology aswell. Didn't expect that at all, thank you so much for this video!
Thank you ladies. God is great! Eyes open!! 💥🎺
Hey Melissa! Really love your channel! Do you think you could do a video about repentance and how important it goes with salvation? I think it's underrepresented, and I know you would address it well. Two other suggestions are that hell does exist (and why it exists) and the biblical argument for no premarital sex. I've seen more than a few people say hell doesn't exist and having premarital sex isn't supported by the Bible. Thanks for all you do and God bless and keep you!
Those are very good and relevant topics! Good thinking
I was raised as a Pentecostal, and I’m still one, but I don’t ever remember the teachings to be that focused on tongues. I don’t know if it has something to do with me living in northern Europe, and that the teachings here are not that similar to the US and America. This is not the first nor the second video I have watched that tells Pentecostals to be focused on speaking in tongues, yet that is not what i have experienced. Our teachings are always centered around Jesus and His work on the cross, repentance, fruits of the Spirit, loving your neighbour and just solid Bible teaching overall.
Thats awesome i don think it is an american thing
Im sorry i meant i do think it is an american thing
You just have a good shepherd…
If you want a word from God.. read your Bible. Not a single passage, but read the entire thing, then breakdown each book, then chapter then verse. Context matters, and will give you a real message. Pray.. pray daily in thankfulness, guidance, transformation
This episode was awesome . I related so much to her story . I too grew up Pentecostal , my husband too grew up in church, I too made changes during Covid ( particularly about denominations - thankful she talked about that and the beliefs I had grown up with ) . Melissa you were the first person I stumbled across back in 2020 I was in the brink of despair from that moment on I’ve had such hunger to read , study and memorize scripture thanks to you for your time and effort that you continue to pour into your ministry I want you to know that your audiences are listening to what is being shared . May God continue to use you for his glory !!!
Thank you 😊
Yup we like to feel "special" because it flatters our vanity.
Listening to her story; feels like she is almost telling my own story!
Wow this was my life she was telling my story as well. I'm so glad I came across this video
So... I grew up in a Pentecostal church where we were always told to not seek the gift but to seek God and Jesus and to study the word of God. Yes I have seen some of the things you are speaking of and yes I agree there are some factions that think they have the patent on the Gospel. Also, many a wonderful time seeking God and praying together at the altar, tears or not, it was a practice we learned that helped shape my personal spiritual walk. I wholeheartedly agree that the gift of speaking in tongues is often taken out of context and also subject to wrong ways of " coaching " is just plain extrabiblical. and wrong. The tears don't indicate change, just an expression of emotion . The proof is in the fruit of someone's life Thank you for sharing this
I agree about the tears and emotions. I mean, some of us did experience this and not go into new age practices! I don't like the condescending tone of this video. Also that they spoke about their beliefs while tearing down others and not offering where they got their truth from exactly. Im not opposed to their entire conversation, but it left a lot of holes for me and the attitude was not appreciated.
Yes some times it sounded condescending and lumping all Pentecostal churches in with the hyper charismatic churches. We are not all the same.
I am so glad I wasn't raised in a church, so when I read the Bible I had fresh eyes to know God.
Thank you for your videos, Melissa. I am starting to feel like I really do have a relationship with God again. People can be so fake… 😔
I would like to Add that I truly enjoy your content Melissa…. I have and do speak in tongues during my prayer time and it is not forced it follows out of my praising and thanking God for saving my soul and His unfailing love for me.
Oh man, she’s a gem! And she does CrossFit too! My people!! ♥️🙏🏽♥️ I need to go check out her content now.
I love this so much because I can totally relate to Shanda! We left a cult like church organization also thanks to the turmoil of 2020, it woke us up. Our former denomination was International Church of Christ, and their big hang up is that only those who are baptized with their bible studies, in their waters are saved. I was there for 25 years. And although I didn't believe this ideology for the last 10 years, I didn't let it bother me enough. Until the 2020 riots, when I saw christians from that denomination affirming the riots as necessary, and supporting BLM I knew we were in big trouble. I started searching for truth and came across Jack Hibbs from Calvary Chapel Chino Hills. He was the one pastor who was teaching a biblical worldview into that cultural moment. And teaching expository style. And then to my surprise his church is just 30 minutes away. After 25 years in a cult like denomination we made a huge change... and my world view and intellectual understanding biblically has grown tremendously. My kids are being taught apologetics, and how to see the culture biblically... it is absolutely mind blowing. I am grateful beyond words.
Oh! Shanda!! a woman after my ♥. I grew up in AG...pastor's daughter. It has only been about 12 years where I have realized i didn't understand some basic things. i still attend AG but my pastor does NOT put an emphasis on speaking in tongues but does put an emphasis on knowing & reading the Word & teaching it . praying for You. Melissa thx for posting ya'll's convo!!
I loved this video! I was raised in a non-denominational/charismatic church, so I know all of what she is talking about. Especially the speaking in tongues.
I was a Baptist Christian 3 years ago left cause I learn about how Christianity started it is a man made religion started from Constantine. I'm Born Again Whole Bible Believer now 1yr ago. Read: (Matthew 19:16-17,4:4) (John 14:15,14:21,15:10) Isaiah 8:20)
(1John 2:3-7) (Revelation 12:17,14:12,22:14)(Isaiah 8:20 kjv) I Word Study now from strong's concordence to ancient hebrew lexicons. (Yahweh YHWH Exodus 3:15 His Memorial FOREVER) (Psalms 68:4 kjv YAH) (Isaiah 42:8 YHWH is YaHWeH) (Psalms Ch 119 the longest for a reason) (Leviticus Ch 23 YHWH's Feast His) I come in my Father's Name John 5:43 YAHshua means Yahweh saves. Messiach in Hebrew, Messias in Latin, Messiah in English. No need to change it unless making a new religion. TRUTH WAS AND IS NOT POPULAR. REPENT and Turn Back to His YHWH ways not what man's ways are churchianty is a religion time to UNLEARN The Lies. HalleluYAH💜🙏🙌
Love this interview. Please have this lovely lady back on your channel. Thank you and praise Jesus x
Glad I wasn't the only one thinking this for years! Prayers have been answered indeed . 🙏
I left my church because they shut down, and found one that stayed open during the gov't shutdowns - I think scripture is pretty clear that church is essential. That was only the last straw. Shallow, "my-life-application" teaching.
Wow I can relate SOO MUCH ! I left the church because I was sick of the fake sermons I felt like there is no way I could learn more I was a teenager spent my whole life in the summer camps you talked about where we cried for hours and it led me away I struggled so much after all through my 20s until I had my babies and covid happened God saved me for real. I met him for what seemed like the first time and I 100% agree the truth just is truth and eveything else is noise
I've spent the last 30 years in Word of Faith and had almost the exact same experience as Shanda in these last 2 years. But I would say that the two Word of Faith churches I attended didn't just say other denominations were "a few notches down." They would actually call them dead denominational churches. Now that I've come out of that it's like waking up and I'm just appalled that I thought that way. So prideful.
Yeah, I'm coming from a Seventh-Day Adventist background and they're a bit bad for that too (maybe not as bad as what you said, but it's still there). They think they have all the truth, and others may not be saved. I couldn't swallow that - I do think they're right about a few things but I seriously doubt they have everything right (who could?) And I doubt that God would abandon people who genuinely love him and want to follow him, just because they don't have it all figured out correctly yet (because that's all of us, haha).
I was blessed to have learned my respect for scripture in a ladies Bible study, feelings included, but nary a casserole in sight. 🇨🇦
I was raised in a pentecostal church but i recently learned there is a difference between speaking in tongues and praying in tongues. A couple days ago i got my prayer language and now i can pray in tongues! God is so amazing 🙌
So, what is praying in tongues? Thank you.
@B B praying in tongues the act is the same only it's done more in a private setting where the individual is talking to God and an interpreter is not needed. As it is, say, if you speak in tongues, it's typically in church or a social setting and requires an interpreter.
@Dakota Bledsoe praying in tongues isnt in the bible?
@Dakota Bledsoe In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans. Romans 8:26
@@missysmessage722 , my understanding of that is that the spirit groans, not the person.
This helps me so much, I left pentecostalism a while ago but there are things I never was able to detach from or understand that it wasn't biblical.
I found my Peep's! I'm not the only one who feels out of place in women's studies.
This is fantastic information and truth. Thank you both for putting this video out there!!
Life seems like a great big school full of parables to learn. When I pray God does answer in one way or another. Always measuring and testing with the word.
Yes! I enjoy your talks you do with other Biblical Christians, Melissa! Can't wait to crunch down on this one! Hope you're alright and I love you, Melissa! 😊💙
These are my favorite kind of the videos she does!
As a kid, I went to church camp and went forward for rededication/ altar call. Everyone around me speaking in tongues and when I couldn’t, more people gathered around me and laid hands on me. I finally mumbled some gibberish and they let me go, celebrating 🥳
Didn’t mess me up… no one’s perfect. God is so good! ❤️
Awesome video I love how you ladies explained everything with theology vs me-ology! I was raised in that movement too, and had to unlearn a lot of that stuff over time. Keep making these awesome videos to get the truth of the word out there!!👏👏👏
I was a Baptist Christian 3 years ago left cause I learn about how Christianity started it is a man made religion started from Constantine. I'm Born Again Whole Bible Believer now 1yr ago. Read: (Matthew 19:16-17,4:4) (John 14:15,14:21,15:10) Isaiah 8:20)
(1John 2:3-7) (Revelation 12:17,14:12,22:14)(Isaiah 8:20 kjv) I Word Study now from strong's concordence to ancient hebrew lexicons. (Yahweh YHWH Exodus 3:15 His Memorial FOREVER) (Psalms 68:4 kjv YAH) (Isaiah 42:8 YHWH is YaHWeH) (Psalms Ch 119 the longest for a reason) (Leviticus Ch 23 YHWH's Feast His) I come in my Father's Name John 5:43 YAHshua means Yahweh saves. Messiach in Hebrew, Messias in Latin, Messiah in English. No need to change it unless making a new religion. TRUTH WAS AND IS NOT POPULAR. REPENT and Turn Back to His YHWH ways not what man's ways are churchianty is a religion time to UNLEARN The Lies. HalleluYAH💜🙏🙌
God did give me a burning in my heart when I first experienced Him at my most heartbroken. I have never been the same since. But my faith is in God through Jesus and I love scripture! I am thankful to experience that in my life more than once, but it's not what defines my faith. I can see how it can be a sneaky thing though. I didn't know it was a mormon thing, nice to know :) All I knew was that it was God and He loves me so much I'll never know how much! Thank you Jesus!
That's what happened to me! I can't tell you how many times I walked the isle to get that "1st time feeling". In my mind.. when the feelings left.. God left 😢
How has knowlege of God's presence changed since seeing this video? 😃
I love this! These kinds of videos are the best! Thank you for sharing with other believers on your channel🥰
I too was raised in a charismatic word of faith new age church for 29 years. Suffered spiritual, mental and emotional abuse from the congregation and it almost destroyed my family. But now, I'm learning that everything I've been taught about my faith has been a straight up lie or some sick twisting. I was led to believe that i was saved and no matter what i did. No repentance, or sorrow over my sin I was all good. So I did whatever I wanted with no fear. But despite all the lies and abuse, God pulled me out of it and now I can only bring myself to praise God and thank Him that he kept me alive long enough to see His glorious truth and didn't kill me in those awful days. Praise His Holy Name!!!
Shanda's channel looks brilliant. I'm delighted for more people to be speaking truth in this world. Solid biblical truth.
I am so thankful of both new finds and that yunger folks like you are willing to make the link between historic finds and scriptural messages. Then recognize powerful realities.
Hey Melissa, this convo was so needed for me as someone who grew up Pentecostal and also had many of these struggles and still have many of them. Thank you so much. This really blessed me
You hit every point on the head! I wanted to share snippets, but I’ll end up sharing the whole thing because it’s all too good!!
Thank you sisters. That is actually what I needed to hear. You are both doing a good works. God bless you.
I really like the way she categorizes the two group......you are right
Thank you for articulating what I have felt for years about many (not all) Women's Bible studies! Please ladies Apologistics is the way to go !
Baha! "Your number one felt need is that you're a sinner...." This is true!
Oh my, I've been doing me-ology the whole time! Thanks for this video.
Thank you so much beautiful ladies to answering my questions 😭😭😭
This has been an interesting interview. God used what was meant for evil, 2020, and used it for good in many of our lives, although I wish I had spent more time searching the Bible. I did however, start breaking out of the matrix, and seeing things in the church that werent filling the longing of my heart to know God more intimately. Thank you for the encouragement and avenues to learn with more direction and from excellent teachers.
I was told something by a pastor's wife, who was leading the women's Bible study group. She told that I didn't have the Holy Spirit in me because I mentioned I didn't have emotional experiences during sermons. It was a Vineyard Church.
Hope you ran from the vineyard 😂. I grew up Pentecostal and I never spoke in tongues or slain in the spirit. Thankfully the Holy Spirit lead me out of those beliefs that were not based on scripture.
Video discussion starts @ 5:45
Thank you.
I love this!! Thank you, this has been very helpful.. ❤️
That was very deep! I recognized myself many times in what Shanda said in your video and what she said hit me really hard but it was true. I'm French and I begin to understand my faith and I'm learning everyday or I'm trying to but I have my moment of doubts and yes it's not easy because I know it is not clamed to be easy. And I have to admit that Shanda said here opened my ears and my conscience and I'll follow her advices. Thank you.
Everyone can "speak in tongues" in the way that hypercharismatics think of it. You just make up words and speak gibberish (that nobody can actually interpret). The Biblical definition of "tongues" is an actual language that can be interpreted. For example, if a Missionary comes accross an undiscovered people group in the jungle and they are instantly able to speak THEIR LANGUAGE (and someone else in the group can interpret) so that the Gospel can be shared - that is true speaking in tongues. Every time someone speaks in tongues someone has to be able to interpret it or it's not Biblical. Period. So if a whole church is proving they're saved by speaking gibberish and there aren't also people who can interpret everything that is being said, it's not Biblical. It's not supposed to be chaos with no way of knowing for sure that it's even being interpreted correctly. Every cult has a leader who believes God only speaks to them. Or that they're the only one's who can interpret what's being said. We serve a God of truth, not a god of chaos and confusion. It's also interesting how we sinners always want the "showy gifts" like tongues, healing and prophecy. Those things feed our sinful egos. Paul said that Love is the most important spiritual gift - but we sinners think that's boring and doesn't make us special. There's a reason certain gifts have ceased.
The Holy Spirit Comes at Pentecost: Acts 2: 1-13 "When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heave and filled the whole house where they were sitting. They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them. Now there were staying in Jerusalem God-fearing Jews from every nation under heaven. When they heard this sound, a crowd came together in bewilderment, because EACH ONE HEARD THEIR OWN LANGUAGE being spoken. Utterly amazed, they asked: "Aren't all these who are speaking Galileans? Then how is it that each of us hears them IN OUR NATIVE LANGUAGE? Parthians, Medes and Elamites; residents of Mesoptomia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya near Cyrene; visitors from Rome (both Jews and converts to Judaism); Cretans and Arabs - WE HEAR THEM DECLARING THE WONDERS OF GOD IN OUR OWN TONGUES!" Amazed and perplexed, they asked one another, "What does this mean?" Some, however, made fun of them and said, "They have had too much wine." They were not speaking gibberish or some special language that only true believers can speak and understand.
I was a Baptist Christian 3 years ago left cause I learn about how Christianity started it is a man made religion started from Constantine. I'm Born Again Whole Bible Believer now 1yr ago. Read: (Matthew 19:16-17,4:4) (John 14:15,14:21,15:10) Isaiah 8:20)
(1John 2:3-7) (Revelation 12:17,14:12,22:14)(Isaiah 8:20 kjv) I Word Study now from strong's concordence to ancient hebrew lexicons. (Yahweh YHWH Exodus 3:15 His Memorial FOREVER) (Psalms 68:4 kjv YAH) (Isaiah 42:8 YHWH is YaHWeH) (Psalms Ch 119 the longest for a reason) (Leviticus Ch 23 YHWH's Feast His) I come in my Father's Name John 5:43 YAHshua means Yahweh saves. Messiach in Hebrew, Messias in Latin, Messiah in English. No need to change it unless making a new religion. TRUTH WAS AND IS NOT POPULAR. REPENT and Turn Back to His YHWH ways not what man's ways are churchianty is a religion time to UNLEARN The Lies. HalleluYAH💜🙏🙌
Right on Brother👍💜 it's a actual language not made up words.
I was a Baptist Christian 3 years ago left cause I learn about how Christianity started it is a man made religion started from Constantine. I'm Born Again Whole Bible Believer now 1yr ago. Read: (Matthew 19:16-17,4:4) (John 14:15,14:21,15:10) Isaiah 8:20)
(1John 2:3-7) (Revelation 12:17,14:12,22:14)(Isaiah 8:20 kjv) I Word Study now from strong's concordence to ancient hebrew lexicons. (Yahweh YHWH Exodus 3:15 His Memorial FOREVER) (Psalms 68:4 kjv YAH) (Isaiah 42:8 YHWH is YaHWeH) (Psalms Ch 119 the longest for a reason) (Leviticus Ch 23 YHWH's Feast His) I come in my Father's Name John 5:43 YAHshua means Yahweh saves. Messiach in Hebrew, Messias in Latin, Messiah in English. No need to change it unless making a new religion. TRUTH WAS AND IS NOT POPULAR. REPENT and Turn Back to His YHWH ways not what man's ways are churchianty is a religion time to UNLEARN The Lies. HalleluYAH💜🙏🙌
@@bindilouwho3338 everyone heard them speaking on their own tongues... and yet some people believed they were drunk and did not understand what they were saying. So, who is it to say that the miracle was not at the point of the listener and not at the speaker? If multiple people heard the same message in different languages being spoken.. the speaker did not speak one known language right?
@@jvdmeritt No. Each of the Disciples were speaking a true different language. There were multiple Disciples speaking - not just one. There were people outside from every nation who each heard their own language being spoken and the Word of God being preached in THEIR OWN LANGUAGE. They were not speaking gibberish. The Holy Spirit gave them the gift of speaking a language they did not know prior so that they could share the Gospel. What good is gibberish? Then you are putting all of your faith in the person supposedly translating without any way of knowing if the translater is telling the truth. And the Biblical application of tongues is that there is always someone who can translate (or multiple people so that the truth can be known). We don't serve a God of confusion. The people who thought they were drunk were just like all the other people over time who hear the Gospel and mock it. Let's not twist that into believing in tongues as gibberish. Nowhere in the scriptures do we see that.
I also come from a Pentecostal background. I remember the way we saw tongues was that it was indeed the evidence as to whether you were filled with the Spirit and since leaving that environment I have learned that Jesus spoke more about the fruit of the Spirit than He did about the gifts of the Spirit. Also that speaking in tongues isn't so much evidence of being filled with the Spirit as being able to control your tongue is.
What a great question? How much of our faith can rely on our subjective emotions, along with 'head knowledge'; knowing the scripture for what The Word truly says, and interpreting The Word truly. Can one feel the presence of The Lord, and feel the indwelling of The Holy Spirit, and not just know Him intellectually through His Word? I think we all desire to know The Lord experientially, personally; and intellectually perusing The Word can feel insufficient as far as knowing The Lord in a personal manner. Thus, we have the charismatic movement and pentecostalism, and, unfortunately, the 'wolves in sheep's clothing' that too often come along with them.
Wow that was so true I remember summer camp and as an adult at men's camp was all about getting emotional and going to the front to speaking in tounges
As you were talking I couldn't help thinking about the movie "The Letters" about the life of Mother Theresa and how she confessed to her best friend (a bishop?) that she was so lonely and felt abandoned by God even though she had dedicated her entire life to obedience to Him after she "knew" that he was asking her to go out and care for the poor, she suffered from that terribly. It really helped me to know that about her, of all people since I often struggled with thinking he isn't there for ME even though he has proven many times that he is. I injured my back several years ago and cannot sit or stand for any real length of time so even going to church can be very difficult so I have been on this journey, just myself and Him and many books and listening to so many of the wrong preachers but God guiding me back to truth and many people like yourselves and Messianic Jews like those at "One for Israel" (they have such an amazing understanding of scripture) and so many more. I had opportunity to read the entire Bible from front to back, in that order and wow, what a difference in my understanding of God and well ... wow. That sure helped me to realize the focus was not me, it was so convicting (and so many other things). Anyhow, I would want to be in the Bible study that you both were at, this was really interesting and thanks to you both, such great insights and interesting stories to boot.