Bible Question: This is gonna be long and maybe confusing. I have been going to the same church for a few years, For the last couple of years I have been questioning what they have been teaching and/or practicing. For example; You know you are filled with the Holy Spirit when you speak in tongues. Everybody who goes to this church and believes and is filled with the Holy Spirit talks in tongues. If You speak in tongues in church and no one there who hears you speak in tongues can interpret what you said,ypu can interpret it yourself. All people filled with the Holy Spirit has all spiritual gifts, These are just a few things they teach and practice. Recently they merged with another church and are now holding all services at this other church. I get the feeling that they only told a select few people when they were gonna start holding services at this other church, I was not the only one that was not told about when services were gonna switch to the other church. I am getting a very clear urge to run not walk from this church and don't look back. Because I haave been told so many times by the 2 pastors of this church that I am wrong on how I interpret scripture eyc,not sure if I can trust this feeling. Any feedback would be helpful. Thank you |
Bible Answer: Hi, Crys... Perhaps, as Chuck suggested, it is time to find a church that holds the greatest authority on the Word of God rather than human experience. How odd to have a church that believes in spiritual gifts but shrinks at teaching the whole counsel of God (Acts 20:27). This renders everything -- the ecstatic practices, the interpretation, the meaning of edification, even the meaning of church -- entirely subjective. Imagine how helpful it would be if someone had the gift of diligent study of Scripture, the whole Scripture? Of course, in the atmosphere you describe, that kind of person would probably find it necessary to part company even before they were asked to leave. While you are looking for a real church, reading "Nine Marks of a Healthy Church" by Mark Dever would be helpful. God gave us minds, and it His intention that we use them, allowing them to be transformed by the Word (Romans 12:2; 2 Peter 3:18; etc.) in knowledge. I suggest that you do more thinking (Scripture based doctrine) and less feeling (self focused, emotionalism). The human heart is a greater liar than is Satan (Jeremiah 17:9). Think, then feel... but always, always, always think first! Your feelings of something being amiss in this group of people was given rise by your recognizing how they are missing the mark. God bless you as you look for a congregation that loves God more than they love themselves. In Him, Doc |