It is written:
1 Thessalonians 5:21-Test all things; hold fast what is good.
Following are some questions and Scriptures that I often share with my Pentecostal friends and neighbors.
Why do Pentecostals believe that speaking in tongues is speaking in gibberish when the Bible teaches it is speaking in the languages of another nation which the tongue speaker has not previously learned?
Acts 2:4-12-And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance. 5 And there were dwelling in Jerusalem Jews, devout men, from every nation under heaven. 6 And when this sound occurred, the multitude came together, and were confused, because everyone heard them speak in his own language. 7 Then they were all amazed and marveled, saying to one another, “Look, are not all these who speak Galileans? 8 And how is it that we hear, each in our own language in which we were born? 9 Parthians and Medes and Elamites, those dwelling in Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, 10 Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya adjoining Cyrene, visitors from Rome, both Jews and proselytes, 11 Cretans and Arabs—we hear them speaking in our own tongues the wonderful works of God.” 12 So they were all amazed and perplexed, saying to one another, “Whatever could this mean?”
1 Corinthians 14:21-In the law it is written: “WITH MEN OF OTHER TONGUES AND OTHER LIPS I WILL SPEAK TO THIS PEOPLE; AND YET, FOR ALL THAT, THEY WILL NOT HEAR ME,” says the Lord.
Why do Pentecostals claim that the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit are one Person when the Bible teaches that they are three different Persons?
Isaiah 48:16-Come near to Me, hear this: I have not spoken in secret from the beginning; From the time that it was, I was there. And now the Lord GOD and His Spirit Have sent Me.”
John 1:1-In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
1 John 5:7-For there are three that bear witness in heaven: the Father, the Word, and the Holy Spirit; and these three are one.
Why do Pentecostals teach that the Holy Spirit will overwhelm a person so that he loses control of what he does?
1 Corinthians 14:32-And the spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets.
Why do Pentecostals teach that God leads them to run around, jump, dance, scream, and act disorderly in the church assembly?
1 Corinthians 14:33-For God is not the author of confusion but of peace, as in all the churches of the saints.
1 Corinthians 14:40- Let all things be done decently and in order
Why do Pentecostals teach that a preacher must say a certain verbal formula when baptizing someone in order to make the baptism effective?
Matthew 28:19-Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,
Acts 2:38-Then Peter said to them, “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
Acts 8:16-For as yet He had fallen upon none of them. They had only been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.
Acts 10:48-And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. Then they asked him to stay a few days.
Acts 19:5-When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.
Why do Pentecostals teach that a saved person must speak in tongues?
1 Corinthians 12:29-31-Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Are all workers of miracles? 30 Do all have gifts of healings? Do all speak with tongues? Do all interpret? 31 But earnestly desire the best gifts. And yet I show you a more excellent way.
Why do Pentecostals call themselves “Pentecostals?”
Isaiah 62:2-The Gentiles shall see your righteousness, And all kings your glory. You shall be called by a new name, Which the mouth of the LORD will name.
Acts 11:26-And when he had found him, he brought him to Antioch. So it was that for a whole year they assembled with the church and taught a great many people. And the disciples were first called Christians in Antioch.
These questions are not designed to be antagonistic, but simply exploratory.
As Christians, we should always be willing to investigate beliefs and teachings with the Word of God. May He help us to do so with open hearts.
The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit, be with you all. Amen.
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