William Price
Puritan Board Freshman
I certainly am not as knowledged or well versed as some of you are on this forum, and this is why I have loved coming here so much lately. As many of you know, I came out of a very heretical background, Oneness Pentecostalism. This cult denied the deity of the Son, the Trinity, and salvation by grace through faith. Along with this, they also held an extra biblical focus on the gifts of the Spirit instead of the Word of God.
As a minister of this cult for 17 years, I was among those who pushed a focus on gifts and self-righteousness. In this setting, I spoke with tongues almost constantly, and even at times gave interpretation of tongues. But, since my salvation on 2/9/2009, I have immersed myself in Reformed theology and the truths presented therein.
I said all that to bring this forth. I have read all the views I could in the past two days on this forum. I can say that, though I am not a cessationist, I surely am not a Pentecostal nor Charismatic either.
If tongues occur today, they must be done in the light of scripture, to the presenting of the Gospel to the lost. In other words, just as at Pentecost, when tongues came forth, it came as unknown to the speaker, but those around Jerusalem heard the praises to God in their own tongue. For me to state this is hard, because I have had to realize that the 'experiences' of my past were faulty, because in them was false doctrine (not of God and brought no glory to Him), and thus could not have been of God.
There are many sincere and good-hearted believers in pentecostal churches today. But, when focus is on 'gifts' instead of on God, then the gifts become idols, pagan worship focus. Thus, I have had to openly reject the fact that Pentecost in and of itself is acceptable unto God as we have it today.
Either I am going to sincerely be Reformed or not. Do I believe miracles and the supernatural occur? Absolutely, because God has done miracles in my own life three times. At birth, I was to be born a vegetable, unable to feed, clothe, or take care of myself in any way. Instead, God granted my aprents the grace to have a healthy baby boy who had no health problems except an appitite that was too large. The second was in the seventh grade, when I was dying of toxcity in my blood. The doctors told my Mom that my liver was putting out so many enzymes that my blood was becoming toxic. I remember her praying in her bedroom, and the next report came back with totally normal blood. The final one was an accident in 2005, when a kid broadsided my pickup, trapping me in the truck, and the truck on fire. No one could have opened that door, because it was jammed hard, metal on metal. A voice spoke and said, "Son, try the handle." Despite trying before, I did again, and even as I put my hand on the door handle, the door came loose and opened on it's own. Soli Deo Gloria! Hallelujah!
So, miracles still happen today. But, they occur to bring God the glory. But, as far as pentecostalism is concerned, I can no longer validate the experience in the light of scripture.
If I am wrong, I am wrong. But, I believe I may be right according to scripture. If not, please correct me, and help me grow in the grace and knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ.
Thank you.
As a minister of this cult for 17 years, I was among those who pushed a focus on gifts and self-righteousness. In this setting, I spoke with tongues almost constantly, and even at times gave interpretation of tongues. But, since my salvation on 2/9/2009, I have immersed myself in Reformed theology and the truths presented therein.
I said all that to bring this forth. I have read all the views I could in the past two days on this forum. I can say that, though I am not a cessationist, I surely am not a Pentecostal nor Charismatic either.
If tongues occur today, they must be done in the light of scripture, to the presenting of the Gospel to the lost. In other words, just as at Pentecost, when tongues came forth, it came as unknown to the speaker, but those around Jerusalem heard the praises to God in their own tongue. For me to state this is hard, because I have had to realize that the 'experiences' of my past were faulty, because in them was false doctrine (not of God and brought no glory to Him), and thus could not have been of God.
There are many sincere and good-hearted believers in pentecostal churches today. But, when focus is on 'gifts' instead of on God, then the gifts become idols, pagan worship focus. Thus, I have had to openly reject the fact that Pentecost in and of itself is acceptable unto God as we have it today.
Either I am going to sincerely be Reformed or not. Do I believe miracles and the supernatural occur? Absolutely, because God has done miracles in my own life three times. At birth, I was to be born a vegetable, unable to feed, clothe, or take care of myself in any way. Instead, God granted my aprents the grace to have a healthy baby boy who had no health problems except an appitite that was too large. The second was in the seventh grade, when I was dying of toxcity in my blood. The doctors told my Mom that my liver was putting out so many enzymes that my blood was becoming toxic. I remember her praying in her bedroom, and the next report came back with totally normal blood. The final one was an accident in 2005, when a kid broadsided my pickup, trapping me in the truck, and the truck on fire. No one could have opened that door, because it was jammed hard, metal on metal. A voice spoke and said, "Son, try the handle." Despite trying before, I did again, and even as I put my hand on the door handle, the door came loose and opened on it's own. Soli Deo Gloria! Hallelujah!
So, miracles still happen today. But, they occur to bring God the glory. But, as far as pentecostalism is concerned, I can no longer validate the experience in the light of scripture.
If I am wrong, I am wrong. But, I believe I may be right according to scripture. If not, please correct me, and help me grow in the grace and knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ.
Thank you.