Expert: Elder Greg Madden - 9/12/2006

Question
I am a Christian who has recently discovered the importance of having a relationship with Christ.

I am confused because our Pastor had recently went on a mission, and when he returned he was definitely "different". He began to tell us that the church will be "different" too. It's been about 6 weeks since his return and every Sunday he will make comments like "dont be afraid if people yell out, or roll around, or speak in tongues" I was completely baffled. Because I felt he was kind of encouraging...something, im not sure what. He also says things like..."You need to be in God's presence and allow the Holy Spirit to take over". Well, after that my brother told me some guy at his job was saying that at his church they have classes to teach people how to speak in tongues, and during there services there is a time when everyone in the congregation starts speaking in tongues...After all this I turned to the Bible. The scriptures I read did not sound like they were encouraging people to speak in tongues. It sounded more like at certain times when there was a need, God chose certain individuals to be translators of his message so he gave them this gift.

I think my main concern, other than my utter confusion, is that people at our church will be more concerned about this "idea" or "method" of how to embrace the Holy Spirit, and not staying focused on the true Trinity.  

My question to you is what do you think about all this? ( I hope my scenario made sense)

-Mandy

Answer
Mandy,

Thanks for your question. First let me say that I was thrilled to read that you have discovered the importance of have a relationship with Christ. That is great! I encourage you to continue to follow the Lord through prayer, reading the Word, and spending time with Him through your worship and praise. Ask the Lord to fill you with the very fullness of His Spirit. These things are vital to the spiritual well being of every Believer.

As far as what is going on at your church, it sound to me (and you may feel free to write me back and let me know if this is correct or not) that your pastor is trying to lead the church into a deeper relationship with Christ through the manifestations of the Holy Spirit. I am not there so I cannot speak to his methods, but it appears by what you wrote that this is the case. Let me share with you a few Scriptures in which the things that your pastor described happened, and how that tongues are for Believers today.

Psalms 47:1
"O clap your hands, all ye people; shout unto God with the voice of triumph."  

Psalms 134:2
"Lift up your hands in the sanctuary, and bless the LORD"

Psalms 149:3
"Let them praise his name in the dance: let them sing praises unto him with the timbrel and harp."  

Psalms 150:4
"Praise him with the timbrel and dance: praise him with stringed instruments and organs."

Mark 16:17
"And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues;"

Acts 2:4
"And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance."  

Acts 3:8
"And he leaping up stood, and walked, and entered with them into the temple, walking, and leaping, and praising God."

Acts 10:46
"For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God. Then answered Peter,"

Acts 19:6
"And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Ghost came on them; and they spake with tongues, and prophesied."

1 Cor. 12:7-11
"But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal.  
For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom ; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit;  
To another faith by the same Spirit ; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit;  
To another the working of miracles ; to another prophecy ; to another discerning of spirits ; to another divers kinds of tongues ; to another the interpretation of tongues:  
But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will."

1Cor. 14:18
"I thank my God, I speak with tongues more than ye all:"

1Cor. 14:39
"Wherefore, brethren, covet to prophesy, and forbid not to speak with tongues."

1 Timothy 2:8
"I will therefore that men pray every where, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting."

Rev. 1:17
"And when I saw him, I fell at his feet as dead. And he laid his right hand upon me, saying unto me, Fear not; I am the first and the last:"  
  
And these are but a few of the Scripture that show us the different manifestations of worship, praise, and the gifts of the Holy Spirit.

So let me sum up what I think about what is going on at your church.
First it sounds to me that your pastor has received an infilling of the Spirit during the mission he went on, and now he is trying to share what he has received with his people.
Second, it sounds to me that this is something that is not the "norm" at your church, and he is trying to bring the people into the same infilling he has received.
Mandy, this is simply a summery of what I have gathered from what you wrote. My council to you is...
1. Pray and ask God to remove all confusion.
2. Study the Scriptures I listed for yourself.
3. Most importantly, set an appointment with your pastor and share with him your concerns. Ask him to be very clear about what these apparent changes are all about.

I hope that this helps, but please feel free to write back if your have any further questions.

Elder Greg