My Heart is Heavy

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My mother-in-law is Pentecostal and very good at convincing people that they are wrong and then converting them. Well, she convinced a Pastor named John Hagee in Texas that baptizing in the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit is incorrect and that they need to baptize only in the Name of Jesus Christ. This Pastor announced to his church yesterday that he will be only baptizing in the Name of Jesus Christ now (according to my mother-in-law). This Pastor has more than 20,000 active members! My heart is so heavy since baptism is so important. I feel I need to do something. I want to email him to convince him otherwise, but, since he is so widely known, there is no email. I know I can counter all of what my mother-in-law told him since I’ve heard all heard arguments. What should I do?
 
Tiffany05 said:
My mother-in-law is Pentecostal and very good at convincing people that they are wrong and then converting them. Well, she convinced a Pastor named John Hagee in Texas that baptizing in the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit is incorrect and that they need to baptize only in the Name of Jesus Christ. This Pastor announced to his church yesterday that he will be only baptizing in the Name of Jesus Christ now (according to my mother-in-law). This Pastor has more than 20,000 active members! My heart is so heavy since baptism is so important. I feel I need to do something. I want to email him to convince him otherwise, but, since he is so widely known, there is no email. I know I can counter all of what my mother-in-law told him since I’ve heard all heard arguments. What should I do?
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There is contact info right on his website. No email address, but a mailing address and a toll-free phone number.
 
Thanks! Do you think if I mailed it to the address, he would actually get it and not a secretary?
 
Tiffany05 said:
My mother-in-law is Pentecostal and very good at convincing people that they are wrong and then converting them. Well, she convinced a Pastor named John Hagee in Texas that baptizing in the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit is incorrect and that they need to baptize only in the Name of Jesus Christ. This Pastor announced to his church yesterday that he will be only baptizing in the Name of Jesus Christ now (according to my mother-in-law). This Pastor has more than 20,000 active members! My heart is so heavy since baptism is so important. I feel I need to do something. I want to email him to convince him otherwise, but, since he is so widely known, there is no email. I know I can counter all of what my mother-in-law told him since I’ve heard all heard arguments. What should I do?
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I know who John Hagee is, and he’s insane.
Ask her (and him) what they think of Matthew 28:19 means. Baptizing in Jesus name (it should be pointed out most Pentecostals are not Jesus only) is used in scripture to distinguish it between John the Baptist’s Baptisms. Ask her why the earliest Christian source outside of the Bible (the Didache, if my memory is correct) says that Baptism should be done in the name of “the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost”.
 
I am a student and I have a friend that comes from a southern Baptist background that I met there and he and I were discussing religion. He said his family loves John Hagee, and I told him I think he’s an idiot, to which he agreed. And that is what we talked about was the bloodmoon
 
I’ve never heard of John Hagee before this, but my husband, who also used to be Pentecostal (now a Catholic, though), knows him pretty well. He said John Hagee is very well know in the Protestant world.

My husband and I have gone through great discussions with my mother-in-law about the meaning of the scriptures on baptism. She is beyond convincing by ourselves. We have recently instead been increasing our prayer for her conversion.

Maybe I will attempt to send a letter to John Hagee, then. I know my sister-in-law and her young son are going to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ by him soon due to his new decision.
 
Tiffany05 said:
I’ve never heard of John Hagee before this, but my husband, who also used to be Pentecostal (now a Catholic, though), knows him pretty well. He said John Hagee is very well know in the Protestant world.

My husband and I have gone through great discussions with my mother-in-law about the meaning of the scriptures on baptism. She is beyond convincing by ourselves. We have recently instead been increasing our prayer for her conversion.

Maybe I will attempt to send a letter to John Hagee, then. I know my sister-in-law and her young son are going to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ by him soon due to his new decision.
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Well, just remember this. It’s not a real baptism. It’s not a sacramental baptism. If I am not mistaken, his particular denomination does not believe in baptismal regeneration, so why Baptize at all? Be careful telling them that though! I would ask them what they think baptism is, what it achieves, and why they do it.
 
adamhovey1988 said:
Well, just remember this. It’s not a real baptism. It’s not a sacramental baptism. If I am not mistaken, his particular denomination does not believe in baptismal regeneration, so why Baptize at all? Be careful telling them that though! I would ask them what they think baptism is, what it achieves, and why they do it.
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Hmmm… Interesting! I’m not sure what he believes. I do know that my mother-in-law believes that baptism is essential to go to heaven (and only when down in the name of Jesus Christ). She thinks it is so essential, that aborted babies and handicapped people (since they cannot properly confess their sins in my MIL’s mind) go to Hell. She thinks that I and my three kids are going to Hell. :eek: I’m thinking maybe he believes the same since they wouldn’t have gone there if baptism and receiving the holy Spirit wasn’t so important. Maybe…
 
Tiffany05 said:
My mother-in-law is Pentecostal and very good at convincing people that they are wrong and then converting them. Well, she convinced a Pastor named John Hagee in Texas that baptizing in the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit is incorrect and that they need to baptize only in the Name of Jesus Christ. This Pastor announced to his church yesterday that he will be only baptizing in the Name of Jesus Christ now (according to my mother-in-law). This Pastor has more than 20,000 active members! My heart is so heavy since baptism is so important. I feel I need to do something. I want to email him to convince him otherwise, but, since he is so widely known, there is no email. I know I can counter all of what my mother-in-law told him since I’ve heard all heard arguments. What should I do?
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I have watched Mr. Hagee once or twice. He is extremely negative (IMHO) and engages in Catholic bashing. You might want to look him up on Youtube to see who you’d be dealing with.
 
From a practical point of view, since you are deeply concerned, I would express myself in a letter and mail it. If you call the number listed there is a chance you can ask for an email. I do want you to know that I find it hard to believe that your mil would be responsible for his change of heart but if he has changed I don’t think it matters why. I would pray for the conversion of the hearts of those who follow these ideas and leave this in God’s hands. Our world is full of people who have differing points of view on every subject but especially faith, the best we can do is attempt to steer them towards the truth and pray that God inspires them to follow His words.
 
mountee said:
I do want you to know that I find it hard to believe that your mil would be responsible for his change of heart but if he has changed I don’t think it matters why.
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I was thinking this too. Your MIL must be some powerfully persuasive person if she can effect that kind of change on someone with 20,000 followers. :rolleyes: he can’t be too bible smart if he didn’t already have this “knowledge” but instead got it from your MIL.

Pray for her, but don’t let what she believes overtake your life.
 
Irishmom2 said:
I was thinking this too. Your MIL must be some powerfully persuasive person if she can effect that kind of change on someone with 20,000 followers. :rolleyes: he can’t be too bible smart if he didn’t already have this “knowledge” but instead got it from your MIL.

Pray for her, but don’t let what she believes overtake your life.
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Yeah, that’s right. I think I would ask her why Jesus commanded that his disciples baptize using the Trinitarian formula if people are to only be baptized in Jesus’s name. Jesus commanded them, he didn’t say “or, baptize only in my name”.
 
Tiffany05 said:
My mother-in-law is Pentecostal and very good at convincing people that they are wrong and then converting them. Well, she convinced a Pastor named John Hagee in Texas that baptizing in the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit is incorrect and that they need to baptize only in the Name of Jesus Christ. This Pastor announced to his church yesterday that he will be only baptizing in the Name of Jesus Christ now (according to my mother-in-law). This Pastor has more than 20,000 active members! My heart is so heavy since baptism is so important. I feel I need to do something. I want to email him to convince him otherwise, but, since he is so widely known, there is no email. I know I can counter all of what my mother-in-law told him since I’ve heard all heard arguments. What should I do?
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Tiffany, as far as I know (and I live in the area), Pastor Hagee has always baptized in the name of Jesus, not the Trinity. Not sure why your mother-in-law would think otherwise.
 
agnes_therese said:
Tiffany, as far as I know (and I live in the area), Pastor Hagee has always baptized in the name of Jesus, not the Trinity. Not sure why your mother-in-law would think otherwise.
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I wondered about this too.

I think this is OLD info on Pastor Hagee. That doesn’t make it any less significant but it not some sudden new development.

Long entrenched false teachings and practices usually need a different approach than do recent ones. Of course we can pray for Pastor Hagee and those who follow him.
 
Tiffany05 said:
My mother-in-law is Pentecostal and very good at convincing people that they are wrong and then converting them. Well, she convinced a Pastor named John Hagee in Texas that baptizing in the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit is incorrect and that they need to baptize only in the Name of Jesus Christ. This Pastor announced to his church yesterday that he will be only baptizing in the Name of Jesus Christ now (according to my mother-in-law). This Pastor has more than 20,000 active members! My heart is so heavy since baptism is so important. I feel I need to do something. I want to email him to convince him otherwise, but, since he is so widely known, there is no email. I know I can counter all of what my mother-in-law told him since I’ve heard all heard arguments. What should I do?
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I’m sure he’s had apologetics arguments before. If they have been unable to convince him, although possible, I think it’s improbable you would be able to, through an e-mail.

Insofar as being upset, there’s probably not much you can do other than what you are already doing. Example is the most effective way to lead. I hope you will not let these external events, that you may even have much control over, disturb your inner peace.

Be at peace.
 
Irishmom2 said:
I was thinking this too. Your MIL must be some powerfully persuasive person if she can effect that kind of change on someone with 20,000 followers. :rolleyes: he can’t be too bible smart if he didn’t already have this “knowledge” but instead got it from your MIL.

Pray for her, but don’t let what she believes overtake your life.
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She is very persuasive. She has converted a ton of people in her lifetime already. Normally I would agree with you, though, but, long story short, an exorcist said she has demons attached to her. I’m sure this is the devil in work, trying to bring God’s children further away from Him.
agnes_therese said:
Tiffany, as far as I know (and I live in the area), Pastor Hagee has always baptized in the name of Jesus, not the Trinity. Not sure why your mother-in-law would think otherwise.
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I would have thought so, too. My sister-in-law and brother-in-law just moved there and were looking to get them and their children baptized in Jesus’ Name since my MIL convinced that was the correct way, and they said that he won’t baptized that way. They are now excited that he changed his mind so that they didn’t have to find a different church eventually.

Thank you everyone for all your comments. I know maybe I’m overreacting. I just feel like I need to do something about it. I’ve been told by a couple priests that if you are not baptized in the trinitarium formula, you are very susceptible for evil to enter you.
 
I’ve always understood John Hagee to be a Trinitarian. I’ve done a preliminary internet search and cannot find any corroboration to his conversion to Oneness Pentecostal belief whatsoever. His website still states in their “Beliefs” section that they profess Trinitarian belief.

With all due respect to your MIL, I just don’t believe her. Until it can be corroborated that John Hagee Ministries has changed its baptismal practices I don’t think it wise to assume he is preaching Jesus-name-only baptism. I also find it very hard to believe that your MIL has the ability to convert such a heavy hitter. This has all the hallmarks of an apocryphal “conversion war story”. Sorry. I just don’t buy it.
 
Brandon_Cal said:
I’ve always understood John Hagee to be a Trinitarian. I’ve done a preliminary internet search and cannot find any corroboration to his conversion to Oneness Pentecostal belief whatsoever. His website still states in their “Beliefs” section that they profess Trinitarian belief.

With all due respect to your MIL, I just don’t believe her. Until it can be corroborated that John Hagee Ministries has changed its baptismal practices I don’t think it wise to assume he is preaching Jesus-name-only baptism. I also find it very hard to believe that your MIL has the ability to convert such a heavy hitter. This has all the hallmarks of an apocryphal “conversion war story”. Sorry. I just don’t buy it.
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Well, hopefully you are right. 🙂
 
I’m surprised at this because John Hagee doesn’t seem like the type to take biblical instruction from a woman. I don’t think he believes in women teaching men. I could be wrong though.
 
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