Pentecostal Church of God ?

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I hope this is the right forum for this question. My nephew who once was catholic has joined this church. I am not sure why or when he left the Catholic church but he did. What is known about Pentecostal Church of God and it’s beliefs and how does it compare to the Catholic church? 🙂
 
Well, I know about the Assemblies of God Church, which is the second largest pentecostal denomination. They are protestant, so that should explain a list of differences right there.

Also, pentecostals are very charismatic churches. There are different types, but the kinds I hear about are the “cast out demons” type. And, I believe the pentecostals are the ones who have the TBN (trinity broadcasting network) station on TV.
The ones who claim to always heal people, and are always showing “emotional clips” to get people to send them a bunch of money.

One of the thigns I read about it on Wikipedia: "TBN’s refusal to disclose financial information, as well as the strong promotion of the “prosperity gospel,” has caused the Christian watchdog group WallWatchers to repeatedly grade TBN with an “F” for its lack of transparency. TBN also received an F from MinistryWatch, a Christian ministry information and rating organization."
 
I checked out Wikipedia’s article on pentecostalism (en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pentecostalism) and IMO it’s pretty reliable.

In which case, it’s so radically different from Catholicism that it’s probably easier to document similarities between the two:
  1. Both claim to serve the same Divine Being
  2. Um… Exhuberant worship style/Rave Masses? (Grasping at straws here…)
When I hear “Pentecostal” I think of people who speak in tongues.

Pax

Dettingen
 
I do have some experience with the Pentacostal-esque churches, such as Assemblies of God and various non-denominational Protestant churches with a distinct Pentacostal flavor.

Differences between these churches and the Catholic Church, and someone can correct me if I’m wrong. Pentacostal churches are:
  • sola scriptura
  • no emphasis on Mary unless it’s Christmas time
  • place a high emphasis on holy living, which is great, but they generally restrict their people in the following ways: zero smoking, zero drinking, no R rated movies, no secular music, sometimes certain dress codes as in women must always wear dresses or at least always wear them to church. Some restrict women from cutting their hair or wearing makeup. They wouldn’t look kindly upon such things as extra piercings other than ears or tattoos.
  • Exurberant worship - sometimes loud shouting, dancing, jumping around etc.
Shucks…I’m at work and someone else needs the computer. More later.

Curious
 
Curious said:
I do have some experience with the Pentacostal-esque churches, such as Assemblies of God and various non-denominational Protestant churches with a distinct Pentacostal flavor.

Differences between these churches and the Catholic Church, and someone can correct me if I’m wrong. Pentacostal churches are:
  • sola scriptura
  • no emphasis on Mary unless it’s Christmas time
  • place a high emphasis on holy living, which is great, but they generally restrict their people in the following ways: zero smoking, zero drinking, no R rated movies, no secular music, sometimes certain dress codes as in women must always wear dresses or at least always wear them to church. Some restrict women from cutting their hair or wearing makeup. They wouldn’t look kindly upon such things as extra piercings other than ears or tattoos.
  • Exurberant worship - sometimes loud shouting, dancing, jumping around etc.
Shucks…I’m at work and someone else needs the computer. More later.

Curious
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The highlighted portion would apply to specific churches and not the pentecostal movement in general. It is generally what I hear about Baptist churches:shrug:. In my experience dress tends to be pretty casual, sort of fits in with the exuberant worship styles. But I admit I;ve heard other say such and such don’t dance, drink etc. I remember one Sunday sermon was my pastor teaching that drinking in moderation was fine.
 
Dettingen said:
I checked out Wikipedia’s article on pentecostalism (en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pentecostalism) and IMO it’s pretty reliable.

In which case, it’s so radically different from Catholicism that it’s probably easier to document similarities between the two:
  1. Both claim to serve the same Divine Being
  2. Um… Exhuberant worship style/Rave Masses? (Grasping at straws here…)
When I hear “Pentecostal” I think of people who speak in tongues.

Pax

Dettingen
Click to expand...
I would say acceptance that speaking in tongues is acceptable. I personally have not heard any in church in the past 5 years. But then my specific denomination tends to go up and down in the manifestations of the Spirit Filled stuff. We are in a historically down period right now. Yes I know we are not 100 years old yet;) The last time I was at a COGIC church it was much more common then what I was used to.

From what I read on some of the sub forums here the exuberant worship seems to be a mix of Charismatic Catholics and the Life Teen masses, at least those Catholics who oppose those things like to say it is.
 
Thanks everyone. My nephew and I meet on Facebook and he is always throwing in a bible question from time to time. I engaged him once hoping to have a agreeable discussion but it did not turn out that way. His whole attitude was about winning and trying to convert me:D At any rate, he has a link to his church which seems to have a Facebook page facebook.com/home.php#/group.php?gid=71837378707&ref=share, and it post the churches beliefs.
 
place a high emphasis on holy living, which is great, but they generally restrict their people in the following ways: zero smoking, zero drinking, no R rated movies, no secular music, sometimes certain dress codes as in women must always wear dresses or at least always wear them to church. Some restrict women from cutting their hair or wearing makeup. They wouldn’t look kindly upon such things as extra piercings other than ears or tattoos.
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Does not sound like the Assemblies of God Church anyways. I am pretty sure they are more relaxed/leniant on that type of thing. I would agree that is more of a Baptist thing. Although, I’m sure there are a few smaller pentecostal gruops that are like that.

Personally, I like the idea of no smoking and no drinking, because it’s quite harmful to your body and also can cause harm to other people.
“Don’t you know that you yourselves are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit lives in you? If anyone destroys God’s temple, God will destroy him; for God’s temple is sacred, and you are that temple.” 1 Corinthians 3:16

Now, I must add that it would be hypocrtical of me if I did not add this to that:
There are many of us who eat and drink things that are very unhealthy for us; things that can cause heart problems and other problems. So, I suppose that whole idea of consuming a responsible amount would be more logical than saying none at all.
 
I hope nephew settles down and does not argue with you. I would like to state why i like the Pentecostal church. It is where the Holy Spirit seems to be working most powerfully and all His gifts are in operation. I received the baptism of the Holy Spirit there because they preach it. The Spirit works where people are respectfull and open to His leading. I like it that my pastor is a prophet. All the leaders operate in the prophetic also. This is very helpfull to my growth. The bible says prophecy is the best gift. I do not see how churches expect to do very well without using all the gifts that are given to the church! Why would God give them if we don’t need them?
 
Kalos said:
The Spirit works where people are respectfull and open to His leading. I like it that my pastor is a prophet. All the leaders operate in the prophetic also.
Click to expand...
Kalos,

Can you help me to understand what exactly you mean by this? When I think of “prophet,” I think of one of those Old Testament fellows who were selected by God to deliver one or more messages from Him to others. I’m wondering if you mean this in the same way, that is, that God selected these folks at your church to deliver messages to your congregation (or each other), or do you mean it in a different sense?

Another sense I’m thinking of is that whenever one of the OT prophets were around, anyone wanting God’s thoughts on a specific question would go seek them out to find the answer. Do you mean it in this way, where if someone in the congregation wants to know what God thinks about X, they go ask one of these folks?

Thanks.
 
Pentecostals believe that prophecy can be someone recieving a message from God or it could be declaring the word of God as written in the Bible. An important thing to remember is that even with its idea of modern day prophecy, it is strongly Protestant in its view of scripture. So if a prophecy is given that does not “line up” with the Bible, it should be rejected.

The main distinctive between Pentecostals and other Protestants is the Pentecostal belief that baptism in the Holy Spirit is a separate experience from salvation. What separates classical Pentecostals from charismatics is that they Pentecostals believe that the “initial evidence” of Spirt baptism is speaking in other tongues.
 
Good evening!

I went to the church’s facebook page, and they are self-proclaimed “Nontrinitarian”. This is problematic (IMO, being Catholic, of course :D). They don’t believe in the Trinity, they are so-called “Oneness Pentecostals”, like the United Pentecostal Church (UPC, who, btw, are the ones who forbid drinking, smoking, dancing, gambling, watching t.v, and women wearing jewelry, make-up, pants or cutting their hair. (Some) Baptists just forbid drinking, dancing, and gambling), and, I believe, Apostolic Pentecostals. They believe Jesus is God, only. He (Jesus) is the Father (when He was in heaven creating the world and such), Son (when He was here on earth) and Holy Spirit. I believe this is anbancient heresy known as Modalism (someone will correct me if I’m wrong). They don’t baptism in the Name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, they baptize “in the Name of Jesus”. Because of this and their denial of the Trinity, their Baptisms are not considered valid by the Catholic Church. Oneness Pentecostals seem to have extra animosity toward the Catholic Church (cloaked as a sincere concern to save poor misguided Catholic souls of course :rolleyes:), because they think we “invented” the Trinity, back when we were “paganizing” the church, and it’s not in the Bible (which is funny, b/c we agree the word’s not in the Bible, but the fundamentalist Trinitarian Christians insist that it is).

Good luck w/ your nephew!

In Christ,

Ellen
 
LOL at those crazy Pentecostals who are casting out demons! Where do they get this stuff! look at this list of crazy Pentecostals below, lol @ these guys 😉

Irenaeus Against Heresies, Book II, 32:4 (190 A.D.) - “For some (Christians do certainly and truly drive out devils, so that those who have thus been cleansed from evil spirits frequently both believe and join themselves to the church.” DELIVERANCE is also implied to be done by Christians in Book II, 31:2.

Justin Martyr, Second Apology, Ch. 8 (153 A.D.) - This apology was addressed to the Roman Senate. “And they (demons), having been shut up in eternal fire, shall suffer their just punishment and penalty. For if they are even now overthrown by men through the Name of Jesus Christ, this is an intimation of the punishment in eternal fire which is to be inflicted on themselves and those who serve them.”

**Second Apology, Ch. 6 **- “And now you (Roman Senate) can learn this from what is under your own observation. For numberless demoniacs throughout the whole world, and in your city, many of our Christian men exorcising them in the Name of Jesus Christ, who was crucified under Pontius Pilate, have healed and do heal, rendering helpless and driving the demons out of men, though they could not be cured by all the other exorcists, and those who used incantations and drugs.”

**Justin Martyr, Dialogue With Trypho, a Jew, Ch. 30 (150 A.D.) **- “For we call Him (Jesus) Helper and Redeemer, the power of whose name even the demons do fear; and at this day, when they are exorcised in the Name of Jesus Christ, they are overcome.”

Dialogue With Trypho, Ch. 76 - “And now we, who believe on our Lord Jesus, who was crucified under Pontius Pilate, when we exorcise all demons and evil spirits, have them subjected to us.”

**Dialogue With Trypho, Ch. 85 **- “For every demon, when exorcised in the Name of this very Son of God…is overcome and subdued. But though you exorcise any demon in the name of any of those who were amongst you–either kings, righteous men, or prophets or patriarchs–it will not be subject to you. Now assuredly your (Jewish) exorcists, I have said, make use of this craft when they exorcise, even as the Gentiles do, and employ fumigations and incantations.”

**Tatian, Address of Tatian to the Greeks, Ch. 16 (160 A.D.) **- "Sometimes they themselves (demons) disturb the habit of the body by a tempest of folly; but, being smitten by the Word of God, they depart in terror, and the sick man is healed.

**Theophilus, Theophilus to Autolycus, Book II. 8 (160-180 A.D.) **- Theophilus is refuting the false teachings of Homer and Hesiod who were famous Greek poets. “…And this clearly appears from the fact, that even to this day the demonized are sometimes exorcised in the Name of the living and true God and these spirits of error themselves confess that they are demons who also formerly inspired these writers (Homer and Hesiod).”

**Tertullian, Apology, Ch. 23 (197 A.D.) **- “Let a person be brought before your tribunals; who is plainly under demonic possession. The wicked spirit, BIDDEN TO SPEAK by a follower of Christ, will as readily make the truthful confession that he is a demon, as elsewhere he has falsely asserted that he is a god.”

Tertullian, Apology, Ch. 37 - “Who would save you (Roman Rulers), I mean, from the attacks of those spirits of evil, which without reward or hire we (Christians) exorcise?”

Tertullian, To Scapula, Ch. 4 - “The clerk of one of the courts who was liable to be thrown upon the ground by an evil spirit, was set free from his affliction (by Christians); as was also the relative of another, and the little boy of a third. How many men of rank (to say nothing of common people) have been DELIVERED from demons, and healed of diseases?”

Minucius Felix, The Octavious of Minucius Felix (210 A.D.) - “A great many, even some of your own people, know all those things that the demons themselves confess concerning themselves, as often as they are driven by us (Christians) from bodies by the torments of our words and by the fires of our prayer.” (The Ante-Nicene Fathers, Vol. IV, p. 190).

**Origen, Against Celsus, Book I, 46 (230-254) A.D.) **- “And there are still preserved among Christians traces of that Holy Spirit which appeared in the form of a dove. The Christians expel evil spirits, and perform many cures, and foresee certain events, according to the will of the Logos.”

Against Celsus, Book I, 67 - “And the Name of Jesus can still remove distractions from the minds of men, and expel demons, and also take away diseases and produce a complete change of character…”

Lactentius, The Divine Institutes, Book II, 16 (250-320 A.D.) - “But they (demons) fear the righteous, that is, the worshipers of God, adjured by whose name they depart from the bodies (of people); for being lashed by the Christians’ words, they not only confess to be demons, but even utter their own names.”

Cyril of Jerusalem, Catechetical Lecturer, 16:12 (350-375 A.D.) - “For He (Holy Spirit) employs the tongue of one man for wisdom; the soul of another He enlightens by prophecy, to another He gives power to drive away demons…”

**The Divine Institutes, Book V, 22 **- “For these (demons), as long as there is peace among the people of God, flee from the righteous, and fear them; and when they seize upon the bodies of men, and house their souls, they are adjured by the Christians, and at the Name of the true God are put to flight. For when the demons hear of this name they tremble, cry out, and assert that they are branded and beaten; and being asked who they are, whence they are come, and how they have insinuated themselves INTO a man, confess it. Thus, being tortured and excruciated by the power of the Divine Name, they come out of the man.”
 
ALLGIRLS said:
Good evening!

I went to the church’s facebook page, and they are self-proclaimed “Nontrinitarian”. This is problematic (IMO, being Catholic, of course :D). They don’t believe in the Trinity, they are so-called “Oneness Pentecostals”, like the United Pentecostal Church (UPC, who, btw, are the ones who forbid drinking, smoking, dancing, gambling, watching t.v, and women wearing jewelry, make-up, pants or cutting their hair. (Some) Baptists just forbid drinking, dancing, and gambling), and, I believe, Apostolic Pentecostals. They believe Jesus is God, only. He (Jesus) is the Father (when He was in heaven creating the world and such), Son (when He was here on earth) and Holy Spirit. I believe this is anbancient heresy known as Modalism (someone will correct me if I’m wrong). They don’t baptism in the Name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, they baptize “in the Name of Jesus”. Because of this and their denial of the Trinity, their Baptisms are not considered valid by the Catholic Church. Oneness Pentecostals seem to have extra animosity toward the Catholic Church (cloaked as a sincere concern to save poor misguided Catholic souls of course :rolleyes:), because they think we “invented” the Trinity, back when we were “paganizing” the church, and it’s not in the Bible (which is funny, b/c we agree the word’s not in the Bible, but the fundamentalist Trinitarian Christians insist that it is).

Good luck w/ your nephew!

In Christ,

Ellen
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Yes, there is a lot of error in the Modalists - Non Trinitarian Pentecostals. I am glad they are in the very small minority compared with Trinitarian Pentecostals. All the statements made above by you are correct.
 
firstmode said:
LOL at those crazy Pentecostals who are casting out demons! Where do they get this stuff! look at this list of crazy Pentecostals below, lol @ these guys 😉

Irenaeus Against Heresies, Book II, 32:4 (190 A.D.) - “For some (Christians do certainly and truly drive out devils, so that those who have thus been cleansed from evil spirits frequently both believe and join themselves to the church.” DELIVERANCE is also implied to be done by Christians in Book II, 31:2.

Justin Martyr, Second Apology, Ch. 8 (153 A.D.) - This apology was addressed to the Roman Senate. “And they (demons), having been shut up in eternal fire, shall suffer their just punishment and penalty. For if they are even now overthrown by men through the Name of Jesus Christ, this is an intimation of the punishment in eternal fire which is to be inflicted on themselves and those who serve them.”

**Second Apology, Ch. 6 **- “And now you (Roman Senate) can learn this from what is under your own observation. For numberless demoniacs throughout the whole world, and in your city, many of our Christian men exorcising them in the Name of Jesus Christ, who was crucified under Pontius Pilate, have healed and do heal, rendering helpless and driving the demons out of men, though they could not be cured by all the other exorcists, and those who used incantations and drugs.”

**Justin Martyr, Dialogue With Trypho, a Jew, Ch. 30 (150 A.D.) **- “For we call Him (Jesus) Helper and Redeemer, the power of whose name even the demons do fear; and at this day, when they are exorcised in the Name of Jesus Christ, they are overcome.”

Dialogue With Trypho, Ch. 76 - “And now we, who believe on our Lord Jesus, who was crucified under Pontius Pilate, when we exorcise all demons and evil spirits, have them subjected to us.”

**Dialogue With Trypho, Ch. 85 **- “For every demon, when exorcised in the Name of this very Son of God…is overcome and subdued. But though you exorcise any demon in the name of any of those who were amongst you–either kings, righteous men, or prophets or patriarchs–it will not be subject to you. Now assuredly your (Jewish) exorcists, I have said, make use of this craft when they exorcise, even as the Gentiles do, and employ fumigations and incantations.”

**Tatian, Address of Tatian to the Greeks, Ch. 16 (160 A.D.) **- "Sometimes they themselves (demons) disturb the habit of the body by a tempest of folly; but, being smitten by the Word of God, they depart in terror, and the sick man is healed.

**Theophilus, Theophilus to Autolycus, Book II. 8 (160-180 A.D.) **- Theophilus is refuting the false teachings of Homer and Hesiod who were famous Greek poets. “…And this clearly appears from the fact, that even to this day the demonized are sometimes exorcised in the Name of the living and true God and these spirits of error themselves confess that they are demons who also formerly inspired these writers (Homer and Hesiod).”

**Tertullian, Apology, Ch. 23 (197 A.D.) **- “Let a person be brought before your tribunals; who is plainly under demonic possession. The wicked spirit, BIDDEN TO SPEAK by a follower of Christ, will as readily make the truthful confession that he is a demon, as elsewhere he has falsely asserted that he is a god.”

Tertullian, Apology, Ch. 37 - “Who would save you (Roman Rulers), I mean, from the attacks of those spirits of evil, which without reward or hire we (Christians) exorcise?”

Tertullian, To Scapula, Ch. 4 - “The clerk of one of the courts who was liable to be thrown upon the ground by an evil spirit, was set free from his affliction (by Christians); as was also the relative of another, and the little boy of a third. How many men of rank (to say nothing of common people) have been DELIVERED from demons, and healed of diseases?”

Minucius Felix, The Octavious of Minucius Felix (210 A.D.) - “A great many, even some of your own people, know all those things that the demons themselves confess concerning themselves, as often as they are driven by us (Christians) from bodies by the torments of our words and by the fires of our prayer.” (The Ante-Nicene Fathers, Vol. IV, p. 190).

**Origen, Against Celsus, Book I, 46 (230-254) A.D.) **- “And there are still preserved among Christians traces of that Holy Spirit which appeared in the form of a dove. The Christians expel evil spirits, and perform many cures, and foresee certain events, according to the will of the Logos.”

Against Celsus, Book I, 67 - “And the Name of Jesus can still remove distractions from the minds of men, and expel demons, and also take away diseases and produce a complete change of character…”

Edited for space

**The Divine Institutes, Book V, 22 **- “For these (demons), as long as there is peace among the people of God, flee from the righteous, and fear them; and when they seize upon the bodies of men, and house their souls, they are adjured by the Christians, and at the Name of the true God are put to flight. For when the demons hear of this name they tremble, cry out, and assert that they are branded and beaten; and being asked who they are, whence they are come, and how they have insinuated themselves INTO a man, confess it. Thus, being tortured and excruciated by the power of the Divine Name, they come out of the man.”
Click to expand...
Catholics have no problem with casting out of demons, we have Exorcists, after all! I think it’s just any old “Joe” (or “Jane”) coming along and saying they’re casting out demons w/o proper authority (like from the Pope :D) that we have problems with.

In Christ,

Ellen
 
Yes, a minority of Pentecotstals do denie the Trinity, but it would be unfair to categorize all Pentecostals that way. The Oneness or Jesus Name/ Jesus Only Pentecostals usually go by the above names or add “Apostolic” to their name. Unlike most Pentecostals, Oneness Pentecostals believe that salvation is valid only if you are baptized in Jesus’ name alone and you’ve experienced Spirit baptism as evidenced with speaking in tongues. This is also an important way to distinguish between the two, as mainstream Pentecostals do not think that water baptism is necessary for salvation, though they encourage it as a command of Jesus, and they do not teach that spirit baptism or speaking in tongues is required for salvation either.
 
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