F
fbl9
Guest
In your former fellowship you performed communion, but not the Eucharist. No matter what you beleived not one of your group could look at the bread/cracker and exclaim “my Lord and God”
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FabiusMaximus
Guest
Officially, the Assemblies of God frowns upon all alcohol and suggests abstaining entirely.
"The General Council of the Assemblies of God has historically opposed the consumption of alcohol in any form. Early documents of the church declare, without reservation or compromise, a position of total
abstinence."
ag.org/top/Beliefs/Position_Papers/pp_downloads/pp_4187_abstinence.pdf
Not all Pentecostal denominations affirm this, and personally I think it’s ridiculous. It’s more of a cultural debate than anything. Alcoholism is problematic in the United States, so as a result, the AOG has come out against all forms of alcohol. I think that’s what he’s referring to. Same goes with dancing, although banning dancing is not an AG position.
It won’t. Because you are still not officially Catholic and had no idea about this, so technically, I wouldn’t even say that you sinned. But assuming that you “did”, Confession, presuming you convert, would be sufficient in taking care of that issue.
Q
qazlp10
Guest
Thankyou all so much, you given me much to consider. I really don’t care about church history or who was there first. What I care about is the Holy Spirit and I expect that the Holy Spirit to be much more present in the Catholic Church(hopefully). As a Pentecostal we spend an insane amount of time fasting and praying just to get a little taste of the Holy Spirit. But from what I heard the Holy Spirit is so present in the Catholic church that many Catholic take it for granted.
Pentecostals are a dessert people looking for the life giving water. I’m hoping that the Catholic church is the long awaited oasis.
Pentecostals are a dessert people looking for the life giving water. I’m hoping that the Catholic church is the long awaited oasis.
C
CopticChristian
Guest
Lets start at the very beginning, a very good place to start, doe a dear a female dear, ray a drop of golden sun…me a name I call myself, far a long, long way to go…Where to start? My Grandfather Guy Shields was an AOG Preacher who founded Southwestern AOG Univesity, my granmother is a United Pentecostal Preacher, my father and mother, my father’s granmother, my Aunt and Uncles and so on. I was born and raised Pentecostal, memorized books of the (our)bible. Left public school at fifteen to go to a pentecostal school so I could graduate at 16, was ordained a minister and misionary at 16, did two year mission in Mexico.
Catholic Churches are very fancy, that seems odd to me, as a Pentecostal we are raised to play down riches and other things and that if God blesses you with things in the world its for you to bless others. Women wear plain dresses men wear button shirts and slacks(sunday best) but that’s about it. Our churchs are usualy simple and don’t have alot of symbols or other things. I suppose this is a rather stupid thing to worry about but it just doesn’t sit right with me.
The crucifix, I don’t like it Christ’s not on the cross anymore. We actually had a cross that said “He’s not there!” on it. I just don’t understand the purpose of the crucifix in representing a risen Lord and Savior.
Praying to Mary and the Saints. I was taught to pray to God, not even to God the Son, Jesus, but to God the Father. Which is what Jesus teaches us, and to ask in His name for things that are only of the highest spiritual importance(such as guidance, faith, and wisdom, never for worldly things). I was taught that the Our Father is the perfect prayer and why, repentence, glorification, faith, and needs. Nothing beyond it needs to be said, God will handle the rest as he sees fit. If you feel the need to ask for something(guidance, wisdom, extra faith) it should be done with fasting, from everything(food, friends, family, sex, anything that could remotely take your mind off God).
These are the things that are biggest to me, I also don’t understand that Bishops aren’t married and that married people cannot be pastors. But these things are not major issues for me. I still feel that I need to go to Saint Charles but I don’t want to. I don’t know why, I’d say old dogs don’t like learning new tricks but I’m only 30 so I’m not that old.I’d like to hear from Pentecostals of the older style as I was brought up in but I’m open to anyone. How did you reconcile these types of things to your faith?
King Henry the VIII divorced his wife and begat the Anglicans…the Anglicans begat the Methodists…the Methodists begat the holiness movement…that begat the AOG and Pentacostals…and this is the record of learning that you have recieved many generations removed from the Divorce…
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15thClub
Guest
I would gently but stridently encourage you not to disregard the history of the Church. While I agree that it may not be important to worry who was there first, it is, nonetheless, important to understand how the Church has shaped history and how doctrine has developed through the centuries to the present. Understanding this continuity is crucially important in understanding the Roman Catholic faith.
M
MrsE1022
Guest
AMEN AMEN AMEN!!! Never better said.
The oasis is what is waiting for you, HE is waiting for you, be courageous and walk through the door my friend
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FabiusMaximus
Guest
History is important because it is critical to confirming what the Catholic Church claims about itself. If it really is the One True Church, then it must also be the first Church, the Church actually established by Jesus Christ himself. Otherwise, it’s simply “another Church.”
P
pablope
Guest
I think this will be a good read for you…calledtocommunion.com/2009/07/ecclesial-deism/
And this…calledtocommunion.com/2010/06/how-john-calvin-made-me-a-catholic/
J
JustaServant
Guest
I once heard a PENTECOSTAL preacher say so many charismatic christians are “spiritually homeless” going from soup kitchen to soup kitchen eating the scraps.
When all the while God has a Banquet table ready for His children in the Eucharist.
B
Barbkw
Guest
H
hn160
Guest
We have a Pentecostal couple seeking to join the Missouri Synod Lutheran Church that I go to. They were told by their Pentecostal pastor to leave because the question use of woman pastors and the Pentecostal view of Communion. This all started by them listening by accident to Issues,Etc issuesetc.org/index.html.
Our pastor has a twelve week course for non-LC-MS Lutherans and members of other church to take before they are allowed to take Holy Communion after they decide that they agree with LC-MS doctrine.
Our pastor has a twelve week course for non-LC-MS Lutherans and members of other church to take before they are allowed to take Holy Communion after they decide that they agree with LC-MS doctrine.
T
TheHem
Guest
I get so excited when I read of a Pentecostal searching and inquiring of the Catholic faith or anyone from the Protestand side of the church. I am a convert 8yrs ago this Easter Vigil. You can guarantee that with a heart as open as yours to the Holy Spirit, you will be in good hands and guided in the right direction. I did not read all the threads, so I may be repeating some comments. Please be gentle with yourself(St Francis de Sales) as you embark on this beautiful journey of faith. Thank God for Catholic Answers and this forum that gives us a plethora of info. From personal experience, all I can say is trust in the Lord, read, pray, read, pray, read, pray… Not sure if you have an Adoration Chapel near by. You may want to go and chat with our Lord. My questions and doubts which varied from the Eucharist, Mary, purgatory, statues, ritual. etc. we’re all answered in amazing ways. It was the most difficult journey thus far for me but it was also very beautiful and the best decision I’ve ever made. It’s hard to describe. It’s amazing to think that here I was this hard core anti-catholic embracing a faith that so strongly opposed only because of my ignorance and false information that I been told or had read. The Hound of Heaven didn’t let me go. Thank goodness! Keep on Keepin’ on brother, you’re on the ride of your life and I’m absolutely thrilled for you.
T
TheHem
Guest
I forgot to mention that I too was in AOG church prior to my conversion and I’m thankful for the things that I learned in the season of my life. Alex Jones has a great conversion story from the AOGchurch to Catholicism. Here is the link youtube.com/watch?v=JmXzbl6Smr0
C
couponfit
Guest
Hi, I will try to answer your last question based on the info you gave me to help. I was born and raised and live Catholic. But my Grandmother who still lives at 86, raised me. She raised me to attend catholic church and mass and love the liturgy. But she loves Jesus so much she took me to worship him sometimes daily anywhere we could find others praying to him. As a result at that time and location, I tended to attend some kind of charismatic evangelical non denominational service. Sometimes AoG, sometimes Zion, usually a revival event, often in a tent, a home, or at a hotel or conference center. As a result I did not have too much confusion of confusing prayer service and AoG with “church”. I saw them all beautiful but as add ons to my faith. My age made the doctrines less significant. My grandmother went with me and supervised and taught when she needed to but mostly witnessed through her way of life.
I grew up as a catholic who is born again baptized in the holy spirit. I had some confusion in my youth so at the age of 7, during communion preparations, I was invited to have open private discussion with our priest. An old man, very pre-vatican II. I sat in a chair, and asked him (my quotes are not perfect): “Father are you born again”. He asked “What does that mean”. I said “It means you accept Jesus Christ as your personal Lord and Savior and promise to live your life according to his teachings”. The old priest looked at me and said…“My your definition, then yes, I suppose I am”. That single moment changed by view and perspective on what it means to be born again.
What I believe that shapes me is that God is everywhere, and since he is, he is in every building, even the AoG. God is answers prayers of the faithful where ever they are, even inside an AoG service. As such, when I see the holy spirit manifested in AoG or anywhere, I accept it not as revelation to me but as a revelation for those it is intended to. I do not question whether a child’s prayer is answered at bedtime or whether the Holy Spirit fills a hall at an AoG. Further my view on the Holy Spirit as a catholic is perhaps a bit different than others. Further I do not see Charisma as evidence of personal sanctity per se. I am as much as sinner with the baptism by fire as without. I do realize I still posses these gifts, which for me are manifested in lecturing and in teaching confirmation. I call them gifts because I do not feel or understand my own success in these areas and the message seems to have meaning the recipient only. In other words I suspect the Grace of God is there guiding that person and the gift is not for me but for those who seek God for the purpose of growing the church and evangelism. Especially conversion is where I see it the most.
The Holy See has a CCRM (catholic charismatic renewal movement) and here’s a link directory for all affiliated teachings: read-out.net/avila/ccr.html . The ICCRS has a bulletin that is very interesting on discussing Charisma. We are still learning and discerning this. But in a recent bulletin it was noted that Charisma can be found in solemnity and amongst a small reverent audience as much as it can be found in a more joyous boisterous large gathering. That’s true, I see that myself. That the tone and the atmosphere is not what brings the holy spirit, but rather the gathering and the prayer.
You mentioned many concerns you have about the differences. I can understand. I love the catholic church because it is christ centered, and it has so much to offer our spiritual growth. I love our mass. Many think mass is us going to pray and receive the eucharist. That is beautiful and a grace and amazing. In Charismatic service it seemed we had turned accepting Jesus christ as our personal lord and savior into a weekly event which we all restated over and over as if it was a sacrament even though we knew once was all that was necessary. The Eucharist is what is missing and you can only really truly receive this by communion to know it’s richness. But beyond the personal salvation, there is a collectiveness about our mass. Imagine more than 1 billion catholics pray each week the same prayers, hear the same readings, and have a overall magisterium guiding us towards praising God as if with one voice. That larger view is very much a holy and powerful element of the catholic church.
Here in CAF there are many individuals I know here in Texas, and I meet them in the different services I attend. I attend for the blessing and to understand and affirm my own faith. They attend mostly to search for what they feel is missing. As a convert into Catholicism you will likely struggle to find your balance and faith as it must come from within. This can be hard. The Catholic church has many ministries, orders, organizations, associations, charities, etc that you can take part in to help give your faith expression and fruit. Put effort into these ministries and organizations. And you will find your calling!
Start with visiting our Priest, attending RCIA, and attending Why Catholic. The church can assign you a sponsor. Attend the rosary and learn it and attend adoration! Here you will meet some very strong catholics and surprisingly many of the few charismatics like myself. Be careful not to shun your charismatic and AoG roots or the faith of those you love, but learn from their testimony.
I grew up as a catholic who is born again baptized in the holy spirit. I had some confusion in my youth so at the age of 7, during communion preparations, I was invited to have open private discussion with our priest. An old man, very pre-vatican II. I sat in a chair, and asked him (my quotes are not perfect): “Father are you born again”. He asked “What does that mean”. I said “It means you accept Jesus Christ as your personal Lord and Savior and promise to live your life according to his teachings”. The old priest looked at me and said…“My your definition, then yes, I suppose I am”. That single moment changed by view and perspective on what it means to be born again.
What I believe that shapes me is that God is everywhere, and since he is, he is in every building, even the AoG. God is answers prayers of the faithful where ever they are, even inside an AoG service. As such, when I see the holy spirit manifested in AoG or anywhere, I accept it not as revelation to me but as a revelation for those it is intended to. I do not question whether a child’s prayer is answered at bedtime or whether the Holy Spirit fills a hall at an AoG. Further my view on the Holy Spirit as a catholic is perhaps a bit different than others. Further I do not see Charisma as evidence of personal sanctity per se. I am as much as sinner with the baptism by fire as without. I do realize I still posses these gifts, which for me are manifested in lecturing and in teaching confirmation. I call them gifts because I do not feel or understand my own success in these areas and the message seems to have meaning the recipient only. In other words I suspect the Grace of God is there guiding that person and the gift is not for me but for those who seek God for the purpose of growing the church and evangelism. Especially conversion is where I see it the most.
The Holy See has a CCRM (catholic charismatic renewal movement) and here’s a link directory for all affiliated teachings: read-out.net/avila/ccr.html . The ICCRS has a bulletin that is very interesting on discussing Charisma. We are still learning and discerning this. But in a recent bulletin it was noted that Charisma can be found in solemnity and amongst a small reverent audience as much as it can be found in a more joyous boisterous large gathering. That’s true, I see that myself. That the tone and the atmosphere is not what brings the holy spirit, but rather the gathering and the prayer.
You mentioned many concerns you have about the differences. I can understand. I love the catholic church because it is christ centered, and it has so much to offer our spiritual growth. I love our mass. Many think mass is us going to pray and receive the eucharist. That is beautiful and a grace and amazing. In Charismatic service it seemed we had turned accepting Jesus christ as our personal lord and savior into a weekly event which we all restated over and over as if it was a sacrament even though we knew once was all that was necessary. The Eucharist is what is missing and you can only really truly receive this by communion to know it’s richness. But beyond the personal salvation, there is a collectiveness about our mass. Imagine more than 1 billion catholics pray each week the same prayers, hear the same readings, and have a overall magisterium guiding us towards praising God as if with one voice. That larger view is very much a holy and powerful element of the catholic church.
Here in CAF there are many individuals I know here in Texas, and I meet them in the different services I attend. I attend for the blessing and to understand and affirm my own faith. They attend mostly to search for what they feel is missing. As a convert into Catholicism you will likely struggle to find your balance and faith as it must come from within. This can be hard. The Catholic church has many ministries, orders, organizations, associations, charities, etc that you can take part in to help give your faith expression and fruit. Put effort into these ministries and organizations. And you will find your calling!
Start with visiting our Priest, attending RCIA, and attending Why Catholic. The church can assign you a sponsor. Attend the rosary and learn it and attend adoration! Here you will meet some very strong catholics and surprisingly many of the few charismatics like myself. Be careful not to shun your charismatic and AoG roots or the faith of those you love, but learn from their testimony.
R
rom422
Guest
Sorry I am not a Pentecostal. I am a cradle Catholic. But I have been reading this thread and I think the posters have given you many good advice. I’ll be praying for you. Good luck!
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