Frequently Asked Questions
Q?
Are You Pentecostal?
A.
We have experienced the life changing impact of being filled with the Holy Spirit like the apostles did in Acts chapter 2, the Samaritans did in Acts chapter 8, Cornelius and his whole household did in Acts chapter 10, and the disciples of John the baptist that Paul preached to in Acts chapter 19. Peter peached that everyone who was called would receive the Holy Spirit, and since he received the keys to the kingdom, he was the apostle whom God used to pour out the Holy Spirit on all three classes of people, Jews, Samaritans and Gentiles.
Q?
Isn't speaking in tongues a special gift of the Holy Spirit? Doesn't the Bible say that not everyone receives that gift?
A.
Jesus said we would be baptized of water and Spirit. Acts two tells us that all in the upper room were baptized of the Holy Spirit and spake unlearned languages that others clearly understood. No other verse that records someone speaking in tongues says that anyone around understood them, but it does record several other groups received that experience when they received the Holy Spirit. Paul even wrote a letter to the Corinthian church about correcting errors in the use of the gift of tongues, but in that letter he told them to not forbid speaking in tongues. He even said, "I thank God I speak in tongues more than you all." so it is clear he was not speaking against tongues.
Q?
What is the difference in being filled with the Holy Spirit, the gift of tongues, and praying in tongues privately?
A.
We believe when you are baptized in the Holy Spirit, you will speak in a God inspired tongue. It could be another language that is known, or an unknown tongue. When God desires to speak to the church, He can use a variety of Spirit inspired gifts to speak to them, including a Word of Knowledge, the gift of Prophecy, the Gift of tongues along with the gift of interpretation, and using the five fold ministry of Teachers, Pastors, Apostles, Prophets and Evangelists. And then Paul instructed the Corinthian Church that they would only speak in tongues when gathered together to edify the body, and that at the most 3 times in a single setting, and that they have the gift of interpretation present so all will understand what was being said by the Spirit. He also clarified that he often prayed in tongues privately, because the "Spirit prayed", and his mind didn't understand, but his spirit was strengthened.
Q?
Why do your ladies wear dresses?
A.
We do not require ladies to wear dresses to church. Come as you are. We do believe God made us male and female, and that He wants a clear distinction between the sexes. He made our bodies distinctly different. Different shapes, different strengths, and different functions. In eternity we are the same, but expressed here in our bodies we are distinct. We are simply seeking to fulfill God's designed purpose for our lives. He designed that a man and a woman would bring their disticntions together to create a more complete whole through marriage, which represents what He wants to do with mankind. Mankind without God can be disastrous, and man following God can be completely fulfilling.
