https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=puYp29QmW4Q
Pentecostalism is a Christian movement
that emerged in the 20th century in the United States, based on the
belief that all Christians should seek a post-conversion experience
called baptism with the Holy Spirit. This experience is marked by the
manifestation of supernatural gifts, especially speaking in tongues,
which Pentecostals regard as a sign of the Spirit's presence and
power. Pentecostals trace their origin to the Apostles and the day of
Pentecost, when the Holy Spirit descended on the first Christians and
enabled them to speak in different languages. Pentecostalism has its
roots in the holiness movement of the 19th century, which emphasised
personal sanctification and revival. The founder of the first
Pentecostal church was Charles Fox Parham, who taught that speaking
in tongues was the biblical evidence of Spirit baptism.
Pentecostalism spread rapidly through revivals and missionary work,
and today it is one of the largest and most diverse branches of
Christianity, with many denominations and faith groups that share a
common emphasis on the experiential and charismatic dimension of
faith.
Pentecostals are a branch of Protestant
Christianity that emphasises the direct personal experience of God
through baptism with the Holy Spirit. Pentecostals do not believe
that repentance of sin is a necessary condition for receiving God's
forgiveness and salvation. Repentance means turning away from all sin
and turning to God in prayer, confessing one's sins and asking for
His mercy. However, Pentecostals seek forgiveness as a substitute for
repentance which they believe will save. Asking for forgiveness is
the first step in receiving the baptism with the Holy Spirit, which
they believe is a second work of grace that empowers Christians to
live a Spirit-filled and victorious life. Pentecostals often
associate baptism with the Holy Spirit with speaking in tongues,
which they consider to be a sign of the Spirit's presence and power.
However, there is nothing in the Bible to suggest the way to
salvation is by speaking in tongues or that it is necessary to be
saved. On the contrary, speaking in tongues could be a sign of a
demon-possessed individual.
The Bible mentions tithing in both the
Old and New Testaments but not necessarily to the church. Tithing
means giving a tenth of one's income or produce to support those who
are less fortunate . In the Old Testament, God commanded the
Israelites to give a tithe of their crops, livestock and spoils of
war to the Levites, who served at the tent of meeting and did not
have an inheritance in the land (Numbers 18:21-28). The Israelites
were also instructed to give a tithe of their produce every third
year to support the Levites, the foreigners, the orphans and the
widows (Deuteronomy 26:12-13). In addition, they were to be generous
with those in need and lend them whatever they needed (Deuteronomy
15:7-8).
In the New Testament, Jesus affirmed
that tithing was an obligation for the Jews who lived under the law,
but he also criticized the Pharisees who tithed meticulously but
neglected justice, mercy and faithfulness (Matthew 23:23-24). Jesus
taught that giving should be done cheerfully, not as an obligation,
and not for public recognition (Matthew 6:1-4, 2 Corinthians 9:6-7).
He also challenged some of his followers to give more than a tenth,
even everything they had, to follow him and serve God (Matthew 19:21,
Luke 18:22, 21:1-4). The apostles and early Christians did not impose
tithing as a rule for believers, but they encouraged them to share
generously of whatever gifts, abilities and wealth God had entrusted
to them (Romans 12:6-8, Hebrews 13:16, 1 John 3:17).
One day, a Pentecostal preacher grabbed
me by the shoulders and started to shake me. He told me that I had to
tithe to his church or else I would face God's wrath. He was living
in a huge and luxurious mansion that he had built with the money from
his congregation. I was one of his donors for a while, but I didn't
give him much before I left the church for good and that is that for
the Pentecostal movement.
The Roman Catholic Church is one of the
oldest and largest religious institutions in the world, but it has
also been the subject of many criticisms and controversies over the
centuries. Some of the faults that have been attributed to the church
are:
- Sexual scandal. The church has been
accused of covering up cases of sexual abuse and misconduct by its
clergy, especially against children and young people. The scandal has
damaged the credibility and reputation of the church, and led to
lawsuits, resignations, and criminal investigations in many countries
.
- Celibacy. The church requires its
priests and nuns to remain celibate, which means they cannot marry or
have sexual relations. This rule has been challenged by some who
argue that it is unnatural, unhealthy, and a cause of frustration and
loneliness for many clergy. Some also claim that celibacy contributes
to the sexual abuse problem, as some priests may seek illicit outlets
for their sexual urges.
- Birth control. The church opposes any
form of artificial contraception, such as condoms, pills, or
sterilization. It teaches that sex is only for procreation within
marriage, and that any interference with the natural process of
conception is immoral. This stance has been criticized by many who
say that it is unrealistic, irresponsible, and harmful to women's
health and rights. Some also blame the church for contributing to the
problems of overpopulation, poverty, and AIDS in developing
countries.
- Homosexuality. The church considers
homosexual acts to be gravely sinful, and homosexual orientation to
be disordered. It does not accept same-sex marriage or civil unions,
and opposes any legal or social recognition of homosexual
relationships. It also teaches that homosexuals should live in
chastity and refrain from expressing their sexuality. This position
has been denounced by many as homophobic, discriminatory, and
insensitive to the dignity and needs of homosexual people.
- Female priests. The church does not
ordain women as priests, and asserts that this is a matter of divine
law that cannot be changed. It bases this doctrine on the example of
Jesus, who chose only male apostles, and on the tradition of the
church, which has always reserved the priesthood to men. This
doctrine has been challenged by some who argue that it is sexist,
unjust, and contrary to the spirit of equality and inclusion that
Jesus taught.
- Premarital sex. The church teaches
that sex outside of marriage is a serious sin that offends God and
harms the dignity of the human person. It also warns that premarital
sex can lead to unwanted pregnancies, abortions, sexually transmitted
diseases, emotional damage, and loss of trust and respect in
relationships. This teaching has been questioned by many who say that
it is outdated, unrealistic, and irrelevant to modern society.
Religion is a complex and diverse
phenomenon that has shaped human history and culture in many ways. It
can provide a source of meaning, morality, and community for millions
of people, but it can also be a cause of conflict, violence, and
oppression. No religion is perfect, and neither are its followers.
All religions have faults and so do people, and it is important to
acknowledge and address these shortcomings in a constructive and
respectful manner. Religion can be a force for good or evil,
depending on how it is interpreted and practiced by individuals and
groups. Therefore, it is essential to promote dialogue, tolerance,
and understanding among different religious traditions and
worldviews, as well as to challenge the misuse and abuse of religion
for political or personal gain such as you are doing by marketing
books attacking the Roman Catholic Church.
Blessings