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Someone's tryng to proselytize me.How do I respond.

Discussion in '2005 Archive' started by mhoward1999, Jan 20, 2005.

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  1. mhoward1999

    mhoward1999 Member

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    Let me preface this by saying I am the one who witnessed to this girl. She was saved AFTER we were friends. PLEASE read this and give me SCRIPTURE to give her. The first one that comes to my mind is about not arguing that those who are weak may be turned away. Don't know that reference. Anyway, this is my response to her invitation to go to a women's retreat at her church and her response to what I had to say.
    About coming to visit, I would love to see you, but I don't have the gas money for the drive. Also, please don't take this the wrong way, but I disagree with some of the things that your church does. I am not saying they are bad. There are many, many people who believe the way your church does. That's why the Bible says to work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. I have done a lot of prayer and scripture reading from the time I was a teenager about the different doctrines that all call themselves Christian(Baptist, Nazarene, Methodist, Amish, Mennonite, and Pentecostal, to be specific.). I don't think that they are bad, but I think God tells each of us different things through His word. Your church is what I would classify as Pentecostal. I disagree with many of the practices of that denomination.

    That is all to say that I do not want to go to services there. I also don't want to hold you back from going. Like I said, I don't say they are necessarily wrong, we just believe differently. I would compare my feelings about church denominations to favorite colors. I may say that blue is the best color in the whole wide world, no other color even comes close. It must be God's favorite color as well because so much of His creation is blue. Someone else may come along and say, "No, you're wrong, brown is the best, and it must be God's favorite color because when you dig up the grass and trees and look under the water it's all a variation of brown. The whole earth is really brown underneath it all." Now, who is to say which one of us is right? There is not way for either of us to know without asking God face to face, is there? I think we just have to read His word, study it, and pray a lot, then decide for ourselves what we believe. I hope that helps you understand where I am coming from. I REALLY don't want to hurt you, but I have to be honest.
    Love, Your sister in Christ!

    Wow,that was deep! Well let me defend my church. We are not Pentecostal by NO MEANS. We all there believe and the pastor preaches right out of the living word,the Bible....So but I totally understand how you feel I honestly disagree, BUT we all have our own oppinions I believe the one that comes from God and that is from God`s word is right though.Brother Leon is a very Godly man. We`re not religious there we just praise God and give Him the glory and we love the Holy Spirit which he has put in us.(He is The Father The Son and The Holy Spirit)Just like we`re made up of the mind, body(flesh), and soul.God is great. Well just because we can`t see each other at my church we can always see each other somewhere else.Just you know the old saying you can`t jugde a book by it`s cover the Bible said jugde things by the fruits they produce. I believe that our church is a very giving and caring and Godly one. We all act in God`s faith not our own.You just have to believe. People over the years have been taught so many "religious" things that the Bible was really not be taught right,But when you’re a Christian that believes in the faith of God ,and doing things like going discipling people like God commanded then your doing the right thing. You can add or take away from the Bible but those who do are less in the kindom of heaven.God`s word stands forever and ever.Amen!!!Be blessed.Love ya girl!!

    I think you can see she is definitely a babe in Christ. I just don't know what to say without this getting into a huge argument.

    She sent this to a relative of hers who goes to her church. I am assuming she accidentally sent it to me as well: Can you think of a scripture off the top of your head??Just read and tell me what you think?I mean I did write back to her and I love her as a friend but she just dosen`t believe in what God has for her, I guess?
     
    #1 mhoward1999, Jan 20, 2005
  2. mhoward1999

    mhoward1999 Member

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    Bump: anyone know what to say?
     
    #2 mhoward1999, Jan 20, 2005
  3. Plain ol' Ralph

    Plain ol' Ralph New Member

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    Simple, God is NOT the author of confusion, the devil is, so don't be confused, you know Jesus saved you, LIVE 4HIM!!
     
    #3 Plain ol' Ralph, Jan 20, 2005
  4. mhoward1999

    mhoward1999 Member

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    Yes, I know that, but how can I convey that to her without insulting her. The only way I can think is with scripture.

    Some of the things her church practices are speaking in tongues, being "drunk in the spirit," blowing ram's horns at random times during the service, "prophesy," etc.
     
    #4 mhoward1999, Jan 20, 2005
  5. menageriekeeper

    menageriekeeper Active Member

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    Simply tell her that you are uncomfortable with the way her church worships and leave it at that. Sometimes you have to agree to disagree.

    Btw, my best friend who I consider my sister, is a pentacostal, and I don't worship at her church either. We have differences of opinions in this matter that we agree that we will not allow harsh feelings on. She was raised the way she was raised and I was raised the way I was raised. Both of us have ingrained beliefs that we are not going to let go of.
     
    #5 menageriekeeper, Jan 20, 2005
  6. mhoward1999

    mhoward1999 Member

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    I have said that to her before. The thing that gets my goat is her telling her relative that she guesses I just don't want to experience the fullness of what God has for me. I want to tell her, "Honey, I was singing in a band in Pentecostal churches before you were born-the first time! And yes, you are Pentecostal, whether you wear the name or not, that's what you practice. And I know more about it than you do, have researched and prayed FERVENTLY about it, so don't go trying to shove your pseudo-filled-with-the-Spirit-garbage down my throat!"
    I am sure you are thinking:...come on now, tell us how you really feel...about now! Sorry :rolleyes: but kindof not.
     
    #6 mhoward1999, Jan 20, 2005
  7. Marcia

    Marcia Active Member

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    Tell her you prefer your own church and hate to miss services at your church. You've made it clear that you do not want to participate in her church, and that is all you need to do. Just keep repeating that -- don't try to defend yourself because you have no reason to.

    Tell her you love her as a sister in Christ, but that you are not comfortable with her type of church. And you can point out that not all Christians go to her church, so it's clear that not everyone wants those kind of services.
     
    #7 Marcia, Jan 20, 2005
  8. robycop3

    robycop3 Well-Known Member
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    First, go to 1 Corinthians 12-13 & read about the spiritual gifts so you're prepared to answer any questions about them and to explain that such things are to be done in an ORDERLY FASHION...that if 50 people are talking at once, no one understands anyone else. Also show her that different people receive different gifts from the Holy Spirit & not everyone is gonna speak in unknown languages, nor is everyone a preacher, musician, accountant, etc.
     
    #8 robycop3, Jan 20, 2005
  9. Plain Old Bill

    Plain Old Bill New Member

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    Also you might introduce her to the Baptist Forum.You can tell her we have forums for non-Baptists also.
     
    #9 Plain Old Bill, Jan 20, 2005
  10. Christianbsw

    Christianbsw New Member

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    Forgive me if I misunderstand, but it sounds as though you do not want contact with her at all. When we share the gospel with others and they accept God's invitation, we have a responsibility to disciple them. We also have a responsibility to disciple other believers from other denominations when the door is open. How we do this may take some understanding of where they are coming from. This does not mean that you go out and hit them with the Bible, hoping that something will get through.
    When I was spending a great deal of time at Starbucks near my last home, I had the opportunity to visit (over about ten years) with people for hours at a time. I was often invited to other churches and stated: "Thank you. I am very busy at the Church I attend now. If you ever have the opportunity, you are welcome to come to ... also." I still spend time with these people because they are receptive to sharing and studying the word of God from the Bible! With regard to works of the Holy Spirit, there are guidelines that are directive for a reason. For example, speaking in tongues does not edify the Church unless he interprets. (1 Corinthians 14:5)
    Also, read verses 6 through 19 for understanding the need for interpretation to the church. I have attended churches who do not interpret. They just let it be what "it is." I once went to a fellowship night of praise and worship at my church where a woman went to the front to pray. She began to "speak in tongues" which is highly unusual in my Church and my singles minister whispered to the rest of us what was happening, helping us to understand. There are those who follow this path. Is it right or wrong? We need to search scripture and ask the Holy Spirit for discernment. I am not a scholar.
    As it has been pointed to in a previous post, Spiritual gifts vary. Tongues are listed in 1 Cor. 12:8-10,28-30. 1 Cor. 8-10 appears to refer to division of gifts uniquely to various people, where not everyone will have the same. Responses anyone?
    Another thing to consider is whether these gifts as members feel they are given are manifest in public areas. It appears that biblical reference happens in the gathering of members in one place, rather than on the street corners. Just seems interesting.
    Pleae read Ephesians 4:7-16 on Spiritual Gifts. It is also quite telling.
    Be blessed.
     
    #10 Christianbsw, Jan 20, 2005
  11. Ben W

    Ben W Active Member
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    Which Pentecostal group is she with?
     
    #11 Ben W, Jan 21, 2005
  12. mhoward1999

    mhoward1999 Member

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    Okay. I will keep restating that I love her as a sister in Christ and I disagree with her church's practices. (I feel that she questions my salvation. It makes me angry that she is making a judgement on my relationship with Christ.)

    Just saying I don't want to miss services at my church is not a good excuse. She has invited me to a special service that is tonight. (Friday) My church does not have a service tonight.

    robycop: Thanks for the scripture references and examples I can share with her. I will be reading them as soon as I finish this post.

    PlainOldBill: No! I don't wanna share! :mad: Just kidding. [​IMG] Actually I told her about the site as soon as I discovered it, and how neat it was and about the devitions that are available, etc. She was not receptive. She told me I needed to use Kenneth Copeland's site.

    Christianbsw: You misunderstood. She is my friend. I care a lot about her and I want to see her. She moved two and a half hours away last summer and I have only been able to see her two times since then. I do witness and disciple others every chance I get, but I also respect others' right to read and discern the scriptures for themselves. I don't argue with people about issues that can be divisive among believers, however. Thank you for the scriptures as well. I will be off to study them as soon as I finish this post.

    Ben W: I don't remember the name of her church. It's an independent place in a small town in Oklahoma. They are not affiliated with any denomination. That is why I said I would classify her church as Pentecostal rather that saying "your church is Pentecostal."
     
    #12 mhoward1999, Jan 21, 2005
  13. Thankful

    Thankful <img src=/BettyE.gif>

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    Just say "No". You don't have to give her an excuse or a reason.
     
    #13 Thankful, Jan 21, 2005
  14. chipsgirl

    chipsgirl New Member

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    Thankful is right. If she is your friend she would understand that you need to find your own church where you are comfortable. No excuses needed. My best friend came to my church for awhile but told me today that she is going to start looking for another church again. I can't be mad that she doesn't feel at home where I do and vice versa. I just pray that she finds a good church. I think you are just going to have to tell her the truth and try not to argue it with her. It's a matter of opinion and you don't want it to ruin your friendship.
     
    #14 chipsgirl, Jan 21, 2005
  15. Plain ol' Ralph

    Plain ol' Ralph New Member

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    Uh, Sister, I gave you a Scripture,now please turn to those scriptures that deal specifically with each "problem" she puts on you, but remember "debate" IS a S I N! So just let God have her, if she decides to go against the Word of God, it's her own fault and you have done all to stand; On the Word Of God!

    Seems everytime some one goes against the Rock, they just seem to fall to the side and land face first where the Rock can pick them back up, dust them off and send them in the path He has for them.

    What happens is the devil sends this charismatic bunch to us to try and hinder what God has commanded us to do, so don't let her take your time up and keep you from telling others about Jesus; all it seems she is doing is telling others about what she does and her church does in their meetings, BIG difference? Yes.

    I don't waste any time with them. I give them what the Bible says and if they continue to wrest the scriptures, it is to their own destruction, sad, but true.
     
    #15 Plain ol' Ralph, Jan 21, 2005
  16. mhoward1999

    mhoward1999 Member

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    I am working on compiling scriptures to send to her. I am really struggling with finding the one that says for us (Christians) not to argue about God's work, lest unbelievers be turned away. Do you know that reference? I have been searching all morning.

    I am going to open with Dear ..., I am not going to argue. Here is what God's word says. I have highlighted what I think is important. Judge for yourself.

    I want to say something along the lines of "Please don't try to push your beliefs on me. I don't try to talk you out of yours." I don't think that sounds very nice, though. Can ya'll help me with how to say that, or if I should even say it?
     
    #16 mhoward1999, Jan 21, 2005
  17. dianetavegia

    dianetavegia Guest

    Titus 3:9 But avoid foolish disputes, genealogies, contentions, and strivings about the law; for they are unprofitable and useless. 10 Reject a divisive man after the first and second admonition, 11 knowing that such a person is warped and sinning, being self-condemned.

    ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
    I think this is the verse you mean but I'm not sure it fits this situation. The issues you bring up are not just icing on the cake.
    If her church teaches something that makes you uncomfortable because you see it conflicts with scripture, then your disagreement is not a foolish argument. [​IMG]
     
    #17 dianetavegia, Jan 21, 2005
  18. mhoward1999

    mhoward1999 Member

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    Diane, At first I thought that was it, but now I don't think so. If it is, I don't remember the context correctly.

    Anyone know of any other similar verse?
     
    #18 mhoward1999, Jan 21, 2005
  19. dianetavegia

    dianetavegia Guest

    I don't have any idea of the scripture you are looking for. Certainly it's not this one.


    2 Timothy 4:2 Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine. 3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; 4 And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables. 5 But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry. 6 For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand. 7 I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith
     
    #19 dianetavegia, Jan 21, 2005
  20. dianetavegia

    dianetavegia Guest

    2 Timothy 2:16 But avoid irreverent, empty speech, for this will produce an even greater measure of godlessness. 17 And their word will spread like gangrene, among whom are Hymenaeus and Philetus. 18 who have strayed concerning the truth, saying that the resurrection is already past; and they overthrow the faith of some.
     
    #20 dianetavegia, Jan 21, 2005
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