Good morning, brothers;
We have a large Pentecostal, Charismatic, and Word of Faith in the SF Bay Area. Truthfully, many of these brothers and sisters have attended for years and sadly, still don't fully understand their doctrine and teaching. The truthful way for me to describe what they know is tossed and intermixed between the three denoms.
I've known some of my acquaintances and friends for 30+ years that still worship at these Churches. It's been in their upbringing since they were Christian babes. Today they have grown very humble, conduct and serve in humility and don't make authoritative statements about their doctrine. This allows me to have meaningful conversations while learning a little more about them, (not their Church, but them,) their personal walk with Jesus, daily life and striving to live the 9 fruit of the spirit.
Yes, Virginia, seasoned Christians do exist in these places of worship.
This no way dismisses the believers there who blow trumpets, babble in one assembly, fall on the ground shaking and go into fits of uncontrollable laughter which goes against the Holy Spirit's fruit of self control. I didn't know how to receive these displays back in my late 20s and most of my 30s.
I remember in 1998 a man once asked me in front of a group of people from a large Pentecostal Church, "what are you?" (he wanted to know my denomination) I'm a Southern Baptist. He replied, "are you sure you want to go that way?"
My wife and I looked at each other (what?!?) and knew what the other (my wife and I) was thinking. God was watching the whole conversation and instead of exposing the pride in my flesh, we both answered quietly, "yes" (Matthew 5:37.) The others in the group approached us later and apologized out of embarrassment. One said, "I thought we're all on the same team for Christ."
Today I won't dignify such a response. Some people seek to divide in the name of their Church, but to what end? Most of the time it's an internal and blind end within them.
I don't agree with many of the Pentecostal, Charismatic, and Word of Faith doctrines, but I'm having conversations with the friends I know who support it.
In one of my many discussions I have never witnessed signs of today, nor any prophet or apostle come to light. I have witnessed how God answers many of our prayers, heal the sick, He leads relationships to flourish, send us to make disciples and so much more in abundance, from the Almighty God.
God bless you all.
Bob