Asking For A Friend Week 2
The "Asking for a Friend" series is a discussion-based gathering designed to answer spiritual questions from within the church body using only the word of God rather than tradition or denominational ideology,. The format typically consists of a brief ten-minute response to a question followed by an open group discussion.
The first major topic addressed this evening was the difference between "Pentecostal" and "Trinitarian". The term "Pentecostal" is derived from the biblical day of Pentecost, referring to the experience of being baptized with the Holy Ghost and speaking in other tongues. In contrast, "Trinitarian" refers to the theological belief that God exists as three distinct persons, an ideology the speakers noted was codified later in church history at the Council of Nicaea. A significant portion of this discussion focused on baptismal formulas, contrasting the "Father, Son, and Holy Ghost" wording in Matthew 28:19 with the practice of the early apostles, who baptized exclusively in the name of Jesus. The speakers emphasized using parallel passages, such as Luke 24, to understand that Jesus was instructing his disciples on whose name to use rather than providing a repetitive script for the ceremony.
The discussion then shifted to the practical application of the commandment to honor one's parents, specifically when those parents are considered "evil" or are practicing things like witchcraft. The participants concluded that honor means respect for the person as an image-bearer of God, but it does not mean condoning their sinful actions or giving them access to control one's spiritual direction. For children, the biblical instruction to obey parents is framed as being "as unto the Lord," implying that obedience does not extend to unrighteous acts. Dishonor was defined as maligning a parent's character or rebelling against them, whereas praying for their deliverance is seen as a high form of honor.
Finally, the group explored the manifestation of tongues and the necessity of interpretation. While the Bible calls for order in public services to ensure the body is edified, the speakers shared personal accounts where "interpretation" occurred internally or through a common witness rather than a spoken translation. They noted instances where individuals heard tongues as their own native language, demonstrating that God can provide understanding to specific people even when the rest of the assembly does not hear a formal interpretation.
The night concluded with a preview for the next session, which will address a challenge regarding what is more important: moving in the gifts of the Spirit, like tongues, or demonstrating the manifest gift of love.