Special Revelational Truth

How do y'all handle groups who throw logic into the wind b/c of their revelations. My example is I was talking to an United Pentacostal this weekend for about four hours(which now doing a backround check on this denomination as a whole is a micro-miracle). After talking to him it was very obvious that he has been absolutely misguided, but he is following a "Scriptural revelation" that his denomination has had. I have also talked to Christians whose pastor "went to heaven" and while talking to them they are handling the Bible with extreme error and do not seem to listen b/c their leader has had an experience. I guess I was just wondering how do we approach people who are under this kind of teaching?
Or if anyone has any personal experiences to share (I know an experience is not prescriptive but it may help).

Well first of all they seem to have an issue with Recognizing the Bible as the full and complete authority of God.
God Has given His Word, He said all scripture is given by inspiration and is profitable for doctrine reproof correction and instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thouroughly furninshed unto all good works.
First thing i note is all scripture is Given by inspiration,
key words:
Scripture: recognized by witnesses as the authoritative Authentic word of God.
Given: The process of one presenting another with something willingly or submissively.
Inspiration: God-breathed, or the Words of God Himself, the breath of God or Gods Words.

It is safe to say that any man teaching that he went to heaven, or was given special revelation from God is a false teacher and as paul says "mark him and avoid him"
Ill be back later to answer the rest of the q:

Hi Provost,

At the time of our conversion my wife and I attended a congregation affiliated with the UPC. What were the issues you discussed in particular or what were your concerns?

Chris

hi provost, were they talking about the Jesus only Doctrine?.......David

Yeah my concern was after talking to this guy it was very apparent that he has been told what to think and not taught how to think. Also the baptizing in the Jesus only, with the evidence of speaking in tongues is the only way to be saved? We went back and forth (civilly I really liked the brother) and almost every question he had I was able to answer, but it still came down to, all Christians are going to hell except the ones that have been baptized in the name of Jesus only and spoke in tongues. So dealing with that kind of "revelatory" thinking was just rough and foreign.

It is heartbreaking but, I have this same issue with my dad. I try to witness to my dad about Beleiving signs & wonders more the the Bible and he witnesses to me that because I do not go to a signs & wonders worshipping church that I am not believing the whole Bible either.

I tried to explain that God is more concerned about the state of our heart. I also explained that the evidence of our TRUE conversion (or state of heart) is the fruit we produce. Do we keep the commandents out of responce to what God has done in us? Are we growing in the fruits of the Spirit?

My dad seems to trust more in signs & wonders as evidence more then spiritual fruit. I made a point (correct me if I am wrong) but, signs & wonders can be faked. Spirtual fruit that is not real shows it's self in a lack obediance or carnal Christianity. (my own observation)

I wonder if those who reject reason or logic in favor of signs & wonders are not just clinging to certain sin in their lives that they just do not want brought into the light?

Tracy

Hi Provost,

"Yeah my concern was after talking to this guy it was very apparent that he has been told what to think and not taught how to think."

I can imagine what you're seeing here. In my experience I remember feeling alot of pressure to conform to the doctrines. And this is something that came up in the meetings quite a bit.

Right before we left I was invited to participate in a new ministry reaching out to drug and alcohol addicted. After I went through part of the introductory class I was asked to sign something which affirmed some of the things you mentioned about speaking in tongues and I left the class because I could not do it in good conscience.

Something which has helped me along the way through all of this is looking more and more at the person and work of Christ. He said

[b][color=660033]This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent.[/color][/b]

They asked Him about works. He told them there was one work, and it was God's.

Chris