“Give me that old time religion”? For a growing number of Americans, not so much. New information from the Pew Research Center reveals a spike in Americans claiming no religious connection. Meanwhile, it reports a steep decline among those who claim the name of Christ.
Phone surveys in 2018 and 2019 found that 65% of American adults describe themselves as Christians. That’s a plunge from 77% in 2009. For those who call themselves atheists, agnostics, or “nothing in particular,” it’s a different story. The portion of these so-called “nones” has risen from 17% in 2009 to 26% today.
The Pew report has more troubling news. Church attendance is on the decline. The portion of those who attend religious services regularly—at least once or twice per month—has dropped 7% over the past 10 years. The percentage of those who rarely or never attend services has increased by the same amount. In 2009, regular attenders outnumbered those who rarely attend church 52% to 47%. Now those folks who make regular church attendance their priority are in the minority. Only 45% of Americans claim to attend church more than once a month.
Generational differences may partly explain the change in America’s religious landscape. The report says three quarters of U.S. baby boomers (people born between 1946 and 1964) call themselves Christians. Among the younger millennial generation, however, only 49% label themselves Christian.
On the surface, these stats might seem like only bad news. But numbers don’t always tell the whole story. For much of the history of the United States, many people have shared a common Judeo-Christian heritage if not an actual, life-saving faith. Christianity and church attendance were largely accepted as cultural norms. The Pew study suggests that norms have shifted. Maybe Americans today are more honest about their religious beliefs. In the past, churches may have been full because Christianity was popular, not because everyone in the seats really believed the gospel.
It is important to remember too that Jesus’ church (the whole body of believers) is not confined to any one part of the globe. While Christianity becomes less popular in one country, it may explode in others (for example: Iran, Afghanistan, and Gambia). Christians take comfort in knowing that God protects His people throughout the world. God is with the true church everywhere, whether there are many or few, in peace and in persecution. Christians pray for their communities and nations to be awakened to the gospel. And they rest secure, knowing that God is in control.
To Above
The bible told me.
I am not talklking about the gift of tongues. I'm talking about the evidence that you've been filled. That is not meant to be interpreted, its your prayer language. To use when you want to. A few days ago, me and my mom got the stomach flu. My dad could do nothing so he started praying in the spirit in tongues. I did as well and was comforted. Some times when the lord wants to say something in a sertan Way he uses people with the gift of tongues and smeome with the gift of prophecy and then you have a interpretation of tongues. Why he dose it this way I don't know. I have lheard many prophecy and it always has come to pass. I know of at least 5000 people who believe in the baptism if the holy spirit with the evidance of tongues. I have seen people filled. Its wonderful to see, the light of joy in there eyes. The love for the lord. Most of them cry for joy! I prayed for about 2½ years and them when I went to a Pentecostal church in Louisiana in a children's service I was filled. It was wonderful! It is wonderful. You are missing out. Why not believe? You have nothing to lose. Why don't you want to believe? Its in the bible? Did that help.
@ Janna
I take it you don't believe that the Lord speaks through dreams either? Are you Baptist? You sound like it. I take it you think that the Lord doesn't do big miricals today? Am I rite.
Janna
If its worthless. Why is it stated in the bible as a spiritual gift?
Janna (Daniel's sister) @NA
I still don't believe that speaking in tongues is real, and I never will. If you want to believe it, fine, but it's not real. I do believe that God can do miracles today and speak through dreams, He just doesn't do it normally in this day and age because He gave us the Bible to communicate to us. So why do miracles and work through dreams when we have the Bible? True I don't have anything to lose speaking in tongues, but I don't have anything to gain either.
(rite is spelled-right, and miricals is spelled-miracles)
Janna
You gain understanding,, a tool for battle, a gift of the spirit, a testimony, proof that the bible is true that all of it it true.
So you think that Acts chapter two is not true? If its not real WHY IS IT IN THE BIBLE? I WANT TO KNOW WHERE YOU GOT THAT FROM?!
Janna
How can I say its not real. If I have seen it with my own eyes. And done it with my own mouth and lived it with my own life?
His can I deny what the lord gave me? How can I deny it? How...
Janna
Janna,
I am not just saying what my parents say. I am telling you what the lord has done in my personal life he filled me with the holy ghost and I spoke in tongues. It is just as real as it was then. I can not deny it beavuse I live it. Please prove to me i am wrong with the bible. Then I will see where you are coming from. Forgive me for not understanding. I just don't know how the bible could contradict its self. Please show me where it is in the bible.
Janna
The lords last words were the command for the baptism of the holy spirit with tongues. John the Baptist prophesy it. Joel prophesy it. Jeremiah prophecy it.
Janna
Jesus's last words in the earth were: '
''But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: [ he is speaking of the baptism with the holy spirit with the evedance of tongues] and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.
9 And when he had spoken these things, while they beheld, he was taken up;[ those were his last words and his last command to all believers] and a cloud received him out of their sight.''
My words were in braces [ ] so you can read it again if you need to. :-).
.
Jesus last words to us were:
But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.
There is nothing extraordinary about other tongues. The extraordinary thing is what causes it. The holy spirit comes into you. You WILL speak in another tongue. John the Baptist said: ''He will baptise you with the holy spirit, and with fire.'" Fire. When the holy spirit came upon the disciples there were ''cloven tongues of fire'' above each of them.
You are afraid of tongues. But don't be. As a Christian, I would and do want everything the Lord has for me. Even if I don't understand. If the lord would give you the gift of tongues. Lets pretend it had a perpouse OK. Would you want it? If it would only give you one testimony. Would you want it? I would. I want everything the lord has for me. Big or small.
Please answer me. :-) :-)
Janna (Daniel's sister) @NA
Speaking in tongues may help you feel better, but I don't want anything to do with it whether you think it's real or not. I believe that Jesus gave us the Bible as the only way of "modern" communication to His people. So if it makes you feel better, go ahead and do it, but I'm not going to have a part in it.
Janna
All right.
Just keep in mind. Its a free gift, all you have to do is take it. It will change your life.
If you ever get it. Tell me. : )
Janna (Daniel's sister) @NA
Yeah right.............
@ Janna
You'll see.
yikes! i came back to this
yikes! i came back to this page after not being on for a week !!
FOUR PAGES???
@ Gloriana
Hahaha! I know!
@ Glorianna
What? It's a very important subject. ; )
: D
Nadia A
What is an important subject?
Janna (Daniel's sister) @NA
So you're saying if I say, "Bladkljfakjeiojfkejfleiafjlekjfieojafojiowjeiofjkasjfoeijfi", God is speaking through me? You really believe that?
@ Janna
No-o-o. I'm saying you say "Bladkljfakjeiojfkejfleiafjlekjfieojafojiowjeiofjkasjfoeijfi" beacuse the espirit flows through you, and then someone interprets it in the spirit. THAT is God speaking through you.
But tongues do not have to be interpreted. They don't have to be yelled out in church. unless you have the gift of prophecy. Tongues are just the fisecal evedance that you've been filled with the spirit. It is to be used in your own private time when you need to be comforted or encouraged or beacuse you just want to praise the Lord in the spirit.. It's like a river flowing through you .Speaking in tongues is your spirit praying. You won't understand the good of tongues because you have hardened your heart to people like me who do speak in tongues, and do believe it. And know it's true. You have denied it in your heart. So our mind will not except it.
If you won't me believe. the ask the lord! Ask God if i'm ling ask him until he gives you a clear answer! I showed you in his word and that was not enough for you. So ask him.
@ Emilia G
The baptism with the holy spirit and fire, is the important subject. : )
Nna
You think I live in a town where everyone is Pentecostal. Most my relatives think like you. Its a lie and I'm crazy and stupid.
Because I believe that you can speak in tongues. I go to a baptist church. Every Sunday I hear if you speak in tongues your possessed. And other things like that. My friends that live close don't eben think about tongues. But. Every day, at home. My mom will turn on SBN and the holy spirit fill flow through that TV set and she will start speaking in tongues. I hear a nice message by pastor Donnie Swaggart. I watch people being filled with the spirit. Speaking in tongues. I live it. I know it. I've seen it.
You do not have to speak in tongues to be a Christian. I do not believe that and that is a lie. I see you don't agree with me strongly. So sense you think the bible is the only way God speaks. Where in the bible dose it say that tongues are a lie? Please show me. Back your beliefs with the bible and I will believe you. :-) now I know at least 5000 people who speak in tongues but they don't live by me. We vis them like once every two years. It sos nice to be with believers who belive the whole bible!
Janna
I don't believe it just because my parents told me it was true. I read it in MY bible with MY eyes and MY lips I prayed to MY Lord and he filled ME with the holy spirit and I spoke with other tongues as the spirit of God gave the utterance. It was MY own experience. I back it up with the bible. It was and is the promise of the father foe us Christians. If you deny tongues you don't believe the new testament!
@Janna
I think the definition of speaking in tongues is speaking in a real language which you personally have never heard, not babbling.
@Nadia Correct me if I'm wrong
To Above
Yes. That is correct. I have been trying to say that. ; |
Comments?
Some comments are gone?
@ Janna
Did I scare you away? : ) = )
@ Janna
Okay, here are some more verses. I hope you can follow. I am in a hurry.
Paul said:
In his name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues;
This is where it all started:
Acts 2:3 And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them.
.
Acts 2:4 And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.
In vers 11 its tells us that when one speaks in tongues he is speaking the wonderful works of God.
Acts 2:11 Cretes and Arabians, we do hear them speak in our tongues the wonderful works of God.
Acts 10:46 For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God.
This still happens today. If it was good enough for Paul. Its good enough for me and you:
Acts 19:6 And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Ghost came on them; and they spake with tongues, and prophesied.
Tongues and interpretation of tongues are two different things:
1 Corinthians 12:10 To another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another divers kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues:
1 Corinthians 12:28 And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues.
1 Corinthians 12:30 Have all the gifts of healing? do all speak with tongues? do all interpret?
This tells you that the lord dose use people to speak in tongues and prophecy.
1 Corinthians 14:5 I would that ye all spake with tongues but rather that ye prophesied: for greater is he that prophesieth than he that speaketh with tongues, except he interpret, that the church may receive edifying.
Paul said:
1 Corinthians 14:18 I thank my God, I speak with tongues more than ye all.
So its plain to see. Tongues and prophecy are real and are from God. It also said that people will say 'they are mad' of people who speak in tongues. So if nothing comes out of this discution at least your fulfilling scripture.
What are your comments. Lay out your facts. I have done my best to do that and I want to see where your comming from. If that is possible I would appreciate it.
Thanks. : )
- Nadia A.
@ Somebody
Why dose everybody leave me hanging like this all the time?
Janna (Daniel's sister @BethSarah G
Do you believe that God can give you the utterance?
@ Janna
I was telling you my facts. I see you have none. If you don't want the promise then that's between you and the Lord. I have just told you what where when and why I believe the bible. I will pray.
Just remember what I said in the future. And if you ever get it. Please do tell me.
Thanks. :-).
Your Pentecostal friend,
Nadia A.
@ Jana
Oh and just remember. It is in the Bible. :-)
Your Pentecostal friend,
Nadia A.
@ JANNA
I am not trying to convert you. But I would like to know. If yiu wanted to make a point to someone how would you try to perswade them that tongues are not for today? I am confused. Please tell me where your comming from. And do it kindly so it doesn't get deleted. That was not meant to be rude.
Where are you coming from?
Please tell me.
Thanks,
Your Pentecostal friend,
Nadia A. : )
@Janna
I believe people really speak in tongues.
Janna, this is the last thing I'll say until you tell me where..
Your coming from. OK. Yes.
.
Do show you its not ''babbling'' when Paul was talking about the proper use of tongues he said this:
10 There are, it may be, so many kinds of voices in the world, and none of them is without signification.
11 Therefore if I know not the meaning of the voice, I shall be unto him that speaketh a barbarian, and he that speaketh shall be a barbarian unto me.
12 Even so ye, forasmuch as ye are zealous of spiritual gifts, seek that ye may excel to the edifying of the church.
13 Wherefore let him that speaketh in an unknown tongue pray that he may interpret.
14 For if I pray in an unknown tongue, my spirit prayeth, but my understanding is unfruitful.
Would you like me to explain what he's talking about?
.
P.S.
No matter what you say. I know I'm not stupid for believing the bible.
@ Beth G
THANK YOU!
@Nadia And @Janna
Y'all, this needs to stop. Nadia, you're right, speaking in tongues is a gift of the spirit, but it can't fully be relied on as an indicator of the Spirit. It also is hard to tell whether it's actually legitimate on a personal basis. For example, you said earlier that if someone says some gibberish, it's the Spirit. But if no one can translate it, it might not be. However. Janna, it's definitely in the Bible, and it's still relevant. Can you find something that says it isn't? You did say that the Bible replaces it, but that only counts for the prophets, as far as I know. However, you and Emelia are totally correct on the wine issue. Nadia, your verse that says: For a bishop must be blameless, as the steward of God; not selfwilled, not soon angry, not given to wine, no striker [easily angered], not given to filthy lucre [Ill-gotten money] means, if we take it into a couple other translations, such as Young's Literal: for it behoveth the overseer to be blameless, as God's steward, not self-pleased, nor irascible, not given to wine, not a striker, not given to filthy lucre; or NIV: Since an overseer manages God’s household, he must be blameless—not overbearing, not quick-tempered, not given to drunkenness, not violent, not pursuing dishonest gain. or finally, the mangled message: It’s important that a church leader, responsible for the affairs in God’s house, be looked up to—not pushy, not short-tempered, not a drunk, not a bully, not money-hungry. All these imply the same thing: that the pastor/bishop should not be "inclined" or "given" to liquor, not that he may not drink. For example: 'given to drunkenness' certainly does not say, 'a drinker of wine', 'given to wine' is not the same as 'consuming wine', 'a drunk' does not mean 'a drinker', they all imply a chronic/addicted drinker. To illustrate, I do not take tests for fun in my spare time, but I do take them because my teacher tells me to, for my benefit. (specifically comparing to communion).
Anyway, thank you for reading,
Your Lutheran/baptist/Evangelical friend,
~Josh M
@ Josh
Why is it not an indicator of the spirit?
Just wondering. In your opinion.
Your Pentecostal Friend,
Nadia A : )
@ Josh M
You don't sound Baptist. Haha. I wish all Baptists were like you.
@ Janna
Please, answer my question. : )
Janna (Daniel's sister) @NA
I believe that when the Bible says speaking in tongues it means other languages (meaning that they spoke Babylonian or Ethiopian), not babbling something that only 1 other person in the world can understand. Would you believe speaking in tongues was real if your parents didn't believe it?
Janna
Oh course I would. It is in the Bible. And if someone told me what I am telling you then yes. Tongues are a real language. But it's in the spirit.
@Janna
Hey there's no reason do be rude you can disagree politely! It's rude to say someone is lying!
@ Janna
That is not accurate.
My parents parents (well my grandma) think Christianity is crazy. So I don't even want to think about what she thinks of tongues!
I get PLENTY of persecution over this already.
I thought it through 100% before I asked for it. I mean its just another thing to get hammered about by other Christians and none Christians. I believe in the bible. All of it. If you don't believe the new testament thats between you and the lord.
Please and I hope I'm not sounding rude here, but, um, can you word your comments a little more polite so they do t get deleted before I can read them?
And what's so bad about speaking in tongues that your so offended?
~ Your Pentecostal friend,
Nadia A. :-)
Clarification
I thought it through. More than you.
I know who I have believed and am perswaded that he is able, to keep that which I've committed unto him against that day!
That is an old hymn we are fond of. I know who I have believed and I know he is on my side for believing in his word.
Jana
OKay mabey I am wrong. What do you have to say that will perswade me that i am wrong?
@ Janna
Let me put it this way, what benefit will I get for denying that tongues are for today? What dose it offer me? What will I get? Understanding? Wisdom? What. What is the point of believing it is false and a lie? Please answer.
Janna
And for the 100th time. WHERE ARE YOU COMING FROM? WHO TOLD YOU IT WAS FALSE?
If your parents believed it was real and spoke in tongued would you believe like you do?
Hello.'where did everyone go
Hello.'where did everyone go so fast? Pls answer my questions.
Thanks,
Your Pentecostal friend (who isn't very patient:)
:-)
@Nadia
Sorry I've been off a while. When I said, "But if no one can translate it, it might not be." i meant that it could be that person making it up, or a work of the devil, or the holy spirit, I'm just saying that it's not the Holy Spirit 100% of the time.
Always wanted to do this...
200th comment!
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