finally opening up about my past | leaving the Pentecostal Church
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- Опубліковано 31 січ 2023
- Hey friends, I hope you’re all doing well 💗 Today I open up about a part of my story that I’ve never shared before. I hope that this video encourages you & that God speaks to you in his own way. Let me know if you’d like to see any in-depth studies on any of these topics!
Time Stamps
Pentecostal Beliefs 3:48
Women’s Rules 7:27
Men’s Rules 15:55
Oppression of Women 18:10
Lust 19:21
Marriage Roles 23:44
Lack of Biblical Teaching 26:57
Racism 28:59
Q&A 32:24
My Testimony
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• Let's Talk Modesty
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• Christians and Tattoos
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Instagram: @jaradouse
“Always be humble and gentle. Be patient with each other, making allowance for each other’s faults because of your love.”
Ephesians 4:2
This is your remind to keep the comment section kind 💗 If you comment anything hateful or spiteful, you will be removed.
Update: I just posted part 2 to my testimony! ua-cam.com/video/zbKmYx_8stU/v-deo.htmlsi=KakZEYrutt2WXaw4
Thank you so much for making this video. I am currently 16 years old and I grew up in the same movement you described. I was wondering if you are familiar with the Pentecostal youth fire conference which was a major conference for the denomination. I only knew one other black family in the movement and a few interracial families and that was it. The amount of racism I have faced in this movement is crazy the worst being where I was told to go back to Africa at a youth trip in Kentucky. The guys also wouldn’t want anything do with me the the white girls would get almost all the attention at the youth camps. I hated being black for so long while growing up in this movement. And it was weird going to school and feeling like my race didn’t match my religion and everything.
Someday I would love to interview you in a podcast type format or something really resonated with everything you said.
@@pearlykatte4747 Thank you for sharing some of your story with me! My heart breaks for you, I’m so sorry for everything you have experienced in this movement. I hope that you have started your journey of leaving legalism & drawing close to God authentically! I will be praying for you 💛 I would love to do a podcast sometime :) just reach out to me whenever.
my insta: @jara.beth
No judgment here, life is all about learning. God is the only one who can teach us truth and not humans. Jeremiah 17:5 has so much meaning to me. I was raised Catholic and then became a JW. In total 54 years in religion, but no more. Appreciate everything you spoke about and can relate to so much of it. Love to you and your family. ❤
I was in a Pentecostal church called Hillsong Church for 12 years. I left that church almost three years ago after experiencing a lot of things which affected my mental, emotional and spiritual health. During the last few years at Hillsong, I felt lonely, rejected and was bullied by a handful of Bible College students and church staff members. I felt like I was mistreated and misunderstood regardless of my disability, mild Autism spectrum. But by God's grace, He rescued me and my family out of that toxic environment. Nowadays, my family and I go to a community church that is healthier and biblically sound. However, I am still healing from spiritual abuse and religious trauma as of today. Please be praying for me Jara! 😥🙏
God loves you Jay!
@@Jeanettesboxingchannel I know He does. Thank you for commenting! 😍
Proud of you for seeing the error in that denomination. My husband and I have left it as well. It has been a blessing and healing to us
I only spent about 7 months in a Pentecostal church. Very loving people and I know they truly do love Jesus, but it was so much control, especially on the women, it was too much. I never conformed to their standards or rules. And because of that, they would say I wasn’t submitting to God. I’ve been gone for a year now and they still call me and text me frequently begging me to come back.
They always worship the pastor. They said “if anyone questions pastor, you should stop talking to them.” Like you said, there was so much emphasis put on the holiness standards, they wasn’t much time to talk about anything else in the Bible. If you didn’t speak in tongues, you couldn’t make it into Heaven. If you left the church, you were leaving God. It was so many red flags.
The biggest issue of all, trying to maintain all of these so called holiness standards and stuff puts so much pressure on yourself, like we’ll never be good enough for God. It puts the spotlight on us instead of Jesus. Thank you for sharing! Courageous.
I'll bet they do. Titus 1"10 & 11 warns us about paid clergy, "teaching things which they ought no, for filthy lucre sake."
I was raised in Church of God of TN, we have been attending a UPCI church for 2 years now. Even I like the teachings, etc. Now, they seems to be more in holiness and want me to attend sessions for holiness for kids, I dont understand why kinda force this doctrine instead of teaching the gospel and let the holy spirit guide us
I came out of Pentecostal ranks. I was raised so strict! I was scared to wake up in the mornings because I knew I was going to hell for something! I was treated as an outcast for growing facial hair! I wasn't allowed to sing in the choir if I didn't have a 3 piece suit on. If you didn't pay your tithes, the pastor wanted to go through your checkbook! We were only allowed to go out to eat after church to the place the pastor went to! So sad what they put their followers through 😢😢
I'm surprised that Pentecostals are allowed to eat out on Sunday, given that Nehemiah 10:31 reads "If the people of the land bring any ware or victuals, on the Sabbath, to sell, that we would not buy it of them, on the Sabbath." My great Grandma was Pentecostal, but I saw nothing "shamefaced or sobriety, 1 Timothy 2:9," about their rolling, jumping, spouting gibberish, or shouting, in church.
That's just particular churches out there don't throw the name under the bus because of it
My church is nothing like that we actually care
God is waiting on you friend
My friend has been having me go to his Apostolic assembly church for 6 weeks or so now. He plays drums for them. I play bass,and I was interested in playing for the band since I used to play in my non denomination church in high school. Anyway,they required I get Baptistized before playing and it's not a wild request. However all males in any ministry position must be clean shaven and long sleeves,no tattoos preferred. That was the deal breaker for me. Their holiness standard are too strict. Don't get me stared on the woman's requirements. I feel like if I don't eventually conform to their standard I'll be shunned or talked about. The pastor and people are nice,but I think I'm still in the honeymoon phase and they are trying to not scare me off. It's a slow indoctrination process I think.
@@kunis2299 most Pentecostal church's have this requirement I went to an apostolic church that dropped all of these requirements and it turned into a circus it went from a great church to a joke and most of us left it soon failed and was taken over with a new pastor
We found a great church nearby and love these people dearly
Usually it's the older folks who get judgemental
But they don't have a real relationship with Jesus
I am 54 now and I have never been in agreement with everything but I learned it's definitely a generational thing
Pentecostal is where I met Jesus after being in other churches my whole childhood so good luck brother and God bless
It is mental abuse. It has taken years of counselling for me to finally come to the realization that by God's grace, I am worth something. I can relate to your comment about being scared to wake up each morning. I was also afraid to go to school, in fear that the rapture would take place and I would go home to mother and dad not being there. Thank God I am finally free.
I left about 25 years ago. I find it interesting as they are called "United" Pentecostal, but they are so divided when it comes to their "standards". Every church is different.
Thats very interesting. I attended UPC for over 6 years and left in my early 20s. This was in Australia and all of our UPC churches were the same. Over the years they have relaxed their standards, but I don't know if that is across the board in Australia.
Soon as you said racism I almost fell out my seat, I was raised in this as well and you are right!!!!
I left the Pentecostal church last year it was the most freeing thing I’ve decided on my life. I suffered for over thirty years in the church dealing with control, fear tactics, and manipulation. The pastors preached standards every single service and told us we would go to hell if we left. Back sliding was always talked about consistently because you were rejecting God. Missing services was equated to you being disobedient. The trinity was said to be a sting doctrine and they talked about God being one. We couldn’t sin as we were constantly going to hell. They would force us to wear dresses & skirts, no swimwear. I grew up not being able to swim when men are around. Long story short I had Mental health issues when I left & almost became an atheist. I didn’t even know a lot about what I believed so much was not taught to me. I had to start over and am still starting over and learning the truth about Jesus. The things that were said to me still haunt me to this day. I loved a white man in the church and they helped to destroy our relationship and I will never forget the mental breakdown I had when I was in this relationship. They constantly took the scriptures out of context. I’m finding God for myself and on the path to healing. Thank you Jesus for opening my eyes to the real truth. The Bible talks about working out your own salvation with fear & trembling ❤ I’m so sorry for the long winded comment thank you for sharing your story!
Thank you for this video. I too was raised in a very strict pentecostal environment.
Everything was a sin and as a young girl it totally made me mean and defensive at school.
It was a sin to shave your legs or under your arms, no ironing clothes on sunday, no jewelry not even a broach for different holidays. Makeup was forbidden and cutting the hair was a no no.
One time I remember a friend of mine giving me some of her left over makeup, of course, I was not well versed on how to apply it but my dad yelled at me and called me a clown all the way to school.
Thankfully, I've learned how to accurately read the Bible and even though I still am scarred from the abuse, I'm thankful God allowed me to live long enough to really understand what true Christianity means.
That explains a lot! There was a bully, at my elementary school, that the bus driver saw her shove me backward, & sent me sprawling, for no reason, on the play ground. I suspect from her long hair, long skirts, & sullen attitude, she was raised that way also.
Uh, Rhonda, you grew up in a hellish penrecostal envionment
headed by an ignorant, abusive pastor whose idea of goodness is to limit your freedom and make your life miserable. He is very much under the influence of the devil.God is freedom from his gift of absolute freewill with no restrictions or conditions. You are your own boss limited only by your conscience and your sense of right and wrong.
I relate to this video so much! Grew up in a holiness church and left a few years ago! Majority of my family are still in this belief but I’m thankful I feel like I’ve grown in wisdom by leaving ❤
Heard a preacher once tell a story about a man that asked why men couldn’t wear shorts since women could wear shorter skirts that covered their knees? The preacher ridiculed him and asked “Why would you want to look like a girl?” How a man wearing shorts looks like a woman is a mystery to me. Not even going to get into the the misogyny…
Thank you for sharing this. Left about 2 years ago and my life is so much better! Good to know I’m not alone 🙏
(If you read this, please note that the tone intended is not hateful or condescending. I'm just sharing my experience and thoughts on the subject. I'm not more loyal to a specific church or denomination than to God-I will 100% choose God and the Bible over what somebody says the Bible says if it doesn't line up with scripture.)
My experience definitely has been different with the Pentecostal church, but I happen to attend a very very small country Pentecostal church that definitely is Pentecostal and identifies as such, but focuses more on just being a church and a congregation that worships Jesus Christ, you know what I mean? Some of the women wear pants outside of church and some of them don't, the men don't boast of their wealth through suits and watches, our pastor is very humble and he genuinely pursues the Lord and preaches from the Word.
The congregation is very much like a family, even to visitors and new members. Part of that is because a large portion of the church IS family, but I'm not even distantly related to any of them and I've honestly never felt more accepted by any group of people.
I have encountered some people who believe things like what you were talking about with double standards and all. I have also heard sermons (I sometimes watch sermons from other churches online in my spare time, they were not at my church!) based upon verses taken completely out of context, but I am blessed to say my church isn't like that. One of the Sunday school teachers frequently tells us all that if even *he* says something that doesn't line up with scripture, correct him. Don't just sit there and allow someone to spin the Word of God. It's VERY important, regardless of denomination, to be IN THE WORD and to KNOW SCRIPTURE. Even if you know your pastor won't lead you astray, you need to be studying the Bible. If you have questions, find a trusted counselor or elder and ask them (and there's definitely something wrong if your church doesn't have anyone like that, if that's the case then probably consider finding a new church). It really does sadden me to see how many Christians just don't read the Bible.
I'm truly sorry to everyone who has experienced these things in the church, but I'd like to say it's not just the Pentecostal church. It's rare and difficult to find a church in this country that actually follows God and sticks to the scripture, my heart goes out to everyone who hasn't been able to find one and I pray that you will. I pray we would all remember that imperfect people shouldn't change our love for a perfect God❤ may God guide us all and we keep our eyes on Him
You said the RIGHT thing.❤ above all it should be the Bible leading us
Thank you for sharing your journey! I realize this is a hard thing to see or come to terms with while still inside the organization. I too have a very different view of God and His grace from the outside. Grace over Fear, Faith over Condemnation are two of my favorite points you touched on. I always felt like a square peg in a round whole. I count my blessings that God showed me a different path.
I went into a Pentecostal church, never looked back God saved me and the apostolic church was THE ONLY church that was on fire for God
I am 52 year old male person. I grew up in pentacostal and my father was a preacher his whole life. I am currently asking so much questions and do my research in the Bible. There are so many things that pentacostals preach that is not the word of GOD
From birth to 17 I was catholic then got married and became a Southern Baptist. Been on for 45 years. I felt like in all those years that I was never really accepted or they just weren't friendly and didn't care if you were there or not. Because of this I stopped going to church. Then I decided I was going again. I went to an Apostolic Pentecostal Church with a friend who loved it but I didn't find them any friendlier or welcomed me anymore than the baptists I came from. A year later they cam to visit me and then 2 weeks later they visited me again. 2 weeks later I decided to go with my friend. I was really nervous because it's a whole different world. lol. But, they were so friendly, they welcomed me and hugged me and glad I was there and after service they did their rounds again. Then, the pastor cam to visit that Saturday to tell me thank you for coming and hope that I come back. I was really nervous about the tongues and other beliefs they had that I didn't believe in and did decide that maybe I should go back so told my friend I'm not going back. Not an hour later the pastor texts me saying that he really hoped that he sees me in church the next day and the he knows that I'll be blessed. That was it. I went back and I intend on keep going. Not everyone wears dresses and men there have long hair. I'm sorry that you had a bad experiences growing up. Hope that you continue growing in Christ and happy where you are.
It is such a loving church, but mostly the bible is the only authority from cover to cover. Nothing man-made in my Apostolic church, and I truly love it!!
If you were nervous about tongues then it should be the holly spirit telling not to go
You must be going to the modern Pentecostal church, that allows women to wear pants, makeup, & jewelry. The "Oneness Pentecostal/Apostolic church," is the really strict one, my Great Grandma went to. Her kids switched to the modern one.
My experience was horrible
@@Fashn4LaDieSI think she is
Hello, I'm an 18 year old Pentecostal (Former Baptist) and I'm now starting to have doubts about the Pentecostal faith. The reason why I'm having my doubts about their faith, because they believe tounges if is a requirement and I did not learn this until this year. I was simply told that it was a goft and nothing more until I was told by one of my friends that it was and I got scared. Then, I was seeking after this spiritual gift out of fear, and on a Wednesday night I received and I can confirm that it was real. A few months passed, then I started to think about tounges and how it was a requirement and the more I thought about it the less and less it started to make sense. I would ask myself questions such as "What happens to those who never spoke in tounges?" "What happens to those who never heard of tounges?" And, I would ask people at my church these questions and I was never given a clear cut answer. Then, one night I stubbled across a video about tounges, and I looked at the comment section. In the comment section, I found somebody who commented Chapters 12-14 of 1st Corinthians. I read those verses for myself and discovered that it was not a requirement. Chapter 12 states that The Holy Spirit distributes gifts as he pleases, and that not everyone is not meant to receive the same spiritual gifts. Chapter 13 states that tounges will cease when you become face to face with God. Paul in Chapter 14 states that he would rather people to prophsey than speak in tounges, and get this! Paul said, "So if the whole chruch comes together and everyone speaks in tounges, and inqueirers or unvleievers come in will they not say that you are you out of your mind?" (Great foreshadowing).So, I no longer believe that tounges is a requirement.
I was in the Pentecostal church for 20 years. I wasn't just a lay member, I was one of the musicians and I traveled with evangelists for years. The beliefs that your church had was a lot similar to mine. My experience was complicated, but I constantly felt like nothing I did was right. I took the verbal abuse for years, it would take a lot to explain everything, but when my husband died things got worse. I was traveling with evangelists, and wasn't at my home church, I was helping widows. I was at my home church on a Saturday night and one of the members told me, "leave, leave right now, nobody cares". I was already wanting to leave, but that was the big catalyst that caused me to walk out. My daughter and I had already started wearing pants at home, but nobody knew LOL! I'm an adjutant at my Amvets post, and in the American Legion honor guard, and my fellow veterans treat me with respect, I didn't get any respect at my church. I got my ears pierced again and cut a lot of my hair off, my hair was almost to the ground. It took a long time for me to not feel like I had doomed myself when I cut all my hair off. My daughter has coped leaving better than I did, we left the church at the same time.
Thank you for sharing your story!
Hey Jara thanks so much for sharing your story. It’s truly sad to see people mistreated this way. Praise the Lord that you are out of there. I wish you and your husband the best. Stay grounded in His Word. Keep up the good work. God bless.
God will bless you for helping people with so many people who are mentally in bondage. I will share my experience...soon.
Love, Mari
I’m just coming out the the pentacostle church but Hispanic and it is the same norms and rules. She is telling the truth and I’m proud of her and that she can speak out about it. I still follow my faith with God
Thank you for this! I grew up pentecostal and finally decided to leave at about 20 years old. It was my wife (who was my girlfriend at the time) who showed me that pentecostalism isn’t the only way. She took me to a nondenominational church and I have to admit it was really weird at first. My subconscious felt like the people there weren’t truly Christian because of how they looked and dressed, but the more I started to go, the more I realized that it’s okay to be yourself and not live under such strict standards. You’re not going to go to heaven or hell because you decided to wear a skirt or pants. God just wants you to fully believe and worship him and he knows you are going to sin and stumble because we all do. It is literally impossible to not sin. Even every pastor sins. Because we are human. I also realized that nondenominational christians can be just as saved as pentecostals. Gods not going to send you to hell for having a tattoo or a piercing.
Anyways, thanks again for making this. I feel like there’s not enough ex-pentecostals that speak out about why they left. (Including me lol)
So true
Thank you so much. This was great!
Fantastic testimony, I left the apostolic church Jan 2021 and leaving was super stressed, I constantly suffer with guilt. I was in the church for 26 years. I strongly believe it is 100% a cult…. Good for leaving.
I am dealing with it too, I just left 3 months ago and still feel so afraid of people condemning me.
Just wait til you cut your hair, if you haven’t already. That’s usually 1 of the 1st things women do. It’s almost representing the bondage women have been under. There’s some videos by Deanna Jo(responsible faith), that talks on the whole hair issue. She’s very “educated” on that subject. She definitely did her studying on it.
You are remarkable. You are more advanced in your thinking and speech. You have a gift.
I was in the Pentecostal church for 24 years, and am thankful to be free from that bondage. Paul reprimanded Peter for continuing to preach the circumcision, but the Pentecostal church has all the additional requirements for what it deems holiness, and that in itself is preaching the circumcision. For where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. Praise God you are free! Praise God I am free! Allelujah! Amen!
Your story has really spoke clearly to my life thank you
thank you so much for sharing!
thank you for watching! 💗
Why are long hair, beautiful dresses, and designer purses not considered vanities?
When my wife was a teenager her mother took her to a Pentcostal church for a while. She told me some horror stories about people jumping around, speaking like they were possessed and rolling around in the isle. It frighten her. She was so glad when her mother stopped going.
It didn't sound to bad to me. I would rather do that than sit there so long with my butt getting sore.
Moses married an Ethiopian woman in the Bible Ethiopians are very black and Miriam and Aaron spoke against him for it and GOD got angry!!! U hold your head up high girl i have mixed children too and I'm not going to hell because of it.... He loves all colors... Julietree 🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻
Thank you Jara for your story. And also, thank you for naming these things that are heresy against the true character of God. As a former church member of the Pentecostal Church of God, I grew to learn all the things discussed in your video and was very disappointed. I experienced church hurt, leading me to renounce Pentecostalism. Now I’m not sure what Christianity looks for me, but I walk towards loving mercy and truth.
Thanks again for this video, for validating others who have experienced or currently experience this in their churches.
I'd like to encourage you to listen to Charles Lawson, Robert Breaker, Paul Felter, Andy Woods and Yankee Arnold. Excellent to listen to and to learn from. Its sad, there is the true gospel n then churches add their own speil to remain saved or to complete salvation.
Hello, i joined a pentecostal church a couple years ago. I love it! 🥰🙌
I still will wear pants, dresses, cut my hair, wear light makeup. They can tell me all they want 😂 Im not convicted my it so there is that. I don’t allow any member to cross that boundary with me. I go to church to worship God
They won't let you be in peace though
I have seen this so many times. your fellow members love you and that is a fact. Peace is sought internally by God's grace and they know it. God bless !!!
But there are churches out there that won’t judge you or condemn you for doing these things
@benitogutierrez7181 Lol. Your peace doesn't come from them, it comes from God through the Spirit.
You are lucky. I was in a pentecostal place where they want to force me to dress with long skits. At first I ignored them, but after a while it disturbed me.
I've only been to one church that has both the words apostolic and pentecost in it and they did something different from non-denominational church and that is the pastor lifts both arms up and the palms of the hands are facing up as he's standing or praying , what exactly does that do? or what is it even supposed to mean? I also would like to know what praying in tongues is like? Does it sound like a human language?
Exactly correct. I have seen all of this. I have had to de-construct many of the things I have been previously taught. There was and is a lot of ignorance in the denomination still. My grandparents were taught to not even wash the dishes or peel vegetables for the Sunday dinner and supper meals or it was considered to be working on Sunday. That is just one example.
My husband and I have just left a Pentecostal church too, however ours wasn’t strict it was more worldly and I felt like I was going to a concert every week, definitely agree with what you’re saying regarding speaking in tongues I asked the pastors wife why they don’t interpret and she had no idea what I was on about - idk what Bible she was reading 😂. When I left they messaged me to say they had to be a part of a decision even tho I knew God was calling me elsewhere they would rather me obey them instead of God.
I've been also in Apostolic Pentecostal Church, blinded by their false teachings, made me believe that we were the only true church and only acceptable to God, the rest are false.
I’m with you on that. I’m going through the exact same thing. The “holier than though” attitude. The constant judge mental attitude. The rudeness, the gossip, the stuck up noses. I, am guilty of that. And those attributes, are NOT Godly or Christian in any way. Go figure. I’ve changed my views/mindset/heart on these views over the last month. It’s maddening.
I came from a trinitarian pentecostal background but had plenty of relatives and friends in the various Oneness group. So I feel that I have a keen perspective from the side. Their belief that they are the only ones and every other Believer is a hell-bound demon. They could be so arrogant, rude and down right mean. All the holier-than-thou attitude was atrocious even among themselves with never-ending gossip and back stabbers. The control they gave to pastors who never seem to truly have true transparency and accountability lead to real nasty scandals.
I eventually was baptised in Jesus Name and baptised in HS but I still attend a Trinitarian Church because they teach the Word so much deeper. All the screaming, running, jumping is OK to an extent but so often it really goes too far. So many times I have attended their services that the preachers sermon to preach the word was totally drowned out that know could hear. Is that the HS to drown out the Word of God being preached?
I have one funny story that happened at a Oneness church. At my Trinitarian church across town we were having a revival that was really shaking up our city where people were "slain in the spirit". But one Sunday night I attended the Oneness church with my cousin. After the sermon while people were praying a Oneness man who knew me looked at me, pointed at me and said, "Hey you! I'm coming after you! That right! It's your turn?".
He marched over to me and sat down, put his Bible in front of me and said in an angry voice, "Show me one verse in the Bible that people were slain in the Spirit and I will give you everything I own!" So I took his Bible and showed it to him and began to turn to other passages. He grabbed that Bible out of my hands, slammed it closed and began to run away. I took off after him and said, "Hey! Where you going? What about your promise to give me everything you own?" He ran faster out to parking lot and I got a glimps of him in his car speeding out of the lot. People who saw what happened informed the pastor and soon the pastor and a bunch of other people, including his wife, soon caught up with me. They didn't know what to say except to ask me to let it go. That's what I did.
She speaks of men within the Oneness movement abusing their wives. I do not doubt that, but I also know of women who abused their husbands and children.
@edwinholcombe2741 exactly. I had a wife that was very abusive but go to church and speak in tongues
thank you for sharing your story!! i left an apostolic church when i was 14 and it still hinders me to this day. you’re so strong and brave and i’m proud :)
Thanks for sharing your testimony.
Thanks for sharing your story. I was raised in the UPC church as well. The day I graduated high school at 17, I moved out of my parents house and haven't stepped foot in a church since. I'm now 28 and still deal with the effects of it. Although I'm no longer a member of the church, most of my family is. I still feel as though I have to live a double life with them even though I'm a grown woman. They don't say anything to me about my lifestyle anymore but I still feel the judgement and disappointment.
My parents where pentecostal holyness. Personally I don't have a denomination but I'm having a very hard time separating sound doctrine. From religion.
@Robert the Bible says there is a way that seems right unto man but it leads to death. That our ways are not his way. Nor to add to or take from his word.
God is male. I would never want to depend on my morality or intelligence I'm not holy or all knowing my dependence is on the holy spirit to minister to me and trust in God's promises that who seeks the truth will find it and whoever ask for wisdom will be given it abundantly
@@stevefromwork6136 God is neither male or female. We are simply restricted in pronouns due to the English language. Jesus was God in male human form,
But God isn’t male in the same way that God isn’t Jewish and water isn’t wet.
Your integrity and courage comes across. Respect!!!
i left 5 years ago this month. which actually prompted me to look up some more of these kinds of videos. I can relate to a lot of what youve said. It's incredible how controlling the pentecostal churches are and how emotionally and psychologically damaging they can be. And the men at the top dont give a damn. I've since considered myself an atheist. I live my best life now and ive not looked back since leaving. couldnt imagine ever going back. Thanks for sharing. im so far removed from the church i sometimes forget all the rediculous things we were taught.
I hope you are ok. The room looks so bare. Are you in a hospital type situation?
Thank you for sharing your story. I am praying for you.
I know this video has been on for 7 months and some of us are naturally more inclined to be affected by negative comments. Pray to the Lord, speak the truth like what you are doing and leave the rest to him. Never bother about naysayers. Thanks for sharing.
My son has been a member of this church since his teens and I have had many questions over the years about the way he lives Thank you for sharing your experience it has confirmed my suspicions.
I have suffered greatly at the hands of the apostolic Pentecostals. It was torture and scarred 💔 me for life.
That is so sad. These churches have a lot to answer for. I can say that since I've left church and watch excellent Bible teachers and preachers on UA-cam, I have learnt so much, and nothing seems to compare with gaining an understanding of Gods true grace.
I grew up Pentecostal and this message is not to bash and will be short. Some years ago I left one church only because of the belief they believe speaking in tongues is the way to be saved. However, I left but still had God in my heart. My desire is and pray that you continue serving God and do not leave God's presence. The Lord WILL guide you through all truth. And, I do believe you are going through what I went through. Never hate and serve the Lord. Keep your eyes on the Word of God...please continue to read and ask the spirit of God for guidance. God bless...
You know I feel like a lot of people are actually leaving the UPC...
It is actually one of the fastest growing denominations sadly…
The modesty and worship.. incredible, unmatched... but where they stand on the gospel/salvation, and legalistic rules of men.. is rough. She hit the nail on the head with this video!
@@falloutmike2434yes it is the Kundalini serpent spirit that is rising .
I just went to my first Pentecostal church and it seemed too overwhelming
Thank for sharing ❤
I’ve been in Pentecostal church since 1985 and never could go crazy on the floor because I just didn’t understand why God would make you go crazy. They say its s touch of God but I don’t think so?? I thought the devil made you go crazy. The devil possessed in bible was out of control but when Jesus rebuked the devil out of them he was sitting in his right mind.
Whats the difference between pentecostal and evangelical?
I think evangelical is more about a specific stance in the modernist/fundamentalist split, and you can be an evangelical without being required to speak in tongues. Pentecostalism is when your denominational identity is focused around being Pentecostal, and tongues are kind of the measuring stick for your spiritual status like the creator mentioned.
I left the apostolic, Pentecostal church, when I left, it was a huge culture shock! I went from morals on top of morals to open with the world with literally no morals.
I still have not found a church, and it is very hard with my boyfriend who doesn’t understand why I still hold some of the morals I do.
He was raised in the world with absolutely no morals!
I would love to find a church I just don’t know where I should go after going to an apostolic my whole life?
Try a nondenominational church or a church of God, worship style will be similar and doctrine will not be far off. Though you may find they see the trinity differently
I will tell you what worked for me. I pray on my knees every day and I feel plugged into Jesus. If I do not pray on my knees then I havn't really prayed that day and am walking without the armour on. I think leaving can cause separation anxiety. Separation anxitey was ruining my life and after about 10 years I just starated praying on my knees daily and I think it was about a year later I was getting down on my knees one evening and I was healed. That is brief but it's a true story. I knew I was healed. I still pary for them. For about 10 years after leaving I tried allot of Church but it's not the same so I just have my home devotions every day.
Thank you for sharing. I thought I was going crazy as I left a Pentecostal Church for similar reasons and experiences shared. However after leaving I do feel a sence of hinderencd in my life which I can not shake off/pray off! I have really questioned two thoughts 1) was that church a church of god or another spirit at work - due to the hinderences experiemced 2) am i really saved? I believe God led me to this video and messages today as I have really been questioning these thoughts.
Actually, the on the knees thing originated from the Methodist church. The book of Acts says they received the Holly Ghost where they were sitting.
@@paulmc2162
No one has no morals unless they are a sociopath. I am sure he has moral beliefs that guide him. Not assaulting or murdering people, not stealing. Etc. a guide of what is right and wrong. maybe you are using the word differently than I am. It seems strange that a person of strong moral guidance would date someone without morals - like dating a drug lord or mafia don.
Dear Jara, You are such a brave and beautifull young woman. You go girl!!
I would love to hear any of the studies you mentioned in this video.
The church in America is not allowed to talk politics from the pulpit. That is the condition of receiving tax exemption.
My dad is a pastor and brought the church into the Apostolic movement about 7 years ago. I completely understand how dominating and controlling it can be. However let me be the first to say, they are not all like that. I left my dad’s church and went to a little holiness church where they love me and accept me and my relationship with God. They love everybody. It’s the spirit and demeanor of the “apostolic” denominations that are terrifying and hard. Thank you for sharing. I love this and my brothers and sisters in Christ.❤
The UPCI official manual adopted the business dress of the day which went just below the knee. Each church interpeted or applied the dress code differently as they saw fit.
I was really glad to see a video like this on it because I never felt like it was my place to talk about the Apostolic church. I was around 7 when my dad married into this church. I went there for a little bit as a child. But I had been raised Methodist by my mother's family. So every time I questioned things as a kid in Sunday School I was gaslight causing me to be very confused by the differring beliefs. As I got older by age 9ish it turned into publicly humliation when I asked questions or countered the main belief. After the first time they did that to me I refused to return leading my father to accusing my grandmother influncing me not to go, which was a far cry from the truth but I was too scared to speak out because I didn't want to lose contact with my half-sisters. But, that happened anyways. I always say I lost my father 3 times in my life but yet I still care about him. If he ever left the church I would love to get close to him, but I don't feel comfortable being around those beliefs. If I hadn't been raised by grandparents and in such a strong-willed family I honestly believe they would have broke me.
I’m praying for my neighbor they are so abusive and she tried to get out but failed now she is very abusive to her own child even smacked her 2 year old across the face for glancing at a tv in a restaurant they were at and physically moving her head the other direction very forcefully… the abuse I see as the neighbor is breaking my heart I pray daily for the little girl
The UPC i went to didn't even allow to watch movies or listen to any music except for praise and worship music. I found that ironic because they all had smart phones and the pastor was up to date on the news and politics.
How many Sunday worship times? What are services called? Need to go to mind week meeting? Community involvement outside church? Everything is black or white in how they speak? Feel uncomfortable, leave quickly!!!
I had to wear skirts that were a hands below the knees, sleeves below elbow. No makeup, jewelry, no fancy hair do….
Me too. Melinda Lawley
This was my begining with christ its crazy to me that i did not run away from Jesus because i was not raised Christian...I got baptised last summer but for the wrong reasons because of lies of the enemy that i have to earn Gods love and because i was Luke warm and because of a Job and because i tought God would not answer my prayers if i dont get baptised now and that i would not get into heaven if i dont get baptised now....after my baptisem i run away from God and was unter spiritual attack from the enemy now i dont no if i should get baptised again because my unsaved familiy would not understand it and i am a new creation even if i dont feel like it and nothing has changend since then
Omg the perm and jewelry thing!! Yesss never made sense lol
Have they ever preached the Gospel of Christ 1 Corinthians 15:1-4???
Bad experience every time tried it two different churches never felt more unwelcome both times
I was raised Pentecostal I feel like there’s a lot you’re still scared to speak on. I left when I was about 15. I was always told I wasn’t supposed to question God. When I simply was curious and wanted to make sense of things no pants no jewelry makeup tv etc and no socializing it was horrible. I still to this day battle anxiety and it’s severe I was made to fear God like he was waiting on me to make a mistake and I could sin and not know and he was waiting to cast me down. Terrible I feel bad for little kids that feel this way 😢
My attention span is short so I’m sure you probably mentioned this but I skimmed through parts/ what type of church did you attend after leaving? I’m original from cogic and I go to a upc church but have been considering going back to cogic bc I feel like I don’t fit in with their man made rules. I love God and want to be saved but I don’t like all those man made rules .
I attend a nondenominational church with Bible based beliefs!! I would recommend attending different churches in your area, paying attention, & asking questions. Praying that God will lead you to the right community and leadership is vital!
@@JaraDouse thank you so much for your response! I will start looking and pray for Gods direction in where I should go
They do think they have the truth and have it by themselves. However 😫most of the denominations believe this about themselves as well.
Now that I’ve seen truth I’ll be leaving soon too. All these rules and double standards are just so ridiculous all in the name of losing salvation
I was told by the deacon right before baptism to speak in tongues after i came up out of the water.. basically i came out and didnt feel any different.
Most people I know who do a deep dive into what they want their religion to look like after leaving a religious cult, often end up atheist. I grew up in a Oneness Apostolic Church in Oklahoma and I will never forget the day I realized that everything I knew was a lie. When you hit that day, please remember that there are thousands of us who have walked your shoes and are here for support. It took me most of my adulthood to get to where I am and I’m still broken in many ways. I ran away when I was a teen and have been disowned by most of my family. I’ve tried several times to make a video like this, but I’m still highly triggered when I open up about my past.
I’m sorry to hear that you walked away from your faith. I think a lot of people become atheist because they believe that God = the legalism, injustice, and brokenness that has come from these cults/ extreme religious groups. When in fact he is not at all, I would encourage you to take time to get to know God for who he truly is. He is the opposite of those things, he is pure love, grace, humbleness, and SO much more! If you open yourself up to him, he will reveal himself. I will be praying for you ❤️
I was talking to a girl I work with who's pentacostal. I admire some of the standards and desire to be set apart. I get leery of any church who says that their particular little set of doctrine and traditions are the only way to get salvation though. I asked her if she believed people who do not have the gift of tongues were saved and she said no. I told her Paul said not everyone will get that gift and even puts the importance of prophecy ahead of that. She did not know of that passage but seemed to know the Bible quite well otherwise
Were you UPC?
im typing this as iim watching and I just listened too the part about how if a boy looks at you with lust and goes to hell it could be your fault. first off, I'm pentecostal, I'm a youth leader in a UPCI church and I always tell the young men and teach them about how not every woman is gonna dress modestly and about how we as men need self control. I agree with you about how silly that is because it's not biblical but what is biblical is men having self control, with our eyes especially because our eyes are a lamp to our body. I'm heartbroken hearing what you went through because our church is nothing like this and I'm very sorry you went through all of this. shame on those people for teaching you religion more than relationship. God bless you sister!
The big problem of the UPCI is over looked by most. The problem is they refuse to teach that when we are saved we receive the imputed righteousness of Jesus Christ that we have by faith and not works. They teach that saving righteousness is attained by our working with the guidance of the Holy Spirit in our life to become righteousness or holy as we walk with God. They don't teach that we are holy by what Jesus did when he died for our sins. They do not preach that we are saved by the imputed righteousness of Christ. They teach you are only saved if you live a holy life. This is impossible to do as long as we are alive in this flesh. God's standard of holiness is Jesus. We recieve that righteousness by faith in Jesus. They do not teach this. This is the fundamental teaching of Christianity they preach another gospel where you attain holiness by your human effort with the help of the holy ghost. This is false doctrine. 😢
Amen! Well said. And their teaching makes you so nervous because you know you can't make yourself holy no matter how long your hair is! You always feel like you're on a performance wheel. It's exhausting.
I only came to the Lord last year in July & the church I came across was a Pentecostal church, I didn’t know anything about denominations at the time was just looking for a church. As I grow In God I also find it strange how the standard is only skirts/dresses, no jewellery, no makeup. It’s an unspoken rule in my church but when we gather at larger gatherings it’s very much the standard.
I have only explored 1 other church & they were alot more casual with everything including what they wore. I also find it odd that they say that we preach the truth (oneness) & other churches are wrong.
i still get my nails done, cut my hair, wear light makeup(they have no clue). I love my pastor & his family but I wanna explore other churches & see for myself. Our church is so small & it makes me wonder why..
I grew up in the UPCI. I’ve since joined the Mennonites and find it’s at least more consistent.
Wow. This is really interesting because I’m Pentecostal but my church isn’t a part of any organization. Soooooo many things are different…
1 Corinthians 11 is about men removing their hats and women wearing a veil during worship. It does mention hair but that's not the focus of the passage.
I left the Romanian Pentecostal church, there are high pressure tactics in that denomination and discouragement of attaining any head knowledge.
My husband and I both grew up in non denominational churches but after getting married we found ourselves in a pentecostal church we felt so welcomed and in the beginning we genuinely enjoyed it but as time went on i started to feel extremely uncomfortable and the last service we went to we almost walked out it’s interesting to see how so many people have left this denomination and honestly i pray for anyone that may feel stuck in this
I’m from Africa and it’s almost the same experience leaving a conservative denomination.
thank you for opening up about this! i am a pentecostal now. i won’t shame you for leaving the pentecostal church, not everyone is perfect, being pentecostal influences the word “perfect” a lot but in reality that’s not what all pentecostal people expect from everyone, my church believes we should respect and love everyone no matter their past, sexuality, etc. everyone is welcome in my church, even though i might disagree about some of these things i love you and everyone else in the world i hope you have an amazing day
I support you 100 percent, I recently moved to be with dad’s side of the family to get to know them and they’re united Pentecostal and I ended up leaving for multiple reasons, they’re sexist they think you HAVE to speak in tongues to go to heaven, ect.
Camp is the one thing I truly enjoyed about the trinitarian Pentecostal organization I grew up in also 😊
After having been away from any kind of direct Pentecostal influence for roughly a decade, whenever I am exposed to it indirectly the first thing that strikes me is “This is a LOT of work!” 🤯 The second thing that strikes me is that the heightened emotionalism is exhausting because of the extreme highs and lows - every life circumstance is framed as a spiritual attack or a miracle, and nothing is ever mundane or normal. The third thing is the lack of clarity - so little doctrine is taught, and the protocols of spiritual warfare are so complex, esoteric, and convoluted.
Still a Christian, but I am happy living a much more simple life.
Lol everybody said the Mormon church was a cult. Nobody goes through our checkbook and we can eat wherever we want at best of all our God loves us no matter what cause he already paid for our sins. Feeling great.🎉
Thank you for this testimony I left this religion after 3 years of hell got myself and my children out of this cult mentality
I am from charismatic movement church i feel really confused after benny hinn expose videos. I dont want attend Sunday service
Thank you for sharing. I too, left the Pentecostal Church (UPC). You have very valid points. My father was a pastor and for a short time, I was a licensed UPC minister. Most of the "rules" are taken from stand-alone Old Testament scripture that were culture-driven during that time in history. You are correct in saying the list for woman was way longer than men; and may I add, the rules were made by men. The organization is very sexist. Law was preached many times more than Grace. God bless you for your boldness.
Guys are expected to live with teir parents until were married as well. I left so long ago feeling the way u do.
I don't know how I should feel about the UPCI or any pentecostal church. I tried to find God but it's like been abusive there. I don't dismiss there is a God but at the same time it's been a horrible experience. I believe my time with them is up.
Yes find another church! You deserve better than abuse
Pray for me Jara, I just happen to see your page today.
100% understand this, because I attended a Pentecostal church in my teen years, and I missed out on a lot of fun (and not evil) things that teenagers normally do, like coed swimming, school dances etc. I left the church altogether and wandered around out there in the world after that for more than 20 years. I have recently come back to Christ. I visited several different kinds of churches, to be sure about what I was getting myself into this time. I found my home church after a few months, and it is indeed a Pentecostal church, but nothing like the legalistic, fear driven church I attended as a child. As long as you're attending a biblically sound church where you can grow in your Christian faith, I encourage every believer to do what's right for them. God bless you sister, and thank you for sharing your testimony with us.
I used to be an apostolic pentecostal (upci). They're toxic.
we have got to get back to basics and realize what gospel teachs us and lift up the name of jesus its only threw him that farther sees his life operating as it should be that pardons us frome our sins but thank GOD that when farther sees his son in our lives heaven is surely our home