How do I convince my Pentecostal parents of God’s truth?
Question:
Dear Minister,
My father and mother are pastors of a Pentecostal church. I do not agree with what they believe -- relying on experience and emotions rather than being fully grounded on the Word of God. I do not want them to stay in that belief forever. I want them to be brought into the light of God's truth. What am I supposed to do? They are quite stubborn and will not listen. They always say that I lack faith because I do not believe in such mystical things.
Please, I need your help.
A million thanks.
Answer:
It is always difficult to teach family members, especially your own parents, because they are used to telling you what to do. Thus, you have to demonstrate the truth by how you live, just as Peter instructed wives to teach their unbelieving husbands. "Wives, likewise, be submissive to your own husbands, that even if some do not obey the word, they, without a word, may be won by the conduct of their wives, when they observe your chaste conduct accompanied by fear" (I Peter 3:1-2).
In addition, find places where you can interject a quote from the Scriptures on the current topic of conversation. If possible, ask them to read the passage for themselves from their Bibles. Make only minimal commentary, letting the Scriptures do most of the talking. In this way, if they want to argue, they will find themselves arguing with God and not their child.
This is a slow way to convert someone, but it leads a person to convince themselves that the Bible is right and that they are wrong.
Another problem you will run into is that they will be biased against the truth because they are making money teaching Pentecostal beliefs. For them to accept the truth would mean giving up their income. For some people that is very hard to do.
Keep in mind that when they present emotional arguments or arguments based on what they feel, simply ask if they can show you this in the Bible. Don't contradict them. If they insist, for example, on claiming to know someone who was miraculously healed, telling them that it could not have happened will be a fruitless discussion. They will place their personal belief ahead of the teachings found in the Scriptures. Rather than bang against this brick wall, you are better off staying with what the Scriptures actually teach.
Response:
Thank you very much for taking the time to respond. I seriously needed this wisdom. It may not be easy, but by God's grace, I will be able to do these things. I thank the Lord for ministers like you who actually listen and make time to give advice to those in need from what is according to the Scriptures. Again, thank you very much.
