How I see Reformed from a Pentecostal lens?
They tend to dismiss active works of God thinking His written word is more than sufficient for us today and lean with skeptic mind towards signs and wonders. However, They often remind us to focus on the Gospel rather than making spiritual gifts as idols replacing it.
For them, our personal experiences cannot go above the scripture. the experiences can deceive us. Everything must be tested at edge of the scripture. Seeking or running after signs and wonders often make them central and idols. Paul obviously had amazing experiences but what he did in his all life is preaching the Christ; keeping him above anything else. for them, the greatest miracle is transformation of heart. They may not deny God's capability to perform wonders even today but they have issues when we merely focus signs and wonders instead producing fruits of the Christian character.
They are to be seen as an anchor. Whenever we dive deep onto our mere feelings and seek just wonders and signs, they are the one who constantly shouts at us to seek Christ and root ourselves into the scripture.
The thing alarming about them is that they tend to see miracles, even if they are genuine, as unnecessary, questionable, fabricated and deceptive. This leads to dismissal of genuine witness and testimony of God's true works.
How I see Pentecostals from a reformed lens?
They tend to seek more manifestations and run after signs and wonders and often get easily caught up with False teachings. Meanwhile they often remind us about need of revivals and seeking spiritual empowerment for evangelistic purpose.
For them, mere cerebral faith and understanding cannot work if we haven't truly experienced God's presence and touch in our life. Doctrines are dead without experience the way James said faith is dead without works. The Gospel is fully experiential rather than just doctrinal catalogue. The disciples changed and bravely proclaimed the Gospel till their miserable death because of the powerful experience after resurrection. The signs and wonders are testimonies of God's mercy and greatness in our life. They may not deny scripture is the ultimate authority and above all but they often have issues when we merely attempt to put God inside the box thinking we have complete scripture so no need God's signs and wonderful deeds today. For them, the spiritual gifts help building God's body and manifestations are merely the vulnerable human response when they meet divine presence in their moment of misery.
They are to be seen as refreshening agent. whenever we stay hooked within the scripture, they are there telling us to experience God's amazing presence that confirms the scripture and makes it more compelling and real to us.
The thing alarming about them is that they tend to follow any groups, prophets, apostles without being eager to know whether they are offering genuine teachings. This leads to welcoming even false teachers influences in their life that can slowly damage their well going spiritual journey.
Related scripture:
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