We should never feel that we need to forbid manifestations of the Spirit in meetings where we hope to reach unchurched people.
We ought to earnestly desire manifestations of the Spirit on such occasions - because the Holy Spirit knows what's good for unsaved people!
For example, Paul described what can be the result if the gift of prophecy is in manifestation and an unbeliever comes in:
"...if all prophesy, and there come in one that believeth not, or one unlearned, he is convinced of all, he is judged of all:
And thus are the secrets of his heart made manifest; and so falling down on his face he will worship God, and report that God is in you of a truth" (I Cor.14:24,25).
And I've seen exactly that happen - both in a church, and at a secular high school!
Believers "went forth and preached everywhere, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word with signs following" (Mark 16:20).
Signs - including tongues - "are not to them that believe, but to them that believe not" (I Cor.14:22).
The Holy Spirit isn't given to us just so we can benefit other believers - He wants to be involved in our outreach too!
Therefore the best way to truly be a 'seeker-friendly' church is to always have 'Holy Ghost friendly' meetings.
But the key is, to "let all your things be done with love" (I Cor.16:14).
That means, we ought to want to make sure it's benefiting everyone.
We ought to earnestly desire manifestations of the Spirit on such occasions - because the Holy Spirit knows what's good for unsaved people!
For example, Paul described what can be the result if the gift of prophecy is in manifestation and an unbeliever comes in:
"...if all prophesy, and there come in one that believeth not, or one unlearned, he is convinced of all, he is judged of all:
And thus are the secrets of his heart made manifest; and so falling down on his face he will worship God, and report that God is in you of a truth" (I Cor.14:24,25).
And I've seen exactly that happen - both in a church, and at a secular high school!
Believers "went forth and preached everywhere, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word with signs following" (Mark 16:20).
Signs - including tongues - "are not to them that believe, but to them that believe not" (I Cor.14:22).
The Holy Spirit isn't given to us just so we can benefit other believers - He wants to be involved in our outreach too!
Therefore the best way to truly be a 'seeker-friendly' church is to always have 'Holy Ghost friendly' meetings.
But the key is, to "let all your things be done with love" (I Cor.16:14).
That means, we ought to want to make sure it's benefiting everyone.
But that doesn't mean we should see fewer manifestations of the Spirit - we can see more - and we can also see them expressed more lovingly.
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