Letter from Bro. Chester Wright to Bro. Haney

[Neck]

Originally Posted by DividedThigh

oh dont worry they are still in the running it would be a mistake to count them out, even with no pitchers, lol

They may not be out but they are standing at the plate with an 0-2 count.

[DividedThigh]

yeah only about two pitches behind you guys, lol

[Aquila]

Originally Posted by DividedThigh

ok dude, just a reality check, how you doin, been a while, dt

Actually bro, it's been real rough on this side of the mountain. Please keep me and my family in prayer. Specifically please pray that I be a husband filled with love, patience (I hate that one), understanding, and mercy. Beyond that...if you see ol' "Slew-Foot"....tell him I'm taking back what's mine and I'm going to make him pay dearly.

[CC1]

Originally Posted by Aquila

Actually bro, it's been real rough on this side of the mountain. Please keep me and my family in prayer. Specifically please pray that I be a husband filled with love, patience (I hate that one), understanding, and mercy. Beyond that...if you see ol' "Slew-Foot"....tell him I'm taking back what's mine and I'm going to make him pay dearly.

Wow! Now you have gone and asked for it!!!!

[Sarah]

Originally Posted by papapraiz

“…Some shall depart…” 1 Timothy 4:1

Every generation of Apostolics must confront perennial departures from the faith. Those of us who maintain the truths preached and taught by our pioneers must do more than wave goodbye. We have a solemn obligation to “earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints.” In non-essentials, we may not be intransigent, but we rise up against anything that threatens to uproot the tree of doctrine and sound biblical teaching. False doctrine must never go unchecked.

The so-called “relevancy” movement or “emerging church” movement that has gained some popularity in the last few years represents one such threat. This movement targets several fundamental oneness Pentecostal doctrines for change. Our pastors, ministers and saints need to strengthen their grip on these doctrines so that none of us becomes influenced by “seducing spirits and doctrines of devils.” I write this particular article as an opening round against beliefs that compromise or destroy signature apostolic teachings.

First, we all know that the blood of Christ is essential to salvation. The “relevancy” position, however, holds that the blood is applied at repentance; therefore they conclude that water baptism and the gift of the Holy Ghost are unnecessary for salvation. Two egregious errors exist in this falsehood. One, the blood of Christ is applied at every step of salvation: repentance, water baptism and Spirit baptism.

The typology precedent may be seen clearly in the Old Testament book of Leviticus. The writer to the Hebrews shows the corresponding application in the New Testament. “For when Moses had spoken every precept to all the people according to the law, he took the blood of calves and of goats, with water, and scarlet wool, and hyssop, and sprinkled both the book, and all the people, Saying, This is the blood of the testament which God hath enjoined unto you. Moreover he sprinkled with blood both the tabernacle, and all the vessels of the ministry. And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission.” Hebrews 9:19-22. The blood was sprinkled everywhere! Couple with this the melding of remission of sin with water baptism in Acts 2:38, and we cannot divorce the blood from baptism. The conjunction of the blood with the Holy Ghost may be seen in the following scripture: “But into the second went the high priest alone once every year, not without blood, which he offered for himself, and for the errors of the people: The Holy Ghost this signifying…” Hebrews 9:7-8.

The second error is ignoring the Scriptural pattern of water and Spirit in the new birth. Not only is the blood applied at each point, but the critical role of baptism of water and Spirit in salvation means that these steps cannot be dismissed as irrelevant. To preach less than Acts 2:38 disqualifies one from being an Apostolic. Those departing from the faith need to read this: “But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of…And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.” 2 Timothy 3:14-15. Moreover, a wealth of scriptures demonstrates evidence for the essentiality of Jesus’ name in baptism, the infilling of the Holy Spirit and the Apostolic teachings on sanctification, justification, grace and faith.

The “relevancy” movement rejects the holiness lifestyle as obsolete standards of men, referring to it as Phariseeism. The Pharisees placed ceremonial rituals and customs above grace and faith. They were not criticized by Christ for their modesty and morality, but for their hypocrisy, their pride and their misplaced faith. An honest Bible reader, however, understands that living the Christ life entails presenting our bodies a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable unto God. Among many instances of this teaching is this: “Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.” 2 Corinthians 7:1. To reject holiness as irrelevant, inconvenient or unnecessary is not an accurate portrayal of the Bible’s admonitions on how to live our lives.

My core problem with the “relevancy” movement is their hollow use of the word “relevant.” I believe that truth is timeless. When will the law of gravity become irrelevant? Or, the second law of thermodynamics? Or, the bill of rights? The truths of repentance, water baptism in Jesus’ name, the infilling of the Holy Ghost with tongues, the oneness of God, modesty and holiness in dress and behavior will never fade into irrelevance. Just ask the person who has recently emerged from the waters of baptism, breathing a sigh of relief from sins remitted. Ask someone who still feels the tingling from the Holy Ghost baptism experience. They will tell the entire world that the fundamentals of the Apostolic message could not be more relevant, even in today’s changing world.

I love this Apostolic message. I am not commissioned to preach anything else. Here I stand.

Mark Jordan

Thank you so much for this post, Bro Jordan. I wonder if anyone else read it, or are they just ignoring it?

I, for one, will continue to contend (fight) for the faith that was once delivered unto the saints. The bottom line.......there is no other way to be saved.

[CC1]

Originally Posted by Sarah

Thank you so much for this post, Bro Jordan. I wonder if anyone else read it, or are they just ignoring it?

I, for one, will continue to contend (fight) for the faith that was once delivered unto the saints. The bottom line.......there is no other way to be saved.

I read it, just didn't comment on it as I don't the majority of posts. He has his view and it is the typical one that is neccessary to maintain the distinctives of a small religous sect.

[TRFrance]

He makes some interesting and noteworthy points, but when he complains about people preaching "in t-shirts and jeans" he undermines and weakens his overall argument.

It's not like the person is dressed immodestly. I can see that being a cause for alarm. But preaching in a t-shirt and jeans is not an important issue. What you preach is more important than what you're wearing when you preach.

As it's been said...the main thing is to keep the main thing the main thing.

[Dora]

Originally Posted by Light

People like izzychwartz who like to call people names has his or her (what ever the sex is) head in the sand.
If Haney is so all fired acts 2:38 or hell why did he allowed a teacher to teach young men and women at the college in Stockton that the AOG's and other Pentecostals were saved.
When this teacher was asked why he stayed in the UPCI if he believed that way, his reply was I can do more on the inside than on the outside.

Are you speaking of Bro. Yadon??? That was a witch hunt, pure and simple. Bro. Yadon was a great teacher and wonderful man of integrity and principle. The UPC lost a great man...a travesty COMPLETE!

[TRFrance]

Originally Posted by Dora

Are you speaking of Bro. Yadon. That was a witch hunt, pure and simple. Bro. Yadon was a great teacher and wonderful man of integrity and principle. The UPC lost a great man...a travesty COMPLETE!

I don't much about this Mr Yadon, but I can see Light's point---there seems to be a major inconsistency at work here:

If the UPCI's position on salvation is "3-stepper", why allow a "1-stepper" to teach at a UPC-affiliated bible college? By doing so, they're sending mixed messages.

[Sister Alvear]

It is very important to know what we believe and why we believe what we believe!