Either / Or Mentality Developing

Jermyn Davidson · #1 08-11-2010, 08:46 AM

How do "1-steppers" who attend a "3-stepper" church continue to do so without feeling like they are violating the Word of God?

I don't want to see this as an either / or issue because the Lord, love His Word, love my Pastor, my church and I am loved here too.

I am glad for my Apostolic upbringing.

I know that I it is best for me to strive to maintain the stability in my life and for the most part, I'm doing ok.

It's just lately I think I am letting my differences get in the way of progressing where I am.

Or maybe I shouldn't even attempt to further progress where I am because I know that I am not believing 100% the same way my church preaches salvation.

Maybe I shouldn't start this thread. I have fasted and prayed and will continue to fast and pray, but honestly, it's almost become burdensome-- knowing that I am so thoroughly convinced of something so very plain in scriptures and that it is different from the church and Christian belief structure that I've grown to know and love the Lord in for just about all my life.

Jermyn Davidson · #2 08-11-2010, 08:57 AM

I need to add that though I am thoroughly convinced of how I believe, I am not thoroughly convinced of the how in which my new way of seeing salvation will bring change in the lives of those who believe this way.

I am sure a big part of this is my own prejudice from the way I was raised to see those "charismatics" and "3-god" folks who are on their way to hell because their lives are so loose and that they were never saved in the first place.

Everyone is faking the funk unless they're Apostolic.

My head knowledge rejects the all of the above nonsense.

But it is just the way I see it sometimes and I know it's wrong to see it this way....

And I see their services as dead or filled with empty hype (most of them anyway....) I've visited to C of G churches, a noon-denominational and an A of G church and have waled away feeling like I've wasted my time.

Why don't people want to praise the Lord? I know worship is something different and deeply personal-- but man you would think that if you were in a place with others and you were all worshiping the Lord, you'd know it.

Is it prejudice? Am I missing something or is it that most of the traditional Pentecostal churches outside of Oneness have decided to drop their Pentecostal distinctives in praise and worship too!

That's an absolutely horrible develoment if this is the case!

Preachers who don't preach, but talk.

Music that is loud with songs that are upbeat, but nobody is praising the Lord-- people barely clapping their hands with little or no mention of a single "Hallelujah Jesus!"

So yeah, this is another one of these "laying my thoughts bare" threads-- feel free to tell me how prejudiced and wrong I am....

Jermyn Davidson · #3 08-11-2010, 10:27 AM

... and speaking of prejudices, while clinging to these faulty and judgmental prejudices, it seems I never think of my ugly past and current struggles in the same light as I judge these "church-going unsaved 3-god folks".

Yeah, as if I really have a stone to throw.

Yeah, I hate my religious prejudices....

KWSS1976 · #4 08-11-2010, 10:42 AM

Easy I don't let them pure pressure me...lol And when they lay hand on the other as those did in Acts and nothing happens although it did in Acts it's makes it real easy to attend a 3 steppers church..I done got to where I like watching all the funnys..I seat back and say to myself did this take place in the bible..usally I answer myself with a "no" and then just sit back and watch..Those are some real dedicated folks though it's just ashame God lets them down all the time...I mean he gave those in Acts the power to lay hands on people and give them the holyghost..but he want give he power to a Pentecostal peacher.....lol...thats how I am able to attend a 3 steppers church...I enjoy all the emotional games they play also...

Jermyn Davidson · #5 08-11-2010, 11:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KWSS1976

Easy I don't let them pure pressure me...lol And when they lay hand on the other as those did in Acts and nothing happens although it did in Acts it's makes it real easy to attend a 3 steppers church..I done got to where I like watching all the funnys..I seat back and say to myself did this take place in the bible..usally I answer myself with a "no" and then just sit back and watch..Those are some real dedicated folks though it's just ashame God lets them down all the time...I mean he gave those in Acts the power to lay hands on people and give them the holyghost..but he want give he power to a Pentecostal peacher.....lol...thats how I am able to attend a 3 steppers church...I enjoy all the emotional games they play also...

No pressure from anyone except the pressure I think I am applying to myself.

I need to pause, relax, and stay put.

berkeley · #6 08-11-2010, 10:44 AM

Oh grief!

Jermyn Davidson · #7 08-11-2010, 11:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Berkley

Oh grief!

Thanks man!

I guess you'll just call me later and tell me about myself....

berkeley · #8 08-12-2010, 11:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jermyn Davidson

Thanks man!

I guess you'll just call me later and tell me about myself....

What is that supposed to mean? It was a response to the other dude..

Jermyn Davidson · #9 08-14-2010, 06:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Berkley

What is that supposed to mean? It was a response to the other dude..

Sometimes, it's hard to determine intent from words alone. I thought it was a shot at me for not being over this yet.

KWSS1976 · #10 08-11-2010, 12:25 PM

JD don't let it worry you...all religions are dffrent with they own way of doing things..thats why it does not bother me anymore...I mean look at the Baptist folks...they repeat a prayer to be saved..I do not find this method anywhere in the bible...they are just as wrong as anyone else...And catholics...well we want go there...cause they confess there sins to there "Father"-Pastor...He's not going to be able to do anything with your confession of your sins..whats he going to do go take them to the lord himself....Just cut out the middle man and go to the top directly..all I am saying is everybody has there own way of doing things and I guess thats alright..I mean we could live in a place that don't have the freedom to do things in certain ways..But I always have liked Ozzy's statement in one of his songs >>>>>"To many religions and only One God"