I firmly believe in the Doctrine of Sanctification.
I firmly believe in Separation from the world.
I think these things are vital to the Christian walk and I believe these teachings are part of the reason, the outpouring of the Holy Ghost was in its earliest stages in the Methodist movement.
I think when Apostolic’s stop teaching these things, they are in serious trouble because I believe that while they deal with the Christian AFTER conversion, they are vital to the Christian walk.
Some things we teach related to Sanctification and Separation are timeless and unchanging and other things need to be dealt with in the context of modernity.
Those things that are timeless need to be treated as such but we do not need to act like it is 1940 either.
I still have great respect for those who’s views are more conservative than my own on the subject.
I fear for those who have jettisoned these doctrines.
__________________ If I do something stupid blame the Lortab!
Blind leaders of the blind...imposing antiquated customs and the traditions of men.
Paul fought against those who did such even back in the early years of the church.
Ultra Conservatives just can not understand how a moderate or liberal may think they are as wrong as what they think the liberals are wrong.
ALL this standards stuff...long sleeves, no facial hair are not even a blip on God's radar screen of things He's concerned about.
It is sad to me to see people caught up in this trap of "competitive hloiness"
The bolded statement did'nt come out quite right...what I am trying to say is just as much as Wholehearted thinks I am wrong, that I am blind, decieved in my understanding of the scriptures. I just as vehemently think Ultra Con Imposers of traditions and customs are wrong.
As they the UC's would say...they are just as wrong as two boys kissing.
Error is error...wrong is wrong.
Imposed enforced man made standards are wrong as rain on a picnic
__________________
God has lavished his love upon me.
I firmly believe in the Doctrine of Sanctification.
I firmly believe in Separation from the world.
I think these things are vital to the Christian walk and I believe these teachings are part of the reason, the outpouring of the Holy Ghost was in its earliest stages in the Methodist movement.
I think when Apostolic’s stop teaching these things, they are in serious trouble because I believe that while they deal with the Christian AFTER conversion, they are vital to the Christian walk.
Some things we teach related to Sanctification and Separation are timeless and unchanging and other things need to be dealt with in the context of modernity.
Those things that are timeless need to be treated as such but we do not need to act like it is 1940 either.
I still have great respect for those who’s views are more conservative than my own on the subject.
I fear for those who have jettisoned these doctrines.
The key is to differentiate between "doctrine" and "tradition". Let's see what Jesus had to say about those who elevated the traditions of their father's above the word of God:
Mark 7
2And when they saw some of his disciples eat bread with defiled, that is to say, with unwashen, hands, they found fault.
3For the Pharisees, and all the Jews, except they wash their hands oft, eat not, holding the tradition of the elders.
4And when they come from the market, except they wash, they eat not. And many other things there be, which they have received to hold, as the washing of cups, and pots, brasen vessels, and of tables.
5Then the Pharisees and scribes asked him, Why walk not thy disciples according to the tradition of the elders, but eat bread with unwashen hands?
6He answered and said unto them, Well hath Esaias prophesied of you hypocrites, as it is written, This people honoureth me with their lips, but their heart is far from me.
7Howbeit in vain do they worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.
8For laying aside the commandment of God, ye hold the tradition of men, as the washing of pots and cups: and many other such like things ye do.
9And he said unto them, Full well ye reject the commandment of God, that ye may keep your own tradition.
13Making the word of God of none effect through your tradition, which ye have delivered: and many such like things do ye.
__________________ "Many people view their relationship with God like a "color by number" picture. It's easier to let someone else define the boundaries, tell them which blanks to fill in, and what color to use than it is for them to take a blank canvas and seek inspiration from the Source in order to paint their own masterpiece"
The key is to differentiate between "doctrine" and "tradition". Let's see what Jesus had to say about those who elevated the traditions of their father's above the word of God:
The key is to differentiate between "doctrine" and "tradition". Let's see what Jesus had to say about those who elevated the traditions of their father's above the word of God:
Mark 7
2And when they saw some of his disciples eat bread with defiled, that is to say, with unwashen, hands, they found fault.
3For the Pharisees, and all the Jews, except they wash their hands oft, eat not, holding the tradition of the elders.
4And when they come from the market, except they wash, they eat not. And many other things there be, which they have received to hold, as the washing of cups, and pots, brasen vessels, and of tables.
5Then the Pharisees and scribes asked him, Why walk not thy disciples according to the tradition of the elders, but eat bread with unwashen hands?
6He answered and said unto them, Well hath Esaias prophesied of you hypocrites, as it is written, This people honoureth me with their lips, but their heart is far from me.
7Howbeit in vain do they worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.
8For laying aside the commandment of God, ye hold the tradition of men, as the washing of pots and cups: and many other such like things ye do.
9And he said unto them, Full well ye reject the commandment of God, that ye may keep your own tradition.
13Making the word of God of none effect through your tradition, which ye have delivered: and many such like things do ye.
I find a staement Paul made about his feelings towards those who brought confusion intot he church, teaching that it was necesary to follow the traditions and customs. From Gal 5:
The one who is throwing you into confusion will pay the penalty, whoever he may be. 11Brothers, if I am still preaching circumcision, why am I still being persecuted? In that case the offense of the cross has been abolished. 12As for those agitators, I wish they would go the whole way and emasculate themselves!
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Go and learn what the bolded part of this scripture meant and you'll have a better understanding of how Paul felt towards the Imposers/Enforcers of his day.
__________________
God has lavished his love upon me.
The only thing that I have changed my mind on is the manmade application of "outward dress".
If our views on outward dress do not change after several years, something is wrong. We're on our way to AMISH-ness. lol Culture changes and honest and correct opinions of what is modest changes. Back 600 years ago, a woman was considered immoral for showing any flesh on her neck whatsoever!
Billy Cole once said that about several decades ago, if a woman wore a dress that came just below her knees, showing her calves, she was considered "a slut!"
__________________ ...MY THOUGHTS, ANYWAY.
"Many Christians do not try to understand what was written in a verse in the Bible. Instead they approach the passage to prove what they already believe."
Nope, but He apparently looked so much like every other man that the arresting officers didn't know who He was!!
Seems to me that if He, especially the Christ, didn't dress separately from the other men of His day, why do we preach that women today should??
Men in the Apostolic church that claim to be separate in dress are only fooling themselves. I live in an large Amish community. There is no doubt as to their identity when they walk into WalMart even when their wives aren't around!! And their male children are also separate in dress!
I have yet to find any Apostolic man that sticks out so obviously...or even at all.
__________________
I've gone and done it now! I'm on Facebook!!!
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