Quit looking at other Christians... this is why He says to keep your eyes on Him and not on other Christians or what they are sitting on . If all would do that instead of worrying what everyone else is doing then............. ............ hmmm, sound like a broke record ?
__________________ You can't reach the world with your talents. People are sick and tired of religious talents. People need a Holy Ghost annointed church with real fruits to reach out and touch their lives. ~ Pastor Burrell Crabtree
In fact I think that the insinuation of "hateful" Pentecostals is coming mostly from the fertile imaginations of bitter, backslidden ex Apostolics who are constantly trying to find a way to justify their actions. ~ strait shooter
Ok, I feel better about joining this site. I was worried after my experience with "Everyone's Apostolic." The Apostolic Church does have it's foundation in Acts, especially the 1st and 2nd chapters. One thing that concerns me is that people stop at Acts 2:38. After that then what? The apostles continued: action, progress. I don't know if you all feel this way but it gets frustrating when I see Christians sitting on their laurels. But, to God be the glory!!!
Welcome, Angeleina, to the Apostolic Friends Forum. You'll find a wide variety of views and opinions here. Lots of good folks, many very passionate about their beliefs. Please feel free to join in.
One of the hallmarks of the early church is that, at least in the beginning, it was a united church. The Bible uses the phrase "in one accord" to describe the early church. The word "accord" means to "rush together in unison". God's church is a church on the move. A progressive church that busies itself in the work of the Lord. It doesn't as you stated "rest on its laurels". You are correct. While Acts 2: 38 is a chief foundation of the Apostolic movement, it is just a foundation nonetheless. The writer of Hebrews calls baptism a mere "principle of doctrine" and we are urged to move past these "principles of doctrine" and go on to "perfection" which is defined by Strongs as:
a) the state of the more intelligent
b) moral and spiritual perfection
By concentrating on the principles we ignore, to borrow a term used by Jesus in Matt. 23, "the weightier matters". Too often, we subsist on the milk of the Word when God promises us MEAT in due season Psa 104:27.
However, I realize that, by and large, it is the doctrine of water baptism that gives Apostolic Christians their commonality. Baptism is our common ground. In this age of emerging views, we are most closely linked by our veiws on water baptism. True, we may differ as to whether or not baptism is required, and we may differ on various points regarding baptism, we do agree that water baptism n Jesus Name is, at least, a viable component in the the Christian Faith. But thats where our agreement ends. So, hence the need to hash and rehash the old baptism discussion. In so doing, however, we cling to the very "principle of doctrine" we are urged to leave in Hebrews. This is unfortunate because we miss much that God's Word offers.
I'm glad you joined us... and I hope your participation here will be as "good and pleasant" as is the unity is among God's people.
__________________
"Rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for Him...." -Psa. 37:7
Waiting for the Lord is easy... Waiting patiently? Not so much.
I am actually in agreement with you to a degree. Water baptism is, as the writer of Hebrews points out, but one of the "principles of the doctrines of Christ". While I wouldn't consider it a "minor" principle, it is, nonetheless, but one of those principles. It has been, at least in the view of the majority, the very cornerstone of the Apostolic Faith. And while that may be true, it isn't the cornerstone of the Christian Faith. Jesus stands, not only as the Cornerstone upon which His Church is built, but as the very Head of the Church of Jesus Christ. He should always be the very central mesaage of the Apostolic Movement. Not a doctrine about Him, but HE must always be our central message.
When I speak of foundation, I mean it in the sense that this is the doctrine that gives this Forum its common ground. We vary on many things, but Acts 2:38 is our common experience. I agree that its has been "pedastalized" above love, selflessness and forgiveness. I agree that those aspects of God you mentioned comprise the message we should be taking to the world. No one is saved by standards, and Acts 2:38. In my view, these are "internal messages" to establish new born Christians. Jesus and His attributes that you listed, is the saving message to the lost. That message of repentance brings sinners to the altars. Holiness standards, however we veiw them, have become "litmus" tests to determine ones spirituality. This is unfortunate. For, as we have seen time and time again, standards are raised or lowered based on who's speaking at the time. The same can be said for "doctrines". Fellowship is often based on the level of ones standards or doctrine. It should not be so. Our fellowship should be based on one thing:
Act 4:13 Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were unlearned and ignorant men, they marvelled; and they took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus.
The fellowship I extend to my brother isn't necessarily based on his standards or even on his doctrine. I acknowledge a person as a brother and sister in the Lord when I percieve by their "stedfastness" (boldness) in Christ "...that they had been with Jesus". It is by their testimony they overcome, and it is by their testimony that I can tell they are in Christ. That, and that alone, tells me they are following Christ. Their label, whether it be Con or Lib, Apostolic or Pentecostal, not even Trinitarian or Oneness means nothing. It is the word of their testimony that determines that they have been with Jesus.
I just wanted to say I like what you are saying here if we can all come together in Christ the world could be reached twice as fast. The word tells us to try the spirits and I have found many that were christian even in other denominations. As a matter of fact I have found some of them to be more Christian than so called professing Holy Ghost filled people.
Quit looking at other Christians... this is why He says to keep your eyes on Him and not on other Christians or what they are sitting on . If all would do that instead of worrying what everyone else is doing then............. ............ hmmm, sound like a broke record ?
Thats good I have been saying that for some time to anyone who will listen, I don't feel that when Jesus said remove the beam out of your own eye before helping to get mote out of your brothers that he ment we would ever get our own eyes clean. Rather that we should worry about ourselves and let our brother listen to God for theirselves. Not to say we can't pray for our brother or sister for when we pray and listen to God sometimes we find God showing us things we need to address in our own life.
Aw, shucks, folks. It twasn't nuthin'. I was just foolin' around.
And I would make a good pastor. If I were a preacher. But it does bring up a thought thats been rolling around in my head. "If I were a pastor...what kind of pastor would I be?" What would I want my church to be like? Would I be conservative? Liberal? Or Moderate? Would I be a part of an organization? Or independent? Would mine be a "mega-church"? Or small church? Given the chance, would I preach on TV?
Well, the questions keep coming. And, since it ain't gonna happen in this lifetime, I guess theres no need to speculate. But it would be interesting to read what pastors... real pastors..would say....
What would a real pastor say? The question is what is a real pastor? Some of us can pastor with great wisdom but not be a great soul winner others are great soul winners but terrible pastors. That is why God gave the church the whole ministry Apostles, prophets, evangelist, pastors and teachers. They are all to work together to equip the saints to do the work of the Ministry. Just my thoughts.
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