Prominent Memphis Area Pastor Resigns

[H Gang]

Originally Posted by BeenThinkin

H Gang, some who think they can sit on the judgement seat should be instead in the witness stand! Don't you think?

Been Thinkin

We all should be grateful that Jesus died for us and be thankful our sins are forgiven. We should be joyful that others have been forgiven regardless of what the church sign outside says.

It's always been curious to me that heaven rejoices over one soul that repents, according to Jesus, yet Apostolics can't bring themselves to.

[BeenThinkin]

Originally Posted by H Gang

We all should be grateful that Jesus died for us and be thankful our sins are forgiven. We should be joyful that others have been forgiven regardless of what the church sign outside says.

It's always been curious to me that heaven rejoices over one soul that repents, according to Jesus, yet Apostolics can't bring themselves to.

BT

[The Lemon]

Hey Gang,

First of all, you don't know me so chill. I am as real as it gets, maybe to real. I have been around many different churches...from Baptist, Methodist, Catholic, AOG, Church of God, PAW, and UPCI. I am speaking from my personal experience, and I believe I said it was my opinion...not written Word.

Again...in my OPINION...based on what I have seen and experienced, there is a depth in both prayer, preaching, and worship in Apostolic Churches that in many cases (Not ALL of course!) is far deeper and moving...and in some instances convicting then most traditional churches.

I am not arrogant nor high minded....anyone who has read my posts on here knows I am not an ultra conservative by any stretch...that said, I am not, by the same token, going to deny my own experiences - be that positive or negative on an apostolic forum.

The bottom line is that I am fully aware that no church or denomination has it all right, including Apostolics, but I will not deny the power and the presence of God in an Apostolic church service...and I am not saying that no other church has that power and presence...however, I have seen this more consistently in the OP churches then others...no more...no less...

[returnman]

Originally Posted by H Gang

It's this very attitude that so many in the movement are blind to. You probably don't realize what an elitist attitude your statement betrays.

"Second to none"? Really? Compared to what? Are we ranking churches like college football teams trying to determine who's number one? "Freedom of the Holy Ghost"? What's that? You mean the freedom to get crazy, fall out, scream, run, roll on the floor, blurt out in tongues, etc? Was I Corinthians 14 written for nothing? Does the NT offer any instruction and guidance for the use of the gifts of the Spirit for nothing?

"Emphasis on praying in the Spirit"---what does that mean? Does the Bible place an emphasis on praying in the Spirit? Is that what we see consistently throughout the NT? Or maybe an emphasis on faith and preaching the Gospel?

"A life consecrated to God"---another arrogant attitude here. In other words, traditional standards of lifestyle means you are more consecrated than other so-called Christians and power is manifested in your life and in your churches b/c God deems y'all special b/c of your personal sacrifices to be holy.

It's the same old HMH doctrine, we have things happen in our churches that happen nowhere else, because we are better than those other churches, we are deeper spiritually, we have a unique exclusive relationship with God.

It's phony. It's a lie. God is with anyone who is hungry for Him. God is leading and guiding people all over the world with diversities of doctrines and teachings on a lot of fronts. But He will respond to faith period. He will respond to genuine worship whether exuberant or reverent. There are deeply spiritual Baptists, Methodists, Presbyterians, Charismatics, Evangelicals, Lutherans, etc.

I don't understand the need to always place my church above everyone else's or place my experience above everyone else's. I don't know how this attitude crept into the Apostolic movement. From what I read and know of the elders and their history, they were humble men and women, they loved God and they simply wanted to see folks get saved. But now it's "we've got the best preachers, the best music, the best worship, the best doctrine, the best _____________." Its this very haughtiness that leads to the kind of fall we see in Memphis. It's sickening. Get over yourself.

If you love Jesus, you believe in Him and His Word, and you're covered by His blood, you're my brother in Christ. I can agree to disagree over peripheral issues and not belittle you as an inferior.

you hit some key points...OUCH!

[The Lemon]

Yeah...ouch...as if his rant was any different then what he accused me of...get over myself??? REALLY?? This is why forums are a joke....you have no idea how liberal I really am and just teake one post and paint me as some standards preaching hard nosed, self righteous idiot.

Dude.....we believe in one God, and Baptisim in Jesus name, and belonging to Christ, the standards....nope!

I was just trying to be honest based on my own perspective...obviously other folks have a different perspective...and to be clear....my post had nothing to do with someone being saved or not...

[H Gang]

Lem,

Point taken. Thanks for clarification.

I do believe my post touches on a lot of the attitudes of superiority that are present in the OP movement. That being said, I have also met many Baptists, Church of Christ, AoG, et al who think their way is the only way.

[Bella1]

Originally Posted by Monterrey

People are saved in Baptist churches?

YES! People are saved in Baptist Churches. For about 6 or 7 months, I went to Wheeler Avenue Baptist Church in Houston Texas (I was part of their Praise and Worship Team) and I saw MANY people get saved. The ONLY thing that was different was the Baptism. They baptize in The Name of the Father, Son and Holy Ghost, WHICH is Jesus.
The Avenue was one of the most AWESOME churches that I had ever been to. The spirit to worship was amazing and the Preaching was phemonimal. Pastor Cosby is a great man to listen to.

[Monterrey]

They are as lost as a goose in a snowstorm!

If they have not obeyed Acts 2:38 then they are lost! They will not be saved as long as so called apostolic people can't decide what is essential!

[deltaguitar]

Originally Posted by Monterrey

They are as lost as a goose in a snowstorm!

If they have not obeyed Acts 2:38 then they are lost! They will not be saved as long as so called apostolic people can't decide what is essential!

I obeyed Acts 2:38 and was still lost . . . sorry but that is the truth. Acts 2:38 isn't any better than the sinners prayer, people do both and are not saved.

[rgcraig]

H Gang - - I like you!

Great posts!