As I stated this is my first time posting, I searched the internet and was blessed to find this forum, may God Bless those who work hard to keep it going.
A little background on me and my wife, we are both Oneness Apostolics and have been living for God in that each over 15 years + and have been wonderfully married for 3 years this April 24th, and we are in our early 40's.
Since moving to Knoxville, Tn from the Washington Dc area where I attended Pastor Libbys church for 12+ years, we have found only a couple of UPC church's here, and only 1 in Knoxville itself.
Since arriving at this church about a year ago, we have seen some serious transformation.
This church is now a non-holiness church, I will not mention the name out of respect, but the changes started small and then have grown over the last 4-6 months to full beards, makeup, jewelry, and on and on.
It actually started to affect me, not my wife me, I dressed down, didnt shave, really didnt grow a beard either but kept it stubble.
It was amazing how easily we slipped into this role of relaxation, coming to church in jeans more then dress slacks, usually no tie.
Then my wonderful wife checked me, and it wasnt like I did this on purpose, I just let myself slip.
We decided to look around and see what other church's were in the area, there are no UPC church's here, and a couple ALJC churchs, but the holiness is lacking.
The good thing about this is it has caused me to dive deeper into my bible about biblical holiness, and the utter seperation of the sexes, and being totally seperated from the world in ALL things.
I called the TN UPC district board in Jackson, TN, they were sadly aware of the direction my current church is heading.
But thank God they are making plans to start a new work in Knoxville, TN to reach 250k+ people that are starving for Apostolic Oneness.
The man to head this church will be Brother Jason Pearcy and his wife, they were to TN youth leaders but are now evangelising all over the US and abroad.
So in late April they are coming to Knoxville and begin work on a new church here, we have spoken to them at length many times, they are excited they have us ready to help them.
If it takes a few months to start this work, is it wise for us to stay put?
Which I finally have arrived at my point, do we leave and attend another church for a few months?
Some of our other dear friends have left already, and we have so many good relationships with couples that are young in God, but you can tell there is no transformation in them.
I appreciate any helpful words in respect to our situation.
Re: Hello, new here, and looking for some guidance
Hello Bro Hendrix and welcome!
I will sure be in prayer with you as you and your
wife decide which direction you need to take in
the matters you brought up. God bless!
Re: Hello, new here, and looking for some guidance
Call Brother Libby. Ask his advice. Pray a lot and DO NOT take any direct advice from this website too seriously.
This place if a meeting place for OPs, former OPs, non-OPs.... It is not a place where Apostolics congregate and talk.... It is a place where a group of people from a wide cross section of people with as varried a set of beliefs as the local mall come to talk.
seriously, call brother Libby. He will give you the best advice you are likely to get.
Praying for you my brother!
__________________ If I do something stupid blame the Lortab!
Re: Hello, new here, and looking for some guidance
Quote:
Originally Posted by Ferd
Call Brother Libby. Ask his advice. Pray a lot and DO NOT take any direct advice from this website too seriously.
This place if a meeting place for OPs, former OPs, non-OPs.... It is not a place where Apostolics congregate and talk.... It is a place where a group of people from a wide cross section of people with as varried a set of beliefs as the local mall come to talk.
seriously, call brother Libby. He will give you the best advice you are likely to get.
Praying for you my brother!
I agree with your advice for him to call Bro. Libby.
__________________
If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.
2 Chronicles 7:14 KJV
He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the LORD require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God? Micah 6:8 KJV
Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is. 1 John 3:2 KJV
Re: Hello, new here, and looking for some guidance
Quote:
Originally Posted by Ferd
Call Brother Libby. Ask his advice. Pray a lot and DO NOT take any direct advice from this website too seriously.
This place if a meeting place for OPs, former OPs, non-OPs.... It is not a place where Apostolics congregate and talk.... It is a place where a group of people from a wide cross section of people with as varried a set of beliefs as the local mall come to talk.
seriously, call brother Libby. He will give you the best advice you are likely to get.
Praying for you my brother!
Outstanding, Bro Ferd!
I still come here occasionally to read, to see who I might still know, etc.
AFF has "diversified" over the years and is certainly a place to visit and discuss things...but, really, no forum is a good place for advice.
Re: Hello, new here, and looking for some guidance
Quote:
Originally Posted by Ferd
Call Brother Libby. Ask his advice. Pray a lot and DO NOT take any direct advice from this website too seriously.
This place if a meeting place for OPs, former OPs, non-OPs.... It is not a place where Apostolics congregate and talk.... It is a place where a group of people from a wide cross section of people with as varried a set of beliefs as the local mall come to talk.
seriously, call brother Libby. He will give you the best advice you are likely to get.
Praying for you my brother!
OK, well maybe I won't give my own unique brand of advice then.
Re: Hello, new here, and looking for some guidance
Quote:
Originally Posted by ehendrix71
As I stated this is my first time posting, I searched the internet and was blessed to find this forum, may God Bless those who work hard to keep it going.
A little background on me and my wife, we are both Oneness Apostolics and have been living for God in that each over 15 years + and have been wonderfully married for 3 years this April 24th, and we are in our early 40's.
Since moving to Knoxville, Tn from the Washington Dc area where I attended Pastor Libbys church for 12+ years, we have found only a couple of UPC church's here, and only 1 in Knoxville itself.
Since arriving at this church about a year ago, we have seen some serious transformation.
This church is now a non-holiness church, I will not mention the name out of respect, but the changes started small and then have grown over the last 4-6 months to full beards, makeup, jewelry, and on and on.
It actually started to affect me, not my wife me, I dressed down, didnt shave, really didnt grow a beard either but kept it stubble.
It was amazing how easily we slipped into this role of relaxation, coming to church in jeans more then dress slacks, usually no tie.
Then my wonderful wife checked me, and it wasnt like I did this on purpose, I just let myself slip.
We decided to look around and see what other church's were in the area, there are no UPC church's here, and a couple ALJC churchs, but the holiness is lacking.
The good thing about this is it has caused me to dive deeper into my bible about biblical holiness, and the utter seperation of the sexes, and being totally seperated from the world in ALL things.
I called the TN UPC district board in Jackson, TN, they were sadly aware of the direction my current church is heading.
But thank God they are making plans to start a new work in Knoxville, TN to reach 250k+ people that are starving for Apostolic Oneness.
The man to head this church will be Brother Jason Pearcy and his wife, they were to TN youth leaders but are now evangelising all over the US and abroad.
So in late April they are coming to Knoxville and begin work on a new church here, we have spoken to them at length many times, they are excited they have us ready to help them.
If it takes a few months to start this work, is it wise for us to stay put?
Which I finally have arrived at my point, do we leave and attend another church for a few months?
Some of our other dear friends have left already, and we have so many good relationships with couples that are young in God, but you can tell there is no transformation in them.
I appreciate any helpful words in respect to our situation.
God Bless You,
Brother Eric Hendrix
You would not like my advice as I commend the pastor of the church you have been attending for focusing on the word of God and not Pentecostal traditions and legalism.
However if your years of psychological conditioning proves too much for you to overcome as it appears is the case you certainly should find a church that lines up with the traditions, rules, and regulations you are used to and expect.
I think mature christians helping with a start up work is a marvelous thing. The only thing that would keep me from doing that would be if I had children old enough that I would want them to be part of a children's ministry or youth group that was large enough to provide friends and fellowship.
__________________ "I think some people love spiritual bondage just the way some people love physical bondage. It makes them feel secure. In the end though it is not healthy for the one who is lost over it or the one who is lives under the oppression even if by their own choice"
Titus2woman on AFF
"We did not wear uniforms. The lady workers dressed in the current fashions of the day, ...silks...satins...jewels or whatever they happened to possess. They were very smartly turned out, so that they made an impressive appearance on the streets where a large part of our work was conducted in the early years.
"It was not until long after, when former Holiness preachers had become part of us, that strict plainness of dress began to be taught.
"Although Entire Sanctification was preached at the beginning of the Movement, it was from a Wesleyan viewpoint, and had in it very little of the later Holiness Movement characteristics. Nothing was ever said about apparel, for everyone was so taken up with the Lord that mode of dress seemingly never occurred to any of us."
Quote from Ethel Goss (widow of 1st UPC Gen Supt. Howard Goss) book "The Winds of God"
Re: Hello, new here, and looking for some guidance
Nothing wrong with beards or jeans. There is also nothing in any UPC official teaching that Holiness is a matter of jeans, beards or ties...for a guy at least..so I don't know why you are bothered over that
__________________ Let it be understood that Apostolic Friends Forum is an Apostolic Forum.
Apostolic is defined on AFF as:
There is One God. This one God reveals Himself distinctly as Father, Son and Holy Ghost.
The Son is God himself in a human form or "God manifested in the flesh" (1Tim 3:16)
Every sinner must repent of their sins.
That Jesus name baptism is the only biblical mode of water baptism.
That the Holy Ghost is for today and is received by faith with the initial evidence of speaking in tongues.
The saint will go on to strive to live a holy life, pleasing to God.
Re: Hello, new here, and looking for some guidance
Quote:
Originally Posted by Praxeas
Nothing wrong with beards or jeans. There is also nothing in any UPC official teaching that Holiness is a matter of jeans, beards or ties...for a guy at least..so I don't know why you are bothered over that
My guess would be 15 years of psychological conditioning that it is a sin and wrong!
__________________ "I think some people love spiritual bondage just the way some people love physical bondage. It makes them feel secure. In the end though it is not healthy for the one who is lost over it or the one who is lives under the oppression even if by their own choice"
Titus2woman on AFF
"We did not wear uniforms. The lady workers dressed in the current fashions of the day, ...silks...satins...jewels or whatever they happened to possess. They were very smartly turned out, so that they made an impressive appearance on the streets where a large part of our work was conducted in the early years.
"It was not until long after, when former Holiness preachers had become part of us, that strict plainness of dress began to be taught.
"Although Entire Sanctification was preached at the beginning of the Movement, it was from a Wesleyan viewpoint, and had in it very little of the later Holiness Movement characteristics. Nothing was ever said about apparel, for everyone was so taken up with the Lord that mode of dress seemingly never occurred to any of us."
Quote from Ethel Goss (widow of 1st UPC Gen Supt. Howard Goss) book "The Winds of God"
Hello, new here, and looking for some guidance.
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