Are All the Apostolics Gone from AFF?

[tv1a]

That eliminates the clothesline prophets.

Originally Posted by Esaias

I thought 'apostolic' meant 'of or relating to the apostles'?

Like - what the apostles taught, what the apostles practiced?

If it's not what the apostles taught or practiced, it is not apostolic. Period.

[Esaias]

Originally Posted by tv1a

That eliminates the clothesline prophets.

Well, it eliminates quite a lot of what passes for Christianity nowadays.

[tv1a]

The Biblical term is deliberately vague.

Originally Posted by Real Realism

Agreed. And Epley might not even feel that those who hold only to the "no pants, no cut hair, no make-up" option are "Apostolic" enough for his standards.

But none of us are strangers to the typical connotations of the word "Apostolic" among our ranks, and it generally means tongue-talking, Jesus name, "holiness lifestyle" (i.e. how I dress, what I don't watch...or what type of screen I use to watch things...no big theater screen or TV, but we sure do watch a lot of YouTube...okay, so that's a little tongue-in-cheek and not the point of this thread...but I couldn't help myself).

That also brings me to the point that the word "holiness" has been co-opted to primarily refer to "dress code."

And while there are many threads around that argue the truth behind those assertions (that Apostolics only believe a certain thing or that how you dress is how you measure holiness)...we all know what they "generally" are intended to mean when they're brought up.

[Esaias]

Originally Posted by tv1a

The Biblical term is deliberately vague.

Is it really? Or have we loaded it down with tons of man-made additions, leaving off the essential and original meaning?

[Ferd]

I went with 3 stepper/standards because that is closest, but im really somewhere between that and 3 stepper/no standards....

i never wear shorts, my wife does not own a pair of pants or cut her hair. she doesnt wear makeup, but does wear a wedding ring. I dont wear any jewlery of any kind.

but we dont go to a church that majors on these things, nor do I determine someones salvation based on my particular standards.

[chad87]

One may have gone, but another just arrived.

[Ferd]

the poll needs to include non-believers because we have some of those.

[KeptByTheWord]

I believe in the authority of the name of Jesus, and the 3-stepper... although, I would like to clarify that more. I believe repentance, faith, and water baptism to be the necessary three steps. The infilling of the spirit of Jesus is something all believers should experience. I do believe too many are still at Calvary, and haven't moved on into the realm of the spirit awaiting them. It is not my place to say whether they are saved or not, but I would look at it this way, why would you NOT want to experience the power, and all that the Lord has for you? You can see a previous post of mine, "Two Salvational Experiences" to see further how I feel about the issue. http://www.apostolicfriendsforum.com...ad.php?t=45078

And I don't believe dress standards are part of salvation, although... I do believe that a sincere child of the Lord would want to dress and act in such a way to be pleasing to the Lord, and would follow the convictions that the Lord has given to them. And this would include not imposing those convictions on others, but applying them to their own lives... essentially working out your own salvation.

[Real Realism]

Originally Posted by Ferd

the poll needs to include non-believers because we have some of those.

I completely agree, but was limited to seven options. I might do a follow up to try to capture that.

[Sam]

Well, I've been away from the forum for a while. Today I checked in and looks like it's the same yesterday, today, and forever.

Each of us has his/her own definition of "Apostolic." In the eyes of many of us we each think we are "Apostolic" and anyone who does not agree with us completely is somewhat less Apostolic.

What spiritual pride! What exclusiveness!

The Roman Catholic Church uses the term "Apostolic" in its name and so do some of the various eastern Orthodox Churches. The group/cult in Zion, Illinois called themselves "Apostolic" back in the late 1800's and early 1900's. When the Holy Spirit was poured out at 312 Azusa Street they used the term "Apostolic." Now we have a little group who want to exclude anyone who does not believe some of the narrow minded doctrines of some of the UPC, AMF, etc and say they are not "real Apostolics." Shame on you.

Apostolics are a lot more diverse than our own personal narrow-minded opinion.