Thoughts?

[diakonos]

Originally Posted by TakingDominion

Wow. You really don’t like today’s version of a church, man.

Neither do I.

[TakingDominion]

Luke 18

26 And they that heard it said, Who then can be saved?
27 And he said, The things which are impossible with men are possible with God.

[TakingDominion]

Originally Posted by Evang.Benincasa

Excuse me?

observatory commentary

[Evang.Benincasa]

Originally Posted by TakingDominion

observatory commentary

Could you be a little more clear? I actually didn't understand your comment?

[TakingDominion]

Originally Posted by Evang.Benincasa

Individuals want to get a crowd. Have the crowd pay a cover charge, and get dressed up Pentecostalish for the visiting preachers. They might get them to the place of stammering lips and tears, but most likely not all the way to home plate. They toss them into the water, say Jesus name over them, just to fill a score card. When the focus is a building with 5 ton a/c units, and well manicured landscaping. A sign that reads the Pentecostals of Dog Patch USA. Then praying them through to the real thing kind of becomes secondary. I see house churches and smaller groups across the world being filled with the fire of the Holy Ghost. Men and women who are more focused on seeing people get the New Birth like the Book of Acts. Not worrying about how much money is coming into the Church's bank account. Or how many new visitors can we get wet this weekend. Only to never ever see them again. Jesus is still able to find hungry souls who want it just like they see it in the Bible. There are still Apostle Pauls, devout Roman Centurions, and Ethiopian Eunuchs out there. They are being told where to find the Peters and Phillips. Jesus is still calling His sheep. His message will always be availible to be preached and heard.

Get a crowd=build a church
Pay a cover charge=tithes and offering
Dressed up Pentecostalish=holiness and separation

I am surprised by the negative comments and attitudes towards traditional church structure in today’s world. Especially considering most of us probably (if not all) heard the gospel for the first time, were baptized in Jesus name, and filled with the Holy Ghost in a traditional church setting. I understand there are bad apples, but to me it’s still a glorious church.

I believe house churches can and will see revival, however I also believe traditional congregations (with a building, a pastor, a rocking choir and 5 ton AC units) can and will see revival also.

I’m not attacking any one or any congregation.

[Amanah]

Originally Posted by TakingDominion

. . . most of us probably (if not all) heard the gospel for the first time, were baptized in Jesus name, and filled with the Holy Ghost in a traditional church setting. I understand there are bad apples, but to me it’s still a glorious church.

I believe house churches can and will see revival, however I also believe traditional congregations (with a building, a pastor, a rocking choir and 5 ton AC units) can and will see revival also.

I’m not attacking any one or any congregation.

[Evang.Benincasa]

Originally Posted by TakingDominion

Get a crowd=build a church
Pay a cover charge=tithes and offering
Dressed up Pentecostalish=holiness and separation

I am surprised by the negative comments and attitudes towards traditional church structure in today’s world. Especially considering most of us probably (if not all) heard the gospel for the first time, were baptized in Jesus name, and filled with the Holy Ghost in a traditional church setting. I understand there are bad apples, but to me it’s still a glorious church.

I believe house churches can and will see revival, however I also believe traditional congregations (with a building, a pastor, a rocking choir and 5 ton AC units) can and will see revival also.

I’m not attacking any one or any congregation.

Ok, thank you for the clarification. Now, allow me to clarify. I'm answering your thoughts on tongues and how Willie Branham ditched them. As in your quote from Brother Booker. My emphasis is showing how the frauds like William Branham (the ecclesiastical entertainer) who was primarily motivated by money. Caused a Pentecostal/Charismatic movement which is also motivated by money. Tithes and offerings shouldn't ever be coerced. Especially from the pulpit. As prescribed by the Apostle Paul in 1 Corinthians 9. That no minister of the Gospel is to ask for donations. Offerings are motivated by the Holy Ghost only. Just like we don't tell people they have the Holy Ghost, we cannot ask them to "pay their tithes, or give an offering."

I also mentioned people getting "wet" in Jesus name, just to say you baptized a crowd. Another unbiblical issue, where the ignorant and unlearned are tossed into a baptistry being totally clueless to why it is happening.

Buildings are great, I live in one, and also have a shop in one. I hold church meetings in a building. I hear the gospel in a building. But the people who preached, and taught me weren't focused on the building, it's bathrooms, it's landscaping, it's HVAC, or its décor. They were focused on people coming to the Truth of the Bible.

People discard anything which hinders THEM from gaining a crowd, and making money through Churchanity. William Branham was a con artist, the same as Joseph Smith. The only reason why Apostolics even mention his name is because we believe he was One God. When in reality he was just an ecclesiastical chameleon.

You asked me a question, I gave you an answer. But, no, not every church building has money grubbers in it who are trying to lessen the Gospel. There are good people all over. Please don't take my words to mean that I'm against GOOD men doing GOOD things in a structure called a church building.

[Amanah]

Originally Posted by Evang.Benincasa

Ok, thank you for the clarification. Now, allow me to clarify. I'm answering your thoughts on tongues and how Willie Branham ditched them. As in your quote from Brother Booker. My emphasis is showing how the frauds like William Branham (the ecclesiastical entertainer) who was primarily motivated by money. Caused a Pentecostal/Charismatic movement which is also motivated by money. Tithes and offerings shouldn't ever be coerced. Especially from the pulpit. As prescribed by the Apostle Paul in 1 Corinthians 9. That no minister of the Gospel is to ask for donations. Offerings are motivated by the Holy Ghost only. Just like we don't tell people they have the Holy Ghost, we cannot ask them to "pay their tithes, or give an offering."

I also mentioned people getting "wet" in Jesus name, just to say you baptized a crowd. Another unbiblical issue, where the ignorant and unlearned are tossed into a baptistry being totally clueless to why it is happening.

Buildings are great, I live in one, and also have a shop in one. I hold church meetings in a building. I hear the gospel in a building. But the people who preached, and taught me weren't focused on the building, it's bathrooms, it's landscaping, it's HVAC, or its décor. They were focused on people coming to the Truth of the Bible.

People discard anything which hinders THEM from gaining a crowd, and making money through Churchanity. William Branham was a con artist, the same as Joseph Smith. The only reason why Apostolics even mention his name is because we believe he was One God. When in reality he was just an ecclesiastical chameleon.

You asked me a question, I gave you an answer. But, no, not every church building has money grubbers in it who are trying to lessen the Gospel. There are good people all over. Please don't take my words to mean that I'm against GOOD men doing GOOD things in a structure called a church building.

Amen!

[coksiw]

Originally Posted by diakonos

Quite recently the assistant pastor stated that we need to give people time to REPENT, implying that we need to stop trying to get them baptized and stammering.

I whole heartedly agree.

Several years ago I was on a phone call with a friend. He told me an experience his cousin had. She felt pressured to speak in tongues when she was surrounded by people screaming and praying over her. So, what did she do? She pretended to speak in tongues and everyone shouted their hair down.

This is not the way!

That's a sad truth.

[Evang.Benincasa]

Originally Posted by coksiw

That's a sad truth.

It’s actually diabolical.