What Standards Have you Dropped Since Joining...

[Cindy]

Well a lot of us seemed to have dropped the standard about how to treat each other.

[Cindy]

Originally Posted by HappyTown

Agree! What should separate us from this world is our love! Do we love as He loved us???? This what separates us from the rest of the world! This is the sign that the heart has been change, not a wardrobe ones as some would love us to beleive.

Amen!

[HappyTown]

Originally Posted by cneasttx

Well a lot of us seemed to have dropped the standard about how to treat each other.

Ever see that movie Fried Green Tomatoes, with Kathy Bates??? Well I can relate, the scene were she rammed her car into the young gals car ... I'm older and I have more insurance. ......

I'll admit Menopause has brought out the worst in me....
I have my moments were I rather just drive my car into someone...

[berkeley]

You all are in danger of hell fire.

[HappyTown]

Originally Posted by Berkeley

You all are in danger of hell fire.

Be careful, you just might get infraction for that....

[berkeley]

Originally Posted by HappyTown

Be careful, you just might get infraction for that....

You all have lost it. The U Cons and the libs... lost it!!

[HappyTown]

Originally Posted by Berkeley

You all have lost it. The U Cons and the libs... lost it!!

Your in big trouble now....

[berkeley]

Originally Posted by HappyTown

Your in big trouble now....

who are you?

[Evang.Benincasa]

Originally Posted by Michael Phelps

I agree almost again, lol!

HOwever, I disagree that outward standards can be classified as HOLINESS.

Here's my reason:

In the OT the term "holiness" meant "separateness, consecration, apart".

However, we don't find any scriptures dealing with the Israelites' apparel, other than not wearing red, or cotton and linen together, and women not dressing up like men and vice versa, but nothing that said "Women have to wear this type of robe, and men this type, and here's what kind of jewelry you CAN wear, and here's what kind you CAN'T, etc."

What we DO find is plenty of instruction in how they should ACT. Abstain from idol worship like the heathens, don't engage in these types of activities, etc.

Now, let's take it to the NT.

If you do a search thru Strong's, you'll find words like:

Hosites - piety towards God.
Euesebia - reverence and respect toward God
Hagiosyne - moral purity
Hagiosmos - consecration, purification, the effect of consecration, sanctification of heart and life

Notice that the NT always classifies "holiness" as a heart issue?

I think it's interesting that Jesus didn't say "By this shall all men know that you are my disciples, that your women don't trim their hair, don't wear slacks, or jewelry, and your men don't wear beards and shorts", etc etc.

Instead, he talked about having faith toward God, treating one another as we would be treated, helping each other, loving each other as we love ourselves, abstaining from gossip, backbiting, animosity, tale bearing, etc.

And yet, what are the things that WE use to identify whether someone is Apostolic?

Still the inside conditions will show on the outside. Wether you had been offended by individuals who flown under the radar has nothing to do with the outer holiness. The pious and devoted were led by the Holy Ghost to seek separated lives. It's interesting how you will name the Greek and English words, yet miss what those words do in application in one's life. Buddhists, Rastafarians, and Muslims exhibit the same traits which you have mentioned, yet all those groups believe in some sort outer holiness. Most religions have abstinence from lying, gossip, backbiting, forms of hypocrisy. Still are Buddhists, Rastafarians, Muslims, Hindus, or Rabbinical Jews holy? By your definition of what you said above these groups are holy or have holiness.

They do not look Apostolic Pentecostal, but they are kind, considerate, loving one another as they would themselves. Never speaking unkindly of one another. The Muslims have a piety towards a god named Allah, and the Hindis towards Kirshna, and the pantheon of other deities. Yet, are they holy?

Originally Posted by Michael Phelps

You got it - is her hair cut now? SHe must not be Apostolic anymore.
Or - Is he wearing a goatee now? HE must be going charismatic.
Or - I saw her in town with a pair of slacks on, she must be backslidden.

These are other issues that we have gone over and over in this forum and I would be rabbit trailing to answer these properly. Still, if those who are known as Apostolic One God Pentecostals are noted for being attired as you have stated above, then would the above statements be correct.

You know that those who have cut hair, grown goatees, and put on trousers also would agree that they have left the Holiness Movement, they would not say they left Jesus Christ, but would say they left a standard that is held within a movement. Some may have more of a gracious approach then you display here, but just feel that they are no longer a part of a certain movement.

Originally Posted by Michael Phelps

And, when you join an Apostolic church, before they let you on the platform, do they ask you "Do you have any bitterness in your heart?" Or, "Brother, have you prayed and fasted this week?" Or, here's my personal favorite, "Have you witnessed to someone this week"?

Brother Phelps, did they say that every time you had climb behind the pulpit, or sat on a platform? You know when people have bad experiences they see the badness far worse than it originally was when it happened. What I'm saying is that there are beautiful people out there who dress in holiness attire. Men and women who are down to earth cool and considerate people who love God. What I find that is interesting is that Libs are madder than a mule with a stinging yellow jacket under his tail. Brother Phelps true holiness is in and without. If you clean the inside of the cup, the entire cup will become clean.

Originally Posted by Michael Phelps

NO! What they say is, "You can be involved in our church if you don't cut your hair, wear pants, go to the movies, have a television in your home", etc.

Brother Phelps, that is not across the board, that isn't true with everyone.
My pastor wanted to see the life of a Brother or Sister. That's why Jesus taught what He did in Matthew 23, people in the first century didn't have television, pants, or movie problem. They had a sheep look alike problem.
They were supposed to be sheep and wheat, but they were really wolves and tares. So Jesus corrected them to clean the inside to match the outside of their fleece and wool.

Originally Posted by Michael Phelps

Now do you see why I say that most Apostolic churches focus on the wrong thing?

I think most religions focus on what they have a problem with. Religions and churches change sometime because they were offended, and hurt. Liberals who claim to focus on heart issues are sometimes the ones who backbite, and gossip, and lie. We need to clean the inside first, really clean it out, and then, and only then the outside can become truly clean.

I hope you are not offended by anything I have said here tonight.

In Jesus name

Brother Benincasa

www.OnTimeJournal.com

[berkeley]

I think most religions focus on what they have a problem with. Religions and churches change sometime because they were offended, and hurt. Liberals who claim to focus on heart issues are sometimes the ones who backbite, and gossip, and lie. We need to clean the inside first, really clean it out, and then, and only then the outside can become truly clean.

I quit trying to believe some things that I never really believed. Does that make sense?