Why do folks have a silly notion about being UPC only if licenced?

[Jack Shephard]

Originally Posted by Pressing-On

The only thing that is confusing and a bit aggravating is when they say the standards are "not" salvational, but if you don't keep them you are considered backslid and you won't be used in the church. That in itself makes the issue salvational.

You have hit the nail on the head here. I have been in several UPCI churches over the years too. I have been in some that come straight out and tell you have to follow standards to be saved. Most recently I attended a UPCI church and the pastor there would always preach that you need to follow standards,"God calls us to be Holy and look Holy..." But if you would ask that pastor he would say he can not say for certain that they are essential.

If you were to walk in the church and have had your hair lightened or died, a descent color or shade that is, he would tell you change it before you came back. I know at one time there was a guy that had a UPCI church in the same city that would preach that you could not wear a watch with a metal band and/or a shinny belt buckle.

I personally believe standards are not essential, but IF GOD CONVICTS YOU then you must follow them. Make sure the voice of God you are hearing is accually God and not the pastors voice ringing in your head.

[Coonskinner]

Originally Posted by JTULLOCK

You have hit the nail on the head here. I have been in several UPCI churches over the years too. I have been in some that come straight out and tell you have to follow standards to be saved. Most recently I attended a UPCI church and the pastor there would always preach that you need to follow standards,"God calls us to be Holy and look Holy..." But if you would ask that pastor he would say he can not say for certain that they are essential.

If you were to walk in the church and have had your hair lightened or died, a descent color or shade that is, he would tell you change it before you came back. I know at one time there was a guy that had a UPCI church in the same city that would preach that you could not wear a watch with a metal band and/or a shinny belt buckle.

I personally believe standards are not essential, but IF GOD CONVICTS YOU then you must follow them. Make sure the voice of God you are hearing is accually God and not the pastors voice ringing in your head.

Let me give you a Scripture, brother.

I believe in following the voice of the Lord also. His sheep know His voice.

But do remember that when Samuel heard God's voice, it sounded like the voice of his pastor, so much so that he thought it was him.

I also want the voices of men of God that He has placed in my life to "ring in my head."

Paul said this:


2Cr 5:10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things [done] in [his] body, according to that he hath done, whether [it be] good or bad.


2Cr 5:11 Knowing therefore the terror of the Lord, we persuade men; but we are made manifest unto God; and I trust also are made manifest in your consciences.

Paul said that he trusted that he was made manifest in the consciences of those he ministered to.

There have been many times that I have been at a crossroads, and the memory of my pastor's teaching, his voice if you will, manifested in my conscience, and the answer I needed came.

[Steve Epley]

Originally Posted by Coonskinner

Let me give you a Scripture, brother.

I believe in following the voice of the Lord also. His sheep know His voice.

But do remember that when Samuel heard God's voice, it sounded like the voice of his pastor, so much so that he thought it was him.

I also want the voices of men of God that He has placed in my life to "ring in my head."

Paul said this:


2Cr 5:10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things [done] in [his] body, according to that he hath done, whether [it be] good or bad.


2Cr 5:11 Knowing therefore the terror of the Lord, we persuade men; but we are made manifest unto God; and I trust also are made manifest in your consciences.

Paul said that he trusted that he was made manifest in the consciences of those he ministered to.

There have been many times that I have been at a crossroads, and the memory of my pastor's teaching, his voice if you will, manifested in my conscience, and the answer I needed came.

What a horrid thought to have your pastor's voice ringing in your head. A good post.

[COOPER]

Originally Posted by Steve Epley

What a horrid thought to have your pastor's voice ringing in your head. A good post.

I agree,

it needs to be Gods voice not a Pastor.

[ChTatum]

Elder CS,
It is conjecture to say the voice Samuel heard sounded like Eli, isn't it?

It is just as reasonable, perhaps more so, to believe that Samuel heard a voice and believed it to be Eli, since they are the only two mentioned in this passage as being in the temple.

[Steve Epley]

Originally Posted by COOPER

I agree,

it needs to be Gods voice not a Pastor.

I realize the Angels delivers dead scrolls in your front lawn everyday but most folks just have to hear a lowly preacher. Pray for us. You know how them nasty pastors are. Did you know nearly every serial killer and mass murderer was a loner like the guy in Va.? Most of them hear voices too but not the voice of an Apostolic pastor they have direct connections.

[Glenda B]

Originally Posted by COOPER

I agree,

it needs to be Gods voice not a Pastor.

So, your saying God no longer uses pastors to give us the word, but we should all just listen for God to speak the words down from Heaven the words that we need to hear?

[Coonskinner]

Originally Posted by ChTatum

Elder CS,
It is conjecture to say the voice Samuel heard sounded like Eli, isn't it?

It is just as reasonable, perhaps more so, to believe that Samuel heard a voice and believed it to be Eli, since they are the only two mentioned in this passage as being in the temple.

Well, he was very familiar with Eli's voice, and he thought it was him, enough to go back repeatedly even after Eli assured him he hadn't called.

Is it conjecture? Perhaps, but a reasonable assumption, and while it doesn't prove anything one way or the other, it is an interesting thought.

[Steve Epley]

Originally Posted by Coonskinner

Well, he was very familiar with Eli's voice, and he thought it was him, enough to go back repeatedly even after Eli assured him he hadn't called.

Is it conjecture? Perhaps, but a reasonable assumption, and while it doesn't prove anything one way or the other, it is an interesting thought.

How dare you imply that the voice of God might sound like the preacher's voice?????????????? Just who do you think you are?????? Samuel was evidently a misguided and misled youth to even consider that voice could have been the preacher's voice. Naive is the word!!!!!!!!!!!!! We are smarter today we KNOW God speaking would NEVER sound like the preacher's voice the very thought.

[ChTatum]

Originally Posted by Steve Epley

How dare you imply that the voice of God might sound like the preacher's voice?????????????? Just who do you think you are?????? Samuel was evidently a misguided and misled youth to even consider that voice could have been the preacher's voice. Naive is the word!!!!!!!!!!!!! We are smarter today we KNOW God speaking would NEVER sound like the preacher's voice the very thought.

Interesting post. The scripture says that at this time, Samuel did not know God. It is very well within the realm of reasoning that if two people are in a place, and one hears his voice called, he would think the other one did it. Even if the other person denied it.

The realm of reasoning is not unfamiliar territory to you elder.

Also, as a preacher, and pastor, I believe that when I preach, it is with the anointing, so it would be in my best interest to just say "Amen". However.....