Just to be fair (I received this anonymously)

[Steve Epley]

Originally Posted by Daniel Alicea

Now we're judging if he meant it or not ??? When does the madness end???

Are you judging?????????????????????

Judge NOT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[SDG]

This word has struck a chord ... huh?

[Sherri]

Bro. Epley learned a new word today, and he has to use it at least 500 times before he goes to bed.

[Steve Epley]

Originally Posted by Sherri

Bro. Epley learned a new word today, and he has to use it at least 500 times before he goes to bed.

That is a judgmental statement but I am not judging you for it I did hear the word once I think many years ago on J. Vernon Magee's Safaria through the Bible. Don't get me wrong he was not being judgmental since he was not a Oneness Pentecostal preacher.

[NLYP]

Originally Posted by ManOfWord

I received the following email anonymously from "OnenessTheologian".

I suspect the individual didn't post for fear of his IP being able to be traced. However, if I traced the email correctly, he is probably within 20 min from where I live.

Just to be fair, I thought I would post his concerns unedited. If any of you would like to email "OnenessTheologian" in agreement with his comments, I would be happy to supply the email addy via PM or you can just post them here. I told him that I would place his comments here for him and since he lurks, he should be able to read them.



As a guest, I rarely visit apostolic friends forum, as most threads aren't thought provoking, but mere child's play.
However, I became astonished at Lib.vs Con. thread, which you've and other liberal ministering brethren participated in.
You've also claimed resigning the UPCI and becoming a liberal independent pastor?

May I ask why?

By viewing your Hawaii vacation pictures of both your spouse and yourself, also after analyzing both of your appearances (e.g. dress, wife's hair, jewelery....etc......) I believe you've both resigned more than a ministerial organizational license. You've abandoned certain doctrinal commandments!

Your false concern of church politics was but a mere excuse to compromise.

You created a thread with the heading "how cold are you"? I ask how hot you are?

Blah Blah Blah
Blah

[Steve Epley]

Originally Posted by NLYP

Blah Blah Blah
Blah

This reply sounds judgmental but I am not judging you for it.

[OneAccord]

Originally Posted by ManOfWord

I received the following email anonymously from "OnenessTheologian".

I suspect the individual didn't post for fear of his IP being able to be traced. However, if I traced the email correctly, he is probably within 20 min from where I live.

Just to be fair, I thought I would post his concerns unedited. If any of you would like to email "OnenessTheologian" in agreement with his comments, I would be happy to supply the email addy via PM or you can just post them here. I told him that I would place his comments here for him and since he lurks, he should be able to read them.



As a guest, I rarely visit apostolic friends forum, as most threads aren't thought provoking, but mere child's play.
However, I became astonished at Lib.vs Con. thread, which you've and other liberal ministering brethren participated in.
You've also claimed resigning the UPCI and becoming a liberal independent pastor?

May I ask why?

By viewing your Hawaii vacation pictures of both your spouse and yourself, also after analyzing both of your appearances (e.g. dress, wife's hair, jewelery....etc......) I believe you've both resigned more than a ministerial organizational license. You've abandoned certain doctrinal commandments!

Your false concern of church politics was but a mere excuse to compromise.

You created a thread with the heading "how cold are you"? I ask how hot you are?

Something like this happened to another fella I read about it. He was doing a lot of good, helping the poor and sick and feeding the hungry and was involved in a powerful ministry. But, he was seen eating with unwashed hands and was seen "plucking corn" on the Sabbath. He was even observed eating with sinners. Because of those "abominations", all the good He did was forgotten about, and, because He didn't quite measure up to the religious manuals of the day, He was ousted, and was even killed.

[ManOfWord]

Round #3 Here is what I just received and my response to it.



Reverend Adams,

I've come across various ministering brethren of whom resigned their ministerial license, ran off to a "far country" and erected a house of worship, yet in the midst of this process compromised certain biblical standards.

Isn't every God inspired word written through his Apostles of equal value as Acts 2:38?
If so,why are certain biblical standards (e.g. commandments, instructions) compromised? Who benefits from these actions, God or man?

We baptize in Jesus name due to Jesus commandment, also Peter's instruction. Are Paul's instructions in other arenas of less value, not to be upheld?

James 4:
17Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin.

John, it was your decision to exploit my emails on aff and have them criticized
by double-minded men and women.
I recall a scripture, they honor me with their lips, yet their heart is far from me.

The intentions of my emails were to ask, what have you accomplished now that you couldn't accomplish prior to your organizational resignation, with biblical standards included?



My response:

Dear Oneness Theologian:

As I’ve told you before, you have right to your opinion. You disagree with where I am or the path I have chosen to walk. I have only criticized your cowardice in anonymity.

Your question, “What have I accomplished now that I couldn’t have accomplished before?” is the wrong question to ask. The right question to ask is, “Do I believe that I have followed the leading of the Lord and have done what is pleasing in His sight?” The answer to that question is, “Like most others, including yourself, I certainly have not been perfect in my following Him, but I have followed His leading. He led me out of the UPC and has kept me and the church I now pastor in His hand.”

You have a right to disagree with that. Remember, I have been where you are and know why you are criticizing me. I can accept that. I can also accept the fact that you are quite different than me. Apparently you can’t accept that or the fact that I can be where I am and still please the Lord. You believe I am walking in sin due to what my wife and I look like. That is your prerogative.

The “certain biblical” standards you reference are man-made standards and have absolutely nothing whatsoever to do with our salvation and eternal reward. You believe otherwise. So be it. If you’ve seen the debates on AFF, then you know that discussion will NEVER be resolved.

If I thought you really had an ounce of concern for me, it might be different. However, I have been around many years and have talked to many people just like you whose only purpose is to criticize label and exalt their own position.

If you really care and are a man of God, pick up the phone and give me a call, collect if need to. My home phone is: 419-433-4127. My cell phone is 419-239-3429. My office phone is 419-625-6110. I would be glad to converse with you and have genuine dialogue. If you would like me to, I would be happy to hop on a plane and come and meet with you at my expense. If you choose to remain anonymous and have no genuine concern other than to criticize, then please feel free to gossip and criticize me before others, but don’t communicate with me any further.

Your original email to me was entitled: Is John Adams Concerned? It is apparent to me that OnenessTheologian is not concerned about John Adams. Your only concern is your position.

I’m certainly big enough to take your criticism, but I suggest that you sincerely check your own heart and deal with the blackness that resides there and the vitriol that you appear to have for those who are not like you.

[Brett Prince]

Originally Posted by ManOfWord

Round #3 Here is what I just received and my response to it.



Reverend Adams,

I've come across various ministering brethren of whom resigned their ministerial license, ran off to a "far country" and erected a house of worship, yet in the midst of this process compromised certain biblical standards.

Isn't every God inspired word written through his Apostles of equal value as Acts 2:38?
If so,why are certain biblical standards (e.g. commandments, instructions) compromised? Who benefits from these actions, God or man?

We baptize in Jesus name due to Jesus commandment, also Peter's instruction. Are Paul's instructions in other arenas of less value, not to be upheld?

James 4:
17Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin.

John, it was your decision to exploit my emails on aff and have them criticized
by double-minded men and women.
I recall a scripture, they honor me with their lips, yet their heart is far from me.

The intentions of my emails were to ask, what have you accomplished now that you couldn't accomplish prior to your organizational resignation, with biblical standards included?



My response:

Dear Oneness Theologian:

As I’ve told you before, you have right to your opinion. You disagree with where I am or the path I have chosen to walk. I have only criticized your cowardice in anonymity.

Your question, “What have I accomplished now that I couldn’t have accomplished before?” is the wrong question to ask. The right question to ask is, “Do I believe that I have followed the leading of the Lord and have done what is pleasing in His sight?” The answer to that question is, “Like most others, including yourself, I certainly have not been perfect in my following Him, but I have followed His leading. He led me out of the UPC and has kept me and the church I now pastor in His hand.”

You have a right to disagree with that. Remember, I have been where you are and know why you are criticizing me. I can accept that. I can also accept the fact that you are quite different than me. Apparently you can’t accept that or the fact that I can be where I am and still please the Lord. You believe I am walking in sin due to what my wife and I look like. That is your prerogative.

The “certain biblical” standards you reference are man-made standards and have absolutely nothing whatsoever to do with our salvation and eternal reward. You believe otherwise. So be it. If you’ve seen the debates on AFF, then you know that discussion will NEVER be resolved.

If I thought you really had an ounce of concern for me, it might be different. However, I have been around many years and have talked to many people just like you whose only purpose is to criticize label and exalt their own position.

If you really care and are a man of God, pick up the phone and give me a call, collect if need to. My home phone is: 419-433-4127. My cell phone is 419-239-3429. My office phone is 419-625-6110. I would be glad to converse with you and have genuine dialogue. If you would like me to, I would be happy to hop on a plane and come and meet with you at my expense. If you choose to remain anonymous and have no genuine concern other than to criticize, then please feel free to gossip and criticize me before others, but don’t communicate with me any further.

Your original email to me was entitled: Is John Adams Concerned? It is apparent to me that OnenessTheologian is not concerned about John Adams. Your only concern is your position.

I’m certainly big enough to take your criticism, but I suggest that you sincerely check your own heart and deal with the blackness that resides there and the vitriol that you appear to have for those who are not like you.

MOW,

Whooooooo! I haven't read the whole thread, so I've missed his intermediate offering. Sounds to me as though you are jumping to the conclusion that he doesn't care. However misguided or right on target, the fact that he tried to speak with you makes me think that he DOES care in some degree. Secondly, anonymity has been many a poster's cloak, and time to time it is extremely useful.

Why don't you give a little more here, and see what friendship might be accomplished?

[SDG]

Bravo ... Pastor Adams