Standards

[ApostolicKitty]

Originally Posted by good samaritan

All the Pentecostal ladies I am associated with will throng guests to make them feel welcome (no matter how they look). After someone has entered into a covenant with Jesus then it is natural for people to expect to see a lifestyle change, or at least the start of one. For many OP's that means how you dress. I don't believe most are meaning to be mean at all. Sometimes it may be viewed as they are judging, but if a new convert continued in what you define as sin wouldn't that cause you to doubt.

If a person you knew after coming to Jesus only wore stringy halter tops and super mini skirts that just barely covered their drawers, would that cause you to wonder. You may not say anything, but if that continued over a extended period of time, would you have trouble viewing this person as a saint in the Lord. If someone comes into our assemblies and wants to be a recognized member, and they don't agree with the church's teaching then they should expect that it is going to cause some funny looks.

A church should not change its standards to make people happy, but only to have biblical accuracy. I read recently that a large Presbyterian denom. recently changed their bylaws to include homosexuals. The world wants us to drop every biblical position that we hold until we no longer have an identity. Essentially John the baptist was beheaded because he condemned Herod for telling him he was wrong.

I know there is more to a person then what they wear. I want to be holy in all manner of conversation, and that means in our lifestyle. In every part of my life I need to live uprightly before God.

Hmmm. I'm not sure really what much of what you said had to do with what I said....

My main point was that I was snubbed by apostolics no matter what I looked like. Before I was apostolic.... and, no, not a worldly person because I did have the Holy Ghost.... I was snubbed. When I was a "new" apostolic....and, no, I did not become apostolic in a church building because it was the Spirit of God that showed me I needed to be baptized in Jesus name....I was snubbed. I've been snubbed ever since.... even while apparently looking the part because some of my friends told me within the past couple of months that they thought I was "old school" apostolic. Now, I'm not saying I've been snubbed by all, but certainly by many... and I've never understood it because I know for myself... When I got the Holy Ghost, Jesus turned my frown upside down. How hard is it to smile at someone who is smiling at you? I don't find it has been very difficult for most people on the street to smile back at me even when I haven't even been trying to engage them, yet my "Sisters" and "brothers" often had no problem acting like I was invisible.

I never dressed immodestly in their presence or asked any pastor to change his rules. I never even vocalized my POV on any dress standard.... and I certainly would never "fellowship" among people who considered perversion acceptable...

[good samaritan]

Hmmm. I'm not sure really what much of what you said had to do with what I said....

you said:

Brother, I cannot tell you how many times I got strange looks from both men and women, not only before I became apostolic, but when I first started attending apostolic churches just because I did not "look the part". Not only that, but I was snubbed, even once I started to look more like them.

I said:

All the Pentecostal ladies I am associated with will throng guests to make them feel welcome (no matter how they look). After someone has entered into a covenant with Jesus then it is natural for people to expect to see a lifestyle change, or at least the start of one. For many OP's that means how you dress. I don't believe most are meaning to be mean at all. Sometimes it may be viewed as they are judging, but if a new convert continued in what you define as sin wouldn't that cause you to doubt.

My main point was why people may feel snubbed by apostolics. I think there is and always will be hypocrites of every denomination, but you came off to me to broad brush apostolics in general. Also I made the point that if someone feels like someone else is committing a sin then they couldn't help but make judgments within their self concerning them.

[shazeep]

well, i still do that, despite myself; giving rise to my judgement of those who apply standards hypocritically in my view, even though i have never really felt judged for any lack of standards...so a valid question to me seems to be 'where does it end?'

This is why i am convicted that even judging someone in your heart, silently, is a symptom of hypocrisy now.

[good samaritan]

Depends on what type of judging. We judge a matter to our self to decide whether it is right or wrong. If it is right then we can allow it in our own life, if not we abstain. When I speak of judging I am just speaking of human reasoning. I don't mean damning someone to hell, but if someone is a bad influence on my life then I can judge whether or not I should be careful around them. You are correct though about human hypocrisy many often spend their time judging others rather than searching their own. We are all going to at times fall short. We must regularly judge ourselves.

[ApostolicKitty]

Originally Posted by good samaritan

My main point was why people may feel snubbed by apostolics. I think there is and always will be hypocrites of every denomination, but you came off to me to broad brush apostolics in general. Also I made the point that if someone feels like someone else is committing a sin then they couldn't help but make judgments within their self concerning them.

I didn't just feel snubbed. I was snubbed. When people are in your path down a hallway and you attempt to look them in the eye and smile and they look through you instead of at you, it's a snub.

And, yes, I did broad brush many apostolics with that.... because it happened at almost every church I went to, even those I was just visiting for a night with friends who attended the same assembly as I.

I don't find it acceptable to treat people in such a way because we believe them to be in sin. God never treated me that way... nor did he when he was surrounded by sinners and ate with them.

[good samaritan]

I am sorry for your experience. I am just a southern boy and used to good southern hospitality. People will one day give an answer for such behavior.

[KeptByTheWord]

Originally Posted by good samaritan

I am sorry for your experience. I am just a southern boy and used to good southern hospitality. People will one day give an answer for such behavior.

One thing for sure - just because you yourself have never personally experienced something, doesn't mean it hasn't happened. Just a good thing to remember

I don't believe you would be capable of snubbing someone intending it in a mean way. You seem kind hearted, and very considerate.

[shazeep]

ya, funny to me that a guy who does not seem to have a judgemental bone in his body is here defending standards lol. I think any concept, even a clearly defined one, still means different things to different people. i have rarely/never been the subject of judgement in social settings, mostly by accident of my impression upon people; yet i bristle at examples of judgement upon others, because i am judgemental. Weird.

[good samaritan]

We can hold on to christian standards without being mean and condescending. We shouldn't make enemies out of everyone we disagree with. I have heard it said you can catch more flies with honey than vinegar. P.S. thanks for the kindness.

[Sister Alvear]

Originally Posted by good samaritan

We can hold on to christian standards without being mean and condescending. We shouldn't make enemies out of everyone we disagree with. I have heard it said you can catch more flies with honey than vinegar. P.S. thanks for the kindness.

so true so true...