Are Beards The Mark Of The Beast?

[Michael The Disciple]

Originally Posted by Evang.Benincasa

How?

3 taught against it publicly and I discussed it with one over the phone.

[Michael The Disciple]

Originally Posted by Apostolic1ness

you did not answer the question.

You did not get the point? Does your Pastor teach sinless perfection? When you answer that you will understand my comments to Amanah.

But let me explain further. How can one be helped about going on to perfection if the Preacher is teaching no one can be perfect?

[houston]

Originally Posted by 1ofthechosen

Anybody who made that statement and been attacking like dogs from every angle, besides for dealing with what is really being discussed.

And they didn't pertain to E.B. so that's why I said it. I'd have to type too many names when I could just type 4 letters.

So that's the definition of they... Lol

You refuse to address our point, and now we’re dogs?

[Evang.Benincasa]

Originally Posted by Michael The Disciple

3 taught against it publicly and I discussed it with one over the phone.

They taught that you cannot go without sinning?

[Evang.Benincasa]

Originally Posted by Evang.Benincasa

Mike, don't you think since you should be getting a church family together. Start training ministers and their families? Send out missionaries. Bro, your beard is falling out, which means you are going to have to hand the baton to the next runner. What are you doing to prepare that your message carries on?

[Aquila]

Originally Posted by 1ofthechosen

Watch this move how they are going yo direct the question back to facial hair, when you clearly are asking something else. Because God is not honoring no Dr. Excuse for why you forsaked the assembling of yourself together. He's coming back for His church not independent people. You forsake His church, you will be forsaken. Not because God gas forsaken you, but you made a choice to forsake Him.

I think the question is, what constitutes "assembling"? Most think you need to meet in a church building, listen to the announcements, worship along with the song leader as the worship team sings various religious songs, then offer up some money in the plate, sing along with a couple more songs, stand with Bible in hand as a state licensed minister reads the Holy writ, sit down, and listen to some precontrived four point sermon on any given topic that closes with an appeal to respond as one embraces the topic by going to the altar, pray at the altar while the worship team sings some more songs, stand as the minister brings the service to a close, shake hands with everyone, and then go to KFC.

Is that really gathering for Christian fellowship? More Christian "fellowship" and spiritual teaching, with questions, discussion, that brings understanding, often happens at KFC than at the church silly church building.

There are very powerful gatherings of Spirit filled Christians that offer far greater power, depth of teaching, and demonstration of the gifts of the Spirit than the traditional Sunday show performance. But they are few and hard to find. You have to network to find them, or know someone who gathers with them. And when you do, the elders often want to meet and talk with you first. You can't just wonder in off the street. I love these gatherings. They are the real deal, meeting in NT fashion. My prayer journal (something we were challenged to keep and bring with us in Bro. Scott's house church) is chalk full of more answered prayers, miracles, and miracles of providence than I can describe. He used to lead us in prayer and we'd release the power of God to work a work in people's lives, on their jobs, and in their families, and the next time we gathered it was unbelievable how the power of God was moving so perfectly. Scott used to say, "It reads, 'Ye shall receive power'. Stop begging God to do something He empowered you to do. Learn how to release this power in the lives of others, saying, 'Silver and gold have I none, but that which I do have...", like Peter, you've got the power. Use it."

If I could find a local Spirit filled house church gathering, I'd take that over the canned institutional church services around me any day.

[Evang.Benincasa]

Looks like a bunch of hippies.

[Aquila]

Originally Posted by Evang.Benincasa

Looks like a bunch of hippies.

Try to look without judgment. They are just authentic people like the rest of us when we're not wearing suit, tie, etc.

Authentic. Real. Organic. Intimate. Word Centered. Not hyped up. Sincere. The real deal bro. Not a show. In fact, I had to detox from "church" to discover what real meant. Because I found myself judging the people meeting like this too. It wasn't until after a few services when men bore their hearts in a participative discussion that I realized that these guys are genuine. No fake smiles, hand shaking, and "I'm FAAAAAANTAAAAASTIC. How are you my brother?", kind of greetings, in some overly ornately decorated lobby.

I love it.

Too bad so many are deceived into thinking that they need a mic for that phony bravado preachers get goooOOOooooIIIInnnnngggggA. LOL

Oh, and fake tears and pleadings during the altar music...with the rather subtle hand gestures for the musicians to take their places. I feel like walking out when I see that silliness.

Can't stand it.

[n david]

Originally Posted by 1ofthechosen

They for the most part adopted the new light doctrine from the time Kenneth Haney became the General Superintendent.

Wrong

Originally Posted by 1ofthechosen

Their numbers are rising but they are at a strong decline. The future will show this to be true.

Here we go again. "The UPCI is dying!" I believe that's the subject of a thread on here from years ago.

Originally Posted by 1ofthechosen

Numbers mean nothing only results.

Numbers mean something. How are results calculated or tabulated? WITH NUMBERS.... Good heavens to Betsy, bro.

Originally Posted by 1ofthechosen

All im saying is they will accept all of these things soon. They will recant the affirmation statement soon. The Westberg resolution will be a thing of the past once David Bernard is no longer the General Superintendent. I have much respect for him, but NDavid showed a quote of him where he endorsed the new light doctrine.

Wrong. Let's revisit this in a few years.

I have been in the UPC all my life, even when I left a few years I was connected, and I don't know one single, sole, solitary pastor or minister who believes the "light doctrine."

Now, I certainly don't personally know all the thousands of licensed UPCI Pastors (sorry about using numbers), so I would admit that there may be a few who are leaning liberal.

[n david]

Originally Posted by Aquila

No fake smiles, hand shaking, and "I'm FAAAAAANTAAAAASTIC. How are you my brother?", kind of greetings, in some overly ornately decorated lobby.

Oh, and fake tears and pleadings during the altar music...

Must be a good view from the cheap seats.