What the World Sees as Apostolic

[OGIA]

Originally Posted by Pianoman

If the purpose is to be "seperate" from the given culture by their ultra-conservative attire, they are succeeding. If the purpose is to be "seperate" by showing love and having a Godly spirit and glow about them, they may or may not be succeeding.

I guess it all depends on who "they" is, Pianoman.


I know people, in my church, other local churches, on CAF, on another forum and on here, who have got it right. Just because some (read: they) don't doesn't mean it's not right. The lady in question in this thread apparently hasn't met anyone who has got it right. I pray she does.

Originally Posted by OGIA

Excellent thought, CS!!

And that is exactly what too many "Apostolics" do today-- they let the criticism of the world (which we know is mostly born out of ignorance and/or rebellion) bring into question if "we" are really right about this separation thing.

Just because some educated, religious woman doesn't understand what Apostolic means, personally and scripturally, and just because she has come up with a definition based (most likely) on her refusal to ever adhere to such separation doesn't mean we are wrong. Ya' ever think SHE is wrong?


Disclaimer: I'm referring strictly to outward standards, as this is what the lady focused on. She is inwardly still not holy, so why would I (we) expect her to have anything but a skewed perception of what Apostolic is?

1. But if people don't even know what Pentecostals stand for, other than their outward appearance (after 2000 years of continuous oneness Apostolic preaching), then hasn't something gone wrong somewhere? Especially if the "mission" is to bring the whole gospel to the whole world.

2. And we know that criticism is born of ignorance and rebellion? To address ignorance, see my point number 1 above. To adress rebellion... how can you rebel against something that you do not even know exists?

[OGIA]

Originally Posted by Sheltiedad

1. But if people don't even know what Pentecostals stand for, other than their outward appearance (after 2000 years of continuous oneness Apostolic preaching, then hasn't something gone wrong somewhere? Especially if the "mission" is to bring the whole gospel to the whole world.

2. And we know that criticism is born of ignorance and rebellion? To address ignorance, see my point number 1 above. To adress rebellion... how can you rebel against something that you do not even know exists?

Ignornace on their part is partly our responsibility, yes.

Rebellion? I have someone very close to me who clearly rebels against the outward standards that my pastor teaches. These teachings are well known to this person. They've repeatedly said that they will NOT adhere to those teachings.

That is rebellion and ignorance. I can only help them with one of those problems.

I thought we were talking about the world, not backsliders... I don't even fit in with the backsliders so I don't know what I am. lol.

[Whole Hearted]

Originally Posted by Coonskinner

I wonder what people in the "world" saw as the Tabernacle?

Badger skins dyes red.

The gold was on the inside.

The prophet said of the Messiah, "He hath no form nor comeliness, and when ye shall see him, there is no beauty that ye should desire him."

Now, holiness is beautiful to me. I could give you just as many anecdotes of people who speak admiringly of our ladies and their standards. But neither my anecdotes nor yours really matter.

Following the principles of the Scripture is what matters, regardless of what the world and its unregenerate children think.

The natural man doesn't comprehend spiritual things. He isn't able to.

You start trying to establish doctrine and practice based on what the world finds appealing, and you will become totally apostate faster than you can say "mini-skirt."

[SDG]

Originally Posted by Coonskinner

I wonder what people in the "world" saw as the Tabernacle?

Badger skins dyes red.

The gold was on the inside.

I have to assume you are speaking of the Tabernacle of Moses ... here CS ....

I wonder how many in the "world" came in to plain sight of this tabernacle in the middle of the wilderness and surrounded by the tribes of Israel ?? How many lost, post-conquest, were there in Gilgal, Shiloh, Nob, and Gibeon .... who knows?

... it seems to me that it was God's people, on a daily basis, who got the scenic view of Badger skins dyed red ..... and not the "lost".

Israel's enemies could care less about the badger skins .... they knew of the gold inside and it was this ...they sought to plunder.

The Tabernacle of David ... may have been a better example of "moderation" because of it's simplicity ... it was not an eyesore ... and I'm sure it blended in ....

.... moderation is not a mark of isolation ... or shouldn't be a medal of superior spirituality .... nor a trophy of stark distinction.

Conner (1976:108) shares the following insight about the Tabernacle of David: “The Tabernacle was simply a Tent, pitched in Jerusalem, in Mt. Zion. It was there until the erection of the Temple of Solomon. It certainly could not be compared with the Tent or Tabernacle of Moses and its three places as far as structure was concerned. The very fact that David’s Tabernacle was simply a Tent attested to the truth that its construction was temporary and transitional. It was not the ultimate as a structure. That which was established in it was incorporated in the Temple order. Both the revelation of the Tabernacle of David and the Temple of Solomon had been given to King David”

It is this Tabernacle ... one that worshiped God in Spirit and in Truth ... that is promised to be restored.

[Truly Blessed]

Here in Western Canada the word Apostolic is used in reference to believing in the finished work of Calvary and the eternal security doctrine. I have been accused by some in our church of not being Apostolic. When someone says this to me, I just grin and inform them that that the rest of the Apostolic world doesn't even consider them Apostolic for this very reason.

I pastor a church that is made up of different views on almost every major doctrine. Fortunately we now have over 100 people attending our church who were not attending Peoples Full Gospel Church when we arrived in September 2004, so things are changing and we feel we are making progress in bringing about a greater degree of common belief regarding doctrinal issues.

[Sandra]

Originally Posted by tv1a

I was speaking to a religious person today and the topic came up about what the difference is between apostolic and pentecostal. I asked her what she though apostolic meant and she ran down this list....

1. Dresses
2. Uncut Hair
3. No make-up
4. No television

She equates apostolics with legalism. She doesn't equate an apostolic as being a spirit filled believer who operates in the power and demonstration of the Holy Ghost.

She reinforces what a vast majority of people think about apostolics. There are some who are intellectually dishonest and would want to question the intelligence of this person, but she is a college graduate, has owned a business, and is a very active member of her church.

Can anyone explain again what legalism has to do with the '' apostle's doctrine''? The world isn't buying it one bit.

many do, this sad.

Well,

I guess I will just butt out. My statement seems to have made sense to neither Con or Lib.....

I wish everone to have a great week next week....

[SDG]

Originally Posted by Brother Strange

I am distressed to think that anyone would immediately think of how a person looked outwardly when their attention is called to the people of God...the Apostolic faith.

Jesus did not tell us to let the world see how long your dress is or how naked is your ring finger. He did not tell to let the world see the women's long hair or even truly Godly modesty, though it is integral to being a christian.

The thing that Jesus wanted the world to see in us is a light as a city set upon a hill by our GOOD WORKS.

Let your light shine before men that they might see you GOOD WORKS and glorify your father which is in heaven. It is a life of WORKS moved by the heat of love and the light of the cross that will lift up Jesus giving glory to our heavenly father.

If we are so deceived by our latter day Apostolic doctrine as to think that our GOOD WORKS is our manner of adornment, we are then deceived by our own doctrine. Yet, I've lived long enough to see it.

Daily, I strive to do some GOOD WORK. That is letting my light shine though there is nothing about my outward adornment that would distinguish me from any other silver haired man in a business suit. In doing a GOOD WORK yesterday brought joy to my heart though it was not a great monumental work of reknown. It was something rather small, but quite significant. It made a difference. It was a GOOD work.

Daily we can seek to serve the Lord in our GOOD works, letting our light shine before men without trying to impress the world with our ostentatious outward adornment. Our ultra-conservative adornment very often glorifies no one except the one so adorned among others of like mind. This is "herd" or what is mass deception.

Let us reposition our emphasis upon the intent of the scriptures in giving glory to God by our good works rather than what has become Apostolic PRIDE. Daily we can do something for Jesus in very insignificant ways that may not be so earthshaking but it draws a heavenly smile anyway, as the light berfore men shines out.

I heard a Prophet of the Lord sing as he strumed his guitar and tears flowing down his face, the light shining upon him...

I wonder have I done my best for Jesus?
How many are the souls that I've lifted?
How many are the chains that I've broken too?
I wonder have I done my best for Jesus
He has done his very, very best for me

Oh my! I see the Apostolic Church (as we know it) so far adrift and seems to be drifting further and further away upon a sea of no return...without chart, compass, sail or rudder...just drifting.

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