My Rant Letter To Pentecostals / Apostolics

[scotty]

Originally Posted by Jacob's Ladder

Scotty,

I understand you, but here is something you should ponder. In your above posting I took notice that your excitement comes when surrounded with brethren of like minded faith, whether at church, bible study, or picnics. I also took notice that you failed mentioning about being excited about god's supernatural manifestation while by yourself. In your above postings you're always surrounded by individuals (e.g church, prayer meetings, picnics, etc.). Could it be that simply being around people excites you, and that it isn't necessarily God's manifestation? You don't have to answer...simply think about it.

I didn't "fail" to mention it my friend, it was not the premise of the thread. You couldn't be more wrong, I hate being around people, lol. Truth is, if my church gets much bigger I may have to find a smaller church. It's not the "people", it the God that shows up in the midst of His people. Sure God manifest Himself in my prayer closet. Would you be more at peace about this if everyone posted throughout the day, "I can't wait to see what God is going to do at ....(breakfast, gas station, work, lunch, work again, Walmart, home, prayer closet,etc.) ?

Originally Posted by Jacob's Ladder

Once again, take notice. At the grocery store you would be by yourself, not surrounded by brethren of like-minded faith. You also stated above, "why would I EXPECT Him to move at the grocery store unless there was a need?" Everytime you walk out of your house, there's always a need. If there's a sinner at the grocery store, there's a need. If there's a saint at the grocery store, they have needs too. I don't expect you to walk up to every person at the grocery store and witness to them. I'm simply trying to relay that there's always a need.

Of course there is always a need, does this mean God will move on every need or move on me to meet every need? If this were the case then no one would be in need, would they?

Originally Posted by Jacob's Ladder

I don't believe I'm reaching for anything other than facts. While others may not necessarily believe that spiritually god is confined to a building, the mindset had been programmed in people that in a church service is where god's supernatural manifestation reveals itself, hence, "I can't wait foe service to see what god is going to do!"

Respectfully,
Jacob's Ladder

I really think your over analyzing this. Even so to the point your knit picking every word of my post in the attempt to find some little hole you can use to pry your point into.

[Barb]

Originally Posted by Evang.Benincasa

I have Bible study groups in Whole Foods Supermarket in the cafe area, the same with Barnes and Noble. Are you saying that you want people to get prayed through in the isles of of a grocery store? Start shouting your hair down, and begin to prophesy over the people in customer service? You would have a shift manager wave over a police officer to escort you out of the building. I understand what you are saying but I really think there are bigger fish to fry. If someone is excited about what is going on in their church doesn't mean they wouldn't pray someone through to the Holy Ghost in the garden section of Wal Mart.

[Abiding Now]

Originally Posted by Jacob's Ladder

It's too bad that you must wait for church service tomorrow to "see what god is going to do."

I usually say, "I can't wait to see what god is going to do when I walk out of my front door!" I don't confine god to a church building. A church building shouldn't service as a place of miracles. A church building should serve as a launching pad, to send disciples out to perform miracles, and teach the word on the highways and byways.

Originally Posted by Abiding Now

This is awesome!

Please tell me about the miracles that you have witnessed "on the highways and byways".

Thanks.

Bump.......

[Jacob's Ladder]

My responses in red.

Originally Posted by Praxeas

All I asserted was there is nothing wrong with expecting God will do something in the church meeting. And that is to be expected, after all it was Jesus who said "Where two or more of you are gathered together in my name, there will I be in the midst of you"
People have come to expect that. We are told that if we are sick, to have the elders pray for us. That is also a gathering together of the church.

While there's nothing wrong expecting God's manifestation at a church service, why is the emphasis of "expecting god to move at church only?" In all honesty, have you ever thought, "I wonder who God will do when I go to the grocery store or a restaurant." The majority would respond no, and reason being nobody thinks about god's manifestation in any other location besides church. Sure, Jesus said he would be in the midst of two or three. I recall Paul preaching to the people of Athens regarding God's presence, "he is not far from any one of us." So two believers aren't required to have god present. We're also told we are able to lay hands on the sick and they're recover, so elders aren't always required. I"m not sure where we're heading with your comments about "two or three" and "elders."

Originally Posted by Praxeas

See above.. I ask you though. Don't you anticipate the gathering together?

No. I know god will manifest himself.

Originally Posted by Praxeas

Shouldn't we expect God to do great things when we are gathered together in His name and He is in our midst like he said? Isn't it that blessing we experience in a church meeting that empowers and encourages us to go out as individuals and live for God and expect God to work miracles through us? The church began with a grand gathering and the outpouring occurred. The were emboldened and empowered to go and speak in His name...and yet later on the gathered again as a group and were "filled" again with the Spirit...again emboldened to go out and speak in His name

Even Jesus with His disciples was and example of that. They spent a lot of time together with Jesus...then they went out and worked for the kingdom only to return again and be taught and edified more by Jesus.
God is expecting YOU to "move at the grocery store". God expects us to get off our rear ends and move. It's YOU that needs to do the moving not God. He already did HIS part. That is what the church MEETING is for, to be edified

Yes, we should expect great things, not only at church services but everywhere we go. The church began with a group of people who decided to become disciples. That is another good point to interject. A group of people were called "the church," which should not be confused with a building structure which we call church. Sure, Jesus spent much time with His disciples. What does that have to do with expecting God to move at a church service? Jesus and His diciplces gathered at various locations, and not to have church, but rather to teach his displces. They weren't having church!

The disciples were taught and sent out, I agree with you. How many of us are following in the steps of the disciples? They taught in public. Do we? Miracles were performed through them in public. Are they performed through us in public? The disciples weren't of the mentality, I can't wait what God will do at the next service because they were already out on the streets, miracles, signs, and wonders being performed through them!



Respectfully,
Jacob's Ladder

[Jacob's Ladder]

Originally Posted by Abiding Now

This is awesome!

Please tell me about the miracles that you have witnessed "on the highways and byways".

Thanks.

What would you like to know? I've seen people healed instantly. I've also god speak to people and they break down and begin crying. What exactly are you searching for?

[houston]

Originally Posted by Jacob's Ladder

What would you like to know? I've seen people healed instantly. I've also god speak to people and they break down and begin crying. What exactly are you searching for?

But, did you post pics on facebook?

[Jacob's Ladder]

Originally Posted by Evang.Benincasa

I have Bible study groups in Whole Foods Supermarket in the cafe area, the same with Barnes and Noble. Are you saying that you want people to get prayed through in the isles of of a grocery store? Start shouting your hair down, and begin to prophesy over the people in customer service? You would have a shift manager wave over a police officer to escort you out of the building. I understand what you are saying but I really think there are bigger fish to fry. If someone is excited about what is going on in their church doesn't mean they wouldn't pray someone through to the Holy Ghost in the garden section of Wal Mart.

You're fearful of praying someone through in the garden section of Walmart? Why, must it be done in a private setting? Though I commend you on your efforts to win the lost, your actions are still a watered-down version in comparison to the acts of the apostles in the book of Acts

Define: "they turned the world upside-down."


Respectfully,
Jacob's Ladder

[Jacob's Ladder]

Originally Posted by houston

But, did you post pics on facebook?

Never.

[houston]

Originally Posted by Jacob's Ladder

Never.

We need proof!!!

[houston]

Originally Posted by Jacob's Ladder

You're fearful of praying someone through in the garden section of Walmart? Why, must it be done in a private setting? Though I commend you on your efforts to win the lost, your actions are still a watered-down version in comparison to the acts of the apostles in the book of Acts

Define: "they turned the world upside-down."


Respectfully,
Jacob's Ladder

You's think he'd want them to get saved right there abd then...