The World Doesn't Buy Your Explanations

[Nahum]

Originally Posted by MissBrattified

To me, this thread isn't even about TV vs. the Internet and what ministers think about that issue. It's about the fact that tv1 had the attention of some sinners, and chose to spend that time discussing issues that have no bearing on their salvation, and which, based on his account, could actually give them a view of the church which would cause them to think twice before they go through the doors.

Regardless of what downfalls are in the organization, there are MANY churches whose pastors and people are good, godly, Christians, and the only thought in their mind when a sinner walks through the door, is "How can I bring this person to Jesus Christ?" Not, "Yay!, another potential tithes payer", or "Hey, let's fool this person into thinking we're nice."

I would not want to say anything that would prevent a person from walking through the doors of an Apostolic church. No matter what faults we may or may not have, we still have the Truth about salvation to offer, and that ought to be worth something.

I tell you what it makes me think when folks discredit Pentecostal churches to unbelievers...it makes me think you don't really think that Pentecost actually has the true message of salvation, and therefore you don't really care if someone is saved in that way, or if they're "saved" in a Baptist church or "saved" when they confess to a priest. If you thought the core message of salvation was important, you wouldn't discredit and criticize the churches that bear that message to sinners.

What we say amongst ourselves, and what we discuss and disagree upon, in my opinion, should never be something we say, discuss, or present to an unbeliever. It has nothing to do with them, it certainly can't help them, and it could hinder them from finding God.

You go girl!

Good post.

[Steve Epley]

Originally Posted by Ronzo

Pastor Epley just said he can hear it, so he must be the exception to the rule.


One of his "Gifts of the Spirit" must be Holy Ghost Bionic Hearing.

You learn some things by experience and I have read the posts written by said individual. Does it sound a stretch to anyone here?

[Digging4Truth]

Originally Posted by Steve Epley

You learn some things by experience and I have read the posts written by said individual. Does it sound a stretch to anyone here?

This conversation?

"the church I go to is nuts they do not allow television but allow the internet what do you think?"

Yes sir... sounds like a bit of a stretch to me.

[berkeley]

It's amazing how our senses can become stronger...
Blind men can move about their homes without bumping into things..

Maybe Epley has super hearing quality because of his stature, or lack thereof.
Throughout the yrs he constantly had to jump with each syllable to hear what people were saying UP here!! A ladder was not always available!

And in time, Epley's ears became very sensitive... and now he can hear what is said in conversations that take place above him.... who really knows??

[bishopnl]

That some folks think you can trim your hair, and others think it must be uncut, but most agree it should be long (on a woman)?

In the UPC? Where are the folks who think you can trim your hair? In my experience, they mostly all agree that it should be uncut. (well, except for a few individuals who don't hold a license.)

[MissBrattified]

Originally Posted by bishopnl

In the UPC? Where are the folks who think you can trim your hair? In my experience, they mostly all agree that it should be uncut. (well, except for a few individuals who don't hold a license.)

I'm talking about the constituency as well as member-ministers. Also, what folks believe, and what they practice out of obedience aren't always the same.

[OP_Carl]

Originally Posted by MissBrattified

To me, this thread isn't even about TV vs. the Internet and what ministers think about that issue. It's about the fact that tv1 had the attention of some sinners, and chose to spend that time discussing issues that have no bearing on their salvation, and which, based on his account, could actually give them a view of the church which would cause them to think twice before they go through the doors.

Regardless of what downfalls are in the organization, there are MANY churches whose pastors and people are good, godly, Christians, and the only thought in their mind when a sinner walks through the door, is "How can I bring this person to Jesus Christ?" Not, "Yay!, another potential tithes payer", or "Hey, let's fool this person into thinking we're nice."

I would not want to say anything that would prevent a person from walking through the doors of an Apostolic church. No matter what faults we may or may not have, we still have the Truth about salvation to offer, and that ought to be worth something.

I tell you what it makes me think when folks discredit Pentecostal churches to unbelievers...it makes me think you don't really think that Pentecost actually has the true message of salvation, and therefore you don't really care if someone is saved in that way, or if they're "saved" in a Baptist church or "saved" when they confess to a priest. If you thought the core message of salvation was important, you wouldn't discredit and criticize the churches that bear that message to sinners.

What we say amongst ourselves, and what we discuss and disagree upon, in my opinion, should never be something we say, discuss, or present to an unbeliever. It has nothing to do with them, it certainly can't help them, and it could hinder them from finding God.

This is an excellent point.

[tv1a]

I don't have a problem with no tv people. I don't have a problem with no internet people. The problems is the lies that are spread by people who are anti-tv/pro-internet. If you read my posts, you would see the obvious insconsistencies. Even the upci manual chokes when it comes to principle. Within a few pages it changes its mind about following principles because they want to excuese a certain behavior. Reread the words of Jesus to the pharisees.

The upci have had more preachers which have compormised integrity due to the internet... It goes as high as headquarters. I'm about 10 seconds away from naming names. It's public record anyway... One second thought the little boys club protects each other and there will be some who will deny the events.

Jump back into the discussion when your base your convictions on integrity no because you are looking for a way to condone a behavior.

Everyone except for a few cult-minded individuals agree the internet is far more dangerous than television. People have successfully filtered television. Filtering television is actually more successful than filtering the internet. Stop spreading the Booker gospel why internet is safer than television. It's wasn't true when he said it and it no more true now.

Originally Posted by Trouvere

The problem was not with the no tv stance.The problem was that you don't have a deep conviction about it.You used the church organization as your excuse.That is why it was shot out of the water.I have explained the reason
that I don't have tv to many people and its never been treated wierd.Even
non religous people don't have tv's.First of all they don't want their minds programmed with the worlds propoganda.Secondly they don't want their children viewing trash.Thirdly they realize that what is put into their minds
makes it into their spirits.The eyes are the windows of the soul.There are
alot of other reasons people don't have tv's.The internet does not have
to be dangerous.You can get a AFF filter.You have to type into the browser.
If you are having alot of pop ups that are wierd you may have a trojan virus.
TV is lazy.You are getting entertained.I doubt the truth would be that you
would always only watch cooking channels or LPB.If you did though have
a deep personal conviction about it though your answer may have been
received differently.The explanation you gave probably made the folks not want to attend church whereas if the only issues you have are tv and some minor things you might agree that real bible salvation is present there for people who need to make it to heaven.Try some more positive conversation
than the we don't do tv thing.

[tv1a]

It is good to let people know there are people who bait and switch in Pentecost. They are baited with salvation by grace then switched them to salvation by works. Used car salesmen get in trouble for that. A little truth in advertising doesn't hurt. Why subject them to acts 2:38 if they aren't going to be saved anyway with a list of rules?

[Trouvere]

What Booker Gospel? I am simply stating that my convictions about tv are not based on a manuel or what a denomination preachers.There are good Baptists out there and charismatic folks who don't do tv for the same reasons I don't.
David Wilkinson if I recall is one of them.Sorry your post makes no sense to those who don't do what they do because a manuel tells them to but get their convictions and consecrations on their knees.