Can We Become Too Apostolic?

[iceniez]

Originally Posted by AmericanAngel

I agree. However, the question was about pride (proud) in, caught up in, being Apostolic rather than Christian...a label. There is a difference.
Even Websters dictionary states that difference in meanings.

Yes and some of that pride comes from how different we look from the world.And most of them could give a hoot.

[iceniez]

Pride in the way we dress to impress people [ie Church people] "how spiritual we are" is the wrong reason.

[AmericanAngel]

Be back...going to lunch with my daughter!

[My Own Eyes]

Originally Posted by cneasttx

I have been thinking today, about how proud some of us are that we're Apostolic.
At times, it even seems like we think that being thought of as Apostolic, is more important than being thought of as Christians.
Is it possible to be caught up in being more of something, that we forget our purpose?

I remember when I first starting questioning certain doctrines of the apostolic faith. I went through a major identity crisis. For if I wasn't apostolic, then who was I? I didn't realize at the time that my identity was tied to the church I attended, to the clothes I wore and to my hairstyle.

I don't think its necessarily wrong for those things to make up a portion of our identities. My problem was that it was the whole of my spiritual identity.

I never asked myself "How does Jesus see me?", I asked myself "How does the apostolic church see me?", instead of "What does Jesus think of me?" it was "what do other apostlic believers think of me?"

It was really difficult for me to grasp the concept of unconditional love, and having an innate value in the eyes of Jesus. I think because during my time as a Christian I internalized a million sermons that told me that I wasn't...praying enough, attending church enough, witnessing enough, reading my bible enough, holy enough, submissive enough, serving enough.....

No wonder I could never measure up!

[iceniez]

Originally Posted by My Own Eyes

I remember when I first starting questioning certain doctrines of the apostolic faith. I went through a major identity crisis. For if I wasn't apostolic, then who was I? I didn't realize at the time that my identity was tied to the church I attended, to the clothes I wore and to my hairstyle.

I don't think its necessarily wrong for those things to make up a portion of our identities. My problem was that it was the whole of my spiritual identity.

I never asked myself "How does Jesus see me?", I asked myself "How does the apostolic church see me?", instead of "What does Jesus think of me?" it was "what do other apostlic believers think of me?"

It was really difficult for me to grasp the concept of unconditional love, and have an innate value in the eyes of Jesus. I think because during my time as a Christian I internalized a million sermons that told me that I wasn't...praying enough, attending church enough, witnessing enough, reading my bible enough, holy enough, submission enough, serving enough.....

No wonder I could never measure up!

That's what I was talking about.Thank you for your honesty.I'm not against Dressing right [ how ever you feel about that] But it is only a small part of who we are as Christians.

[AmericanAngel]

Originally Posted by My Own Eyes

I remember when I first starting questioning certain doctrines of the apostolic faith. I went through a major identity crisis. For if I wasn't apostolic, then who was I? I didn't realize at the time that my identity was tied to the church I attended, to the clothes I wore and to my hairstyle.

I don't think its necessarily wrong for those things to make up a portion of our identities. My problem was that it was the whole of my spiritual identity.

I never asked myself "How does Jesus see me?", I asked myself "How does the apostolic church see me?", instead of "What does Jesus think of me?" it was "what do other apostlic believers think of me?"

It was really difficult for me to grasp the concept of unconditional love, and having an innate value in the eyes of Jesus. I think because during my time as a Christian I internalized a million sermons that told me that I wasn't...praying enough, attending church enough, witnessing enough, reading my bible enough, holy enough, submissive enough, serving enough.....

No wonder I could never measure up!

Exactamundo!!!!!

[Hoovie]

Originally Posted by Michael Phelps

The issue arises when you ask Apostolics if non-Apostolics are Christians.

Of course, and it's not a happen stance situation - since by far most Christians are not "Apostolic Pentecostal".

[Hoovie]

Originally Posted by My Own Eyes

I remember when I first starting questioning certain doctrines of the apostolic faith. I went through a major identity crisis. For if I wasn't apostolic, then who was I? I didn't realize at the time that my identity was tied to the church I attended, to the clothes I wore and to my hairstyle.

I don't think its necessarily wrong for those things to make up a portion of our identities. My problem was that it was the whole of my spiritual identity.

I never asked myself "How does Jesus see me?", I asked myself "How does the apostolic church see me?", instead of "What does Jesus think of me?" it was "what do other apostlic believers think of me?"

It was really difficult for me to grasp the concept of unconditional love, and having an innate value in the eyes of Jesus. I think because during my time as a Christian I internalized a million sermons that told me that I wasn't...praying enough, attending church enough, witnessing enough, reading my bible enough, holy enough, submissive enough, serving enough.....

No wonder I could never measure up!

Sorry it was so hard for you. Thankfully this speaks mostly of your experience and not the broad spectrum of Oneness Pentecostalism. I am grateful God blessed me with an independent spirit and mind. The few times I have encountered such (as you described), I was not even tempted to bite.

[tv1a]

Glad to have this Quote. Rod Parsley baptizes in Jesus Name. Believes one speaks in tongues when the Holy Ghost fills a person, and obviously believes in repentance. Try weaseling out of that one.

Originally Posted by Steve Epley

NO ONE is saved that has not obeyed Acts 2:38 PERIOD!

[tv1a]

I noticed a few posts which are quick to assure you that there aren't many whose identity is wraped up in clotheslines and hairdos. We know that to be different. The upci prides itself on the fact their identity is in a dress code. There are numerous sources which can be substanitated which leaves a person with no doubt many oneness pentecostal identify with a clothesline doctrine.

The denial is protecting ones own interest or their investment in the movement.

Originally Posted by My Own Eyes

I remember when I first starting questioning certain doctrines of the apostolic faith. I went through a major identity crisis. For if I wasn't apostolic, then who was I? I didn't realize at the time that my identity was tied to the church I attended, to the clothes I wore and to my hairstyle.

I don't think its necessarily wrong for those things to make up a portion of our identities. My problem was that it was the whole of my spiritual identity.

I never asked myself "How does Jesus see me?", I asked myself "How does the apostolic church see me?", instead of "What does Jesus think of me?" it was "what do other apostlic believers think of me?"

It was really difficult for me to grasp the concept of unconditional love, and having an innate value in the eyes of Jesus. I think because during my time as a Christian I internalized a million sermons that told me that I wasn't...praying enough, attending church enough, witnessing enough, reading my bible enough, holy enough, submissive enough, serving enough.....

No wonder I could never measure up!