AFF: A Summary

[grace_seeker]

Originally Posted by Pastor Poster

We also have a third group of posters who are neither rabidly conservative or looney-tune liberal.

These are the moderates, and this group is the best and most important social sect of AFF. In short, the moderates are right. For further evidence view the writings of Ferd, RevDWW, revrandy and sometimes even Steven Hoover.

Moderates are the posters who stay here when the two extremes leave because they can't stand each other any longer.
Moderates are Biblical literalists, but they do not believe that religious leaders have the right to impose extraBiblical junk on Pentecostal adherants.

You newbies need to scoot closer to the moderates. They're "ones to ride the river with."

I am reminded of a cartoon in a LEADERSHIP magazine showing three men clinking their glasses and yakking and then there was the observer explaining that the person on the left is a premillenialist and the person on the right is the Amillenialist and the person in the middle with a silly grin on his face stopped studying eschatology years ago.

[Nahum]

Originally Posted by Pastor Poster

While looking at the titles and content of some of our threads from the past week, I have decided that a summary is needed.

First of all, there are those pompous individuals who pop in every now and again with the sole purpose of telling us how horrible AFF is, and that every poster here is going to Hell on the back of a heat-seeking missle.

Now, you should know that these rather acerbic individuals are normally of the radically conservative bent. In fact, they are so conservative they don't even believe they themselves are holy enough to make it to Heaven. To that end, they decide to step away from AFF in order to find forums that are holier. I have determined they we should pray for these fine men and women in their never-ending search for the perfect fellowship of believers because, God knows, It can be exhausting.

Originally Posted by Pastor Poster

Then, of course, there are those individuals who don't believe anything in the Bible is meant to guide or instruct. Instead they believe that the words written there are suggestions.

They castigate and condemn literalists and fundamentalists as "three-steppers" and "legalists."

You should know that this group loves AFF because it gives them a platform to release years of pent-up frustration on "THE MAN." You know, sort of a bully-puplit? These folks have the whole RAGE AGAINST THE MACHINE thing going on.


I have concluded that we need to pray for these folks. We should pray that they find a new love for the literalism of God's Word. That they find an dictionary, look up the word "submission", and decide that they like the ideals that submission employs.

Originally Posted by Pastor Poster

We also have a third group of posters who are neither rabidly conservative or looney-tune liberal.

These are the moderates, and this group is the best and most important social sect of AFF. In short, the moderates are right. For further evidence view the writings of Ferd, RevDWW, revrandy and sometimes even Steven Hoover.

Moderates are the posters who stay here when the two extremes leave because they can't stand each other any longer.

Moderates are Biblical literalists, but they do not believe that religious leaders have the right to impose extraBiblical junk on Pentecostal adherants.

You newbies need to scoot closer to the moderates. They're "ones to ride the river with."

Public service announcement.

[freeatlast]

[OneAccord]

Hi, my name is OneAccord and I'm a AFFaholic.

[Rhoni]

Originally Posted by Pastor Poster

Then, of course, there are those individuals who don't believe anything in the Bible is meant to guide or instruct. Instead they believe that the words written there are suggestions.

They castigate and condemn literalists and fundamentalists as "three-steppers" and "legalists."

You should know that this group loves AFF because it gives them a platform to release years of pent-up frustration on "THE MAN." You know, sort of a bully-puplit? These folks have the whole RAGE AGAINST THE MACHINE thing going on.


I have concluded that we need to pray for these folks. We should pray that they find a new love for the literalism of God's Word. That they find an dictionary, look up the word "submission", and decide that they like the ideals that submission employs.

Pastor Poster,

The subtle but sometimes unstated truth in what you have posted has filled religious circles, even our Apostolic circles for decades. It isn't a popular thing to bring these things out into the open for us to look at. Many would try to deny and even make light through humor as to why this couldn't be so.

I have never dealt well with keeping these things secret and giving them power over me or those I love. You have spoken truths here that are confrontational and many like to gloss these truths over to try and make peace on both sides...but you can't really remain neutral. I believe that even God hates neutrality in that he stated he would rather a person be hot or cold than lukewarm. The lukewarm he compared to gassy things that upset one's stomach and make one want to puke [vomit].

Although I have a deep love for the truth and for relationship with God...I hate the principals you have stated as they apply to Apostolic folks I have loved, followed, and submitted to through the years. There was even a time, and still times that I fight the urge to be self-righteous, bigoted, and as unholy as the rest of those who paint themselves up to be so much better, holier, and more right than those of us who have begun to serve God from our hearts and out of relationship without all the rigidity of man-made traditions and works that make them feel holy.

These concepts that have kept us bound for decades have destroyed churches, homes, and the lives of individuals which is the opposite of what Christ came to accomplish. He stated that He didn't "Come into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved".

It has cost many people lives of joy, freedom, and the love of family and friends. They may think they suffer for Christ's sake but they suffer through their own ignorance. This ignorance which I was part of and taught others will condemn them in the end. They will not go to hell because of obvious sin but the suble things related to pride, self-righteousness, holier-than thou attiudes, and bad spirits that cause contention, destruction, and misery.

My thoughts on this matter.

Sincerely, Rhoni

[AmazingGrace]

Ok seriously... everyone who is still in the UPC is NOT miserable and have issues and holier than thou attitudes and all of the things you mentioned... Just for the record... It seems some think that those who are in the UPC are ALL in some kind of bondage or something... NOT the case! Some of us are here because we choose to be and are very happy with our lives! I have a pastor who would love me just the same if I came to church in a pair of jeans... my hair cut... and smoking till my lungs fell out... but I chose to live my life the way I chose to live it... And its not because anyone forces me to

[Rhoni]

Originally Posted by AmazingGrace

Ok seriously... everyone who is still in the UPC is NOT miserable and have issues and holier than thou attitudes and all of the things you mentioned... Just for the record... It seems some think that those who are in the UPC are ALL in some kind of bondage or something... NOT the case! Some of us are here because we choose to be and are very happy with our lives! I have a pastor who would love me just the same if I came to church in a pair of jeans... my hair cut... and smoking till my lungs fell out... but I chose to live my life the way I chose to live it... And its not because anyone forces me to

Who brought up UPCI? I think you are reading more into it than stated.

[AmazingGrace]

Originally Posted by Rhoni

Who brought up UPCI? I think you are reading more into it than stated.

Maybe so but I thought thats what you were getting at.... my bad

[FRINGE_NUTTER]

Since no one seems to be reading The Sports area or commenting on this, let me insert in the AFF Summary that the Lady Vols just won their 8th National Championship. This year it was over Stanford. Pat Summitt is the "winningest" coach (men or women) ever!...She's won 893 and lost 182 games in her career!

[Rhoni]

Originally Posted by AmazingGrace

Maybe so but I thought thats what you were getting at.... my bad

No problem. The people I was describing are found in independent churches, ALJC churches, UPCI churches, and other oneness denominations. Pastor Poster was describing many who have left AFF and only show up occasionally because they have found a more holy and controlled environment somewhere else...maybe over the rainbow or such...many were more conservative or played up to the conservative brothern to gain some standing ... I think we all know the drill here.

Blessings, Rhoni