Ok..Its like this...Im JUST ABOUT weary of some of you guys praising the Affirmation Statement.
Lets look at it like this...shall we....
The affirmation statement in itself says that "I (Ministers Name) do hereby declare that I believe and embrace fundamental doctrine as stated in the Articles of Faith as set forth by the United Pentecostal Church Int. I ALSO BELIEVE AND EMBRACE THE HOLINESS STANDARDS of the United Pentecostal Church Int. in said Articles of Faith,
And I PLEDGE to practice, teach and preach the same"
Ok...now here is the Fundamental Doctrine as written in the manual.
"FUNDAMENTAL DOCTRINE
The basic and fundamental doctrine of this organization shall be the Bible standard of full salvation, which is repentance, baptism in water by immersion in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and the baptism of the Holy Ghost with the initial sign of speaking with other tongues as the Spirit gives utterance.
We shall endeavor to keep the unity of the Spirit until we all come into the unity of the faith, at the same time admonishing all brethren that they shall not contend for their different views to the disunity of the body."
Ok...Now here in the Holiness part as written in the manual.
"HOLINESS
Godly living should characterize the life of every child of the Lord, and we should live according to the pattern and example given in the Word of God. "For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and Godly, in this present world" (
Titus 2:11,12). "For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow His steps: who did no sin, neither was 'guile found in His mouth: who, when He was reviled, reviled not again; when He suffered, He threatened not; but committed himself to Him that judgeth righteously" (
1 Peter 2:21-23).
"Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord" (
Heb. 12:14).
"But as He which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; because it is written, be ye holy; for I am holy. And if ye call on the Father, who without respect of persons judgeth according to every man's work, pass the time of your sojourning here in fear: forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot" (
1 Peter 1:15-19).
We wholeheartedly disapprove of our people indulging in any activities which are not conducive to good Christianity and Godly living, such as theaters, dances, mixed bathing, women cutting their hair, make-up, any apparel that immodestly exposes the body, all worldly sports and amusements, and unwholesome radio programs and music. Furthermore, because of the display of all these evils on television, we disapprove of any of our people having television sets in their homes. We admonish all of our people to refrain from any of these practices in the interest of spiritual progress and the soon coming of the Lord for His church."
For the sake of discussion....I AGREE that the Fundamental Doctrine in what he DO AGREE ON.
BUT
And this is where I am so frustrated.
Lets take a section of the Holiness part...
We wholeheartedly disapprove of our people indulging in any activities which are not conducive to good Christianity and Godly living, such as theaters, dances, mixed bathing, women cutting their hair, make-up, any apparel that immodestly exposes the body, all worldly sports and amusements, and unwholesome radio programs and music. Furthermore, because of the display of all these evils on television, we disapprove of any of our people having television sets in their homes. We admonish all of our people to refrain from any of these practices in the interest of spiritual progress and the soon coming of the Lord for His church."
Break it down....
FIRST AND FOREMOST..."We wholeheartedly disapprove" is NOT a WE FORBID..it is a postion with understanding that men have different views on some issues.
NOW here we go...
Some of you guys have BLASTED good men for wanting to do away with the AS....and some of you have even said they are "LIARS" if they sign it and not abide by it!
So as a young minister...let me show you what I am sick of.
1.such as theaters - I have good friends that sign the AS that DO attend theaters!
2.dances - I have friends that I have PERSONALLY witnessed dance in a restaurant that DO sign the AS.
3.mixed bathing - I have friends that DO attend things and take part in things that ARE mixed bathing. - Notice it does not say ATTIRE for mixed bathing..it says MIXED BATHING....that would include rafting trips, canoing, swimming, the lake the beach etc....YET..they DO sign the AS.
4.women cutting their hair, make-up - I have friends that their wives DO trim their hair and DO wear modest makeup and DO cover up zits! YET - they sign the AS.
5.unwholesome radio programs and music. - I have MANY friends that listen mainy to Country music..which is mostly about drinking and cheating ect.....YET - They sign the AS.
6.all worldly sports and amusements - I know of very few that DO NOT attend Six Flags or Disney or ball games and yet they DO sign the AS.
I SAVED THE BEST FOR LAST!
7.Furthermore, because of the display of all these evils on television, we disapprove of any of our people having television sets in their homes. - I have MANY..MANY friends that have tv sets in their homes....and they do not preach against tv. ...AND those that don't have dvd's of tv shows. YET they DO sign the AS.
Now here is the kicker....WE GET BLASTED by those saying "If you have a tv and sign the AS...YOU ARE A LIAR!!!"
WELL....Guess what IF you VIOLATE just one of the above 7 points...YOU ARE JUST AS BIG A LIAR!
Sorry...but it is fact...
Remember....the AS...says
I ALSO BELIEVE AND EMBRACE THE HOLINESS STANDARDS of the United Pentecostal Church Int. in said Articles of Faith,
And I PLEDGE to practice, teach and preach the same"
I see no pick and and choose room there..........................
IF you sign it and violate just 1 of the standards set...you are lying.
So there you go...
OH CONSISTENCY WHERE ARE THOU!
THATS why I respect the Greg Riggens of the world and the Coonskinners of the world and the old paths of the world and especially the Epely of the world.
DO I agree with them....NO...not on everything....
BUT THEY ARE CONSISTENT!!!
I for one am weary of getting blasted by those that deserve the same blast!
NOW...do I agree with someone doing alot of those things...NO WAY!!!
BUT...IF you sign it.....and not abide by it...you are lying!
Period and checkmate!
So we need to be very very cautious before we dog or condemn a brother....we must first look at what we are doing....only then will you have the green light.
NLYP
Linear Mode
