Originally Posted by Steve Epley (Post 757864)

I was using the term Apostolic is the sense of preaching and practicing Acts 2:38 nothing else on this question.

Originally Posted by MissBrattified (Post 757412)

If "Apostolic" refers to those who stick to the NT for their doctrines, people who believe in one, true God, baptize in Jesus' name, and believe in being filled with the Holy Ghost, the gifts of the spirit, etc., then I'd say there are a LOT of Apostolics on this forum. That doesn't mean they get the most airtime, but I think they're adequately represented--enough to call this the "Apostolic Friends Forum."

Now, if you only define Apostolic by those who hold to certain standards of dress--well, then you do have a problem. I think Apostolic is based on core doctrines regarding the identity of God and what constitutes salvation. Not sleeve length or whether someone wears open-toed shoes.

I do believe that Apostolic encompasses conservatism, in that we should interpret scriptures conservatively--as close to the original meaning as possible, without broad interpretations and expansion. A simple, face value approach.

Originally Posted by Steve Epley (Post 757420)

There is constant posting of the very opposite on here as you have defined. The Apostolics sure are quiet if they are on here?:thumbsup

Originally Posted by Steve Epley (Post 757429)

Forget the lib and con thing. I wonder how many on here go to an Apostolic church?

Originally Posted by Stephen Hoover (Post 757437)

I would venture to say a VERY high percentage do. Perhaps 10% do not - and they can be quite vocal at times, so it could appear to be more.

Originally Posted by Steve Epley (Post 757456)

Y'all want to turn this into a lib verses con thing and I am NOT going to let you.
Some subjects defended on this forum:
All shades of Calvinism
Universalism
Faith Only
Silent Baptism
the One necessity of speaking in tongues
sprinkling as baptism
that's just for a start off the top of my head.

Do you go to an Apostolic church that baptizes by immersion in Jesus Name & does your church preach & practice recieving the HGB evidenced by sepaking in tongues?

Originally Posted by Edward Anglin (Post 757458)

I do believe this place has changed.

The coversations are stale.

That, and the constant jabs at Christianity, authority, submission and Pentecostalism get very, very old.

AFF has turned into an instant messaging tool where people talk about silly, inconsequential, feminine things instead of the religious site it was intended to be.

The level of intelligent discourse has descended into the abyss.

All of this is not to say I don't enjoy a good laugh.

But when the entire premise of the forum is utter idiocy, and every substantial thread ends in either extramarital flirting and/or atheistic and/or agnostic posters tearing down Christianity as a whole, I think the original purpose of this forum is perverted.

I love the owners and admin here, but the site is failing.

That's why I rarely post.

And friends, I am nowhere close to an ultracon.

Originally Posted by Edward Anglin (Post 757469)

This is not over one step versus three step.

This is not over ultra-cons versus liberals.

This is about atheists and agnostics versus Christianity.

As an added bonus, I would like to remind some of you that there is a proper way to conduct yourself while engaging in online conversation with a member of the opposite sex. Especially when you are married!

Originally Posted by Edward Anglin (Post 757536)

Are you Pentecostal?

Christian?

A tithe-payer?

A drinker?

A church-goer?

Sane?

Originally Posted by Tim Rutledge (Post 757549)

When he vast majority of the forum members have no problem with women wearing pants and cutting their hair... its obviously not an Apostolic forum. You can tell the "character" of a forum by the administrators and owners (bill payers) of a forum. What do they believe? There is a whole, whole lot more to being Oneness Apostolic Pentecostal then Acts 2:38.

my 2 cents.

Originally Posted by *AQuietPlace* (Post 757568)

The owners and admins here are top-notch people.

Originally Posted by Edward Anglin (Post 757574)

Anyhoo, I love the owners and admin of AFF.

It's just the rest of you that are weird. ;)

Originally Posted by Maple Leaf (Post 757777)

The common denominator here is baptism in Jesus Name and the baptism of the Holy Ghost, but, to some, that is far from enough to qualify as either Apostolic or saved.


A question for Pastor Epley: What portion of the "Jesus Name" movement qualifies as "Apostolic?"

And a couple more: Would Jim Yohe be able to maintain a membership on any Jesus Name forum other than AFF? Would any other forum publish Sister Newman's articles? FCF did.

Originally Posted by tv1a (Post 757921)

Why would someone be insistent to be identified as something that isn't mention in the Bible?

Apostolic is a subjective term.

It a shame we don't have enough of God we have to hang our hats on an subjective identiy.

Identify yourself with a subjective term. I choose to identify myself with Jesus.

An apostolic identity is not scriptural and borderlines if not crosses over into idolatry.

Originally Posted by Steve Epley (Post 757429)

Forget the lib and con thing. I wonder how many on here go to an Apostolic church?

Originally Posted by ChTatum (Post 757930)

Amazing. Now someone is so full of God they cannot be identified with the apostles. You know, those Jesus left in charge.

Originally Posted by Stephen Hoover (Post 757773)

Great post Fritz.

I would just say - it's fine to stick around and disagree with the bulk of the threads if need be.

There are a great many "rooms" here even a prayer room. So everyone find something you enjoy and let the rest of the world go by... :thumbsup

Originally Posted by tv1a (Post 757921)

Why would someone be insistent to be identified as something that isn't mention in the Bible?

Apostolic is a subjective term.

It a shame we don't have enough of God we have to hang our hats on an subjective identiy.

Identify yourself with a subjective term. I choose to identify myself with Jesus.

An apostolic identity is not scriptural and borderlines if not crosses over into idolatry.

Originally Posted by ChTatum (Post 757930)

Amazing. Now someone is so full of God they cannot be identified with the apostles. You know, those Jesus left in charge.

Originally Posted by OnTheFritz (Post 757948)

C'mon. You know what he means.

If Apostolic meant "like the Apostles", this whole discussion would be moot. But that's not what it means. It means "like a select group of 3-step, oneness believers who have chosen an often arbitrary set of dress codes and standards to define holiness".