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Not real sure what the question is since it was defined in our rules.

Let it be understood that Apostolic Friends Forum is an Apostolic Forum.
Apostolic is defined on AFF as:

Those that believe that every sinner must repent of their sins.
That Jesus name baptism is the only biblical mode of water baptism.
That the Holy Ghost is for today and is received by faith
with the initial evidence of speaking in tongues.
The saint will go on to strive to live a holy life, pleasing to God.

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Copied from the Welcome Mat:





(eta: woops! Renda beat me to it!)


I guess that was Bro. Epley's question.... how many people here still agree with that statement.

I think that most do.

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Hang in there Bro. Epley. Somewhere I read: He who endures to the end!!! Should "AFF" be changed to "CFF" Compromising Friends Forum? Just my thought.

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Am I Apostolic? Well I guess first of all I am more comfortable with the term "Pentecostal" just because that's what we always referred to ourselves as growing up. The first time I remember someone using the term "Apostolic" to refer to me I was a senior in high school. I think EA has commented on this in the past.

I was born and raised in the UPC, I baptized my son in the name of Jesus in the river, I believe that sinners must repent. I cannot describe the joy I felt when my son told me he was filled with the HG with the evidence of speaking in other tongues while on a missions trip to Romania. I anticipate baptizing my daughter in the name of Jesus very soon.

All that being said I suppose I am a liberal when it comes to this place, though in most Christian circles I am a conservative.

So I guess I am just a liberal Pentecostal who resists the term Apostolic because to me it applies to those who are "more holy" than the rest of us. I don't need a new label.

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Like someone has already mentioned - this is a public forum - not a church. Even if someone doesn't consider themselves "walking the path of perfection" as others do - there are common roots that we all share.

Can't we just all posts together without everyone getting all weirded out?

It really saddens me that we can't respect each other.

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I have never had a desire to use the name Apostolic Church although there are a long list of Apostolic churches in Brazil...Roman Catholic being the biggest...then a branch off it: Christian Catholic Apostolic church, Renascer (Re-Born)Apostolic church, Latin Apostolic Catholic church a Catholic church that has discovered that we have a holy grandmother called Holy Rose. lol...and on and on...now there are probably 15 or more that baptize in Jesus name that use the word Apostolic from far left to far right and a dozens of trinity Apostolic churches...however the common person of Brazil the word Apostolic means Catholic to their minds because this is a Catholic country and a DEVOTE Catholic will tell you, I AM FROM THE APOSTOLIC ROMAN CATHOLIC Church...

Now it is just something I do not like I think my son would plaster Apostolic over everything! He loves the word...I like it in what I feel is a Biblical definition but to use it I guess if I wanted to have some big campaign I might use it for a catch word...
I do not see using any word over our doors revels what is inside until we go inside…

On a forum like this one most of us if not all of us understand the statement Apostolic in the sense of preaching and practicing Acts 2:38… but the common man would not understand this term.

I don’t know but I am sure Renda would know but with those I have talked with and corresponded with most believe Acts 2:38 and all know whether they believe it or not that this is a place where Acts 2:38 is foundational bedrock belief.


I once met Jim Yohe and yes he was a believer in Acts 2:38. We had a nice talk in Jonesboro Arkansas I believe it was. (dates and places sometimes fail me!)

Acts 2:38 alone will not save…being a true Christian in every manner is what will save us. Acts is only a part and yes a very important part…however it is not by Acts 2 38 Jesus said ALL MEN WILL KNOW we are his disciples…
In the book He inspired holy men of long ago to write he laid down exactly what it is to be one of his followers.
The other day (not bragging) just to mention an experience I had waited at least 3 hours to see the doctor and when my name was called we walked in (Brother Alvear was with me) and the doctor had just took out my exams to look at when an elderly lady literally burst in and said it was her turn not mine….the doctor kindly showed her the sheet and my name was before hers…she looked at me and I looked at her as the doctor said Mrs. Alvear is before you…I felt compassion for her as I saw she was a little lady that probably did not know how to read or write and bursting in was just her little simple crude way…I looked at my doctor and told him it was fine with me for him to attend her first…he said…Now, Mrs. Alvear you do not have to do this…I said I want to and motioned for her to take my chair and we went and sat back down in the waiting room…for another 30 or so minutes as she had many exams for him to look at…

When it was finally my time she thanked me and told me she lived in a distant city and if he would not have attended her she would have went back home because there was no other bus time if she did not catch the evening bus…
The doctor told me, Mrs. Alvear I knew you were a missionary and the nurse from your church has so many good things to say about you however I just witnessed an act of Christ that does not often happen in doctors’ offices…
Does that make me saved? No…Does Acts experience make me saved? No…but those things and many more will contribute to my salvation…for to be saved first it is only by HIS mercy and grace and then by my obedience to His words.
I know Apostolic people and preachers that are liars and have been baptized in Jesus name…so according to what John wrote in Rev. they are not saved…

I know what I have written is a little off the original suggestion but it would be ok with me if they changed the name of this forum to Christians forum…
As long as we try to play God we are wrong…
Let me make myself clear if I did not believe ACTS 2:38 is Bedrock I would be wasting my time in Brazil however because it is bedrock I remain…for there are millions that love Jesus in this country but need Acts 2:38 so we must press on…

Hebrews 6
1Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection; not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God,
2Of the doctrine of baptisms, and of laying on of hands, and of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment.
I say it is about time we grow up…yesterday was celebrated as the national prayer day for the persecuted church…I doubt if many even knew that let alone prayed for those in communist countries and countries where Christians are persecuted and killed.
I admit we all differ in many things we believe but at the same time I think we can be friends and we do not have to say cutting things and unkind things to each other. We ALL claim to be Christians and to be a Christian means to be like Christ.
Just the other night someone asked me would I use a certain lawyer (no one on our forum) for business. My answer was blunt but not unkind…We may not trust someone and may not even have faith in someone but we do not have to make it our business to destroy them or under mind them.
Time reveals our works…I once knew a missionary that worked long and hard but his method was wrong and after he left his work crumbled…RIGHT stands the time test.
I had great faith for quite a few years in a certain pastor but something happened and my great respect and faith in him as a mature man of God was completely destroyed. Few people even know how hurt I was…I have not made it my business to announce to the world how child like he acted in an opportunity to try to destroy someone…I realized that fame had gone to his head and distorted his view of handling things in a godly manner…but talk about him I have not!
I personally do not come to any forum to hurt I come to promote the cause of Christ. I know I don’t fit in everyone’s little box…I am a soldier of an army that always fighting in dark terrain and among devil worshippers..so I don’t have a lot of time to fit in the PENTECOSTAL Styles and Fashion shows at camp meetings and conferences…lol…I march to a different drum beat than many…I am NOT content with endless shopping sprees…I long for the heat of the battle….I had rather be on the front lines preaching to pagans about the Christ that sets men free than to be at a dainty tea party somewhere…that is just me…yet there is a soft side of me that is not hardened by long years of battle…I still weep for the hurting, stoop to clean a child’s face, stop and by roses for different ones, make little surprise boxes for those that have birthdays, take a bath with bubble bath and buy me a candy bar and a coke even if I am a fat old lady!

Dear ones, we are only human…we all have our concerns, our problems, life does not always seem fair…but why let all those things ruin a day we can love and be loved?

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sorry for getting off the subject...lol...a typical woman my son would say!

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"True Apostolics, and the compromising, slippery-slope abiding liberals, plus the few out-n-out rank sinning heathens that refuse to go away Forum"

Well, it's kinda long....

and as an acronym Tacatcssalptfonorshtrtgaf does present some difficulties....

though it does kinda sound like speaking in tongues...

:hmmm

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:D

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Well I have not read the entire thread and IF this has already been said, then I guess it will be said twice. :)

To me Apostolic is doing what the Apostles did, which was more than just being baptized and speaking in tongues.

They prayed for the sick and they were healed...can you say that happens when YOU pray for the sick? I'm not talking about occassionally getting healed. I mean it was the norm.

I think of the Apostles that left their homes with only their shoes and coat and staff, no money and evangelized trusting God to meet their needs...can YOU say you do that?


The Apostles stirred up the cities to the point that they were arrested and thrown into prison...have YOU stirred up your city?

To ME being apostolic is more than being baptized with the correct formula and speaking in tongues.

As Baron said we really are more Pentecostal. We emphasize the doctrine, of Acts 2:38 and seem to think that sums it up.

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How about Liberal City Friends.....LOL

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My 2 cents for what it's worth...

Growing up, our church was named Apostolic Faith Tabernacle. I suppose it was a throw back from the early days when following Azuza a lot of churches bore that name.

However, I don't recall the saints referring to themselves as "Apostolic." The term I do recall is "Pentecostal."

Of cource, that was before the Charismatic Renewal Movement of the late 60s-early 70s. Following that explosion onto the scene, everyone who spoke with tongues was considered Pentecostal.

So perhaps that is why folks began more and more to say "Apostolic" in order to make a distinction between 'us' and 'them'. Not sure...

I do know that on one of Carlton Pearson's Azuza CDs, he mentioned something about being a part of the Apostolic succession...that's not a direct quote, but it was something along those lines.

Someone from the church I used to attend asked me if I thought he was now Apostolic, as in "like us." I said I thought he was merely referring to the office of apostle, in that he believed in the succession of that office.

In my humble opinion, I am Apostolic in that I have followed the Apostles' Doctrine in salvation.

I strongly disagree with those who make make all the rest part of being Apostolic (dress and hair).

It is not, for if it were, my Bible Methodist friends would be Apostolic without the Acts 2:38 experience.

I would hope if someone were looking for a phrase to describe me it would be 'follower of Christ'.

Just my thoughts...

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Paul did not baptise in Jesus Name... i guess he was not "Apostolic" :)

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LOL! Mich, you are a riot! :ursofunny

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Timlan see what I mean this is their definition.

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It's telling when ownership admits to not being actively involved in the day-to-day activities concerning content. Jim Yohe not read threads and roll up his sleeves in the moderation and advancement of his own forum?

EA, I agree with you.

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Again maybe in his old age Timlan's reading or memory is slipping?:gotcha

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There are five owners. We don't get paid to read every thread so that's why this forum was set up as a self-moderated board.

However, with that said, we don't want to CONTROL everything said on this board. Jim Yohe didn't either.

When a poster has broken a rule, report it. If you just don't agree with it, then either put up your opinion and discuss or don't read it.

This isn't a project for most of us to "own" - - it's a place provided for all to post and feel welcomed.

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So, what you're saying then, with the suggestion that opened the thread, is that too many people here don't believe the tenets laid out in the forum rules? Not enough Apostolics, even by that definition, to call it an Apostolic forum? That's a big stretch, IMO. Do you think that absolutely no non-Apostolics should be allowed here? There's a public poll in place that could be used to drive the bannings. Assuming you want to take people's word for it. ;)

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There will be NO drives for BANNING!

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What a party pooper! :D

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Would YOU have time to sit in your chair and read every single post to monitor content on this forum? Oh, wait...Apparently you do, because you have time to criticize us for NOT doing so. :D

I do not plan at any time in the future to constantly sit in this chair and babysit members of this forum. Posters here are adults, and they are responsible for their own postings. If someone posts content that doesn't need to be here, it's up to the other members to report those posts.

There is a reported post area. If and when there are problem threads, this forum is SELF MODERATED (or at least it's supposed to be) and members are asked to use the REPORT button to send reports of problem threads. That area is checked several times a day by me personally-- as well as every other active admin. I can't even remember when the last reported post was made-- except for someone reporting a spammer. So if there's something worth reporting that needs admin attention-- members aren't bothering to do so.

Action taken on posts sent to that area is not publicly announced, so if you have reported something --don't automatically assume that we haven't done anything about it.

As I've already stated, I am busy working with church youth camps, and volunteering 8 or 9 hours a day in the church owned thrift store. I also am director of activites for the Young at Heart group at our church. I also have a house to take care of, a huge garden to work in, and quite frankly my family needs more of my time than this forum does.

Forgive me if I don't consider babysitting members and monitoring every word that is posted on this forum at the top of my list of things to do every day.

If you want to hire someone to take care of all my other responsibilities in life, then I'll be happy to sit here and read threads to monitor content. :D

The admins & owners of this forum do have a life offline. If you are bothered by how the owners aren't involved in the daily content of this forum, so much so that you have to compare what we do to what Jim Yohe did many years ago with FCF-- I would suggest that you try getting a life yourself. :)

I've wasted enough time in this thread. I need to help my children get their stuff packed for another week of youth camp.

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Tina,

Look at their post count - - - you probably wasted too much time responding to them.

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Probably someone with lots of aliases already that gets assigned random IP's with every post. :D

I'm out... have way too much going on today to be sitting here.

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No, he did not. They were just like this forum. They had a POST REPORTING TOOL that the users were responsible to use. It's like that on other forums too unless you have a moderator for each thread who has time to read every post.

We read threads but we are not able to read every thread

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Let it be known that I am deeply thankful for a place like AFF. I am mature enough to know we may all have different veiws...It does not bother me when people have different veiws...I preached last night knowing there were a couple in the church visiting that do not believe in women preachers...it did not bother me...I was annointed, the alter filled with hungry souls, two were baptized...so it is with a forum we cannot let those that may feel different than us cause us to start calling people names or whatever...Just be what you are! ( and if you don't like it here...well...go somewhere else...) ha....

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Preach on Sister A.

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Amen!!!

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They let me hang out here and they tolerate me here so that's why I come here.

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That's just it. There are MANY other places to go. Many "amen corners" to hang out in if that is someone's taste -and apparently it IS for many. This is one of only 2 or 3 boards that allow some of the more sacred cows/doctrines to be discussed and even....... questioned!

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I've spent much more time on this than I intended but I brought it this far and I'm obligated to answer, which I will, in detail. Being a full-time college student and a government bureaucrat doesn't leave much time for fourms.

But just really quickly here ... you and Renda can both answer:

Does this mean that someone who does not hold to those particular views is not welcome to post here at ALL?

"Yes" or "No" would be fine.

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We have had many that do not hold to these views post here, but we have posted where WE stand. As long as they are not tearing down our foundation, but asking legit questions or stating their different opinions they have been welcome here.

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How do you define that?

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I think it has been posted at least twice on this thread.

Read Renda's post.

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I'm sorry, I didn't mean define the foundation.... I meant how do you define 'tearing down'?

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As one who has come closer than most to doing just that, perhaps I should comment. ;)

It is not really possible to "tear down" a foundation of truth. Not in the sense that it buckles under such an attack. If I have questioned it, picked at it, given opinions to the contrary of it, who cares? You guys know I'm wrong!

If, on the other hand, some of the things I've said kinda make you go "Hmmmm, is it possible he has a point, there?", well, what's wrong with that? Maybe some of the things you guys believe are, in fact, flawed. And if they are, why not fix them? But I would think that the ones who are most secure in their beliefs would be unlikely to get bent out of shape about AFF "allowing" such dissenting voices on here. Anyway, what fun would it be if everyone agreed on everything? (That's not to say that without me, everyone would! :lol)

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If you come on here stating there is no God, you will find this is not the place for you.

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No - anyone is welcome here.

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Amen! Enough already folks...*sigh*:(

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There's no specific "rule" that we go by. A post is reported - - the admins discuss - - we take action (or not).

These are the basic guidelines:

Organizations can be discussed but not assaulted.
Posters can have disagreements but not bloodbaths.
Apostolic truth can be questioned but not be mocked.
Doctrinal absolutes can be queried but not criticized.
Admin can be contacted privately but not called out openly.
Standards can be debated but not minimized and disrespected.
Posts can be diametrically opposed but not diabolically attacking.
Concerns can be expressed freely but not just hurled and unrestricted.