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Originally Posted by Evang.Benincasa
Bro, what was the greater truth?
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The Apostolic truth beyond repentance into the fullness of
Acts 2:38.
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That's pretty much bottom line. Aren't they a house church franchise? They are part of an organization? Correct?
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Yes.
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What "truth" are you referring to?
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You can't believe like them?
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No, I can't. The "organization" is Reformed. But they bill themselves as "Non-Denominational", and house churches are largely autonomous. Some affiliated house churches aren't Reformed. Some are rather free flowing. If the elder of my house church saw the Apostolic truth, no one would stop the house church from being an
Acts 2:38 house church. The organization "might" have an issue, but since none of the house churches have gone "Apostolic", I'm not certain as to if they would allow them to remain in the fellowship or take issue.
For a while there, it looked like the elders of my house church were really getting into some of the things I contributed to the gathering. For example, we were discussing baptism and I brought up baptism in the name of Jesus and encouraged us to study it out. Well, we did. And we discussed it. And it was received really well. The elder said, "I'd gladly baptize in the name of Jesus. It's definitely biblical." We discussed how we'd do well to be rebaptized like the believers in
Acts 19, and two in the group were receptive and were water baptized one day, in the name of Jesus in a family's pool. But baptisms done after that were back to the Trinity. I encouraged tongues. There was division on it. The elders didn't forbid it, nor did they emphasize it. They encouraged it be a private practice. I tried to show them how it was the initial evidence, but it was like such an idea was so alien to them, though they saw it, admitted it, they were afraid to take that step. One young lady in our group used to be Trinity Pentecost. She actually laughed at the idea of being afraid of the Holy Ghost and said there was no reason to fear something, "So sweet and life changing.". She even began helping me encourage them to receive it! But some seemed to embarrassed. Some seemed like the might, but didn't know what to do. The elders encouraged that we seek it privately and "testify" to the group about their experience.
It was like they were making very hesitant baby steps into the light.
Long story. I'll try to keep it short. I was between churches. I met a rather prophetic fellow who was a pastor of a house church while at the airport. He was previously a pastor in a Baptist church. He received the Holy Ghost at some kind of prophesy conference and began studying the Word and felt led to abandon institutional ministry to house church. So, he did. He had a small house church here in town, about 7 families. He was very Spirit led. His beliefs were like a more "serious" Charismatic. We had a great time. He was open to baptism in Jesus name, and at times he'd allow the gifts to flow through the meetings with prophetic words, visions, interpretations, etc. Many in the group believed he was a "seer" because he would often see visions or dream dreams about people, circumstances, etc.. It didn't bother me, I was used to Pastor Shearer, he was regarded openly in our church as a true "prophet". Scotts meetings were really awesome. He was the "pastor" of the group. There weren't any plurality of elders. He was the sole authority, but he was very open to discussion. But, he eventually had to move on account of his job. I was really bummed. Most members felt that they would miss the house church, but would return to local traditional churches of they were familiar with. He encouraged us all to be catalysts for change no matter where we went.
I mentioned to Scott how I really didn't want to return to the institutional church. I wanted to continue house churching and learn more about how it's done. He mentioned this house church network (Apex) and encouraged me to check it out. He said I might have to "shop around" to find a house church within their network that I felt at home in. But he did warn me. He explained that they were a rather large house church network and how they are incorporated with the state and they are affiliated with a Reformed Baptist denomination, though the house churches are largely independent. Within a couple short weeks, Scott was out of town and I wasn't sure if I wanted to check out this house church network or what.
A few weeks passed. At work, I was processing some new hire background checks. During the pre-fingerprinting interview with one applicant (David) the subject of church came up (I have pictures of family, a cross, and a prayer) on my desk. He asked where I attended church. I mentioned that I was between churches and he invited me to his church... Apex. I was kinda stunned. I was hesitant to check them out, so I drug my feet. And here was someone from Apex in my office. I told him that I had heard about them and that I had looked up information on them online. We ended up going out for coffee and talking. That weekend, my family and I went to the "campus gathering" at the large campus in Centerville, Oh. I was introduced to his house church elder and the service was actually rather good. The Sr. Pastor at the time, Rob Turner, was really gifted at expository preaching. So, I went to the midweek. Great service. Turner always stressed that you can't be a member of Apex unless you're associated with a house church, because "That's where body life happens." So, David invited me to his house church. It was okay. They were really stilted and Reformed. It was also quite a drive for me. So, I eventually visited a few closer house churches within the network until I found this one that I've been attending.
These house churches are run by "elders". And these gatherings are very discussion based. So, I found the freedom to bring up subjects, share Scriptures, ask questions, and share testimonies and experiences. I was using this open platform to sow seed. I was praying that God might move, reveal the truth to them, and establish an Apostolic house church within this network.
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The question now is, who was trying to change who?
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In the gatherings the Spirit would sometimes get so thick. You could tell God was wanting to just unload a torrential rain in that little house church. It was like they'd get right to where you'd hear thunder in the Spirit expecting it to start raining any moment... and they'd withdraw and stop.
So, I think God was trying to save them. But they just wouldn't relinquish total control of the gathering.