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View Full Version : I'm Grateful I'm Apostolic because....


Brother Todd
07-08-2009, 12:49 PM
If you read my introduction in the Welcome Mat, you'll note that I'm a former Church of God Evangelist and Leadership consultant that has FINALLY, made the move I should have made years ago into an Apostolic church. Making a long story short, let's just say I finally reconciled my church to reflect what I believed.

As I'm new to my new denomination and local church, UPC, and new to the Apostolic movement, I'm very aware that no movement full of flawed people is perfect, so I won't even begin to assume that one is.

So, you know the old expression, First Impressions last forever....right? And though I've already scanned some threads that are on here that are just like conversations going on in other movements, regarding Spiritual Compromise, Doctrinal Infidelity, Real Salvation, Legalism, Who Done What to Who, etc.... I wanted to ask if you would finish this sentence for me, to reflect just why you are glad you're Apostolic. Great way to provide some input to me as a newbie, thanks.

So, I'm Grateful I'm Apostolic because....... (now you finish it)

deltaguitar
07-08-2009, 01:47 PM
ummm . . . . . . . . . .................................................. ......

KWSS1976
07-08-2009, 01:51 PM
Nothing comes to mind Delta? Don't worry I understand...

Brother Todd
07-08-2009, 01:52 PM
oh wow, that's quite discouraging that so far, after being posted an hour, and numerous views, no one has anything to say?

I gotta tell ya, I'm so grateful I found a great Apostolic church... and that I'm Apostolic. I wasn't raised Apostolic, or even Pentecostal, and I'm so thankful that God provided a way that I could walk in this Truth..... just can't believe no one has anything to say.

GrowingPains
07-08-2009, 01:53 PM
I'm grateful to be a Christian that understands and believes the Apostle's doctrine because ... God saw it fit to feed my hunger, satisfy my thirst and continues to work on this old sinner saved by grace.

KWSS1976
07-08-2009, 01:54 PM
I am so gratetful I was able to get out of bed this morning and make it to my coffee pot...

rgcraig
07-08-2009, 01:55 PM
I'm more grateful to be called a child of His - - being Apostolic isn't what it's really about.

Believing the Apostolic message is what it's about.

KWSS1976
07-08-2009, 01:55 PM
Growingpains you cannot be a sinner saved by grace and be Apostolic the only sinners saved by grace are the baptist...LOL

U376977
07-08-2009, 01:58 PM
ummm . . . . . . . . . .................................................. ......

LOL.

I hate the term "apostolic." It just means to many things to different people. In "the real world" it means things connected with the catholic church. To those in oneness it may mean "apostles doctrine" or it may mean denominational lines. When I am asked if I am "apostolic" I reply if you mean, "Do I believe in one God without a distiction in "persons" and that I do not believe in the Trinity theory of the Godhead then yes I am apostolic but I am not denominational."

mfblume
07-08-2009, 02:00 PM
...because, in all my sincerest estimation and search for truth, I believe it has provided me more truth than any other movement could.

deltaguitar
07-08-2009, 02:09 PM
A friend of mine who was raised baptist and now goes to our nondenominational church was asked by a person who thought he still believed the UPC doctrine, what does the word apostolic mean to him. He replied, it just meant that their church was to good for him to come to.

GrowingPains
07-08-2009, 02:12 PM
A friend of mine who was raised baptist and now goes to our nondenominational church was asked by a person who thought he still believed the UPC doctrine, what does the word apostolic mean to him. He replied, it just meant that their church was to good for him to come to.

Sounds like an injured soul.

U376977
07-08-2009, 02:31 PM
A friend of mine who was raised baptist and now goes to our nondenominational church was asked by a person who thought he still believed the UPC doctrine, what does the word apostolic mean to him. He replied, it just meant that their church was to good for him to come to.

Sounds like an injured soul.

Sounds to me like he transferred to the word "apostolic" the attitude demonstraed by many in apostolic churches of highmindedness, haughtyness, pridefullness, my-way-is-the-only-way-that-is-right and you- are- going- to hell- if- you- don't- look- exactly- like- I- say- you- should. Many women walk with a stiff back of pride and self righteousness, men preachers stride across the stage with such arrogance that the pope himself would feel at home with. They all could do for a good rolling in ashes and snotting before God in repentence. And yes I have been in both places! On the prideful platform and thank God in the Ashes!

GrowingPains
07-08-2009, 02:40 PM
Sounds to me like he transferred to the word "apostolic" the attitude demonstraed by many in apostolic churches of highmindedness, haughtyness, pridefullness, my-way-is-the-only-way-that-is-right and you- are- going- to hell- if- you- don't- look- exactly- like- I- say- you- should. Many women walk with a stiff back of pride and self righteousness, men preachers stride across the stage with such arrogance that the pope himself would feel at home with. They all could do for a good rolling in ashes and snotting before God in repentence. And yes I have been in both places! On the prideful platform and thank God in the Ashes!

No, it sounds like he mirrored his personal experiences on the word "apostolic" as a whole, and on people who call themselves apostolic as a whole. There are many of us that, while we think the word has been branded to death, think it represents noble and honorable things.

giftofgrace
07-08-2009, 02:43 PM
I know God

mfblume
07-08-2009, 02:47 PM
I think it must be said that being Apostolic is not a synonym for adhering to UPCI doctrine.

deltaguitar
07-08-2009, 03:07 PM
Sounds like an injured soul.

Not injured but a independent thinking young man who sees things for what they are. He was having a discussion with a UPC minister who was trying to find out where he stood doctrinally. He is a well respected minister in our community. Would put most Apostolic Pentecostals to shame with his consecration to God.

The problem is that as a guy searching for God he did find God in a UPC church and began his healing process there. But never agreed with the doctrine or the standards.

Brother Todd
07-08-2009, 03:18 PM
I think it must be said that being Apostolic is not a synonym for adhering to UPCI doctrine.


I suppose, being a newbie, all my scars have to do with my Baptist upbringing, and COG issues over the years.....

...but to me, being Apostolic means this.... a sincere, in depth desire to be the New Testament Church we see in Acts. Worshipping, Loving, Serving, Baptising, Winning, Delivering, and pursuing as the Apostles did in the early church. Doing our best, to be that Church that Christ commissioned in Acts Chapter 1 when He told them He'd provide them a power that would make them witnesses.

I do believe in One God eternally existent, I do believe in being born of the water and baptized in the precious name of Jesus, and I do believe in the essentialness of being filled with the Holy Ghost with the evidence of speaking in other tongues. I also believe in a standard of living, and being separated from this world while yet being in it. But those things alone don't make me Apostolic. I also believe in being relevant, and making a difference in the lives of those we live among. I believe in reaching souls, and seeing them rather than being concerned if they are tattoo'd, pierced, scantily clothed, or stinking drunk..... as I know the same power that cleaned me up will also regenerate them and send them in the right direction. To me, all of those things are part of what it means to be Apostolic.

Lastly, I'm grateful to be a part of a movement, that though it is not devoid of it's mistakes, abuses, and errors, for the most part is preaching the full gospel the New Testament Church was sent forth and empowered to preach.

U376977
07-08-2009, 03:23 PM
No, it sounds like he mirrored his personal experiences on the word "apostolic" as a whole, and on people who call themselves apostolic as a whole. There are many of us that, while we think the word has been branded to death, think it represents noble and honorable things.

Point well taken...And for all the anit-denom., anti-religious spirit, things I post, I know that their are many good, good, good, people in apostolic churches. So I see the negative stuff, maybe too closely, but I see good people as well.

U376977
07-08-2009, 03:36 PM
I suppose, being a newbie, all my scars have to do with my Baptist upbringing, and COG issues over the years.....

And I'm grateful to be a part of a movement, that though it is not devoid of it's mistakes, abuses, and errors, for the most part is preaching the full gospel the New Testament Church was sent forth and empowered to preach.

Why? What do you mean by movement? Do you mean UPC or a move of God. There are some apostolics who have an attitude that if "God is going to move he is going to do it in the confines of our church." Well, I was COG as well and had a long talk with one of the men who was with AJT in the beginning. He said that they used to have that same attitude that if people were saved they would naturally be COG. But he told me, at 83 years old, that he had come to the conclusion that God could save anyone he wants to.

How do you know that the "movement" is preaching the "full gospel" of the NT Church? See that means much more than oneness and baptism. It also means the extra stuff that is preached that IS NOT IN THE WORD. Hang around and you will find out what I mean.

Brother Todd
07-08-2009, 03:51 PM
Not sure Brother/Sister what you're talking about... you'll find I say exactly what I mean, and mean what I say. Just like your momma taught, don't read between any lines, and don't assume anything when reading my posts, take them for what is said.

And I sure don't know what you mean by "other stuff". Would prefer you say clearly what you are alluding to instead of just using phrasology. If you're talking about standards? Well, I left the COG over many reasons, and one of them was our abandonment of standards.

Listen, I'm not some old guy, and wasn't even raised in this...I'm 36 years old, and was raised up Baptist. And nobody taught me "this stuff", I got in the Word. And the more time I spent in the Word, I saw that God had expectations on all my conduct, inwardly and outwardly.

God not only expects my heart to be kept pure, and my spiritual eyes set on Him, but also for me to dress modestly, look like a man, women to look like women, for me to only go places a that uplift the testimony of Christ, and to be Salt and Light in this lost and dying world. And these standards are standards I found in the Word long before I even knew what an Apostolic church was....

U376977
07-08-2009, 05:21 PM
Not sure Brother/Sister what you're talking about... you'll find I say exactly what I mean, and mean what I say. Just like your momma taught, don't read between any lines, and don't assume anything when reading my posts, take them for what is said.

And I sure don't know what you mean by "other stuff". Would prefer you say clearly what you are alluding to instead of just using phrasology. If you're talking about standards? Well, I left the COG over many reasons, and one of them was our abandonment of standards.

Listen, I'm not some old guy, and wasn't even raised in this...I'm 36 years old, and was raised up Baptist. And nobody taught me "this stuff", I got in the Word. And the more time I spent in the Word, I saw that God had expectations on all my conduct, inwardly and outwardly.

God not only expects my heart to be kept pure, and my spiritual eyes set on Him, but also for me to dress modestly, look like a man, women to look like women, for me to only go places a that uplift the testimony of Christ, and to be Salt and Light in this lost and dying world. And these standards are standards I found in the Word long before I even knew what an Apostolic church was....

Ok I will speak plain and try to illustrate what I mean by "other stuff." For example, in many apostolic circles, people are told it is dresses on women or hell. No way you will find that in the Word. They are told if you cut your hair it is sin and hell. No way you will find that in the Word. MAGIC HAIR? No way you will find that in the Word. One poster on AFF recently said if a woman is married she had to wear her hair "up." Another said, for single women, down is OK, but could mean that she was "footloose and fancy free." No way you will find that in the Word. Some preach standards of "men in white shirts only." No way you will find that in the Word. No hair on your face or it is hell! No way you will find that in the Word. One apostolic I know (not a UPC) says if you don't put a sign with the name of "Jesus Christ" and hang it on the actual physical building that that church is not "in the truth" and once you know better if you don't adhere to it it is hell. So there you go brother, you know now. You have to hang that sign on the church builiding, if your UPC church does not have that name on a sign on the building (on a sign by the road is not good enough) then you are in error and going to hell! No way you will find that in the Word.

They just sit around and dream this stuff up. It is not in the Word.

That is what I mean by "other stuff." A bunch of man-made foolishness. Hang around long enough and you will hear much more preached from pulpits that is not in the Word.

OneAccord
07-08-2009, 10:47 PM
...because, in spite of its flaws, the Apostolic Movement, IMO, most closely resembles the church of the NT. It isn't a "perfect mirror image" of the NT church, but of all religious movement I know of, the Apostolic Movement reflects NT teaching more than most.

And... the Apostolic Movement has the best cooks, bar none! I feel the "nointin' When I think of some of the fine meals prepared by our Apostolic sisters!

Ever had Fruit Pizza? Had some the other night. Inspirational!

mizpeh
07-08-2009, 10:55 PM
....truth is precious.

U376977
07-08-2009, 11:07 PM
...because, in spite of its flaws, the Apostolic Movement, IMO, most closely resembles the church of the NT. It isn't a "perfect mirror image" of the NT church, but of all religious movement I know of, the Apostolic Movement reflects NT teaching more than most.

And... the Apostolic Movement has the best cooks, bar none! I feel the "nointin' When I think of some of the fine meals prepared by our Apostolic sisters!

Ever had Fruit Pizza? Had some the other night. Inspirational!

I heard the head bishop of one org. preach and he patted his gut and said, "you're lookin at the graveyard of a thousand dead chickens"!

missourimary
07-10-2009, 05:11 PM
...I wholeheartedly believe in baptism in Jesus' name and the infilling of the Holy Ghost. Because for years I sought the truth in denominations that couldn't/wouldn't back their doctrines with Bible teaching, and I believed there was (and believe I have found) a church somewhere that taught like the Bible teaches. Because I believe there is only one God, His name is Jesus, and I want to go to churches where I can worship Him in spirit and in truth. Because there are new people coming and praying through in Apostolic churches...

Tim Rutledge
07-10-2009, 08:02 PM
Not sure Brother/Sister what you're talking about... you'll find I say exactly what I mean, and mean what I say. Just like your momma taught, don't read between any lines, and don't assume anything when reading my posts, take them for what is said.

And I sure don't know what you mean by "other stuff". Would prefer you say clearly what you are alluding to instead of just using phrasology. If you're talking about standards? Well, I left the COG over many reasons, and one of them was our abandonment of standards.

Listen, I'm not some old guy, and wasn't even raised in this...I'm 36 years old, and was raised up Baptist. And nobody taught me "this stuff", I got in the Word. And the more time I spent in the Word, I saw that God had expectations on all my conduct, inwardly and outwardly.

God not only expects my heart to be kept pure, and my spiritual eyes set on Him, but also for me to dress modestly, look like a man, women to look like women, for me to only go places a that uplift the testimony of Christ, and to be Salt and Light in this lost and dying world. And these standards are standards I found in the Word long before I even knew what an Apostolic church was....

Brother Todd. As you've seen AFF is not (necessarily) an Apostolic site. This isn't the best place to spend much time. I'm thankful the Lord has brought you into this marvelous light. I'm thankful to know what it takes to get the blood applied to my soul. Repentance/Baptism in Jesus name/Infilling of the HG evidenced by speaking in tongues. God bless.

Evang.Benincasa
07-10-2009, 08:58 PM
Brother Todd. As you've seen AFF is not (necessarily) an Apostolic site.

:heeheehee

Evang.Benincasa
07-10-2009, 09:02 PM
...I wholeheartedly believe in baptism in Jesus' name and the infilling of the Holy Ghost. Because for years I sought the truth in denominations that couldn't/wouldn't back their doctrines with Bible teaching, and I believed there was (and believe I have found) a church somewhere that taught like the Bible teaches. Because I believe there is only one God, His name is Jesus, and I want to go to churches where I can worship Him in spirit and in truth. Because there are new people coming and praying through in Apostolic churches...

:thumbsup

Evang.Benincasa
07-10-2009, 09:03 PM
...because, in spite of its flaws, the Apostolic Movement, IMO, most closely resembles the church of the NT. It isn't a "perfect mirror image" of the NT church, but of all religious movement I know of, the Apostolic Movement reflects NT teaching more than most.

And... the Apostolic Movement has the best cooks, bar none! I feel the "nointin' When I think of some of the fine meals prepared by our Apostolic sisters!

Ever had Fruit Pizza? Had some the other night. Inspirational!

Explain?

Evang.Benincasa
07-10-2009, 09:05 PM
Ok I will speak plain and try to illustrate what I mean by "other stuff." For example, in many apostolic circles, people are told it is dresses on women or hell. No way you will find that in the Word. They are told if you cut your hair it is sin and hell. No way you will find that in the Word. MAGIC HAIR? No way you will find that in the Word. One poster on AFF recently said if a woman is married she had to wear her hair "up." Another said, for single women, down is OK, but could mean that she was "footloose and fancy free." No way you will find that in the Word. Some preach standards of "men in white shirts only." No way you will find that in the Word. No hair on your face or it is hell! No way you will find that in the Word. One apostolic I know (not a UPC) says if you don't put a sign with the name of "Jesus Christ" and hang it on the actual physical building that that church is not "in the truth" and once you know better if you don't adhere to it it is hell. So there you go brother, you know now. You have to hang that sign on the church builiding, if your UPC church does not have that name on a sign on the building (on a sign by the road is not good enough) then you are in error and going to hell! No way you will find that in the Word.

They just sit around and dream this stuff up. It is not in the Word.

That is what I mean by "other stuff." A bunch of man-made foolishness. Hang around long enough and you will hear much more preached from pulpits that is not in the Word.

I guess you won't be celebrating xmas this year? :ursofunny

Steve Epley
07-10-2009, 09:06 PM
If you read my introduction in the Welcome Mat, you'll note that I'm a former Church of God Evangelist and Leadership consultant that has FINALLY, made the move I should have made years ago into an Apostolic church. Making a long story short, let's just say I finally reconciled my church to reflect what I believed.

As I'm new to my new denomination and local church, UPC, and new to the Apostolic movement, I'm very aware that no movement full of flawed people is perfect, so I won't even begin to assume that one is.

So, you know the old expression, First Impressions last forever....right? And though I've already scanned some threads that are on here that are just like conversations going on in other movements, regarding Spiritual Compromise, Doctrinal Infidelity, Real Salvation, Legalism, Who Done What to Who, etc.... I wanted to ask if you would finish this sentence for me, to reflect just why you are glad you're Apostolic. Great way to provide some input to me as a newbie, thanks.

So, I'm Grateful I'm Apostolic because....... (now you finish it)

or I would be lost.:thumbsup

Evang.Benincasa
07-10-2009, 09:09 PM
or I would be lost.:thumbsup

:clap