Hello!

[GODisTheAnswer]

I've read these forums here and there, but finally decided to join.

I just have a question - what kind of forums is this anyways? Seems like it's full of atheism, agnosticism, trinitarianism, and all these things that, "apostolics" don't stand for. Why is this place labeled as "apostolic" when it really isn't.

Does anyone here believe that there is only ONE God, his name is Jesus. That there are more than three manifestations of God, not just the Holy Ghost, the Son and the Father? Does anyone believe that you have to be baptized in the name of Jesus according to Acts 2:38 and so forth. That's what Apostolics truly believe, if you believe anything else - you are a semi-apostolic or just not apostolic at all.

I'm not trying to be crude and offensive, just makes me mad to see this forum labeled as Apostolic and it's really not. If there are apostolics here though, that makes me feel better.

[Cindy]

Welcome to AFF.

The following is our definition of Apostolic doctrine. And yes most of us do believe in Acts 2:38. IMO


There is One God. This one God reveals Himself as Father, Son and Holy Ghost.
The Son is God himself in a human form or "God manifested in the flesh" (1Tim 3:16)
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.

At AFF our intention is to recognize and allow all viewpoints that exist within the "Apostolic" genre. We recognize that Apostolic includes faith in Jesus Christ, a Oneness view of the Godhead, baptism in Jesus name, and the experience of the baptism of the Holy Spirit with tongues.

Within the genre we have divergent views on the place of these in Soteriology.

So too we recognize that a view of outward Holiness is common to the genre of Apostolic.

[Tim Rutledge]

I've read these forums here and there, but finally decided to join.

I just have a question - what kind of forums is this anyways? Seems like it's full of atheism, agnosticism, trinitarianism, and all these things that, "apostolics" don't stand for. Why is this place labeled as "apostolic" when it really isn't.

Does anyone here believe that there is only ONE God, his name is Jesus. That there are more than three manifestations of God, not just the Holy Ghost, the Son and the Father? Does anyone believe that you have to be baptized in the name of Jesus according to Acts 2:38 and so forth. That's what Apostolics truly believe, if you believe anything else - you are a semi-apostolic or just not apostolic at all.

I'm not trying to be crude and offensive, just makes me mad to see this forum labeled as Apostolic and it's really not. If there are apostolics here though, that makes me feel better.

Maybe about 25% on this forum really believe this.. Just my observation and opinion. I believe it. Not the best forum to spend much time on.

[Amanah]

Welcome to the Forum, GITA. :hello

There are various viewpoints represented on this forum.
We overwhelmingly agree, with the rare exception, that God is the answer.

[GODisTheAnswer]

Maybe about 25% on this forum really believe this.. Just my observation and opinion. I believe it. Not the best forum to spend much time on.

Yeah, see what you are saying. Thanks.

[Sam]

Welcome to the forum.
As you have seen, there is a lot of diversity among Apostolics.

[GODisTheAnswer]

I think alot of what it is is "make everyone happy." Real Apostolics, are nice and everything, but they don't call people that believe false doctrine their brothers. Or believe stuff that is false doctrine. I know at the end of the day its really a matter of opinion in some peoples eyes, but is Bible. The Bible says "what fellowship hath light with darkness?"

You can't take the truth, and just modify it to your liking, or your personal taste and be happy with it and think you'll be saved. This isn't moral relativism, what you learn in college and high school. There is only one way to be saved according to the Bible - it's not a matter of how we interpret it.

I am honestly sick of seeing people that think they can interpret the Bible in their own way, and think they'll still be saved.

One thing is, Holiness - it isn't all about the outside appearance but that is a part of it. Holiness begins within when you get the holy ghost, but after that you should want to dress modestly. The bible talks about "adorning of the hair..." etc.

Really bothers me that people are accepting people that believe false doctrine as their brothers. It doesn't work that way, sorry.

[GODisTheAnswer]

I know AFF defines apostolic as being something else, but not even sure they themselves are genuine apostolic.

Apostolics are:
- Modest in dress
- Believe there is only One God, not three persons in the God head
- Believe there is only one way to be saved, repentance, then baptism in emersion of water in Jesus' Name


I guess this world is so warped and it's affected the church.

@Sam, your signature bothers me Sir. It says"

" Apostolic in doctrine
Pentecostal in experience
Charismatic in practice
Non-denominational in affiliation
Inter-denominational in fellowship "

Why aren't you just ONE of those in all areas? You really aren't a genuine pentecostal if you are "charismatic" in practice. Then "non-denominational" in affiliation - really?

Sorry, but this isn't a real apostolic forum people. Someone better 'fess up and make it plain that it isn't.

[GODisTheAnswer]

In this type of thinking, one can say that Muslims will be saved. Or Mormons, or Catholics and so on.

There are not divergent views that are right. Apostolic isn't a genre like music, it's a doctrine - if you don't believe ALL of it and live it - you aren't Apostolic.

[RandyWayne]

GODisTheAnswer,

Welcome to the forum!

This song is for you!
http://apostolicfriendsforum.com/picture.php?albumid=225&pictureid=1268

[Sam]

@Sam, your signature bothers me Sir. It says"

" Apostolic in doctrine
Pentecostal in experience
Charismatic in practice
Non-denominational in affiliation
Inter-denominational in fellowship "

Why aren't you just ONE of those in all areas? You really aren't a genuine pentecostal if you are "charismatic" in practice. Then "non-denominational" in affiliation - really?

Sorry, but this isn't a real apostolic forum people. Someone better 'fess up and make it plain that it isn't.


So we have a new member (or maybe a current or former member under a new name) and in in this new member's 13th post he or she attacks me and tells me, "you really aren't a genuine pentecostal...." So now I'm not a genuine pentecostal because GODisTheAnswer says so? Now someone who calls himself/herself "GODisTheAnswer" has the only valid definition of not only what "Apostolic" is but also what "Pentecostal" is also?

First, let me tell you a little about myself.
I am 74 years old, will be 75 before the end of this year if Jesus has not called me home in death or in the rapture by then.
I was saved (justified/born again) at the age of 17 on a Monday night March 28, 1955.
I was baptized in the name of Jesus Christ at Elim Tabernacle (UPC) in Milwaukee,Wisconsin on a Thursday night October 27, 1955.
I received the HGB (Holy Ghost Baptism) at Bethel Tabernacle (UPC) on a Sunday night (Pentecost Sunday) May 20, 1956.
I have been serving God for over half a century in various ministries.
I am an elder.

If you are going to "rebuke" me or "accuse" me, I suggest you follow Scriptural guidelines such as:
"Rebuke not an elder, but intreat him as a father..." 1 Timothy 5:1
"Against an elder receive not an accusation, but before two or three witnesses...." 1 Timothy 5:19.

It looks like you do not agree with some of the things I have said in my signature. Maybe that is because you do not understand what I mean so I will give a brief explanation.
"Apostolic in doctrine" means that I believe what the Apostles taught and what has become our New Testament.
"Pentecostal in Experience" means that I have received the same baptism in the Holy Spirit that about 1/4 of the early church (about 120 of over 500 believers) received on the Day of Pentecost as recorded in Acts chapter 2.
"Charismatic in practice" means that I believe the charismatic gifts experienced in the first century church are still valid for today and that I practice those gifts by praying in tongues, teaching, laying hands on people,etc.
"Non-denominational in affiliation" means that I do not belong to any of the recognized religious denominations. I am however, an ordained minister in an organization with roots back to 1927 when Bishop Mark Lawson chartered a group called "The Church of Jesus Christ" and also in my local Church, The Hamilton Dream Center. I am also listed/certified as a minister by the State of Ohio and have legal authority to solemnize marriages in the state.
"Inter-denominational in fellowship" means that I do not limit my fellowship to any single or group of denominations/organizations but recognize all members of the Body of Christ as brothers and sisters.

[AreYouReady?]

Brother Sam is a true Apostolic brother in Christ.

I am appalled that anybody would attack this brother's walk with Christ.

[Jabez]

I am however, an ordained minister in an organization with roots back to 1927 when Bishop Mark Lawson chartered a group called "The Church of Jesus Christ" and also in my local Church, The Hamilton Dream Center.

I see that you are familiar with Brother Mark Lawson. This brother came into our area in the middle twenties. My grandmother, grandfather and my mother received the Holy Ghost under his ministry and was baptized in Jesus Name by a man named TC Montgomery.

In the middle 60's Brother Mark Lawson came to visit my mother and grandmother while I was attending school. He spent most of the whole day with them visiting. He talked to my grandmother and mother about a near-death experience he had earlier in life. He said he heard all of the people talking about him being dead, but he was not able to speak back to them. He also told mother more, but I was so young that I cannot remember everything that was said. But, I remember plainly Bro Lawson coming into the house, kneeling down by the fireplace and praying for God to bless our home and our family. My mother and grandmother were truly touched by this prayer. I have not heard anymore about this man of God since except my former pastor told me that Brother Lawson *backslid* without giving me any reason why he believed so. I told my mother what he said and my mother did not believe that story at all.

This has been more than 40 years ago and I still remember how impressed my mother and grandmother was concerning Brother Lawson ... and my mother and grandmother was not easily impressed.

I said all of that to say this, I believe that when he prayed for our family back then, his prayer had something to do with God remembering me. I went to a revival in 1979 and it was my first visit to a pentecostal church. I received the Holy Ghost that same night and my life was forever changed.

[Margies3]

Brother Sam is a true Apostolic brother in Christ.

I am appalled that anybody would attack this brother's walk with Christ.

:thumbsup:thumbsup:thumbsup:thumbsup:thumbsup:thum bsup

PLEASE! Imagine coming on here for the first time and starting a thread specifically to attack the people you (supposedly) don't even know yet. Right. Like we're fooled by this at all. Good grief!

[Sam]

I see that you are familiar with Brother Mark Lawson. This brother came into our area in the middle twenties. My grandmother, grandfather and my mother received the Holy Ghost under his ministry and was baptized in Jesus Name by a man named TC Montgomery.

In the middle 60's Brother Mark Lawson came to visit my mother and grandmother while I was attending school. He spent most of the whole day with them visiting. He talked to my grandmother and mother about a near-death experience he had earlier in life. He said he heard all of the people talking about him being dead, but he was not able to speak back to them. He also told mother more, but I was so young that I cannot remember everything that was said. But, I remember plainly Bro Lawson coming into the house, kneeling down by the fireplace and praying for God to bless our home and our family. My mother and grandmother were truly touched by this prayer. I have not heard anymore about this man of God since except my former pastor told me that Brother Lawson *backslid* without giving me any reason why he believed so. I told my mother what he said and my mother did not believe that story at all.

This has been more than 40 years ago and I still remember how impressed my mother and grandmother was concerning Brother Lawson ... and my mother and grandmother was not easily impressed.

I said all of that to say this, I believe that when he prayed for our family back then, his prayer had something to do with God remembering me. I went to a revival in 1979 and it was my first visit to a pentecostal church. I received the Holy Ghost that same night and my life was forever changed.

In 1959 I went to Charleston, WV to a convention of the Church of Jesus Christ. Bishop Mark Lawson was still alive at that time. While there I saw a minister and his wife, Bobby and Mae Winstead, that I had previously met in Niles, MI. I stayed with them and with some members of their church for a few days and preached at a midweek service in a small church they were pastoring there. Before I left to return to Cincinnati I applied for a ministerial license with The Church of Jesus Christ. Bishop Mark Lawson was alive at that time and was the Presiding Bishop of the organization. His son Elder Boyd Lawson was pastoring a small store front church in Louisville, KY. Shortly after returning to Ohio I sent my license back to the CoJC HQ because I was attending a UPC church and doing some teaching and preaching there and did not want to cause any conflict being licensed with another organization.

In October 1960 Bishop Mark Lawson died and shortly afterward the Bishop Board ordained Boyd Lawson as a Bishop and he became Presiding Bishop of the Church of Jesus Christ. He served in that office until 1961 when he resigned because some of the Bishops thought he was too young to serve in that capacity. Bishop G. Calvin Brown of Oxford, PA became Presiding Bishop.

One night in 1968 Boyd Lawson had a dream and was told to go to the Charter Office in Nashville, TN and the Patent Office in Washington, DC and check on the charter for the organization. He found out that both the state and national charter were within 24 hours of expiring. He paid up the dues and then notified ministers who had been part of the CoJC over the years and they re-established the CoJC. The group presided over by Bishop Brown in Pennsylvania had since chartered another organization known as The Church of Jesus Christ Apostolic. Bishop Boyd Lawson continued to chair the CoJC until 1975 when he resigned after some health problems and some financial problems.

In 1978, Boyd Lawson chartered The Church of Jesus Christ in Cleveland, TN. It is also known as the Churches of Jesus Christ International. Their web site is http://thecojcint.net/ That is the group with which I am ordained.

Bishop Boyd Lawson is over 80 years old and is not in very good health. I don't know just how much longer he will be around and what will become of the organization after his death.

I have never heard anything about Mark Lawson backsliding so that might just be a rumor.

[Jabez]

I was mistaken about the years in which he was at our home because I was very young. Sometimes years can just run together as time races on, but I do remember my mother talking about Brother Mark Lawson being in our home. However, my mother used to relate that story over and over to me and when she talked about it, she would relate the story just like it happened yesterday. It made that much of an impression on her and the fact that a preacher actually came to the home and prayed a long prayer for the family is very rare in these parts. I just assumed it was in the 60s but it could have very well been in the 50's.

My former pastor who said that Brother Lawson was backslid to me, used to belong to three different charters. The Church of Jesus Christ was one of them before he finally settled on UPC. So, saying that Brother Lawson was backslid could have just been his opinion and not factual.

[AreYouReady?]

:thumbsup:thumbsup:thumbsup:thumbsup:thumbsup:thum bsup

PLEASE! Imagine coming on here for the first time and starting a thread specifically to attack the people you (supposedly) don't even know yet. Right. Like we're fooled by this at all. Good grief!

I got the same feeling you got.

[Margies3]

I got the same feeling you got.

some churches would call that the gift of discernment.

[Sister Alvear]

Why would anyone want to get on here just to tell us off?

[Cindy]

I know AFF defines apostolic as being something else, but not even sure they themselves are genuine apostolic.

Apostolics are:
- Modest in dress
- Believe there is only One God, not three persons in the God head
- Believe there is only one way to be saved, repentance, then baptism in emersion of water in Jesus' Name


I guess this world is so warped and it's affected the church.

@Sam, your signature bothers me Sir. It says"

" Apostolic in doctrine
Pentecostal in experience
Charismatic in practice
Non-denominational in affiliation
Inter-denominational in fellowship "

Why aren't you just ONE of those in all areas? You really aren't a genuine pentecostal if you are "charismatic" in practice. Then "non-denominational" in affiliation - really?

Sorry, but this isn't a real apostolic forum people. Someone better 'fess up and make it plain that it isn't.

Are you kidding me? You put modest in dress, BEFORE believing in One God. And do you really think you want to come here and accuse others of their beliefs being wrong, and you don't even know them? We do NOT allow attacks on other members. Now I will try to be kind in spirit to you as I am with all our members. It is hard to discuss things sometimes and misunderstand without being face to face. We are ALL entitled to our beliefs. We don't all agree, even with the definition of Apostolic. So, YOU are just as welcome to post as anyone else, as long as you follow the rules of posting. One of them is not arguing with Admin publicly, if you have a problem with ME please PM me or any other Admin.

[Cindy]

To all our posters, I apologize if I have offended anyone. I did get angry at a poster's attack on another member. I do NOT judge other's walk with God, because of an organization or a title. I respect all of our members, and I try to be kind.
God knows our hearts, and I always want to follow Jesus Christ on this forum as well as in my life.

[Margies3]

Are you kidding me? You put modest in dress, BEFORE believing in One God. And do you really think you want to come here and accuse others of their beliefs being wrong, and you don't even know them? We do NOT allow attacks on other members. Now I will try to be kind in spirit to you as I am with all our members. It is hard to discuss things sometimes and misunderstand without being face to face. We are ALL entitled to our beliefs. We don't all agree, even with the definition of Apostolic. So, YOU are just as welcome to post as anyone else, as long as you follow the rules of posting. One of them is not arguing with Admin publicly, if you have a problem with ME please PM me or any other Admin.

To all our posters, I apologize if I have offended anyone. I did get angry at a poster's attack on another member. I do NOT judge other's walk with God, because of an organization or a title. I respect all of our members, and I try to be kind.
God knows our hearts, and I always want to follow Jesus Christ on this forum as well as in my life.

Cindy, I don't see where you have anything at all to apologize for. But your spirit is so sweet and so pure that I can understand why you would do so. You are a treasure here on AFF. We all love ya!

[AreYouReady?]

Cindy, I don't see where you have anything at all to apologize for. But your spirit is so sweet and so pure that I can understand why you would do so. You are a treasure here on AFF. We all love ya!

Yep!

[RandyWayne]

Cindy, I don't see where you have anything at all to apologize for. But your spirit is so sweet and so pure that I can understand why you would do so. You are a treasure here on AFF. We all love ya!

.....except when she's beating someone with a rubber hose.

:heeheehee

[RandyWayne]

Ya, and I also got the distinct feeling that our "new" member is an old member trying to have a bit of fun.

[Cindy]

.....except when she's beating someone with a rubber hose.

:heeheehee

:smack :happydance :happydance