My definition of Apostolic and othes definitions please share
 

A brother asked me if I was Apostolic. Wow, to me that is a word that requires a pretty big definition. In other words, I do not believe the most common or 'popular definition' really fits in when I think about being Apostolic. But in this thread I will at time attempt to share my definition of what it means to be 'Apostolic' and it's my hope others will share and who knows- maybe we'll learn something?

To me Apostolic would mean to follow a teaching passed on by the apostles that walked with Jesus.

They believed in following Jesus and listening/adhering as closely as they could to his various teaching.

Some of the beliefs included confession of Jesus, confession of your sin, turning from your old ways, (repentance), baptisms, healing and miracles, love the Lord with all your heart, mind soul and strength. The belief in One God. the belief the Jesus took away the sins of the world.

Well, here is a start. I could go on and on but that is it for now.

What do you all think?

Did the apostles and the first century Christians take part in the entertianment of the first century Roman Empire?

In Jesus name

Brother Benincasa

www.OnTimeJournal.com

Not in the first century, but by the the second century the Christians were a part of the "entertainment."

This goes to the heart of "entertainment." In the Roman era gladiatorial fights were common. These included fights against wild animals and between human contestants. The circuses were huge affairs with extravagant and bloody events. About the only thing that remains from the Roman times is the organ music. To this day organ music is synonymous with circuses.

You don't listen to any organ music, do you bro?

Roman entertianment went further than the circus.

Nero wanted to be known for his acting and poetry.

So my question is to WBF, did the first century Christians partake in the entertainment of their times?

To preach-practice-live the doctrine of the Apostles. NOT just but including Acts 2:38 as the ONLY saving message in this dispensation.

We focus so much on being Apostolic we forget to be Christians.

There is half the new Testement that could be preached on this subject.

Nathan

You can be Apostolic and NOT be a Christian but you CANNOT be a Christian and NOT be Apostolic.

While we, who call ourselves Apostolic, do strive to follow the teachings of the Apostles, it should be remembered that the early disciples were called Christians, which means "a follower of Christ." We should seek to be called "Christians FIRST", Apostolic, second. "To be like JESUS", should always be our first and foremost priority.

Act 11:26 And when he had found him, he brought him unto Antioch. And it came to pass, that a whole year they assembled themselves with the church, and taught much people. And the disciples were called Christians first in Antioch.

Really?

So, you feel someone can be Apostolic by your definition and not be a Christian?

Paul mentioned and compared his walk with several things in the early olympic games.

He "ran his race" He spoke of recieving "a crown"

Paul said he fought, not as one that "beat the air" ( an early olympic sport)

He even said "lay aside every wieght" (The early olmpians in rome would lay aside the wieght of thei clothing to be able to run faster)

If you are trying to paint Paul as a wacked out Ultra Con, I don't think he was.

He missed great oportunities to condemn those sports he made reference to..BUT he did not.

That made my head spin:

I'm pretty sure he meant it the other way around, of course, don't want to be putting words in his mouth.

Apostolic beliefs and actions are inclusive of being a Christian or disciple of Jesus. When one says they are Apostolic, I take it for granted that they are Christian and strive to be a disciple of Jesus. The apostles had already experienced this previous to the day of Pentecost.

Neck, is Apostolic a dirty word to you?

Not a bad word. I can tell you the PCI and PA-JC decided to leave it out of newly formed organization name. Becasue of the negative view of the term in the 40's.

They did not think highly of using it so why the buzz today....

Call yourself Pentecostal/Oneness...

Okay.

I think Pentecostal is a buzz word today, too popular. Apostolic holds someone to more depth, ironically (in light of what you have posted), in following Jesus. Pentecostals believe in the day of pentecost only, too many times.

AMEN

True

It was said elsewhere on this thread that to be Apostolic one must "preach, practice and live" what the Apostles preach. Then, here, we find one can be Apostolic and not be a Christian. Isn't "preaching, practicing, and living" what the Apostles taught the same thing as being a Christain? How is one Apostolic but not a Christian?

An Apostle is one who is sent...

Sent by whom? Answer: Jesus...Go ye into all the world and preach the Gospel. He that believeth and is baptized, the same shall be saved. He that believeth not shall be damed. These signs...(the Apostolic SIGNS) that Paul said that he had in his ministry, shall follow them that BELIEVE (practice and preach the Gospel) in my name they shall...(work miracles).

So, the definition of Apostolic, in short, are those who BELIEVE THE GOSPEL, GO PREACH IT and WORK MIRACLES in the name of Jesus.

Some folk think that being Apostolic is preaching the Apostles. :lol

To be apostolic you will preach Acts 2:38 as being the ONLY way to be saved. You will also believe in one God. Also, I think that you must believe in holiness inside and out.

That Bible says, Ps 24:3-4
3 Who shall ascend into the hill of the LORD? or who shall stand in his holy place?
4 He that hath clean hands (outward holiness), and a pure heart (inward holiness); who hath not lifted up his soul unto vanity, nor sworn deceitfully.
KJV


If are really going to be apostolic we will have both.

I beleive the Welcome page to this forum pretty much sums it up.

I agree with you..

The problem with outward holiness (standards)

"There are just to many holes in the teachings"

Not with all of them. Most of them a based on Biblical principle but since there are holes in teachings of somethings should we just throw all of them out? Don't you think it would be better to look at all of them with scripture and keep those that are found in the Word?

What I don't get is why you guys want to throw all of them away instead of looking to see what is found in scripture and what is just opinions. Also before you through away all the "traditions" remember this scripture. 2 Thess 2:15
15 Therefore, brethren, stand fast, and hold the traditions which ye have been taught, whether by word, or our epistle.
KJV

Every man must work out his own salvation with fear and trembling, but don't attack those who want to hold to all the traditions they have been taught. There is nothing wrong with living them.

I'm not trying to speak for Epley, so he can clarify this further if he likes...
but from how I understood his comment, I don't see that there's any contradiction there all.

A person can call identify themselves as Apostolic but not be a true Christian in their character.

But anyone who is a true Christian according to the word of God will be Apostolic, in the sense that they have submitted to the Acts 2:38 plan of salvation.

That sounds like what he was trying to say. And I happen to agree.


...

If you read the rest of Psalms 24 it reveals He who ascends into the hill of the Lord....7 Lift up your heads, O you gates;
be lifted up, you ancient doors,
that the King of glory may come in.

8 Who is this King of glory?
The LORD strong and mighty,
the LORD mighty in battle.

9 Lift up your heads, O you gates;
lift them up, you ancient doors,
that the King of glory may come in.

10 Who is he, this King of glory?
The LORD Almighty—
he is the King of glory.
Selah

The only way we can ascend the hill of the Lord is by being covered by His righteousness. The righteousness that comes by faith.

a

When I walk in his righteousness it will reflect in outward holiness.

As a general statement I agree...however, you and i might mean something different by saying it. I don't know.

a

The Azuza Street folks (William Seymore) were good with using it, as seen on this page.



http://www.videirasampa.org.br/porta...avivamento.asp

Interesting question. Since I am Greek I always thought that Apostolic meant what it always meant. Apostolos means something like "one sent with a message"....so Apostolic means "one who is sent"...or literally..."sent from afar".

You crack me up, E.B. It's good to see you.

What about it WBF? http://www.apostolicfriendsforum.com...cons/icon7.gif

Either way you can get caught in a trap of buzz words and labels.

Around a billion professioning Christians say that they are a part of the "One, Holy and Catholic Apostolic Church..." whenever they find themselves in a church.

When we introduce ourselves to them, what do you think "Apostolic" brings to their minds? For most "Apostolic" means the heavy smell of incense and archaic liturgical languages.

Our buzz words really only fir within the experiences of a certain segment of the U.S. The same segment that we seem to devout 99% of our evangelistic efforts.

I understand and appreciate what "apostolic" means on this forum, to Pentecostals. However, to me, in describing a church as "apostolic", it means that they are going out and planting other works - duplicating themselves in other locations. That's what a true apostle does - he plants churches in new places and oversees them. In that sense, our church is definitely apostolic. In the church world as a whole, "apostolic" has a whole different meaning than it does to OP's. There are a lot of conferences offered for apostolic churches, and it has NOTHING to do with Pentecostalism.

In the scriptures you have a person say "what must I do to be saved?"
Do you remember what the response from an Apostolic preacher was?

Maybe I'll give you 1 dollar if you quote it word for word.

And here is where your definition and mine do not fit together.

You say it will reflect outward holiness. I say if you walk his His righteousness you will reflect Jesus. For Jesus is my holiness. If I say I reflect in outward holiness I have something to boast.

Oh thanks- I like that definition!

Do you think you can reflect Jesus and NOT have outward holiness? If you reflect (look like the world around you) then you are not reflecting Jesus.

What is looking like the world? You mean a woman wearing pants? Yes, they can and do reflect Jesus.

My point is my definition is that Jesus is our holiness. We have nothing to glory about and we can't claim it for ourselves.

We must learn to give Jesus the glory for everything that is good and holy.

Are you going to skip this one Joseph?

Acts 2:38
38 Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.
KJV