New To This-can You Define Please?
 

Can someone define for me the difference between Evangelical and Apostolic? Can a Oneness church be considered Evangelical?

Re: New To This-can You Define Please?
 

After a little research, Evangelical is loosely applied to Protestants who believe in the born again doctrine. It embraces many flavors of religious beliefs. Apostolic is a set of beliefs based on the actions of the apostles. This is a much smaller group of believers (Pentecostal/Apostolic).

Re: New To This-can You Define Please?
 

Unless it used a apostolic with a small "a" which means the universal church, and is what the RCC calls itself.

:nod

Evangelical originally went more toward outreach philosophy than doctrine. Major emphasis on the Great Commission.

Re: New To This-can You Define Please?
 

So a Oneness church COULD be cosidered Evangelical, correct?

Re: New To This-can You Define Please?
 

No. Evangelicals consider themselves to be 'orthodox'. They hold to the first four to seven ecumenical creeds starting with Nicea. That makes them Trinitarian. They hold to the traditions and teachings of the reformers. And for the most part they are not Pentecostal.

Re: New To This-can You Define Please?
 

ok...bear with me please...then why do traveling oneness preachers call themselves evangelists?

Re: New To This-can You Define Please?
 

Dear Wrinklebottom,

In a broader definition of the term, Apostolics might be considered Evangelical, but not in the purist sense.

btw, glad that you are here.

Re: New To This-can You Define Please?
 

Evangelicals are generally protestant churches that emphasize "salvation by grace alone through faith alone" not to be confused with "Evangelistic"

Evan Gelicals are not necessarily a church organization, but there are Evangelical organizations that many churches or pastors belong to like accountability groups.

Re: New To This-can You Define Please?
 

Evangelicals are Trinitarian typically though....this comes from Wiki

The Bible is accepted by evangelicals as reliable and the ultimate authority in matters of faith and practice. The doctrines of sola scriptura and sola fide are often primary. The historicity of the miracles of Jesus and the virgin birth, crucifixion, resurrection, and Second Coming are asserted, although there are a variety of understandings of the end times and eschatology.
The characteristics of Evangelicalism as defined by David Bebbington, in his study of British evangelicalism, are known as the Bebbington Quadrilateral, [1], the four characteristics of evangelicals are :

1. Conversionism - Emphasis on the conversion experience, also called being saved, or new birth or born again after John 3:3. Thus evangelicals often refer to themselves as born-again Christians. This experience is said to be received by "faith alone" and to be given by God as the result of "grace alone".
2. Biblicism - The Protestant canon of the Bible, as God's revelation to humanity, is the primary source of religious authority. Thus, the doctrine of sola scriptura is often emphasized. Bible prophecy, especially as interpreted according to dispensationalism, is often emphasized as well.
3. Activism - Encouragement of evangelism—the act of persuading others of one's beliefs—in organized missionary work or by personal encounters and relationships with others.
4. Crucicentrism - A central focus on Christ's redeeming work on the cross as the only means for salvation and the forgiveness of sins.

John C. Green, director of the Ray C. Bliss Institute of Applied Politics at the University of Akron in Ohio, found in the 2004 American Religious Landscape Report[2] that despite many variations, evangelicals in the United States generally adhere to four core beliefs:

1. Biblical inerrancy
2. Salvation comes only through faith in Jesus and not good works (in particular the belief in atonement for sins at the cross and the resurrection of Christ) Scriptural references: John 14:6, Hebrews 9
3. Individuals (above an age of accountability) must personally trust in Jesus Christ for salvation.
4. All Christians are commissioned to evangelize and should be publicly baptized as a symbolic confession of faith. Scriptural reference: Matthew 28:19, Acts 1:8

An American summit on Bible inerrancy was held in Chicago, Illinois, in 1978 and the Chicago Statement on Biblical Inerrancy was signed by more than 200 evangelical scholars. Although some theologically conservative evangelicals hold to inerrancy, there is no absolute consensus among all evangelicals regarding biblical inerrancy; rather there is a general acceptance of biblical authority.



http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Evangelicalism

Re: New To This-can You Define Please?
 

Because they are EVAN GEL ISTS....not because they are EVAN GEL ICALS :-)

I suppose they can even call themselves Apostolic and Pentecostals or whatever they want. Catholics call themselves Apostolic too

Re: New To This-can You Define Please?
 

I have always considered myself under the "Evangelical" umberella.

If I recall I think Bro J L Hall wrote a booklet on this topic.

Re: New To This-can You Define Please?
 

What about a Oneness Church that doesn't have all the standards of the UPC? But believes stanchly in Acts 2:38. Would they be considered Apostolic?

Re: New To This-can You Define Please?
 

BTW- Praxeas---though much appreciated and very informing, I am NOT a biblical scholar, and sometimes need things explained in laymans terms! Hence- all my methodical questions. Please again, bear with me!

Re: New To This-can You Define Please?
 

lol....

Re: New To This-can You Define Please?
 

I am quoting MYSELF to see if anyone can answer this question...or WILL answer this question for me........

Re: New To This-can You Define Please?
 

They would consider themselves to be Apostolic. Trinitarians would probably consider them Apostolic.
Groups of Pentecostals that are more conservative in key doctrines might argue that they are not, indeed, authentic Apostolics.

Re: New To This-can You Define Please?
 

ok..I know I am opening myself up for this one, but the UPC would consider them??? ......(remember... same Acts 2:38 beliefs but different standards)....

Re: New To This-can You Define Please?
 

It would depend on what district they were in as to whether the UPC would consider them worthy of membership or a group whose very existence would scarcely be mentioned.

The UPC is a structure of governance, not necessarily a homogenized group of believers.

Re: New To This-can You Define Please?
 

Well, I'm not UPCI but I'm still considered Apostolic. As far as standards go that varys church by church even in the UPCI.

Re: New To This-can You Define Please?
 

Wish I would have saw this one before I answered your last one, could have combined answers. Most UPCI folks I've met consider me their brother. I've preached in a UPCI church, made friends in the UPCI, I just don't have the membership card to the org, but we have the same membership card to the kingdom and that's what counts.

Re: New To This-can You Define Please?
 

thank you brothjason-that is what it is all about isn't it!!:hug3
Now what if I said (again remembering-stanch Acts 2:38 followers) but allow women to wear pants and cut hair. Would you preach at a church like this?
--Thanking you in advance for your truthful answers...and anyone else who would like to jump in.......:ty2

Re: New To This-can You Define Please?
 

Part of the five-fold ministry in the bible; evangelists, apostles, prophets, pastors, teachers

Re: New To This-can You Define Please?
 

Also does the UPC or UPCI (I dont care which one, and frankly cant keep the titles straight...)have Bishops and Pastors like some other denominations do?

Re: New To This-can You Define Please?
 

Sorry....I am again quoting myself in hopes of getting an answer to this question.........

Re: New To This-can You Define Please?
 

Majority are called pastors.

Re: New To This-can You Define Please?
 

the use of the term "Bishops" is returning to some general usage in the UPC but the application can be misleading.

the UPC (a member-minister fellowship organization) has had a general superintendent, and each district has a district superintendant. Each district has certain specialty role players but the oversight of the member ministers is primarily established by a set of presbyters based on sections of each district.


The UPCI is NOT denominal; meaning authority does not denominate from the top down. There is not one guy at the top, who then talks to his next level who tells the next level....and so on. Each member-minister is an autonomous agent but to remain in fellowship with the member-minister group, he must conduct his affairs within the construct of bylaws (and affirmations) identified in a manual.

The same word that is translated as bishop can be translated as superintendant; overseer. Bishops in the UPC(I) normally pertain to founding pastors who have been involved in having a role in sponsoring "daughter-works"; a bishop title becomes purposeful because of a plurality of pastors related to various congregations all connecting back to some sponsoring assembly. To a lesser degree, it has become a term of endearment for some folks who choose to add a title to person of significance in their own life. The title seems to encapsulate a certain high recognition; a kind of honoring by creating distinction.

So the word does not mean anything specific within the member-minister organization but does have an increasing application at the local church level where individual founders have their own form of demoninal (hierarchal) structure.


Hope this helps and I hope you feel welcome at this little corner of cyberspace. Please note: If you are relatively new to this forum, it is the result of a human construct, don't judge God or the work of his Spirit by an internet forum.

regards,
tbpew

Re: New To This-can You Define Please?
 

What is a winkle bottom?:tvhappy

Re: New To This-can You Define Please?
 

Thank you!! This helps a lot!!!

Re: New To This-can You Define Please?
 

Heavy on the Winkle...not WRINKLE!!!!:toofunny

Re: New To This-can You Define Please?
 

I would only add that in recent years, it has become in vogue for retireing pastors to set up a process where they maintian some say in the function of their church by creating a position of Bishop in the church bylaws before turning over to a new "Sr. Pastor"

the trend seems to be that the old pastor (new Bishop) will not have a part in day to day operations. but my have some roll on a church board, or in the even that the newly elected pastor leaves the assymbly, the Bishop can direct the search for a new Sr. Pastor.

other that this addition, I agree with tbpew.