My New Lady Friend
 

Goes to a non-denominational church.

I visited her church for their Sunday afternoon service.

I felt the presence of the Lord.

I worshipped the Lord.

I listened to the sermon.

I was prophesied on.

I enjoyed the service.



And I know why I am Apostolic.

As much as at times I feel that I am so at odds with how I hear certain Biblical concepts explained, I realize that God has made me to be an Apostolic.

I don't believe others are lost just because they're not Apostolic, but it has been awhile since I have felt so very sure of what I believe, what I will teach, and what I will preach.


*We are saved by grace through faith.

*Faith must be demonstrated in order for it to be faith.

*Biblically, we are commanded to demonstrate that faith through repentance and water baptism, in the Name of Jesus Christ.

*The gift of the Holy Ghost is God's Promise to all believers and should be pursued by all believers.





I plan to speak with the Pastor of my new lady friend's church, letting him know where I stand on these most important issues. I will then ask him if he thinks that it is proper for me to pursue a relationship with one of his sheep.

If he says yes, cool.
If he says no, cool.

Either way, I'll be alright.



Folks, visiting that church made me so glad to know that I am an Apostolic.

I may not like all the traditions, but I know what I believe, and I'm so glad.

Re: My New Lady Friend
 

I'll be changing my picture out soon too! :)

Re: My New Lady Friend
 

What did you feel was missing?

Re: My New Lady Friend
 

Good idea. LOL

Re: My New Lady Friend
 

I can not put my finger on it exactly. I felt the liberty to praise and worship the Lord and I did. However, it was very clear to me that I am not supposed to be a member there.



The whole idea of "making a decision for Christ" or "accepting Him as your Lord and Savior", as presented there is simply not Biblical.

Re: My New Lady Friend
 

:)


Ha, ha, ha!

Re: My New Lady Friend
 

Jermyn, I DO think it's Biblical. I think too often in Pentecostal circles, people get emotional and respond to an appeal to repent at an altar, but lots of times they are not really changed. They go back out and live the same old way. If they really do "make a decision" for Jesus, then they will go out a changed individual. Repentance just means a change of direction - it's making a decision to turn your life around in the other direction. Nothing anti-Biblical about that, in my opinion.

There's nowhere in the Bible that says you have to come to an altar and weep all over everything when you repent. There's nothing wrong with that, but you can also stand at your seat and make a decision to follow Christ. I doubt if people in the apostles' day came and wept at an altar - they just left their old lifestyle and started in "the Way".

Hope that all makes sense!

Re: My New Lady Friend
 

Call me traditional, but I find it hard to believe that there is a genuine conversion without tears. How can you not show emotion when standing face to face with the realization of what you are, and what He did for you?

Re: My New Lady Friend
 

When I received the holy ghost (and blurted out something in tongues) it was while standing during song service. I kept praying over and over for "it" and finally uttered the words "God, I'm sorry....." (no weeping for an hour at the alter) and the words came out like somewhat like the feeling if you have ever woken up from sleep with a sudden jerk -I know this has happened to everyone at some point. At this point I had it.

But.... that didn't stop people from praying for me for 15-20 minute, en mass, around the alter at the end of the service. At this point I was young and my heart was an open book and I just thought 'live and let live', so I didn't fight it. If they thought it was necessary, what did I know?

Re: My New Lady Friend
 

If you weren't so narcissistic, you would realize it is very possible... and very common.

Oh yes, it is also possible to receive the Holy Ghost without the pastor shaking your head hard enough to make whatever your saying sound like an unknown tongue. It happened to me while standing during song service.