UPC Districts and Gifts of the Spirit
 

I was recently informed that the former DS of the upc district that surrounds me did not believe in the gifts of the Spirit. I think alot of the churches in this district still don't believe in using the gifts of the Spirit is it like this in your upc district or the district that surrounds you?

You are somewhat misinformed. Although the OK district was scared to death by the latter splatter movement in the 1950s, they DO believe in the gifts of the Spirit. What they oppose is the "wild fire" that goes on in some places where the Word is overshadowed by and not quite in line with the operation of said gifts. It is their opinion that there is a divine parallel and that the Word and Spirit will be perfectly parallel.

I will admit that this type of teaching did create a fear in many to the point that they would, as a little girl in our church used to say, SQUENCH the Spirit and after enough time of squenching the Spirit it seemed to almost disappear from their worship altogether.

There are some on here who accuse the AMF/ACI brethren of not believing in the operation of the gifts. That is not the reality but to some it is the perception.

This is part of the legacy of the great Northwest, too. The operation and use of the gifts of the Spirit was rarely taught when I was growing up, and then only with the emphasis on the scriptures that explain that the gifts don't negate or supercede ministerial/pastoral authority. I spent most of my childhood, in a UPC church, believing that the only available gifts of the Spirit were tongues and interpretation (and then only once in a great while could they happen, and would only come from 'super spiritual' people). It was not until I was in high school that this began to change in the church I grew up in.

Now, this mindset is being replaced by correct doctrinal understanding, and the gifts of the Spirit are more manifest in congregations, at least here in the Oregon District.

Bro,

I do not believe it is that the AMF itself does not believe in the gifts. I believe if you asked every minister that is part of that fellowship, you would get a unanimous "YES, I do believe in the gifts". I think, just as you spoke about OK, some in the AMF hold the reigns so tight that the gifts are not allowed to operate. I have heard from one minister that this is changing, and for that I rejoice. These are some of the finest men I have known in my life, though I don't know them half as much as I would like.

You must be from Texas.

St. Matt,

i am sorry if you got from my quote that I was accusing any of the brethren, Okies or AMF/ACI, of not believing in the gifts. I was simply pointing out that this is a PERCEPTION of some but it is the reality for only a VERY FEW!

I concur with your view of both groups of men... some of the finest I have ever known and I love their fellowship.

I know for a fact that the tight rein has changed significantly in OK and I have never really seen it in action in the AMF/ACI/GIB circles.

It was still like this when we left the district a few short months ago. (at least in our area)

I think that if you ask most Apostolics if you believe in gifts, almost everyone would say that they are open to the gifts. But the problem with that mindset is that we are commanded to seek the gifts, even to covet them.

Some think that being open to the Lord in this area is commendable, but ask yourself, if your stock broker said that he was open to making you some money, would you leave your money with him. I would want someone who's passion would be to make money.

We should be likewise passionate about pursuing God and his gifts.

I live in Texas and I believe firmly in the Gifts of the Spirit. I am pretty sure that our DS does also. But I have not checked with him personally. Pure speculation.

Those who have experienced the gifts believe in them. Those who have not do not believe in them.