[Bro Flame]

Originally Posted by Evang.Benincasa

Well, looks like this place is deader than fried chicken. I'll just go through this post and give my opinions. Seeing that Bro Flame ditches when he is quizzed on any post he has posted in the past. Again, just my opinion.

Well, I don't get on AFF a lot anymore, and my intention is never to abandon a conversation when I'm questioned. But I don't want to argue, at least not anymore. I just post my beliefs, my opinions, my convictions, and move on. And sometimes I honestly forget what's going on here on AFF because I'm rarely here. I just recently come back when it popped into my head. We've been so busy.

Originally Posted by Evang.Benincasa

You only been in this for maybe about 10 years?

Correct. I first came into an Apostolic church in February 2015, but it was a little bit before I repented, got baptized, and I didn't receive the Holy Ghost until February 2016.

Originally Posted by Evang.Benincasa

How many pastors did you have? Was the church collegiate of elders? Or were you counting the pastor's wife and children as "pastors?"

I guess from what I read in this post their fears were warranted.

I've addressed this question in other posts, but my father and mother-in-law are my pastors. They co-pastor. They are one in God and operate as one pastor. They are the headship or our assembly, the leaders God has instructed me to follow.

Originally Posted by Evang.Benincasa

This is an interesting paragraph. Yet, you would have to be willing to have an active dialogue in order to discuss it.

What are you questions? I will be as active as I can be in a discussion on clarifying anything or elaborating anything that I've said.

Originally Posted by Evang.Benincasa

Are you saying that these people were genuinely loving? That they cared for your welfare? Wanted to be your friend, other than feigning friendship in order to win you to their cause?

Yes, I do believe the people at the "charismatic church" I began attending were genuinely loving. They wanted me to come to church and they were well-known for helping people in and around their small community.

They were very welcoming and I got very close to them in a very short period of time. I was accepted as a member of their family and referred to them all as such, too. For instance, I called people "Aunt" and "Uncle" that weren't my biological relatives. I hung out at their houses, went to town with them, you name it.

Originally Posted by Evang.Benincasa

With all due respect. They were never actually convictions. But merely you trying to conform to a group. Therefore it was easy for you to strip naked and jump into the pool with the new group. Again, seems like your "pastors" and dad's fear was well warranted.

Here, you are wrong. I was genuinely convicted.

For example, I remember the day I felt God convicting me of wearing shorts. I wasn't entirely sure it was conviction that I had felt, or perhaps I wasn't wanting it to be conviction. I was in college at the time, and I wore shorts the very next day to school. I felt completely naked. I remember this empty feeling on my legs and I felt like everyone was staring at my legs -- which, I know wasn't true because my legs aren't anything to see.

But I did experience and answer genuine conviction. But I backed on it because I didn't want to live it. I had gotten around a group that told me I could have salvation without giving up as much. It was appealing to me, and I ran with it. I wanted it to be true.

Yes, the fears of my pastors and father were very much warranted.

Originally Posted by Evang.Benincasa

That's a little hard to believe. People are people, if they are hard set about something they believe in. I mean really believe in, they won't give it up. No matter what crew they are hanging out with at the time. Some frogs won't boil, no matter how slow you raise the heat. They are set in their ways, they believe what they believe. No backing up. Your "pastors" and dad knew you better than you knew you. It would seem from what I'm reading here.

Here, you are right. Had I genuinely believed it, I wouldn't have backed up on or left anything.

But that's the thing. I was always questioning and wishing God wasn't convicting me like He was doing. I didn't want to give up anything, but I wanted to live for God.

Originally Posted by Evang.Benincasa

Well, I'm glad to find out you at least don't listen to every female preacher.

This female preacher you're referencing knows better, too. She was raised better and taught better. If you were to spend time with her, she'll beging to brag on her parents, her mother particularly, and tell you about all the "traditions" she came out from under and how God has broadened her horizons.

Originally Posted by Evang.Benincasa

How many "pastors" did you (or still do) have?

This was answered above.

Originally Posted by Evang.Benincasa

You mentioned that you wore necklaces, bracelets, and rings? Are you saying that you actually wore necklaces (plural) bracelets (plural) and rings (plural)? Were you possessed by the spirit of MR. T? I'm sorry, but that struck me as funny.

Now, I was known to wear more than one bracelet, so I guess did channel Mr. T a little bit. I appreciate the sense of humor.