You are my brethren

[bbyrd009]

Originally Posted by n david

Sorry, the question is a bit murky, but I think I get the gist.
1) what's the difference in my attitude/actions between those I consider brothers/sisters in Christ and those who are not;
2) how do I make a judgement of who is 'in Christ'?...

Ok, well answered; but we have come a ways from the days when 'church' was the community we lived in. Practically speaking, we are in a different world now. So I'm curious how you might judge a stranger with whom circumstances have thrown you together, with this model? What I see happening in reality is that folks with this mindset tend to exclude all as brothers until some arbitrary, and usually pointless, benchmark is perceived to have occurred in the part of the other; rather than the other way around?

[bbyrd009]

"I thank you, God, that I am like the rest of men."
Thomas Merton, Bystander

[FlamingZword]

Originally Posted by Titus2woman

Hummm... lemme see... how do I know you as my brother or sister in Christ?

1. You profess with your mouth that Jesus Christ is the Lord of your life and are able to give an honest testimony of how the Holy Spirit changed you. 2. Your actions do not belie those words. 3. If you slip you are quick to repent, be reconciled, and move back to your right place on your journey, in Him.

Lots of other things are bonus and make you more interesting to discourse with and more trusted for counsel as you mature in your walk... Some of those things are submission to believers baptism, giftings, correct theology, a solid knowledge of the Word, good works... I like 'em all... but the basics are listed above.

All the rest is you as a person and I really appreciate the diversity of God's handiwork. The colorfulness of our differences makes planet earth a great place to hang out for a lifetime and learn about each other.

As Apostolics we have to establish a common ground as to what constitutes an apostolic.
Everyone needs to define for themselves who is acceptable as a brother, how much difference can someone have before he or she is not longer considered an Apostolic.

I am fully aware that within the Apostolic ranks there is a wide diversity, and some brethren lean too far this way or that way.

There are some apostolics that are so strict in their definition of who really is an apostolic, that they basically only consider brethren those who only are in their same denomination or even just those in their own church.

However I am of the point of view that Apostolics is more than just a single denomination, my kind of Apostolic beliefs encompass brethren that are from different denominations and even some that others would consider almost heretical.

[bbyrd009]

Originally Posted by FlamingZword

As Apostolics we have to establish a common ground as to what constitutes an apostolic.
Everyone needs to define for themselves who is acceptable as a brother, how much difference can someone have before he or she is not longer considered an Apostolic...

Hmm, well I would say that it is precisely this that you cannot successfully do...

Or, what is the practical end result of this? Turning away from those that the Holy Spirit has put in your path.

[Titus2woman]

Originally Posted by FlamingZword

they basically only consider brethren those who only are in their same denomination or even just those in their own church.

However I am of the point of view that Apostolics is more than just a single denomination, my kind of Apostolic beliefs encompass brethren that are from different denominations and even some that others would consider almost heretical.

I come from one of those churches that believes that they are really the only ones going to heaven. It's a huge reason that I left.

My view of God and His desire to see all saved and His ability to accomplish His desire has really changed. Its not that I think much differently doctrinally, It's that now I think God can get around my doctrine and everybody elses just fine to see His will done.

[FlamingZword]

Originally Posted by bbyrd009

Hmm, well I would say that it is precisely this that you cannot successfully do...

Or, what is the practical end result of this? Turning away from those that the Holy Spirit has put in your path.

The Apostle Paul warned us of false "Christians" those who pretend to be Christians and are instead ravening wolves who bring in damnable heresies, and to stay away from such.

We have an abundance of false "Brethren" even within the Apostolic Camp.

They come in a saying they believe the Acts 2:38 message but then they start undermining it. They say they believe in one God, but pretty soon they are starting to talk like Trinitarians.

Those wolves come in in sheep clothing, they pretend to be pure believers but in time they little by little reveal themselves by deviating from the path of truth and taking others along their crooked path.

[Aquila]

If you are born again through the Acts 2:38 message, I call you my brother or sister. I don't care if you've identified yourself as gay, bi, or straight. In my eyes, you're a human being in need of the Saviour just like me. And there is far far more to you as a person than your sexuality. I'll continue to love you and to share Jesus with you. I will warn you (as I would any brother or sister in Christ) of the dangers inherent in many sins. I'll encourage you to lay down all the works of the flesh that hinder you spiritually and keep you from feeling God's love. I will not cease to love you should you fail to understand some things or have questions. I will not cease to love you should you struggle or fall. I'll encourage you to confess any sin and to go boldly to the throne of grace. I'll encourage you in the way of Christ as best I can, knowing and openly admitting that I too am a fellow traveler on this journey, having my own sins and weaknesses to confess before the throne of Abba Father.

[navygoat1998]

I call all who confess Christ as their Lord and Savior my brother/sister in Christ. For we all have fallen short of the Glory of God. In my walk I still believe Apostolic's our my family in the Lord even if they consider me a backslider.

I lose sleep when I eat a hamburger to late in the evening but I don't lose sleep over the judgment of man in my walk.

Don't kid yourself we all look through the dimly lit mirror. I have seen and been part of the power of God in those churches that you guys would not call your brother in Christ.

Religious snobbery on both sides!

[Farfel]

Originally Posted by navygoat1998

I call all who confess Christ as their Lord and Savior my brother/sister in Christ. For we all have fallen short of the Glory of God. In my walk I still believe Apostolic's our my family in the Lord even if they consider me a backslider.

I lose sleep when I eat a hamburger to late in the evening but I don't lose sleep over the judgment of man in my walk.

Don't kid yourself we all look through the dimly lit mirror. I have seen and been part of the power of God in those churches that you guys would not call your brother in Christ.

Religious snobbery on both sides!

AMEN!

[n david]

Originally Posted by Aquila

If you are born again through the Acts 2:38 message, I call you my brother or sister. I don't care if you've identified yourself as gay, bi, or straight.

How can a person who identifies themselves as gay or bi be born again through the Acts 2:38 message? It doesn't work.

Repent: if they're still identifying themselves as gay or bi, which both are in conflict with the Word, repentance is not complete.

Be baptized: anyone can be baptized, to be sure, but without the aforementioned repentance being complete, baptism is just a bath and remission of sins undone.

Ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost: if repentance was not done, and remission not complete, I don't believe the Holy Ghost can fill them.