Do you still believe the doctrine after leaving? - Page 3

deltaguitar · #21 06-15-2009, 10:18 AM

I left the doctrine prior to leaving the standards. But that was because I didn't want to offend anyone around me who might still be holding to the standards. However, I stopped believing in the standards long long ago. Even back at the UPC it was acceptable to debate standards as long as we didn't touch the three-step doctrine.

For a long time I believed that we were saved at repentance and that we should strongly encourage new converts to seek after the Baptism of the Holy Ghost with the evidence in speaking in other tongues. I felt that "faith" wasn't enough and there had to be an outward sign that people had experienced God. I was still so caught up in the Pentecostal culture that I had a hard time letting it go. I didn't leave the UPC because I hated it I just couldn't teach people something I didn't believe anymore.

After leaving the UPC I started to admit that I wasn't really into the tongues stuff that much and not sure if I had ever really spoken in tongues. Some on this forum might remember my struggles early on because I couldn't have the pentecostal experience that I was taught was so important. However, only after finally admitting that I had never spoken in tongues and allowing myself to rest in the grace of Christ did I finally come to the understanding that I don't need tongues in order to follow Christ and if he wants me to speak in tongues he will give me that gift. I still seek after his presence and in prayer I feel the power of the Holy Ghost but I don't feel this need to speak in tongues anymore. I am not against speaking in tongues I just feel like I have the freedom to pray without trying to speak in tongues.

I guess I was so used to a church service where it wasn't church unless folks were speaking in tongues and falling out and all that. So, even though I didn't believe it anymore it was hard to leave what I had always loved and known.

Though I have left standards I am still a pretty conservative person. I love God and his word. I love following after his commands and allowing God to use my life for his glory. I feel like I have finally been born again and I know the hand of God is on me as I see the radical change in my life since leaving the "apostolic" doctrine.

Additionally, I feel like the "acts 2:38/three-step/Apostolic" doctrine was a great hindrance in my life and actually kept me from fully understanding God and possibly from even being born again. I don't think I was lost but I know that my true born again experience happened sometime after leaving the UPC church.

So, yes, I have left the standards and doctrine.

rgcraig · #22 06-15-2009, 10:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Esther

When you left the standards did you also leave the doctrine of Acts 2:28?

Do you still believe in oneness?

Do you still baptize in Jesus name?

Why do I ask?

Because a good friend of mine believes and has been taught and often seems the case that once the door is open to leave the standards the next is the doctrine.

Where do you stand?

Yes
Yes

Seems we go through cycles of these questions, huh?

Jermyn Davidson · #23 06-15-2009, 10:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Esther

When you left the standards did you also leave the doctrine of Acts 2:28?

Do you still believe in oneness?

Do you still baptize in Jesus name?

Why do I ask?

Because a good friend of mine believes and has been taught and often seems the case that once the door is open to leave the standards the next is the doctrine.

Where do you stand?

In my own mind I can see where I have indeed departed from the strict interpretation of "Acts 2:38 or hell". That departure did not take place until I questioned "the standards" I was being taught and complying with while stationed in NC.

I will point out a few things.

I was raised in a strict Apostolic home, but my folks were NOT strict on outward standards as much as they were on behavioral conduct.

Leaving the strict interpretation of Acts 2:38 never was a thought until I was in what I will call a very legalistic UPC environment-- not all UPCI churches are like what I experienced. Nevertheless I experienced it, I'm getting over it.

I am actually in a place recently where I thinking about voluntarilly taking up some previous standards that I once felt compelled to follow.

But I am very hesitant to start back down this road (again) because I know how it ended last time.

If people did not lump the strict Acts 2:38 doctrine with standards, then folks would not equate the 2.

There are plenty of Apostolics (non-UPCI) who are very strict on the Acts 2:38 doctrine but "loose" on standards.

Sadly, many folks here, many UPCI folks that I know, would not and do not even consider them saved.

Go figure....

Steve Epley · #24 06-15-2009, 11:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Esther

When you left the standards did you also leave the doctrine of Acts 2:28?

Do you still believe in oneness?

Do you still baptize in Jesus name?

Why do I ask?

Because a good friend of mine believes and has been taught and often seems the case that once the door is open to leave the standards the next is the doctrine.

Where do you stand?

I would say 99% do leave the necessity of the doctrine. Just look on here.

deltaguitar · #25 06-15-2009, 11:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Steve Epley

I would say 99% do leave the necessity of the doctrine. Just look on here.

We agree.

HopePreacher · #26 06-15-2009, 11:44 AM

Do you think it is "leaving the doctrine" as much as it is finally being able to become honest with themselves as well as others about how they truly feel and what they truly believe? (I am one of the "they" i'm referring to)

Esther · #27 06-15-2009, 11:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Steve Epley

I would say 99% do leave the necessity of the doctrine. Just look on here.

Actually, according to the post here most have not left the doctrine of Acts 2:28, but the standards of outward appearance.

A few have left both it seems.

LUKE2447 · #28 06-15-2009, 12:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Esther

Actually, according to the post here most have not left the doctrine of Acts 2:28, but the standards of outward appearance.

A few have left both it seems.

it's a mixed bag. Just like any other group or sect in Christianity as flesh is flesh no matter the belief system. In the end I hope everyone makes it and could careless if I am right or wrong. Though I don't agree with it, I wish Universalism was true and in the end we all make it for his glory. Then again I wish a lot of things!