Is there anyone who is Apostolic anymore?

[AreYouReady?]

Originally Posted by scotty

Thats a great revelation there AYR. Here is my question though, is that a two way street ?

Not likely. As evidenced by the "apostolic swimwear" thread, one who may have more conservative convictions can not even have a normal conversation without those less conservative making it into a standards bash thread.

And yes, there are critics from both sides of the fence. But the liberal types are quicker to point out a conservatives "misguided" ways. And its funny to me because when I see a question thread by someone more liberal than me about something in everyday life, (clothes,music,etc) I simply don't post because our beliefs may be different so my opinion is not relevant. When this happens in reverse, every lib on the forum has to step in and stir the pot.

Like I said, great revelation, be tough to sell it though.

You are correct Scotty. I am learning to be mindful of other people's convictions.

I spent years in the Oneness churches watching and listening to some Oneness conservatives pick apart people's walk with Christ because they did not have the same "convictions" as they. I sat in sermons where the preachers ridiculed the Baptists, Charismatics, trinitarians etc or made fun of ladies who come to Oneness churches and under conviction, started tearing up and had mascara flowing down their cheeks.

Like I said, I thought all Oneness churches did this since all the ones I went to treated people this way.

Like rooster and hens that, when confronted by other chickens, they ruffle their feathers to make themselves look bigger than they actually are, do we humans ridicule one another in the effort to make our own [appearance] convictions look pure or at the very least ok?

I am trying not to repay the unkindness I received with unkindness. It's just that sometimes some posts will bring out raw feelings and like any human, I do respond with my thoughts.

I don't believe that I posted anything unkind in the swimwear thread. I recognize the young man has his beliefs and what do his beliefs have to do with me?

[Hoovie]

Originally Posted by Saul Stephen

Well now, we can see by this conversation on the subject of falling away, stills brings to light personal feelings, and things taught that we disagree with. Regrettably so, but, it really concerns me, that the reality here, is not what we think, but what are we doing about it. You all know who lacks here, or who may be teaching us all of a known truth, are we living according to his word. Argumentative yes or no. If there is no conviction, god given, the life suffers because of it. So, my dear friends, we have indeed, just entered into the personal question that is presented to each one of us , " do you have a personal walk with god]? I do, and with great respect to the young andrew 8383, we simply say, amen.

Amen

[BroJoe]

Originally Posted by Saul Stephen

Well now, we can see by this conversation on the subject of falling away, stills brings to light personal feelings, and things taught that we disagree with. Regrettably so, but, it really concerns me, that the reality here, is not what we think, but what are we doing about it. You all know who lacks here, or who may be teaching us all of a known truth, are we living according to his word. Argumentative yes or no. If there is no conviction, god given, the life suffers because of it. So, my dear friends, we have indeed, just entered into the personal question that is presented to each one of us , " do you have a personal walk with god]? I do, and with great respect to the young andrew 8383, we simply say, amen.

I like this.

[Praxeas]

Originally Posted by Andrew8383

Most of my Sunday school teachers, friends from church, pastors family have all backslid. This is from my childhood not my current church. My current pastor still believes in the old standards and ways, which I love. I'm the Youth Pastor and I know the bible speaks of the great falling away but it makes me so angry to see this. Anyone else notice this in their area?

If the great falling away is no longer being "Apostolic" defined as a rigid set of codes for dress and entertainment etc etc, Acts 2:38 and Oneness then it the great falling away happened centuries ago.

[AreYouReady?]

Every Oneness church I have ever attended, the Pastor laid claim to all tithe income.

It wasn't until I came to AFF that I learned not all Oneness churches are equal.

[Sam]

Originally Posted by Andrew8383

Most of my Sunday school teachers, friends from church, pastors family have all backslid. This is from my childhood not my current church. My current pastor still believes in the old standards and ways, which I love. I'm the Youth Pastor and I know the bible speaks of the great falling away but it makes me so angry to see this. Anyone else notice this in their area?

"Is there anyone who is Apostolic anymore?" What a way to start out posting.

When I read this, a couple things came to mind.

1. Who is this person and does he think he's the only "real Apostolic" left?

2. I don't know his motives because in written communication like this we cannot see facial expressions, body language, voice inflections, etc but it did not include a smiley face or indication that it was written as a joke.

3. I first thought of the "badge" (shown as an attachment below) that he may be wearing.

4. I also thought of Elijah when he thought he was the only one left in the truth and living for God and the Lord had to remind him that he was not alone, thousands of others were alive and well and living for the Lord. Elijah must have just not been aware of them or maybe he didn't recognize them because they may have not met his personal criteria for being saints. (reference 1 Kings 19:10-18)

[scotty]

Originally Posted by Sam

"Is there anyone who is Apostolic anymore?" What a way to start out posting.

When I read this, a couple things came to mind.

1. Who is this person and does he think he's the only "real Apostolic" left?

2. I don't know his motives because in written communication like this we cannot see facial expressions, body language, voice inflections, etc but it did not include a smiley face or indication that it was written as a joke.

3. I first thought of the "badge" (shown as an attachment below) that he may be wearing.

4. I also thought of Elijah when he thought he was the only one left in the truth and living for God and the Lord had to remind him that he was not alone, thousands of others were alive and well and living for the Lord. Elijah must have just not been aware of them or maybe he didn't recognize them because they may have not met his personal criteria for being saints. (reference 1 Kings 19:10-18)

Never had to ask these questions when Dan was here. You knew you were not worthy.

[AreYouReady?]

The Forum has defined what Apostolic is many times.

Let it be understood that Apostolic Friends Forum is an Apostolic Forum.
Apostolic is defined on AFF as:

There is One God. This one God reveals Himself as Father, Son and Holy Ghost.
The Son is God himself in a human form or "God manifested in the flesh" (1Tim 3:16)
Every sinner must repent of their sins.
That Jesus name baptism is the only biblical mode of water baptism.
That the Holy Ghost is for today and is received by faith with the initial evidence of speaking in tongues.
The saint will go on to strive to live a holy life, pleasing to God.



Clothing standards are not listed.

Originally Posted by Andrew8383

Most of my Sunday school teachers, friends from church, pastors family have all backslid. This is from my childhood not my current church. My current pastor still believes in the old standards and ways, which I love. I'm the Youth Pastor and I know the bible speaks of the great falling away but it makes me so angry to see this. Anyone else notice this in their area?

Who would not think that this post in it's content is critical about people who do not adhere to the "old standards and ways"? I read it as he is referring to people who do not live those old standards and ways as backslid. And he is angry about it...so this can be thought of as a debate intent? Was anything mentioned about what his family was doing in their lives to be deserving of the label of "backslid"?

Are they doing any or all of the things in Galatian 5?

Perhaps we should establish exactly what the definition of "backslid" is because people have and do use the term way too loosely.

[BroJoe]

Originally Posted by AreYouReady?

The Forum has defined what Apostolic is many times.

Let it be understood that Apostolic Friends Forum is an Apostolic Forum.
Apostolic is defined on AFF as:

There is One God. This one God reveals Himself as Father, Son and Holy Ghost.
The Son is God himself in a human form or "God manifested in the flesh" (1Tim 3:16)
Every sinner must repent of their sins.
That Jesus name baptism is the only biblical mode of water baptism.
That the Holy Ghost is for today and is received by faith with the initial evidence of speaking in tongues.
The saint will go on to strive to live a holy life, pleasing to God.



Clothing standards are not listed.




Who would not think that this post in it's content is critical about people who do not adhere to the "old standards and ways"? I read it as he is referring to people who do not live those old standards and ways as backslid. And he is angry about it...so this can be thought of as a debate intent? Was anything mentioned about what his family was doing in their lives to be deserving of the label of "backslid"?

Are they doing any or all of the things in Galatian 5?

Perhaps we should establish exactly what the definition of "backslid" is because people have and do use the term way too loosely.

I understood the spirit in which he was talking.

There is a great shaking happening right now. Everything that can be shook, will be shook.

You think I'm gonna flop out because I don't agree with wearing no shorts and loose my salvation over a spirit of rebellion? While wearing shorts won't cost me my salvation, a spirit of rebellion will. And I believe with all my heart that GOD sent me to my Man of God and until I'm released I'm in utter obedience.

I'm hanging on tight and I'll let my Pastor and leaders give an account to God for any non-biblical issues...

[Amanah]

Originally Posted by BroJoe

I understood the spirit in which he was talking.

There is a great shaking happening right now. Everything that can be shook, will be shook.

You think I'm gonna flop out because I don't agree with wearing no shorts and loose my salvation over a spirit of rebellion? While wearing shorts won't cost me my salvation, a spirit of rebellion will. And I believe with all my heart that GOD sent me to my Man of God and until I'm released I'm in utter obedience.

I'm hanging on tight and I'll let my Pastor and leaders give an account to God for any non-biblical issues...

Bro Joe - what would you do if one day your Pastor came to church and announced that he was no longer going to be responsible for setting and policing policy about standards? What if within 5 years the atmosphere of the Church changes, women are wearing bobs and pants, men have beards, and wear shorts. Not only that but the Pastor now believes that salvation is at repentance, and while he still baptizes in Jesus name and believes and talks about people receiving the HG and speaking in tongues, he doesn't preach three steps to salvation any more. Now what? Do you follow your Pastor in obedience now, do you become confused? do you proclaim him on his way to hell and find another church? what would you do?