Bombshell- Considering going back to the UPC

[navygoat1998]

Originally Posted by Michael Phelps

Thanks for the clarification.

I would submit that Paul taught a LOT of things that are not empasized in our churches today, such as "by grace you are saved thru faith, and that not of yourselves".....and "Not by works of righteousness that we are done, it is the gift of God"....that is the very antithesis of the doctrine of many Apostolic churches.

Paul also spoke about principles, and not specifics......there was no multi paged manual of all the things one could and couldn't do......the Pharisees created such drivel, but Paul spoke of being led of the Spirit...and talked of the weaker saints, and the obligation of the stronger saints to not create offense......he admitted that many things weren't sin, but they weren't expedient......but, he never put anyone in hell who did them.....

So, I would hve to say, to use the Apostle Paul as the example of legalism is misguided.

The Pharisees yes but not Paul.

[Praxeas]

The so called legalism Paul was addressing was the Jews trying to force Gentiles to keep the law and be circumcized as a means of being considered justified

[navygoat1998]

Originally Posted by Praxeas

The so called legalism Paul was addressing was the Jews trying to force Gentiles to keep the law and be circumcized as a means of being considered justified

Is that not legalism???? So we have replaced the removal of foreskin with standards or whatever else the rule of the day is.

[CC1]

Originally Posted by Jermyn Davidson

I know for me, that this logic has NOTHING to do with the reasons I miss my former Apostolic fellowship.

Could it be that people who leave the Apostolic faith to attend another church and desire or even decide to return to the Apostolic faith are people that God is drawing back for His Purposes?

Does God have absolutely nothing to do at all with a persons desire and/or decision to return to their Apostolic roots?

Are the prayers of the Apostolics who are indeed praying for people who have left the Apostolic church-- could Jason's returning be, in part, due to their prayers?

Could Jason's returning be an answer to some Apostolic's fervent and consistent prayers?

Your premise assumes that all the other churches are not in God's favor and God only wants people attending old time Pentecostal churches eat up with legalism and I reject that premise completely. I just don't see God pining for people to get back in that ditch.

[Praxeas]

Originally Posted by navygoat1998

Is that not legalism???? So we have replaced the removal of foreskin with standards or whatever else the rule of the day is.

Is what not legalism?

[CC1]

Originally Posted by Jason Badejo

Right, and that's IF I can return. Tonight was Sunday and I just couldn't get the motivation to go visit. That's been the same story for a few weeks. Like the thread title says "considering". I'm only considering at this point, but being pretty honest about the internal struggle. There are a lot of things I like about where I'm at now. I am teaching through Acts right now in the Bible church in expository form, and also this morning preached from Acts 2 and it went well. (It was actually the first time I've ever preached from Acts 2. In OP churches I figured they heard it enough, I always preached something else).

I'm appreciative that they haven't forced me to claim to believe in the trinity or baptize people in titles, and also that they allowed me to write much of their church doctrine, and allow me to teach and preach regularly. These are all factors I'm considering. Like Shag was saying, he got put out of leadership over nonsense. Like I said in a earlier post, I don't feel a release to leave where I'm at (at this point), but the fellowship is really what is causing an internal tug o war. I've been suprised by the struggles and sentiments of others, and I thought you (shag) had left the UPC. I think I'd be a little miffed if I were sat down just for having a beard. But then again, early in my preaching life I was put on the shelf and told I needed to "work on my delivery, its not pentecostal enough". Translation "you need to yell and scream". That's never been my personality, and things worked out for me thus far in various situations. I think that some of the leadership/platform rules are just silly (to bekind). The platform standard should be "does this person serve God whole heartedly" rather than "does this person have a beard".

Stop dilly dallying around! You brought up that you were seriously considering returning to the UPC then you can't even find the motivation to check out the UPC church service?

This seems very strange. Stop procrastinating and get your butt to that church so they can drag you to the altar and straighten you out!

I am eagerly looking forward to your AFF testimony about how you have "seen the light" and returned to the "old paths". How you have given all of your short sleeve shirts and shorts to Goodwill. How your wife has sold her jewelry and given it to the church and flushed her Jezebel cosmetics down the toilet.

C'mon man, get with the program!!!!

[navygoat1998]

Originally Posted by Praxeas

The so called legalism Paul was addressing was the Jews trying to force Gentiles to keep the law and be circumcized as a means of being considered justified

Prax is this not the definition of legalism? The Jews trying to force Gentiles to keep the law and be circumcised as a means of being considered justified.

[navygoat1998]

Originally Posted by CC1

Stop dilly dallying around! You brought up that you were seriously considering returning to the UPC then you can't even find the motivation to check out the UPC church service?

This seems very strange. Stop procrastinating and get your butt to that church so they can drag you to the altar and straighten you out!

I am eagerly looking forward to your AFF testimony about how you have "seen the light" and returned to the "old paths". How you have given all of your short sleeve shirts and shorts to Goodwill. How your wife has sold her jewelry and given it to the church and flushed her Jezebel cosmetics down the toilet.

C'mon man, get with the program!!!!

Stop CC1 your making me want to go back......

[Praxeas]

Originally Posted by navygoat1998

Prax is this not the definition of legalism? The Jews trying to force Gentiles to keep the law and be circumcised as a means of being considered justified.

Yes....isn't that what I said

[navygoat1998]

Originally Posted by Praxeas

Yes....isn't that what I said

The " so called" was the reason for my confusion but if I misunderstood please forgive me.