Water/Spirit Doctrine Destroyed Beautifully - Page 6

NotforSale · #51 07-09-2014, 04:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pressing-On

I was amazed when I worked for the Census Bureau, years ago, how many people had come into contact, accepted and later walked away from a Pentecostal style message of salvation - not speaking standards here. So, you have no idea how many people are familiar with the Gospel message. I'm not going to put my view of what people believe and what they are doing over what the Word of God says. That would be foolish.

After 35 years of being in the UPC, 20 of those years as a pastor, I was surprised to find how few people knew about our Doctrine and beliefs. The people that might know a little about us, know nothing of the depths of who we really are.

It's easy (sometimes) to reel in a visitor, but just wait until you drop the "Standards" hammer, or the "Tongues". There are so many quirks within our Faith that send people down the road, confused and broken.

Sean · #52 07-09-2014, 04:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pressing-On

"as of"? Isn't that imagery?

Not at all, it was not Imagery. It does no way imply that they "imagined" a sound of a wind. It filled all the house! It was a literal miracle, and Jesus prophecied it would happen in John 3...It would confirm to them the start of the New Birth experience for the early Church.

Sean · #53 07-09-2014, 04:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NotforSale

After 35 years of being in the UPC, 20 of those years as a pastor, I was surprised to find how few people knew about our Doctrine and beliefs. The people that might know a little about us, know nothing of the depths of who we really are.

It's easy (sometimes) to reel in a visitor, but just wait until you drop the "Standards" hammer, or the "Tongues". There are so many quirks within our Faith that send people down the road, confused and broken.

Who pulled his chain...LOL

NotforSale · #54 07-09-2014, 04:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sean

Who pulled his chain...LOL

Pressing-On · #55 07-09-2014, 04:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sean

Not at all, it was not Imagery. It does no way imply that they "imagined" a sound of a wind. It filled all the house! It was a literal miracle, and Jesus prophecied it would happen in John 3...It would confirm to them the start of the New Birth experience for the early Church.

Imagery - the formation of mental images, figures, or likenesses of things.

When I have been in a service where the Holy Ghost sweeps over the place, it is the imagery of the sound of wind, but it is not wind at all. "As of" is imagery. lol

Pressing-On · #56 07-09-2014, 04:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NotforSale

After 35 years of being in the UPC, 20 of those years as a pastor, I was surprised to find how few people knew about our Doctrine and beliefs. The people that might know a little about us, know nothing of the depths of who we really are.

It's easy (sometimes) to reel in a visitor, but just wait until you drop the "Standards" hammer, or the "Tongues". There are so many quirks within our Faith that send people down the road, confused and broken.

I meet people all the time. More now than I did almost 30 years ago who have experienced some Pentecost - take you for example.

I have experienced quite a lot of women ask if they have to wear a dress to visit the church. That means they know enough to weigh whether interested or not. So, I agree, they (many) go somewhere else, and some stay.

Sean · #57 07-09-2014, 04:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pressing-On

Imagery - the formation of mental images, figures, or likenesses of things.

When I have been in a service where the Holy Ghost sweeps over the place, it is the imagery of the sound of wind, but it is not wind at all. "As of" is imagery. lol

Ok, I get what you are thinking....

It was a Literal, LOUD SOUND of a (rushing mighty wind)...like a hurricane, but with no physical effects(destroyed stuff)...It says it FILLED all the house that they were sitting in, (not a mental image in their heads)...

Pressing-On · #58 07-09-2014, 04:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sean

Ok, I get what you are thinking....

It was a Literal, LOUD SOUND of a (rushing mighty wind)...like a hurricane, but with no physical effects(destroyed stuff)...It says it FILLED all the house that they were sitting in, (not a mental image in their heads)...

Right, a literal sound that they used imagery to describe - loud wind.

The Spirit that descended upon Jesus wasn't an actual dove, the imagery was gentleness, hence the imagery of a dove.

NotforSale · #59 07-09-2014, 04:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pressing-On

I meet people all the time. More now than I did almost 30 years ago who have experienced some Pentecost - take you for example.

I have experienced quite a lot of women ask if they have to wear a dress to visit the church. That means they know enough to weigh whether interested or not. So, I agree, they (many) go somewhere else, and some stay.

Area is also critical. If you go to Texas, where there are numerous Apostolic churches, there would be more familiarity.

But try going to Northern California, or the Bay Area, where I grew up. You tell people you are Apostolic and they have nothing but a "WHO?" look on their face.

It's really that way in the entire Northwestern United States. But also keep in mind, only 4.4% of the Worlds population live in America.

Pressing-On · #60 07-09-2014, 05:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NotforSale

Area is also critical. If you go to Texas, where there are numerous Apostolic churches, there would be more familiarity.

But try going to Northern California, or the Bay Area, where I grew up. You tell people you are Apostolic and they have nothing but a "WHO?" look on their face.

It's really that way in the entire Northwestern United States. But also keep in mind, only 4.4% of the Worlds population live in America.

True. I agree that geographics would play a part.