Quote:
Originally Posted by OnTheFritz
Before the Internet, people would believe anything the local pastor told them.
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And that is why now people are turning to social media, Google, and online forums when they run across something they don't understand, or want to discuss, and the whole world is an open book to be read.
Back in the early 1900s to up to the 80s-90s, when OP was at its height, there was no way to talk about issues you didn't understand, past the circle of people in your community, neighborhood or church... and it was easy for pastors to enforce various and sundry unbiblical, man-made doctrines and teachings on folks who had no other way of communicating outside their small local circle. Now... with FB, Google, and online forums... this is a wide open arena for those who want to know more.
This, I believe, is doing the greatest damage to those people who have taught extra-biblical doctrines, because more and more people are saying, wait a minute, what does the Bible say about this, and are searching for information through other channels than just their local group.
AFF is a melting pot for those who call themselves Apostolics, and who with the advent of the Internet are seeking to solidify where their faith stance is. So many people come here from hundreds of different churches who have pastors who have taught their own version of extra-Biblical standards (to name a few I've heard - saints can't wear red, no open toed shoes, no beards) etc., and who are trying to clean out the bones in their belief, and hold onto the meat.
At least, that is why I am here, and why I love AFF... yes it is a melting pot here of almost every kind of "apostolic" you can find... but I think most are here because we want to be sure that what we believe can stand the fire and the testing, and to also make our "calling and election sure". I doubt there are very few here who don't want to go to heaven.
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