Apostoic worship??

[houston]

Originally Posted by Aquila

Yep, I also remember the casting out of demons in church and in homes. Those were some very intense things that were done, quite regularly, I should add. I cut my teeth with regards to spiritual warfare in those house calls and altar encounters. A lot of what people say today about spiritual warfare is so simplistic and wishy washy. Then they mock the very things I experienced first hand in those days. It's almost like they never had to fight a stronghold for a few hours, or even half the night. They don't believe in spirits manifesting or nothing like that anymore. They don't even believe in prayer cloths anymore. But in my day, all this stuff was the norm if you were Pentecostal.

You speak for no one here. Don’t promote witchcraft, play victim, then attack how Pentecostal, or not-Pentecostal we are.

[Evang.Benincasa]

Originally Posted by Aquila

Yep, I also remember the casting out of demons in church and in homes. Those were some very intense things that were done, quite regularly, I should add. I cut my teeth with regards to spiritual warfare in those house calls and altar encounters. A lot of what people say today about spiritual warfare is so simplistic and wishy washy. Then they mock the very things I experienced first hand in those days. It's almost like they never had to fight a stronghold for a few hours, or even half the night. They don't believe in spirits manifesting or nothing like that anymore. They don't even believe in prayer cloths anymore. But in my day, all this stuff was the norm if you were Pentecostal.

So, are you still this extraordinary exorcist? In your day?

Aquila, what do you mean by "in your day?"

That's an odd thing to say? Are you a hasbeen, have you lost the glory you once had? Explain, what you mean by "back in your day?" You do know what that phrase means?

[Evang.Benincasa]

Originally Posted by Aquila

He was big on Holiness. You're right, he'd weep over the pulpit, "If you fall in love with Jesus, you'll live holy!!!" He inspired holiness. Yet, he was patient, kind, and gentle in person and in counseling. Being a vet, he understood PTSD (he called it shell-shock), and encouraged you too lean on God's grace and seek healing. He perfectly balanced his strictness with grace, love, and compassion.

The next couple pastors I had ruled with an iron fist. No patience, compassion, or inspiration. He warned us that the UPCI was becoming a white washed tomb.

No, he didn't tolerate the new age or occult things like ouji boards, tarot cards, crystals, etc. But he didn't throw the baby out with the bathwater either. He'd laugh when men would call him a warlock because he believed in and practiced the gifts. People either thought him a warlock or a prophet, though he'd never call himself anything but a man in love with Jesus. At our annual FEAST conferences they'd call him a prophet, but he'd dismiss it...he was truly humble. He firmly believed in the supernatural aspects of walking in the Holy Spirit, and demonstrated it almost daily.

I will be honest, I believe he was a prophet.

So, do you believe that if he was in your shoes he would of went your direction? What would he had done if he was in your shoes under those pastors? Would he be in the same place you are now?

[Evang.Benincasa]

Originally Posted by Aquila

He'd disagree with my new found agreement with Preterism,

Preterism? Yeah, I forgot you believe that now.

Oh, but everything else you do now would be hunky dory?

[Esaias]

Originally Posted by Evang.Benincasa

So, are you still this extraordinary exorcist? In your day?

Aquila, what do you mean by "in your day?"

That's an odd thing to say? Are you a hasbeen, have you lost the glory you once had? Explain, what you mean by "back in your day?" You do know what that phrase means?

I thought on the other thread it came out that he had seen one exorcism, wasn't actually involved in it, just witnessed it, and then later supposedly got a list of signs of demonic possession from Hillary's private server or something, and that essentially constituted the whole of his "deliverance ministry" resume?

[Esaias]

This is very interesting:

Originally Posted by Aquila

My grandmother was raised in the hills of West Virginia. She taught me most of what I know about witches because it runs in our family. There are a number of close friends of that side of the family who are also witches. Here’s my understanding based on what I’ve personally seen and been told by them.

Many don’t realize that there are several types of witches, but only one is a true “witch”.

For example, you have people who are just eccentric and claim to be a witch, but are actually, well, nothing but searching souls trying to carve out their spiritual niche.

You also have what most today might call a “wiccan”. These are relatively harmless folk who frequent occult stores, buy occult books, practice learned and read occult practices, wear the crystals, often dress “earthy”, and honestly - they are relatively harmless. These folks are searching and just need Jesus. They call themselves witches and want to be seen as witches, but real witches often call them “dabblers”.

And lastly there are true “witches”. These individuals have it in their blood. It’s a family trait (or curse) that’s passed down through their generations. Often in childhood they begin to show signs that they are indeed “witches”. For example, when my grandmother was a young child she saw spirits and they often told her things that no one could know. She’d blurt it out or share it and embarrass people or shock people. Sometimes she’d play with her dolls (each representing a member of the family) and play out an event with the dolls, days before it happened in real life. She would also talk to trees and animals. She also regularly spoke to the dead. These children are often spotted by the older adults with the “gift” or who know of the gift. They refer to this as having the “anointing”. Much of their lingo sounds Christian on the surface but their spiritual power isn’t generated from Christ. They often engage in “folk magic”. For example my grandmother would cut a tomato and sit it on the kitchen window sill to ward off bad luck. Often these “folk magic” customs are personalized or localized. This type of witch can be of any “religion” but their power doesn’t originate from that religion. Many embrace wicca today, but most are “spiritualists”. These individuals find it natural to read the leaves on trees to issue proclamations regarding the future or the current status of people from vast distances. They may ask you to be still and quiet while they listen to the trees or the wind. There isn’t a “science” behind their “magic”. It’s not something you can learn from a book from the occult section of the book store. It’s also not something they “practice”, it’s more just “what they are”. Their magic is powerful, more powerful than that learned by wiccans from a book. In fact this kind of witch can be completely illiterate yet still powerful. These are the ones who have perfected the “evil eye” and other such things. Their witchcraft is based more in the deepest feelings of their soul and they don’t “dabble” with the power, they wield it. They interpret dreams, without needing the aid of any study or reference materials like “dream meaning encyclopedias”. These are the real deal. They are also far knowledgeable about the spirit world seeing that they have lived interacting with it naturally all their lives. Often they are more knowledgeable than “book worm Christians” who know only commentary or what their pastor tells them. In more recent times they’ve often billed themselves as “psychics”…but it is actually witchcraft. These often don’t “choose” to be witches, again, it’s just “what they are”. Only the power of God can set them free. And even after they are free, the trees whisper, and “impressions” from the spirit realm beckon. However, once converted, they make very powerful and dynamic Christians because of their extensive familiarity with the spirit world. Often fellow Christians who are just “book worm Christians” will never understand them or their understandings because what they know is learned from experience not the writings or surmising of theologians or commentators.

Aquila, your problems are bigger than you realize.

[Evang.Benincasa]

Originally Posted by Esaias

I thought on the other thread it came out that he had seen one exorcism, wasn't actually involved in it, just witnessed it, and then later supposedly got a list of signs of demonic possession from Hillary's private server or something, and that essentially constituted the whole of his "deliverance ministry" resume?

Aquila, do you have your typical crawfish gymnastics for us?

[Aquila]

Originally Posted by houston

You speak for no one here. Don’t promote witchcraft, play victim, then attack how Pentecostal, or not-Pentecostal we are.

I'm just saying that a lot of what you guys tear down used to be part and parcel with regards to Pentecostal beliefs.

[Aquila]

Originally Posted by Evang.Benincasa

So, are you still this extraordinary exorcist? In your day?

Aquila, what do you mean by "in your day?"

That's an odd thing to say? Are you a hasbeen, have you lost the glory you once had? Explain, what you mean by "back in your day?" You do know what that phrase means?

You're right. Perhaps I should have said during my time in the UPCI. Times have changed. It seems like fewer people actually seek the ministry so many used to seek. Fewer people seek deliverance from evil spirits, prayer cloths for friends and family, etc. Prayer services are empty, all night prayer vigils for the sick are rare, many Pentecostal churches aren't having the tongues and interpretation they used to have. Things are changing.

[Aquila]

Originally Posted by Evang.Benincasa

So, do you believe that if he was in your shoes he would of went your direction? What would he had done if he was in your shoes under those pastors? Would he be in the same place you are now?

I really can't say. All I am saying is that I still believe in the core teachings that he taught.