I believe that the members of the Oneness Apostolic movement at large that DO NOT FAINT do, in fact, have, maintain, and display the inter workings of that Power that resides.
I have seen the Holy Ghost radically change lives, wherein other churches just gain members that only go so far.
I think some of what you've seen in fifty years are some warehouses full of backsliding, contained, and complacent would be Christians right there on the pew.
However, I have seen and felt the Power of the Holy Ghost in services and in homes, where I never felt or witnessed it prior to with my experience in other denominations.
Yet, I've seen dead UPCi situations too...no matter, doesn't take away from the Power and where it has gone.
When I was a kid I liked the idea of supernatural powers, it somewhat detracted me from considering any Christian power for the many sources of the forces, if you get my meaning.
Howbeit, as I traveled home one night from one of my first Illinois camp meetings at the age of 12 a terrible stomach pain came over me. The man that took us, who later became my step father, grabbed some oil and started praying for me in Jesus name as soon as I hit the couch.
I was healed with a power I had never felt before...I was like:
"What was that!"
So crakhead....what was that?
Since you really don't seem to know, after 50 years, I'll tell ya.
It was the Holy Ghost.
Same Holy Ghost that fell on me a few months later and caused me to speak with words I didn't even understand. I didn't purpose to do it...I was 12 for crying out loud...it just happened to me.
Same Holy Ghost that has empowered millions throughout time. Within and without OP situations, but never in situations without the Truth.
Same Holy Ghost that has healed countless people, including my own children before my eyes.
That's power friend, unlike you'll find anywhere else. And I've been everywhere else as far as denominations go, and Lord knows I played with matches elsewhere as well. The little powers cannot compare.
Maybe you spent fifty years in the bathroom at the wrong church(s).
Backsliders happen. It takes nothing away from the true Power that would have saved them, had they just not spent so much time going to the bathroom during service and really gotten involved with the things of God.
God does try to move in other situations when the enviroment is right, does that mean that they have a hold of the same Power, or does it mean that the Power is trying to get them to get a hold of Him?
Consider
Matthew 7:
[
I]21 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. 22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? 23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.[/I]
Looks like He was trying to get a hold of them, but they weren't interested in going any further...because they thought they had arrived. This is applicable across the spectrum, OPs alike. Yet I think you'll find in that day fewer OPs that stuck to it in this Matt 7 situation, than anyone else...the great deception of Charismania included.
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