Can We Become Too Apostolic?

[tv1a]

To be fair, people can become too amish as easily as too apostolic.

Originally Posted by jtork

People can definitely become too Apostolic - it's called being so heavenly minded they are no earthly good.

[tv1a]

What you describe is the perfect example of the brazen serpent of legalism.

History is repeating itself. The pharisees started out with pure intentions. It only took a few of generations before the pharisees were making laws to keep them from breaking laws they previously made.

I have no doubt the holiness movement started with pure intentions. What the holiness movement is now is vile representation of what previous generations represented.

There will always be loopholes in man made laws. There are never loopholes in God inspired principles.

Originally Posted by ChTatum

I am 50 years old, have never attended (except as a visitor) anything besides OP churches, UPCI and ALJC. I have attended two, was interim pastor of one, and have currently been pastoring where I am for 9 years, 11 months.

I have seen a lot of things change, and have seen change go both ways, I thank God for everything I have experienced, as it all has served to bring me where I am.

I have great respect for those who hold to traditions as part of their consecration to God, and do not impose them on others as salvational. That being said, in my experience, in the 70's, I saw a move towards what I refer to as competitive holiness, where men tried to see who could be "holier", and where men changed their beliefs to be accepted by others in fellowship. I view both of these as sad.

Too apostolic? Nah, but maybe too something else.

[OneAccord]

Originally Posted by tv1a

Read about Hezekiah. He not only destroyed pagan shrines, he also destroyed the brazen serpent. What was once used to save millions from the judgement of God had to be pulverized into powder because the children of Israel were worshipping the brazen serpent. Not only did Hezikiah have to get paganism out of the country, he had to get rid of the idolatry of his own religion. God never intended for the Israelites to worship the brazen serpent.

Anyone who wraps them self around a particular religious idealogue is heading down the same path as the brazen serpent idolaters.

It is ridiculous for the people of God to attach labels to themselves. The only people we impress with our labels are ourselves. Jesis didn't call us to be apostolic. He didn't call us to be baptist, presbyterian, methodist, charismatic, chirch of christ, etc. We called to be Followers of Christ.

Labels limit God. Labels are only our perceptions of what God is. When God does something outside of our perception, our first reaction and often our only reaction is to trivialize it.

One of the best posts I have read in a long time. Thank you, tv1A, for the Good Word.

[tv1a]

Thank you for the kind words. It's difficult to explain away scripture. That's why I back my statements up with facts. Document if necessary. Can't argue with the principle Hezekiah was setting. Not only was he eliminating pagan idolatry the kingdom, he was destroying the in-house idolatry which was around long before Baal became a major player in Jewish culture.

Someone asked me at work what denomination I was. I told him I was an athiest who is not taking any chances.

One of the things my father told me before he passed away is a Biblical christian is always full of joy, always getting into trouble, and always ticking somebody off.

In my studies, I discovered it wasn't the world who was persecuting the church. The religious people were persecuting the church.

How many times have you heard that we are so persecuted by the world? In some countries that may be true, but in the USA, the majority of the persecution comes from within the church walls.

The people who stirred up the public against Paul were devout Jews who followed Paul from town to town and stirred trouble. People are still heading down the same self righteous paths with the same self righteous attitude. The more things change the more they stay the same.

If we stop trying to be like a denominaton a start acting like Jesus, we may reach the point where God can move freely among us.

The relationship with Christ is tainted when we mix religion with relatioinship. The relationship ceases to be pure when we assign a denomination label to the work of God.

It's time to stop tip-toeing around and shake the ground when we walk. Can't put a stomp in the walk if we are baggaged by religion.

Originally Posted by OneAccord

One of the best posts I have read in a long time. Thank you, tv1A, for the Good Word.