Quote:
Originally Posted by BroJoe
I'm sorry you have had these experiences. Not the way Christ intended it to be.
Your entire response can best be directed at those who abuse and twist people who have slidden away.
Again. Anyone who has left Acts 2:38, One God, and Holiness are considered backslidden, and I will not fellowship with them after that point. That's Bible too, by the way. |
Ahh....I see your premise and I do not think you realize the arrogance of your statements.
There are a lot of things that "are Bible" that some of the leadership does not obey. I see that they conclude some of modern living to be of the world and preach against those things that they can abide by, but engage themselves in many other things that
are of the world such as the love of money and of material possessions. Some of them do not preach that it is just as worldly to buy a very expensive Lexus, SUVs, Cadillacs etc. for example.
Don't be surprised that at some point in the future you find yourself to be alone...because you are disfellowshipped by others for some perceived fault.
Let me just add that in the past 32 years, in this region, I have never seen a Pastor who sat their own children down for doing the very same things that they have sat other people down for.
I have never seen a Pastor disfellowship their own children who commit adultery, have sex out of legal wedlock, have babies out of legal wedlock, put on shorts and slacks, cut their hair and put on makeup.
My first pastor committed adultery. None of us believed it. None from the district leadership came to talk to our church fellowship like the adults we were about the accusation against our pastor. The preachers were squabbling amongst themselves of what to do with a church that was about to be without a pastor. They never asked the people what they would like. All this happened right at the time my husband and I were about to be married. My pastor and my husband's assistant pastor co-officated our marriage. Afterwards, my husband's assistant pastor left because he would not fellowship or eat after our marriage ceremony because my Pastor was there.
Yet, when this pastor's daughter sinned and then abandoned the standards, he did not disfellowship her. He eats dinner with her and attended her wedding with her new husband. Why the double standard? Or is blood thicker than water?
Nevertheless, he had to eat his hat concerning his beliefs when it came to his own blood. Something most of us would do because we are only human.
I have never seen a Pastor step down when their church splits because of some action he took that caused disunity of the body. They just move a few miles and start another church. Or they ask the ones who rightfully disagree with the action to leave and find another church. Let's not forget that the Pastor sends his comments ahead to the rest of the churches before they get there, sometimes in the effort to discredit the saints.
Not one Oneness Apostolic church in this region has an outreach to the lost. They will take up an offering after all the other offerings are taken up ..a one time deal. No benevolent funds, but ready to crucify people over man-defined holiness of outward appearance if it does not measure up.
Yes, I do agree that we will all have to stand before our Creator at the end of the age to answer for our deeds. One of the precise reasons why I will not get caught up in the legalistic teachings of some of these churches. I fear God and I truly want to do what is right in His sight. I have felt no condemnation because I trim my hair or wear conservative slacks that are rather baggy most of the time. Even if I wear shorts on these hot days, the shorts are down at my knees or below (capris) That is the length of skirts and dresses.
I am not far from being considered to be elderly. I do not hate these inconsistencies from church to church teachings. I do not hate the preachers with the double standards, as I understand that they are subjected to like human frailties like the rest of us. But I will not subject myself or my loved ones for spiritual abuse while their loved ones actions are being justified.
I do not despise your youth. I find it commendable that you want to live for Christ. Just remember these things if or when you become faced with the prospect of your own loved ones leaving what you consider "holiness". You will see as you grow older that people will disappoint you. You will wonder why your superiors will cover up their indiscretions , while they expose other people's indiscretions.
I hope that you remember to show love and mercy to those who despitefully use you for their own gain. It happens more often than you think.
Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.
.
Linear Mode
