I awoke early this morning with the thought on my mind to have a cease fire around here and bumped your Bibilical Forum Rules in hopes that we can get back on track around here!
Thanks for your insightful post!
__________________
Master of Science in Applied Disgruntled Religious Theorist Wrangling
PhD in Petulant Tantrum Quelling
Dean of the School of Hard Knocks
I wish this was about the W/S vs PCI doctrine. that is an easy one.
We have lived together for nearly a century. I have been involved in those debates on line from the old Faithchild days... we survived.
I do agree with you 1A. we can and should get along.
we can even do that and have a discussion about it. we have done it and can do it and be civil.
but the problem of late has not been about the debate. It is about a handfull of people trying to make W/S into heresy.
let me be spicific. when I called for the debate to be about the issue, and for us to get along, the following was the response:
Quote:
Not realistic, Ferd, IMO. Idealistic to say the least.
Another Papa Geoge pleaded that America steer away from foreign entanglements and remain isolationist ... before the 19th century.
Realities dictate a different course of action.
if someone will get that group to change their minds and accept the notion that W/S people are not of the devil, purvors of witchcraft, impossible to live with, and foreign entanglements, then we can have the debate and be civil.
__________________ If I do something stupid blame the Lortab!
I agree Bro. Ferd and for someone to imply one step view folks don't study or care about doctrinal integrity or doctrinal purity just isn't true as well.
A person must know what they believe and why they believe ,if we take a doctrinal slant then we had best be prepared to defend that slant with the word.
__________________
People who are always looking for fault,can find it easily all they have to do,is look into their mirror.
There they can find plenty of fault.
Well, is debate such a good thing? Well, yes and no. I find Scripture that says, no, debate is not a good thing. Romans 1:29 for starters. And Isa 58:4 Behold, ye fast for strife and debate, and to smite with the fist of wickedness: ye shall not fast as [ye do this] day, to make your voice to be heard on high.
Debate is a good thing, though. Without it, Congress would do less than it does. So, really, debate is good. Its the purpose behind the debate that often makes it bad. The intent of the heart. Now if I debate with a brother in a cordial friendly manner to help him to see that I am right (and he is wrong- TIC), that in and of itself is good. But if I, as Isaiah put it, debate "to smite with the fist" (figuratively speaking) or to get my voice "to be heard on high", then thats not so good. And that is all I've been hearing lately. Smiting fists and high voices that accomplishes nothing productive.
__________________
"Rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for Him...." -Psa. 37:7
Waiting for the Lord is easy... Waiting patiently? Not so much.
I wish this was about the W/S vs PCI doctrine. that is an easy one.
We have lived together for nearly a century. I have been involved in those debates on line from the old Faithchild days... we survived.
I do agree with you 1A. we can and should get along.
we can even do that and have a discussion about it. we have done it and can do it and be civil.
but the problem of late has not been about the debate. It is about a handful of people trying to make W/S into heresy.
let me be specific. when I called for the debate to be about the issue, and for us to get along, the following was the response:
if someone will get that group to change their minds and accept the notion that W/S people are not of the devil, purveyors of witchcraft, impossible to live with, and foreign entanglements, then we can have the debate and be civil.
OneAccord
You are one of the most gifted writers on any forum! It would be a loss to us all if you were to be silent or missing. Not only gifted with words but blessed with much wisdom.
I vote you stay! As for the others who engage in heated debate, ... I vote they stay also. It is in our interaction with each other that we grow and learn. God has been extremely patient with me and I only hope I can be as patient with others. If we don't take ourselves too seriously we will not be so easily nor quickly offended when someone presses our hot button. I believe we can all get along ... if we really try.
Raven
You know, I've been in and around the Apostolic Movement since the 70's. Took a short excursion into the murky waters of Branhamism, but wound my way back to the Apostolic Faith. Been there ever since. Wouldn't change a thing. The funny thing is. I never heard of the differences between 1 steppers and 3 steppers. Never thought about it. Until I came to forums like this.
Now, I have always believed that sins were forgiven at repentance. If one dies at that stage, I felt (and still do) they are ready to go. That does not negate the need for, and the necessity of, Acts 2:38 and Acts 2:4. The 2 baptisms are necessary (IMV) to continue in salvation. To me, the "old man" dies at repentance and is buried at water baptism. It is the dividing line betwen my old life of sin and my new life in Christ. Once I recieve knowledge that I need to be baptized then I should do so. Same with the HG. And anything else God's Word tells me.
We differ. Big deal. But, as I see it, we both believe in the Plan of Salvation. Have a different perspective, but we both believe it nontheless. Now those who might minimize the need for the HG are just selling themselves short. He is our OVERCOMING POWER. How could we ever expect to make it through this world without God's Spirit dwelling in our hearts? My view on John 3 is a little different than most. I've alluded to it a couple of times here, but its no biggie. I believe John 3 EXACTLY as I understand Jesus taught it. 3 spiritual births. But all that aside, the most important thing is this: If I label myself as a Christian, then I should act like one. And that means, in a very large part, treating my brother (or sister) how I want to be treated. With respect. With kindness. With love.
__________________
"Rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for Him...." -Psa. 37:7
Waiting for the Lord is easy... Waiting patiently? Not so much.
Linear Mode
