Do "OPs" Really Have More Power than other Christians?

[mizpeh]

Originally Posted by Newman

Actually, I have had an experience to the contrary when evaluating God's people....

A long time ago (hehehe) when I was in high school I did a research project. I interviewed about 35 couples as to length of marriage, length of courtship, where they lived right after they got married, what their birth order was, how many children they had, how long before the first child was born, etc. etc.

In other words lots of interesting questions to compare the couples with each other. The most interesting observation I noted at the time, was that Oldest children don't marry Oldest children and Youngest children don't marry Youngest children (generally speaking).

But the most important thing I have observed about that study from so many years ago is that NOT ONE OF THESE COUPLES (all from church) that I interviewed have divorced and all continue to serve God or did so until their death.

Granted, I had interviewed alot of the parents of my peers among others. And granted most had already been in church as long as I could remember.

But doesn't that count? In other words, is it fair to count someone who has only been in church a year and was already divorced when they got here? Or count someone who came in and never really stuck?

Or count those as Christians that backslide and then get a divorce? DAH???

YES! I will stand up and say that many people count themselves a particular denomination that bear no resemblence to what they claim. That doesn't mean the Word of God is not effective in the true believer's lives.

I also acknowledge that marriages probably are bumpier today and good people sometimes find themselves divorcing through no fault of their own.

BUT overall, I will loudly declare that God is faithful and his commandments not grevious. There are true and wonderful benefits in serving God. Stronger marriages and healthier families are a normal outcome for those who measure their lives by God's Word.

And sometimes when life throws unexpected hardship upon a family, it may result ia a bumpy ride. No point in denying it. But this is where the rubber meets the road and God is faithful.

In your study were both spouses in church? or was the wife a Christian and the husband not a Christian?

Originally Posted by Truly Blessed

It is interesting to me that since many of the denominational churches have embraced Pentecostal style worship, one can attend a Baptist, Mennonite, Alliance, non-denominational, etc. church and basically find the same dynamic you would find in most Pentecostal churches when it comes to worship. Many people leaving Pentecostal churches are attending these churches and feeling right at home. This surprises me.

As one who also has spent time with non-OP pastors and in fellowship with non-OP churches, I have to admit when you do away with the hype associated with many OP churches there isn't any more power there than in non OP churches.

Now then, bring this to its natural conclusion. Does this mean that non OP churchs are doing well, or your associations or references are lacking something?

A classic mistake in comparing ourselves with others in this regard is in our points of reference.

If we conclude that we are all looking good because we all have relatively the same level of Power, less what you call hype, in operation does it mean we are all where we need to be?

I've witnessed power that you will not find in other situations. I suppose I've seen a lot of 'hype' do alot of things.

I'm sure that the enemies of Christ told the people:

"Oh, don't believe the hype."

I'd say that their is plenty of power that gets labeled as hype, and hype that gets labelled as power. Perhaps, this is some of what appears to create the illusion of balance that crakjak refers to that makes some feel like we are all 'ok.'

I'm quite certain that true Holy Ghost filled believers don't have to travel far to smell the difference.

[ILG]

I don't see any difference in the amount of healings etc...what I do see is that, as another thread here mentions, the emotionally disturbed are attracted to OP.

Originally Posted by Newman

Actually, I have had an experience to the contrary when evaluating God's people....

A long time ago (hehehe) when I was in high school I did a research project. I interviewed about 35 couples as to length of marriage, length of courtship, where they lived right after they got married, what their birth order was, how many children they had, how long before the first child was born, etc. etc.

In other words lots of interesting questions to compare the couples with each other. The most interesting observation I noted at the time, was that Oldest children don't marry Oldest children and Youngest children don't marry Youngest children (generally speaking).

But the most important thing I have observed about that study from so many years ago is that NOT ONE OF THESE COUPLES (all from church) that I interviewed have divorced and all continue to serve God or did so until their death.

Granted, I had interviewed alot of the parents of my peers among others. And granted most had already been in church as long as I could remember.

But doesn't that count? In other words, is it fair to count someone who has only been in church a year and was already divorced when they got here? Or count someone who came in and never really stuck?

Or count those as Christians that backslide and then get a divorce? DAH???

YES! I will stand up and say that many people count themselves a particular denomination that bear no resemblence to what they claim. That doesn't mean the Word of God is not effective in the true believer's lives.

I also acknowledge that marriages probably are bumpier today and good people sometimes find themselves divorcing through no fault of their own.

BUT overall, I will loudly declare that God is faithful and his commandments not grevious. There are true and wonderful benefits in serving God. Stronger marriages and healthier families are a normal outcome for those who measure their lives by God's Word.

And sometimes when life throws unexpected hardship upon a family, it may result ia a bumpy ride. No point in denying it. But this is where the rubber meets the road and God is faithful.

Where the rubber meets the road is right. Nice post. Thanks for your personal experience and input.

Some of the strongest families I know are powerfully filled with the Holy Ghost and experience 'hype' on a regular basis. Do you suppose they'll make it?

Originally Posted by ILG

I don't see any difference in the amount of healings etc...what I do see is that, as another thread here mentions, the emotionally disturbed are attracted to OP.

Well, it's a good thing to. We need Christ, whereas everyone else 'seems' to be getting along without him despite their claims on Christianity.

"But Lord, we had it all together, we were emotional sound."

All the while, dead as a doornail without passion, nor zeal for the truth.

Will you join the the great push for unity among Christendom based on the emotionally sound lies and inner comparisions wherein we are all ok because we claim Jesus as Lord?

Absolute Rubbish, these last day lies that leave pages of scripture spinning in a backyard whirlwind.

[Esther]

Originally Posted by Theophilus

Now then, bring this to its natural conclusion. Does this mean that non OP churchs are doing well, or your associations or references are lacking something?

A classic mistake in comparing ourselves with others in this regard is in our points of reference.

If we conclude that we are all looking good because we all have relatively the same level of Power, less what you call hype, in operation does it mean we are all where we need to be?

I've witnessed power that you will not find in other situations. I suppose I've seen a lot of 'hype' do alot of things.

I'm sure that the enemies of Christ told the people:

"Oh, don't believe the hype."

I'd say that their is plenty of power that gets labeled as hype, and hype that gets labelled as power. Perhaps, this is some of what appears to create the illusion of balance that crakjak refers to that makes some feel like we are all 'ok.'

I'm quite certain that true Holy Ghost filled believers don't have to travel far to smell the difference.

No doubt this is true.

[Esther]

I have dealt with both. All of my relative for the most part are not UPC. Just my immediate siblings and their children and my Mom. All of the rest are good Baptist folks.

They study the word and can pray beautiful prayers, yet I can not say I have ever felt power in them.

I wonder if some are calling anointing "hype"? Anointing breaks the yokes of bondage, so IF you are NOT seeing yokes broken then I guess the anointing of God is not there and the hype of man is???

Just a thought.

Originally Posted by Esther

I have dealt with both. All of my relative for the most part are not UPC. Just my immediate siblings and their children and my Mom. All of the rest are good Baptist folks.

They study the word and can pray beautiful prayers, yet I can not say I have ever felt power in them.

I wonder if some are calling anointing "hype"? Anointing breaks the yokes of bondage, so IF you are NOT seeing yokes broken then I guess the anointing of God is not there and the hype of man is???

Just a thought.

Just a really good thought.

[Truly Blessed]

Originally Posted by Theophilus

Now then, bring this to its natural conclusion. Does this mean that non OP churchs are doing well, or your associations or references are lacking something?

A classic mistake in comparing ourselves with others in this regard is in our points of reference.

If we conclude that we are all looking good because we all have relatively the same level of Power, less what you call hype, in operation does it mean we are all where we need to be?

I've witnessed power that you will not find in other situations. I suppose I've seen a lot of 'hype' do alot of things.

I'm sure that the enemies of Christ told the people:

"Oh, don't believe the hype."

I'd say that their is plenty of power that gets labeled as hype, and hype that gets labelled as power. Perhaps, this is some of what appears to create the illusion of balance that crakjak refers to that makes some feel like we are all 'ok.'

I'm quite certain that true Holy Ghost filled believers don't have to travel far to smell the difference.

I don't think for a moment that we are all okay! I believe that what every church in North America needs is a genuine humbling of ourselves before God, a laying down of our pride and a renewed consecration and dedication to the true power of God which is the message of the cross and the Spirit guided life made possible by the reconciliation that was accomplished for us on the cross.

We Christians are so deep in the "doo doo" of irrelevent issues that the unbeliever has a hard time finding their way to the cross anymore.

[crakjak]

Originally Posted by RevDWW

If other "Christians" are not filled with the Holy Ghost then Yes Holy Ghost filled filled OP's have more power then them. For you shall receive power AFTER that the Holy Ghost is come upon you.

It's not a title that empowers, but the Name of Jesus, the blood of His atonement, and being filled with His Spirit.

It is one thing to declare it in a post, it is quite another thing to see it in the lives and homes.

My point is not to bash OP's at all, it is that other Christians that love the Lord and the word of the Lord live lives very similar to God loving and Word loving OP's. I see it all the time, the proof is in the pudding, God is at work in the lives of those that OP's declare "powerless" due to lacking OP doctrine and standards. The "more power" just does not hold true in fact. The power is in the love for the Word, and faith in God.