I wrote this on another Forum in reply to the question “Is AFF down again?” I answered “Yes” and then I wrote (this is an edited version):
Is the problem indicative of what’s really wrong with AFF? A few weeks ago there was a mass exodus of those who did not like the direction the Forum was going in. Too liberal! Too "inclusive"! So they left as they felt they should. Things settled down. I was encouraged by the "new breeze blowing" at AFF. No fighting...no name calling. But... storm clouds were massing on the horizon.
All too quickly... storm winds began tossing the Forum about. Fussing... arguing, debating over... well, over anything and everything. Business as usual, you might say, but only to an extent. This new round of storms is different. Its not about UPC vs. WPF. Its not about standards/non-standards. Not about women preachers, pro/con. The current storms stem from a major storm... between one steppers and three steppers. But, as storms do, its building... evolving becoming more than just a discussion or debate. It is becoming as Paul said, a cannibalistic smorgasbord. "Gal 5:15 But if ye bite and devour one another, take heed that ye be not consumed one of another." We have no one left to fight but each other. We can't fight the Trinnies, we keep them beat away with our ungodly "All Trinitarians are lost" mentality. The "ultra cons" have weathered their last storm and sailed to what they think is a safer port. So... who do we have to fight? Each other. And, we're getting really good at it. Our slogan is "Win at any cost!". Doesn't matter who is hurt, what friendships are harmed, what fellowship is broken. Doesn’t matter. Because the FIGHT is more important than someone I'll never meet. Besides, they're nothing more than a blip on my computer screen. Why would I care about such trivial things as feelings? If my words hurt... so what? I have the RIGHT to say and do as I please.
I'm old fashioned I guess. Archaic. Obsolete. But I believe my fellowship with a brother in sister in the Lord is more important than my RIGHT to rub their nose in what I disagree with them about. I'm from the old school that taught we should seek what we agree with our brother about, and minimize those things on which we disagree. I take my cue from an old-fashioned, archaic and obsolete Book that says Eph 4:3 Endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. We don't even try. I looked up the word Endeavor in a dictionary and found that it comes from two words which means "Duty" and "To try". It is OUR duty to try to keep UNITY in the Body of Christ. Unity isn’t just some “warm and fuzzy” word, it’s a reality for God’s true church. But, we don't even try. We don't even put forth the effort. Why? Because UNITY is boring. To be truly united in the Body would mean I would have to get out of my comfort zone and start doing what God called me to do. You know. Preach the Gospel. Heal the sick. Baptize folks in Jesus Name. And, most uncomfortable of all... pray. Really pray until I hear from heaven. No... its much more comfortable (and fun!) to sit here at my computer and fight with my brother or sister in the Lord. Oh, maybe not really enter the fray... maybe just sit back and watch the blood fly.
No, can't do that either because I seem to remember something Paul wrote. Rom 1:32 Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them. What were some of these "such things" Paul was writing about? Homosexuality. And unrighteousness. And DEBATE. Among other things.
Currently, the fighting is about the differing views among those (like me) who hold to the old PCI view of salvation and those brethren that hold to the PAJC view. Lets stop for a minute. Lets move beyond the doctrines and consider the spirit that motivated the brethren back then to bring these two opposing views together. What kind of spirit would bring about a merger of this magnitude back in '45? Some would say "COMPROMISE!" Do we really think that? Or was it that these brethren knew there is strength in numbers? That they really had a yearning for fellowship with other Oneness people? And that they really needed each other? Their love for the brethren prompted them to "compromise" a little in favor of spiritual communion with their brethren. Their spirit was undoubtedly one of humbleness. Of love. Of unity. Mostly, it was the Spirit of Christ.
As I close this rambling post (that will no doubt go unread and un-noticed) I'm reminded of another verse of Scripture. Taken, admittedly, out of context somewhat, but, bear with me: Mat 23:23 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have omitted the weightier [matters] of the law, judgment, mercy, and faith: these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone. In our quest for "doctrinal correctness", are we doing the same thing the Pharisees were doing? Are we so busy with pigeon-holing TRUTH that we are omitting "the weightier matters" of God's Word? In out defense of what we believe to be truth, are we killing off our "spiritual man" by debating and infighting with our brother? As we bite and devour one another...are we consuming our own selves? Are we destroying the very TRUTH we are trying to uphold?
This isn't directed at any one individual other than myself. I pray daily that God will help me to maintain a right spirit toward my brother. I pray He will quench my human spirit and fill me with His. I'd rather have a right spirit than a right doctrine. Because that right spirit will lead and guide me to the right doctrine. And it doesn’t really matter how right I am doctrinally, if my spirit is wrong, then I am wrong. And...I’ve been thinking that maybe its time to move on. Its not encouraging at all to come here and find yet another senseless argument that serves, not God’s purpose, but the devils. We have plenty of common ground upon which to build fellowship and friendships. I have enjoyed a little of both for a while now. But, because I take no pleasure in watching the implosion of fellowship within the Body of Christ, I find myself wondering just why I come here. .
Preserving the relationship is more important than being right.Excellent post.
Preserving the relationship is more important than being right.Excellent post.
Do you think a lot of people are right fighter's Rhoni? By that I mean I am right no matter who I hurt, who I lose a relationship with?
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If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.
2 Chronicles 7:14 KJV
He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the LORD require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God? Micah 6:8 KJV
Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is. 1 John 3:2 KJV
If it wasn't for this forum, I would have never known there were a such thing as one-steppers! I never knew the details of that AWESOME merger that created UPCI.
I was raised in a "stricter-than-UPCI" small, Apostolic church in DC. I have fellowshipped with UPCI since 1996 in Japan, Florida, Alabama, MD and NC.
I never knew that there were Christians who believed in Salvation by faith in Jesus Christ with the necessity of water baptism in JESUS' name, as the scriptures demonstrate.
But I came here, and found others who believe like I'm coming to believe-- I believe this site is a Godsend! I have been praying for a couple of years for direction concerning my beliefs, how I was raised and how I read the scriptures now.
Yes I still have questions, but if it wasn't for the discussions here, (and the willing GODLY participants) where would I go to ask these questions?
"Iron sharpens iron," the Bible says. I am glad for the discussion and debate. I hope we can all keep the right spirit throughout our discussions and interaction.
Mike D.
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"The choices we make reveal the true nature of our character."
Last edited by Jermyn Davidson; 04-30-2008 at 01:52 AM.
Reason: clarity
Excellent post.
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