Have Apostolic Churches changed since 2005?

[Michael The Disciple]

Originally Posted by jfrog

Romans 6 seems pretty clear on continuing in sin.

1 What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound?
2 God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?

6 Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin.
7 For he that is dead is freed from sin.

11 Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord.
12 Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof.
13 Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God.
14 For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace.
15 What then? shall we sin, because we are not under the law, but under grace? God forbid.

And perhaps most importantly,

16 Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness?

Amen

[diakonos]

Why are people walking on pews?

[jfrog]

Originally Posted by diakonos

Why are people walking on pews?

Out of all the things I asked about that is the one that grabbed your attention

[diakonos]

Originally Posted by jfrog

Out of all the things I asked about that is the one that grabbed your attention

Yes. What is the point in that?

[jfrog]

Originally Posted by diakonos

Yes. What is the point in that?

Ask the preachers who have done it?

[Michael The Disciple]

Originally Posted by jfrog

Ask the preachers who have done it?

I have not seen it in an Apostolic Church. I did see it in the Freewill Baptist Church I went to decades ago as well as in Trinity Pentecostal.

They say they are overwhelmed by the Spirit to do it.

[Esaias]

Originally Posted by Michael The Disciple

Speaking from just my own experience I can say:

There are no more set aside times for testimonies. There is no what used to be called "shouting". They do not teach "be perfect".

I thought you disapproved of "shouting"? Seems I remember you speaking against that awhile back.

Anyway, all these generalised statements about "apostolic churches" are ridiculous. Never mind that a lot of so called Oneness Pentecostal "churches" aren't apostolic to begin with. Acts 2:38 is NOT the sum total of the apostles' doctrine.

We ALWAYS have testimonies. Every church that I have ever been a part of (except the brief time we languished in a charismatic church) had testimony time. And even THAT place would occasionally mention praise reports from the members.

I have not been a member of a no shout church. And wouldn't. Don't have to shout ever time all the time, but a straight up "no shouting here" church? Won't see me there.

Most of the churches I have been involved with in my life, the oneness pentecostal ones, taught be ye perfect. Not always as clearly as perhaps might be done, but I have never been a part of a church that taught you can't stop sinning. Except for that charismatic church, that is.

First message I ever preached as a young man was in a UPC, and included the declaration "You weren't BORN a sinner, you CAN be saved from all your sin" and the pastor jumped up and shouted amen and didn't sit back down till next service.

I don't know what kind of churches you've been visiting, but I'd say you need to get out more often.

[diakonos]

My first pastor made sure we knew that “everyone sins everyday” was a lie.

[Michael The Disciple]

I thought you disapproved of "shouting"? Seems I remember you speaking against that awhile back.

I dont know that I said I disapproved of it. When I say "shouting" what I mean could be a combination of dancing, jerking, running and literal shouting. I have seen all this in Apostolic Churches long ago but not in recent years.

It not that Im against these things but I am ministered to more by more "Charismatic" type worship. The Apostolic Churches I have been around lately are doing this more than the other.

Anyway, all these generalised statements about "apostolic churches" are ridiculous. Never mind that a lot of so called Oneness Pentecostal "churches" aren't apostolic to begin with. Acts 2:38 is NOT the sum total of the apostles' doctrine.

Well he is asking what we as individuals have seen. Im simply reporting. I fully realize there are thousands of what are called Apostolic Churches and I have been in maybe about 20 mostly as a visitor. Nonetheless I have been Apostolic myself since 1980 so I know somewhat about these things having heard and seen things also on the net.

But I also agree the sum total of the Apostles doctrine is more than Acts 2:38. Thats the problem I have in being part of the "movement".

We ALWAYS have testimonies. Every church that I have ever been a part of (except the brief time we languished in a charismatic church) had testimony time. And even THAT place would occasionally mention praise reports from the members.

And about all Churches USED to have testimonies. Usually in every meeting. I can say for sure there is no testimony service or set aside time for them in the 3 Churches I have been with in later years. The Charismatic groups I used to be around always had them and so did Apostolics in the past. That doesnt mean there NEVER are testimonies. Just that its not a regular part of the meeting.

Most of the churches I have been involved with in my life, the oneness pentecostal ones, taught be ye perfect. Not always as clearly as perhaps might be done, but I have never been a part of a church that taught you can't stop sinning. Except for that charismatic church, that is.

I have never heard perfection preached in an Apostolic Church. They all preach what they call "holiness" but they all (in my experience) make sure to explain their not talking about sinless perfection. They count it as false doctrine.

I don't know what kind of churches you've been visiting, but I'd say you need to get out more often.

Admittedly there are thousands of local Churches I have not been to. I have tried various livestreams. I believe that Oneness and Acts 2:38 Churches have more truth than most simply on the basis of those 2 things. Yet the more I have "gotten out" over the years has increased my disappointment with them.

BUT.....I believe there must be good Churches somewhere. So I would recommend the thread starter Bro. Frog to start searching around. He may find something great and be able to share it with others who are looking.

[hometown guy]

Originally Posted by diakonos

Walking on the pews?

Well we have chairs but walked over them plenty of times