Forum Name Change

[Falla39]

Regardless of what we choose to call ourselves,
2Timothy 2:19
"Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity".

Falla39

[HolyFire]

Originally Posted by deacon blues

And the world called them Christians. No one called themselves Apostolic Pentecostals in the Bible. It's a modern construct.



I have a problem being called Apostolic Pentecostal in some ways because it associates me with many groups I don't want to be identified with. Because of the elitist, self righteous reputation that many AP groups have, I don't want folks to lump me in with the same.

There are Apostolic groups that handle snakes and drink poison. But theybare hardline Oneness and holiness standards. There's a group of Apostolics that are part of the C. Peter Wagner/Cindy Jacobs/Dutch Sheets prayer movement that have no holiness dress codes. So the pride in the term Apostolic really becomes subjective. I doubt if you would want those people to be lumped in with you, yet they claim the Apostolic label.

Then there's Pentecostal. The TBN crowd is Pentecostal. I find very few on TBN I want to be connected to. Most of the prosperity doctrine comes out of Pentecostal circles. I deplore that false teaching. There are cooky Pentecostals that seek after signs and do crazy stuff that isn't Biblical. There are folks who are Pentecostal that abuse the gifts of the Spirit and prophecy false prophecies and make a sham out of true spirituality and godliness. The spectrum on the Pentecostal continuum is very broad. And many on that continuum are people you wouldn't want to represent you.

So I look at the Bible and I see the label Christian. They were identified as having been with Jesus. They didn't get on their high horse and brag about their superior doctrines and organizations and how they were the true Body of Christ. They simply walked by faith, obeyed Christ's command to spread the Gospel, started churches, strengthened the brethren and lived the life. They didn't get caught up in political church struggles and names to slap on their church signs. They loved the Lord and humbly walked with their God and the world took notice and they embraced the message they preached and lived.

Those crews aren't that different. There are some really nasty spirits running around in those circles. The New Apostolic Reformation is known for a lot of spiritual abuses that make some of the pastors mentioned on this board look like childs play. That and the false prophetic spirit and the false manifestations run rampant.

TBN, it's mostly about $$$. Money is a big thing in the NAR as well, you have to pay to get a list of their 'prophesies' (Elijah list).

To many that have suffered abuse, I am sorry. If you've been mentally and spiritually abused in a UPCI/AP church I am sorry. I've been in some of these situations (even heard a pastor use the N-word over the pulpit during service and he got more Amens for that than his message). I didn't blame God. I didn't blame the standards. I didn't blame the doctrine. I saw standards and doctrine searching the scriptures, not because someone said so. I moved away as soon as I could and found an amazing multicultural (yes UPCI) church. The pastor is a good man. I moved away into a similar situation, only whites (which I am) are the minority (55-60% African-American and Mexican), and again the pastor is a good man. I've been blessed.

However, I saw this doctrine after frequenting other churches. I was in a situation where God 'cornered me' and I saw what He was trying to show me, not because someone forced it on me. When I've been in a bad situation I've prayed, God has always helped me. Not in my time, but He always has.

About political struggles, never understood all that. He's not the author of confusion. Tells me there is a lack of prayer somewhere.

[bbyrd009]

Funny, I came in here to suggest
(Political) Pundit Training Assoc, since I think
PTA is available.

[Margies3]

Originally Posted by AreYouReady?

Deacon Blues, you need to join our church then. My family belongs to the General Assembly and Church of the Firstborn.

Headquarters are in Heaven and there is a church in every county in America and every country on this planet. Gotta look for them though.

No tithing. No bills...those have been paid for by Christ...no dress codes because He will give us new robes...couldn't care less about the hair issue.. because whatever Christ says is what I will do. He won't be ambiguous about it.


To the general assembly and church of the firstborn, which are written in heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect,

(Hebrews 12:23)

Goodness!! I want to join YOUR church, AYR!!

[bbyrd009]

Amen.

[kclee4jc]

Originally Posted by houston

I hereby petition the powers that be to consider changing the name of this forum by removing "apostolic," or adding "ex" or "X" as a prefix to "apostolic."

Let's face it. Many, if not most of us were introduced to the Pharisee/Legalistic brand of the Apostolic church. Many, if not most of us have been freed from a form of the bewitching that the Apostle Paul wrote against in Galatians.

Seeing as how we are the constituents that have been called out from among them, I see no purpose to continue to use the title of "apostolic." We left them. They did not leave us.

For some of you it will be hard to let go. The word "apostolic" makes you nostalgic. You become reminiscent of many precious memories. Memories of camp meeting. Brush arbor days, etc.

It is time to stop living in the past. We need to rise up and embrace the bright future ahead of us.

The legalistic church is not going to be the conduit that brings the next wave of revival. It is you and I, us, we are the conduits. The time is here...

If by "legalistic" you mean conservative, then I think you make a large and unfair assumption. I was in mainstream Pentecost for a while and now am amoung more conservative brethren. I think prayer brings revival and these men know how to touch God in prayer. And not only that, but our church has had tremendous revival since we have stepped it up in prayer AND consecration in holiness (tv's bein tossed out, rings taken off, sleeves comin down). We have almost doubled in attendance and had MANY receive the Holy Ghost. Sorry Brother, but I very much disagree with you. The prayerless will not have revival, the unconsecrated will not have revival, the unsincere and unsubmitted will not have revival. God will, however do a work in those who seek him.

[tv1a]

Legalism is easily defined as judging peson's righteousness based on subjective convictions. Getting rid of television but keeping the computer doesn't show consistancy in conviction. Doubling attendance does not validate cramming subjective convictions down people's throat. When the Galatian church tried that Paul compared it to witchcraft.

People getting the Holy Ghost doesn't mean people are saved. Speaking in tongues is not a sign of revival. Read the history of revivals that changed nations. The fruit of revival is repentance.

Originally Posted by kclee4jc

If by "legalistic" you mean conservative, then I think you make a large and unfair assumption. I was in mainstream Pentecost for a while and now am amoung more conservative brethren. I think prayer brings revival and these men know how to touch God in prayer. And not only that, but our church has had tremendous revival since we have stepped it up in prayer AND consecration in holiness (tv's bein tossed out, rings taken off, sleeves comin down). We have almost doubled in attendance and had MANY receive the Holy Ghost. Sorry Brother, but I very much disagree with you. The prayerless will not have revival, the unconsecrated will not have revival, the unsincere and unsubmitted will not have revival. God will, however do a work in those who seek him.

[TGBTG]

Originally Posted by tv1a

Legalism is easily defined as judging peson's righteousness based on subjective convictions. Getting rid of television but keeping the computer doesn't show consistancy in conviction. Doubling attendance does not validate cramming subjective convictions down people's throat. When the Galatian church tried that Paul compared it to witchcraft.

Originally Posted by tv1a

People getting the Holy Ghost doesn't mean people are saved. Speaking in tongues is not a sign of revival. Read the history of revivals that changed nations. The fruit of revival is repentance.

huh??

[tv1a]

Speaking in tongues is not the physical evidence of salvation. Tongues is not the icing on the salvation cake. That's why you can't judge revival be how many people you get to speak in tongues.

[AreYouReady?]

Originally Posted by Margies3

Goodness!! I want to join YOUR church, AYR!!

Ok I caught that Margie.

Everybody calls the church they belong to "my church", when in fact we know that it is Christ's church.

Come follow us as we follow Christ through the wilderness on earth till we reach that prize at the end of our life. We are but pilgrims traveling through.