From time to time the mantra "AFF is no longer Apostolic" ebbs and flows. Some cry and whine that they are leaving because the forum has "changed." Others want Admin to do "something" but "something" has never been defined.
The thing that unites most of the people here on AFF is the oneness of God, Ac. 2:38 and the United Pentecostal Church International. Not all have/had a connection to the UPC, but most rally around the godhead and Ac. 2:38. Those who are here have differing views on Ac. 2:38 but it is the common glue.
There have been and will continue to be those who desire AFF to take a certain "direction" whatever that is. It really depends on your personal viewpoint. AFF is not taking ANY "direction" as it is what its owners & posters are. The owners desire is to provide a place of fellowship to those who wish to connect with those of like precious faith and to discuss issues of the day. This is a discussion forum, not a doctrinal clearing house or a church. The Owners try to take as much of a "hands off" approach as possible, which we believe is the best policy.
Since there are MANY definitions of just what constitutes being Apostolic, it is really in the eye of the beholder. The challenge of any group of people is to stay the course and not waver. So, when the pressures mount and the cries from ANY particular corner blow like the wind, it is our job to stay the course and "steady as she goes." Some are not content with that and would desire to take the wheel and guide the ship "their" direction.
With the diversity we have on the Owner/Admin team, that is not likely to happen. We will continue to provide the space and the place for free discussion without stifling. Remember, this is a SELF MODERATED board. We are NOT playground attendants. We try our best to act on reported posts in a timely fashion, but we encourage ALL to first contact a poster and work out your "beef" with them which is biblical. If that doesn't work, contact us and we will do our best to solve the problem. We're not God and we're not as wise as Solomon, so please respect our best efforts at being impartial.
You're ALL welcome here with your differing viewpoints, Lib, Con or Mod and everything in between. Debate is encouraged, and even sometimes HOT debate. Nothing wrong with that at all. Just do your best to keep it civil and everything will be OK!
So, is AFF Apostolic? I think it is and the rest of our diverse Admin team think so as well. Is it Apostolic according to everyone's definition? I'm sure it isn't but to try to do so would be an attempt in futility. So, we'll just stay the course and continue to provide you a place to congregate and have some fun and hopefully receive ministry when you need it. May you all be blessed above measure and please don't take forum "life" too seriously. Remember, it is only a forum!
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"Those who go after the "Sauls" among us often slay the Davids among us." Gene Edwards
My understanding is that AFF is supposed to be a forum of people who all claim to have been baptised in the name of Jesus, filled with the Holy Ghost by the evidence of speaking in tongues as the Spirit of God gave them the ability, and seeking to follow the example of Christ, The Apostles and the tenants of the Apostolic Church by way of the Holy Scriptures.
Today, "apostolic" is nothing more than an undefinable, overused lable that we all think we are the epitome of. Sometimes a person's identity gets challenged by what they read here. (My personal view is that when this happens it's a sign of a very shallow understanding of Christ and the power and purpose of His salvation). When our identity gets challenged we then get defensive.
For me the question remains, Can everyone who is a member of AFF be defined by my first paragraph?
My understanding is that AFF is supposed to be a forum of people who all claim to have been baptised in the name of Jesus, filled with the Holy Ghost by the evidence of speaking in tongues as the Spirit of God gave them the ability, and seeking to follow the example of Christ, The Apostles and the tenants of the Apostolic Church by way of the Holy Scriptures.
Today, "apostolic" is nothing more than an undefinable, overused lable that we all think we are the epitome of. Sometimes a person's identity gets challenged by what they read here. (My personal view is that when this happens it's a sign of a very shallow understanding of Christ and the power and purpose of His salvation). When our identity gets challenged we then get defensive.
For me the question remains, Can everyone who is a member of AFF be defined by my first paragraph?
Dave, we don't REQUIRE any member to adhere to the first paragraph. It is our connection, in whatever way, to the first paragraph that unites us. That is my point. And to answer your question, I'm sure that not every member can be defined by that first paragraph. I'm sure you understand that we're not going to be the forum police to try to enforce that. It is a guideline and an inclusive definition not an ultimatum.
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"Those who go after the "Sauls" among us often slay the Davids among us." Gene Edwards
MOW, on some level AFF certainly is by and large an Apostolic forum. Because most everyone here has had some kind of an experience with the Apostolic/Oneness Pentecostal church.
For many of us AFF is a continuation of FaithChild. I know I still call this place FaithChild from time to time. AFF has certainly become some thing very different.
I am not saying that is a bad thing or a good thing, change is inevitable. I am just making that note.
We say that AFF is Apostolic but do we say that based on the history of what this eclectic group has been historically? If so we have to also admit that we aren't what we once were. The conservative side of AFF has become more liberal. I would be a conservative on this site now and Lord knows I am not a conservative.
At the same time the left side of this place has both grown in size, stature and has become more and more liberal.
MOW, YOU are a moderate on this board.
So is AFF Apostolic? In some since it is just as Apostolic as it has always been. That being a place where people who are tied in some form to 2 main doctrines, those being the Oneness of God and the Pentecostal experience. but on another level AFF seems to me to be moving into something else, it seems to me that there are far more who would have to be identified as Post-Apostolic.
Is that bad or good? I don't think that is a fair question. It simply is what it is.
__________________ If I do something stupid blame the Lortab!
I would say if someone doesn´t want to post here go somewhere else. Our church teaches Acts 2:38...we teach Matt. 28:19 too! We do not shy away from any scripture. I am not usually this blunt so forgive me...however I think some people just like attention.
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Dave, we don't REQUIRE any member to adhere to the first paragraph. It is our connection, in whatever way, to the first paragraph that unites us. That is my point. And to answer your question, I'm sure that not every member can be defined by that first paragraph. I'm sure you understand that we're not going to be the forum police to try to enforce that. It is a guideline and an inclusive definition not an ultimatum.
I dont think he was saying you should try to enforce that (if you did the Admin team might need a revamping). I think what he is saying is that it becomes difficult to call this place Apostolic if that isnt the case.
you are right MOW, we are a collection of people with a "connection" to Oneness doctrine and Acts 2:38.... that connection in many instances really is little more that what many used to believe....maybe
__________________ If I do something stupid blame the Lortab!
I dont think he was saying you should try to enforce that (if you did the Admin team might need a revamping). I think what he is saying is that it becomes difficult to call this place Apostolic if that isnt the case.
you are right MOW, we are a collection of people with a "connection" to Oneness doctrine and Acts 2:38.... that connection in many instances really is little more that what many used to believe....maybe
I know that wasn't what Dave was requiring, I was only giving input in light of the question he asked, basically stating that it could not be answered.
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"Those who go after the "Sauls" among us often slay the Davids among us." Gene Edwards
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