Pastor John's House - Home Church

KeptByTheWord · #1 07-16-2014, 05:31 PM

I was searching on youtube for videos about home church, and came across this group. The website is http://pastorjohnshouse.com

My interest in this group was piqued by a video that I had seen some time ago of a service that was held in Pastor John's home. Here is that video:

KeptByTheWord · #2 07-16-2014, 05:32 PM

I also noticed that on this website there is a section called The Apostolic Corner, as help for our Oneness, UPC and Apostolic brethren. http://pastorjohnshouse.com/apostoliccorner.html

Does anyone know who this man is? He appears to have former Oneness/Apostolic/UPC background.

n david · #3 07-17-2014, 07:20 AM

He lost me with his belief that baptism is not only not required, but the belief of such "shows great disrespect for Christ."

Quote:

This is the part of "Apostolic" doctrine that is not apostolic at all. It shows great disrespect for Christ. The baptism of the holy Ghost, by itself, is the "complete born again experience", and it needs no water. Your leaders are guilty of adding to the doctrine of Christ. For them to teach that without receiving their form of water baptism, those whom Christ has cleansed with his baptism will not be saved in the end, is the same as to teach that without physical circumcision, those Christ had cleansed with His baptism will not be saved (as taught by foolish men in Acts 15). That is a great error.

It's too bad because, from what I read, he appears to have a strong belief in the infilling of the Holy Ghost.

n david · #4 07-17-2014, 07:40 AM

Another thing many here would have an issue with is his belief on Tithes.

Quote:

I am open with my congregation concerning what I do with the money, but I am not required to be as open as I am. There are, in fact, occasions when I see no value in sharing with them what I am spending my money on, but whenever that happens, I wrestle with no guilty feelings because it is none of their business, anyway. Besides, I live for my sheep, and nothing I do is bad for them, even if they don’t know what it is.

God has never laid on His sheep the burden of overseeing their shepherd or his expenditures. The shepherd’s money is his, personally, and he may spend it as he likes. The only burden the sheep have is to make sure they honor God with their increase; after that, they can rest from concern about what happens with the money. Besides, a shepherd of God’s flock has something more terrifying to face than the sheep’s displeasure, should he misuse the money given to him. (I have never heard of a shepherd who was afraid of sheep, except when a pastor is hired by the sheep to do his job.) Whoever feels a need to supervise the pastor’s use of God’s tithes and offerings does not trust that pastor enough to bring God’s money to him. In such a case, that believer should hold on to his tithes and offerings until God gives him a pastor that he can trust.

KeptByTheWord · #5 07-17-2014, 10:19 AM

I agree, he has some issues. I love the worship that I see on the video. I believe the man probably is a good man, and he must have left the OP at some point in his life. But I definitely have issues with his ideas on baptism, and tithing. I did read through some of what he had on the Apostolic Corner, and it saddened me.

I understand baptism to be by water and spirit, and why should anyone not want to get baptized? Especially since the apostles used water to baptize, so for me that is enough. If they did it, it is something we need to do.

And the tithing thing - wow. I read through some of the stuff, and he talked about NOT letting a man tithe because he didn't want to take dirty money (he wasn't living right). I've never heard anyone do that before.

I think a pastor/shepherd should be compensated for their work in the church, but there is no percentage given anywhere in the NT that is binding... it is more of a heart full of love that gives, and this kind of giving would take the church to a new level, I believe, instead of mandating a 10% across the board.

n david · #6 07-17-2014, 11:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KeptByTheWord

I was searching on youtube for videos about home church, and came across this group. The website is http://pastorjohnshouse.com

My interest in this group was piqued by a video that I had seen some time ago of a service that was held in Pastor John's home. Here is that video:

I certainly enjoyed the sweet spirit of worship in this video.

Just able to watch the video. What a beautiful song and worship! I'll take moments of worship like this over praise breaks any day!

Abiding Now · #7 07-17-2014, 09:17 PM

This guy is goofy.