An Apostolic Vision

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Bro Steve:

> > The Apostolic Vision is attractive because it articulates the Christ
> >  centered and restorationist faith present within the Pentecostal
> >  movement.  Pentecostal worship and life are centered upon the
> present
> >  reality of Jesus Christ.  All Pentecostals possess a desire to
> conform
> >  to the example of the New Testament churches found in the Acts of
> the
> >  Apostles.


> "If we look at the heart and soul of the Apostolic movement it is not
> Fundamentalist.  Fundamentalist are restorationists believing that the
> church has "arrived"  in a given historical epoch and the truths which
> define that epoch should be protected and preserved at all costs.  The
> goal of Christian theology is just to represent the same identical
> truths in different historical and cultural epochs."
> 
> "Apostolics are reformationists.  We believe that the Spirit will
> continue to reveal truth and that the church will continue to be
> reformed until Jesus comes."


> Bro Mike;

>  I am trying to pay attention Bro. Starcher, but I am confused again.
> Are
> Apostolics supposed to have the "Apostolic Vision" or not?  Is the
> "Apostolic
> Vision" being a fundamentalist or visa versa?  Are we to be
> restorationists or
> reformationists?  If the whole point of your posting is to display a
> better
> way of presenting the Apostolic Faith, why would you want to present
> something
> different from what is already "attractive?"  Are you saying that the
> fundamentalist (those that are restorationists) views are attractive?
> Who are
> the good guys and who are the bad guys?  Which one am I?  Which one
> are you?

Bro Mike, I see no inconsistency here.  I am going to be addressing the
Apostolic norm by which the Christian faith should be measured this week
in several posts and thought that a reposting of this article from last
year would be appropriate.   The Apostolic norm calls for the
reformation of the Christian faith that it might be restored to the
Apostolic faith, life, and ministry.  The difference between me and you
is that you believe that you have been fully restored, there is no need
for further reformation.  I believe the church will be in need of
reformation until Jesus comes.  We will not be made perfect until he 
who is perfect comes! 

Being Apostolic means that we follow the Apostolic witness to Jesus and
their way of life.  This way of life is a dynamic, not static reality. 
This means that it is not only a about doctrines, what to believe, but
about spirituality, living in the Spirit.

What type of Apostolic are you?  You are one of the best types of
Apostolic Brother Reed.  You are firmly rooted in the Apostolic faith,
alive unto the Spirit of God, willing to follow the guiding of the
Spirit.  I do not say this sarcastically!  This is why you struggle with
my posts.  What Apostolics believe is very important to you and you
subject all presentations of the Apostolic faith to scrutiny.  This is
how it should be.  Change is very difficult for you, but once you know
that something is of God you will come to its defense with your very
life if need be.

Brother Reed, this is not about the good guys and the bad guys.  This is
about reexamining every aspect of our Apostolic faith with Holy
Scripture, keeping that which is good, refining that which is mediocre,
and tossing that which is bad out.  Fundamentalism, in my opinion,
should be tossed.  Apostolic denominational organizations should be
refined, and the Apostolic faith, that distinctive form of serving the
Lord which characterizes Apostolics should be retained.  

Brother Reed, I am an Apostolic.  Why should you be surprised when I
call for the restoration of the Christian church following the Apostles?
Why should you be surprised when I say that the Church is in need of
reformation, the guiding of the Holy Spirit into more truth?  The real
inconsistency in the Apostolic movement is with those who say that the
church is completely restored to the Apostolic pattern while
simultaneously saying they are open to the moving of the Holy Spirit. 
Do you know anyone who is like that?

Studying about the Apostolic norm for the Christian faith this weekend
has revived some Apostolic fires in my heart.  Believe it or not Brother
Reed, I am passionately Apostolic, almost to a fault.  I expect some
Amen's and Hallelujahs from you this week after you read what it means
for the Church to be Apostolic.  And please don't say that they are
contradictory because I do not follow your Apostolic theology.  Read
with an open mind and heart allowing the Holy Spirit to lead you into
truth.  I really appreciate you Brother Reed!

God Bless!


Steve