The Primary Concern

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In a message dated 3/26/99 8:47:44 PM Pacific Standard Time,
stevstar@prodigy.net writes:

>  Let us examine Brother
>  Clifton's arguments against my post An Apostolic Declaration for the
>  Third Millennium chronicling his misrepresentations.
>  

 Of  the seven "arguments" you presented not one time do you reveal the
context (by that I mean the statements of yours Bro. Clifton is responding to)
of those "arguments." In essence, you have not only sidestepped Bro. Clifton's
statements, but initiated a new attack on Bro. Clifton, Sister Yohnk, and
myself. 
 
 By the way, please do not give credit to Bro. Clifton for "argument" #6 for
he is quoting me asking you a question of you. Why do you still try to include
all of us Apostolics in you statements? 
 
 Bro. Starcher writes:
 Brother Clifton knows that Apostolics considered themselves
Christians in another way before they became Apostolics and that many
Apostolics today have no difficulty in acknowledging the Christian faith
of those outside the Apostolic movement
 
 Either you are excluding me, and almost everyone I know as Apostolic, or you
are telling an untruth by saying, "Apostolics considered themselves Christians
in another way before they became Apostolics."  Why do you do this? Who are
you trying to convince? 
 
 Bro. Starcher writes:
 Throughout this dialogue Brother Clifton's primary concern is not with
The Apostles' Doctrine, it
is not having individuals baptized in Jesus name, not having individuals
filled with the Holy Spirit and speak in tongues, not having people
receive the revelation of the fullness of God in Christ.  His primary
concern is not evangelism, converting individuals to Jesus Christ the
Apostolic way.  His primary concern is not discipleship, teaching
individuals how to serve Jesus Christ.  His primary concern is defending
his theological system, which I have identified with Fundamentalism. 
This is also true of my dialogues with Brother Reed and Sis Lynne.
 
 To which I reply:
 I cannot speak for Bro. Clifton or Sister Yohnk in this matter (although I do
have my opinions) but as for me, unless you soften your words in the above
paragraph to something along the lines of "it seems to me" or "in my opinion"
or "it is my feeling," I am going to have to call you a liar. My primary
concern *is* the Apostle's Doctrine, *is* having people baptized in the name
of Jesus, it *is* seeing people filled with the Holy Ghost, it *is* having
people receive the revelation of the Mighty God in Christ. My doctrine, (that
you call a theological system) encompasses these precepts. 
 
 It is my perception that you are arrogant. For months you have told the list
what I believe (you think), and now you are "declaring" to the list what all
Apostolics believe (you think). Why can't you just tell us what you believe
Bro. Starcher? I don't mind you stating your opinion. I don't mind you stating
your opinion of my opinion. But please, stop stating *my* opinion, let me do
that!  Because so far you are wrong. 
 
 Mike Reed