Salvation The Pentecostal Way

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Thanks Brother Reed for your response to my post.  The purpose of my
posts on higher-fire is to discuss the Apostolic faith with fellow
Apostolics.  In my last post I noted how I thoroughly enjoyed attending
a very conservative Apostolic Church recently.  I have learned to put
theological differences aside when worshipping the Lord and to look for
the presence of the Holy Spirit and the love of God in the lives of
those I share a common faith with.  I have also learned that although
Apostolics have theological differences that which unites them is
greater than that which divides them.  The reality of Jesus in the
Apostolic community far surpasses our ability to express theologically
and strongly binds us together.

That said, I have been thinking about polarization all day.  It seems
that Apostolics have traditionally only seen two possibilities for their
relationship with other Christians:  1) isolation and rejection; and 2)
affirmation and assimilation.  Any emergence from isolation is thought
to to leave rejection behind and lead to the affirmation of the faith of
other Christians and the loss of Apostolic identity, assimilation.

For me, isolation is not a choice.  If I am to share my faith with other
Christians I have to be in dialogue. Assimilation is also not an
option.  I am totally committed to the truth and the reality of the
Apostolic faith.  There is no better way to know and serve Jesus Christ.

What remains is rejection and affirmation.  I reject and do not embrace
those doctrines, beliefs, and practices of other Christians which are
explicitly unbiblical and which do not lead believers to a life of
discipleship.  At the same time I affirm the reality of the faith they
possess, the salvation they have experienced, and common interpretations
of Scripture.  I avoid the extremes of isolation and assimilation and
hold fast to the middle.  Let me restate and illustrate:

Traditionally Apostolics have linked isolation and rejection and
polarized them with affirmation and assimilation:

ISOLATION AND REJECTION  VERSUS  AFFIRMATION AND ASSIMILATION

I break these linkages and couple rejection and affirmation:

ISOLATION  REJECTION AND AFFIRMATION  ASSIMILATION

By affirming the areas where I agree with others and avoiding total
rejection I establish a framework where I create and sustain a dialogue
with others, witness, and not fear assimilation.

In my opinion, forsaking the extremes of isolation and assimilation is
reasonable and prudent.  How can Apostolics witness to those who they
are not in contact with?  Why should assimilation even be considered an
option for Apostolics?

This is my middle ground.  I guess that's why I call myself a moderate
Apostolic!

God Bless!

Steve