revival -Reply

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On Thu, 26 Sep 1996 12:18:23 -0400 Michael Cole <colemp@sunytccc.edu>
writes:
 
 >In regards to saying that your standards are higher than others in 
>your Church, I say this.  Are you stating this with pride, or are you
just 
>saying that you yourself have decided that you don't want to live with
low
>standards for yourself?

I stated I had higher standards than some in my church to make a point
a few sentences later in that *very same* posting, that having a higher
standard does NOT make me any better than those that have less standards.
I know my weaknesses and have set those areas more stricter for me when
it
comes to standards.  The standards my church has are the same biblical
standards that the UPCI goes by.  I have just felt the need in some areas
to go higher in a few standards...no pride..just caution.

> It's fine to set a standard for yourself that is very strict.  However,
you >shouldn't expect all to live by your standard. 

I never said I expected anyone to live by *my* standards.  When it comes
to biblical standards though, I feel the saints of the church need to
teach Bible studies to help lead these people.  The pastor needs to 
preach the truth to help lead these people.  God will lead the person
if that person trully wants to be lead.

>The only standard that we need to live by is the Bible. 

Amen.  If we live by the Bible then there will be no problems.

> Yet, we DO need to obey those that have rule over us.

Amen.  The Holy Ghost will tell you if your pastor is out of line
on something.

 >About movies:
>I, myself, own a vcr.  I live with my parents, who have cable 
>television.  From what you're saying, this makes me full of sin. 

In the UPC, members are allowed to own a tv that has altared channels
so no broadcasts can some in.  They are also allowed to have VCRS.
The VCR is to be used cautiously and only for taking pictures of
families,
friends, church activities, and viewing of educational, religious, or
inspirational films which are consistent with wholesome Christian living.
The UPC opposes the viewing of all wordly motion pictures and video
films as are being shown commercially in theaters and on tv for
entertainment
purposes for the unGodly masses. 

Now, getting a little deeper.  I am to obey what my pastor puts over me.
He is obeying the guidlines set forth by the UPC.  If I go and watch 
tv shows that differ than what he tells me I can see oir view, isn't this
being disobiediant?  The pastor over you sets standards to keep his
flock safe.  

Now to answer your question.  Owning a VCR or having parents which
view cable tv does not make you a sinner.  My parents refuse to get rid
of their tv or the primestar network.  Do I have to view the unGodly
shows on it?  No.  Am I sinning because they watch it? No.  Can I use
the vcr for the right purposes?  Yes.  Remember, just because everyone
is doing it, doesn't mean I have to too!


>Owning televisions, vcrs, and even cable doesn't make a person a sinner.
 
Exactly.  It is what they view on those instruments.  Since tv and cable
favor unGodly shows and has very little benefit for spiritual people,
why watch them?


>We have the choice to decide what we will, and will not, watch on that
television. 
>If we only watch decent material, there is absolutely nothing wrong with
>what we are doing.

Are you going against your pastors word and the authority put above you?


Chris Sterrett
sterrett@juno.com
-------------------------------
Apostolic Bible Church
Acts2.38@juno.com