The Apostolic Dialogue With Catholics 3

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Yeaton Wrote:

>Please clearify for my slow mind, who is worthy to Enter the
> Kingdom,

Galatians 5:19-21 explicitly tells us who is worthy to enter the Kingdom
of God.  Reading this passage and understanding its message should
humble us all!  


> and in what catagory would you suggest a person understands the answer
> to
> question well enough so they could be considered adherent to Apostolic
> Christianity aside from belief in Acts 2:38 as the start of salvation.

I assume you are asking whether a person must understand Apostolic
doctrines in order to be an Apostolic.  The answer is no.  There are
many Apostolics who are baptized in Jesus name who do so without
understanding all of the theological ramifications.  There are many
Apostolics who acknowledge Jesus as the revelation of God without
understanding all of the intricacies of the Trinitarian Apostolic
debate.
 
> Must they confess an understanding of standards?

Once again, there are a lot of Apostolics who embrace standards without
understanding there significance or having personal convictions. There
are also al lot of Apostolics who do not embrace the traditional 
Apostolic  understanding of Holiness.


> Do you require certain standards?

Yes.  I believe the Sermon on the Mount presents the ethics of the
Kingdom of God by which Apostolics and all Christians are to live.

 
> Should lifestlyles such as iodolitry ?
> homosexuality?or adultery? be considered extreme
>  examples of unholiness by Apostolics

I have already answered this question.


> Must they be in General terms conservative Christians (as I imagine we
> all
> are)?

No.  One can be an Apostolic and not embrace the theology of American
Conservative Christian Fundamentalists.  Conservative Christians are
the  harshest critics of Apostolic Pentecostalism eager to label us
heretics and a cult.  Why is it necessary to pay homage to them by
mimicking their theology?  

> Must they believe in the Incarnation? the Ressurection? and the
> Rapture?

These are all important teachings of the New Testament and are an
essential part of the faith of all Christians.

> Must they believe in the Onenness of God? (Deut 6:4- 6:8)

No.  Oneness is not a Biblical term or concept.  Apostolics believe that
the the one true God (the Father) is revealed in Jesus Christ (the Son)
through the Holy Spirit (the Spirit).  For Apostolics the knowledge of
God (His identity) is a revealtional event occurring in the Apostolic
community when individuals encounter the risen and present Jesus through
the baptism in the Holy Spirit and by demonstrations of His presence and
power. Apostolics are guided by the Spirit to know Jesus as Lord and
God.

 
> If this sounds like an awkward question remeber we don't know who is
> saved; we only know what they confess, and when telling the world we
> are
> Apostolic we need to know how we classify Apostolics.

Earlier this year there was a discussion on this list about how to
classify Apostolics.  Check the higher-fire archives for some posts on
moderate Apostolics.

God Bless!

Steve