Brothers in Christ

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At 04:59 AM 10/29/98 -0800, Bro Starcher wrote:

<really big snip ... that saveth much space>

>Could it be that Paul has a more dynamic understanding of salvation
>which transcends the notions of doctrinal correctness and perfection of
>lifestyle?  Paul's epistle makes this perfectly clear.  He received the
>Galatians as Christians even thought he disagreed with their
>understanding of the Gospel and their lifestyle.  He did not advocate
>separation and isolation from the Galatians because of their differences
>but rather the spiritual path of reconciliation which would lead to
>restoration.  And he admonishes us to be patient, not to grow weary in
>doing well, witnessing, especially to those in the household of faith. 
>This is the pattern I desire to follow in my life and ministry.

[This will probably wander from topic a little ......................TN]

I've said many a time that I believe that other denominal church goers
are "generic christians" meaning that they are somewhat christlike according
to how they know how to be christlike.  I reckon it unto a mother that's
*forever* giving birth to her offspring.  Most all of them have some degree
of truth, but not the whole kernal.  Maybe the apostolics don't have the
whole kernal either!  But we're probably about the closest facsimile as is
currently of a body of believers.  But, the apostolics have their hangups
which hold them back and it keeps their churches the same size ... the
same church size for years and years and years....

I think, if someone *hungers* after the truth, they'll be led by the Spirit
smack dab into the oneness/apostolic/pentecostal (o/a/p) experience.  But 
they've got to have a hunger for it.  They've got to see that there's a 
*need* to change to a better way.... hmmmmmmmmmmmm... maybe they don't think 
that the o/a/p way is better?  Maybe the witness of the o/a/p's hasn't been 
stellar to even give others the notion that the o/a/p way is better?  I can 
think of very very few things that o/a/p's do to entice others from their 
current sinful or denominational ways.

You know.... what has happened is that the o/a/p's have began to sell the
Holy Ghost much like a brand.  Specifically a brand of past performance.  

God (or the Holy Ghost, or even tongues) has become a brand.  A recognizable
icon/idea/thing that a product is sold.  Much like Mercedes has the circle
divided up into three sections kinda logo -or- like Superman's S-sheild that
is on his chest or cape.... the o/a/p's have managed to brand their religion.

  "Why there were great moves of the Holy Ghost back in my
   grandaddy's day and there were people healed, etc.  Come
   to our church because of our great tradition of God."

Well, certainly there's a great tradition, but people want to see what God
does today.  They also want to see how the people of God accept them and 
work with them as well with the love like unto the church of Philedelphia.

When people are around o/a/p's, do they see a bubbly joyful person just 
overflowing with the Holy Ghost so much that they have just got to have a
piece of the action?  Or do they encounter someone that's critical to their
view that'd just love the opportunity to condemn them for what they do?  Or
is is somewhere between?  If someone was truthful and able to deal with their
pride, they could come to the Lord by a words of the "critical" saint, but
it's not too likely.

My $.07 worth...

Bro Tyler
--
Bro Tyler Nally 
<tnally@iquest.net> <tgnally@prairienet.org> <tn@higherfire.org>

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