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The Future of the Apostolic Movement: The People of PrinciplesBy
Kent d Curry Transitional periods in life and society are always fascinating to observe and awkward to experience because they often end unexpectedly after beginning without warning. Most recently, America has experienced the explosion of Silicon Valley centimillionaires ruling the world before their fortunes detonated this past spring. No one predicted either event. Though the old rules of business have been reasserted, we still live in a period of significant transition. Never before has anyone had as many opportunities as Americans do today. The opportunities in the worldwide job market (even for the undereducated, but skilled), wealth creation (401(k)s, the stock market, stock options), religious beliefs (all being equal according to society), and recreation (extreme sports, satellite television, the Internet and inexpensive travel options) are without parallel. We are reliving the early decades of the Roman Empire, when horizons are vast, confidence high and individuality unfettered for citizens. With our borders secure, almost everyone is choosing convenience over commitment, personal freedom over societal responsibility, a tailored belief system over organized religion, pop over art, “the moment” over “the future” and making money over quality of life But this movement into a Post-Christian society is forward from an era that is our recognized religious starting point. Our spiritual identities were forged in the last century. Although started in Acts and traced throughout history, the oneness of God and the infilling of the Holy Ghost with the evidence of tongues were again showered from God into hungry hearts in the early 1900s. In response to this revival spirit, churches formed, then religious organizations and, at some point, Apostolics transformed into the People of the Iron-Clad Rules. Of course, any time an organization of any type begins, it must set up rules to define and distance itself from other organizations. It works in business, sports and even religions. Rules create necessary boundaries and a corporate identity. Rules are the most important foundation for long-term growth. Rules are not to be ridiculed. The Bible is full of sensible rules, with seven of the 10 Commandments stating “Thou shalt not…” and Jesus, then Paul, delineating specific rules to follow in Christian living. None should be disrespected. Still, at some point, we allowed ourselves to become labeled as the People Who Can’t¾ we can’t drink alcohol, we can’t dress immodestly, our women can’t wear pants or makeup or cut their hair, our men can’t wear shorts or have long hair, we can’t attend movies and ball games and amusement parks. Instead of becoming holy aggressors intent of converting others, this label represented our recoiling into a defensive posture against that clutching bogeyman¾the world. That first century is now behind us. If the Twentieth Century made us the People of the Iron Clad Rules, then the Twenty-first Century must prove us to be the People of the Iron Clad Principles. In periods of transition, only the most essential rules avoid grinding themselves into powder. Most rules disintegrate in a world that changes despite them; some examples include: 1. The early Pentecostals who preached against the radio. 2. Preachers in the 1960s preached against men having beards. Some haven’t stopped. 3. When competitive basketball allowed but the two-handed set shot. 4. When currency was printed to the exact equivalent of gold held by the government. These rules are anachronisms, but the truths they represented have never changed: 1. Radio was not the sin, but a medium of communication. The point of the preaching should have been to apply wisdom in what you choose to hear; and invest your time for treasures above, not waste it in actions below. 2. In the 1960s, beards represented cultural rebellion. However, that stopped being the case at least 20 years ago. Scriptures against rebellion are plentiful, but those against beards are non-existent. 3. For basketball, the point is to get the ball through the hoop, not to predetermine how everyone shoots. 4. Governments need a stable currency in an evolving world. Gold once provided that stability. It no longer serves that purpose as there is not enough gold available to fund currency today, so countries are now measured by different standards. Non-doctrinal rules are often for a season, while their inner truths, or principles, remain invulnerable to age. A de-emphasis of the principles for the sake of the rules seems subtle at first, but soon becomes a tone change that sets the ship off course. The Pharisees were not evil men, but rather determined religious leaders fixed on keeping the Hebrew people pure from paganism. However, they soon became The People Who Can’t to the point they wouldn’t even associate with outsiders (read: future converts), turning Judaism into a purely defensive religion. When the lawyer asked Jesus, “Master, which is the great commandment of the law?” (Matthew 22:35), it’s fascinating that His two greatest commandments were not laws, but principles: 1.
“Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy
soul, and with all thy mind” (Matthew 22:37) 2.
“Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.” (Matthew 22:39) Like U.S. Congressmen, religious leaders on every level find it easier to make rules than to teach principles. Rules are easy and quick (“Don’t do that!”, “Do this!”), while principles take time through application and training. Principles are flexible, sensible and strong. Non-doctrinal rules grow brittle over time. Biblical principles are unfazed by cloning, abortion pills and predetermining a child’s features in the womb (it’s not here yet, but it’s coming), while Twentieth Century Apostolic rules haven’t been made to deal with any of these issues. Principles can be messy and inconsistently applied as people learn to implement them. But they’re eternal. The best-trained fighters in the world are Navy SEALS.
When training, their rules are iron-clad and endless as they must learn exactly
the best method to shoot, detonate and parachute. Yet, once in the field, all of
these fundamentals become subservient to a greater field plan that must adjust
to the principles of engagement. It is this flexibility in battle that leads to
success. If we are to survive and grow, engage the enemy and win, we must admit to the times and embrace Biblical doctrine above Apostolic rules. For though the original intent might be the same, the application is often different: ·
A People of Rules often substitute altar services for personal
devotions, using Sunday nights to keep close to God. A People of Principles
maintain daily devotions so that they are able to minister to those praying at
the altar. · A People of Rules focus in reacting to worldly excess while a People of Principle prioritize moderation in every action · A People of Rules focus on defining specific immodesty’s while a People of Principles focus on godliness and purity first. · A People of Rules implement prayer as a function of church, meals and personal needs. A People of Principles seek the kingdom of God first, praying more, not less, in communication and intercession with our Father. · A People of Rules means our intimacy with the Bible isn’t essential so long as we know our Sunday school stories and what our pastor is preaching against. A People of Principles means we must know the Bible better, more thoroughly and apply it daily to live an overcoming life. As Paul wrote, “We must work out our own salvation with fear and trembling.” (Philippians 2:12) Fear. Trembling. Both are applied in different measures to every saint, but the same spirit exudes from all that reverence the ways of God. This adjustment means we must no longer be the People who Can’t, but the People who Don’t. Living a godly life is a choice to do¾and not do¾certain actions. · We don’t drink because the consequences often are un-Christlike. · We don’t dress immodestly because inner holiness is more important than outside attention. · We don’t participate in certain activities, no matter how harmless they might appear, because our pastor preaches against them. He is our shepherd and scripture is clear¾obedience is the highest form of worship. Revival will crest the banks of the Twenty-first Century if we continue to pursue one truth¾growing closer to God¾instead of just our unshakeable, revelatory truths (one God and tongues being the evidence of the Holy Ghost ). History is littered with religions that stuck to their single spiritual revelation, made it a rule and grew no further, eventually being supplanted by another group with a deeper revelation. The Catholics had works, but eventually it was time for believers to move forward into greater truth and their rules blocked this. So, the Lutherans implemented faith, and the Lord moved. After some time, it was time to draw closer to God, but their rules were in place, and they failed to accept more from Him. This pattern among religious organizations can be traced down through Apostolics today, where we have our profound revelations¾but we dare not squat on a limitless God. Otherwise, at some later point, we will discover another group of believers who react as we do to Christians who cling to the Trinity or sprinkling as baptism or insist that tongues were only for the apostles¾they will shake their heads at us and think, “If only they were open to more of God!” It is time to progress into that next spiritual step before us. It is time to fully embrace the Gifts of the Spirit, active principles to be applied consistently in revival centuries. The Gifts make believers uncomfortable because they’re uncontrollable, there are no rules to regulate them, only principles that recognize then channel them for the glory of God. The Gifts force us beyond our comfortable station of worship into a nearer imitation of Christ. It is when the Gifts are in use that miracles will occur often, when hardened hearts will melt and true faith becomes our watchword as people yearn to please God and not man. While tongues edify the body, the Gifts glorify God. The gifts are the full operation of faith in our lives, a scary¾but necessary¾step for avalanches of revival. Now, there is a possible downside to this adaptation. Besides the extra work required of saints too comfortable in their professional Pentecostalism, there could be church splits initiated by those who stick to a Twentieth Century worldview, the People of the Rules, in a new millennium custom-made for the People of the Principles. Both represent a greater truth, but in 50 years only one group will still be a representative of full revival. Our organizations have now blossomed into full adulthood; responsible adults always use more principles to guide them than rules, because the core rules have been mastered. History shows we either adapt or choose to be inflexibly swept away. History is irrefutable: the church either adapts or legislates how God moves. I choose Principles, the open embrace of a single source of Truth (the Bible) that will adapt and overcome a post-Christian, possibly pagan, society. I find God eager to flood us with spiritual blessings if we but ask, prepare ourselves and follow His Spirit. We have an unshakeable foundation, offered by those
spiritual warriors passed before us, upon which the Church of Tomorrow will
flourish and conquer. We have but to accept our destiny and walk forward to
victory. ninetyandnine.com
ã 2000, Kent d Curry -------- Kent d Curry delivered a version of this article at a forum on this topic in September. He is an executive editor of ninetyandnine.com. Have an opinion on an article? Let us know how you feel! Click feedback & fill us in. |
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