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Print April 17, 2006 All I can say this week is that I still have not watched The Passion of Christ, and I wanted to prior to Easter; the reality, is finding that much time without interruption is nigh unto impossible for me. Oh well, maybe sometime soon. With Spring here, I spent some time out in the yard on Saturday. Of course, I didn’t work in the yard on the day it was 72º, but had to wait until it was a record-breading 93º! No matter, it is always nice to see the cycles of the seasons begin. I love all of them, and every year when the leaves begin to bud, the flowers miraculously pop through the ground I always wonder how people still question if there is a God? Go figure, they’re the ones missing out!
Re: “Just Friends” I just wanted to say how well written this article was. I’m glad that this man was able to take everyday somethings and apply it to spiritual matters. It was very uplifting and amusing! Katie Jackson, Michigan
Re: Last Week’s Cover I was referred to your site and this article in particular by a friend who has left the UPC, and is now considered by most to be “Charismatic.” He has turned around and now embraces most of the things he used to preach against. He found your article to be a means of fuel for his fire of compromise. He hoped it would somehow convince me to change. “So You’re Apostolic—and That Means . . What Exactly?” It really depends on who you’re asking. You will get different answers from Trinitarians, liberals, conservatives, sinners, bitter former UPC preachers, true Apostolics, etc. To those of us who are Apostolics, we know what all-night prayer meetings are. We enjoy our worship opportunities, and anxiously look forward to the next lost person or backslider that God places in our path, giving us an opportunity to love and share His plan for them. We can still see the old landmarks. We can still hear the thundering voices of those who clearly showed us the way and brought us to where we are. We’re satisfied they knew, and we’re satisfied we now know. Our objective is two-fold: to save ourselves from this unbelieving world, and to win all others to Christ, which means we have to win them away from something else. We are not so foolish as to believe we can win them to Christ and let them remain where they are. We who are true Apostolics do not hate others. We do not promote bitterness. It saddens me that those who fight us who are still holding onto the things we were taught express the kind of anger and bitterness they accuse us of owning. The holiness I believe and practice began inside me. It cleaned up my mind, my spirit and my heart. Finally, it worked its way outside me. It affects my daily thought processes, my daily speech, my activities, my appearance, my associates, my desires, etc. I agree you can look and act the part, and not be the part. But it is impossible to be the part and not look and act the part. If you can show me your faith by your works, I can also see your heart and mind by your words and actions. I am sorry if our actions offend your efforts to convince the world we are really the same as them. The truth is, we are not and never will be. If you have such a desire to be like them, there are many organizations out there who baptize in Jesus name and endorse all other practices of the denominational and Charismatic world. If you’re not happy with us, go with them. You’re only going to frustrate yourself, your poor wife, and children trying to change us, because we really don’t want to change. We have no need to be identified with T.D. Jakes, Rod Parsley, Oral Roberts, Jimmy Swaggart, Rick Warren, Joel Osteen, Tommy Tenney, or any other “high profile religious idols.” (All of whom we love, but strongly disagree with) We’re very satisfied to be identified with the teachings of Verbal Bean, C.A. Nelson, V.A. Guidroz, E.L. Holly, D.L. Welch, Carl Ballestero, Lee Davis, Paul Mooney, Brian Kinsey, Raymond Woodward, C.P. Williams, and thousands more who still embrace the teachings of the original Apostles. Your insinuation that the early church probably didn’t have a dress code is quite a stretch. They may not have built their entire ministries around those teachings, as some do today, but they certainly didn’t ignore the subject either. Thank you for allowing me the privilege of responding. Trueman Hurley, Florida
Re: “Apostolics So What” Great message, I agree; if the church spent as much time in prayer as they do fellowship there would be very few empty pews. I believe if you fill empty hearts empty pews will be filled also. Thanks for sharing the truth. Larry Gammons, Missouri
I just sat for five minutes with tears in my eyes as I read my own thoughts in print. My heart grieves over all the friends I can count who have walked away from churches because they were tired of “dead religion” and being told that because “this was it” this is what they needed to settle for. I’ve had person after person tell me “I refuse to settle” and my heart echoes that cry. If this is not more than words, if our walk is simply talk, and if our lives are not shining beacons to those who see us, we have failed. It’s been said that “the miracles of the New Testament were simply to help get the new church started and thus we don’t see them as often today because they are not as needed.” Oh how my heart longs to see the wounded healed, the sick instantly cured, cancer erased, and more, oh so much more, because we live it. Not just in a camp meeting, not just in a revival, not just once a month special service—but every day! As it was said, “they should be beating down our doors.” And if we were truly the lights on a hill it would happen. Glory should be so thick that those who look on our faces would burn with the intensity of His presence and long to know Him more. “Holy Ghost revival” should be in every service we have. Thank you for speaking my heart. May all who read this article be as smitten, as moved, and as stirred to get down and pray for this to be done in our day as I was! Maya Davis, North Carolina
Re: “So We’re Apostolic...” I heartily agree with the author that we need to spend far more time in the prayer room in effectual, fervent prayer and less socializing. Indeed, we should be demonstrating the anointing and power of the Holy Spirit in Jesus’ name, as were the saints of the early church. But so many have the feeling that we should not televise meetings of our churches for the benefit of reaching and fulfilling Jesus’ Great Commission for the thousands of couch potato types who sit or lounge and watch their TVs by the hour and who never darken church doors. Not only should our services be power-packed for the benefit of those we invite or whom the Holy Spirit draws to our services, but also for those who will have their first exposure to real, genuine miracles of healing and deliverance by the Power of the Holy Spirit because of our effectual fervent prayer. Samuel M. Smith, Hawaii
Re: “Who wants to be an Apostolic Millionaire” Who wants to be a Millionaire? I do and I am going to be! This is huge, and it is powerful! And it is Christ-Centered and I ask you to look at it and send me your feedback! God is already blessing! And we are touching lives in the Kingdom for the glory of God! I want to be a Water Pitcher in the hands of the Master... so He can pour in and I can pour out so He can pour in. I can tell from your mindset that you are a blessing! Please give me your feedback! Blessings in Christ! Ron Acker, Colorado
Re: “Dressing up for church Big Question?” Dressing up for church is showing respect to God. Do you dress up to go to an important event? Dressing up is telling God He’s important to you. You wouldn’t show up to work in shredded jeans and a raggedy old T-shirt. At least I hope not. Jessica Tipton, Florida
Re: “Tommy Tenney” Sir you should read the God Chasers before you decide not to denounce this man. He refers to the Word of God as moldy, dusty, old love letters. That’s just beginners. Jon Dekkers, Arizona
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