This dependency goes against everything Jesus taught us: we still need to depend on each other in strength and courage, but not at the cost of our individual freedom or self-respect. And Im not sorry I did! "WHY I LEFT THE PENTECOSTAL CHURCH". Congregations who do not have a locally residing elder are assigned a "Counseling Elder" by the national elder body. I'm grateful for the many lessons I've received from this wonderful community, and I'd like to share what I've learned with you. Open Bibles, close fellowship, and the love of God in our hearts is what we have to offer. A unification on the weekend of July 4th, 2021 resulted in the addition of the Indiana and Ohio churches. Thanks in advance for your time and insight with my question. If the Apostolic Christian Church were a cult, it wouldnt have been so easy to leave. I didnt think anyone could understand, but you do So relieved. The Apostolic church forbids its members from participating in any activity outside of the belief system of the church - such as seeing a movie or attending another Christian denomination service - both activities which allowed me to develop a bigger understanding and appreciation for life with Jesus and what's important to Him.Another point of contention for me was the fact that members are encouraged to become emotionally and financially dependent on their Church leaders essentially turning the community into one giant family controlled by an isolated group of elites. It is an out of balance, unbiblical view of being a disciple of Christ. In fact, it was just like the one when I left. I talked to my parents (who are still members) tonight and this is the first time I hear about this split. They believe they are a new and better type . The same is true of other Apostolic Fathers. First, let me start by saying that I am truly sorry for the hurt you experienced and pray that God will eventually heal the wounds you suffered. It is titled "The False Hope of a "More Apostolic Church.". I do not know a lot about IVF but I have heard that it is not uncommon for some of the embryos to be discarded. I believe anyone who follows the plan of salvation as laid out in the Bible and lives their best according to the Word is saved. Welcome to the official website of the Phoenix Apostolic Christian Church. That way of thinking is easier said than done, I know. What is your belief about people who have the evidence of receiving the Holy Ghost through speaking in tongues but were baptized under Matthew 28:19? Often times, one of the most difficult steps to take in life is to find the courage to break away from a religious tradition in pursuit of uncovering ones own values and beliefs. This article is about the denomination formerly known as the Evangelical Baptist Church. My grandfather preached "fire and brimstone" from the time I could remember until his death in 1968. Good solid message from the word. Worst of all, the call for a "more apostolic Church" is really just a call for a self . A lot of the aspects of the Apostolic Christian Church that at first glance seem cult-like are actually just cultural. The only religion that follows that patern are Jehovahs Witnesses who do not join the army in any country.Can you imagine Jesus sitting in the tank encouraging and blessing to kill others?The same applies to not being involved in any politics as Jesus said his followers do not belong to this world. Leaving the Apostolic Christian Church brought much uncertainty at first but now I look back on this significant transition with admiration as it helped bring about meaningful spiritual growth unimaginable before starting down that path. 2:20; 1Pet. I found that many of the doctrines of the church did not align with my personal beliefs. My husband was NOT on board. It was one of the best things I ever did in my walk with God. I have also heard that one can opt to not do that, but that it may result in the birth of many babies at once. Doing this allows us to build a strong relationship with God while growing closer to him through faith-filled practices. It is necessary for me to remember why this decision was made in the first place: for growth. These congregations are the remnants of the beard-refusing-side in Europe. I also like the term alternative religions. Many tearful prayers, scores of church cards, and five Bible studies later, I had someone in church with me. They converted a room in their house into a nursery. In 1917, the church adopted a uniform name: Apostolic Christian Church. The Apostolic Christian Church holds strict beliefs that differ from mine, and our differences in beliefs ultimately caused a divide between myself and the Church. We have also experienced those that have left our Apostolic Christian church, seeking a return to the "old ways," whatever that means. Scripture also states that the apostles are the foundation of the church ( Eph. Apostolic Pentecostals teach that women should not cut their hair. I originally felt like I should write this after searching for something on Google in regards to Apostolic small group lessons. Older people are both leaving & staying in churches depending on various factors such as life transitions & changes that come in later years, availability of fellowship activities adapted to needs/capabilities at different stages, rejuvenating programs overseen by seasoned Christian leaders who understand them better than young caregivers would do overall. Maybe you should go back to the church group that preached "grace and truth"???? My understanding (limited I must admit) is that any time people speak in tongues there is to be someone to interpret what is happening to avoid confusion as well as to help eliminate the fear created to others. (2 Tim 3:14) Paul could have been thinking of me when he wrote this verse to a young man named Timothy. Ok, back to the Apostolic Christian Church. Other members have expressed concerns about the conservative nature of the church's teachings, urging individuals to adhere to familiar values at the exclusion of more progressive ideas and life paths. Apostle Paul started many churches throughout his missionary journeys including those at Philippi (Acts 16), Thessalonica (Acts 17:19) Berea (17:1014), Athens (17:1534) Corinth (18:118), Ephesus (19). Praise God! The Apostolic church forbids its members from participating in any activity outside of the belief system of the church - such as seeing a movie or attending another Christian denomination service - both activities which allowed me to develop a bigger understanding and appreciation for life with Jesus and what's important to Him. Quite a number of other Christian Apostolic groups existed for a while beside this bigger group, some still do today as home gatherings. A light meal is generally served between the morning and afternoon services, Midweek services consist of a single service, generally of the same format as the Sunday services. Im part if this church and have thougths somtimes that it might be cult or cult like. Apostolic members strive to promote first-century Christianity in its faith, traditions, and politics with adherence to the doctrines of the Gospels. Think about Abraham and Sarah! The office of elder is seen as equivalent to that of a bishop as described in the epistles of 1 Timothy and Titus. As a result, some believers feel that it has become less about worshipping God and more about building and maintaining power. By Matthew 28:19 Im assuming you mean in the titles Father, Son and Holy Ghost instead of in Jesus name? Though they may differ in structure and beliefs, many values like love, mercy and justice always remain at its core. An Apostolic church is one that operates on the leadership of an apostle. The lost of links to the apostolic church left the Protestant churches with missing many components of the faith that was delivered by the saints. To be Apostolic means to follow the teachings of Jesus and His Apostles, as well as those of New Testament scripture and tradition. Eventually I realized that in order to find true peace in my faith, I would have to move beyond those teachings to discover where I truly fit in. CGAA will not be liable for any losses and/or damages incurred with the use of the information provided. he was desperate for help and that his life was out of control and he didnt know what to do. [1] The Apostolic Christian Church only ordains men, who are authorized to administer baptism, the Lord's Supper, and the laying on of hands. . About a week ago, the Lord started speaking to me and I cannot deny it any longer. In this case, it would be a sin. Elders of local congregations are ordained by the Elders of the other congregations, usually after a ballot is taken from the local congregation. The elder of each congregation has the oversight of the local congregation but is subject to the authority of the other elders throughout the denomination. Receive breaking news and original analysis - sent right to your inbox. I don't know how to research it because I don't know what name they are using. I felt that if so many people would write their grievances, it only be fair to the many readers out there looking at these types of articles that they get the other side of the argumentespecially from someone who left and then came back. Given you and your wifes circumstance, you can probably imagine the grief and questioning! Another point of contention for me was the fact that members are encouraged to become emotionally and financially dependent on their Church leaders essentially turning the community into one giant family controlled by an isolated group of elites. Keep also in mind, that it may not be right when we want it. The doctrine of the Apostolic Church is similar to most evangelical churches. Several questions have come up since I wrote that post a couple of weeks ago so I decided to respond in a Q&A format. We live in the hub of the central decision making for that church. As a result they are always looking for something new. How these threads get sidetracked. You should take no action solely on the basis of this publications contents. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Copyright APOSTOLIC INFORMATION SERVICE, Secret to Church Growth by Tim Massengale, Church Growth Must be Intentional by Tim Massengale, Faith Goal Setting Only Works When You Do It By Tim Massengale, Home Bible Study Success By Tim Massengale, Relationship Evangelism by Tim Massengale, Key Elements of Church Growth by Tim Massengale. In all traditional AC groups, permanent lifelong. The destructive cult leader preys on this noble ability and uses it exclusively for his own personal gain. This is not a question but was the second most common response I had received. Since Jehovahs Witnesses believe that Jehovah and Jesus are not the same person but that Jehovah is above Jesus, would not your opinion that if Jehovah permitted war that it should be acceptable? Why didnt I have someone in church with me? 400 out of 700 people split or defected. For anyone to get to heaven, they must believe that Jesus Christ died for their sins and rose . To leave the group would immediately put them into a survival crisis. He disagreed with me. Father John Bunai from the Diocese of Jayapura, the capital of Papua province demanded a thorough inquiry to create an . These people were nothing like that family memberthey were not judgmental at all, they believed in inward and outward holiness but understood that each person grows at their own pace, and the church was full of love. Thursday, 02 April 2015 02:46 PM EDT. 1.. It is note worthy how easily we overlook that our God is faithful and just. old) that I will leave everything to God anymore and I still believe that miracle will come to Us on Gods right time .My wife is open for IVF option.What can you advise for Us?.Hoping your reply. We live in the hub of the central decision making for that church. It is a common misconception that German language preaching was a primary issue in the division. I believe anyone who follows the plan of salvation as laid out in the Bible and lives their best according to the Word is saved. By the way, "sin not", "does not sin", "can not sin" "should not sin" are all bearing different meanings & are directives. They readily admit that the Lord's people were described by various terms, such as Christians, saints, firstborn ones, etc., but they cling to one designation - Church of Christ. This has made them feel stifled in their spiritual growth, unable to take advantage of the wider world's offerings fully or question aspects of their faith openly without fear. 2:4, 6-7 ), which means that the very existence and the purpose of the church depend on and flow out of the person and the work of Jesus Christ. Hello, Im AJ (40 yrs. There's a verse in Ecclesiastes about that: Ecc 7:10. If that is not the case (that person is gone or you live nowhere near that church) I encourage you to find one in your area and visit. In 1932 a second schism originated from a letter sent by elders in Europe asking for greater adherence to traditional teachings and practices. Like Mormonism, the New Apostolic Church was founded in the 19th century with the claim that all other Christian denominations were in error. They formed their own branch (, The small fraction that did not join and emphasized more traditional/conservative standards call themselves. Apostolic churches adhere to the teachings and beliefs of the apostolic Christian faith, derived from the Twelve Apostles. Like most Pentecostals, they do not use alcohol or tobacco. I, too, have been hurt by people within the church but by the grace of God was able to overcome it. This laying on of hands and prayer of consecration places the seal of the Holy Spirit on the life of the newly baptized. Amish barn-raisings are a great example of this: there is strong social pressure to participate in them (so you give up some of your individual freedom there) but you also get the individual benefit when your barn burns down. Very concerning and sad to hear. I stayed there until about 3 years ago when I became disgruntled and left. God was glorified! Heres how it happened: It was in an ordinary service the usual songs and choruses, offering, prayer, a special and preaching with an altar call afterwards. This gave me more exposure to foreign beliefs and practices that helped me shape my own sacred philosophy. E-mail comments to Webmaster -- Page last updated 11/24/2021 19 . I looked over and saw him clapping with us during the singing and there was a smile on his face. I also have friends in many independent Apostolic churches (not affiliated with a particular organization). To start, by going on this journey of spirituality without the confines of one religion, I was able to explore various faiths that inspired and influenced my life in myriad ways. If this appeals to you, we look forward to meeting you soon. The word "convert" is used throughout the denomination to describe anyone who begins repentance but has not been baptized into the church; it does not imply conversion from another denomination or religion, but from the carnal to the spiritual state. 12. I faithfully attended the church since I was a child, and yet it was not where I belonged. Note that nothing is cut-and-dried and so destructive cults can have different levels of destructiveness. Again, you might be surprised at the love you will find. Both Anabaptist and apostolic Christianity revere scripture as divinely inspired truth, promote ecclesiastical authority structures within congregations reflecting Biblical models, share similar views on science technology ethics and social justice issues plus advocating local communities experiencing peace with equity sustainability unity among peoples' diversity. Members of the Apostolic Christian Church of America, and Apostolic Christian Church [Nazarean], are somewhat discouraged from visiting churches of other denominations. Create an account to follow your favorite communities and start taking part in conversations. Answer (1 of 2): I left the apostolic pentecostal church many years ago, but still have a relationship with Yahshua (Jesus). It always comes back to the grace-law thing. 400 out of 700 people split or defected. There are many churches out there that believe in one God (and that the fullness of the Godhead is in Christ Jesus), baptism in Jesus name, and the infilling of the Holy Ghost with the initial evidence of speaking in tongues. In a culture of casual sex and careless relationships, Apostolic singles are set apart by God for better things. (Jesus means Jehovah has become our salvation). The New Apostolic Church was founded in Germany during 1863, following a period of spiritual revival that emerged in various Protestant and Catholic faiths. A. Finally, service and giving of yourself are keys to contentment within our faith community. I dont know if you and your wifes story will be the same as my friends. Genuine questions about doctrine, however, have been approved as I want those seeking answers to have help finding them. Since leaving the church I have been better able to follow my spiritual intuition and reconnect with God on an individual level. Elders perform both religious rites and also conduct ministerial duties. Dr. Crandall Discovered the Truth, AT&T DirecTV Censorship of Newsmax Continues, See More Here. The reasons for leaving the Apostolic Christian Church are both varied and personal. Later he cites the Lord's prayer, virtually as . 2:20 ). No. In some of the branches, such as the Nazarene branch, this service is for members and converts only. Young Christians often disconnect from church life due to feeling disconnected with their religious community or lacking meaningful relationships within it; being overwhelmed by new responsibilities for families or jobs; not having time for regular involvement; disagreements about beliefs or practices; struggling to live up to traditional values; seeing limited relevance between their interests/values/lifestyle & religion, etc.. It is perfection. Real Celebration. Welcome to Saint Anthonys Catholic Church. The topic is the splitting of a church, for whatever reason. We are saved by grace alone, not grace + righteous living. Loooonng before there was a 'Church of Christ' there was THE Church, the Body of Christ, "the Church of the Living God, the Pillar and Foundation of the Truth" according to St. Paul. Here's Why. Related Read: Who signs for a church loan? I received the Holy Ghost in my apartment one night while praying in 2006 and was led to the UPCI where I was baptized in Jesus Name. Christian Congregations (Christians Only). So I can speak from personal experience. What is ur understanding of speaking in tongues and having an interpreter to avoid the confusion? I hope he did not leave the church. Most of the time when people are looking for a church, they search online, view a church's website, and then maybe they visit on a Sunday and maybe they don't. If they don't, you'll never know. Required fields are marked *. Ive realized that there has to be something about Jesus because the devil will only fight this hard when things are going against his will. Wasnt He the one that was accused of being comfortable in the company of harlots and people who drank? Although many will stay for longer, some may find themselves uninspired or unsupported by their new spiritual home whether due to lack of communication from pastors or gaps in topics or areas which dont otherwise fit within its doctrinal structures.

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