Across town apostolics ... (was: Beards)

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> it's almost like you have got to *prove* yourself to be accepted.
> Why is it that oneness folks do this kind of thing?  Are they
> inheritanly untrusting?  unloving?  I would think that someone
> would be *welcome* anywhere.

I think because most other "religions" claim salvation simply by a
profession of their faith, which doesn't take much at all.

Oneness people, on the other hand, go through a series of specific
steps in order to claim their salvation. This doesn't mean that the
churches have to be so critical of newcomers, but it would almost
seem sinful to accept someone as "saved" without knowing their
church background...especially when they want to occupy a 
position in the church. Example, if someone came to your church
and claimed to saved, would you permit him in your choir right away
without knowing if he's "REALLY" saved?

When I first came to Milwaukee, I joined a church where NO new
member saved until the pastor heard them speak in tongues. Even
if you came from another Apostolic church, she felt that you weren't
properly taught and didn't receive the REAL Holy Ghost, and you
basically had to start all over from scratch (baptism and all)!

When we joined our new church, the pastor invited us to sing in the
choir right away...however, we had previously talked and he knew 
my church background, and knew the pastor whose ministry I was
saved under.

I agree that some churches are a bit too critical of people that come
from other Oneness churches, but when we are unsure of their
background, it's a good thing to be watchful for a while.