Attitude Check -Authority

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You:
> I've watched this discussion and the only sure way know that right or
wrong of the whole thing is check your attitude. 

Me:
Wrong Sis.  Why, of why can't we just stick to the Bible?  Why is it so
VERY, VERY hard to get the saints to SEE that if it is not prescribed in
the Bible, you HAVE NO RIGHT to "enforce" these traditions in any way!  ANY
WAY! 

If you have a "tradition" of wearing a tie in the pulpit you can say "Bro.
Litteral, we have a tradition of ministers wearing a tie in the pulpit."
and I would say "Thank you for informing me of this."  I would then pray
and ask God if He wanted me to wear a tie to, as Paul said, "become like"
those he preached to or to not wear one as I know that I am free in Christ
not to do.  If what you have "really" is a tradition and I get into the
pulpit without a tie, that will be just FINE with you.  A tradition is not
necessarilly wrong but it is "optional" or it has become a "commandment." 
I would on occasion wear a tie and even shave my beard if this were
required for me to preach, but I would then preach against the practice of
REQUIRING this of ministers.  Not rebellion, on the contrary, submission. 
Wearing the beard in the mean time is really no ones business but my own,
unless it becomes a stumbling block to "non disputers" and since I am not
married.  This is the Bible.

You:
 Is it humble? Submissive? You chose to go to the new assemblage and
thereby accept this shepard as the one to be *answerable* for *your* soul. 
 

Me:
This is one of the most prevelent herisies in the Oneness churches today. 
The Pastor nor anyone else is going to be *answerable" for *your* soul but
you!  The Pastor will be answerable for HIS conduct and will have to give
an "accounting" for those in his flock, whether HE has "lead by example"
properly and that those that were "lost" of those that God has "given" him
were properly "warned" thereby releving "HIM" of the blood guilt of these. 


Ezekiel 3:20
Again, When a righteous man doth turn from his righteousness, and commit
iniquity, and I lay a stumbling-block before him, he shall die: because
thou hast not given him warning, he shall die in his sin, and his
righteousness which he hath done shall not be remembered; but his blood
will I require at thine hand. 

Ezekiel 33:8
When I say unto the wicked, O wicked man, thou shalt surely die; if thou
dost not speak to warn the wicked from his way, that wicked man shall die
in his iniquity; but his blood will I require at thine hand. 

Ezekiel 34:10
Thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I am against the shepherds; and I will
require my flock at their hand, and cause them to cease from feeding the
flock; neither shall the shepherds feed themselves any more; for I will
deliver my flock from their mouth, that they may not be meat for them. 

How much more do these verses apply to the "pastors" of God's flock today. 
We are not refering to people's submission here but to the fact, which I
have verified with Scripture time and time again, and Lord willing will
continue to do so, that the pastor nor anyone else has the *AUTHORITY* to
impose upon anyone, more than what the Bible requires of the saints of God.
 To reject someone like myself who knows beyond any shadow of doubt that
God is with me, beard and all, on the basis of "tradition" is sin, pure and
simple.  To establish a "dress code" for a minister and then enforce it to
the point of not using those who do not comply, is sin, pure and simple.

You:
  The best safegaurd for yourself is the same thing I tell my Kids.  "If
you have a question to *if* the shirt/activity is dirty or not then it
problely is.  So don't wear/do it!"

Me:
Right, but don't stop there.  If you have a question about an activity,
like me with touching rock tapes, seek the Lord about it.  When I did this
in this instance, the first thing I found was the Scripture that said if I
believed a thing was a sin then to ME to do this was a sin.  I praise God
that He lead me further in this and has shown me His will concerning this
thing.  Now, if someone comes to me and says that I cannot handle or indeed
even listen to these (to criticize them from direct knowlege) then I can
answer them from a pure conscience, having the "whole Truth." 

Having recieved the Truth from God, who then can tell ME that I am in sin? 
although there are those who do not have this understanding, it is my duty
to share the understanding God has given me in love and humility before God
and unto God but not to the extent that this brother begins to cause
trouble. Such brothers I recieve but if they get to "facey" about it, I am
instructed to *reject* THEM.

Romans 14
1 Him that is weak in the faith receive ye, but not to doubtful
disputations.

2  For one believeth that he may eat all things: another, who is weak,
eateth herbs. 

3 Let not him that eateth despise him that eateth not; and let not him
which eateth not judge him that eateth: for God hath received him. 

4 Who art thou that judgest another man's servant? to his own master he
standeth or falleth. Yea, he shall be holden up: for God is able to make
him stand.

Has a man "judged" me if he deems me unfit to preach because of my
appearance?  Sure he has.  

I AM NOT refering to those who put their flesh on display and the those who
are clearly rebellious with an evil heart.  

You:
 As for me and my house we will walk as tight of a line as is asked of us
and do so willingly.  There Will be time enough to rejoice and enjoy the
*Good Life* after we get *Home*. 

Me:
I have found that although I must walk a straight and *narrow* path, it is
in no way "binding." ;-)  HALLELUJAH!  Umm... I just HAD to shout y'all!

Many may think that what I am about to write is "silly" but I assure you
that I am not "kidding."  

As to the question of us looking "different" than the world, and being
obedient to the pastor, why clean shaven faces and uncut hair for women? 
Do not even the baptist these things (well they used to)?  Why not make a
REAL statement of how separate we are and how willing we are to submit to
our "leaders" and shave half our heads guys and have the women fashion
their uncut hair into an great big "A."  If the purpose is to make a
distinction and to show blind obedience, then the more absurd the more
submission required and therefore the more *humble* we must be, right?  Do
you think we have gone far enough?  If we do what *I* suggest, let me tell
you folks, after the word got around, people would see us coming and say
"Now there goes some REAL Apostolics!  You really have to be in submission
to look like that these days!"  What is really frightening, and "telling"
to me anyway, is that should I be a pastor and suggest such foolishness,
there would be those in the congregation who would find a way of
"justifying" this!
     
You and me Sis:
> LUV Ya

Me:
Listen, I am not picking on anyone here and frankly find it rather
discouraging to have to put, and read, all these "disclaimers" about
hurting peoples feelings.  These are some tough topics and will require the
Truth without regard to how it will be accepted to 
get the Church "washed and ironed."  We "should" all love each other.  If I
offend, let me know and we will get it right.  Those who have been around a
while should know that I am not out to "tear down" anything but vain
imaginations and to the new I say Welcome!

You:
> Sister Kathy Garza ***Being and Doing Hands on for the Nail Pierced
Ones***

Me:
I like this! 8^)

Timothy Litteral
brotim@gte.net Luke 6:26
http://home1.gte.net/brotim/
http://home1.gte.net/brotim/science.htm