Unity

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> I go to a
>UPC church and hear how there are "4 hells" (long story) and am
>told that I will be in trouble for being rebellious (even though
>I am niether a member of that church nor organization) for
>stating that this is totally unfounded because "The pastor is
>"anointed" by God to "watch over" the flock and that God
>wouldn't give him "bad grass" for the sheep, now would He?"

>I won't go into the UPC bacause I don't want to get curcified

Bro. Tim, please don't judge all 4000 (almost) UPC churches  in the U.S. 
alone by one church (or two) you happened by. We have many wonderful men of 
God doing a good work. But, because our pastors are very loosely governed 
you can have a lot af variances church to church.  

You will find that all preach baptism in Jesus' name and that the Holy Ghost 
must be received with the evidence of speaking in other tongues.  You will 
also find that most agree with and adhere to "holiness standards" although 
this is an area that few agree exactly what that means.

Some of these "holiness standards" have actually done harm to the church in 
regards to any unity.  When you have been raised in a church that preaches 
that it's men should not have facial hair, or wear wedding bands, or jewlery 
of any kind . . . then you see an apostolic church that has men with beards 
and  class rings, etc many people have trouble in their flesh.

I don't wear a beard, by tradition I am clean shaven. However, did not God 
give a man a beard?  Since the Bible is silent on this issue, we should be 
silent.  I see more evidence for than against.  A man can have a beard and 
another clean shaven and both can be out vanity. Search you own heart

Likewise, we should not judge entire church organizations, the people who 
attend, or even that pastor by one service that you attended that you did 
not agree with. Are they not all saved? Are they not all brethren? All they 
not all one body? If you truly are for "unity" then should we not edify and 
build up in the Holy Ghost?

Bro. Stan Hallett
The Apostolic Voice
www.apostolic-voice.org