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Post by Deleted on Aug 7, 2012 11:33:12 GMT -5
My name is Paula, I am new to this board as of today. I have been reading the threads for some time now, and think you are very Biblically sound.
I don't know where to place a new thread but finally found this link, so sorry, if this in the wrong place.
Brother Ben, I have a couple questions...
Other then the Rapture and Nonresistance ( I found and agree to your thoughts) how are you different then Mennonites or Anabaptists?
And is there a link to find a local covered Baptist church? I live in Western NC and go to a church and am the only one covered, and they believe some things we do not i.e. Infant Baptism... But honestly, we have looked high and low and can't find anyone like minded... Any thoughts?
Oh, Me and my husband are on our second marriage, what are your thoughts on that.. i.e. believe it is a sin and we must separate or " go and sin no more"...
Thank you, Sister Paula
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Post by Guadalupe on Aug 7, 2012 12:29:18 GMT -5
My name is Paula, I am new to this board as of today. Welcome, Paula. We full time RV visiting our children. I believe Bro. Ben is in the middle to western TN area but he can correct me on that. You said you want to be in a covered church, here is one in Sylva, NC which is in Western NC: earlychristianfellowship.org/Take your time and read all of their beliefs. Some like to just scan a page and make quick judgements but these pages are full of rich theology so go slowly and pray on it. They do teach the head covering. If you think you agree with most of their teachings, hit the contact link and ask to visit. Remember, no faith group will be perfectly in agreement with you because you have not been a member and been in study for them. If you agree with most of it, I recommend pursuing it farther.
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Post by Deleted on Aug 7, 2012 15:30:11 GMT -5
Thank you very much, Sylva is 1 hr 10 min away... That is doable, I will study their beliefs, thank you, again
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Post by Guadalupe on Aug 8, 2012 8:36:26 GMT -5
Praying that you can find fellowship to meet your needs, Paula. Thank you very much, Sylva is 1 hr 10 min away... That is doable, I will study their beliefs, thank you, again
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Post by mrjob on Aug 8, 2012 19:47:59 GMT -5
Guadalupe is right. There is some very good theology at the Sylva church site. I do however think the Anabaptist teaching on nonresistance is correct though. I wish there were a church like theirs here in central VA.
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Post by Deleted on Aug 9, 2012 7:36:53 GMT -5
How are they different then Mennonites? or Covered Baptists? Do you know?
They are 65 miles away...
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Post by Guadalupe on Aug 9, 2012 8:30:03 GMT -5
Guadalupe is right. There is some very good theology at the Sylva church site. I do however think the Anabaptist teaching on nonresistance is correct though. I wish there were a church like theirs here in central VA. No fellowship will be in 100% agreement with our personal views. The best we can hope for is to attend and see if we agree on most of the points and theology. My husband and I have found that if a fellowship insists on a lock-step blind obedience, then that's a sign of a cult. Not even the Amish require that as they will consult together. So far I have not encountered that in this group. You could always contact them and see about starting a fellowship in your area. These folks are loosely affiliated with another group in Georgia who essentially follow similar theology. They do not have a formal church structure which to us, is a good sign. On something as important as your faith walk, it's prudent to go and talk with these folks in person. You and your family could always take a vacation and visit them. I know they accept visitors. Besides, the area around Sylva is lovely. How are they different then Mennonites? or Covered Baptists? Do you know? They are 65 miles away... Paula, I'm going to let Brother Ben answer that one. The Mennonites are changing and embracing more of the Early Church writings but it depends on which group of Mennonites you talk to because there are Amish-Mennonites, Conservative Mennonites, liberal Mennonites, horse and buggy Mennonites and so on and so on.
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Post by Deleted on Aug 9, 2012 9:07:22 GMT -5
Guadalupe,
I haven't figured how to quote yet on this board. (I am not computer savvy) But I am talking Conservative Mennonites, I know some in Florida, when I was there.
Ok... I'll wait on Bill. But what do you mean by they are changing? or do you wish Bill to explain that?
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Post by Brother Ben on Aug 9, 2012 9:55:09 GMT -5
Sorry, yall, I've been in the field on some jobs and have had no (reliable) internet. I'm using my customers wi-fi this morning for a few minutes.
First, welcome Sister Paula, it is nice to have you on board. I hope we can be a blessing. Sometimes we shine, and sometimes. . . well. . . you just have to be patient with us. ;D
We, Smith's, personally are a hybrid of sorts. Some don't like that, but it is honest. We adhere to the concept that the church is the Lord's and no group, sect, or denomination owns it. Period. Though God can use different groups, that is dependent upon their love and obedience to him and the things that matter most to him, i.e., saving lost souls, loving the unlovely, exalting Christ over ALL, etc.
I cut my teeth in Baptist fundamentalism. It had many good affects and some bad. We, as they say, ate the meat, and spit out the bones. As we have continued in our faith walk, we found things like covering and began practicing them and started looking for and gravitating toward brethren who practiced that. It was challanging because you find they do not see ALL THINGS eye-to-eye. The important thing is to make sure ANY group keeps the main thing, the main thing, (Christ, salvation, a holy life, a vision for the youth, and others.)
We are like the anabaptists, from whence cometh Mennonites, Amish, Hutterites, etc., in their desire to have a humble life, coverings on the sisters, looking into the Life of Christ and how that SHOULD affect our life, and other things. We are not in total agreement on what some of them would say on nonresistance, but have adopted more of a nonviolence stand, (which I think is more biblical.) Many of those from an anabaptist background are amillenial in their theology. I am still premil., but no long pretrib rapture. I came to this conclusion through bible study and not any anabaptist influence.
Like-minded fellowship is sometimes few and far between, especially in these days of apostasy. We have home-churched before for long periods of time, but believe it is better to dwell together in unity with a body of believers. If you are going to search for a more humble, pure-minded, loving, modest, big family friendly, covered, etc., fellowship, you are probably NOT going to end up in a Baptist church. I hate to say that, but Baptist, more and more, seem to bent on programs, promotions, and such. I also do not like the "spirit" of entertainment that has taken over the churches. Some of it is downright wicked. I just can't sit their with my children and let them take it all in.
On divorce and remarriage, we've spoken at length on this forum before. I believe it is not best, but I personally do not believe in blanket endorsements or condemnations. We have to look at each case individually, look at the scriptures, and them move on. I, personally, do not believe in divorcing AGAIN, thus creating yet another broken relationship.
I realize the anabaptist view, which some others share with them, but I disagree. Especially since the early anabaptists did not practice what they believe now. Menno Simons believed if an unbelieving spouse desserted their spouse, the faithful spouse could remarry, but only in the faith, and to a believer, indeed.
So, that's what I believe in a nutshell. We can talk more on this as ya'll see fit.
Again, welcome to the forum.
Bro. Ben
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Post by Deleted on Aug 9, 2012 10:31:42 GMT -5
Brother Ben... As you quoted me, I believe I typed a misleading quote... I meant that I read your post on End Times and Non Resistance and agree with you and know that those points are different then Mennonites.. So I wanted to know besides those that were covered already... Not that I agreed wit Mennonite theology on those topics.
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Post by Deleted on Aug 9, 2012 10:42:26 GMT -5
I, personally, do not believe in divorcing AGAIN, thus creating yet another broken relationship.
I realize the anabaptist view, which some others share with them, but I disagree. Especially since the early anabaptists did not practice what they believe now. Menno Simons believed if an unbelieving spouse desserted their spouse, the faithful spouse could remarry, but only in the faith, and to a believer, indeed.That is what we believe, but they won't listen Do you still home church? where in middle Tn are you? Are you still looking for others to be a part of your fellowship? I have spent the last several days reading all your posts and Sister Darlenes and believe we are very like minded.
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Post by Deleted on Aug 9, 2012 10:57:38 GMT -5
Sorry, I tried to quote you, but it didn't work!! The first part of my previous post was your words....
Thank you for your reply. I will leave it then with, my husband and I are on our second marriage, but were teenage sweethearts, and know that we have sinned, but now have grown much in the Lord which has left us with remorse and relying on the Blood of Christ....
But would like to move on... We are happily married and have a baby boy and desire to raise him right in the ways of the Lord.
I am very encouraged and am reading all your posts to my husband, thank you and Darlene for starting this board, it is encouraging.
We are in western NC and maybe can visit some day.
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Post by BillysWife on Aug 9, 2012 12:12:18 GMT -5
Welcome, Paula!
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Post by Guadalupe on Aug 9, 2012 15:28:03 GMT -5
But what do you mean by they are changing? or do you wish Bill to explain that? Brother Ben can further explain his stance. Re: Mennonites...By changing, I refer to the fact that as they consult with each other and expand their Biblical resources they will change some aspects of their theology; case in point, the stance regarding remarriage has changed from that of the earliest days of Anabaptism. There are theology points that hopefully they will never change, e.g. that Jesus is our Savior, etc. The various types of Mennonites are broad categories too. Again an example: not all Conservative Mennonites are alike. Each of their congregations will have varying differences. So also it's true of the other branches of Mennonites. There are many books on the Mennonites and Anabaptists. I recommend those by Stephen Scott to start off with if you're interested. Two of his books that give a simple and broad perspective are: An Introduction to Old Order and Conservative Mennonite Groupsand Why Do They Dress that Way?
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Post by Deleted on Aug 9, 2012 16:26:38 GMT -5
I have those books, but the reason I am asking is not because I am unfamiliar with them, for I am.
A couple of years ago I visited a conservative group for over a year, I made some good friends but that was in Florida.
While a couple of ladies have remained my friend for the last three years and we talk about once a month ( they keep my up on the happenings LOL ) The group as a whole can not allow us to be members or take communion because I am in my second marriage.
Anyway, they knew of a church about 70 miles from us, here in NC, and we visited, they are very similar to my friends church but use Rod and Staff not Christian Light and the women must be silent the entire Sunday School and service...
Which I have no problem with, I respect their order of service.
But this group can not allow us as members either and while we can be "life time " visitors, so Jr. is raised in conservative circles, my husband is very bothered that they feel we are habitual sinners unless we separate.
Anyhow, seeing we are not fully excepted, yet not treated bad, but until I found this board a few days ago, they are my only hope to raise my son in a conservative manor...
So when people are sending warning signals out about this sect, I want to know what the facts are because I don't want to be part of something that is falling away. Or that might put unnecessary guilt on us to divorce or we will go to hell, if it isn't true. I love my husband and want to raise our son together.
They said they will support us if we go to them, but no membership, no communion... and I'm afraid we will be outcasts as "those sinners" but every other church is not covered, don't dress modest and well you know how churches are these day!!
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