Having Church at home because you have no decent local Church

Registration is free and quick. There are some areas that are only visible to registered users. Come on in!

[Bro. Steve Winter]

I will start with a few Bible verses.   I am a believer in the local Church, but I have had to face the fact that there is great corruption and there are many who simply know too much to support "Easter bunny", Bible defying, measure themselves by themselves, etc Churches, but that doesn't mean that they don't need Church.

Heb 10:25 Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.
 
Rom 16:3 Greet Priscilla and Aquila my helpers in Christ Jesus:
Rom 16:4 Who have for my life laid down their own necks: unto whom not only I give thanks, but also all the churches of the Gentiles.
Rom 16:5 Likewise greet the church that is in their house. Salute my wellbeloved Epaenetus, who is the firstfruits of Achaia unto Christ.

1Cor 16:19 The churches of Asia salute you. Aquila and Priscilla salute you much in the Lord, with the church that is in their house.
 
I know that many people have been hurt by the corruption that is so rampant in UPC, FPC and so many others because of reckless disregard of so much of the Bible.
I get so many emails from people who see the truth about heathen holidays and the proper roles of men and women etc who ask where I can recommend for them to go to Church where the Bible is not being defied and I have no CLUE where to send them.

One VERY IMPORTANT thing to be aware of is that regardless of any bad thing that happened to you in any corrupt church, that will NOT be an excuse for you to sin. 

If you have no decent Church to attend then you need to be having Church at home by having a time that you praise the Lord and study the Bible and you need daily prayer time.

There are people who have had spouses stolen and then the church accept the "new couple" and many other bizarre situations that have turned them off to Church.   DON'T GIVE UP on Jesus Christ because of a bunch of modern day corrupt Eli's mismanaging churches that they have made into personal kingdoms!  You don't want to face God in judgment with excuses.  YES people are going to end up in hell because of the sins of these pride engorged Eli's (WHERE are the Samuels?????)

I have come to face the reality that for many precious souls that Home Church is there only viable option.  I believe that God is giving extra grace in this hour because of the corruption in so many of the established organizations and I am talking about corrupt Oneness Pentecostal Churches here.

We have been having Home Church and daily prayer ourselves for many many years now. 

If you are not going to a Church because you don't have a clean one to go to, DON"T GIVE UP!!!  If you are not doing so already, set aside a time for daily prayer and at least once a week for prayer and Bible study.   You do not need to be a preacher to be the priest of your own house.  Even if you are somehow disqualified from the ministry you are still the priest of your house.

Again,  DO NOT give up on Jesus Christ because of the sin and corruption that is so rampant in this hour and don't for one minute imagine the corruption of some Eli preacher gives you some excuse to sin.

Bro Steve Winter
For Bible doctrine http://www.prime.org
For Christian music http://www.winterband.com

[peterpaint]

I think that is some great advise pastor. I know that my last church which I attended was seriously trying to bring in new people and even had some one dress up like santa and put pics on their website of their santa with children on his lap, I'm so sad that this is happening in so many churches. I went to a new church a couple of weeks ago and as I pulled up I saw a 9' fence around this place and a fire truck and ambulance were pulling in as someone was unlocking the gate. I don't want to go there. I'm going to try another church this weekend and hope that I can worship my LORD there, I think I can.
My wonderful wife and I are are of differing faiths, sad to say, so I've been having church in my work van and I've been praising and praying the Lord Jesus at the local park as I walk around it. I praise Jesus always but know that I must congregate to worship HIM. I agree with you pastor that His grace must be available at this time and I am struggling greatly as I am isolated from real personal fellowship. I have oneness friends but don't see them very often. I/we all must get where we need to be before its to late, time is running out, I feel. This site is truely saving/helping me to stay on track. Your study book "True Christianity" also is keeping me very much alive.
blessings to you bro Winter.

bro pete

[yvette1485]

Wow!  I just now saw this thread AFTER mentioning in another thread that my wife and I were thinking of staying at home, and asked Bro. Winter if he knew of a church in our area. 

I would much rather worship and pray at home and have a clean conscience toward God than to associate myself, my wife and daughter with the sins of the UPC.

[peterpaint]

Bro,
You just have to be disiplined, very important, be disiplined and obedient to bro Steves advice. Its sooo easy to slip down, to degress when you step away from fellowship. Like the scripture says in Proverbs 27:17, iron sharpens iron: so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend.
I've been there, am there now, and its VERY difficult, to maintain a pattern of church worship, alter call, prayer habit and bible study. Just getting dressed for worship and getting into an attitude of praise are things that can disappear unless you are disiplined enough to stand fast and not step back from the high calling of God.

take heed, watch out, be aware of the devils devices, resist him and endure as a good soldier in/of Christ.
bro pete

[sierra]

I am also just about to this point, and have been listening to internet and TV church for awhile now,
but then realized when I saw Bro. Steve's teaching that it is not good to listen to teaching at all from
the trinity preachers.  I am seeking truth with all my heart, and asked God for it. That's when i found
Bro. Steve's website and listened to some of the audios.  Pure, unadulterated teaching from the word
of God, without compromise!

There are 3 UPC churches in my area and I was a member of one where I was baptized in Jesus name
last April.  It was a glorious experience, and I love the Lord with all my heart.  I loved the church as well
but was disappointed and hurt by a few things there, and now realize it was wrong.  There are compromises
and manipulations going on that shouldn't be.  After visiting one of the others, I realized it would be the
same way.  It seemed i was expecting too much until I found Bro Steve's teachings and now know that it
is not too much to ask for the truth, and for a Pastor who will command the word of God on the people.

Today I did a search online and found an independent Apostolic Family Worship Center.  I called and there
was a lady there cleaning.  I asked her a few questions, and if they were a Oneness church.  She said yes
that they believe that God was manifest in Jesus on earth.  She said they are a small group and that they
meet from 10:00 to 11:30 and break for a pot luck meal, then meet from 1:00 to 3:00.  I am going to go
and see how it is.  They have no website to read anything so I only pray they will be in truth, as I really
need the fellowship and worship time.  Being alone, it is very difficult to have my own church service...
Please pray for me a church home...

Thanks!

sierra   

[sierra]

Didn't go to this church after driving by, and actually stopping to stick my head in the door.
They didn't see me and I could here them singing in the background...they were singing in
Spanish which was beautiful but i can't understand it.  I know the pastor is Spanish as well,
so I felt the language would be a barrier for me. 

I went on to Grace Tabernacle where there seems to be a mixture of true women of God, and
those who are allowed to participate with short hair and heavy make up.  One lady in the choir
was loud shouting halleluias with hair less than shoulder length and heavy make up on. There was
another one next to her with hair about the same, and make-up.  There was one pentecostal woman
who was modest and quiet with hair and no make up.  The other 2 were distractive and it just didn't
seem right.  When I started to leave, there was a lady with a very short neck line hair cut that came
up and said thank you for coming to our church, she was like a greeter. 

The spirit of God was there but I saw the blatant rebellion, and it was disturbing.  The Pastor even said
that he knew of one church where the women held up signs that said Amen!  They did this because the
bible says for women to be silent in the church, and then he said, but that wouldn't go over here in this
church, and most of the people laughed...not all of them though.

It was sad.   I went to lunch with my Mom after church, she attends a Baptist church, and as we were
leaving the restaurant I saw some folks from the original UPC church I attended where I was baptized in
Jesus name.  They hugged me and were very nice.  It made me want to go back there but will have to
pray about it and see.  At least the Pastor does preach the role of women, and modest dress with long
hair.  I will pray for direction. 

sierra    

[Bro. Steve Winter]

as we were leaving the restaurant I saw some folks from the original UPC church I attended where I was baptized in
Jesus name.  They hugged me and were very nice.  It made me want to go back there but will have to
pray about it and see.  At least the Pastor does preach the role of women, and modest dress with long
hair.  I will pray for direction. 

Well I recommend that those who have a decent, competent Church to attend to go there in most cases. 

Bro. Winter

[sierra]

I still haven't gone back, although I have a desire to fellowship with the body and the Pastor
teaches the word according to Acts 2:38.  However, they have an Easter egg hunt for the
kids before church on Easter Sunday and the church members bring in the candy eggs.  They
also have a fall festival with booths set up around Halloween time to raise money. They work
hard on it, and expect everyone to help. This is a UPCI church.

I grew up hunting easter eggs and going trick or treating as a baptist.  I understand the reason
why people are caught up in this but feel it is wrong for the church to participate in such, and
know that it is compromising with the world.

My question is, since there is no other church in my area that I have found who even begins
to teach the Acts 2:38 truth and where the presence of the Lord is definitely there, would it
be better to go there and just not participate in those activities that I dis-agree with, or just
stay home by myself.  It's difficult to try and blend in with a group when you aren't completely
in one accord.  I so long for a church that is right and where the word is not compromised.
There doesn't seem to be one...When I went to this church before, I was somewhat persecuted
and often felt that they didn't want me there....in fact I feel this way in any church I attend.
Started to feel like something is wrong with me, but all I want is the truth.

Thanks for any advice for my situation...

sierra  

[Bro. Steve Winter]

However, they have an Easter egg hunt for the
kids before church on Easter Sunday and the church members bring in the candy eggs.  They
also have a fall festival with booths set up around Halloween time to raise money. They work
hard on it, and expect everyone to help. This is a UPCI church

That's disgusting.  It figures that they would then look down on you.  I don't know what the answer is other than to keep praying.

Bro. Winter

[sierra]

Thanks!  I will keep praying and I just went to the upci.org website and
asked them if Easter Egg hunting before church on Easter Sunday, and
Fall Festivals at Halloween time to raise money were scriptual.  I told them
that I grew up doing those things but now believe them to be pagan and
worldly.  I asked for their advice.  Did not mention to them it was a UPCI
church I was referring to. Anxious to hear their reply.

Meanwhile, I am asking God to show me where and who to connect with
as a true believer in these last days...I know He will.

sierra

[Theotes]

Sierra,

Congrats for taking these first steps in coming out of the 'Institutional Church'. It takes a lot of courage. The road may be long. My family has been on it now for about 10 years now. Most of those years, we were alone. About 2 years ago, we left everything we knew and moved across the country to try and be with other true believers. I am confident that if you pray, and as God to direct you, that he will do so. I know he did it for us ! We asked God after being alone for years to show us what to do, and asked for that within 18 months. It happened right at that time.

Do not be hard on yourself at this time. The folks that I have known that have come out of the system....some have taken years just to get their thinking straight. There are SO many cult like things in the usual church setting, you literally have to ask God to clear you mind of it and deprogram you from it. I'm not kidding.

One thing for sure, you may be able to go there and get something out of it, but they will never let you be one of them as long as  you have something to say against what they are giving themselves over to. Not a chance. You will always be viewed as an outsider by standing against their worldliness. And, if you voice it a bit too much, you will be asked to move on. Sure, it may be that they just say that perhaps you would be better off somewhere else, but what they really mean is....is GET OUT. Also, if you are giving money there, you are contributing to the evil. I know...I did it. Honestly, the minute you stop giving, you baked. You might as well face the facts and start looking for home groups in your area. We may be of slight help to you in that area, as we have tried to get to know many that are doing that across the country.

[sierra]

Thanks Theotes, I am basically totally alone right now as far as my faith goes...and you
are so right that they wanted me out!  I was not outspoken as I believe in God's order, and
know that to stay in a church as a woman I would have to be submissive to the pastor, and
would never go against that order.  They knew by my actions, prayer, and the Spirit within me.
They couldn't handle it.  The pastor loved me but when he saw that my faith was persistent 
and that I was for real, he couldn't handle it either...I stayed there 8 months.

If you know of a group in my area, I live in Abilene, Texas....

New Life Pentecostal Church of Birmingham, AL has real time services now and I am listening to
Pastor Sutton some.  He is Oneness, but not sure of all his teachings...and of course I listen
to brother Steve's recorded messages all the time...

Thanks again for your comments...

sierra

[Theotes]

Fortunately, there is plenty of good stuff on the internet that can help a bit these days.

As far as New Life in AL, that is funny. I was supposed to relocate to that very area...just a few miles away. From what I hear, I would be VERY cautious. From the kinda little bit I know of, they are setting new low water marks there in just about every way.

The more you get to looking into home church options on the net and in other ways, the more you will find. It can take some real digging tho. I will try and message you some things in the near future that might help some.

[sierra]

Thanks Theotes,

I actually found a small Apostolic Church here in town that wasn't listed in the phone book
and it isn't UPC.  I was searching online and found an organization called Assemblies of the
Lord Jesus Christ.  Under their Church locator I found Abundant Life Apostolic Ministries.
It lists the Pastors phone number so I will call him and perhaps visit the church.  I was thrilled
to find it, and just pray it will be what the Lord is leading me to at this time.

The beliefs listed on the website of the Assemblies of the Lord Jesus Christ are very Apostolic
indeed, even including foot washing.  It will be interesting to see.

Still haven't heard back from upci.org with an answer to my inquiry about the holidays....

Let me know of anything you find Theotes that might help in my situation...

Blessings!

sierra    

[Theotes]

Sierra,

The ALJC has set the low water mark for separation and Holiness issues for decades. Sooo, be very wary. Also, you don't have to be so quick to try and find an organized group really. There is no Bible that says that God will only operate through a certain group. The 'Body' of believers is worldwide, and you are part of it ! Remember that, as many so called leaders will try and tell you that if you do not come to their particular group meeting that you are out of the will of God and not saved. Such are of the stripe of Diotrephes, and want to rule and control you with cult like mind control tactics. They do this sometimes without even knowing they are doing so....and mostly to get your money. The love of money is the root of all kinds of evil.

So, in your quest for true fellowship, do not look for a particular group to be your salvation. It boils down to your daily walk anyhow. Nothing can substitute for that.

[sierra]

Well, I did call and talk to the Pastor of this church...He was very nice and told me he used to be a
Southern Baptist preacher until he started seeing the truth about the holy ghost and healing.  They
ex-communicated him and he went to a Oneness Pentecostal church to learn, and has been an Apostolic
Pastor now for 26 years....It is a small church with about 50 people and they are quite mixed as he told
me that they are very open to all and do not enforce women wearing dresses or having long hair.  He wants
to try and love people into the truth.  I went there this morning and it was nice, but I felt out of place.
It was  somewhat like a modified Baptist church.  I don't want to judge but sure felt better at the UPC
church I went to for 8 months.  At least they did preach Acts 2:38 and followed the standards of holiness
except for Easter...

I want to be where folks believe the same as myself and want to follow the Acts 2:38 doctrine.  To me
this should be taught above all else in every message, because only after they obey Acts 2:38 can they see the
truth of how to live and how to dress.  Not once was Acts 2:38 mentioned today...While I was there the Holy
Ghost reminded me of wheat and tares.  There will always be tares in the church until the angels take them out
and I understand that, but I guess it is strong holiness leadership that I am looking for.

What I am seeing, is that all true believers who have accepted and acted on Acts 2:38 are still learning and
growing in their walk, including myself.  I still have a long ways to go, but I want and need a Pastor who is way
past where I am, and will teach the truth in love.  Pastors tend to want to be loving and are quick to talk about
mercy and grace, and I even had a pastor say one time that when dealing with people you have to use mercy rather
than truth most of the time...looks to me like you can mercy and love people right into hell...the truth hurts when
you don't want to hear it.  It's quite sad because most people don't want to hear the truth, so most Pastors tip
toe around it so they don't run anyone off. 

I will sit down and be quite now, as I am getting out of order here and will just pray for God's true leading for
me.  Thank You Theotes, please pray for me also that God will give me direction as I long for His wisdom.

Blessings,

Sierra

[Bro. Steve Winter]

Well, I did call and talk to the Pastor of this church...He was very nice and told me he used to be a
Southern Baptist preacher until he started seeing the truth about the holy ghost and healing.  They
ex-communicated him and he went to a Oneness Pentecostal church to learn, and has been an Apostolic
Pastor now for 26 years....It is a small church with about 50 people and they are quite mixed as he told
me that they are very open to all and do not enforce women wearing dresses or having long hair.  He wants
to try and love people into the truth.

That is not love or truth.  He sounds like a filthy, reprobate devil.  May the Lord deliver any honest hearted souls from his filthy hands.

Matt 15:14 Let them alone: they be blind leaders of the blind. And if the blind lead the blind, both shall fall into the ditch.


Bro. Winter

[Theotes]

There are many that teach and preach correctly, and there are many that do not. From my observations, the ones that do not fall mostly into 2 camps. It sounds like thid man falls into the one that basically feel that you can not simply read passages of scripture among ourselves and get what it is talking about without someone getting 'offended'. So, they think that they should hardly ever mention things that most of the time they actually believe or follow themselves. This is erroneous. God touches and opens peoples hearts. They are hungry for God and his truth. If you go over scripture about worldliness and how we should avoid it, those that are hungry are eager to hear it, and embrace it. They get it, and then end up living it for the rest of their lives. This camp tries to reach people via the carnal mind only. The carnal mind can not understand and accept the things of God. So, they are used to people being 'offended' at the truth.

The other camp thinks people are so spiritually dull, that they need to have it beat into them, and that they need to police them. This is just as much an error. Guess what ? If someone actually receives the Holy Ghost, and walks with God on a regular basis, they will get things ! In fact, they will LOVE God. If  you love God, you love his word...that is for sure. So, you will not be offended at anything it has to say. Just to be clear, I am not advocating fellowshipping and promoting those that do not live right.

So, all the scriptures that go over separation and Holiness issues, they are just as much a part of the Bible as Acts 2:38. There is never a a need to feel like we can no talk about Scripture...any Scripture.