George,
I'm sure you have noticed that Stephanos is a very mild WWJD, and likes to stir the pot so to speak. Anytime anyone tries to spread odd teaching or false doctrine he is right there to lend a helping hand to any apostate or misled person.
Everyone who believes something false is not an apostate. I thought could lose it for a time after I was saved. That is what I was taught, I had to learn that eternal security was Bible doctrine and not just an excuse for sinning. It took me time to learn this, however I did not fight with everyone when they gave me what the Bible said about the issue.
I was raised in a non denominational church. It was about half Baptist about half old time Methodist, not like 99% of the crazy non denominational churches today. My old pastor who has been dead about 15 years and is in heaven no doubt about that in my mind. He was a good man that loved the Lord and tried to do the best he could. He prayed for me everyday that I would be saved and was always very kind to me and my family. After he died I went to a local IFB church and that is where I got saved and straightened out on a few issues. Some folks are like my old pastor and just a little messed up on a few things, however some wolves and false teachers.
My old pastor believed the Bible and never questioned it. He always used the KJV and was opposed to all other what he called " new Bibles. " He also lead many to the Lord and built good solid church. Men like him who did the best they could and lived the best they could and worked for the Lord the best they could always proved to me they knew the Lord and were saved. he is why when I was taught the Bible at the IFB church believed it. He taught me to believe the Bible and do what it says, not what some man or college says. He believed the Bible and taught us to believe the Bible also.
We had foot washings once a year for example. You and I both know this is really not a church ordinance. I know why we had them. It was in the Bible. Just like when anointed sick folks with oil. He would always quote James 5:14 he would sometimes say preachers that had healing service we out of the Bible. He always said unless the sick person requested the prayer that it was out of order.
Quote:
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James 5:14 Is any sick among you? let him call for the elders of the church; and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord:
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The word " him " was always talking about the sick person. My pastor did not understand that James was written for the Jews in the tribulation. I know that now, I had no idea about that then. he always did try to teach us the Bible for everything our church did. I have nothing but deep respect for men like Bro. Clyde Lane my old pastor. Those men may have missed the boat on a few issues, but men like him knew the Lord and did the best they could. He would never let anyone sale books, tapes or any item in our church. This was because of the money changers. When we had preachers drop by he would tell them they could not sale anything on church property. I myself agree with him on this issue to this day. I have never bought anything on any church property aver will. if I ever get called to preach and pastor a church I will hold this standard. To many people selling to much junk in our churches today. He tried to stick with the Bible on every issue he could find. I love and respect men like him. We need more men like him in the world today. Maybe he wrong on a few issues. Without him I do not think I'd be saved today. I am saying this from the bottom heart. I always respect men who try to preach and live by the Bible even if they are wrong on a few things.
There is a huge difference between men like my old pastor and many false teachers and deceivers. They are trying to get aways from the Bible, men like him always tried to stay in the Bible. They may not have always rightly divided the word, but they tried to say in the Bible.
Now what kind of person is Stephanos? I do not know if he is a wolf or just a man that is a wolf. I'm leaning towards wolf. Because he will agree with anyone that disagrees with the Bible. Those ears of his are getting more pointed every. I hope I am wrong on this issue. I hope Stephanos is not a wolf, but I would not let him near my hen house.
Atlas