ACTS HOUSE ASSEMBLY

Many doctrines are creeping into the Church body and the Church appears to be more scattered and divided now than it ever was. Strange doctrines such as “partial preterism” and “divine flesh” doctrines, etc. are making their way into the main stream Apostolic Church and are infiltrating even the largest organizations in this country.
On the other hand much of the Church is still following the traditions of men more than the Word of God. Many of these man-made customs and traditions have become law and have been added to the Word of God. Many saints are so rooted in the traditions of men that when we try to get back to the word of God and the
basics of our faith and get back to the way the Church was when it first began, it sounds so foreign that it sounds like heresy to some.
The Church is being attacked on all fronts. There is a great need not only to block out these new and strange doctrines, however we also need to root out man-made
traditions that have been added to, or have circumvented the Word of God.

I suffer a little persecution in the Church from brethren for this doctrinal stand, but never the less I feel led to tell the truth in an effort to put an end to what I believe is false teaching, legalism and persecution in the Church.
I firmly believe that any saint of God of that can separate themselves from the prejudices and man-made traditions for long enough to prayerfully study out what Paul was actually saying to the Corinthians, will see the truth of the matter. Let’s take the applicable verses in order, verse by verse.
1 Corinthians 11:3 - “But I would have you know, that the head of every man is Christ; and the head of the woman is the man; and the head of Christ is God.”
Paul begins to explain the order of things as ordained by God. He begins by letting them know that Jesus is the head of man and the head of the woman is the man to begin to explain the proper relationship of men and women that appears to be somewhat out of order with the Church at Corinth.
1 Corinthians 11:4,5 - “Every man praying or prophesying, having his head covered, dishonoureth his head. But every woman that prayeth or prophesieth with
her head uncovered dishonoureth her head: for that is even all one as if she were shaven.”
Here he goes on to explain the difference between the man in the woman in relationship with God and one another. He is not yet speaking of hair but saying that a man should not have his head covered while praying or prophesying, yet a woman should have her head covered. In fact if a woman does not have her head
covered it is as if she were shaven. In other words it’s a shame to her just as if it would be if she were shaven. Paul goes on to explain . . . 1 Corinthians 11:6 - “For if the woman be not covered, let her also be shorn: but if it be a shame for a woman to be shorn or shaven, let her be covered.”
Here Paul is taking about a covering that is separate from the hair. But he is saying if she is not covered while she is prophesying or praying it is a shame to her just as
it would be if she were shaven or shorn. So if she is not covered let her also be shorn. A close study reveals two things here.
1. Paul is speaking of a covering other than hair and comparing the lack of this covering while praying or prophesying as shameful to a woman as it would be if
she were shorn or shaven.
2. He is using the terms shorn or shaven as though they were the same or similar things and indeed they are.

The word "shorn" is used only three times in the entire collection of books and letters we call the Bible. Each time it is used it is referring to, or relating to something as sheep are shorn. Paul uses "shaven" or "shorn" here as though they were similar or the same thing. Shaving is the removal of all hair to the skin’s surface by shaving with a sharp razor-like instrument. Shorn refers to removing all hair or wool by using sheers, cutting as close to the skins surface as possible therefore removing all the hair or wool possible.
Song of Solomon 4:2 - “Thy teeth are like a flock of sheep that are even shorn, which came up from the washing; whereof every one bear twins, and none is
barren among them.”
This scripture refers to the evenness as when sheep are shorn because they are no longer wooly and uneven but shorn and smooth and even to the appearance having been shorn with all wool removed.
Acts 18:18 - “And Paul after this tarried there yet a good while, and then took his leave of the brethren, and sailed thence into Syria, and with him Priscilla and Aquila; having shorn his head in Cenchrea: for he had a vow.”
I think we can agree that in this passage Paul has shorn his head as sheep are shorn and therefore removed all his hair with sheers. I don’t think anyone would say that he simply trimmed his hair or cut off his split ends. No, he cut off all of his hair with sheers because of his vow.
1 Corinthians 11:6 – “For if the woman be not covered, let her also be shorn: but if it be a shame for a woman to be shorn or shaven, let her be covered.”
This is the third and last place this word shorn is used in the Bible. Any astute Bible scholar looking for the truth can see that Paul is using the terms or actions shorn and shaven as though they were the same or very similar things.
If we want to just find the definition we like that agrees with our own doctrine it is not hard to do. If you look up the word “shorn” in most modern dictionaries you will indeed find as one of the definitions that it means to cut. You can accept this as a vindication if you wish and say “see, I was right” but you would be wrong.
Certainly cutting is being done, but the word shorn had a definite meaning in both the Old and New Testaments.
In the Old Testament the word shorn is translated from the Hebrew word “qatsab” pronounced kaw-tsab’. It’s meaning according to Strongs means to cut down or to
cut off as in the removal of all. In the New Testament the word shorn is translated from the Greek word “keiro” pronounced ki’-ro. It’s meaning according to Strongs
is 1) to sheer: a sheep 2) to get or let be shorn 3) of shearing or cutting short the hair of the head.
Shorn is used in the Bible 3 times, however the word cut is used in the Bible 308 times. If Paul meant that it was a shame for women to cut their hair in any fashion
he would have said "cut".  He was not speaking of cutting the hair. He was saying only that a woman should keep her hair long and that it was a shame for women to shave or sheer off all of their hair. Likewise it was a shame for a man to have long hair.

1 Corinthians 11:16 – “But if any man seem to be contentious, we have no such
custom, neither the churches of God.”
This verse I believe has confused many and has been grossly misunderstood by
most. Over time many words have a different meaning than they did two-thousand
years ago. There are two basic definitions for the word “custom” just as there was
when Paul wrote this letter to the Corinthians. The first one was “telonion”
pronounced tel-o’-nee-on in the Greek. It means such as a tax or a toll that is
required to be paid. Today this word is used more in reference to a government
division that enforces immigration and other laws pertaining to persons and items
entering into this county. In some cases items are confiscated and in some cases a tax (custom) is charged.
The other word in the New Testament translated to the word as “custom” is the
Greek word “sunetheia” pronounced soon-ay’-thi-ah. This is the word that Paul
uses above in 1 Corinthians 11:16. This word has also changed somewhat. If you
look this up in Strong’s or in just about any dictionary it will give you the modern
definition which means being used to, accustomed. However, the Jews were much
more stringent with their traditions and customs. A much better word to have been
used in this translation would have been rule or law. A custom to the Jews was not
just a habit or a tradition, it was required.
The truth of the matter is by our modern definition of the word custom the Church
indeed did have a custom of women keeping their hair long and men keeping their
hair short. However Paul was saying that if any man appeared to be contentious
over it that it was not a rule or a requirement in the Church. It was a good teaching and a practice but Paul did not want the Church to argue over it and get their eyes off what was important. So what has happened today in the Church? Just what Paul was trying to avoid.
Much of the Church has taken a misinterpreted letter written by Paul to the Church
at Corinth with what was intended to be some good teachings for that Church and
many have now made it into law. This one improper interpretation and tradition
made law alone has caused more division in the Church than any other I can think
of.

One of the doctrines that originated as perpetrated by the Catholic Church was the Laity and Clergy division in the Church. It was put in place in order to create a
class and put the clergy over the laity in the church. It is believed that the word
clergy was taken from the Greek word “kleros” pronounced klay’-ros. This word is
found in 1 Peter 5:13 and was translated as “heritage”. In truth the use of the word does not fit because the Church as a whole is God’s Heritage.
This false teaching still prevails in the Apostolic Pentecostal Church today just as it
does in most denominational Churches and the Catholic Church. Most saints (laity)
attend services on Sunday morning and evening and an average of one mid-week
service. Most saints and visitors come and sit in seats or pews that all face a
platform or stage where usually a man in the ministry (clergy) teaches or preaches
each service.
In most Apostolic Pentecostal Churches many saints participate to the extent that
they sing with the song service, pray when it time to pray and shout when it’s time
to shout. Then they leave, perhaps critique the preacher on the way home where
they go about their daily lives until it’s time for the next service. This may not be
an exact picture of your Church but it’s very close to the truth for the Church
overall. But what can you expect, they are the laity and not in the ministry, right?
Wrong! It’s time for the Church of God to WAKE UP and realize that every
member, every saint is part of the ministry and the body all having a part, all
having a gift, a talent and a portion in the ministry of the Gospel and are members
in particular (1 Cor. 12:27).
The Church needs to be empowered to act, to get involved and put to work the gifts that God has given to them.  Every member in particular in the Church of God is in the ministry.

It is interesting how society changes the meanings of words over time. The word
“pastor” is no exception. Today if someone asks me what church do I pastor they
want to know what church I am the spiritual leader of. If someone enters a Church
building and asks “who is the pastor?” they are asking “who is the man in charge?”
How did we get to this definition of what a pastor is? It happened way back during
the reformation. The Protestants that left the Catholic Church as led by Martin
Luther and others decided not to call their leaders “priests” but rather “pastors”.
However, not much changed even to this day. Much of the Catholic tradition was
kept and still permeates even the modern Apostolic Pentecostal Churches.
Not surprisingly I have upset a few “Pastors” with this teaching. The Bible speaks
of a four-fold ministry and not a five-fold ministry as many refer to it. The fivefold
ministry teaching is popular with most “pastors” because it sets them apart
from an ordinary teacher. However Paul laid it out quite well:
Ephesians 4:11,12 - And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some,
evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; For the perfecting of the saints, for
the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:
It breaks down like this:
1. apostles;
2. prophets;
3. evangelists;
4. pastors and teachers.
By all rules of the English language and grammar, clearly four gifts of ministry.
They are even set in order as to what is the greater gift. This is proven out below
in I Corinthians 12:28:
1 Corinthians 12:28 And God hath set some in the church, first apostles,
secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings,
helps, governments, diversities of tongues.
Note that “pastor” is not even mentioned in this passage. It is because it is the
same gift as that of a teacher.

Paul said that they who compare themselves amongst themselves are not wise (2
Cor. 10:12). Yet much of the Church today has become much like the Pharisees of
two-thousand years ago. The Pharisees closely obeyed the law (at least in the
public eye). The walked around with the robes praying publicly doing all the right
things and dressing the right way under their rules and laws.
Today we have saints in the Church that wear the right clothes that often conform
to the law but not in the spirit of the law. The women wear no jewelry, no makeup,
do not cut their hair. These are under the law with women often required to keep
their hair piled on top of their heads and men required to be clean shaven. Further
rules are often imposed as to the color of a garment or style.
Many saints now look upon others in the Church and even those in the world with
great prejudice. They gossip amongst themselves of how someone’s hair is too
short, or someone missed the morning Church service, or someone is not living the
life they should be, etc. I am reminded of Luke 18:10-14:
“Two men went up into the temple to pray; the one a Pharisee, and the other a
publican. The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that
I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this
publican. I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess. And the
publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but
smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner. I tell you, this man
went down to his house justified rather than the other: for every one that exalteth
himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.”
Paul said: “Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not
charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal. And though I have
the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I
have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am
nothing. And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my
body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing. Charity suffereth
long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up,
Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked,
thinketh no evil; Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth; Beareth all
things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.” 1 Corinthians
13:1-7
Paul also said: “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering,
gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.”
Galatians 5:22,23
Holiness is a condition of the heart and not of outward appearance. You cannot
become holy by your hair style or habits concerning the hair. You cannot become
holy by the wearing of the correct apparel. You cannot become holy by acting
holy.
True holiness will indeed reflect in ones appearance but not only that, it will also
reflect on ones manner and actions and speech.

I will be brief on this subject that is discussed and debated much in the Church.
The error has more to do with the misconception of what a pastor/teacher is in the
Church than anything else. There is every indication that indeed a woman can have ministerial gifts and no evidence to the contrary. However, Paul said that a woman was not to teach or usurp authority over the man (I Timothy 2:12). So the problem is the traditional understanding of what a pastor is.
To summarize a woman can be gifted in ministry and have the gift of pastor
teacher in the church. But the gift is not an office of authority over the church and the word pastor is not a title that man should be elevated in the Church.

Most church assemblies today use a form of seating referred to as theater seating.
If you are going to a place for the sole purpose to hear a particular speaker only or
listen to a Christian music concert, etc. then theater seating is preferred and
appropriate. However when the church assembles this type of seating should not
be used.
Many “pastors” like this type of church seating because it sets up psychological
authority. Sitting or standing on a raised platform, standing behind a podium, with
the entire congregation facing the speaker, using a microphone (even when there
are only six people in the room all are within twenty feet), etc. are all
psychological symbols of authority, headship and control.
Often “pastors” will have their special chair that is strategically located on the
platform or stage. Often these chairs are much nicer and or bigger than any other
on the stage and often centered and in front so they can be seen by all and all can know that they are in charge.
I once visited a Church were the pastor had five chairs on the platform for the
pastors to be sit in. These were all facing the assembly and were center stage right behind the podium. The center chair was a unique leather chair that the pastor sat in every night regardless if he was speaking or not. It was his throne and his place of authority. All other speakers sat in the other chairs. This type of thing happens in too many Churches.
This is not meant to attack those assemblies that use this traditional format. Indeed there are many good men in the ministry that do things in this traditional manner for it is what they were taught and all that they know. It is not difficult to tell what men are true servants and love God’s Church and what men seek to add to their own esteem and be lords over God’s heritage.
When the Church assembles it should assemble around a room (family circle) as so
to have all in attendance are able to see each other as well as possible. Much like
you might do in your living room with family or guests. In the photo below is a
group sitting together of about sixty people, which is larger than the average
Apostolic Pentecostal assembly.
Notice that there are no platforms, no seats of authority, no pulpits, no sound
system. All are members in particular (1 Corinthians 12:27) and are more free to
ask questions to share, to minister, to testify, while being done decently and in
order.
The assembly of the church was never intended to be a focus on one man the
“pastor” or whoever is speaking or preaching that day. The gifts of ministry were a
gift to the Church, not a title or position for a man. A sizable assembly that has
only one man gifted as a pastor/teacher is a poor church indeed.
As the Lord would lead let one speak, then another as the Lord would lead. For
there is one head who is Jesus Christ our Lord. Let one ask questions publicly that
he might learn and let the women keep silent in the Church.
“And if they will learn any thing, let them ask their husbands at home: for it is a
shame for women to speak in the church.” (I Corinthians 14:35)
For those of you that attend very large assemblies on Sundays, etc. it is realized
that this seating format is not possible and theater seating is usually required. This
type of meeting is likened unto a concert or to hear a special speaker. These types
of gatherings are wonderful but should not take the place of regular and more
frequent assemblies of the local church.
Everyone is part of the Church and are members in particular (1 Cor 12:27) and
have a part in ministry. A daily church family life should be active where frequent
times of teaching, learning, sharing, prayer and worship are taking place. This is
best done in homes (Acts 2:46).
Something should be going on in the church every single day, not just on Sunday
and Wednesday evening. Everyone should be involved with reasonable service
(Romans 12:1) every single day.

Since the beginning of time man has placed great importance on tangible items and
places or what are deemed to have religious significance. While there were types
and shadows in the Law and throughout the Hebrew Scriptures, these are gone.
I have often heard the term spoken of in the church as being in, or standing in the
pulpit. It is spoken of as though this was reserved for only those worthy and as a
holy place. What is normally referred to as the pulpit in these modern times is the
podium structure that many preachers use to place their Bibles, notes, water, etc.
The microphone is often attached to it and it is often thought of, at least subconsciously as a place of authority. Virtually no one ever challenges the speaker behind the pulpit with the microphone. In fact I have heard preachers say while they were preaching that if you disagreed, that was okay, they had the mike.
The word pulpit is only used one time in the entire collection of books and letters
we call the Bible. In Nehemiah 8:4, Ezra the scribe stood upon a pulpit of wood so
that he could open and read from the book in the sight of all the people. Nothing
holy, just a platform built of wood that Ezra could stand on, not behind, not in.

The man-made law or requirement to be clean shaven as I recall was developed
back in the 60’s in some of the larger US Apostolic Pentecostal Church
organizations. It had to do with the world’s perception of what was known then as
the “hippie” or “outlaw” type that frequently were bearded. In an attempt to
separate them from that element, a rule was put in place that the men should be
clean shaven. I have yet to see this rule in print, but it is very well known to exist
within some church organizations.
The error in this thinking was in requiring the Church to react to what the world
did or did not do. If the world begins to iron their hair flat should we all get perms?
God gave man a beard. Even nature tells us that it is more correct for a man to
have beard than not.
If you choose to be clean shaven by your tradition then that is fine. However if
you choose to have a beard as God gave unto men, that is good also. There is
nothing wrong with the keeping of a tradition as long as the tradition does not
circumvent or replace the Word of God or made into law and imposed on others.
Let the church not be concerned if a man is clean shaven or is bearded.

This is another area of legalistic standards where tradition and misinterpreted Old
Testament law are imposed on the Church. The main thrust of rule or law is
concerning the cut of the garment or cloth as worn by a woman. It is required by
this rule or law that a woman must wear a garment known to the modern world as a dress or skirt. Further that it is a sin for a woman to wear any garment cut and
fashioned so that they may be similar to or construed as what is known to the
modern world as pants, slacks or trousers and that according to this rule of law is
reserved for men and therefore men’s attire. The scripture quoted to support this
doctrine is the Old Testament law found in Deuteronomy 22:5
The woman shall not wear that which pertaineth unto a man, neither shall a man
put on a woman’s garment: for all that do so are abomination unto the LORD thy
God. – Duet. 22:5
I find it amazing that saints can go to the law concerning some issues, but in others they are quick to say that that is law and we are not under the law. We are either under the law, the whole law, or we are not under the law or any part of it. If you would read all the laws required in just chapter 22 of Deuteronomy then you would perhaps see their folly.
All who have researched this issue in depth know that the cut of a woman’s
garment and that of a man were very similar during the time when the law was
given. No one was wearing pants, slacks or trousers.
It is clear in the law and other teachings throughout the Bible that there is to be a
separation of the sexes. Men were to appear and be as men and women as women.
It is clear that the forbidding of wearing that which pertaineth to a man was more
closely related to women dressing to be as or appear as a man than the wearing of a style of garment or the cut of the cloth.
What is more important than the cut of the cloth or fashion of the garment is
modesty. Indeed by my own culture and tradition I do like to see women in full
cut dresses. However, I have seen women conform to the letter of the law but not
the spirit of the law. Often skirts are so tight that a slit has to be made in the
garment to allow the women to be able to walk, the tighter the garment, the higher the slit. Skirts and dresses can be too short; blouses can be too tight, too
transparent or too revealing as in low cut or sleeveless.
Dresses and skirts regardless or the length or fullness can be immodest in many
situations and vocations that involve heights or climbing or the lifting of the legs.
It would be much better that a women wear loose fitting britches, etc. and be
covered.
If it was made for a man to wear it pertains to a man and if it was made for a
woman it pertains to a woman. There are no dresses made for men and a man
should not put on these garments. Men’s suits or overalls or work pants, etc. are
not made for women and women should not put on these garments. However there
are modest slacks or similar cut effeminate garments made for women. I know of
no man that would wear them. Interestingly enough this is a very natural thing in
the Church with saints. No additional rule or laws are required. It is only in the
world that this is perverted.
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness,
faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. – Gal 5:22,23

I have often heard this term used in the Church. It would seem some folks will
“tarry” to receive the gift of Holy Ghost for weeks, months and even years until
they finally receive the infilling of the Holy Spirit. This concept is not Biblical
other than with the original event on the day of Pentecost. The 120 that were
initially filled with the Holy Spirit on the Day of Pentecost indeed had tarried
(waited) for fifty days for it to come.
It pleased God that this be the day of the initial outpouring of His Spirit. Whether it
was due in part to the 120 being in one place and one accord and also being that
there would be a great multitude in the city, only God knows.
After the Holy Spirit had come there is to be no more waiting or tarrying. If there
be any tarrying or waiting it is that God is waiting on us. It is interesting that this
tarrying happens more in the wealthy countries than almost anywhere else in the
world. It is because we are not hungry for God as a people. We have too much
wealth and too little time. We are one of the most hedonistic cultures in the world
due to our riches. We are spoiled children with little time for God. We halfheartedly
repent. We want our cake and eat it too. Often times we want to be filled
with God’s Spirit but we want our pleasures of this earth as well as to be able to
continue in our sin.
Of a truth God wants to infill us with His Spirit more than we want to be filled.
2 Peter 3:9 says that God is “not willing that any should perish, but that all should
come to repentance.”
Luke 11:13 says; “If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your
children: how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them
that ask him?”
Tarrying is not of God. If you cannot receive the infilling of the Holy Spirit right
here and now, this very instant regardless where you are, it is because either you
have not come to full repentance or you lack the faith to receive it. There are no
other possibilities. All God is looking for is an empty vessel to fill and His pitcher
is filled to overflowing spilling all around you waiting for you to hold your empty
vessel up to be filled.

“Howbeit the most High dwelleth not in temples made with hands; as saith the
prophet, Heaven is my throne, and earth is my footstool: what house will ye build
me? saith the Lord: or what is the place of my rest? Hath not my hand made all
these things? Ye stiffnecked and uncircumcised in heart and ears, ye do always
resist the Holy Ghost: as your fathers did, so do ye.” Acts 7:48-51
There is a man-made tradition in the latter day church carried out from the Catholic and denominational churches. Much of the Church is caught up with building great halls and bigger and better state of the art structures. Great amounts of money are spent on padded pews, carpet, elaborate seating arrangements, platforms, sound systems, audio video equipment, climate control, and on and on. All for a building in which the average attendee spends less than six hours per week.
It would be better used if this money were given to those in need in the Church and the Church meet in homes, a barn or field.

Home Groups

Regardless of the size of your regular Sunday services, everyone in the Church
should be involved with at least weekly home group meetings. These can and
should be the most beneficial and nourishing to any saint of God. These are best
kept as small groups. Hopefully each home group will have at least one gifted
pastor/teacher.
It is interesting to note that when Jesus fed the multitude of about five thousand
with the five loaves and two fishes, he directed His disciples to have the multitude
sit in companies of fifty. This made it easier for the disciples and other helpers to
meet the needs of each individual.
This relates very well to the large assembly of hundreds or perhaps thousands.
One “head pastor” cannot address the needs of each in attendance. But in small
home groups, those in attendance gifted in ministry can council and address the
needs of each.
My favorite format for a home group meeting is one that includes and begins with
something like a pot luck dinner with anyone that is willing and able to bring a
dish. Continuing fellowship should include prayer requests, prayer, praise and
worship, singing is wonderful when possible, Bible studies, teaching, discussions,
questions and answers and testimonies all in a very open forum are good.
James 5:16 says that we should confess our faults to one another and pray for one another that we might be healed. This is best accomplished in the small home
group of true saints that love one another and do not condemn or gossip or backbite but rather lift each other up.

We would admonish all brethren everywhere to not use their ministries, gifts of
function in the church as titles attached to their name setting themselves above
others. Let us call each other by name or at most brother or sister. Let us refrain
from using titles such as Reverend, Pastor, Bishop, Elder, Minister and Deacon.
It is interesting to note that none of the apostles or even Jesus used titles that
commanded respect or set themselves above anyone. There is no division in the
church, just members in particular (1 Corinthians 12:27) of one body that has
different functions.
The title "Reverend" for example actually means one who is "worthy of
reverence".
1rev·er·end
Pronunciation: 'rev-r&nd, 're-v&-; 're-v&rnd
Function: adjective
Etymology: Middle English, from Middle French, from Latin reverendus,
gerundive of revereri
Date: 15th century
1 : worthy of reverence : REVERED
Source: Merriam-Webster Collegiate Dictionary
There is only one who is worthy of reverence and that is our Lord and Savior,
Christ Jesus.
Paul referred to himself always as "Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ" (Romans 1:1).
He went on to say that he was “called to be an apostle”, but that is what he did, it was his ministry and gift from God and not a title that he was to wear for the
purpose of demanding respect. All of the gifts of the ministry are just job
descriptions or functions of the ministry God gave to us. They are not supposed to
be titles or badges to add on to ones name to appear as holy or important or of high spiritual rank to men.
Many have not removed themselves from the traditions and teaching in
denominational churches, and from the Roman Catholic Church. The Catholic
Church set about to keep the people ignorant and in their place and created this
false clergy/laity division that is not Biblical. There is no division in the church
and the words clergy and laity do not exist in God’s Word.
Those that lead many Oneness Apostolic Pentecostal assemblies today prefer to be
called Pastor, Bishop, Reverend, Minister, Elder, Apostle, etc. They have yet to
shake this man-made tradition.
"But Jesus called them unto him, and said, Ye know that the princes of the Gentiles
exercise dominion over them, and they that are great exercise authority upon them.
But it shall not be so among you: but whosoever will be great among you, let him
be your minister; And whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your
servant" - Matthew 20:25-27
The word "Pastor" comes from the Hebrew word "ra'ah". It means to pasture, tend,
graze, feed. We are servants and are to feed His sheep, to lead His sheep. Not to
rule over them. “The elders which are among you I exhort, who am also an elder,
and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that shall
be revealed; Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight
thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind;
Neither as being lords over God's heritage, but being ensamples to the flock. And
when the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away.” -I Peter 5:1-4
God never set one man called a “pastor” or by any other title over His church. The
ministry of a pastor was a gift God gave to men for the work of the ministry, for
the edifying of the body of Christ (Ephesians 4:12). In fact a pastor is one of the
lesser ministries. “And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily
prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps,
governments, diversities of tongues.” - 1 Corinthians 12:28. Jesus alone is the head of the church and we as pastors, teachers, evangelists, apostles, profits, are to Minister to the church as servants. Only elders (plural) were set over the local
assembly.
We have different ministries and gifts in the church. We can say that I have been
called to pastor, or I have been called to evangelize or I am an elder. But let us not use these gifts and functions in the church to set ourselves above one another by using them as titles or positions of honor. Let us work together, each in his calling and our gifts and ministries will make way for themselves.
It is interesting to note that the term pastor as a title or office was first incorrectly applied by Martin Luther rather than to call their church leaders “Priests” as did the Roman Catholic Church. To this day the church has yet to get away from this false teaching and concept. There can be more than one and in fact several pastors in a local assembly, just as there can be several having other gifts of the ministry or gifts of the Spirit.

I will be brief on this issue. Once you understand what the correct role of what a
pastor is and how the church should function, it is easy to deal with this issue.
Many pastors that read this writing will be alright until they read this portion. This
is where I will lose most of them because it hits them where it hurts, their bank
account.
Basically I do not believe in the tithing of one tenth of our increase. This was under the law. Rather I believe God owns every single penny and thing we possess.
God does not need our money, it’s the professional Christians (modern day
pastors) that want it and preach tithing. Most pastors believe that the tithe belongs to them, it is their income. Most of them should go out and get a job and support themselves.
The early Church gave a good example of how the Church should be. They gave
up all the things of this world, they sold all that they had and gave to those that had need.
My message to the Church is to stop paying for elaborate buildings and stop
supporting professional Christians! Sell the building, sell the boat, sell the camper,
sell the excess property and give to those that have need. Help the elderly, the
widow, the hungry and the poor.

One of the hardest lessons for me to learn was to come out from the man-made
church organizations. They are breeding grounds for rivalry, competition and
political power struggles and corruption. They will do you more harm than good
while taking your money for the privilege of being part of their organization, No
man needs to be licensed or ordained by any man or organization to preach the
gospel. No benefit of fellowship is worth the strife, hardship and infighting I have
seen within some of the largest of these organizations.

I have received many emails about our Church services and have had people visit
looking for a church “building”. I will gather with saints in various homes locally
and also attend “services” with saints of various assemblies around the country.
While it is true that at one time I was the General Superintendent of an Apostolic
Church organization. I now belong to no man-made church organization nor do I
hold any title or office in any local assembly. I claim only to be a bondservant of
the Lord Jesus Christ and I desire to only serve Him and the Church.
I also receive many emails inquiring if there are any such church services in their
area. The traditions are hard to shake that even after reading this work they are still looking for ready-made church “services” somewhere near them that they can
“attend” to test the waters so-to-speak.
If saints that are assembling together as described in this writing will provide time
and place information I will be happy to begin posting such information on the
Apostolic Voice website.
However I would encourage every single saint that desires what I have written
about here to simply begin doing it. Invite another couple or two and begin to have
meetings in your homes. Jesus said: “For where two or three are gathered
together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.”