Christian Challenge International

"Ask the Pastor"

We frequently receive questions in email from people about doctrine, practice, etc. From time to time we will post the questions and the answers here on the web page. If you'd like to submit a question, simply email our pastor at Bro.Buddy@ChristianChallenge.org or use the form below.

Wednesday, January 15

> Question: > Dear Mr. Martin, I want to commend you for having this site here to > answer questions about difficult spiritual issues. I have read alot of > the Q&A of other people and it has answered some of my own. Amanda, Thank you for your kind comments on our Ask the Pastor page. I am happy that you have received help from it. I'm going to break your comments and question into parts so that I can provide a better response. And believe me, you have asked a questions that are shared by many. > I was in the UPC myself for 5 yrs., but I left b/c I was seeing so > many things that just didn't add up. I'm happy to see that you were able to process this for yourself. > But however I am still confused. The UPC has always been known for > their testimonies of faith healing, like you always hear their stories > of cripple people going into a hyped up service and come out walking. Most pentecostal-charismatic groups are known for these things. But you can't always depend on the stories. While some may be true, many are embellishments beyond what actually happened. I'll leave that where it belongs. > And supposedly these stories are true. Now that I am aware that the UPC > is fake, I wander why these people are claiming healing and > deliverance if the doctrine is false. UPC folk can have a genuine relationship with Jesus Christ in spite of their bad doctrines. The Lord deals with us on a personal basis. The same holds true for healings and deliveranes. It would be a mistake to credit the UPC or any other denomination for something the Lord has done. > Why would God bless a church or individual that preaches or adheres to > false doctrine? I would assume that the Lord can bless us in spite of what may be wrong in our doctrines. I was a saved man as a UPC pastor and as an evangelist, but my understanding of the gospel was amiss. Because of my misunderstandings, my walk with the Lod was hindered. But it is as Jesus said, "If you continue in My word, then you are disciples of Mine, and you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free." > If their doctrine is false, why would God be doing stuff like this for > them, or is it all a big lie? Can the Lord save us in spite of bad teachings? Sure He can. It happens all the time. Yet there is more involved. The Bible speaks of the path of righteousness as a light shining upon our lives. The path gets brighter and brighter the further our walk goes with the Lord. Once a person's eyes began to open to truth, we get uncomfortable with the untruths around us. (It happened to you.) Over the years I've seen countless UPC people get their lives together, and it all had to do with they eyes being opened. > I have never seen it happen, but have heard countless stories and > testimonies of things like this. Is there any truth to this or is it > just a big fat satanic lie? Maybe you can shed some light on this. > Thank you. It is as I said earlier. Many of the stories you hear in pentecostalism have to be taken with a grain of salt. Sometimes there is something to the story, but it rarely is as you hear. Once the story gets told, it begins to take on life in itself. But this isn't simply a UPC problem. It simply tends to happen more with emotional-driven groups. Amanda, you may want to subscribe to an email conference that our ministry sponsers. I serve as the host. Of our 120+ members, at least half are former UPC folk. If you are interested go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Hebraic-Foundations/ I hope this has helped you a bit. The Lord bless you,

Buddy

Bro. Buddy Martin - Ask the Pastor

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Lawrence "Buddy" Martin
email: Bro.Buddy@ChristianChallenge.org
Web: http://www.ChristianChallenge.org

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What would you like to "Ask the Pastor?"

Your full name:
Your email address: (e.g.: you@aol.com)
PLEASE include your email address or we won't be able to send the answer to you.

Your question

(Note: Please include your full name and email address. Answers will be sent by return email. Christian Challenge reserves the right to reprint your question and edit it for clarity and content on our "Ask the Pastor" web page. Please note that we will not divulge your full name nor your email address. Typically we'll use your first name only. Not all questions are posted on this page - many more are responded to privately. Please let us know if you do NOT want your question listed or if you'd prefer it to be listed anonymously. We respect your privacy and will NOT sell/give/loan your name and email address to any other organization/business/entity.)

Back to the Christian Challenge International home page!