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Thread: Assemblies of God Pastor Sees Walkout after LGBT Rebuke

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    Administrator fuego's Avatar
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    Assemblies of God Pastor Sees Walkout after LGBT Rebuke

    On the Tuesday, June 28th edition of TRUNEWS, Oklahoma City pastor Terry Bates shares how listeners walked out of his Assemblies of God church after a message on homosexuality one Sunday morning.

    Bates is pastor of Oklahoma City Faith Church, a congregation of 1800 located in the state's influential capital city. The church, founded over 91 years ago, has seen many changes through the years. However, Pastor Bates in his discussion with TRUNEWS host Rick Wiles says that this may be the most challenging in the church's long history.

    After a series of messages over several weeks encouraging the listeners to respond to the 'fire of God', Pastor Bates waded into the controversy over homosexuality, highlighting it's sin as compared to Scripture:

    "I was literally shocked, personally, when I began to see people get up, move out, walk out the door kinda shaking their heads. "


    Bates says that the people who were most likely to walk out on a message on the Biblical stance of homosexuality are those people with relationship connections with those in the LGBT community. Be it a son, daughter or parent, many going to traditional churches that seek to maintain Biblical standards are being actively challenged by the LGBT agenda in our nation.

    Host Rick Wiles pointed out that the Assemblies of God has a long tradition of being one of the bedrock denominations when it comes to Biblical values, and he was surprised that listeners and members did not know what the Scriptures has to say on the issue. Pastor Bates responded:

    "I think they do (know the Bible). I think that many across our movement, whether it's the Assemblies of God or any other mainline denomination, or even the conservative movement, there are many people who are wrestling with this issue. (They say) I know what the Bible says, but my friend over here has this 'special' situation going on. I think what we've done is we've put 'asterisks' in the Bible, so that when we read about something that we don't agree with, or we have a relationship with someone who is doing something different, we want to put an asterisk or footnote saying that doesn't apply."


    Pastor Bates insists that it all comes back to the integrity of the Scriptures regardless of what our opinion or general culture around us says is what is acceptable. The church as a whole was at first tolerant, and then acceptable of sin, including homosexuality.

    The pastor pointed out that even though he is willing to call sin, 'sin', that does not negate the desire of God to work in the life of an individual and transform them. He says of Oklahoma City Faith Church:

    "I want to be clear; anybody can come to my church. I don't care what your lifestyle is, I don't care if you've had a sex change. That's not my issue. But don't come in and expect us to rewrite the Bible to accomodate your life or your choices. I'm still going to preach the same message, because it is the standard-bearer, it is the plumb-line that everything else is measure against."


    This isn't the first time that the church has received a backlash because of Bates' messages. Several months ago, some of the church windows were blown out in response to sermons delivered by the fiery pastor.

    The entire interview with Pastor Terry Bates can be heard on the June 28th edition of TRUNEWS with Rick Wiles

    Diana Pullman of Z3 News, who also attends Oklahoma City Faith Church writes:

    I don't know what's happening in everyone else's home church, but let me tell you what we're experiencing.

    Our pastor has begun preaching a message of repentance, saying things like, "It doesn't matter who becomes President, no man can save this country!"

    "Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a reproach to any people."

    I've watched him transform to preach this end time message, and he's on fire for the Lord. But as soon as his messages became politically incorrect, people began to walk out of the services – right in the middle of his messages. Tithes and offerings are down 50%, and he's getting letters saying he needs to repent for his messages!

    Saints, a huge separation is taking place. I agree and am praying fervently that the blinders will come off. And I'm confident that the great shaking to come will jolt many wide awake. Our Lord is merciful in bringing this shaking.



    What Is the Position of the Assemblies of God on Homosexuality?

    Officially, the Assemblies of God believes strongly that God has declared great displeasure and opposition toward homosexual conduct...

    http://www.trunews.com/assemblies-go...r-lgbt-rebuke/

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    Super Moderator Quest's Avatar
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    Here is what I posted on my Facebook page this morning regarding this...

    Years ago I struggled with the concept of love and grace and homosexuality..I knew all the Bible to be truth and prayed for God to enable me to fulfill His command to love unconditionally and hate the sin. One might think this is simple for new believers but it is not..this ablity is the character of God, not human and must be developed in us by Holy Spirit. I am concerned that many Christians don't understand they need the supernatural working of Holy Spirit to transform them into God's true character..I believe the pastor in this article recognized this..that they know the Bible but have personal connections and rather than understand they don't have to choose love or hate as the culture states, but can still love their friends and loved ones while feeling great compassion and remorse for their sin bondage. Then there are the ones who won't tolerate that and insist on us changing our belief...from those we have to allow them to sever the relationship.

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    Super Moderator Quest's Avatar
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    One thing that struck me is the fact that this condition of his church was unknown to this pastor...For those who preach Spirit led truth every week they see the fallout continually, not in a mass exodus like this guy did..

    Story: We had a couple at our church that were struggling baby Christians and unmarried. After a year of off and on attendance and struggles they decided to get married. They asked our pastor to officiate the ceremony. The wedding day came and their friends and family as well as their church family were in attendance. Our pastor being totally in character began to speak on the God given sanctity of marriage between a man and a woman and several guests left..he did not know until he was told later that some gay/lesbian friends of theirs were in attendance. He stated he was sorry they left but would not have changed thing had he known they were there..and we all know him and knew that to be true.

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    Senior Member Cardinal TT's Avatar
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    The truth will separate the wheat and the tares.

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    Senior Member Colonel's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Cardinal TT View Post
    The truth will separate the wheat and the tares.
    How does this work with things like cessationism vs the gifts of the Spirit ? Shouldn't we in the same manner declare that those who wilfully reject the present day operation of the gifts of the Spirit are consequently tares ? Maybe those who do so in ignorance are not always but those who do so wilfully have to be ?

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    Senior Member Pentecali's Avatar
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    This is a shock to me. I envisioned Oklahoma as right wing conservative

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    Senior Member Cardinal TT's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Pentecali View Post
    This is a shock to me. I envisioned Oklahoma as right wing conservative

    There are tares everywhere

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    Senior Member Nikos's Avatar
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    Yep

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    Quote Originally Posted by Pentecali View Post
    This is a shock to me. I envisioned Oklahoma as right wing conservative
    OK is conservative, but the world is on the slippery slope to hell and the tares are right behind. In the small towns, they still keep Christ in Christmas in the public schools.

    I was once in a service in a Methodist church, where a young lady (18 years old) stood on the platform on a Sun am and sang The Revelation Song wearing shabby (like she was on her way to the lake) short shorts.

    I haven't been to OKC Faith Church since Pastor Bates has been there, but it has always been a Godly church. Given the state of society, I'm not surprised that people walked out, but saddened.

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    * Toxic Troll - Negative Nancy Farm Truck's Avatar
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    Bates says that the people who were most likely to walk out on a message on the Biblical stance of homosexuality are those people with relationship connections with those in the LGBT community.
    Excellent! It's good to see people open up and let other know what they really believe.

    These folks are in agreement with that God has called sin, so it's a good thing they are leaving.



    there are many people who are wrestling with this issue
    No, there are people who refuse to put what God says first.

    They have not died to self and want to keep one foot in the world.



    I want to be clear; anybody can come to my church. I don't care what your lifestyle is, I don't care if you've had a sex change.
    A little leven... no, those that are un-repentant about their sin should not be welcome. If they are not hungry to know the truth (God's written Word), then this pastor is wrong for allowing this infection to come in and damage his congregation.

    It's getting to the point where small home groups are the way to go seeing churches are caving to this world's wisdom and rejecting God's Word.

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