Our spiritual identities were forged in the last century. Although started in Acts and traced throughout history, the oneness of God and the infilling of the Holy Ghost with the evidence of tongues were again showered from God into hungry hearts in the early 1900s. In response to this revival spirit, churches formed, then religious organizations and, at some point, Apostolics transformed into the People of the Iron-Clad Rules. Of course, any time an organization of any type begins, it must set up rules to define and distance itself from other organizations. It works in business, sports and even religions.
Rules create necessary boundaries and a corporate identity.
Rules are the most important foundation for long-term growth. Rules are not to be ridiculed. The Bible is full of sensible rules, with seven of the 10 Commandments stating Thou shalt not and Jesus, then Paul, delineating specific rules to follow in Christian living. None should be disrespected. Still, at some point, we allowed ourselves to become labeled as the People Who Can t we can t drink alcohol, we can t dress immodestly, our women can t wear pants or makeup or cut their hair, our men can t wear shorts or have long hair, we can t attend movies and ball games and amusement parks.