Going To Trinity Churches ?

[Ferd]

Originally Posted by Sam

There are folks who would like to go to a church where baptism is performed in Jesus' name but there is so much "garbage" to listen to and put up with like
--clothesline preaching;
--"holiness" or hell where the "holiness is somebody's weird ideas and personal preferences;
--stay away from those folks over there because they don't look just like us;
--don't make any personal decisions without consulting the pastor;
--don't work any job with evening of Sunday hours
--don't miss any scheduled service
--touch not (don't question in any way or disagree with in any manner) God's anointed because he holds the key to your salvation
--etc. etc.

Sam I would house church and start looking to bring in somebody to start a good church if I lived in such an area.

I would not cross the line of yolking myself with folk that dont believe like me.

however, I understand your view. but in all honesty, dont you agree with me that going that route eventually leads to a generation who doesnt even know what you believe?

[Sam]

Originally Posted by Ferd

...
however, I understand your view. but in all honesty, dont you agree with me that going that route eventually leads to a generation who doesnt even know what you believe?

yes, I can see that it could lead to that

[pelathais]

Originally Posted by Sam

yes, I can see that it could lead to that

And "garbage" Sam? That's the strongest word I've ever heard you use. You're pretty stirred up aren't you? j/k ... I agree with you completely and with Frenando's statements above.

[Ferd]

Originally Posted by Sam

yes, I can see that it could lead to that

I guess what I dont understand is why that is ok?

[Michael The Disciple]

Originally Posted by Sam

There are folks who would like to go to a church where baptism is performed in Jesus' name but there is so much "garbage" to listen to and put up with like
--clothesline preaching;
--"holiness" or hell where the "holiness is somebody's weird ideas and personal preferences;
--stay away from those folks over there because they don't look just like us;
--don't make any personal decisions without consulting the pastor;
--don't work any job with evening of Sunday hours
--don't miss any scheduled service
--touch not (don't question in any way or disagree with in any manner) God's anointed because he holds the key to your salvation
--etc. etc.

I understand that. When I was an Elder in a certain Apostolic Church I was ashamed to ask people to come to Church. And when seekers would come they would hear that and drive them off.

Having said that I am persuaded modesty is not just ones personal opinion. Is it modest to GOD? If so great.

[pelathais]

Originally Posted by Michael The Disciple

I understand that. When I was an Elder in a certain Apostolic Church I was ashamed to ask people to come to Church. And when seekers would come they would hear that and drive them off.

Having said that I am persuaded modesty is not just ones personal opinion. Is it modest to GOD? If so great.

But what is "modest to God?" How can we evaluate that?

And to get to the topic of the thread - at what point do our definitions and attempts to get a handle on the infinite and complex nature of God become a teaching or doctrine that He does not want fellowship with?

[Sam]

Originally Posted by Ferd

I guess what I dont understand is why that is ok?

Is it OK?

I can "visit" OP churches around here but I can't be a part of one.
That's how I feel.
I can't be a part of a church that teaches that if one is not baptized with the name "Jesus" and maybe a title or two like "Lord" and "Christ", that person is not saved, is not born again, is not a child of God, and is on their way to hell.
I can't be a part of a church that teaches that if a person has not spoken in tongues, that person is not saved, is not born again, is not a child of God, and is on their way to hell.
I can't be a part of a church that teaches that salvation is based on giving a certain amount of money.
I can't be a part of a church that teaches that salvation is based on dressing a certain way.
I am more at home with "trinity" people so I am part of a local church that is "trinity" and I fellowship lots of folks who are "trinity."
I consider them "saved" and on their way to heaven and can call them brother or sister.
Not all "Apostolic" or "Oneness" or "Pentecostal" people could or would do that but I am OK with it.

[Innocuous]

Ya'll can avoid 'trinity' churches all you want, that's your loss. God is just as present and active in 'trinity' churches as he is in OP churches. From my perspective that is undebatable. It would seem then that these doctrinal issues are of less importance than some would like to believe.

[Sam]

Originally Posted by Sam

...
I can "visit" OP churches around here but I can't be a part of one.
That's how I feel.
I can't be a part of a church that teaches that if one is not baptized with the name "Jesus" and maybe a title or two like "Lord" and "Christ", that person is not saved, is not born again, is not a child of God, and is on their way to hell.
I can't be a part of a church that teaches that if a person has not spoken in tongues, that person is not saved, is not born again, is not a child of God, and is on their way to hell.
I can't be a part of a church that teaches that salvation is based on giving a certain amount of money.
I can't be a part of a church that teaches that salvation is based on dressing a certain way.
I am more at home with "trinity" people so I am part of a local church that is "trinity" and I fellowship lots of folks who are "trinity."
I consider them "saved" and on their way to heaven and can call them brother or sister.
Not all "Apostolic" or "Oneness" or "Pentecostal" people could or would do that but I am OK with it.

In this area, there are several OP churches.
Over the years some have split and re-split.
Some have ignored others.
Some have refused fellowship to others.
Some have anathemized others.
People have been injured and scattered.
Some will probably never go to any church for a couple of reasons.
Some will not go to a church if it is not "Apostolic" in doctrine but do not want to go to a church where they have seen so much squabbling, name calling, carnality, and non-Christian attitudes so they go to no church at all.
Some have seen so much evil from God's people that they have lost confidence in God.

[Michael The Disciple]

Originally Posted by Sam

In this area, there are several OP churches.
Over the years some have split and re-split.
Some have ignored others.
Some have refused fellowship to others.
Some have anathemized others.
People have been injured and scattered.
Some will probably never go to any church for a couple of reasons.
Some will not go to a church if it is not "Apostolic" in doctrine but do not want to go to a church where they have seen so much squabbling, name calling, carnality, and non-Christian attitudes so they go to no church at all.
Some have seen so much evil from God's people that they have lost confidence in God.

But the same is true of many in Trinitarian Churches Pentecostal or otherwise.