Going To Trinity Churches ?

[Scott Hutchinson]

This is not meant sound harsh or unkind,or mean spirited.
How can people who have a revelation of the oneness of God and Jesus Name baptism go to Trinity churches and sit under Trinitarian pastors ?
I understand that sometimes things might arise in a local oneness church where people might have to leave their assembly.
I understand there are valid reasons where someone might have to leave their church,but is going to a Trinity church the answer ?

If I didn't have anywhere to go,I could home church.
If faced between going to a Trinity church or home church home church I believe would be my option.
I don't hate Trinitarians but it would be hard to sit under that teaching myself.

[pelathais]

Originally Posted by Scott Hutchinson

This is not meant sound harsh or unkind,or mean spirited.
How can people who have a revelation of the oneness of God and Jesus Name baptism go to Trinity churches and sit under Trinitarian pastors ?
I understand that sometimes things might arise in a local oneness church where people might have to leave their assembly.
I understand there are valid reasons where someone might have to leave their church,but is going to a Trinity church the answer ?

If I didn't have anywhere to go,I could home church.
If faced between going to a Trinity church or home church home church I believe would be my option.
I don't hate Trinitarians but it would be hard to sit under that teaching myself.

From my experience most Trinitarians are not tri-theists. Tritheism is where I would run into a real problem. But then again, sitting still long enough while someone drones on about any topic is difficult for me - whether I agree with them or not.

I don't know what kind of question needs a "Trinitarian church" to be the answer - I'm sure there are probably many. Fact of the matter is, most of the independent types of churches that would attract someone from this crowd probably focus on Jesus Christ as Lord anyway and the whole "Trinity" thing is never a consideration.

[Scott Hutchinson]

OK PEL but could someone from a Jesus Name background go where baptism in titles is practiced ?

[Jermyn Davidson]

Originally Posted by Scott Hutchinson

OK PEL but could someone from a Jesus Name background go where baptism in titles is practiced ?

Personally, I was upset to see baptisms happen at my former COGIC church.

The Pastor told me he indeed used the titles, but also used the name of Jesus.

"I baptize you in the Name of of the Father, Son and Holy Ghost, in the Name of Jesus."


I witnessed his baptisms. That's not what he did.

I won't even speak about the dishonesty.

I'm speaking about how that well intentioned folks were lead to practice a Biblical tenet in a way that is not Biblical. It was saddening more than maddening.

Attending the COGIC church I did was not my first choice, but after witnessing the baptisms, I really didn't think I could stay there much longer.

[Sam]

I go to a "trinity" church.
I've be going there since the spring of 2006.
Before that I went to a Vineyard for almost 14 years.

I am a one-stepper so therefore, in my opinion, these folks are as "saved" as anyone.

As far as the teachings of "trinity" and "oneness" there is no single oneness teaching and no single trinity teaching. All of our explanations of our triune God are pretty much the same. I realize there are some among oneness who believe Jesus became God at His baptism and ceased being God before He could die on the cross, and among trinitarians there may be those who believe in three thrones, but I would think these are the exceptions on either end of the scale. The oneness and trinity folks I am familiar with both seem to believe pretty much the same.

Folks in oneness and trinity churches both receive the Holy Ghost Baptism.

It is my personal opinion that the condition of the heart of a person is more important than the amount of water or the words spoken during the ritual of baptism.

Tomorrow, Wednesday, and Friday I will be in meetings with "trinity" folks who love the Lord, who speak with tongues, and who are sincerely serving Him. I consider them my brothers and sisters and members in the Body of Christ.

[Jermyn Davidson]

Originally Posted by Sam

I go to a "trinity" church.
I've be going there since the spring of 2006.
Before that I went to a Vineyard for almost 14 years.

I am a one-stepper so therefore, in my opinion, these folks are as "saved" as anyone.

As far as the teachings of "trinity" and "oneness" there is no single oneness teaching and no single trinity teaching. All of our explanations of our triune God are pretty much the same. I realize there are some among oneness who believe Jesus became God at His baptism and ceased being God before He could die on the cross, and among trinitarians there may be those who believe in three thrones, but I would think these are the exceptions on either end of the scale. The oneness and trinity folks I am familiar with both seem to believe pretty much the same.

Folks in oneness and trinity churches both receive the Holy Ghost Baptism.

It is my personal opinion that the condition of the heart of a person is more important than the amount of water or the words spoken during the ritual of baptism.

Tomorrow, Wednesday, and Friday I will be in meetings with "trinity" folks who love the Lord, who speak with tongues, and who are sincerely serving Him. I consider them my brothers and sisters and members in the Body of Christ.

I don't considered Holy Ghost filled Trinitarians to be hell bound.
I'd invite them to my house.
If I had children, they could play with their children.
But there is a difference in doctrine, a clear difference.

Baptism in Jesus Name is correct-- commanded and practiced by the New Testament Christians.

Baptism any other way that leaves out the Name of Jesus is incorrect.

[Innocuous]

Originally Posted by Sam

I go to a "trinity" church.
I've be going there since the spring of 2006.
Before that I went to a Vineyard for almost 14 years.

I am a one-stepper so therefore, in my opinion, these folks are as "saved" as anyone.

As far as the teachings of "trinity" and "oneness" there is no single oneness teaching and no single trinity teaching. All of our explanations of our triune God are pretty much the same. I realize there are some among oneness who believe Jesus became God at His baptism and ceased being God before He could die on the cross, and among trinitarians there may be those who believe in three thrones, but I would think these are the exceptions on either end of the scale. The oneness and trinity folks I am familiar with both seem to believe pretty much the same.

Folks in oneness and trinity churches both receive the Holy Ghost Baptism.

It is my personal opinion that the condition of the heart of a person is more important than the amount of water or the words spoken during the ritual of baptism.

Tomorrow, Wednesday, and Friday I will be in meetings with "trinity" folks who love the Lord, who speak with tongues, and who are sincerely serving Him. I consider them my brothers and sisters and members in the Body of Christ.

I agree.

[Michael The Disciple]

Oneness doctrine is very important to me. At present I could not see myself going to a Trinity Church. I was there for the first 6 years of my walk. Having said that I put forth this scenario.

Although I feel the doctrine of who Jesus is is the most glorious and wonderful teaching there is it is nonetheless NOT the only teaching given to us.

For example if a Trinity Church moved in close to where I live and they lets say believed in the post trib rapture, soul sleep, the annihilation of the wicked and taught perfection and holiness topped off with love in the body I would possibly be tempted to check it out.

Why? Simply because of the weight of truth that would be there. Not that it would be what I wanted ideally but there is no Oneness Church that I am aware of within 500 miles of me teaching these things that I embrace.

Could I be silent about Oneness? No so it probably would not work!

[pelathais]

Originally Posted by Scott Hutchinson

OK PEL but could someone from a Jesus Name background go where baptism in titles is practiced ?

Obviously, they could. But how would they feel? How would they interact? How long would they last if they started rocking the boat?

I think that for someone to actually support a ministry that dunks (or anything else) people in water using "the titles" and to participate in a full Christian fellowship with them would probably have a view of baptism and/or the name of Jesus that is compatible with such a practice anyhow.

So I guess, they'd be in a place where they "fit in."

[Margies3]

There are alot of different reasons why someone who believes Oneness doctrine would choose to go to a church that considers itself trinitarian. In my case, I do because there is no way in the world that Walt would be comfortable in an Apostolic church. Not because of the doctrinal differences. For him, like for most trinitarians, the doctrinal differences aren't even an issue. What would make him uncomfortable is the demonstrative worship. He is just much more subdued when it comes to his mode of worship.

And because I strongly feel that worshipping together with my family is important, I am not uncomfortable attending the church that we attend. IF Walt should ever decide that he would be comfortable in an Apostolic church, then yes, for sure, I would go with him. But until (if ever) that day comes, I will stay put where I am.

I have had very long conversations with our pastor regarding both Oneness/Trinity and baptism in Jesus' name/baptism in the titles. He knows exactly where I stand on both. And frankly, we are on exactly the same page as far as Oneness/Trinity goes. I do not believe we will see three thrones in heaven and neither does he. When he explains what he believes regarding the Godhead, he is almost quoting exactly the things that I was taught for years and years in the UPC. And as far as baptism goes, I've listened as he baptizes. I've heard him say, "in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, which is Jesus Christ". I asked him if someone wanted to be baptized just in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, would he do it? His answer was "Absolutely!"

So, see, you can't really put all trinity people in a little box and throw them out.