Mark Lowry - recovering Fundamentalist

[Sam]

Originally Posted by Aquila

...As far as Salvation...

I believe in Acts 2:38 being the full response to the Gospel. I believe that in faith and repentance one is justified (legally declared sinless before God). This sinlessness allows for the repentant believer to receive the Holy Ghost. Receiving the Holy Ghost regenerates the lifeless human spirit and unites us with the very Spirit of God, we become one spirit with Him. Jesus name baptism cleanses the conscience of past guilt and sin and allows us to walk with a clear conscience before God. ...

.

I believe that in faith and repentance one is justified (legally declared sinless before God); is born of the Spirit of God; is translated from the kingdom of darkness into the Kingdom of God; is sealed by the Holy Spirit unto the day of redemption; is baptized/placed by the Holy Spirit into the Body of Christ; and is espoused to our Heavenly Bridegroom.

This justification/regeneration/salvation experience may be followed up by water baptism and Spirit baptism as the newborn child of God develops in his walk with God.

[KeptByTheWord]

Originally Posted by Aquila

The only thing that matter is Christ. Christ is God. And without controversy this is a great mystery. Theologians will wrangle and spit hate and vitrol until Jesus comes back... but Christ's sheep KNOW HIM and HEAR HIS VOICE. We also embrace the mystery that God is unfathomable. We realize that these silly theologies don't give God the justice or glory He deserves.

Now, I know Oneness theology better than any other. I have also studied Trinitarianism from the ontological and economic perspectives. Both have their weaknesses. Both have their strengths. I do believe that Oneness is closer to what is expressed in the Bible. However, even Oneness isn't a perfect knowledge of God. And if we require that one have a perfect knowledge of God to be saved.... none of us will be saved.

So let's embrace our differences and respect one another's convictions... knowing that God Himself will sort out all our questions and errors by and by.

As far as Salvation...

I believe in Acts 2:38 being the full response to the Gospel. I believe that in faith and repentance one is justified (legally declared sinless before God). This sinlessness allows for the repentant believer to receive the Holy Ghost. Receiving the Holy Ghost regenerates the lifeless human spirit and unites us with the very Spirit of God, we become one spirit with Him. Jesus name baptism cleanses the conscience of past guilt and sin and allows us to walk with a clear conscience before God.

It's not up to me to judge those who have not received this experience as I understand it. God will judge them justly. I encourage any step towards Christ... be it one step... two steps... or three steps.

Very, very well said Aquila!

[Hoovie]

Originally Posted by KeptByTheWord

Very, very well said Aquila!

Ditto!!

[Dordrecht]

By Sam: I believe that in faith and repentance one is justified (legally declared sinless before God); is born of the Spirit of God; is translated from the kingdom of darkness into the Kingdom of God; is sealed by the Holy Spirit unto the day of redemption; is baptized/placed by the Holy Spirit into the Body of Christ; and is espoused to our Heavenly Bridegroom.

This justification/regeneration/salvation experience may be followed up by water baptism and Spirit baptism as the newborn child of God develops in his walk with God.
__________________

That's it, plain and simple.

[aegsm76]

Originally Posted by Aquila

People don't realize that Oneness, Trintarianism, Arianism, Modalism, Monarchianism, etc. are all just human constructs built with the intention of properly defining God. The truth is... God is bigger than all these theologies. Oneness doesn't have God all figured out. Nor does any other theology. They all have their theological strengths and weaknesses. Those who begin to cast judgment on other believers on account of them not being a part of a given theological school (orthodox or not) are essentially elevating a theology to the position of Saviour. It's a form of doctrino-idolatry.

The only thing that matter is Christ. Christ is God. And without controversy this is a great mystery. Theologians will wrangle and spit hate and vitrol until Jesus comes back... but Christ's sheep KNOW HIM and HEAR HIS VOICE. We also embrace the mystery that God is unfathomable. We realize that these silly theologies don't give God the justice or glory He deserves.

Now, I know Oneness theology better than any other. I have also studied Trinitarianism from the ontological and economic perspectives. Both have their weaknesses. Both have their strengths. I do believe that Oneness is closer to what is expressed in the Bible. However, even Oneness isn't a perfect knowledge of God. And if we require that one have a perfect knowledge of God to be saved.... none of us will be saved.

So let's embrace our differences and respect one another's convictions... knowing that God Himself will sort out all our questions and errors by and by.

As far as Salvation...

I believe in Acts 2:38 being the full response to the Gospel. I believe that in faith and repentance one is justified (legally declared sinless before God). This sinlessness allows for the repentant believer to receive the Holy Ghost. Receiving the Holy Ghost regenerates the lifeless human spirit and unites us with the very Spirit of God, we become one spirit with Him. Jesus name baptism cleanses the conscience of past guilt and sin and allows us to walk with a clear conscience before God.

It's not up to me to judge those who have not received this experience as I understand it. God will judge them justly. I encourage any step towards Christ... be it one step... two steps... or three steps.

Great post Aquila!
I HOPE this is the case, I do not believe it, but I do hope.
If I make it to heaven, I certainly will not be upset if those who did not believe exactly as I do are there.

[Michael The Disciple]

So let's embrace our differences and respect one another's convictions... knowing that God Himself will sort out all our questions and errors by and by.

Well God will in the end be the judge but Jesus did not teach to embrace our differences. Christians are told to CONTEND FOR THE FAITH ONCE DELIVERED TO THE SAINTS. Jude v2.

Now its one thing to just admit that WE DONT KNOW WHAT IT IS.

In which case dont you think its worth giving all to find it out?

But if one would be so daring and bold to actually think you can understand the teachings of Jesus Christ and live by them, to believe his promise to guide them into all truth it would be unconscienceable to compromise his word.

Paul said:

2 But even after that we had suffered before , and were shamefully entreated , as ye know , at Philippi, we were bold in our God to speak unto you the gospel of God with much contention. 3 For our exhortation was not of deceit, nor of uncleanness, nor in guile: 4 But as we were allowed of God to be put in trust with the gospel, even so we speak ; not as pleasing men, but God, which trieth our hearts. 1 Thess 2:2-4

God trys our hearts to see if we will compromise his truth in exchange for the favor of men.

If we want to be a disciple of Jesus Christ we have to follow his teaching. We cannot allow what men think to guide our faith toward him.

People base so much of their faith on how others react. We cannot have faith that way. That was one of the traits of the Pharisees.

Jesus said:

How can ye believe , which receive honour one of another , and seek not the honour that cometh from God only? John 5:44

Let us be HIS disciple. Let us be more concerned about what HE said than any man.

[Sabby]

Originally Posted by Aquila

People don't realize that Oneness, Trintarianism, Arianism, Modalism, Monarchianism, etc. are all just human constructs built with the intention of properly defining God. The truth is... God is bigger than all these theologies...

However, even Oneness isn't a perfect knowledge of God. And if we require that one have a perfect knowledge of God to be saved.... none of us will be saved...

So let's embrace our differences and respect one another's convictions... knowing that God Himself will sort out all our questions and errors by and by.

Very good comment, Aquila. I thought the video was refreshing. Mark senses that the Body of Christ is bigger than he once believed.
Someone else's deficiency of doctrine doesn't create an excuse not to love them.

[Praxeas]

Originally Posted by navygoat1998

Mike in the last 6 years that I have been out of UPC, I have never known anybody to believe in 3 Gods, I am not saying there not out there and I will go futher tell you I have never heard it preached. Jesus is God! The one true living God the Great I am thats not a huge secret.

When I left I checked my Acts 2:38 plan of Salvation in my pastors office.

He didn't say they believe in three gods

[Sam]

I liked, "God spreads grace like a 4 year old spreads peanut butter. He gets it all over."

[Sam]

"fundamentalist" or "funny mentalist"?