Very Interesting From The Apostolic News

[Sam]

Originally Posted by pelathais

...
Personally, I am "Oneness" and I practice "Acts 2:38" in my own ecclesiology, but I recognize that this view has not been in practice continuously for the past 2,000 years.

Thank you for being honest with this.
Just curious, how do you reconcile this with how some preach that the church will not be prevailed against? Do you believe in an early and latter rain with a period of drought in between? or the idea that God's people were still God's people while they were in the wilderness or in captivity and did not keep the rituals? My personal opinion is that water baptism in Jesus' name is a truth but is not necessary for salvation so the church is still the church without it. Also, the Holy Ghost baptism and the gifts are empowerments from God and not necessary for salvation so the church is the church without them. In my opinion, justification/salvation/regeneration happens when one trusts in Jesus as Savior and there have always been some (they would make up the Church) who have trusted in Jesus. That's how I see the Church always existing.

[pelathais]

Originally Posted by Sam

Thank you for being honest with this.
Just curious, how do you reconcile this with how some preach that the church will not be prevailed against?

I think you may have read over my post a little too quickly. I said that "The Church" was comprised of those who Jesus Christ has saved. He at least appears to have been saving rather consistently over the past 2,000 years.

Originally Posted by Sam

Do you believe in an early and latter rain with a period of drought in between? or the idea that God's people were still God's people while they were in the wilderness or in captivity and did not keep the rituals?

I said that my ecclesiology involves the so-called "Acts 2:38 formula." Others are obviously free to insert whatever prayers and God honoring affirmations they wish. It is Jesus Who saves, not our rituals or even the works of righteousness that we have done (Titus 3:5). Jesus saves.

Originally Posted by Sam

My personal opinion is that water baptism in Jesus' name is a truth but is not necessary for salvation so the church is still the church without it. Also, the Holy Ghost baptism and the gifts are empowerments from God and not necessary for salvation so the church is the church without them. In my opinion, justification/salvation/regeneration happens when one trusts in Jesus as Savior and there have always been some (they would make up the Church) who have trusted in Jesus. That's how I see the Church always existing.

It is my opinion that "Jesus' name baptism" as advocated so strenuously by some is neither "a truth" nor an "untruth." It's merely a side-track to a much more important discussion.

We have a Savior. Jesus saves. We don't need decoder rings or "special revelations" to be saved. We just need a Savior.

[Sabby]

Originally Posted by Sam

Thank you for being honest with this.
Just curious, how do you reconcile this with how some preach that the church will not be prevailed against? Do you believe in an early and latter rain with a period of drought in between? or the idea that God's people were still God's people while they were in the wilderness or in captivity and did not keep the rituals? My personal opinion is that water baptism in Jesus' name is a truth but is not necessary for salvation so the church is still the church without it. Also, the Holy Ghost baptism and the gifts are empowerments from God and not necessary for salvation so the church is the church without them. In my opinion, justification/salvation/regeneration happens when one trusts in Jesus as Savior and there have always been some (they would make up the Church) who have trusted in Jesus. That's how I see the Church always existing.