The reality of the slippery slope?

[Michael The Disciple]

Originally Posted by Jason B

Ok a serious answer.

I left for mostly doctrinal reasons. I wasn't mad, wasn't mistreated, wasn't craving the world. I was happy in life, I was treated well, and had many friends, essentially all my friends, we're OPs. It was probably the absolute hardest decision of my life. It was met with derision and ridicule. My wife was hurt and felt betrayed by me (because of the way my pastor reacted). I became the enemy literally overnight. But I'm getting ahead of myself, this happened after I left.

I left for doctrinal reasons. Through study of the Word I came to the conclusion and conviction that the Bible teaches the sinner is justified by faith in Christ. Thus I believe the sinner is saved at repentance. And while I believe they should be obedient and be baptized, and believe baptism should be done invoking Jesus name, I do not believe the act of baptism bestows salvation. I also don't believe baptism in titles is invalid, not because I don't believe Jesus name baptism is the original historical formula (I do), but because I believe the sinner is saved prior to baptism, and what is important in baptism is the sinners faith in and obedience to Christ, NOT the phrase the preacher uses.

Secondly, I am not convinced at all that tounges is the only initial evidence of the baptism of the Holy Ghost. I believe that when God justifies the sinner, he also saves the sinner and at that very moment adopts the repentant sinner AND sends His Spirit to indwell the repentant sinner who becomes a child of God. Thus I deny the initial evidence doctrine.

Thirdly,while I do appreciate standards, and prefer women wear skirts/dresses, no make up, no jewelry, have uncut hair, etc. I don't believe that these things are necessary to salvation. Modesty is biblical. However standards as they were taught (still taught in some places) turn into a legalistic works righteousness system. So I deny the necessity of standards for salvation.

These are the big reasons. I suppose if I had been able to find a one step oneness church I would have possibly attended there instead of a Reformed church.

So considering your own experience may be that of those who leave the Oneness movement a majority of them dont leave it to go and do crazy things. Maybe they also have doctrinal issues.

My situation is different than yours yet similar. I hold firmly to the Oneness message. I believe Acts 2:38 is the full standard for salvation in the New Covenant Church.

I disagree with most Oneness Churches on the rapture (myself being post trib), the resurrection of the dead, eternal judgement, and sinless perfection.

I disagree with their stand against beards and the doctrine that it is a sin for women to trim their hair.

These things have made it very difficult for me to tie myself to a Oneness Church. I think I ran through the best Trinitarian Churches available before I started into Oneness so it does not occur to me to ever be a member of one again.

Not saying I would never visit one.