The "Claim to the Name"

notofworks · #1 03-11-2010, 10:01 AM

I don't want to destroy another thread so I'll start one here.

Two songs, "His Name is Wonderful", and "Jesus, There's Something About That Name", have long been held as "Oneness" national anthems of sorts. But it's interesting to note that both songs were written by strong trinitarians, Audrey Mieir and Bill Gaither.

Here's why I bring it up...I was raised in and spent some of my adulthood in "Oneness Pentecostalism". The feeling I had then was, we had a greater understanding and appreciation of the "Name of Jesus." And certainly now that I've been more associated with the so-called "Christian mainstream" for close to 20 years which definitely leans toward trinitarianism, the view I have of Oneness Pentecostals is that they certainly seem to have a bit of a monopoly of "The Name" almost to the point of perceived "Spiritual Arrogance" about it.

Yet, it has been trinitarians who have penned the greatest lyrics concerning the value of "The Name."

So my question is this...Do "Oneness" people use "The Name" any differently or in any superior fashion than "Trinitarian" people?

Orthodoxy · #2 03-11-2010, 10:09 AM

I've heard Apostolics say, "I was converted to the 'Jesus' Name' doctrine thirty years ago."

I've never really understood what that meant. When they say that, do they mean that Jesus is the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit?

Falla39 · #3 03-11-2010, 10:29 AM

In the city in which we have resided for just under 60 yrs., there is a strong resistance
to the "Oneness' message. When we moved here in 1950, an Assembly of God lady in-
formed two of my brothers and I that we were "new lights" and that their church was
praying and fasting that the "new lights" would leave town. We were children 9,11 and
13. We had no idea what she was talking about. We learned though. It wasn't just about
long hair, no makeup or woman wearing pants. Many of their ladies did none of these.
Later the pastor's wife had her hair cut and permed. Many others followed suit. It was
not the "standards" that seperated us, but a strong resistance to the teaching of One
God IN Christ Jesus. Also baptism in Jesus Name.

My late father made the statement, "What good is orthodoxy IF IT ISN"T TRUTH"!
It isn't just what's on the outside, although important. IT is WHO is inside, working on
the outside. We can look like the "perfect" saint on the outside, yet when we open our
mouth, what comes out reveals what is in the heart. For out of the abundance ot the
heart, the mouth speaketh.

Blessings,
Falla39

Sam · #4 03-11-2010, 10:30 AM

Well, I'll give a couple of comments on that.

Some on this forum think of me as rather liberal. Maybe because I would consider Bill and Gloria Gaither and others to be as much Christian and as much born of God as any of the rest of us. I am an ordained minister in an old OP organization but I consider anyone who has called on the Lord for salvation to be my brother and sister.

Now, ducking the stones and missiles, let me opine that OP folks do look upon the name "Jesus" somewhat differently than the folks we label as "trinity."

Many of us consider "Jesus" to be "the name" of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost (ref Matthew 28:18-19) I agree with that.

Many of us consider "Jesus" to be God's highest name (ref Phil. 2:5-11) I agree with that.

Some of us believe that the the name "Jesus" with or without a title or two like "Lord" and "Christ" must be verbalized over a person at water baptism to wash away or remit (forgive) sins. I don't agree with that.

I some times use the title of "Jesus Name Pentecostal." I believe we should pray in Jesus' name, cast out demons in Jesus' name, pray for the sick in Jesus' name, and baptize in Jesus' name. Some would quote Colossians 3:17 here.

Although I believe baptism in the name of Jesus Christ is Scriptural, I feel the same way about it as it is worded in the statement of beliefs by Christ Church in Nashville, TN. This is from their web site:
...that all of God's people are to be buried with Christ in the waters of baptism, subsequent to conversion. While we freely embrace those of contrary opinion, we feel that this rite is scripturally administered "in the name of the Lord Jesus." (I personally like "in the name of Jesus Christ" but I wouldn't break fellowship with those who also use the title "Lord" or those who use titles like "Father" or "Son" or "Holy Ghost" or "Savior" etc.)

mizpeh · #5 03-11-2010, 10:33 AM

Oneness baptize in the name of Jesus Christ. We become Christ' disciples and part of Christ's body when we take on his name. That is one major difference I see.

Another difference, a huge difference, is that we see that Jesus is the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.

As for superiority, arrogance can be found in all denominations and people.

Orthodoxy · #6 03-11-2010, 10:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Falla39

My late father made the statement, "What good is orthodoxy IF IT ISN"T TRUTH"!

Are you takin' potshots at me, Falla?

Falla39 · #7 03-11-2010, 11:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Orthodoxy

Are you takin' potshots at me, Falla?

Not all all. I am sorry if you thought I was.

What I was speaking of was: Those who embrace the Trinitarian Doctrine,
say that if you don't believe in the Trinity, you are not orthodox. You are
not in tune with all the "major" faiths that do believe in the Trinity. Many
of those think of us as a cult. Along with others.

I didn't think of you as not being apostolic as this is an apostolic forum.

Blessings,

Falla39

TheLegalist · #8 03-11-2010, 11:18 AM

One persons orthodoxy is another persons heresy.

Orthodoxy · #9 03-11-2010, 11:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Falla39

Not all all. I am sorry if you thought I was.

I know; I didn't take it the wrong way.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Falla39

I didn't think of you as not being apostolic as this is an apostolic forum.

Well, this is the Apostolic Friends Forum, so I guess friends of Apostolics can join too!

notofworks · #10 03-11-2010, 11:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mizpeh

As for superiority, arrogance can be found in all denominations and people.

Understood. However, wrongdoing doesn't justify wrongdoing. My overall point is that I believe that "Trinitarians" have every bit as much value of the name of Jesus as anyone else, if not more so. I don't care for the predisposition of many Oneness people that they have "dibs" on the Name of Jesus.