Sherri and those interested: the B.G.E.A. response
Quote:
from Help@bgea.org <help@bgea.org>
to
date Tue, Jul 29, 2008 at 8:53 AM
subject Email Response for
hide details 8:53 AM (1 hour ago)
Reply
Dear Bryon,
Thank you for contacting us.
We appreciate the confidence you have shown in this ministry as you seek our opinion regarding the “Oneness Pentecostal” movement. While it is not our custom to comment on specific denominations, we do share concern when a theological and practical application put forth by a group does not line up with Scripture. This is the case with this group of churches.
This group denies the Trinity, teaches that baptism "in the name of Jesus" is necessary for salvation, and requires speaking in tongues as evidence that one has received the Holy Spirit and is therefore truly born again. Church members are often expected to follow a strict code of behavior, which may become a means of maintaining their relationship with Christ. Any one of these doctrines sets them apart from most Bible-teaching, evangelical churches.
While faithful Christians may have minor doctrinal differences, it is very important to understand the Gospel of Jesus Christ accurately and be assured that we are saved by faith in Christ alone-not faith plus something else (Ephesians 2:8-9). Requiring certain behaviors or experiences in order to be saved (such as baptism in Jesus' name, speaking in tongues, or following a strict code of behavior) can obscure the simple Gospel and cause confusion in the Christian's life. If you are looking for a church home, we would encourage you to avoid this group.
The true church is composed of the "called-out ones," those who have repented of their sins, sought God's pardon, and accepted the Lord Jesus Christ as their Savior. They have been born again, as set forth in the plan of salvation; see John 1:12-13, 3:1-7, 5:24, 6:37; Romans 10:8-10; Ephesians 2:8-10; 1 John 1:7-9, 5:4, 5:9-13; and Revelation 3:20. They are then a part of God's family; read Ephesians 2:19. You become a member of God's family the moment you become a Christian. This is why you will want to join with other believers in an organized church. We believe that any church is right which exalts Christ, honors God, believes the Bible, preaches the Gospel, and points sinners to the Savior. You can join that kind of church and worship God in spirit and in truth, enjoying the fellowship of God's people regardless of what name the church might bear.
We pray that the Lord will enrich your life, filling you with all joy and peace in believing.
Sincerely,
Jamie M. Adams (lw)
Christian Guidance Department
Billy Graham Evangelistic Association
Re: Sherri and those interested: the B.G.E.A. resp
Quote:
Originally Posted by Sherri
So, Berk, did you write a letter to them "posing" as someone interested in going to a oneness Pentecostal church?
What are your thoughts on the content of the reply?
__________________
"God, send me anywhere, only go with me. Lay any burden on me, only sustain me. And sever any tie in my heart except the tie that binds my heart to Yours."
--David Livingstone
"To see no being, not God’s or any, but you also go thither,
To see no possession but you may possess it—enjoying all without labor or purchase—
abstracting the feast, yet not abstracting one particle of it;…."
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Re: Sherri and those interested: the B.G.E.A. resp
Quote:
Originally Posted by Sherri
So, Berk, did you write a letter to them "posing" as someone interested in going to a oneness Pentecostal church?
No. I wish I would have saved a copy of the message that I sent, but it was sent via the "form" available on their website.
I asked if they B.G.E.A. has an official position in favor of or against the oneness movement. Posing as someone interested in a oneness church would have been dishonest. Though, I did not tell them that I am from a oneness background. I didn't see the need to disclose such information. That may have prompted the B.G.E.A. to not answer my question, or to water down their response.
Re: Sherri and those interested: the B.G.E.A. resp
Well, there you have it! This is what the Christian church at large thinks about Oneness Pentecostals.
Quote:
This group denies the Trinity, teaches that baptism "in the name of Jesus" is necessary for salvation, and requires speaking in tongues as evidence that one has received the Holy Spirit and is therefore truly born again. Church members are often expected to follow a strict code of behavior, which may become a means of maintaining their relationship with Christ.Any one of these doctrines sets them apart from most Bible-teaching, evangelical churches.
No amount of schmoozing will diminish this thinking. They will only think that we are "looking their way!"
Although this description on Oneness churches is correct of conservative churches, it's not accurate for more liberal Oneness churches.
1. I don't deny the existence of the trinity. I believe in the Father, Son and Holy Ghost. I happen to believe these three are one. Isn't that like saying that they deny Jesus?
2. I believe baptism in Jesus name is the correct way to baptize, but I won't say that baptisms in the titles will necessarily ........ your soul.
3. I do believe speaking in tongues is evidence of the infilling of the Holy Ghost.
4. Of course, I don't believe the strict "code" that the conservative Oneness folks believe.
With that said, I don't like to hear "outsiders" try to explain what we're all about in a negative way.
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