A Lot in Common But Very Different

[Farfel]

I believe it was Nathaniel Urshan who said, in reference to the AG "We're really not as different as most people think." I watched a Oneness vs Trinity debate once between DKB and some Baptist guy. When DKB was finished making his case, the Baptist got up and said "I agree with 90% of what he said."

When it comes to baptism, the AG never really condemned the Jesus Name formula. if you'll look at the 1916 AG resolution here, on page 6, left side, it says "RESOLVED, that since the words in Matth. 28:19 and the words in Acts 2:38 were both inspired of God, we hereby disapprove of contending for the one to the exclusion of or against the other, because confusion and a party spirit are sure to follow such unscriptural conduct. This council therefore recommends that all our preachers include in their formula used in connection with the act of baptism the words used by Jesus in Matth. 28:19."

There you see that they did not condemn the Jesus' Name formula. They even disapproved arguing about it.

In the 4square Declaration of Faith Study Guide, found here, page 44, it says "while the Foursquare Church is Trinitarian and recommends the use of the Trinitarian formula, we would certainly not forbid the use of the formula, "in the name of Jesus," as long as it does not represent a polemic against a Trinitarian understanding."

(All of the above is just food for thought.)

I would like to see Oneness organizations accept F,S & HG baptism in addition to Jesus' name.

It's true that there is backbiting on both sides, and we need to get over that.

[Farfel]

Originally Posted by Jermyn Davidson

Doctrine(s) does have a place in discussions of salvation and eternity.

Do you OR DOES ANYONE actually believe that doctrine does not have a place in discussions of salvation and eternity?

I agree, but I don't think a difference in understanding of the Godhead is going to send someone to hell. (In this case.)

[Michael The Disciple]

I would like to see Oneness organizations accept F,S & HG baptism in addition to Jesus' name.

It's true that there is backbiting on both sides, and we need to get over that.

That would be very bad for Oneness if we teach its all the same as to the baptismal formula. We who have the revelation are EXCITED about it. To us it brings JOY to know the truth of who Jesus is.

That does not mean we gloat against Trins or other faiths but there is no greater joy than to experience truth.

What some call "backbiting" others believe is contending for the faith once delivered to the saints.

[Farfel]

Originally Posted by Michael The Disciple

That would be very bad for Oneness if we teach its all the same as to the baptismal formula. We who have the revelation are EXCITED about it. To us it brings JOY to know the truth of who Jesus is.

That does not mean we gloat against Trins or other faiths but there is no greater joy than to experience truth.

What some call "backbiting" others believe is contending for the faith once delivered to the saints.

This discussion has pops up all the time, and there is currently a thread in "Salvational Issues" concerning that.

The only thing I can tell you in this thread, whether you agree or not, is that I believe it's under the same authority either way it's done.

[seekerman]

Originally Posted by Hoovie

Salvation-wise I have never once questioned that the body of Christ is composed of Christians from many walks of life and denominational identification.

Jermyn, God is greater than our perceptions and our theological divisions. I understand that differences do exist, but our commonalities are far more than what divides us!

We Both confess:

One God

Faith in Jesus

Belief in God as the Father, Son and Holy Ghost

We must call on Jesus for salvation - there is no other name!

Jesus - the Son of God

Jesus was fully God and fully man

The Father was in heaven when His Son was on Earth

Our salvation is unmerited

The only hope for salvation is in Jesus Christ

We are saved by grace through faith...

We have so very much in common, yet some dwell on what divides... I choose not to do that.

Not all Christians believe the Jesus is God part. Most do, but not all.

[Farfel]

Originally Posted by seekerman

Not all Christians believe the Jesus is God part. Most do, but not all.

How can one be a Christian and not believe that Jesus is God?

[Michael The Disciple]

Originally Posted by Jermyn Davidson

I am addressing the thought that speaks to the, "We have the truth" mindset.
I am addressing the thought that speaks to the, "They are sadly deceived heteticks" mindset.

I am addresing the thought that many have on both sides of the spectrum-- that the doctrine of those other folks are why those people are going to hell and are not saved.

I am not saying I think like this all the time or that I even agree with anyone who on either side who thinks like this.

I am saying that IF any of those people are Biblically correct in their summation of the salvation on those on the other side-- I am saying that in this moment, these thoughts cause me to pause.

Just typing my thoughts out loud-- memories of conversations with people from both sides of the aisle.

I wish we all were saved. I want Oneness, Trins, Unitarians, Arians all to have eternal life. Thats my desire. Yet Yeshua taught things to his followers that he said were essential to accept.

So when I discuss matters of doctrine with people its not in the sense of "HOW GREAT WE ARE AND HOW EVIL YOU ALL ARE"!

No. Its in that first of all I love Yeshua and want to be faithful to his teachings. I think in terms of this person if they have repented and believed in Christ are in process of being saved. I want to help them.

As a young disciple God used other people in my life to guide me forward. I had to over time change everything I believed as a young "Jesus Freak" starting out in 1974.

Hopefully I have been used to help others the same way.

[seekerman]

Originally Posted by Farfel

How can one be a Christian and not believe that Jesus is God?

It's easy, for me at least.

[seekerman]

Originally Posted by Michael The Disciple

I wish we all were saved. I want Oneness, Trins, Unitarians, Arians all to have eternal life. Thats my desire. Yet Yeshua taught things to his followers that he said were essential to accept.

So when I discuss matters of doctrine with people its not in the sense of "HOW GREAT WE ARE AND HOW EVIL YOU ALL ARE"!

No. Its in that first of all I love Yeshua and want to be faithful to his teachings. I think in terms of this person if they have repented and believed in Christ are in process of being saved. I want to help them.

As a young disciple God used other people in my life to guide me forward. I had to over time change everything I believed as a young "Jesus Freak" starting out in 1974.

Hopefully I have been used to help others the same way.

Oneness, Trinitarian, Arian or whomever, only one thing redeeems any of them, the blood of the Lamb of God. That redemptive blood isn't withheld from the Oneness, Trinitarian or Arian because of their differing views of Jesus Christ.

[navygoat1998]

Originally Posted by seekerman

Oneness, Trinitarian, Arian or whomever, only one thing redeeems any of them, the blood of the Lamb of God. That redemptive blood isn't withheld from the Oneness, Trinitarian or Arian because of their differing views of Jesus Christ.