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Originally Posted by Pliny
Elder Epley can speak for himself. Many Trinitarians are lost because they have another gospel.
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The gospel is the death,burial, and reurrection of Christ. Trinitarians beleive that. I was an AoG minister for many years and I know what I speak of. I didn't start believing a new gospel when I joined the oneness ranks.
Furthermore, you have mis-represented my statements, though probably unintentionally.
I never said that water baptism was not part of the new birth process. I clearly said that water baptism is the "
birth canal" you spoke of. Spirit baltism is the new birth. However, to have the new, we must put off the old, and that is where water baptism comes into play.
Concerning "
being born of the water and of the Spirit" in
John 3:5. Jesus is describing
ONE event here,
ONE birth. The singular word 'birth' (not "births") demonstrates. This is the same principle we use to argue that
Matthew 28:19 is speaking of one singular name and not names. The term "
and' as in "
water AND Spirit" is the Greek word "
KAI" which can be translated "
even". In my opinion, Jesus is saying "
be born of water, EVEN of the Spirit". This is in total agreement with jesus' despiction of the new birth of the Spirit being like
"living water" found in john chapters 4 and 7. However, even if
John 3:5 is not referring to water baptism, there are are still many other verses that teach the absolute necessity of water baptism.
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As far as "dealing with it" goes I am deal with it. The "un-biblical" doctrine is the doctrine you are professing here. This doctrine started with the Reformation are you aware of that? Historically speaking baptism has always universally been understood to wash away sin and effect the new birth. This "new" doctrine that started with the Reformers is what will send many to a Devil's hell.
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We are in agreement. I never denied that baptism is for the remission of sin. But the greatest proof that God can give that he has remitted someone's sins is to baptize them with the Holy Ghost. If you say that someone who is Spirit filled is still in under the condemnation of sin,then you have a horrible understanding of Spirit baptism.
Continuing, why did you not comment on my statements here?
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Now, if you want to consign them to Hell because they "didn't obey the truth", be careful. Do you really want God to judge YOU by that same standard? What truth are YOU missing? ALL of us, through human weakness and ignorance, are missing the mark on some point in scripture. If God judges us by the same standard we lay on those who have the Spirit but were baptized incorrectly, then Heaven will be empty my friend.
As for the Trinity issue, a perfect understanding of the Godhead is not a scriptural requirement for salvation. The very fact that God baptizes converts in Trinitarian churches with the Spirit is an indication of this. There is no sinner repenting in a Oneness altar or Trintarian altar who even knows that there is a disagreement between the two groups concerning the Godhead. I've never heard a Oneness preacher require that a new convert profess a belief in the Onensss doctrine before he'll baptize them or pray for them to receive the Spirit. This why Steve Epley's argument is so silly. It's no wonder some label us a cult with that kind of nonsense being taught.
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