What Is The One Step Of One Step Doctrine?

[NotforSale]

I find it interesting that one thing always leads to another. We all know, a 3 step plan doesn't stop there. We must continue with many other "Steps" to get out of here.

Think about this; Jesus said if we don't become as little children, we have NO part in Him. Same with foot washing. What about hypocrisy? What about hating our brother? What if we don't love our neighbor?

What if we don't FORGIVE? The man that didn't, all of his sins were placed back upon him. We say we forgive, while we kick backsliders out of our Churches, or condemn people who are going through a hard time in their life.

It seems that "Steps" only lead to the Religion of it's Our Way, or No Way.

We want mercy, but are unwilling to give others mercy.

[pelathais]

Originally Posted by Phil Stearns

What is baptism for? If you won't be baptized are you still saved?

"If you won't be baptized" you probably weren't saved to begin with.

We are to turn our lives over completely to Jesus Christ (as MOW said). We then follow His steps into a new life. These steps go through a watery grave and continue as we are raised to a new life in the Spirit.

The "One Stepper" and "Three Stepper" phrases are just an old colloquialism intended to roughly define Oneness believers at the time of the UPC's merger into two roughly defined camps over the question of "When is the blood applied?" The real fact is that there were probably as many divergent opinions and thoughts on the question as there were men in the room.

The practical effects of the two view points however are very real. A "One Stepper" sees other Christian believers as being potentially saved. A "Three Stepper" sees all of the rest of the world as lost and shuns any fellowship with other Christians.

Most "Three Steppers" however are far from sincere in this exclusionary attitude, just look at their bookshelves. While they will be slow to send Misters Strong, Vines, Naves, L'Amour and others to the pit; they will send a "One Stepper" right to hell for being "weak on doctrine."

[Jermyn Davidson]

Originally Posted by NotforSale

I find it interesting that one thing always leads to another. We all know, a 3 step plan doesn't stop there. We must continue with many other "Steps" to get out of here.

Think about this; Jesus said if we don't become as little children, we have NO part in Him. Same with foot washing. What about hypocrisy? What about hating our brother? What if we don't love our neighbor?

What if we don't FORGIVE? The man that didn't, all of his sins were placed back upon him. We say we forgive, while we kick backsliders out of our Churches, or condemn people who are going through a hard time in their life.

It seems that "Steps" only lead to the Religion of it's Our Way, or No Way.

We want mercy, but are unwilling to give others mercy.

When I think of being a "1-stepper" vs a "3-stepper", I refer to the point at which a soul has entered into a saving relationship with our Father through faith in Jesus Christ.

Everything else that a Christian is supposed to do, they are still commanded to do it and since we have been bought with a price, we must do these things.

But these things aren't what save us.


For me, it's about where the emphasis is placed.

I would never want to lead anyone into a performance based religion.

Neither would I want to lead anyone into a place where they would feel satisfied to confess, repent and not go on to be baptized in the Name of Jesus, and not go on to seek and experience the infilling of the Holy Ghost.

[Sam]

Originally Posted by pelathais

Once you come around to seeing things my way, Timmy; I'd expect to find you on my front door step wearing a shower cap and a wet suit.

You'll amaze yourself!

If he wears a shower cap and wet suit and doesn't get wet, is that really baptism?
Is a person considered baptized if the water has not contacted every part of their body?

[pelathais]

Originally Posted by Jermyn Davidson

When I think of being a "1-stepper" vs a "3-stepper", I refer to the point at which a soul has entered into a saving relationship with our Father through faith in Jesus Christ.

Everything else that a Christian is supposed to do, they are still commanded to do it and since we have been bought with a price, we must do these things.

But these things aren't what save us.


For me, it's about where the emphasis is placed.

I would never want to lead anyone into a performance based religion.

Neither would I want to lead anyone into a place where they would feel satisfied to confess, repent and not go on to be baptized in the Name of Jesus, and not go on to seek and experience the infilling of the Holy Ghost.

Well said!

[pelathais]

Originally Posted by Sam

If he wears a shower cap and wet suit and doesn't get wet, is that really baptism?

I was just going for the mental image of Timmy in a shower cap. Maybe add big flippers to the wet suit?

[Sam]

Originally Posted by pelathais

...
Most "Three Steppers" however are far from sincere in this exclusionary attitude, just look at their bookshelves. While they will be slow to send Misters Strong, Vines, Naves, L'Amour and others to the pit; they will send a "One Stepper" right to hell for being "weak on doctrine."

amen

[Sam]

Originally Posted by pelathais

I was just going for the mental image of Timmy in a shower cap. Maybe add big flippers to the wet suit?

Think Timmy's baptism would look like one of these?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jPwo_MB0s6w

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9YIFFsCC_i0

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W0eYwr1wIno

[TheLegalist]

Originally Posted by Jermyn Davidson

When I think of being a "1-stepper" vs a "3-stepper", I refer to the point at which a soul has entered into a saving relationship with our Father through faith in Jesus Christ.

Everything else that a Christian is supposed to do, they are still commanded to do it and since we have been bought with a price, we must do these things.

But these things aren't what save us.


For me, it's about where the emphasis is placed.

I would never want to lead anyone into a performance based religion.

Neither would I want to lead anyone into a place where they would feel satisfied to confess, repent and not go on to be baptized in the Name of Jesus, and not go on to seek and experience the infilling of the Holy Ghost.

Yet it is very much a performance based religion.... endurance IS performance! Mercy and Grace doesn't negate performance. Jesus clearly teaches judgment by deeds unto eternal life which is faithfulness.

[Light]

Originally Posted by ManOfWord

Why would someone who has sincerely surrendered their life to Jesus Christ NOT want to be baptized? If one surrenders their life, they WANT to follow Jesus Christ including baptism.



And just how do they repent? What are you referring to?

Please with all due respect you didn't answer the question! Can a person who has not been baptized in Jesus name go to heaven? If you believe one can go to heaven without having done so, why would you hesitate to answer with a simple yes or no?