Esphes45... I have a question. Do you believe in the doctrines commonly known as Soul Sleep and Annihilationism?
I know that Soul Sleep and Annihilationism appear to have nothing to do with this topic. However, in order to illustrate broader concepts that are hard to explain... a practical example is needed. Please stick with me on this. Let me know what you believe about these two doctrines.
P.S.
You'll receive no criticism from me on what position you take on those two doctrines in this thread.
Michael The Disciple... I have a question. Do you believe in the doctrines commonly known as Soul Sleep and Annihilationism?
I know that Soul Sleep and Annihilationism appear to have nothing to do with this topic. However, in order to illustrate broader concepts that are hard to explain... a practical example is needed. Please stick with me on this. Let me know what you believe about these two doctrines.
P.S.
You'll receive no criticism from me on what position you take on those two doctrines in this thread.
Michael The Disciple... I have a question. Do you believe in the doctrines commonly known as Soul Sleep and Annihilationism?
I know that Soul Sleep and Annihilationism appear to have nothing to do with this topic. However, in order to illustrate broader concepts that are hard to explain... a practical example is needed. Please stick with me on this. Let me know what you believe about these two doctrines.
P.S.
You'll receive no criticism from me on what position you take on those two doctrines in this thread.
Well as you and I have discussed the issues probably at least 10 times you know I believe in them. Peace and love.
If you believe in these doctrines and other brothers do not, is there another way to be in unity while being diverse in opinion?
Although I shall not venture to answer for Michael, here's my response:
Seeing that the word "unity" is defined as, "the state of being in full agreement," then it is a "given" that such cannot prevail where there is a "diversity of opinion" about a particular matter, or any number of things spiritual.
God Himself tendered the question, via the prophet Amos, "Can two walk together, except they be agreed?" (Amos 3:3)
I believe, and have thought this way for a considerable period of time now, that the greatest danger confronting the contemporary Oneness Apostolic Pentecostal church is the absence of "unity" with regards to such things as differing beliefs/opinions about soul sleep, the immortality of the soul of man, the rapture of the church (or, if there will even be such a thing), to name just a few.
Until we each become willing to set aside, at least temporarily, our biased beliefs about such matters, and allow the precepts of the Scriptures to serve as an Arbitrator in settling our differing views about such things, then "unity" is impossible!
And, by the looks of things, and due to such things as pride, lack of humility, complacency, then I do not see "unity" as something which is attainable, that is, absence direct intervention by the Almighty; which, by the way, I do believe we will witness happening perhaps even sooner than most can imagine.
There will always being differing opinions on various doctrines. However, there are two things that can unite us while also allowing us to maintain personal convictions regarding our interpretations of Scripture. The blood poison has always been assuming that others must believe exactly like us. Who will lay down their convictions regarding truth? Will you lay down yours to accommodate mine? Should I lay down mine to accommodate yours? Those are divisive expectations. We are unified in two ways that are infinitely greater than our interpretations of Scripture.
Colossians 3:12-17- (ESV)
12 Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, 13 bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. 14 And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. 15 And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful. 16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. 17 And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.
We can stand united in divine love. Tolerating and forbearing one another's various interpretations and understandings. The bond of love unites a family in spite of disagreements. This is the spiritual unity that is greater than a unity regarding an interpretation. Any cult can demand it's members believe exactly alike. It's in tolerating one another in our liberty of conviction and conscience through love that we are truly free... and a single family, or body.
We are also unified by the indwelling Spirit of God, regardless of our theological opinions and interpretations. We read...
1 Corinthians 12:13 (ESV)
For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body—Jews or Greeks, slaves or free—and all were made to drink of one Spirit.
We read that it is truth the abiding Holy Spirit that we are indeed "one spirit" with the Lord:
Being one spirit with the Lord, He abiding in us and in all who are born again... we are one spirit with one another. Thereby quite literally being members of the same spiritual body. To harm you, not only harms God, it harms me. We are like living extensions of Jesus Himself, ah... did not Jesus illustrate this reality?
John 15:1-11 (ESV)
“I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. 2 Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit. 3 Already you are clean because of the word that I have spoken to you. 4 Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. 5 I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. 6 If anyone does not abide in me he is thrown away like a branch and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned. 7 If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. 8 By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples. 9 As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love. 10 If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father's commandments and abide in his love. 11 These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.
We are not separate. The Holy Spirit unites us. We are all branches (living extensions) of Jesus Himself. We are a single spiritual body... regardless of our individual human opinions or interpretations.
These two spiritual realities should be what unites us. While doctrine is important, we must realize that our interpretations of the Scriptures are not infallible. However, one cannot deny divine love uniting the brethren. Nor can one deny that we've all experienced the baptism of the Holy Spirit with the very same evidence of His presence. Love and Spirit can unite us where our limited human interpretations and opinions stand to divide us. Love through the unity of Spirit can truly allow us to respect one another's interpretations and convictions, allowing us all to continue teaching and sharing our understandings with one another in the Spirit's love and unity.
I do not believe in Soul Sleep or Annihilationism. However, my dear brother Michael does. I love him as my brother in Christ. He and I are both extensions of the True Vine, Jesus Christ. Michael and I can both respect our different interpretations and understandings while loving one another to lay down our lives for each other should we find ourselves persecuted for Christ. So if we speak love and Spirit and the unity it brings in spite of our limited human opinions and convictions about Scripture... we do speak the same thing and we underscore our unity in diversity. Bringing to light a "spiritual unity" that goes beyond our limited human understandings and opinions.
Esphes45... I have a question. Do you believe in the doctrines commonly known as Soul Sleep and Annihilationism?
I know that Soul Sleep and Annihilationism appear to have nothing to do with this topic. However, in order to illustrate broader concepts that are hard to explain... a practical example is needed. Please stick with me on this. Let me know what you believe about these two doctrines.
P.S.
You'll receive no criticism from me on what position you take on those two doctrines in this thread.
Yes.
__________________
Philippians 2:12 - ...Work out your own salvation with fear and trembling
Ephesians 4:5 - One Lord, One Faith, One Baptism
1 Corinthians 1:10 - Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.
Ephesians 4:13 Till we all come in the unity of the faith ...
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