Camouflage Oneness on your website

[Baron1710]

Originally Posted by tbpew

When you craft your craft, will you consider something that the Layman inserted that I found genuinely provocative (he is a staunch Trinitarian with an unmistakable bent as an English grammarian and is a frequent visitor here and over at the former GNC)
He argued that Oneness is an anti-doctrine. I found his categorization to be worthy of serious consideration.

Using my words (stirred by his), oneness is primarily an effort to define a position by contrasting another position; most notably the Trini position. To be doctrinal it should fully standalone, as an independent body of reason, pertaining to, and established by, the scriptural witness of God and his self-revelational purposes manifested in his creative work.

just some thoughts and comments that I think play into why more and more "Onesy's" are not feeling the need to fully define their worth in God's Kingdom by comparing themselves to the bigger, more established philosophers promoting the silly idea that God is three-parted.

Maybe the above statement is what is happening with some of the language that you find on Oneness churches’ websites that seem more ambiguous than in the past. I already posted two examples last night but I will post them again and contrast them with a more in your face style.

I think the idea is not to shock people with anti-Trinitarian verbiage when they visit the website rather than a further defining of the Oneness in terms of itself rather than as a response to the Trinitarian doctrine.

First example
God
We believe in the one ever-living, eternal God: infinite in power, holy in nature, attributes and purpose; and possessing absolute, indivisible deity. This one true God has revealed Himself as Father, through His Son in redemption, and as the Holy Spirit dwelling within us.

Jesus Christ
We believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God, born of a virgin; that he lived a sinless life, was crucified on Calvary for our sins, and bodily rose from the grave; and that he has been exalted to the throne of God where He is the only mediator between God and man. We believe that through his death and life we have personal salvation and power for victorious living.

The Holy Spirit
We believe that the Holy Spirit is active in the world today and that the baptism of the Holy Spirit, with the initial evidence of speaking with other tongues, along with His accompanying gifts, is the privilege of all New Testament believers.
http://www.capitalcommunity.org/222048.ihtml

Second example
God
God is the Creator and the Ruler of the Universe. He has eternally existed in three personalities: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. The three are equal and are one God.

Jesus Christ
Jesus Christ is the Son of God. He is equal with God the Father. Jesus was born of the Virgin Mary by miraculous conception, lived a sinless human life and offered Himself as the perfect sacrifice for the sins of all people by dying on a cross. He rose from the dead after three days to demonstrate His power over sin and death. He ascended to Heaven's glory and will return someday to earth to reign as King of Kings and Lord of Lords.

The Holy Spirit
The Holy Spirit is equal with the Father and the Son of God. He is present in the world to make people aware of their need for Jesus Christ. He also lives in every Christian from the moment of salvation. He provides the Christian with power for living a life of faith, understanding spiritual truth, and guidance in doing what is right. He gives every believer at least one spiritual gift when they are saved. As Christians, we seek to live under His control daily.

http://www.necclife.org/faithstatement.html

Third example – this is the more in your face notice particularly the last “we believe” begins with we believe and quickly follows it up with “is not” rather than an affirmative statement it is in the negative.
WE BELIEVE... There is only one God (Deuteronomy 6:4). He is the Creator of heaven and earth, and of all living beings. He has revealed Himself to humanity as the Father (Creator), in the Son (Savior), and as the Holy Ghost (the indwelling Spirit).

WE BELIEVE... God is a Spirit (John 4:24). He is the Eternal One, the Creator of all things, and the Father of all humanity by creation. He is the First and the Last, and beside Him there is no God (Isaiah 44:6). There was no God formed before Him; neither shall be there any after Him (Isaiah 43:10).

WE BELIEVE... Jesus is the Son of God according to the flesh (Romans 1:3) and the very God Himself according to the Spirit (Matthew 1:23). Jesus is the Christ (Matthew 16:16); the Creator of all things (Colossians 1:16-17); God with us (Matthew 1:23); God made flesh (John 1:1-14); God manifested in the flesh (I Timothy 3:16); He which was, which is, and which is to come, the Almighty (Revelation 1:8); the mighty God, everlasting Father, and Prince of peace (Isaiah 9:6).
Jesus Himself testified of His identity as God when He said, "He that hath seen me hath seen the Father" (John 14:7-11) and "I and my Father are one" (John 10:30).

WE BELIEVE... The Holy Ghost is not a third person in the Godhead, but rather the Spirit of God (the Creator), the Spirit of the resurrected Christ. The Holy Ghost comes to dwell in the hearts and lives of everyone who believes and obeys the Gospel, as the Comforter, Sustainer, and Keeper (John 14:16-26; Romans 8:9-11).
http://www.atchurch.org/index.php?op...d=37&Itemid=91


What do you all say, (or "y'all" for those in the south, or "you guys" for those on the west coast or...)