I'm not sure how to classify myself.
I'll post the same thing I just posted on another thread.
This will let you know (if you don't already) where I am or what I am.
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I am on several forums. Recently, I was asked what organization I was part of so I answered as follows:
I go to a church named Hamilton Dream Center. Their web site is
http://www.hamiltondreamcenter.org/
The pastor is a Rhema graduate and is ordained through Rhema and also through a group called WME (World Missionary Evangelism) whose web site is
http://www.wmeinc.org/
I am ordained in one of the organizations that calls itself the Church of Jesus Christ. They have two web site. One is
http://www.angelfire.com/tn3/cojci/
It is an older site and has not been updated in some time. Some times the site takes a while to load. You will find my name listed under the Ohio ministers and also alphabetically under Ellis. You will also see my web site listed in their links. My website needs work. Some of my links no longer work. They have another web site still under construction which is
http://thecojcint.net/
The post resulted in my being being asked why I was attending a trinity Pentecostal church seeing that God has revealed the Oneness truth to me?
Here is the answer I gave:
For several years I have felt like I cannot in good conscience be part of a local assembly which teaches that folks who have not been baptized in Jesus' name and who have not spoken with tongues are not justified/saved/regenerated.
We stopped going to an ALJC church in the late nineteen seventies when the pastor declared in his Sunday night sermon, "The Bible says that a man is supposed to be clean shaven." I thought to myself, "What am I doing here? How can I sit here and listen to stuff like this? How can I be a part of this? Something is wrong with what we have become." The emphasis on facial hair and on hair length for men and women just turned me off. Also, at that time our pastor was leaning toward the UPC and I was afraid he might join them. At one time he asked me what I thought about the UPC and I guess I shocked him when I compared the organization to the Mafia and to the Teamsters Union. At that time there were two UPC churches in this area plus some from other organizations but I just felt like I could not be part of them either.
So, here I am, a Jesus' Name Pentecostal going to a Trinity Pentecostal church. How do I do that? Well, for one thing I am what we call a "one-stepper" here on the forum so, in my opinion, anyone who has taken that "one step" of faith in Jesus Christ is saved and is my brother or sister. As far as baptism, well, I believe that baptism should be only for a repentant believer, should be by immersion, and the name of Jesus should be mentioned, but I realize not all Christians believe that. I can accept some of my brothers and sisters who have been sprinkled, or who have had water poured on their heads three times, or who have been immersed in the Father Son and Holy Ghost formula, or who have been baptized in Jesus' name with or without the titles of Lord and/or Christ added. I attend a local church and a couple prayer meetings in other churches where folks have been baptized in the Spirit (and I believe they have been baptized in the REAL Holy Ghost) so I am around folks who speak with tongues. My personal belief is that hair length, sleeve length, clothing styles, radio, tv, internet and a host of other stuff like that are of secondary importance and are a matter of personal opinion and conviction so I stay out of discussions like that. I doubt if many trinitarians really believe in "three gods." We all commonly believe in one God who has revealed Himself as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit and we leave it at that.
So, that's how I can go to a "trinity" church and accept the folks there.
Then another comment came that said I wasn’t really a Jesus’ Name Pentecostal or I would have issues with the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost water baptism.
This was my answer to that:
I consider myself a Jesus' Name Pentecostal because:
1. I'm Pentecostal because I have received the Holy Ghost Baptism as many of the members of the first century church did in Acts chapter 2.
2. I'm Jesus' name because I believe that we are authorized by Jesus to use His name as we:
pray
heal the sick,
cast out demons,
baptize
To borrow someone else's statement of faith, this seems to summarize what I believe:
... in one God, revealed as Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
... that our Lord Jesus Christ was begotten, not created, very God of very God, truly God, truly Man. He was born of the Virgin Mary, lived a sinless life, died a vicarious and atoning death for the sins of the world, was resurrected bodily for our justification, and now reigns in glory until all things be put under His feet.
... in the absolute inspiration of the Holy Scriptures, given by the Holy Spirit without error, as He moved upon holy men of old. Furthermore, ... that the church has no authority to establish doctrine or practice contrary to these same Scriptures, which were subsequently accepted as canon by the early Christian Church.
... that man was made in the image of God and is the crown of creation. He is now, by reason of the fall, spiritually depraved and alienated from His Creator. Apart from God's grace he has no ability to attain to his high calling.
... that justification is by grace through faith in our Lord's sacrifice on Calvary.
... that all of God's people are to be buried with Christ in the waters of baptism, subsequent to conversion. While we freely embrace those of contrary opinion, we feel that this rite is scripturally administered "in the name of the Lord Jesus."
... that the Holy Spirit indwells all believers, conforming them to the image of Jesus Christ.
... that the baptism in the Holy Spirit is an enduement of powers subsequent to conversion, given by God to anoint the believer for sanctification and evangelism. It is our understanding that the supernatural charisms of the Holy Spirit are active within the body of Christ until the coming of the Lord. Furthermore, ... the development of these charismatic gifts ought to be encouraged under the guidance of local church authorities.
... in the Holy Christian Church, imperfectly represented on Earth by the various Christian institutions. Her unity is spiritual, her culture diverse and transitional, her mission eternal.
... that the calling of Apostle, Prophet, Evangelist, Pastor and Teacher are functional within the Body of Christ until the Lord's return. Furthermore, these ministries are gifts to the church for the purpose of equipping the saints for the work of ministry, that the Body of Christ be edified.
... the identity of the Body of Christ on the Earth is primarily perceived through the local church. While encouraging the voluntary association of local churches, and recognizing the need of consensus on matters of fundamental doctrine and conduct, we strongly confess the local church to be sovereign and autonomous.
... in the right of local churches and ministries to form temporal institutions to assist them in carrying out the work of God. At the same time, we reject sectarianism and divisiveness as great evils.
... in the priesthood of the believer. That is to say all people born of God have equal status before, and direct access to their Lord.
... in the spiritual unity of all who are born of God. We confess even those with whom we disagree, those who do not confess us, and others whom we exclude because of our unwillful ignorance.
... that those who are called by the name of Christ should depart from iniquity. Understanding that salvation from the penalty of sin only begins the process of redemption, we acknowledge that one work of the Holy Spirit is to create in us the character of Christ.
... in the literal second coming of our Lord, the literal rule of Christ upon Earth, the resurrection of the regenerate to eternal life and the unregenerate to eternal damnation, and the ultimate victory of the eternal Kingdom of God.
Someone then asked what I meant when I said that I could not “in good conscience go to one of the three UPC churches near me.”
This was my answer:
I cannot go to a local church,
be an active member,
support it with my time, prayers, and money,
feel like I am part of the family or team,
if the church stands for the
"three-step" plan of salvation,
i.e. that nobody is saved, born again, or a child of God
unless that person has
repented,
been water baptized in Jesus' Name,
and has spoken with tongues.
I just couldn't do it and feel right about myself.
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