Quote:
Originally Posted by BeenThinkin
Great post! But I do ask, with open and honest heart, how do you define the "One True Church?" There are so many different Oneness Pentecostal Churches. The UPCI, in many cases, proclaims itself as the One True Church. Then there is the ALJC (oneness), The Tulsa group, (don't remember their call letters) they are oneness. And that's just a few of the many organizations. There are independent oneness groups all across the country more strict than the UPCI in many cases. ??? One True Church where art thou? ???? I haven't even gotten to the "quote" Trinity "unquote" groups that the oneness agree have the Holy Ghost. Does God really give them His Holy Ghost, (and I believe He does) if they are not a part of the One True Church?
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Great questions!
Is the UPCI the "One True Church?" Of course not! The UPCI is a man-made ministerial organization which just happens to embrace certain Scriptural teachings which were first delivered to lost humanity through the words of the chosen apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ (ditto for the ALJC, The Tulsa Group, and all others which also hold such beliefs). The "One True Church" is that Church which finds its roots in the book of Acts, and began on that first day of Pentecost following the bodily ascension of our Lord to His throne located in the heavens. Whatever "name" one chooses to refer to it matters not, only that its teachings "mirrors" those which are contained in the elementary
"principles of the doctrine of Christ," as found recorded in
Hebrews 6:1-3.
And yes, God will give the baptism of the Holy Ghost to anyone, even those who are not a part of the Oneness Apostolic Pentecostal groups which you've noted. God gives His Spirit to those whose faith is sufficient to receive it, and it is not based upon one being a member of a particular religious organization. In fact, I received the baptism of the Holy Ghost while still an active member of a well known Trinitarian church, and only became a member of the UPCI after coming to an understanding of it teachings concerning water baptism for the remission of sins (something which differed significantly from my former religious denomination). But this does not imply that I am in complete agreement with every aspect of its teachings either, for I have discovered that there are some things which it publishes as truth which are anything but that!