I think Thomas Fudges book "Christianity without the Cross" has affected more people than forums like this. That book shook nearly the entire ministerial core of the fellowship. I have talked to many fellow ministers who that book twisted into a knot and forced them to re-study and re-evaluate. That book didn't just rock those among the saints who like to do self study and research, that book made a big difference in the minds of many of the younger and middle aged ministers who pass it from one to another.
This is different though. UPCers have known about these groups
for years from literature, books radio, debates, etc.
If anything, they rallied Oneness people together for the most
part.
The forum is more personal and the talk is from those we either
know or have the same background.
I would agree with that.
But, this has been going on for years, it used to take place in people's kitchens, with cups of coffee.
The internet, again just a tool, has made it possible for us to have a virtual cup of coffee with people all around the globe.
__________________ "Many people view their relationship with God like a "color by number" picture. It's easier to let someone else define the boundaries, tell them which blanks to fill in, and what color to use than it is for them to take a blank canvas and seek inspiration from the Source in order to paint their own masterpiece"
Then this forum actually worked in reverse for you........as one preacher said, "Sunlight melts butter, but hardens clay - it just depends on what's inside".
Maybe the same forum that weakens some will strengthen others, just depends on what we have inside.
And, I didn't take offense to your comment, it actually made me smile, because when I have questioned things over the years, the first question I'm asked is "WHO HAVE YOU BEEN TALKING TO? STAY AWAY FROM THEM!"
I came within a whisper of considering Trinitarianism. So close that I prayed, fasted, and heard directly from God.
I've had a voice speak Acts 2:38 forcefully into my mind one morning while lying in bed waking up and believe it or not, it wasn't from God! LOL
I think it depends on how much one is willing to search the scriptures. I've considered the one stepper position, ( it's much more inclusive) but I don't believe it harmonizes the whole counsel of God that we find in the Bible and it doesn't fit with my personal experiences with God.
I didn't come to God in a church environment. Someone witnessed to me the first or second day of my arrival in England. I started reading the gospels and the words of Christ rung true with me, I believed Him and repented.
Faith in Christ and Repentance DRASTICALLY changed my life. I no longer wanted to do the sinful things I once did. I devoured the Bible in a few months.
I literally felt clean on the inside after I was baptized in Jesus name.
I prayed God would use my hands as His own when I went to anoint my "flat's" walls from the spirits that were lingering there, as I touched the wall, I spoke in tongues through absolutely no effort of my own. It was a wonderful surprise!
Does the change of mind that is repentance mean a believer has been filled with the Holy Spirit? Nope! It is what it is...a radical change of heart.
Are sins washed away in baptism? Well, I sure felt clean on the inside AFTER I was baptized!
Is tongues the evidence of God's Spirit coming to dwell within a believer? It was the evidence that I was given!
__________________
His banner over me is LOVE.... My soul followeth hard after thee....Love one another with a pure heart fervently. Jesus saith unto her, Said I not unto thee, that, if thou wouldest believe, thou shouldest see the glory of God?
To be a servant of God, it will cost us our total commitment to God, and God alone. His burden must be our burden... Sis Alvear
But, this has been going on for years, it used to take place in people's kitchens, with cups of coffee.
The internet, again just a tool, has made it possible for us to have a virtual cup of coffee with people all around the globe.
Mike is there something in the water?? this is getting
scary with us agreeing on so many things!!
Of course you still don't agree with my first initial post
that the cons are upset over people falling away from the
truth due to the internet aka /forum
I came within a whisper of considering Trinitarianism. So close that I prayed, fasted, and heard directly from God.
I've had a voice speak Acts 2:38 forcefully into my mind one morning while lying in bed waking up and believe it or not, it wasn't from God! LOL
I think it depends on how much one is willing to search the scriptures. I've considered the one stepper position, ( it's much more inclusive) but I don't believe it harmonizes the whole counsel of God that we find in the Bible and it doesn't fit with my personal experiences with God.
I didn't come to God in a church environment. Someone witnessed to me the first or second day of my arrival in England. I started reading the gospels and the words of Christ rung true with me, I believed Him and repented.
Faith in Christ and Repentance DRASTICALLY changed my life. I no longer wanted to do the sinful things I once did. I devoured the Bible in a few months.
I literally felt clean on the inside after I was baptized in Jesus name.
I prayed God would use my hands as His own when I went to anoint my "flat's" walls from the spirits that were lingering there, as I touched the wall, I spoke in tongues through absolutely no effort of my own. It was a wonderful surprise!
Does the change of mind that is repentance mean a believer has been filled with the Holy Spirit? Nope! It is what it is...a radical change of heart.
Are sins washed away in baptism? Well, I sure felt clean on the inside AFTER I was baptized!
Is tongues the evidence of God's Spirit coming to dwell within a believer? It was the evidence that I was given!
Wonderful testimony, Miz! No one can argue with a personal experience!
__________________ "Many people view their relationship with God like a "color by number" picture. It's easier to let someone else define the boundaries, tell them which blanks to fill in, and what color to use than it is for them to take a blank canvas and seek inspiration from the Source in order to paint their own masterpiece"
I came within a whisper of considering Trinitarianism. So close that I prayed, fasted, and heard directly from God.
I've had a voice speak Acts 2:38 forcefully into my mind one morning while lying in bed waking up and believe it or not, it wasn't from God! LOL
I think it depends on how much one is willing to search the scriptures. I've considered the one stepper position, ( it's much more inclusive) but I don't believe it harmonizes the whole counsel of God that we find in the Bible and it doesn't fit with my personal experiences with God.
I didn't come to God in a church environment. Someone witnessed to me the first or second day of my arrival in England. I started reading the gospels and the words of Christ rung true with me, I believed Him and repented.
Faith in Christ and Repentance DRASTICALLY changed my life. I no longer wanted to do the sinful things I once did. I devoured the Bible in a few months.
I literally felt clean on the inside after I was baptized in Jesus name.
I prayed God would use my hands as His own when I went to anoint my "flat's" walls from the spirits that were lingering there, as I touched the wall, I spoke in tongues through absolutely no effort of my own. It was a wonderful surprise!
Does the change of mind that is repentance mean a believer has been filled with the Holy Spirit? Nope! It is what it is...a radical change of heart.
Are sins washed away in baptism? Well, I sure felt clean on the inside AFTER I was baptized!
Is tongues the evidence of God's Spirit coming to dwell within a believer? It was the evidence that I was given!
you are so cool.
__________________ If I do something stupid blame the Lortab!
OK, here's the deal from my perspective. The Cons have a viewpoint, (which I can respect, but disagree with) that "most" things regarding "holiness" are tied to a person's salvation. Therefore, if one domino falls, they all fall. The Libs believe in justification by faith alone, but still baptize in Jesus' name and receive the HG etc, so the "holiness" issues are not heaven or hell. Herein lies the problem.
So when the cons get backed into a corner with something other than "God told me" rather than admit there might even be the slimmest possibility of error, they run for the hills and scream "heretic, pervert, compromiser" etcetera, etcetera, etcetera. (in my best Yul Brynner imitation)
The cons are FAR more passionate because, to them, most things are tied to salvation. Look what happens when a prominent ministers is called on the carpet for false doctrine.....they come unglued. "Don't touch God's anointed!"
Most Cons are simply intolerant of anything that is different from them because of the salvation issue. ALL Cons are welcome here. But they better have more than tradition to back up why they preach heaven or hell on any issue. When they can't, many times, they whine, cry, pout and run away. THAT is why there are so many schisms in the conservative movement. They are so critical of each other because the "other" person is "messing" with salvation.
I don't buy your idea that there is an agenda or that the Cons would be happy if certain posters leave. The door swings both ways. If the cons can't be tolerant, that's not my problem....it's theirs and they just have to deal with it. However, over the decades, I have seen how most of them deal with it. It is either with a big club or exodus!
bump for St. Mark
__________________
"Those who go after the "Sauls" among us often slay the Davids among us." Gene Edwards
OK, here's the deal from my perspective. The Cons have a viewpoint, (which I can respect, but disagree with) that "most" things regarding "holiness" are tied to a person's salvation. Therefore, if one domino falls, they all fall. The Libs believe in justification by faith alone, but still baptize in Jesus' name and receive the HG etc, so the "holiness" issues are not heaven or hell. Herein lies the problem.
So when the cons get backed into a corner with something other than "God told me" rather than admit there might even be the slimmest possibility of error, they run for the hills and scream "heretic, pervert, compromiser" etcetera, etcetera, etcetera. (in my best Yul Brynner imitation)
The cons are FAR more passionate because, to them, most things are tied to salvation. Look what happens when a prominent ministers is called on the carpet for false doctrine.....they come unglued. "Don't touch God's anointed!"
Most Cons are simply intolerant of anything that is different from them because of the salvation issue. ALL Cons are welcome here. But they better have more than tradition to back up why they preach heaven or hell on any issue. When they can't, many times, they whine, cry, pout and run away. THAT is why there are so many schisms in the conservative movement. They are so critical of each other because the "other" person is "messing" with salvation.
I don't buy your idea that there is an agenda or that the Cons would be happy if certain posters leave. The door swings both ways. If the cons can't be tolerant, that's not my problem....it's theirs and they just have to deal with it. However, over the decades, I have seen how most of them deal with it. It is either with a big club or exodus!
good for you.
__________________ If I do something stupid blame the Lortab!
My soul followeth hard after thee....Love one another with a pure heart fervently. 
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