Originally Posted by Aquila
Even if Jesus meant this in terms of believing that He was God (the Father), this wouldn't disqualify Trinitarians from Salvation. Trinitarianism distinguishes between the "persons" (subsistent realities) of the Father and the Son; but it affirms their singularity, or oneness, of being.
So both Oneness and Trinitarians believe that Jesus is God, and that God is the Father. Where they disagree is when asked, "How is Jesus God?" We see similar debates and differences of opinion on this matter among ourselves. So if one must believe in Oneness, exactly as Bro. Eply believes it, then even the majority of Apostolics are lost.
Historically speaking, most of our founding elders came out of Trinitarian churches. Most had the Holy Ghost with speaking in other tongues BEFORE they embraced a Oneness position. We can't say that they weren't saved prior to their coming to a Oneness understanding because that's thinking linearly, using an earth bound, time bound logic. You see... God knew all along who this greater truth would be revealed to. Even while sitting on a pew in a Trinitarian church, God saw them as Apostolics. God wasn't looking at his watch, fearful that they didn't have time to be what He desired. lol And not only this... they continued to fellowship their Trinitarian brethren. Their position was that the were a greater truth, a greater light, they tried to teach the way more perfectly. They didn't CONDEMN Trinitarians. However... it was the Trinitarian brethren who held council in many churches and chose to CONDEMN and DISFELLOWSHIP Oneness brethren. This divided churches, families, brothers, sisters, and even entire denominations. The pain that this caused was unbelievable on both sides. And with that pain came... BITTERNESS. A generation of preachers who were hurt and rejected by one another began to condemn one another to Hell. That "spirit" (yes it's a demonic spirit) has dominated the landscape in Apostolic churches for several generations now. It's not time to set down what we believe to be the fulness of truth. However, it's time to begin fellowshipping the very churches that we were called to bring revival to. Don't people realize that just prior to the outbreak of the Holy Ghost and the rise of Apostolic Oneness churches traditional Trinitarian churches were praying and PLEADING for REVIVAL??? WE ARE THE ENDTIME REVIVAL. But Satan has sown the seeds of sin, bitterness, and pride on every side. Instead of loving the very church we were anointed to revive... they condemned us... and in turn... we condemned them. We must realize that all of this is by God's design. Instead of condemning Trinitarians and contributing to even further alienation. We need to pick up the ministry of reconciliation. And bring the rest of the body of Christ into the experience of the Holy Ghost. God knows who are His and who aren't. Let Him do the sifting.
It's time for us to stop being "Oneness" or "Apostolic" or whatever other label you might wish to use. It's to be the A MOVE OF GOD, A REVIVAL.
|
Threaded Mode
