Is This Statement Of Faith Apostolic Enough?

PraiseHymn · #1 05-25-2008, 06:22 PM

Is this Statement of Faith Apostolic enough? This church (who I will name nameless right now) has this posted on their website. They are Oneness and Baptise in Jesus Name and believe in the Holy Ghost speaking in tongues. I just wanted everyones view point. Thanks for your responses.

THREE DIMENSIONS OF ONE GOD (1 John 5:7; Matthew 28:19; 1 Tim 3:16)
We believe in one God who is eternal in His existence, Triune in His manifestation, being both Father, Son and Holy Ghost AND that He is Sovereign and Absolute in His authority.

We believe in the Father who is God Himself, Creator of the universe. (Gen 1:1; John 1:1)

We believe that Jesus is the Son of God. (Col 2:9)
He suffered, died, was buried, and rose from the dead for our total salvation (Luke 3:21-22; Philippians 2:5-11).

We believe that Jesus is the Way, the Truth, and the Life. No one comes to the Father except through Him (John 3:36; John 3:31-32; John 14:6).

We believe in the Holy Spirit who is God indwelling, empowering and regenerating the believer. This Holy Spirit is called the Comforter. The Spirit of Truth (John 14:17, 14:26)

We believe that the blood of Jesus Christ atones for our sins and iniquity. It is through His shed blood that we are saved, healed and set free from bondage and the forces of darkness (Romans 5:9-11; Ephesians 1:7; Revelation 12:11).

We believe that every believer must have a personal and intimate relationship with Jesus Christ, for apart from Him we can do nothing. Each person has a ministry from God that no one else can fill. We are to instruct, teach, exhort, and admonish believers in the ways of God (John 15:1-5; Hebrews 13:5-6).

We believe that the Bible is the true infallible Word of God, which cleanses our souls. It holds the words of eternal life and the keys of the Kingdom of God. The Bible shows us God's principles and standards for living; and it is the food that sustains us in all circumstances (John 1:14; 2 Timothy 3: 16-17; 1 John 2:5-6).

We believe that we are to wash and renew our minds daily by the Word of God.

We must learn His ways and exchange our way of thinking for His. We are to be conformed to the Kingdom of God by the molding and shaping of His Hands (Romans 12:1-2; Ephesians 4:23-29; Philippians 4:8).

We believe in justification by faith. We believe that salvation is free and apart from any work of man is a result of the sovereign grace of God. (Eph 2:8-9, Gal 5:5, Rom 5:1)

We believe in worshipping the Lord in spirit, song, dance and with the raising of our hands. We believe that we are to praise and worship Him with our whole being (Psalms 150:1-6; John 4:24).

We believe that in Godly living and the pursuit of a holy life should be the goal of every believer. (Heb 12:14, Phil 3:14)

We believe that believers should be water baptized by immersion for the circumcision of our hearts. It is through baptism that we publicly identify with the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ (Romans 6:3-6; Colossians 2:11-14; Acts 2:38).

We believe that all Christians need to partake of the communion elements which represent the Lord Jesus' body and blood. It is by participating in the Lord's Supper that we proclaim His death until His return (John 6:53-58; 1 Corinthians 11:23-30).

We believe in the Baptism of the Holy Spirit with the sign of speaking in other tongues. We believe that Christians must be filled daily by using our prayer language, but the evidence of the Holy Spirit's indwelling presence is a changed life (Acts 2:4; Ephesians 5:18-21).

We believe in the manifestation of the gifts of the Holy Spirit. He ministers to His people through tongues, interpretation of tongues, prophecy; words of knowledge and wisdom, discerning of spirits, faith, working of miracles, and healing (Mark 16:15-18; Acts 5:16; 2 Corinthians 12:1-11).

We believe that it is God's will to heal and deliver His people today as He did in the days of the first Apostles. It is by the stripes of Jesus that we are healed, delivered and made whole. We have authority over sickness, disease, demons, curses, and every circumstance in life (Luke 10:19; 2 Corinthians 10:4-5; 1 Peter 2:24).

"Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature... And these signs will follow those who believe: In My name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues; they will take up serpents; and if they drink anything deadly, it will by no means hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover." (Mark 16:15-18)

stmatthew · #2 05-25-2008, 06:30 PM

I know...I know...........

Quote:

We believe that believers should be water baptized by immersion for the circumcision of our hearts. It is through baptism that we publicly identify with the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ (Romans 6:3-6; Colossians 2:11-14; Acts 2:38).

Believers MUST be baptized, not should be. And it MUST be in the NAME of Jesus. To me, if this is not clearly state, then "something is wrong in Denver".

Sam · #3 05-25-2008, 06:50 PM

Sounds Apostolic enough to me.
We need to realize there is a lot of diversity among Apostolic people.
We don't even agree among ourselves on how and when a person is justified, or saved, or born again. We don't even agree among ourselves on what words are to be said as part of the baptismal ritual. And, if some of us even try to define "holiness" we get varied answers all over the map.

"Apostolic enough?" Are we trying to out-apostolic one another?
Are we trying to say, "I'm more Apostolic than you"?

Cindy · #4 05-25-2008, 06:51 PM

Seems like they are trying to cover all the bases.

Cindy · #5 05-25-2008, 06:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sam

Sounds Apostolic enough to me.
We need to realize there is a lot of diversity among Apostolic people.
We don't even agree among ourselves on how and when a person is justified, or saved, or born again. We don't even agree among ourselves on what words are to be said as part of the baptismal ritual. And, if some of us even try to define "holiness" we get varied answers all over the map.

"Apostolic enough?" Are we trying to out-apostolic one another?
Are we trying to say, "I'm more Apostolic than you"?

This has been shown in forum land Sam. But I can't remember who said it first.

Sam · #6 05-25-2008, 06:53 PM

In my opinion, "I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God" is Apostolic enough.

This is based on 1 John 5:1 which says:
"If you believe that Jesus is the Christ --that he is God's Son and your Savior-- then you are a child of God..."

TRFrance · #7 05-25-2008, 07:01 PM

Well bro, it's interesting that Brother you-know-who has this as his doctrinal statement, but the baptism part still seems a little watered down to me.

He mentions baptism by immersion... but is there a reason why he didnt say baptism by immersion into the name of Jesus ?

He mentions baptism for the circumcision of our hearts, (which is scriptural;Col 2:11-14)... but is there a reason why he didn't say baptism for the remission of sins, which is also clearly scriptural ?

Obviously, there are some here who would very much disagree, but to me, it comes across as being carefully worded, but a little watered-down at the same time.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sam

"Apostolic enough?" Are we trying to out-apostolic one another?
Are we trying to say, "I'm more Apostolic than you"?

Sam, if you'll notice...

The question didnt ask if the man,(i.e. the pastor) is "apostolic" enough.... it asked if the the statement of faith is "apostolic" enough.

I think thats an important distinction to keep in mind.

Cindy · #8 05-25-2008, 07:16 PM

Yep, all bases covered. Just ambiguous enough for most to want to be a part of it.

TRFrance · #9 05-25-2008, 07:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cneasttx

Yep, all bases covered. Just ambiguous enough for most to want to be a part of it.

Well said.

Ambiguous enough to placate most Oneness and Trinitarian folks.

Sam · #10 05-25-2008, 07:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TRFrance

...
Sam, if you'll notice...

The question didnt ask if the man,(i.e. the pastor) is "apostolic" enough.... it asked if the the statement of faith "apostolic" enough.

I think thats an important distinction to keep in mind.

OK, maybe that's a technicality.
Guess we can't say, "I'm more Apostolic than you" but we can say, "My statement of faith is more Apostolic than yours."

Just kidding, and trying to jerk somebody's chain.