Standards

[shazeep]

Originally Posted by Steve Epley

The Internet has made theologians out of folks who make 3 services a month. Just saying.

good one

but you might also consider that the RCC has made virtual priests of many pastors who would consider themselves Protestant, without really changing the model, and the UPC seems to be at the forefront of this, carrying the banner, so to speak. It is questionable whether those three services are beneficial, at least to many minds; and these are people who humbly seek Christ, as best they know how.

[Lafon]

Originally Posted by Steve Epley

The Internet has made theologians out of folks who make 3 services a month. Just saying.

Oh Yeah! I hear what you're "just saying." In using such a broad brush to paint others, you have included me, a member of "a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people" (I Peter 2:9).

And that snide comment, Sir, reminds me that its possible to remove oneself from Rome (that is, the Roman Catholic Church), but the most difficult problem is often removing Rome out of the person.

Your comment reflects the thinking of the RCC priesthood, that is, ONLY the so-called Clergy is able to read and understand the language of the Bible, so the Laity MUST go to the Priest for knowledge. And that, Sir, is pure hogwash!

Jesus explicitly stated that "Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth ... and he will shew you things to come" (John 16:13).

John the apostle explained this best when he penned these words: "But the anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in him" (I John 2:27).

No offense intended. Just being candid!

[Sean]

Originally Posted by Steve Epley

The Internet has made theologians out of folks who make 3 services a month. Just saying.

I would like to see more pastors(theologians) in the doctrinal debates. They only want to argue tithes or standards(facial hair)....I truly believe they are not very well versed in their doctrines these days.

[Jason B]

Originally Posted by Steve Epley

The Internet has made theologians out of folks who make 3 services a month. Just saying.

Then their arguments should be quite easy to refute.

[Jason B]

Originally Posted by Michael The Disciple

And so Trinitarianism has no bizarre teachings and standards? That does not jive with Trins I am aware of. First off there are Trinitarian Churches that do the same dress code as Oneness Pentecostal.

Case in point would be Weslyans, Mennonites and, various Church Of God groups. So Oneness Pentecostals are not the exclusive owners of strict dress codes.

As to "bizarre" teachings I would say some of most bizzare Im aware of would be like Trinitarians worshipping 3 persons they call God. Things like once you are saved your always saved.

You have Trinitarian groups teach Ministers cannot get married. Others that teach you can have as many wives as you wish. And yes there are Trins that teach you will go to Hell if not at the least bring curses upon yourself if your tithing drops below 10%.

We would not want to forget how that periodically Trinitarian "prophets" or "teachers" predict the day and hour of the Lords return!

So while I have no favor for error whether it be among Oneness or Trins I have a hard time talking about bizarre Oneness Pentecostal practices and doctrines without also mentioning the equally (and sometimes worse) ones found among Trins.

I was among the Trinitarian Churches for my first five years in Jesus and just in that amount of time I saw a lot in what I would call "bizarre" practice.

Mike I can't disagree with your post, but certainly it seems that you're arguing from the greater Pentecostal/charismatic movement, which in all of its manifestations is filled with the bizarre and unbiblical.

I'm not saying there are not truly saved believers in that movement, nor that they have nothing to add to Christianity, but suffice it to say its an emotional/sensational expression of faith where personal experience and revelation are often times exalted above God's Word, thus leading to the error you mentioned.

[shazeep]

Originally Posted by Jason Badejo

Then their arguments should be quite easy to refute.

touche`
i for one am glad to have nascent theologians!
ok and "going to church 3 times a month" yet spending 'net time hanging out on Christian forums isn't tracking too well, imo.

[allstate1]

Originally Posted by Steve Epley

The Internet has made theologians out of folks who make 3 services a month. Just saying.

Well church I've witnessed you could attend a bazillion times and never be a theologian!!

[shazeep]

zing!

[good samaritan]

Originally Posted by allstate1

Well church I've witnessed you could attend a bazillion times and never be a theologian!!

Being a christian is more important than being a theologian. The church isn't something you attend, but it is the people who attend. The local body. People are becoming more learned in scripture, but less in practice. People are becoming more legalistic and less Spiritual. The early apostles where sparingly educated fisherman, but they were connected to God.

We need people with more than just theology, but we need people who will hear from God. I fear that with all the mediocrity that is filling Christianity all we are going to find is judgement.

[Sean]

Brothers, we can learn, learn, learn, and think, think, think, but if we do not learn how to lead sinners to our savior, we will be standing there on judgement day, holding an empty bag.