With respect, I think you missed the point. Thank God for those who preach the truth. But more importantly, thank God for those who live it. There is a difference. A big difference.
But you're correct in saying "true love from us, will help them...". Thats very true. Whats sad is that true love seems to be in short supply these days.
To have it and not live it .... is idolatry and avarice.
They're not brethren unless they've obeyed Acts 2:38. Writing songs, translating Bibles, works etc. does not save anybody. OBEDIENCE (to Acts 2:38) is better than SACRIFICE.
With respect, disciple, I guess the 12 Ephesians of Acts 19 weren't "disciples" afterall. However, the Bible refers to them as "disciples" even though they had not yet been baptized or recieved the Holy Ghost. And Ananais was wrong for calling Saul "Paul" "Brother" before he obeyed Acts 2:38.
Act 19:1 ¶ And it came to pass, that, while Apollos was at Corinth, Paul having passed through the upper coasts came to Ephesus: and finding certain disciples,
Act 22:13 Came unto me, and stood, and said unto me, Brother Saul, receive thy sight. And the same hour I looked up upon him.
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"Rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for Him...." -Psa. 37:7
Waiting for the Lord is easy... Waiting patiently? Not so much.
Acts 19 makes it very clear that when Paul first encountered them they were disciples of John the Baptist. They were not followers of Christ yet. But after they understood that the apostle Paul was declaring that John the Baptist said the people should believe on him that should come after him, "they were baptised in the Name of the Lord Jesus" (Acts 19:4). Thus, they went from being disciples of John the Baptist to disciples of Jesus after baptism in Jesus Name and the infilling of the Holy Ghost.
Regarding Saul being called "Brother" by Ananias, I needn't point out that they were both Israelites, Jews by nature and therefore quite literally "brothers", even before salvation.
If you're not baptised in Jesus Name and filled with the Holy Ghost speaking in tongues you ain't in the Body!
I'll make a prediction here. If Jesus doesn't come in the next couple of decades, we will become much closer to anyone who identifies with His name - trinny or not. Is that gradualism and apostasy or something necessary for survival in the future, I don't know. But I think it will happen.
We are a movement that seems to really crave ecumenical acceptance right now.
I agree, problem is, most trinitarians dont see the true signifiacance, importance, and power of the name Jesus, so there for will not identify with it.
Even now they are more known as "Father son and Holy Ghost" believers instead of using the name. The power is in that name, whether people want to believe/admit it or not.
If I can think of some good things a bunch of Mormons did, should I come up with a "Mormon Appreciation Thread" ?
(Ok, fine.)
While I'm working on that, can someone please start up a "Jehovah's Witness Appreciation Thread" ? Thanks.
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Daniel 12:3 And those who are wise shall shine like the brightness of the firmament; and those who turn many to righteousness, like the stars for ever.