Inside the Mind of a Reformer

[SDG]

Originally Posted by mizpeh

Then there was a time when the body of Christ did not exist on the earth. If Paul could use Elijah's story of a "remnant" that existed to point to a remnant of Israelites that were not blinded and did not stumble at Christ then we can use the same analogy and say there has always been a remnant of true believers throughout history.

...His truth endures to all generations.

No historical data to prove this theory ... at least not as you define "truth".

[J-Roc]

Originally Posted by Scott Hutchinson

For the record I don't believe in a clergy and laity division.
I believe in a Royal priesthood of believers though there are different callings and responsibilities in the church all people borned of God have equal access to our Lord.

One of the first attempts at inventing the nonscriptural distinction between clergy and laity was made by the Nicolaites, a group that emphasized the difference between the "listening lay people and the ministering brothers."

Some think it go back to Nicolas, who was one of the first seven church deacons (Acts 6:5), later influenced by Greek Dualism, who then goes on to develop the doctrine of "the Nicolaites" (Rev 2:6), which the risen Christ says "he hates."

Nicolait in Greek is composed of two words:

Nikao means conquer; to be above others, and

Laos means "common people".

"A Nicolait is someone conquering the common people; climbing above the laity", says Watchman Nee in his book "The Orthodoxy of the Church." It is "the conduct of climbing over and above the common believers as a mediatorial class is what the Lord detests and hates."

[mizpeh]

Originally Posted by Pastor Poster

And I am only trying to show that Catholicism exists even within our own ranks.


We may need a healer, but we definitely need a reformation.

There are others like you, Pastor Reformer.

[pelathais]

Originally Posted by Pastor Poster

Pelathais,

Do you consider Luther a great reformer?

I answered that, sort of. He had a tremendous impact, yes. By bringing Augustinian theology (grace) back to the discussion he did a lot of good. But he was problematic. He's not my poster boy.

But then again, right now my poster boy is a duck. So what do I know?

[Nahum]

Let me give you a set of ifs.....


If Jesus does not return within the next century Oneness Pentecostalism will be altered dramatically. Our children's children will not be theologically recognizable to us.

If Jesus does not return within the next century, God will raise up a new segment of followers that are willing to strip more and more layers of liturgical pollution away from Apostolic doctrine.

Martin Luther
'On the Jews and their Lies'
Chapter 17

Accordingly, it must and dare not be considered a trifling matter but a most serious one to seek counsel against this and to save our souls from the Jews, that is, from the devil and from eternal death. My advice, as I said earlier, is:

First, that their synagogues be burned down, and that all who are able toss in sulphur and pitch; it would be good if someone could also throw in somehellfire. That would demonstrate to God our serious resolve and be evidenceto all the world that it was in ignorance that we tolerated such houses, in which the Jews have reviled God, our dear Creator and Father, and his Son most shamefully up till now, but that we have now given them their due reward.

Second, that all their books their prayer books, their Talmudic writings, also the entire Bible, be taken from them, not leaving them one leaf, andthat these be preserved for those who may be converted. For they use all of these books to blaspheme the Son of God, that is, God the Father himself, Creator of heaven and earth, as was said above; and they will never use them differently.

Third, that they be forbidden on pain of death to praise God, to give thanks, to pray, and to teach publicly among us and in our country. They may do this in their own country or wherever they can without our being obliged to hear it or know it. The reason for this prohibition is that their praise, thanks, prayer, and doctrine are sheer blasphemy, cursing, and idolatry, because their heart and mouth call God the Father *Hebel Vorik* as they call his Son, our Lord Jesus, this. For as they name and honor the Son, thus they also name and honor the Father. It does not helpthem to use many fine words and to make much ado about the name of God. For we read, "You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain" [Exod.20:7]. Just as little did it avail their ancestors at the time of the kings of Israel that they bore God's name, yet called him Baal.

Fourth, that they be forbidden to utter the name of God within our hearing.For we cannot with a good conscience listen to this or tolerate it, because their blasphemous and accursed mouth and heart call God's Son *Hebel Vorik,* and thus also call his Father that. He cannot and will not interpret this otherwise, just as we Christians too cannot interpret it otherwise, we who believe that however the Son is named and honored thus also the Father is named and honored. Therefore we must not consider themouth of the Jews as worthy of uttering the name of God within our hearing. He who hears this name-from a Jew must inform the authorities, or else throw sow dung at him when he sees him and chase him away. And may no one be merciful and kind in this regard, for God's honor and the salvation of us all, including that of the Jews, are at stake!

Sounds like some preachers I know...

[mizpeh]

Originally Posted by Daniel Alicea

No historical data to prove this theory ... at least not as you define "truth".

God will reveal it on that day. His word stands true now as it did in the days of Elijah though Elijah thought that he was the only one in Israel that stood on the LORD's side.

[Scott Hutchinson]

Good nite to all of the scholars here.I'm certainly the least one here and there's alot I don't know ,but The Holy Ghost does lead us into truth and if I'm in error it will teach me so.

[SDG]

Originally Posted by mizpeh

God will reveal it on that day. His word stands true now as it did in the day Elijah thought he was the only one in Israel that stood on the LORD's side.

You are aware ... that Oneness historians such as Hall and Bernard reject this view????

Originally Posted by Daniel Alicea

No historical data to prove this theory ... at least not as you define "truth".

The so-called 'TRUTH' is not the doctrine of the Apostles.