Bible Discussion Thread

Just a sincere question for all the oneness people. What about the great trinitarian evangelists of our time such as Billy Graham, Nikky Cruz, and David Wilkerson? Are they not saved? Because they were trinitarian? Or maybe they were baptized with the father the son and Holy Spirit as Jesus said to be in Matthew? And not in Jesus name only? Are they going to hell?

Please I'm not attacking you. I'm sorry if think I am I'm really not. What you might be sensing is devastation on my part. This just kind of crushed my spirit. I've been attending a oneness church for 2 years. Trying to get my life right with the Lord. Seeking in all sincerity. Worshiping God in the Holy Spirit. I had finally accepted the forgiveness and restoration of my Savior Jesus Christ. One day I went forward to ask prayer for my son. Who I feel needs salvation. I know that might seem judgy of me but I don't want him to die in his addiction without accepting Jesus and having a real change take place in his life. Instead they began saying I wasn't baptized in Jesus name only and I believed in the trinity. It was the beginning of a lot of questions for me. He started praying for ME all kinds of stuff that led me to believe they were saying that I wasn't even saved. It was quite an experience. I prayed for my sons salvation while they were praying for me and I just told the Lord I didn't quite understand that but I was gonna praise him anyways. When I ask questions people get defensive. I'm not attacking. I'm sorry if it seems that way. I guess my questions might be too direct.

David Wilkerson had an amazing life and testimony. His ministry was truly blessed. We all believe in God the Father of the Bible. Jesus Christ of the Bible. And Holy Spirit of the Bible. Jesus talks to his father alot and when I read the Bible I see this Creator, Father God. I see the Son who was there in the beginning with God who was God. Who came down here sent of His Father God to be born of a virgin. He's my savior. The mediator between God and man. So I'm not sure what the upc is trying to tell me is wrong with what I believe. I don't know everything. I just came back to the Lord with my whole heart. Forsaking the world. And all in it. It's causing me to search harder. To be able to give an answer. First to my own heart. It's with tears that I ask these things

Yes, Donna, I agree with Chris on this matter concerning your fellowship with this "Oneness" denomination. It seems that your participation in this group has caused you confusion and concern about what you have known to be true-that God is Triune-three Persons, but One Eternal Being (God). I would encourage you to do as Chris has suggested by finding a Bible-teaching, Trinitarian church fellowship. The Bible teaches that God is that God is three distinct Persons in a unity of being-so One God.The doctrine taught by Oneness denomination has repeatedly been refuted and denounced as heresy (as Modalism) along with others that have been denounced as heresy such as: Adoptionism, Arianism, Docetism, Monophysitism, Gnosticism, Montanism, Manicheaism, and others that deny the Trinity or teach error about the person and nature of Jesus. You can Google these terms and find out more about them and why they are rejected by the overwhelming majority of Christians over the centuries.

Thank you Donna for sharing further on your experience with the "Oneness Pentecostal" movement. Unfortunately, their avoidance to be in prayerful support for your son, is because that you are not in line with their beliefs & practises (i.e. been baptized in Jesus' Name only, no water baptism - no salvation teaching, & maybe not showing evidence of "the" spiritual gift manifestation). Unless you first agreed to & performed the basic requirements, all other aspects of full acceptance, ministry, even need for support, may be withheld. While it's good to stand firm on the Scripture & its doctrines, when those beliefs are in error, comments, such as your testimony here, are important to show to them & us, the Spirit's workings in your own heart to free you from such errors.

And yes, Graham, Cruz, & Wilkerson, would not be saved persons according to the 'Oneness' folk, as those men believed in the Triune God & were probably water baptized in the Three & are therefore hell-bound. You've been wonderfully exercised in spirit by the Lord - I trust you've been able to get into a good fundamental Bible-believing, Triune God-honouring, Fellowship.