Trinity vs. Oneness

  • Christian Chat is a moderated online Christian community allowing Christians around the world to fellowship with each other in real time chat via webcam, voice, and text, with the Christian Chat app. You can also start or participate in a Bible-based discussion here in the Christian Chat Forums, where members can also share with each other their own videos, pictures, or favorite Christian music.

    If you are a Christian and need encouragement and fellowship, we're here for you! If you are not a Christian but interested in knowing more about Jesus our Lord, you're also welcome! Want to know what the Bible says, and how you can apply it to your life? Join us!

    To make new Christian friends now around the world, click here to join Christian Chat.

Are you Trinitarian, or Sabellian (Oneness, usually, Oneness Pentecostal)?

  • Trinitarian

    Votes: 45 77.6%
  • Sabellion

    Votes: 6 10.3%
  • What's the difference?

    Votes: 7 12.1%

  • Total voters
    58
C

charisenexcelcis

Guest
Why if it's just a ritual?

There must be a deeper meaning then just "declaring it publicaly"
For our benefit. To teach us to take seriously the truth that we are to die to self and live in a new life. Humans are created as beings of habit and rituals.
 

VW

Banned
Dec 22, 2009
4,579
9
0
Why then? Unless we must be baptized. Think about what your saying.

Someone is commanded to baptize me. Why? Because I need to be

Therefore we baptize others because Jesus commanded us to. Why? Because they need to be.
Okay, a question for you. Where in scripture is it written that Peter was baptized? Or John, or James or Luke or Mark or even Paul?
 
Jun 29, 2010
398
0
0
Okay, a question for you. Where in scripture is it written that Peter was baptized? Or John, or James or Luke or Mark or even Paul?
Acts 19
17 And Ananias went his way, and entered into the house; and putting his hands on him said, Brother Saul, the Lord, even Jesus, that appeared unto thee in the way as thou camest, hath sent me, that thou mightest receive thy sight, and be filled with the Holy Ghost.

18 And immediately there fell from his eyes as it had been scales: and he received sight forthwith, and arose, and was baptized.



Why would Peter tell others to be baptize if he himself was not?
 

VW

Banned
Dec 22, 2009
4,579
9
0
Acts 19
17 And Ananias went his way, and entered into the house; and putting his hands on him said, Brother Saul, the Lord, even Jesus, that appeared unto thee in the way as thou camest, hath sent me, that thou mightest receive thy sight, and be filled with the Holy Ghost.

18 And immediately there fell from his eyes as it had been scales: and he received sight forthwith, and arose, and was baptized.



Why would Peter tell others to be baptize if he himself was not?
I was wrong about Paul. He was baptized after he received the Holy Spirit.
 
Jun 29, 2010
398
0
0
Originally Posted by forerunner

Acts 19
17 And Ananias went his way, and entered into the house; and putting his hands on him said, Brother Saul, the Lord, even Jesus, that appeared unto thee in the way as thou camest, hath sent me, that thou mightest receive thy sight, and be filled with the Holy Ghost.

18 And immediately there fell from his eyes as it had been scales: and he received sight forthwith, and arose, and was baptized.
I was wrong about Paul. He was baptized after he received the Holy Spirit.
No problem, but you didn't answer the question I asked.


Why would Peter tell others to be baptize if he himself was not?
 

VW

Banned
Dec 22, 2009
4,579
9
0
Hey, I would not forbid one from being baptized, and if asked, I would baptize them in Jesus' name. But I will not tell one who is not baptized that they are not saved, any more than I would tell another that they are not saved unless they believe in the trinity.

Things do not make up salvation. Salvation is new life from above, because we choose to believe God about His love for us in Jesus Christ. Salvation is about God asking us to become His children, born again of Him. Salvation is about us drawing near to God. It is not a set of rules or things we must do, but is rather receiving life from above. Jesus said that everyone who lives and believes in Him shall never die. Salvation is eternal life.
 
C

charisenexcelcis

Guest
No problem, but you didn't answer the question I asked.


Why would Peter tell others to be baptize if he himself was not?
And why, if baptism is so essential, was it not included in the scriptures?
 

VW

Banned
Dec 22, 2009
4,579
9
0
No problem, but you didn't answer the question I asked.


Why would Peter tell others to be baptize if he himself was not?
Tell yes, but did he command? Do we know that Peter was baptized? Is it written in scripture?

Again, I believe in baptism as a practice to show our faith and acceptance of His sacrifice and our identifying with Him. I don't believe that it is necessary for salvation.

Do you?
 
Jun 29, 2010
398
0
0
Tell yes, but did he command? Do we know that Peter was baptized? Is it written in scripture?

Again, I believe in baptism as a practice to show our faith and acceptance of His sacrifice and our identifying with Him. I don't believe that it is necessary for salvation.

Do you?
Yes and no. Baptism is not what saves you, faith in Jesus Christ is. However refusal to get baptism is rebellion, and those in rebellion to God or His word will not inherit the Kingdom.
 
C

charisenexcelcis

Guest
Ahhh, I see what would the benefit of it being added?
Well, in DMurray's viewpoint, water baptism (in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ) is one of three essential elements of salvation, along with repentence and baptism in the Holy Spirit (as shown by the glossalia). Odd that if that were true, one of the two most important figures in the book of Acts and the one most refered to in defense of the Oneness formula for baptism has no record of his own baptism.
 
Jun 29, 2010
398
0
0
Well, in DMurray's viewpoint, water baptism (in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ) is one of three essential elements of salvation, along with repentence and baptism in the Holy Spirit (as shown by the glossalia). Odd that if that were true, one of the two most important figures in the book of Acts and the one most refered to in defense of the Oneness formula for baptism has no record of his own baptism.
I do not see it as problematic at all. However I do not hold to Dmurry's view. Not dogmatically at least. Especially seeing as I myself was baptized in with the trinitarian formula....lol.

However the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit is Jesus so its all the same to me
 

VW

Banned
Dec 22, 2009
4,579
9
0
Yes and no. Baptism is not what saves you, faith in Jesus Christ is. However refusal to get baptism is rebellion, and those in rebellion to God or His word will not inherit the Kingdom.
How do you justify the above? We are not talking about refusing to receive baptism, but making it a requirement of salvation, and that is not supported even in scripture. It is not written that we must get baptized, or we will not be saved. In fact, there is only one, just one thing we are told we must do or have to be saved. If you do not have the Holy Spirit, then you are none of His.

One should receive baptism when they are ready to. Not as a requirement for salvation, but as a testimony to a clean conscience.
 
Jun 29, 2010
398
0
0
How do you justify the above? We are not talking about refusing to receive baptism, but making it a requirement of salvation, and that is not supported even in scripture. It is not written that we must get baptized, or we will not be saved. In fact, there is only one, just one thing we are told we must do or have to be saved. If you do not have the Holy Spirit, then you are none of His.

One should receive baptism when they are ready to. Not as a requirement for salvation, but as a testimony to a clean conscience.
Baptism is a commandment of scripture, and if someone refuses to be baptized they are in rebellion. Does that mean someone like the man on the cross or other death bed confession go to hell because they were not able to get baptized? No it doesn't
 

VW

Banned
Dec 22, 2009
4,579
9
0
Baptism is a commandment of scripture, and if someone refuses to be baptized they are in rebellion. Does that mean someone like the man on the cross or other death bed confession go to hell because they were not able to get baptized? No it doesn't
I believe that you are wrong in your understanding of baptism. We are commanded to baptize, not to get baptized.
 
Jun 29, 2010
398
0
0
I believe that you are wrong in your understanding of baptism. We are commanded to baptize, not to get baptized.
Certainly you know this verse

Acts 2:38 Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.
 
Mar 2, 2010
537
3
0
David, I know that when you refer to "Oneness" teaching you are probably accurately representing the views of major oneness groups, particularly the UPCI. I'm not, never have been, and never will be part of the UPCI. In part, this is because they distort salvation to require works that amount to jumping through hoops. Obviously, however, I hold to some form of Oneness teaching and belief. Can I ask you to qualify your statements about Oneness teachings to read something more like "some" or "most" oneness believe...(whatever it is you are refering to). Otherwise it is kind of like me saying "trinitarians believe baptism isn't "right" unless done in the Triune name". Some believe this, others, like yourself, believe that the formula is less important than the heart and obedience. Since I'm the most active Oneness adherent on this thread, I want the clarification of "some" so as not to be grouped in with beliefs I don't agree with.
 
Mar 2, 2010
537
3
0
forerunner, do you have any Bible college, seminary or other religious training in your background? I'm just curious.