Why would I have positive feelings toward a denomination that perverts the gospel and holds to erroneous doctrines? I have no problem considering the points the Bible itself makes clear. Even Wikipedia can figure out -
Besides their beliefs about the Godhead, Oneness Pentecostals differ significantly from most other Pentecostal and Evangelical Christians in matters of soteriology. Whereas most Pentecostals and evangelicals believe that only faith in Jesus Christ is the essential element for salvation, Oneness Pentecostalism defines salvation as repentance, full-submersion water baptism (in the name of Jesus Christ) and baptism in the Holy Spirit, with the evidence of speaking in other tongues. Many also tend to emphasize strict "holiness standards" in dress, grooming and other areas of personal conduct that are not necessarily shared by other Pentecostal groups, at least not to the degree that is generally found in some Oneness churches. -https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oneness_Pentecostalism
Jesus clearly meant what He said in Matthew 28:19 -
"Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit." So once again, the phrase, "in the name of Jesus," is not a reference to a baptismal formula but a reference to
authority. It's similar to hearing someone say, "stop in the name of the Law!" We understand that the "name of the Law" means by the
authority of the Law. It's the same with baptism
"in Jesus' name." To baptize in Jesus' name is to baptize in the
authority of Jesus. Reciting the specific words, "in Jesus name" during baptism is
not a magical formula for salvation and believers who were baptized in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit are not still lost in their sins because the specific words, "in Jesus name" were not recited during their baptism as Oneness Pentecostals erroneously teach.
Do you believe that ONLY those who were water baptized and the specific words, "in Jesus name" were used during their baptism will be saved? Do you also believe that those who were water baptized and the specific words, "in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit" were used during their baptism will not be saved? I've heard other Oneness Pentecostals answer YES to both questions.
Christ is certainly not divided and if things got worse in Corinth there might well have been the church of Paul, the church of Apollos, the church of Cephas, as opposed to just the singular “Church of God.” (1 Corinthians 1:2)
Once again, the phrase is used in the Bible as an expression of
authority. This is clarified elsewhere: Acts 4:17 - "But in order that it may not spread any further among the people, let us warn them to speak no more to any man
in this name. 18 And when they had summoned them, they commanded them not to speak or teach at all
in the name of Jesus." Acts 5:40 - "And they took his advice; and after calling the apostles in, they flogged them and ordered them to speak no more
in the name of Jesus, and then released them." Acts 8:12 - "But when they believed Philip preaching the good news about the kingdom of God and
the name of Jesus Christ, they were being baptized, men and women alike." Acts 9:27 - "But Barnabas took hold of him and brought him to the apostles and described to them how he had seen the Lord on the road, and that He had talked to him, and how at Damascus he had spoken out boldly
in the name of Jesus. 28 And he was with them moving about freely in Jerusalem, speaking out boldly
in the name of the Lord."
I'm not in denial about "in the name of Jesus" being a reference to
authority. Why are you in such denial about the words of Jesus in Matthew 28:19 stating what He clearly said:
"Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit."
The enemy wants people to trust in anything else
EXCEPT IN CHRIST ALONE for salvation. If the enemy can keep you trusting in baptism formulas, baptism itself, speaking in tongues, works in general etc..
INSTEAD OF TRUSTING IN CHRIST ALONE FOR SALVATION then his mission is accomplished. (2 Corinthians 4:3,4)
Now John 20:31; Acts 10:43; Philippians 2:9 and Colossians 3:17 are all excellent scriptures and hold true!
Yet believing/trusting in water baptism formulas, water baptism itself, speaking in tongues or works in general for salvation is
not the cause of receiving salvation. That's not believing IN HIS NAME, but is believing in water baptism formulas, water baptism itself, speaking in tongues and works in general. John 1:12 - But as many as
received Him, to them He
gave the right to become children of God, to those who
believe in His name.
Those who believe in Him/in His name are
trusting exclusively in Jesus for salvation and not in works for salvation. (Ephesians 2:8,9) It's no accident that numerous false religions and cults teach salvation by works (with a heavy emphasis on water baptism) including Roman Catholicism and Mormonism.
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