I don't know that a churches doctrine has ever influenced me in any significant way. I've read the Bible from a very young age and always had a reverence for the words within that superceded church doctrines.
My first fellowship was with a German catholic nanny . . .Kitty, was her name. She spoke only German to me so consequently my first language was German
. But she would often pray . . . .it seems I remember her doing the bead thing and trying to show me. What I explicitly recall is that she often made me feel that God was right there in the room as she would pray.
Eventually, we left Germany and my association with church was pretty much interdenominational such as you will find on military bases.
My later teens was spent in a methodist church where the first doctrinal check in my spirit occured as they would recite allegiance to the catholic church. I did'nt even understand at the time why that bothered me . . . .but eventually was the reason I moved to a Baptist church.
I was fine with the Baptists for some yrs when I became curious as to why a particular pastor we had was so against the book of Acts. I was offended by that because I held the whole Bible to be the very word of God. So I became drawn to the book of Acts and subsequently had a Holy Ghost experiance. . . . . . .
Exit, Church Of God . . . . .The first church I could find that was pentecostal was a trinitarian denomination. After being Spirit filled the Scriptures started opening up to me the Oneness of God. This was a concept that got into my spirit and just would'nt let go. I loved the Church of God and was great friends with the Pastor there so I never discussed this belief with any there except for my friend and Pastor Bro Kenneth Trawick. The more we discussed the trinity the more I was convinced that it was a false concept. His last appeal in reasoning was to tell me that I would be miserable at the UPC as they embraced a lot of strict doctrines . . . .generally just running them down.
I was so quite about my oneness views that I did'nt even know that there was a church that embraced the doctrine. So I checked them out but to be honest was intimidated by their concepts of holiness so I remained a pew warmer at the Church of God until my friend and Pastor left.
Soon, my life fell apart and I fell out of the church all together for a spell. Whether I had backslid or not became a matter of opinion . .depending on who you asked. I kept my faith during that time in an even deeper way as I was wrestling with a lot of Job stuff. I was also being strongly led to fellowship with the UPC but was intimidated by the commitment that I saw and felt there.
I've never been a follower . . . .I've always wanted to be true to myself, to others, and most of all to my faith. I felt that I would have to compromise some intangible something that I considered important to fellowship in this new church. So I approached one of the pastors there and kind of explained what I believed and spoke of areas that I might be in disagreement with them.
Turns out that the intangibles were so minor that I was worrying for nothing. But, my point is that I don't conform my beliefs to a church group or an individual but rather try to fellowship with like minded believers as much a possible.
Theres a lot of doctrines that some of you folk read one way or another that I don't fret over too much. I believe in water baptism in Jesus name. My church uses a baptimal . . . .I personally believe in using a creek or a river if possible. But hey . . . .if for some reason a person is not able to be dunked I personally would sprikle if that was the only way . . . .Jesus name is what is important to me.
I believe the Holy Spirit teaches us . . . . .but I don't believe that every thought that crosses a believers mind is a message from the Holy Spirit. Prayer, fasting, seeking God in a humble spirit, my Bible, to me verifys and clarifys the voice.
Once saved always saved is such a hair splitting subject with folk going to the extreme in both courts. Salvation is too precious to treat it like its a done deal and not be pressing towards the mark.
Quote:
1. All the gifts are for today.
2. Keep in your Bibles..memorize scripture
3. you can pray in the Spirit and in the understanding.
4, Music is a wonderful way to draw nigh unto God
5. Fasting is powerful
6.Witness to unbelievers.don't be ashamed of The name.
7. Must live a holy life..
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I agree with all the above except one item in relation to myself. I find music to be a possible deciever as far as things spiritual go. I'm a lone ranger in this even in my own circles, even between Liz and myself. I just feel that we should'nt need music at all to put us in the Spirit or to have a move of God. . . . .but thats just me and how cautious I am towards things. Could be because of how I've used music myself in the past, but I know music itself creates feelings and emotions. It's hard to explain, but when I recieve a touch from the Lord . .I want to know that it was'nt music induced.
I believe in tithes and offerings. I became conviced of tithing as a duty when I realized that giving in my own name was a self gratifying thing. I could be such a big giver because I did not tithe . . . .it was to me self glorifying. I tithe to the church and the church stewards it in Jesus name . . . .nobody ever knows who Mac is. Offerings usually come from monies that are a sacrifice to give . . .seems right.
Pre trib, Post trib, . . . .don't really know. Just hold to your faith, die if you have to.
I believe salvation is extended to all of man-kind. Of course in God's fore knowledge He already knows the tally.
How did you get your theology / beliefs..?? and what do you beleive?
I had no problem with that..I hadn't even heard of Oneness yet because this was in 1997 and I met you on 2005..which was my first experience with Oneness believers..
