New Here..

[Tmccoy811]

Hello... I'm new here. I've recently given up almost all social media, but I would still like to be able to talk to other Christians. I'm not even sure my thoughts will be allowed here as I am a Oneness Pentecostal. I do know that I've read many stories of those who have left Oneness Pentecostalism on this forum, but I have yet to see anyone still holding firm. Honestly, I've been a Trinitarian before, I've been to many denominational churches, and so this is not something I was born into nor taught as a young person. I was 32 when the Lord moved upon me, and this is where I've landed.

I backslid in 2011, and my husband and I stayed out of church for the most part until last year when the Lord healed me of schizoaffective disorder (which is schizophrenia and bipolar mixed together) and anxiety while sitting at my kitchen table. For the 12 years we were out of church, we did attend some non-oneness churches here and there, but I will be honest... once you are filled with His Spirit, it doesn't matter how much you try to NOT walk in the truth of the word.. the Lord will call you anyway for as long as He wills... I did not choose to be a oneness apostolic pentecostal. In fact, while we were out of church, I tried my hardest to not be. I would pray and tell God that since I'm filled with His Spirit, I really need Him to show me something different... I would open my bible to different places, and no matter what I did, it was as if He was shining a flashlight onto the pages. I would close my bible frustrated and cry because I did NOT want to walk this way. Not many do walk this way...

Since then, I've come to terms not only with where the Lord has led me, but with the fact that most Trinitarians now tell me I'm not saved and that I'm going the wrong way.. There are SO many testimonies of people who have left... but I refuse to allow church hurt, old teachings I'd received, or words of any man on this earth to keep me away from what the Lord has shown me to be true. And, if this keeps me out of forums like this, so be it. It would not be the first one I've been blocked from.

I will say this... I will always be respectful of others' beliefs. I too once believed differently. I was not "churched" as a child to begin with because my parents didn't want to for Catholicism on me. But God knew. He somehow made sure I knew His name, and it all came from that one simple word... Jesus.. Yeshua.. Salvation...

Glad to be here. I look forward to the possibilities..

 

[Rhema]

It would not be the first one I've been blocked from.

From what I understand, though, the topic of the Trinity (or its debate) is not very welcomed here on this forum (unless there's been a change of mind).

It's kind of like don't ask don't tell.

Anything else, though, you should be fine.

Rhema
And praise be to God for your healing. I've had my share.

PS: I am neither Trinitarian nor Oneness (go figure).

 

[Tmccoy811]

Thanks... That's very interesting.. I've never met a Christian who doesn't believe in either Trinity nor Oneness... makes me wonder what it is you do believe. lol. But.. I digress... Thank you for the tip. I don't really go onto forums professing to everyone that I believe Oneness - I do think the enemy of our souls uses this as division amongst brothers and sisters (that's my thought on it), but it is usually a giveaway when there is discussion and people hear my views on other things... I'm okay with it, though. If for some reason I am kicked off, I'll still have stood for what I believe in.

Honestly, since there IS a statement of faith that professes Trinitarian views, you would think it wouldn't be such a touchy topic to discuss. I think if we ALL were intentional about listening, we might all learn something. But, that's just my take on it.. Glad to be here, and we shall see.

 

[Christ4Ever]

Dear Sister, @Tmccoy811
Welcome to Talk Jesus an online community of Jesus Christ believers....oh, and Trinitarian too!
I hope you will find fellowship and growth in God's Word while here.

The subject of the Trinity becomes touchy, when you have those who will use it as a reason to evangelize others to their point of view and attempt to tell you why you believe as you believe! As if you haven't given it prayer, study, and thought. You won't be the first Oneness Pentecostal here, and probably won't be the last. I actually attend a Pentecostal church, and one day may share the story of how that came about!

Awesome, you are happily married! There is really oneness in that covenant!
God bless you and yours!
With the Love of Christ Jesus, and again be welcomed.
YBIC
Nick
\o/
<><

 

[Tmccoy811]

Thank you, Nick.. Glad to be here.

I think, honestly, we are supposed to "evangelize," but that does not mean we are to argue, push, or try to force the issue... we are to use wisdom and discernment... You did say that besides trying to "evangelize others to their point of view," it is also a means to "attempt to tell you why you believe as you believe." This is a Christian forum, so are we not supposed to explain why we believe as we believe?

I was told that you are the moderator/owner of this site, and I truly want to be here. I will be respectful, and as I've told another person, I believe the topic of Oneness vs. Trinitarian is used by the enemy to cause division and discord. Therefore, rest assured that it will not be my focus. However, if it does come up and all parties are willing to have a civil and thoughtful discussion, I will tactfully explain why I see Oneness... I used to be a Trinitarian most of my life, too..

Thank you for all you do, Nick... I look forward to growing in my faith..

Tracey
P.S. What does "YBIC" mean? Lol.. I'm a little older and not used to forums much, so I'm sorry if that is a dense question. Lol.

 

[Christ4Ever]

Dear Sister Tracey, @Tmccoy811
Nice to hear back from you. 1st I am a Moderator, but not the owner of Talk Jesus. The owner and originator of the site would be my Brother in Christ Chad who is the Administrator! A Man of God, who has dedicated blood, sweat, tears to the site over its many variations/modifications throughout the years. Not an easy task, but one that I am also grateful for, and have been blessed by as have others no longer with us.

2nd an easy one...YBIC = Your Brother in Christ

3rd, a more difficult one is the "Evangelizing". While I readily agree that sharing the Gospel is a must, discussions on varying doctrinal positions apart from the Gospel can sometimes devolve into forceful debates that challenge creeds accepted by Orthodoxy and TJ. Unless you believe that "Oneness Pentecostalism" is not only part of the Gospel and must be included in any discussion of Scripture then I do believe problems will arise, as they have in the past.

Finally, you are welcome here Sister and know that we have a few who are a bit older in age than the current generation of believers...and then some!

God bless, you and yours, and I'm glad to welcome you again!

With the Love of Christ Jesus.
YBIC
Nick
\o/
<><

 

[Tmccoy811]

Ahhhhh!!! Thank you for letting me know the acronym! LOL. I am a bit older myself, so getting the hang of some things takes some explaining. lol... My kids are in their young 20s, and believe you me, I am learning ALOT! Lol.

I am so grateful for yall's ministry here! Maybe someday I will "meet" Chad! I am sure that so much hard work has been put into this ministry, and I am quite sure the gospel has been spread and lives have been changed.. For about 12 years as a backslider, the only contact I had with the outside world was pretty much online, so having an online forum such as this can be a life saver.. literally!!

I totally get the "evangelizing" part. I do not believe that Oneness Pentecostalism is part of the gospel message, but I guess when others realize why I believe in things like Jesus name baptism, they gather that I must not be a Trinitarian . But, I will be careful and thoughtful in what I choose to speak on. I will always reference scripture, and who can argue with that? LOL.. I know I know... MOST can argue... But, I choose not to, so rest assured that I will not only always back things up with bible, but I will have wisdom and discernment on when to leave it alone... I am having one such discussion with another member who contacted me, but he (or she? lol) seems to be pretty open to discussing.. And he (or she) has even sent me an article I am in the middle of reading, so I am open as well. My promise is that at the first sign of discord, I will walk away. I do believe that doctrine is paramount as the word tells us it is, but I do not believe we are ever to argue.. how is that even fruitful, you know?

Thank you so much for welcoming me! I have been made to feel EXTREMELY welcome thus far!

Have a great rest of your week!!

YSIC (Haha!)
Tracey

P.S. You know, I truly am interested in learning about the Trinitarian view actually... I know there are YouTube videos and articles, but I have yet to find someone who can explain it in laymen's terms if you will where I can grasp the "why"... even though I was in a Trinitarian church before I had even heard of Oneness views, I never really "studied" the godhead until I became Oneness... I simply followed along. So, if you know of any resources, I would appreciate it. And, no, my interest does not come from a place of trying to "debunk" the view - I truly want to know. Before becoming Oneness, I simply thought everyone was a Trinitarian. lol.. it's funny how things evolve.. but, I am still growing in my faith (as I hope it never stops) and I would like to know - I mean really know... ya know? (if I'm rambling and not making sense, it's because I am not sure how to explain what I'm trying to say. )

 

[Christ4Ever]

Dear Sister Tracey, @Tmccoy811
Truly understanding will be a matter between you, His Word, and the Holy Spirit as it reveals the meaning to you.

Many doctrines may seem correct in their assertions, thereby justifying their stance on the Trinity/Oneness debate. For several years, I remained neutral (once I became aware of the differing viewpoints) because, like you, I accepted the Trinity without fully considering that others held alternative views. Oneness is just one of the numerous positions that exist outside of the Trinity concept.

To be honest, I wavered in deciding which position was true, based on the evidence available to me, until it was affirmed by the Holy Spirit. Once He introduced me to the concept of "Hierarchy," I could understand how the Trinity fit with what I had discovered in Scripture. I am grateful that the Holy Spirit revealed this to me concerning the Trinity, and I have been content ever since! lol Of course, I recognize that eternal life is the key to truly knowing God. For now, at least, I don't need to keep pondering the "what/huh" every time a new scenario related to the Godhead comes up.

I am writing this solely as a response to your words, without any intention of persuasion – that's not my role. With that said, may God bless you and your loved ones, and once more, welcome!

YBIC
Nick
\o/
<><

 

[Rhema]

@Christ4Ever

Hi Nick, Tracey seems to be having difficulty accessing her account here, both for posting and conversations.
Not sure what you can do about that, but I thought I'd let you know.

Rhema