Why are you classified as a cult? (long post)

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In a message dated 97-05-08 05:14:23 EDT, you write:

<< > My opinion of trinity doctrine is that it is a doctrine built on Swiss
 > Cheese. 
 > But that don't make it 'Holy'!
  >>


It is difficult for me to understand how anyone can call us a cult for our
views on the "Trinity", and subsequently, Baptism in Jesus' name.

If they would take a look at what their "scholars" have to say on these
subjects, they might be surprised. (Words in "quotes" are mine).

>From the International Bible Encyclopedia:

	1. The term "Trinity" is not a Biblical term, and we are not using Biblical
language when we define what is expressed by it as the doctrine that there is
one only and true God, but in the unity of the Godhead there are three
coeternal and coequal Persons, the same

"The term "Trinity" is not Biblical"

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 And the definition of a Biblical doctrine in such un-Biblical language can
be justified only on the principle that it is better to preserve the truth of
Scripture than the words of Scripture.

"The words of the Scripture do not say what they mean"
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...(the doctrine of the Trinity) ...embodies a truth which has never been
discovered, and is indiscoverable, by natural reason.

"This doctrine cannot be understood"
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	Triads of divinities, no doubt, occur in nearly all polytheistic religions,
...

("Polytheism... their word, not mine)

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BAPTISM 

	4. New Testament Usage: But the New Testament itself makes the whole matter
perfectly plain. The uniform meaning of "dip" for baptizo and the use of the
river Jordan as the place for baptizing by John the Baptist makes inevitable
the notion of immersion unless there is some direct contradictory testimony.
It is a

"Baptism by immersion only"

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	IV. The Formula of Baptism.-- The Formula of Christian baptism, in the mode
which prevailed, is given in <Mt 28:19>: "I baptize thee in the name of the
Father, of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost." But it is curious that the words
are not given in any description of Christian baptism until the time of
Justin Martyr: and there they are not repeated exactly but in a slightly
extended and explanatory form.

"Father, Son, and Holy Ghost not used in baptism, until..."
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 In every account of the performance of the rite in apostolic times a much
shorter formula is in use. The 3,000 believers were baptized on the Day of
Pentecost "in the name of Jesus" <Acts 2:38>; and the same formula was used
at the baptism of Cornelius and those that were with him <Acts 10:48>.

"This is certainly not news to any of us"
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Jesus Christ was Lord. Scholars have exercised a great deal of ingenuity in
trying to explain how, with what appear to be the very words of Jesus given
in the Gospel of Mt, another and much shorter formula seems to have been used
throughout the apostolic church.

"Ingenious: skilled in inventing new ideas"
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Tertullian, nearly half a century later, declares expressly that the "law of
baptism has been imposed and the formula prescribed" in <Mt 28:19> (De Bapt.,
13); and he adds in his Adversus Praxean (c. 26): "And it is not once only,
but thrice, that we are immersed into the Three Persons, at each several
mention of Their names."

"Their names?"
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...collections of ecclesiastical canons (Apos. Canons, 43, 50), prove that
the practice of using the shorter formula existed in the 5th and 6th
centuries, at all events in the East.
"Shorter formula = Baptism in Jesus' name"
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(from International Standard Bible Encylopaedia, Electronic Database

A summary of the beliefs of those who call us a "cult", and disagree with our
view of   the "Trinity", and baptism:

TRINITY
"The term "Trinity" is not Biblical"

"The words of the Scripture do not say what they mean"

"This doctrine cannot be understood"

Triads of divinities...occur in...polytheistic religions

BAPTISM
"Baptism by immersion only"

"I baptize thee in the name of the Father, of the Son, and of the Holy
Ghost...not given in any description of Christian baptism until the time of
Justin Martyr:

In every account...believers were baptized..."in the name of Jesus"

Must be "Ingenious: skilled in inventing new ideas"... to explain away Acts
2:38,etc

Three Persons...Their names (Matt 28:19: one name)

I have used the Bible Encyclopedia to explain to those who claim we are so
far wrong, so that they can pay attention to what *they* have actually said
regarding these heretical beliefs.


Matt 12:37
37	For by *thy words* thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be
condemned.
(KJV)

After reading this, ... tell me who are the cults, and who are the true
believers.

Pastor Jarvis