Church of God a cult?

[ftwspursfan]

It's refreshing to hear that you are praying and researching where you want to invest your lives in a church body. As parents, we have such a vested interest in how our kids will handle change when really it is us that may be struggling to come to a decision.

FWIW, we have moved a couple of times and developed a church hunting plan, along w/a lot of prayer!! We visit a church for a month. Get involved in SS & worship/ Sun night/Wed night and check it out. We are upfront w/everyone about what we are doing! If God says 'move on' then we go to the next one. We get some strange looks about it but it works real well for us and we have been very happy with the places God has put us in. In light of that, God has told us to 'get out' early in our plan. We went to one on a Sun morning and could not get out of there fast enough. The next Sun, we were at our current church and have never looked back.

[Semachiah]

Shalom,

For now I will take an opposing view to a degree!
We can see throughout the Book of Acts where there was almost always a manifestation of The HOLY SPIRIT when one was "Born Again", thus one must question if this is YHVH's sign of approval or sealing or whatever on the new Believer. I will slam on the brakes though on anyone who because of this declares that one "MUST" manifest The SPIRIT in order to be "Born Again". In Y'SHUA we have been freed form the "REQUIREMENTS" other than to accept Y'SHUA as the eternal sacrifice of YHVH for the repayment of mankind's sin. So by all means and with due diligence seek the Gifts of The SPIRIT, just don't 'REQUIRE" them of anyone!

On the other topic in this thread, we used to drive 3 1/2 hours to attend services and we did so for about 4 years. Let YHVH lead you and it will work out for HIS glory!

[HeIsEnough]

thus one must question if this is YHVH's sign of approval or sealing or whatever on the new Believer.

One does not need to question this...

One should validate the theological underpinnings to this viewpoint.

One will find it is not theologically valid.


I will slam on the brakes though on anyone who because of this declares that one "MUST" manifest The SPIRIT in order to be "Born Again".

This is tantamount to merely throwing a stink bomb and running away.

If you truly want to find the bottom line, biblically, one must show the fruits of the Spirit. This is how we are told we will know them. We were admonished about this (Christ told us this before any manifestation of the Spirit happened) before the sign you are sorta kinda relying on to see who is saved, and who is not.

This is the biblical answer to those seeking outward signs of inward sanctification in todays age of grace.

[Kliska]

If you truly want to find the bottom line, biblically, one must show the fruits of the Spirit. This is how we are told we will know them. We were admonished about this (Christ told us this before any manifestation of the Spirit happened) before the sign you are sorta kinda relying on to see who is saved, and who is not.

This is the biblical answer to those seeking outward signs of inward sanctification in todays age of grace.

I think what you may be getting at here is the difference between gifts of the Spirit, and the fruit of the Spirit, is that right? That while some denominations have boiled it all down to tongues as "the sign," that that position isn't theologically sound?

I agree that as a believer grows in his/her walk with the Lord, there will be fruit...but when we do have someone confessing Christ, we have to be careful about crossing over into "fruit inspector" territory with that person, at least IMO, that's why we are to examine ourselves, and come to peace with the idea, for ourselves, that we are indwelt.

[HeIsEnough]

I think what you may be getting at here is the difference between gifts of the Spirit, and the fruit of the Spirit, is that right?

Yes, but even more so, it is the only factor we are given to know each other..."you will know them by their fruit"

That while some denominations have boiled it all down to tongues as "the sign," that that position isn't theologically sound?

Yes, I consider that theologically unsound. So much as to say we are not told to look for that, rather for fruit.


I agree that as a believer grows in his/her walk with the Lord, there will be fruit...but when we do have someone confessing Christ, we have to be careful about crossing over into "fruit inspector" territory with that person, at least IMO, that's why we are to examine ourselves, and come to peace with the idea, for ourselves, that we are indwelt.

What I see Christ telling us is that "you will know them". To me, that does not indicate inspection (which no doubt needs characterized and limited in what we see in relation to what the scriptures say we will see), rather it relates self evident knowledge. I don't need to inspect, I will know.

I fully agree that these things are written for us to know, for ourselves. They do not give us walking papers to examine others.

[Kliska]

Yes, but even more so, it is the only factor we are given to know each other..."you will know them by their fruit"

Yes, I consider that theologically unsound. So much as to say we are not told to look for that, rather for fruit.

What I see Christ telling us is that "you will know them". To me, that does not indicate inspection (which no doubt needs characterized and limited in what we see in relation to what the scriptures say we will see), rather it relates self evident knowledge. I don't need to inspect, I will know.

I fully agree that these things are written for us to know, for ourselves. They do not give us walking papers to examine others.

Thanks for clarifying, I thought that was what you meant, but just wanted to make sure I understood correctly...it's been one of those weeks, and my brain's not firing on all cylinders yet this weekend :lol2

[Waiting...]

Well, we broke the news to the kids today that we will be attending our new church Sunday. The Lord as all over this situation. They are EXCITED about going! We bought them each new Bibles to celebrate. Pray for a good visit Sunday. Sorry if I started a doctrinal Civil War.:heythere

[kjlistrom]

Sorry if I started a doctrinal Civil War.:heythere
You didn't, this has been going on sence the mid 1800's when the AG's started practising their version of tongues and being "slain in the spirit". IMO

[Gods disciple]

The church of God does not believe a faith based salvation. They believe it's only evident that you are saved by speaking in tongues and getting the baptism of the holy spirit. They deny the trinity. They don't believe in asking Lord Jesus Christ into their hearts and lives. Go to the home page and type in apologetics in the search bar and click on oneness pentacostalism, it's the same thing as church of God. They misinterpret scriptures to make them fit their doctrine of salvation. Don't be deceived by an egg that looks good but is rotten on the inside. Take care and God bless and God bless Israel. You can look up the U.P.C. ( United pentecostal church) they are another false church that claims to be the one and only true church that teaches misinterpretations of the Bible.

[wife]

The church of God does not believe a faith based salvation. They believe it's only evident that you are saved by speaking in tongues and getting the baptism of the holy spirit. They deny the trinity. They don't believe in asking Lord Jesus Christ into their hearts and lives. Go to the home page and type in apologetics in the search bar and click on oneness pentacostalism, it's the same thing as church of God. They misinterpret scriptures to make them fit their doctrine of salvation. Don't be deceived by an egg that looks good but is rotten on the inside. Take care and God bless and God bless Israel. You can look up the U.P.C. ( United pentecostal church) they are another false church that claims to be the one and only true church that teaches misinterpretations of the Bible.

Wrong Church of God... That is SO NOT what they believe!!!