Podcasts about sabellianism

Title: The Assignment: Protect and Provide Text: Acts 20:28-35 FCF: Church leaders often struggle understanding their assignment and fulfilling it. Prop: Because Elders must shepherd the flock well, they must protect and provide for themselves and the church. Scripture Intro: Turn in your bible to Acts chapter 20. In a moment we'll read from the Legacy Standard bible starting in verse 18 and going to verse 25. You can follow along in the pew bible or the version you prefer. Last week, Paul began his final exhortation to the Elders of Ephesus. He used his example to depict for them the kind of men who they must be to lead the church well in his absence. These qualities could be summarized in the primary trait of blamelessness. Paul makes it abundantly clear that if the Elders are not blameless, the Ephesian church will fail. Today Paul will continue his exhortation to them, this time issuing commands on what they must do. Let's take a look. Please stand with me to give honor to and focus on the reading of the Word of God. Invocation: Most loving and Gracious God. We come to You as the bride You came from heaven to seek. We come to You as the earthen jars You have placed Your treasure in. Though we are without worth, You have given us infinite value in what You spent to save and to predestine us for a most holy purpose. We are now citizens of the Kingdom of Light. I pray that You would shine Your light on us today and reveal to us our new purpose, which you purchased for us with the precious blood of Jesus Christ. Build our faith, strengthen us in Your Word of Grace today. We pray this in the name of The Word… Amen. Transition: Let us press on this morning to the text. We have much to discuss. I.) An Elder's role is to dutifully and diligently shepherd the flock, so we must protect ourselves and the flock from false teachers. (28-31) a. 28 - Be on guard for yourselves and for all the flock, i. Up to this point in his exhortation Paul has pointed to his own example which the Ephesian Elders observed while he was among them. ii. Although Paul does not overtly command them to imitate him, it is implied that he wished for his example to be a pattern they must follow. iii. Specifically, a pattern of character. iv. After this, Paul now turns to exhorting the Ephesian Elders directly. v. Paul's opening word in this section is the command to be on guard. vi. The word means to give attention to, to be alert to, to be concerned about, to devote or apply yourself to something. vii. What does Paul command these Elders to guard? viii. He actually points their guard toward two targets. ix. First, they are to guard themselves. Second, they are to guard all the flock. x. Of course, by “all the flock” Paul means all the church in Ephesus. Let no one slip through the cracks. Be on guard for everyone, yourselves included. b. among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, i. They are part of that flock in Ephesus. ii. They are sheep too. iii. So how did they get in the position they are in? Did Paul put them there? iv. Paul may have appointed them, and the congregation may have received them as Elders… v. But the primary agent in their becoming Elders is by the work of God the Spirit. vi. The Holy Spirit made or appointed them to this duty. vii. The character qualities and spiritual giftedness of each Elder serves as an assurance to the congregation that God's Spirit has appointed these men to their office. Their humility, their care, their teaching, their servant's heart has all authenticated the Spirit's appointment. viii. But what role has the Spirit appointed them to? What duty must they fulfill? ix. Paul uses a word that in other letters he uses interchangeably with Elder. x. He uses the word overseer. xi. The term Elder emphasizes the maturity of the man in the office and the term overseer emphasizes the responsibilities of the office the man holds. xii. To oversee means to watch over, direct, and be held accountable for those in your charge. xiii. So, we know who they are to guard and we know the relationship between themselves and those they guard, but what is the purpose of or the intended result of their guarding work? c. to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood. i. Again, Paul uses another word that is used interchangeably with Elder and Overseer. ii. It is the word Shepherd or Pastor. iii. Here it is used as a verbal infinitive adverb modifying the command to be on guard. It answers the question why the Elders must guard themselves and the church. iv. The goal of an Elder's oversight is to care for those in their charge. v. Not just spiritually but for their entire being, body and soul, including protection, provision, guidance and accountability. vi. As a shepherd would care for his sheep, so Elders/Overseers/Pastors are to shepherd the lambs which they lead. vii. Why? Why must they be cared for? viii. The first reason they must be cared for, is because they are precious to the Lord. ix. Notice the reason why. Christ purchased the church with His blood. x. Some false teachers today claim that we can determine our inherent worth by how much God was willing to spend to purchase us. Using this text as proof of that claim. xi. However, the bible also describes us as children of wrath, broken vessels, and leaky cisterns. In a sense, the bible communicates to us that we only have value when we can be used for what we were created to be used for. xii. God made us to be His image bearers. To reflect, represent, and worship Him forever. Sin has utterly destroyed all men's ability to do any of that. Meaning we are about as useful as a screen door on a submarine. xiii. Christ purchasing us with His blood should not communicate to us that we are inherently valuable. For to conclude this would be to contradict other parts of scripture. xiv. Instead, Christ purchasing us with His blood gives to us our infinite value because of what He spent on us to remake us into a new creation. xv. And to those who oversee and shepherd the redeemed of God – they had better take exceptional care of what Christ has purchased with His precious blood. xvi. Another reason that these Elders should guard this flock with the intent to shepherd them, is because there is a looming threat on the horizon. d. 29 - I know that after my departure savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock; 30 - and from among your own selves men will arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after them. i. What a terrible revelation given to these Elders – but one they should not have been shocked to hear. ii. They must be diligent and on guard to shepherd Christ's church because as soon as Paul departs, false teachers will come and try to destroy what God has done. iii. How did Paul know this? Is he making a prophesy? iv. Friends, Paul has been dealing with this since day one. v. In the late 40s after completing his first missionary journey to southern Galatia, only a few months after he returned to Antioch of Syria, Paul had to send a letter to the churches there strongly correcting them for abandoning the gospel. vi. False teachers had come in among them and led them astray. The turn around on this was so quick that Paul wondered if they had been bewitched. “Has someone cast a spell on you?” he asked. vii. The same kinds of things have happened to him in several cities since. At some point a pattern emerges and prophesy becomes merely predictability. viii. And unfortunately the scriptures reveal to us that Paul was exactly correct. 1. In the 60s AD, from I and II Timothy, we find that Paul sends Timothy to Ephesus to right the ship and reestablish order there. Meaning that only a few years after Paul spoke these words to them, the church was under attack by false teaching. 2. And by the time John writes to the church in Ephesus in the 90s, only a little over 20 years after Paul was executed, they had left their first love. ix. Paul's warning is that these people will come in like ravenous wolves. They will rip and tear apart the unity and maturity of the church and will shipwreck the faith of the people. x. But perhaps one of the most blood curdling things Paul says here, is not only that false teachers will come from without, but even some of the ones standing before him, will rise up and speak wicked and crooked things and draw away people from the truth. xi. In I and II Timothy Paul calls out three men who had led to the shipwreck of the faith of many and were gangrenous to the church. He calls them out as Hymenaeus, Alexander, and Philetus. xii. What a sobering thought it is that very likely these three men are standing there listening to Paul say these very words. xiii. What are we to do if the threats are from without AND from within? e. 31 - Therefore, be watchful, remembering that night and day for a period of three years I did not cease to admonish each one with tears. i. Paul issues another command. ii. He says that because of this, because the church has been given infinite worth being purchased by Christ, because there are threats from without and within to destroy it – iii. They must remain alert. They must not only dutifully guard themselves and the church in order to shepherd these people but they must be vigilant in this task. They must be diligent. iv. Then Paul calls to their attention, again, his example. He labored night and day to continually admonish each of them with tears. v. Of course, Paul doesn't mean that he never slept. But Paul's point is that he worked hard. He labored long. He wasn't passive or lazy. He labored… to do what? Admonish everyone with tears. vi. He labored to counsel, exhort, rebuke, and instruct with great passion, pleading with all the church to follow Christ. f. Summary of the Point: Paul gives two commands in this passage, but those two commands are really describing what an Elder is to do. They must be on guard and be watchful. They must be dutiful and diligent. But neither of these commands mean much divorced from the primary aim of their duty and diligence. What is the goal of their guard and their watchfulness toward the church? It is to shepherd the flock of God. This is THE assignment of every Elder. But this assignment takes on two distinct flavors in Paul's exhortation. The first, which becomes our first application point, is to dutifully and diligently shepherd the flock by protecting ourselves (The Elders) and the flock (The rest of the church) from false teaching and false teachers. Paul makes it abundantly clear and with the luxury of hindsight we see the nauseating truth of it, that false teachers are everywhere. From without… and sadly… also from within. It is the assignment of every Elder – if they are to shepherd the flock of God well – to protect themselves and the flock of God from false teaching. Transition: But as I said, there are two particular flavors of this concept of diligently shepherding God's flock. Not only must the Elders protect themselves and the church from false teaching, they must also be providers. II.) An Elder's role is to dutifully and diligently shepherd the flock, so we must provide for ourselves and those who are weak. (32-35) a. 32 - And now I commend you to God and to the word of His grace, i. Paul now prepares them for the second aim of their assignment to shepherd the flock. ii. Again, he teaches them from two examples. The first is God Himself. iii. He begins by entrusting them or puts them into the care and protection of God. iv. God is ultimately going to keep His people safe. Paul knows this. This doesn't cancel his command to them to protect the flock. Instead, they should perceive God's sovereign hand using them to accomplish this purpose. v. What has God done to protect His people, including His undershepherds, from believing error? vi. He has given us The Word. And even though you do not see it, in my notes this is capitalized. vii. The word of God's grace is another way to say the gospel. But oftentimes New Testament writers when they say the gospel they mean far more than simply the fact that Christ was crucified for sinners. viii. In fact, all of Christ's words to us, all of the revelation of God through Christ to His people would constitute the good news. The Word of Grace. ix. The Word of God's grace is how God continues to give His riches to us because it is given through Christ's work both passively and actively. And Christ is The Word. x. Christ did not only come and die to purchase our pardon but also lived, obeyed God, and taught His disciples and His church. xi. The Word continues to be God's riches dispensed to His church via The Spirit inspired teachings of the apostles recorded in our New Testament. xii. God has given a marvelous gift to us in His Word in that we find all we need for life and godliness. We find all we need to be prepared to do everything that God has commanded us to do. xiii. Paul entrusts the futures of these Elders to God because he knows that God gives grace freely to His people when they need help, and He does this through His Word. xiv. Help to do what though? b. which is able to build you up and to give you the inheritance among all those who have been sanctified. i. We know that for those who have received Christ by true faith, we cannot lose our salvation. Therefore, we will not fail to endure. ii. But we are also told in the scriptures that it is only those who grow and endure in their faith who will inherit the kingdom of God. iii. How do we harmonize these thoughts? iv. Quite simply, those who have true faith will grow and endure. v. Those who have true faith will take the warnings about enduring faith seriously and pursue any means to mature and perfect their faith so it endures. vi. And Paul here says that The Word of God's grace is the means by which we are built up and given an inheritance among those who have been sanctified. vii. We are continually sustained by feasting on The Word of God's grace. To not read, study, mediated, memorize, learn, and live out the commands of Jesus Christ, is to starve yourself and risk proving that your faith… is actually dead faith. viii. Again, The Word of God's grace is a gift freely given. And God has given us this Word of His grace to help us grow and endure and assure us of a clear conscience before Him. ix. This is God's example. God freely gives to help those who are weak. Like us. x. Let's move on to Paul's example. c. 33 - I have coveted no one's silver or gold or clothes. 34 - You yourselves know that these hands ministered to my own needs and to those who were with me. i. Paul's example is also of one who is not greedy for gain but is instead a servant to all providing for himself and those who ministered with him. ii. Now this is not to say that pastors and missionaries should not accept support from other believers. We know that Paul himself did accept monetary support from the church in Philippi while he was in Thessalonica. He mentions this in the book of Philippians. iii. So, Paul isn't giving these Elders the absolute statement of never being supported by the church. iv. Instead, he is targeting one key area which often destroys leaders. v. Covetousness. Greed. And seeing the flock of God as servants to them. vi. Paul's example is that he did not see each church member as a bank account or a means to make him rich. vii. Instead, he worked with his own hands to support himself and his companions in their missionary endeavors. viii. He continues… d. 35 - In everything I showed you that by laboring in this manner you must help the weak i. He did this so that he could be an example to them of what it means to labor hard and long and help those who are weak. ii. Paul isn't saying they can never be supported by the church… but he is saying that if they are to shepherd well, they must not only provide for themselves but also for those who are unable to provide for themselves. iii. The poor and the weak and the destitute among them. iv. This ought to be the goal of Elders. To not only provide for themselves but to be in a position financially to provide for others. v. Why? e. and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that He Himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.'” i. Although we do not have this specific teaching of Jesus recorded for us in the scriptures, there is no doubt that Jesus said this at some point to Paul directly or to his disciples. ii. It is certainly something we can piece together from the rest of the teachings of Jesus. iii. It is certainly more blessed to give than to receive. iv. God should know – He is constantly depicted as a giver in the scriptures. v. In fact, the doctrine of God's independence or Aseity teaches us that God has no need of anything from His creation. There is nothing that we can give to Him that He needed. vi. Therefore, God is the ultimate giver because there is literally nothing we could ever do to “pay Him back” for all that He gives to us. vii. Paul should know that it is more blessed to give than to receive for he has given of himself for the sake of these Ephesians and did so for 3 years admonishing them night and day. He earned his own living and paid for his mission with very little help from others. He did not charge a fee to hear him but only took enough to provide for himself and to help those in need. viii. Paul's point is this. These Elders had freely received from him the gospel of God… so they must freely give of themselves and exercise servant leadership, providing even the financial needs of those who are desperate, and refuse the temptation to Lord over the congregation expecting to be served. f. Summary of the Point: Again, Paul's primary point is that the Assignment of an Elder is to dutifully and diligently shepherd the flock of God. The first aspect of shepherding well involves protecting the flock from false teaching. But because God has given all we have and we are simply blessed receivers of His grace, and because Paul's pattern was to provide for himself and those who were destitute, we conclude that another necessary component to shepherding the flock of God well is to be a giver and not a taker. Elders must diligently and dutifully provide for themselves and those who are destitute. In this sense they, who have richly received from God, must richly give to those who are weak. Elders must be servant leaders, positioning themselves in a way that they are neither needing financial aid, nor are they withholding help from those who are in need. Conclusion: So, what have we learned today CBC, and how then shall we live? Doctrinal Takeaway: As Paul addresses the Ephesian Elders, he has already shown them through his example the character qualities required to be an Elder. Today, he gives them their assignment as he goes off to Jerusalem never to see them again. Their assignment is to dutifully and diligently shepherd the flock of God. This command divides into two basic roles they must fill in order to shepherd well. The first arises from the impending threat of false teachers peddling other gospels which will shipwreck the faith of the flock and act like gangrene to the body of Christ. So, to shepherd dutifully and diligently means that we must protect ourselves and the flock from doctrinal error and those who teach them. The second role in shepherding well arises due to the threat of covetousness and greed which is so common among leaders. Failing such a role leads to the pervasive want of those who are destitute in the church. So, to shepherd dutifully and diligently means that we must provide for ourselves to the point that we have enough to give to those who are weak among us. But let us look deeply into these applications. There is quite a lot here and although the actions commanded are aimed at Elders, the key concepts necessitating those actions are profitable for all God's people to affirm. 1.) Mind Transformation: “What truth must we believe from this text?” or “What might we not naturally believe that we must believe because of what this text has said?” We must affirm that false teachers will continue to arise from without and within our church. a. Oh it could never happen here. We are just a small country church in a township without a major city in not quite the thumb area of a state that isn't even the most well-known peninsula in the USA. b. It could never happen to us. Right? Wrong. c. There are many churches in our area that get the gospel right. There are even a few who share our perspectives on the specifics of the gospel and several other secondary matters. d. But make no mistake, there are many churches in our area peddling a false gospel leading people to trust in themselves, their inherent goodness, and their own faith so that they can be healthy, wealthy, and earn their spot in heaven. e. Indeed, in our nation heresies abound. And not new heresies. There is nothing new under the sun. Arianism, Modalism, Partialism, Pelagianism, Sabellianism, Universalism, Gnosticism, Montanism, Marcionism, and many more all still exist in some form or another. f. And they don't just exist in the cultic offshoots of Christendom. My friends some of these heresies exist in churches that are minutes from us. They are preached from their pulpits. They are swooned over in small groups. g. And some teachings which have been part of the church orthodoxy for thousands of years are being chucked out the window by people who think they know the bible well enough to unceremoniously cancel what Theologians from hundreds of years ago bled and died to prove to be true. h. My friends, we must hold fast to the teachings which we have received from faithful witnesses which have been passed down through the ages for thousands of years. i. This is why it is absolutely imperative that we study the scriptures and have the scriptures be our final authority but that we also do not study the scriptures and have our interpretation of them be our only authority. j. The church is not comprised of several individuals! We are one body untied by one faith and one Lord in one baptism from the garden to now. Thus, the essential doctrines of our faith must be known by us and known well, including not only where we find it in the scriptures but also why the church arrived at these beliefs through the study of those scriptures. k. No one here is exempt. Everyone here is a theologian already. But no one is an island either. l. Once again, I advise that you read the books Know the Creeds and Councils and Know the Heretics. m. The ancient Creeds and Councils define for us what orthodox Christianity looks like and how the church has always interpreted key doctrines from the scriptures. Knowing the Heretics helps us to understand how the church engaged with those who did not agree on these ancient teachings of essential doctrines. n. Knowing both the creeds and councils and the heretics will provide for you some guardrails for what has always been taught in the church of Christ. And with these books and diligent study of the scriptures you will not fail to remain steadfast in the essential and ancient doctrines of the church. o. Incidentally I just ordered 10 more of each of these books and they should be here this week. I highly… HIGHLY recommend you read them – if you haven't already. And maybe read them again if its been a while. p. Why is this so important? Without drawing paranoia or undue suspicion on one another – we must keep in mind that the threat of false teachers is always present. Not just from without but also from within these very walls. q. The biggest antidote to this as a member of this congregation or even as an Elder is to remain humble and when you find yourself disagreeing with something, search the scriptures and assume you are the one out of bounds. And only when you cannot harmonize your view with what is being taught, should you approach the Elders and seek clarification or… even… correction. r. Unsurprisingly the greatest inoculation against false teaching is humility. 2.) Mind Transformation: “What truth must we believe from this text?” or “What might we not naturally believe that we must believe because of what this text has said?” We must affirm the church is valuable to God because He purchased it with the blood of Christ. a. You have often heard me teach against the self-esteem movement. b. You have often heard me criticize the modern overemphasis on the love of God to the point that some preachers make it seem that God would be really lucky to have us join Him. c. You have often heard me teach on the wretchedness and wickedness of natural man and how we are all enemies of God and hate His law and do not seek after Him naturally. d. All of this is true. All of this I will continue to preach until I die. e. But I want to make it very clear – dear children of God – that God has given every single one of us eternal and infinite value by redeeming us with the precious and priceless blood of His Son. f. For His bride Christ came and sought her. He found her prostituting herself to various gods and passions. She was a slave of Satan and her own lusts. g. But He found her and bought her with His death. He has granted her new life in His resurrection. He has made her new. h. The value God has given to His church is bound to His holy and eternal purpose for her. She will be glorified with the Son and she will reign with Him forevermore. i. My friends… God has lavished His love on us in that while we were yet sinners… Christ died for us. j. We are worth so much to God, because He gave us worth in His Son. We are no longer slaves… but sons and daughters. And if we are sons and daughters, we are heirs to the throne of God. We are a holy and royal priesthood. We are Princes and Princesses, unblemished Priests and Priestesses, and preaching Prophets and Prophetesses… why? Because we are His bride. k. He loves us so much. Not because we are loveable… but because He has poured into us His love. We love God because He loved us first. l. Oh the depth and the riches and the glory of the Love of God! His church is the apple of His eye… the reason He became a man, lived a sinless life, and suffered and died… we are His Holy Church. m. My friends, He is ours… but we are also His. We are His portion. We are His prize. We are His children. We are His bride. n. Oh the depth and the riches and the glory of the Love of God which He has lavished on His church! From heaven He sought us. Through death He bought us. Forever He loves us. o. Oh the depth and the riches and the glory of the Love of God which He has lavished on His church! 3.) Mind Transformation: “What truth must we believe from this text?” or “What might we not naturally believe that we must believe because of what this text has said?” We must affirm that the Word of God's Grace is able to grow our faith in maturity and endurance. a. God loves His church so much that He has supplied His Son not only to redeem us but to grow us and sustain us and to remake us into what He desires us to be. In this we walk worthy of the expensive name we have been given. b. The Word of His Grace continues to shape us, grow us, mold us, and strengthen us to endure to the end. c. The Word of God is powerful to destroy and rebuild to mold and purify. d. We are of great value to our King, which is exactly why He has not left us to fend for ourselves. He has given us the Word of His grace. e. Why oh why do you deprive yourself of the gift of God's Word? Do you enjoy starving yourself or feasting on that which will never satisfy? Do you enjoy feeding yourself at the pig trough when you could be dining on the fatted calf your heavenly Father has slain for you? f. Why do you like baby birds desire the prechewed and predigested food of books about the Word of God's grace when you could study the Word itself? g. My friends – it is time for you to take up the means that God has provided to grow you and make you strong and consume it daily! h. What have you to do with your time that is better than eating and drinking? Who among us today can go a week without water? How many among us have gone a week without food? i. Why then do you consume spiritual food only on Sunday, and only food that has been prepared for you. Food that is so large a meal that your stomach, being accustomed to short 2 minute devotions, cannot seem to linger over for more than 10 minutes before you have eaten your fill and thus drifted off to sleep. j. Do you not know the price God paid to give you the Word of His grace? k. Elders and church members alike… feast often and feast long on the meals arranged for you in the Word of God's grace. See how big and strong your faith becomes. See how humility becomes your default setting when day after day the Word strikes you down to the nothing that you are only to pick you up in the potential of His Spirit's plan for your life. 4.) Exhortation: “What actions should we take?” or “What is this passage specifically commanding us to do that we don't naturally do or aren't currently doing?” Elders must dutifully and diligently shepherd the flock of God by protecting ourselves and the assembly from doctrinal error. a. Elders we must lead the way in this. b. All that I have said so far is for everyone here… but we must lead the way. c. We cannot be prone to hobby horse doctrines, theological musings, endless discussions over genealogies and mythologies, or answering the questions of how many angels can dance on the head of a pin. d. My friends, we must devote ourselves to the rigorous study of the Word of God and the Creeds, confessions, and historical dogmas of the church to ensure that we do not stray to the left or the right. e. Why? f. Because where we go others are sure to follow. g. We must hold one another accountable. We must stay on guard for all teachings which could lead others astray from the truth and even for teachers rising up… even from among us… who must be corrected and if they will not be corrected, they must be silenced. h. We have been given the duty to shepherd this flock. To do so well, we must protect them from ravenous wolves. And some of them we may even know personally. i. We must be courageous and bold in this. 5.) Mind Transformation: “What truth must we believe from this text?” or “What might we not naturally believe that we must believe because of what this text has said?” We must affirm that God freely gives to His children all we need to be godly. a. God is the greatest example of a giver. b. God has given freely, without cost, without need of repayment, all we as His children need to be godly. c. God owns all of us, everything we have, everything we are… all of creation is His… yet He gives us life, hope, peace, repentance, godliness, faith, grace, and mercy. d. He gives out of His abundance. e. No one can outgive God. f. He has lavished His love on us, His people. g. Indeed, God even gives glory to us through Christ. h. Although the scriptures say that God will share His glory with no one… the scriptures also teach that God will glorify us in Christ. i. In fact, God is glorified by glorifying us in Christ. How? j. Because for all eternity we will live to declare the matchlessness of His grace to us in that He has lavished upon us all His riches at Christ's expense. k. God is the greatest example of a giver that there ever could be. 6.) Refutation: “What lies must we cast down” or “What do we naturally believe, or have been taught to believe, that this passage shows is false?” Elders must deny that the church exists to serve us. a. As no surprise then, men, if we are the undershepherds of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ… then we must be givers too. b. From heaven… He sought His church and bought them with His own blood. c. How could we EVER conclude that the church exists to serve us? d. They are not here for us… we are here for them. They are His precious bride, His children, His heirs. e. And so are we. f. Those who wish to be first, must be last. g. As Elders, we have desired this noble office… we have desired to be first among these people… h. But that means we must be last. i. We must be servants of all these dear ones whom Christ has purchased with His blood. j. Like God… like Paul… we must give of ourselves to them… until we are empty and extinguished. 7.) Mind Transformation: “What truth must we believe from this text?” or “What might we not naturally believe that we must believe because of what this text has said?” We must affirm that it is more blessed to give than to receive. a. But not just the Elders need to understand this principle. b. All of us must heed the words of our Lord. It is more blessed to give than to receive. c. Giving of our time, talents, abilities, strength, financial resources – is the heartbeat of the Triune God as He gave freely to save His church. d. We are blessed when we are holy as our heavenly Father is holy. e. When we are stingy, self-focused – we are only cursing ourselves. f. Our culture says take care of #1. And many today are keyboard activists standing up for the rights of those who are oppressed or hurting… but when it comes to actually DOING something to help… they have only excuses for not doing so. g. Let that not be said of us. Let us be generous first to the household of faith. Let us be generous to all whom the Lord purchased with His blood. Let us not allow even one among us who are truly His child to be poor and destitute. h. Let us intervene and meet the needs of those who cannot meet their own needs. And let us encourage and train them to go from needing help, to helping others. Why? i. Because it is more blessed to give than to receive. j. It is not God's will for you to remain a taker… because it is more blessed to give than to receive. If you must receive, do so without shame. But see to it that you seek to become a giver as soon as you are able. 8.) Exhortation: “What actions should we take?” or “What is this passage specifically commanding us to do that we don't naturally do or aren't currently doing?” Elders must dutifully and diligently shepherd the flock of God, by providing for ourselves and the destitute in the assembly. a. Men this leads once again to us leading by example. b. We must labor hard and not be lazy. c. We must devote ourselves to providing for all our own needs so that we may take our excess and give out of our abundance, like our heavenly Father does to us. d. It is very uncomfortable for me to say this you all as the vocational Elder here. I have to just voice that. I labor each week to bring the text of scripture to bear upon all of us – myself included. For this the church graciously supplies my needs, giving my family enough to be generous to others as well. e. But for you all my brothers, you earn your living via another job and then give of yourselves here by pure sacrifice. f. Nevertheless, the scriptures must be presented as they are. All of us must be providers to those who are destitute in our fellowship. g. As it stands at this moment, the Elders are not aware of any that are… but it is our job to ensure it stays that way men. Let me close with a prayer by the Puritan John Flavel Lord, cleanse our churches, and repair their walls, so they may become gardens of delight for Christ to walk in and take pleasure in. May her ministers be faithful and wise: faithful so they do not deceive others; wise so they do not deceive themselves. May their wisdom prevent deceivers imposing on them, and their faithfulness prevent them imposing on others. May their wisdom enable them to discern wholesome food for the flock and their faithfulness oblige them to distribute it. May our leaders be pure with spiritual aims and intentions; serving not their own honour and interest, but yours. May our leaders show sincerity, not appearing outwardly spiritual while being inwardly carnal. May our leaders be diligent, like men in harvest, like women in labour, like soldiers in battle, watching while others sleep. May our leaders lack favouritism, as those who will appear before an impartial God. May they take the same care, manifest the same love, show the same diligence to the poorest and weakest souls in their care as they do the rich, the great and the honourable. For all souls are rated the same in your book of life, and our Redeemer paid as much for one as the other. May their faithfulness fix their eyes on the right end, and may their wisdom direct them to the best means of attaining it. May they lay a good foundation of knowledge in our souls, choosing subjects that will meet our needs, shaping the language in which they address us, using their own affections to move us, being careful of their behaviour. Send them often to their knees to seek your blessing upon their labours, knowing that all their success entirely depends upon you. It is in Jesus' name we pray this… Amen. Benediction: May our God who called Abraham when he was but one, And blessed him and made him many, Show you the incomparable riches of his grace, That you might know you are His workmanship, To do good works, which God has prepared in advance for us to do. Until we meet again, go in peace.

DISCLAIMER: (also view notes below the disclaimer)- THIS EPISODE IS PART 1 AND IS RECORDED PRIOR TO RESEARCHING DETAILED DATES, PLEASE STUDY DATES FOR YOURSELF TO CROSS REFERENCE. THE DATES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE ABOUT THE BOOK OF MARK AND TIMELINES OF THE COUNCIL OF NICEA ARE NOT HISTORICALLY ACCURATE. THESE ARE FROM POOR MEMORY WITH SOME ADDED QUESTIONS ANS SPECULATION. SEE PART 2 FOR DETAILED DATES OF THE NEW TESTAMENT, AND DETAILED DATES OF THE FIRST 7 ECUMENICAL COUNCILS. Christianity before the Bible, and the New Testament Bible (POD RECORDED BEFORE STUDYING DETAILS). STUDY- thoughts on the Christian's before there was New Testament scripture. Council at Nicea. (Henry Abramson: history of Judaism). Christianity was originally Judaism with an added sect info. (Rabbi Tovia Singer: different teachers influencing New Testament) Council at Nicea near 300AD/CE (introduced trinity). Some names mentioned by Rabbi Tovia Singer: Bishop of Alexandria Teachings of Athenacious Christianity before Rome was a Jewish sect vs during Gentile involvement when Roman rule adopted and changed the faith it 1- Chronological order YEARS of NT Bible text (Mark- divinity and virgin birth, Joseph, angels coming). 2- NT books written compared to council at Nicea, Messiah, virgin birth, trinity Mark was the first gospel written (near 60-70 AD), the first NT book written was Galatians. All the books were written approximately 49 AD (Galatians) and latest 95 AD (3 John) https://www.havefunwithhistory.com/new-testament-chronological-order/. Disciples between ages of about 13-30 likely since they were likely younger than Jesus but old enough to follow a rabbi by age 13 https://www.gotquestions.org/how-old-were-Jesus-disciples.html. …………………….PART 2 NOTES……… There were at first 7 ecumenical councils https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/First_seven_ecumenical_councils. FIRST Council of Nicea dates approximately May 20- June 19 of 325 AD (some sources say May to July, some say May to August). Considered “Arian” discussions about the divisive issues of the divinity of Jesus https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/First_Council_of_Nicaea#:~:text=The%20First%20Council%20of%20Nicaea,the%20end%20of%20July%20325.” - [ ] Arianism, the nature of Christ, celebration of Passover (Easter), ordination of eunuchs, prohibition of kneeling on Sundays and from Easter to Pentecost, validity of baptism by heretics, lapsed Christians, sundry other matters First Council of Constantinople 381 AD https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/First_Council_of_Constantinople. - [ ] Arianism, Apollinarism, Sabellianism, Holy Spirit, successor to Meletius. Arianism- heretical belief attributed to “Arius” that Jesus Christ is the Son of God,[5][a][6][b] who was begotten by God the Father[3] with the difference that the Son of God did not always exist but was begotten/made[c] before time by God the Father;[d] therefore, Jesus was not coeternal with God the Father,[3] but nonetheless Jesus began to exist outside time as time applies only to the creations of God. Apollinarism- argues that Jesus had a human body and sensitive human soul, but a divine mind and not a human rational mind, the Divine Logos taking the place of the latter.[1] It was deemed heretical in 381 and virtually died out within the following decades. Sanellianism- belief that there is only one Person ('hypostasis' in the Greek language of the fourth century Arian Controversy) in the Godhead. Holy Spirit- In Nicene Christianity, the Holy Spirit is the third person of the Trinity.

The doctrine of the Trinity is widely accepted as what the Bible teaches about God. There is a competing view, however, called Oneness. This session explores the origins of the Trinity and Oneness, what they teach, and why the issue is important.  Oneness is also called Sabellianism, Modalism, or Oneness Pentecostalism. Oneness teaches that God is one person, not three, and God appeared in three modes or manifestations.  By contrast, the Trinity teaches God is three persons that are the one God. Which is correct?  What does the Bible teach? Support the show

Wednesday Worship is back in 2022- In this year's series which we have titled Summer of Heresy, we will embark on survey of some of history's most famous heresies, . We will discover what they teach, how they appear in today's world, and how the truth of Scripture refutes them. Today's topic is Sabellianism -often considered interchangeable with Modalism-, a trinitarian heresy that denies the distinct and co-eternal personhood of each member of the Godhead -Father, Son and Holy Spirit-.--Come visit us on our various social platforms---Facebook- https---www.facebook.com-pbc.nyc-----Instagram- https---www.instagram.com-pbc.nyc-----Youtube- https---www.youtube.com-pbcnyc---

Wednesday Worship is back in 2022- In this year's series which we have titled Summer of Heresy, we will embark on survey of some of history's most famous heresies, . We will discover what they teach, how they appear in today's world, and how the truth of Scripture refutes them. Today's topic is Sabellianism -often considered interchangeable with Modalism-, a trinitarian heresy that denies the distinct and co-eternal personhood of each member of the Godhead -Father, Son and Holy Spirit-.--Come visit us on our various social platforms---Facebook- https---www.facebook.com-pbc.nyc-----Instagram- https---www.instagram.com-pbc.nyc-----Youtube- https---www.youtube.com-pbcnyc---

A new MP3 sermon from Providence Baptist Church NYC is now available on SermonAudio with the following details: Title: Summer of Heresy: Sabellianism Subtitle: Summer Of Heresy Speaker: Andy Woodard Broadcaster: Providence Baptist Church NYC Event: Midweek Service Date: 6/22/2022 Length: 74 min.

This episode highlights the false doctrines of Arianism, Doceticism, Sabellianism and Montanism.  Perseus unpacks the danger of each view and how to respond to it from a Biblical and philosophical perspective.

Caleb and Andrew wrap up chapter 10 of The Wonderful Works of God talking about the Trinity. What is double procession and what is the history of that debate in the church? What are the heresies of Arianism and Sabellianism? What terminology helps us to get the doctrine of the Trinity right?

Caleb and Andrew wrap up chapter 10 of The Wonderful Works of God talking about the Trinity. What is double procession and what is the history of that debate in the church? What are the heresies of Arianism and Sabellianism? What terminology helps us to get the doctrine of the Trinity right?Support the show (https://www.paypal.me/bavcast)

Caleb and Andrew wrap up chapter 10 of The Wonderful Works of God talking about the Trinity. What is double procession and what is the history of that debate in the church? What are the heresies of Arianism and Sabellianism? What terminology helps us to get the doctrine of the Trinity right? Support the show […] The post Ep. 67: WWG: The Divine Trinity, Part 3 appeared first on Bavcast.

Andrew, Dr. Dalcour and I will be discussing oneness theology proper and theological implications of this doctrine as a whole. Get your Bible's ready because we are diving into the Scriptures to exegete passages oneness theologians use to support their claims as well as think through the logical and systematic outworking of oneness doctrine! We will also be looking back in time in Church history to see the origins of where this theology stems from as well as taking YOUR QUESTIONS about oneness theology in general! So join Andrew, Dr. Dalcour and me as we dive into this movement to see what exactly "Oneness" or "Jesus Only" theology has to bring to the table! This is part 2 of this episode so make sure to check out part 1 first over at completesinners.com!!! Find more Dr. Edward Dalcour & get his book here: https://christiandefense.org/ Find more Andrew Elliott on TikTok here: @andrewdoesapologetics

Andrew, Dr. Dalcour and I will be discussing oneness theology proper and theological implications of this doctrine as a whole. Get your Bible's ready because we are diving into the Scriptures to exegete passages oneness theologians use to support their claims as well as think through the logical and systematic outworking of oneness doctrine! We will also be looking back in time in Church history to see the origins of where this theology stems from as well as taking YOUR QUESTIONS about oneness theology in general! So join Andrew, Dr. Dalcour and me as we dive into this movement to see what exactly "Oneness" or "Jesus Only" theology has to bring to the table! This is part 1 of a 2 part episode so make sure to check out part 2 over at completesinners.com!!! Find more Dr. Edward Dalcour & get his book here: https://christiandefense.org/ Find more Andrew Elliott on TikTok here: @andrewdoesapologetics

The Gospel of John 2021 Part One: The Glory of the Son By Louie Marsh, 4-18-2021   Intro – 4 cartoons – last one robbed left with bad sheet.   The Glory of Jesus:   1) Jesus is eternally GOD.   “1In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2He was in the beginning with God. 3All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made.” (John 1:1–3, ESV)   In the beginning (ἐν ἀρχῃ [en archēi]). Ἀρχη [Archē] is definite, though anarthrous like our at home, in town, and the similar Hebrew be reshith [bərēʾšîṯ; בְּרֵאשִׁית] in Gen. 1:1. There is no argument here to prove the existence of God any more than in Genesis. Three times in this sentence John uses this imperfect of εἰμι [eimi] to be which conveys no idea of origin for God or for the Logos, simply continuous existence.   The Word (ὁ λογος [ho logos]). old word in Homer to lay by, to collect, to put words side by side, to speak, to express an opinion. Λογος [Logos] is common for reason as well as speech. Heraclitus used it for the principle which controls the universe. The Stoics employed it for the soul of the world (ἀνιμα μυνδι [anima mundi]) Marcus Aurelius used σπερματικος λογος [spermatikos logos] for the generative principle in nature.   At any rate John’s standpoint is that of the Old Testament and not that of the Stoics nor even of Philo who uses the term Λογος [Logos]   It therefore signifies both the outward form by which the inward thought is expressed, and the inward thought itself, the Latin oratio and ratio: compare the Italian ragionare, “to think” and “to speak.” As signifying the outward form it is never used in the merely grammatical sense, as simply the name of a thing or act (ἔπος, ὄνομα, ῥῆμα), but means a word as the thing referred to: the material, not the formal part: a word as embodying a conception or idea   As signifying the inward thought, it denotes the faculty of thinking and reasoning (Heb. 4:12); regard or consideration (Acts 20:24); reckoning, account (Philip. 4:15, 17; Heb. 4:13); cause or reason (Acts 10:29).   Vincent (1887) sums this up nicely for us:   As Logos has the double meaning of thought and speech, so Christ is related to God as the word to the idea, the word being not merely a name for the idea, but the idea itself expressed. The thought is the inward word...   The Logos of John is the real, personal God (1:1), the Word, who was originally before the creation with God, and was God, one in essence and nature, yet personally distinct (1:1, 18); the revealer and interpreter of the hidden being of God; the reflection and visible image of God, and the organ of all His manifestations to the world...   He made all things, proceeding personally from God for the accomplishment of the act of creation (1:3), and became man in the person of Jesus Christ, accomplishing the redemption of the world. -   With God (προς τον θεον [pros ton theon]). Though existing eternally with God the Logos was in perfect fellowship with God. Προς [Pros] with the accusative presents a plane of equality and intimacy, face to face with each other.   And the Word was God (και θεος ἠν ὁ λογος [kai theos ēn ho logos]). By exact and careful language John denied Sabellianism by not saying ὁ θεος ἠν ὁ λογος [ho theos ēn ho logos]. The subject is made plain by the article (ὁ λογος [ho logos]) and the predicate without it (θεος [theos]) just as in John 4:24 πνευμα ὁ θεος [pneuma ho theos] can only mean “God is spirit,” not “spirit is God.” So in 1 John 4:16 ὁ θεος ἀγαπη ἐστιν [ho theos agapē estin] can only mean “God is love,” not “love is God” as a so-called Christian scientist would confusedly say. For the article with the predicate see Robertson, Grammar, pp. 767f. So in John 1:14 ὁ Λογος σαρξ ἐγενετο [ho Logos sarx egeneto], “the Word became flesh,” not “the flesh became Word.”   2) Jesus is the CREATOR of the universe.   3All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made.” (John 1:3, ESV)   3) Jesus is the LIFE & LIGHT of all people.   “4In him was life, and the life was the light of men. 5The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. 6There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. 7He came as a witness, to bear witness about the light, that all might believe through him. 8He was not the light, but came to bear witness about the light. 9The true light, which gives light to everyone, was coming into the world.” (John 1:4–9, ESV)   Jesus is our   “10He was in the world, and the world was made through him, yet the world did not know him. 11He came to his own, and his own people did not receive him. 12But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, 13who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God.” (John 1:10–13, ESV)   Jesus alone reveals who & what GOD   “14And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth. 15(John bore witness about him, and cried out, “This was he of whom I said, ‘He who comes after me ranks before me, because he was before me.’ ”) 16For from his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace. 17For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. 18No one has ever seen God; the only God, who is at the Father’s side, he has made him known.” (John 1:14–18, ESV)   4) Jesus is the core all true Christian TESTIMONY.   “29The next day he saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, “Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world! 30This is he of whom I said, ‘After me comes a man who ranks before me, because he was before me.’ 31I myself did not know him, but for this purpose I came baptizing with water, that he might be revealed to Israel.”” (John 1:29–31, ESV)        

Modalism, also called Sabellianism, is the unorthodox belief that God is one person who has revealed himself in three forms or modes in contrast to the Trinitarian doctrine where God is one being eternally existing in three persons. According to Modalism, during the incarnation, Jesus was simply God acting in one mode or role, and the Holy Spirit at Pentecost was God acting in a different mode. Thus, God does not exist as the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit at the same time. Rather, He is one person and has merely manifested himself in these three modes at various times. Modalism thus denies the basic distinctiveness and coexistence of the three persons of the Trinity. Modalism was condemned by Tertullian (c. 213, Tertullian Against Praxeas 1, in Ante Nicene Fathers, vol. 3). Also known as Sabellianism, it was condemned as heresy by Dionysius, bishop of Rome (c. 262).

Modalism, also called Sabellianism, is the unorthodox belief that God is one person who has revealed himself in three forms or modes in contrast to the Trinitarian doctrine where God is one being eternally existing in three persons. According to Modalism, during the incarnation, Jesus was simply God acting in one mode or role, and the Holy Spirit at Pentecost was God acting in a different mode. Thus, God does not exist as the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit at the same time. Rather, He is one person and has merely manifested himself in these three modes at various times. Modalism thus denies the basic distinctiveness and coexistence of the three persons of the Trinity. Modalism was condemned by Tertullian (c. 213, Tertullian Against Praxeas 1, in Ante Nicene Fathers, vol. 3). Also known as Sabellianism, it was condemned as heresy by Dionysius, bishop of Rome (c. 262).

Today there’s a group of churches that twists and changes what the Bible says about the “oneness” of God. Even though they call themselves Pentecostals, “Oneness” or “Jesus only” Pentecostals are dangerously different in what they teach. Rodgers Atwebembeire explains—and answers from Scripture.Learn more athttps://acfar.org/warning-oneness-pentecostalism.aspx

Welcome to the But What Does The Bible Say Podcast.  in today's episode, we'll discuss Modalism, how it's defined, the history, Biblical relevance, and if it still exist in the modern Church.  And, always remember, "A simple layman armed with Scripture is greater than the mightiest pope without it." - Martin Luther.References:The Holy Bible (ESV)Does the One God Have Three Different Modes? (Modalism, Sabellianism), Article By: Don Stewart, www.blueletterbible.orgTheopedia.comMerriam Webster DictionaryWikipedia

In today's episode we have an interview with Ross Twele. Ross is a Ph.D. student who specializes in the great fourth century theological controversy known as the "Arian Controversy." The Arian Controversy centered around the relationship between the Father and the Son and will dominate much of our narrative for the rest of the century. This episode will serve as our introduction to this complex and multifaceted period. You can find Ross's blog here: TheUnsolvedPuzzle.wordpress.com HistoryoftheEarlyChurch.wordpress.com HistoryoftheEarlyChurch@gmail.com Facebook.com/EarlyChurchPodcast

Two distinct heresies have been floating around for centuries, namely Sabellianism and a works based salvation. A groups teaching of Jesus normally effects their presentation of the Gospel. In other words wrong Jesus means wrong Gospel. In this episode Kennadi Nicole is back to further our discussion on the Oneness Apostolic Tradition, namely UPCI and and the writings of Dr. David K. Bernard and the similarities between this and Sabellianism as well as their doctrine of a works based salvation. History is important and those who fail to look at history are damned to make the same mistakes. Special Guest: Kennadi Nicole.

Speaker or Performer: Caleb Petersen Date of Delivery: October 21, 2018 Points of Reform for the Modern ChurchFrom Denominationalism back to the 5-Fold ModelAn Ever-Increasing Revelation of Jesus The New CovenantDeeper Understanding of the Bible its Application TodayHopeful Victorious EschatologyEffective Strategies to Accomplish the Great CommissionWomen in Ministry Women in GeneralTrue Unity Between ChristiansLove Affection Between ChristiansWhat Loving the World Actually Looks LikeWholeness Selfcare*new 95 theses*DenominationalismWe vered from the original model. Why?After apostles died, Platonian (Greek) philosophy took over:Marcionism: the God of Jesus was a different God from the God of the Old Testament.Montanism: relied on prophetic revelations from the Holy Spirit.Adoptionism: Jesus was not born the Son of God, but was adopted at his baptism, resurrection or ascension.Docetism: Jesus was pure spirit and his physical form an illusion.Sabellianism: the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are three modes of the one God and not the three separate persons of the Trinity.Arianism: Jesus, as the Son, was subordinate to God the Father.Gnosticism: “having knowledge”Derived from interpreting the Biblical text through Platonian (Greek) philosophy.Dualism: All matter is evil, and the non-material, spirit-realm is good.Asceticism: Severe self-discipline and avoidance of all forms of indulgence.Anit-Cosmism: There is an unknowable God, who gave rise to many lesser spirit beings called Aeons. One evil, lower spirit being is the creator who made the universe.High Christology: Jesus’ divinity is real, but a divine being would never subject Himself to a material existence, so Jesus’ humanity isn’t real.No human Jesus, no blood. No blood, no atonement for sin.To achieve salvation, one needs to get in touch with secret knowledge called gnosis.Inverse Exegesis: In biblical exegesis, the opposite of exegesis (to draw out) is eisegesis (to draw in), in the sense of an eisegetic commentator importing or drawing in his or her own purely subjective interpretations into the text, unsupported by the text itself.Wiki: “After the second century, a decline set in, but Gnosticism persisted throughout the centuries as an undercurrent of western culture, re-manifesting with the Renaissance as Western esotericism (mysticism), taking prominence with modern spirituality.”Kris Vallotton on Denominationalism“In my encounter, the Lord said He is going to pour out revelation on this generation that has been held in the vault of heaven for eons of ages. However, if He pours it out on denominationalism then it would rip the wine skin.Why? The nature of revelation is that you have a new idea, and new ideas are not welcome in a wineskin where you have to agree (denominationalism).I’m not talking about denominations; I’m talking about denominationalism. It doesn’t matter what it says over the door of your church, it just matters what you say over the door of your heart.The denominational spirit is just as alive in some apostolic networks as it is in many churches with a denomination.In denominationalism, church leaders preach don’t preach to inspire, they preach to convince. Why? Because when you inspire people, you’re causing them to think, which causes them to have an idea and therefore causes them to have an opinion.Denominationalism doesn’t like opinions because they could lead to disagreements, and under this spirit, disagreement causes splits and division!In denominationalism disagreement is seen as disloyalty. Therefore, there is no freedom for disagreement. Beyond that, how much you value someone is seen by how much you agree with them! What a controlling mess!I’d love to suggest that you have permission to love anyone, whether they agree with you or not. This will keep you out of manipulating people into agreeing with you.What’s the overall point? We need a new wineskin!https://krisvallotton.com/gods-answer-church-splits/Go to seminary - got a degree - now i’m a pastorGift-based authorityThe best performer is the leaderWhat happens when someone out-performs me?I have to sabotage their growthThis creates a culture of fear, jealousy, competitionIn Apostleships, greatness is celebrated because there is no fear of losing my place, there’s no jealousy that someone else got more recognition than me, and there’s no competing for a titleWhy?Apostleships look like familyIn a healthy family, acceptance is guaranteed, and titles don’t mean anythingGod sent me to this family, only God can remove meWhat if something goes wrong?are there bad families?Does that mean the family structure is wrong?You have many teachers, but you don’t have many fathersWe see each other no longer after the fleshIf you receive a prophet in the name of a prophet, you receive a prophets reward5-Fold ModelEphesians 4:11-16 AMP 11 And [His gifts to the church were varied and] He Himself appointed some as apostles [special messengers, representatives], some as prophets [who speak a new message from God to the people], some as evangelists [who spread the good news of salvation], and some as pastors and teachers [to shepherd and guide and instruct], 12 [and He did this] to fully equip and perfect the saints (God’s people) for works of service, to build up the body of Christ [the church]; 13 until we all reach oneness in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God, [growing spiritually] to become a mature believer, reaching to the measure of the fullness of Christ [manifesting His spiritual completeness and exercising our spiritual gifts in unity]. 14 So that we are no longer children [spiritually immature], tossed back and forth [like ships on a stormy sea] and carried about by every wind of [shifting] doctrine, by the cunning and trickery of [unscrupulous] men, by the deceitful scheming of people ready to do anything [for personal profit]. 15 But speaking the truth in love [in all things—both our speech and our lives expressing His truth], let us grow up in all things into Him [following His example] who is the Head—Christ. 16 From Him the whole body [the church, in all its various parts], joined and knitted firmly together by what every joint supplies, when each part is working properly, causes the body to grow and mature, building itself up in [unselfish] love.“His gifts to the church”What were the gifts that were given?Look back to verse 77 Yet grace [God’s undeserved favor] was given to each one of us [not indiscriminately, but in different ways] in proportion to the measure of Christ’s [rich and abundant] gift.What are these gifts designed to do?12 [and He did this] to fully equip and perfect the saints (God’s people) for works of service, to build up the body of Christ [the church]“Equip perfect for the works of service” → strategy technique“Build up the body” → strength stamina13 until we all reach oneness in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God, [growing spiritually] to become a mature believer, reaching to the measure of the fullness of Christ [manifesting His spiritual completeness and exercising our spiritual gifts in unity].“Reach oneness in the faith knowledge of Jesus” → unity around faith in Jesus what He’s done for us (not doctrine)“To become a mature believer, reaching the measure of the fullness of Christ” → personal growth wholeness14 So that we are no longer children [spiritually immature], tossed back and forth [like ships on a stormy sea] and carried about by every wind of [shifting] doctrine, by the cunning and trickery of [unscrupulous] men, by the deceitful scheming of people ready to do anything [for personal profit].“No longer children.. carried about by every wind of doctrine” → self-control (clear confident boundaries), wisdom (healthy discernment), responsibility (owning your “I _______”)What will be the effect of these 5 things?16 From Him the whole body [the church, in all its various parts], joined and knitted firmly together by what every joint supplies, when each part is working properly, causes the body to grow and mature, building itself up in [unselfish] love.“By what every joint supplies” → we each will have our own supply to offer to the rest of the body“When each part is working properly, it causes the body to grow and mature, building itself up in love” → a healthy body means a healthy growth system, immune system, reproductive system“This love (Greek: agape) is not so much a matter of emotion as it is of doing things for the benefit of another person, that is, having an unselfish concern for another and a willingness to seek the best for another.”THIS IS FAMILYAlignment UnityRomans 12:4-6 MSG In this way we are like the various parts of a human body. Each part gets its meaning from the body as a whole, not the other way around. The body we’re talking about is Christ’s body of chosen people. Each of us finds our meaning and function as a part of his body. But as a chopped-off finger or cut-off toe we wouldn’t amount to much, would we? So since we find ourselves fashioned into all these excellently formed and marvelously functioning parts in Christ’s body, let’s just go ahead and be what we were made to be, without enviously or pridefully comparing ourselves with each other, or trying to be something we aren’t.So what are these gifts what should I receive from them?11 And [His gifts to the church were varied and] He Himself appointed some as apostles [special messengers, representatives], some as prophets [who speak a new message from God to the people], some as evangelists [who spread the good news of salvation], and some as pastors and teachers [to shepherd and guide and instruct]Apostles, Prophets, Evangelists, Pastors, Teachers5 natural senses → 5 spiritual senses“Just as you use your natural senses to be consciously aware of this earthly existence, each of these gifts equip your spiritual senses to be consciously aware of your spiritual existence, in order that you would come back into wholeness, grow into maturity, effectively carry out the mission of bringing heaven to earth.”ApostleWhat is?Wiki: An apostle, in its most literal sense, is an emissary, from Greek apóstolos, literally one who is sent off, from the verb apostéllein, to send off. The purpose of such sending off is usually to convey a message, and thus messenger is a common alternative translation; other common translations include ambassador and envoy.“Apostles are sent from one place to another place in order to make the place where they were sent look like the place they came from.” - Kris Vallotton“When in Rome, you do as the Romans do.”Apostles are concerned with transformation of culture locally with the whole world into the culture of heaven.Apostles are ambassadors that bring an envoy of heaven everywhere they go. This envoy is there to spiritually transition that region into the kingdom of heaven.They do this by conquering culturizing. If a kingdom has already been set up that doesn’t look like heaven, they conquer it by enforcing their jurisdiction over principalities, and then implement a cultural transformation so that “When in the Kingdom, you do as the King does.”Fear: authority = controlTruth: authority = responsibility to serve empowering self-controlBut how will we get stuff done if no one is in control?Leadership is still not controlling a person, it’s leading them. If they don’t want to follow, they don’t have to.But that much freedom is kind of scary because we can’t predict it! Someone could just leave at any moment! That makes us feel vulnerable and uncomfortable!Well, God is into the love business. And love means empowering free choice.Where is your trust? In God or a person?Do you fully trust Jesus is the healer of the brokenhearted? (Luke 4:18)In 1 Corinthians 12:28, it says “He appointed: first apostles.” They are the first, which means they are the bottom.Luke 22:24-27 AMP 24 Now a dispute also arose among them as to which of them was regarded to be the greatest. 25 Jesus said to them, “The kings of the Gentiles have absolute power and lord it over them; and those in authority over them are called ‘Benefactors.’ 26 But it is not to be this way with you; on the contrary, the one who is the greatest among you must become like the youngest [and least privileged], and the [one who is the] leader, like the servant. 27 For who is the greater, the one who reclines at the table or the one who serves? Is it not the one who reclines at the table? But I am among you as the one who serves.They are the soil from which we all grow.They often get stepped on overlooked.1 Corinthians 12:23 and as for those parts of the body which we consider less honorable, these we treat with greater honorThe less honorable, the more we honor.Apostles train us how to send and be sent in order to affect the culture around us.Expect to be equipped by this office with:A view of the “blueprints” for bringing heaven to earth transforming cultureA connectedness with the local body of Christ to the body as a wholeAn empowerment to reign in life like Jesus didLeadership skillsHow to maintain a personal corporate visionHow to win: steadfastness persistenceUnrelenting drive to see the kingdom of God manifest on the earth← HONOR THE GIFT → ProphetWhat is?The role of a prophet under the Old Covenant was to keep the nation of Israel accountable to keep their covenant faithfulness to God. They were the intermediaries between God and the people. → they’re between us GodIn the New Covenant, the role of the prophet has changed. We no longer need a middle man between us and God. This is what is meant in Matthew 5:17 when Jesus said He came to fulfill the Law the Prophets. Through Jesus we all have direct access to God.So what is the prophet’s role now?Prophets, now, show us how to communicate with God for ourselves the people around us. → they’re behind usProphets train us how to prophesy how to receive prophecy.Expect to be equipped by this office with:A deep sense of connectedness to GodA heightened awareness of the spiritualInsight foresightA desire for the mysteries of GodExpanding of the imaginative, pictorial, metaphoric parts of your mindHow to prophesy in a way that brings edification, encouragement, comfortHow to operate in your spiritual gifts: Word of Wisdom, Word of Knowledge, Gift of Faith, Gift of Healing, Gift of Miracles, Gift of Prophecy, Distinguishing of Spirits, Gift of Tongues, Gift of Interpretation← HONOR THE GIFT → EvangelistWhat is?Evangelists are the zealous advocates of the Great Commission in Matthew 28:18-20 “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you”Evangelists remind us of the “Go” in Gospel.They keep us from making Christianity “an exclusive club with a strict membership acceptance”They are the arms, hands, legs, feet, continually showing us how to reach out further than is comfortable to boldly go where no one has gone before. *Star Trek music starts playing here*Evangelists train us with effective strategies to reach the world around us.Expect to be equipped by this office with:Radical love for JesusRadical love for peopleHope for the prodigals to come homeBoldnessPassionCompassionFervorFaith-full-nessUnderstanding of the authority given to us through JesusConnecting new Christians to the rest of the body← HONOR THE GIFT → PastorWhat is?Wiki: “The word ‘pastor’ derives from the Latin noun pastor which means ‘shepherd’ and is derived from the verb pascere – ‘to lead to pasture, set to grazing, cause to eat’.”Pastors keep us connected to the heart of God.Pastors impart the heart of the shepherd that left the 99 to care for the 1.They show us how to be both sheep shepherd by connecting us to the Great Shepherd.They are focussed on keeping the body healthy strong; functioning as intended.Pastors are also the co-advocates for the Great Commission Matthew 28:19-20 Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”Pastors train us how to pastor how to be pastored.Expect to be equipped by this office with:A deep and intimate personal connection with the aspects of GodA tender, compassionate, affectionate love for peopleMarital family relationship healthHealthy interpersonal relationshipsPersonal wholeness skillsGeneral life skillsHow to be a discipleHow to discipleCelebration of symbolic acts (baptism, communion, etc.)← HONOR THE GIFT → TeacherWhat is?Teachers keep us connected to the mind of God.They remind us of His ultimate brilliance wisdom, and that He has shared His mind with us.1 Corinthians 2:9-12, 16 9 but just as it is written, “Things which eye has not seen and ear has not heard, And which have not entered the heart of man, All that God has prepared for those who love Him.” 10 For to us God revealed them through the Spirit; for the Spirit searches all things, even the depths of God. 11 For who among men knows the thoughts of a man except the spirit of the man which is in him? Even so the thoughts of God no one knows except the Spirit of God. 12 Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, so that we may know the things freely given to us by God16 For who has known the mind of the Lord, that he will instruct Him? But we have the mind of Christ.Teachers remind us to keep a fervent passion for the Word of God.*LoL* A teacher will probably recommend you read Proverbs.Teachers train us how to think, not what to think.Teachers train us how to learn how to teach.Expect to be equipped from this office with:Awe wonder for the way God thinksDesire to see what no one has seen hear what no one has heardA drive to see the things God has prepared for us manifest on the earthWisdom, understanding, knowledge.Insight hindsight.Clarity peace in your mind.An ever-increasing love for the Word.← HONOR THE GIFT →

Oh h*ck yeah! Your hosts done done it again, y'all: we goofed around and talked a whole lot about the Gospel of John. You'd think after going through this stuff four times, we'd be a little more efficient, but no. It turns out that there have been centuries of debate focused entirely on John 1:1, and it goes like you'd expect from there. Join us on the first part of our journey through the final canonical gospel (and by far the weirdest) as we meet a new and unknowable Jesus who is known by His first sign: turning Purple Stuff into Sunny D. Plus, we meet like eight Johns who might actually be one John, because who even knows anymore. You, uh, might want to familiarize yourself with Grant Morrison before you listen to this one, because we go deep. Topics of discussion: John 3:16, Austin 3:16, the Invisibles, the Matrix, Dark City, They Live, and other pop cultural touchstones, Gothy Magic Stuff, God's Fiction Suit, Benito's extremely bad joke, John the Baptist, John the Apostle, John the Presbyter, John the Revelator, Prester John, the Beloved Disciple, Homer and Chris's incredible disillusionment with the ancient world, John's virulent anti-semitism, dunking on Moses, 009, HaShem, the Word (aka the Discourse aka the Tiger Force), Desiderius Erasmus, the Heresy of Sabellianism, the Arian Heresy, Adoptionism, the Great Baptism Fight, Nathaniel the Secret Apostle, Simon Peter "The Rock" Johnson, Jesus being really mean to Mary for no discernible reason like what the h*ck, Jesus's good good wine, Jesus's whip and how the Castlevania franchise dropped the ball hard, Nicodemus and the most ridiculous question in the entire Bible, Samaritans explained at last, Jesus's Secret Food, the angel jacuzzi, boataportation, Undercover Jesus. Happy Hanukkah, everybody! If you liked the show, why not head over to ko-fi.com/apocrypals to give us a love offering?

We talk about Gnosticism, Sabellianism, Arianism, and other heretical doctrines that were put to rest in the early church regarding Christ's eternal divinity.

Michael Brown "Elephant Rooming" On today's episode of Polemics Report, JD plays audio from Michael Brown "Elephant Rooming" Oneness Pentecostalism and says that they affirm the deity of Christ, the true Gospel, and have the fundamentals of the faith. He also plays a clip from John MacArthur on Oneness Pentecostalism and explains that Brown's "facts" are wrong; they DO practice Modalism, Sabellianism and a quasi-Arianism. Hear More Archived Episodes of The Polemics Report – HERE Visit JD Hall’s Polemics Report Page – HERE Visit JD Hall’s Pulpit and Pen Page – HERE Check Out Other BTWN podcasts – HERE

In answering the Oneness Pentecostals on the issue pertaining to the relationship between Jesus’ humanity and deity, we turn once again to look at early Church history, namely the Council of Ephesus (431 AD) and the Council of Chalcedon (451 AD).  We also turn to scripture to address the question...'In what sense did Jesus Christ assumed a physical body and yet at the same time exist as God?'  This teaching also seeks to establish the person of the Holy Spirit as it relates to the doctrine of the Trinity.  Finally, we examine some of the famous proof texts used by Oneness Pentecostals to argue in favour of Modalism.  Download notes (pdf) http://traffic.libsyn.com/bethesdashalom/5d_Oneness_Pentecostals_Pt4.pdf

Oneness Pentecostals outright reject the Triune nature of God and instead take a Unitarian position, namely that God is not only singular in being (Monotheism) but also singular in person.  Trinitarianism however stands in direct contrast to Unitarianism and defines God as singular in being yet three in persons, Father, Son and Holy Spirit.  This teaching seeks to give a defence of the doctrine of the Trinity over and against that of Modalism. Download notes (pdf) http://traffic.libsyn.com/bethesdashalom/5c_Oneness_Pentecostals_Pt3.pdf

A new MP3 sermon from Still Waters Revival Books is now available on SermonAudio with the following details: Title: The Heresies of the United (Oneness) Pentecostals & Mega Churches, Modalism (A Heresy), Sabellianism (Wild Boar News #15) Subtitle: Wild Boar News Speaker: Matthew McMahon Broadcaster: Still Waters Revival Books Event: Radio Broadcast Date: 12/7/2002 Bible: 2 John 9 Length: 9 min.

This is part 4 of our series on the Creeds.Because most of the creeds were the product of a Council of one kind or another, when dealing with the creeds, we have to talk about the Council.The Creed we're looking at in this episode, the Athanasian Creed, wasn't the product of a Council. And, like the Apostle's Creed we looked in the first episode, it almost certainly wasn't composed by Athanasius, just as the Apostle's Creed wasn't written by the Apostles.The origin of the Athanasian Creed remains a mystery. Athanasius, you'll remember, was an elder at the church of Alexandria and accompanied his pastor, Bishop Alexander, to Nicaea for the council, where together, they were some of the chief voices arguing against another elders from Alexandria named Arius who'd gone off the rails on the deity of Christ. Following Alexander's term as the Bishop of Alexandria, Athanasius took on that rol e, and in the years that followed, though Arianism ought to have been a moot point after being nailed into a theological coffin at Nicaea, it managed to go zombie and began once again chewing on the churches, many of which once again were infected. Athanasius stood against the tide of this resurgent Arianism; sometimes, seeming to be all alone. In fact, at times, the political winds blew against him and he was exiled for standing for Nicene Orthodoxy.Think of Athanasius as a general leading an ever shrinking number of troops in a war of theology & doctrine. If we were to single him out for the one thing he clung to, it was the Nicene tenet that God the Father & God the Son share the same substance – in Greek, homoousios.While Constantine deferred to the wisdom of theologians in settling the Arian challenge, following emperors weren't as skilled. They were Arians and allowed the heresy to re-emerge. Since Arianism was the accepted doctrinal position of court, it became politically expedient for church leaders to tow the line. Athanasius refused to allow politics to corrupt either himself or his church. For this, he was exiled. At one trial, when told that everyone else had gone over to the other side, he replied, “Athanasius contra munduma” = Athanasius against the world. He spent 17 years in 5 exiles by 4 emperors.And as much of a champ as Athanasius was, he almost certainly had nothing to do with writing the creed which bears his name.Athanasius died in 373 and never mentions the creed even once in his writings. The next 3 creeds following his death never refer to it, as they most certainly would have in the formulation of their creeds. One the contrary, the Creed bears the marks of the work of those creeds. Our best evidence is that the Creed came from the churches of North Africa that had been influenced by Augustine.In its earliest use, the Athanasian Creed wasn't   called a creed; it was called “The Faith of Athanasius.” And like the Apostles' Creed, it derived its relevance not from its author but rather to the truth it expressed and HOW it expressed it.Maybe first evidence of the creed was connected to Caesarius of Arles about 502. He transcribed the entire creed in a preface to a collection of sermons. He said he was attaching the creed, “because it is necessary . . . that all clergy, and laymen as well, should be familiar with the Faith” so they'd know what to teach. By 1090, the medieval theologian Anselm of Canterbury linked the Athanasian, Apostles', and Nicene Creeds as the Tria Symbola, the Three Creeds of the Christian Faith.The creed wielded major influence during the Reformation. It lies at the opening of the Lutheran Book of Concord along with the Apostles' & Nicene Creeds. It's used by several Reformed churches, and it was mentioned approvingly in the Augsburg Confession, the Formula of Concord, the 39 Articles, the 2nd Helvetic Confession, the Belgic Confession, and the Bohemian Confession. Luther said the Athanasian Creed was “the most important and glorious composition since the days of the apostles.” Calvin considered it one of “the three symbols” that stand forever alongside God's Word. Church historian Philip Schaff wrote of the Athanasian Creed, “This Creed is unsurpassed as a masterpiece of logical clearness, rigor, and precision.”High praise! But the Creed was rejected by the Greek Church because of it's position on the Holy Spirit.The Creed consists of 42 articles, divided into 3 parts. The 1st addresses the Trinity, relying heavily on Augustine's ideas, going so far as to quote him verbatim; making it pretty clear that it wasn't written by Athanasius, since he died when Augustine was still young & a pagan.The 2nd section defends the dual natures of Jesus the Council of Chalcedon explained in 451. We'll get in to a lot more detail on all that when we take a look at the Councils of the 4th & 5th Cs. The 3rd section of the creed is a list of condemnations for those who refuse to the assertions of the creed. This part of the creed has proven to be difficult for those who don't want their opponents consigned to a verbal damnation. But the fact is, most of the early creeds & confessions had a list of “anathemas,” that is, beliefs considered unacceptable in light of the beliefs that had just been articulated as embodying the Christian Faith. If “A” is exclusively true, “anti-A” can't be.Okay, enough jawing ABOUT the Creed. Let's read it . . . à BUT . . .Before we do, I need to clarify a word =  Catholic. We find it a LOT in the writings of the early church. It does NOT mean a denomination or branch of the church with headquarters in Rome. The word catholic meant universal. When the Church father wrote or spoke of the catholic faith, they meant the faith all genuine Christians believed.Okay, here we go …Whosoever will be saved, before all things it is necessary that he hold the catholic faith. Which faith except every one do keep whole and undefiled; without doubt he shall perish everlastingly. And the catholic faith is this: That we worship one God in Trinity, and Trinity in Unity; Neither confounding the Persons; nor dividing the Essence.For there is one Person of the Father; another of the Son; and another of the Holy Ghost. But the Godhead of the Father, of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, is all one; the Glory equal, the Majesty coeternal. Such as the Father is; such is the Son; and such is the Holy Ghost. The Father uncreated; the Son uncreated; and the Holy Ghost uncreated. The Father unlimited; the Son unlimited; and the Holy Ghost unlimited. The Father eternal; the Son eternal; and the Holy Ghost eternal. And yet they are not three eternals; but one eternal.As also there are not three uncreated; nor three infinites, but one uncreated; and one infinite. So likewise the Father is Almighty; the Son Almighty; and the Holy Ghost Almighty. And yet they are not three Almighties; but one Almighty. So the Father is God; the Son is God; and the Holy Ghost is God. And yet they are not three Gods; but one God. So likewise the Father is Lord; the Son Lord; and the Holy Ghost Lord. And yet not three Lords; but one Lord.For like as we are compelled by the Christian verity; to acknowledge every Person by himself to be God and Lord; So are we forbidden by the catholic religion; to say, There are three Gods, or three Lords. The Father is made of none; neither created, nor begotten. The Son is of the Father alone; not made, nor created; but begotten. The Holy Ghost is of the Father and of the Son; neither made, nor created, nor begotten; but proceeding. So there is one Father, not three Fathers; one Son, not three Sons; one Holy Ghost, not three Holy Ghosts.And in this Trinity none is before, or after another; none is greater, or less than another. But the whole three Persons are coeternal, and coequal. So that in all things, as aforesaid; the Unity in Trinity, and the Trinity in Unity, is to be worshipped. He therefore that will be saved, let him thus think of the Trinity.Furthermore it is necessary to everlasting salvation; that he also believe faithfully the Incarnation of our Lord Jesus Christ. For the right Faith is, that we believe and confess; that our Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of God, is God and Man; God, of the Essence of the Father; begotten before the worlds; and Man, of the Essence of his Mother, born in the world. Perfect God; and perfect Man, of a reasonable soul and human flesh subsisting. Equal to the Father, as touching his Godhead; and inferior to the Father as touching his Manhood. Who although he is God and Man; yet he is not two, but one Christ. One; not by conversion of the Godhead into flesh; but by assumption of the Manhood by God. One altogether; not by confusion of Essence; but by unity of Person. For as the reasonable soul and flesh is one man; so God and Man is one Christ.Who suffered for our salvation; descended into hell; rose again the third day from the dead. He ascended into heaven, he sits on the right hand of God the Father Almighty, from whence he will come to judge the living and the dead. At whose coming all men will rise again with their bodies; And shall give account for their own works. And they that have done good shall go into life everlasting; and they that have done evil, into everlasting fire. This is the catholic faith; which except a man believe truly and firmly, he cannot be saved.Surely you noted how very careful this creed handles the issues, 1st of the Trinity, & 2nd, of the 2 natures of Christ. A word on that . . .Theologians have long discussed how almost any attempt to [air-quote] “explain” God, and specifically, the Trinity, is destined to end up saying something that's not quite right. And that not quite rightness becomes a toehold for misunderstanding and the geneis of error that can break out in heresy. Either God is made out to be three gods, or the 3 divine persons of Father, Son, and Spirit are turned into a messy amorphous mish-mash that does nothing but confuse. The reason for this is because to speak about God as a Trinity as the Bible presents Him, requires a vocabulary & philosophical background different from speaking about literally - any other thing. God is categorically separate from all other subjects. God is God, & nothing else is. When we are dealing with the Trinity, we're entering into what theologians call the “aseity” of God; God as He is in & to himself. Since God is perfect & infinite, He will ALWAYS transcend His creation, of which we are. So while we struggle to grasp how the Trinity “works,” don't get frustrated if you find your understanding falling short. Rather, take comfort in that. For a God you could completely understand would be a god too small to worship. The essence of worship is awe. WE need to have the sense that we stand in the presence of something infinitely bigger & beyond, or worship has no fuel.Because of God's gracious self-revelation, we can apprehend Him. But because of his infinity, we cannot comprehend Him.Given this challenge in culling what Scripture tells us about the Trinity into a succinct Statement of Faith, the Athanasian Creed is about as careful and thorough an attempt as is found in history. It describes the core doctrine of the Trinity, then sets boundaries to prevent misunderstandings.The Athanasian Creed guides through key qualities & attributes shared by all three persons of the Trinity. God is uncreated, unlimited, & eternal.The wording of the Creed may at times seem a bit thick and heavy-handed in its repetition of God being 1 in Essence but 3 in Person. Whenever you see something like that, understand it as a clue to the historical setting that birthed it. A Neo-Arianism had risen that pretended to be faithful to Nicene orthodoxy, but was in fact a return to the idea that while Jesus & the Holy Spirit are God, they are less God than the Father, who alone sits at the top of the divine triangle. This was the position of royalty, because it allowed them some wiggle room to attach themselves to a position at the top of society with everyone else below them.Some have wondered why, for goodness sake, the early Christians didn't just chuck all this arguing about the Trinity and go for simply monotheism. The answer to that is simple= Because early Christians didn't have a choice. Scripture was God's Word, His self-revelation. So if it said there was one God, but 3 persons all claimed to be that one God, then that meant God is One in Essence but three in person.Well, why not go along with the ideas of Sabellius in the early 3rd C who said there's one God, who's chosen 3 different modes to reveal Himself in; as Father with Israel, as the Son Jesus during the Incarnation, and as the Spirit after Jesus' ascension. This idea was called Sabellianism, or modalism and persists to this day in some groups.Again, Modalism simply doesn't square with Scripture. Only one view does, classic orthodox Trinitarianism accommodates ALL of Scripture. And yes, that makes things difficult for us because it's hard to reconcile intellectually. But the more one meditates on the Trinity, the more blessing and goodness flows from it. We see that built into the very nature and character of God is the reality of relationship & mutuality, fellowship, sharing.The Creed ends with a bold but terse comment that those who believe its tenets are saved, but those who reject them are eternally damned. And as you may well imagine, that's raised a hew & cry for many years. There are those who have no problem with other stating their beliefs in bold, clear terms. But to then say salvation lies in agreeing with them while failure to do so results in condemnation, well, wait just a minute there pal! Back the carriage up! Who are you to tell me what I HAVE to believe?Consider this: Bill tells Ted he has to eat or he'll starve. What would we think of Ted if he told Bill that was very narrow thinking & that Ted's deeply offended by Bill's certainty. Ted's not hungry and is disturbed by the thought a failure to eat will result in his death.In a situation like this, we judge Ted as unreasonable. Because we know the connection between food and health.People who take offense at the Creeds for saying “Believe this and live, don't a die” are like Ted. They assume that heaven and hell aren't settled destinations all people end up in. They assume there's some other way than the one the Creed is so careful to plot.The authors of the creeds weren't aggressively drawing a fence around the Faith to keep people out. They were posting big, bold signs pointing to the only way in.