Trust & Obey

Not to be nit-picky, but as Christians I think we should be supporting the tradition of using "BC and AD" in the calendar dating. "CE" and "BCE" are the world's attempt to stamp Christ out of our dating system. Sorry to take the conversation off-topic In Him.

The Church did. We are the Church. Select memebers of the Church wrote the NT. I wonder what that article is meaning when it refers to "the Church." That could be a point of confusion... semantics.

Um... 1 Timothy 1:4 - Neither give heed to fables and endless genealogies, which minister questions, rather than godly edifying which is in faith: so do. 1 Timothy 4:1 - Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; 1 Timothy 4:16 - Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee. Naw...doctrine isn't important at all man... <{POST_SNAPBACK}> WSB, you completely missed the point of the question, my brother. The question was whether or not belief in the Trinity is necessary for salvation. I think the answer is clearly no. If you think otherwise, that is fine, but please demonstrate it from Scripture if you are going to hold others to the doctrine in this way.

Praise the Lord, hmh. I agree that we can get a little too zealous over certain things. For the record, I do not think that the Trinity is a "man-made doctrine." I think that the Bible clearly teaches that the Father is God, the Son is God, and the Holy Ghost is God. Yet, the Bible maintains that there is only 1 God. Hence, the 3 manifestations must be the 1 God. It isn't the easiest thing to understand, but that shouldn't be an issue. Remember; Isa 55:8 For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD. Isa 55:9 For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts. If we could understand everything about God, then God would not be God. But, I do respect the views of those who do not believe in the Trinity. I've been through lengthy discussions with a friend of mine (mentioned earlier) who can articulate his views quite clearly, but it is my opinion that is is just as clearly wrong. But, we can agree to disagree agreeably I would love to chat with you via PM or something on the topic.

hmh, i do not think that belief in the doctrine of the Trinity is required for salvation. I personally believe the doctrine of the Trinity, but do not find it mandated anywhere in Scripture. You are saved the moment Christ cleanses you from sin and takes residence in your life. Usually, this happens before you have come to any conclusions on the various doctrinal positions that are out there. We are saved by grace through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, not by doctrinal persuasions. Jesus is so much bigger than doctrine, although correct doctrine is essential in the Christian life. But, I do believe that you must accept the deity of Jesus Christ in order to be saved. Jesus said; Joh 8:24 I said therefore unto you, that ye shall die in your sins: for if ye believe not that I am he, ye shall die in your sins. The word "he" that is italicized has been inserted by the translators of the KJV. The original says that "unless you believe that I am (I am = ego eimi in the Greek). This is the same phrase God used of Himself in Ex. 3:14. I believe Jesus here is saying that we must believe that He is Almighty God. BTW, are you UPC? I have a friend who is UPC and although we do not agree on SO MANY issues, I genuinely believe that he is a brother in the Lord and we have great fellowship. Some consider UPC a cult, but again I think Jesus is so much bigger than denominations/sects. In Him...