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Strange fire Charleston, TN The Church of God

Yeshua1

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That's self refuting. It can't possibly be dangerous since it can't be lost.

So what if they are doing everything wrong? You already believe there is nothing right they can do to better their chances.


If you want a True monergist and faith alone approach to this issue. You wouldn't complain to us about what they are doing wrong.

If I actually believed what you SAY you believe, which you clearly don't, Step one is ask God to fix it, and you are DONE.

They cannot correct themselves nor can you correct them into the good works of believing the gospel as you see it, that's all tied to good works. And if they are already saved since you believe they can't lose it there is nothing dangerous at all.


You can be in middle of the ocean, thinking your gonna drown. You see a ship, yes your saved! they throw a lifesaver, yes your saved. they get you on the boat yes your saved! take you back home, yes your saved.

When the ship came you can choose to not wave your arms around and hide underwater, you can choose not to grab that lifesaver, you can choose to jump off the boat.

The disciples the same way describe being saved past, present, and will be in the future.

James 2
14What use is it, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but he has no works? Can that faith save him?

Now I'm not particularly bringing Faith Vs Works here. Lets make it a given its faith alone. He doesn't say faith has saved him, but a future event.

The entirety of the chapter if not the whole books is absolutely meaningless if Once saved always saved.


In a nutshell you Baptist and your Calvinist-Baptist have this issue:

James 2
1My brethren, do not hold your faith in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ with an attitude of personal favoritism.

You think hey I'm chosen or saved, well I'm home free with a license to sin.



The first thing the devil taught was once saved always saved:

4The serpent said to the woman, “You surely will not die! 5


The first sinner taught Calvinism:

12The man said, “The woman whom You gave to be with me, she gave me from the tree, and I ate.”

Did Jesus then Lie whn He statted that NONE would ever be lost again?
And Jude at end of his book also lied that Jesus forever keeps us saved?
 

Yeshua1

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They believe that on going revelation is still applicable today. I think they would tell you that prophets are amongst us

They sound lik JW/Mormon?SDA meet Charasmatic...
Do they hold to real Gospel then
 

utilyan

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Utilyan
If you want a True monergist and faith alone approach to this issue. You wouldn't complain to us about what they are doing wrong.

If I actually believed what you SAY you believe, which you clearly don't, Step one is ask God to fix it, and you are DONE

I'm sorry if you interpreted what I was saying as complaining. That was not my intention.

I'm not sure I understand your next statement about " If I actually believed what you SAY you believe, which you clearly don't" If I'm interpreting this statement correctly it seems as if I'm not believing in something correctly. That I'm deceiving myself. Is this statement correct Utilyan?

I have prayed to God about this But I also believe when you pray to God about something you don't just sit back and do nothing That would be like a farmer praying to God for a good crop of corn and not working in his fields expecting God to do all the work. That's foolishness



Tim if you don't do anything about it, IS that going to prevent them from salvation at all? Does your GOOD WORKS have any bearing on the salvation of others?


Your already "saved" , why would foolishness matter at all?



Your already saying their being in the wrong can make them lose their salvation.

And if they were to engage in the GOOD WORKS of listening to you and following your example they will be saved.
 

John of Japan

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I'm looking for some advice on how to prove that this religious organization is teaching dangerous doctrines. My family is involved in this cult and I cannot convince them that this organization is dangerous
According to the Handbook of Denominations by Frank Mead (6th ed., p. 89), there are "at least 200 independent religious bodies in the United States" with this name. Since the history you give mentions Tomlinson as the founder, it is either the large Pentecostal denomination with that name, or the "Tomlinson Church of God" (he was kicked out of the first one in 1923), or the "Church of God of Prophecy" founded by him later.

Either way, it's not a cult, but a fairly standard Pentecostal denomination. I recommend that you study up on these groups before combating them. Try John R. Rice's book, The Charismatic Movement, or Charismatic Chaos, by John MacArthur. (I don't recommend anything else by MacArthur.)
 

Yeshua1

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They believe that the the true church was asleep for over 1500 years. Then after the 1578 years they quote Isaiah 60:1-4 as a prophecy that came to fulfillment in 1903. I personally don't see that at all in Isaiah 60. How do you interpret Isaiah 60 1-5
They would be basically same as JW/Mormons/SDA, who would view themselves as being the restoration of the true Church of God!
 

Yeshua1

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Site Supporter
According to the Handbook of Denominations by Frank Mead (6th ed., p. 89), there are "at least 200 independent religious bodies in the United States" with this name. Since the history you give mentions Tomlinson as the founder, it is either the large Pentecostal denomination with that name, or the "Tomlinson Church of God" (he was kicked out of the first one in 1923), or the "Church of God of Prophecy" founded by him later.

Either way, it's not a cult, but a fairly standard Pentecostal denomination. I recommend that you study up on these groups before combating them. Try John R. Rice's book, The Charismatic Movement, or Charismatic Chaos, by John MacArthur. (I don't recommend anything else by MacArthur.)
Would say that this church does sound more akin to a Pentacostal SDA or Mormon church, as they do really sound like into extra biblical revelations. and see themselves as now being the restored true church!.
I was in the AOG over a decade, and they never claim any of that stuff!
 

John of Japan

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Would say that this church does sound more akin to a Pentacostal SDA or Mormon church, as they do really sound like into extra biblical revelations. and see themselves as now being the restored true church!.
I was in the AOG over a decade, and they never claim any of that stuff!
Continued revelation in this group is a Charismatic thing, not SDA or Mormon. Both of these groups add a book to the Bible as their guide, but Charismatics view it as modern prophecy, so there is a difference. In particular, the Mormons are so far distant from fundamental Christian doctrine that they should not even be considered Christian, though the SDA is pretty orthodox, and the Ch. of God accepts all of the fundamentals. So I don't think the Mormon comparison is valid.
 

Yeshua1

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Continued revelation in this group is a Charismatic thing, not SDA or Mormon. Both of these groups add a book to the Bible as their guide, but Charismatics view it as modern prophecy, so there is a difference. In particular, the Mormons are so far distant from fundamental Christian doctrine that they should not even be considered Christian, though the SDA is pretty orthodox, and the Ch. of God accepts all of the fundamentals. So I don't think the Mormon comparison is valid.
The key on them is that they see themselves asbeing the church for God now, like the church of trome sees themselves, and Mormons do see revelations from God, as Apostles said that God changed his mind in 1976, and allowed for Blacks to be Mormon priests!

Mormons/Sda are christian cults, and this church sems to be more akin to them than say AOG!
 

Tim71

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According to the Handbook of Denominations by Frank Mead (6th ed., p. 89), there are "at least 200 independent religious bodies in the United States" with this name. Since the history you give mentions Tomlinson as the founder, it is either the large Pentecostal denomination with that name, or the "Tomlinson Church of God" (he was kicked out of the first one in 1923), or the "Church of God of Prophecy" founded by him later.

Either way, it's not a cult, but a fairly standard Pentecostal denomination. I recommend that you study up on these groups before combating them. Try John R. Rice's book, The Charismatic Movement, or Charismatic Chaos, by John MacArthur. (I don't recommend anything else by MacArthur.)

John I have done my research on this denomination. As a child I was raised in this church. This church may not admit to it but they believe in a works salvation. They believe in the doctrine of entire sanctification. You know as well as I do we will never be sinless while living in the flesh They believe that the Holy Spirit gives them special revelations This is heresy. We should call these organizations by what they are

A cult is simply this
  1. a particular system of religious worship, especially with reference to its rites and ceremonies

    I have prayed over this and feel that the only way my family and friends will be delivered from this organization is by God only. God will be the only one who will be able to open their blind eyes It hurts John when you know your own mother could be in jeopardy of eternal hell. I don't know if she is truly saved or not Only God knows that. But when I witness to her I get the sense that she feels that she needs to contribute to her salvation.
 

Jerome

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According to the Handbook of Denominations by Frank Mead (6th ed., p. 89), there are "at least 200 independent religious bodies in the United States" with this name. Since the history you give mentions Tomlinson as the founder, it is either the large Pentecostal denomination with that name, or the "Tomlinson Church of God" (he was kicked out of the first one in 1923), or the "Church of God of Prophecy" founded by him later.

Either way, it's not a cult, but a fairly standard Pentecostal denomination. I recommend that you study up on these groups before combating them. Try John R. Rice's book, The Charismatic Movement, or Charismatic Chaos, by John MacArthur. (I don't recommend anything else by MacArthur.)

6th edition? What is that, mid 1970s?

The OP is referring to The Church of God (Charleston, Tennessee) which emerged in the 1990s:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Church_of_God_(Charleston,_Tennessee)

"The church places particular emphasis upon the word The in its title as a statement of this reorganization, believing it is the singular exclusive embodiment of the New Testament Christian church."

"An important belief which distinguishes it from many other Holiness-Pentecostal churches is its belief that it is the true church."


Its website:

https://www.thechurchofgod.org/resources/index.php?id=10

"The Evening Light is a very important part of The Church of God. It should be read regularly by every member and you interest in promoting it should be so great that when you have finished reading your copy, you would pass it along to someone else. Every member who possibly can should subscribe, and each minister is asked to be a "paid-up" subscriber and an earnest worker for our church paper -- The Evening Light."
 

John of Japan

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John I have done my research on this denomination. As a child I was raised in this church. This church may not admit to it but they believe in a works salvation. They believe in the doctrine of entire sanctification. You know as well as I do we will never be sinless while living in the flesh They believe that the Holy Spirit gives them special revelations This is heresy. We should call these organizations by what they are

A cult is simply this
  1. a particular system of religious worship, especially with reference to its rites and ceremonies

    I have prayed over this and feel that the only way my family and friends will be delivered from this organization is by God only. God will be the only one who will be able to open their blind eyes It hurts John when you know your own mother could be in jeopardy of eternal hell. I don't know if she is truly saved or not Only God knows that. But when I witness to her I get the sense that she feels that she needs to contribute to her salvation.
I agree that they espouse the heresies of unknown tongues, full sanctification, losing salvation, works salvation (many Charismatic groups say you have to speak in tongues to be saved), etc. I also agree that you should continue praying and working to get them out of their church. I oppose the whole Charismatic movement, and have had to fight them three times in the churches I started in Japan. But I think it is a mistake to call this group a cult.

Their beliefs do not make them a cult. Wherever you got this definition of a cult, it's wrong. (It's usual to source quotes here on the BB.) This definition is more of a strict dictionary definition than that of conservative believers who deal with cults. Here's a more authoritative definition: "A relatively small, often transitory religious group that commonly follows a radical leader. A cult, unlike a sect, espouses radically new religious beliefs and practices that are frequently seen as threatening the basic values and cultural norms of society at large" (Dictionary of Cults, Sects, Religions and the Occult, by George Mather and Larry Nichols, p. 86).

By the way, a fascinating book that you would identify with and might help you with your family is I Once Spoke in Tongues, by Wayne Robinson, a former Pentecostal. You can get it used cheaply on Amazon.com.
 

Yeshua1

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Site Supporter
6th edition? What is that, mid 1970s?

The OP is referring to The Church of God (Charleston, Tennessee) which emerged in the 1990s:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Church_of_God_(Charleston,_Tennessee)

"The church places particular emphasis upon the word The in its title as a statement of this reorganization, believing it is the singular exclusive embodiment of the New Testament Christian church."

"An important belief which distinguishes it from many other Holiness-Pentecostal churches is its belief that it is the true church."


Its website:

https://www.thechurchofgod.org/resources/index.php?id=10

"The Evening Light is a very important part of The Church of God. It should be read regularly by every member and you interest in promoting it should be so great that when you have finished reading your copy, you would pass it along to someone else. Every member who possibly can should subscribe, and each minister is asked to be a "paid-up" subscriber and an earnest worker for our church paper -- The Evening Light."
That would mark them out as being a Christian cult!
 

Yeshua1

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I agree that they espouse the heresies of unknown tongues, full sanctification, losing salvation, works salvation (many Charismatic groups say you have to speak in tongues to be saved), etc. I also agree that you should continue praying and working to get them out of their church. I oppose the whole Charismatic movement, and have had to fight them three times in the churches I started in Japan. But I think it is a mistake to call this group a cult.

Their beliefs do not make them a cult. Wherever you got this definition of a cult, it's wrong. (It's usual to source quotes here on the BB.) This definition is more of a strict dictionary definition than that of conservative believers who deal with cults. Here's a more authoritative definition: "A relatively small, often transitory religious group that commonly follows a radical leader. A cult, unlike a sect, espouses radically new religious beliefs and practices that are frequently seen as threatening the basic values and cultural norms of society at large" (Dictionary of Cults, Sects, Religions and the Occult, by George Mather and Larry Nichols, p. 86).

By the way, a fascinating book that you would identify with and might help you with your family is I Once Spoke in Tongues, by Wayne Robinson, a former Pentecostal. You can get it used cheaply on Amazon.com.
They fit all of that though, as they see themselves as being only true church, see extra revelations, and that their leaders are like modern day prophets/Apostles, and deny the cross, teaching saved by own efforts!
 

Yeshua1

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John I have done my research on this denomination. As a child I was raised in this church. This church may not admit to it but they believe in a works salvation. They believe in the doctrine of entire sanctification. You know as well as I do we will never be sinless while living in the flesh They believe that the Holy Spirit gives them special revelations This is heresy. We should call these organizations by what they are

A cult is simply this
  1. a particular system of religious worship, especially with reference to its rites and ceremonies

    I have prayed over this and feel that the only way my family and friends will be delivered from this organization is by God only. God will be the only one who will be able to open their blind eyes It hurts John when you know your own mother could be in jeopardy of eternal hell. I don't know if she is truly saved or not Only God knows that. But when I witness to her I get the sense that she feels that she needs to contribute to her salvation.
The church there seems to be another christian cult, as they deny the gospel, and view themselves as being only true church, same as Mormons/JW/Catholics/SDA all do!
 

utilyan

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The church there seems to be another christian cult, as they deny the gospel, and view themselves as being only true church, same as Mormons/JW/Catholics/SDA all do!

Well I would argue you deny the gospel. God commands all to not sin, therefore wants all to be saved.

You frequently state things that have ZERO SCRIPTURE. For example God taking away man's free will and ability to do Good. Still waiting for you to provide scripture.


If your in a church that doesn't even claim to be the true church, well then your just claiming your in a false church.
 

John of Japan

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Why do you not recommend anything else from MacArthur
I disagree strongly with his Lordship salvation, and I am bothered by his mistaken use of the Greek (which I teach), as in his insistence that pastor and teacher are the same office based on something called the Granville Sharp Rule, which he misuses. He's not a scholar, but kind of tries to come across as one.
 
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