Christian or Cult?

[Carbon]

I know a few people in my area who started attending a church a few months ago. Just last week, I asked a few questions about their beliefs and what they taught. I did a little research after getting the name of the church, and I'm not liking what I see. I'm curious of everyne thoughts. Here is, from their website, which I copied and pasted, the "statement of faith. I put in bold a couple of things which really (so far) bothered me the most.
I have warned them to get out of there because I believe it is not a Christian church but a cult.

Thoughts?

Statement of Faith​

We believe in one Lord, one Faith, and one Baptism. Ephesians 4:5

We believe that the Holy Bible is the Word of God. It is true. It contains the keys to inheriting eternal life, and it reveals the mystery of our faith. John. 5:39; Deuteronomy 29:29

We believe in the oneness of God, who was the Father in creation, the Son in redemption, and today, He is the Holy Ghost in The Church. I Timothy 3:16

We believe that Jesus is God, for in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form. We proclaim LORD Jesus Christ is the name of God that was given to this generation as the only Name whereby the people of this Grace dispensation of time can be saved. Colossians 2:9; Acts 4:12.

We accept God’s plan of salvation of baptism by water and spirit. Jesus Christ, who was our perfect example, though sinless, was baptized to fulfill righteousness. John 3:5; Matthew 3:15

We believe that water baptism in the name of Jesus Christ is essential for forgiveness of sins, and confirms our belief that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. Acts 2:38; Acts 8:37

We believe that rebirth by the Holy Spirit is absolutely essential today as it was in the days of the Apostles. Acts 2:4

We believe that the Word of God must be proclaimed throughout all the world, according to God’s commandment. Matthew 28:19; Mark 16:15; Romans 10:18

Our Blessed Hope lies in Christ Jesus our LORD who has given us the victory over death and hell. Therefore, standing firm on His promise, we anticipate the second coming of Jesus Christ–that great day of resurrection which shall surely come. On that day, the dead in Christ shall rise first. Then, we which are alive and remain will be changed, and caught up together with them in the air. And so shall we forever be with our LORD and Savior Jesus Christ. John 14:3; I Corinthians 15:51-58; I Thessalonians 4:15-17

 

[Carbon]

We believe that the Holy Bible is the Word of God. It is true. It contains the keys to inheriting eternal life, and it reveals the mystery of our faith. John. 5:39; Deuteronomy 29:29

We believe in the oneness of God, who was the Father in creation, the Son in redemption, and today, He is the Holy Ghost in The Church. I Timothy 3:16

To start, would someone, anyone, show me how 1 Timothy 3:16 has anything to do with what this statement says?

 

[Carbon]

We believe in the oneness of God, who was the Father in creation, the Son in redemption, and today, He is the Holy Ghost in The Church. I Timothy 3:16

I also understand this as an "onness," cult, as in "oneness pentacostalism."

 

[John Bauer]

“We believe in the oneness of God, who was the Father in creation, the Son in redemption, and today He is the Holy Ghost in the Church.”

That, right there, is modalism.

And if he was the Father in creation, how do they make sense of Hebrews 1:2 (“In these last days he has spoken to us in a Son, … through whom he created the world”)?

 

[Carbon]

That, right there, is modalism.

You know, I was thinking the same thing; it sure smells of it. But I believe this is "oneness." There is a difference I believe.

And if he was the Father in creation, how do they make sense of Hebrews 1:2 (“In these last days he has spoken to us in a Son, … through whom he created the world”)?

Amen!

 

[Arial]

To start, would someone, anyone, show me how 1 Timothy 3:16 has anything to do with what this statement says?

It doesn't.

 

[Arial]

We believe in the oneness of God, who was the Father in creation, the Son in redemption, and today, He is the Holy Ghost in The Church.

That is not one in essence and three is "persons". It makes no distinction in persons but has one God manifesting as three. Which of course would not explain why Jesus spoke to the Father and sent the Spirit. So, it is twisted at the outset but in a very subtle way. A new Christian or an immature one (and that can be true of someone who has been a Christian 50+ years) would never catch it or would always think that is the truth that the Bible teaches.

We believe that Jesus is God, for in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form. We proclaim LORD Jesus Christ is the name of God that was given to this generation as the only Name whereby the people of this Grace dispensation of time can be saved. Colossians 2:9; Acts 4:12.

I have learned from interacting and reading of forums from cults that this is not really acknowledging that Jesus is very God of very God in the Trinitarian way. His humanity was not God, but the fullness of Deity lived in his humanity. More subtlety.

We accept God’s plan of salvation of baptism by water and spirit. Jesus Christ, who was our perfect example, though sinless, was baptized to fulfill righteousness. John 3:5; Matthew 3:15

We believe that water baptism in the name of Jesus Christ is essential for forgiveness of sins, and confirms our belief that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. Acts 2:38; Acts 8:37

Salvation by works. We had one here for a while, but he left. It teaches that no one is saved until they are water baptized. It is a case of no exegetical work or study has been done on the NT baptism, the OT baptism (John the Baptist) or the NT connection of baptism with the OT circumcision. (Which tells me, among other things, that it is a church that is not well grounded in Scripture or Christian doctrine or one that will handle Scripture correctly.

We believe that rebirth by the Holy Spirit is absolutely essential today as it was in the days of the Apostles. Acts 2:4

I am quite sure here they mean a replica of the Pentecost experience. Charismatic. Another example of not be able to handle Scripture properly.

 

[John Bauer]

You know, I was thinking the same thing; it sure smells of it. But I believe this is "oneness." There is a difference I believe.

“Oneness Pentecostal” identifies a particular theological system; “modalism” is the specific error at its core.

 

[Carbon]

That is not one in essence and three is "persons". It makes no distinction in persons but has one God manifesting as three. Which of course would not explain why Jesus spoke to the Father and sent the Spirit. So, it is twisted at the outset but in a very subtle way. A new Christian or an immature one (and that can be true of someone who has been a Christian 50+ years) would never catch it or would always think that is the truth that the Bible teaches.

I have learned from interacting and reading of forums from cults that this is not really acknowledging that Jesus is very God of very God in the Trinitarian way. His humanity was not God, but the fullness of Deity lived in his humanity. More subtlety.

Salvation by works. We had one here for a while, but he left. It teaches that no one is saved until they are water baptized. It is a case of no exegetical work or study has been done on the NT baptism, the OT baptism (John the Baptist) or the NT connection of baptism with the OT circumcision. (Which tells me, among other things, that it is a church that is not well grounded in Scripture or Christian doctrine or one that will handle Scripture correctly.

I am quite sure here they mean a replica of the Pentecost experience. Charismatic. Another example of not be able to handle Scripture properly.

Excellent! I admire not only your knowledge of God's word but also the clear, concise explanation you give. Thank you.

 

[Carbon]

“Oneness Pentecostal” identifies a particular theological system; “modalism” is the specific error at its core.

Thanks. I'll think on that a bit. Haven't heard it explained that way before.

 

[Arial]

Excellent! I admire not only your knowledge of God's word but also the clear, concise explanation you give. Thank you.

Thank you.