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In the Creed, the early Church struggled prayerfully to explain what cannot be seen. It was difficult. There were expressions of the Church that had a distorted image of just what the Spirit does. There were those who adhered to an error we know as modalism. They said there were three ages of God’s working in the world. Modalism says that the age of the Father was the time of creation and the prophets… but that time of the Father ended when Jesus was born. They claimed the task of our reconciliation with God was complete during the time of Jesus ministry, by Jesus alone, and since Jesus was gone into heaven… they must be “in the Spirit” to get to heaven. This last greatly encompassed an error called Gnosticism. Unwittingly, they tried to negate the influence of the Father and the Son. The Gnostic people said that only if we are chosen by the Spirit… can we understand and enjoy the charismatic sweeping of selected persons into the future heavenly realm. These Christians became emotionally charged disciples who claimed they alone were suited to walk into the woods. They only could sit on the correct stump, and other Christians are just not qualified. Only they you see… could blow that bird whistle properly. However, this outlook is NOT what the creeds teach! This thought world is NOT what the Bible reveals. According to scripture and all that is |
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Black Robe Regiment-Allegany- June 2025 Editorial |
