More questions:

Is Christmas the birthday of the Son of God or not? Do 'Oneness' Christians see it as something else? Why or why not?

 Here's the problem as I see it: Oneness believers see God as Father, Son and Holy Spirit, but as One God one Person. Trinitarians see God as Father, Son and Holy Spirit as One God and Three Persons. The Old Testament is a bit vague on the nature of God, but seems to foretell of the New Testament.

In the New Testament Jesus speaks frequently of His Heavenly Father, His Holy Spirit. When Jesus is baptized, The Holy Spirit descends upon Him like a dove. A voice comes from the clouds and says, "This is my beloved son in whom I am well pleased".

Jesus as he is ascending to Heaven, says, "Go forth baptizing the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit".

Conclusion: Anyone leaving CFCMI probably won't accept the Holy Trinity, at first maybe even ever. It is important to find non-abusive Churches, even if they aren't "Oneness" or "Apostolic". Maybe praying at home for a time is a prudent option.

I will be brief, and succinct in my comments.  I am Oneness.  I believe Jesus is the Lord God Almighty who manifested Himself in flesh and walked among us.  I could go into a great discourse on the Godhead and share Scripture upon Scripture on this subject.  I won't because I know when a debate has reached the point where both sides are totally convinced they are correct and stand with both feet firmly planted.

I will answer the question concerning Jesus' baptism.  When the Holy Ghost descended on Jesus like a dove, and the voice from heaven announced Christ to John, this was a sign to John the Baptist Christ was the Messiah.  God is a Spirit and can manifest Himself in as many forms as He wishes.  He is not limited to just one at a time.

I will answer the question concerning Acts 2:38 and  Matthew 28:19.  I believe Peter followed Christ's command in Acts.  Peter was given the revelation and the keys to the kingdom; when Christ told him to baptize in the NAME - singular - Peter was not confused.  He knew exactly what to do.  Nowhere in the Bible was anyone buried in the titles Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.

For those who do not agree, you are welcome to disagree...but I challenge you to read the Scriptures.

God bless, John

 Amen John! Peter was given the keys to the kingdom and the authority to bind and loose things on earth and they would be bound or loosed in heaven. He completely understood Jesus' commandment to baptize in the Name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit = JESUS. The Word also states that whatsoever you do in word or in deed do all in the name of Jesus Christ.

 I find it interesting how so many walkouts see CFCMI as a cult, yet see its doctrine as sound!



--B2

Obviously not all their doctrine, but the main points. As for the father son holy ghost...
Jesus said he was the comforter, who was the holy ghost.
In Luke it says the son of god was "a holy thing", just like your body is a thing made of the dust of the earth.
In Rev, Jesus said he was the first and the last, he liveth and was dead...
Also the father of Jesus was the holy spirit.
I could go on, but regardless, just because they were screwed in some things up doesn't make everything they said a lie. If that were the case, they'd never have gotten anyone to stick around long enough to... and here I want to digress about things that don't have anything to do with the post, so I'll just say that even Jim Jones probably didn't lie more than 60 percent of the time, and none of the real heinous stuff would be shared with new people...

   Anyway, God bless. Glad to see this site. Hope more people make it out.

I still don't know how Oneness Christians don't believe in the Holy Trinity, yet they do. I agree that The Holy Spirit was the Comforter, The Advocate, The Periclete. Jesus is  'Holy Thing'-- He is sinless. He is God. He is Man. Like the Father Jesus always was, always will be. He is coming again which is what we are celebrating this time of the year. Jesus was conceived by the Holy Spirit, but the Son of the Father. Confusing? Yes it is!

Jim Jones ran a suicide cult! He stole millions from senior citizens before relocating to Guyana. He murdered Congressman Leo Ryan and members of his entourage  who were there to investigate human rights abuses. You're right it's usually inner circle ones in the thick of all the deviance.

Every cult has a grain of truth. I've read CFC studies online. Mostly they are quirky at best. It's important to
worship in a Church that has The Fullness of Truth.

I'm glad you made it out. I hope others follow in your footsteps. I like your post.