Post by Proselyte of Yah on Mar 17, 2024 8:36:11 GMT
What Proparchians United is About
Proparchians United seeks to act as a resource for “Proparchian Christians” or "Prouparchic-Monarchians", that is, Non-Trinitarian Christians who believe Jesus Christ is the literal firstborn Son of God, who existed in Heaven before all other things, prior to his Earthly human birth through Mary. We seek to bring Proparchian-Christians together, in that we may share and promote our research, resources, writings, encouragements, ministries, congregations, churches, and to have a form of social communion worldwide.
What We Believe
Our core uniting belief, is that Jesus had a beginning and came about by the Father YHWH (Yahweh/Yehovah), who alone is God Almighty, and that the Son is not co-eternal or co-equal to the Father, but is subordinate to Him.
Beyond this core statement, the method or means of Jesus’ “creation” or “birth”, is open to free scriptural interpretation, within the theological realms of Prouparchic-Monarchianism.
As such, Proparchians United does not arrogantly hold to doctrinal totalitarianism, but rather holds to a more loving and “liberal” attitude, in the acceptance of the various theological interpretations and “mechanical” understandings of Proparchianism and Jesus’ “nature”. In this, we accept all variants of Prouparchic-Monarchian, i.e; Homoiousionism, Homoeanism, Heteroousianism, Anomoeanism, Arianism, and Semi-Arianism, as legitimate and acceptable interpretations of scripture.
Beyond this core statement, the method or means of Jesus’ “creation” or “birth”, is open to free scriptural interpretation, within the theological realms of Prouparchic-Monarchianism.
As such, Proparchians United does not arrogantly hold to doctrinal totalitarianism, but rather holds to a more loving and “liberal” attitude, in the acceptance of the various theological interpretations and “mechanical” understandings of Proparchianism and Jesus’ “nature”. In this, we accept all variants of Prouparchic-Monarchian, i.e; Homoiousionism, Homoeanism, Heteroousianism, Anomoeanism, Arianism, and Semi-Arianism, as legitimate and acceptable interpretations of scripture.
What We Are NOT
We are NOT a Church or Religious Organisation
It should be noted that this website IS NOT a religious organisation, church or denomination, but merely a free, non-denominationally based Christian resource and community, for those united in the Christologies of “Proparchianism”.
Hence, this website nor its associates, neither endorses, nor promotes, nor attacks the various differences of other various doctrines that other Proparchian brothers or sisters may have. Its focus primarily being the promotion and unification of Propachian-Christianity.
We believe in the independent congregational autonomy of each Christian congregation and group, united under our one God, the Father, and our one Lord, Jesus Christ (Matthew 23:8-9).
We are NOT “Followers of Arius“
Whilst our belief is commonly known as "Arianism" named after “Arius”, the historical figure in the early church who attempted to defend his position against the doctrine of the Trinity at the Council of Nicaea in the 4th Century A.D, Proparchians United does not seek or claim to be a “creed”, nor does it label itself as “followers of Arius” (1 Corinthians 1:12-13).
From an historical perspective, as our Christology and its variants can be shown to long predate Arius, we regard the term “Arianism” as anachronistic, but many of us may adopt use of it because in modern times it is a recognisable term which describes our general beliefs.
For this reason, we have coined the term "Prouparchic-Monarchianism" or "Proparchianism" for short, to be inclusive of all believers in the pre-human existence of the Son, and of one God the Father, whether or not they call themselves “Arians” or something else.
It should be noted that this website IS NOT a religious organisation, church or denomination, but merely a free, non-denominationally based Christian resource and community, for those united in the Christologies of “Proparchianism”.
Hence, this website nor its associates, neither endorses, nor promotes, nor attacks the various differences of other various doctrines that other Proparchian brothers or sisters may have. Its focus primarily being the promotion and unification of Propachian-Christianity.
We believe in the independent congregational autonomy of each Christian congregation and group, united under our one God, the Father, and our one Lord, Jesus Christ (Matthew 23:8-9).
We are NOT “Followers of Arius“
Whilst our belief is commonly known as "Arianism" named after “Arius”, the historical figure in the early church who attempted to defend his position against the doctrine of the Trinity at the Council of Nicaea in the 4th Century A.D, Proparchians United does not seek or claim to be a “creed”, nor does it label itself as “followers of Arius” (1 Corinthians 1:12-13).
From an historical perspective, as our Christology and its variants can be shown to long predate Arius, we regard the term “Arianism” as anachronistic, but many of us may adopt use of it because in modern times it is a recognisable term which describes our general beliefs.
For this reason, we have coined the term "Prouparchic-Monarchianism" or "Proparchianism" for short, to be inclusive of all believers in the pre-human existence of the Son, and of one God the Father, whether or not they call themselves “Arians” or something else.
What we do NOT Promote
We do NOT Promote Heretical Groups
Though Proparchians United is open and liberal in the acceptance of many interpretations of scripture of various groups and individuals, we do not accept or promote persons or groups who are blatantly teaching against clearly defined and unambiguous scripture, for we do not wish to be guilty of “setting a snare” or “partaking in wicked works” (Matthew 18:6-7, Ephesians 5:11, 2 John 1:11).
In this respect, based on what we understand to be clearly defined and objective scripture, we do not promote groups such as those who teach or promote:
Though Proparchians United is open and liberal in the acceptance of many interpretations of scripture of various groups and individuals, we do not accept or promote persons or groups who are blatantly teaching against clearly defined and unambiguous scripture, for we do not wish to be guilty of “setting a snare” or “partaking in wicked works” (Matthew 18:6-7, Ephesians 5:11, 2 John 1:11).
In this respect, based on what we understand to be clearly defined and objective scripture, we do not promote groups such as those who teach or promote:
- Clear disobedience of God’s or Jesus‘ direct commands
- Various forms of sexual immorality (including Homosexual lifestyles)
- Free Grace Theology (that one can be saved even if intentionally sinning and disobeying Jesus without repentance)
- Universalist salvation (that all people will be saved no matter what)
- Religious interfaith (or Religious Universalism)
- Hyper-Calvinism (that there is no free choice in faith, but God has pre-destined all individuals to be saved or condemned)
- Enlightenment or Esotericism (putting salvation in or interpreting scripture with “inner” or mystical-knowledge; E.g; Gnosticism, Hesychasm, Mysticism, Kabbalah, etc)
- Iconodulism or Iconolatry (venerating, bowing, praying to, or kissing idols)
- Saint Intercession or Veneration (prayer or worship to saints)
- Enlightenment or Esotericism (putting salvation in or interpreting scripture with “inner” or mystical-knowledge; E.g; Gnosticism, Hesychasm, Mysticism, Kabbalah, etc)
- Docetism (denying Jesus came in the flesh as a fully mortal human)
“But whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him to have a great millstone fastened around his neck and to be drowned in the depth of the sea. Woe to the world for temptations to sin! For it is necessary that temptations come, but woe to the one by whom the temptation comes!“. – Matthew 18:6-7 (English Standard Version)
“Why do you call me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and not do what I tell you?”. – Luke 6:46 (English Standard Version)
“Don’t you know that the unrighteous will not inherit God’s kingdom? Do not be deceived: No sexually immoral people, idolaters, adulterers, or males who have sex with males, no thieves, greedy people, drunkards, verbally abusive people, or swindlers will inherit God’s kingdom.”. – 1 Corinthians 6:9-10 (Christian Standard Bible)
“I appeal to you, brothers, to watch out for those who cause divisions and create obstacles contrary to the doctrine that you have been taught; avoid them. For such persons do not serve our Lord Christ, but their own appetites, and by smooth talk and flattery they deceive the hearts of the naive“. – Romans 16:17-18 (English Standard Version)
“For many deceivers have gone out into the world, those who do not confess the coming of Jesus Christ in the flesh. Such a one is the deceiver and the antichrist…. If anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching, do not receive him into your house or give him any greeting, for whoever greets him takes part in his wicked works“. – 2 John 1:7,10-11 (English Standard Version)
“Thus says the Lord God, Woe to the foolish prophets who follow their own spirit, and have seen nothing! … They have seen false visions and lying divinations. They say, ‘Declares the Lord,’ when the Lord has not sent them, and yet they expect him to fulfill their word”. – Ezekiel 13:3, 6 (English Standard Version)
“Why do you call me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and not do what I tell you?”. – Luke 6:46 (English Standard Version)
“Don’t you know that the unrighteous will not inherit God’s kingdom? Do not be deceived: No sexually immoral people, idolaters, adulterers, or males who have sex with males, no thieves, greedy people, drunkards, verbally abusive people, or swindlers will inherit God’s kingdom.”. – 1 Corinthians 6:9-10 (Christian Standard Bible)
“I appeal to you, brothers, to watch out for those who cause divisions and create obstacles contrary to the doctrine that you have been taught; avoid them. For such persons do not serve our Lord Christ, but their own appetites, and by smooth talk and flattery they deceive the hearts of the naive“. – Romans 16:17-18 (English Standard Version)
“For many deceivers have gone out into the world, those who do not confess the coming of Jesus Christ in the flesh. Such a one is the deceiver and the antichrist…. If anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching, do not receive him into your house or give him any greeting, for whoever greets him takes part in his wicked works“. – 2 John 1:7,10-11 (English Standard Version)
“Thus says the Lord God, Woe to the foolish prophets who follow their own spirit, and have seen nothing! … They have seen false visions and lying divinations. They say, ‘Declares the Lord,’ when the Lord has not sent them, and yet they expect him to fulfill their word”. – Ezekiel 13:3, 6 (English Standard Version)
We do NOT Promote Judaizer Groups
Though Proparchians United respects and accepts the personal right of all Christians on their lifestyle choices concerning their observance of Biblical Festivals, dietary restrictions or Sabbath keeping, we do not promote churches, denominations or groups that teach doctrines that we consider to be Judaizing, that is, teaching that Gentiles (non-Jews) must be physically circumcised and follow the full Mosaic Law and practice the Biblical Jewish Feasts to be saved.
As an exception to this rule, we do however accept Proparchian Law Observant Messianic Jews who do not teach that Gentiles must practice the full Mosaic Law or Feasts as a requirement of salvation.
“For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery. Look: I, Paul, say to you that if you accept circumcision, Christ will be of no advantage to you. I testify again to every man who accepts circumcision that he is obligated to keep the whole law! …For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision counts for anything, but only faith working through love.”. – Galatians 5:1-3, 6 (English Standard Version)
“Only let each person lead the life that the Lord has assigned to him, and to which God has called him. This is my rule in all the churches. Was anyone at the time of his call already circumcised? Let him not seek to remove the marks of circumcision. Was anyone at the time of his call uncircumcised? Let him not seek circumcision“. – 1 Corinthians 7:17-18 (English Standard Version)
“In him also you were circumcised with a circumcision made without hands, by putting off the body of the flesh, by the circumcision of Christ… by canceling the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands. This he set aside, nailing it to the cross…. Therefore let no one pass judgment on you in questions of food and drink, or with regard to a festival or a new moon or a Sabbath. These are a shadow of the things to come, but the substance belongs to Christ”. – Colossians 2:11, 14, 16-17 (English Standard Version)
“One person esteems one day as better than another, while another esteems all days alike. Each one should be fully convinced in his own mind. The one who observes the day, observes it in honor of the Lord. The one who eats, eats in honor of the Lord, since he gives thanks to God, while the one who abstains, abstains in honor of the Lord and gives thanks to God”. – Romans 14:5-6 (English Standard Version)
“…some men came down from Judea and were teaching the brothers, ‘Unless you are circumcised according to the custom of Moses, you cannot be saved’ .…some believers who belonged to the party of the Pharisees rose up and said, ‘It is necessary to circumcise them and to order them to keep the law of Moses‘…. And after there had been much debate, Peter stood up and said to them, ‘Brothers, you know that in the early days God made a choice among you, that by my mouth the Gentiles should hear the word of the gospel and believe… Now, therefore, why are you putting God to the test by placing a yoke on the neck of the disciples that neither our fathers nor we have been able to bear? But we believe that we will be saved through the grace of the Lord Jesus, just as they will… Therefore my judgment is that we should not trouble those of the Gentiles who turn to God, but should write to them to abstain from the things polluted by idols, and from sexual immorality, and from what has been strangled, and from blood’.” – Acts 15:1, 5-7, 10-11, 19-20 (English Standard Version)
“Thus all will know that there is nothing in what they have been told about you [Paul], but that you yourself also live in observance of the law. But as for the Gentiles who have believed, we have sent a letter with our judgment that they should abstain from what has been sacrificed to idols, and from blood, and from what has been strangled, and from sexual immorality”. – Acts 21:24-25 (English Standard Version)
“Only let each person lead the life that the Lord has assigned to him, and to which God has called him. This is my rule in all the churches. Was anyone at the time of his call already circumcised? Let him not seek to remove the marks of circumcision. Was anyone at the time of his call uncircumcised? Let him not seek circumcision“. – 1 Corinthians 7:17-18 (English Standard Version)
“In him also you were circumcised with a circumcision made without hands, by putting off the body of the flesh, by the circumcision of Christ… by canceling the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands. This he set aside, nailing it to the cross…. Therefore let no one pass judgment on you in questions of food and drink, or with regard to a festival or a new moon or a Sabbath. These are a shadow of the things to come, but the substance belongs to Christ”. – Colossians 2:11, 14, 16-17 (English Standard Version)
“One person esteems one day as better than another, while another esteems all days alike. Each one should be fully convinced in his own mind. The one who observes the day, observes it in honor of the Lord. The one who eats, eats in honor of the Lord, since he gives thanks to God, while the one who abstains, abstains in honor of the Lord and gives thanks to God”. – Romans 14:5-6 (English Standard Version)
“…some men came down from Judea and were teaching the brothers, ‘Unless you are circumcised according to the custom of Moses, you cannot be saved’ .…some believers who belonged to the party of the Pharisees rose up and said, ‘It is necessary to circumcise them and to order them to keep the law of Moses‘…. And after there had been much debate, Peter stood up and said to them, ‘Brothers, you know that in the early days God made a choice among you, that by my mouth the Gentiles should hear the word of the gospel and believe… Now, therefore, why are you putting God to the test by placing a yoke on the neck of the disciples that neither our fathers nor we have been able to bear? But we believe that we will be saved through the grace of the Lord Jesus, just as they will… Therefore my judgment is that we should not trouble those of the Gentiles who turn to God, but should write to them to abstain from the things polluted by idols, and from sexual immorality, and from what has been strangled, and from blood’.” – Acts 15:1, 5-7, 10-11, 19-20 (English Standard Version)
“Thus all will know that there is nothing in what they have been told about you [Paul], but that you yourself also live in observance of the law. But as for the Gentiles who have believed, we have sent a letter with our judgment that they should abstain from what has been sacrificed to idols, and from blood, and from what has been strangled, and from sexual immorality”. – Acts 21:24-25 (English Standard Version)
In this respect, though sharing or accepting Proparchian beliefs, we do not promote or associate ourselves with denominations and groups such as:
(Etc..)
However, individuals belonging to these religions are free to contribute their writings and research to Proparchians United, in regard to the promotion of the Christological doctrines and theologies of Proparchianism.
- United Church of God
- Assemblies of Yahweh
- Yahweh’s Restoration Ministry
- Kingdom in Context
- Church of the Nazarene
(Etc..)
However, individuals belonging to these religions are free to contribute their writings and research to Proparchians United, in regard to the promotion of the Christological doctrines and theologies of Proparchianism.
We do NOT Promote Denominational or Exclusivist Churches
Though this website does not aim to discredit or attack other churches, congregations or denominations, we do not wish to promote groups, churches or organisations which are bound by organisational rules, traditions of men, hierarchical power, exclusivism, creeds, dogma, charismatic leaders, false prophets, or those who have otherwise put themselves above or on the same level as our Anointed Lord and Master, Jesus Christ, or our Father and God, YHWH.
Rather, we hold to a view of Postdenominationalism.
Though this website does not aim to discredit or attack other churches, congregations or denominations, we do not wish to promote groups, churches or organisations which are bound by organisational rules, traditions of men, hierarchical power, exclusivism, creeds, dogma, charismatic leaders, false prophets, or those who have otherwise put themselves above or on the same level as our Anointed Lord and Master, Jesus Christ, or our Father and God, YHWH.
Rather, we hold to a view of Postdenominationalism.
“But you are not to be called rabbi, for you have one teacher, and you are all brothers. And call no man your father on earth, for you have one Father, who is in heaven. Neither be called instructors, for you have one instructor, the Christ. The greatest among you shall be your servant. Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted”. – Matthew 23:8-12 (English Standard Version)
“John said to him, “Teacher, we saw someone casting out demons in your name, and we tried to stop him, because he was not following us.” But Jesus said, “Do not stop him, for no one who does a mighty work in my name will be able soon afterward to speak evil of me”. – Mark 9:38-39 (English Standard Version)
“John said to him, “Teacher, we saw someone casting out demons in your name, and we tried to stop him, because he was not following us.” But Jesus said, “Do not stop him, for no one who does a mighty work in my name will be able soon afterward to speak evil of me”. – Mark 9:38-39 (English Standard Version)
In this, though sharing Proparchian beliefs, we do not promote or associate ourselves with high control groups, exclusivist religions, or prophet movements such as:
(Etc…)
However, individuals belonging to these religions are free to contribute their writings and research to Proparchians United, in regard to the promotion of the Christological doctrines and theologies of Proparchianism.
- Jehovah’s Witnesses
- Church of Latter Day Saints (Mormonism)
- EGW (or Ellenist)–Adventists
- Russellite–Bible Students
- Worldwide Church of God
- Black Hebrew Israelites
(Etc…)
However, individuals belonging to these religions are free to contribute their writings and research to Proparchians United, in regard to the promotion of the Christological doctrines and theologies of Proparchianism.
We do NOT Promote Adoptionist or Socinian Groups
Whilst we have great love and respect for all our other Biblical Unitarian brothers and sisters, we do not promote groups or churches that adhere to Adoptionist or Socinian Christology. That being the belief that Jesus did not have a pre-human Heavenly existence before coming to Earth as a human being, for we believe this is against what the scriptures teach of our Lord Jesus Christ’s origins.
Whilst we have great love and respect for all our other Biblical Unitarian brothers and sisters, we do not promote groups or churches that adhere to Adoptionist or Socinian Christology. That being the belief that Jesus did not have a pre-human Heavenly existence before coming to Earth as a human being, for we believe this is against what the scriptures teach of our Lord Jesus Christ’s origins.
"Then what if you were to see the Son of Man ascending to where he was before?” – John 6:62 (English Standard Bible)
“I was in existence before Abraham was ever born!” – John 8:38 (The Living Bible)
“I was in existence before Abraham was ever born!” – John 8:38 (The Living Bible)
In this respect, though some Proparchians amongst us may be associated with some of them, we do not promote churches, groups or denominations such as:
(Etc…)
- Unitarian Christian Alliance
- Christadelphians
- Churches of God General Conference
- Allegiance to the King
- Unitarian Torch
(Etc…)
However, we allow Dynamic Monarchians, Adoptionists and Socinians to have membership here, as long as they are respectful of the rules and environment.
Our Website: ariansunited.wordpress.com