Customer Reviews

The New Birth: Volume 2

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(4)

 

 

Bernard covers the entire scope of the new birth experience. He does a great job of explaining grace, faith, & works, and how they are related. He covers all the angles including those that do not agree with Biblical teaching. Also goes in depth into such topics as baptism, tongues, and Christian living. Some won't agree, but many don't agree with the Bible, and Bernards book is good sound Bible teaching. Some resort to name calling, but, some like darkness better than light. This book with it's study guide should be a basic in every Christian school and home.

Excellent book. The author has thoroughly studied essential biblical doctrines and made the New Testament gospel easily understandable in this concise and well-written work. Rev. Bernard is not an amateur writer. He holds a doctorate of jurisprudence with honors from the University of Texas and a bachelor's degree magna cum laude in mathematical sciences and managerial studies from Rice University. Hardly the signs of a cult member.

Might I say that if there is anything that is cultic in nature, it is the Gentile, neo-pagan, tritheistic, mythical doctrine of "the trinity", which is found no place in Scripture. Trinitarianism has more in common with the Bhagavad-Gita than it does with the Jewish/Christian bible. It negates everything in the Jewish Tanach (the Old Testament). The Apostle Paul said Christians are to be "built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone", prophets primarily meaning the books of the Old Testament. Therefore the Shema (q.v.) cannot be contradicted with new (as compared to older, Judaistic monotheism), privately interpreted, artificial doctrine of "the trinity".

Also, concerning speaking with tongues, "A Reader" is completely incorrect and dead wrong. The Assemblies of God, the world's largest trinitarian Pentecostal organization states, "The baptism of believers in the Holy Ghost is witnessed by the initial physical sign of speaking with other tongues as the Spirit of God gives them utterance...the speaking in tongues in this instance is the same in essence as the gift of tongues, but is different in purpose and use." Hence, there are those other than Oneness Pentecostals who believe the exact same thing concerning the necessity of "speaking in tongues", as salvation is not effected until one recieves the Spirit of Christ by faith. The Oneness movement sprang out of the Assemblies of God and simply retained this doctrine which they already shared with them while in the AG.

Overall, the primacy of biblical Christianity over historical Christianity must be adhered to, and Oneness theology is biblical, trinitarianism is historical (though only after circa 325 A.D.) When historical teachings are placed above biblical teachings, it is then that cults are formed. As for previous reviews, I say: Avoid ignorance and second-hand information at all costs. Read the book, and read the Bible.

"...Straight is the gate and narrow is the way that leadeth unto life, and few there be that go in thereat." The majority of Christendom has yet to discover the truths written in this book, but it does not make them any less true. It is a scholarly, well-written book that proclaims the truth that the Bible teaches. I am glad that I have it in my collection!!!

Book arrived very timely and in good condition as advertized. I have not read the book yet as have not had the class yet I cannot comment really on this book but Bro. Bernard is an excellent teacher and writer.

Bernard writes strictly from his point of view which he and other Oneness adherents read into all Scripture. What most folks in Oneness circles don't know is that Oneness Pentecostals have not always taught that the "water and the Spirit" of John 3:5 equates with water baptism and Spirit baptism as mentioned in Acts 2:38. There are many Oneness Pentecostal pioneers and authors such as Howard A. Goss, the first General Superintendant of the United Pentecostal Church, John Paterson, Andrew Urshan, and C.H. Yadon, and others that repudiated such a position.
These men taught that BELIEVERS were baptized because they WERE believers and partakers of eternal life and saved, NOT to make them believers or to obtain salvation. Oneness adherents will be doing themselves a favor if they consider what many of their pioneers really believed. An excellent history of Oneness Pentecostal doctrinal developements can be found in CHRISTIANITY WITHOUT THE CROSS by Thomas Fudge which is available from Amazon.com.

I've experienced what is written in this book. It's true. It is life changing, it is for all!

Readers will find that this book reflects the private interpretation of Oneness Pentecostal groups such as the United Pentecostal Church which is the largest of these groups. Sadly, most Oneness believers are not aware that Bernard's position that water baptism in Jesus' name and the baptism of the Holy Spirit evidenced by speaking in tongues are required for salvation and therefore constitute the new birth, was NOT believed by MANY prominent Oneness pioneers. Howard A. Goss was the first General Superintendant of the UPC which was formed by the merger of two Oneness Pentecostal groups in 1945. Goss taught, as did a very large percentage if the ministerial body of the UPC, that one was saved by faith and repentance BEFORE water baptism and the baptism of the Spirit with tongues. In agreement with Goss were Oneness Pentecostal pioneers Andrew Urshan, G.T. Haywood, John Paterson, and C.H. Yadon just to name a few. [...]

Having read this work, Bernard attempts to make doctrine out of some very controversial verses. This is a major hermeneutical blunder. Moreover, he doesn't analyze Scripture with enough depth. I don't believe this gentlemen is purposely trying to deceive, but I do believe that he makes many assumptions and exegetical fallacies. A much more balanced book to read from another Oneness Pentecostal is "Speaking in Tongues", subtitled "A Scholarly Defense" by Barnett. Unfortunately the logical conclusion of Bernard's book is that the rest of Christianity is unsaved - this is an absurd conclusion.

Bernard tries to make the case that you are not saved until you have "spoken in tongues" (i.e. glossolalia). A radical teaching not found anywhere in scripture. This also has never been taught by any Christian in history (even among Charismatics) until the rise of the so-called "Oneness Pentecostals" in the U.S., circa 1914/1915. Charismatic Scholar David Reed considers this extremist teaching puts Oneness Pentecostals in the realm of the cultic. I agree. Avoid this book and the United Pentecostal Church cult at all costs.