2 Chronicles 7:14 (Misinterpreted Scriptures)
If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.
Misinterpretation: Some in the UPC say that the people "called by God’s Name" are Oneness Pentecostals (because they believe in baptism in Jesus’ Name).
Facts: This Scripture was written at least 400-500 years before Christ1, and the event that it was recording was the dedication of Solomon’s Temple, which happened almost 1,000 years before Christ2! The promise in 2 Chr. 7:14 was to the Jews, not to Oneness Pentecostals, or even to Christians in general. Of course, I do believe that the forgiveness of sins is a Biblical concept, and this Scripture is certainly a beautiful illustration of that! However, it is a mistake to say that this Scripture is talking directly to anyone but the Israelites.
References:
- Dyer, C., Merrill, E., Swindoll, C. R., & Zuck, R. B. (2001). Nelson’s Old Testament Survey : Discover the Background, Theology and Meaning of Every Book in the Old Testament (294). Nashville: Word. [↩]
- Youngblood, R. F., Bruce, F. F., Harrison, R. K., & Thomas Nelson Publishers. (1995). Nelson’s new illustrated Bible dictionary. Rev. ed. of: Nelson’s illustrated Bible dictionary.; Includes index ("Solomon’s Temple"). Nashville: T. Nelson. [↩]