Argument #4 Holiness. Touching on this subject in the last post; we see this as an expected behavior after repentance; and full immersion baptism. Since the issue of baptism isn't unique to those of oneness persuasion as a necessity for salvation; I will not get into it here except to say that Acts 2:38 could be interpreted differently if we say REPENT and be baptised FOR THE REMISSION OF SINS. This would place the emphasis of the remission on the repentance. As to holiness I would say that it MUST occur at some point in a believer's life as evidence of spiritual FRUIT. But as I believe I stated earlier (if it wasn't wiped out) is that holiness is a result of a changed heart ( Exodus 36:26). If we are holy we should show love; longsuffering and other evidences of saving faith; not have a prideful or boastful attitude because we are (or think we are) saved. I would argue that there is a good point about the churches in general being very lax in dress and other worldly behaviors being allowed so that they are often indistinguishable from the world. As to the behavior of marriage and divorce that Mr. Jennings has I actually agree with that; although in many other congregations of Pentecostals and certainly charismatics it seems there is much illegitimate divorce and remarriage when a spouse is still alive. Another issue I won't elaborate on further is the speaking in tongues which is considered NECESSARY for salvation despite scriptures to the contrary such as 1 Corinthians 12:30 which I probably referenced already.
For now I feel I have given a sufficient overview of this subject. I certainly am not lauding Calvin's approach to martyring Silvanius for being a modalist (or non Trinitarian); I can't say matter of factly someone is not a true believer in this camp but have serious concerns on these and other issues. We can't understand much even with scripture on these mysteries of God.
It is said that those of the Oneness Pentacostal camp never refer to themselves as "modalists"; and in reality the term "Trinity" although the best description we have for God being represented by three different entities as it were along with any other term has its limitations. As with any other issue; when there is error involved there is always a deeper reason as well as associated other spurious elements of doctrine involved. I am writing believing in; more or less the Trinitarian approach and using scriptures to support this concept which I will attempt to do in further postings; provided that incoming comments are something the Lord leads me to respond to and that it is edifying to involve myself is such an undertaking.
The first thing I feel obligated to respond to is the charge by those such as Jino Jennings that those of my persuasion believe in multiple gods or 3 different dieties. That by no means is what I and others believe. I will also give positive affirmation where praise is due; the focus on holiness which is mandated by those in that camp and knowledge of scripture; particularly in the Old Testament helps build knowledge. He and others in that type of church also tend to have elders read scriptures along with their commentary and also preach from time to time. Such involvement would be helpful in any church to some extent as scripturally the gift of elder is basically synonymous with a pastor and there should be shared responsibilities in a church rather than the imbalance we sometimes see when a head pastor tries to fly solo. There is; however a tendancy among that denomination of shouting and appearing to "lord it over" people; shouting and other "signs" such as tongues and uncontrollable behaviors that are often part of a typical service. An emphasis on the necessity of speaking in tongues to be saved was a challenge given to me over 30 years ago which goes against 1 Corinthians 12:30
I would like to second Brother Jesse and others interpretation of ( Matt 12:49-50)
It's those who are led by the Spirit of God to do the will of God is those who are in the family of God.
Romans 8:14-16 states "For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.
For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.
The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God"
When we are baptized by the Spirit of God we function as a body
1 Corinthians 12:13 "For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.
Hi Mary Jay. As you know, we don't align in our understanding of the Scriptures, but thought to address this one post from you as an example.
In answer to your question, I exist as a physical person, now saved & revived by the Blood of Christ & His Spirit, joined to the Body of Christ. Am I "the BODY of Christ?" NO. My understanding of the Scriptures is that the Body of Christ is the Church ( Ephesians 5:23; Colossians 1:18,24). So, I'm not the Body, Christ is; I am a part of that Body, the parts of which comprise the Church ( Romans 12:4,5; 1 Corinthians 12:12-14). There can only be one Body, or else, if each member is the Body of Christ, then Christ is no longer the Head of His Church but the Head of each person. And though 1 Corinthians 11:3 states, "...that the head of every man is Christ...", this verse speaks about the position, in the spiritual realm & of the Church presenting before God, of woman to the man, of man to Christ & of Christ to God.
So with Galatians 2:20, my understanding of "I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me...", is that my life that I now live is not my own (my ownership), but belongs to Christ (His ownership) with Christ (by His Spirit) Who now lives in me. This is a personal relationship with the risen Christ, with Whom all others who completely identify with Him, also enjoy. Thus together we form His Church, which is His Body; so the individual can never be Christ's Body - only His Church can be, which is the collection of believers.
Ephesians 4:13 Till WE ALL COME into the UNITY of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a PERFECT MAN, unto the measure of the FULLNESS of Christ.
Colossians 2:9 For IN HIM dwelleth all the FULLNESS of the Godhead BODILY.
Colossians 1:27 .... this mystery ..... Christ IN YOU ......are you not the body of Christ .....
1 Corinthians 12:27 ... ye are the BODY of Christ ......
John 19:34 ..... Is it not written IN YOU LAW, I HAVE SAID, Ye are gods?
Hi Valmar. Thanks for addressing my question & I do agree with you on the incomprehensible Work of the Spirit in giving healing, exhortation, etc. What I was looking for pertains to your subject, viz. a believer's eternal security. And also to a comment you made, "the ability to lose one's salvation rests completely with that individual".
The way I understand the Scriptures, is that if we have the ability, or power, to lose/relinquish our salvation, then it presents questions not only to the Spirit's Work in saving a lost soul, but also the power we have to over-ride what the Spirit has done in our lives. Clearly, you believe that a saved sinner can either choose to depart Christ or to remain faithful to Him. My question then is: is it in the new spiritual make-up of the one now found 'in Christ' to ever desire to leave the One Who has delivered Him from so great a penalty & given him a new life with peace, joy & hope? Here, I'm not referring to a saved soul who through negligence or appeal of the flesh or Satan, strays & toys with the world. I'm confident if that soul is saved, then the Spirit will not let him go; and Momsage shared an apt testimony of this very work of God in her & her husband.
So to my question, I believe the more relevant Work of the Holy Spirit in one's life is that: He Convicts man of his sin ( John 16:8-11); He Regenerates, or gives re-birth to the penitent sinner ( John 3:3-7, Titus 3:5, 2 Corinthians 5:17, 1 John 2:29); He Indwells ( 1 Corinthians 6:19, Romans 5:5, John 14:16); He Baptizes ( 1 Corinthians 12:13, Ephesians 4:5); and He Seals ( 2 Corinthians 1:22, Ephesians 1:13, Ephesians 4:30). I'm sure you're conversant with these Scriptures, showing that salvation & securing is all of God, without any contribution from man. To Page 2.
All men DIED (take up your cross and follow me in death), a NEW CREATION arose, the BODY of Christ, the bride, Christ's wife: and Christ being the HEAD of the BODY.
1 John 3:9 Whosoever is BORN (new birth, being RAISED as the body of Christ, and Christ as the head of that body) doth not commit sin, BECAUSE his SEED (the word of God, truth, life) remaineth IN HIM (this mystery, Christ IN YOU), and he CANNOT SIN
WHY can't we sin: BECAUSE
Ezekiel 36:27 And I WILL put my SPIRIT (the Spirit that raised Christ) IN YOU, and I WILL CAUSE you to walk in my statutes, and TO KEEP my judgements and DO THEM.
It's not our works (in that day they will say, did WE NOT): we do nothing it's all the WORKS OF GOD.
Revelation 2:26 .... and KEEPS my WORKS .....
Isaiah 26:10 ....TOGETHER (as ONE), with my DEAD BODY shall they ARISE .....
Revelation 21:5 ..... I MAKE all things NEW ......
John 17:22 And the GLORY that thou GAVEST ME, I have given them, that as WE ARE ONE, that may be ONE .
Christ was RAISED with eternal (IMMORTAL) LIFE, we are joint-heirs of that eternal LIFE
1 Timothy 6:16 ... Christ ONLY hath IMMORTALITY, dwelling in the light .....
1 Corinthians 15:53 ....this mortal MUST PUT ON IMMORTALITY ....
1 Corinthians 15:38 ... and to every SEED ..... HIS OWN BODY ......
1 Corinthians 12:27 ..... ye are the BODY of CHRIST ......
If you don't believe; you will DIE in your SIN (unbelief), ALL other sins are COVERED by the BLOOD of Christ.
You cannot; add or take away, from the WORKS of the CROSS of Christ.
Did his CROSS save mankind; from DEATH, or was the WORKS of the CROSS useless?
Philippians 3:18 For MANY (christians) walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are ENEMIES of the CROSS of Jesus Christ.
Galatians 2:20 I am CRUCIFIED with Christ, yet I LIVE, yet NOT I, but CHRIST ......
ONLY the BODY of Christ was RESURRECTED.
1 Corinthians 12:27 Ye are the BODY of Christ ..... you're just a BODY, nothing else.
Ezekiel 36:27 And I will put my Spirit in YOU (my BODY) and CAUSE you to walk in my statutes, and KEEP my judgements and DO THEM.
Ephesians 4:4 ..... ONE BODY ....
Most don't BELIEVE the WORKS of the CROSS of Christ.
I agree with your statement David, but I think we need to be more specific. I wont call you intoxicated like Frankie did, but I do believe that you are just ignorant to certain scriptures. By ignorant I'm using it as the Bible does in the sense of you just haven't been taught.
So the Bible is the FINAL authority in the Christian life ( 2 Peter 1:19). I agree with Frankie that you need the Holy Spirit to discern the things of God in His word. The Bible clearly states that in 1 Peter 1:11-12. The Bible also says that we need a preacher, because how can we hear without one ( Romans 10:14). So the Bible was given by the Holy Spirit/God and needs to be discerned through that, because the Bible is of no private interpretation ( 2 Peter 1:20-21). God had a specific meaning for each word and only He can tell us what that is.
I also believe what the Bible says in Acts 2:17 that in the last days people will prophesy, have dreams, and visions. If the Bible says it, then it's true. That being said, since the Bible is the final authority, if anything they say happened in the prophesy, dream, or vision that goes against the Bible, then it's a false dream.
Here's how to discern if they are truly a "prophet" in the sense of them prophesying, dreaming, and having visions:
1. Does it follow scripture ( 2 Peter 3:16)
2. Look at their fruits ( Matthew 7:15-20)
3. It doesn't breed confusion ( 1 Corinthians 14:29-33)
4. It is of the Holy Ghost/Jesus ( 1 Corinthians 12:1-3, John 16:13-15)
I hope this was a help to you and there is definitely more studying that can go into this, but that's about the summary of this.
There is only ONE SIN ..... UNBELIEF .....all other sins are COVERED by the blood of Christ.
John 16:8 And when HE IS COME, he (the Holy Ghost) will reprove the world of SIN .... UNBELIEF ..... the HOLY Ghost is going to rule the world with a rod or iron (truth and mercy)
John 16:9 OF SIN, because they BELIEVE NOT on me (THE WORD) .....
Most believe Jesus came for the WORKS of the cross ..... they don't BELIEVE those WORKS ....
ALL BODIES DIED (yours, mine, and Christ's) on the cross 2000 years ago; ONLY ONE BODY arose, the BODY of CHRIST.
1 Corinthians 12:27 ... NOW ye are the BODY of Christ ..... who did NO SIN .....
There is NO .... I, me, myself ... ONLY ONE BODY .... the body of Christ ..... all creation, the NEW CREATION ....
John 17:22 And the glory that thou (the Spirit that raised Christ) has given me, I have GIVEN THEM (the new creation) that they may be ONE as we are ONE.
If you don't BELIEVE his WORDS your continuing in SIN ..... if you BELIEVE his WORDS you CANNOT SIN .... your just doing what Christ WILLS and Causes you TO DO.
Colossians 1:27 ..... this MYSTERY .... Christ in YOU ......
Ezekiel 36:27 And I (the Holy Ghost) will put my Spirit IN YOU (his body) and CAUSE you to walk in my statutes, and keep my judgements, and DO THEM.
Philippians 2:13 For it is God that WORKETH IN YOU both to WILL and to do his good pleasure.
Most don't BELIEVE the WORD.
God is giving you eyes to SEE his truth, your Christ's BODY, he is causing you to DO his good pleasure; therefore, you; his body, CANNOT SIN, because it's HIS WORKS, not your works.
Revelation 2:26 ....and he that keepeth MY WORKS to the end, to him will I give power over the nations ....as I have been given of my Father .....
God bless you as Christ CAUSES us to walk in TRUTH.
I am going to let the word of God answer the questions you ask.
You ask: Did the apostle Paul commit sin after he was saved.
1 John 3:9 Whosoever is BORN of GOD doeth not commit sin, for his (GOD'S) SEED remaineth in him: and he CANNOT sin because he is BORN of God.
You ask: in 100 years will I be alive in physical body? YES!
John 11:26 Whosoever liveth and believeth in me (the SEED) shall NEVER DIE, believest thou this?
Luke 20:36 Neither can they (the SEED) DIE ANYMORE (they died with Christ on the cross): for they are EQUAL unto the ANGELS (angles have Christ's resurrected body); and are the children (SONS, like Christ) of God, being the children (SEED) of the resurrection.
1 Corinthians 15:38 But God giveth it (Christ's SEED) a body as it has pleased him, to every SEED his (Christ's) OWN BODY.
You ask: do I every commit sin. NO!
Galatians 2:20 .....I am DEAD, nonetheless I LIVE, YET NOT I, but Christ LIVETH IN ME .... ALL creation DIED on the cross ....ONLY ONE SEED (Christ) arose ....
You ask: What does it mean to be born again.
To believe the WORD's Of GOD.
You can not be BORN again until you BELIEVE YOUR DEAD, only Christ is alive.
You ask: Where is Paul living and in what form:
Luke 20:36 ...EQUAL to the angles .... the IMAGE of CHRIST ...... Christ is the ANGEL of GOD ......
Isaiah 63:8 .... and the ANGEL of his (God's) presence SAVED them ..... Paul is living IN and BY the presence of Christ, in the body of Christ ...
Colossians 1:27 ..... this mystery ..... Christ in you .....
1 Corinthians 12:27 ... ye are the BODY of Christ ....
For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit..
Water baptism didn't perform this.
John's baptism was a ritual baptism of repentance to the lost sheep of Israel.
Water baptism today is a ritual baptism of what the Spirit of God does.
It is a important ceremony practiced since the early Church.
The baptism of repentance to the lost sheep of Israel.
This was to Identify them with their savior.
In Matthew 3:15 Jesus was also baptized with this baptism to Identify the savior with the people and to fulfill all righteousness, he needed no repentance.
Acts 19:4 Then said Paul, John verily baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying unto the people, that they should believe on him which should come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus.
JOHNS MISSION;
Luke 1:16-17. And many of ( THE CHILDREN OF ISRAEL ) shall he turn to the Lord their God.
And he shall go before him in the spirit and power of Elias, TO TURN THE HEARTS OF THE FATHERS TO THE CHILDREN, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just; to make ready A PEOPLE prepared for the Lord.
Luke 1:67-74. And his father Zacharias was filled with the Holy Ghost, and prophesied, saying,
Blessed be the Lord God of Israel; for he hath visited and redeemed his people,
And hath raised up an horn of salvation for us in the house of his servant David;
As he spake by the mouth of his holy prophets, which have been since the world began:
That we should be saved from our enemies, and from the hand of all that hate us;
To perform the mercy promised to our fathers, and to remember his holy covenant;
The oath which he sware to our father Abraham,
That he would grant unto us, that we being delivered out of the hand of our enemies might serve him without fear,
Today we are baptized by the Spirit of God.
Acts 1:5. For John truly baptized with water; ( BUT) ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence.
The resurrection made all things NEW, including your name.
Isaiah 62:2 ...... and thou shall be called by a new name ....
Revelation 2:17 ...and I will give him a white stone, and in that stone a NEW NAME written, which no man knoweth but he that RECEIVETH it.
Revelation 3:12 ...and i will write upon him my new name ...
If you don't YET know your new name, the word of God tells you what that name is.
You were married to Christ by his and your resurrection TOGETHER, the bride takes the name of her husband,
You were baptised in the NAME of Jesus.
There was only ONE BODY raised at the resurrection, and that ONE BODY was given LIFE by ONE SPIRIT.
1 Corinthians 12:27 NOW you are the body of Christ .....
Luke 8:11 .... the SEED is the WORD OF GOD .....
Isaiah 59:21 And this is my covenant with them (YOU), saith the Lord, the words that I (the Father) have put in your (Christ's) mouth, shall not depart out of your (Christ is the WORD, the SEED) mouth, nor out of thy SEED (your born again by the WORD of GOD----you become SEED) nor out of the mouth of thy SEED'S SEED (your are going to bear fruit---SEED), saith the Lord, from henceforth (the resurrection) and forever.
You are the BODY OF CHRIST.
Revelation 19:16 And he had on his vesture and on his thigh (body) written, THE LORD OF LORDS AND THE KING OF KINGS
Revelation 19:13 ...and his name is called THE WORD OF GOD ....
Revelation 1:1 The REVELATION (the revealing) of Jesus Christ .....
Revelation 1:11 .... I AM .... the first (man) ....I AM .... the last (man)
Exodus 3:13 .... I AM that I AM .... I AM hath sent ME to YOU ....
John 17:22 ...and the GLORY that thou has given me, I have GIVEN THEM ....that they may be ONE as we are ONE ...
You were given a NEW NAME, a gift of GOD, by the death and resurrecting of CHRIST.
God's Word is full if warnings about the teachings and work's of man.
The only TRUE pastor of the sheep is Christ.
THE WAY is Christ.
We have to UNDERSTAND and BELIEVE what Christ's resurrection ACCOMPLISHED.
YOU DIED on the cross with Christ.
YOU were resurrected with Christ; A NEW CREATION, there was ONLY ONE BODY that was resurrected 2000 years AGO, that BODY was Christ, you SHARED that resurrection with Christ, YOU ALSO became the BODY of Christ.
1 Corinthians 12:27 .... You are the body of Christ .....
Colossians 1:27 ..... this MYSTERY (of the resurrection) .....Christ IN YOU ......
You and Christ became ONE at that resurrection, Christ is now the LIFE in YOU: your HIS BODY.
He is the SHEPHERD of YOUR BODY your body does what the shepherd wants it to do, because Christ is the LIFE in YOU.
Philippians 2:13 For it is GOD that worketh in you (the new creation) both TO WILL and TO DO his good pleasure.
This truth has to become REAL in YOU; as this TRUTH becomes REAL TO YOU, you WILL SEE with different eyes.
Psalms 116:15 Precious in the sight of the LORD is the DEATH of his saints.
You have to BELIEVE God' s word: you DIED: only CHRIST exist, you share that by BEING HIS BODY.
Until then, you body is being lead by by whats described in Jeremiah 23:1-4
1 Timothy 6:16 Christ ONLY hath IMMORTALIY, dwelling in the light ....
1 Corinthians 15 ... this mortal (YOU) shall PUT ON IMMORALITY ..... death is swallowed up in VICTORY .....
You caught up, raptured, translated, into THE PRESENCE of GOD, to forever be the IMAGE of CHRIST, a SON OF GOD.
John 14:6 Jesus said unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life.
Anti means to be opposite that scripture.
A person believes his Life is himself, instead of the LIFE being GOD IN YOU.
The person believes they have FREE WILL.
If you have come to truth you understand that since God is the LIFE IN YOU, it's God's WILL being done IN YOU
There is NO SINGLE antichrist, just millions of antichrist.
1 John 2:18 ....and you have heard that antichrist shall come, even NOW are there many (millions) of antichrist
2 John 1:7 .....who confess not Jesus IS COME in the FLESH .....Christ CAME ONCE, and has already come the SECOND TIME: IN THE FLESH, you can't see him, he came like a thief in the night. The KINGDOM is not in OBSERVATION but UNDERSTANDING.
John 17:22 ....that they may be one, even as we are one ....
Because of the WORKS of the resurrection; ALL FLESH died with Christ, and ALL FLESH rose with Christ, 1 Corinthians 12:27 YOU ARE THE BODY OF CHRIST ....
BELIEVE: Christ has COME IN the flesh: YOU and I and ALL.
Colossisns 1:27 .....THIS MYSTERY .....CHRIST IN YOU .......
Isaiah 28:1 .... that he may do his work (the WORK OF HIS CROSS), his STRANGE WORK, his ACT his STRANGE ACT .....
You have to come to TRUTH that YOU, sinful flesh DIED on the cross, YOU no longer exist, Christ; ONLY, the BODY of the spirit of our Father, was RAISED; BY INHERITANCE YOU, also became the BODY (MANKIND is that BODY) of the Spirit.
1 Timothy 6:16 Who ONLY hath IMMORTALITY, dwelling in the light, which NO MAN can approach unto ...
1 Corinthians 12:27 ....you are the body of Christ .....
Are YOU the TEMPLE OF GOD, or is the Lord God Almighty, and the Lamb the TEMPLE OF IT, and YOU become ONE by HIS RESURRECTION and Christ GAVE YOU an inheritance, by sharing the SAME BODY: Revelation 21:22?
Ephesians 4:4 .....ONE body .... ONE spirit .....
1 Corinthians 15:53 ...this mortal MUST put on IMMORTALITY (Christ ONLY hath immortality)
1 Corinthians 15:38 But God giveth it (the NEW creation) a BODY as it hath pleased him, and to every SEED his (the Father's) OWN BODY (Christ is the BODY of the FATHER).
Isaiah 54:1 Sing, O BARREN, thou that didst not bear, break forth into singing, and cry aloud, thou that didst not TRAVAIL WITH CHILD: for more are the children of the DESOLATE ( Daniel 12:11, Matthew 24:17) than the children of the married wife (Christ's bride, the virgin) saith the Lord (saith the WORD).
Isaiah 53:11 He (Christ) shall she the TRAVAIL of his BODY ( 1 Corinthians 12:27), and shall be satisfied: BY HIS KNOWLEDGE shall my (the Father's) righteous servant JUSTIFY MANY; for he shall bear their iniquities.
Micah 4:10 Be in pain, and labour to bring forth, O daughter of Zion, like a WOMAN IN TRAVAIL: for now thou shall go forth out of the city, and thou shall dwell in the field (like a beast), and thou shall even go to Babylon ( Revelation 18:4); THERE SHALL THOU BE DELIVERED; there shall the Lord redeem thee from the hand of your enemy (death).
You've said a mouth full, especially when you said;
Quoting you;
A-.. "people that are tightly knit look out for one another and are able to help us to keep boundaries and hopefully accountability in our lives.
I believe when we are tightly knit together we should be consider Galatians 6:1-4. when we have this brother that seems to be out of line in conduct.
( If we love him we would help him! )
"Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, RESTORE SUCH AN ONE IN THE SPIRIT OF MEEKNESS; CONSIDERING THYSELF, LEST THOU ALSO BE TEMPTED.
Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.
For if a man think himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceiveth himself.
But let every man prove his own work, and then shall he have rejoicing in himself alone, and not in another."
Continuing Quoting you;
B-.. This; of course is a two way street; we shouldn't expect a hypocritical standard where the leadership can live in open rebellion while expecting everyone else to have a legalistic standard."
This is where Galatians 6:1 says "considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted." comes into effect.
Today we prefer not restore or help someone, or maybe there is no fault to be found.
We shun that person without any attempt to reason.
These differences and confusion may be found in
1 Corinthians 12:13-23
It's the Spirit that harmonize us without partiality or hypocrisy.
This is where fleshly discernment has its flaws in partiality and hypocrisy.
The Spirit of truth should harmonize both parties and we trust and submit to that.
There's a side to truth that isn't pleasant in a culture where we rather lie and present ourselves as pleasant. Because a rebuke is not often taken well, and even when done meekly it's not cultural so it is deemed as unpleasant.
If a "BROTHERN" needs help you help him, you don't shun him.
In him was life; and the life was the light of men.
And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not.
There was a man sent from God, whose name was John.
The same came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, THAT ALL MEN THROUGH HIM MIGHT BELIEVE.
He was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light.
That was the true Light, WHICH LIGHTEST EVERY MAN THAT COMETH INTO THE WORLD. John 1:4-9.
2 Corinthians 4:3-4. But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost:
In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.
NO MAN CAN COME TO ME, EXCEPT THE FATHER WHICH HATH SENT ME DRAW HIM: and I will raise him up at the last day. John 6:44.
(It is the spirit of God that draws man to the Lord.)
There are churches who believe that speaking in tonuges were only for the early period of the church and churches who believe that they are for all ages. The former ones are usually the ones that do not have them occuring in their function mainly the Catholics and Eastern Orthodox churches and many Protestant churches. The latter are called Charismatic or Pentecostal churches.
So I have a question and my question is. If the tongues were only for that early period like all those spiritual gifts described in 1 Corinthians 12:4-11 why were they included by the Holly Spirit in the Bible? What was God's purpose talking about things that will not occur during the vast majority of the existence of the church? Why didn't God give instructions for some other function of the church to follow later on? Why God keeps us busy reading about history things? Just for historical knowledge? No other purpose?
Is there a verse in the Bible that suggests that those things were for the past only? I cannot find any.
The verse you wrote about ( 1 Cor 13:8-10) is refering to a future time when we will be in Heaven. Then knowledge, prophesy, tongues will cease. There will be no reason for those then.
But now, 1 Corinthians 14:1-5
"Follow after charity, and desire spiritual gifts, but rather that ye may prophesy
For he that speaketh in an unknown tongue speaketh not unto men, but unto God: for no man understandeth him; howbeit in the spirit he speaketh mysteries.
But he that prophesieth speaketh unto men to edification, and exhortation, and comfort.
He that speaketh in an unknown tongue edifieth himself; but he that prophesieth edifieth the church.
I would that ye all spake with tongues, but rather that ye prophesied: for greater is he that prophesieth than he that speaketh with tongues, except he interpret, that the church may receive edifying."
Please read those carefully. (Oh please God, don't waste my time with past things that do not occur now. Or they still occur now?)
For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead.
For as in Adam all die, even so "IN CHRIST" shall all be made alive.
But every man in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; afterward they that are Christ's at his coming"
What an marvelous saying!!
The key is being "in Christ"
This is the baptism he came to perform on all those who accepts him as savior! ( Jews and Gentiles alike)
This is what Paul is saying in 1 Corinthians 12:13. "unto the Jews first and then to the Gentiles"
This is what John the Baptist is saying to the Jews when preparing the way for their Messiah.
THE RESURRECTION.
The belief in the resurrection of the body is an vital aspect of our faith as we see in 1 Corinthians 15:17-20
Also the resurrection promotes a "New birth" taken place!
This is where the same Spirit that raised Christ from the dead quickens our mortal bodies as mentioned in Romans 8:11-14.
So, we are baptized into Jesus death as mentioned in Romans 6:3.
Romans 6:4-11 gives us our present state by the power of the Holyspirit.
Verse 11 says we are to reckon "or to recognize" ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord.
We have been given an earnest of the Holyspirit to will and perform inside us!
So, We have been given the earnest of the Spirit,
Sealed and predestinated, with a promise of redemption for the purchased possession. "by the blood of Christ."
This is what the resurrection means to us.
God bless.
Argument #4 Holiness. Touching on this subject in the last post; we see this as an expected behavior after repentance; and full immersion baptism. Since the issue of baptism isn't unique to those of oneness persuasion as a necessity for salvation; I will not get into it here except to say that Acts 2:38 could be interpreted differently if we say REPENT and be baptised FOR THE REMISSION OF SINS. This would place the emphasis of the remission on the repentance. As to holiness I would say that it MUST occur at some point in a believer's life as evidence of spiritual FRUIT. But as I believe I stated earlier (if it wasn't wiped out) is that holiness is a result of a changed heart ( Exodus 36:26). If we are holy we should show love; longsuffering and other evidences of saving faith; not have a prideful or boastful attitude because we are (or think we are) saved. I would argue that there is a good point about the churches in general being very lax in dress and other worldly behaviors being allowed so that they are often indistinguishable from the world. As to the behavior of marriage and divorce that Mr. Jennings has I actually agree with that; although in many other congregations of Pentecostals and certainly charismatics it seems there is much illegitimate divorce and remarriage when a spouse is still alive. Another issue I won't elaborate on further is the speaking in tongues which is considered NECESSARY for salvation despite scriptures to the contrary such as 1 Corinthians 12:30 which I probably referenced already.
For now I feel I have given a sufficient overview of this subject. I certainly am not lauding Calvin's approach to martyring Silvanius for being a modalist (or non Trinitarian); I can't say matter of factly someone is not a true believer in this camp but have serious concerns on these and other issues. We can't understand much even with scripture on these mysteries of God.
Let us be Bereans.
Agape. Rich P
It is said that those of the Oneness Pentacostal camp never refer to themselves as "modalists"; and in reality the term "Trinity" although the best description we have for God being represented by three different entities as it were along with any other term has its limitations. As with any other issue; when there is error involved there is always a deeper reason as well as associated other spurious elements of doctrine involved. I am writing believing in; more or less the Trinitarian approach and using scriptures to support this concept which I will attempt to do in further postings; provided that incoming comments are something the Lord leads me to respond to and that it is edifying to involve myself is such an undertaking.
The first thing I feel obligated to respond to is the charge by those such as Jino Jennings that those of my persuasion believe in multiple gods or 3 different dieties. That by no means is what I and others believe. I will also give positive affirmation where praise is due; the focus on holiness which is mandated by those in that camp and knowledge of scripture; particularly in the Old Testament helps build knowledge. He and others in that type of church also tend to have elders read scriptures along with their commentary and also preach from time to time. Such involvement would be helpful in any church to some extent as scripturally the gift of elder is basically synonymous with a pastor and there should be shared responsibilities in a church rather than the imbalance we sometimes see when a head pastor tries to fly solo. There is; however a tendancy among that denomination of shouting and appearing to "lord it over" people; shouting and other "signs" such as tongues and uncontrollable behaviors that are often part of a typical service. An emphasis on the necessity of speaking in tongues to be saved was a challenge given to me over 30 years ago which goes against 1 Corinthians 12:30
I would like to second Brother Jesse and others interpretation of ( Matt 12:49-50)
It's those who are led by the Spirit of God to do the will of God is those who are in the family of God.
Romans 8:14-16 states "For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.
For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.
The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God"
When we are baptized by the Spirit of God we function as a body
1 Corinthians 12:13 "For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.
This is the Brotherhood that is mentioned here.
God bless
In answer to your question, I exist as a physical person, now saved & revived by the Blood of Christ & His Spirit, joined to the Body of Christ. Am I "the BODY of Christ?" NO. My understanding of the Scriptures is that the Body of Christ is the Church ( Ephesians 5:23; Colossians 1:18,24). So, I'm not the Body, Christ is; I am a part of that Body, the parts of which comprise the Church ( Romans 12:4,5; 1 Corinthians 12:12-14). There can only be one Body, or else, if each member is the Body of Christ, then Christ is no longer the Head of His Church but the Head of each person. And though 1 Corinthians 11:3 states, "...that the head of every man is Christ...", this verse speaks about the position, in the spiritual realm & of the Church presenting before God, of woman to the man, of man to Christ & of Christ to God.
So with Galatians 2:20, my understanding of "I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me...", is that my life that I now live is not my own (my ownership), but belongs to Christ (His ownership) with Christ (by His Spirit) Who now lives in me. This is a personal relationship with the risen Christ, with Whom all others who completely identify with Him, also enjoy. Thus together we form His Church, which is His Body; so the individual can never be Christ's Body - only His Church can be, which is the collection of believers.
Is Christ God?
Ephesians 4:13 Till WE ALL COME into the UNITY of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a PERFECT MAN, unto the measure of the FULLNESS of Christ.
Colossians 2:9 For IN HIM dwelleth all the FULLNESS of the Godhead BODILY.
Colossians 1:27 .... this mystery ..... Christ IN YOU ......are you not the body of Christ .....
1 Corinthians 12:27 ... ye are the BODY of Christ ......
John 19:34 ..... Is it not written IN YOU LAW, I HAVE SAID, Ye are gods?
Hi Valmar. Thanks for addressing my question & I do agree with you on the incomprehensible Work of the Spirit in giving healing, exhortation, etc. What I was looking for pertains to your subject, viz. a believer's eternal security. And also to a comment you made, "the ability to lose one's salvation rests completely with that individual".
The way I understand the Scriptures, is that if we have the ability, or power, to lose/relinquish our salvation, then it presents questions not only to the Spirit's Work in saving a lost soul, but also the power we have to over-ride what the Spirit has done in our lives. Clearly, you believe that a saved sinner can either choose to depart Christ or to remain faithful to Him. My question then is: is it in the new spiritual make-up of the one now found 'in Christ' to ever desire to leave the One Who has delivered Him from so great a penalty & given him a new life with peace, joy & hope? Here, I'm not referring to a saved soul who through negligence or appeal of the flesh or Satan, strays & toys with the world. I'm confident if that soul is saved, then the Spirit will not let him go; and Momsage shared an apt testimony of this very work of God in her & her husband.
So to my question, I believe the more relevant Work of the Holy Spirit in one's life is that: He Convicts man of his sin ( John 16:8-11); He Regenerates, or gives re-birth to the penitent sinner ( John 3:3-7, Titus 3:5, 2 Corinthians 5:17, 1 John 2:29); He Indwells ( 1 Corinthians 6:19, Romans 5:5, John 14:16); He Baptizes ( 1 Corinthians 12:13, Ephesians 4:5); and He Seals ( 2 Corinthians 1:22, Ephesians 1:13, Ephesians 4:30). I'm sure you're conversant with these Scriptures, showing that salvation & securing is all of God, without any contribution from man. To Page 2.
I don't expect you to believe my words.
I said to you: YOU ARE the Body of Christ.
Here is God's word:
1 Corinthians 12:27 ..... ye are the body of christ .....
God BLESS YOU!
What is our cross for?
To DIE on or cross.
Psalms 116:15 Precious in the sight of the Lord is the DEATH (on our cross) of his saints.
If we die on the cross of Christ, the we were MARRIED to him in his RESURRECTION.
1 Corinthians 15:43 .... raised in GLORY .....
1 Peter 1:21 WE by him (Christ) do BELIEVE in God, who raised him from the dead, and GAVE him GLORY....
John 17:22 And the GLORY thou GAVEST ME, I have GIVEN them, that as we are ONE, they may BE ONE in us.
There was ONLY ONE BODY raise at the RESURRECTION of Christ.
Ephesians 4:4 .....ONE body .......
1 Corinthians 12:27 ..... ye are the BODY of Christ ......
Ezekiel 36:26 A NEW HEART will I give you .....
1 Corinthians 2:16 .... ye have the MIND of Christ .....
We are a NEW Creation, ONE BODY, with the heart and mind of Christ.
Psalms 107:31 Oh that man would praise the LORD for his goodness, his wonderful works to the children of men!
God Bless YOU!
Galatians 2:20 I AM CRUCIFIED with Christ .......
I BELIEVE God's word, I'm DEAD.
..... nevertheless I LIVE ...... yet NOT I, BUT CHRIST .......
Psalms 1:2 ... his delight is the LAW of the Lord .....
Romans 8:2 For the LAW of the SPIRIT OF LIFE in Christ ......
John 14:6 .... I am the LIFE ......
Ephesians 4:4 ..... ONE body ...... ONE Spirit .....
1 Corinthians 15:38 ... to every SEED ..... his (Christ's) own BODY .....
1 Corinthians 12:27 NOW ye are the BODY of Christ .....
Colossians 1:27 .... this mystery ..... Christ in you ....
Ezekiel 36:27 And I WILL CAUSE you to walk in my statutes, and keep my judgements and DO THEM.
I'm DEAD, dead men CANNOT sin.
God Bless YOU!
All men DIED (take up your cross and follow me in death), a NEW CREATION arose, the BODY of Christ, the bride, Christ's wife: and Christ being the HEAD of the BODY.
1 John 3:9 Whosoever is BORN (new birth, being RAISED as the body of Christ, and Christ as the head of that body) doth not commit sin, BECAUSE his SEED (the word of God, truth, life) remaineth IN HIM (this mystery, Christ IN YOU), and he CANNOT SIN
WHY can't we sin: BECAUSE
Ezekiel 36:27 And I WILL put my SPIRIT (the Spirit that raised Christ) IN YOU, and I WILL CAUSE you to walk in my statutes, and TO KEEP my judgements and DO THEM.
It's not our works (in that day they will say, did WE NOT): we do nothing it's all the WORKS OF GOD.
Revelation 2:26 .... and KEEPS my WORKS .....
Isaiah 26:10 ....TOGETHER (as ONE), with my DEAD BODY shall they ARISE .....
Revelation 21:5 ..... I MAKE all things NEW ......
John 17:22 And the GLORY that thou GAVEST ME, I have given them, that as WE ARE ONE, that may be ONE .
Christ was RAISED with eternal (IMMORTAL) LIFE, we are joint-heirs of that eternal LIFE
1 Timothy 6:16 ... Christ ONLY hath IMMORTALITY, dwelling in the light .....
1 Corinthians 15:53 ....this mortal MUST PUT ON IMMORTALITY ....
1 Corinthians 15:38 ... and to every SEED ..... HIS OWN BODY ......
1 Corinthians 12:27 ..... ye are the BODY of CHRIST ......
God BLESS YOU!
God BLESS YOU!
What is ONE SAVED FROM?
DEATH
If you don't believe; you will DIE in your SIN (unbelief), ALL other sins are COVERED by the BLOOD of Christ.
You cannot; add or take away, from the WORKS of the CROSS of Christ.
Did his CROSS save mankind; from DEATH, or was the WORKS of the CROSS useless?
Philippians 3:18 For MANY (christians) walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are ENEMIES of the CROSS of Jesus Christ.
Galatians 2:20 I am CRUCIFIED with Christ, yet I LIVE, yet NOT I, but CHRIST ......
ONLY the BODY of Christ was RESURRECTED.
1 Corinthians 12:27 Ye are the BODY of Christ ..... you're just a BODY, nothing else.
Ezekiel 36:27 And I will put my Spirit in YOU (my BODY) and CAUSE you to walk in my statutes, and KEEP my judgements and DO THEM.
Ephesians 4:4 ..... ONE BODY ....
Most don't BELIEVE the WORKS of the CROSS of Christ.
God Bless YOU!
So the Bible is the FINAL authority in the Christian life ( 2 Peter 1:19). I agree with Frankie that you need the Holy Spirit to discern the things of God in His word. The Bible clearly states that in 1 Peter 1:11-12. The Bible also says that we need a preacher, because how can we hear without one ( Romans 10:14). So the Bible was given by the Holy Spirit/God and needs to be discerned through that, because the Bible is of no private interpretation ( 2 Peter 1:20-21). God had a specific meaning for each word and only He can tell us what that is.
I also believe what the Bible says in Acts 2:17 that in the last days people will prophesy, have dreams, and visions. If the Bible says it, then it's true. That being said, since the Bible is the final authority, if anything they say happened in the prophesy, dream, or vision that goes against the Bible, then it's a false dream.
Here's how to discern if they are truly a "prophet" in the sense of them prophesying, dreaming, and having visions:
1. Does it follow scripture ( 2 Peter 3:16)
2. Look at their fruits ( Matthew 7:15-20)
3. It doesn't breed confusion ( 1 Corinthians 14:29-33)
4. It is of the Holy Ghost/Jesus ( 1 Corinthians 12:1-3, John 16:13-15)
I hope this was a help to you and there is definitely more studying that can go into this, but that's about the summary of this.
There is only ONE SIN ..... UNBELIEF .....all other sins are COVERED by the blood of Christ.
John 16:8 And when HE IS COME, he (the Holy Ghost) will reprove the world of SIN .... UNBELIEF ..... the HOLY Ghost is going to rule the world with a rod or iron (truth and mercy)
John 16:9 OF SIN, because they BELIEVE NOT on me (THE WORD) .....
Most believe Jesus came for the WORKS of the cross ..... they don't BELIEVE those WORKS ....
ALL BODIES DIED (yours, mine, and Christ's) on the cross 2000 years ago; ONLY ONE BODY arose, the BODY of CHRIST.
1 Corinthians 12:27 ... NOW ye are the BODY of Christ ..... who did NO SIN .....
There is NO .... I, me, myself ... ONLY ONE BODY .... the body of Christ ..... all creation, the NEW CREATION ....
John 17:22 And the glory that thou (the Spirit that raised Christ) has given me, I have GIVEN THEM (the new creation) that they may be ONE as we are ONE.
If you don't BELIEVE his WORDS your continuing in SIN ..... if you BELIEVE his WORDS you CANNOT SIN .... your just doing what Christ WILLS and Causes you TO DO.
Colossians 1:27 ..... this MYSTERY .... Christ in YOU ......
Ezekiel 36:27 And I (the Holy Ghost) will put my Spirit IN YOU (his body) and CAUSE you to walk in my statutes, and keep my judgements, and DO THEM.
Philippians 2:13 For it is God that WORKETH IN YOU both to WILL and to do his good pleasure.
Most don't BELIEVE the WORD.
God is giving you eyes to SEE his truth, your Christ's BODY, he is causing you to DO his good pleasure; therefore, you; his body, CANNOT SIN, because it's HIS WORKS, not your works.
Revelation 2:26 ....and he that keepeth MY WORKS to the end, to him will I give power over the nations ....as I have been given of my Father .....
God bless you as Christ CAUSES us to walk in TRUTH.
I am going to let the word of God answer the questions you ask.
You ask: Did the apostle Paul commit sin after he was saved.
1 John 3:9 Whosoever is BORN of GOD doeth not commit sin, for his (GOD'S) SEED remaineth in him: and he CANNOT sin because he is BORN of God.
You ask: in 100 years will I be alive in physical body? YES!
John 11:26 Whosoever liveth and believeth in me (the SEED) shall NEVER DIE, believest thou this?
Luke 20:36 Neither can they (the SEED) DIE ANYMORE (they died with Christ on the cross): for they are EQUAL unto the ANGELS (angles have Christ's resurrected body); and are the children (SONS, like Christ) of God, being the children (SEED) of the resurrection.
1 Corinthians 15:38 But God giveth it (Christ's SEED) a body as it has pleased him, to every SEED his (Christ's) OWN BODY.
You ask: do I every commit sin. NO!
Galatians 2:20 .....I am DEAD, nonetheless I LIVE, YET NOT I, but Christ LIVETH IN ME .... ALL creation DIED on the cross ....ONLY ONE SEED (Christ) arose ....
You ask: What does it mean to be born again.
To believe the WORD's Of GOD.
You can not be BORN again until you BELIEVE YOUR DEAD, only Christ is alive.
You ask: Where is Paul living and in what form:
Luke 20:36 ...EQUAL to the angles .... the IMAGE of CHRIST ...... Christ is the ANGEL of GOD ......
Isaiah 63:8 .... and the ANGEL of his (God's) presence SAVED them ..... Paul is living IN and BY the presence of Christ, in the body of Christ ...
Colossians 1:27 ..... this mystery ..... Christ in you .....
1 Corinthians 12:27 ... ye are the BODY of Christ ....
God bless YOU!
1 Corinthians 12:131 Corinthians 12:13 (KJV)
For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit..
Water baptism didn't perform this.
John's baptism was a ritual baptism of repentance to the lost sheep of Israel.
Water baptism today is a ritual baptism of what the Spirit of God does.
It is a important ceremony practiced since the early Church.
It's done "By" believers.
God bless.
The baptism of repentance to the lost sheep of Israel.
This was to Identify them with their savior.
In Matthew 3:15 Jesus was also baptized with this baptism to Identify the savior with the people and to fulfill all righteousness, he needed no repentance.
Acts 19:4 Then said Paul, John verily baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying unto the people, that they should believe on him which should come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus.
JOHNS MISSION;
Luke 1:16-17. And many of ( THE CHILDREN OF ISRAEL ) shall he turn to the Lord their God.
And he shall go before him in the spirit and power of Elias, TO TURN THE HEARTS OF THE FATHERS TO THE CHILDREN, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just; to make ready A PEOPLE prepared for the Lord.
Luke 1:67-74. And his father Zacharias was filled with the Holy Ghost, and prophesied, saying,
Blessed be the Lord God of Israel; for he hath visited and redeemed his people,
And hath raised up an horn of salvation for us in the house of his servant David;
As he spake by the mouth of his holy prophets, which have been since the world began:
That we should be saved from our enemies, and from the hand of all that hate us;
To perform the mercy promised to our fathers, and to remember his holy covenant;
The oath which he sware to our father Abraham,
That he would grant unto us, that we being delivered out of the hand of our enemies might serve him without fear,
Today we are baptized by the Spirit of God.
Acts 1:5. For John truly baptized with water; ( BUT) ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence.
Matthew 3:11.
1 Corinthians 12:13.
God bless.
God has given you a new name.
The resurrection made all things NEW, including your name.
Isaiah 62:2 ...... and thou shall be called by a new name ....
Revelation 2:17 ...and I will give him a white stone, and in that stone a NEW NAME written, which no man knoweth but he that RECEIVETH it.
Revelation 3:12 ...and i will write upon him my new name ...
If you don't YET know your new name, the word of God tells you what that name is.
You were married to Christ by his and your resurrection TOGETHER, the bride takes the name of her husband,
You were baptised in the NAME of Jesus.
There was only ONE BODY raised at the resurrection, and that ONE BODY was given LIFE by ONE SPIRIT.
1 Corinthians 12:27 NOW you are the body of Christ .....
Luke 8:11 .... the SEED is the WORD OF GOD .....
Isaiah 59:21 And this is my covenant with them (YOU), saith the Lord, the words that I (the Father) have put in your (Christ's) mouth, shall not depart out of your (Christ is the WORD, the SEED) mouth, nor out of thy SEED (your born again by the WORD of GOD----you become SEED) nor out of the mouth of thy SEED'S SEED (your are going to bear fruit---SEED), saith the Lord, from henceforth (the resurrection) and forever.
You are the BODY OF CHRIST.
Revelation 19:16 And he had on his vesture and on his thigh (body) written, THE LORD OF LORDS AND THE KING OF KINGS
Revelation 19:13 ...and his name is called THE WORD OF GOD ....
Revelation 1:1 The REVELATION (the revealing) of Jesus Christ .....
Revelation 1:11 .... I AM .... the first (man) ....I AM .... the last (man)
Exodus 3:13 .... I AM that I AM .... I AM hath sent ME to YOU ....
John 17:22 ...and the GLORY that thou has given me, I have GIVEN THEM ....that they may be ONE as we are ONE ...
You were given a NEW NAME, a gift of GOD, by the death and resurrecting of CHRIST.
God bless you.
God's Word is full if warnings about the teachings and work's of man.
The only TRUE pastor of the sheep is Christ.
THE WAY is Christ.
We have to UNDERSTAND and BELIEVE what Christ's resurrection ACCOMPLISHED.
YOU DIED on the cross with Christ.
YOU were resurrected with Christ; A NEW CREATION, there was ONLY ONE BODY that was resurrected 2000 years AGO, that BODY was Christ, you SHARED that resurrection with Christ, YOU ALSO became the BODY of Christ.
1 Corinthians 12:27 .... You are the body of Christ .....
Colossians 1:27 ..... this MYSTERY (of the resurrection) .....Christ IN YOU ......
You and Christ became ONE at that resurrection, Christ is now the LIFE in YOU: your HIS BODY.
He is the SHEPHERD of YOUR BODY your body does what the shepherd wants it to do, because Christ is the LIFE in YOU.
Philippians 2:13 For it is GOD that worketh in you (the new creation) both TO WILL and TO DO his good pleasure.
This truth has to become REAL in YOU; as this TRUTH becomes REAL TO YOU, you WILL SEE with different eyes.
Psalms 116:15 Precious in the sight of the LORD is the DEATH of his saints.
You have to BELIEVE God' s word: you DIED: only CHRIST exist, you share that by BEING HIS BODY.
Until then, you body is being lead by by whats described in Jeremiah 23:1-4
1 Timothy 6:16 Christ ONLY hath IMMORTALIY, dwelling in the light ....
1 Corinthians 15 ... this mortal (YOU) shall PUT ON IMMORALITY ..... death is swallowed up in VICTORY .....
You caught up, raptured, translated, into THE PRESENCE of GOD, to forever be the IMAGE of CHRIST, a SON OF GOD.
God Bless YOU!
PROPHECY:
Ezekiel 36:27 And I will put my spirit WITHIN YOU, and CAUSE YOU to walk in my statutes, and ye shall keep MY JUDGEMENTS, and DO THEM.
You DIED with Christ, YOU WERE RAISED with Christ, this is the POWER OF THE RESURRECTION.
You are now the BODY of Christ, everything you say, will to do, or do is CAUSED by the spirit of TRUTH and LIFE WITHIN YOU.
Very FEW BELIEVE God's word.
Philippians 2:13 For it is God (spirit) which WORKETH IN YOU, both TO WILL and TO DO his good pleasure.
Colossians 1:27 ....this mystery .....Christ in you .....
Matthew 7:14 ...narrow is THE WAY .....FEW there be that FIND IT ....
John 14:6 ....I AM THE WAY .......
1 Corinthians 12:27 ...Ye are the BODY OF CHRIST .....
FEW BELIEVE God's word.
Psalms 82:6 I (God himself) HAVE SAID, ye are gods, the children of the most high.
Your the dwelling place of GOD, your are doing the very will of God 24/7.
The question is? Do you believe God's word?
God Bless YOU, as our Father brings us to TRUTH.
John 14:6 Jesus said unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life.
Anti means to be opposite that scripture.
A person believes his Life is himself, instead of the LIFE being GOD IN YOU.
The person believes they have FREE WILL.
If you have come to truth you understand that since God is the LIFE IN YOU, it's God's WILL being done IN YOU
There is NO SINGLE antichrist, just millions of antichrist.
1 John 2:18 ....and you have heard that antichrist shall come, even NOW are there many (millions) of antichrist
2 John 1:7 .....who confess not Jesus IS COME in the FLESH .....Christ CAME ONCE, and has already come the SECOND TIME: IN THE FLESH, you can't see him, he came like a thief in the night. The KINGDOM is not in OBSERVATION but UNDERSTANDING.
John 17:22 ....that they may be one, even as we are one ....
Because of the WORKS of the resurrection; ALL FLESH died with Christ, and ALL FLESH rose with Christ, 1 Corinthians 12:27 YOU ARE THE BODY OF CHRIST ....
BELIEVE: Christ has COME IN the flesh: YOU and I and ALL.
Colossisns 1:27 .....THIS MYSTERY .....CHRIST IN YOU .......
Isaiah 28:1 .... that he may do his work (the WORK OF HIS CROSS), his STRANGE WORK, his ACT his STRANGE ACT .....
A NEW CREATION
FEW believe this, it makes for many antichrist.
God Bless YOU!
You have to come to TRUTH that YOU, sinful flesh DIED on the cross, YOU no longer exist, Christ; ONLY, the BODY of the spirit of our Father, was RAISED; BY INHERITANCE YOU, also became the BODY (MANKIND is that BODY) of the Spirit.
1 Timothy 6:16 Who ONLY hath IMMORTALITY, dwelling in the light, which NO MAN can approach unto ...
1 Corinthians 12:27 ....you are the body of Christ .....
Are YOU the TEMPLE OF GOD, or is the Lord God Almighty, and the Lamb the TEMPLE OF IT, and YOU become ONE by HIS RESURRECTION and Christ GAVE YOU an inheritance, by sharing the SAME BODY: Revelation 21:22?
Ephesians 4:4 .....ONE body .... ONE spirit .....
1 Corinthians 15:53 ...this mortal MUST put on IMMORTALITY (Christ ONLY hath immortality)
1 Corinthians 15:38 But God giveth it (the NEW creation) a BODY as it hath pleased him, and to every SEED his (the Father's) OWN BODY (Christ is the BODY of the FATHER).
God BlessYOU!
Isaiah 54:1 Sing, O BARREN, thou that didst not bear, break forth into singing, and cry aloud, thou that didst not TRAVAIL WITH CHILD: for more are the children of the DESOLATE ( Daniel 12:11, Matthew 24:17) than the children of the married wife (Christ's bride, the virgin) saith the Lord (saith the WORD).
Isaiah 53:11 He (Christ) shall she the TRAVAIL of his BODY ( 1 Corinthians 12:27), and shall be satisfied: BY HIS KNOWLEDGE shall my (the Father's) righteous servant JUSTIFY MANY; for he shall bear their iniquities.
Micah 4:10 Be in pain, and labour to bring forth, O daughter of Zion, like a WOMAN IN TRAVAIL: for now thou shall go forth out of the city, and thou shall dwell in the field (like a beast), and thou shall even go to Babylon ( Revelation 18:4); THERE SHALL THOU BE DELIVERED; there shall the Lord redeem thee from the hand of your enemy (death).
God Bless You!
You've said a mouth full, especially when you said;
Quoting you;
A-.. "people that are tightly knit look out for one another and are able to help us to keep boundaries and hopefully accountability in our lives.
I believe when we are tightly knit together we should be consider Galatians 6:1-4. when we have this brother that seems to be out of line in conduct.
( If we love him we would help him! )
"Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, RESTORE SUCH AN ONE IN THE SPIRIT OF MEEKNESS; CONSIDERING THYSELF, LEST THOU ALSO BE TEMPTED.
Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.
For if a man think himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceiveth himself.
But let every man prove his own work, and then shall he have rejoicing in himself alone, and not in another."
Continuing Quoting you;
B-.. This; of course is a two way street; we shouldn't expect a hypocritical standard where the leadership can live in open rebellion while expecting everyone else to have a legalistic standard."
This is where Galatians 6:1 says "considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted." comes into effect.
Today we prefer not restore or help someone, or maybe there is no fault to be found.
We shun that person without any attempt to reason.
These differences and confusion may be found in
1 Corinthians 12:13-23
It's the Spirit that harmonize us without partiality or hypocrisy.
This is where fleshly discernment has its flaws in partiality and hypocrisy.
The Spirit of truth should harmonize both parties and we trust and submit to that.
There's a side to truth that isn't pleasant in a culture where we rather lie and present ourselves as pleasant. Because a rebuke is not often taken well, and even when done meekly it's not cultural so it is deemed as unpleasant.
If a "BROTHERN" needs help you help him, you don't shun him.
This is why we examine ourselves.
God bless.
And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not.
There was a man sent from God, whose name was John.
The same came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, THAT ALL MEN THROUGH HIM MIGHT BELIEVE.
He was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light.
That was the true Light, WHICH LIGHTEST EVERY MAN THAT COMETH INTO THE WORLD. John 1:4-9.
2 Corinthians 4:3-4. But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost:
In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.
NO MAN CAN COME TO ME, EXCEPT THE FATHER WHICH HATH SENT ME DRAW HIM: and I will raise him up at the last day. John 6:44.
(It is the spirit of God that draws man to the Lord.)
John 6:60-65.
Matthew 16:17.
1 Peter 1:10-11.
1 Corinthians 2:9-11.
1 Corinthians 2:12-16.
1 Corinthians 12:3.
God bless.
Hi Ray.
There are churches who believe that speaking in tonuges were only for the early period of the church and churches who believe that they are for all ages. The former ones are usually the ones that do not have them occuring in their function mainly the Catholics and Eastern Orthodox churches and many Protestant churches. The latter are called Charismatic or Pentecostal churches.
So I have a question and my question is. If the tongues were only for that early period like all those spiritual gifts described in 1 Corinthians 12:4-11 why were they included by the Holly Spirit in the Bible? What was God's purpose talking about things that will not occur during the vast majority of the existence of the church? Why didn't God give instructions for some other function of the church to follow later on? Why God keeps us busy reading about history things? Just for historical knowledge? No other purpose?
Is there a verse in the Bible that suggests that those things were for the past only? I cannot find any.
The verse you wrote about ( 1 Cor 13:8-10) is refering to a future time when we will be in Heaven. Then knowledge, prophesy, tongues will cease. There will be no reason for those then.
But now, 1 Corinthians 14:1-5
"Follow after charity, and desire spiritual gifts, but rather that ye may prophesy
For he that speaketh in an unknown tongue speaketh not unto men, but unto God: for no man understandeth him; howbeit in the spirit he speaketh mysteries.
But he that prophesieth speaketh unto men to edification, and exhortation, and comfort.
He that speaketh in an unknown tongue edifieth himself; but he that prophesieth edifieth the church.
I would that ye all spake with tongues, but rather that ye prophesied: for greater is he that prophesieth than he that speaketh with tongues, except he interpret, that the church may receive edifying."
Please read those carefully. (Oh please God, don't waste my time with past things that do not occur now. Or they still occur now?)
Betty:
You want your prayer to always be answer:
Matthew 6:9 After this manner always pray ye:
Matthew 6:10 ....THY WILL BE DONE....
Philippians 2:13 For it is God that worketh IN YOU both TO WILL and TO DO his good pleasure.
Colossians 2:27 ...this mystery .....Christ in you ....
1 Corinthians 12:27 ....ye are the BODY OF CHRIST .....
John 16:13 Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come (the life of Christ in you), he will guide you into all truth .....
God Bless you, the body or life and truth.