Simple living? or am I less of a Christian?

[warriorofprayer]

I have something that has been weight heavy on my mind.

I have been reading posts about different issues in the Bible, different viewpoints and different translations. When it all boils down to it, who is right? Some say "Joe" is right, some say "Jane" is right, but who on this forum has to right to judge and say what is the absolute?

I believe it is what lines up with Scripture. Now, I am not one who can retain written information. I need to have visuals and conversations to be able to remember. Most of these conversations are hard for me to grasp and retain, it would take me lots of studying to be able to respond to most of them. Does this make me less of a Christian or slim my chances of being a "chosen one"?

I am a simple girl. I believe in God, I trust in Him, have faith in Him and love Him with all my heart. I try and live my life the way I feel the scriptures says to live. I hear his voice and I act upon it. I get dreams and visions, He speaks to me in many different forms. Most of the time, it is to stop and pray for certain individuals or situations. That is my place in the body right now, being a Prayer Warrior. Does that make me less of a Christian?

I help out people when I can, any way I can. Listening is a strong point, and offering a shoulder to cry on. Does it make me less of a Christian because I can't come up with Scriptures off the top of my head?

I know many others that are the same as me, are they less of Christians?

I have been reading a lot on this forum, and there seems to be different views about what Salvation is what the criteria is to be a "chosen one". Some insight would be great.

[JHM]

Less of a Christian? NOT in my book.

[GrannieAnnie]

All are equal in the eyes of God.....you believe in the basics...no one said you have to be a genius, or a student of the word....Jesus himself mixed with simple folk. All you have to do is accept Christ as you Lord and Savior....it sounds like you've done that....don't worry about anything else. I often feel that discussions here are way over my head....and I think that at my age I should know a lot more....but all I really need to know is that I love the Lord, He loves me and I lead the best life I can.....and for me...that means as simply as I can. My dear, I don't believe you have anything to worry about.

[amadeus2]

14For the body is not one member, but many.

15If the foot shall say, Because I am not the hand, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body?

16And if the ear shall say, Because I am not the eye, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body?

17If the whole body were an eye, where were the hearing? If the whole were hearing, where were the smelling?

18But now hath God set the members every one of them
in the body, as it hath pleased him.

19And if they were all one member, where were the body?

20But now are they many members, yet but one body.

21And the eye cannot say unto the hand, I have no need of thee: nor again the head to the feet, I have no need of you.

22Nay, much more those members of the body, which seem to be more feeble, are necessary:

23And those members of the body, which we think to be less honourable, upon these we bestow more abundant honour; and our uncomely parts have more abundant comeliness.

24For our comely parts have no need: but God hath tempered the body together, having given more abundant honour to that part which lacked:

25That there should be no schism in the body; but that the members should have the same care one for another.

26And whether one member suffer, all the members suffer with it; or one member be honoured, all the members rejoice with it.

27Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular.

28And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues.

29Are all apostles? are all prophets? are all teachers? are all workers of miracles?

30Have all the gifts of healing? do all speak with tongues? do all interpret?

31But covet earnestly the best gifts: and yet show I unto you a more excellent way.[I Cor 12]

[Zecryphon]

I have something that has been weight heavy on my mind.

I have been reading posts about different issues in the Bible, different viewpoints and different translations. When it all boils down to it, who is right? Some say "Joe" is right, some say "Jane" is right, but who on this forum has to right to judge and say what is the absolute?

I believe it is what lines up with Scripture. Now, I am not one who can retain written information. I need to have visuals and conversations to be able to remember. Most of these conversations are hard for me to grasp and retain, it would take me lots of studying to be able to respond to most of them. Does this make me less of a Christian or slim my chances of being a "chosen one"?

I am a simple girl. I believe in God, I trust in Him, have faith in Him and love Him with all my heart. I try and live my life the way I feel the scriptures says to live. I hear his voice and I act upon it. I get dreams and visions, He speaks to me in many different forms. Most of the time, it is to stop and pray for certain individuals or situations. That is my place in the body right now, being a Prayer Warrior. Does that make me less of a Christian?

I help out people when I can, any way I can. Listening is a strong point, and offering a shoulder to cry on. Does it make me less of a Christian because I can't come up with Scriptures off the top of my head?

I know many others that are the same as me, are they less of Christians?

I have been reading a lot on this forum, and there seems to be different views about what Salvation is what the criteria is to be a "chosen one". Some insight would be great.
I don't think it makes you less of an anything. Certainly not less of a Christian. Being a Christian has nothing to do with the retention of information or scriptures. Since you are a visual person perhaps a PC-based Bible study program would be beneficial to you. One particularly good one, and it's free, is e-Sword. You can get it at:

www.e-sword.net (http://www.e-sword.net)

Or perhaps you'd like to listen to the Bible instead of reading it. There are some great audio Bibles on CD on the market too. I'd be very surprised at people who are quoting scripture word for word off the top of their heads here. I usually have e-Sword open on my PC and find my quotes that way with the search engine.

Repentance of your sins and faith in Christ for forgiveness, salvation and eternal life is what makes you a Christian. Not retention of information.

[warriorofprayer]

I don't think it makes you less of an anything. Certainly not less of a Christian. Being a Christian has nothing to do with the retention of information or scriptures. Since you are a visual person perhaps a PC-based Bible study program would be beneficial to you. One particularly good one, and it's free, is e-Sword. You can get it at:

www.e-sword.net (http://www.e-sword.net)

Or perhaps you'd like to listen to the Bible instead of reading it. There are some great audio Bibles on CD on the market too. I'd be very surprised at people who are quoting scripture word for word off the top of their heads here. I usually have e-Sword open on my PC and find my quotes that way with the search engine.

Repentance of your sins and faith in Christ for forgiveness, salvation and eternal life is what makes you a Christian. Not retention of information.

When I am in a conversation with another Christian or praying, scriptures pop into my head. I am a very smart person when it comes to deciphering and problem solving. I love to read, but I have to read something 4 or 5 times for some of it to stick. I was the same in school. I would study for an exam or test, spit the information out on the paper, and that is it.

[MoNiCa4316]

I believe in God, I trust in Him, have faith in Him and love Him with all my heart. I try and live my life the way I feel the scriptures says to live. I hear his voice and I act upon it. I get dreams and visions, He speaks to me in many different forms. Most of the time, it is to stop and pray for certain individuals or situations. That is my place in the body right now, being a Prayer Warrior. Does that make me less of a Christian?

I help out people when I can, any way I can. Listening is a strong point, and offering a shoulder to cry on. Does it make me less of a Christian because I can't come up with Scriptures off the top of my head?


No, I actually think that's a great way to be! :thumbsup: God just asks that we believe, and obey His will. That is what makes a Christian. Knowledge of Scripture doesn't save people, just look at the Pharisees ;) Applying it to life is a much more important idea.
I think I'm a lot like you in this...I'm a simple girl too, lol.

I have been reading a lot on this forum, and there seems to be different views about what Salvation is what the criteria is to be a "chosen one". Some insight would be great.

Faith comes from the Holy Spirit...if you believe in God and love Him, then He chose you.

God bless.

[restore]

sister, u r now in a path , too hard to yourself.......i have this issue, too....it is the tricky from satan.

u need to stand for yourself :)

[jeremyloo]

I have something that has been weight heavy on my mind.

I have been reading posts about different issues in the Bible, different viewpoints and different translations. When it all boils down to it, who is right? Some say "Joe" is right, some say "Jane" is right, but who on this forum has to right to judge and say what is the absolute?

I believe it is what lines up with Scripture. Now, I am not one who can retain written information. I need to have visuals and conversations to be able to remember. Most of these conversations are hard for me to grasp and retain, it would take me lots of studying to be able to respond to most of them. Does this make me less of a Christian or slim my chances of being a "chosen one"?

I am a simple girl. I believe in God, I trust in Him, have faith in Him and love Him with all my heart. I try and live my life the way I feel the scriptures says to live. I hear his voice and I act upon it. I get dreams and visions, He speaks to me in many different forms. Most of the time, it is to stop and pray for certain individuals or situations. That is my place in the body right now, being a Prayer Warrior. Does that make me less of a Christian?

I help out people when I can, any way I can. Listening is a strong point, and offering a shoulder to cry on. Does it make me less of a Christian because I can't come up with Scriptures off the top of my head?

I know many others that are the same as me, are they less of Christians?

I have been reading a lot on this forum, and there seems to be different views about what Salvation is what the criteria is to be a "chosen one". Some insight would be great.

Hi sister,

There is no such thing as "less of a Christian" or "more of a Christian".

As long as you receive Jesus as your personal Lord and Saviour, you are a christian.

Let me give you an example in the OT.

When the children of Israel were in Egypt and the Lord instructed the children of Israel to kill the passover lamb on every household. They have to use the blood of the lamb to paint it on the door posts or else the first born will be killed by the angel of death.

At midnight, when the angel of death came, the first born of the Egyptian was killed. Just imagine, you are in the house of the Israelite and you heard the cries of the Egyptians, are you afraid? Well, I believed some Israelites were (faithless). But will the angel of death still pass over them...YES!!!

It is the blood that saves...not their works. As long as they paint the blood on the door post, they will be saved. God said "when I see the blood". The blood is for God to see, not for us to see.

We may not fully comprehend the Blood of Jesus, but our Father fully comprehend the Blood of His Son. He knows what His Son has done and it pleases Him. That's why at the cross, Jesus cried "It is finished", the full redemptive work is completed. Because of this, I can fully rest in God, even though my knowledge of Jesus is limited. Thus my faith level will raise. My salvation and your salvation is based on the finished work of Jesus at the cross.

Be bless

[ANM29]

You are child of God by the grace of God and you receive it by Faith..not your works. God has called you to intercessory prayer, that is one of your gifts. You are no less a Christian then someone who just received Christ today. :) . You are loved and spoken for by God.

[Nadiine]

Hi sister,

There is no such thing as "less of a Christian" or "more of a Christian".

As long as you receive Jesus as your personal Lord and Saviour, you are a christian.

Let me give you an example in the OT.

When the children of Israel were in Egypt and the Lord instructed the children of Israel to kill the passover lamb on every household. They have to use the blood of the lamb to paint it on the door posts or else the first born will be killed by the angel of death.

At midnight, when the angel of death came, the first born of the Egyptian was killed. Just imagine, you are in the house of the Israelite and you heard the cries of the Egyptians, are you afraid? Well, I believed some Israelites were (faithless). But will the angel of death still pass over them...YES!!!

It is the blood that saves...not their works. As long as they paint the blood on the door post, they will be saved. God said "when I see the blood". The blood is for God to see, not for us to see.

We may not fully comprehend the Blood of Jesus, but our Father fully comprehend the Blood of His Son. He knows what His Son has done and it pleases Him. That's why at the cross, Jesus cried "It is finished", the full redemptive work is completed. Because of this, I can fully rest in God, even though my knowledge of Jesus is limited. Thus my faith level will raise. My salvation and your salvation is based on the finished work of Jesus at the cross.

interesting use of that passover lamb's blood in Egypt and how true! Those who didn't have that blood covering the doorpost were not spared. :idea:

We're either saved or we are not. The rest is merely an issue of Rewards that we will be given for our works.
1 Cor. 3 explains this judgment for the saints.
We're saved, but our works get tried. We aren't any less saved than anyone else - it's what we've done that decides level of reward.

[LJSGM]

I have something that has been weight heavy on my mind.

I have been reading posts about different issues in the Bible, different viewpoints and different translations. When it all boils down to it, who is right? Some say "Joe" is right, some say "Jane" is right, but who on this forum has to right to judge and say what is the absolute?

This is what the Holy spirit is for, discernment. No longer are God's commandment written in stone, but now God's commandments/will is written on our hearts. If you are led by the spirit, you are not under "law".


I believe it is what lines up with Scripture. Now, I am not one who can retain written information. I need to have visuals and conversations to be able to remember. Most of these conversations are hard for me to grasp and retain, it would take me lots of studying to be able to respond to most of them. Does this make me less of a Christian or slim my chances of being a "chosen one"?


Interesting choice of words. Do you believe in calvanism or something? God choses those that BELIEVE in Christ, plain and simple.


I am a simple girl. I believe in God, I trust in Him, have faith in Him and love Him with all my heart. I try and live my life the way I feel the scriptures says to live. I hear his voice and I act upon it. I get dreams and visions, He speaks to me in many different forms. Most of the time, it is to stop and pray for certain individuals or situations. That is my place in the body right now, being a Prayer Warrior. Does that make me less of a Christian?


It's the unseen things that will be rewarded the most. The world bases a person's worth on what is seen of them, being a mighty leader, ect. God bases it on your heart, and how much love is in it.



I help out people when I can, any way I can. Listening is a strong point, and offering a shoulder to cry on. Does it make me less of a Christian because I can't come up with Scriptures off the top of my head?


Isn't it love that matters the most? But we are to desire spiritual gifts, and the gift of knowledge is one of them. If you desire it, ask God for it. I've read the bible through once only, yet, the scriptures abide in me, and pop into my head, it's as if I KNOW them. This is not of me, I'm not that clever. It is a gift from God. Just ask God for it. But what are these gifts without love? Nothing. You are on the right track.

1 Corinthians 13

1If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. 2If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. 3If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain nothing.

4Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. 8Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away. 9For we know in part and we prophesy in part, 10but when perfection comes, the imperfect disappears. 11When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put childish ways behind me. 12Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.

[Cris413]

I don't think it makes you less of an anything. Certainly not less of a Christian. Being a Christian has nothing to do with the retention of information or scriptures. Since you are a visual person perhaps a PC-based Bible study program would be beneficial to you. One particularly good one, and it's free, is e-Sword. You can get it at:

www.e-sword.net (http://www.e-sword.net)

Or perhaps you'd like to listen to the Bible instead of reading it. There are some great audio Bibles on CD on the market too. I'd be very surprised at people who are quoting scripture word for word off the top of their heads here. I usually have e-Sword open on my PC and find my quotes that way with the search engine.

Repentance of your sins and faith in Christ for forgiveness, salvation and eternal life is what makes you a Christian. Not retention of information.

e-sword :thumbsup:

Personally...one of the reasons I continue to participate in this forum...is the inspiration to dig into the word of God.

Acts 17:10,11

10And the brethren immediately sent away Paul and Silas by night unto Berea: who coming thither went into the synagogue of the Jews.
11These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.


courtesy of e-sword...;)


ooops..:blush: that reads funny...not that I consider myself noble...just pointing out that we absolutely need to search the Scripture to see how one's thoughts or teachings line up with Scripture...not just take things at face value in these forums...


I strongly encourage anyone who participates in these forums to do so with an open Bible...or open e-sword ;)

[BustedFlat]

e-sword (http://www.e-sword.net/) or Blue Letter Bible (http://www.blueletterbible.org/index.html) should be open on your desktop and a bound copy of the bible close at hand at all times.
I find that my BC lifestyle in the early 70s has left my memory suspect, but even if I trusted my memory I do not feel comfortable quoting scripture or even worse, paraphrasing it.
When they outlaw the Bible I will have to rely on my flaky memory, but until then I will always quote directly from the source.
As someone said, it is not about how much you know but about who you know. Faith in Jesus is all that is required.

God Bless

[Nadiine]

e-sword :thumbsup:

Personally...one of the reasons I continue to participate in this forum...is the inspiration to dig into the word of God.
I'm the same way too. It wasn't until I got into a huge tangled mess with some legalists in a chat forum about 7 years ago that I found any interest or need to dig into Law and Grace and how they operate together - or why.

I would have never bothered with that subject if it wasn't presented to me as a challenge. Same with the Trinity doctrine (that only came to me when some JW ladies came knocking on my door).

Debates imho are a double edged sword; they do alot of damage and they do alot of good at the same time. (i only worry what that ratio is - if more harm is done by it). :scratch: :doh:

[marke]

I have something that has been weight heavy on my mind.

I have been reading posts about different issues in the Bible, different viewpoints and different translations. When it all boils down to it, who is right? Some say "Joe" is right, some say "Jane" is right, but who on this forum has to right to judge and say what is the absolute?

I believe it is what lines up with Scripture. Now, I am not one who can retain written information. I need to have visuals and conversations to be able to remember. Most of these conversations are hard for me to grasp and retain, it would take me lots of studying to be able to respond to most of them. Does this make me less of a Christian or slim my chances of being a "chosen one"?

I am a simple girl. I believe in God, I trust in Him, have faith in Him and love Him with all my heart. I try and live my life the way I feel the scriptures says to live. I hear his voice and I act upon it. I get dreams and visions, He speaks to me in many different forms. Most of the time, it is to stop and pray for certain individuals or situations. That is my place in the body right now, being a Prayer Warrior. Does that make me less of a Christian?

I help out people when I can, any way I can. Listening is a strong point, and offering a shoulder to cry on. Does it make me less of a Christian because I can't come up with Scriptures off the top of my head?

I know many others that are the same as me, are they less of Christians?

I have been reading a lot on this forum, and there seems to be different views about what Salvation is what the criteria is to be a "chosen one". Some insight would be great.
Why the doubt?

The Lord Jesus tells us "you will know my followers by their actions". Further into the NT the actions of a follower are laid out as are the actions of pretenders.

Faith is built upon the faith to follow the teachings, not simply a pronouncement. Those found "worthy" in the words of Jesus will not only hear the Word, but show by their actions that they understand and live the Word.

None of us are perfect, but if we strive toward being perfect as Jesus was, you are on the right road toward the narrow gate.

The thing about Jesus being both God and human is that Jesus was able to conform His human self to the will of God and overcome the world which means we should be able to do that as well. Grace and forgiveness are NOT automatic. We are told with what mercy and judgement we extend is what we can count on in return, only in greater amounts.

Therefore, those advocating and supporting torture for example are condemning themselves to the same. You get what you give. I wouldn't want to be them.

The Apostle Paul was concerned he would be found unworthy. It concerns me that so many are being told by preachers of error that forgiveness is absolute and causing others to believe they can do as they please and still attain salvation and enter into heaven. I wouldn't want to be these people either. They ignore what scripture they want and by their actions you can see they serve another master.

If you look at Romans 2 you'll find where it says there are some people who follow the teachings and actions of Jesus naturally. This tells me you don't need a single line of scripture to be found worthy of the Kingdom of Heaven, your actions/deeds/fruit show whom you serve with or without scripture.

Sounds to me by your concern that you are on the right path. Trust your heart. Trust Jesus and strive to be like Him in all you say and do and the Father and our Lord Jesus will be pleased.

Thank God you serve Jesus the Christ. There world is sure to be a better place because of your service.

God bless.

Marke

[Cris413]

I'm the same way too. It wasn't until I got into a huge tangled mess with some legalists in a chat forum about 7 years ago that I found any interest or need to dig into Law and Grace and how they operate together - or why.

I would have never bothered with that subject if it wasn't presented to me as a challenge. Same with the Trinity doctrine (that only came to me when some JW ladies came knocking on my door).

Debates imho are a double edged sword; they do alot of damage and they do alot of good at the same time. (i only worry what that ratio is - if more harm is done by it). :scratch: :doh:

Amen to that!

This is the first forum I've participated in and it's not even been a year for me...

It's always a constant struggle in my consideration how much of this is actually beneficial or edifying...

I truly have a more profound understanding of 'ignorance is bliss"

...as I have been exposed to things that I would have never been exposed to otherwise...things that weigh quite heavily on my heart and at times...are quite disturbing to the Spirit.

Several times, I've thought...this is nothing short of a battlefield!

Spiritual warfare...is exactly why we need to have on the full armour of God...at all times. Ephesians 6:10-18
(it's no coincidence Paul uses armour as the descriptive here)

I was pretty much walking around in my happy little world...with no consideration of exactly how vast the doctrinal differences are and the strife and division they cause in the Body of Christ...:sigh:

but as you have pointed out....these things lead us to dig into Scripture and there is absolute benefit and edification in His word!

:amen:

[Cris413]

<snip>
Trust your heart. Trust Jesus and strive to be like Him in all you say and do and the Father and our Lord Jesus will be pleased. I certainly wouldn't trust my heart...Trust Jesus absolutely!...MY heart...not a chance.

Personally, I wouldn't suggest we "strive" in the literal sense for anything....rather allow the Holy Spirit to circumcise our hearts and to transform our lives by His power.

I cannot be like Jesus...my righteousness is nothing but filthy rags. It's only by Christ IN me that righteousness is made perfect...IN Him.

I cannot make me more like Him...only He can make me more like Him.

Thank God you serve Jesus the Christ. There world is sure to be a better place because of your service.

The world is not our home. And IMHO we do nothing...it's all about Him...

All glory and honor and praise to God and God alone.

[Nadiine]

I certainly wouldn't trust my heart...Trust Jesus absolutely!...MY heart...not a chance.
I can tell you where I'd be right now if I trusted my "heart" rather than what God's word directly tells me!
:swoon: I can't say that obeying God is easier than obeying what I'd LIKE to do............. but God's way protects us; our heart does not. Our heart only tells us what we WANT.


I cannot be like Jesus...my righteousness is nothing but filthy rags. It's only by Christ IN me that righteousness is made perfect...IN Him.

I cannot make me more like Him...only He can make me more like Him.

:amen: And this doesn't require following our heart either; but following CHRIST alone. In fact, my heart tells me to do things Jesus doesn't. (that's a fact from my own personal experience).
The heart is desperately wicked, who can know it.

[AllTalkNoAction]

I have something that has been weight heavy on my mind.
I have been reading posts about different issues in the Bible, different viewpoints and different translations. When it all boils down to it, who is right? Some say "Joe" is right, some say "Jane" is right, but who on this forum has to right to judge and say what is the absolute?
Indeed, it can seem impossible, but there's nothing new in that, it was the same in Jesus' time and before.
John the baptist said "A man can receive nothing, except it be given him from heaven." (John 3:27)
. . so look to men and you will end up bewildered, look to God and he will show you. Jesus said:-

"I have greater witness than that of John: for the works which the Father hath given me to finish, the same works that I do, bear witness of me, that the Father hath sent me." (John 5:36)

"If I do not the works of my Father, believe me not." (John 10:37)

He also spoke of "greater works" (14:12) that would follow so you should look for the message & the church where people are fully healed of their spiritual blindness and heaviness of mind!!

If people talk about Jesus but these works don't happen, believe them not!

Follow the true and wonderful signs to get to the true and wonderful God that you seek!


I believe it is what lines up with Scripture. Now, I am not one who can retain written information. I need to have visuals and conversations to be able to remember. Most of these conversations are hard for me to grasp and retain, it would take me lots of studying to be able to respond to most of them. Does this make me less of a Christian or slim my chances of being a "chosen one"?
Most of the disciples were not intellectuals, if they were needed some people would have an unfair advantage!

Jesus said that the Holy Spirit would remind them and lead them into all truth.
They needed to be humble, "as little children" and stop relying on their own mental or other natural abilities and accept the need to receive the Holy Spirit (which they did at Pentecost and began to be transfomed people!)


I am a simple girl. I believe in God, I trust in Him, have faith in Him and love Him with all my heart. I try and live my life the way I feel the scriptures says to live. I hear his voice and I act upon it. I get dreams and visions, He speaks to me in many different forms. Most of the time, it is to stop and pray for certain individuals or situations. That is my place in the body right now, being a Prayer Warrior. Does that make me less of a Christian?
A Christian is someone who has received the Holy Spirit because “Christ” or “Messiah” means “anointed one” and the anointing is the Holy Spirit (Acts 10v38). Romans 8v9 states:-
“ . . . you are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.”You will notice from reading Acts that there were people such as Cornelius in Acts 10, or the believers in Jesus in Acts 8 who experienced various things of God, BUT, it was known that they still had not yet actually received the Spirit.

As Jesus also said to the disciples:-
"Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you . . . At that day ye shall know that I am in my Father, and ye in me, and I in you." (John 14:17, 20)

It was known precisley when people received the Spirit - they spoke in tongues (Acts 2:4, 33, 39; 10:44-48; 19:1-6)


I help out people when I can, any way I can.
Cornelius was just like this!

Acts 10:2: A devout man, and one that feared God with all his house, which gave much alms to the people, and prayed to God alway.
:3: He saw in a vision evidently about the ninth hour of the day an angel of God coming in to him, and saying unto him, Cornelius. . . .call for one Simon . . he shall tell you what you ought to do. (Acts 11:14: Who shall tell thee words, whereby thou and all thy house shall be saved.)

. . . while Peter was preaching about Jesus (even though Cornelius had heard from others before - 10:36-37), Cornelius and those with him received the Holy Spirit, whereby we are saved from our natural state (Titus 3:5, John 3:3-8)

[restore]

Hi sister,

There is no such thing as "less of a Christian" or "more of a Christian".

As long as you receive Jesus as your personal Lord and Saviour, you are a christian.

Let me give you an example in the OT.

When the children of Israel were in Egypt and the Lord instructed the children of Israel to kill the passover lamb on every household. They have to use the blood of the lamb to paint it on the door posts or else the first born will be killed by the angel of death.

At midnight, when the angel of death came, the first born of the Egyptian was killed. Just imagine, you are in the house of the Israelite and you heard the cries of the Egyptians, are you afraid? Well, I believed some Israelites were (faithless). But will the angel of death still pass over them...YES!!!

It is the blood that saves...not their works. As long as they paint the blood on the door post, they will be saved. God said "when I see the blood". The blood is for God to see, not for us to see.

We may not fully comprehend the Blood of Jesus, but our Father fully comprehend the Blood of His Son. He knows what His Son has done and it pleases Him. That's why at the cross, Jesus cried "It is finished", the full redemptive work is completed. Because of this, I can fully rest in God, even though my knowledge of Jesus is limited. Thus my faith level will raise. My salvation and your salvation is based on the finished work of Jesus at the cross.

Be bless

well said:)

[Nadiine]

If people talk about Jesus but these works don't happen, believe them not!

Follow the true and wonderful signs to get to the true and wonderful God that you seek!


Most of the disciples were not intellectuals, if they were needed some people would have an unfair advantage!

Jesus said that the Holy Spirit would remind them and lead them into all truth.
They needed to be humble, "as little children" and stop relying on their own mental or other natural abilities and accept the need to receive the Holy Spirit (which they did at Pentecost and began to be transfomed people!)


A Christian is someone who has received the Holy Spirit because “Christ” or “Messiah” means “anointed one” and the anointing is the Holy Spirit (Acts 10v38). Romans 8v9 states:-
“ . . . you are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.”You will notice from reading Acts that there were people such as Cornelius in Acts 10, or the believers in Jesus in Acts 8 who experienced various things of God, BUT, it was known that they still had not yet actually received the Spirit.

As Jesus also said to the disciples:-
"Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you . . . At that day ye shall know that I am in my Father, and ye in me, and I in you." (John 14:17, 20)

It was known precisley when people received the Spirit - they spoke in tongues (Acts 2:4, 33, 39; 10:44-48; 19:1-6)


Cornelius was just like this!

Acts 10:2: A devout man, and one that feared God with all his house, which gave much alms to the people, and prayed to God alway.
:3: He saw in a vision evidently about the ninth hour of the day an angel of God coming in to him, and saying unto him, Cornelius. . . .call for one Simon . . he shall tell you what you ought to do. (Acts 11:14: Who shall tell thee words, whereby thou and all thy house shall be saved.)

. . . while Peter was preaching about Jesus (even though Cornelius had heard from others before - 10:36-37), Cornelius and those with him received the Holy Spirit, whereby we are saved from our natural state (Titus 3:5, John 3:3-8)

Oh gosh - here you go again with speaking in tongues IS proof someone's saved - and you don't have the Spirit in you until you speak in tongues. :doh:
Paul is crystal CLEAR in 1 Cor 12-14 that not all speak in tongues; he asked rhetorical questions about all the gifts, that NOONE had all of them; each had different ones given them and each plays an intrical part in the body of Christ; not all are a hand, not all are the eyes, not all are the foot etc etc.

:sigh: :help: :help: :swoon:

[warriorofprayer]

Debates imho are a double edged sword; they do alot of damage and they do alot of good at the same time. (i only worry what that ratio is - if more harm is done by it). :scratch: :doh:

This is why I wrote this thread. I have been around for a month, or a bit more, and I see a lot of debating going on about theologies and beliefs. Sometimes the debates get really heated and cause friction.

There are literally thousands of churches in the world and thousands of different theologies. I try to accept everyone as they are, and listen to their beliefs and ideas. Unfortunately I am not versed enough in scripture to agree or disagree with them, but I can listen, and if the Holy Spirit quickens something in my spirit, I will respond.

We were all born with the ability to make choices, whether they be right or wrong. As well, we are all able to have our opinion

"...each must be left free to hold his own opinion." (Rom.14:5).

I do believe that some debating is good, because it could bring some truth to light. But on the other hand, there could be some misleading going on, which is why if we are strong in our faith and trust in God, the Holy Spirit will help us discern what is for us to take away from the conversation and what is best left alone.

"If a person's faith is not strong enough, welcome him all the same anyway without starting an argument." (Rom.14:1).

I allow myself to be led by the Holy Spirit. I have never been led to study the Bible in depth, or use it as a weapon to show people I am right. Everyone has their opinions and translations of the Bible. Who has the right to judge who is right or wrong? I believe that is to be left up to the Lord.

I for one believe that Jesus Christ is my Lord and Saviour and trust and follow Him. If anyone tries to lead me (or any Christian for that matter) astray, the Holy Spirit will quicken in you a sense of harm, and lead you on how to deal with it.

"Anyone who claims to be in the light but hates his brother is still in the dark. But anyone who loves his brother is living in the light and need not be afraid of stumbling..." (1 John 2:9-10).

[JHM]

Now that was well said.

[AllTalkNoAction]

Paul is crystal CLEAR in 1 Cor 12-14 that not all speak in tongues; he asked rhetorical questions about all the gifts, that NOONE had all of them; each had different ones given them and each plays an intrical part in the body of Christ; not all are a hand, not all are the eyes, not all are the foot etc etc.
If you zero-in on v28 of 1 Corinthians 12 to the exclusion of all other scripture you might well come to your conclusion.

However a more sensible person will consider the contect of these comments and see that since chapter 11 Paul has been detailing what God wants in meetings, not what different people get when they become christians.

The opassage has previously aid "to one is given . . . wisdom .. .knowledge .. . faith .. ." (vv8-10)
Is it really true to say that only one gets each of these attributes when they become a christain?

Acts details people becoming Christians, here we never read of one or just some getting "the gift of tongues", rather we read of all speaking in tongues, which would explain why Paul needs to reason with them not to all do so when they meet.

It is dangerous game to mis-use Paul's writings as you have. Peter warns
"in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction." (2 Peter 3:16)

[AllTalkNoAction]

. . . if the Holy Spirit quickens something in my spirit, I will respond.
As Jesus pointed out - look for God's signs following, that's what sign-posts are for - to show the way in a spiritual wilderness of claim and counter-claim.

The first disciples did this and they and all those they wwere sent to got God's transforming power, not just words!!

1Co:4:20: For the kingdom of God is not in word, but in power.


"...each must be left free to hold his own opinion." (Rom.14:5).
On the minor question of whether or not to treat one day a week differently, but not on salvation!
All must repent and agree with Jesus' way, as delivered to the apsotles.