"or maybe"
| Posted On: 03/13/08 07:51:24 AM |
Age 47, LA |
I certainly agree and see the "myths" taking hold in our world as the author so plainly states. I am not disagreeing with his assessment. I would suggest however, that one of the reasons that this is possible in America is the fact that the "scholars" of God's Word can't make up their minds about some very critical things. If we would honestly look at the Christian Church in this country and those that propose to be teachers of the "truth of God's Word" we would find that these teachers can't decide what is true. I submit that there are not 5 different ways to be saved, 3 different ways to be water baptized and I think we had better make up our minds if the baptism of the Holy Spirit is for today or not. How can we defend truth if our teachers of truth can't agree on what the most important book in the world says about these foundational doctrines of the faith. James 3:16 says, "Where envy and selfish ambition exist, confusion and every evil thing is there." I am afraid our "teachers" have opened the door for the greatest confusion of all.
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- "or maybe ..."
| Posted On: 03/15/08 11:44:00 AM | | Age 44, MO |
You seem to be correct on what you have written here. The Bible is so clear on essential things such as baptism that even children and those without formal education can understand it on their own. However, scholars, and those who are deceived by them, twist the simple Gospel. I have seen too many times that seemingly sincere individuals are pulled into forms spiritualism and humanism (cf. the Gnostics).
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- Essentials or externals
| Posted On: 03/14/08 11:29:22 AM | | Age 47, MO |
Friend: You are absolutely correct with your concern but if I understand you correctly, errant on your examples. For example, is there a critical way to be baptised? Is not water baptism symbolic of an internal baptism that has already taken place? What I'm saying is that it is not the water that saves, but the Spirit that takes residence prior to the baptism taking place. If someone gets water baptised prior to the baptism of the Spirit, they will reemerge exactly the same as before the submersion, sprinkling, or whatever. However, I may have misunderstood your post. If you are saying that pastors have focused on externals instead of essential Christian doctrine, then you are correct. We need to get back to Christ only and Spirit led lives that reflect what we profess. John
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- Reply-:Or Maybe"
| Posted On: 03/27/08 09:06:08 AM | | Age 47, LA |
John,
How am I errant in my examples? Is it not true that there are many "ways" of salvation being preached by teachers and leaders of the Christian Church in America. In Roman Catholicisms, that I was raised in you are born again when you are baptized as a baby.In some Pentecostal Churches you have to be water baptised and come up out of the water speaking in toungues to be saved, etc. etc.
Concerning water baptism look at the confusion over this doctrine of Christianity. Jesus said baptize them in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. In the rest of the New Testament in every example of "actual" water baptism taking place, the disciples baptize in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. That is not a contradiction but an accurate carrying out of the instructions of Jesus. That is the Name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit on the earth. If that be not true then the apostles messed it all up right after Jesus ascended.Father is a title, Son is a title, Jesus is a name. Yet there are entire denominations divided over that very issue: what do you say when you water baptize someone.
Concerning the Baptism of the Holy Spirit: I was saved by grace through faith (Romans 10:9-13) and then received the Baptism of the Holy Spirit 3 weeks later in my home, alone praying, before I was water baptized by the way, before I knew what the Baptism of the Holy Spirit even was. I had just bought my first Bible. The first Protestant Church I went to tried to talk me out of what happenned to me by quoting 1 Cor 14:33-"God is not the author of confusion..." Just so happens though that 6 verses down in the same chapter it says "do not forbid to speak in toungues." Jesus said that this Baptism was a Promise of the Father and an empowerment to be a witness for Jesus(Acts 1:2-8) Most teachers & leaders speak of this from the perspective of "speaking in toungues". I don't know about you but if the Father who would send His Son to die on the cross for me has a promise for me- I want that. If there is any way I can be more empowered to be a witness to this amazing Love that God has shown me through His Son, Jesus- then please, please, please God, empower me because there is none like You!
The "first" thing that should be applied when discerning a doctrine is what I call "The Law of One Example." Is there one example, actual example, of this doctrine in the Bible. Some of our teachers never apply this criteria. The apostasy is underway as we speak and people are falling away mostly because of the confusion in the church. It is what has opened the door for the other myths to take hold.
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- good for nothing
| Posted On: 03/21/08 01:48:40 AM | | Age 55, WA |
yep,it wasn't important that Jesus said, repent and be baptised. good grief, baptism is the acting out of our death, burial and resurrection. it's vital.
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