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Okay, so I backtracked, and this (above) explains a lot about what you do and do not believe or have knowledge of.On the contrary, I'm the one glorifying him. You guys with all your questionable and ambiguous epiphanies, are more often than not, praising other spirits than God. I've said countless times that I believe in the immanency of God, that he intervenes on believer's behalf. But not in the spurious manner that so many Christian's claim that he's doing in their lives. I think that these people are either arrogant or self-righteous.
A relationship with God requires the utmost humility and faith. Who has it? In other words, anyone who is that close to God, doesn't advertise it the way that we see so many people do. That is, they impart the wisdom, not the fact that they had a silly dream.
If you spoke only of what is phony and irresponsible, perhaps that would be different. But you have categorically spoken against God's own modus operandi for revelations.But my views are not, I believe in miracles and Christ's messianic fulfillment, but i feel an obligation to justify this view with substantial Biblical testimony, and explanation. You, on the other hand, are talking about something so esoteric, that you can't even understand it, and you bring a single, non-definitive verse, to qualify your position?
Please appreciate why I think that you're being irresponsible and incompetent right now?
Paul was referring to his apostolic authority in the power of the Holy Spirit. He was authorized to bind and loose sins within the churches, and we see examples in his epistles. So were the other apostles.Paul says it’s something he can know, you can witness this power within someone.
"Rational events?The Gospel of Christ, including Paul's conversion, are rational events.
When you say 'we all', I would guess that you mean every person attending some church regularly who readily parrots the teachings of the ministers or the doctrines of his group. The majority may be able to parrot well but like parrot they do not understand, really understand what they are saying. Does all of that majority really love God so much that they are most of the time seeking His kingdom and His righteousness first? Exceptions may be among them, but they would certainly be exceptions.We all understand the purpose and the significance behind their message & occurrences, and each one of us can explain it enough, to lead one to salvation.
Why do you presume that everyone is fantasizing? Do you stand with Festus? Will you give a minimal support answer like Agrippa and continue standing on the ground you believe to be firm rather than to step forward in faith?Although Paul's conversion was a phenomenal event, there is no question that it was Christ who spoke to him, and we see the purpose behind it, and what it led to. Paul had a dramatic turn-around, and became the most effective Apostle of them all. Thus, glory all around for God & Christ. No ambiguity, no mystery, no subjective interpretation.
I believe in all the miracles, dreams, visions and prophecies of the Bible, and I believe that these gifts are still available today, to the devout, humble and faithful.
BUT, people, stop fantasizing.
Do you really believe that real men of God, men who are really seeking Him and putting Him first are supposed to know the answers to all of your questions? Isn't your line of questioning just a bit selfish? Do you really believe that the solutions to the doctrinal differences between people will solve the problems that men have when it comes to serving God?Stop interpreting every thought that passes through your mind, every single whimsical or stressful dream that occurs, as a sign from God. You're not as blessed as you like to think that you are. ...but I wish that you were, for if God is communicating with you as much as you say that he is, I have got a lot of Biblical questions that I'd like to ask you, so that I can finally get some doctrinal issues resolved.
Can anyone affirm that much for me?
And why do the opinions of the Jews and Muslims who choose to mock ultimately matter?Again, the Jews & Muslims are mocking this incompetence and irreverence.
It wasn't about my salvation, and I already believed she was saved, but this little bit in my mind gave a visual picture to the reality of God's teaching, "It is no longer I that sin, but the sin that lives in me". I grew up with much abuse which left much damage, and part of that was the anger and bitterness I felt. While I knew the theology, yet it didn't help my feelings, and I just remained that way.I don't say this because I want, or need, to know the details, but just meaning that I'm not making the connection, further convincing me that it was trauma that invoked your dream.
Oh, i see that’s why he referenced the kingdom.Paul was referring to his apostolic authority in the power of the Holy Spirit. He was authorized to bind and loose sins within the churches, and we see examples in his epistles. So were the other apostles.
For Christians in general the power of the Holy Spirit is demonstrated in (1) the fruit of the Spirit as well as (2) the gifts of the Spirit (and not necessarily signs, wonders, and miracles, since there are many other spiritual gifts). At the same time, when Christians present the true Gospel to the lost using the Word of God, they see the power of the Gospel (Rom 1:16) and the power of the Holy Spirit in bringing souls to Christ and giving them the New Birth. That is powerful.
"But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you." Matt 6:33
I believe that my views are balanced. I'll accept any alleged vision provided that it sounds impressive, ....because that's my view of God and his empowerment, very impressive. Not, day to day dreams, that even the unsaved have, i.e. claiming that they saw or spoke in a dream, to a dead parent or loved one.Okay, so I backtracked, and this (above) explains a lot about what you do and do not believe or have knowledge of.
That kind of thinking is exactly what caused God's people to kill the prophets and those sent to them from God. Not having their own personal experience and encounter with God, they just killed them...just as you are now doing here in your writings. Apparently the notion of God giving personal revelation to some and not to all, and only picking certain individuals of His choosing to give revelation and words of knowledge to, doesn't sit well with you...and so your words are against those who have shared such experiences, because you can't take it directly to God, because He's not as available to you as to the messengers that He has sent.
Not a good position to hold. Jesus rebuked those who did...and then they killed Him too. He also rebuked those who spoke and prophesied falsely. We agree with you on that.
Indeed, fantasizing is not good, and I for one will affirm there is too much of it. But it is wrong to categorically dismiss any great amount in these days of which Joel spoke and prophesied the pouring out of God's spirit upon all flesh (not just some, not just at Pentecost, but "all"), which was then announced by Jesus, and confirmed by Peter.The Gospel of Christ, including Paul's conversion, are rational events. We all understand the purpose and the significance behind their message & occurrences, and each one of us can explain it enough, to lead one to salvation. Although Paul's conversion was a phenomenal event, there is no question that it was Christ who spoke to him, and we see the purpose behind it, and what it led to. Paul had a dramatic turn-around, and became the most effective Apostle of them all. Thus, glory all around for God & Christ. No ambiguity, no mystery, no subjective interpretation.
I believe in all the miracles, dreams, visions and prophecies of the Bible, and I believe that these gifts are still available today, to the devout, humble and faithful.
BUT, people, stop fantasizing. Stop interpreting every thought that passes through your mind, every single whimsical or stressful dream that occurs, as a sign from God. You're not as blessed as you like to think that you are. ...but I wish that you were, for if God is communicating with you as much as you say that he is, I have got a lot of Biblical questions that I'd like to ask you, so that I can finally get some doctrinal issues resolved.
Can anyone affirm that much for me?
I'm not sure as to what you were just referring to?If you spoke only of what is phony and irresponsible, perhaps that would be different. But you have categorically spoken against God's own modus operandi for revelations.
2 Peter 1:21
"for prophecy never came by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit."
Both the false and the true are out there.
We want to convert them. THis is the frustrating part. The Jews are our brothers in some sense, and at least the Muslims are monotheistic. We'd love to convert them. But when we attempt to compel them to our side with incomprehensible and irrational tenets, we lose them.And why do the opinions of the Jews and Muslims who choose to mock ultimately matter?
Who do we need to please other than God?
Then you have departed from or do not know the scriptures:I'm not sure as to what you were just referring to?
I thought that we were talking about you attempting to prove the eternal existence of Christ, and using '...before Abraham was born, I am....' to prove it.
This, I call irresponsible and incompetent.
Hi DNB,A relationship with God requires the utmost humility and faith. Who has it? In other words, anyone who is that close to God, doesn't advertise it the way that we see so many people do. That is, they impart the wisdom, not the fact that they had a silly dream.
Personally, I'm extremely glad that it 'healed' you in that sense. And also, in a way, I hope that you're right that this was God intervening on your behalf, offering some insight into your mother's state.It wasn't about my salvation, and I already believed she was saved, but this little bit in my mind gave a visual picture to the reality of God's teaching, "It is no longer I that sin, but the sin that lives in me". I grew up with much abuse which left much damage, and part of that was the anger and bitterness I felt. While I knew the theology, yet it didn't help my feelings, and I just remained that way.
But that in that moment, it just became completely real to me, that this person who was a new creation in Christ really had nothing to do with the one doing the works of the flesh. My anger was against that person, but the new person, I only had love and rejoicing. She was beautiful and joyful and I was so happy for her!
We are all like that, being born again. There is the old man who still gets through and does his damage, the works of death, but the new creation in Christ is not that one. The child of Adam is judged and condemned for his wicked works, the deadness of his heart. The child of God is a brand new person who didn't exist when those things were being done, and now exists in a new kingdom, in the celestial realm, hid with Christ in God, seated together in the heavenlies.
This is all the truth of Scripture, and this momentary movie gave me a visual on that, but the impact on me was profound in releasing me from an emotional bondage that had persisted for a long long time.
Much love!
The apostles proved their inspiration with incredible wisdom and signs, no comparison to what I'm hearing from anyone on this site. This is almost the entirety of my position. That is, like I've said continuously, until I see such wisdom, power and glory from God, I will remain skeptical, ...to the point of rebuking.Indeed, fantasizing is not good, and I for one will affirm there is too much of it. But it is wrong to categorically dismiss any great amount in these days of which Joel spoke and prophesied the pouring out of God's spirit upon all flesh (not just some, not just at Pentecost, but "all"), which was then announced by Jesus, and confirmed by Peter.
And, by all means, ask any question. In a PM if you prefer.
Scott, for crying out loud, you just did it again!Then you have departed from or do not know the scriptures:
Hebrews 13:8
"Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever."
The apostles proved their inspiration with incredible wisdom and signs, no comparison to what I'm hearing from anyone on this site. This is almost the entirety of my position. That is, like I've said continuously, until I see such wisdom, power and glory from God, I will remain skeptical, ...to the point of rebuking.
Well, you seem extremely sensible and wise marks, and I always understood that you brought up your own experience, just in context to the point that we were discussing. And that you had a balanced view on the options of the source of it.Hi DNB,
That's actually how I feel about these things also, well, not so much that a relationship with God requires humility, but it certainly does bring humility, I as a rule don't talk about these things unless there is a specific context where I feel there may be a benefit to others, and then I tend to choose the simplest and most easily discussed and dissected, hoping not to get things to far into any sort of sensationalism.
I wrote a post the other day somewhere that I did in fact list out several examples of things that have happened with me that show me God's most active place in my moment by moment life. It felt really weird writing it, and I meant only to encourage.
And otherwise, it's just like what you said, the focus isn't to be on something I may or may not have been given by God, it's on what the Bible tells us already, and all the rest helps us to understand and believe the words of that Book, because in that we can know that the God we know is truly the Creator.
I think it's in James, something like, if you have wisdom, don't talk about it, but show it in how you live your life.
Much love!