Can a person be a Christ-follower without falling in lock-step with the institutional church?

[St. SteVen]

This declaration from an inspired apostle carries great weight! These miraculous gifts were never intended to be permanent; they were given to the early church for a limited time, until new believers were firmly grounded in the faith and a solid pattern of Christian teaching and living had been established.

What do you make of this?

1 Corinthians 1:7 NIV
Therefore you do not lack any spiritual gift as you eagerly wait for our Lord Jesus Christ to be revealed.

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[Hiddenthings]

Has knowledge been set aside? Prophecies?

[

Yes in the context of Paul's words.

Read on St. Steven!!! I say, read on

 

[St. SteVen]

Today, the completed Bible serves that purpose fully! As previously noted, during the time of the apostles, the New Testament was still being written and compiled, and most churches would not have had access to a complete copy. But once the apostles had passed and the New Testament was complete, those temporary gifts had served their role.

So you claim that the Bible was the perfection that was to come?
Can you really attribute that to an English translation? Which one?

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[St. SteVen]

Yes in the context of Paul's words.

Read on St. Steven!!! I say, read on

Have you read chapter fourteen?

1 Corinthians 14:39 NIV
Therefore, my brothers and sisters, be eager to prophesy, and do not forbid speaking in tongues.

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[Hiddenthings]

So you claim that the Bible was the perfection that was to come?
Can you really attribute that to an English translation? Which one?

[

Well done for reading on!

 

[Hiddenthings]

Have you read chapter fourteen?

1 Corinthians 14:39 NIV
Therefore, my brothers and sisters, be eager to prophesy, and do not forbid speaking in tongues.

[

Ah right so he's back to present context. You get this right?

 

[Hiddenthings]

Have you read chapter fourteen?

1 Corinthians 14:39 NIV
Therefore, my brothers and sisters, be eager to prophesy, and do not forbid speaking in tongues.

[

Out of interest, how do you feel knowing that the first part of this verse no longer applies to you, as it did to them?

14:39 So then, brothers and sisters, be eager to prophesy, and do not forbid anyone from speaking in tongues. 14:40 And do everything in a decent and orderly manner. 1 Co 14:39–40.

Today, many evangelicals have little understanding of the latter part of this verse, largely because they misunderstand the true purpose of speaking in tongues in Pauls day.

 

[Hiddenthings]

@St. SteVen If this topic is something you're wrestling with, I'm more than happy to share the study notes I've compiled over the years. It's a fascinating subject, one that offers a valuable perspective on how the original Gospel was preached.

 

[Hiddenthings]

What do you make of this?

1 Corinthians 1:7 NIV
Therefore you do not lack any spiritual gift as you eagerly wait for our Lord Jesus Christ to be revealed.

[

Exactly as the passage states, they were to earnestly seek these gifts as a vital means of learning all they could about the Gospel of God. Just think of the depth and detail found in the book of Romans and consider how much there was for them to grasp and understand.

Pursuing this knowledge (2 Corinthians 4:6) and remaining faithful while "waiting for the Lord" even to the very end of their lives if necessary was the guidance the apostles gave them.

 

[Berean]

I just saw the designation "501(c)(3) nonprofit" on the back of a truck yesterday.
The truck was for a charitable secular organization.

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Yep, non-profit organizations can apply for a 501c3