Faith comes by the Word. "For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast." Eph. 2:8, 9
It is a gift from God so stop thinking that one has to qualify to receive the gift. He gives it to sinners. He enables us to seek Him and believe. As we discover who Jesus is and what he did, we begin to believe. 4w
JW's don't believe in the Trinity and are quite adamant about it. They even disconnect themselves from the entire body of Christ (some 2.5 billion believers). They would of course be in error to invalid us as believers. They believe in Jesus. I just think they have major doctrinal flaws. Still I am not their Judge and cannot invalidate their faith. I just don't think God grows their organization. In over 100 years all they have are 8+ million JW's worldwide. That is not being filled with the Holy Spirit, whom they think is a force. In 1900 there were 500 million Christians and now 5x that amount - that's God growing the Church.
It's a gift from God to be given the spirit of our Savior, of truth and peace, by the Spirit of YHWH. This is the prerequisite or required qualification for salvation and I will boldly say also provides the proper interpretation and understanding of scripture.
After 'qualifying,' from that point on, with faithful growth and maturity, 'naturally' stems understanding of scripture as the Spirit prescribes.
Some progress in this study and understanding very fast and some more slowly. However, one common element that is crucial amongst all true believers is they do not desire to add, substitute, delete scripture or introduce foreign doctrines into it that are sourced outside the influence of the Spirit.
They listen to what the Spirit says to them and it may take many times to get the message as they continue to dig into the word. True believers do not accept foreign man-made or traditional thoughts and philosophies of men; into their minds and hearts as they make exegesis of scripture. So yes, there is definitely a qualification or test, not in theology, in acquiring the precious Spirit to understand the word. Without this qualification, scripture is based on carnal and worldly input and the philosophies of men.
Now from here the progression of this discussion turns into a heated discussion or debate on WHO, WHAT people, has the Spirit that directs the correct understanding of truth and spiritual doctrine.
I am personally led as the Spirit dictates in these matters to the truth. It was not always that evident and obvious to me until maybe the last decade or so.
Now pointing to one small sized denomination or sect of religion as not having the right credentials for the truth based on its size, is quite rash and premature IMO. And then to say they are not filled with the Spirit. I believe you have no ground to stand on there.
It is really not about the denomination, it is all about the individual person within that religious denomination, or of not a denomination at all; the latter is me.
Also, your impression or understanding of 'growing the church' by the numbers is alien to me.
Bless you,
APAK