WOULD YOU LIKE TO JOIN A NEW TESTAMENT CHURCH?
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NEW TESTAMENT LEADING
How did the NTC get its leading bearing in mind that it did not have the New Testament to lean on?
Acts chapter 8 gives some idea of how it happened.
In verse 26 it says "Now an angel of the Lord spoke to Phillip, saying "Arise and go toward the south along the road which goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza." So he arose and went.
Pont one is that angels gave direction to the NTC. Apart from anything else, it proves that angels exist and they are able to communicate with humans.
Point two is that communicating with angels was quite normal for the NTC.
Point three is that when spoken to by an angel there was no prevarication as to the source of the message as Phillip up and went immediately in response to the instruction of the angel.
Was the angel right? Did Phillip hear the instructions correctly? The answer to both was yes. It was no figment of his imagination.
How do we know? Simple. On that road was sitting an Ethiopian Eunuch of some importance reading the book of Isiah. Then the Spirit told him to engage in conversation with the Eunich. Another means of communication used by God.
The Eunuch indicated that he did not understand what he was reading so what did Phillip do? He preached Jesus to him. Not denomination doctrine. Not the four rules of salvation. He preached Jesus. That is what the NTC always did. They preached Jesus. His birth, His life, His death, His burial, His resurrection. His ascension. And his Messiahship. That was the sum total of their preaching. Oh, and the way of salvation because the Eunuch said to Phillip, "See here is water. What hinders me from being Baptised?" And Phillip said, "If you believe with all your heart, you may (be baptised)."
His answer? "I believe that Jesus Christ is the son of God."
So they stopped the chariot, went down into the water and Phillip baptized the Eunuch.
Now the question is, where did the Eunuch get the idea of being baptized in water? I don't know about you but I can only think of one way he would get the idea and that was Phillip told him that is the way it worked. It had registered with him that Jesus was the son of God, they came upon some water so let's get on with it and baptize me.
If no other, that story tells us quite clearly that the salvation the NTC preached included baptism by immersion. If it didn't, why the desire to be baptized the moment he saw water?
Having been guided by the supernatural, it did not end there as it says that Spirit of the Lord caught Phillip away and the next thing is he was in Azotus. What you might call divine transportation.
The question is, why are we so afraid of the supernatural when it makes things so easy? We could be flying all over the place taking the gospel to people that are ready to receive it. No planes trains or buses needed. And no money needed to pay fares. Just good old supernatural transport.
Maybe that you are thinking that it couldn't happen today? My response is why not? If Jesus is the same yesterday, today and forever, then he can do whatever he wants whenever he wants.
To finish up with an anecdote. I met a man who was a sales representative so he traveled around all day. He said that nearly every day the Spirit of God told him to speak to a total stranger and share the gospel with them. God always told him who to speak to and he never doubted his leading. The end result was that nearly every day a new believer came into the kingdom of God.
Until we accept that God is supernatural, not natural, we will never take hold of the full extent of what God is capable of.
How did the NTC get its leading bearing in mind that it did not have the New Testament to lean on?
Acts chapter 8 gives some idea of how it happened.
In verse 26 it says "Now an angel of the Lord spoke to Phillip, saying "Arise and go toward the south along the road which goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza." So he arose and went.
Pont one is that angels gave direction to the NTC. Apart from anything else, it proves that angels exist and they are able to communicate with humans.
Point two is that communicating with angels was quite normal for the NTC.
Point three is that when spoken to by an angel there was no prevarication as to the source of the message as Phillip up and went immediately in response to the instruction of the angel.
Was the angel right? Did Phillip hear the instructions correctly? The answer to both was yes. It was no figment of his imagination.
How do we know? Simple. On that road was sitting an Ethiopian Eunuch of some importance reading the book of Isiah. Then the Spirit told him to engage in conversation with the Eunich. Another means of communication used by God.
The Eunuch indicated that he did not understand what he was reading so what did Phillip do? He preached Jesus to him. Not denomination doctrine. Not the four rules of salvation. He preached Jesus. That is what the NTC always did. They preached Jesus. His birth, His life, His death, His burial, His resurrection. His ascension. And his Messiahship. That was the sum total of their preaching. Oh, and the way of salvation because the Eunuch said to Phillip, "See here is water. What hinders me from being Baptised?" And Phillip said, "If you believe with all your heart, you may (be baptised)."
His answer? "I believe that Jesus Christ is the son of God."
So they stopped the chariot, went down into the water and Phillip baptized the Eunuch.
Now the question is, where did the Eunuch get the idea of being baptized in water? I don't know about you but I can only think of one way he would get the idea and that was Phillip told him that is the way it worked. It had registered with him that Jesus was the son of God, they came upon some water so let's get on with it and baptize me.
If no other, that story tells us quite clearly that the salvation the NTC preached included baptism by immersion. If it didn't, why the desire to be baptized the moment he saw water?
Having been guided by the supernatural, it did not end there as it says that Spirit of the Lord caught Phillip away and the next thing is he was in Azotus. What you might call divine transportation.
The question is, why are we so afraid of the supernatural when it makes things so easy? We could be flying all over the place taking the gospel to people that are ready to receive it. No planes trains or buses needed. And no money needed to pay fares. Just good old supernatural transport.
Maybe that you are thinking that it couldn't happen today? My response is why not? If Jesus is the same yesterday, today and forever, then he can do whatever he wants whenever he wants.
To finish up with an anecdote. I met a man who was a sales representative so he traveled around all day. He said that nearly every day the Spirit of God told him to speak to a total stranger and share the gospel with them. God always told him who to speak to and he never doubted his leading. The end result was that nearly every day a new believer came into the kingdom of God.
Until we accept that God is supernatural, not natural, we will never take hold of the full extent of what God is capable of.
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I don't know where you get the idea that I am offended. I am autistic and autistic people do not get offended.
Illuminator
Well-Known Member
No, it's righteous indignation to your anti-Catholic polemics. Your lies get exposed and this is your only response. I'm still waiting for the name of the priest and parish where you claim you attended RCIA classes. Until you do, the charge of LYING stands. Playing the sex abuse card is a stupid worn out argument.
Prejudice is the emotional attachment to ignorance.
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Seriously doubt it.. Funny how one mention actually going to Christ and it seems to upset everyone..
Mat_15:8 This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me.
And you have no evidence to prove it, that is the issue isnt it, not much evidence of Christ on christian forums anywhere.
I don't have to prove it. You either accept what I say or you don't. It does not bother me one way or the other.
MIRACLES IN EVANGELISM
The NTC was scattered and when that happened they went everywhere preaching the Word. Acts 8. As part of that scattering, Phillip went down to Samaria and preached Christ to them. And the multitude with one accord heeded the things spoken by Phillip. And why was that? Not because of the nices services that were presented. Not because of a hearty pot luck dinner. Not because of a bible study. Not because of a youth meeting. No, not any of that. It was due to miracles performed.
What were those miracles?
Unclean spirits who possessed people came out of them. People who were lame or paralyzed were healed. In other words, they backed up their preaching with action. Don't take our word for it. See for yourself. In the name of Jesus of Nazareth......
End result. Great joy. Just like we would have today if we backed up the word with miracles. So what is holding us back?
The NTC was scattered and when that happened they went everywhere preaching the Word. Acts 8. As part of that scattering, Phillip went down to Samaria and preached Christ to them. And the multitude with one accord heeded the things spoken by Phillip. And why was that? Not because of the nices services that were presented. Not because of a hearty pot luck dinner. Not because of a bible study. Not because of a youth meeting. No, not any of that. It was due to miracles performed.
What were those miracles?
Unclean spirits who possessed people came out of them. People who were lame or paralyzed were healed. In other words, they backed up their preaching with action. Don't take our word for it. See for yourself. In the name of Jesus of Nazareth......
End result. Great joy. Just like we would have today if we backed up the word with miracles. So what is holding us back?
I stand at the door knocking, but no one lets Him in thats why they spend all there lives studying instead of asking the one who is the truth and therefore leaning on ones won understanding.
I guess my answer is an answer to your question above, why dont things happen, simply put unbelief, its rife among christians, if you knew you could learn from Christ, would you, ?? Jesus used the empty vessels to fill with water to turn into wine, but christians so filled with study and learning they leave no place for God.
Lots of people who have fed on the miracles look to more to fill their carnal bellies or to satisfy their desires instead of looking as they should...
"Jesus answered them and said, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Ye seek me, not because ye saw the miracles, but because ye did eat of the loaves, and were filled.
Labour not for the meat which perisheth, but for that meat which endureth unto everlasting life, which the Son of man shall give unto you: for him hath God the Father sealed." John 6:26-27
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