Posted on 03/01/2016 6:48:33 PM PST by truthfinder9
It wasn’t even intentional on my part. I just noticed a few weeks ago that I had stopped describing myself to people as an “evangelical.” I had begun, subconsciously, to say that I am a “gospel Christian.” When I caught myself doing this, I wondered why and the answer wasn’t long in coming.
The word “evangelical” has become almost meaningless this year, and in many ways the word itself is at the moment subverting the gospel of Jesus Christ.
Part of the problem is that more secular people have for a long time misunderstood the meaning of “evangelical,” seeing us almost exclusively in terms of election-year voting blocs or our most buffoonish television personalities. That’s especially true when media don’t distinguish in election exit polls between churchgoers and those who merely self-identify as “born again” or “evangelical.”
(Excerpt) Read more at washingtonpost.com ...
Can you provide Scripture to show that what is called the *baptism of the Holy Spirit* is necessary for an intimate walk with Christ in His fullness?
And show us from Scripture that tongues is required to be the evidence of being filled with the Holy Spirit?
You know, of course, since it’s in the Bible, that there were also tongues of fire and the sound of a mighty rushing wind on the Day of Pentecost?
SO why do tongues speakers focus only on the tongues and ignore the rest of the events. Like the house shaking, the mighty rushing wind sound, and seeing the tongues of fire?
Why pick and choose which event out of that whole thing to focus on? Shouldn’t ALL of those signs happen whenever someone is filled with the Holy Spirit and if not, why not? Why only tongues?
Chapter and verses please to back up your claims.
When Jesus was baptized in the Jordan River by John, the Holy Spirit came upon Him and what happened?
Did JESUS begin to speak in tongues?
So He must not have had the fullness, eh?
Instead the Holy Spirit led Him out into the desert to be tempted by the Devil.
Now that wouldn't be very popular these days, now would it?
Not as much show and stoking the ego involved. Nobody to oohh and aahh over you for becoming one of the *have's*, is there?
The spiritual pride oozing from the have's is rank.
Ya think?
Once you receive the Baptism of the Holy Spirit, with the evidence of speaking in other tongues, you don’t have to keep being filled .. You are always filled.
That evidence of being filled is when you open your mouth and speak in tongues. It is under your control. You can stop or start the speaking whenever you want. GOD doesn’t control it; IT’S A GIFT FOR YOU.
Like everything with GOD, you are not required to do anything. You must choose to be born again; likewise, you must choose to receive the Holy Spirit.
My recommendation: Please purchase an Amplified Bible (considered to be the most literal translation of the Greek language; which is very flowery - and expressive in nature), and begin reading in the New Testament. It’s within those first few books, that being born again and receiving the Spirit are explained.
After the Gospels, the teachings of Paul continue to instruct us on how to live the Christian life, and because of the translation, it just seems to make the Word come alive.
The example of the upper room is all the evidence you should need. They were all gathered together, praying, and the Holy Ghost fell “on all”, with the evidence of speaking in other tongues.
Jesus said, “Only believe.” He was talking to a young man who had sought out Jesus to come to his house and lay hands on his daughter who was gravely ill. When the young father said to Jesus that if He would come and lay hands on his daughter, he knew she would be healed. Jesus marveled at the young man’s faith. Then, the townspeople gathered around him began to tell that the child was dead already; don’t bother Jesus. But, Jesus had heard the man’s faith so Jesus turned to the young father and looked him straight in the eye and said, “Only believe”. Straightway Jesus went to the young father’s home, laid hands on the girl, and she was healed. The first time my Pastor read that scripture in class, I was stunned to realize that I had never heard what Jesus said - only believe. Even now, to this day, I say that scripture to myself, “Only believe”.
Well, when I got baptized in the Holy spirit, I didn’t see any tongues of fire. But, unrelated to speaking in tongues, I have heard “a mighty rushing wind”; which occurred during an event in my life. I wrote a book called, “Miracles Upon Miracles”, and it’s available at Amazon and other places. It’s 30 years of personal testimonies. Sometimes, we can revive our own faith by reading about the faith of others.
Jesus told us to study to show ourselves approved.
I suggest you get the Amplified Bible and begin in the New Testament.
http://www.apbrown2.net/web/TranslationComparisonChart.htm
You do not "choose" to receive the Holy Spirit. Where to you get that??
If this had happened with every other account in the NT you might have an argument. But it didn't. WE have no record of Cornelius speaking in tongues as an example.
You do know those tongues were foreign languages....right????
Sorry; you are confused.
Baptism by WATER, has nothing to do with speaking in other tongues. And, is most closely associated with a new Believer in Christ.
Baptism by FIRE is what is called the infilling of the Holy Spirit, as evidenced by speaking in other tongues.
And .. cut the ridicule; it’s very unbecoming.
Now you’re bordering on the irrational.
Goodbye.
My mistake... I meant I Corinthians 14.
My mistake... I meant I Corinthians 14.
A New American Standard Bible is not anything like the Amplified Bible.
Have you ever thought why GOD would choose to have the NEW Testament in Greek, instead of Hebrew (like most of the rest of the Bible) ???
BECAUSE IT’S AMPLIFIED IN EFFECT AND SUBSTANCE .. it makes the Word of GOD alive and vibrant (and I would never consider the Hebrew Chapters to be any of those things).
Just sayin’
If this had happened with every other account”; what do you mean by “every other account ?? Account of what ??
I don’t walk around speaking in other tongues all day .. do you ..??
The upper room experience was for a specific purpose. GOD was getting them ready to be sent out to preach the Gospel. The Baptism and it’s evidence of speaking in other tongues was crucial to their development .. and GOD needed to be able to communicate with them directly.
Chapter and verse?
Asking for Scriptural substantiation for your theology is *bordering on the irrational*?
Go figure.
Have you ever thought why GOD would choose to have the NEW Testament in Greek, instead of Hebrew (like most of the rest of the Bible) ???
BECAUSE IT’S AMPLIFIED IN EFFECT AND SUBSTANCE .. it makes the Word of GOD alive and vibrant (and I would never consider the Hebrew Chapters to be any of those things).
Yes, I know why God chose to have the NT written in Greek. It was the language of commerce for the eastern Med and facilitated the spread of the Gospel.
And I would not characterize the choice of the language of the OT as you have. The Hebrew conveys nuances and truths not captured in the English just as the Greek does.
You would do well to consider your postings before you publish them.
You would benefit from studying the gifts of the Holy Spirit to keep things in context.
Excuse me ???
You’re not required to read any of my posts.
And, I stand by what I said; it’s just my opinion.
If you’re that fragile, don’t come here.
Me thinks you're the one who is fragile.
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