Thankfully, no matter how stridently the claim is made, The Roman Catholic Church does not define Christianity any longer - nor was it ever entirely coincident, by any means.
[roamer_1:] It is the Spirit who sanctions.***
That is not an answer.
It is the only answer. Every doctrine of man falls woefully short of the truth - including Roman Catholicism.
[roamer_1:] The Spirit moves upon the Oneness churches. They see the gifts of the Spirit in their churches regularly. That means more to me than any doctrinal error does.***
Not to me. That is the point. This is a claim of innate knowledge, which is Gnostic. And not Christian, given the definitions of the heresy of Gnosticism.
It is not gnostic. Very little of it has to do with "hidden knowledge". I am speaking of the value of the gifts of the Holy Spirit as evidence.
To the degree that prophets and prophesying are present, and a part of that process, I would accept that the real possibility for gnosticism exists - but for the most part, that is not what I am pointing to.
[roamer_1:] Agreed. But then one must determine the identity of the Church.***
Already done. Scripture, and the Apostolic and Apostolic Father writings are clear.
Hardly clear. At least not in the way the Roman Catholics declare.
The Spirit declares Himself to those who love the Lord. Where the gifts are found, there too, is the Church.
[roamer_1:] Sure. and I will show you Scripture that shows that the Spiritual gifts show the Presence in the Church (IOW prove the Church). Anyone can hang up a sign and throw up some pews...***
And many do. One must go to Scripture, which points to the Apostles, then the Apostolic Fathers for correct identification.
I have heard this argument all day long. It has never been a convincing argument, and it is not convincing now.
You claimed that you have been personally sanctioned by the Holy Spirit. What is the manner of that sanction? How can you show it?
According to Scripture, all Christians receive personal sanction by the Holy Spirit, each according to their faith.
My own is not a spectacular calling. I have experienced visions and dreams since a young age, and some foreknowledge (which is of little use). That is the only supernatural gifting I have been given. But I love to be in the Spirit.
My focus, having witnessed the power of God, has been in finding it expressed upon the earth and in the church (as promised), in the beauty and intricacy with which the Prophecy has been intertwined within and throughout the Word, and how the Prophecy has continued to progress through the ages (as promised). In other words, proof.
So, in the course of my life, I have sought where the Spirit has led, and I have been satisfied to be a witness for the Lord. Not a perfect one, by any means... In fact, among the least of them all. Hopefully, He will see fit to give me more.
***By bricks and mortar, I thought that you were referring to the Church. The Church defines Christianity. Therefore it is entirely coincindent.
Thankfully, no matter how stridently the claim is made, The Roman Catholic Church does not define Christianity any longer ***
The Roman Catholic Church never defined Christianity. The Catholic Church does and will always do so.
***[roamer_1:] It is the Spirit who sanctions.***
That is not an answer.
It is the only answer. Every doctrine of man falls woefully short of the truth - including Roman Catholicism. ***
It is still not an answer, not even a good mystic answer.
***[roamer_1:] The Spirit moves upon the Oneness churches. They see the gifts of the Spirit in their churches regularly. That means more to me than any doctrinal error does.***
Not to me. That is the point. This is a claim of innate knowledge, which is Gnostic. And not Christian, given the definitions of the heresy of Gnosticism.
It is not gnostic. Very little of it has to do with “hidden knowledge”. I am speaking of the value of the gifts of the Holy Spirit as evidence.
To the degree that prophets and prophesying are present, and a part of that process, I would accept that the real possibility for gnosticism exists - but for the most part, that is not what I am pointing to. ***
All of your ‘knowledge’ is hidden. Your ‘gifts of the Spirit’ are not provable, knowable, or observable. If not, then what are you pointing to?
***[roamer_1:] Agreed. But then one must determine the identity of the Church.***
Already done. Scripture, and the Apostolic and Apostolic Father writings are clear.
Hardly clear. At least not in the way the Roman Catholics declare.
The Spirit declares Himself to those who love the Lord. Where the gifts are found, there too, is the Church. ***
I can show you the Fathers and their writings; the entire history and happenings of the Church. What are these gifts, where are they, how have they been bestowed and how do you know that they are of the Spirit?
***You claimed that you have been personally sanctioned by the Holy Spirit. What is the manner of that sanction? How can you show it?
According to Scripture, all Christians receive personal sanction by the Holy Spirit, each according to their faith.***
That is not an answer. How, for instance, do I know that you are Christian?
*** My own is not a spectacular calling. I have experienced visions and dreams since a young age, and some foreknowledge (which is of little use). That is the only supernatural gifting I have been given. But I love to be in the Spirit. ***
Again, not an answer. How do you know that you are gifted by the Holy Spirit and not by something else?
***My focus, having witnessed the power of God, has been in finding it expressed upon the earth and in the church (as promised), in the beauty and intricacy with which the Prophecy has been intertwined within and throughout the Word, and how the Prophecy has continued to progress through the ages (as promised). In other words, proof.***
You have presented none thus far.
***So, in the course of my life, I have sought where the Spirit has led, and I have been satisfied to be a witness for the Lord. Not a perfect one, by any means... In fact, among the least of them all. Hopefully, He will see fit to give me more.***
Again, these are simply words that may be of little import; they may be of a charlatan, a mystic, a drug addict. How can you show that you are led by the Spirit?