Prophets
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We are saved (Eph 2/8-10), and we will also be saved (Mt 24/13). We are sealed with the Spirit, which is our pledge of inheritance of salvation. (Eph 1/13-14) We will not be truly saved until we have put off this mortal body and put on our immortal one (Ro 2/7, 1 Co 15/51-58). We have been saved from sin (Ro 4, among others), but not yet from physical death (Ro 8/13, 1 Co 15/26), but have been saved from spiritual death (Jn 8/51, Jn 5/24, etc.)
Our fleshly body is sinful, and we have not been saved from it yet, but will be when we physically die or when Christ returns (2 Co 5/6-10). Yet we have been saved from sin, because Christ died for us.
Our fleshly body is sinful, and we have not been saved from it yet, but will be when we physically die or when Christ returns (2 Co 5/6-10). Yet we have been saved from sin, because Christ died for us.
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SpiritOfElijah, we could go back and forth on whether prophets are still around today, but that wouldn't address a long ongoing concern I have for you.
My concern is that you have a preoccupation, an unhealthy emphasis on some of the more extraordinary/flashy/shiny things in Christianity. Prophecy, healing, tongues, holy laughter etc.
When we have an unhealthy preoccupation with these things, Christianity turns into something less than Christianity. It becomes a belief system that is built on getting the latest word, finding the latest apostle, finding the newest "move of the Spirit" which is usually associated with some sort of manifestation. Christianity becomes an ongoing quest for all these extraordinary peripheral aspects of Christianity.
Become preoccupied with Christ and him Crucified, with Jesus risen from the dead, with sanctification and repentance.
I know the prophecies and manifestations and healings and apostles and all that is super exciting and flashy, but that isn't the main emphasis of Christianity.
My concern is that you have a preoccupation, an unhealthy emphasis on some of the more extraordinary/flashy/shiny things in Christianity. Prophecy, healing, tongues, holy laughter etc.
When we have an unhealthy preoccupation with these things, Christianity turns into something less than Christianity. It becomes a belief system that is built on getting the latest word, finding the latest apostle, finding the newest "move of the Spirit" which is usually associated with some sort of manifestation. Christianity becomes an ongoing quest for all these extraordinary peripheral aspects of Christianity.
Become preoccupied with Christ and him Crucified, with Jesus risen from the dead, with sanctification and repentance.
I know the prophecies and manifestations and healings and apostles and all that is super exciting and flashy, but that isn't the main emphasis of Christianity.
Behold, the days come, saith the Lord God, that I will send a famine in the land, not a famine of bread,
nor a thirst for water, but of hearing the words of the Lord:
And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams:
nor a thirst for water, but of hearing the words of the Lord:
And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams:
I would have to say that Christ's whole ministry was upon the "flashy things" of Christianity then. Christ healed the sick and broken, he prophesied what would happen in the last days, etc. What you label "flashy things" is the working of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit still works today. Jesus himself said that those after Him would do greater works than even He did while He was on earth (Jn 14/12)
I do believe in these things matter fact just yesterday I seen the greatest miracle of all some get saved. Lead em to the Lord broke some spirits off and got filled with the Holy Spirit! A move if the spirit is souls being saved and Jesus Being Glorified. Yes I do believe in the supernatural but my main will is to do the will if Him who sent me. Signs wonders and miracles will follow me and encounters will happen but I'm after the Kingdom of God and His righteousness
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Matthew 7
Again the point is what is emphasized. You can have tons of the above things going on, and be cast into hell.
This is the emphasis.
John 3
3 Jesus answered him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again[b] he cannot see the kingdom of God.”
“Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.
Luke 24
6 and said to them, “Thus it is written, that the Christ should suffer and on the third day rise from the dead, 47and that repentance and[a] forgiveness of sins should be proclaimed in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem. 48 You are witnesses of these things.
Again the point is what is emphasized. You can have tons of the above things going on, and be cast into hell.
This is the emphasis.
John 3
3 Jesus answered him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again[b] he cannot see the kingdom of God.”
“Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.
Luke 24
6 and said to them, “Thus it is written, that the Christ should suffer and on the third day rise from the dead, 47and that repentance and[a] forgiveness of sins should be proclaimed in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem. 48 You are witnesses of these things.
Oh, don't get me wrong. I still open myself to let God heal people through me, but it is no longer with the personally focused intent that I first clamored after that stuff. Now days, it just happens whenever it happens, and I am beginning to see it as just a normal thing most all of us should be doing, and then just go walking on down the road.
K
Yes the gifts from the Holy Spirit still exists today, but just like then the standard on how to use them is the same.
They are never to be used to make a show out of it, and it is never to be done for self recognition, praise, or gratitude. As all that is to be given to God for being able to do these things.
And the bible does clearly say the gifts will last all the way to His second coming.
Acts 2:17
And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams:
We are still in the last days, as they will not end tell His second coming.
Yes, not everyone who does signs and wonders is really following Christ (cf Mt 7/21-23). Yet don't let their foolishness tie the hands of the Spirit of God (in the sense of not moving in the power of God's Spirit), it is even more reason to show God's true power, by working in believers who are following Him. I see a prevalence in the church today to say that because we are not seeing God's power as much, God is not working. To this I reply, look at countries such as Africa, and read about the miracles that are being done there. God is working. Let's pray and believe that He's working here as well, in each and every one of us. It seems that God's power follows on the heels of tribulation. Areas where Christians are being killed are seeing the power of God in mighty ways. Miracles in Africa - Loren Davis Ministries
I don't understand how the words fail, cease and vanish can be so easily overlooked, swept under the rug and denied as applied unto the gifts listed in 1st Corinthians 13<-----the childish, immature church with some 14-16 different listed sins and failings....seems the mature assemblies at Ephesus, Phillipi, Collosse, Rome and a few others had no such difficulties understanding the three words listed above.......!
When I was a CHILD I spake as a CHILD<----Paul put away the CHILDISH things when he GREW up and MATURED!
When I was a CHILD I spake as a CHILD<----Paul put away the CHILDISH things when he GREW up and MATURED!
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