Dear Sis Rachel, I'm going to have to just post on Auto-Pilot at this point and can't use my very tired brain. I have Dyautonomia from long term, multiple reinfections and not treated than under-treated Lyme and I just exhausted all of my 'natural' resources on reading a whole 11 pg thread.
I'm PRAISING GOD that this was what I wanted to get onto after that thread - but I'm not a good 'thread starter' AND I am SO GRATEFUL that a Sister started this thread and not a man - so I don't have my fear of 'teaching men' when I'm NOT a Teacher at all. I just like to post Scripture and quote Scripture but in this case, I'd just like to post from my heart-of-hearts and let the chips fall where they may.
I am a continuationist - needless to say - as I already "liked" the posts I've read thus far - up to kaylagrl's 1st post.
Why this same thought about what your OP is about was on my mind so much today, is because of what I've seen in the years that I've been saved and 'church hopping' so much but not by choice - but now by called-to.
What's on my mind the most is John 16:13!!!
And that 3 times - The Lord calls His Spirit, "The Spirit of Truth" and the verse above states that HE will "lead us into All Truth".
My problem with what I've seen in 38 yrs of hopping around and reading a lot is that there are some that totally neglect the fact that being filled with the Spirit happens upon regeneration/salvation - the cup is filled - as in filled - but being Baptized in the Holy Spirit is like a cup of water being filled to 'Over-Flowing' and continually so - no stated point of it not being continuously being over-flowed except rebellion.
Now - IF His Spirit is called "the Spirit of Truth" - wouldn't one think that this same "Spirit" that one receives by choice as in Pentecost, would also be the over-flowing of "The Spirit of TRUTH"?
The gifts without The Truth is not the genuine. It's another spirit.
We are all 'growing in the Truth' if we are in The Truth to begin with ... but if we've already accepted a false doctrine or doctrines of men - then we are not operating out of the "Spirit" because HE promised that HIS Spirit would lead us into All Truth. Maybe not over-night or after 38 yrs but everyday we're growing and learning and will be 'learning' even when we SEE HIM. If we think that we won't be 'learning' after we see Him -- then we think we'll be as Omniscient as GOD, therefore being equal or as God when we're with Him and there's nothing to back that up.
We'll be 'like' Him for we shall see Him as He is --- but 'like' is not "as God".
The people that I knew [that are in Heaven now] and those that I know now all believe this same way. Some that are in Heaven that I knew 38 yrs ago, believed this way -- so I've never ever felt alone in what I'm saying here. We were and are 'of one mind' and I only need to pick up the phone and call one of them that are continuationists but are attending different denominational churches because they don't segregate from the rest of the Body of Christ. Some do not attend continuationist churches, because there's none that haven't gone 'wacky' in their area ... as compared to 38 yrs ago --- MOST have.
I'm a member of a Church in a State that I moved from 5 yrs ago that are basically known to be cesstationists but they took me in as a member because they do believe I'm saved and though I'm a continuation and they're not and because I'm not Reformed Theology but they are. Amazing Love, that's all I can say about how He works, in that regard.
I no more believe in most of what they believe and yet - I know they love Him and preach Holiness and if someone is not "living the life" they say that that person "isn't saved" ... we just have a different view on how the elect are chosen.
I would love to continue to Church Hop, now that I've moved away from my Family in Christ in that Church - but I've tried all of the near-by Churches and did not feel The Lord telling me to stay at any of them. I was desperate for fellowship and fought Him over this - but it's what He wants, not me - that I should be here, finding this forum as my 'fellowship' and not a local body of believers or to continue to search any further from home, because I've only moved here to be by the phone for my 96 y.o. Dad and to care for him and not be miles away if he falls or something, where he needs me. I know how badly I've cried out for 'fellowship' but it took until I found CC to find it and He led me every step of the way because I love and fear Him and wanted whatever He wanted and waited and tested & tried this site before I signed on. I'm fussy where it comes to 'forums' and had to read everything I could written on the tops of Index pages written by the Admin.s before I'd join. I tested the waters but that doesn't mean that HE won't tell me to move on tomorrow or whenever. But for now - I'm here and grateful for as long as He keeps me grateful or until He has me banned... which He does when I linger in obeying Him to leave because I get attached to people fast.
Anyhow - my main deal with the Baptism in the Holy Spirit is that it is mainly displayed in the evidence of the leading of the Spirit of Truth when it comes to interpreting Scripture. Now that may sound "arrogant" to some - and so be it - but if we're led by His Spirit - WE cannot take any credit for the things that HE has written and how HIS Spirit leads us according to "what is written" ... we just follow along - like tail-gating. What credit does the one get, that needs to tail gate in order to find the way to a certain destination? Did they find the way to that destination themselves?
Obviously, No and all that they can do is THANK the person that led the way - in this case - His Spirit.
The Holy Spirit is a "gentlemen" in that He won't force Himself on certain folks. Like me attending services in cesstationist's fellowships or my friends doing so. "I become all things to all people" and so do they - as what Paul meant that. I also would wear a head covering with those that believe in such when praying or prophesying - though that's not my custom as my hair is long enough to please most that worry about those verses.
To those that don't wear slacks, make-up nor jewelry - I won't wear slacks, make-up but just my wedding band when I visit their gatherings and so on and so forth. Becoming all things to all men only excludes sinning for anybody. All things are lawful to me but not all things are expedient - as Paul meant it when he said it twice in 1 Cor.
If a person or group want to ignore these verses below - it's up to them - but I don't judge people by whether they believe in the continuation of Pentecost, but by their love for God, the truth in holiness [2Cor 7:1], and lastly, their love for their fellow humans.
1Th 5:19 Quench not the Spirit.
1Th 5:20 Despise not prophesyings.
1Th 5:21 Prove all things; hold fast that which is good.
I reckon that's all or it.
Thank you, for following His leading!!!
Love in Christ to all.
