have you ever changed your mind?

trofimus · Nov 17, 2016

I also changed my mind on a number of things, after being saved.

I started out in charismatic/dispensational churches. I gradually came to believe that most of what I was hearing in churches was just emotionalism and trying to keep up with the "experiences" of others. God told me to depend on the Bible, not false prophets or hysteria. I quietly left the church, and went to more balanced churches. As in, eternal security and Reformed theology. And I am not sure that the speaking in tongues was "of the devil." What I saw and what I participated in, was more of the flesh. But then, who knows? The churches I was in were not over the top, so that was my impression, knowing the people.

I had several people trying to convince me of the truth of Word Faith. I wasn't feeling it, but there seemed to be some Bible verses supporting it, especially when I was healthy! But when I got sick, God showed me all the verses refuting this heinous heresy. And of course, when my friend, the Kenneth Copeland ordained pastor died of breast cancer, because she "claimed" heaing instead of getting free medical Canadian health care treatment. God led me to read a pamphlet, when another friend got trapped in this nonsense. I told her we were going to do a Bible study on it, but once she read it, she was convinced. Well, until recently. She got delivered of "depression" and "oppression" only to have to spend weeks away from people, and reading her Bible with their "deliverance guidance" books. Gordan Fee is one of the top Greek scholars in the world, and a Pentecostal, and his analysis of Word Faith completely debunked it, without imposing his person views. The Word of God always leads us to the truth!

I will honestly say, although the pre-mill, pre-trib rapture stuff was preached at me, and every person I know was constantly predicting Jesus immediate return, because sign "X" or "Y" had been fulfilled, it always rang false to me. It was such a relief to get away from churches that said you weren't saved if you didn't believe in their brand of eschatology. Seminary was good, as we were allowed to study all the different viewpoints the supporting scripture and make up our minds about which was right. That was really being set free, for me!

Last year, after 35 years, I was reading Daniel and Revelation at the same time. (I always am reading through both Testaments). It was pretty incredible to be in the verses which related to each other about this topic. I felt God give me a real release to start studying eschatology. Several people here recommended books, as well as other books I had since seminary. I did read again, about every eschatological position. But it became very obvious that partial preterite was what I believed and what God had been showing me. I even read a lot of things to my husband as we were traveling along the road on vacation. He is now moving over to a more sensible eschatology!

Finally, most of the charismatic denominations I attended were Arminian. (Except for one group of "heretics" who were Reformed! LOL) It was a terrible feeling, to think that anything I did might result in me losing my salvation. I was defeated before I did anything. God began showing me Scriptures on how HE saved me, not of my own works. The next step, was that although I didn't know about anyone else, I knew God had me in the palm of his hand, and would never leave or forsake me. Then I began to understand that anyone who was truly saved, was also saved eternally.

It was only in the last few months, through the ministry of various people here, that I got back a sense of the righteousness and the justice of God. In other words, that simply paying lip service to God, and then never confessing your sins or repenting, is antinominanism. So I absolutely agree that God saves us, but that works do follow! (Not to stay saved, but because that is what God expects from us, when he saves us!)

I hope I will always been open to correction in my beliefs as the Holy Spirit leads through the Word of God. But at my age, maybe getting a bit set in my ways? Considering how much I have really changed what I believed, when I got away from bad theology, and dug deeper into the Word of God.

Probably the first long story I have read fully, in these discussion pages

breno785au · Nov 17, 2016

Holy Spirit has changed my understanding on a lot of things over the years. When I remember how He has changed me over the years, it helps me to be patient with people who hold an opinion or view I don't agree with (not perfect at that lol). Neither do I tend not to overreact when they do, ive seen Him flip people completely even after decades of long held views.
There's still a lot of things in the air that I'm undecided about but I'm not worried, God will teach me in time. My maim priority is that I'm open for Him to teach me love.

Angela53510 · Nov 17, 2016

trofimus said:

People tell me this, all the time! LOL

Probably part of the reason you were able to read it, is that it is my own words, about my experiences. Not a copy and paste, as many long posts are.

I'm pretty verbose. But that is who I am! Thanks for commenting!

Billyd · Nov 17, 2016

Since the day I met Jesus, I haven't changed my mind aboutHim. Sometimes I drift a little to the left, or the right. Sometimes I drag my feet. Sometimes I dig my heels in and He has to pick me up and carry me. Then there are the times that fall asleep at the wheel, and He has to prod me a little to move me ahead. Since the day I gave my life to Him, He has been true to His Word. He is always there with an out reached hand to guide me in our Journey. Thank you Jesus, for the Holy Spirit that You sent me on that wonderful day we met.

No, I haven't changed my mind, I've grown closer to him every day.

wanderer6059 · Nov 17, 2016

zone said:

i was Catholic, then i read my bible... lol really tho, on who the Father was to me, who I am in Christ, and what Christ really did for me.

good post zone

oldethennew · Nov 17, 2016

if you can see through 'any-commentary' to the Biblical Truth, this will help you,
but it requires a foundation of intense STUDY and a one-on ONE-relationship
with our Holy Father...

often, new readers may agree with some of the commentary at first, but with intense STUDY,
one will soon learn how to separate the Doctrinal Wheat from the tares...

Ariel82 · Nov 17, 2016

I used to believe when I was a kid that the Holy Spirit was a ghost that possessed people and Christians where cannibals and vampires that at Jesus' flesh and drank His blood through a magical ceremony.

I have since have been taught what symbolism means and how literal interpretation of everything written in the Bible can lead to errors and false belief systems.

mpaper345 · Nov 17, 2016

The truth is we are all learning,and sometimes we might have a belief of the Bible that we think is correct,but in later years come to find out it was not correct,which plainly put,we do not have enough input of the Bible to make the correct assumption,but we only have partial scriptures dealing with it,so we do not see the big picture concerning it,so it falls short of all that describes that subject.

The more we study the Bible,especially if we read through all of it,the bigger picture we will get concerning the Bible,so people will say a certain belief,and if wrong,do not understand all that is involved with it,because they do not understand enough of the Bible that exposes that truth even further.

Adstar · Nov 17, 2016

zone said:

No need for the greek when we have it is English.

Yes i have changed my position on a lot of things because of reading scripture and having others point out to me why my POV was not in alignment with scripture.. I was a former catholic before i read the Bible.. After i read it i was no longer a catholic.. In my early stages of my Christian walk i was influenced to believe in pre-tribulation rapture.. But after being shown the scriptures that debunked the pre-tribulation rapture i changed by stance to a second coming rapture belief..

zone · Nov 17, 2016

Adstar said:

No need for the greek when we have it is English.

Yes i have changed my position on a lot of things because of reading scripture and having others point out to me why my POV was not in alignment with scripture.. I was a former catholic before i read the Bible.. After i read it i was no longer a catholic.. In my early stages of my Christian walk i was influenced to believe in pre-tribulation rapture.. But after being shown the scriptures that debunked the pre-tribulation rapture i changed by stance to a second coming rapture belief..

cool

do you have much noticeable influence on pretribbers?

Adstar · Nov 17, 2016

zone said:

Not the die hard, hard core, pre-tribbers.. They have this hope and don't want to face the alternative possibility and are not really open to any information that would rock their hope of missing out on persecution and end times hardships.. But i am sure a few fence sitters who where open to being convinced might have been moved by the scriptures and thoughts i gave shared with them..

Elizabeth619 · Nov 17, 2016

I was raised in the church of Christ and was taught that if you are not part of the church of Christ you will not go to heaven. Which means that 99% of the people on this site alone will not go to heaven. I no longer hold that belief. What caused me to no longer believe that was when. I saw the hypocrisy within the church. I am not saying the doctrine is wrong. I'm still a member of the church of Christ but when I became pregnant 15 years ago and the church shunned me(after public repentance) my eyes were opened.

eternally-gratefull · Nov 18, 2016

Adstar said:

the same can be said for many post tribbers..or no tribbers (amillenial)

We all should be open. and not so hard headed we think we have the truth.. If nothing else. peaceably agree to disagree.. especially on nonsalvic issues such as these

mailmandan · Nov 18, 2016

For years, while growing up in the Roman Catholic church, I thought salvation was by works, then I changed my mind and placed my faith in Christ for salvation and never looked back.

zone · Nov 18, 2016

eternally-gratefull said:

this is true, EG.
thanks for the reminder.

zone · Nov 18, 2016

mailmandan said:

much peace now, compared to then, I bet.
amen.

Adstar · Nov 18, 2016

eternally-gratefull said:

I agree it is not a salvation doctrine issue.. I look upon it as a disputable matter..

But if the end times come upon us.. ( and i truly believe they are close if not already started) then people who are pre-tribbers who find themselves coming under server persecution will be in no state of mind to be prepared for it, and this could shake their faith to the core.. People who are expecting persecution or calamity will be more at peace when it strikes and their faith will not be shaken.. Because they are expecting it..

eternally-gratefull · Nov 18, 2016

Adstar said:

I think this is a debatable matter.

A child of God who is in faith, is not going to have any problems, whether there is a pre-trib rapture or not. And to use this to fight against something. to me is not a very good reason.

Adstar · Nov 18, 2016

eternally-gratefull said:

disputable ,debatable. discussable.. inventive word there it's all pretty much the same to me..

Not sure what you mean here?

eternally-gratefull · Nov 18, 2016

Adstar said:

Me also

if I was going to debate against pre-trib, This would be the last argument I would use, It does nothing to support my view. There is little to no validity in the statement, It would be what I would call a strawman..

It would be no different than people saying free grace is bad because it causes people to live in sin. There is absolutely no proof that is true. it is just an opinion, not based on facts.

I hope this clears it up

have you ever changed your mind?

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