How does a person get into the ' body of Christ ' ?
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For as the [human] body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ. For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one Body [the Body of Christ] , whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit. For the Body [of Christ] is not one member, but many. (1 Cor 12:12-14)
This passage reveals that just as Christ baptizes every believer with the Holy Spirit, (so that we all "drink into one Spirit"), the Holy Spirit turns around and immerses (baptizes) every believer into the Body of Christ. This is simultaneous and supernatural, since the Body is visible only to God and Christ.
Christ is the Head of this Body, and every child of God is a member, no matter how insignificant. Indeed, Paul goes on to say that the more insignificant members are given more honor.
This passage reveals that just as Christ baptizes every believer with the Holy Spirit, (so that we all "drink into one Spirit"), the Holy Spirit turns around and immerses (baptizes) every believer into the Body of Christ. This is simultaneous and supernatural, since the Body is visible only to God and Christ.
Christ is the Head of this Body, and every child of God is a member, no matter how insignificant. Indeed, Paul goes on to say that the more insignificant members are given more honor.
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Galatians 3:26-27
26For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus. 27For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ.
Faith is a spiritual thing that God can detect. If you have faith in Christ Jesus the Bible says you're spiritually baptized into Jesus. God takes care of the rest.
1 Corinthians 3:1
1And I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, even as unto babes in Christ.
Just to make sure we eliminate any possibility that we can earn our ticket into the body of Christ by being "good enough" at least one example is in order.
1 Cor. 3:1 says that even worldly Christians are still in Christ. Paul refers to worldly, unspiritual, Christians as babies who are in Christ. The only qualifier to be in Christ is having faith. The Holy Spirit will gradually transform those who are baptized into Christ from one glory to another by progressive sanctification. (2 Cor. 3:18, Hebrews 10:14)
26For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus. 27For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ.
Faith is a spiritual thing that God can detect. If you have faith in Christ Jesus the Bible says you're spiritually baptized into Jesus. God takes care of the rest.
1 Corinthians 3:1
1And I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, even as unto babes in Christ.
Just to make sure we eliminate any possibility that we can earn our ticket into the body of Christ by being "good enough" at least one example is in order.
1 Cor. 3:1 says that even worldly Christians are still in Christ. Paul refers to worldly, unspiritual, Christians as babies who are in Christ. The only qualifier to be in Christ is having faith. The Holy Spirit will gradually transform those who are baptized into Christ from one glory to another by progressive sanctification. (2 Cor. 3:18, Hebrews 10:14)
It is God who decides who will be saved. He gives the person who experiences salvation the ability to hear his voice and to follow him. If God does not open a person up to believe on him unto salvation then they are not saved. What a true believer can do is to share the gospel, but it is up to God whether another person will hear the gospel unto salvation. Of course, a true believer can pray for someone who is not saved, and perhaps God will answer that prayer, and give the person being prayed for the ability to believe on the Lord unto salvation through truly hearing the gospel and taking it to heart.
"Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will, "
"In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will "
"And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned. "
"And he said unto him, If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead. "
"My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: "
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I believe that's an error. If we look at the scriptures we see the apostles reasoning and instructing people from the scriptures how to be saved . And I don't see anywhere in the bible that says man is predestined to be saved . I think this is a mistake some make by being taught a certain set of doctrines . From the scripture we see after a person believes then they are predestined to the Adoption. Eph 1.5 ,Rom 8.23 ( kjv )The bible is clear that God has given the command to people to follow and when that criteria is met ,then he saves . Today this would be the Gospel of grace. If we look at the bereans in Acts for example ,we see they search the scriptures. They are actively seeking out the things they have been told and seeing if they are true. They are reasoned with by the Scriptures on the Gospel. They believe and are saved . This is exactly the same today. We can reason with people from the scriptures. They can believe . My question is what are we telling them on how to be saved ?
"Vacant of spiritual insight, a lost soul or a non believer, many have a hard heart that simply cannot
be reached. I have learned, it is not wise to throw 'religious' idea's upon a person with a hard heart, they are turned off
from the get go. Each personality is unique, and unless you feel adequately and spiritually grounded, a lost
soul requires love and patience. Many paths have crossed my path, I have learned to share how God's principles
of life have changed my life, and it can others, so long as they want it bad enough. I had to change my attitude
and behavior, to come to realize the Holy Spirit within...and this I have shared with many, to be the example, and
not the problem. The choice, being upon each individual...no more...no less."
( my thoughts from this side of the glass )
be reached. I have learned, it is not wise to throw 'religious' idea's upon a person with a hard heart, they are turned off
from the get go. Each personality is unique, and unless you feel adequately and spiritually grounded, a lost
soul requires love and patience. Many paths have crossed my path, I have learned to share how God's principles
of life have changed my life, and it can others, so long as they want it bad enough. I had to change my attitude
and behavior, to come to realize the Holy Spirit within...and this I have shared with many, to be the example, and
not the problem. The choice, being upon each individual...no more...no less."
( my thoughts from this side of the glass )
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