I am what I am By the Grace of God.

  • Christian Chat is a moderated online Christian community allowing Christians around the world to fellowship with each other in real time chat via webcam, voice, and text, with the Christian Chat app. You can also start or participate in a Bible-based discussion here in the Christian Chat Forums, where members can also share with each other their own videos, pictures, or favorite Christian music.

    If you are a Christian and need encouragement and fellowship, we're here for you! If you are not a Christian but interested in knowing more about Jesus our Lord, you're also welcome! Want to know what the Bible says, and how you can apply it to your life? Join us!

    To make new Christian friends now around the world, click here to join Christian Chat.
Pilgrim said:
Hi! I am looking forward to chatting with you. I was born again in Rhodesia (Now Zimbabwe) in a Pentecostal Fellowship. It seems they were days of revival and I found myself, first witnessing and very soon ministering God's Word. I am now retired from full time ministry but still love to share God's word. There are many issues where we as believers can agree to disagree, but as Jesus told Nicodemus "You must be born again." On doctrine we may differ but it is only the new person in Christ that will enter the Kingdom of Heaven. As the Apostle Paul wrote we only know those who have been born again by their lives (Jesus said Fruit), for me it was a complete turn around only accomplished with our Lord's continuous help. So that I can only say. "I am what I am by the grace of God." May the blessings of the Lord go with throughout the future.
Click to expand...
Welcome, and thanks for sharing your testimony:)

See you around the forums.

Blessings in Jesus Name ✝️🙏🏽❤️
 
  • Like
Reactions: Deade
CorrectiveLens said:
The great commission given by Jesus to his apostles was to go out and teach all nations baptizing them in the name of the Father and in the name of the Son, and in the name of the Holy Spirit. Most people and church denominations think that this means one baptism with water in the name of three persons. That is not the case. It is three different baptisms.
Click to expand...
Ephesians 4:4-6 says, "There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called;
one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all."
 
  • Like
Reactions: Deade
Hello Pilgrim, welcome to Christian Chat. I hope you'll enjoy your stay here.






079f0551165fa6aca5702fdfa65b588e.gif
 
  • Like
Reactions: TabinRivCA
Magenta said:
Ephesians 4:4-6 says, "There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called;
one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all."
Click to expand...

Yes, there is one Baptism in 3 parts. Once you are baptized in the name of the Father, baptism in the name of the Son and Holy Spirit are for sure to follow.
 
Although we seem to express our understanding of the Doctrine of Baptisms mentioned in Hebrews 6 in different ways, I rejoice to see the trend being expressed here. When I made my decision to take Jesus as my Lord and Saviour the Holy Spirit miraculously baptised me into the body of Christ and I became a new creation. In water baptism I acknowledged this miracle to those who witnessed it by the answer of a good conscience to God, and Jesus then baptised me in the Holy Spirit giving evidence with unknown tongues. From this we realise that the scriptural teaching is expressed in experience for all who believe. I also believe that the opposition we experience from those who do not believe to be our personal cross or baptism in suffering which Jesus said we would bear. So that the one Baptism mentioned in Ephesians is evidenced by the other three. Thank you for sharing.
 
  • Like
Reactions: CorrectiveLens
Pilgrim said:
Although we seem to express our understanding of the Doctrine of Baptisms mentioned in Hebrews 6 in different ways, I rejoice to see the trend being expressed here. When I made my decision to take Jesus as my Lord and Saviour the Holy Spirit miraculously baptised me into the body of Christ and I became a new creation. In water baptism I acknowledged this miracle to those who witnessed it by the answer of a good conscience to God, and Jesus then baptised me in the Holy Spirit giving evidence with unknown tongues. From this we realise that the scriptural teaching is expressed in experience for all who believe. I also believe that the opposition we experience from those who do not believe to be our personal cross or baptism in suffering which Jesus said we would bear. So that the one Baptism mentioned in Ephesians is evidenced by the other three. Thank you for sharing.
Click to expand...

"From this we realise that the scriptural teaching is expressed in experience for all who believe. "

I would like to add that my experience involves repentance for my sins and turning to God for forgiveness. Trusting in the Father's plan for the forgiveness of my sins through Jesus Christ. Hating my weakness in succumbing to sin and praying for strength, I also prayed for help in doing the Father's will. I feel the love that I have for everyone and the desire to know Him by studying scripture and praying for enlightenment. I feel the Holy Spirit of God directing my thoughts and actions. I am always feeling thankful to the Father for my salvation through Christ and His Holy Spirit which fills my heart with love.
 
Pilgrim said:
Hi! I am looking forward to chatting with you. I was born again in Rhodesia (Now Zimbabwe) in a Pentecostal Fellowship. It seems they were days of revival and I found myself, first witnessing and very soon ministering God's Word. I am now retired from full time ministry but still love to share God's word. There are many issues where we as believers can agree to disagree, but as Jesus told Nicodemus "You must be born again." On doctrine we may differ but it is only the new person in Christ that will enter the Kingdom of Heaven. As the Apostle Paul wrote we only know those who have been born again by their lives (Jesus said Fruit), for me it was a complete turn around only accomplished with our Lord's continuous help. So that I can only say. "I am what I am by the grace of God." May the blessings of the Lord go with throughout the future.
Click to expand...
a very warm welcome to you ... yes we would all be dead as dead can be if it were not for Jesus. :)
 
Pilgrim said:
I would be interested to see your scripture references for these statements.
Click to expand...

First, I would like to apologize for taking so long to respond to your request. No excuse. I forgot and/or was destracted in my studies by researching other topics and giving answers to others as well as myself. Please forgive me. I feel that I've learned alot and now am better able to supply the scripture that you asked for.

Matt 28: 19 Go ye, therefore, and TEACH all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit,
If it was one baptism, it would have read " in the name of the Father, Son, and the Holy Spirit." Since it reads, "in the name of the Father, in the name of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit", it is describing each of the persons of the Godhead's part in Baptism. This baptism occurs by teaching.
Acts 8: 12 But WHEN they believed Phillip preaching the things concerning the kingdom of God, and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women.
Notice that they were baptized WHEN THEY BELIEVED.
Acts 9: 17-18 And Ananias went his way, and entered into the house; and putting his hands on him said, Brother Saul, the Lord, even ( that is) Jesus, that appeared unto thee in the way as thou camest, hath sent me, that thou mightest receive thy sight, and be filled with the Holy Spirit.. And IMMEDIATELY there fell from his eyes as it had been scales; and he received sight, and arose, and was baptized.
When did the scales fall from his eyes? Immediately
When did he receive sight? Immediately
When did he arise? Immediately
When did he get baptized? Immediately
Matt 20: 18-19 Behold, we go up to Jerusalem; and the Son of man shall be betrayed unto the chief priests and unto the scribes, and they shall condemn him to death, And shall deliver Him to the Gentiles to mock, and to scourge, and to crucify Him. And the third day He shall rise again.
Matt 20: 22 But Jesus answered and said, Ye know not what ye ask. Are ye able to drink of the cup that I shall drink of, and to be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with? They say unto Him, we are able.
In verse 18 and 19 Jesus is explaining the events that He has to experience when they go up to Jerusalem. In verse 22 He calls this experience of event that He has to go through a Baptism.
Luke 12: 50 But I have a baptism to be baptized with; and how am I constrained till it be accomplished!
Again, Christ refers to an event that He has to experience as a Baptism.
Rom 6: 3 Know ye not that, as many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into His death?
"Baptized into Jesus Christ" means Baptized in the name of the Son, where one believes in Jesus and becomes part of His body. As part of His body, we experience the same event ( or Baptism) that He experienced.
Rom 6: 4 Therefore, we are buried with Him by Baptism into death, that as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory (Spirit) of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.
When we are baptized in the name of the Son by believing, we receive the Father's Holy Spirit and become born again with a new heart that will aid in obeying the Spirit of the Law ( letting Love be the motive for all thoughts and actions).
1 Cor 12: 13 For by one Spirit were we baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Greeks, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.
When you are baptized in the name of the Father, you receive His Spirit ( drink into one Spirit) which makes us part of the body of Christ when we believe in Him ( Christ) as Lord and Savior.
1 Cor 12: 3 Wherefore, I give you to understand that no man can say that Jesus is the Lord, but by the HOly Spirit.
It is the Spirit of the Father that convicts us of our sins into believing and trusting that Jesus is Lord and Savior.
Eph 3: 14-15 For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, Of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named, ...
Those that belong to the Family of the Father have been baptized in the name of the Father and have received His Holy Spirit.
Acts 1: 5 For John truly baptized with water, but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.
This verse seems to indicate that one kind of baptism ( water) is going to be replaced with a new kind of baptism ( Spirit).
Acts 8: 12 But when they believed Phillip preaching the things concerning the kingdom of God, and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women.
This verse indicates that the time of the baptism occurs at the same time as the believing.
Acts 11: 18 When they heard these things, they held their peace, and glorified God, saying, Then hath God also to the Gentiles granted repentance unto life.
This verse seems to indicate that it is the Father who grants the repentance that is necessary to gain life. When one is baptized in the name of the Father, he first repents and then turns to Him for forgiveness. This repentance given by the Father is not a gift that can be refused. Repentance is a state of being and once it is granted, you have it.

There is more. Let me know if you would like me to continue.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top Bottom
Back