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Cojak |
In my years with the religious/church world I have witnessed many honest, Godly Christians who gave to the 'cause of Christ' and were buried with borrowed money. My dad loved the Lord and preached the Word for over 50 years and died with no money and a car I had given him. He was conservative to the end. He gave back to the church and the cause of Christ.
I have no problem with men who work, invest, save and become wealthy and give to the cause fo Christ. ..... I have said enough. I deleted more.
But I remember Sister Burroughs who cleaned houses and ironed for a living. She paid her tithe and gave regularly and died in poverty. Why wasn't she BLESSED and allowed to have some comforts and heat in the winter? What did the poor lady do wrong?  
_________________
Some facts but mostly just my opinion!
jacsher@aol.com
http://shipslog-jack.blogspot.com/ |
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Posts: 24278
6/3/19 9:58 pm
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MayB2Day |
| Darrell Garrett wrote: | | I have to ask how we got to the place where we dare to tell God how to do what He does? He's God and He does not ask for our approval or permission to do a work in someone's life. I just say, "Yeah God!" I'm so glad he does what He does without worrying if it meets the approval of the religious crowd. |
It's not a matter of telling God what to do. It's more a curiosity relating to our past teachings and beliefs.
I was raised when we preached and believed that purity preceded Pentecost. I was just curious if that had changed. I was just wondering if we had it wrong for all those years.
I think Dave Dorsey gave the best answer to my question when he said, "Maybe she was completely mistaken about the legitimacy of her earlier experience." I had not considered that. I usually try to take people at face value and then try to discern if 2+2=4.
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Socialism is a great idea until you run out of other people's money. |
Acts Enthusiast
Posts: 1907
6/20/19 9:39 am
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Darrell Garrett |
| Personally, I believe we had it wrong all along. Not once in the scriptures do we read where they told them to "get their act together" and purify themselves first so that the Holy Ghost would come. It's just not scriptural. Now that does not give license to living an unholy life. I believe, and I think the scriptures support the fact that the Holy Ghost comes in and He leads us to purity and holiness. If I told my own story, many who read here would doubt and attack, but I know what God did in my own life and it flies right in the face of our traditional teaching. |
Hon. Dr. in Acts-celeratology
Posts: 5329
6/20/19 9:59 am
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Dave Dorsey |
| Darrell Garrett wrote: | | I believe, and I think the scriptures support the fact that the Holy Ghost comes in and He leads us to purity and holiness. |
100% this.
We are definitely partners with God in our sanctification and our will and choices are important parts of our spiritual growth. But how could we ever purify or cleanse ourselves without God? As Paul wrote in Galatians 3, having begun by the Spirit are we perfected by the flesh?
And if we did, wouldn't the baptism of the Holy Spirit then be a reward for our works, rather than a gift of God's grace? Or as Paul asks in the verse immediately preceding the one I mentioned above, "Did you receive the Spirit by works of the law or by hearing with faith?"
We were 100% wrong and mistaken here -- there is nothing in the Bible that teaches self-purification followed by a reward of the Spirit. Acts 2:38, "Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit." Accept Christ's work on your behalf in faith and repentance and receive the gift that His work has earned. This is the message and promise of the gospel.
BTW Darrell, I'd love to hear your story. |
[Insert Acts Pun Here]
Posts: 13654
6/20/19 10:13 am
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Da Sheik |
| Dave Dorsey wrote: |
And if we did, wouldn't the baptism of the Holy Spirit then be a reward for our works, rather than a gift of God's grace? Or as Paul asks in the verse immediately preceding the one I mentioned above, "Did you receive the Spirit by works of the law or by hearing with faith?" |
Grace is liberating isn't it? I fought it for so long until I found it irresistible.  |
Acts Enthusiast
Posts: 1860
6/20/19 3:44 pm
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Cojak |
Strange, as I age I learn and relearn. Many things that seemed so logical at the time have come back to bite me. I look back and say, "Did I really say that?" Even worse, "Did I really believe that?"
For a few short years I was a great Pharisee, Gonna live holier than my peers. I am glad God let me live to learn, even if I had to get old to learn better. 
_________________
Some facts but mostly just my opinion!
jacsher@aol.com
http://shipslog-jack.blogspot.com/ |
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Posts: 24278
6/20/19 4:13 pm
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Da Sheik |
| Cojak wrote: | Strange, as I age I learn and relearn. Many things that seemed so logical at the time have come back to bite me. I look back and say, "Did I really say that?" Even worse, "Did I really believe that?"
For a few short years I was a great Pharisee, Gonna live holier than my peers. I am glad God let me live to learn, even if I had to get old to learn better. |
I think we can all relate to that, if we’re honest. There was a time when Peter could not fathom ever failing his Lord. Then reality set in. When it did, he was very thankful for grace! |
Acts Enthusiast
Posts: 1860
6/20/19 8:48 pm
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Dave Dorsey |
Read a great quote this morning: "Only sola gratia produces soli Deo gloria."
Sanctification is synergistic. We are active participants in the process. We choose to resist sin and obey Christ. But even so, our participation is possible only because of God's grace. Any good work we accomplish is possible only because His Spirit has enabled us.
If the baptism of the Holy Spirit is only given once believers have purified themselves from unrighteousness, then its recipients can claim at least partial credit, and receive partial glory.
But if the Holy Spirit is given freely and received by faith alone, and if He then enables and empowers the sanctification and purification we experience as we walk with Christ and are washed by His word -- then it is only by God's grace that any of it occurs, and therefore only He can receive the glory for it.
Only sola gratia produces soli Deo gloria. |
[Insert Acts Pun Here]
Posts: 13654
6/21/19 7:26 am
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