I find myself being asked repeatedly as to what I believe. Here is some of the basic beliefs that I hold as being the doctrine of God as found in the scriptures
It is paramount that one believes that God IS. Heb 11:6 Believing on Him must be done correctly, "as the scripture hath said", John 7:38 The scripture is the record that God hath given of his Son, John 5:10.
I fully agree with A.W. Tozer, "The unbelieving mind would not be convinced by any proof, and the worshiping heart needs none".
1. God: I believe in One God who is himself, Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Deut. 6:4, Is. 43:10, Matt. 28:19, John 1:1, + 14 Col 2:9, Matt1:23
2. Bible: I believe that the Bible is the inspired word of God, a revelation from God to man, the infallible rule of faith and conduct, and is superior to conscience and reason. II Tim 3:16, II Peter 1:21, Heb 4:12.
3. Salvation: I believe that all have sinned and come short of the glory of God. I believe that we are saved by Grace through Faith in our Lord's sacrifice on Calvary. I believe that the Grace of God that bringeth salvation, has appeared unto all men through the preaching of repentance of sin. I believe that, after being justified by Grace through faith in our Lord Jesus Christ, we become heirs of the promise of eternal life in Jesus Christ. Luke 24:47, Romans 3:21-24, Romans 10:13-15, Titus 2:11, Titus 3:5-7, Acts 4:12
I believe the inward evidence to the believer of his salvation is the witness of The Spirit, Romans 8:16. The outward evidence to all men is a life of righteousness and true holiness. Romans 6:19-22
4. Baptism: I believe in the ordinance of baptism by immersion. I believe being buried with Christ, and bring raised as He was, through baptism, should be observed by all who have truly repented in their hearts, and believe upon Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord. I do not reject those who have been baptised using the words Father, Son, and Holy Ghost if theu are truly honest in their hearts and walking in the light, knowledge, and grace of God given them at the time. Romans 6:4, Matt 16:18, Acts 2:38, Acts 8:16, Acts 10:48, Acts 9:5, Matt 28:19
5. Communion: I believe that the Lords Supper, consisting of the elements of bread and of the fruit of the vine, is the external expression of an inward grace; that it is a memorial of his suffering and death and a prophecy of hid second coming. It is to be done often until He comes in rememberance of Him.Luke 22:19-20, John 6:48-58, 1 Cor. 11:23-29
6. Holy Ghost Baptism: I believe that it is evidenced by speaking in tongues and by manifestation of power in public testimony and service. I believe it is to be encouraged and sought after by all who believe. Acts 8:16-17, 1 Cor 12:27-31, 1 Cor 14:1-25
7 Healing: I believe in divine healing. Deliverance for soul, mind, and body is the previlege of the believers. Matt 8:16-17 Mark 16:18, James 5:14
8. Second Coming: I believe in the blessed hope and the glorious appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ, and that the saints, both dead and alive shall be caught up to meet him. Matt 16:27, John 14:3, Acts 1:11, 1 Thess 4:16-18, 1 Thess 5:23, Titus 2:13-14, Hebrews 9:28, Rev 1:7, Rev 22:20
9. Hell I believe that the devil and his angels and whosoever is not found written in the Book of Life, shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, which is the 2nd death. II Thess 1:9 Rev 20:10-15
As it relates to #6, every true Christian is baptized with the Holy Spirit.
Romans 8:9-11
But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his. [10] And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness. [11] But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you.
Additionally, not all Holy Spirit baptized people speak in tongues. The Bible does not teach that.
1 Cor. 12:27-31
Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular. [28] And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues. [29] Are all apostles? are all prophets? are all teachers? are all workers of miracles? [30] Have all the gifts of healing? do all speak with tongues? do all interpret? [31] But covet earnestly the best gifts: and yet shew I unto you a more excellent way.
There is diversity in gifts. All believers do not have the same gifts.
Additionally, not all Holy Spirit baptized people speak in tongues. The Bible does not teach that.
So are you condemning those who speak in tongues? Are the bible believers told to "seek after Spiritual Gifts", or told to flee Spiritual gifts?
Does the bible say that "Whosoever speaketh in unknown tongues, speaketh not unto men, but unto God? Is one who speaks unto God in the Spirit, a devil? Is he under the influence of evil spirits while talking unto God?
There must be some great spiritual danger lurking in the shadows of a practice in which all the Apostles partook of, along with 3000 other souls on the Day of Pentecost, otherwise why would one be so quick to correct, (I should say "attempt" to correct) any mention of it today.
Millions going to hell without God, and most urgent need of the hour is to straighten out those tongue talkers who are such a spiritual scourge and thorn in the side of the so called church.
Additionally, not all Holy Spirit baptized people speak in tongues. The Bible does not teach that.
So are you condemning those who speak in tongues? Are the bible believers told to "seek after Spiritual Gifts", or told to flee Spiritual gifts?
Does the bible say that "Whosoever speaketh in unknown tongues, speaketh not unto men, but unto God? Is one who speaks unto God in the Spirit, a devil? Is he under the influence of evil spirits while talking unto God?
There must be some great spiritual danger lurking in the shadows of a practice in which all the Apostles partook of, along with 3000 other souls on the Day of Pentecost, otherwise why would one be so quick to correct, (I should say "attempt" to correct) any mention of it today.
Millions going to hell without God, and most urgent need of the hour is to straighten out those tongue talkers who are such a spiritual scourge and thorn in the side of the so called church.
He should have said, People today do not speak in tongues THESE DAYS, it boils down to refusing a gift due to being embarrassed to speak in tongues in Public or even privately, but I guess those who do not allow the Spirit to do his job don't know what they are missing.
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The great day of the LORD is near, it is near, and hasteth greatly, even the voice of the day of the LORD: the mighty man shall cry there bitterly. Zephaniah 1:14
פרץ
Snooky said: I believe that it is evidenced by speaking in tongues and by manifestation of power in public testimony and service. I believe it is to be encouraged and sought after by all who believe.
Does anyone interpet what you speak? What language do you speak? Have you ever noticed in your bible that the word "unknown" used most places before the word "tongues", the word unknown was added by the translators?
Additionally, not all Holy Spirit baptized people speak in tongues. The Bible does not teach that.
So are you condemning those who speak in tongues? Are the bible believers told to "seek after Spiritual Gifts", or told to flee Spiritual gifts?
Does the bible say that "Whosoever speaketh in unknown tongues, speaketh not unto men, but unto God? Is one who speaks unto God in the Spirit, a devil? Is he under the influence of evil spirits while talking unto God?
There must be some great spiritual danger lurking in the shadows of a practice in which all the Apostles partook of, along with 3000 other souls on the Day of Pentecost, otherwise why would one be so quick to correct, (I should say "attempt" to correct) any mention of it today.
Millions going to hell without God, and most urgent need of the hour is to straighten out those tongue talkers who are such a spiritual scourge and thorn in the side of the so called church.
So are you condemning those who speak in tongues?
No, why would you presume that? I am not condemning anyone.
I am simply pointing out to you what the Bible says about tongues.
Are the bible believers told to "seek after Spiritual Gifts", or told to flee Spiritual gifts?
You are quite correct. We are told to seek after spiritual gifts. However, we may not be given every gift we seek after. That is up to the sovereign Lord.
Romans 12:3-8
For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith. [4] For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office: [5] So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another. [6] Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith; [7] Or ministry, let us wait on our ministering: or he that teacheth, on teaching; [8] Or he that exhorteth, on exhortation: he that giveth, let him do it with simplicity; he that ruleth, with diligence; he that sheweth mercy, with cheerfulness.
1 Cor. 12:3-11
Wherefore I give you to understand, that no man speaking by the Spirit of God calleth Jesus accursed: and that no man can say that Jesus is the Lord, but by the Holy Ghost. [4] Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. [5] And there are differences of administrations, but the same Lord. [6] And there are diversities of operations, but it is the same God which worketh all in all. [7] But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal. [8] For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit; [9] To another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit; [10] To another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another divers kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues: [11] But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will.
Does the bible say that "Whosoever speaketh in unknown tongues, speaketh not unto men, but unto God?”
You are correct….the King James Version says that in 1 Corinthians 14:2. However, you will notice that the word “unknown” is in italics throughout 1 Corinthians 14 in relation to tongues in the KJV. That is because the word “unknown” is not in the original Greek manuscripts. It was added by the King James Version translators. If the word is not in the Greek manuscripts, why is it in the KJV? The word “unkown” does not occur in other translations. The original languages are reliable. Do some research. Study the Textus Receptus. The word is not there. The fact is, if you look at Acts 2 and the events of Pentecost…there were no “unknown” tongues being spoken there. The tongues spoken here were KNOWN and LIVING languages.......
Acts 2:5-8
And there were dwelling at Jerusalem Jews, devout men, out of every nation under heaven. [6] Now when this was noised abroad, the multitude came together, and were confounded, because that every man heard them speak in his own language. [7] And they were all amazed and marvelled, saying one to another, Behold, are not all these which speak Galilaeans? [8] And how hear we every man in our own tongue, wherein we were born?
Is one who speaks unto God in the Spirit, a devil? Is he under the influence of evil spirits while talking unto God?
I didn’t say that. I didn’t imply that. Nonetheless, 1 John 4:1-3 says this:
Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world. [2] Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God: [3] And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world.
There must be some great spiritual danger lurking in the shadows of a practice in which all the Apostles partook of, along with 3000 other souls on the Day of Pentecost, otherwise why would one be so quick to correct, (I should say "attempt" to correct) any mention of it today.
Snooky, once again I am confounded and bewildered by your negativism. I mentioned nothing of any “spiritual danger”. I did not mention any “lurking”. I did not criticize, question or condemn anything that was done or mentioned in Acts 2, at Pentecost, or anywhere else in the Bible. I'm not concerned with correcting, or an "attempt" to correct. I don't have to be....the Word of God itself corrects false teaching.
You stated… “There must be some great spiritual danger lurking in the shadows of a practice in which all the Apostles partook of, along with 3000 other souls on the Day of Pentecost,”. That is a reference to Acts 2. Snooky, reread Acts 2 very carefully. There is no mention of those 3000 people speaking in tongues. You may have been taught that…you may have presumed that…but the Bible does not SAY that.
You stated in #6 in your original post that you believe ALL those who are baptized in the Holy Ghost speak in tongues. I have just shown you from the Bible that you are not correct in your assumption and presumption about that. The Bible clearly teaches in the verses I have presented in this post that all Holy
Ghost baptized believers do not necessarily receive the gift of tongues speaking.
Millions going to hell without God, and most urgent need of the hour is to straighten out those tongue talkers who are such a spiritual scourge and thorn in the side of the so called church.
Millions are going to hell without God. I am not trying to "straighten out" any "tongue talkers". Again, that is your presumption and an accusation that is false and without merit. I did not say anyone was a “spiritual scourge”. Why in the world would you imply such falsehoods? Do you have such a vivid imagination? I do not deny that some may speak in tongues. The Bible speaks of it, so those with open minds recognize that it is a gift for some. The Bible does NOT teach that it is a gift that is given to every person who is baptized in the Holy Ghost. That is what you said you believe in your original post. There is a lot of false teaching out there. That is just one example of some of it.
1 Cor. 14:22 Wherefore tongues are for a sign, not to them that believe, but to them that believe not: but prophesying serveth not for them that believe not, but for them which believe.
Rich; If I over reacted and jumped to a incorrect conclusion, I apoligize. I Also didn't say everyone who were save must speak in tongues, However, I wonder why one who agrees that the early church spoke in tongues often in the scriptures, would be so touchie about the issue. Here is what I said:
6. Holy Ghost Baptism: I believe that it is evidenced by speaking in tongues and by manifestation of power in public testimony and service. I believe it is to be encouraged and sought after by all who believe. Acts 8:16-17, 1 Cor 12:27-31, 1 Cor 14:1-25
Something there appeared to have touched a nerve and drew a response to indicate that I was bordering on some false teaching. That what I believe needed some "shoring up" in order to stand.
Just for the record, the experience of the fulfilment of Joel's prophecy, and the "gifts of the Spirit" spoken of by Paul, are not the same, although simular.
As for the languages spoken on the Day of Pentecost, notice: When they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, they all began to speak with other tongues. Did it say that they understood what they were saying? No, not that I recall. It says they spoke as the Spirit gave them the utterance.
Sixteen nations, regions, languages, or dialects named, PLUS proselytes. Did it say that they spoke in everyone of these languages? I don't recall that, however I do recall it mentioned that they all heard EVERY man in there own language, wherein they were born. Was the miracle in the speaking, OR in the hearing?
The bottom line is, every scripture must be taken in light of the other scriptures in order to see the complete picture. Example; Stephen saw Jesus(The Lord) standing on the right hand of God. Was Peter then God? Peter said in Acts 2 that the "Lord" was on his right hand. So whose right hand is The Lord on?
I guess I didn't make myself clear as to all that I believe about the written word. So let me add this.
I believe that God was powerful enough to speak unto the hearts of men and inspire them to write his words as would be clearly understood by those unto whom it was first deleivered. I believe God is also able to preserve the truths through the translations into other languages such as english so as to deleiver the same truths unto the english speaking people as well. Just as with every man hearing the Disciples speak in there language wherein they were born. The Grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared unto all men, and all men are held accountable, regardless of what language he was born into. Gods language is universal.