I'm Not Sensative, Just Working at Being Spiritually Sensible!

I would like to explain to my fellow board members, that my running battle with iconoclast, p4t and Amy was not one that came down to me be over sensitive and unable to debate. I do not like to debate others, because in the end, no one can truly walk away a winner. Feeling s get hurt, and sometimes anger rears its ugly head, for which I have spent today repenting for, and trying to summon the right words to post here.

As I've said so many times, in the past, and will continue to say in the days before us, when I post my views, I am not looking to argue, debate, or even try to pursuade any one else on the board to believe as I believe.

I have certain beliefs (based on personal experiences, because I've beent here and seen some supernatural events that can't be explained other than it being the Shekinah glory and presence of God Himself) that may not be in line with the majority of those on this board, but in the end, it shouldn't matter, because in my theology all that is important is that a person has come to Jesus, confessed their sins, accepted Him as Savior, folowed Him in water baptism, and are on a path that leads them to personal growth in their understanding of Jesus and the Love of the Father.

I have never, and never will, insist that anyone be baptized in the Holy Ghost in such a way that they manifest the certain gifts, or even the same gifts I may hold to and manifest. In fact, I like to keep my gifts to myself, because I believe that while the gifts are many, and that while God imparts to everyone gifts (it is up to them personally to grow in their understanding of the gifts and their willingness to yield to the Holy Ghost), those gifts and the measure of how those gifts will be manifested, is solely up to God, i.e., wisdom may be imparted to one person in great amounts, while another person may have limited wisdom, but no less have wisdom.

I do not pretend to understand to know why some are given greater portions, or even a greater number of gifts, while others lesser portions or a lesser number of gifts, but I do believe that regardless of the portion or the number of gifts, a person has, it is all given by the same Holy Ghost, and He uses what He has imparted to manifest and make known Gods awesome power and presence in this world.

Finally, I do believe that there is "the" gift of the Holy Ghost (Acts 2:38); and then there are the gifts of the Holy Ghost as seen hear in 1 Corinthians 12:7-11 However, when the gift of the Holy Ghost is given to each of us, with it comes the gifts, and some gifts are for a season, while others are for longer than a season. And like the above Scripture says, “the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all: for to one is given the word of wisdom through the Spirit, to another the word of knowledge through the same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healings by the same Spirit, to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another discerning of spirits, to another different kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues. But the one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually as He wills.”

Here are some excellent on-line teachings, but it should be noted that because I have shared these teaching, I do not endorse everything, nor do I encourage any of you to partake of anything presented in these teachings as anything more than ideas and principles about the Holy Ghost as seen from the perspective of two different individuals. All teachings are meant to widen our perspectives and to broaden of the knowledge base of His will for our life as He points us in the right direction along that path.

In fact, the ideas presented in these above teachings are not to be seen as the Gospel according to these men, or according to myself, but rather just more ideas that could be part of the greater puzzle, such as those being presented by Iconoclast, p4t, or Amy and others in this EXCELLENT thread.

Everything I noted above is simply my opinion, and as I grow in Him, my base of theology is subject to change and grow, as He points out errors and misunderstandings that I may have gleaned to at an earlier time in my live.

This is what many theologians term the process of Santification. Like each of you, I am constantly in a state of flux, being subjected to change and growth, as He is truly the potter, and I am nothing more than a moistened lump of clay, subject to being broken and remolded along life's way in order to be more of a vessel that brings Him pleasure and a vessel that can be used to lift Him up along the path I travel.
SEE:http://www.christiancourier.com/articles/715-what-is-the-gift-of-the-holy-spirit-in-acts-2-38

-OR-
http://www.whatchristianswanttoknow.com/what-are-gifts-of-the-spirit-a-bible-study/

AGAIN - I am not posting this with the idea of drawing out anyone in debate. I am simply trying to share what's on my heart and spirit, and because some of what I believe is subjective in nature, I cannot offer any Scriptural base for what I've been party to, other to say, it was real (to me) and it had God stamped all over it.

What happened to Saul on the road to Tarsus, had very little Scriptura; base for him, or anyone else, to draw comparison to. In fact, everything he was subjected to when he ran into Jesus, was all subjective in nature, and the church had to simply trust that they saw in Paul, when he started his ministry for the Gospel, was truly the Shekinah presence and glory of God upon him. There were those in the new church who didn't trust Paul, and there were those who held to Peter and others, rather than Paul, but that didn't make Paul any less the Apostle he claimed and proved himself to be.

What I'm saying is that God is still God, and He is going to do things that are outside of Scripture, and it is up to us to prayerfully seek and see if it was of God. That is what I've done, and I am positive that the things I've been part and parcel to were of God, and that is why I've come this far in live and ministry. does that mean you have to do as me. No way. I just ask that you allow me to be, and to trust that I am not going to be caught up in error any more than you may be, from time to time.

God bless....

 

Clarification...

When I said I keep my gifts to myself, I guess I should have been more clear by stating that I do not go around boasting of the gifts and the works He has done through me.

Secondly, there is nothing that I have been a part of, or received of God that I have not tested against the Word. Nothing, and I repeat that, NOTHING I have as a gift is not in line with the Word, and it is not out of the realm of what He has done for others in both the OT and NT.

Finally, Amy, I am fully aware of the devil and his abilities, and for this reason, I test the waters (Scriptures against the gifts and the results of the gifts) in order to keep from doing anything that would be contrary to the Kingdom. It should be noted, just as you took some offense over my "devil" comment in a post to you, I think you are coming close to being offensive to me with this comment. Isn't it strange how what we mean to say to others can be mistaken for a slam, or accusation?

I do appreciate your very long response. I receive it in the spirit that it was written, and thank you for your concerns. Your wisdom is noted, but it does not mean that what you have put in print is not without error either. That is the human side of all of us. And while you mean well, and share according to what you understand to be in accordance with your understanding of the Scripture, there are other interpretations to be considered, and just because my view of something doesn't line up with your view of something should not negate my opinions. As I said in another post, we will ALL have to wait and see what we see, because you and I and everyone else who contributes on any of these boards will have our EYES opened wide when we get to heaven.

As long as nothing I have said or portrayed in this repsonse isn't going to keep me from eternal life, I can't see why persons like you have to get your pew seats in an uproar, with the need to "set that RD2" right?

As for my posting on any board on this site, I can post an opinion, with the understanding that it is JUST THAT, an opinion, and that any views opposite to mine, are accepted, and expected. I just don't see the need to DEBATE any of you on this board, because like I said before, most of those on this obard exist to "rip" others and their views apart. some of the members on this board are more like self-appointed, Christian "shredders" living simply to tear others apart in the "name of being the most right!"

I DON'T CARE IF ANYONE HERE THINKS I'M RIGHT. I DON'T CARE IF ANYONE HERE LIKES MY THEOLOGY (because I have tested it against the Word, and I like the fit). I DON'T CARE IF ANYONE HERE AGREES OR DISAGREES WITH WHAT I POST (because you never see me trying to rip up another person for their beliefs). ALL I WANT FROM YOU, AND OTHERS, IS THE SAME COURTESY (I extend to you all) OF BEING ABLE TO SHARE MY THOUGHTS, AND NOT BE MADE TO FEEL LIKE I AM GOING TO HELL FOR WHAT I BELIEVE. Furthermore, I do not like to be belittled, mocked and tagged to stereotyped because of my views. If you think, I was offensive to you, for which I apologized, then consider the fact that some of the things you have posted above are just as offensive. Of course, you posted your comments by the name of DEBATING, and I think many on this board use the cover of debate to hide their agenda, which is to humiliate a board member.

THERE NEEDS TO BE MORE CIVILITY WHEN IT COMES TO DEBATING, AND TO USE SUBTLE, OR OUTRIGHT INSINUATIONS ABOUT ANOTHERS OPINIONS, IN THE NAME OF DEBATING, is not debating. We need to be careful to not turn to saying, or insinuating things that can hurt another. That is just not debating. It is personal assassination. Or, as I have come to call it: Cyber Bullying.

As I said in an earlier post. Everything you guys post in order to get a leg up on your fellow brother or sister, will one day not matter to anyone. I think we are all here to help one another, not hurt them, and if that person doesn't choose to accept what is presented in your rebuttal, so be it, who cares? Do you think God cares? Do you think that some on this board have the answers while others exist only to be belittled and torn apart and beaten into submission (where they leave the BB in utter humilitation?). This board doesn't exist for the purpose of seeing who is the most right? It isn't here as some kind of spiritual clique, or good old boys (girl) club? I have seen the same kind of spitting contests in churches and youth groups. If we can't be civil to one another, than Christianity is in as much trouble, as our nation and the world in which we live.

The Baptist way of life is not the only way. While I happen to believe we have a lot of things correct, the truth is, we still have a lot to learn from each other (other denominations and believers, and even other baptist sects). If we come to the point in this life where we think we (as individuals and the collective church) have all the RIGHT answers, than we are in for a BIG fall. You (not you, Amy) may go through life right in the minds and hearts of your peers, but, what good did that "being right" serve, if it meant causing others to leave the fellowship. We need to be open to each other, and that means to consider where they have come from, trusting them to have worked out their salvation, just as we have worked out ours. I do not believe I know everything there is to know. But, I also know that there are a lot of believers who love to cause harm to others, and feel it is their chosen call to drive away the wek and the wounded, in His name. And that is a shame and a sin!

 

I happen to agree...

It is so neat to hear you say how comforting this thought is to you. It is great to know, that you have worked out this understanding to the point where it brings you comfort. On the other hand, others see this differently, and as you, they find the same comfort in their view of what this verse means and says to them. So when you come out and say that you have to call it out for its "false" teaching, it does bring a ceratin harm to that person who has taken the time to work out the comfort they have gained from their view.

Some times, it is just best, in my way of thinking, because the other view of this verse will not send that person to hell, to bite my tongue, and let another view go unchallenged.

You will say I am wrong for this, and that's okay. It is my way of seeing this, because unless the persons view is going to send them and others down the wrong path and to hell, if they want to believe God has given a special language to them to reach His ear, so be it. It's not that much different than your view, just a different way of seeing how God hears your deepest prayers vs. theirs!

 

It is, isn't it?

:thumbsup: And I am sorry.

 

The Comments Above Only Go to Support that Old Adage...

...opinions are like the posterior opening of the alimentary canal, and from what I have seen on this board, everybody has one. Thankfully, this truth has been revealed, because to not have one of those openings would be quite painful and unpleasant... :laugh:

Thanks for your helpful contributions, and be assured that I have passed your views and concerns about my theology and beliefs unto a specially appointed committee, that I named G.H.O.S.T. (Gifts from Him, Operating both in History and Today).

I expect an answer from this folks, sometime after the return of Jesus. So none of you will have to worry about your way of believing ever being challenged. :laugh: I guess WE ALL WIN!!!:sleep: