The Spirit Illuminates Our Hearts To Understand Scripture

I was hoping that would help, but I don't think it will.

 

Because only those who agree with me are listening to Him?

 

No, no, Roger.
It's because you all don't want to listen to me.

 

It's really quite simple: We assume that we all have "unity of the Spirit" Eph 4:3-6, but it turns out we don't. There are some who have come to another God, not the "One God." God down the list in 4:3-6 -- the same God of Catholicism, for example, is not the same God as Baptists worship (similar to Jews and Muslims, right?). You'll never get such as these "on the same page." That's problem #1.

Problem #2 is Eph 4:8 -- believers all have "knowledge and faith of Christ" (Eph 4:13) BUT according to the measure of the gift of Christ." There is a disparity among Christians in their knowledge and faith (maturity) which, some claiming to have, don't. This can quickly be demonstrated even in scripture. The first book written in the NT was the Book of James. Look at his view of Christianity with its emphasis on works and compare it with later books like Romans that give balance to our views of grace and works.

So how do we "keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace?" It would appear that we should not argue too much over things that are not clear (like prophecy) but we should endeavor to teach and learn what things scripture says that we have "in Christ."

Paul said in 1Cor 11:19 that there "MUST BE schisms" among them and he said there was a good, Godly purpose behind it -- "that they which are approved many be made manifest among you." That is, that those who teach the truth will be identifiable and thus, you will know who to learn from. And this by the means that we are using here at BB -- 1Cor 14:29-32!

"Let the prophets speak two or three, and let the other judge. 30 If any thing be revealed to another that sitteth by, let the first hold his peace. 31 For ye may all prophesy one by one, that all may learn, and all may be comforted. 32 And the spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets."

skypair

 

I think that 1 Cor 2:16, "we have the mind of Christ," refers to the apostles, and not to "all Christians." I believe that the chapter as a whole makes that context very probable. If I'm right, it lessens the implication that we should all agree.

No matter how you slice it, C4K's observation will be waiting in the parking lot when it's time to go home. Try it, you'll see.

(I like skypair's analysis, even though I'm not convinced by it.)

 

And I think you are on the right track, sir.
That's the very reason, I believe, that there is so much confusion among us today, because we try to make the Bible speak to more than those it is speaking to at the time it was written.

 

Thank you for you "endorsement" but 1Cor 2 is talking to the Corinthian believers. Isn't that who the letter is addressed to?

skypair

 

Sure, he's addressing them. But of whom does he speak when he says "I" and "we"?

I could be wrong.

 

Of whom do you speak when you say "I" could be wrong?

 

Because, men have thier vain ideas and they love darkness rathere then light, and reject the truth of GOD to thier own damnation........

 

I had been working on the "Einstein Tract," a paper entitled "Insights from nature into scripture: Einstein's Equation Reflects Christian Salvation" for some time now. The law of nature, E=mc^2 supports, the Baptist Faith. Since this paper has neared its final form, I want to post it here for some feedback. If you are theologian with a physics background, it would help you understand the paper more quickly. The paper is at the following link. The thesis of the paper is basically that the laws of nature written by God contains the Gospel. Some have told me that Einstein may have received the knowledge for his theories from the Holy Spirit through his thought experiments and that the Spirit may be finishing its job now that science has verified the theory. Whatever is the case, I believe this something that should be looked into and peer reviewed as soon as possible.

http://docs.google.com/Doc?id=dcpkhph5_7gxjfmz

Thanks. I posted it here because I believe the Holy Spirit Illuminated my heart to understand that nature also contains the Gospel since nature gives glory to God. I know that this is something new, so I really want some peer reviewed feedback. In building the model, I did grow closer to Christ and learned a lot about Him and the mystery of the Gospel. I do apologize if I have posted this in the wrong place.

Johann

 

Perhaps the verse is being interpreted incorrectly. :saint:

Disagreements are possible among Christians.
Remember Paul and Barnabas.

And after some days Paul said to Barnabas, “Let us return and visit the brothers in every city where we proclaimed the word of the Lord, and see how they are.” Now Barnabas wanted to take with them John called Mark. But Paul thought best not to take with them one who had withdrawn from them in Pamphylia and had not gone with them to the work. And there arose a sharp disagreement, so that they separated from each other. Barnabas took Mark with him and sailed away to Cyprus, but Paul chose Silas and departed, having been commended by the brothers to the grace of the Lord. And he went through Syria and Cilicia, strengthening the churches.
Acts 15:36-41 ESV

Rob

 

First, that wasn't a theological difference. Second, one or both could have been "not listening to the Spirit" that day.

 

Well, y'know, I've heard some preachers say that I have two natures since I got saved . . .

 

How do people know if their motivations are from one nature as opposed to other? There are times when people believe that they have good intentions through the Spirit, but when the Spirit probes the heart, there is still a small amount of other nature through the flesh left.