Holy Spirit?

[Ross]

Hello, I am new to this forum and not a member of any church, or a churchgoer. I haven't been on a Bible discussion forum for many years.
I was recently asked to go on an 'Alpha course' to which I replied that I did not think there was any need for me to go on a Bible 'course' as there were no 'courses' in the time of the Apostles. This however caused me to investigate this further which revealed it is an introduction into the 'gifts' of evangelism which seems to be infiltrating most churches in recent years.
Then I watched YouTube videos which were quite shocking to me of people lying shaking on the ground in the isles of charismatic meetings as though in epileptic fits, others fainting with eyes rolling in their heads, wailing and crying, others in their 70's running on the spot and waving their arms out of control like stupid adolescents on drugs, and 'ministers' talking unintelligible Arabic sounding nonsense that they claimed was 'speaking in tongues.'
All in the name of 'Holy Spirit.' This is enough to keep me away from church with a barge pole.
Your comments would be greatly appreciated.
Is this The Holy Spirit?

[Ross]

Are any Jehovah's Witnesses or Unitarians or Modalists included in the body of Christ in your opinion? I'm not in any way attempting to catch you out or asking loaded questions. I'm just interested.

I believe those in other religions can become part of God's kingdom (through Jesus by trusting in God rather than themselves and their own knowledge or religion) without knowing who Jesus is. I don't believe it's about getting all the doctrines right. It seems harder to get to this point in these groups, however, (The Church of Latter Day Saints, as well) because I think they teach a different thing about salvation than the gospel of Christ and saying this is Jesus, causing confusion of the key truth...but I wouldn't presume to rule everyone out in these traditions.

Do you believe that acceptance of the Trinity doctrine is paramount to salvation?
My previous observance of forum discussion, and partaking in theological discussions leads me to conclude that most Trinitarians would say 'yes.'

[The Tanager]

Do you believe that acceptance of the Trinity doctrine is paramount to salvation?
My previous observance of forum discussion, and partaking in theological discussions leads me to conclude that most Trinitarians would say 'yes.'

I don't think it is. When I believe I had my conversion experience I didn't even think of Jesus as divine, coming to see that later on.

[Ross]

Do you believe that acceptance of the Trinity doctrine is paramount to salvation?
My previous observance of forum discussion, and partaking in theological discussions leads me to conclude that most Trinitarians would say 'yes.'

I don't think it is. When I believe I had my conversion experience I didn't even think of Jesus as divine, coming to see that later on.

Tanager, it is very interesting talking with you. Can you describe your conversion experience, or is this something personal?

[The Tanager]

Tanager, it is very interesting talking with you. Can you describe your conversion experience, or is this something personal?

I'm an open book. It's been fun talking with you. I grew up hardly going to church. Pretty much just when we visited my Quaker grandparents. My mom had paintings of Jesus, we watched Hollywood Jesuses, but never talked about Jesus or God in any detail. I was good with sports and video games. In high school, though, I became increasingly lonely and tried to find solace in pornography and creating an image of myself as the good kid to others.

However, these sins that promised more and more delivered less and less. From a mixture of learning about Benjamin Franklin’s moral efforts in history? class and my Quaker grandparents’ faithful examples, I turned to the Bible for help to become the good kid I wanted to be. I read through the entire Bible (except the last couple books, I think), approaching it as a moral guidebook, and nothing changed. I began to doubt that God existed. I then prayed to God that, if He was real, to show me.

Following this, after graduating from high school, I was invited to a church, it's youth group, and then a summer work trip/camp experience to the mountains of North Carolina (a pretty girl did the inviting). It was on that trip that I remember first hearing the gospel clearly presented: that the Bible spoke of a God that wanted a relationship with me, in spite of my moral failures, and that God procured that possibility through the life, death, and resurrection of His Son, Jesus the Messiah (although I didn't think Jesus divine at that moment). This culminated in me giving my life to Jesus as Savior and Lord one morning while reading a devotional (somewhere in Mark) beside a gurgling mountain stream that still plays in my mind. I believe I was brought from death to abundant, eternal life in that moment.

I'd love to hear more of your story as well, if you want to share. If you want to but not do it here, you can always private message me as well.

[Ross]

Tanager, it is very interesting talking with you. Can you describe your conversion experience, or is this something personal?

I'm an open book. It's been fun talking with you. I grew up hardly going to church. Pretty much just when we visited my Quaker grandparents. My mom had paintings of Jesus, we watched Hollywood Jesuses, but never talked about Jesus or God in any detail. I was good with sports and video games. In high school, though, I became increasingly lonely and tried to find solace in pornography and creating an image of myself as the good kid to others.

However, these sins that promised more and more delivered less and less. From a mixture of learning about Benjamin Franklin’s moral efforts in history? class and my Quaker grandparents’ faithful examples, I turned to the Bible for help to become the good kid I wanted to be. I read through the entire Bible (except the last couple books, I think), approaching it as a moral guidebook, and nothing changed. I began to doubt that God existed. I then prayed to God that, if He was real, to show me.

Following this, after graduating from high school, I was invited to a church, it's youth group, and then a summer work trip/camp experience to the mountains of North Carolina (a pretty girl did the inviting). It was on that trip that I remember first hearing the gospel clearly presented: that the Bible spoke of a God that wanted a relationship with me, in spite of my moral failures, and that God procured that possibility through the life, death, and resurrection of His Son, Jesus the Messiah (although I didn't think Jesus divine at that moment). This culminated in me giving my life to Jesus as Savior and Lord one morning while reading a devotional (somewhere in Mark) beside a gurgling mountain stream that still plays in my mind. I believe I was brought from death to abundant, eternal life in that moment.

I'd love to hear more of your story as well, if you want to share. If you want to but not do it here, you can always private message me as well.

That is an amazing story. As I am brand new to this forum and wish to keep my past quiet for now, I will private message you probably tomorrow. Thanks for your personal testimony.

[AquinasForGod]

[Replying to Ross in post #55]

You might find this video interesting. You might not be able to tell if you are watching Christians or another faith. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kD3g5rg0CqE

I used to say things like maybe the devil is imitating the spirit, but perfectly? I doubt that.

[Ross]

[Replying to Ross in post #55]

You might find this video interesting. You might not be able to tell if you are watching Christians or another faith. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kD3g5rg0CqE

I used to say things like maybe the devil is imitating the spirit, but perfectly? I doubt that.

I believe it is all demonic. Sorry if some are offended. And I hope I have not broken Board rules by saying that. If so, please accept my apology in advance.

[AquinasForGod]

[Replying to Ross in post #55]

You might find this video interesting. You might not be able to tell if you are watching Christians or another faith. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kD3g5rg0CqE

I used to say things like maybe the devil is imitating the spirit, but perfectly? I doubt that.

I believe it is all demonic. Sorry if some are offended. And I hope I have not broken Board rules by saying that. If so, please accept my apology in advance.

I don't necessarily disagree.

[SacredBishop]

They are speaking in the tongues of Babel, Genesis 11:9. Its a manifestation of the reunification of all humanity! Their throats proclaim all languages as a sign of the end of the world, Acts 2:14-21. However, Jesus will puke them out of his mouth, Revelation 3:16, because they violated Peter's command, " to turn the Sun into darkness, and the Moon into blood", Acts 2:20. They refuse to eclipse the Satanic light, and bloody his Lunar deception! They are no longer saved, but are damned Mark16:16, because they did not properly believe and be baptized. They are baptized but without belief! That's why only Mark mentions tongues, because Matthew, Luke and John knew that they would rebel against the faith of Acts 2:20. Their lack of faith has damned them, but Jesus still let's them speak in tongues to fulfill a purpose in prophecy. Amen above every amen. We know better, we know they are lying to Jesus.

[DrNoGods]

[Replying to SacredBishop in post #69]

They are speaking in the tongues of Babel, Genesis 11:9.

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