OK, One more time...at which "step" is one rapture ready?

Originally Posted by staysharp

One step, two step, three steps, sounds like I'm watching "Dancing with the stars".

The way you and Dan dance on most issues ya'll could probably win the blue ribbon!

[Pastor Keith]

Originally Posted by ManOfWord

Might as beat this horse into a pulp.....

Given all the current discussions lately regarding "steppers", at what point do you think a person is rapture ready?

1. At genuine repentance, giving oneself completely to the Lord and all that means.

2. After water baptism (you know how we do it)

3. After speaking in tongues @ the reception of the Holy Spirit baptism.

4. None of these matter unless they have the oneness revelation and they take place in a oneness church.

5. After speaking in tongues, but not yet water baptized.


I know this is over simplified due to the numerous variations of each of these three "steps" but to cover all the bases would take far too many options and make it even more confusing than it already is.....to some.


Apparently, I can't edit the poll to add #5 - maybe someone can do that for me (hint, hint)

I think it is clear that the normative way that the New Birth Happens in the NT is Acts 2:38, but it is healthy and biblical to seperate salvation from the New Birth experience.

But before I get accused of heresey, I belive the new birth to a part of salvation but does not encompass all there is to salvation.

So what does this mean, from God's perspective faith saves us, faith keeps us, faith will have saved us.

But from the Human responsibility factor, a believer needs to repent of sins, needs to be baptized and there needs to be regeneration for the sin nature to be conquered or ruled.

I think to that it is clear that it isnt a all of nothing thing, salvation is a process.

[staysharp]

Originally Posted by philjones

The way you and Dan dance on most issues ya'll could probably win the blue ribbon!

Thanks for the compliment, I really like your new pic, it's very flattering.

[Sam]

Originally Posted by John Atkinson

...
Those women in the parable of the ten virgins sincerely wanted some oil.

The 10 women spoken of in Matthew 25:1-13 who "took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom and the bride," were they 10 potential brides for a harem but only five became actual brides, or just how would they fit into the wedding celebration?

[Sam]

Originally Posted by Daniel Alicea

...
21 instances of conversions in the book of Acts and only 4 accompanied by tongues ...

only 4 where tongues are mentioned

[freeatlast]

Originally Posted by Sam

The 10 women spoken of in Matthew 25:1-13 who "took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom and the bride," were they 10 potential brides for a harem but only five became actual brides, or just how would they fit into the wedding celebration?

WHOA ...the 10 were the attendants to the bride in this parable of a wedding.

They weren't getting hitched, just going to a wedding.

[Sam]

Originally Posted by freeatlast

WHOA ...the 10 were the attendants to the bride in this parable of a wedding.

They weren't getting hitched, just going to a wedding.

If they aren't the bride,
why do we use this parable to preach that the oil is necessary to be in the bride?
And who are these folks who are part of the wedding festivities in addition to the bride?

[freeatlast]

Originally Posted by Sam

If they aren't the bride,
why do we use this parable to preach that the oil is necessary to be in the bride?
And who are these folks who are part of the wedding festivities in addition to the bride?

It's just the telling of a hebraic wedding to make a point to plan ahead.

The foolish didn't plan ahead and take an extra vessel of oil to keep their lamps lit in the even the bridegroom did'nt show when they expected that he would.

[Jack Shephard]

Originally Posted by philjones

Dan,

How do you know the conversion was genuine? How does anyone?

We don't and that is the point. If you were to see a genuine aligator skin brief case that cost $1,000 and that is what you fancy you might find it as a good investment because the case shoud actually cost over 3k. You might wannna take it. But you would never know if it was really genuine. Only the maker knows if it is genuine. We don't.

Originally Posted by philjones

MOW,

How do you measure or determine "genuine" repentance? What quantifies and qualifies one's repentance as 'genuine"? Don't tell me you start fruit inspecting or looking at the works or behaviors or attitudes demonstrated by the repentee. Surely you don't do that?

First, you do not measure it. We do not judege people by motives, but by their actions, yes? God judges by motives. It is up to God to judge the "quick and the dead." Our job is not to decipher whether one is saved or not. It is our job to lead them to Jesus and He alone does the work. I have a friend that his family owns a fruit store. He said there are people that sell fruit then there are others that sell FRUIT. Only experts knows what real good fruit looks like. IF someone is really change and has made a decision for Christ then the fruit on their tree will change some casual lookers might not notice right out front, but the ones that are in the 'know' will see the change.

[Sam]

Originally Posted by freeatlast

It's just the telling of a hebraic wedding to make a point to plan ahead.

The foolish didn't plan ahead and take an extra vessel of oil to keep their lamps lit in the even the bridegroom did'nt show when they expected that he would.

So, they all had oil but some didn't have enough?