How many times did you ask God for the Holy Ghost?

[*AQuietPlace*]

Originally Posted by mfblume

People whom I knew that sought it got it. It may have taken longer for some than others, but they got it. Why be "glass is half-empty" about it?

I know many who gave up.

[mfblume]

Originally Posted by Sam

You're reading the wrong translation.
You gotta go by the "verbal traditional words" which are Spirit and not by the carnal "written words" which were supplied to us by... gasp, choke, shudder, trinitarians about 400 years ago.

In the "verbal traditional words"
Acts 2:37 says, "What must we do to be saved?"

It did refer to being saved. referring to words from Acts 2:38...

Act 2:40 And with many other words did he testify and exhort, saying, Save yourselves from this untoward generation.

That verses says that the words Peter spoke in the previous few verses were concerning HOW TO BE SAVED. Those words, and MORE, were Peter saying how to be saved. Why else would Peter tell them to do certain things after being asked of what to do?

Whether folks like it or not, people are to DO THINGS to be saved. But these are not things that in and of themselves, make is righteous. Until THAT distinction is made, one will never see this point.Cornelius was also TOLD WHAT TO DO by the angel. It regarded salvation? Of course!

Act 10:5-6 And now send men to Joppa, and call for one Simon, whose surname is Peter: (6) He lodgeth with one Simon a tanner, whose house is by the sea side: he shall tell thee what thou oughtest to do.

Acts 2:38 says, "Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost with the evidence of speaking in tongues."

It was with evidence of speaking with tongues whether Acts 2:L38 said it or not.

Referring to the episode in Acts 10, PETER himself said this:

Act 11:15 And as I began to speak, the Holy Ghost fell on them, as on us at the beginning.

And how did it occur?

Act 2:4 And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.

What was Peter referring to in Acts 11?

Act 10:45-46 And they of the circumcision which believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because that on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Ghost. (46) For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God. Then answered Peter,

The verses you cite do not have to ADD any words that the rest of the bible adds for us.

[tv1a]

I don't pop on a lot, but I have a few thoughts in this topic.

Those who have known me for a number of years, know my success as an altar coach. For about a five year period, I was involved in various capacities with altar coaching with tremendous success. Over 120 in our church with in a number of months were filled with the Holy Ghost.

I've stopped being an active altar coach the past few years. I can go on with the circus environment the Holy Ghost crusades have become. But the main reason I've stopped being a part of the freak show is because God has spoke with me about Biblical repentance. The Bible places more emphasis on repentance than the infilling of the Holy Ghost. Angels rejoice when one comes to repentance. God will is ALL should come to repentance, and other scriptures come to mind. Repentance and the infilling of the Holy Ghost are two independent occurrences. That's why we can hear people speak in tongues but not experience the change their life.

The Bible says it's better for person not to experience the presence of God than to experience it and not be saved. Too many times we get the hooked on the drug, then tell them they have to conform to our way of Christianity for their salvation. We are quick to teach a dress code, but slow to teach about praying, fasting, giving. We are quick to teach about hair, but slow to teach how to overcome sin and temptation, and how to pray to get results. I dare say the reason why this has been normal is because we know more about dress codes and hair styles than about life changing prayer.

There is a lot more about repentance that I could go into, but time and space prevent me from doing that.

People confuse speaking in tongues as the culmination of the salvation process. In reality, speaking in tongues is a small part.

I have won more people to Christ (without compromising my beliefs) who are on fire for Christ in three years than the number of years of getting them to the speak in tongues and dunking them in Jesus name. I have ditched the hideous Search of Truth and other similar literature and taught basic Christianity 101: Prayer, fasting, giving, tearing down strongholds, living an overcoming life. The important stuff of living for Christ. The results? This Sunday we are going to baptize 9 people I mentor. The people I mentor know how to pray. They know how to fast. They know how to give. The people I mentor who have experienced miraculous healings, financial breakthroughs, and family restorations. That's how you keep people in Church.

I still believe the same salvation message I grew up with. I put the emphasis

Skirts, sleeves, and hair won't save anyone. Teach someone how to pray and fast, you will birth a powerful christian instead of a stillborn baby.

[mfblume]

Originally Posted by *AQuietPlace*

I know many who gave up.

We cannot go by what people experience or do not experience. We have to go by what the Book says. When we start interpreting the bible by experiences people had, we are going astray.

[Timmy]

Originally Posted by mfblume

. . . Those words, and MORE, were Peter saying how to be saved. . . .

Guess we'll never know all the steps needed, since SOME of the words weren't recorded.

[Timmy]

Originally Posted by mfblume

We cannot go by what people experience or do not experience. We have to go by what the Book says. When we start interpreting the bible by experiences people had, we are going astray.

That's right. The Bible is true, whether or not reality goes along with it.

[mfblume]

Originally Posted by Timmy

Guess we'll never know all the steps needed, since SOME of the words weren't recorded.

If you had written the bible, we would all be so safe, since they were so illogical in what they wrote. Half-finished instructions. Whew! Where were YOU??? God made ANOTHER mistake in not have YOU pen the words of Acts instead of Luke.

There's no way that what is recorded was sufficient about being saved, and the further words were expounding what was written.

Timmy, where WERE YOU???

[mfblume]

Originally Posted by Timmy

That's right. The Bible is true, whether or not reality goes along with it.

Read previous post of mine for same application.

[Timmy]

Originally Posted by mfblume

If you had written the bible, we would all be so safe, since they were so illogical in what they wrote. Half-finished instructions. Whew! Where were YOU??? God made ANOTHER mistake in not have YOU pen the words of Acts instead of Luke.

There's no way that what is recorded was sufficient about being saved, and the further words were expounding what was written.

Timmy, where WERE YOU???

[Sam]

Originally Posted by Timmy

Guess we'll never know all the steps needed, since SOME of the words weren't recorded.

Well, since we have the same Holy Ghost that Peter had as he spoke those "many other words" we can know what those words are. They would have been about bifurcated garments; facial hair on men; any red clothing; sleeve length; a strong prohibition against any open toed shoe style; hair length --long, uncut of course for women and short, cut for men; television (but computers are OK); and a dire warning to watch out for any spurious organization without the letters "U", and "P," and "C" in it.