3 steppers

[gloryseeker]

Originally Posted by JTULLOCK

I think that this is taken out of context in the Bible, IMO. Of course it is my opinion though some others might share it. I honestly believe that God DOES change. When the word says "I change not" I don't believe that it means that literally God NEVER changes. Look at how thins have been done for ages by God. He is constantly changing. I believe that the verse is actually saying if I could paraphrase, "I NEVER change the way I operate. I am constantly changing things because I change things things don't change me." With that being said I don't believe that God changes like a human changes...He is TRUTH--truth is always truth. Humans change from one belief to another from good to bad. God doesn't He changes his way to reach people and changes the way He moves. Pre-Pentecost He didn't do the things that He does now in-as you said-His relationship to us. God does change you see it through scripture.

Typing it out makes it difficult to explain. Hope I made it clear what I am saying.

Sure there are applications that change, God does things differently, in fact music is probably a good example.

In the OT there is plenty of worship. Banners, dance, King David even stripped down. In the NT there is worship, but it changed. True worshippers worship in Spirit and in truth. Now, you can have a banner and swing it around like the OT, blow a shofar, or even do a worship dance that some do, but that is not a "step up" in worship it's a step back. The heart dictates the true worshippers of the NT.

Another area where we see change in music. There are some great old hymns (and some bad ones too) that really ministered to people 60 years ago, however with each new move of God there comes a new style of worship. So in one since "worship" has changed on several levels on another sense it has never changed because God wants to be worshiped and through music is one of the ways we worship Him.

But as we look at other areas of life...a clean lifestyle, a right mouth, an appearance of holiness (not standards but clean living), honesty, integrity, faithfulness, these things never change.

Just as God did not want us sacrificing our kids in the OT, laying with animals, or taking unfair advantage of people He also didn't want us to mark our bodies. But now "Christians" are just as tatooed as non-believers going into these HIV/Hepatitis infected places that promote body mutilation, skulls, death, and demonic symbols and we allow them to ink our bodies...but because I only got a butterfly I am not a part of their culture. It is a very inconsistent theology

[Jack Shephard]

Originally Posted by gloryseeker

Sure there are applications that change, God does things differently, in fact music is probably a good example.

In the OT there is plenty of worship. Banners, dance, King David even stripped down. In the NT there is worship, but it changed. True worshippers worship in Spirit and in truth. Now, you can have a banner and swing it around like the OT, blow a shofar, or even do a worship dance that some do, but that is not a "step up" in worship it's a step back. The heart dictates the true worshippers of the NT.

Another area where we see change in music. There are some great old hymns (and some bad ones too) that really ministered to people 60 years ago, however with each new move of God there comes a new style of worship. So in one since "worship" has changed on several levels on another sense it has never changed because God wants to be worshiped and through music is one of the ways we worship Him.

But as we look at other areas of life...a clean lifestyle, a right mouth, an appearance of holiness (not standards but clean living), honesty, integrity, faithfulness, these things never change.

Just as God did not want us sacrificing our kids in the OT, laying with animals, or taking unfair advantage of people He also didn't want us to mark our bodies. But now "Christians" are just as tatooed as non-believers going into these HIV/Hepatitis infected places that promote body mutilation, skulls, death, and demonic symbols and we allow them to ink our bodies...but because I only got a butterfly I am not a part of their culture. It is a very inconsistent theology

Couldn't agree more. I think that the 'God never changes' argument is used too often by people in leadership as another method of control or in an attempt to cultivate an immature christian by using this to beat them down.

[n david]

Originally Posted by JTULLOCK

you not understand it......that is NOT a shock

Originally Posted by JTULLOCK

God is ALWAYS changing that is His mode of operation. When the word said "I change not" I believe that it is saying He never changes His mode of operation He is Always changing things around Himself. This is because He doesn't always use the same methods. He is constantly moving and doing new things, like Pentecost. His mode of operation does not change this is what He meant, IMO, when He said "I change not."

He changes, He doesn't change ... always changing ... never changing ...

[ChTatum]

Just believe whatever you guys want. It'll all come out in the wash. Right now, I gots to shake some dust off my feet.

[Jack Shephard]

CHTATUM....that is funny

[Justin]

With all this talk about CHANGE, I almost thought this was an Obama thread.

[Jack Shephard]

That would be a flip-flop thread

[gloryseeker]

Originally Posted by Justin

With all this talk about CHANGE, I almost thought this was an Obama thread.

Love it!

[Hesetmefree238]

Originally Posted by KWSS1976

The holyghost is just gods spirit his holyspirit comes in you after you are saved weather you be baptist,methodist..ETC

If the Holy Ghost automatically comes in you when you believe or accept the
Lord as Saviour, why does Acts 8:12-17 give us an example of people who
have believed on the Lord and even been baptized in Jesus name, but have
not received the Holy Ghost? We can see in this passage of scripture that
one does not automatically receive the Holy Ghost when he believes on the
Lord or when he is baptized. It's evident that receiving the Spirit is a distinct
and tangible experience. In this instance it happened to them in verse 17, and
it happened to them in such a way that Simon the sorcerer was able to see
it occuring in a visible and tangible way.

Acts 8:12-17
12But when they believed Philip preaching the things concerning the kingdom of God, and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women.

13Then Simon himself believed also: and when he was baptized, he continued with Philip, and wondered, beholding the miracles and signs which were done.

14Now when the apostles which were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent unto them Peter and John:

15Who, when they were come down, prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Ghost:

16(For as yet he was fallen upon none of them: only they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.)

17Then laid they their hands on them, and they received the Holy Ghost.

[jaxfam6]

Originally Posted by gloryseeker

I think it will be an interesting conversation in heaven. The so called "three-steppers" are going to find out it was much easier to get in then they tried to make it and many so called "one-steppers" are going to find out that it took more than repeating a prayer to get in.

I think there well be much less of those that just believe in heaven than those that believe and follow the rest of the insturctions. I am a firmly believe that you have to BELIEVE first and foremost to be saved. I also believe that if a person believes they will continue on with the rest. If a person has been twenty years believing and does nothing more I am rather skeptical of their salvation. If he dies still believing he is as good as satan because satan believes. Doesn't mean he is getting into the kingdom though. I think you all who believe only one step is required will be as surprised at the end of it all as those who believe that only three steps are required.
I think our esteemed brother HaShaliach has something when he said that the instruction did not stop at acts 2:38