> General Discussions
Can we win souls for Christ?
Duane:
DOug--with your last post we have come about 'FULL CIRCLE' as to my original question--if you go back and read my "opening" post.
From reading everyones input, I can say that the answer to MY question of "How do we KNOW when people we are talking to are saved" : WE DON'T! And furthermore, as salvation is a continuing process, even those who weep and wail at the alter MAY "fall away" in years following and NOT "endure to the end".
So, in reading all the posts, I have to conclude that I am more with Doug in that I HAVE TO preach, witness, write, instruct,
proclaim because God made my personality that way! If I ride a distance with a person, I HAVE to bring up God and what He has done for me and the sacrifice He made for the world. It is best explained by--when you hear a funny joke --that reminds you of a funny joke you know--you JUST CAN"T WAIT for eeveryone to get done laughing at the first one so you can share YOURS!! You feel like you are going to burst with anticipation! THAT'S how I feel about talking to people about God or writing an article to share. NOW, GOD will do the "sales close" rather than us--that's what I learned!
Extol:
I like the double meaning here:
Salvation has nothing to do with winning some; loosing some; betting on statistical odds; taking chances, and all such Las Vegas crap table nonsense. ;D
ez2u:
Kat look at this in Jn20-21 what do you understand?
19 When therefore it was evening on that day, which was the first day of the week, and the doors shut where the disciples were, through fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood in the midst, and says to them, Peace be to you. 20 And having said this, he shewed to them his hands and his side. The disciples rejoiced therefore, having seen the Lord. 21 Jesus said therefore again to them, Peace be to you: as the Father sent me forth, I also send you. 22 And having said this, he breathed into them, and says to them, Receive the Holy Spirit: 23 whose soever sins ye remit, they are remitted to them; whose soever sins ye retain, they are retained.
Now this is true, because a person must have there eyes opened to this truth in order to repent and that only comes with the indwelling of the Holy Spirt and that did not take place until Christ returned to the Father.
John 7:39 Now this He said about the Spirit, whom those who believed in Him were to receive, for as yet the Spirit had not been given, because Jesus was not yet glorified.
John 16:7 Nevertheless I tell you the truth: It is expedient for you that I go away; for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I go, I will send him unto you.
The word "saved" in the verses you present does not seem to apply toward salvation. Look at these other translations.
Kat:
Hi ez2u,
In the Scripture you posted there is the statement from Jesus, "He breathed into them, and says to them, Receive the Holy Spirit." So this is before Jesus Christ returned to the Father.
Now am thinking you are wondering how this fits with what I said, "Now this is true, because a person must have there eyes opened to this truth in order to repent and that only comes with the indwelling of the Holy Spirt and that did not take place until Christ returned to the Father."
If this is what you were asking about Ray has a really good answer that I agree with in the article 'What Happened to the Church Jesus Built?'
http://bible-truths.com/lake8.html ----------------------------------
On Pentecost, Jesus Christ came back to His disciples just as He said He would. He came back as the Comforter. Jesus said that they absolutely could NOT receive the Comforter until He went away. Why? Because Jesus Christ IS THE COMFORTER, but not in the flesh, but in THE SPIRIT!
It was on Pentecost that the first members of the Church of Christ received the Holy Spirit Comforter, just as He symbolized to them when He blew on them, showing that He Himself would come to them in spirit by the will of God. Now for the first time, His disciples were truly converted, baptized in Holy Spirit, possessing the mind of Christ, lead into all Truth (Jesus) by the Comforter—Jesus was NOW BUILDING HIS CHURCH!
"But the Comforter [Greek, parakletos, also called the Consoler, and in I John 2:1, Advocate in KJV, and Entreater in the CLNT] which IS the Holy Spirit, Whom the Father will send in My name, He shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you" (John 14:26).
The Advocate or Entreater in I John 2:1 IS the parakletos, The Comforter or Consoler of John 14:26 IS the parakletos,. and we are told that it is Jesus Christ Himself. Furthermore, the "Holy Spirit" that is said to come AS the Comforter is also Jesus Christ,
"Now the Lord IS that Spirit: and where the Spirit OF THE Lord [Jesus Christ] is, there is liberty" (II Cor. 3:17
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
mercy, peace and love
Kat
Memme:
Hi everyone! Although this true story came from my 'preacher' (I'll call Wayne) while I was active in Babylon, it was very inspirational and made a profound impact on my thinking. Wayne also served as a chaplain in a prison. One activity he implemented was taking several prisoners to a 'Road to Emmaus' retreat weekend. One particular prisoner was what he called 'a very hard case'. Wayne (a white man) knew this man (black) was bitter, full of racial hatred and participated in 'religious' activities more to get away from the daily rut and to used the forum to spew his disbelief and hatred. Nothing seemed to reach this poor bitter man after two days into the retreat. That night, Wayne said he prayed, "Lord, give me some way I can reach ____'s heart". The next morn while they all stood in a prayer circle and with only the words 'I love you as Jesus loves you' to each man, Wayne took a pan of water and bathed all the prisoners' feet. When he knelt below ______, tears streamed down this hard, bitter man's face and he broke down in sobs. His entire attitude changed and he began an individual bible study. By the time of _____'s release, Wayne was inspired by his humility and apparent love for those whom he had hated for so much of his life. Wayne told me, it was a life-changing experience for him even more so than _______.
I guess the reason this story impacted me so is how it revealed that often, it isn't the 'preaching' that reaches people but the love and service we should be exhibiting to every one as our Lord did. Not only do such acts humble us, it is a profound manifestation of what HE came to show us and it can bring them to their knees if it is our Father's will to do so.
Barbara
Navigation
[0] Message Index
[#] Next page
[*] Previous page
Go to full version