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for_his_glory

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Galatians 1:6 I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel: 7 Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ. 8 But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed.

This is something that amazes me as I can not perceive what goes through the minds of those who know truth, but yet ignore truth and sell themselves out for another’s distorted gospel so they can feel socially acceptable in the eyes of others, but yet allow themselves to be condemned by their own actions. Are we more concerned by what others think of us or should we be concerned what God sees in us as His servant that needs to be letting the light of Christ shine through us to present a Gospel of truth to others instead a gospel of carnal interpretations.

How ironic is it that I can read and study the word of God by allowing the Holy Spirit teach me first so I am Spiritually equipped to take Gods word out into the world in all truths, but yet many others need to go to Seminary schools to be bound by the laws of government, to be taught by a man, which excludes the whole purpose of the Holy Spirit and puts God in a box only to be taken out to make one look Holy, but yet full of dead mans bones, Matthew 23:27.

Church and State are not separate, even though it should be. We allow ourselves to be bound by the laws of government in accordance to their mandated guidelines of how they perceive the so called Church of God should be set up for legal purpose, but only becomes a Church that renders unto Caesar what is Caesar’s, Matthew 12:17. Government laws need to be followed, but when those laws come against the word of God then they need to be void in our walk with the Lord as Gods laws are never changing.

Matthew 28:16-20 is our commission from Christ and set forth in His spoken word. There is an urgent call for those of us who will not compromise the word of God and will stand on that very foundation of faith that is Christ Jesus that we are also partakers in His life, death and resurrection taking no concern for ourselves what others can and will try to do to us, but surrender all of ourselves to Christ to be worthy of His glorious calling so we will always be pleasing to the Father in all things of servitude. Be not afraid of those who persecute you even to death for there is nothing more they can do, but fear (respect) Him (God) which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell. Matthew 10:28.

We need to take the word of God out to a world that is being deceived by the one (Satan) who has set up his pawns and or puppets to teach his twisted word of God from the pulpits of this world. Satan uses those without Spiritual knowledge to deceive the hearts of seemingly good people to cause them to be separated unknowingly from the truth of Gods word that is received through His Holy Spirit, John 14:26. Salvation is by God’s grace through the finished works of the cross where Jesus paid the price for our sin. Those who reject truth will lose their very souls for the wages of sin is death, (sin here means to reject truth), but life is eternal with the Father for those who have picked up their cross and follow in the footsteps of Christ, Romans 6:23. We must be born-again Spiritually through that of Christ Jesus that only comes by the grace of God to all who will call on the name of Jesus so they can see the Kingdom of Heaven, John 3:3-7.

The world’s stage is being set and the players are selected to come against and take control over Jerusalem as we can see with our own eyes how the enemy (Satan) is coming against Gods promised land and the finale act will be when the son of perdition takes his seat in Jerusalem ruling from the same place that once housed the throne of David, 2 Thessalonians 2:1-12.

The urgency is great upon the earth and the inhabitants there upon it to know truth that will set them free from God’s wrath being poured out into the world in the end of days that will consume those who are not of God and is Christ.

Matthew 24:36 But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only. 37 But as the days of Noah were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.

The falling away is happening even as I write this that many have removed themselves from the love of God by following after their own gods of power, money and greed as they become lovers of their own selves. People did not believe Noah and continued in their sins and died in their sins. We do not know the day or the hour of Christ return for His true Bride and like Noah we must be about our Fathers business until he sends his Son Christ Jesus to take us up to meet him in the air and we will hear those words of grace and mercy that says “Well done thou good and faithful servant “.
 
your outlook kind of reminds me of what some other Christians...the earliest I can think (and most famous) is David Wilkerson, who was Pentecostal...have written about a "last days remnant" of true believers. some will still go to church. others might not be able to or might even encounter persecution within the church so extreme that they leave the established church. personally...

I'm thinking about heading over to a local church this sunday, but my hopes aren't exactly held high. not that I'm "too Christian" for them, just...well, I'm highly stigmatized around here, and I don't think any church I can think of will really, truly overlook the labels and rumors. Most people--Christians included--hear "Schizophrenia," they either turn the other way or pour on some pity. Nothing wrong with pity, when needed, but...that's not what genuine fellowship is about. anyway...

another good post, for_his_glory. :)
 
When it comes down to it a Christian's relationship should be with God, not with a church. Going to church has never saved anyone Jesus is the only one who can save us.
But we need fellowship with people who love God. I like bible groups. I like church that sticks to the truth and is alive with the love of God.
False teachers are a great danger, they deceive, just like Satan deceived Eve. We have to be on our guard and read God's word daily. The Holy Spirit will bring back to mind what we need to remember in times of need. That is our protection against false teachers.
We have a lot of sincere God fearing Christians on this site. We are well blessed.
We need to love God with all our mind, all our soul and all our strength. Then no-one can snatch us out of His hand.
We need to be able to talk about our Saviour with each other , and He will come in our midst.
 
your outlook kind of reminds me of what some other Christians...the earliest I can think (and most famous) is David Wilkerson, who was Pentecostal...have written about a "last days remnant" of true believers. some will still go to church. others might not be able to or might even encounter persecution within the church so extreme that they leave the established church. personally...

I'm thinking about heading over to a local church this sunday, but my hopes aren't exactly held high. not that I'm "too Christian" for them, just...well, I'm highly stigmatized around here, and I don't think any church I can think of will really, truly overlook the labels and rumors. Most people--Christians included--hear "Schizophrenia," they either turn the other way or pour on some pity. Nothing wrong with pity, when needed, but...that's not what genuine fellowship is about. anyway...

another good post, for_his_glory. :)

If those who call themselves Christian can not overlook the label and rumors then they are none of Christ as they have no love in their hearts and walk after the flesh.

Romans 8:8 So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God. 9 But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.
 
yeah...that's the thing....I think when you're a stigmatized outcast...but also Born Again...its easy to get disillusioned, even a bit...upset. I mean...the last time I tried to join up in a church, I overheard a young lady in her late teens talking about me "living off WELFARE" and stuff like that. I mean...I was actually living off my (financially comfortable) parents, but...whatevs. It was a town in another state, and it was same ole same ole, basically. and now...

the denomination I grew up in (PCUSA) has lost tons of members, overall. I cannot really go back to the church I went to up to 14 or so, when mama stopped going and stopped taking me, and...

overall, I just kinda feel sad about the state of Christendom in America. I mean, it could be the whole world, or at least...the whole developed, affluent world, anyway. I don't know, obviously. thing is...

as you did unto the least of these, so you did unto me. Now, I see that there are people who are in far more dire straits than I was or am...people in prison, jail, homeless, group homes, state mental hospitals...and I kinda sorta do -not- think they're getting very much Christ-like compassion, either. and then I think...

well, what gives? Not to sound like I'm being hard on Verna--I love Verna, and I appreciate her friendship--but now and then, she'll talk about people in bad situations and who obviously need serious help (financial, medical, etc.), and she'll say "well, they brought it on themselves...." and its like; have we not been talking for 7, 8 years now? -Every- wretch needs Christ-like love...and there is no such thing as "deserving poor" or "deserving homeless," there's really just POOR, homeless, wretched, in need of help. At the same time...

talking with Verna all these years...has given me a deeper understanding of the more conservative elements of Christendom in America. They're...complicated....and as much as I don't care for -some- of what goes on with the more "progressive" churches (as a former gay turned celibate, but seriously inclined towards same-sex...I cannot be OK with "gay marriage," for instance...), there's sometimes this...authoritarian, even kind of (and I hate to say this...) mean-spirited edge to what I'm hearing, but then...

like Verna, a lot of them are true believers. I think a -whole- lot of people are being misled, possibly even brainwashed, by churches that exploit their need for fellowship and such with some pretty hateful stuff ("Obama is a radical Muslim," "Hilary Clinton is evil," "the liberal media is evil and they're framing Trump," "they need to get off welfare and get a job...they can work!," "those immigrants bring in crime and drugs and they're stealing jobs and living off our tax dollars," etc.). Thing is...

Verna wishes her wayward grand-daughter could get more real help. And yet...she voted for Trump. I don't get it, but it seems to be a result, in part, of some not so great people in positions of authority in churches all over America.
 
When it comes down to it a Christian's relationship should be with God, not with a church. Going to church has never saved anyone Jesus is the only one who can save us.
But we need fellowship with people who love God. I like bible groups. I like church that sticks to the truth and is alive with the love of God.
False teachers are a great danger, they deceive, just like Satan deceived Eve. We have to be on our guard and read God's word daily. The Holy Spirit will bring back to mind what we need to remember in times of need. That is our protection against false teachers.
We have a lot of sincere God fearing Christians on this site. We are well blessed.
We need to love God with all our mind, all our soul and all our strength. Then no-one can snatch us out of His hand.
We need to be able to talk about our Saviour with each other , and He will come in our midst.

Matthew 18:20 For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.

I consider CF my church as we are the body of Christ through faith in Him as we gather together in the Spirit through faith in Christ who is always in the midst of all of us. I have no home church anymore. What I have in CF is wonderful fellowship as we lift up and edify one another sharing the word of God. Church is not four walls as God's true Church is the body of Christ who are Spiritually born again an indwelled with the Holy Spirit.

Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world, James 1:27.
 
yeah...that's the thing....I think when you're a stigmatized outcast...but also Born Again...its easy to get disillusioned, even a bit...upset. I mean...the last time I tried to join up in a church, I overheard a young lady in her late teens talking about me "living off WELFARE" and stuff like that. I mean...I was actually living off my (financially comfortable) parents, but...whatevs. It was a town in another state, and it was same ole same ole, basically. and now...

the denomination I grew up in (PCUSA) has lost tons of members, overall. I cannot really go back to the church I went to up to 14 or so, when mama stopped going and stopped taking me, and...

overall, I just kinda feel sad about the state of Christendom in America. I mean, it could be the whole world, or at least...the whole developed, affluent world, anyway. I don't know, obviously. thing is...

as you did unto the least of these, so you did unto me. Now, I see that there are people who are in far more dire straits than I was or am...people in prison, jail, homeless, group homes, state mental hospitals...and I kinda sorta do -not- think they're getting very much Christ-like compassion, either. and then I think...

well, what gives? Not to sound like I'm being hard on Verna--I love Verna, and I appreciate her friendship--but now and then, she'll talk about people in bad situations and who obviously need serious help (financial, medical, etc.), and she'll say "well, they brought it on themselves...." and its like; have we not been talking for 7, 8 years now? -Every- wretch needs Christ-like love...and there is no such thing as "deserving poor" or "deserving homeless," there's really just POOR, homeless, wretched, in need of help. At the same time...

talking with Verna all these years...has given me a deeper understanding of the more conservative elements of Christendom in America. They're...complicated....and as much as I don't care for -some- of what goes on with the more "progressive" churches (as a former gay turned celibate, but seriously inclined towards same-sex...I cannot be OK with "gay marriage," for instance...), there's sometimes this...authoritarian, even kind of (and I hate to say this...) mean-spirited edge to what I'm hearing, but then...

like Verna, a lot of them are true believers. I think a -whole- lot of people are being misled, possibly even brainwashed, by churches that exploit their need for fellowship and such with some pretty hateful stuff ("Obama is a radical Muslim," "Hilary Clinton is evil," "the liberal media is evil and they're framing Trump," "they need to get off welfare and get a job...they can work!," "those immigrants bring in crime and drugs and they're stealing jobs and living off our tax dollars," etc.). Thing is...

Verna wishes her wayward grand-daughter could get more real help. And yet...she voted for Trump. I don't get it, but it seems to be a result, in part, of some not so great people in positions of authority in churches all over America.

I believe God allowed all this in your past to happen to you as He was preparing you to be who you are today in Christ. I may be wrong, but I believe God has called you out to be an inspiration to others that are going through that of what you went through and the areas you are still allowing God to work on as God is not done working on any of us as we all have our weak areas.

CE you are a great witness of the love of God as you let the light of Christ shine through you and display your fruit of love to others. It doesn't matter what others think or say about you as what truly matters is what God knows about you as He sees the intents of your heart and your growth in Him.
 
hey, fhg. I wasn't trying to rehash (yet...again...LOL), its just that...my previous experience, plus stuff that happens, even now...kinda have me looking more and more to Jesus directly (always a good thing...), but less and less impressed by the church (good? bad? realistic? I don't know, honestly...).

I do appreciate your point about God being in the mix even before I came to truly believe upon Jesus. Kind of...makes sense, from what I understand of Scripture, and it makes what I remember of my life make more sense, too. anyway...

my bigger point is that people are being brainwashed into some anti-Christ stuff...-within- "godly" churches. I doubt Verna's the only one. It makes me sad, sometimes, when she talks because...she -does- love Jesus, she -knows- her Bible, but....

blah. there's some seriously mean-spirited stuff coming from her direction, at times...but then I hear her genuine, godly concern for people she actually -deals with-...so I"m thinking its a mix of upbringing and the hyper-conservative church stuff she's been ingesting for 60+ years. not that I"m perfect...I'm basically a rough draft, very much a work-in-progress...

and I've seen some "issues." Like at the Pentecostal facility...I was there for 1 year...they had a bunch of rich donors, so we were told that Scripture about the difficulties of being wealthy and inherting the Kingdom of Heaven have been "misinterpreted." As in...its not -actually- harder for a rich man to enter The Kingdom of Heaven than it is for a camel to go thru the eye of a needle, but...something about entering the gates of a city on camel; challenging, but not that big a deal. blah blah blah...I -love- Pentecostals, but sometimes, their higher ups make me both angry and sad, at the same time.

not that its all peaches and cream in more "progressive" churches or even mainline churches or...blah blah blah. Again; its not that I'm some amazingly anointed, super-duper-mega-Christian, its just that...I am -a- Christian, and I have learned to take Scripture (for me, I emphasize--but not to the exclusion of other parts--the NT, especially where Jesus is speaking...) seriously. That's 1 reason I thought the RCC would be an answer, but...

now, it turns out this pedophilia stuff is back in the news, full force again...and the lies and cover ups may have gone all the way up to The Vatican. Awesome. I don't think I'm signing up in -that- organization, lol. :-(

blah blah blah. I don't mean to ramble, but this is kinda ridiculous. Ridiculous, like...the higher up officer in jail who is a "Born Again Christian," and who screamed at me, etc., while i was severely brain damaged, sick as unto death, and probably headed to prison, the "psycho-prison" (no lie; its a prison for the "criminally insane"), or maybe...just maybe...the state hospital (which is kind of like prison for criminal cases, with less freedom and more brain damage). Anyway...

I ended up at the Pentecostal place, the arrest has been knocked off the record, I'm thankful...but now that my mind and other senses have been restored unto me by Christ, its kinda like...

if my parents hadn't been sending in $$$, if we weren't related to "extremely important" people up North, if I hadn't been so obviously brain damaged and sick...what would have they done to me? would they have put up with me? or would they have over-worked me and then gotten me out of there, like they did some of the other people there?

blah blah blah. I -do not- like criticizing people who have been kind to me, but its kinda like...along with some of the mean spirited stuff, Verna sometimes says things that really don't strike me as Biblical. Not to keep writing and ranting, but its almost like...old school positive thinking+Christianity. Makes me feel better...or, it did, anyway...but now I'm questioning it, which is probably a sign of growth in Christ and a return of my faculties.

so, now I don't think the Pentecostals hold answers. Neither does the RCC. PCUSA...never did much for me growing up, and...oddly enough...the so-called "church family" was -never- around, outside of church and church functions. Now, my parents are not rich, but..."comfortable," which I guess is upper middle class....anyway....

they're getting letters from the church they haven't attended in about 20 years. could be because of me...we've reconciled, its a small town, so my conversion is well known ("at least he became a CHRISTIAN! hahaha!), maybe its guilt on the part of long term members who remember us...I dunno. But...

PCUSA has decided that individual churches can ordain -actively- homosexual people to positions of leadership, they can do "gay marriages," etc. This particular church is probably not going for it, not right now, but...

blah. its rough, because I like PCUSA's positions on many social issues (just not abortion and being actively homosexual), so...yeah. again; I'm not "too good" or "too Christian," I'm just...a Christian, flaws and all, and I'd really like to be around other Born Again Christians, right here, where I am, but...

where will I find such people? And...reasonably sound doctrine? Ugh.
 
hey, fhg. I wasn't trying to rehash (yet...again...LOL), its just that...my previous experience, plus stuff that happens, even now...kinda have me looking more and more to Jesus directly (always a good thing...), but less and less impressed by the church (good? bad? realistic? I don't know, honestly...).

I do appreciate your point about God being in the mix even before I came to truly believe upon Jesus. Kind of...makes sense, from what I understand of Scripture, and it makes what I remember of my life make more sense, too. anyway...

my bigger point is that people are being brainwashed into some anti-Christ stuff...-within- "godly" churches. I doubt Verna's the only one. It makes me sad, sometimes, when she talks because...she -does- love Jesus, she -knows- her Bible, but....

blah. there's some seriously mean-spirited stuff coming from her direction, at times...but then I hear her genuine, godly concern for people she actually -deals with-...so I"m thinking its a mix of upbringing and the hyper-conservative church stuff she's been ingesting for 60+ years. not that I"m perfect...I'm basically a rough draft, very much a work-in-progress...

and I've seen some "issues." Like at the Pentecostal facility...I was there for 1 year...they had a bunch of rich donors, so we were told that Scripture about the difficulties of being wealthy and inherting the Kingdom of Heaven have been "misinterpreted." As in...its not -actually- harder for a rich man to enter The Kingdom of Heaven than it is for a camel to go thru the eye of a needle, but...something about entering the gates of a city on camel; challenging, but not that big a deal. blah blah blah...I -love- Pentecostals, but sometimes, their higher ups make me both angry and sad, at the same time.

not that its all peaches and cream in more "progressive" churches or even mainline churches or...blah blah blah. Again; its not that I'm some amazingly anointed, super-duper-mega-Christian, its just that...I am -a- Christian, and I have learned to take Scripture (for me, I emphasize--but not to the exclusion of other parts--the NT, especially where Jesus is speaking...) seriously. That's 1 reason I thought the RCC would be an answer, but...

now, it turns out this pedophilia stuff is back in the news, full force again...and the lies and cover ups may have gone all the way up to The Vatican. Awesome. I don't think I'm signing up in -that- organization, lol. :-(

blah blah blah. I don't mean to ramble, but this is kinda ridiculous. Ridiculous, like...the higher up officer in jail who is a "Born Again Christian," and who screamed at me, etc., while i was severely brain damaged, sick as unto death, and probably headed to prison, the "psycho-prison" (no lie; its a prison for the "criminally insane"), or maybe...just maybe...the state hospital (which is kind of like prison for criminal cases, with less freedom and more brain damage). Anyway...

I ended up at the Pentecostal place, the arrest has been knocked off the record, I'm thankful...but now that my mind and other senses have been restored unto me by Christ, its kinda like...

if my parents hadn't been sending in $$$, if we weren't related to "extremely important" people up North, if I hadn't been so obviously brain damaged and sick...what would have they done to me? would they have put up with me? or would they have over-worked me and then gotten me out of there, like they did some of the other people there?

blah blah blah. I -do not- like criticizing people who have been kind to me, but its kinda like...along with some of the mean spirited stuff, Verna sometimes says things that really don't strike me as Biblical. Not to keep writing and ranting, but its almost like...old school positive thinking+Christianity. Makes me feel better...or, it did, anyway...but now I'm questioning it, which is probably a sign of growth in Christ and a return of my faculties.

so, now I don't think the Pentecostals hold answers. Neither does the RCC. PCUSA...never did much for me growing up, and...oddly enough...the so-called "church family" was -never- around, outside of church and church functions. Now, my parents are not rich, but..."comfortable," which I guess is upper middle class....anyway....

they're getting letters from the church they haven't attended in about 20 years. could be because of me...we've reconciled, its a small town, so my conversion is well known ("at least he became a CHRISTIAN! hahaha!), maybe its guilt on the part of long term members who remember us...I dunno. But...

PCUSA has decided that individual churches can ordain -actively- homosexual people to positions of leadership, they can do "gay marriages," etc. This particular church is probably not going for it, not right now, but...

blah. its rough, because I like PCUSA's positions on many social issues (just not abortion and being actively homosexual), so...yeah. again; I'm not "too good" or "too Christian," I'm just...a Christian, flaws and all, and I'd really like to be around other Born Again Christians, right here, where I am, but...

where will I find such people? And...reasonably sound doctrine? Ugh.

This brings to mind what was said in 2 Timothy 3:1-9 as we see this in so many churches today and that is a sad fact.

To me when churches become a socially accepted place, I have no place for these types of church's as they become to earthly good to be any heavenly good. These type of church's care more about being politically correct as they skim over and make parts of the word of God void and null in their teachings. Satan has a stronghold on many church's blinding the eyes and dulling the ears as a spirit of Jezebel runs rampant through out the church.

I miss the face to face fellowship my husband and I had with the last church we went to and sad that we on the Board had to close the doors for reasons of false rumors from certain members that caused many to quit giving and attending. We found that the Pastor was footing all the bills to keep the church afloat and suffered the fiances for his own families welfare. We elected to close the doors and start having home Bible studies which were great at first, but even that dwindled down to only a few of us gathering together especially in the winter. Our Pastor was forced financially to take a job in order to take care of his family and it wasn't to long that the Bible studies had to stop due to his working schedule.

My husband and I tried some other churches, but to our disappointment we were not being Spiritually fed. Now that I am on disability and no longer working I have my own Bible study by myself and the Holy Spirit as I sit in my living room and study my Bible as the Holy Spirit teaches me and I am satisfied with that. CF is also my favorite place to be as I learn so much from others who are led of the Spirit and I have that chance to bring the Gospel to the world. Even though it's not face to face I still feel like it's where God wants me to be for now as we do fellowship with each other as that is what is important to me.
 
How ironic is it that I can read and study the word of God by allowing the Holy Spirit teach me first so I am Spiritually equipped to take Gods word out into the world in all truths, but yet many others need to go to Seminary schools to be bound by the laws of government, to be taught by a man, which excludes the whole purpose of the Holy Spirit and puts God in a box only to be taken out to make one look Holy, but yet full of dead mans bones,
You have just insulted every theologian beginning with the apostle Paul who was taught by the leading theologian of his day, Gamaliel.

True, his very extensive formal education at the feet of Gamaliel was illuminated by the Holy Spirit. But, for you to paint all seminary graduates as devoid of the Holy Spirit is beyond hubris. On what basis do you judge them other than your imagination of what they have learned? How many of them have you personally interviewed?

The Reformation was led by seminary graduates. Your comments appear to be a declaration that you are better prepared than Martin Luther, John Wesley, John Whitefield, Johnathan Edwards, Schofield, Moody, and even J. Vernon McGee!

Please show a bit of respect for those who have put in the time and work to achieve that level of education.

And please don't think that because you claim to have been taught by the Holy Spirit that you are more capable of handling the word of God than anyone else who can make the same claim. (Seminary graduate or grammar school dropout)
 
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im far from anti-intellectual, but...let's see...Calvin had "heretics" executed. RC Sproul -was- my fav, until some of the shadier stuff going on in his ministry came to media attention. and, at lower levels...

how many ministers have engaged in sexual immorality, often with people from the congregation? how many priests? how many church leaders and preachers, many with M.Div and beyond...have embezzled churches and ministries, defrauded the faithful?

I've seen prideful, "I've got this!" believers...the ones who want to tell others what The Bible -really- means, about 6 months into their latest Born Again experience. OK, I get it. I've also kept up with for_his_glory's posts and...no one's perfect, but she's put -loads- of time into her study of Scripture and living a good, solid, Christian life, as best she can.

being a Christian isn't like being a lawyer or a doctor or even a mechanic. Christians are to be given guidance and such, but we are all provided with what we need, thru Christ, for understanding Scripture, growing in faith and godliness. people with 0 credentials are even equipped, now and then, to minister to each other, one Christian to another. for_his_glory has certainly ministered to me, over the years.

v
 
im far from anti-intellectual, but...let's see...Calvin had "heretics" executed. RC Sproul -was- my fav, until some of the shadier stuff going on in his ministry came to media attention. and, at lower levels...

how many ministers have engaged in sexual immorality, often with people from the congregation? how many priests? how many church leaders and preachers, many with M.Div and beyond...have embezzled churches and ministries, defrauded the faithful?
None of that says anything about the value of a thorough education.
This suggestion that having a seminary education automatically disqualifies someone from being taught by the Spirit is absurd.
It is anti-intellectual and that is not smart.
 
education is great i wish i could have went to a seminary . but the seminary does not make the preacher only helps equip the preacher. one of my favorite t.v preacher is james merrit he holds a doc degree.but listening to him. h keeps it on a level of understanding . we have educated preachers who pastor a church. then we have God called preachers who has the education . who are under the anointing .which destroys the yoke. i salute a good education
 
You have just insulted every theologian beginning with the apostle Paul who was taught by the leading theologian of his day, Gamaliel.

True, his very extensive formal education at the feet of Gamaliel was illuminated by the Holy Spirit. But, for you to paint all seminary graduates as devoid of the Holy Spirit is beyond hubris. On what basis do you judge them other than your imagination of what they have learned? How many of them have you personally interviewed?

The Reformation was led by seminary graduates. Your comments appear to be a declaration that you are better prepared than Martin Luther, John Wesley, John Whitefield, Johnathan Edwards, Schofield, Moody, and even J. Vernon McGee!

Please show a bit of respect for those who have put in the time and work to achieve that level of education.

And please don't think that because you claim to have been taught by the Holy Spirit that you are more capable of handling the word of God than anyone else who can make the same claim. (Seminary graduate or grammar school dropout)

Sorry you see this as insulting as I have no problem with Seminaries as it's well to have proper training like I did before I became a licensed Evangelist. I didn't have to go to a Seminary school, but I had to take State Board certified classes before I received my license. The only purpose of a license is that the government requires one for legal purposes. I'm no longer licensed as that was for a time and season of God's purpose in using me for a paticular ministry and I never renewed my license as that was only a temporary calling.

We all know that it is the Holy Spirit that teaches us according to John 14:26. Seminaries need to be a place of equipping one that has been called and anointed by God to preach/teach His word. Just as the Disciples were being prepared first so the same for all who are called of God.

Teaching is a vital part of the Great Commission to believers. We are commanded to teach all nations about the Christian walk and faith in Jesus. The word teach used by Jesus in His charge to his disciples is actually the word "matheteuo" which means disciple, to enroll as a scholar. Our commission is to communicate and distribute information, to mold lives, to inform, and to inspire through the word of God. We are called to teach and train disciples. This is our charge as we are first called of God and anointed by His Holy Spirit.

The training we need to receive needs to be for instruction in discipline, fortitude, self control, patience, kindness and love.

Six key points of training:
1. Have a passion to please God in all you do and say
2. Do not conform yourself to this world because we know that this present worlds system is evil and under Satan’s rule, but have compassion on those without knowledge
3. Have your minds conformed to the way God would think in all situations.
4. God gives us the desire to teach with ability and power to examine and study this word and to teach it with simplicity for others to understand and grow in knowledge.
5. Our leadership should be one of compassion, kindness, and encouragement, devoting ourselves to the needs of others by using the word to guide us in all situations
6. We must submit ourselves to governing authorities, or Gods established laws, but when it abandons its proper function it is no longer from God nor operating according to His purpose.

The primary purpose for teaching Gods word to others is to bring lost souls into a personal relationship with Jesus Christ through repentance as first priority and to always give the praise and glory to God for all he does through us because we do not do the works of the Lord through self (flesh), but through the calling that is by the the Spirit of God.

Know that you are being called into the ministry of teaching and commit yourself to that calling through disciplining yourself through discipleship. Five ways of doing this is:
1. Answer the call where God leads you
2. Charge is your response of the calling
3. Your commitment to do service for the Lord
4. Credibility is a personal and ethical qualification to fulfill the task that is put before you
5. Administration, or to delegate help within the body of the church

1 Peter 4:11 If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God; if any man minister, let him do it as of the ability which God giveth: that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom be praise and dominion forever and ever. Amen.

Matthew 22:14 For many are called, but few are chosen.

Not everyone who goes to Seminary Schools are called of God according to His will, but follow their own will and lean on their own understandings.
 
im far from anti-intellectual, but...let's see...Calvin had "heretics" executed. RC Sproul -was- my fav, until some of the shadier stuff going on in his ministry came to media attention. and, at lower levels...

how many ministers have engaged in sexual immorality, often with people from the congregation? how many priests? how many church leaders and preachers, many with M.Div and beyond...have embezzled churches and ministries, defrauded the faithful?

I've seen prideful, "I've got this!" believers...the ones who want to tell others what The Bible -really- means, about 6 months into their latest Born Again experience. OK, I get it. I've also kept up with for_his_glory's posts and...no one's perfect, but she's put -loads- of time into her study of Scripture and living a good, solid, Christian life, as best she can.

being a Christian isn't like being a lawyer or a doctor or even a mechanic. Christians are to be given guidance and such, but we are all provided with what we need, thru Christ, for understanding Scripture, growing in faith and godliness. people with 0 credentials are even equipped, now and then, to minister to each other, one Christian to another. for_his_glory has certainly ministered to me, over the years.

v

Thank you CE as I am truly humbled. :hug

It's all about being equipped and Spiritually prepared when one is called of God and anointed by His Holy Spirit. I almost applied for a Seminary school years ago because I wanted to be a Pastor, but I was only following my own will at that time and when I realized that I tore up the application as God was not calling me in that direction.
 
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