The call of the Father.

[Watchman 2]

Some people read scripture or hear a pastor and they hear the word of God. Some of us are fortunate to hear a voice in their head which is the Holy Spirit talking to them. This was my experience and the experience of the Quakers.

When I was an agnostic the Holy Spirit only talked to me three time. In a very short sentences he told me to call someone, get a different job, and to stop worrying. I obeyed all three commands and have written extensively about the ensuring miracles including a career as a professional writer.

Since I was told Christ was everything the Bible says he was, the Holy Spirit is more active in my life. I get daily directions to do this or that or to write this or that.

This is my story for better or worse.

My replies are not meant for you personally, but for discussion sake.

Sorry if I made you feel I was speaking about you personally.

 

[Susannah]

I NOW believe that we can only go to Heaven through Christ. But it took a lot to convince me. It took the Holy Spirit to help me accept this because I love everyone in my family and some of them just won't make it.

However, I also believe that while we are all still on earth God loves us all, watches over us all, and wants us to find our way to him. He loves us right to the end and accepts death bed surrenders.

 

[Susannah]

I don't know if I already said this, but my beliefs would have me burned at the stake in the middle ages. Hearing God's voice was blasphemy. Back then they believed that he only talked to men. The pope, the priest, and then the head of household. They then relayed the message.

I joined the Quakers because of their belief in personal contact with the Trinity. Therefore both a woman and a child can be a prophet.

 

[Watchman 2]

I don't know if I already said this, but my beliefs would have me burned at the stake in the middle ages. Hearing God's voice was blasphemy. Back then they believed that he only talked to men. The pope, the priest, and then the head of household. They then relayed the message.

I joined the Quakers because of their belief in personal contact with the Trinity. Therefore both a woman and a child can be a prophet.

Ok, let's try to focus on the question I asked in the Op.
Thanks

 

[for_his_glory]

If they do not know Christ they surrender to goodness or love. They intuitively know to love their neighbor and serve the poor. They are doing God's will guided by the Holy Spirit rather than the Bible.

How do you get around John 3:5-7 and feel it's only by being just a good person they will see the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Flesh, even if it does love it's neighbor are doing their own works apart from the full counsel of God found from Genesis to Revelation. One can not just pick and choose what scriptures make them feel good about them self, nor can we bring the scriptures to that of our own imaginations.

John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. 17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. 18 He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.

 

[Susannah]

From Earlier Post . . .

NOW believe that we can only go to Heaven through Christ. But it took a lot to convince me. It took the Holy Spirit to help me accept this because I love everyone in my family and some of them just won't make it.

But even if we don't make it to heaven we can feel God's love while here on earth. He has enough to go around. Isn't this was Christ means when he asks us to love our enemies [like he does].

I also believe that while we are all still on earth God loves us all, watches over us all, and wants us to find our way to him. He loves us right to the end and accepts death bed surrenders.

 

[Watchman 2]

How do you get around John 3:5-7 and feel it's only by being just a good person they will see the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Flesh, even if it does love it's neighbor are doing their own works apart from the full counsel of God found from Genesis to Revelation. One can not just pick and choose what scriptures make them feel good about them self, nor can we bring the scriptures to that of our own imaginations.

John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. 17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. 18 He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.

Is this normal here? The moderator derailing threads?

 

[Susannah]

My apologies . . . I am an imperfect instrument. By the way, you are the moderator. You started the thread so I will step back and let you lead the way. You are doing a great job so far. My last post kind of sums up my answer to how to get to heaven.

 

[Watchman 2]

My apologies . . . I am an imperfect instrument. By the way, you are the moderator. You started the thread so I will step back and let you lead the way. You are doing a great job so far. My last post kind of sums up my answer to how to get to heaven.

This thread isn't about how to get to heaven.

I'm the OP not the moderator. A moderator makes sure people are following standards set by the administration.

 

[Watchman 2]

Nobody comes to Christ, unless the Father calls them.

I think most would agree, that this calling out from the Father is the beginning of the Salvation journey.

My question to the group, is could the Father call someone out ( say before the scriptures were available to the masses 15th century ) to respond in Faith, even though they have never heard of Christ or the good news of the Gospel?

Reposting for another try.

 

[for_his_glory]

So what would your answer be to the OPs question.

I'm sorry, I thought my post #35 answered your question. You will find I pretty much answer all things with scripture so here are a couple more to answer your question.

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. John 1:1. Always was, always will be as God is Alpha and Omega, no beginning and no ending. Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. There is no other way that God can call us.

 

[Susannah]

Addendum: I am not a moderator either. I strayed from my lane into yours. I am an ambassador to the recovery forum. I am going to bow out now and go back to the recovery forum. My apologies.

P.S. I am open to the idea that everything can be found in the Bible. The Holy Spirit has not led me to that conclusion yet but I am young and an eager student. So far, the Holy Spirit has let me wallow in my liberal philosophy so I can help people like me who are still struggling to find the way. God's Way. Here is my other post about this subject and I will leave it at that. The Way by Susan Peabody

 

[for_his_glory]

Can you tell me what these are. Thanks.

I was going by what you said in your post #8 that you hold to the doctrine of universalism. That is a metaphysical fellowship embracing all religions, all cultures, and all philosophies. From what I have studied of this is they teach a theology built upon the foundation of truth as revealed in the spiritual teachings of the world's religions, while also celebrating and assimilating the contributions and insight of Science, the Arts and Philosophy.

 

[Who Me]

So what's your answer?
Can the Father call someone out that has never heard the name Jesus Christ or heard the Gospel?

Can that person respond with an act of saving Faith that if continued, will result in recieving the Spirit of Christ?

Is the OT a closed book you?
Have you never read the story of Naman.
Because I answered your questions with that story.

 

[for_his_glory]

I don't agree that everyone is called, but that's another discussion.

Just a question. Do you follow the teachings of The Living Stream Ministry?

 

[Susannah]

My answer is "to me yes." I do not want to force this view on others as they may be more comfortable with other answers. I have suffered so much in my life that the Holy Spirit came to me in the form of comfort and I don't want to take that away from anyone. This, I guess, is why I cling to the notion that there is more than one perspective on interpreting the Bible. To me the OT is just outdated. Even the NT has problems. I am not going to cut off my hand if I offend God. [Matthew] Sorry. But I do wear a veil in the form of long hair.

 

[Susannah]

I never heard of the Living Stream Ministry. I am basically a mystic and believe that all points of view have a common thread of truth. The religions I have studied promote LOVE. But some religions are corrupted by evil people and I know it when I see it. If I am not hearing a voice about doing the loving thing I do not listen. Satan lies and talks about separation so if I hear something racist I am not talking to HS.

 

[Susannah]

I googled Naman but will read the whole thing later. I believe that the Holy Spirit is a healer. Some times the healing is to the body not just the soul. The HS can choose to enter anybody he wants to, so I suppose anyone can be a healer. They should not take credit for it. It is the HS doing the work. We are all just a "pencil in God's hands." Mother Teresa.

 

[Watchman 2]

I'm sorry, I thought my post #35 answered your question. You will find I pretty much answer all things with scripture so here are a couple more to answer your question.

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. John 1:1. Always was, always will be as God is Alpha and Omega, no beginning and no ending. Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. There is no other way that God can call us.

In the scenario were discussing , there is no scripture yet! Only Grace made possible by the sacrifice of Jesus on the Cross.

Let's say the day after the resurrection, God the Father wanted to call out someone on the other side of the globe. Grace is in affect for mankind, the Father is calling someone out. In your understanding, could that called out one respond with an act of saving Faith?

It's really just a yes or no answer.

 

[Watchman 2]

Just a question. Do you follow the teachings of The Living Stream Ministry?

No, not familiar with them.