The Work of The Holy Spirit

[RichardBurger]

I would like to remind everyone that The Holy Spirit "is God" and He is at work in the hearts of men. I do this because some do not think God (the Holy Spirit) has any power in this world, and since He doesn't, salvation has to comes from the teachings of men in religions.

IT WAS SAID: --- "I believe it is God's desire that we, as Christians, would tend to agree on most things. As we do not agree on most things I can think of only two possibilities. One that this is not God's desire for us each to be individuals in seeking what is true -- or -- it is not the same Spirit guiding all of us. I tend to think for the most part, it is the former.

My reply: --- Seems to me that it is a great assumption that all Christians are children of God. It must be remembered that most all persecutions of the children of God have come from some of those same Christians.

IT WAS SAID: --- "The Bible itself suggests we should not study scripture without guidance and cannot really be expected to understand it without it.â€Â

My reply: --- It is the Holy Spirit that guides and teaches the children of God about the Scriptures. ---- I have often wondered what men think faith in God really means. My faith is in His power to lead and teach me. And He has.

John 10:25-30
25 Jesus answered them, "I told you, and you do not believe. The works that I do in My Father's name, they bear witness of Me.
26 But you do not believe, because you are not of My sheep, as I said to you.
27 My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me.
28 And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand.
29 My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of My Father's hand.
30 I and My Father are one."
NKJV

Romans 8:9-11
9 But you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you. Now if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he is not His.
10 And if Christ is in you, the body is dead because of sin, but the Spirit is life because of righteousness.
11 But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you.
NKJV

I believe the above with all my heart that the child of God hears Jesus‘ voice as in verse 27 Above. He (the Holy Spirit) has taught me that men use human wisdom interpreting the Bible, or other religious books, to build up an organized system in which he can place the responsibility for his salvation. They usually include things that men have to do. Most people feel that if they, belong to the "right church or religious organization", go to the meetings, spend some time there, and try to live a good lifestyle they are okay with God. Their only relationship with God is through their religious organization and what they do. But God looks into the heart and he knows those that trust Him.

As for man's wisdom I quote 1 Corinthians 2, verses 1 through 5 from the Living Bible to see what Paul said about man's wisdom.

" Dear Brothers, even when I first came to you I didn't use lofty words and brilliant ideas to tell you God's message. For I decided that I would speak only of Jesus Christ and his death on the cross. I came to you in weakness - timid and trembling. And my preaching was very plain, not with a lot of oratory and human wisdom, but the Holy Spirit's power was in my words, proving to those who heard them that the message was from God. I did this because I wanted your faith to stand firmly upon God, not on man's great ideas."

My faith is firmly planted in God and His power to save and keep me; in His work of salvation on the cross. According to the scriptures I read in the Bible, placing my faith in men is building a foundation on sand.

People may believe in the teachings of men if they wish. That is their right. But it is my right to trust in God and not men.

Now it will be said that the Apostles (including Paul) were men. That is correct and according to what I read in the scriptures they were men that personally knew Jesus. Their writings are what Jesus gave to us/me and they are all I need as a witness to what God wants me to know.

John 15:26
26 "But when the Helper comes, whom I shall send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth who proceeds from the Father, He will testify of Me.

Jesus Warns and Comforts His Disciples

John 16:1-4
1 "These things I have spoken to you, that you should not be made to stumble.
2 They will put you out of the synagogues; yes, the time is coming that whoever kills you will think that he offers God service.
3 And these things they will do to you because they have not known the Father nor Me.
4 But these things I have told you, that when the time comes, you may remember that I told you of them.
NKJV

Men can trust in men if they wish, but I will not. My God is more powerful than men and has already given me the victory in Christ, not in the religions of men. I do not teach religion, I teach what God has accomplished for mankind through His Son on the cross. I teach that they should, personally, have faith, trust, confidence and hope in the power of God as shown on the cross.

 

[Adullam]

As great as a new birth in the Spirit is...it is just the beginning! We cannot say, I have all the riches I need, I need seek no further. The Christian way is a walk. Am I the only one? This is the inevitable question of he who has yet to experience true spiritual fellowship. The bible speaks of the brotherhood...not individual believers. A true church is the gathering together of brethren who each walk in the power of the Spirit. Where 2 or more of THESE are gathered, there Jesus is manifested in the world. Should we forsake this plural calling? Should we be paranoid and remain defensive. Growth is according to the Body working with Christ. You cannot achieve the perfection of selfless love on a solo walk.


"A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another." John 13:34

 

[RichardBurger]

As great as a new birth in the Spirit is...it is just the beginning! We cannot say, I have all the riches I need, I need seek no further. The Christian way is a walk. Am I the only one? This is the inevitable question of he who has yet to experience true spiritual fellowship. The bible speaks of the brotherhood...not individual believers. A true church is the gathering together of brethren who each walk in the power of the Spirit. Where 2 or more of THESE are gathered, there Jesus is manifested in the world. Should we forsake this plural calling? Should we be paranoid and remain defensive. Growth is according to the Body working with Christ. You cannot achieve the perfection of selfless love on a solo walk.

Who says we can't walk alone at times? YOU? If the Holy Spirit is in the heart of a child of God then why do you say the child can't walk alone? Is the child alone when the Holy Spirit is in his/her heart? I think not.

But the religious man-ran, physical church organizations do not like it when some one walks alone because it doesn't put money in the pot.

 

[toddm]

Who says we can't walk alone at times? YOU? If the Holy Spirit is in the heart of a child of God then why do you say the child can't walk alone? Is the child alone when the Holy Spirit is in his/her heart? I think not.

This is not anyone's opinion, it's SCRIPTURE. Hebrews 10:24-25 specifically tells us to not forsake meeting together and that we should come together often for the purpose of encouraging one another and praying for each other.
Hebrews 10:24-25 - And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, 25 a not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.

Furthermore, the 2nd greatest commandment is to love one another. 1 John refers to loving our brothers at least 13 times, so how in the world are we supposed to love each other if we avoid everyone?!?!

But the religious man-ran, physical church organizations do not like it when some one walks alone because it doesn't put money in the pot.

Richard, it's obvious from posts like this that you've been burned by people in the church. The church is made up of imperfect people, but it's completely lacking in grace to say that churches only want money. You have absolutely zero Scriptural support for making such claims. Yes, there are less pure churches but that's not any different from Paul's day. Look at the problems that Corinth had! Never once does Paul wash his hands of the Corinthians. He doesn't even do that w/ the Galatians and they were practically accepting heresy!

Your view of abandoning the Body of Christ (the Church) is unbiblical.

Perhaps, you could answer my questions in "The Church" thread.

 

[Adullam]

As great as a new birth in the Spirit is...it is just the beginning! We cannot say, I have all the riches I need, I need seek no further. The Christian way is a walk. Am I the only one? This is the inevitable question of he who has yet to experience true spiritual fellowship. The bible speaks of the brotherhood...not individual believers. A true church is the gathering together of brethren who each walk in the power of the Spirit. Where 2 or more of THESE are gathered, there Jesus is manifested in the world. Should we forsake this plural calling? Should we be paranoid and remain defensive. Growth is according to the Body working with Christ. You cannot achieve the perfection of selfless love on a solo walk.

Who says we can't walk alone at times? YOU? If the Holy Spirit is in the heart of a child of God then why do you say the child can't walk alone? Is the child alone when the Holy Spirit is in his/her heart? I think not.

But the religious man-ran, physical church organizations do not like it when some one walks alone because it doesn't put money in the pot.

Now you say at times? What is your point really?

 

[RichardBurger]

As great as a new birth in the Spirit is...it is just the beginning! We cannot say, I have all the riches I need, I need seek no further. The Christian way is a walk. Am I the only one? This is the inevitable question of he who has yet to experience true spiritual fellowship. The bible speaks of the brotherhood...not individual believers. A true church is the gathering together of brethren who each walk in the power of the Spirit. Where 2 or more of THESE are gathered, there Jesus is manifested in the world. Should we forsake this plural calling? Should we be paranoid and remain defensive. Growth is according to the Body working with Christ. You cannot achieve the perfection of selfless love on a solo walk.

Who says we can't walk alone at times? YOU? If the Holy Spirit is in the heart of a child of God then why do you say the child can't walk alone? Is the child alone when the Holy Spirit is in his/her heart? I think not.

But the religious man-ran, physical church organizations do not like it when some one walks alone because it doesn't put money in the pot.

Now you say at times? What is your point really?

My wife is a child of God, my daughter is a child of God, many of my friends are children of God. -- At times I go to the Mall and walk alone.

 

[RichardBurger]

Now you say at times? What is your point really?

My wife is a child of God, my daughter is a child of God, many of my friends are children of God. -- At times I go to the Mall and walk without them but I am never alone. The Holy Spirit is with me always.

 

[Adullam]

So you have forsaken the gathering together of the disciples in a given region?

 

[RichardBurger]

So you have forsaken the gathering together of the disciples in a given region?

I do not believe, have faith, have trust, have confidence, have hope in the religions of men. I have said this before. Why don't you listen?

Being with other children of God is not the same as meeting religious people in a religious, man-ran, physical, organized church. --- NO, I do not trust in men. Say what ever you wish but the scriptures teach that we should trust in God only. Religious people trust in their religious churches.

Psalms 5:11
11 But let all those rejoice who put their trust in You; Let them ever shout for joy, because You defend them; Let those also who love Your name Be joyful in You.
NKJV

Psalms 7:1
7 O Lord my God, in You I put my trust; Save me from all those who persecute me; And deliver me,
NKJV

Psalms 9:10
10 And those who know Your name will put their trust in You; For You, Lord, have not forsaken those who seek You.
NKJV

Psalms 18:2
2 The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer; My God, my strength, in whom I will trust; My shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.
NKJV

Psalms 18:30
30 As for God, His way is perfect; The word of the Lord is proven; He is a shield to all who trust in Him.
NKJV

Psalms 20:7
7 Some trust in chariots, and some in horses; But we will remember the name of the Lord our God.
NKJV

Psalms 25:1-3
25 To You, O Lord, I lift up my soul.
2 O my God, I trust in You; Let me not be ashamed; Let not my enemies triumph over me.
3 Indeed, let no one who waits on You be ashamed; Let those be ashamed who deal treacherously without cause.
NKJV

Psalms 25:19-20
19 Consider my enemies, for they are many; And they hate me with cruel hatred.
20 Keep my soul, and deliver me; Let me not be ashamed, for I put my trust in You.
NKJV

Psalms 31:14
14 But as for me, I trust in You, O Lord; I say, "You are my God."
NKJV

Psalms 36:6-8
6 Your righteousness is like the great mountains; Your judgments are a great deep; O Lord, You preserve man and beast.
7 How precious is Your lovingkindness, O God! Therefore the children of men put their trust under the shadow of Your wings.
8 They are abundantly satisfied with the fullness of Your house, And You give them drink from the river of Your pleasures.
NKJV

Psalms 40:3-4
3 He has put a new song in my mouth  Praise to our God; Many will see it and fear, And will trust in the Lord.
4 Blessed is that man who makes the Lord his trust, And does not respect the proud, nor such as turn aside to lies.
NKJV

Psalms 56:4
4 In God (I will praise His word), In God I have put my trust; I will not fear. What can flesh do to me?
NKJV

Psalms 118:7-9
7 The Lord is for me among those who help me; Therefore I shall see my desire on those who hate me.
8 It is better to trust in the Lord Than to put confidence in man.
9 It is better to trust in the Lord Than to put confidence in princes.
NKJV

Proverbs 3:5-6
5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding;
6 In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths.
NKJV

 

[toddm]

Me thinks I'm just being ignored now. :gah

 

[Drew]

Me thinks I'm just being ignored now. :gah

You will find that ignoring of arguments that challenge one's view is very common here. Like me, you will probably just have to learn to live with this. Having said this, I openly admit that, after someone repeatedly refuses to engage my arguments, I return the favour of being ignored by the use of the delightful "ignore" feature of this board.