John wrote: > ... there is nothing that you believe as a > mater of faith that cannot be wrong.
I see it the opposite, John. There is nothing I believe as a matter of faith that can be wrong. I'm not expecting you to understand this because of our past discussions about faith. You and I perceive faith very differently. Your concept of faith is very much like that of the unregenerate sinners to which I preach. I don't say that as a slam. I'm just trying to communicate that your perspective of faith is the popular one adopted by most of those in the world. There is a deeper, Biblical understanding of faith as something very spiritual. Some passages for your consideration: 1. Mark 11:24, "Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them." Ask yourself, how could Jesus make this promise except that "believe" carries with it something stronger than just mental assent or mental acceptance. How many Christians have there been who have thought they prayed and believed, yet they did not receive. We either have to conclude that Jesus was lying, or that he has something in mind about that word "believe" that is stronger than the common use of that word. 2. Mark 16:16-20 (16) He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned. (17) And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; (18) They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover. (19) So then after the Lord had spoken unto them, he was received up into heaven, and sat on the right hand of God. (20) And they went forth, and preached every where, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word with signs following. Amen. How many Christians have believed and been baptized but have not seen any of these signs follow them? Again, we either have to conclude that the concept of faith as taught by Jesus is something greater than the popular concept of it, or that Jesus was bearing false testimony here, or perhaps that this passage only applies to the immediate believers to whom he spoke. I take the position that faith is something more than what most people think faith is. 3. John 14:12 (12) Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father. This passage in John indicates that faith results in miraculous works on the part of the one who has it. If this is true, then many of those who say they have faith really do not, because they are not doing the works that Jesus did, and greater works too. 4. Hebrews 11:1 (1) Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. This passage indicates that faith cannot be wrong, for it is both substance and evidence. In other words, faith is not speculative, but there is a sure foundation to which it is attached. 5. Romans 10:14 (14) How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher? This passage indicates that faith is based upon knowledge. People cannot just imagine what they want to believe. They must hear the truth first, then faith can come. Therefore, faith is based upon truth. If truth can never be wrong, and faith can only be held in that which is true, then when someone apprehends something by faith, it can never be wrong. The key here is distinguishing between that which we apprehend by faith and that which we simply acknowledge with our mind because of our opinions and ideas. Having some kind of speculation or idea is not faith, no matter how much we try to believe it. The way I see it, no matter how hard someone tries to have faith in a lie, with the kind of faith that Jesus is talking about in the passages above, he cannot do it. No matter how hard he tries, there will always be some reservation in his spirit. On the other hand, when we perceive with conviction and assurance a truth, and we achieve absolute confidence in it, we can be sure that such a truth is infallible and can never be wrong. For example, when we see that Jesus is our Lord and Messiah with absolute conviction, we can be sure that there is no possibility that this viewpoint is wrong. It is impossible for such a viewpoint to be wrong. The teaching that any idea held by faith has the possibility of being wrong is dangerous. It is a natural idea and contrary to anyone who walks by the Spirit. The truth is that ideas that come from our objective experiences, for example, scientific knowledge, is the kind of knowledge that is tentative and provisional. Those who apply themselves to natural methods of learning come to realize that all their conclusions are tentative. Therefore, the have the tendency to categorize all forms of knowledge in the same way. They declare that matters of theology and faith also are tentative, but this is only an unproven assumption on their part. They are only projecting their own system of learning upon others, including those who are spiritual. The only kind of knowledge that is not tentative is that which comes through faith. This is an unpopular concept these days, I know, but this my understanding of the Scriptures for what it is worth. David Miller wrote: >> If you have not spoken in a language that you >> did not learn and did not understand, then you >> have not had that experience of being baptized >> in the Holy Spirit. John wrote: > This is not a thought that is in line with biblical > teaching, my friend. Baptism of the Spirit occurs > for me on every occasion, and I mean every occasion > that I share songs and hymns in a corporate setting. > Eph 5:18-19 is a reference you might consider. Eph. 5:18-19 is not talking about the baptism with the Holy Spirit. This passage speaks of a filling that all born again believers may experience. To understand the baptism of the Holy Spirit, consider passages like those found in Acts chapters 2, 8, 10, 11 & 19. John wrote: > At any rate, the "baptism of the Spirit with evidence of > speaking in tongues" has such poor theological foundation > that it, as a doctrine, is quickly vanishing from the scene > of the Pentecostal community. If such were true, it would only be evidence of an apostasy and unbelief within the Pentecostal community. There is a very solid theological foundation for the concept that the baptism of the Holy Spirit is accompanied by speaking in tongues. It is primarily those whose foundation of learning is based upon objective proof that deny such. Peace be with you. David Miller. ---------- "Let your speech be always with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer every man." (Colossians 4:6) http://www.InnGlory.org If you do not want to receive posts from this list, send an email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] and you will be unsubscribed. If you have a friend who wants to join, tell him to send an e-mail to [EMAIL PROTECTED] and he will be subscribed.
