Posts by Chalam

63

The Born Again Experience

by leavingwt in

jw
friends

i enjoyed this essay by psychologist valerie tarico.

the born again experience.

i prayed harder and just then i felt like everything i was saying was being sucked into a vacuum.

Chalam

I don't place my stock in prophecies and speaking in tounges, even Paul was not that "impressed" about it, certainly Jesus never put much emphasis on it.

Strange why Paul would say this?

1 Corinthians 14:18 (New International Version)

18 I thank God that I speak in tongues more than all of you.

Or this?

1 Corinthians 14:1 (New International Version)

Gifts of Prophecy and Tongues

1 Follow the way of love and eagerly desire spiritual gifts, especially the gift of prophecy. Jesus said this

Acts 1:8 (New International Version)

8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth."

One chapter later

Acts 2:15-18 (New International Version)

15 These men are not drunk, as you suppose. It's only nine in the morning! 16 No, this is what was spoken by the prophet Joel:
17 " 'In the last days, God says,
I will pour out my Spirit on all people.
Your sons and daughters will prophesy,
your young men will see visions,
your old men will dream dreams.
18 Even on my servants, both men and women,
I will pour out my Spirit in those days,
and they will prophesy.

I assume from your comments previously you haven't received Spirit baptism or have experienced the gifts of the Spirit? 1 Corinthians 12 , 1 Corinthians 14

Blessings,

Stephen

63

The Born Again Experience

by leavingwt in

jw
friends

i enjoyed this essay by psychologist valerie tarico.

the born again experience.

i prayed harder and just then i felt like everything i was saying was being sucked into a vacuum.

Chalam

But that annointing does NOT equal as being the annointed ones of God like Jesus is, we sahre in that yes, but we are NOT The Holy One, we are NOT the Christ, we do NOT speak for God.

Understood Christ is unique, the Messiah, the Holy One of God. However, He is the model for us all.

1 John 3:1-3 (New International Version)

1 How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him. 2 Dear friends, now we are children of God, and what we will be has not yet been made known. But we know that when he appears, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is. 3 Everyone who has this hope in him purifies himself, just as he is pure.

Romans 8:17 (New International Version)

17 Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.

Romans 8:29 (New International Version)

29 For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers.

Ephesians 5:1-2 (New International Version)

1 Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children 2 and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.

Regarding speaking for God, what do you consider prophesying to be? Acts 19

Acts 19:6 (New International Version)

6 When Paul placed his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came on them, and they spoke in tongues and prophesied.

1 Corinthians 13:2 (New International Version)

2 If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge

2 Peter 1:21 (New International Version)

21 For prophecy never had its origin in the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.

Blessings,

Stephen

63

The Born Again Experience

by leavingwt in

jw
friends

i enjoyed this essay by psychologist valerie tarico.

the born again experience.

i prayed harder and just then i felt like everything i was saying was being sucked into a vacuum.

Chalam

No offense Steohen, but thatis even MORE extreme than the JW view od the annointed class and non-annointed.

I'm just following the text!

1 John 2:18-20 (New International Version)

Warning Against Antichrists
18 Dear children, this is the last hour; and as you have heard that the antichrist is coming, even now many antichrists have come. This is how we know it is the last hour. 19 They went out from us, but they did not really belong to us. For if they had belonged to us, they would have remained with us; but their going showed that none of them belonged to us.
20 But you have an anointing from the Holy One, and all of you know the truth.
Blessings,
Stephen

63

The Born Again Experience

by leavingwt in

jw
friends

i enjoyed this essay by psychologist valerie tarico.

the born again experience.

i prayed harder and just then i felt like everything i was saying was being sucked into a vacuum.

Chalam

2 Corinthians 1:21-22 (New International Version)

21 Now it is God who makes both us and you stand firm in Christ. He anointed us, 22 set his seal of ownership on us, and put his Spirit in our hearts as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come.

Blessings,

Stephen

8

Letter Regarding Theocratic Strategy

by Bangalore in

letter regarding theocratic strategy.. .

.

bangalore.

Chalam

1 Timothy 4:2 (New International Version)

2 Such teachings come through hypocritical liars, whose consciences have been seared as with a hot iron.

Blessings,

Stephen

63

The Born Again Experience

by leavingwt in

jw
friends

i enjoyed this essay by psychologist valerie tarico.

the born again experience.

i prayed harder and just then i felt like everything i was saying was being sucked into a vacuum.

Chalam

I'm happy to 'wait and see' - thankfully we're not in charge...

Indeed, but God doesn't keep us in the dark as to what is going to happen.

for my own part I dont believe I'm good enough to receive my reward anyway...but thats another issue.

Don't worry, none of us are.

Isaiah 64:6 (New International Version)

6 All of us have become like one who is unclean,
and all our righteous acts are like filthy rags;
we all shrivel up like a leaf,
and like the wind our sins sweep us away.

That is why we need to be born anew. When the Father sees His Son in us we are more than acceptable, we are royalty :)

Romans 8:1-2 (New International Version)

Life Through the Spirit

1 Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, 2 because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of life set me free from the law of sin and death.

Colossians 3:1-4 (New International Version)

1 Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. 2 Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. 3 For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. 4 When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.

Galatians 3:26-29 (New International Version)

Sons of God

26 You are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus, 27 for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. 28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. 29 If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise. Blessings, Stephen

63

The Born Again Experience

by leavingwt in

jw
friends

i enjoyed this essay by psychologist valerie tarico.

the born again experience.

i prayed harder and just then i felt like everything i was saying was being sucked into a vacuum.

Chalam

Unfortunately, anyone who is not known by Jesus is condemned already.

John 3:16-19 (New International Version)

16 "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. 17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. 18 Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God's one and only Son. 19 This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but men loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil.

Remember, the entrance to the Kingdom is narrow.

Matthew 7:13-15 (New International Version)

The Narrow and Wide Gates
13 "Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. 14 But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.
A Tree and Its Fruit
15 "Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves.
John 14:6 (New International Version)

6 Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.
Blessings,
Stephen

63

The Born Again Experience

by leavingwt in

jw
friends

i enjoyed this essay by psychologist valerie tarico.

the born again experience.

i prayed harder and just then i felt like everything i was saying was being sucked into a vacuum.

Chalam

Hello Loz,

What part of my statement are you having difficulty with?

Maybe you could read the whole chapter to get the full picture? 1 John 2

Here's some other verses

Ephesians 4:4-6 (New International Version)

4 There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to one hope when you were called— 5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism; 6 one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.

John 10:16 (New International Version)

16 I have other sheep that are not of this sheep pen. I must bring them also. They too will listen to my voice, and there shall be one flock and one shepherd.

John 17:11 (New International Version)

11 I will remain in the world no longer, but they are still in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, protect them by the power of your name—the name you gave me—so that they may be one as we are one.

Blessings, Stephen

63

The Born Again Experience

by leavingwt in

jw
friends

i enjoyed this essay by psychologist valerie tarico.

the born again experience.

i prayed harder and just then i felt like everything i was saying was being sucked into a vacuum.

Chalam

only the Christ is anointed

Agreed, this is false. Here's more

Acts 2:17-18 (New International Version)

17 " 'In the last days, God says,
I will pour out my Spirit on all people.
Your sons and daughters will prophesy,
your young men will see visions,
your old men will dream dreams.
18 Even on my servants, both men and women,
I will pour out my Spirit in those days,
and they will prophesy.
Acts 2:38-39 (New International Version)

38 Peter replied, "Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39 The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off—for all whom the Lord our God will call."
1 John 2:18-20 (New International Version)

Warning Against Antichrists
18 Dear children, this is the last hour; and as you have heard that the antichrist is coming, even now many antichrists have come. This is how we know it is the last hour. 19 They went out from us, but they did not really belong to us. For if they had belonged to us, they would have remained with us; but their going showed that none of them belonged to us.
20 But you have an anointing from the Holy One, and all of you know the truth.
Either you are born again and thus "anointed" or else you are anti Christ.
There is no "other hope", "earthly hope" but rather no hope for those without the anointing of the Holy Spirit.
Blessings,
Stephen

63

The Born Again Experience

by leavingwt in

jw
friends

i enjoyed this essay by psychologist valerie tarico.

the born again experience.

i prayed harder and just then i felt like everything i was saying was being sucked into a vacuum.

Chalam

OK, here's some verses on the matter.

2 Corinthians 5:17 (New International Version)

17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!

Galatians 6:15 (New International Version)

15 Neither circumcision nor uncircumcision means anything; what counts is a new creation.

John 3:5 (New International Version)

5 Jesus answered, "I tell you the truth, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless he is born of water and the Spirit.

Luke 17:21 (New International Version)

21 nor will people say, 'Here it is,' or 'There it is,' because the kingdom of God is within you."

John 3:7 (New International Version)

7 You should not be surprised at my saying, 'You must be born again.'

Romans 8:29 (New International Version)

29 For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers.

Colossians 1:15 (New International Version)

15 He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation.

Colossians 1:18 (New International Version)

18 And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy.

Hebrews 12:23 (New International Version)

23 to the church of the firstborn, whose names are written in heaven. You have come to God, the judge of all men, to the spirits of righteous men made perfect

John 6:53-54 (New International Version)

53 Jesus said to them, "I tell you the truth, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you have no life in you. 54 Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day.

So what is it to be "born again" a "new creation"?

2 Corinthians 5:17-21 (New International Version)

17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come! 18 All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: 19 that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting men's sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation. 20 We are therefore Christ's ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ's behalf: Be reconciled to God. 21 God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.

If you are reborn, you are a new creation, "born from above" (see the NIV footnote John 3:3) spiritually alive to God, reconciled to the Father through Jesus, with your sins not counted against you.

Yes, you still have "the flesh" which will die one day, along with its sinful desires.

John 11:25-26 (New International Version)

25 Jesus said to her, "I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; 26 and whoever lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?"

Romans 8:13 (English Standard Version)

13 For if you live according to the flesh you will die, but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live.

So what happens when you are "born again"?

Ephesians 1:13-14 (New International Version)

13 And you also were included in Christ when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation. Having believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, 14 who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God's possession—to the praise of his glory.

You believe the gospel and the Holy Spirit comes to live within you.

Does one need to have "an experience"?

No, it comes by faith Hebrews 11

Can one have "spiritual experience"?

Certainly Acts 2

One important point to note is that "baptism of the Spirit" is another experience which possible might happen at the time of being born again but quite often some time after or not at all. That said, Spirit baptism (not to be confused with water baptism) is for all who believe!

Acts 19:1-7 (New International Version)

Paul in Ephesus

1 While Apollos was at Corinth, Paul took the road through the interior and arrived at Ephesus. There he found some disciples 2 and asked them, "Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?"
They answered, "No, we have not even heard that there is a Holy Spirit."

3 So Paul asked, "Then what baptism did you receive?"
"John's baptism," they replied.

4 Paul said, "John's baptism was a baptism of repentance. He told the people to believe in the one coming after him, that is, in Jesus." 5 On hearing this, they were baptized into the name of the Lord Jesus. 6 When Paul placed his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came on them, and they spoke in tongues and prophesied. 7 There were about twelve men in all.

Are there other "spiritual experiences" outside of the Kingdom which are like being born again or baptism in the Spirit?

Certainly, there are plenty of counterfeits out there, many which will give you a "feel good" factor for a time. However, look for the fruit. Any lasting peace? Any lasting joy? Any nasty side effects?

Blessings,

Stephen