Porter-77

Major Questions Muslims Fail to Answer 1

Bill, Would you care to look at the verses in this thread ... and re-think your ideas on the Holy Spirit baptism?

John the Baptist tells us that Jesus is the One who baptizes with the Holy Spirit: “He (Jesus) will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.” (Matthew 3:11). Also see similar wording in the other gospels (Mark 1:8, Luke 3:16, John 1:33). It is God’s will that people should receive this special baptism in which people are baptized WITH the Holy Spirit BY Jesus. But, this is not to be confused with another type of baptism, which concerns salvation: “For we were all baptized by one Spirit into one body (the Church)” (1 Corinthians 12:12). In this latter case, the Holy Spirit does the baptizing. 1 – Jesus told His group of disciples to wait for “the Promise” of the Father: ”Behold, I send the Promise of My Father upon you; but tarry in the city of Jerusalem until you are endued with power from on high.” (Luke 24:49) 2 – Luke gives more details about what Jesus instructed them: “... wait for the Promise of the Father ... ... you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now. ... you shall receive (spiritual) power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me ... to the end of the earth.” Acts 1:4-8 This has nothing to do with salvation (where the Holy Spirit comes inside a person): “the Spirit of truth ... He dwells with you and will be in you.” (John 14:17). “the Holy Spirit who dwells in us” (1 Timothy 1:14, Romans 8:11, 1 Corinthians 3:16). But, the Holy Spirit baptism is always about the Holy Spirit coming upon a person. 3 – On the Day of Pentecost, approximately 120 people received what was promised above ... the baptism with the Holy Spirit: “When the Day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. And suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a mighty rushing wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. Then there appeared to them divided tongues, as of fire, and one sat upon each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.” (Acts 2:1-4) 4 – The Judean Jews wanted to know how to receive this same experience: “Therefore being exalted to the right hand of God, and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, He poured out this (Pentecost) which you now see and hear. ... ‘Men and brethren, what shall we (Jews) do?’ Then Peter said to them, ‘Repent, and let every one of you be baptized (in water) in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For the promise is to you and to your children, and all who are afar off, as many as the Lord our God will call’ ” (Acts 2:33-39) So, we see that “the promise of the Holy Spirit” and “the gift of the Holy Spirit” are both the baptism with the Holy Spirit, which is the same experience that the 120 received on the Day of Pentecost. 5 – Peter and John amazed the Jewish leaders: “Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them (the high priest and others)

All of the Jews I've been involved with lately are Liberal Jews. And none of them believe in the Hebrew Scriptures at all (as far as I can tell). NONE of them have any idea why God did not protect His chosen people from the Holocaust. Even when I point out the Scriptures which explain this, they absolutely refuse to believe. Some years ago, I worked for a Jewish economist for a week in his home. He had PhD's in Economics from 6 countries. He had letters on his wall from Presidents Carter and Reagan. He was voted the most knowledgeable Jewish scholar in America. He had absolutely NO any idea why God did not protect the Jews from the Holocaust.

There are many differences between Allah of the Quran and the God of the Bible, even though Allah says he sent all the prophets and had the Bible written. The Quran teaches against major Bible doctrines: -- Original sin -- Two of the strict Ten Commandments (adultery and murder) -- Lying is an abomination, and there are no exceptions -- God is a God of unconditional love -- God was born on the earth -- God has revealed himself as three Persons in one God -- Messiah Jesus Christ was crucified (and died) on a cross -- Salvation is by grace through faith (and not by good deeds) -- God’s blood covenant in the OT and NT is not continued So, how could Allah be the God of the Bible?

There are about a dozen verses similar to this one: "No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him/her ..." (John 6:44).

Fez has got it right. Ever seen the movie, "The Inn of the Sixth Happiness"? This nobody lady is called by God to go as a missionary to China. Of course, her church leaders laughed, "You're not qualified." But, they didn't know how God wanted to use her, did they? God knows the heart, and He knows what skills, etc. that He has given to her. She works hard to save enough money to go, and she goes. I won't spoil the great story of what happens.

Bill, You have written some inconsistencies: -- Your friend in Guatemala wasn't butchered in the first week with no converts, etc. -- Isn't God allowing more and more disasters worldwide to shake the people up so they will try harder to find Him? And what is all of this ... "You see, ..." stuff. Are you trying to set yourself up as some kind of expert? Is that why I'm the only one responding to your thread? Do you have the baptism with the Holy Spirit? If not, I wouldn't be so sure of your spiritual ideas.

Greetings, Bill ... I believe it is a waste of time (even potentially harmful) to witness to people unless they are ready. When are they ready? When the Holy Spirit tells you they're ready. But, mass evangelism seems to be another story. I.E. presenting the gospel to a people group for their first time, just for example. Many evangelists have been chosen and called to go (with confirmations) to do mass evangelism. What about those missionaries who went to Africa 100-200 years ago and were killed in the first week? Some people say they were great martyrs. I tend to think they weren't called by God to go. What do you think?

Are police officers basically the same the world over? When stopped by the police while evangelising in Bulgaria, I always felt led to: -- get out of the car -- head back towards them -- sincerely apologize, saying I was sorry Only one $2 ticket in 15 years after being stopped about 40-50 times because of: speeding, stop signs, no seat belt, passing where prohibited, etc. Note: Driving real fast got us to 8 villages/day. Normal driving would get us to about 5.

Let's not forget ... "... and His name is called The Word of God." (Rev. 19:13)

My opinion is NO. Satan gained dominion over the earth legally. But, going beyond simple temptation ... into GOD's protection: "Are they not all ministering spirits (guardian angels) sent forth to minister for those who will inherit salvation?" (Hebrews 1:14). I see "those" being the chosen elect (but not necessarily even called yet). So, is the following true for every Christian? "Have You not made a hedge around him, around his household, and around all that he has on every side? You have blessed the work of his hands, and his possessions have increased in the land." Not forgetting that Job was quite special: "a blameless and upright man, one who fears God and shuns evil"

Greetings, in the mighty name of Jesus. Especially for major decisions, I believe it is most wise to: 1) pray over whatever is in question 2) keep praying ... until you believe you have heard God's will from the Holy Spirit 3) get two or more confirmations from people you trust spiritually Then, you may be sure that you have God's perfect will on that particular subject.