Bob Carabbio

But, of course, Peter wasn't a "Christian" when all these cited things occurred - just a "Religious Jew". The New Testament doesn't even start until Mat 28. NOBODY was "Born Again" of the Spirit - yet. Peter had a "Reality Issue" to deal with - He said: (John 13:37) Peter said unto him, Lord, why cannot I follow thee now? I will laydown my life for thy sake. Of course it was all <<<removed profane reference>>> and JESUS knew it, but Peter didn't - until the Lord SHOWED HIM just how "Dedicated" he REALLY was. And When in John 21 (Lovest thou me??) Peter was now able to admit that he REALLY DIDN"T have "Agape" love for Jesus - only "Phileo" (he really liked Him), which Peter had proven to himself in Mat 26.

Personally I'm a Free Range Charismatic, Theologically Eclectic, Calvinist leaning, Non-denominational member in good standing of an Assembly of God Church in Duncanville, TX. I've spent most of the last 53 years (since I became Christian) in the Assemblies of God, with a decade hiatus during the Charismatic Outpouring.

Mary and Joseph's FAMILY doesn't exist in the Catholic Denomination's INTERPRETATION of the Biblical record (Because of their need to defend their Marian doctrines). BUT the plainly read Bible DOES RECORD half siblings by NAME. There is ABSOLUTELY NOTHING in the Bible that would lead one to believe that Mary and Joseph DID NOT Marry (become husband and wife by the joining of flesh), and every reason to believe that they went on to have other children besides Jesus. Protestants don't have a "Sinless Blessed Virgin" to defend, and so we can avoid all the Catholic theology-driven eisegesis of the Word. Simple as that.

Mixed bag. If a "pastor" just tells you NOT to watch something just because HE doesn't like it, then he's being a dominating "Control Freak", and you probably have no reason to take him seriously. You might want to ask yourself why you'd even want to be in a church like that. Shepherds don't "DRIVE" their sheep - they lead 'em. On the other hand, if the Pastor goes into biblical detail about the show, and fills out WHY he believes it to be NOT edifying, or possibly dangerous spiritually, then maybe what he says should be considered seriously. Of Course a Christian with a couple of years under their "spiritual Belt" SHOULD HAVE THE SENSE TO KNOW what's "GOOD" to put into our eyes, and ears, and what's evil, demonic, damagingly sensual, and just plain WRONG. In MY Experience, there are some shows that "get in your spirit", and are DEEPLY hurtful (Ear worms that won't go away), and damaging to your spiritual wellbeing. Rom 14:23 And he that doubteth is damned if he eat, because he eateth not of faith: for whatsoever is not of faith is sin. Is a good foundational principle. If you HAVE TO ASK is something is O.K., then since you can't do it in FAITH, you already have your answer.

I Started out as SBC, but then quickly jumped to the AG (where I've been for MOST of the last 53 years). But then I ran with the Charismatics during the '70s, and got "Forcibly Un-Denominationalized". Consequently I classify myself as a: "Calvinist leaning Free-Range Charismatic, holding ECLECTIC theology who's a Member in good standing of an AG church that doesn't define my beliefs". One can be a radiant, and productive Christian without ever having heard of either "systematic".

Atheism, AND Communism are BOTH Just as much "Religions" as Christianity, Islam, Judaism, or Roman Catholicism.

Leave, of course. The pastor would have just proved that he doesn't HAVE A CLUE about what practical Christianity is all about, and it'd be VERY unlikely for him to be capable of giving real ministry, if "Dress codes" are that high on his "importance scale".

The U.S. is doing it's level best to ERADICATE God from our society. Everybody KNOWS that He's there, and also that HE WANTS something, that most aren't willing to consider. Hearing "God", or Jesus" is an uncomfortable reminder.

"What is the 'sin that leads to death' in 1 John 5:16?" 16 If any man see his brother sin a sin which is not unto death, he shall ask, and he shall give him life for them that sin not unto death. There is a sin unto death: I do not say that he shall pray for it. 17 All unrighteousness is sin: and there is a sin not unto death. Wouldn't know - It doesn't say - BUT The passage seems to indicate that John certainly felt that the ones he was writing to WOULD Know what HE was talking about, and WOULD be able to differentiate so that they'd know whether or not to pray for the individual in question. Gut feel is that it has to do with knowing the Mind of the Spirit, and ministering according to the leading of the Spirit - i.e. the Spirit indicates to you what the proper course of action is.

The Gospel and God's Salvation is not for you IF YOU ARE SINLESS! True statement!!! SInless folks haven't "Fallen short of the Glory of God", and so are good to go - Of course there's just one problem -

"1. What is your understanding of No New Revelations or No New Knowledge?" The "Christ life" is a CONSTANT communion between the Christian and the Holy Spirit, and "Revelation" at one level or another is continuous. Luther's realization that "The just by his FAITH shall live" was a NEW revelation (in practical terms to a largely DEAD institutional church that was teaching all sorts of other stuff, and deep in superstition, and REJECTED Luther's input in protection of their "Vested Interests". But of course it wasn't "NEW KNOWLEDGE" (since it had been in the Bible all along, and had simply been forgotten by the Visible Church of the time.) Bottom line: EVERYTHING that folks say that the Spirit told 'em HAS GOT TO BE checked out against the Written Word, and in the mouths of several confirming ministries - because it it doesn't "Square" then it's in all likelihood FALSE teaching. NOTE: it MAY NOT "Square" with Denominational or traditional beliefs. a good demonstration of this was the Pentecostal revival in 1900. The Visible church had "Written off" 1 Cor 12,13,14 as something that had "gone away" with the last Apostle (or the finishing of the Canon - etc.). But THERE IT WAS big as life and twice as LOUD!!! It wasn't "NEW KNOWLEDGE" - only the restoration of very OLD Knowledge that had been forgotten. 2. How does this affect things like dreams and visions and the gift of prophecy? 1 Thess 5: 16 Rejoice evermore. 17 Pray without ceasing. 18 In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you. 19 Quench not the Spirit. 20 Despise not prophesyings. 21 Prove all things; hold fast that which is good. 22 Abstain from all appearance of evil. 23 And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. 24 Faithful is he that calleth you, who also will do it. There are MANY "spirits" that will try to "give you information", and lots of 'em aren't from God. They can be VERY PERSUASIVE. knowing what the Word says is key. If you DON'T bother reading the WORD - you're "Fair game" for deception. 3. The apostles were the foundation, Christ the cornerstone. But if there is No new revelations, how do the walls and roof get built? Line upon line, and precept upon precept as God RESTORES the Visible Church - until it looks like Ephesians 4: 11 And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; 12 For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: 13 Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect [Corporate] man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ: 14 That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; 15 But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ: 16 From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love. The Visible Church in 2012 is essentially a vast collection of disconnected "Building blocks" scattered across the earth defending their own little "Fifedoms", and battling over their "Private interpretations" of what the Word says. That's a "NORMAL state for the church at this stage of its infancy - the the word "Perfect" in V13 means "Mature". HUMAN wisdom will NEVER "Bring it together", but God through the power of the Holy Spirit will, and is as the plan unfolds down to the end of the age. The LAST thing we'd want in 2012 would be a UNITED immature, and ignorant visible church - with political power. The middle ages should show us why.