Gifts of the Holy Spirit

[Floatingaxe]

I've already seen it happened in my girlfriend's bible study. The other day, the "woman pastor" was teaching that we need to stick with one pastor. Jesus Christ as our one pastor, yes, but one man, absolutly not!! Once you start to add things in like this or the whole "slain in the spirit" thing then you will start to see satan decieving the church and ruining the faith of the elect. Its very scary. Sincerly, your brother in Christ, matthew

Matthew,

Not all manifestations are evil or lead to heresies. I never believed in "slain in the spirit" either and I was schooled in the Pentecostal Church of God where The Lord led me when He called me to preach. But, I was injured once during my backslidden days (17 years I walked away because of backbiting, gossip, etc... out of anger). The doctors cleaned out my disc between L4/L5 lower back but, it left me crippled and in a wheel chair with neurological damage. I had no feeling from my hip to my toes in my left leg. Nerve tests showed permanent damage and the diagnosis said nerves never repair after collapse. I was devastated since I had always been a strong working man and provided for my family. I had worked since I was six years old.

I was so loaded down with despair, anger, bitterness and depression. I did manage to use bio-feedback to control by mind my right leg (atrophied from long periods laid up) enough to get on a cane but each step was slow and cautious because of the dead left leg. A nurse we had met at one of the local hospitals was a Christians and told my wife about a Revival by a Healing Evangelist coming to their Church (Assembly of God). I refused to have anything to do with anymore hypocrites! But something came over me and a strong urging within said; "it can't hurt you to go.." Though I had walked away from Church and my calling, I still had a respect and belief in God just not in practice. So, I went. The man preached a sermon on "Touching Jesus" and it was the sermon by the Holy Spirit that drew me to go forward not for healing but to let God know I was wrong and sorry.

But, I could not kneel at their alter for I could not get back up. I could barely get up from a sitting position taking a long time to do so and then slowly get moving. So I stood praying for His Forgiveness. Out of the corner of my eyes I could see this evangelist coming down the line laying his oil anointed hands on people and they would fall back to the floor. I thought to myself; "I don't believe in this stuff and if he get's close to me, I am leaving and going back to my pew!" But, I suddenly became fixated on Jesus and some of the words I had heard that evening. I had closed my eyes in prayer and there he was! Coming at me with those oily hands and I was frozen and couldn't move. Suddenly, I was like removed from that place. I was in a supremely held space where the Love of Christ flooded my whole being and I could literally feel the warmth and Love flood my whole body. I realized without doubt Jesus was right there! I began to apologize and .... then He just hushed me as He did His work throughout. The depressing, emotional heavy load I had been under lifted off like tons of bricks and I had never felt such peace. It seemed like it went on forever in that place all alone with Him.

When He was done, I realized I was laying on the floor up in front of the Church! Embarrased, I immediately got to my feet and went for my pew kind of looking down not wanting to confront anyone's eyes over that incident! But before I could reach the pew (almost to the row halfway down that Church), that evangelist called out over his microphone; "Young man!" I cringed and look back embarrased and he was smiling waving my caned over his head. It was then that I realized I had walked normally on both feet and legs to my row! I stomped on that left leg and foot and realized I not only had total feeling in it, but that the atrophied muscles were now full size in both legs!

It wasn't long before I left that Church again because of the same things plus I had picked up smoking and couldn't get rid of it and that brought a lot of condemnation and judgement from others and well as myself. But, Jesus persued me and finally got hold of me in January 1997 after my 17 year marriage fell apart in 1993, a second marriage fell apart (1 1/2 years) because she was atheist and I had begun reading my Bible in quiet while she and her kids watched TV. That came because a deep hunger to really search and find Jesus for Real came up in me six months earlier. She gave me an ultimatum to throw that Bible away and forget anything about religion or she would pack up her kids and leave. She did so just before Christmas of 1996. Less than a month a later of searching the Scriptures but, no presence or call coming, I decided to hang it up, do as she had asked for surely God did not want me to allow another marriage to fail. It was right then and there that His same presence and power hit me and showed me He had been directing me to that place in my life and, that I needed to decide right then and there. And here I am today serving Him and still walking strong.

We should not discount everything we do not understand in the flesh or by our own understanding of His Word as demonic. When we are truly Born Again by His Holy Spirit, we will see the phony copy-cat ways of satan versus the Real Manifestations of Jesus Christ by the Holy Ghost. To stamp them all even lightly as of satan, IS Blaspheme as Jesus proclaimed the Pharisees so did when they accused Him of casting out demons by beezelbub or satan. That is the only time Jesus brought up the "Blasepheme of the Holy Ghost", the "unforgivable sin" was at that moment and I don't care what theologeans have put forth since saying other manner of things are that "blaspheme", Jesus only pointed to calling the Supernatural Works of God through the Holy Spirit to be of satan to be that sin. We should all be careful of that and pray over it before opening our mouths on the subject thinking we know something but are totally ignorant. For the most part, if any manifestation brings the glory to Jesus alone, it is definitely of Him.

Wonderful testimony! Reminds me today of how we as the Children of God so readily accept His supernatural wonders, and yet the world doesn't---but they will go ape over the supernatural in the wicked realm! Go figure!

God bless you as you serve Him!

[matthew4:4]

I've already seen it happened in my girlfriend's bible study. The other day, the "woman pastor" was teaching that we need to stick with one pastor. Jesus Christ as our one pastor, yes, but one man, absolutly not!! Once you start to add things in like this or the whole "slain in the spirit" thing then you will start to see satan decieving the church and ruining the faith of the elect. Its very scary. Sincerly, your brother in Christ, matthew

Matthew,

Not all manifestations are evil or lead to heresies. I never believed in "slain in the spirit" either and I was schooled in the Pentecostal Church of God where The Lord led me when He called me to preach. But, I was injured once during my backslidden days (17 years I walked away because of backbiting, gossip, etc... out of anger). The doctors cleaned out my disc between L4/L5 lower back but, it left me crippled and in a wheel chair with neurological damage. I had no feeling from my hip to my toes in my left leg. Nerve tests showed permanent damage and the diagnosis said nerves never repair after collapse. I was devastated since I had always been a strong working man and provided for my family. I had worked since I was six years old.

I was so loaded down with despair, anger, bitterness and depression. I did manage to use bio-feedback to control by mind my right leg (atrophied from long periods laid up) enough to get on a cane but each step was slow and cautious because of the dead left leg. A nurse we had met at one of the local hospitals was a Christians and told my wife about a Revival by a Healing Evangelist coming to their Church (Assembly of God). I refused to have anything to do with anymore hypocrites! But something came over me and a strong urging within said; "it can't hurt you to go.." Though I had walked away from Church and my calling, I still had a respect and belief in God just not in practice. So, I went. The man preached a sermon on "Touching Jesus" and it was the sermon by the Holy Spirit that drew me to go forward not for healing but to let God know I was wrong and sorry.

But, I could not kneel at their alter for I could not get back up. I could barely get up from a sitting position taking a long time to do so and then slowly get moving. So I stood praying for His Forgiveness. Out of the corner of my eyes I could see this evangelist coming down the line laying his oil anointed hands on people and they would fall back to the floor. I thought to myself; "I don't believe in this stuff and if he get's close to me, I am leaving and going back to my pew!" But, I suddenly became fixated on Jesus and some of the words I had heard that evening. I had closed my eyes in prayer and there he was! Coming at me with those oily hands and I was frozen and couldn't move. Suddenly, I was like removed from that place. I was in a supremely held space where the Love of Christ flooded my whole being and I could literally feel the warmth and Love flood my whole body. I realized without doubt Jesus was right there! I began to apologize and .... then He just hushed me as He did His work throughout. The depressing, emotional heavy load I had been under lifted off like tons of bricks and I had never felt such peace. It seemed like it went on forever in that place all alone with Him.

When He was done, I realized I was laying on the floor up in front of the Church! Embarrased, I immediately got to my feet and went for my pew kind of looking down not wanting to confront anyone's eyes over that incident! But before I could reach the pew (almost to the row halfway down that Church), that evangelist called out over his microphone; "Young man!" I cringed and look back embarrased and he was smiling waving my caned over his head. It was then that I realized I had walked normally on both feet and legs to my row! I stomped on that left leg and foot and realized I not only had total feeling in it, but that the atrophied muscles were now full size in both legs!

It wasn't long before I left that Church again because of the same things plus I had picked up smoking and couldn't get rid of it and that brought a lot of condemnation and judgement from others and well as myself. But, Jesus persued me and finally got hold of me in January 1997 after my 17 year marriage fell apart in 1993, a second marriage fell apart (1 1/2 years) because she was atheist and I had begun reading my Bible in quiet while she and her kids watched TV. That came because a deep hunger to really search and find Jesus for Real came up in me six months earlier. She gave me an ultimatum to throw that Bible away and forget anything about religion or she would pack up her kids and leave. She did so just before Christmas of 1996. Less than a month a later of searching the Scriptures but, no presence or call coming, I decided to hang it up, do as she had asked for surely God did not want me to allow another marriage to fail. It was right then and there that His same presence and power hit me and showed me He had been directing me to that place in my life and, that I needed to decide right then and there. And here I am today serving Him and still walking strong.

We should not discount everything we do not understand in the flesh or by our own understanding of His Word as demonic. When we are truly Born Again by His Holy Spirit, we will see the phony copy-cat ways of satan versus the Real Manifestations of Jesus Christ by the Holy Ghost. To stamp them all even lightly as of satan, IS Blaspheme as Jesus proclaimed the Pharisees so did when they accused Him of casting out demons by beezelbub or satan. That is the only time Jesus brought up the "Blasepheme of the Holy Ghost", the "unforgivable sin" was at that moment and I don't care what theologeans have put forth since saying other manner of things are that "blaspheme", Jesus only pointed to calling the Supernatural Works of God through the Holy Spirit to be of satan to be that sin. We should all be careful of that and pray over it before opening our mouths on the subject thinking we know something but are totally ignorant. For the most part, if any manifestation brings the glory to Jesus alone, it is definitely of Him.

Rcruise, thanks for the excellent reply. I have a question though. Was the leg healed immidiately and the pain disappeared? Or did you have pain come back later on? Being slain in the spirit is not at all biblical. Not one bit! Ive seen the verses that some people try to use in order to defend the practice but its almost laughable that they think that rationalizes it. If it is not proved within the Bible I will not practice it. It is then a unchristian practice. Anything not found in his word is not something we should be doin. We are to pray to the Lord, sing songs and worship the Lord, help out the churches of the Lord, and help others find Jesus. Thats a few things we are to do. I not complete against tongues, prophecy, or knowledge but I have failed to see any proof for any of the three. Show me on audio or video where someone uses the gifts. Heck, you could find a video of almost anything on youtube.com. Why not some footage of a miracle? I really just want to see it. Your brother in Christ, matthew

[Floatingaxe]

If it is not proved within the Bible I will not practice it.

You have no control over it!

[RCruise]

Rcruise, thanks for the excellent reply. I have a question though. Was the leg healed immidiately and the pain disappeared? Or did you have pain come back later on? Being slain in the spirit is not at all biblical. Not one bit! Ive seen the verses that some people try to use in order to defend the practice but its almost laughable that they think that rationalizes it. If it is not proved within the Bible I will not practice it. It is then a unchristian practice. Anything not found in his word is not something we should be doin. We are to pray to the Lord, sing songs and worship the Lord, help out the churches of the Lord, and help others find Jesus. Thats a few things we are to do. I not complete against tongues, prophecy, or knowledge but I have failed to see any proof for any of the three. Show me on audio or video where someone uses the gifts. Heck, you could find a video of almost anything on youtube.com. Why not some footage of a miracle? I really just want to see it. Your brother in Christ, matthew

Hi Matthew,

First, yes...totally healed and my thin atrophied (shrunken muscle tissue) was right then and there full and good tone. Even my physical therapist (next day) was in dis-belief and shock and said it was impossible for the muscle to just be normal suddenly. Really had no pain to speak of for I had learned "mind control" using therapies in the pain center before then but, yes, all gone for I didn't have to use those techniques any longer. Now, after I fell away again, the same disc ruptured once again and required a second surgery but, the Lord healed my muscle and nerve tissue. However, God placed a Christian Surgeon in my path this time and he spent four hours cleaning out scar tissue that had choked all my lower nerves totally out. He then insulated each nerve with my own fat cells to prevent that ever again. He said it was impossible given the scar tissue in my spine and the dead nerve tissue it was choking for so long for me to have had feeling to ever have return. I told him my testimony and being a Christian, he said only God could have maintained and restored my feeling.

I never lost my healing but, an additional injury to the same disc brought on this new surgery. My leg never lost feeling nor atrophied ever again since the healing.

Now, I don't really agree to call it "slain in the spirit" for I do not see that in the Word either. But, I have asked the Lord what He calls it with evidence in His Word and He showed me it was "being taken up or aside in the Spirit". He did it with Daniel, Philip, Steven at his stoning, John in Revelation. This is the same way He called me years back. It is a totally aware area but you are so held in absolute trust and peace it is amazing. I have quit using non-Biblical definitions and use only Biblical references as much as possible.

As far as "video", I don't have one. I don't believe The Lord does that. The "one" on TV who "showboats" this kind of stuff has been proven false by followups with several he has supposedly healed. Women cured of cancer who some have since died of cancer or cancer is still there, etc.... God does not do "showboat" and certainly not to a man's glory. And he is getting rich (making merchandise of the flock) with all of his videos/recordings. What kind of Faith is it when we have to see it first? Isn't it enough to know His Word is Absolute and Inerrant and to know that if we can Trust all He says, that means ALL? I have seen miracles and been the recipient there of. Mine was recorded on cassette tape but, it is a bad recording and you can barely hear my voice and testimony. I just really don't believe God is into the media style of Glory but all Glory to Jesus Christ alone.

[Sherman]

I decided that my reply was too combative and thus deleted it. Will post more later when I'm not so tired.

Blessings,

Sherman

Edited March 21, 2007 by Sherman

[Joshua-777]

I've already seen it happened in my girlfriend's bible study. The other day, the "woman pastor" was teaching that we need to stick with one pastor. Jesus Christ as our one pastor, yes, but one man, absolutly not!! Once you start to add things in like this or the whole "slain in the spirit" thing then you will start to see satan decieving the church and ruining the faith of the elect. Its very scary. Sincerly, your brother in Christ, matthew

Matthew,

Not all manifestations are evil or lead to heresies. I never believed in "slain in the spirit" either and I was schooled in the Pentecostal Church of God where The Lord led me when He called me to preach. But, I was injured once during my backslidden days (17 years I walked away because of backbiting, gossip, etc... out of anger). The doctors cleaned out my disc between L4/L5 lower back but, it left me crippled and in a wheel chair with neurological damage. I had no feeling from my hip to my toes in my left leg. Nerve tests showed permanent damage and the diagnosis said nerves never repair after collapse. I was devastated since I had always been a strong working man and provided for my family. I had worked since I was six years old.

I was so loaded down with despair, anger, bitterness and depression. I did manage to use bio-feedback to control by mind my right leg (atrophied from long periods laid up) enough to get on a cane but each step was slow and cautious because of the dead left leg. A nurse we had met at one of the local hospitals was a Christians and told my wife about a Revival by a Healing Evangelist coming to their Church (Assembly of God). I refused to have anything to do with anymore hypocrites! But something came over me and a strong urging within said; "it can't hurt you to go.." Though I had walked away from Church and my calling, I still had a respect and belief in God just not in practice. So, I went. The man preached a sermon on "Touching Jesus" and it was the sermon by the Holy Spirit that drew me to go forward not for healing but to let God know I was wrong and sorry.

But, I could not kneel at their alter for I could not get back up. I could barely get up from a sitting position taking a long time to do so and then slowly get moving. So I stood praying for His Forgiveness. Out of the corner of my eyes I could see this evangelist coming down the line laying his oil anointed hands on people and they would fall back to the floor. I thought to myself; "I don't believe in this stuff and if he get's close to me, I am leaving and going back to my pew!" But, I suddenly became fixated on Jesus and some of the words I had heard that evening. I had closed my eyes in prayer and there he was! Coming at me with those oily hands and I was frozen and couldn't move. Suddenly, I was like removed from that place. I was in a supremely held space where the Love of Christ flooded my whole being and I could literally feel the warmth and Love flood my whole body. I realized without doubt Jesus was right there! I began to apologize and .... then He just hushed me as He did His work throughout. The depressing, emotional heavy load I had been under lifted off like tons of bricks and I had never felt such peace. It seemed like it went on forever in that place all alone with Him.

When He was done, I realized I was laying on the floor up in front of the Church! Embarrased, I immediately got to my feet and went for my pew kind of looking down not wanting to confront anyone's eyes over that incident! But before I could reach the pew (almost to the row halfway down that Church), that evangelist called out over his microphone; "Young man!" I cringed and look back embarrased and he was smiling waving my caned over his head. It was then that I realized I had walked normally on both feet and legs to my row! I stomped on that left leg and foot and realized I not only had total feeling in it, but that the atrophied muscles were now full size in both legs!

It wasn't long before I left that Church again because of the same things plus I had picked up smoking and couldn't get rid of it and that brought a lot of condemnation and judgement from others and well as myself. But, Jesus persued me and finally got hold of me in January 1997 after my 17 year marriage fell apart in 1993, a second marriage fell apart (1 1/2 years) because she was atheist and I had begun reading my Bible in quiet while she and her kids watched TV. That came because a deep hunger to really search and find Jesus for Real came up in me six months earlier. She gave me an ultimatum to throw that Bible away and forget anything about religion or she would pack up her kids and leave. She did so just before Christmas of 1996. Less than a month a later of searching the Scriptures but, no presence or call coming, I decided to hang it up, do as she had asked for surely God did not want me to allow another marriage to fail. It was right then and there that His same presence and power hit me and showed me He had been directing me to that place in my life and, that I needed to decide right then and there. And here I am today serving Him and still walking strong.

We should not discount everything we do not understand in the flesh or by our own understanding of His Word as demonic. When we are truly Born Again by His Holy Spirit, we will see the phony copy-cat ways of satan versus the Real Manifestations of Jesus Christ by the Holy Ghost. To stamp them all even lightly as of satan, IS Blaspheme as Jesus proclaimed the Pharisees so did when they accused Him of casting out demons by beezelbub or satan. That is the only time Jesus brought up the "Blasepheme of the Holy Ghost", the "unforgivable sin" was at that moment and I don't care what theologeans have put forth since saying other manner of things are that "blaspheme", Jesus only pointed to calling the Supernatural Works of God through the Holy Spirit to be of satan to be that sin. We should all be careful of that and pray over it before opening our mouths on the subject thinking we know something but are totally ignorant. For the most part, if any manifestation brings the glory to Jesus alone, it is definitely of Him.

Rcruise, thanks for the excellent reply. I have a question though. Was the leg healed immidiately and the pain disappeared? Or did you have pain come back later on? Being slain in the spirit is not at all biblical. Not one bit! Ive seen the verses that some people try to use in order to defend the practice but its almost laughable that they think that rationalizes it. If it is not proved within the Bible I will not practice it. It is then a unchristian practice. Anything not found in his word is not something we should be doin. We are to pray to the Lord, sing songs and worship the Lord, help out the churches of the Lord, and help others find Jesus. Thats a few things we are to do. I not complete against tongues, prophecy, or knowledge but I have failed to see any proof for any of the three. Show me on audio or video where someone uses the gifts. Heck, you could find a video of almost anything on youtube.com. Why not some footage of a miracle? I really just want to see it. Your brother in Christ, matthew

Toungues, Knowledge, prophecy still exists, and God still uses many, and all scripture backs them up, and I have seen and experienced each I'm not to sure about slain in the spirit, But as far as what Rcruse, I do believe in his testimony cause I have experienced simular. I have seen many who have been healed by the power of the Lord. Our God is an active God.

[RCruise]

Rcruise, thanks for the excellent reply. I have a question though. Was the leg healed immidiately and the pain disappeared? Or did you have pain come back later on? Being slain in the spirit is not at all biblical. Not one bit! Ive seen the verses that some people try to use in order to defend the practice but its almost laughable that they think that rationalizes it. If it is not proved within the Bible I will not practice it. It is then a unchristian practice. Anything not found in his word is not something we should be doin. We are to pray to the Lord, sing songs and worship the Lord, help out the churches of the Lord, and help others find Jesus. Thats a few things we are to do. I not complete against tongues, prophecy, or knowledge but I have failed to see any proof for any of the three. Show me on audio or video where someone uses the gifts. Heck, you could find a video of almost anything on youtube.com. Why not some footage of a miracle? I really just want to see it. Your brother in Christ, matthew

I forgot to add one thing;

This evangelist would have "catchers" position themselves then lay hands and pray. When he turned toward me, the "catchers" were still laying the other person down. His hands never got closer than a foot and half from me when it was "out time with The Lord" for me. Nobody there to catch me. They do that so no one hurts themself. I hit the floor hard too. This was all told to me later by my wife and several witnesses. So, he never touched me nor did anyone break my fall except Jesus.

[matthew4:4]

Rcruise, thanks for the excellent reply. I have a question though. Was the leg healed immidiately and the pain disappeared? Or did you have pain come back later on? Being slain in the spirit is not at all biblical. Not one bit! Ive seen the verses that some people try to use in order to defend the practice but its almost laughable that they think that rationalizes it. If it is not proved within the Bible I will not practice it. It is then a unchristian practice. Anything not found in his word is not something we should be doin. We are to pray to the Lord, sing songs and worship the Lord, help out the churches of the Lord, and help others find Jesus. Thats a few things we are to do. I not complete against tongues, prophecy, or knowledge but I have failed to see any proof for any of the three. Show me on audio or video where someone uses the gifts. Heck, you could find a video of almost anything on youtube.com. Why not some footage of a miracle? I really just want to see it. Your brother in Christ, matthew

I forgot to add one thing;

This evangelist would have "catchers" position themselves then lay hands and pray. When he turned toward me, the "catchers" were still laying the other person down. His hands never got closer than a foot and half from me when it was "out time with The Lord" for me. Nobody there to catch me. They do that so no one hurts themself. I hit the floor hard too. This was all told to me later by my wife and several witnesses. So, he never touched me nor did anyone break my fall except Jesus.

Ok, if they do exist today then how do I supposedly recieve them and how come I havent already? Ive accepted Jesus Christ into my life as Lord and savior and I've been baptized. Plus, I havent had any visions or dreams(none that I remember) that could have come from God. You guys are right. The scripture points to it. Nobody had ever showed me a certain part in acts until someone put it one here the other day. let me find it. Here it is. Acts 2:37-39. To me, that has to be the most significant proof for the gifts of the spirit being here today. But still, I just dont see it today. This is my problem. Im going to do more research but I guess I just need to spend time by myself studying and praying to the Lord so that he will show me. I dont really want to go to an evangelist church though cause it scares the crap out of me. No offense to anyone that does go. Maybe I just dont quite understand yet. Honestly Im very confused. I thought I knew something and it turns out I didnt really know at all. Well, please pray for me in this. Your brother in Christ, matthew

[Floatingaxe]

What is fearsome about an evangelical church? All churches are supposed to be evangelical in nature. Please help me understand why you are afraid, matthew.

[nebula]

Holy Spirit, Thou art welcome in this place

Holy Spirit, Thou art welcome in this place

Omnipotent Father of mercy and grace

Thou art welcome in this place