tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20213892.post3227454450867121960..comments2023-12-22T08:29:29.230-08:00Comments on WHAT IS TRUTH: What Continues Today from Eras of Miracles? Thoughts on the Non-Charismatic ContinuationismKent Brandenburghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13419354741455959191noreply@blogger.comBlogger19125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20213892.post-5623531119010629422016-06-05T13:23:40.910-07:002016-06-05T13:23:40.910-07:00Dear Anonymous,
Please explain:
That which we ha...Dear Anonymous,<br /><br />Please explain:<br /><br />That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ. (1 Jn 1:3)<br /><br />The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Ghost, be with you all. Amen. (2 Cor 13:14)<br /><br />Thank you.KJB1611https://www.blogger.com/profile/09696273086955004524noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20213892.post-63776011778343734892016-06-03T11:25:17.729-07:002016-06-03T11:25:17.729-07:00KJB, I recommend you do as I do. It's really ...KJB, I recommend you do as I do. It's really very simple; about as simple as can be. If ever deciding whether to support a church, a school, a ministry of some other type, a minister, etc., I look for two words: Miracle and Supernatural. If a website, teaching material or any other information about a ministry has these two words anywhere in them, I immediately write them off as fruitcakes who don't deserve support. It makes life so much easier.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20213892.post-81902197308452123152016-06-03T09:40:22.985-07:002016-06-03T09:40:22.985-07:00And to kill two bird with two stones, any sane per...And to kill two bird with two stones, any sane person would respond to the previous article with one word: NO (In reference to the question "Are there miracles today?") Nuff said about that topic.........The closest thing to a true miracle I've seen in the last few years is the Bears not making the playoffs when they should have. It was almost a "miracle" that they could have flubbed the season so bad on certain years when they had as much talent on the team as they did. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20213892.post-62675131858951289122016-06-03T09:14:59.711-07:002016-06-03T09:14:59.711-07:00Ok, I'll bite. I have heard even Baptists say...Ok, I'll bite. I have heard even Baptists say things like "God moved me to be nice to my neighbor and mow his lawn because he is 90 years old and senile." Or, "God moved me to not take this exit. Two days later, I found out there was a shooting in the parking lot at the restaurant at that exit." <br /><br />I agree with people on this blog that these are examples of pure garbage. Scripture does not mention lawnmowers and it also does not mention freeways and exits. If anyone says "God told them" what do to in these situations, they are a charismaniac nutjob. We need to avoid people who believe in things like this. As others have said, God gave us common sense and a brain and we need to use them. It's common sense to mow your senile neighbor's lawn because he is going to drag down the value of the neighborhood by ignoring it. As far as which exit to take or not take, that is just pure luck and God is not involved in these trite decisions and certainly does not "tell" us what to do. <br /><br />KJB, I think you are off track. By the way you are talking, unless I'm misunderstanding you, you sound like you believe God can "commune" or "talk" to us. Are you sure you are on the right blog and didn't mean to go to some televangelist's site instead?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20213892.post-87392044162751450862016-06-03T01:53:07.988-07:002016-06-03T01:53:07.988-07:00Yes, "not" not "now"; please p...Yes, "not" not "now"; please pardon the typo.KJB1611https://www.blogger.com/profile/09696273086955004524noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20213892.post-63879083172218506812016-06-02T22:25:29.199-07:002016-06-02T22:25:29.199-07:00Hi,
I'm not sure anonymous isn't a Roman ...Hi,<br /><br />I'm not sure anonymous isn't a Roman Catholic or something like that -- I'm talking two comments up -- and I would be interested in knowing. It's difficult to distinguish anonymous comments.<br /><br />I can't defend someone saying he doesn't "commune" with God, when "commune" in essence is fellowship with God, which we have through His Word and prayer. God does talk to us, through His Word, and His Word is sufficient. God also provides wisdom through His Spirit, which means He helps the right application of scripture -- the sword of the Spirit is the Word of God. This is not speaking to us when we get the right application of scripture. It is another work of God's providence in our life.<br /><br />However, my read on this comment is that when some people use the word "commune," they really do mean that God is talking directly, like inspiration, and the Person talks back, sort of like the book, Conversations with God, that became a bestseller several years back. We might need to be critical of someone who says he "communes with God." I'm pretty sure the transcendentalists, like Ralph Waldo Emerson and Henry David Thoreau, and others, would have said that they communed with God.Kent Brandenburghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13419354741455959191noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20213892.post-25254219704418052682016-06-02T21:50:18.557-07:002016-06-02T21:50:18.557-07:00TDR said, "and if you do now know God experie...TDR said, "and if you do now know God experientially (John 17:3), you are not saved, and will join those to whom Christ will say "I never knew you" (Mt 7:21-23)."<br /><br />I think he meant, "and if you do <b>not</b> know God experientially (John 17:3), you are not saved, and will join those to whom Christ will say "I never knew you" (Mt 7:21-23)."<br /><br />Hope that helps.<br /><br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20213892.post-32018123970710986812016-06-02T17:04:53.605-07:002016-06-02T17:04:53.605-07:00Dear Anonymous,
The fact that sign gifts have cea...Dear Anonymous,<br /><br />The fact that sign gifts have ceased absolutely does not mean that believers do not commune with God. He is a real three-Personed Being, and believers can say, "truly our fellowship [same Greek word as communion] is with the Father, and with His Son Jesus Christ" (1 John 1:3), and they also know the "communion of the Holy Ghost" (2 Cor 13:14). You are absolutely and dangerously wrong to state that no one communes with God, and if you do now know God experientially (John 17:3), you are not saved, and will join those to whom Christ will say "I never knew you" (Mt 7:21-23). We are not joining you on this, and your idea is at least as dangerous as charismatic fanaticism.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Thanks.KJB1611https://www.blogger.com/profile/09696273086955004524noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20213892.post-79855820737896039162016-06-01T18:42:31.742-07:002016-06-01T18:42:31.742-07:00KJB, I wouldn't worry about it. As so many ot...KJB, I wouldn't worry about it. As so many others have alluded to, we are too caught up worrying about such things and we are making ourselves look like morons. I heard a televangelist say on tv once that "God is calling you to run your heart around....(bla, bla, bla)." I've heard others say that they "commune with God" in the wilderness, at church, etc. This also is bunk. No one "communes" with God because God does not speak to us. I am from the south and we have a lot of Baptists around. They run the gamut from the ignorant hillbilly types who believe that "God's spirit moves me" to the more sane, traditional high-church type. If anyone claims that God can speak to mankind, please run from them, don't walk. But back to KJB's question, I would say to not even worry about it and don't even be concerned about it. Anyone who talks of this mythical "spirit" of God that "moves" people and "speaks" to them is to be avoided. I am glad to see that my fellow Americans are joining me on this. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20213892.post-73088882155571557282016-06-01T09:57:17.669-07:002016-06-01T09:57:17.669-07:00I have heard the "everyone gets one gift&quo...I have heard the "everyone gets one gift" thing also, but have never seen it in Scripture.<br /><br />Do you think one's gifts can change if God adds one to a different church?KJB1611https://www.blogger.com/profile/09696273086955004524noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20213892.post-23823349340260085442016-06-01T09:03:35.501-07:002016-06-01T09:03:35.501-07:00I was directed to this forum because of another fo...I was directed to this forum because of another forum where I like to read comments. It is refreshing to see some common sense. I've heard people say "I was led of the Lord to" (take this job; make this move; marry this person; etc.) Such hogwash! At least there are people who know better than this. I don't believe god "talks" to us or "speaks" to us today at all. Anyone who says this probably should be in a nut house. I go to church on Sunday and take it seriously, but believe me, New York ain't in the Bible. Such a crock that someone says "God led me to move to New York to [take a job on Wall Street, for example]." God gave us a brain and expects us to use it and to use common sense. This idea that the "spirit" can "lead" us is just bizarre and it's good to see that people are being called to the carpet on this weird teaching.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20213892.post-66542836356427453362016-05-31T17:03:43.854-07:002016-05-31T17:03:43.854-07:00Hi Bill,
I don't believe everyone gets just o...Hi Bill,<br /><br />I don't believe everyone gets just one gift. I believe it is a giftedness of the Spirit, dividing severally as He will, so that each church can fulfill the body of Christ. Reasons: (1) The lists of gifts differ, so it seems that the specific gift is not so important. (2) Each church is sufficient as the body of Christ, so God is going to give each church everything it needs. I don't believe the Eph 4 list is spiritual gifts. The Holy Spirit manifests Himself in gifts and in fruit. Unless someone submits to the Spirit, you don't see the gift, so it doesn't matter what gift you have, if you don't submit to Him, you won't manifest it. If fruit of the Spirit shows, so do gifts. Love is greater because it is eternal. Kent Brandenburghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13419354741455959191noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20213892.post-86484590108234351462016-05-31T16:56:09.172-07:002016-05-31T16:56:09.172-07:00Thanks Jim. I hope people think about it and more...Thanks Jim. I hope people think about it and more.Kent Brandenburghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13419354741455959191noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20213892.post-29650298376383915212016-05-31T14:57:25.354-07:002016-05-31T14:57:25.354-07:00Dear Paul, (and please Pastor Brandenburg, or anyo...Dear Paul, (and please Pastor Brandenburg, or anyone else, please feel free to correct me where I am wrong with Scriptures). I was working on a Gifts of the Spirit chart, and my reply would be half of it:<br /><br />Gifts that are current and relevant for today (this is in no order of importance - only for the sake of order).<br /><br />1. Evangelist (Evangelism): Eph. 4:11; Acts 6:5; 21:8; 8:40cf.; even those without this gift are to do the work of… 2 Tim. 4:5.<br /><br />2. Pastor (Pastoring): Acts 20:28; Eph. 4:11; 1 Tim. 3:2; 1 Pet. 5:2. <br /><br />3. Teacher (Teaching): Acts 18:11, 26; Rom. 12:7; 1 Cor. 12:28,29; Eph. 4:11.<br /><br />4. Exhorter (Exhortation): Rom. 12:8; 1 Thess. 2:12; 3:2; 2 Tim. 4:2.<br /><br />Those four are "speaking" gifts. The following are "serving" gifts - I think the designations are somewhat helpful but we must remember all gifts are for service in the church (which among other things is a local assembly of baptized believers).<br /><br />1. Helps (Ministry): Rom. 12:7; 1 Cor. 12:28.<br /><br />2. Mercy: Rom. 12:8; Acts 9:36; Phil. 2:25,30.<br /><br />3. Giving: Rom. 12:8; Phil. 4:18.<br /><br />4. Governments (Ruling): Rom. 12:8; 1 Cor. 12:28.<br /><br />A couple of thoughts to share:<br /><br />1. A believer's maturity isn't demonstrated by spiritual gifts but by spiritual fruit (Gal. 5:22-23) - which is what we should be more concerned about.<br /><br />2. Gifts are worthless if we do not use them in love (charity), 1 Cor. 13.<br /><br />3. Gifts which are no longer for us today: Apostles (Apostolic office), Prophets (Prophecy), Discerning of spirits, word of wisdom, word of knowledge, faith, healings, miracles, tongues, and interpretation of tongues. Bill Hardeckerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15552819877860565186noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20213892.post-57325263377073845062016-05-31T14:23:01.007-07:002016-05-31T14:23:01.007-07:00Mentioned here
ThanksMentioned <a href="http://sharperiron.org/comment/84780#comment-84780" rel="nofollow">here</a><br /><br />ThanksJim Peethttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07649414726939918803noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20213892.post-342174119741142412016-05-31T12:08:33.057-07:002016-05-31T12:08:33.057-07:00Thanks Tyler. We need a return in many instances ...Thanks Tyler. We need a return in many instances to the doctrine of God's providence and explain providence as it relates to the will of God.Kent Brandenburghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13419354741455959191noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20213892.post-43640610608651383492016-05-31T12:07:50.138-07:002016-05-31T12:07:50.138-07:00Paul,
Gifts haven't ceased, just sign gifts. ...Paul,<br /><br />Gifts haven't ceased, just sign gifts. This is called cessationism, that the sign gifts have ceased. Gifts of edification, not authentication, still function. You can see this in 1 Corinthians 13 at the end, among other places.<br /><br />I believe there are some who have been influenced among certain Baptists to say all gifts have ceased. Their way of dealing with Charismatics is to scorch all the gifts, annihilating tongues on the way. The problem is that many of these still behave and practice like continuationists anyway.Kent Brandenburghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13419354741455959191noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20213892.post-23456195772963465892016-05-31T08:43:18.196-07:002016-05-31T08:43:18.196-07:00Excellent comments on God's providence:
"...Excellent comments on God's providence:<br /><br />"God works through His providence and it is supernatural, but He works those supernatural works through ordinary means. God is good. He heals. He doesn't heal. He does what He does and we need to trust Him. God is doing so many good things at any given time, thousands, that should be good enough. While we still sin, God keeps saving us. During this non-era of miracles, we should trust His providence. He's working."<br /><br />Good stuff. Tyler Robbinsnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20213892.post-5752262483096001012016-05-31T06:09:01.359-07:002016-05-31T06:09:01.359-07:00Are any gifts of the Spirit still applicable today...Are any gifts of the Spirit still applicable today? Wisdom, Knowledge, Faith...<br /><br />PaulAnonymousnoreply@blogger.com