Beliefs That Are Difficult To Convey

[B4Eddie]

John 10:34
Jesus answered them, Is it not written in your law, I said, Ye are gods?

 

[Andrew]

I didn't realize that Charasmatic/Penticostal/Word of Faith Christians believed this. Is there a thread somewhere that explains this belief?

I have written a simple article on this. If you care to read, its here:

http://sg.geocities.com/saltandlight5/littlegods.html

 

[Auntie]

I have written a simple article on this. If you care to read, its here:

http://sg.geocities.com/saltandlight5/littlegods.html

Thanks Andrew; I'm studying on it.

 

[hal weeks]

To site supporter:
I find the most difficult concept to get across to others that God has more for them. They cannot accept that they are in some way lacking. They usually give me a resume`of what they already have. I find they get very defensive.

 

[calisa]

people, Christians included, tend to be very skeptical of prophesying (God still using ppl today to relay messages).

 

[MsAnne]

Back to the original question-

For me personally, it has been the whole idea of spiritual warfare.
"We wrestle not against flesh and blood..."
It is a concept that is so foreign to some people that it's hard to explain in a simple conversation. It can sound soooo... Twilight Zone... to an unbeliever or even a Christian coming from a non-charasmatic background. Although, I have found most Christians to be open to hearing more about it.

 

[DMC_72]

I find it a bit troublesome that people lump groups together. For example, the question in this thread revolves around "Charismatic/word-faith/Pentecostal" beliefs.

My biggest problem, as a charismatic Christian, is the stereotyping. Not all charismatics are Pentecostal. Not all Charismatics are word-faith believers.

I have several different beliefs from what some have posted here. Yet when i find myself explaining my charismatic beliefs, I am bombarded with people asking about "word-faith" or Pentecostal beliefs. Many of which I don't adhere to, thus can't explain nor defend.

Too many people assume that a charismatic has to be a certain denomination and have certain beliefs.

I feel charismatic simply describes my beliefs in the gifts of the Holy Spirit. Perhaps I am off base.

I am admittedly a newly found Christian going through some awesome transformations. But I have learned alot in a short period and I stick with the facts of what I can back up with scripture.

I guess I like the safety net of that aspect. If scripture supports it, I am open to learning. If scripture turns to mythology, I have reservations. If scipture gets quoted out of context, I simply don't listen.

I don't mean to offend anybody, like I said, I am learning.

 

[hal weeks]

I don't mean to offend anybody, like I said, I am learning.
I think you have given an excellent thesis on the topic.
You blessed me, Hal

 

[SpiritPsalmist]

I find it a bit troublesome that people lump groups together. For example, the question in this thread revolves around "Charismatic/word-faith/Pentecostal" beliefs.

My biggest problem, as a charismatic Christian, is the stereotyping. Not all charismatics are Pentecostal. Not all Charismatics are word-faith believers.

I have several different beliefs from what some have posted here. Yet when i find myself explaining my charismatic beliefs, I am bombarded with people asking about "word-faith" or Pentecostal beliefs. Many of which I don't adhere to, thus can't explain nor defend.

Too many people assume that a charismatic has to be a certain denomination and have certain beliefs.

I feel charismatic simply describes my beliefs in the gifts of the Holy Spirit. Perhaps I am off base.

I am admittedly a newly found Christian going through some awesome transformations. But I have learned alot in a short period and I stick with the facts of what I can back up with scripture.

I guess I like the safety net of that aspect. If scripture supports it, I am open to learning. If scripture turns to mythology, I have reservations. If scipture gets quoted out of context, I simply don't listen.

I don't mean to offend anybody, like I said, I am learning.

Thanks for your thoughts DMC_72. Welcome to the forum and welcome to the Family

One of the reasons this particular forum was started was because when some of us tried to share with other people we would immediately be bombarded by those who dissagreed with what they had labeled as Charasmatic/WOF/Penticostal teachings.

I do not consider myself WOF, yet, through my own studying and communing with God I have appariantly some of the same thinking as the WOF. I personally, found it nearly impossible to have a good, adult conversation on the subjects without being called a false teacher/prophet, etc.

We should never accept a teaching because that's what another person we trust in tells us. As you said, we should always bring it along side the word of God and then after weighing all the scripture come to a conclusion.

I attend a church that is on the "wild side". They are too wild to be considered Charasmatic, but they don't have the "legalisim" that a lot of the Penticostals are known for and while they also have WOF ideas too, they don't fully embrace that either. Like you, I don't really fit any of those labels. . .and we should'nt.

Jesus has made each of us unique and He is molding each of us into His image. If we look deep enough we will see something of Jesus in each person we come in contact with. . . even those who don't yet serve Him. . .they are just not in Redeemed mode yet.

I believe context is important, however, it also needs to be mixed with other scriputures that deal with the same issue. Get all the scriptures together and then decide what God is saying. There has been many a time when I find myself discussing a subject with God and His Word. I say to God, "well it says here" and then He answers, "and it says there". We go back and forth till' it seemes like "suddenly" (I like suddenlys") that understanding come's and the understanding I receive emcompasses all of the scriptures. . .not just one or two.

 

[SnuP]

I think the hardest thing for people to understand is what true trust in God is and why we should expect miracles and wonders from God. That and why God allows pain to exist.

God doesn't allow pain to exist. He allows freewill to exist.

The hardest thing for me to express it the depth of what I am refering to when I say 'relationship'. Most christians would argue that they have a good relationship with God, even though they are really bearly acquantances, they have never heard God speak to them, and the last intimate moment that they had was salvation (with the exceptance of those power moments of emotion were they think that something happening in nature is God, the birds singing or the trees swaying).

 

[A Brethren IN CHRIST]

people, Christians included, tend to be very skeptical of prophesying (God still using ppl today to relay messages).

have you ever read luke 16:16

 

[Andrew]

people, Christians included, tend to be very skeptical of prophesying (God still using ppl today to relay messages).

He certainly does, AMEN!

 

[SavedByGrace3]

As a Charasmatic/Penticostal/Word of Faith Christian, what belief(s) do you hold to that seems to be the most difficult for you to convey to other Christians, either personally and/or on the forums, who do not believe the same way?

The most difficult thing to convey is that God is Good and His mercy endures forever.
The definitions of good, mercy, and forever seem to get twisted by theology.
Good is what is obviously good. Sickness, death, and poverty are not good. What is good for us is good for God. He is good. He does not use evil methods to accomplish good ends. His concept of what is good is far and above better than any definition that we could give it.... not worse.
God is merciful. His mercy overreaches justice. Mercy is what caused Jesus to die for us. Mercy is over and above mere justice. Justice demands that we be saved from all the evil things that Jesus suffered for. Mercy goes above and beyond mere justice. Yet some still insist that we suffer the same things. We are more than saved. We are more than delivered. Mercy adds to the 100% salvation that justice provided in the cross. Mercy overwhelms the believer with more than enough. Yet I am baffled by the insistance that God has not saved us from sickness, poverty, and sin. We are saved to the uttermost. All things have been given to us. All things are ours. Yet some insist on doing without, and attributing their lack to some manifestion of God's will. Oh that the people of God would see their saviour and praise Him for the savlation that He has provided! There are no holes! No cracks to fall through!
The goodness and Mercy of God reach into the realm of forever. There is no room for anything other than goodness an mercy. One single instant of badness or unmercifulness would destroy the concept of "forever".

 

[SavedByGrace3]

people, Christians included, tend to be very skeptical of prophesying (God still using ppl today to relay messages).

I think this is mainly due to a lack of knowledge concerning what NT prophesying is and what it is intending for. Everyone should prophesy. Everyone can. Not the spiritual gift, but prophesying from the spirit of Christ in us. This is given to comfort, edify, and exhort. Not predict, command, or comdemn.
It is the misuse of prophesying that has turned people off to it. We all have heard prophesying that commanded people to do things or comdemned them for one thing or another. This is not what NT prophesying is for. Go to:
http://www.bereanonline.com
for lessons on how to prophesy comfort, edification, and exhortation to your brothers.

 

[SpiritPsalmist]

It's about time you showed up Mr didaskalos

 

[SavedByGrace3]

It's about time you showed up Mr didaskalos

Didy hangs his head in shame...

 

[SpiritPsalmist]

Get that head back up. . .it's good to see you.

Group hug for didy

 

[wldbill]

Most difficult for me. Trying to explain old covenant/new covenant! Questions along the line of "why is your God such a vicious murder..OT battles was something I studied much on, and no matter how I answer I still get a so why is God a killer

 

[SpiritPsalmist]

Most difficult for me. Trying to explain old covenant/new covenant! Questions along the line of "why is your God such a vicious murder..OT battles was something I studied much on, and no matter how I answer I still get a so why is God a killer

Ya, that's a tough one too.

 

[SavedByGrace3]

Most difficult for me. Trying to explain old covenant/new covenant! Questions along the line of "why is your God such a vicious murder..OT battles was something I studied much on, and no matter how I answer I still get a so why is God a killer

It is not so difficult when you remember that the OT is just types and shadows of the real. The real is Jesus. You do not see Jesus doing those sorts of things. Jesus is the exact image of the Father... If you want to see the Father, what His will is, and what He is really like: Look at Jesus!

Act 10:38 How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him.

Jam 1:17 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.