An honest question to cessationists

You may disagree all you like. The fact is that I speak the truth of God's word to you...in love.
Excerpted from:
http://www.awmi.net/extra/article/holy_spirit

"If Jesus couldn’t, or wouldn’t, operate independently of the Holy Spirit, neither should we. No one can have an effective life or ministry without the power of God’s Holy Spirit working in him or her. This fact can’t be argued by anyone who truly believes the Bible is God’s Word. The Scriptures are replete with proof that it is “not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, saith the LORD of hosts” (Zech. 4:6).

So, why is there so much debate over this issue? The sad truth is that denial of the ministry and power of the Holy Spirit is a convenient theology. Believing that miracles and gifts of the Holy Spirit don’t operate today excuses powerless living. If it’s true that the Holy Spirit is still willing to move as in biblical times (and it is true), then there is no excuse for living lives so far removed from the victory portrayed in God’s Word.

The number one reason people resist the ministry of the Holy Spirit is because it exposes the lack of power in their lives. And once exposed, it demands a change. In an attempt to avoid responsibility for change, they change the Scriptures instead of themselves. Of course, it’s not that blatant, but there is a predisposition against the ministry of the Holy Spirit, so the Scripture is twisted to support their views."

So Major is correct, you do believe that people who do not pray in tongues are lesser Christians than those who do.

If that is what praying in tongues leads to, then may I never pray in tongues so that I think myself above other Christians.
 
What's so suspect? One can live a good Christian life without the extra gifting and empowerment that comes from the Holy Spirit's baptism. We are all called to receive it but God is not going to strong arm us to do so.

What is suspect is that we ALL receive the Holy Spirit when we come to Christ. NO ONE gets more of the Holy Spirit than does another believer. If that was the case then God would be a respecter of persons and once again that is not Biblical!

Acts 10:34.......
"So Peter opened his mouth and said: “Truly I understand that God shows no partiality".
 
So Major is correct, you do believe that people who do not pray in tongues are lesser Christians than those who do.

If that is what praying in tongues leads to, then may I never pray in tongues so that I think myself above other Christians.

That was my understanding originally. It is a common assumption my brother.

Every time I would attend a Pentecostal church, I would be asked if I was baptized in the Holy Spirit WITH THE EVIDENCE of speaking in tongues? That question all by itself is one of positioning ones self above another person spiritually. In other words the question wants you to PROVE that you are a saved person. Evidence = Proof!

I do not have to speak in a strange utterance to prove I am a Christian. All I have to do is point to the Cross where Jesus died to pay my venality for sin. IF I have to do something to prove what I believe then that is WORKS and once again it is not Biblical.

Ephesians 2:8-9......
"For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it."
 
So Major is correct, you do believe that people who do not pray in tongues are lesser Christians than those who do.

If that is what praying in tongues leads to, then may I never pray in tongues so that I think myself above other Christians.

No Major is incorrect, and so are you, and your attitude is poor about this.
 
What is suspect is that we ALL receive the Holy Spirit when we come to Christ. NO ONE gets more of the Holy Spirit than does another believer. If that was the case then God would be a respecter of persons and once again that is not Biblical!

Acts 10:34.......
"So Peter opened his mouth and said: “Truly I understand that God shows no partiality".

We do all receive the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit--God---in our spirits. He comes to dwell within us forever, but that is not His baptism.
 
What is suspect is that we ALL receive the Holy Spirit when we come to Christ. NO ONE gets more of the Holy Spirit than does another believer. If that was the case then God would be a respecter of persons and once again that is not Biblical!

Acts 10:34.......
"So Peter opened his mouth and said: “Truly I understand that God shows no partiality".

Was Jesus born of the Spirit? Did Jesus when he was baptized and the Spirit of God came upon him did he receive a more "fullness" of the Spirit?
 
Now why are you getting personal?????

There is no reason to get that way my sister. Disagreeing should not cause that.
I see nothing wrong with getting personal sometimes. It is necessary when appropriate. But as always it must be done out of love. I didn't see anything malicious in what Euphemia said.
 
1Co 14:39.. So, my brothers, earnestly desire to prophesy, and do not forbid speaking in tongues.

1 Corth. 14:23........
"If, therefore, the whole church comes together and all speak in tongues, and outsiders or unbelievers enter, will they not say that you are out of your minds?"

1 Corinthians 14:34 .........
“Let your women keep silence in the churches: for it is not permitted unto them to speak; but they are commanded to be under obedience, as also saith the law.”

This rule is positive, explicit, and universal. There is no ambiguity in the expressions; and there can be no difference of opinion, one would suppose, in regard to their meaning. The Bible truth is, Paul had been speaking on the correct use of tongues, and then he says the women were to keep silence; they were to take no part in speaking in tongues!!!!

He had discoursed of speaking foreign languages, and of prophecy; and the evident sense is, that in regard to these they were to keep silence, or were not to engage in them.

Now the women will not like that but it is what the Bible says. Now if there are no women speaking in tongues there is no tongues being spoken at all.
 
I see nothing wrong with getting personal sometimes. It is necessary when appropriate. But as always it must be done out of love. I didn't see anything malicious in what Euphemia said.

I have said that as well before but our moderators do not seem to agree and I can assure you that they will close this thread if it goes on or even worse. I have been there so I speak with confidence.

We all need to take a breath, a break and be nice to everyone.
 
I have said that as well before but our moderators do not seem to agree and I can assure you that they will close this thread if it goes on or even worse. I have been there so I speak with confidence.

We all need to take a breath, a break and be nice to everyone.
Ah, I was not aware of that. In that case, we need to tread more lightly. I find it unfortunate though that we are forbidded. After all it is biblical to rebuke a person person out of love.
 
1 Corth. 14:23........
"If, therefore, the whole church comes together and all speak in tongues, and outsiders or unbelievers enter, will they not say that you are out of your minds?"

1 Corinthians 14:34 .........
“Let your women keep silence in the churches: for it is not permitted unto them to speak; but they are commanded to be under obedience, as also saith the law.”

This rule is positive, explicit, and universal. There is no ambiguity in the expressions; and there can be no difference of opinion, one would suppose, in regard to their meaning. The Bible truth is, Paul had been speaking on the correct use of tongues, and then he says the women were to keep silence; they were to take no part in speaking in tongues!!!!

He had discoursed of speaking foreign languages, and of prophecy; and the evident sense is, that in regard to these they were to keep silence, or were not to engage in them.

Now the women will not like that but it is what the Bible says. Now if there are no women speaking in tongues there is no tongues being spoken at all.
My brother, may I give you my honest and straightforward opinion on what you wrote here?
 
No Major is incorrect, and so are you, and your attitude is poor about this.

My apologies.

I was agreeing with Major on how you are being perceived. You are coming off like unless you pray in tongues you are a lesser Christian who cannot do anything to help further the Kingdom. That is how I am perceiving your posts.
 
Yes.
How could He become more God?
Do you have any record of Jesus speaking in tongues????
Rom 8:26 Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.


Joh 11:33 When Jesus therefore saw her weeping, and the Jews also weeping which came with her, he groaned in the spirit, and was troubled,
 
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Jesus was "born" of the Spirit, but he NEVER performed any miracles until after he baptized with the Holy Spirit at his water baptism.
It is interesting that those who do not believing in miracles being performed by that same Spirit that Jesus had, also do not believing in the speaking of tongues.
 
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