Church of God a cult?

[Rising of the Son]

Some believe that speaking in tongues is proof of divine communication.

Others believe that it's just a form of "scat singing" and nothing else.

...I don't believe I have any business saying one way or the other. It is not my place to say what is in another's heart--only God's.

[ready-as-ever]

RAE, I do not like to use the term once saved always saved, but I do believe in eternal security. 1 John 5:13 says: These things are written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal Life. Noticed it says eternal, that means everlasting life. What things? The word of God. John 3:16 For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. To believe is to have a firm persuasion that He is who He says He is. Then we can have life forever and we are saved from an everlasting hell to a everlasting life.

The question about salvation, does it happen immediately? Yes! Saved from Hell then? Yes! Saved from the wages of sin, saved from unforgivness, saved from sin.

Another scripture that I think about concerning eternal security is John 10:27-29 Jesus said; My sheep hear my voice, ands I know them, and they follow Me. v28. And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand. v29. My Father , who has given them to Me is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of my Fathers hand.

These are just a few scriptures that gives us believers assurance of salvation. Not just for a little while and until we sin again but forever. He has cast our sins as far as the east to the west, never to remember anymore.

If your sins have been coverd by the blood of the Lamb, can we undo that? No! I don't think we have that power. Kind of reminds me of the old Hymn called Washed in the blood. Power, Power, wonder working power cause we are washed in the blood of the Lamb.

Servant, Frank

I have a question then, did Jesus die for all the sins of the world? If that is the case, would everybody be going to heaven? Or is there still something that we need to do or say to be saved? Can you believe in Jesus and still be going to hell?

[Remnant]

I have a question then, did Jesus die for all the sins of the world? If that is the case, would everybody be going to heaven? Or is there still something that we need to do or say to be saved? Can you believe in Jesus and still be going to hell?

Yes he did die for all the sins of the world. and no everybody is not going to heaven. Jesus is Savior of the world but in order for one to be saved they must believe on Him. Having a firm persuasion by faith that He is who he says He is and will do what He says He will do. etc.

You ask can one believe in Jesus and still go to hell. It depends on what they believe about Him. James 2:19 Says you believe that there is one God. You do well. Even the demons believe- and tremble. They are not going to heven, but hell!

Servant of the Lord,
Frank

[BlessedinHim]

I have a question then, did Jesus die for all the sins of the world? If that is the case, would everybody be going to heaven? Or is there still something that we need to do or say to be saved? Can you believe in Jesus and still be going to hell?

Romans 3:23 "For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God."

We all have sin in our hearts. We all were born with sin.

We were born under the power of sin's control.

- Admit that you are a sinner.



Romans 6:23a "...The wages of sin is death..."

Sin has an ending. It results in death. We all face physical death, which is a result of sin. But a worse death is spiritual death that alienates us from God, and will last for all eternity. The Bible teaches that there is a place called the Lake of Fire where lost people will be in torment forever. It is the place where people who are spiritually dead will remain.

- Understand that you deserve death for your sin.



Romans 6:23b "...But the gift of God is eternal

life through Jesus Christ our Lord."

Salvation is a free gift from God to you! You can't

earn this gift, but you must reach out and receive it.

- Ask God to forgive you and save you.



Romans 5:8, "God demonstrates His own love for us, in

that while we were yet sinners Christ died for us!"

When Jesus died on the cross He paid sin's penalty. He paid the price for all sin, and when He took all the sins of the world on Himself on the cross, He bought us out of slavery to sin and death! The only condition is that we believe in Him and what He has done for us, understanding that we are now joined with Him, and that He is our life. He did all this because He loved us and gave Himself for us!

- Give your life to God... His love poured out in Jesus on the cross is your only hope to have forgiveness and change. His love bought you out of being a slave to sin. His love is what saves you -- not religion, or church membership. God loves you!



Romans 10:13 "Whoever will call on the name of the Lord will be saved!"

- Call out to God in the name of Jesus!



Romans 10:9,10 "...If you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Jesus from the dead, you shall be saved; for with the heart man believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, resulting in salvation."

- If you know that God is knocking on your heart's door,

ask Him to come into your heart.



Jesus said,

Revelation 3:20a "Behold I stand at the door and knock, if anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him..."

- Is Jesus knocking on your heart's door?



Believe in Him.

Ask Him to come in to your heart by faith,

and ask Him to reveal Himself to you.

Open the Bible to the Gospel of John and read what God says about Jesus,

about you, and about being born again.



God will help you. He loves you.



You need to look for a local church where

God's word is preached. The Bible says that we are to desire

God's word like a newborn baby desires mother's milk.

Aren't you hungry to know the truth?



Water baptism is one of the ways you first show that

you have been joined to Jesus. This is an action, and actions will not save you. However, it is an act of obedience and a symbol of commitment.

The symbolism is this:

When you go down in the water you show that

You have been crucified and buried with Him,



And when you come up out of the water you show that

you have been raised to walk with Him in newness of life.

(See Romans chapter 6)



You have been born again.

(See John chapter 3)



Your body has become God's temple.

Your heart is where He lives.

1 Corinthians 3:16
Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?


Forgiveness is yours in Jesus.

And you belong to Him.



You were sin's slave.

But now...



You are a child of GOD!


John 1:12

"As many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name!"

Romans 8:15
For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.


Galatians 4:6
And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father

[CHRISTinCheryl]

This sounds like 2 baptizems to me.

John 1:31=33
31 And I knew him not: but that he should be made manifest to Israel, therefore am I come baptizing with water.
32 And John bare record, saying, I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and it abode upon him.
33 And I knew him not: but he that sent me to baptize with water, the same said unto me, Upon whom thou shalt see the Spirit descending, and remaining on him, the same is he which baptizeth with the Holy Ghost.THERE IS DEFINATELY AN EVENT WHERE JESUS BAPTISES YOU WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT.. I KNOW ...I HAVE EXPERIENCED IT.. IT TOTALLY CHANGED ME FOREVER.. PRAISE GOD!!:thumbup

[Remnant]

THERE IS DEFINATELY AN EVENT WHERE JESUS BAPTISES YOU WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT.. I KNOW ...I HAVE EXPERIENCED IT.. IT TOTALLY CHANGED ME FOREVER.. PRAISE GOD!!:thumbup

Can you explain what the experience was like and what followed? Can you give scripture that can show where that experience is What you refer to as the 2nd baptism of the Holy Spirit?

Servant of the Lord,
Frank

[CelticMist]

Scripture doen't lie, all were baptized that day, all who was involved in one accord. Today, not all Christians are baptized in the Holy Spirit.

Were the disciples then not saved until they received the baptism? Are you not saved when you believe and repent? Christ said "whosoever believes". I pointed out in scripture that there are those who believed and were baptized (water) into the faith who had not received the baptism of the Holy Spirit.

Also, it is referred to as baptism in other verses.

"One God, one baptism, one faith" Eph 4:4 I believe once you have accepted Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, at that moment you are baptized in the Holy Spirit.

Speaking in tongues is one of the nine GIFTS from the Holy Spirit...you may recieve it... or you might not. You may receive one or more of the gifts. (imho)

A true believer has all three within.... God/Jesus/Holy Spirit.... remove any one.. then you have no God residing within.

Question: If you receive Jesus as Lord and Savior, and you don't believe the "one baptism" is that of the Holy Spirit..... what does it mean then?

[RefinedbyFire]

I believe the Bible shows that speaking in tongues is a gift of the Spirit -- but not necessarily one everyone gets.

Ready-as-Ever: I'm so glad to see your reply on this subject. It is so clear and precise. In fact, I've been talking on this very subject in the "Lordship Salvation" thread in the "Bible Study" section. I'm glad to come across your explanation. I've come to see that being baptized in the Holy Spirit appears to be a seperate baptism than water.

[ready-as-ever]

RefinedbyFire, Thank you for the kind word. I also have been talking to others in the Christian Chat under the subject "Are there any other Pentecostals in here? " It is pretty fierce and they got ahead of me when I took a break. I will check out your study later, there is only so much time during my lunch hour.

[firstlove]

I believe the Bible shows that speaking in tongues is a gift of the Spirit -- but not necessarily one everyone gets.

Ready-as-Ever: I'm so glad to see your reply on this subject. It is so clear and precise. In fact, I've been talking on this very subject in the "Lordship Salvation" thread in the "Bible Study" section. I'm glad to come across your explanation. I've come to see that being baptized in the Holy Spirit appears to be a seperate baptism than water.

There are at least two different manifestations of "tongues" in scripture-when we are baptised in the Spirit-we can speak in tongues as the Spirit enables us-Acts 2:4, Acts 10:46, Acts 19:6--this tongue is mostly uised for prayer and praise-it is NOT for public use. It is for the edification of the individual believer.

There is however, another manifestation of tongues that the Bible calls-"the Gift of Tongues"-this tongue is the ability given by the Holy Spirit to speak forth a message in tongues in the church service-and must be accompianed by the "gift of interpretation" so that the church can be built up.

Although, all of us can be baptised in the Spirit and receive a tongue for prayer (he who speaks in a tongue does not speak to men, but to God-Indeed no one understands, but in the Spirit he speaks mysteries) all of us will not be used in the public manifestation the Bible calls "the gift of tongues".

The Holy Spirit baptises us into the body of Christ
Another believer baptises us in water
And Jesus baptises us in the Holy Spirit.


So, I guess, I see three baptisms in the scripture-isn't that just like our Triune God.

-The Gift of tongues, just like all the other Spiritual Gifts are for "when you come together" and is a speaking forth of the tongue at the direction of the Holy Spirit -aloud in the church-and again according to scripture must be accompianed by another Spiritual Gift-that of "Interpretation" This tongue + the companion gift of interpretation is for the building up of the church.


Public Gift of Tongues

Spoken with interpretation to the church (Equal to prophecy-1 Corinthians 14:5)
To be interpreted (1 Corinthians 14:5)
Edifies the church (when interpreted-1 Corinthians 14:4-5)
A sign to unbelievers (1 Corinthians 14:22
Not given to all believers (1 Cor. 12:30)

Personal Prayer Tongue

Spoken privately to God (1 Corinthians 14:2)
No interpretation necessary (1 Corinthians 14:28)
Edifies the individual believer (1 Corinthians 14:4)
Can be manifested when no unbelievers are present (Acts 10:46; 19:6)
Should be desired and practiced by all Christians (Mark 16:17; 1 Corinthians 14:5; Ephesians 6:18; Jude 20 ).



Tongues will cease when we know as we are known-but until then-they, along with the other gifts are a necessary and vital part of the Body of Christ.