I can't believe this debate has the most pages of posts, except for the "once saved always saved thread."  Ridiculous!  The answer is obviously ORIGINAL.  What recipe built the great franchise? ORIGINAL.  What recipe is crispy, yet doesn't leave slight abrasions in the roof of your mouth like pizza with garlic salt sometimes does? ORIGINAL. Finally, my fellow Christians, the very word "ORIGINAL" appears in the Good Book itself, yet the word "Crispy" does not.

Ah, good friend....but it does!  As a matter of fact, it specifically speaks to the issue of "EXTRA crispy."  You can find the references in Rev. 19:20, 20:10, 20:14 and 20:15.  Plus, there are many other places where just the "crispy" part is spoken of.......check it out!

[fried chicken, tater salad, corn on the cob]

Nothing better than fried chicken, tater salad, corn on the cob and a passel of friends in fellowship in the Lord under the wide open skies. Your post reminded me of many such days with brothers and sisters enjoying a day together.

 

Why haven't any of you gotten it yet?  Why do you insist on ignoring the only thing in this world that makes food bearable?  Why is it that NO ONE (including our leaders, mentors and spiritual advisors)  will remember to include the MAGNIFICENT JALAPENO?

**sigh**

"American Christianity -- Laodicean church in the making, says Barna"

In the making?

It's been made, cooked and served!

[thou hast tried them which say they are apostles, and are not, and hast found them liars:]

for the time will come when they will not endure SOUND doctrine, but will heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears

The following is a quote, made on national tv, of one of Osteen's associate ministers.

"No one should be teaching about the cross. We have made that a Graven Image. That was the means by which Jesus was crucified, but so were many others. We have put crosses all over the place. We have dignified the cross as if that is what God wants. There is no Gospel of salvation. The Gospel is to tell of one who came and will come again. "

Joel's church displays no cross. He doesn't talk about the shed blood of Jesus Christ.  He does not talk about the sinful condition of mankind and their need for a redeemer.  He does talk about setting your mind to "think positively" and to "say it long enough so you can have it."

As to whether or not we (REAL Christians) are supposed to point out false teaching, or name names....

"Now go, write it before them in a tablet, and note it in a book, that it may be for the latter day: that this is a rebellious people, lying children, children that will not hear the Word of the LORD: and say to the seers, see not; and to the prophets, prophesy not to us of the right things, but instead speak of smooth things, tell us what we want"
Isaiah 30:8-10

"Astonishment and filthiness is committed in the land: The prophets prophesy falsely, and the priests take things into their own hands: and my people love to have it so: WHAT WILL YOU DO IN THE END?"
Jeremiah 5:30-31

"I know thy works, and thy labour, and thy patience, and how thou canst not bear them which are evil: and thou hast tried them which say they are apostles, and are not, and hast found them liars:" Rev. 2:2

There are about 2 dozen more admonitions in the NT alone which tell us we are to examine ANY teaching, and weigh it against the FULL counsel (word) of God, to reject any teaching that does not match up, and to point out and rebuke, PUBLICLY, those who persist in teaching false doctrine, and to SHUN them.

Finally....

Without the cross, there is NO propitiation.
Without the cross, there is NO atonement.
Without the cross, there is NO redemption.
Without the cross, there is NO salvation.
Without the cross, there is NO future.
Without the cross, there is NO HOPE!

I join with the Apostle Paul in saying

" But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed.

As we said before, so say I now again, If any [man] preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed." Gal 1:8-9

The Gospel Paul preached, along with EVERY writer of the Bible, OT and New, is very simple.
Man is in sin.
Man cannot save himself.
God gave Himself to redeem man and save him by shedding His blood and dying on the cross.
The ONLY way to salvation is BY FAITH in the shed blood of Jesus Christ, by appropriating HIS death on the cross as the propitiation for our sin, and believing that He rose from the dead by the power of God.

That's how the cow ate the cabbage, folks...and any other "gospel" is pure hogwash that will send more people to hell than are already going.

I might have read too quickly, and missed it...but it seems to me the whole key is that God is HOLY!  And being HOLY, He cannot abide UNholiness in His presence...now, or ever.

He has decreed that there is only one way to be without sin...and that is through the redeeming blood of His Son, Jesus Christ.

He has decreed that it is up to man to make his mind up while he is yet alive...later is too late. "for it is appointed unto man once to die, after that, the judgment," and "let him who is unholy be unholy still."

All of the opportunity to be redeemed, to be made holy and capable of standing in His presence has been given unto man, so if any person goes to hell, it is because of THEIR own choice...not Gods.  They condemn themselves by their own action...or inaction.

If any person goes through life rejecting the FREE gift of salvation and redemption, then no amount of punishment, purgatory, teaching, or otherwise is going to change their minds after they die.  They are just plumb dumb and arrogant.

Hi all!

Keep your eyes open for Javier Solana who's head of the "Western" EU, and developed the rapid deployment strike force for them. He's also a very "gifted" negotiator, and reasonably well liked by both sides...Arab and Israeli.  He's a natural to bring about a "miracle" delivery of Israel, talking the Arabs into backing off, plus he is in factual command of a growingly potent military force.

Well....the world seems to be paying some attention, even if most of their postulations are pretty far off the mark!  But.....it's interesting to hear what the Jews themselves think...other than "we're being persecuted again."

In tractate Sola 49b, from the Babylonian Talmud (that's a loooonnnnng time ago, folks), there were a number of "signs" given that would have to be fulfilled BEFORE Messiah comes.  Since 1948 all have been fulfilled, except for two, and the modern day sages have been anticipating those two. As of today, 5 out of 7 of the chief rabbi's are declaring that the final two have been fulfilled, and Geulah (redemption) is AT HAND.

The signs were:
 Displacement of people from the area of the Jordan River
    Fulfilled in the West Bank withdrawal and forced removal of settlers, who are currently living in "camps" in the southern part.
 
 Destruction of Galilee
    Currently, Galilee is being shelled with rockets which have started large and mostly uncontrollable fires throughout the region.  Most news commentators and observers consider the area to be largely destroyed.

According to the Rebbe's, redemption is at hand, and Moshiach could show up at any moment.....although 2 of 7 still think that Paran (Persia/Iran) has to be destroyed first.

Everyone is watching!!

Thought ya'll might be interested in this little tidbit of info....for the past several months, a number of Jewish sages have been rehashing some old sayings that relate to Iran..they call it Parah or Paran, but it is Persia.  According to old sayings, Persia has to be destroyed before Moshiach comes, and they all believe that that destruction is imminent.  Below are just a couple of the remarks.

Reprinted from Yiiddishkeit.org

The Talmud, Yoma 10a, states:
Rabbi Yochanan said in the name of Rabbi Yehuda in the name of Rabbi Ilai: In the time to come, Rome will fall at the hands of Persia.
The Yalkut Shimoni (midrash, compiled circa 500 c.e.) states:
Rabbi Yitzchak said: The year that Melech HaMoshiach will be revealed, all the kings (leaders) of the nations will be struggling against each other. The leader of Persia (Iran) will contest with an Arab leader and the Arab leader will go to Aram (the Western Superpowers) to get council from them.
The leader of Persia will respond and destroy the entire world. All the nations of the world will be trembling and shaking and falling on their faces. They will be seized by pains like labor pains.
The Jewish people will be trembling and quaking and saying: "Where can we go? Where can we go?" And [Moshiach] will say to them: my children, do not fear! Everything I did I did only for you! Why are you frightened? Don't be afraid--the days of your redemption have arrived!
Rabbi Yonasan Eibshetz, ztvk"l, (1690-1764) states in his sefer: Yaaros Dvash:
At certain moment the time will come when Moshiach should have already arrived but the redemption has not yet come. The Moshiach will ask how it could be that the time for redemption has arrived and he still undergoes sufferings? The response that he will receive is that he must wait for nine months. Why? In order to wait for the fall of Persia (Iran) at the hands of Edom (the Christian West), and then the final redemption will come.

A little background first.

For the past 30 years, my wife and I have been evangelists, traveling around the US and ministering where ever He led us, from street missions to the Apache and Navajo reservations, Baptist, Full Gospel, Methodist, etc., etc.....including a few empty fields (that's called "stump preachin'" for you youngsters).

About two months ago, we were looking at a building to house our ministry, located in a small agricultural/cattle community (Thrall, Texas).  The occupant was supposed to be moving out.

The Lord laid it on our hearts to plant a church there, but......the occupant began playing games....in, out, maybe so, maybe no.  We just turned it over to the Lord.

Today, the occupant called and said that they had been convicted mightily while in church Sunday that she was interfering with His plans, so she is going to get out of the way...Hallelulah!!

Now, we have to negotiate with the owner, and secondly, pray up the funds to pay for the place, plus deposits and utilites, etc.

Would you please join us in prayer and supplication that His will comes to pass, His way, and in His time for His glory!!

The church is to be called "The Cowboy Church in Thrall"

Why a cowboy church?  Attitude. It's for people who work hard, play hard, get their hands dirty, don't always do perfect, have stuff on their boots and stains on their jeans, but still want to know God, and WON'T let religion or religious folks stand in the way of worshiping Him is spirit and in truth.

According to some interpretations of the Quran, the call by a cleric or mullah to an "infidel" to convert is the first step to issuing a "fatwa", or open contract.  Their reasoning is that everyone "deserves" the chance to convert, but if they don't, then they are fair game.

[at the moment of Salvation]

Bro Hank, thank you very much. You wrote:

At the moment of belief in Jesus Christ, three things happen: 1,  Christ puts Himself ON us....we become immersed (baptized) IN Him. 2, Jesus baptizes (seals, or immerses) us with the Holy Spirt, and 3, the Holy Spirit baptizes (immerses) us INTO the Body of Christ, His church.

These actions are irrevocable.

From the above, you believe that the BAPTISM IN THE HOLY SPIRIT takes place at the moment of Salvation, right?

But the word SEALED does NOT mean 'being baptized (or immersed)'.... it means, according to your own words, " to set a seal upon, mark with a seal, to seal "... which I mean, is that, God put a mark on a born again person to tell the world/devil that he/she belongs to Me (heaven).

I believe BAPTISM in the Holy Spirit is a definite experience in the life of a born again (saved) believer; like the experience of baptism in water. We can see a person being immersed in water (for water baptism) but how do we know (or see) whether a believer is baptized or not in the Holy Spirit.... this is my question.

PhilMun:

You're welcome.  Yes, I believe according to scripture that at the moment of salvation we receive the baptism of the Holy Spirit.  But, as Paul points out, "be ye FILLED with the Holy Spirit..."  ONE baptism, MANY fillings.

Let me see if I can explain it this way.  Scripture tells us that out of the believer will "flow rivers of living waters."  The Holy Spirit resides within the individual (in our hearts), but it is more than possible that the believer can "quench" the Holy Spirit: ie, hold back, refuse to let out, put down, throttle or restrict.  When Paul spoke of being "filled," the word used there is connotive of a well of water out of which flows a natural and forceful spring.  He is saying "let the Holy Spirit that is within you COME OUT, and be shown." 

When we do that, the evidence of the Holy Spirit is seen by others in many ways.  As Pastor Roger pointed out, first and foremost is the FRUIT of the Spirit, which is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance (Gal. 5:22).  These are things that can be seen and experienced by others, and are therefore the evidence of the "infilling" or baptism of the Holy Ghost. 

But, if we DON'T show these fruits, if we DON'T let the Holy Spirit evidence them in our lives, then we are NOT baptized in the Holy Ghost, and therefore NOT baptized into Christ Jesus.....and all the talking in tongues won't change it, or prove otherwise.

John said that if we walk in the light, then we are in HIM.  We cannot walk in the light unless He lives within us.  And if He lives within us, then we will EVIDENCE His commandment....not a new one, but an old one....we will LOVE THE BRETHREN....and that happens to be the first fruit of the Holy Spirit.

Now understand this....I am NOT against speaking in tongues, especially since the Word tells us "not to forbid."  However, it is NOT the definitive EVIDENCE of the baptism or infilling of the Holy Spirit.  If it were, then Paul would had to have admitted that the pagan priests and priestesses he referred to when telling the Corinthians NOT to be like them were ALSO baptized in the Holy Ghost....since they spoke in many tongues.

Hi, a question to born again Christians; how do you know that a person is baptized in the Holy Spirit? What is the proof/evidance?

Blessings!

Hi PhilMun:

In Pentecostal circles, we often hear the phrase : "the evidence of speaking in tongues as the spirit gives utterance..." in relation to the baptism of the Holy Spirit.  I don't know if this is what you are alluding to, but following is some scriptural information.

First and foremost: the phrase "the evidence of speaking in tongues..." may sound scriptural, but is nowhere....I repeat, nowhere to be found in scripture.  It is drawn solely from the day of Pentecost preaching, and the later conversion of Cornelius. 

The evidence of the baptism of the Holy Spirit is found in scripture in the form of certain promises made by Jesus, and subsequent  verification via the self-same Spirit through Peter and Paul.

We'll begin with what John the Baptist had to say.
Mat 3:11 "I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and [with] fire: "

John is stating emphatically that Jesus WILL baptize the believer with the Holy Ghost.....no ifs, no ands, and no buts.

Next, we'll see what Peter had to say.
Act 2:38 "Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost."

Repent, be baptized, and you WILL receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.....no ifs, no ands, and no buts.

Peter then said in Act 11:16: "Then remembered I the word of the Lord, how that he said, John indeed baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost. "

Paul said in 1Cr 12:13"For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether [we be] Jews or Gentiles, whether [we be] bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit."
And later in Gal 3:27 "For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ."

In 1 Cor. 12-14, Paul goes to great lengths to establish a certain order of how a born-again believer is to behave....in the process, he gives us some great insight into that little "procedure" that is called being "born-again."

At the moment of belief in Jesus Christ, three things happen: 1,  Christ puts Himself ON us....we become immersed (baptized) IN Him. 2, Jesus baptizes (seals, or immerses) us with the Holy Spirt, and 3, the Holy Spirit baptizes (immerses) us INTO the Body of Christ, His church.

These actions are irrevocable.

Later, we see Paul expounding on certain facets of our belief (for the purpose of understanding our security IN Him), and to understand the nature of what has been PROMISED to us.

2Cr 1:22 Who hath also sealed us, and given the earnest of the Spirit in our hearts.

Eph 1:13 In whom ye also [trusted], after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise,

Eph 4:30 And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.

That word sealed is ESSENTIAL to our understanding of what God has done for us.

sealed: sphragizo {sfrag-id'-zo}
1) to set a seal upon, mark with a seal, to seal
a) for security: from Satan
b) since things sealed up are concealed (as the contents of a letter), to hide, keep in silence, keep secret
c) in order to mark a person or a thing
1) to set a mark upon by the impress of a seal or a stamp
2) angels are said to be sealed by God
d) in order to prove, confirm, or attest a thing
1) to confirm authenticate, place beyond doubt
a) of a written document
b) to prove one's testimony to a person that he is what he professes to be


Finally, the outward "evidence" of our being born-again believers, sealed with the Holy Ghost, and baptized in and with him, is found throughout 1 John, but most especially in 1Jo 4:13   "Hereby know we that we dwell in him, and he in us, because he hath given us of his Spirit."

I hope this has been of some help.

FWIW.....

The Da Vinci Code: A Tapestry of Deceit

Hi Brother Hank, did you reset your password? The same thing happened to all of us when the servers got changed over. Maybe if you went back and tried again with your old username and say you don't remember your password, you will get an email showing you how to reset your password, only thing is you cannot use the same passord you had before it will have to be a different one. If you already tried that and it didn't work, than
WELCOME again 

Yes, I did...and it told me that there was nothing in file to confirm, then it told me that someone was already using the same email address.........

Thanks, and blessings to u 

Hi folks.....I got servered!!!

So now I'm a newbie.

Oh well....................

Post on!!