Bible Discussion Thread

Acts 19:2 Have ye received since ye believed. Many times I've heard people say to me my brother finally believed

and Got born again. Then I ask how do you know not being negative but by their fruit ye shall know. An interesting

detail about the word receive biblically their are two words in greek for receive[dechomai and lambano]. Now some

may say so what well dechomai is receive subjectively something i.e. being given a tool box full of wrenches and never

utilizing the tools. Lambano is receiving and operating or manifesting what you've been given.

In ACTS 19:2 Pual found certain disciples they believed and ask them if they received and this is the word [lambano]

and after he taught concerning Christ Jesus and ministered to them they S.I.T and prophecied which is the outward

display of the inward power of holy spirit. In Acts 1:8 But ye shall receive [lambano] manifested power displayed and

be witnesses also note it doesn't say defense attorneys, we don't defend God we walk in love and tell and teach.

Receiving dechomai are the ones who hear and there's no humility or heart in it's just another piece of knowledge to

consider and nothing is done with it. The parable of the sower and the seed is a great exaple of both of these.

In the greek Gods word has a great more depth of understanding for those interested.

Interesting study on Greek meanings. It is noteable; that those who had believed hearing John's message perhaps somehow were not privy to those who had the Pentecost experience. They clearly had repented and believed but were ignorant not of their own fault. The question of true repentance (a gift from God); and testing ourselves to see if we are in the faith ( 2 Cor. 13:5-6) does show us if we are truly saved. There is; of course a concern of the opposite issue; i.e. miracles occurring yet Christ not "knowing" us ( Matt. 7:23 and other verses). Here; the problem is that there is something in it for them rather than desire to glorify God. It could be that they are seeking glory for themselves by surrounding themselves with true miracle workers; they are merely "declaring" things from their own imaginations or working with a demonic imitation of the Holy Spirit. Judas Iscariot is a disturbing example of a predestined "son of perdition" who was not only called as an Apostle but went out with them when these miracle were being performed. There is scripture which seems to indicate the Spirit can still work through someone without them being saved; such as Balaam in the O.T. The message of repentance; and the miracle of salvation from sins still has to be the main focus. God can still work even with imperfect vessels; and perhaps having a few true believers in many cases today in a Laodician church still can allow miracles to occur in the presence of a few Spirit filled individuals.

I agree that merely knowing the Word isn't enough. The opposite here is also the case though; there seems to be a great lack of knowledge among those who claim to possess spiritual gifts. Obviously; to be Christlike involves BOTH. We need to love the Word; and if we love Him we are obedient. ( John 14:15). As salt and light; we need to be overcomers with the fear of the Lord. Sadly; many look to Him as some sort of cosmic genie rather than MASTER; savior AND Lord.

Richard I have what I call spiritual litmus paper biblically, when someone says God told me that's a concern because

i'll know that if the outcome glorifies God and lines up with HiS word. I went to a worship center with a friend that said

the guy teaches hot bible so my wife and I went with him, the first half hour were people dancing to music and dropping

in the aisles supposedly slain in the spirit and my friend said aren't you exited and told him haven't heard any body teach

yet. After the music this leader came up to the podium and picked up the phone receiver and loud enough to be heard said

God what do you want me to share then proceeded to minister to people the spirit of education and plumbing and carpentry

and other stuff. When it was all over my friend who looked like he did drugs ask me so what do I think and I said my problem

was he never taught out of the bible so whats really going on. You can't make this stuff up and that's why I still believe that

other believers when they see those kind of examples don't want anything to do with it and I don't blame them. I have gone

to fellowships where all things are done decent and in order and its peaceful and delivering when operated according to

scripture. It's not Gods fault that the enemy has basically blended truth with error or confusion because after all that's

what he does.