/christian/ - Christian Discussion and Fellowship

pretty confident that if your Bible-study is covering this topic, your pastor and elders would be the people to go to before asking us heretics

>>553430

It's not a bible study within a specific church. We're in a school group and some of us go to a bible study together. It's interdenominational but relies solely on scripture for making arguments.

>>553426

Happens all the time. When you are baptised the holy spirit comes to live in you and gives you sanctifying grace to help you avoid evil and lead you to God. Of course if you rebel against the gentle push of the holy spirit and ignore its calls to be in full communion with the catholic church then you will lose that sanctifying grace. The power of the holy spirit is gifted and strengthened with all the sacraments but especially confirmation where the Paraclete comes upon you. The holy spirit guides you towards perfect union with God and guides you to perfect your life. It gives you gifts only when you need them not when you want them and it is a dangerous thing to ask for gifts as it can easily turn into pride and vanity and open the door for demonic possession.

>>553434

I'll lay out the argument they were making using various verses.

"Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away. For we know in part, and we prophesy in part. But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away." (1 Corinthians 13:8-10). The argument made was that the Bible is the perfect which does away with the need for prophecies, speaking in tongues, or even new theological ideas. A brief argument was made that the perfect does not refer to Jesus himself because Jesus is always referred to with personal pronouns in the Bible. Thus, in this interpretation, prophesy and speaking in tongues is no longer necessary.

Then this verse was brought up: "as His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue…" (2 Peter 1:3). The argument was that prophesy necessarily reveals something about life and godliness, but that the Bible has already revealed everything we need about life and godliness. Thus a prophesy would either speak about something already in the Bible, and be redundant, or it would speak of something not in the Bible. However, because the Bible reveals everything about life and godliness, prophesy revealing any new information would automatically be in contradiction with the Bible.

Now I'm not sure that follows logically, but any comments or critiques would be appreciated.

I see the Holy Spirit as gentle and loving, working in all aspects of our lives, but still very practical in Its working.

So then what was the practicality of the gift of tongues in the early church? Well that is quite easy: to reach those who did not speak the languages other Christians spoke.

So what is the modern working of the Holy Spirit? Well it differs for each situation and context, of course.

For me personally there are moments where I act unlike myself and more like Christ. I am caring despite my like of empathy. I speak wisely despite my age.

I think many are hesitant to claim the power of God is working in such subtle ways, but that's the way I see it.