1 Corinthians 12:13 (KJV): “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.”
“For by ONE Spirit and ONE body and have been all made to drink into ONE Spirit. “There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism, One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.” Ephesians 4:4-6.
Was recently told that they knew they were saved because of certain feelings they had in their spirit when they believed. Another said that when they were baptized (water) they were born again. I asked for Book, chapter, and verse; they assured me that they would find it and give me the info. It’s not about who’s right but what’s right. Either I’m lost, still dead in my sin or they are. Most all who have a lacking in the scriptures will get angry and fight back. I ask is that Christ-like? I will read from scripture a reply to an others statement and will most often hear “Well, that's the way you understand it”. No, I just read what scripture says. They again reply, “Well we all believe in the same God and are trying to get to the same place. Were on our way to heaven, and believe in the same God, there are just different ways to get there.” They imply that its OK to believe this or that because we all believe. Paul gave us a warning in 1 Corinthians 15:2b; “unless ye have believed in vain.” when giving the gospel that saves today (If ye have heard of the dispensation of the grace of God which is given me to you-ward: Eph 3:2) and that gospel being: “For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:” 1 Corinthians 15:-4. So I understand one may very well "believe in vain".
Reading again “unless ye have believed in vain” one can believe but believe other than what is given in scripture and remain lost and dead to God. We are to “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” 2 Timothy 2:15. With me as most are taught things that aren’t correct or in line with what saith the scriptures. It sounded good to our flesh and it made sense to our worldly and fleshly minds and so we believed, but it was in vain. Then someone comes and opposes what was thought to be true and reads scripture, pride rises and is most often that fear is reflected in anger at the one that may have shed light on one's error. Instead of searching the scriptures to see if those things said are true, they’ll reject the truth and stay in error and lead others in error also. “I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom; Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all long suffering and doctrine. For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables. But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry.” 2 Timothy 4:1-5. If one is truly in Christ that should be the believers' mandate. That being one has realized that: “In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.” 2 Corinthians 4:4. Preceded by “Therefore seeing we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we faint not; But have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty, not walking in craftiness, nor handling the word of God deceitfully; but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man's conscience in the sight of God. But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost:” 2 Corinthians 4:1-3.
Don’t believe me or anyone else, it is your responsibility to know truth and to speak truth; that truth is only from God to us as given us by His apostle, the Apostle Paul. Jesus Himself said: “And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” John 8:32. That truth can only be obtained through faith and faith alone. To learn how to allow the Holy Spirit to teach one and allow Him to remove one’s bias, Paul wrote: “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.” Romans 12:1-2.
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