| Author | Message | ||
| Prinsen Registered user Username: Prinsen Post Number: 8 Registered: 5-2005 |
Dear FAF friends, I got a thought the other day that I want your opinion on. Itís about the (NC) prophesy of Jeremiah 31 which is in a New Covenant setting in Hebrews 8. On basis of Hebrews 8:10-11 can you say that God changes the way in which he communicates with his people? I believe yes. Instead of communicating thru (the Law and) the Prophets he is now in the New Covenant communicating thru (the Word and) the Holy Spirit. That means that God today in the New Covenant has a closer, more personal and intimate way of communicating with his children/people. It says in the text that no-one (under the New Covenant) will teach his fellow believers who and how God is (like the O.T. prophets did) because they will now all know him because he is in every born-again Christian thru the Holy Spirit. As I see it, for example EGW and Joseph Smith are prophets of the Old Testament kind more than prophets in a New Testament way. Now, the way I understand this portion of Scripture, the Holy Spirit guides every Christian how to interpret the Scripture. Thus there is no need for another Prophet of the Old Testament kind? And the credibility and function of EGW and JS can be seriously questioned in the light of this text? Please comment on this. Do you see it the way I do or is there something more to it? /Martin | ||
| Belvalew Registered user Username: Belvalew Post Number: 830 Registered: 7-2004 |
Absolutely! New Covenant communication between the Holy God and his people is much closer, much more personal, and if observation can have anything to do with it, much more consistent. Just observe the communications that you read on this board and you will find less contention and less backbiting, simply because there seems to be more Holy Spirit inspiration in the people who post on this board. I'm not trying to brag us up, but the people who post here have been through a Holy Spirit conversion experience, and we all hear that one voice. | ||
| Flyinglady Registered user Username: Flyinglady Post Number: 2144 Registered: 3-2004  |
Prinsen and Belva, I see this the way both of you do. The Holy Spirit teaches each believer and His teachings are consistent. Belva, remember when we were posting on the R/S site and some one made the comment that all the FAs say the same thing. And we come from different parts of the country and from different countries and we all say the same thing. That, to me, is a testimony to the Holy Spirit and how he teaches. He teaches the same thing to each one. Praise God there is no variation in God's salvation and we do not have to work for it. As always, you are awesome. Diana | ||
| Dennis Registered user Username: Dennis Post Number: 535 Registered: 4-2000  |
Martin, You hit the nail on the head! Your exegesis is sound. More importantly, it is in line with several NT passages. With the reality of Jesus Christ and His indwelling Spirit, who could we possibly need in addition? Indeed, Jesus is enough! We rest in His finished redemptive work even as Adam rested in His finished creative work. By adding Old Covenant holy days, prophets, food lists, etc., we are actually denying the reality of Christ. "For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes" (Romans 10:4 NASB). The law of Christ presents a far higher standard of righteousness than the law of Moses could ever provide. Dennis Fischer | ||
| Belvalew Registered user Username: Belvalew Post Number: 833 Registered: 7-2004 |
Diana, that experience while posting at R/S did more for me that anyone will ever know. Each time I quoted the words of scripture, or poured out my heart in testimony, I could feel the moving of the Holy Spirit. It was absolutely amazing. We were bounced from their board because we were conspiring, and we never once got together to work out what we would each say. God was weaving our voices together in a beautiful aria, and I pray there are still repercussions because of that experience. I was reading at R/S just a few minutes ago, and it appears that one of their fellows has had it with being bashed (he is SDA and frequently quotes SOP), so he told them he was leaving. What he had asked of them was that they view the prophecies with fresh eyes, in particular that they drop all of the timelines that we were taught in grade school on up regarding the prophecies of Revelation. If you want to read that exchange, here is the link http://www.revivalsermons.org/forums/viewtopic.php?t=858 I don't know about you, but when I read the posts at R/S it is as though I am watching a hungry pride of lions tear away at a carcass, or even worse, like watching Discovery channel and seeing sharks ripping away at a whale carcass. If one of them should get in the way of another they will as likely rip at their own as attack the carcass before them. Brotherly love seems far removed from those discussions. Over here we can disagree without discrediting someone. I also sense that we rarely disagree, except over the small inconsequential stuff, and when we do, we will research, and give way if necessary, while maintaining relationship. To me that feels like the love that Christ was encouraging his followers to have for one another. I know, even sight-unseen, that I love each and every one of you, and I'm looking forward to spending endless ages with you. The Law of Christ is a far higher standard, but since the Holy Spirit enables, living by that standard flows between us. God bless us every one! | ||
| Jorgfe Registered user Username: Jorgfe Post Number: 17 Registered: 11-2005 |
How beautiful! You are absolutely right. "For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit." Romans 14:7 "Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. Who is he that condemns? Christ Jesus, who diedómore than that, who was raised to lifeóis at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ?" Romans 8:33-35 A dear friend of mine pointed out that so many are having a "Martha experience", trying to do good things to earn their way to heaven, when what they need is a "Mary experience", realizing that Christ has already paid the price. We just have to accept his matchless gift. As Dennis stated so well, Adventism actually denies the reality of Christ. In Adventism we are taught NEVER to say that we are saved. (RH, June 17, 1890 par. 8). Incredible, especially in light of the story in Acts 16:22-34. The thought struck me that it is even more than that. We were all taught to work so hard at trying to be perfect (even to the point of unconscious sins!). I felt the Holy Spirit impressing me with the story of Peter trying to walk on the water in Matthew 14:17-34. As long as he kept his eyes on Christ he was fine. "But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, Lord, save me." Our human nature is to so deparately want to be in control. Ellen White's writings are full of this focus on ourselves attempting to perfect our characters. It is only by accepting God's free gift of salvation, and keeping our focus on Christ -- not our own works -- that we have a chance. And this focus on Christ, and recognition that the Holy Spirit is working in each of us, is what gives us the "peace that passeth understanding" that we all experience here. Thank you so much! Gilbert | ||
| Flyinglady Registered user Username: Flyinglady Post Number: 2145 Registered: 3-2004 |
Belva, I had told myself and God, when I joined this forum, that I WOULD NEVER WRITE ON AN SDA SITE!!! Of course, God had other plans for me, because when He impressed me to write on R/S, I felt so inadequate and I was reminded that He would tell me what to say. So I trusted Him. It was quite an experience as I felt the Holy Spirit prompting me what to say, what to quote and what to say in a written prayer. It is an experience I will cherish, because God led me. He is so awesome. Diana | ||
| Loneviking Registered user Username: Loneviking Post Number: 406 Registered: 7-2000 |
Prinsen, I think you are right on in your assessment. I've looked at quite a few pseudo-Christian cults and every one of them will tell you that they have 'hidden truth'. They all say that they know things that other Christians don't; and that you need to come over and join their belief structure; and the belief structure is quite different from traditional Christianity---and it is often handed down by a so called 'prophet'. God has arranged the Bible so that all of the information that Christians need until the end of time is within its' pages. The Holy Spirit is the ONLY key needed to unlock whatever insights may be in there. That's why one of the question I like to ask SDA's is 'why has no other theologian been able to find the investigative judgement?'. Or, 'why isn't the Sabbath taught in the New Testament?'. Always be leery of those who claim that Gods' way of dealing with mankind doesn't change, or those who put great stock in 'prophetic movements'. Usually, one finds a cult. | ||
| Jorgfe Registered user Username: Jorgfe Post Number: 18 Registered: 11-2005 |
Loneviking, those two questions are powerful. You have worded them in a way that they can not be refuted. I have been saving a document with choice questions, and these rank at the top. I am so thankful for FAF! Gilbert | ||
| Colleentinker Registered user Username: Colleentinker Post Number: 3111 Registered: 12-2003  |
I agree, Prinsen, that you totally identified the difference between the way God communicated with His people under the old covenant and now in the new. Belva and Diana, I've also being amazed at the unity, respect, and love between people on this forum, and I KNOW these things are the work of the Holy Spirit. I continue to marvel at the way He teaches people separated by geography and also by the years of history, and He teaches them the same gospel, the same realities of Jesus' eternal identity, the atonement, His resurrection and ascension, etc. Truly, as it says in Ephesians 4, "There is one spirit and one bodyójust as you were called to one hope when you were calledóone Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all who is over all and through all and in all..." I love you last paragraph, Lonevikingó"Always be leery of those who claim that God's way of dealing with mankind doesn't change, or those who put great stock on 'prophetic movements'. Usually, one finds a cult." So true. The New Covenant is completely different from the old; the new reality of being alive in the spirit because of accepting Jesus ushers in a direct, new way for us to communicate with God. It is so amazing! Colleen | ||
| Dd Registered user Username: Dd Post Number: 606 Registered: 7-2004 |
Isn't it interesting when a group of SDAs get together the talk always centers on who all they know (ie...other SDAs)? When a group of Christians are together the talk always centers around Whom they know! What a difference a Savior makes! | ||
| Jorgfe Registered user Username: Jorgfe Post Number: 20 Registered: 11-2005 |
I stopped by the RS site and found it very depressing. It seems rampant with the same mentality that another author, Vance Ferrel, exudes in his written material -- namely trying to find some sin under every rock. That is why I am so glad to leave it all behind. I remember learning a song "Redeemed. How I love to proclaim it! Redeemed by the blood of the Lamb." When people are truly experiencing this kind of "Joy. Joy. Wonderful Joy", their focus will not be on all the things they think are wrong in others. They will leave that to the convicting power of the Holy Spirit. Their eyes will be on Jesus, and the incomprehensible sacrifice that all heaven made so that we can rejoice, and say that we are indeed saved! I guess when a denomination denies the Holy Spirit's central role in sealing us for the day of redemption (Ephesians 4:30), and replaces it with the 7th-day Sabbath, they have nothing better to look forward to. How sad. I am so thankful that God has not made it our responsibility to spend our time identifying all the sins in others (or in desperately trying ourselves to be perfect). Only one thing matters -- that we keep our eyes on Jesus, and as Martin pointed out, let the Holy Spirit prepare our hearts. The only change that means anything is the change the Holy Spirit produces in each of us. Gilbert |
