Miracles, prophetic demonstrations, signs, and snake handling are topics, today. Also, there is more on arguing against the Bible in church. A “Yahoo! Answers” writer using the ID “SupaStar” (Level 6 with 20,194 points, a member since April 03, 2013) posted the following:
Do you think ALL Churches should take up snake handling?
Wouldn't that solve much of the problems with many theists, that is, weeding out the most ignorant?
THE BATTLE AXE: Arguing Against the Bible in Church? (02/18/2014)—The process of the church centers on meeting the needs of created beings and living creatures, rather than needs within the GODhead. The detection of nominal Christians (i.e., those who are believers in name only), and those in service to the Adversary, is regularly accomplished by their repeated expressions of malice toward the body, and their readiness to attack the Scriptures. Believers in Christ are to willingly accept a duty to minister unselfishly to others, therefore, ones personal agenda is routinely put aside in order to benefit the body through sacrifice. What may not be spoken in the name of Jesus, and to the glory of the Father, is better left unsaid. Saying this another way: Anything we might say, and how we might say it, that would offend the Savior is not to be brought before the body. The church is not to be a battlefield, or place of combat and confrontation. Yet, declaring and reminding others of truth they have already been given may humble pride and sting, for the word also operates as correction, rebuke, and reproof. Every initiative, whether among the clergy or lay persons, should acknowledge and express divine intent and sacred purpose that agrees with things recorded, and things proclaimed and prophesied that are yet to be fulfilled. When properly carried out, challenges or objections to attitudes, behavior and doctrine within the church will be made only after invoking and acknowledging the divine presence. There is to be a shared acknowledgment of authority from GOD as well as correct application of the divinely provided procedures for judgment and resolution of conflict. See Matthew 20: 20-28, Galatians 2: 9-21 and Matthew 18: 15-20, King James Version.
THE GOLDEN ARROW: Now when Jesus was risen early the first day of the week, he appeared first to Mary Magdalene, out of whom he had cast seven devils. And she went and told them that had been with him, as they mourned and wept. And they, when they had heard that he was alive, and had been seen of her, believed not. After that he appeared in another form unto two of them, as they walked, and went into the country. And they went and told it unto the residue: neither believed they them. Afterward he appeared unto the eleven as they sat at meat, and upbraided them with their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they believed not them which had seen him after he was risen. And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned. And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover. So then after the Lord had spoken unto them, he was received up into heaven, and sat on the right hand of God. And they went forth, and preached every where, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word with signs following. Amen. (Mark 16: 9-20, KJV)
THE DOUBLE DAGGER: Miracles are Sacred Events (12/20/2013); Resisting Sin (12/21/2013); A Relationship not Just Knowledge? (06/25/2013); Recognizing True Prophets (05/02/2013); Jesus, A Party Animal? (05/03/2013); Why “Mysterious” (11/11/2012); Attending Church? (11/12/2012); The Spirit is Willing (10/20/2012); Spirit Matter (10/21/2012); Caesarea Philippi (10/22/2012); On Cults (08/30/2012); A House of gods? (08/31/2012)
“SupaStar”, here are a few points intended for the children of GOD that should make perfect sense to a long-time investigator like yourself who has been shown many answers from the Holy Spirit:
(1.) Snake handling is not as great a problem to Christian believers as the continuous mishandling of the word of GOD. In addition to those who deliberately manipulate (we say, wrest) the Scriptures in order to have advantage over others, and contend against GOD, there are many who err by ignorance of the Scriptures, incorrect application of divine principles that are revealed, and satisfaction with the retarded development for their own inner Spirit.
(2.) Once born again through baptism (we may say, reproduced from divine DNA), believers must “grow up” again, and mature while facing the same challenges of life that come against all upon the earth. While constriction and snake venoms may destroy a person’s physical body, there is nothing that can kill or remove the imparted, indwelling Spirit from GOD. Even so, by receiving blasphemy, heresy, and warped ideas, believers are defiled and weakened as if poison had been added to their daily meals.
(3.) The justification for snake handling shared by many is anchored in the flesh, not the Holy Spirit. Where there is a fascination with death, a desire to “show off” and demonstrate power, there is little more than a tempting of GOD. The person of GOD demonstrated by Christ must be primary. The Holy Spirit is his agent, and does not promote himself, a different agenda, a different Gospel, or a new doctrine separate and distinct from that taught by Jesus.
There is far more to be said, correctly applied, and spiritually apprehended. ( For example, (4.) Were you a church member showing respect to the covenants and discipline you share with others of your congregation, you would realize the ignorant are always weeded out by duty, love, regimen, sacred practices (we say, the sacraments), eternal purposes, and unchanging truth.) Even so, I trust this fragment will be useful. Be it unto you according to your faith.
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: (2nd Corinthians 4: 1-3, KJV)
THE BLACK PHOENIX
Washington, DC
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