Re: Jail house Christianity and Jesus Name People
 

Elizabeth, there's no formula for dramatic change. Jesus is the only way some things can change. That's not a method, not a formula, not something a person can teach or learn. He's Jesus. My savior, my redeemer, the one who reached out to me and drew me tenderly, gently, to Himself, the one who has changed things within me and made me over as a new person.

He didn't point at a list and check things off as *I* did anything. *He* pursued me. *He* drew me. *He* changed me. *He* continues to lead me. All I've done is fall completely in love with Him. He's my precious savior, my sweet Jesus, my God almighty who will never leave me or forsake me no matter what I do. He's my magnificent redeemer, the one who has changed me and continues to change me. All of this has happened without being baptized (at least since coming back to church/God) or speaking in tongues (well...at least until the last few days...).

I've heard some of the most spectacular Jesus centered preaching from people who teach and live what you've listed above. It's not the list that does the changing. It's Jesus.

Re: Jail house Christianity and Jesus Name People
 

Ah, yes the love relationship, the same thing happened with my wife and I. Pure love, pure delight, enraptured with each other. Yet, it involved dating, talking, getting to know each other, engagement, planning, wedding and consumation, etc. Without the love, simply means and ways. But so glad that we went through the process/steps/ways/means it deepened and facilitated that wonderful intial love thing.

Re: Jail house Christianity and Jesus Name People
 

Overcoming self, usually called "self-control" can happen for most anybody, even those that don't claim to believe in Jesus or even get near water to be baptized. Folks going through AA use a "higher power" to help them overcome alcohol, many do overcome and never profess Jesus as anything.

Hey folks that really follow the teaching of the Buddha, Mohammad, Vishnu , and a pantheon of others can lead happy, healthy lives. Don't mean they are anywhere near entering the gates of The Kingdom. Don't mean they have gained or attended eternal life.

As to "Jail House religion", I see it all the time. But I also see those that are truly repentant and are baptized in the Name of Jesus and baptized with His Holy Spirit change for the better, become better folks.

Re: Jail house Christianity and Jesus Name People
 

Not knocking the ways and means. :)

Re: Jail house Christianity and Jesus Name People
 

For those that care, David Pawson is giving away free teaching on How to Be Born Again. These are free mp3 downloads.

Here is the link. His teaching is compelling, somewhat scholarly yet, very grandfatherly.

http://www.davidpawson.com/index.htm

Re: Jail house Christianity and Jesus Name People
 

That is a beautiful testimony! Yes it is Jesus all the way-

The word formula is one I am acquinted with when it comes to Baptism-
& the Apostles Doctrine, the pattern you find in the book of acts-this is what I am referring to.

But you are right there is not particular formula of God working on someone's heart, some receive a dramatic change from repentence from what others are saying on this thread.

That is great, I do not want to take away from that, and that was not the meaning of this thread.

Re: Jail house Christianity and Jesus Name People
 

Amen!

Re: Jail house Christianity and Jesus Name People
 

I have to say I agree with you.

Re: Jail house Christianity and Jesus Name People
 

My brother, David, is ALJC and lives in Anderson, Indiana...his pastor is Elder Danny St. Clair. It's a fine church with a great pastor, and David, along with others assisting him have worked with the jail ministry twice a week for 15 years.

In the past year he has baptized nearly 200 souls, with many receiving the baptism of the Holy Ghost.

He and the church have earned the respect of the authorities, and they have given David the opportunity to more or less preach at will. Some of those who have been Spirit filled teach Bible studies during the week when David is not there.

David and my SIL take food in at different times, serving full meals at Christmas and Thanksgiving, and my SIL will every now and then send homemade cookies with David.

I am so happy at the way he is letting the Lord use him...:thumbsup

Re: Jail house Christianity and Jesus Name People
 

Awesome report!

We have been running from the mid thirties to low fifties in our Detention Center #3 services on Thursday nights over the last 4 years. We are baptizing around 60 to 70 a year. I have guys that do not miss a service. It's a church. Some on the inmates have bible studies going with other inmates and they have been given one night every two weeks to have a prison wide prayer meeting.Many have received the Holy Ghost and have been baptized in Jesus Name.

One week ago a guy came into the service at 15 minutes before it ended. Sat on the front row. As soon as the altar call had been given he came up and began to talk to one of the Brother's that shares the service duties with me. He was very depressed and upset. As Bro. Mike prayed for him the Spirit began to move and I came over in time to hear him speaking in tongues. I talked to him about being baptized and he said yes. We have to go to the front desk and wait for the inmates to come up so we can take them out onto the Sally Port where the tank is. As we where standing there the new guy was told he could use the phone to call his fiancee. I was amazed because that is not the usual way things are done. He got to call and tell her how to get minutes on her cell phone to be able to talk with him when he called. That was one of the reasons for his depression. After he was baptized he asked me if it was because of the water bring cold, I asked what he meant. He said that everything was glowing! He had told me on the way out that he had never felt anything like what he felt when we had prayed. Said it was from his head to his feet! Another young man that was baptized that night asked if I'd pray that he would fine favor in court. This was a week ago. Last night he told us that when he went to court that many of the charges where thrown out and he was given 15 more days, when he thought he'd be getting years.

I have just started a bible study at the Work Release Facility (DC2). The guys there are allowed to work a shift then they have to report back to prison. I had 5 attending last Tuesday night.

Please pray for these men and facilities.