Why the name....

[wittenberg]

Ok, so I have this friend who has been asking me to join this forum. Why? Because he feels that I'm too smart to stand on the sidelines. I'm not sure if I agree with his opinion of me, but anyhow, here I am. If you are wondering why the name Wittenberg...well, that happens to be the location of the Castle Church in Germany upon which Martin Luther nailed his 95 theses on All Saints Day in 1517. That is why we are all here! One man standing in the face of the religious leaders of his day and proclaiming: I am saved by Grace. Who knows where the Grace movement would be today if it had not been for the courageous man. Needless to say, I am sure you know by now which way I lean.....

[deltaguitar]

Hmmm, which way do you lean?

[wittenberg]

100% saved by His Grace...there is absolutely nothing that I can do to add to what Christ has already done.

[Sam]

Welcome to the group.

I hope we do not scare you
when we start blasting Martin Luther
and his 95 feces.



:toofunny:toofunny

[deltaguitar]

100% saved by His Grace...there is absolutely nothing that I can do to add to what Christ has already done.

Including our free will to make a decisive decision to turn from sin or reject God?

[Timmy]

Bah! Another greasy gracer!

:toofunny

J/K! Welcome!

Ever hear of The Door, the magazine formerly known as the Wittenburg (sometimes Wittenberg) Door?

[notofworks]

Ok, so I have this friend who has been asking me to join this forum. Why? Because he feels that I'm too smart to stand on the sidelines. I'm not sure if I agree with his opinion of me, but anyhow, here I am. If you are wondering why the name Wittenberg...well, that happens to be the location of the Castle Church in Germany upon which Martin Luther nailed his 95 theses on All Saints Day in 1517. That is why we are all here! One man standing in the face of the religious leaders of his day and proclaiming: I am saved by Grace. Who knows where the Grace movement would be today if it had not been for the courageous man. Needless to say, I am sure you know by now which way I lean.....


Wittenberg!! I'm so glad to see you and I LOVE the name! I really hope you get involved. You have been a GREAT inspiration to me and you've taught me so much about grace. Get to the "Fellowship Hall" and start talking!

[StillStanding]

100% saved by His Grace...there is absolutely nothing that I can do to add to what Christ has already done.

So.....is the whole world already saved, or does it require belief on our part?

[n david]

100% saved by His Grace...there is absolutely nothing that I can do to add to what Christ has already done.
So repentence and baptism isn't really needed? Sweet! I can live how I want, not do anything about it and still be saved by Grace.

:bliss

[Timmy]

:heeheehee

:popcorn2

[notofworks]

So repentence and baptism isn't really needed? Sweet! I can live how I want, not do anything about it and still be saved by Grace.

:bliss

See, Wittenberg, this is what you have to look forward to!:toofunny

[wittenberg]

Sorry, I was busy praying...but I am back now. Yes, that is correct...As many as receive him, to them he gives the power to become the sons of God, to those who BELIEVE in his name....please, no additions nor subtractions.

[wittenberg]

How do I go to the fellowship hall, or do I have to "work" my way over?

[Sam]

Sorry, I was busy praying...but I am back now. Yes, that is correct...As many as receive him, to them he gives the power to become the sons of God, to those who BELIEVE in his name....please, no additions nor subtractions.

OK, here are two definitions of that word "power" there.

1. "But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:" The word power here means authority. If anyone receives Jesus (accepts Jesus as personal Savior) he then has the authority/right to go on and get baptized in Jesus' name and receive the HGB (Holy Ghost Baptism) and by doing so becomes a son of God.

2. "But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:" What is this power? Jesus defines it in Acts 1:4-8. It is the HGB. In other words, if you really receive Jesus, you speak with tongues and are born again. But it is also qualified by believing on His name and if you really believe on His name you will be baptized in that name.

Welcome to the AFF (dysfunctional) family.

[n david]

Sorry, I was busy praying...but I am back now. Yes, that is correct...As many as receive him, to them he gives the power to become the sons of God, to those who BELIEVE in his name....please, no additions nor subtractions.
So Jesus' conversation with Nicodemus was just idle chatter? Specifically where Jesus stated that a person will not see the kingdom of God unless they've been born again of the water and the spirit? That would demand some kind of action from an individual?

It's not as though one could sit still and suddenly, viola, I'm borned again! :lol

If absolutely no action is required, why Paul's statement that faith without works is dead, being alone.

[Sam]

So Jesus' conversation with Nicodemus was just idle chatter? Specifically where Jesus stated that a person will not see the kingdom of God unless they've been born again of the water and the spirit? ...

Jesus did not say a person had to be born again of the water and the spirit.
He answered Nicodemus' question about how a person can be born when he is old or already born and showed him the difference between the first birth (born of water referencing the water or amniotic fluid that accompanies that first birth) and the second birth or rebirth which is accomplished by the Holy Spirit. He then goes on (in verses 10-21) and explains that the new birth happens when one believes in Jesus. In verse 14 He uses the illustration of how the sinning Israelites were healed by looking upon the serpent on the pole to show how folks are healed/saved/born again in this NT or Kingdom age by looking by faith upon Jesus on the cross. In verse 11 He says that He and others know people and have seen people who have been born again.

[notofworks]

How do I go to the fellowship hall, or do I have to "work" my way over?


Go to the top of this page and click "Apostolic Friends Forum". Then go down the list on the left-hand side of the page and click on "Fellowship Hall". Each time you sign on, you should see "Fellowship Hall" at the top of the page.

[Timmy]

Go to the top of this page and click "Apostolic Friends Forum". Then go down the list on the left-hand side of the page and click on "Fellowship Hall". Each time you sign on, you should see "Fellowship Hall" at the top of the page.

Sounds like work, to me! :lol

[notofworks]

Sounds like work, to me! :lol


When I first signed on, it was only on thread that I was interested in, in fact, I didn't know there were any others. So every time I signed on, I would go to an email someone sent me with the url of that thread, click on it, and then sign in. It was the only way I knew how to find AFF. And I only posted on that thread for a long time.

I think the worst thing that ever happened to me was when I found out about the rest of the forum!:lol

[n david]

Jesus did not say a person had to be born again of the water and the spirit.
He answered Nicodemus' question about how a person can be born when he is old or already born and showed him the difference between the first birth (born of water referencing the water or amniotic fluid that accompanies that first birth) and the second birth or rebirth which is accomplished by the Holy Spirit. He then goes on (in verses 10-21) and explains that the new birth happens when one believes in Jesus. In verse 14 He uses the illustration of how the sinning Israelites were healed by looking upon the serpent on the pole to show how folks are healed/saved/born again in this NT or Kingdom age by looking by faith upon Jesus on the cross. In verse 11 He says that He and others know people and have seen people who have been born again.
Right, that's what I meant. Jesus said a person must be born again ... then after that He said they must be born of the water and the spirit.

[notofworks]

Jesus did not say a person had to be born again of the water and the spirit.
He answered Nicodemus' question about how a person can be born when he is old or already born and showed him the difference between the first birth (born of water referencing the water or amniotic fluid that accompanies that first birth) and the second birth or rebirth which is accomplished by the Holy Spirit. He then goes on (in verses 10-21) and explains that the new birth happens when one believes in Jesus. In verse 14 He uses the illustration of how the sinning Israelites were healed by looking upon the serpent on the pole to show how folks are healed/saved/born again in this NT or Kingdom age by looking by faith upon Jesus on the cross. In verse 11 He says that He and others know people and have seen people who have been born again.


Amazing, isn't it, how easy it is to slightly misquote something and in so doing, completely change the theology. I heard Acts 2:37 quoted all my life as, "Men and brethren, what must we do to be saved?" Uh oh.....it's not there.

[mizpeh]

Sorry, I was busy praying...but I am back now. Yes, that is correct...As many as receive him, to them he gives the power to become the sons of God, to those who BELIEVE in his name....please, no additions nor subtractions.Those who receive him are the same as those who believe...these receivers/believers are the ones he has given ability or power to BECOME the sons of God. IOW, they don't become the sons of God when they believe. You've got your timing wrong, imho.

Welcome, Witty!

[notofworks]

Those who receive him are the same as those who believe...these receivers/believers are the ones he has given ability or power to BECOME the sons of God. IOW, they don't become the sons of God when they believe. You've got your timing wrong, imho.

Welcome, Witty!

This is the typical, "Those who call upon the name of the Lord SHALL be saved", moments when works-folks show up and say, "The word 'Shall' is a prediction."

[wittenberg]

Ok, thank, I will head to the Fellowship Hall. But before leaving, I would like to answer the naysayers. Yes, we are pursuaded to work...Heb.6:10 "God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labour of love...." but this work that we are commissioned to do follows Calvary. (Eph. 2:10....THAT we should walk in them...works). Works before the cross are useless, works after the cross are priceless. This includes Baptism, which is the answer of a good (cleansed) conscience before God. I invite you all to a Heaven that includes belivers from every generation, including the thief on the cross. "Today you will be with me in paradise..and you don't have to do anything, including getting baptized, to get there." Jesus.

[Timmy]

Ok, thank, I will head to the Fellowship Hall. But before leaving, I would like to answer the naysayers. Yes, we are pursuaded to work...Heb.6:10 "God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labour of love...." but this work that we are commissioned to do follows Calvary. (Eph. 2:10....THAT we should walk in them...works). Works before the cross are useless, works after the cross are priceless. This includes Baptism, which is the answer of a good (cleansed) conscience before God. I invite you all to a Heaven that includes belivers from every generation, including the thief on the cross. "Today you will be with me in paradise..and you don't have to do anything, including getting baptized, to get there." Jesus.

Some think they'll even see me there. :lol

[n david]

Ok, thank, I will head to the Fellowship Hall. But before leaving, I would like to answer the naysayers. Yes, we are pursuaded to work...Heb.6:10 "God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labour of love...." but this work that we are commissioned to do follows Calvary. (Eph. 2:10....THAT we should walk in them...works). Works before the cross are useless, works after the cross are priceless. This includes Baptism, which is the answer of a good (cleansed) conscience before God. I invite you all to a Heaven that includes belivers from every generation, including the thief on the cross. "Today you will be with me in paradise..and you don't have to do anything, including getting baptized, to get there." Jesus.
What verse in the Bible is THAT from?

[notofworks]

Ok, thank, I will head to the Fellowship Hall. But before leaving, I would like to answer the naysayers. Yes, we are pursuaded to work...Heb.6:10 "God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labour of love...." but this work that we are commissioned to do follows Calvary. (Eph. 2:10....THAT we should walk in them...works). Works before the cross are useless, works after the cross are priceless. This includes Baptism, which is the answer of a good (cleansed) conscience before God. I invite you all to a Heaven that includes belivers from every generation, including the thief on the cross. "Today you will be with me in paradise..and you don't have to do anything, including getting baptized, to get there." Jesus.


Highlighted above....Great statement!

[notofworks]

Some think they'll even see me there. :lol


I won't be surprised!:shockamoo

[wittenberg]

Whomever calls on the Lord will be there! See you in the Fellowship Hall:thumbsup

[*AQuietPlace*]

Go to the top of this page and click "Apostolic Friends Forum". Then go down the list on the left-hand side of the page and click on "Fellowship Hall". Each time you sign on, you should see "Fellowship Hall" at the top of the page.
Or, better yet..... just hit 'new posts'. Then you don't miss anything. ;)

[notofworks]

Or, better yet..... just hit 'new posts'. Then you don't miss anything. ;)


:lolI always forget about that. There are probably huge compartments of this forum I know nothing about. There's probably an entire section created just to make fun of me! No wait, very frequently, that's done in the Fellowship Hall!:lol

[Sam]

Some think they'll even see me there. :lol

Surprise in Heaven
Anonymous

I dreamt death came the other night
And Heaven’s gate swung wide.
An angel with a halo bright
Ushered me inside.

And there! To my astonishment
Stood folks I’d judged and labeled
As “quite unfit”, “of little worth”,
And “spiritually disabled”.

Indignant words rose to my lips
But never were set free,
For every face showed stunned surprise --
Not one expected me!

[Sam]

Or, better yet..... just hit 'new posts'. Then you don't miss anything. ;)

That's what I do. Then I can see what's been added since I left and I can decide by subject which stuff I want to read.

[notofworks]

Wittenberg!!! Where are you? Did you leave us already?

[Sam]

Wittenberg!!! Where are you? Did you leave us already?

We probably scared him off.

This place scares me some times
and I'm fearless