Where are all the Acts 2:38 folks (3-steppers)??

[Felicity]

Originally Posted by Michael Phelps

Felicity, I agree with this wholeheartedly. I've often asked the question "If we know what we believe why are we afraid to entertain opposing viewpoints"?

But, the answer I get from some is, "That's exactly why - I KNOW what I believe, so why should I waste my time arguing?"

I guess it's all in how you look at it...........in my experience, the people who usually don't want to discuss things are the ones who are struggling with their own beliefs and don't want to be faced with their insecurites - myself included!

Agreed Michael. I think we all have things that we'd rather not see touched, but still we need to evaluate and re-evaluate.

Sometimes we can be very defensive and when we're in that frame of mind it's hard to hear what's being said whereas at another time when our guard is down and we're more "open" to hearing what's being said we're more able to "hear" and accept truth if it's there, even when it runs counter to what we've always believed.

The way things are presented sometimes makes us feel very defensive. Feeling as if we're being attacked or ridiculed puts people in "defense" mode and they most likely will NOT hear what is being said as a result. Something for us all to consider in the course of discussion.

I haven't yet figured out why people will jump on someone and scoff and ridicule when all they're doing is presenting their view or opinion. Disagree? Sure. But go into attack mode and assign "motive" simply because the individual has their own opinion and view and won't be swayed? Totally unnecessary and reveals "issues" on the part of the person doing the attacking, especially when it becomes "personal".

IMO.

[Ron]

Originally Posted by rgcraig

Well, some would probably like it, but most here are not interested in a cookie cutter forum.

I would really hate to see anything happen to this forum - for whatever one negative thing some might think, I believe there are five good things. It's just a different type place.

?????

[Felicity]

Originally Posted by Ron

You are right there unfortunately.

Good to see you posting again.

Likewise bro.

[rgcraig]

Originally Posted by Ron

?????

One negative thing:
Someone doesn't like an attitude shown.

Five positive things:
We hold each other up in prayer
We encourage each other
We challenge each other
We keep in touch with each other
We make connections with each other

[nahkoe]

Originally Posted by rgcraig

One negative thing:
Someone doesn't like an attitude shown.

Five positive things:
We hold each other in prayer
We encourage each other
We challenge each other
We keep in touch with each other
We make connections with each other

I agree with you. There's far more good here than not, it just seems the not has gotten kind of loud lately. But we can fix that, just noticing it will go a long ways towards that.

[scotty]

Originally Posted by nahkoe

YES YES YES! To every point. lol

I am not so attached to my beliefs that I won't examine them and critically look at them, and compare them to Scripture and ask questions and stomp all over them to see if they hold up. I want to follow the Truth, and nothing less. If something I've believed has to change in order to be closer to that, then I want to change it.


Originally Posted by Felicity
Why are people so afraid to look within? What is so threatening about that? I've always loved discussion and listening to other people's ideas and views. Do I accept them all? No!! But does 'listening" and thinking, observing and considering mean that I lose sight of truth? No!

Why are people, if they're convinced of truth, so afraid to hold views, opinions and mindsets about that up to the "light", scrutinize and examine them and see if there's a possibility of error?

Where did your "beliefs" come from in the first place?

Do you believe that the Bible is the Word of God?

Do you believe that when you recieve the Holy Ghost that the scriptures will be opened up to you as the Bible says?

Do you believe God is the same yesterday, today and forever as the Bible says?

Do you believe that recieving the Holy Ghost is the beginning of your very own personal relationship with Jesus Christ?

If you answered No to any of these, then your only reason for being on this forum is to discredit a doctrine in which you for some reason or another hate or despise.

If you answered yes to ALL of these then you can not be "open" to any thing else. We can have discussion within the realm of the doctorine but not about other "views or beliefs".

Here is how this plays out, if you confess that you have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ through the power of the Holy Ghost then it is through that power in the Spirit of Jesus that you (should) have the beliefs you have in your heart. WHY WOULD YOU TAKE THOSE GOD GIVEN THROUGH THE HOLY GHOST BELIEFS AND "HOLD THEM UP TO ANYTHING MAN MAY POST ON A FORUM FOR SCRUTINIZATION?!?!?!?!?!? Pardon me for being "salty" as Ferd puts it but , what does that say about ones personal "relationship" with Jesus if one "thinks there might be room for error"?

I don't know about anybody elses God but my God is perfect. Amen. I beseech you Brothers and Sisters, speak through the Word of God as given to you through prayer, worship and living in the Spirit, not for the sport or challenge of debate.

[Raven]

Originally Posted by Felicity

Why are people so afraid to look within? What is so threatening about that? I've always loved discussion and listening to other people's ideas and views. Do I accept them all? No!! But does 'listening" and thinking, observing and considering mean that I lose sight of truth? No!

Why are people, if they're convinced of truth, so afraid to hold views, opinions and mindsets about that up to the "light", scrutinize and examine them and see if there's a possibility of error?

Having said that, I do believe that this kind of forum is probably NOT the place for new believers or for those who are immature in their faith and walk with God.

Some of the craziest things are put forward here as truth.

Yes, and well spoken again! Sometimes we may all become a little too thin skinned but let's keep up the "open" discussion and not take ourselves too seriously. If someone is immature enough to be impolite in a debate then let's all be mature enough to consider the source ...... but why would I be so easily wounded that I would leave the Forum for such a reason? We are all stronger than that aren't we???

Raven

[rgcraig]

Originally Posted by Raven

Yes, and well spoken again! Sometimes we may all become a little too thin skinned but let's keep up the "open" discussion and not take ourselves too seriously. If someone is immature enough to be impolite in a debate then let's all be mature enough to consider the source ...... but why would I be so easily wounded that I would leave the Forum for such a reason? We are all stronger than that aren't we???

Raven

Yes, I believe so.

Do you feel this is becoming an ex-UPC site?

[nahkoe]

Originally Posted by scotty

[/I]

Where did your "beliefs" come from in the first place?

Do you believe that the Bible is the Word of God?

Do you believe that when you recieve the Holy Ghost that the scriptures will be opened up to you as the Bible says?

Do you believe God is the same yesterday, today and forever as the Bible says?

Do you believe that recieving the Holy Ghost is the beginning of your very own personal relationship with Jesus Christ?

If you answered No to any of these, then your only reason for being on this forum is to discredit a doctrine in which you for some reason or another hate or despise.

If you answered yes to ALL of these then you can not be "open" to any thing else. We can have discussion within the realm of the doctorine but not about other "views or beliefs".

Here is how this plays out, if you confess that you have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ through the power of the Holy Ghost then it is through that power in the Spirit of Jesus that you (should) have the beliefs you have in your heart. WHY WOULD YOU TAKE THOSE GOD GIVEN THROUGH THE HOLY GHOST BELIEFS AND "HOLD THEM UP TO ANYTHING MAN MAY POST ON A FORUM FOR SCRUTINIZATION?!?!?!?!?!? Pardon me for being "salty" as Ferd puts it but , what does that say about ones personal "relationship" with Jesus if one "thinks there might be room for error"?

I don't know about anybody elses God but my God is perfect. Amen. I beseech you Brothers and Sisters, speak through the Word of God as given to you through prayer, worship and living in the Spirit, not for the sport or challenge of debate.

Don't you see something new every time you read the Bible? Haven't you had things taught to you that don't line up with the Bible? While the Holy Spirit does lead and teach and guide, there are things that need to be let go of, set aside. There have been discussions here that have caused me to reexamine some beliefs that needed to be set aside. There have been discussions here that have caused me to reexamine some beliefs and determine that they are indeed correct.

FWIW, I did answer yes to all of your questions.

[Barb]

Originally Posted by Felicity

This is a Oneness Apostolic forum far as I know. Is there a question about that really? Otherwise, I wouldn't be posting here.

The fact is though that the forum is both owned and administered by differing points of view of what "truth" is. So why would and how could Admin disallow discussion on doctrine seein's they themselves are also divided?