Heresy Hunters vs the Holy Spirit
HERESY HUNTERS vs THE HOLY SPIRIT (# 20)
I could never trust the scientist who promotes the theory of evolution; anyone concluding that something evolved out of nothing should enjoy no credibility whatsoever. Likewise, anyone teaching that God predetermines who is and who is not to be saved (calvinists) and anyone teaching Jesus no longer instantly heals the sick (cessationists) should likewise enjoy no credibility.
Cessationists are not New Testament christians (those who pattern their christianity after NT teachings and precedents). If a cessationist were to cover with a black felt pen every NT verse contrary to his beliefs, most pages would be ravaged. And yet he considers himself a NT christian!
Seemingly and sadly, if my FB friends (and many etceteras) likewise smeared every verse they refuse to allow into their christianity, their NT would also be soiled (though, perhaps, not to the same degree). And yet you also consider yourselves to be NT christians! Which leads to the question, “What is a New Testament christian?” What qualifies or disqualifies you? Determine for yourselves if you are or are not a NT christian. Consider….
*** Paul’s letters to various churches reveal that most christians then could not be defined as NT christians. They were as rare then as they are today.
*** NT christians are Christ-centered. (Not christian-centered, pastor-centered, family-centered, ‘me’-centered.)
*** NT christians speak Jesus. The NT ‘speaks’ Jesus over 1000 times. Today Jesus’ name is seldom mentioned in conversations or pulpit ministry.
*** NT christians “Walk in the Spirit”. (Gal.5:16) They don’t worship the Holy Spirit (Jesus: “He will glorify Me”) or petition the Holy Spirit. They simply submit to His guidance. (Jesus: “He will guide you into all truth.”)
*** A NT christian cannot be a baptist, pentecostal, charismatic, mennonite, word faith, etc., etc., etc. These words cannot be found in NT writings.
I again strongly suggest that you define for yourselves what a NT christian is and is not. My list of prerequisites will be extended in # 21.