scarlett Posted May 19, 2012 Posted May 19, 2012 With respect to my "shout" about "the Spirit leading" - just how does the church, as a unified group, decide if "the Spirit is leading" regarding specific issues? Or does the Spirit lead the church? Does the Spirit only lead individuals? Can the Spirit be divisive? (I don't think so, but then look at the number of religions/denominations who all claim to be Spirit-led.) How does the Spirit lead? If a group of religious leaders agree on something - a quorum, if you will - does that mean their decision is Spirit-led? Who decides whether or not a decision (individual or group-sponsored) is Spirit-led? fwiw, as I noted in the Shout Box, it appears to me that folks determine whether something is Spirit-led or not, depends on their personal viewpoints, and not necessarily on anything else. (Please don't make this a stomping ground for the topic of women's ordination, but feel free to refer to it as an example.) Quote scarlett
Ron Amnsn Posted May 19, 2012 Posted May 19, 2012 Who decides whether or not a decision (individual or group-sponsored) is Spirit-led? Within a denomination that believes that it has God's irrevocable blessing as an organization, there is a tendency to assume that whatever the leadership decides is Spirit-led. It is also easy to conclude that anyone who opposes the decisions of the leadership is not Spirit-led. However, it is clear from God's dealings with the chosen people of Israel as recorded in the Bible that the decisions of leadership of God's people were not always Spirit-led. Quote
Woody Posted May 19, 2012 Posted May 19, 2012 Quote: Can the Spirit be divisive? I believe the Holy SPirit leads one person different than another. For we are all at different places in our religious experience and the Spirit focuses differently one to another. So, in that way one might consider it divisive depending upon one's view point. For example - The Spirit might not focus on the Sabbath issue with one person. But might focus on it with another. Praise God HE knows what we need at a particular point in our experience. And He leads us baby step by baby step. Quote May we be one so that the world may be won. Christian from the cradle to the grave I believe in Hematology.
Gibs Posted May 19, 2012 Posted May 19, 2012 Scarlett, By what Spirit is the question I am sure? I also believe each of us is to do on that as to the question, who is "ordained". Who is to decide for you and me and each and all just who is led of the Spirit of God or a deceiving spirit. Well the same as one who gets up to preach a well oiled sermon to you, Is he truly ordained of God or just men. It falls on you and I's shoulders, we take it to the Word and if it don't ring true to it, Isa 8:20 To the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them. We are counciled to be like the Bereans. Ac 17:10 ¶ And the brethren immediately sent away Paul and Silas by night unto Berea: who coming thither went into the synagogue of the Jews. Ac 17:11 These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so. The ordination service at best is but a recognition service of whether the one is ordained of God. But we must decide that after we begin to hear the well oiled delivery. I say well oiled for today they are well trained to give bewitching lay of words that you dare not be swooned or captivated by. The art of hypnotism. We must be braced against it and then stay away when it is seen to be the case. Many speak of another spirit, with the Spirit of God it is always perfect harmony with His Word. So does this one speaking speak the truth? Perhaps not, prove that one first and then still be careful. 1Jo 4:4 ¶ Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world. Quote A Freeman In Jesus Christ
OzarkWoman Posted May 19, 2012 Posted May 19, 2012 There is something that I gleened from the scriptures and this is my paraphase. A Christian is supposed to teach what is needed and not just what is known. Quote
Gibs Posted May 19, 2012 Posted May 19, 2012 Right, OzarkWoman, And that is the TRUTH, we must have it and we must have it on every point. 1Jo 4:4 ¶ Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world. Quote A Freeman In Jesus Christ
scarlett Posted May 19, 2012 Author Posted May 19, 2012 Quote: Can the Spirit be divisive? I believe the Holy SPirit leads one person different than another. For we are all at different places in our religious experience and the Spirit focuses differently one to another. So, in that way one might consider it divisive depending upon one's view point. For example - The Spirit might not focus on the Sabbath issue with one person. But might focus on it with another. Praise God HE knows what we need at a particular point in our experience. And He leads us baby step by baby step. Quote scarlett
Woody Posted May 19, 2012 Posted May 19, 2012 "And this advancement may not only be continued during the present life, but it may go forward during the eternal ages."--RH, Sept 14, 1886. {2MCP 562.3} Quote May we be one so that the world may be won. Christian from the cradle to the grave I believe in Hematology.
Gibs Posted May 19, 2012 Posted May 19, 2012 Scarlett, If God ordains a woman we must hear her as well as any. It is no issue to me either. EGW was finally rcognized as being ordained. Truth is divisive to error always. That's why it is not very popular. 1Jo 4:4 ¶ Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world. Quote A Freeman In Jesus Christ
Woody Posted May 20, 2012 Posted May 20, 2012 Quote: EGW was finally rcognized as being ordained. True but you will always have your naysayers. Quote May we be one so that the world may be won. Christian from the cradle to the grave I believe in Hematology.
doug yowell Posted May 20, 2012 Posted May 20, 2012 With respect to my "shout" about "the Spirit leading" - just how does the church, as a unified group, decide if "the Spirit is leading" regarding specific issues? Or does the Spirit lead the church? Does the Spirit only lead individuals? Can the Spirit be divisive? (I don't think so, but then look at the number of religions/denominations who all claim to be Spirit-led.) How does the Spirit lead? If a group of religious leaders agree on something - a quorum, if you will - does that mean their decision is Spirit-led? Who decides whether or not a decision (individual or group-sponsored) is Spirit-led? fwiw, as I noted in the Shout Box, it appears to me that folks determine whether something is Spirit-led or not, depends on their personal viewpoints, and not necessarily on anything else. (Please don't make this a stomping ground for the topic of women's ordination, but feel free to refer to it as an example.) Those are really good and critical questions,Scar! Quote
doug yowell Posted May 20, 2012 Posted May 20, 2012 Quote: EGW was finally rcognized as being ordained. True but you will always have your naysayers. No you don't! Quote
Administrators Naomi Posted May 20, 2012 Administrators Posted May 20, 2012 While I wasn't wishing to target women's ordination as the topic here, I will state that my position on this is: I don't care if women are church-ordained, or not. Same as I don't care if people eat meat. Or drink coffee. Or wear jewelry. Or try to scuba dive in the Gobi Desert. Arguing the issue is, imho, silly, and does lead to divisiveness within the church - which, also imho, does not reflect a "leading of the Holy Spirit" (the arguing, not the ordination of women per se). Quote If your dreams are not big enough to scare you, they are not big enough for God
Woody Posted May 20, 2012 Posted May 20, 2012 Quote: No you don't! ... Quote May we be one so that the world may be won. Christian from the cradle to the grave I believe in Hematology.
skyblue888 Posted May 20, 2012 Posted May 20, 2012 1 Peter 4:11 "If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God." Does not that mean that him who speaks as the oracles of God will be speaking with authority since he will be speaking the truth in accord with the Word of God and the Testimonies of God's Spirit? sky Quote "The merits of His sacrifice are sufficient to present to the Father in our behalf." S.C.36.
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.