debate with an AOG member (ROTFL) -Reply

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On Thu, 29 Aug 1996 15:28:05 -0500, you wrote:

>The Lord has been showing me that we need not debate about him at all.
>Elijah when he confronted the children of Israel before the 450 prophets
>of Baal, didn't dispute about who was in control.  He put the other
>prophets to the test, teling them to call upon their gods and the God
>which answers by fire is the true and living God.

I like that J.A. guy...

The spirit of Elijah is what we are talking about here.

"We have given birth to a generation of Obadiahs who work with Ahab,
but dont irritate him, saying 'Why raise hell with Ahab, we are trying
to win him to heaven?'.  But Elija was set to irritate the slob."

-JA '92 or sometime.

You cant have revival in peaceful coexistance with Ahab. Ahab is a
used-to-be One God* backslider.  Ahab has decided that theology is his
harlot wife's business, and turns to her for help in finding spiritual
prominence..

The sweet author here does not mention that Elijah, old codger though
he was, spent a number of hours swinging a sword after the fire deal.


Actually, we are in a dillema here. We remember the passage from Luke
9:

53  And they did not receive him, because his face was as though he
would go to Jerusalem.  54  And when his disciples James and John saw
[this], they said, Lord, wilt thou that we command  fire  to come down
from  heaven , and consume them, even as Elias did?  55  But he
turned, and rebuked them, and said, Ye know not what manner of spirit
ye are of.  56  For the Son of man is not come to destroy men's lives,
but to save [them]. And they went to another village.

"Ok boys, these folks didnt receive me, but Im not here to destroy
them..." so, he moves on. Funny thing is, when you move on, and you
are carrying the ONLY WORD which can save, that is also "commanding
fire"..  

(2Thes 1: - 7  And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord
Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels,  8  In
flaming  fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that
obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ:)

Jesus might have taken them aside as Im going to do right now and
point out that the FIRE fell on the sacrifice, but the people fell on
the false prophets.. and Elijah took out their authority PERMANENT.

" And when all the people saw [it], they fell on their faces: and they
said, The LORD, he [is] the God; the LORD, he [is] the God.  And
Elijah said unto them, Take the prophets of Baal; let not one of them
escape. And they took them: and Elijah brought them down to the brook
Kishon, and slew them there"

Listen: Nowadays, I think its safe to contend for the word.

But its also nesessary to obey the rules:

24  And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto
all [men], apt to teach,  patient ,  25  In meekness instructing those
that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance
to the acknowledging of the truth;  26  And [that] they may recover
themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him
at his will.

You gotta have a conscience to determine what that is for you.
I am offended at the reprimand of one person to another concerning his
sincere work for the sake of truth. I dont want to do ANYTHING to
silence a witness of God which is in line with truth, no matter
whether they embarase me or not.. It aint my business to correct
another servant, except in the pastoral relationship, or in careful
counsel.

For the RECORD, Winter is NOT in line with truth when he "curses in
the name of the Lord", and consideres EVERYONE who is deceived to be a
"false Christian scum" and also to be purposefully aligned with the
enemy. Some are, most arent. In the end, the curse takes it too far,
and breaks the rules. Ultimately this is born out by his refusal to
fellowship himself together with others of like precious faith who
will not obey him.

-mwb 

* sorry - I still like the phrase. I think it says a lot.

>When Jesus was in the presence of religious folks he didn't proclaim
>who he was by his mouth; his *actions* showed who he was.  He did
>always the things which pleased the Spirit which dwelled within him. 
>One of Jesus' greatest attributes was and is his humility.  He requires us
>to become like him, meek and lowly in heart.  If we could stop debating
>long enough to lift up Jesus Christ and have him manifested within us,
>then that will show who is on the Lord's side. 

Discussing and debating the word is a valid mechanism which Paul and
many effective preachers used as the circumstances invited. This is
NOT the same as witnessing the power of salvation, but it is perfectly
valid. Not everyone can do it nor is everyone capable, but it is FAR
from being unscriptural or undesirable.

>When we find ourselves in a discussion which vexes our spirit then we
>need to bow out of it because it is not accomplishing anything.  In the
>Book of Acts there were two reactions to the word (1) pricked in their
>hearts - which resulted in repentance and (2) cut in their hearts - which
>resulted in Brother Steven being killed.  Both speakers were being lead
>by the Holy Ghost.  We have to be sensitive to the Spirit of God and not
>to our spirit.  You see our nature wants to be right at all costs, our nature
>wants someone to agree with us at all times - Not many people agreed
>with Jesus when he walked the earth - no servant is above master.
>
>Jesus said "My sheep know my voice and a stranger they will not
>follow".  If this gospel is hid, it is hid to them that are lost.  There is no
>way we can pound the oneness of Christ - it has to be **revealed**. 
>When Jesus picked his disciples he didn't waver.  The Spirit lead him to
>those who would follow him and even to the one who betrayed him.
>
>If we can just work on ourselves using the Word and let the wheat and
>the tares grow together - Let Jesus do the separating.  If we listen to his
>Spirit he will show us how we are to walk before one another.  We don't
>want to be stubblingblocks.  Everyone we come in contact with is a soul.
>
>May God bless and keep each one of us in **his** love,
>
>Sis Mary Burnett    
>