Prior Book | Prior Chapter | Prior Verse | Next Verse | Next Chapter | Next Book | Viewing NASB and Amplified 2015 | |
NASB | 1 Corinthians 2:12 Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, so that we may know the things freely given to us by God, |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | 1 Corinthians 2:12 Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the [Holy] Spirit who is from God, so that we may know and understand the [wonderful] things freely given to us by God. |
Subject: Known by their Fruit (Spirit or Flesh?) |
Bible Note: "Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, so that we may know the things freely given to us by God." 1 Corinthians 2:12 Try as one might to find but one, there are no Historical Arminians extant in this day. Certainly there are those who adopt the Jacobus Arminius' name or John Wesley's name; yet they do not so much as read, let alone, study these founding Arminians. Consequently, they have evolved together into something that is entirely a matter of nay-saying, i.e., expressions against other beliefs, but very few things that they hold in unity. "We all believe the Bible!" they claim, so why reject even the teachings of the founders of their denominations? I cannot be entirely certain, but it appears that they are more about promoting their individual teachings in hope of demonstrating themselves as "more spiritual" and "wiser" and more "pious" than all those that have come before. This has all the earmarks of heart puffed up with self, rather than a heart deeply in love with the our Lord and Savior. In 2016 I became very interested in trying to understand some of these popular contemporary denominations -- they are over 2/3rds of the 33,000 denominations that tout themselves as "Christian." I began reading their sermons, their articles, and their blogs. I have been in extensive communication with four pastors and two academicians concerning the positions they hold. In unanimity they reject historic confessions of every stripe and sort. This narrows down the alternatives specific articles of faith has been impossible by traditional investigation. They care little for any teacher in whom Christ ministered to His church in the past. I broke things down into the following categories: theology proper, ecclesiology, eschatology, and soteriology -- "these are a few of their favorite things." I documented their statements in these categories by their initials. I then presented to each, various contradicting statements by the others. In a few instances I was able to approach a tenuous consensus (but only by being willing to stretch the rules of rhetoric). The following conclusions were the very few consistent conclusions: (1) they almost never agreed; (2) when they agreed it was at the expense of Historical Christian teaching; and (3) they were particularly fond of the teaching that they considered Biblical (which was a way of describing their own ideas). One other thing stands out for me concerning this study: None of them thought that a Christian might be identified by being Christlike behavior; yet they conceded that the fruit of the Spirit was an entirely optional aspect for believers. Regardless, they all affirmed that supernatural signs could be taken as definitive evidence of redemption. Below is the first part of a sermon by John Wesley on this topic. Despite their accolades of Arminians in history, Modern Arminians fundamentally disagree with historic Arminian doctrines. As the year comes to a close, you can do your own research: look back at the history of the most recent posters. Keep in mind the distinction between walking after the flesh and after the Spirit that John Wesley took pains to delineate. Right there in the first paragraph Wesley distinguishes between the two type of people. Look for the trends in the posts, and hold them in the light of Scripture. (Observe how others respond to these posts, and argue for their own righteousness.) The flesh is characterized by immorality; impurity; sensuality (mind set in this world); idolatry (placing something above the Word); strife; jealousy; outbursts of anger; enemities (hatred); disputes; dissensions; factions and promoters of factions; envy; pride; pugnacious (quick to react to anything with which they disagree); unlearned; unstable; etc. The Spirit is characterized by love of the Father, His Word, and His Own; joy; peace; patience; kindness; goodness; Godliness; faithfulness; gentleness; self-control; etc. God can work subtly, but in His Eternal Purpose His work is always evident. Read Wesley's sermon attached to this post. |