I guess there's "new" and there's "new" lol.

The new that we are in Christ has nothing to do with the new that we once were in our physical bodies at the time of our physical births into this physical world. . . .at this time, that is. We are made new in everything BUT body as we await His glorious return. . . .and it's THEN that we get the "new" bodies. Kinda very much the opposite of our natural lives where we get a new body and then grow up and learn wisdon. In Christ, we are made new and spend as time growing in the grace and knowledge of the Lord, and growing to be more like Him in this world. . . and at the *end* of our new life of faith---that is when we get the new body.

LOL--it is like having it done this incredible, almost unbelievable way that is counter to everything natural, God is once again demonstrating His superiority in ALL things, even the natural order of the universe itself does not limit HIM!

Whoohoo! What an awesome God we serve. Talk about the real master of the Universe!!

LindaSue 

There is a difference between letting your guard down and being teachable.  The guard isn't totally bad, it will help protect you from deception.  The Scripture does instruct us to not believe every spirit, but to test the spirits to see whether they come from God.  The first test is that what is being taught agrees with what has already been revealed in Scripture.  This is hard to do if you are not familiar with Scripture or proper principles of Scriptural interpreatation.

Much of what is being taught in some Charismatic circles is based on an allegorical interpretation of Scripture.  Instead of just taking the Word for what it says plainly, someone has to attach symbolic meaning to the words to try to communicate something that isn't there in the plain English of the text.  Allegory means the expression by means of symbolic fictional figures and actions, of truths or generalizations about human existence.  When applied to Scripture, allegory becomes using symbolic fictional figures and actions to express truths or generalizations about God.  When used properly this can assist us in understanding God's Word, when used improperly we can be deceived into believing things that are false and coming under the influence and control of misguided people.

Somehow the general idea prevalent today is that denominations are bad.  This is not necessarily true all the time.  Denominations are only bad when people who belong to them place their trust in the denomination as their source of salvation rather than Jesus Himself.  Sometimes denominations can provide a safeguard from error.  The Scripture warns us to be on our guard because there are many false prophets and false teachers loose today.  Most of them would never qualify for ministry in a large number of denominations that are true to the Word.  The only way they can operate is to work outside denominational structures where they cannot be called into accountability for their lives or their teaching.

Jim Jones, of the infamous Jonestown suicides, applied for credentials with the Assemblies of God as a young man.  After going through the interview process he was denied credentials with the A/G. In this case, the denomination made the right decision, and who knows how many souls were saved as a result. Sure, Jones went to another denomination and got credentials, but that doesn't mean all denominations are bad or that all of them fail.  I heard or read someone remark that "independents are not against organization per se; they are only against organization in which they are not in control".

On an interesting side note, you said  [quote]It would sure be nice if there was a time that when some one asked us what we are if we could simply say that we are Christians.[/quote].  The fact is, the term Christian was not an identifying name that the believers in Jesus gave themselves. It was a possibly derogatory nickname given to the believers in Antioch (probably by the unbelieving Jews) as a result of their successful ministry of teaching and discipling in that area.  The reason we cannot just say that we are Christian is because there are so many different winds of doctrine out there, and there are several facets to the elementary principles of the doctrine of Christ besides just being born-again.

From what I have been reading from you lately, Dave, it sounds like there are some specific issues you are struggling with and someone is bringing confusion to your mind.  If you would like to message me privately I would be happy to discuss any concerns you are having right now.

Pastor Randy