Old Pottery, New Hope

I truly believe that God has told us what we need to know. Not necessarily the tap-you-on-the-shoulder and audibly directing us as He did with Moses, Isaiah, and Elijah. We have His words in 66 books known as the Bible. His story written by men and women to share His thoughts , His heart, and His plan for us in narrative, poetry, prophetic, and historical about people who believed, who were used for and/or touched by His glory.

I am not unequivocally dismissing direct revelation today, because I am not smart or holy enough to limit God in any way, but there are many things I hear 'that make me go hmm'. When scripture says, "Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit" (Acts 2:38 NIV), there are very important and simple principles laid out for the human, and yet much is left to further hermeneutics study and interpretation. In short this one cornerstone verse of scripture from the beginning of the church can be viewed, argued, discussed, or taught in a number of ways because of an individual and their personal 'baggage' that filters or directs the head and the heart. This week I was told that my faith and my destiny were in question because I had never personally had a 'Holy Spirit moment' of one of the gifts such as 'tongues, prophecy, or healing' (these were the three he referred to specifically).

The gentleman and I were talking about the church because of a t-shirt I was wearing, and he began to relate to me instances in his life with other pastors who had the audacity to challenge his testimony, yet he then spiritually 'drop-kicked' me due to my lack of manifestations of gifts as laid out by the apostle Paul. His ministry was with a Church that has been very big in the Inland Empire of southern California, and he wasn't contrite for argument's sake, but he truly had me befuddled. He is a friendly and loving man. He just had a very interesting habit of changing meanings or not being able to recall scripture that help defend his feelings or beliefs.

When I would either quote or reference scripture to ask him to think about his defiant stance, he would tell me that the true meaning of my reference was something all-together different. To the point, he told me straight up, "When anyone prays for something like a healing or a tangible thing, and God doesn't answer your prayer by granting the request, the fault lies with the person praying, because God NEVER says no to any request." I asked him about David and the temple, and Paul and his "thorn in the flesh", and he had rationalizations (to me, anyhow) to deny each example.

This rambling is not to seek vengeance or satisfaction, but honestly to seek answers. Since I am the only one reading my writing, maybe in my study I can come across, answers, or this is one of those 'agree to disagree' topics, not important for the gospel message, but just a question for God after judgement.