oldiesman

Your point is well taken. I always took that statement to mean you can't go beyond what's in your head from what you've been exposed to, from whatever source you choose.

Your point is well taken. I will watch out for him.

When I talk to him will find out exactly which class it was. Video? Audio? New revamped? His use of the words "available" and "manifestations" got me thinking that he took the original, but I will find out. Thx for your prayers. I mentioned to him about posting this so maybe he will come on here at some point? I also mentioned to him about the RC church spiritual gifts/manifestions meeting that I go to sometimes, and he may want to check that out at some point.

This only happened to me yesterday! A local Christian friend of mine sent me an email (not only me but everyone on his email list.) After reading this unusual email, I immediately called him up and mentioned that I was in TWI for some 20 years, and asked to talk soon. Below is the pertinent part of what he wrote; the names have been redacted. ---------- Ok, the baptism in the holy spirit (pneuma hagion). I did not plan on going to be baptized in the holy spirit; I did not even know that was available. Jumping ahead and to be revisited below, I can now speak in tongues. This is just one of the nine manifestations of the holy spirit (pneuma hagion). When V******* and I spoke on the phone back in November, I told her a fast was laid on my heart. I explained I wanted to conduct this fast at her house. V*******, N***, and A**** are all born again Saints. It is a godly house. I will say this with certainty, if you dedicate yourself to the course, you will be baptized in the holy spirit, as I was and her son, N***. We completed the course together. Going back to our conversation in November, V******* kindly obliged to host me for my fast and she brought up the course she leads and teaches: Power for Abundant Living - which is the master class course presided over by Victor Paul Wierwille, PhD. Dr. Wierwille dedicated much of his adult life to rightly dividing the Word of God. As stated last week: From the second Epistle of Paul the Apostle to Timothy, chapter 2, verse 15: Studie to shewe thy self approued vnto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly diuiding the word of trueth. As Dr. Wierwille accurately stated, to receive anything from God, we must know: What is available How to receive it What to do with it after receiving it We must always go back to His Word for answers. His Word is the only source of truth. God has a purpose for every single Word of the Bible and its place. You cannot go beyond what you are taught. That was a major theme last week in the Bible study course. From the Book of the Prophet Hosea, chapter 4, verse 6: My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge : because thou hast rejected knowledge, I will also reject thee, that thou shalt be no priest to me : seeing thou hast forgotten the lawe of thy God, I wil also forget thy children. It is by no mistake, nor accident that God made this Divine appointment of V******* and I by way of G*** and S******, as explained last week. We, His children, are destroyed for a lack of knowledge. Truly, you cannot go beyond what you are taught. It baffles me that I have not heard of the baptism in the holy spirit. I am surrounded by Saints, I go to two Services on Sunday, but the baptism in the holy spirit has eluded my eares. Nonetheless, the ways of God are perfect and He chose V******* to lead my baptism by way of Dr. Wierwille. Praise be God for that. This was precisely as it was meant to happen. What are the nine manifestations of the holy spirit? From the first Epistle of Paul the Apostle to the Corinthians, chapter 12, verses 1, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, & 13: 1. Now concerning spirituall giftes (matters) brethren, I would not haue you ignorant. 7. But the manifestation of the spirit is giuen to euery man to profit withall. 8. For to one is giuen by the spirit, the word of wisedome, to another the word of knowledge, by the same spirit. 9. To another faith, by the same spirit : to another the gifts of healing, by the same spirit : 10. To another the working of miracles, to another prophecie, to another discerning of spirits, to another divers kindes of tongues, to another the interpretations of tongues. 11. But all these worketh that one and the self same spirit, diuiding to euery man seuerally as he will. 12. For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one bodie : so also is Christ. 13. For by one spirit are we all baptized into one bodie, whether wee bee Jewes of Gentiles, whether wee bee bond or free : and haue beene all made to drinke into one spirit. As stated above, I can now speak in tongues. If you ask of it, I will speak in tongues in front of you. However, it is not a show. It is simply a sign to you. Please grant me liberty on that. Speaking in tongues is for private prayer or for interpretation in a meeting of believers. Each man, each woman speaks in their own tongue. Speaking in tongues is speaking in the Spirit, which was granted to born again believers. Works need be done to operate the nine manifestations. From the first Epistle of Paul the Apostle to the Corinthians, chapter 14, verse 2: For he that speaketh in an unknowen tongue, speaketh not vnto men, but vnto God : for no man vnderstandeth him : howbeit in the spirit he speaketh mysteries. I was taught the water baptism, not the baptism in the holy spirit (pneuma hagion). From the Acts of the Apostles, chapter 1, verse 5: For John truely baptized with water, but ye shall be baptized with the holy Ghost, not many days hence. From the Acts of the Apostles, chapter 11, verse 16: Then remembered I the word of the LORD, how that he said, John indeed baptized with water : but ye shall be baptized in the holy Ghost. From the Gospel according to Matthew, chapter 28, verse 19: Goe ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the Name of the Father, and of the Sonne, and of the holy Ghost. Again, my friends: You cannot go beyond what you are taught. I was only taught the baptism of John which is the water baptism. I knew not of the baptism in the holy spirit. Now, I do know and, now, I am baptized in the holy spirit. Understand this my friends, I will not sit idly with this baptism. I plan on using these manifestations to serve, as Jesus in the flesh did. For the same holy spirit (pneuma hagion) that was in His flesh, is also in my flesh. Water cannot save us. Listed at the bottom of these Ledger's is how you can be saved. If you would like to know or learn more, I can be a resource to you. With that, my heart is overfilled with love: ---------- Blessings to You and Yours I wish you a blessed time where we honor the birth of Jesus of Nazareth, our LORD who took on the flesh of man. I pray it is a joyous time for you, I pray for your travels to, during, and from, I pray for His love to be poured upon you. In His most precious Name, I do love you as a brother and as a sister. God bless you firmly! ---------- Pray. Pray without ceasing. You can save yourself this morning. From the Epistle of Paul the Apostle to the Romanes, chapter 10, verses 9 & 10: 9. That if thou shalt confesse with thy mouth the LORD Jesus, and shalt beleeue in thine heart, that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saued. 10. For with the heart man beleeueth vnto righteousnesse, and with the mouth confession is made vnto saluation.

My sister (who once worked in the Trustee office) told me that a long time ago, but I have no idea what they currently do.

Don't know what their current policy is, but I always thought that only those who were put on the 'mark and avoid' list were debarred from attendance.

I wouldn't mind swinging by a local fellowship if they had one around here. It'd be interesting to say the least, and would try to pick their brain to see what's changed if anything. One thing I won't do is send any $$$$ to headquarters, if that's the way they still do it.

Agreed. I believe you see what I do that what's crucial is meekness, walking in love as Jesus did, asking for forgiveness when you screw up. It's even more important than the doctrine.

Thx for update, pls share again.

I think the first step for us 'oldies' to get back in wanting to fellowship again in TWI is for them first to walk in love, admit past horrors and mistakes, repent of all the hurts that harmed lives and careers, and ask for forgiveness. If they did that I believe they would receive forgiveness from many. As I recall we've discussed this before here on the spot it's nothing new. But that kind of thing never happens with these large corporations right? It's not only TWI, its most if not all the large churches, all of these large church bodies. Yes and even the RC churches that we all know have had their share of horrific activities. You literally have to sue them to get any relief.

Yes, thx. A little less programming from TWI and a lot more love and self-appraisal/introspection would have been beneficial.

Did you get some benefit from the program? I never knew much about it; was disinterested.

Yes thx, me too. Also, since getting involved once again with the RC church, I have not heard once from anyone that I would turn into a greasepot if I don't go to church anymore. No compulsion at all... which maybe is a bad thing sometimes?

Are you glad you went in the Corps overall? Looking back, I was glad that I went out WOW the second time, but its not quote so with the corps experience-- should have waited. The WOW years were alright; only one year at a time and you can walk away from that mostly free and clear if you want; the Corps was entirely different. Talk about a sense of religious duty! I suppose its like that with most all religious groups when one commits to advancing in their corporate world of theirs, its all consuming.

Those songs were great, and I still own some of the old LPs from the 70s. Another great one was "Turn your eyes upon Jesus." Simply heaven. Thx. John.