Quote:
Originally Posted by Jo S
I agree.
If the people that Paul is referring to in 1 Corinthians 11:4 were trying to give a false impression of the only one Jesus, it follows that they were still retaining the actual name of Jesus in their preaching of this different gospel.
Why would Paul be admonishing the Corinthians of receiving a different spirit if as you say "the only one Jesus will respond" when using his name? Doesn't this imply a different spirit other than the Holy Spirit is acting through the preaching done in the name of Jesus?
So then, if a different spirit can be imparted through the preaching of another Jesus, all while still using his name in the process, can't a different spirit respond and give a false subjective impression to an individual through a practice such as chanting when using the name of Jesus?
How would you know either way?
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It helps to consider what this "other Jesus" and "other spirit" actually was. Even though the Bible does not say explicitly it does give clues in 1 Cor 12:3 and Galatians 5:6, namely, that this perversion of the gospel was none other than to deny the Person and work of Christ on the cross, even to curse Him.
How would we know either way? By this test:
1 Cor 12:3 (NIV) Therefore I want you to know that no one who is speaking by the Spirit of God says, "Jesus be cursed," and no one can say, "Jesus is Lord," except by the Holy Spirit.
1 John 4:2 (NIV): This is how you can recognize the Spirit of God: Every spirit that acknowledges that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God,
Paramahansa Yogananda would not be able to pass the test of 1 Cor 12:3 and 1 John 4:2.
Scripture tells us how to test the spirits. The method you use to test the spirits (by looking at how people pray) is unscriptural.
Based on 1 Cor 12:3 and 1 John 4:2 it seems that local church members would be accepted into the early church as fellow Christians, not as followers of another Jesus or another spirit.
I will illustrate why your test fails (besides being unscriptural):
I suggest that the percentage of "chanting" people in the recovery who can pass the test of 1 Cor 12:3 and 1 John 4:2 is higher, than those in a regular denomination who pray "dear God, it's me again... Amen" prayers. That is, in the recovery, it is very much encouraged to confess 1 Cor 12:3 or 1 John 4:2 and people will surely notice if you cannot. However in a denominational church service, many unsaved people attend, who cannot say "Jesus is Lord" because they have an evil spirit. And sometimes the unsaved person is the Priest or pastor who cannot say "Jesus is Lord". They can attend church for their whole life, and never be challenged by anyone to pass the test.
Another case of this is in Pentecostal churches. Have you ever noticed that in Pentecostal churches they usually say "Jesus" and "God", rather than "Lord Jesus" and "Abba Father"? And in liturgical churches they seem to avoid the name of Jesus. It is always "in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit" and God or "Father God", and sometimes "Mother God" too.