how does god convert people to christianity

[ask21771]

does God use signs or does he do it internally

[darryl]

does God use signs or does he do it internally

dunno ...a range of things i guess

[darryl]

does God use signs or does he do it internally

which Christianity ?..the fear based one or the other ?

[Ross]

does God use signs or does he do it internally

Personally- internally. Like removing the blinders off a horse.

[idontknow]

does God use signs or does he do it internally

Demonic attack worked for me

[Ross]

does God use signs or does he do it internally

Personally- internally. Like removing the blinders off a horse.

When I say internally, that is correct; but after many years of church life, spiritual prayer warrior, baptism, fasting, etc- yet no real deep meaning to life; no promise of a glorious future other than singing hymns for ever. None of that personal effort solved anything or gave meaningful answers.
Then one day a quiet, indescribable calm pointed out that what I was doing had no real life.
Since then the reality of what Christ has done has hammered home such hope that words cannot describe the peace of God, which indeed literally passes all understanding.
The truth literally sets us free- but we seem to need to go through and see the wrong first so as to highlight the powerful reality of the truth. Learning good versus evil, right from wrong, through direct experience.

" Each in his appointed time" seems to be one of those main point/key type things. Highlights the attention to detail and precision of the plan which was organised before time began. Since we are individuals seems we learn as appropriate, and are undergoing  the training for the position we have in the glorious future.

[Dandelion]

9But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God's own possession, to proclaim the virtues of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light. 10Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.   1 Peter 2:9 - 10

"And so, as those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved, put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience; 13bearing with one another, and forgiving each other, whoever has a complaint against anyone; just as the Lord forgave you, so also should you.   14And beyond all these things put on love, which is the perfect bond of unity.  15And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body; and be thankful. 16Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you, with all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with thankfulness in your hearts to God.  17And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father," (Colossians 3:12-17)

I have come to call not those who think they are righteous, but those who know they are sinners and need to repent." Luke 5:32

I believe we are all called to be children of God. I believe it is a very personal, intimate calling. I don't think we can separate the pieces.....it is a process that God defines. I believe it is beyond our scope to be able to disect it and analyize each part. But, I know it is a glorious transformation. It involves our acceptance, into His plan, but yet God seeks us, and desires each of us to come to him.

My  :2c:

D.

[Lazarus Short]

This is how it happened to me.  I was an atheist, and my father had prayed for me for years.  Eventually, he submitted his life to God, and then things began to happen to me.  A friend invited me to an evolution/creation debate.  One of lab clinical instructors covered OT history instead of the lab topic.  I met a group of young Christians and noted that their religion made a difference in their lives.  Fifteen years later I got personal messages (two) from God.  Twenty years later I encountered UR.

[jabcat]

does God use signs or does he do it internally

various ways to get our attention, whatever it takes - internal, external, combination.  personally I was convicted into discomfort, felt an overwhelming sense of loneliness and fear and knew I needed Him.  He lets everyone know how to come to Him when it's their time.

[Shev]

I believe it has to be by revelation, and ultimately, even an external sign would need an internal witness and revelation.

Ultimately, we are being converted to Christ, not a religion, and that requires a revelation of the person of Christ. Jesus Christ must be revealed in us, to us, and ultimately through us.

No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him; and I will raise him up at the last day.  (John 6:44)

[eaglesway]

I believe it has to be by revelation, and ultimately, even an external sign would need an internal witness and revelation.

Ultimately, we are being converted to Christ, not a religion, and that requires a revelation of the person of Christ. Jesus Christ must be revealed in us, to us, and ultimately through us.

No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him; and I will raise him up at the last day.  (John 6:44)

Absolutely. The Pharisees- and many others, received many signs and it only hardened them.

[idontknow]

Absolutely. The Pharisees- and many others, received many signs and it only hardened them.

I received signs when i was atheist and flat out ignored them. I don't know if it hardened me but my heart was hard to begin with. I am pretty sure i talked to an Angel once in a internet chat room, i am almost certain of it. I don't want to come off as a Christian nutter because I'm far from it. But before my demonic attack started is when she was trying to get me to believe and i would have none of it. She told me she could prove God was real so i took her up on her offer. And she told me i would see something that night and i just laughed it off.

The next night i talked to her again and she asked me what i saw and i told her nothing because it was the truth. She seemed confused by it like i should have seen something and she couldn't understand why. It wasn't to much after that the demonic attacks started in the form of sleep paralysis target a very specific sin that i had fell into. I feel bad about it thinking back to when it all happened because she tried and i laughed at her. I have prayed about it and asked Jesus to tell her i was sorry i didn't listen or take it seriously. Because the last time i talked to her she seemed sad like she failed at her job when i told her i didn't see anything.

The people you meet on Yahoo chat rooms........ i used to live on them back in the late 90's early 2000's never thought id talk to an Angel over a computer..... or a demon for that matter but that happened also. I better shut up before you all start thinking im off my meds lol. The internet had a lot to do with my sins though so............ yeah...

[ask21771]

So Jesus just doesn't send random signs

[marie glen]

Lately I've been noticing verses which mentions God granting repentance.. "may He grant them repentance.."

I think the drawing.. calling is both inward and outward.. or I guess that would be using outward to draw/attract inward? :gsmile:

[eaglesway]

"No man comes to me except the Father draws him."

"No one has ascended into heaven except the One who descended from heaven—the Son of Man. 14Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the wilderness, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, 15that everyone who believes in Him may have eternal life...."

"If I am lifted from the earth up I will draw all men unto me"

Christ crucified is the ultimate sign. The only sign with the power to draw all men to Him.

"Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:

6 Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God:

7 But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:

8 And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.

9 Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name:"

It is His heart, revealed in this one beautiful action, that makes His word real. God so loved the world He gave, and Jesus so loved the Father and us, that He humbled Himself- and it is this love that will shine like a fire consuming all darkness and it is this love that destroys the carnal man- because his works are SO INFERIOR to those works born in the foundation of the world- finished in the Lamb slain.

He is exalted above all because He descended below all and tasted death for everyone. His light will consume the adversaries because His love for them has already been testified to in His action and that will discomfit them when they stand before His glory....

After all, it is "the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ"(2 Cor 4) that will destroy the adversaries and reconcile all.

"For so it pleased the Father to make all the fulness dwell in Him and through Him to reconcile all things to Himself by the blood of His cross, whether things in earth or things in heaven."


He has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not because of our own works, but by His own purpose and by the grace He granted us in Christ Jesus before time eternal. 10And now He has revealed this grace through the appearing of our Savior, Christ Jesus, who has abolished death and illuminated the way to life and immortality through the gospel, 2 Tim 1:10

For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil. John 3:8

[ask21771]

Does Jesus use synchronicity

[jabcat]

Does Jesus use synchronicity

Some may not know, but I see that synchronicity is a term coined by Psychiatrist Carl Jung, who was into the occult.

ask, what are your own thoughts about whether Jesus uses synchronicity or not?  Also, do you mean purposeful vs. random events?  Thanks.

[ask21771]

I don't know how Jesus allegedly draws people to him that's why I'm asking here

[jabcat]

if I'm understanding the specific question in your last post, I believe Jesus very intentionally draws each to Himself in their own time, so that very well might include bringing certain events together in their life in a intentional/specific way;  to get our attention, make us aware of our need, etc.

J. Preston Eby writes on the site that God will do whatever it takes to bring us to the place of acceptance of Him.  For many that may be "simple" recognition of Who He is, while for others it may take some serious breaking of their will and cleansing the depth and darkness of their sin.

[Ross]

I don't know how Jesus allegedly draws people to him that's why I'm asking here

The disciples were called individually.
Christ  called them directly.
They rejected Him to the point of Him being crucified.
Even Peter denied Him three times.
This was all before His crucifixion. He had to die so as to pay the price for ALL.

AFTER the resurrection, Christ spoke with them directly for 40 days so as to explain what had happened and what I to come.
THEN they received the Spirit when Christ ministered to them on the day of Pentecost.
Jesus talks about US in His prayer in John 17;20
            " It is not only for these I am interceding , but also for those who will come to believe through their word."
John 17;26 " I have made known to them your name, AND I WILL CONTINUE TO MAKE IT KNOWN, so that the love with which
                   You have loved Me may be in them, AND I IN THEM."

Paul/Saul was on the road to Damascus to kill Christians.
He had no say in his conversion. This conversion was explicit with no room for any doubt or negotiations.
1 Tim 1;13-16 " Even though I was formerly a blasphemer and an insolent person, but I was shown mercy, since being ignorant,
                       I had acted in unbelief, and the grace of our Lord COMPLETELY OVERFLOWED FOR ME WITH FAITH AND LOVE THAT
                       ARE IN CHRIST JESUS. Trustworthy is the saying and worthy of COMPLETE acceptance,
                        ' Christ came in order to save sinners'
                        of whom I am the foremost. But for this reason I was shown mercy, SO THAT IN ME AS FOREMOST CHRIST MIGHT
                        DISPLAY HIS COMPLET PATIENCE AS AN ILLUSTRATION FOR THOSE WHO WERE TO BELIEVE IN HIM FOR AIONIOS
                         LIFE."

We are all parts of ONE body. Each part is different so is handled differently.
But we are ALL ONE IN CHRIST- THE HEAD.
Some parts need more cleaning than others, but each is cleansed appropriately at it's own time.
The head controls how that happens and uses the necessary cleanser.

[micah7:9]

In His time. :Peace2:

[ask21771]

I just want to know if Christ uses signs and synchronicity

[rosered]

I just want to know if Christ uses signs and synchronicity

Signs   Mark 16 The Great Commission
...16Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned.

17And these signs will accompany those who believe:


In My name they will drive out demons; they will speak in new tongues;


18they will pick up snakes with their hands, and if they drink any deadly poison, it will not harm them;


they will lay their hands on the sick, and they will be made well."...

I do believe the signs   are there Strong's G4592 - sēmeion
σημεῖον
Transliteration
sēmeion
Pronunciation
sā-mā'-on (Key)

Part of Speech
neuter noun
Root Word (Etymology)
From a presumed derivative of the base of σημαίνω (G4591)
TDNT Reference
7:200,1015
Vines
View Entry
Outline of Biblical Usage
a sign, mark, token

that by which a person or a thing is distinguished from others and is known

a sign, prodigy, portent, i.e. an unusual occurrence, transcending the common course of nature

of signs portending remarkable events soon to happen

of miracles and wonders by which God authenticates the men sent by him, or by which men prove that the cause they are pleading is God's

It says those  whom are false and it does not come true do NOT be afraid of them ....Deut 18...21"You may say in your heart, 'How will we know the word which the LORD has not spoken?' 22"When a prophet speaks in the name of the LORD, if the thing does not come about or come true, that is the thing which the LORD has not spoken. The prophet has spoken it presumptuously; you shall not be afraid of him.


  Fear the Lord only , He decides    everything for everyone

  fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom .....   LOVE IS THE END RESULT

No one can  speak boldly without the experiences of God in their lives     and proclaiming His glory in the earth   

    to be in the Spirit  is to  be in His presence and peace   , anyone    who has   ever experienced this will never doubt again     ..


  and those whom wait for this to happen will not be disappointed    nor put to shame ...


Romans 10 The Word Brings Salvation!!


...10For with your heart you believe and are justified, and with your mouth you confess and are saved.


11It is just as the Scripture says: "Everyone who believes in Him will not be put to shame."

12For there is no difference between Jew and Greek: The same Lord is Lord of all, and is rich to all who call on Him,...


We profess with our mouths  as  faith comes by hearing what the Spirit is saying !! 

ALL OUR HOPE IS IN GOD   !!   


  none can boast it is something they have done for themselves  or others , Unless God   opens our  ears and eyes and hearts we  remain ,  as  deaf and  dumb and  blind  as   newborns  in a womb  and is sustained by  a Life outside themselves     to keep alive  and yet hidden . 

[rosered]

Thanks   for listening ,,    also https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2+cor+5+&version=NASB

Something else to consider  please  .......    To die is gain ,,   so the Lord of   Life will live   in and though you ...at times of His manifestation   though the Spirit of Life
  so many expect this to be so literal , but it is hidden from mortals eyes ......

  We can see  GOD  in being new creatures in Christ , only the pure in heart / Christ minded , will see God    by the eyes of the Spirit ..jOHN 8

Abraham   was glad to SEE  JESUS IN HIS DAY  ,  IT WAS BY FAITH   and considered his own body as good as dead to the world already     ....



48 The Jews answered and said to Him, "Do we not say rightly that You are a Samaritan and have a demon?"

49 Jesus answered, "I do not have a demon; but I honor My Father, and you dishonor Me.


50 But I do not seek My glory; there is One who seeks and judges.


51 Truly, truly, I say to you, if anyone keeps My word he will never see death."


52 The Jews said to Him, "Now we know that You have a demon. :sigh:


Abraham died, and the prophets also; and You say, 'If anyone keeps My word, he will never taste of death.'


53 Surely You are not greater than our father Abraham, who died?

The prophets died too; whom do You make Yourself out to be?"


54 Jesus answered, "If I glorify Myself, My glory is nothing; it is My Father who glorifies Me, of whom you say, 'He is our God';



55 and you have not come to know Him, but I know Him;

and if I say that I do not know Him, I will be a liar like you,


but I do know Him and keep His word. 56 Your father Abraham rejoiced to see My day, and he saw it and was glad."


57 So the Jews said to Him, "You are not yet fifty years old, and have You seen Abraham?"


58 Jesus said to them, "Truly, truly, I say to you, before Abraham was born, I am." 59 Therefore they picked up stones to throw at Him, but Jesus hid Himself and went out of the temple.


God of the living  God of abraham Isaac and Jacob   they LIVE IN THE SPIRIT OF LIFE NOW AND ALWAYS , GOD IS LIFE AND LOVE   and peace and joy and HOLY SPIRIT ,    they have no mortal  bodies to bind them any longer , just as the Spirit is willing so  the flesh is weak  because of sin ,  this is why it is good to consider your body as good as dead already   by faith    , So the Spirit of Life  does live and walk  and move  within your   presence /existence...

Those whom worship the Father in Spirit & truth   John 4 ...23But a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and in truth, for the Father is seeking such as these to worship Him. 24God is Spirit, and His worshipers must worship Him in spirit and in truth."

WE are spirits  in mortal bodies but  it is GOD whom all Life sustains


spirits of just men made perfect


Hebrews 12 An Unshakable Kingdom
...22  Instead, you have come to Mount Zion, to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem.

You have come to myriads of angels

23in joyful assembly, to the congregation of the firstborn, enrolled in heaven.


You have come to God the judge of all men, to the spirits of the righteous made perfect,


24to Jesus the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood that speaks a better word than the blood of Abel....