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Mike Winger idea 2020-11-20

Old Testament believers were saved but lacked the permanent indwelling of the Holy Spirit

Question about whether Old Testament believers were born again and could be called children of God.

Acts 2 Psalm 51:11 John 14:17 David Acts 2 Abraham
Mike Winger idea 2020-12-11

Revival is biblical; Mike defines it as significant corporate repentance and walking rightly with God, not primarily as an outpouring of spectacular spiritual gifts.

Question: is revival biblical?

Holy Spirit repentance revival
Mike Winger idea 2020-12-11

Judges 11: Jephthah's vow - the Spirit being "upon" Jephthah means military enablement, not moral/ethical guidance; the Spirit did not sanction his vow or its fulfillment.

Question about Jephthah's vow and the Spirit being upon him

Judges 11 Holy Spirit Jephthah vows
Mike Winger idea 2020-12-11

Mike identifies as charismatic (gifts active today, cessationism rejected) but not hyper-charismatic; he opposes fabricating gifts and "Acts 2.0" theology.

Question clarifying what Mike means by calling himself charismatic

cessationism Holy Spirit tongues
Mike Winger idea 2020-12-18

The Holy Spirit's departure from Saul was not about salvation but about losing the anointing to be king — the Spirit empowered Saul for his royal office, and when he repeatedly rebelled it departed.

Q: Why did the Holy Spirit leave Saul and why did an evil spirit from the Lord enter him?

1 Samuel — Spirit on Saul Saul Holy Spirit Departure from Saul 1 Samuel — Spirit on Saul
Mike Winger idea 2020-12-18

Angels could fall but redeemed humans in eternity will not — Scripture promises 'with him forever'; the mechanisms likely include: prior choice already made, maximum Holy Spirit indwelling, perfected environment, and crucially the removal of the sin nature.

Q: If angels were not 100% safe in heaven because they could be seduced by Satan, how can we be certain we will be safe in eternity with God?

1 Corinthians 15:53 — Incorruption Eschatology Eternal Security in Heaven Fallen Angels / Satan
Mike Winger idea 2021-01-01

Q7: Daniel prayed without a temple — praying toward the temple as access to God (OT parallel to praying in Jesus' name)

Response to question about Mark 11:22-25 and temple-based prayer

Mark 11:22-25 Daniel 1 Kings 8 prayer temple indwelling Holy Spirit
Mike Winger idea 2021-01-01

Believers as the temple — the astonishing access to God available through Christ

Continuation of Q7; reflection on prayer and access to God

1 Corinthians 6:19 prayer temple indwelling Holy Spirit
Mike Winger idea 2021-01-01

Q13: Anxiety about salvation and blasphemy of the Holy Spirit — prayer and resource recommendation

Response to viewer ("Spazzy Jazzy") anxious about salvation and blasphemy of Holy Spirit

Hebrews 12:2 Holy Spirit blasphemy of the Holy Spirit anxiety
Mike Winger idea 2021-01-08

John 16:13 has primary application to the apostles; broadly applying it to all Christians sets the bar for Spirit-guidance too low

Question from Rocketman Sean about the extent to which John 16:13 applies to Christians today

John 16:13 apostles Holy Spirit prophecy
Mike Winger idea 2021-01-08

A rearview mirror test for Spirit-led claims: look back at past "God told me" moments and evaluate their accuracy

Practical tool for evaluating claims of Spirit guidance

Holy Spirit discernment false prophecy
Mike Winger idea 2021-01-08

The Holy Spirit specifically is said to grieve because He is the unifying presence dwelling within believers — our division grieves Him most directly

Question from Sandra about why Ephesians 4:30 says the Holy Spirit grieves but not the Father or Son

Ephesians 4:30 Ephesians 4:31 Trinity Holy Spirit Ephesians 4:30
Mike Winger idea 2021-01-08

Bitterness, clamor, and slander toward political opponents grieve the Spirit — Christians must deal with their own carnality first

Application of Ephesians 4:30-31 to the current political/cultural climate

Ephesians 4:31 Matthew 7:3-5 Holy Spirit self-examination bitterness
Mike Winger idea 2021-01-15

Acts 2 tongues were real human foreign languages — each person heard in their own native language, not a single universal language

Question from Joel Holberg about whether the apostles in Acts 2 spoke a language everyone understood or each spoke a different foreign language.

Acts 2 Acts 2 Tongues / glossolalia Day of Pentecost
Mike Winger idea 2021-01-15

Spiritual gifts cannot be taught or transferred — they are given by the Spirit as he wills

Question from Ad Chan about whether spiritual gifts can be taught.

1 Corinthians 12 Spiritual gifts 1 Corinthians 12 Holy Spirit sovereignty
Mike Winger idea 2021-01-15

John 17:21 — the oneness Jesus prays for is relational unity via the indwelling Spirit and Christ's mediation, not ontological Trinity participation

Question from David Foresight about what it means for believers to be "one" as the Father and Son are one in John 17:21.

John 17:21 John 14-16 Indwelling of the Holy Spirit Jesus as mediator John 17:21
Mike Winger idea 2021-01-15

Anointing a home with oil is not taught in the NT but is permissible as an extra-biblical tradition if not turned into a formula or power-grab

Question from Kate about anointing a home with oil for spiritual warfare.

James 5:14 Spiritual warfare Anointing with oil James 5:14
Mike Winger idea 2021-01-15

Imputed righteousness does not eliminate moral obligation — it changes the basis of standing before God, not the Christian's motivation to pursue holiness

Question from John Dutton about whether imputed righteousness is biblical and whether it undermines the call to repent from sin.

Romans 3-5 Antinomianism Holiness Sanctification
Mike Winger idea 2021-01-29

Bethel Church's role in the false prophecy conundrum: uncritical embrace of all positive prophecy regardless of source

Continuation of the charismatic false prophecy discussion. Mike names Bethel specifically as a contributing factor.

discernment prophetic accountability Bethel Church
Mike Winger idea 2021-01-29

Forgiveness vs. salvation: forgiveness is one component; salvation is the full package including adoption, the Spirit, and eternal life

Question from Olivia Heartland asking for clarification on the difference between forgiveness and salvation.

salvation forgiveness soteriology
Mike Winger idea 2018-10-31

Mike shares his personal testimony: he came to faith at age 12 through the 10 Commandments convicting him of sin, then heard the gospel at a youth group he attended to get out of the house, believed immediately, and later pursued apologetics to verify his faith.

Response to viewer asking about Mike’s testimony

Holy Spirit apologetics gospel
Mike Winger idea 2021-02-05

Holy Spirit in the Old vs. New Testament: Old Testament experiences were primarily empowerment for service; New Testament introduces indwelling.

Question from Elizabeth about the distinction between the Holy Spirit coming "upon" versus being "in" a person.

Ezekiel 29 Elijah Holy Spirit empowerment Holy Spirit indwelling
Mike Winger idea 2021-02-05

Ephesians 1:13 — the sealing of the Spirit as the New Testament's distinctive: permanent relational indwelling as guarantee of inheritance.

Scriptural basis for the New Testament indwelling distinction.

Romans 8 Ephesians 1:13 Abba Father Romans 8 Pentecost
Mike Winger idea 2021-02-05

The "upon" experience continues in the New Testament alongside indwelling: Acts 4 prayer for boldness as a second coming of the Spirit upon believers already indwelt.

Reconciling Old Testament "upon" empowerment with New Testament reality.

Acts 4 Acts 4 Holy Spirit empowerment Holy Spirit filling
Mike Winger idea 2021-02-12

Q18: Can Christians feel God's presence, or is it just emotion responding to truth? Both are possible — Spirit-generated emotion and ordinary human emotion are both real

Viewer Amelia asks whether feeling God's presence is genuine or just the mind responding emotionally to biblical truth.

Romans 8 Exodus 34 Moses Romans 8 Holy Spirit
Mike Winger idea 2021-02-12

Galatians 5 fruit of the Spirit — desires to love, worship, and serve are Spirit-generated; Christians are slow to credit the Spirit working in them for good

Mike appends an observation about the Spirit while wrapping up the presence question.

Galatians 5 Holy Spirit sanctification fruit of the Spirit
Mike Winger idea 2021-02-19

1 Samuel 16 — King Saul tormented by a harmful spirit

Best OT example of possible demonic activity/possession: the harmful spirit that tormented Saul after the Spirit of the Lord departed.

1 Samuel 16 1 Samuel 16 demonic activity King Saul
Mike Winger idea 2020-12-04

Listening prayer is not condemned in Scripture but formulizing the Holy Spirit's work is dangerous and can produce fabrications.

Question from Susan Krieg about whether the Bible endorses listening prayer.

Bethel Church Holy Spirit Listening prayer
Mike Winger idea 2020-12-04

Baptism of the Holy Spirit as a post-salvation experience with mandatory tongues is not supported by Scripture; authentic gifts are preferred over formulaic fake ones.

Question from Lauren Breon about whether the baptism of the Holy Spirit as a separate experience with prayer language is scriptural.

1 Corinthians 12 Cessationism Baptism of the Holy Spirit 1 Corinthians 12
Mike Winger idea 2021-01-22

Generational curses: pastoral concern and theological rejection

Studio asked whether believers can be cursed by ancestral actions or ethnic heritage (specifically Native American bloodline).

Luke 11:24-26 atonement false teaching spiritual warfare
Mike Winger idea 2021-01-22

Testing whether a vision or impression is from the Holy Spirit

UK Dove Girl asked how to know whether a lucid open-eyed vision comes from the Spirit rather than the subconscious.

Holy Spirit discernment prophecy
Mike Winger idea 2021-01-22

Isaiah 9:6 — "Everlasting Father" as a title for Jesus: representational fullness of God

Leslie Johnson asked why Isaiah 9:6 calls Jesus "Everlasting Father" if he is not the Father within Trinitarian theology.

Isaiah 9:6 John 14:16 Trinity Christology incarnation
Mike Winger idea 2021-02-26

Lady Wisdom in Proverbs 8 — typological connection to Christ, not the Holy Spirit

Steven Rivers asks whether Lady Wisdom in Proverbs 8 could be the Holy Spirit and whether Hebrew/Greek pronouns clarify the gender.

Proverbs 8 1 Corinthians 1 typology Holy Spirit Christology
Mike Winger idea 2021-02-26

Non-negotiable Christian doctrines — essentials vs. secondary issues

DJ Diner asks what doctrines Christians should plant their flag on and never back down from.

Mormonism biblical inerrancy Trinity
Mike Winger idea 2021-02-26

Unconfessed sin at death — positional vs. conditional righteousness; in Christ theology

Popham asks if a born-again Christian who dies suddenly with an unconfessed momentary sin (not a lifestyle) goes to hell.

Galatians 2:20 Ephesians 1 in Christ Galatians 2:20 Ephesians 1
Mike Winger idea 2021-04-09

Hebrews 6:4-6 — apostasy, hardness of heart, and the possible national Israel interpretation

Question from A.D. Chan about whether Hebrews 6:4-6 applies to Judas and what "falling away" means for someone who has experienced the Spirit.

Romans 11 Hebrews 6:4-6 Romans 11 Judas Iscariot Repentance
Mike Winger idea 2021-04-09

Why was Zechariah punished for his question about John's birth, but Mary was not punished for asking the same type of question?

Question from Terry Defilo about Luke 1:18 (Zechariah) vs. Luke 1:34 (Mary) and the apparent inconsistency.

John the Baptist Luke 1:18 Luke 1:34 Mary John the Baptist Luke 1:18
Mike Winger idea 2021-04-09

Can someone be justified without being sanctified? Can habitual sin coexist with salvation?

Question from Kate Channel about justification, sanctification, and habitual sin.

Galatians 5 John 8:36 2 Corinthians 13:5 Fruit of the Spirit Galatians 5 Sanctification
Mike Winger idea 2021-04-23

Spiritual dryness and keeping God at arm's length: the will precedes the heart; make obedient decisions and let the heart follow over time.

Q9 from Arrivederci: struggling with trusting and wanting Christ — how to stop keeping the Holy Spirit at arm's length?

spiritual disciplines spiritual dryness faith and the will
Mike Winger idea 2021-04-23

Spiritual doubt overcome through volitional trust: Mike's personal testimony of months of intellectual and emotional doubt resolved by choosing to trust God regardless of feelings.

Q17 from Healthy Bleach: feeling cut off from God, wondering if prayer is talking to oneself, if faith is wishful thinking.

Proverbs 3:5-6 Genesis flood narrative Proverbs 3:5-6 perseverance spiritual dryness
Mike Winger idea 2021-04-23

Fruits of the Spirit in believers vs. unbelievers: the difference is source (Holy Spirit) and ultimate quality/context, not the complete absence of these qualities in unbelievers.

Q20 from Craig Burnett: what is the difference in gifts/fruits of the Spirit between a Christian and a non-Christian displaying the same qualities (patience, gentleness, peace)?

Galatians 5:22-23 2 Timothy 4:10 Holy Spirit fruit of the Spirit Galatians 5:22-23
Mike Winger idea 2021-03-12

Re-baptism: Acts 19 supports being baptized again after receiving fuller gospel understanding; LDS baptism is invalid

Q5 from Stephanie Morse: Are there biblical examples of people being baptized more than once? She was baptized LDS and wants to be re-baptized.

Acts 19 John's baptism Apollos Holy Spirit Acts 19
Mike Winger idea 2021-03-12

The NT reliably narrates events where Jesus was alone — he could have told disciples, and Holy Spirit aided gospel authors

Q19 from Stephen Richeson: How do we know the NT is reliable for events where Jesus was alone, such as the temptation in the wilderness or Gethsemane?

John 14:26 eyewitness testimony Holy Spirit inspiration temptation of Jesus
Mike Winger idea 2021-03-19

2 Thessalonians 2:6-7 — the identity of the Restrainer is uncertain

Listener Louise Sorensen (Denmark) asks whether, when the restrainer of 2 Thessalonians 2 is removed, non-believers will lose compassion and morals.

2 Thessalonians 2:6-7 Holy Spirit Antichrist Eschatology
Mike Winger idea 2021-03-19

Distinguishing the Holy Spirit's burden from personal obsession

Listener Keys of the Kingdom wonders whether concern about a friend who broke contact is the Spirit's prompting or personal obsession.

Titus 2 Discerning the Holy Spirit Obsession vs divine prompting Good works
Mike Winger idea 2021-04-30

God physically appearing to everyone would not necessarily eliminate unbelief; unbelief is often a heart issue, not an evidence problem.

Question 8 from Amanda about why God does not appear physically and audibly to eliminate all unbelief.

Romans 1 John 5 John 1 apologetics Matt Dillahunty unbelief
Mike Winger idea 2021-04-30

The Holy Spirit speaks through fruit, track record, and confirmation from other believers; not every decision requires supernatural direction.

Question 14 from Gel Stapper (Netherlands) about how the Holy Spirit speaks personally, after leaving a hyper-charismatic church.

Ezekiel 13 Holy Spirit discernment wisdom
Mike Winger idea 2020-02-19

Q&A: The witness of the Holy Spirit is not primarily an emotion but a witness (like testimony) — the Spirit confirms truths like "I am a child of God" (Romans 8). It can come through Scripture, prayer, or ongoing experience and can be temporarily quenched.

Q&A — witness of the Holy Spirit

Romans 8 Romans 8 witness of the Holy Spirit witness of the Holy Spirit
Mike Winger idea 2020-03-04

Q: What does "born of water" mean in John 3:5? Two interpretations: (1) physical birth (water/amniotic fluid) vs. spiritual birth — two births, not three; (2) "water and spirit" as one birth in Greek, referring to the spiritual reality baptism represents, not literal water baptism. Cornelius (Acts 10) proves baptism isn't required for salvation.

Q&A — born of water (John 3:5)

John 3:5 Acts 10 Cornelius John 3:5 born of water baptism and salvation
Mike Winger idea 2020-03-04

Q: Does Romans 1:20 refute total depravity? Not directly. Romans 1:20 says everyone has received sufficient revelation of God's existence through creation, making them without excuse. Mike disagrees with Calvinist "total inability" (inability to respond even with Holy Spirit's calling) but doesn't think this verse addresses it.

Q&A — Romans 1:20 and total depravity

Romans 1:20 general revelation total depravity general revelation
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