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Mike Winger idea 2020-03-04

Q: Baptism in Acts 2:38 — is it required for salvation? No. Acts 10 (Cornelius) shows people receiving the Holy Spirit BEFORE baptism. The gift of the Holy Spirit in Acts 2:38 comes after repentance; baptism is commanded but not essential to receiving salvation. Cornelius was saved, Spirit-filled, and speaking in tongues before water baptism.

Q&A — baptism and salvation (Acts 2:38 vs Acts 10)

Acts 2:38 Acts 10 Cornelius Acts 2:38 baptism and salvation Acts 10 Cornelius
Mike Winger idea 2020-03-04

Q: Does "saved by faith alone" mean you can sin and still be saved? In one sense yes — salvation is grounded on grace, not works (Romans 5: "having been justified by grace, we have peace with God"). But genuine salvation produces the Holy Spirit, which works out into good works. Works are evidence of salvation, not the means of maintaining it. A person living in reckless sin may never have been saved.

Q&A — faith alone and ongoing sin

Romans 5 (peace with God) faith alone works as evidence faith alone
Mike Winger idea 2020-03-11

Q&A: Who should we direct prayers to? Generally to the Father (Matthew 6:6), but praying to Jesus or the Holy Spirit is acceptable. "In Jesus' name" is not a required phrase — you pray through Christ whether you say it or not because he is your mediator.

Q&A — directing prayer

Matthew 6:6 prayer direction Matthew 6:6
Mike Winger idea 2020-03-18

Q: 2 Corinthians 3:17 ("the Lord is the Spirit") — does it teach Jesus is the Holy Spirit? It affirms oneness in God but not Oneness Pentecostal theology. The Spirit is sometimes called the Spirit of Jesus; the Holy Spirit is Christ's presence with us. But the full NT also affirms distinct persons of the Trinity.

Q&A — 2 Corinthians 3:17 and the Trinity

2 Corinthians 3:17 Trinity Trinity 2 Corinthians 3:17
Mike Winger idea 2020-04-08

Mike presents a detailed gospel message: how to get saved. Romans 10:9 is the core verse — confess Jesus is Lord, believe God raised him from the dead, and you will be saved. Simple but with deep layers when you zoom in.

Introduction — how to get saved

Romans 10:9 gospel presentation Romans 10:9 how to get saved
Mike Winger idea 2020-04-08

What salvation produces: (1) Adoption as God's children (1 John 3:1); (2) Indwelling of the Holy Spirit — born again, new creation (Titus 3:5, 2 Cor 5:17); (3) Complete forgiveness of sins; (4) Eternal life — not ethereal existence but new heaven and new earth with perfect fellowship. Simple to receive, vast in scope.

Results of salvation — adoption, Spirit, eternal life

1 John 3:1 Titus 3:5 regeneration born again 1 John 3:1
Mike Winger idea 2020-04-08

Mike leads a salvation prayer: admitting sin, believing in Jesus's death and resurrection, confessing him as Lord, thanking God for forgiveness, asking to be filled with the Spirit to walk in new life. He emphasizes the prayer is a step of faith — salvation comes from the heart posture, not the words themselves.

Salvation prayer

repentance gospel presentation repentance
Mike Winger idea 2020-04-29

Q&A: How to evaluate modern self-proclaimed prophets who get prophecies wrong. Mike's position: if they get one wrong, he no longer trusts they're hearing from God (Deuteronomy 18:22 principle). He gives leeway to sincere believers who may have confused their own heart for the Holy Spirit, but consecutive failures warrant stronger stance.

Q&A — evaluating modern prophets

Deuteronomy 18:22 Deuteronomy 18:22 modern prophecy testing prophets
Mike Winger idea 2020-06-03

Can a Christian be demon-possessed? Mike distinguishes possession from influence/oppression. Christians have the Holy Spirit indwelling them — demon possession (ownership/control) seems incompatible with the Spirit's presence. But Christians can be oppressed, influenced, and harassed by demons. The demoniac in Mark 5 was fully controlled; Christians may experience lesser forms of spiritual attack but not total possession.

Demon possession vs oppression in Christians

1 Corinthians 6:19 James 4:7 spiritual warfare spiritual warfare 1 Corinthians 6:19
Mike Winger idea 2020-08-18

Survey of Mark showing Jesus consistently correcting false messianic expectations: (1) Mark 1:8 — baptize with Holy Spirit, not raise armies. (2) Mark 1:11 — beloved Son (sacrifice imagery from Genesis 22). (3) Mark 1:15 — repent and believe, not take up arms. (4) Jesus's ministry: exorcisms and healings, not political conquest — the enemy is Satan, not Rome; the problem is sin, not occupation. (5) Jesus sends crowds away instead of rallying them for war. The whole Gospel of Mark is about fixing these expectations.

Survey of Mark — correcting messianic expectations

Mark Series Genesis 22 (Isaac) Mark 1:8 Mark Series false messianic expectations Genesis 22 (Isaac)
Mike Winger idea 2020-08-21

Parable of the 10 Virgins (Matthew 25): about persevering in genuine devotion to Christ's coming kingdom. The foolish virgins expected the bridegroom but weren't truly prepared — Christians in name only, not in genuineness. Oil likely represents the Holy Spirit (connected to oil symbolism in Zechariah) and genuine relationship with Christ. You can't borrow someone else's faith. The warning: don't be a nominal Christian coasting on a past experience.

Parable of 10 Virgins — genuine vs nominal faith

Matthew 25:1-13 Matthew 25:1-13 Parable of Ten Virgins nominal Christianity
Mike Winger idea 2020-08-21

Can bad people go to heaven and ruin it? Reconciled by regeneration: everyone who believes in Christ receives a new nature. Even hypothetically, if Hitler truly repented on his deathbed, he'd be a new creation in heaven — hating his old ways, transformed by the Holy Spirit. Heaven is populated by transformed people, not merely forgiven ones.

Bad people in heaven — regeneration transforms

2 Corinthians 5:17 born again 2 Corinthians 5:17 born again
Mike Winger idea 2020-09-28

Conclusion: Mark 11 teaches new-covenant prayer through Christ, accessed by faith (not works). Real faith believes both for miracles AND in suffering when God says no. The harder path of faith is trusting God's "no."

Summary of the full teaching on prayer from Mark 11 and 14

Mark 11:22-25 Mark 14:35-36 Kenneth Copeland Word of Faith Kenneth Copeland
Mike Winger idea 2020-10-26

Du Toit changes "forgiveness" to "I am-ness" and teaches that the Trinity has four circles (Father, Son, you/me, Holy Spirit). Jesus didn't die to save us from sin but from a wrong mindset. Hell is "just a pathway to heaven."

The Mirror Bible's broader theological distortions

John 17:7 Mirror Bible Mirror Bible François Du Toit
Mike Winger idea 2020-10-26

The Mirror Bible is endorsed by John Crowder ("toking the holy ghost") and William Paul Young (author of The Shack, later a universalist). It's part of a broader movement: progressive Christianity, hyper-charismatic theology, and universal salvation all pushing the same direction.

Endorsers and broader context of the Mirror Bible

John Crowder Mirror Bible Mirror Bible John Crowder
Mike Winger idea 2021-01-04

In Mark 12:35-37, Jesus asks a riddle about Psalm 110:1 — if the Messiah is David's son, why does David call him "Lord"? Jesus is challenging the LIMITED christology that the Messiah is merely a human descendant of David.

Mark Series pt 50: Jesus's question about Christ and David from Psalm 110

Psalm 110:1 Mark 12:35-37 Mark series deity of Christ Psalm 110:1 Mark 12:35-37
Mike Winger idea 2021-05-14

Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob are in the kingdom (Luke 13:28) despite not having the indwelling Holy Spirit — being "born again" isn't identical to Spirit-indwelling but includes it. OT saints had real relationship with God through different means.

Q5: If born again requires the Spirit, how are OT saints in the kingdom?

Luke 13 Abraham Isaac Jacob
Mike Winger idea 2021-05-28

Does Modalism Jeopardize Salvation?: Does modalism lead to other fallacies? If someone believes in Christ except they don’t believe that Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are each distinct, could their salvation be in jeopardy?

Q&A question: Does Modalism Jeopardize Salvation?

salvation
Mike Winger idea 2021-05-28

Should Believers Expect to Hear/Feel God?: I have never "felt"/"heard" from the Holy Spirit/God. I believe in and follow Jesus, but I feel like I am missing something. Should a Christian be literally hearing/feeling something from God?

Q&A question: Should Believers Expect to Hear/Feel God?

Jesus
Mike Winger idea 2021-05-28

Same Spirit but Different Opinions?: Discerning the Spirit: I’m having a hard time understanding how Christians are all supposed to have the same Holy Spirit but we are so divided on so many issues.

Q&A question: Same Spirit but Different Opinions?

Holy Spirit
Mike Winger idea 2021-06-04

Is the Holy Spirit Jesus’ Father?: Might be a dumb question but if the Holy Spirit came upon Mary so that Jesus could be born, wouldn't that make the Holy Spirit Jesus' father?

Q&A question: Is the Holy Spirit Jesus’ Father?

Jesus
Mike Winger idea 2021-07-16

Are the Son & Spirit Extensions of the Father?: What would you say to people who say that Jesus and the Holy Spirit are mere extensions of the one God, the Father?

Q&A question: Are the Son & Spirit Extensions of the Father?

Jesus
Mike Winger idea 2021-07-16

About John the Baptizer/Baptist’s Salvation: Was John the Baptizer born saved? Luke 1: 15 says he would be filled with the Holy Spirit "even from his mother's womb.”

Q&A question: About John the Baptizer/Baptist’s Salvation

salvation baptism
Mike Winger idea 2021-08-06

How is the Holy Spirit Received?: How does receiving the Holy Spirit work? In Acts, there are two times the HS is poured out: Jews (Ch. 2) and then Gentiles (Ch. 10), but every other time is passed by laying on of hands (Acts 8: 14-18, 19:6, etc.).

Q&A question: How is the Holy Spirit Received?

Acts 8 Acts 8
Mike Winger idea 2021-05-07

The Deity of the Holy Spirit: I was wondering if the Bible mentions that the Holy Spirit was in the beginning with God the Father and the Son, and where is the Holy Spirit said to be God?

Q&A question: The Deity of the Holy Spirit

Holy Spirit
Mike Winger idea 2021-08-20

About the Paraclete: John 16:7 says Paraclete is the Holy Spirit, and 1 John 2:1 says it is Jesus Christ. I cannot believe this is a mistranslation, so what is 1 John 2:1 talking about?

Q&A question: About the Paraclete

1 John 2 John 16 1 John 2:1 Jesus Christ Jesus 1 John 2
Mike Winger idea 2021-09-24

Our Own Thoughts vs. the Holy Spirit: In something like pursuing a relationship, or even in general, how do you tell the difference between the Holy Spirit and your own anxiety telling you not to do something?

Q&A question: Our Own Thoughts vs. the Holy Spirit

Holy Spirit anxiety and mental health
Mike Winger idea 2021-10-08

How to Recognize the Spirit vs. Enemy: How do we know when we feel the Holy Spirit that it isn't a trick from Satan making us think that it’s God? And how do you know Jesus’s resurrection wasn’t a false miracle/wonder by Satan?

Q&A question: How to Recognize the Spirit vs. Enemy

Jesus resurrection Satan
Mike Winger idea 2021-10-15

Why Didn’t God Rewrite Difficult Passages?: Can you explain the Holy Spirit Inspiration Doctrine? I struggle with understanding why God did not rewrite controversial Bible passages. I know I am only a man, and I seek to understand.

Q&A question: Why Didn’t God Rewrite Difficult Passages?

Holy Spirit
Mike Winger idea 2021-11-05

Is Baptism Required?: Why does the Bible sound like baptism is required for salvation in some places (eg. Mark 16: 16)? Does Acts 1:5 answer what KIND of baptism IS required (Holy Spirit baptism)? And what did Jesus mean by “to fulfill righteousness”?

Q&A question: Is Baptism Required?

Mark 16 Acts 1 Jesus salvation baptism
Mike Winger idea 2021-11-12

About Tongues & God’s Will: If the Holy Spirit gives tongues, how is it that anyone uses it against the will of God, if the Spirit only does what the Father wills? (For example, misusing it in church services.)

Q&A question: About Tongues & God’s Will

tongues
Mike Winger idea 2021-12-03

About the Evidence of the Spirit: In Acts 8, how did they know when the Samaritans had and had not received the Holy Spirit? Pentecostals teach that it must have been tongues. Is there another explanation?

Q&A question: About the Evidence of the Spirit

Acts 8 Acts 8 tongues
Mike Winger idea 2022-01-14

Why We Should Go to Church: My aunt tells me to go to church because that's when the Holy Spirit "descends" and is with us. Is this true? I'm abroad for school and I don't understand the language that well. Should I still go?

Q&A question: Why We Should Go to Church

Holy Spirit
Mike Winger idea 2022-01-21

Should we Worship the Holy Spirit?: Why isn't the Holy Spirit mentioned in any of the instances in Revelation when praise is being given to the Father and the lamb if He is to be worshiped as separate? For example: Revelation 5: 13.

Q&A question: Should we Worship the Holy Spirit?

revelation worship revelation
Mike Winger idea 2022-01-28

How Does the HS Guide Us?: I'm a new born-again Christian and I'd like to know, how does the Holy Spirit guide us?

Q&A question: How Does the HS Guide Us?

Holy Spirit
Mike Winger idea 2022-05-20

About the Witness in John 8: In John 8: 13-19, Jesus testifies that the Father is His witness. Given the emphasis on 2 witnesses in the Law, why did He not mention the Holy Spirit in this point? The absence is conspicuous.

Q&A question: About the Witness in John 8

John 8 Jesus John 8
Mike Winger idea 2022-06-17

Can we be Refilled with the Spirit?: Is it unbiblical to ask for a "refilling of the Holy Spirit"? Don't we already have Him living inside us? I hear this a lot at my church, and I don't know what to think of it.

Q&A question: Can we be Refilled with the Spirit?

Holy Spirit
Mike Winger idea 2022-06-24

About Receiving the Spirit: If we are to believe that you receive the Holy Spirit when you believe, why does there seem to be a separation from believing and receiving in Acts 19:1-2?

Q&A question: About Receiving the Spirit

Acts 19 Acts 19
Mike Winger idea 2022-07-15

Should Ungodly Behavior Cause Doubt?: If I were to doubt Christianity (I don't), it would be because of a lack of holiness. Christians seem to be jerks at the same rate as the world, or more. Why is this, if we have the Holy Spirit?

Q&A question: Should Ungodly Behavior Cause Doubt?

Holy Spirit doubt and faith
Mike Winger idea 2022-07-15

God in the Garden: Who was walking in the garden in Genesis 3:8? Was it Jesus, the Father, the Holy Spirit, or all three?

Q&A question: God in the Garden

Genesis 3 Genesis Genesis 3 Jesus Genesis
Mike Winger idea 2022-07-22

When did the Holy Spirit Come?: My question is about the Spirit. Jesus spoke of the Spirit coming after Him in John 14, but He is there in Luke 1 before Jesus’ birth. When did the Spirit actually come?

Q&A question: When did the Holy Spirit Come?

Jesus
Mike Winger idea 2022-08-13

Does Jesus Live in Us?: Would it be accurate after reading 1 Corinthians 6: 19 & 2 Corinthians 13:5 to state that both the Holy Spirit and Jesus live in the believer?

Q&A question: Does Jesus Live in Us?

1 Corinthians 6 2 Corinthians 13:5 Jesus 1 Corinthians 6 2 Corinthians 13:5
Mike Winger idea 2022-12-09

Has Jesus Always Been God?: Our pastor said on Sunday that Jesus wasn’t God here on Earth until the baptism of John and descending of the Holy Spirit. It sounded really bad to my ears. Can you comment, please?

Q&A question: Has Jesus Always Been God?

Jesus baptism pastoral ministry
Mike Winger idea 2022-12-16

Discerning God’s Voice: How can I tell when the Holy Spirit is talking to me? Ever since hearing a sermon about a pastor's conviction to spend more time with God, I think I’m hearing God ask for more time when I close my Bible.

Q&A question: Discerning God’s Voice

pastoral ministry
Mike Winger idea 2023-01-13

Ministering to LDS Members: I showed some LDS members your Book of Abraham video, but because they believe they heard from the Holy Spirit, biblical arguments haven’t worked. How can I show that they haven’t heard the Spirit?

Q&A question: Ministering to LDS Members

Abraham Mormonism
Mike Winger idea 2023-03-17

Trinitarian Clarity: How is the Holy Spirit not the Son or Father (Matthew 10: 20, Philippians 1: 19)? These verses confuse me when I’m trying to answer this question.

Q&A question: Trinitarian Clarity

Matthew 10 Matthew Philippians 1 Trinity Matthew 10 Philip
Mike Winger idea 2023-04-07

Should we Pray for Specific Gifts?: What do you think about praying expectantly for a very specific gift of the Holy Spirit? I see people blessed with certain gifts teaching classes. For example, I've seen classes on how to prophesy.

Q&A question: Should we Pray for Specific Gifts?

Holy Spirit
Mike Winger idea 2023-05-05

Could the HS be Feminine?: Could the Holy Spirit be feminine? A biblically sound, wiser, older Christian in my life is unsure about this. He brings up decent arguments affirming this view, but then there's John 15: 26. Thoughts?

Q&A question: Could the HS be Feminine?

John 15 John 15
Mike Winger idea 2023-05-26

Disqualified from our Rewards?: Since sanctification is a work of the Holy Spirit, and we will never be fully sinless in this life, how do we not become disqualified from/lose rewards in Heaven (1 Corinthians 9: 27)?

Q&A question: Disqualified from our Rewards?

1 Corinthians 9 sanctification 1 Corinthians 9
Mike Winger idea 2023-06-09

Different Personalities in the Trinity?: Do the different Persons of the Trinity have different personalities? Would God the Father, Jesus, or the Holy Spirit act in a different way than the others in a given situation?

Q&A question: Different Personalities in the Trinity?

Trinity Jesus
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