http://www.letusreason.org/Default.htm
Mike Oppenheimer of:
Let Us Reason Ministries
MY TESTIMONY
I was brought up Jewish, went to Shabbat quite faithfully each Friday and celebrated the holydays at the temple and with family. Our family like many others, gathered together on the high holy days in observance. I attended Hebrew school twice a week and learned the language and eventually was Bar Mitzvahed and confirmed. While attending classes I asked a lot of questions about God the Rabbi could not answer. Though I continued each year, mainly to please my parents, I became less interested in the traditional religion of my parents and feeling hindered in my spiritual development, leaped head first into my own brand of freestyle spirituality after graduation.
By my own search in reading and attending lectures and gatherings I got involved in the New Age Movement, became a vegetarian and for 15 years practiced yoga and meditation. I ended up using psychedelic drugs for a time (LSD, mescaline etc.), as part of my regular religious observances and smoking “pakalolo” (pot) became part of my normal lifestyle. During these times I also experimented with various religions and the occult. I felt they each contained some part of the truth of the one “true” religion, just as Rosicrucianism teaches all religions are petals on the same flower.
I studied about the Ancient Masters of the East, learning about Buddhism and Zen I picked up on a number of the practices. I had a number of spiritual experiences which at the time I was sure were from God and leading me to a greater knowledge of myself and Him. I discovered and believed in the Ascended Masters that were guiding our world into a greater evolutionary path. I was involved with UFO’s and channeled messages. I was sure I was on the right spiritual path because of the various signs things just fell into place. At the same time I also read the Bible (even the New Testament), not denying my Jewish roots. I began reading over 50 books a year, having an insatiable spiritual appetite, but God was working on my exit out of this spiritual bondage.
I had also started to surf before beginning my spiritual pilgrimage. I fell in love with the sport and began traveling, surfing and entering contests. Surfing became my livelihood after I learned to shape surfboards for a living. I became the NY champion for a number of years and eventually the eastern surfing champion for two years. Hawaii proved to be an irresistible attraction due to its fantastic surf. I moved permanently to Hawaii with my girlfriend Kathy in the mid 70’s. This gave me more freedom to pursue both my first love of surfing and my freelance spirituality. We thought we were becoming enlightened. Reading books about the Ascended Masters involvement and “learning” about Earth’s past history on Lemuria and Atlantis. We desired to become servants of the New age movement, convinced that if we all united we could usher in an age of spiritual cooperation and enlightenment that so many were talking about. After nine years my searching came to a head when my girlfriend Kathy and I started to pursue our spiritual hunger more seriously and became involved in the “I Am Movement” (the Saint Germaine Society of the Ballard’s). Through calling on angels and powers unknown to us and by “decreeing” and using the Violet Consuming Flame to eradicate past life karma, we were learning to become active in the New Age Movement. At the time, Kathy was practicing affirmations, mantras, studying herbology, polarity therapy, kinesiology and learning about the supposed spiritual energies of the body. She also was a manager of a health store on the Island of Oahu.
At the same time, the Lord started moving ahead with His rescue plan and during one week we had two friends over who had recently became Christians. One was also a surfer that I knew from New York. We talked about end-time events for hours. Since I was familiar with, as I had been reading the Bible for years, and was especially fascinated about the end of the age. (At that time we both thought Christians were very narrow minded about their view of the Bible, God and the world. Kathy and I used to laugh about how the New Age was coming in without Christians even being aware of it, and were still trying to live in the old traditions and were not going to be part of it). Later that week my friends invited us to a seminar that just so happened to be on the New Age Movement with speakers Dave Hunt, Johanna Michaelson and Hal Lindsey. Talk about timing! It was also during that same week that I heard an audible voice say, “I am the Lord your God, you shall not want.” I recognized this was from Psalm 23 from my Jewish upbringing and had never experienced anything like it. Inside I knew this was the God I was searching for but still did not know. It was only later I would understand why this voice was outside and not from inside me.
I attended the Christian conference on Bible prophecy and the New Age Movement that week while Kathy stayed home doing her New Age affirmations. She wasn’t feeling well that day and unknowingly had really been going through a spiritual battle all that week. At the conference, I was shocked to hear the other side of the story. The information I heard seemed incredible. The speakers knew all about the occult techniques Kathy and I were following and practicing, and about the New Age Movement’s master plans. I spoke to Dave Hunt briefly during a break and he answered a number of important questions. One was why Jesus said, “why you have forsaken me?” Though I was reading the Bible all these years I could not understand the gospel contained in it. I was blinded by the viewpoints ingrained from the New Age influences. I was also challenged by Dave on the occult practices in which I was personally involved practicing. He was aware of the “I am societies” practices. One question he asked was, “If you’re God did you create the universe? I had never thought this through. If I’m trying to become god through all these New Age techniques, how could this be possible, when God was always all knowing and all powerful (according to the Scriptures and what I had heard through their speaking that night). It was through this question that a chain of events led to the Lord really ministering the truth to my heart and mind. When the conference resumed Johanna spoke and I was relating to a lot she had experienced, especially in regards to the Ascended Master “Jesus”. Then she spoke about another Jesus – the true Jesus of the Bible, which came as a total shock. I never thought there could be false Jesus’ parading around as the real one. They were only Jesus by name but not the One who is God come in the flesh. It all made sense. When she prayed my heart was pierced, I knew I had heard the truth, but the question was; what would I do about it?
All the way home I wrestled with the realization that I had wasted the past 15 years believing and doing the wrong things. (Prior to this I thought Christians were very narrow minded but now I had to reconsider that I was too open-minded and had bought into a lie.) I asked my friends who took me to the meeting numerous questions that were running through my mind. Being new Christians, they could answer only a few of them. They just kept saying to me, “we know the Bible is God’s Word and Jesus is the truth.”
Kathy was waiting up for me when I got home. It was late and she was actually scared that I would come home a Christian from the meeting! As I came in a peace came in the house and on her, as I sat her down and shared about how the Christians viewed the last days and how it wasn’t anything like what we were being taught in the New Age Movement. It was then that the Holy Spirit revealed to Kathy that not only were we following the wrong Jesus (2 Cor.11:4), but that we were worshiping Satan, and that he is a real being. Then the fear of God fell upon us and for the first time we got down on our knees and prayed to the true living God to forgive us for the occult beliefs we had been deceived into practicing. The Lord got the last laugh, but it was a pleasant one of victory.
The next morning we both went to a Christian church and the pastor got to the pulpit and said that he was told to change the sermon. He spoke on sin, Satan and Jesus Christ, we thought our friends had tipped him off but it was the Lord. We heard the gospel explained and dedicated our lives to the Lord, repenting and asking Christ to forgive us. Thank the Lord He intervened. We were saved together in the year 1986. It was later that week I found out that it was on the 20th anniversary of my confirmation day when God spoke that previous week to me Psalm 23. The last thing I read in front of the congregation in the temple 20 years before had been Proverbs 4:1-2 “Hear my children, the instruction of a Father, and give attention to know understanding. For I have given you good doctrine, forsake not my law.” Unfortunately, I did forsake His Law, for 20 years- but God brought me and my soon-to-be wife back. Five weeks after our spiritual birth Kathy and I were married and today have a 15 year old son who has been learning and become very interested in the debate of creation versus evolution among other interests.
Immediately, I began to study the Bible and learn apologetics in order to give answers to those who ask why we believe in Christ and why Jesus is God in the flesh. Since 1988 I have continued teaching on the cults and aberrant world views including how the cults deny grace and opt for works to be accepted by God. These include the Jehovah’s Witnesses, Mormonism, and also the occult (New Age world view) which is now very present inside the Church.
By the grace of God I have had the privilege to have taught at Hope Chapels, Calvary Chapels, Church of Christ, Youth With A Mission, United Methodist Church, Grace Brethren, Assembly of God and various other Hawaii congregations. I have also had the opportunity to share in small group studies around the Island and have been involved in a number of debates. The Lord has currently provided us with the opportunity to host a TV program and had live call-in broadcast called “Let Us Reason” on a local Christian station as well as featured on several other live radio broadcasts in Hawaii. I am currently a missionary for Witness Inc., the world’s largest counter cult ministry reaching out to Jehovah’s Witnesses.
In 1994 Let Us Reason Ministries was founded as an up-to-date apologetic resource center to instill both confidence and a desire to lead others to Christ. This is done by helping equip believers with both Biblical, and logical answers for their Christian faith. I have learned many things along the way that need to be passed on to others to encourage as well as equip them in their witnessing. It’s my hope that this ministry will be able to prompt believers to personally meet and evangelize people who are in cults and false religions as well as discern and call attention to false doctrine within the Church.
Mike Oppenheimer
(used with permission from Let us Reason)
Here is another testimony that you might like to read.
kim
https://kimolsen.wordpress.com/2007/12/25/a-testimony-of-a-former-new-ager/
and another
https://kimolsen.wordpress.com/2007/09/13/the-toronto-deception-by-former-tacf-pastor-paul-gowdy/
DiscernIt 
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January 14, 2008 at 11:35 am
» Mike Oppenheimer - My Testimony
[…] eeabee wrote an interesting post today onHere’s a quick excerpt http://www.letusreason.org/Default.htm Mike Oppenheimer of: Let Us Reason Ministries MY TESTIMONY I was brought up Jewish, went to Shabbat quite faithfully each Friday and celebrated the holydays at the temple and with family. Our family like many others, gathered together on the high holy days in observance. I attended Hebrew school twice a week and learned the language and eventually was Bar Mitzvahed and confirmed. While attending classes I asked a lot of questions about God the Rabbi could not answer. Though I continued each year, mainly to please my parents, I became less interested in the traditional religion of my parents and feeling hindered in my spiritual development, leaped head first into my own brand of freestyle spirituality after graduation. By my own search in reading and attending lectures and gatherings I got involved in the New Age Movement, became a vegetarian and for 15 years practiced yoga (yoga for beginners) (yoga for beginners) and meditation. […] […]
January 15, 2008 at 6:16 pm
Rubens
Jesus is “God in flesh?” No , Its wrong, he is the son of God.You are misleading people with false teachings about God.Hebrew 9:24 says he entered “before Gods face”.Clearly a distinct person.Atos 9:20 says what Paul taught when he converted…that Jesus is “Tje son of God” not God himself.
You are lisleading people with trinitarian views not based on the scriptures.
January 15, 2008 at 9:11 pm
Kim
God in all His wisdom and love, sent His son Jesus Christ to earth to die for our sins. The New Testament is full of all the miracles and teachings of what Jesus did here on earth.
Jesus was crucified on the cross, died and rose again. Then afterwards, he remained a short time on earth to be with his disciples to be a witness of his resurrection.
He acsended into the heavens and is now at the right hand of the Father.
At Pentecost He sent the Holy Spirit which is given only to true believers in Jesus Christ as Lord as a comforter and guide. This Holy Spirit also convicts us of our sin, and always leads us back to God.
The Father, Son and Holy Ghost, the Trinity, are a foundational belief of Christianity.
January 16, 2008 at 12:43 am
Lori
To: Rubens, Jesus tells us in Colossians 1:15 that He is the visible image of an invisible GOD. He is the WORD in John 1 and in Revelation 19:13 His name if the WORD of GOD. 1 John 5:7 There are three that bear witness in heaven, The Father, the WORD and the Holy Ghost and those three are one. The name Jesus according to Strongs #2424 in the Greek means Jesus=”Jehovah is salvation”.
January 17, 2008 at 8:59 am
Mary
Beautiful testimony and it brings much encouragement to see how the Lord called Mike to Himself.
“Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to pay the price for our sins”
January 18, 2008 at 8:24 am
Bonnie
Thanks for posting these testimonies, Kim. They have been a real encouragement to me. It seems there are so many people falling away from the truth, but we hardly ever hear about the ones who came back. It is by God’s grace that He brings us to that place and by His grace that He keeps us there. We must continue to pray for those falling into deception and for protection for our families and those in positions of leadership, that they will be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might, faithful to the end.
February 3, 2008 at 12:52 am
NWProdigal
Rubens – read Isaiah 9:6-7. This is who Christ was. Then read John 1 especially verse 14.
Vee,
It was of great encouragement to me when I was a new Christian in 2006 to read “As for that in the good soil, they are those who, hearing the word, hold it fast in an honest and good heart, and bear fruit with patience.” (Luke 8:15 ESV) It helped me to understand that only a prepared heart can receive the truth and it explaine why so mnay just don’t “get” the truth.
February 3, 2008 at 1:24 am
NWProdigal
I assume when Marcia says she was going to go forward “to publicly proclaim faith in Christ” she was referring to her baptism?
I find this a repeated theme, where people on the verge of baptism are attacked or discouraged from doing it. I am a firm believer that baptism is more than symbolic. Else, why did the twelve disciples Paul encountered in Acts 19 have to be baptized AGAIN?
Answer: because they had not been baptized into Christ’s death and raised into His life yet! (Galatiians 3:27, Collossians 2:12) That is precisely why baptism is a command and not just an observance (Matt 28:19, Mark 16:16)
God bless!
February 3, 2008 at 9:20 am
JeN
Q: Is baptism in water required for salvation?
A: No, absolutely not. Ephesians 2:8-9 says, “For by grace ye are saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God,: Not of works, lest any man should boast.” Baptism in water is an act of work. Salvation is a “free gift” (Romans 5:15), not something that we earn by good works.
Romans 3:22 says righteousness is given to, “all them that believe”, not just to all who believe and are baptized in water. Romans 1:16 proclaims that the gospel “is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth …”, with no mention of water. Likewise, Romans 3:26 says God is “… the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus.” It is faith in the gospel throught which we are saved, not performance of any ritual. This is why Paul wrote in 1 Corinthians 1:17, “For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel ….” The gospel of grace is that Jesus Christ, the Son of God, freely gave His life as the perfect sacrifice for all our sins, was crucified, was buried, and rose from the dead (1 Corinthians 15:1-4).
Romans 6:23 says, “The wages (earned) of sin is death; but the gift (free) of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” Eternal life is given to us, “Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration (rebirth), and renewing (receiving) of the Holy Ghost …” (Titus 3:5).
Paul wrote in Romans 6:3-6, “Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized (immersed) into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. For if we have been planted (buried) together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection: Knowing this, that our old man (our old sin nature) is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed ….”
Paul is not talking about water baptism here. There is no mention of water at all in this passage. He is saying that when we become a believer, we are immersed into the body of Jesus Christ. Being in His body, we are considered by God to have died with Him on that cross, having been immersed into His death. Our old sin natures are accounted as dead in the eyes of God. We were buried with Him. If Jesus Christ had remained in the tomb, there would have been no hope for our resurrection, since we are in Him. But Jesus Christ did rise from the dead, and every believer rose with Him. Through His life, we have life. He is sinless, and since we are in Him, God sees us as sinless as well (even though we do still sin). So from the moment we believe, whenever God looks at us, He sees the righteousness of His Son Jesus Christ.
1 Corinthians 12:12-13 says, “For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ. For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body ….” Note once again that this passage does not speak of baptism into water by a preacher, but rather of baptism into the body of Christ by the Holy Spirit. “For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ” (Galatians 3:27).
In Colossians 2:12-13 Paul says we are, “Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead. And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses ….” Thus we are made alive in Christ, and have been forgiven of all our sins.
Sorry I used cut and paste because Matthew McGee explains this much better than I ever could http://www.matthewmcgee.org/qa5.html#Q90
February 4, 2008 at 7:31 am
Mary
You go Jen,
To make Baptism anything other than a symbolic public act is to make it a work.
February 5, 2008 at 7:56 am
NWProdigal
Dear Mary and Jen,
Very few people who wear the name Christian will say “Baptism is optional and is not required at all.”
They may not see it as Ananias and Paul did, but they certainly wouldn’t say a new believer shouldn’t be baptized at all.
Why are folks so quick to attack the idea of baptism? Is it not the Lord’s command?
Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,” (Matthew 28:19 ESV)
and
And he said to them, “Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation. Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned.” (Mark 16:15-16 ESV)
Would you say that preaching the gospel is not a requirement for the church? Of course not! So how can you twist the scripture to not mean what Jesus said when He commanded baptism? Do you think communion is optional as well?
Jesus also was baptized, although the Bible evidences that John recognized the He, Jesus, did not need to be baptized, because He alone was without sin. But, He was baptized anyway…Why? “But Jesus answered him, ‘Let it be so now, for thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness’. Then he consented.” (Matthew 3:15 ESV)
I spent most of my life thinking that baptism was just symbolic, too. But, I now understand that it is not a work that saves us, any more than Abraham offering up Isaac was a work that made him righteous. In both cases the work is/was God’s means to prove true faith. Isaac wasn’t killed, but he certainly was offered up and God didn’t give Abraham a break on that. God only stopped him at the very last possible moment.
Of course, you have to ignore the book of James to say works are not required evidences of faith or ignore Jesus Himself, who said, “Why do you call me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and not do what I tell you? Everyone who comes to me and hears my words and does them, I will show you what he is like: he is like a man building a house, who dug deep and laid the foundation on the rock. And when a flood arose, the stream broke against that house and could not shake it, because it had been well built. But the one who hears and does not do them is like a man who built a house on the ground without a foundation. When the stream broke against it, immediately it fell, and the ruin of that house was great.” (Luke 6:46-49 ESV)
The crux of the matter is this: If you are able to be baptized and refuse to be, you are being willfully disobedient to the Lord’s command. Not being able to be baptized, through no fault of your own, I leave to God to judge.
How are we buried with Christ? “having been buried with him in baptism, in which you were also raised with him through faith in the powerful working of God, who raised him from the dead. ” (Colossians 2:12 ESV)
Why do you suppose full immersion baptism was practised by the church up to the 10th century? Because it was what the apostles did and it wasn’t until the 14th century that the Roman Catholic church issued an edict to decalre other forms of baptism valid?
Believe and obey the Word, not a man (including me, of course).
February 5, 2008 at 9:24 am
JeN
NW,
You have to rightly divide the word of God. You have to pay attention who is being addressed in the scriptures. Basically Romans-Philemon are the instructions for the church and the Age of Grace. The Gospels are addressed to the Jews who lived at the same time Jesus did. The dispensation changed after Acts and the Church was born. I have been baptized, but it isn’t the reason I am saved, nor does it have any bearing on my salvation. Be careful not to mix in works and I believe that includes the belief that salvation can be lost. Go look at Matthew McGee’s website and reread what I posted above. He addresses Colossians 2:12. The link is above in my last post, just take off the stuff after org. He is a dispensationalist and rightly divides the Word. If the Word is not divided correctly you end up with contradications.
February 5, 2008 at 8:22 pm
Kim
I decided to be publically baptized but this was only an outward demonstration of my decision to dedicate my entire to the service of the Lord.
I was already baptized by the Holy Spirit. To receive Jesus Christ through faith is also to be baptized with the Holy Spirit, or to be sealed with the Holy Spirit. (Ephesians 1:13), to have the Spirit of Christ within (Romans 8:9). It is the Holy Spirit who causes us to be sure God has adopted us into His family. ( Romans 8:15-16)
John the Baptists main message was repentance. There is no true repentance without the confession of sin. Every person who came to John for baptism confessed their uncleanness before God. After that it is necessary to turn away from sin.
John also said..”I baptize you with water for repentance. But…He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire” Matthew 3:11
Why was Jesus baptized…
It was one of his first identifications of being among the sinners, although He had no sin. He went to the cross without sin. Jesus baptism also indicates the start of his public ministry as Messiah. In those days all prophets, priests, and kings were anointed by oil before starting their work, but Jesus….John baptized him and from this point on miracles accompanied his ministry.
Just a couple of thoughts…
February 5, 2008 at 11:53 pm
NWProdigal
My point, ladies, is well made by the fact that both of you were baptized! Would you be comfortable NOT being baptized? I am simply stating that a true believer in Christ will follow His instructions. I am glad to see that both of you have done what God asks of you.
I don’t believe that baptism, in and of itself, saves anyone. It is, however, mandated by Christ, so one can infer that it is required. Repentance and belief are the prerequisites to baptism, absolutely. Baptism is only a bath if the former works are not done, wouldn’t you agree?
We may disagree about the efficaciousness of baptism, and possibly the mode, but I think you both would agree it shouldn’t be ignored in the instructions to new believers. I don’t believe we have to understand HOW God does things, only that He exists and rewards those who diligently seek Him and strive to please Him.
On the other hand, I am not a dispensationalist. Darby was the inventor of that train of thought and it is of too recent occurrence for me to have any confidence in it. I do not believe in the rapture as presented by dispensational teachings, or a post-rapture tribulation period. It falsely gives many people the idea that they can obtain mercy after the saints are taken away. Nowhere does the Bible speak about days of the Lord in reference to the end of time. And neither is there a reference to a third coming of Christ, only a second, when EVERY eye will see Him.
Thank you both for your enlightening replies.
JeN,
I checked out Matthew McGee and agree with some of his insights, but cannot agree with his take on baptism. With EVERY conversion in Acts being accompanied by immediate baptism, including Gentiles (which removes the idea of a new dispensation following Acts), I believe God is making it very clear that baptism is required. Call it a work if you must. Whatever the case, it IS required or Jesus was just generalizing.
February 5, 2008 at 11:58 pm
NWProdigal
P.S. JeN,
The church was born on the day of Pentecost (Praising God, and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved. – Acts 2:47 KJV), not after Acts.
I’m amazed that anyone could presume to know of any other more specific date. The book of Acts covers a time period of 10-15 years, so when exactly do you (or anyone else) think the church began???
February 6, 2008 at 8:42 pm
Mary
NW Prodigal,
I too was rebaptized as an adult believer.
You said:
“I am a firm believer that baptism is more than symbolic.”
So that is where you loose me. I don’t understand what you mean by that.
February 7, 2008 at 1:36 am
NWProdigal
Mary,
To put it as succinctly as possible, I’ll have Peter say what baptism is:
Young’s Literal Translation renders it: “who sometime disbelieved, when once the long-suffering of God did wait, in days of Noah–an ark being preparing–in which few, that is, eight souls, were saved through water;
also to which an antitype doth now save us–baptism, (not a putting away of the filth of flesh, but the question of a good conscience in regard to God,) through the rising again of Jesus Christ,” (1 Peter 3:20-21 YLT)
The ASV renders it: “that aforetime were disobedient, when the longsuffering of God waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was a preparing, wherein few, that is, eight souls, were saved through water:
which also after a true likeness doth now save you, even baptism, not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the interrogation of a good conscience toward God, through the resurrection of Jesus Christ;” (1 Peter 3:20-21 ASV)
Peter is saying, “Just like Noah and his family were saved by water (the same water destroying those who were ungodly) because they were enclosed in the pre-shadowing of the body of Christ (the Ark), so we too are saved by water being placed into Christ (our spiritual Ark).
In both cases, the water doesn’t do the saving so much as it is the MEANS by which the physical (Noah) and spiritual (Us) salvation occurs. Peter makes sure no one misunderstands this as a simple bath (washing of dirt from the body), but as a declaration of faith and dependence on God’s mercy (just like Noah).
I know many get bent out of shape when it seems baptismal regeneration is mentioned, but there are two verses that back me up (IMHO):
“not by works done in righteousness, which we did ourselves, but according to his mercy he saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit,” (Titus 3:5 ASV)
and this validates and is validated by Peter in Acts 2:32:
“And Peter said unto them, Repent ye, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ unto the remission of your sins; and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.” (Acts 2:38 ASV)
On every occasion where this happened in that order (except for Cornelius, where God altered the order for Peter’s sake) water baptism was followed by the baptism of the Holy Spirit.
Many presuppose that the “washing of regeneration” refers to the Holy Spirit, but why would that be mentioned separately, and in the same order of precedence, as it is in Peter’s statement?
Lastly, how else can one interpret this verse?
“let us draw near with a true heart in fulness of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience: and having our body washed with pure water,” (Hebrews 10:22 ASV)
Hope this helps.
April 9, 2008 at 7:07 pm
Gene Simmons
Mike, have you done any research on “A New Earth” by Eckhart Tolle?
As you probably know Oprah is currently promoting this book as well as other New Age stuff.
Thanks for your articles.
In His Service,
Gene Simmons
April 9, 2008 at 8:06 pm
Kim
Gene,
Here is a site that has a great article on this book.
http://prolepticlife.wordpress.com/
April 10, 2008 at 8:53 pm
nogoofyzone
Mike Oppenheimer has been a great source of solid biblical information for many years for me. Mikes books are also very good. Empty Pulpit is very good and both Mike and Sandy Simpson have done a really great job on their book “Idolatry in their hearts” is another very good book.
Peace
Tim Wirth
April 10, 2008 at 9:11 pm
Kim
Hi Tim,
I ordered Idolatry in their hearts and it is very good. Mike took the time to email me and ask me how i liked the book! I thought, wow! Mike Oppenheimer e-mailed…me!
April 28, 2008 at 4:23 am
Menechem Shaul Ben Avraham
Mozel Tov on finding our Mashiach Yeshua!! Do you follow Torah or are you totally against the following of Torah despite what Yeshua said in mathew 5.17-20? I am a ex Chabbadnik who came to know Messiah through stuidy of the Tanakh and the sages (Rashi, RamBam, Mishnah, Talmud etc…) in Youth Yeshivah. Do you Remeber to Keep Shabbat (Saturday) holy and celebrate the Yom Tov Cycle? Remeber Just because you are a Believer does not mean that you are free from the Torah! The first Church Yeshua established was 100% Messianic Jewish for both the Yehudim and Goyim and they were Shabbat keeping Torah observing people!
Shalu Shalom Yerushalayim
(Pray for the Peace of Jerusalem)
Menechem Shaul
September 15, 2008 at 5:06 pm
nick
Mike Oppenheimer is sincere but he’s acting like a Pharisee. He’s got everything right on his website. He backs up his attacks against popular Charismatic preachers with a million scriptures. You get so tired of all his verbage you just give in. Aww, I guess you’re right Mike, they all must be phony satanic shucksters. All the healings are bogus I guess…Oh well, back to Bible study with the campus crusaders for rigid righteousness. That’s Jesus’ way surely. Who cares about the ol’ body anyway, darn flesh suit, good for nothing but a Sunday post-church buffet.
But what if you’re wrong Mike? If even one of them is real, and if even one body has been healed by the power of Christ, through faith, through something, call it anything you want, heck call it the “anointing” (that’s what the Bible calls it), then you are fighting against God, at least just a little bit.
“Saved” or “healed” — the Bible has one word for it in the Greek: Sozo. Jesus made no such distinction as Mike is so diligent to make. He says it’s “another gospel” (letusreason.org, pentecostal issues, another gospel) when people preach supernatural healing along with the gospel. The Bible speaks of the “gospel of the Kingdom” and Paul’s “gospel” of grace through faith. Why open your ear to one good news and not the other?
The scriptures are inspired and inerrant, but they are spiritual, a two edged sword; God’s word cuts your enemy and it cuts you, for good or ill. Take heed how you hear it, and how you wield it.
a brother in Christ, Nick
Brother Menechem Shaul, what about Romans 10:4 and the majority of the content of the epistles of Paul which state that we are no longer under the law? In fact, just because I am a believer it means that I am free from the Torah. This fact is stated quite clearly throughout the book of Romans and Galatians, in many other books of the NT, and even hinted at in the OT. Jesus used the example of David eating the shewbread which was not lawful for him to eat. But, “let each be persuaded in his own mind…” Anyway, I like your spirit. Praise Yeshua for not forgetting his people. The Yehudim and the Goyim, one new man. Shalom to you.
September 16, 2008 at 7:51 am
Kim
I greatly admire Mike Oppenheimer for his research and committment to back his opinion with The Word of God. Scripture.
You are right we are no longer under the law because Jesus came as the Lamb and there is no reason to sacrifice animals. Also there is no condemnation for those who walk in faith. Righteousness is gained by faith and not by deeds. We now have grace.
Although we are saved by faith and not works we still have to take counsel of the entire Bible. We are to walk in obedience of all the commandments. In fact Pauls uses the verses in Romans and Galatians to show that salvation is by faith: “Abram believed the Lord, and he credited it to him as righteousness.” Genesis 15:6
I do believe that God heals today. I also believe God’s people go through suffering and persecution. There are many false teachers and the body of Christ is aided by their exposure. There are false teachers in every denomination.
Ephesians 5:11 says “Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them.
Romans 16:17-18 says “I urge you brothers, to watch out for those who cause divisions and put obstacles in your way that are contrary to the teaching that you have learned. Keep away from them. For such people are not serving our Lord Christ, but their own appetites, By smooth talk and flattery they deceive the minds of naive people.”
I never tire of the verbage of scripture. It is truth.
April 4, 2009 at 6:10 pm
rozcc
This idea is baptism in water is a symbolic gesture of public commitment is man’s idea. Where in scripture do we find it? We have to be very alert to all the deviations and demonic doctrines that were introduced by the organized catholic church in and after the 3rd century after Jesus.
Water baptism in the name of the Father, Son and the Holy Spirit (throwing out the practice in the book of Acts) was mandated by the catholic church. In the book of Acts the apostles and the first century Christians knew the Name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit was Jesus according to Isaiah 9:6. The catholic church made it a Law that water baptism should not use the Name of Jesus!
Praying in tongues was another area attacked by the Catholic church. A catholic church “father” John Chrysostom is the one who made the statement that after the apostles it was no longer necessary,
There was a major controversy for the catholic church to insist that Friday and Saturday should not be used to worship God, but it should be Sunday! This was not some simple decision for convenience; the catholic church wanted deliberately to remove all Judaic roots from Christians. I don’t support Christians acting like the orthodox Jews but the Truth is we are grafted into the Jewish inheritance as Paul says, where Jesus has fulfilled the Law and we have the blessings of Abraham being spiritual seed.
[All material on the catholic church can be researched especially by reading the 20 documents on the ecumenical councils of the catholic church. There is a lot of material that will shock you, when you find that in many protestant churches those practices exist. This is because Martin Luther did not completely break with that system.]
On water baptism; the book of Acts clearly tells us to repent, be baptized in the Name of the Lord Jesus and receive the Holy Spirit. When people received the Holy Spirit, they prayed in tongues and it was considered the evidence of such baptism.
Water baptism is an act mandated that has spiritual effect. The Word tells us you are buried with Jesus and your body is resurrected with Him in newness. It deals with your old nature in your physical body. (You can check this out. Science is proving that our DNA can be affected by our ancestors etc. . There is also research with DNA to prove it can be affected by thoughts and sounds (words?) . DNA can carry mutations and damages that affect us. Does the act of water baptism address this???
The theory that water baptism is only a symbol is man’s reasoning, where it seems rational to him, when he cannot discern spiritual things. I find nothing in the Bible to support this position that is popularly held.
September 4, 2009 at 9:23 am
Sis. Sabrina
Hi and God bless you sir :)! I am wanting to learn more about your ministry and speak with you personally about an urgent prayer request in regards to occultic powers very much being used against me.
SaBrina
September 4, 2009 at 11:57 am
Kim
Sabrina,
Here is the email for Mike Oppenheimer
administrator@letusreason.org
This is his website
http://letusreason.org/default.htm
and his mailing address
Po Box 860683 Wahiawa HI 96786
February 24, 2011 at 9:50 pm
Robert Sclafani
Mike spent allot of time surfing with you and your brother as well as Rick Ras, Ted Ruhmann and a few of the other Long Island locals even took a few trips to P.R. hop you still are not still living on a all fruit diet. Sure you know about Ricky but did not know that Ted my lifelong friend died of alcoholic poising about 7 years ago. It was great to hear that you followed your heart and found as I have the Love and Grace of God.
Regards
Wit
February 27, 2011 at 12:35 pm
Kim
Greetings Kim,
please post this
I remember your name, trying to put the person to it?
anyway I was in Hawii and ocassionally saw rick (ras) here when he was
straight and not getting into trouble. I was here when we got the news of
his death. I was expecting somethng to happen – he got so arrogant and
cocky.
I do remember Ted and some good surf sessions with him, I lived next door to
him on sandy beach hill. sorry to hear this. If not for the grace of God I
too would be among so many that went the wrong way. I can only hope and pray
that many will consider the Lord while there is till time.
Oppy
In Christs service, Mike O
April 16, 2011 at 12:25 am
paul moreno
where in the world is mike oppenheimer?????? miss you bro, stil have the 10-ohhh orange and yellow. beautiful hand shaped rocker work still love to gaze at it and as soon as i have healed, will charge hard on it! yes even this old boy. love you my friend and hope all is well. your friend in JESUS, paul 808 722-4623 aloha
July 9, 2011 at 2:49 pm
JR Harrison
Aloha Mike-
I have a similar testimony: Grew up as a Catholic in FL (south beaches between Sat. Beach and Melbourne Bch) and started surfing in ’73 at the age of 11. As you know, surfing had a a bad rap back then and was rife with drugs and misdeeds. Long story short, I sowed a lot of wild oats and finally moved out to Hawaii in ’91 to to not only get away from all the bad influences but surf some of the best surf on the planet.
During those first years on the island I started searching for something to give my life some meaning and wandered down the “New Age” path. I didn’t get that far as I failed to find the answers I was looking for. Then a friend invited me to church and I accepted. I got saved three weeks later.
That, of course, is the reader’s digest version.
God willing, our path’s will cross one day.
Blessings on your ministry,
JR