Thomas_Goodwin
Puritan Board Freshman
Important to note: I am not affirming or denying the experiences below, but I was looking for counsel to give to this person. I so far have only said that if you doubt if you know Christ then you can receive Him freely.
I ask this because I know a man who "converted" due to a vision of "Christ."
He could not make out "Jesus' physical features" and only saw "Him as light with a vague form." He was "told" he was forgiven and was "commanded" to read His word and obey His commands. He claims he awoke with a peace and joy he had not known. He is confessional (affirms all in 1689), reformed and leans towards cessation-ism. He doubts his salvation because of reformed teaching on visions and because of the natural pleasingness to human flesh to made much of and puffed up by unique and special experiences (does his vision make much of God or himself for receiving this special "favor"). He used to go around telling this story, but he hasnt in a few years. I am not sure how to go about counseling this man.
P.S. Sorry if this is a little confusingly structured. Ive been struggling with the flu. Its mostly gone now but my mind feels like mush. All of yesterday I had about a 104 fever reaching its worse at about a 104.8 temp. I talked to this person today, and I know he is very grieved, confused and needs direction. Maybe he is a wolf in sheeps clothing? Maybe he is not geniune. How should I counsel this man?
I ask this because I know a man who "converted" due to a vision of "Christ."
He could not make out "Jesus' physical features" and only saw "Him as light with a vague form." He was "told" he was forgiven and was "commanded" to read His word and obey His commands. He claims he awoke with a peace and joy he had not known. He is confessional (affirms all in 1689), reformed and leans towards cessation-ism. He doubts his salvation because of reformed teaching on visions and because of the natural pleasingness to human flesh to made much of and puffed up by unique and special experiences (does his vision make much of God or himself for receiving this special "favor"). He used to go around telling this story, but he hasnt in a few years. I am not sure how to go about counseling this man.
P.S. Sorry if this is a little confusingly structured. Ive been struggling with the flu. Its mostly gone now but my mind feels like mush. All of yesterday I had about a 104 fever reaching its worse at about a 104.8 temp. I talked to this person today, and I know he is very grieved, confused and needs direction. Maybe he is a wolf in sheeps clothing? Maybe he is not geniune. How should I counsel this man?