Results 5801 - 5820 of 6029
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Results from: Notes On or After: Thu 12/31/70 Author: DocTrinsograce Ordered by Date |
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Results | Verse | Author | ID# | |||
5801 | Opinions on Rev 2:8-11 | Rev 2:8 | DocTrinsograce | 129764 | ||
Aaron, some additional help (part 2)... Matthew Henry (1662-1714) (This is really good stuff!): 4. He foreknows the future trials of his people, and forewarns them of them, and fore-arms them against them. (1.) He forewarns them of future trials: The devil shall cast some of you into prison, and you shall have tribulation, Rev_2:10. The people of God must look for a series and succession of troubles in this world, and their troubles usually rise higher. They had been impoverished by their tribulations before; now they must be imprisoned. Observe, It is the devil that stirs up his instruments, wicked men, to persecute the people of God; tyrants and persecutors are the devil's tools, though they gratify their own sinful malignity, and know not that they are actuated by a diabolical malice. (2.) Christ fore-arms them against these approaching troubles, [1.] By his counsel: Fear none of these things. This is not only a word of command, but of efficacy, no, only forbidding slavish fear, but subduing it and furnishing the soul with strength and courage. [2.] By showing them how their sufferings would be alleviated and limited. First, They should not be universal. It would be some of them, not all, who should be cast into prison, those who were best able to bear it and might expect to be visited and comforted by the rest. Secondly, They were not to be perpetual, but for a set time, and a short time: Ten days. It should not be everlasting tribulation, the time should be shortened for the elect's sake. Thirdly, It should be to try them, not to destroy them, that their faith, and patience, and courage, might be proved and improved, and be found to honour and glory. [3.] By proposing and promising a glorious reward to their fidelity: Be thou faithful to death, and I will give thee a crown of life. Observe, First, The sureness of the reward: I will give thee. He has said it that is able to do it; and he has undertaken that he will do it. They shall have the reward from his own hand, and none of their enemies shall be able to wrest it out of his hand, or to pull it from their heads. Secondly, The suitableness of it. 1. A crown, to reward their poverty, their fidelity, and their conflict. 2. A crown of life, to reward those who are faithful even unto death, who are faithful till they die, and who part with life itself in fidelity to Christ. The life so worn out in his service, or laid down in his cause, shall be rewarded with another and a much better life that shall be eternal. III. The conclusion of this message, and that, as before, 1. With a call to universal attention, that all men, all the world, should hear what passes between Christ and his churches - how he commends them, how he comforts them, how he reproves their failures, how he rewards their fidelity. It concerns all the inhabitants of the world to observe God's dealings with his own people; all the world may learn instruction and wisdom thereby. 2. With a gracious promise to the conquering Christian: He that overcometh shall not be hurt of the second death, Rev_2:11. Observe, (1.) There is not only a first, but a second death, a death after the body is dead. (2.) This second death is unspeakably worse than the first death, both in the dying pangs and agonies of it (which are the agonies of the soul, without any mixture of support) and in the duration; it is eternal death, dying the death, to die and to be always dying. This is hurtful indeed, fatally hurtful, to all who fall under it. (3.) From this hurtful, this destructive death, Christ will save all his faithful servants; the second death shall have no power over those who are partakers of the first resurrection: the first death shall not hurt them, and the second death shall have no power over them. |
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5802 | Opinions on Rev 2:8-11 | Rev 2:8 | DocTrinsograce | 129763 | ||
Aaron, some additional help (part 1)... from Matthew Henry (1662-1714): I. The preface or inscription in both parts. 1. The superscription, telling us to whom it was more expressly and immediately directed: To the angel of the church in Smyrna, a place well known at this day by our merchants, a city of great trade and wealth, perhaps the only city of all the seven that is still known by the same name, now however no longer distinguished for its Christian church being overrun by Mahomedism. 2. The subscription, containing another of the glorious titles of our Lord Jesus, the first and the last, he that was dead and is alive, taken out of Rev 1:17, 1:18. (1) Jesus Christ is the first and the last. It is but a little scantling of time that is allowed to us in this world, but our Redeemer is the first and the last. He is the first, for by him all things were made, and he was before all things with God and was God himself. he is the last, for all things are made for him, and he will be the Judge of all. This surely is the title of God, from everlasting and to everlasting, and it is the title of one that is an unchangeable Mediator between God and man, Jesus, the same yesterday, today, and for ever. He was the first, for by him the foundation of the church was laid in the patriarchal state; and he is the last, for by him the top-stone will be brought forth and laid in the end of time. (2) He was dead and is alive. He was dead, and died for our sins; he is alive, for he rose again for our justification, and he ever lives to make intercession for us. He was dead, and by dying purchased salvation for us; he is alive, and by his life applies this salvation to us. And if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled by his death, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life. His death we commemorate every sacrament day; his resurrection and life every sabbath day. II. The subject-matter of this epistle to Smyrna, where, after the common declaration of Christ's omniscience, and the perfect cognizance he has of all the works of men and especially of his churches, he takes notice, 1. Of the improvement they had made in their spiritual state. This comes in in a short parentheses; yet it is very emphatic: But thou art rich (Rev 2:10), poor in temporals, but rich in spirituals - poor in spirit, and yet rich in grace. Their spiritual riches are set off by their outward poverty. Many who are rich in temporals are poor in spirituals. Thus it was with the church of Laodicea. Some who are poor outwardly are inwardly rich, rich in faith and in good works, rich in privileges, rich in bonds and deeds of gift, rich in hope, rich in reversion. Spiritual riches are usually the reward of great diligence; the diligent hand makes rich. Where there is spiritual plenty, outward poverty may be better borne; and when God's people are impoverished in temporals, for the sake of Christ and a good conscience, he makes all up to them in spiritual riches, which are much more satisfying and enduring. 2. Of their sufferings: I know thy tribulation and thy poverty - the persecution they underwent, even to the spoiling of their goods. Those who will be faithful to Christ must expect to go through many tribulations; but Jesus Christ takes particular notice of all their troubles. In all their afflictions, he is afflicted, and he will recompense tribulation to those who trouble them, but to those that are troubled rest with himself. 3. He knows the wickedness and the falsehood of their enemies: I know the blasphemy of those that say they are Jews, but are not; that is, of those who pretend to be the only peculiar covenant-people of God, as the Jews boasted themselves to be, even after God had rejected them; or of those who would be setting up the Jewish rites and ceremonies, which were now not only antiquated, but abrogated; these may say that they only are the church of God in the world, when indeed they are the synagogue of Satan. Observe, (1) As Christ has a church in the world, the spiritual Israel of God, so the devil has his synagogue. Those assemblies which are set up in opposition to the truths of the gospel, and which promote and propagate damnable errors, - those which are set up in opposition to the purity and spirituality of gospel worship, and which promote and propagate the vain inventions of men and rites and ceremonies which never entered into the thoughts of God, - these are all synagogues of Satan: he presides over them, he works in them, his interests are served by them, and he receives a horrid homage and honour from them. (2) For the synagogues of Satan to give themselves out to be the church or Israel of God is no less than blasphemy. God is greatly dishonoured when his name is made use of to promote and patronize the interests of Satan; and he has a high resentment of this blasphemy, and will take a just revenge on those who persist in it. (cont) |
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5803 | Fruit vs. Works: the same or different? | Gal 5:22 | DocTrinsograce | 129761 | ||
One small correction, Angel. The fruit of the Spirit is not plural; i.e., it is "fruit" not "fruits." Scripture uses the term "fruits," but it has other significance there. The fruit of the Spirit is not a variety of individual things. When present it is always all of the things of Galatians 5:22-23 and Ephesians 5:9. Thus, if a person is longsuffering, but is not loving as well, that person is not showing the fruit of the Spirit. | ||||||
5804 | Mr. Perkins' Website/Chart | Rom 8:30 | DocTrinsograce | 129760 | ||
Thank you for the clarification, Emmaus. I base my belief that Christ did not Baptize anyone on verse 2 of John 4. Verse 2 clarifies verse 1 of that chapter. Lutherans, Anglicans, and Episcopalians take quite similar positions. Although not sui iuris, they have retained much of the doctrines of the Western Catholic Church. I appreciated your comments regarding the cleansing power of Christ. Yet, there is a consistency in both old and new covenants. In both, the means of becoming clean originates with God. This state is necessary not for the sake of God, but for the sake of His people. It protects them so that they are able to enter into the presence of the Holy. But God, alone, provides the means. Thank you, again, Emmaus, for your comments. |
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5805 | Mr. Perkins' Website/Chart | Rom 8:30 | DocTrinsograce | 129759 | ||
"Atrocity" is a strong word. Why don't we hang on to it for people like Haman, Hitler, and Hussein? Given the opportunity, men take advantage of others for financial gain using religion as a cloak to hide their true intent. Indulgences were a serious problem, and a lot of money was garnered by the practice. Today, on the other hand, people are bilked from their own living rooms. I do not recall reading anything in the current Roman Catholic catechism about the practice of selling indulgences. However, these folks on TV do not appear to be associated with Rome, at least in any overt ways. (I'll never forget hearing as a kid about "prayer towels" and "John the Baptist shower curtains.") I don't think we should ignore history, but lets discern the merits of a philosophy/theology on what they say, how consistently their adherents behave in the light of what they say, and how it all lines up with scripture. |
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5806 | Mr. Perkins' Website/Chart | Rom 8:30 | DocTrinsograce | 129686 | ||
I'm sorry, Emmaus. I was trying to explain why William Perkins probably excluded Baptism. I am not entirely unsympathetic with the thought you are expressing, although we would probably disagree with the specific definition of our terms. I did not intend to imply that there is no spiritual component to Baptism. In the most common of Baptist traditions baptism is considered purely symbolic. However, I have very dear Lutheran and Presbyterian friends who see it much more in the kind of light with which you would be familiar and agreeable. You would necessarily agree, however, that the act itself is one that is performed by men upon men as an act of the corporeal church. By that, I mean that it is a physical act. That is what I meant by "something that men do." (Christ baptized no one while on the earth, and the Spirit and Father do not baptize, being non-corporeal.) It was not my intention to impugned your historic traditional perspective. |
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5807 | Pragmatism is of the World | Job 21:15 | DocTrinsograce | 129678 | ||
Do nit err, my beloved brethern? (James 1:16 DPV) | ||||||
5808 | is jesus god | John 1:1 | DocTrinsograce | 129677 | ||
I love to be able to mark my Bible. What a wonderful tradition we have in this! In another post I told about a friend that collected very old Bibles. Many of the Bibles he had contained notes in the margin. Some of them were very hard to read, since handwriting has changed so much over the years. But you could feel a connection with the believers from 400 plus years ago who eagerly studied their Bibles! I wonder what they would have thought of things like this forum? | ||||||
5809 | Mr. Perkins' Website/Chart | Rom 8:30 | DocTrinsograce | 129667 | ||
Yes, the ordo salutis (sorry for mispelling it before!) is defined as the order of decrees by God in the redemptive process. The entire process is the work of God and is by grace alone. Baptism is, in any case, something that men do, though some traditions see it as a "means of grace." Regardless, though it is a sacrament we are commanded to do, it is not a decree, and therefore does not belong in this particular analysis. | ||||||
5810 | Is Jesus being called God or a God? | John 1:1 | DocTrinsograce | 129663 | ||
It is remarkable! I agree! Our ignorance of church history tends to exacerbate this problem. On the other hand, have you ever noticed that the cropping up of heresy and apostasy is often the catalyst for bringing solid theological truth into sharper clarity? God's use of secondary causes must frustrate the fire (as we used to say in Texas) out of Satan! |
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5811 | Pragmatism is of the World | Job 21:15 | DocTrinsograce | 129659 | ||
Good idea, Hank! :-) My beloved wife suggests that it might be helpful to explain my Charlemagne reference in an earlier post. I suspect, though, that you, Hank, and some others will already have heard about it. (I really love history, though a lot of it doesn't hang around in my head as long as it used to do!) The story is much bruited about, though I cannot vouch that it is not entirely apocryphal. Anyway, it goes something like this: It was suggested to Charlemagne that he should be crowned as Emperor of the West after saving an Italian city from its umpteenth sacking. Courteously, though somewhat bemusedly, he refused. He understood that whoever has the power of coronation has authority over the one crowned. He didn't want to set a precedent. Thus, he was pretty steadfast in his refusal. Nevertheless, as he knelt in concentrated prayer on Christmas Day 800 AD, a fellow crept up behind him, and quickly and unceremoniously crowned him. :-) |
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5812 | Pragmatism is of the World | Job 21:15 | DocTrinsograce | 129653 | ||
Momma, isn't it cool what all CAN be accomplished abiding in Him and letting His word abide in us? What a joy to belong to Him! [ HisKid84 is my FAR-better-half. If I may say so, fully acknowledging Who alone can take credit, I'm very proud of her! :-) ] |
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5813 | Pragmatism is of the World | Job 21:15 | DocTrinsograce | 129652 | ||
Are the nits that are picked e-l-e-c-t nits? Oh no... I won't go there! :-) | ||||||
5814 | Pragmatism is of the World | Job 21:15 | DocTrinsograce | 129641 | ||
Good points, Aaron. Some of our problems are a matter of nomenclature. God rewards His chosen in incredible ways. Ways that simply boggle the mind. I often think of this verse: Eph 2:7 That in the ages to come He might shew the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us through Christ Jesus. Just take a moment and think about that one! The rewards will never stop! If you look at some of my other posts, you will see that I frequently talk about the intimacy we enjoy and will have with God. I sure don't understand it, but He wants to have fellowship with us. I don't understand it because it is inconceivable what He might get out of such a deal! But that's the way it is. I agree with what you are saying. God frequently talks about such intimacy... and in both covenants! Jer 24:7 And I will give them an heart to know me, that I am the LORD: and they shall be my people, and I will be their God: for they shall return unto me with their whole heart. Joh 14:21 He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him. |
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5815 | Pragmatism is of the World | Job 21:15 | DocTrinsograce | 129585 | ||
I believe it goes back to the same thing. Remember the publican and the Pharisee that went up to pray? (Luke 18:9-14) The Pharisee had an inadequate concept of his own sinfulness and an inadequate concept of God's holiness. That sort of thing creates pride, and pride always looks beyond itself for something to fuel its sense of superiority with disdain. The publican had a correct view of his own sinfulness and a correct view of God's holiness. That sort of thing creates humility. Remember God resists the proud and lifts up the humble (James 4:6, 1 Peter 5: 5). Thus, the publican receives grace and is justified. Himility is an interesting thing. Humility, in my opinion, cannot be truly attained without humiliation. Humiliation occurs when we truly see the Holiness of God. Because being witness to the Holiness of God immediately brings us an intensly personal sense of our own utterly, sinful, and undone state. |
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5816 | Pragmatism is of the World | Job 21:15 | DocTrinsograce | 129569 | ||
Hi, Momma... Good question! Scripture does indeed teach that there are rewards for the believer. We can see this in a variety of places from the teaching of Jesus to the revelation of John. I don't know whether to be more puzzled by man's fascination with this (even Peter asked "What's in it for us?") or God's incredible generosity. I guess I puzzle over both these things for the same reason: What gift could possibly come close at all to the incredible gift of salvation? If superman saved an airplane from crashing, would any of the passengers ask for another bag of peanuts? Would a person given a check from Bill Gates for a billion dollars look to see how many cents were after the decimal point? Do you see what I'm trying to say? When the gift of God is the Person of Christ Himself (Col 1:27), absolutely everything else pales to utter insignificance! Another thought: in my very humble opinion, if we need motivation to follow the Lord, then we do not fully understand the depth of our sinfulness, the price of our sanctification, or the awesome holiness of God. The old Puritans used to pray, "Lord Jesus, give me a deeper repentance, a horror of sin, a dread of its approach. Help me chastely to flee it and jealously to resolve that my heart shall be Thine alone. Give me a deeper trust, that I may lose myself to find myself in Thee, the ground of my rest, the spring of my being. Give me a deeper knowledge of Thyself as saviour, master, lord, and king. Give me deeper power in private prayer, more sweetness in Thy Word, more steadfast grip on its truth. Give me deeper holiness in speech, thought, action, and let me not seek moral virtue apart from Thee. Plough deep in me, great Lord, heavenly husbandman, that my being may be a tilled field, the roots of grace spreading far and wide, until Thou alone art seen in me, Thy beauty golden like summer harvest, Thy fruitfulness as autumn plenty. I have no master but Thee, no law but Thy will, no delight but Thyself, no wealth but that Thou givest, no good but that Thou blessest, no peace but that Thou bestowest. I am nothing but that Thou makest me. I have nothing but that I receive from Thee. I can be nothing but that grace adorns me. Quarry me deep, dear Lord, and then fill me to overflowing with living water." |
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5817 | Pragmatism is of the World | Job 21:15 | DocTrinsograce | 129567 | ||
"Our first priority is make God King of our lives?" You continue to put words in my mouth. Let me state as emphatically as possible: I never have, never will, and never could say such a thing! No one -- no one at all -- makes God king or makes Him anything! He is what He is without consent of any man. Country Girl... may I suggest... 1. Find out why Charlamagn refused to be crowned Holy Roman Emperor. 2. Look into the roots of the phrase "Divine Right of Kings." 3. Research in Genesis who made Joseph lord of all Egypt. 4. Check into the scriptural source of authority for government (hint, Paul discusses this clearly). 5. Find in scripture where any lords make Christ Lord or any kings make Christ King. 6. Look carefully in scripture to see from whence came Christ's authority? |
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5818 | Pragmatism is of the World | Job 21:15 | DocTrinsograce | 129515 | ||
Our world has attained a great deal by the application of the philosophy of pragmatism. Consequently, this way of thinking is imbedded deeply in our minds. Tacitly approving of this philosophy we use catch phrases in our evangelism to try to garner converts. Things like, "Give Jesus a try," or "Jesus is the answer." The reason we submit to Christ as Lord and Savior is not because of any benefit we derive. We submit to Him because He IS Lord and Savior. "Lord, help us to avoid vain and worldly philosophies of men, trying to mix them with the Truth. What fellowship hath darkness with light? We cannot improve on Your Word. Give us grace to obey You simply because You are King." |
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5819 | follow-up question. | Is 9:6 | DocTrinsograce | 129512 | ||
No, the Word of God cannot fail. Remember, God uses secondary causes with as much facility as primary causes. Their lack of belief opened the opportunity for the gospel to come to the Gentile. Rom 11:7-8 Israel hath not obtained that which he seeketh for; but the election hath obtained it, and the rest were blinded (According as it is written, God hath given them the spirit of slumber, eyes that they should not see, and ears that they should not hear;) unto this day. Jer 4:28 For this shall the earth mourn, and the heavens above be black: because I have spoken it, I have purposed it, and will not repent, neither will I turn back from it. Jonah 2:9 Salvation is of the Lord. Rom 9:18 Therefore hath he mercy on whom he will have mercy, and whom he will he hardeneth. Luke 19:14 We will not have this man [Christ] rule over us. Job 21:14-15 Depart from us; for we desire not the knowledge of Thy ways. What is the Almighty, that we should serve Him? and what profit should we have, if we pray unto Him? 1 Cor 4:7 Who maketh thee to differ from another? And what hast thou that thou didst not receive? Now if thou didst receive it, why dost thou glory, as if thou hadst not received it? Eph 2:8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 2 Thes 3:2b ...all men do not have faith. Mat 11:27 All things are delivered unto me of my Father: and no man knoweth the Son, but the Father; neither knoweth any man the Father, save the Son, and he to whomsoever the Son will reveal him. Acts 13:48 As many as were ordained to eternal life believed. Matt 20:15 Is it not lawful for Me to do what I will with Mine own? |
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5820 | Explain briefly 1 Corinthains 14:20 | 1 Cor 14:20 | DocTrinsograce | 129479 | ||
Emmaus, I seem to recall that John Chrysostom had some useful things to say about 1 Corinthians 14. Do you happen to have access to any of his comments? I can't seem to put my finger on them. | ||||||
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