Results 321 - 340 of 773
|
||||||
Results from: Answers On or After: Thu 12/31/70 Author: JCrichton Ordered by Verse |
||||||
Results | Verse | Author | ID# | |||
321 | Does true faith produce fruit or works? | Matt 6:12 | JCrichton | 123100 | ||
"we do need to be patient and willing to show some forgiveness to our brethren and sisters in the Lord." Hi, Rowdy! You are so correct! It seems that many times we divorse ourselves from the vine... we get so caught up in righteousness or some latent ego trip that we forget the first Sacrifice our Lord made for us: He humbled Himself to become as one of us in order to serve us and bring us Salvation. When Jesus taught the disciples how we are to pray He included every single thing that would make a prayer perfect; including the clause: "as we forgive." And He insists that our relationship with God must surge from our relationship with our fellow Christians: May they all be one, just as, Father, you are in me and I am in you, so that they also may be in us, so that the world may believe it was you who sent me. (John 17:21) Basically He has commanded us to have a symbiotic relationship with our brothers and sisters as proof of our relationship in Him and in the Father! John puts it this way: Anyone who says 'I love God' and hates his brother, is a liar, since whoever does not love the brother whom he can see cannot love God whom he has not seen. (1 John 4:20-21) Some of us may respond to John's warning with contempt, thinking in our hearts that this warning does not apply because "we have no hate in our hearts..." but Jesus' perspective is somewhat different; not only is He concerned with the Eleven but He extends His obligations and responsibilities to them: When they had eaten, Jesus said to Simon Peter, 'Simon son of John, do you love me more than these others do?' He answered, 'Yes, Lord, you know I love you.' Jesus said to him, 'Feed my lambs.' (John 21:15; also 21:16, 17) And, in Matthew 5, Jesus clarified the inclusiveness of our relationship with one another as it pertains to being Children of God: But I say this to you, anyone who is angry with a brother will answer for it before the court; anyone who calls a brother "Fool" will answer for it before the Sanhedrin; and anyone who calls him "Traitor" will answer for it in hell fire. So then, if you are bringing your offering to the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your offering there before the altar, go and be reconciled with your brother first, and then come back and present your offering. (Matthew 5:22-24) Paul demonstrates this concern as he speaks to the Galatians expounding both our codependence and self-suficiency in Christ: Brothers, even if one of you is caught doing something wrong, those of you who are spiritual should set that person right in a spirit of gentleness; and watch yourselves that you are not put to the test in the same way. Carry each other's burdens; that is how to keep the law of Christ. Someone who thinks himself important, when he is not, only deceives himself; but everyone is to examine his own achievements, and then he will confine his boasting to his own achievements, not comparing them with anybody else's. (Galatians 6:1-4) It all boils down to this: for faithful love is what pleases me, not sacrifice; knowledge of God, not burnt offerings. (Hosea 6:6) God Bless! Angel |
||||||
322 | saved | Matt 7:21 | JCrichton | 123462 | ||
Hi, Elder! Jesus was simple but not simplistic! True baptism is an outwardly demonstration of acceptence of God's authority, and Paul does tells us that if we confess Jesus with our mouths and if we believe in our hearts that God raised Him from the dead we will be saved. But that is only part of the equation: 'It is not anyone who says to me, "Lord, Lord," who will enter the kingdom of Heaven, but the person who does the will of my Father in heaven. (Matthew 7:21) Clearly, it is not about a symbolic gesture or a learned speech! Salvation is deeper than that: Anyone who believes in the Son has eternal life, but anyone who refuses to believe in the Son will never see life: God's retribution hangs over him.' (John 3:36) Baptism -- Good. Confessing -- Good. Believing once baptized and confessing Jesus -- Waaay Good! But what does it mean to believe in Jesus? Does it mean that we can pick and choose what to believe about Him. Is there a guide that we can follow to know that what we are doing is right (by Jesus)? Sure!: To the Jews who believed in him Jesus said: If you make my word your home you will indeed be my disciples; you will come to know the truth, and the truth will set you free. (John 8:31) In all truth I tell you, whoever keeps my word will never see death. (John 8:51) Jesus replied: Anyone who loves me will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we shall come to him and make a home in him. (John 14:23) If you remain in me and my words remain in you, you may ask for whatever you please and you will get it. (John 15:7) Jesus tells us that we are to remain (abide) in Him and in His Word! So how do we remain in Jesus?: Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood lives in me and I live in that person. As the living Father sent me and I draw life from the Father, so whoever eats me will also draw life from me. (John 5:56-57) Why should we believe what Jesus says?: Do you not believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me? What I say to you I do not speak of my own accord: it is the Father, living in me, who is doing his works. You must believe me when I say that I am in the Father and the Father is in me...(John 14:10-11) But can we just do some of the things that Jesus says and ignore everything else?: Remain in me, as I in you. As a branch cannot bear fruit all by itself, unless it remains part of the vine, neither can you unless you remain in me. I am the vine, you are the branches. Whoever remains in me, with me in him, bears fruit in plenty; for cut off from me you can do nothing. Anyone who does not remain in me is thrown away like a branch --and withers; these branches are collected and thrown on the fire and are burnt. (John 15:4-6) But doesn't saying that we believe and baptizing ourselves in Jesus' name means the same?: If you keep my commandments you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father's commandments and remain in his love. (John 15:10) Is there a commandment given by Jesus that demonstrate that we need to do nothing more than be baptized and say we believe in Jesus? Jesus never made it that simple: 'Why do you call me, "Lord, Lord" and not do what I say? (Luke 6:46) So, are we saved by a public demonstration? Are we saved by symbolic gestures or professing to know Christ or to be in Christ? 'It is the spirit that gives life, the flesh has nothing to offer. The words I have spoken to you are spirit and they are life. (John 6:63) As Jesus told the believers in John 8:31, if we keep His Word we will come to know the Truth and the Truth will set us free (grant us passage into Heaven!). James says it this way: But you must do what the Word tells you and not just listen to it and deceive yourselves. (James 1:22) God Bless! Angel |
||||||
323 | Mark 16:17- interpetation and proof | Matt 7:22 | JCrichton | 132456 | ||
Hi, All 4 Christ! Jesus Himself warns that there would be prodigious signs made by people who do not obey Him... yet they will claim to have miraculous powers given them by Christ! (Matthew 7:21-27) Another way that you can prove it is by citing the disciples' actions--when Jesus revealed to them some of the signs that would demonstrate their fellowship with Him, they did not run into the wilderness, desserts, caves, and graveyards looking for the opportunity to prove (test) Jesus' Word! When we take Scripture out of context (as converting a "worship" service into a mom-pop circus--snake handling, etc.) we are trivializing God's Word! Further, refer them to Paul's experience with a viper (Romans 28:3-6)... Paul did not seek to handle snakes as a sign of his fellowship with God! Since he was in the service of our Lord, Jesus Christ, Paul was protected by God! It is our Faith in Christ that saves, but only according to His Will... Paul is venerated by many as an outstanding Apostle... this I think is due to the fact that he appears to have been the most prolific writer in the New Testament... I suspect that it is also due to the fact that he had a direct encounter with Christ and so his enthusiasm and devotion to his job as the Apostle to the Gentiles was exceedingly great... So it would be safe to say that Paul had great Faith... that he would ask God without wavering and without any reservations... yet this same Paul whose life was protected from the assault of a viper, suffered a continuous and excruciating pain (Scripture does not clarify the exact nature of the ailment) that would not leave him even after several attempts at pleading to God for relief! (2 Corinthians 12:7-10) Christ did not call us to engage in grandstanding or to be nothing better than circus performers... the Power of God is given to accomplish God's Will in the edification of the Church... Another clear example refers back to the disciples new found power... they were aware of what the could do so in a rash and emotional confrontation they thought to demonstrate their authority by raining fire on the unbelievers (Luke 9:53-56)... Again, our call is not to be some sort of side-show performers whom people come for entertainment... to gwak at our abilities to manipulate nature! Our call is to witness for Christ!: Now when I came to you, brothers, I did not come with any brilliance of oratory or wise argument to announce to you the mystery of God. I was resolved that the only knowledge I would have when I was with you was knowledge of Jesus, and of him as the crucified Christ. (Romans 2:1-2) God Bless! Angel |
||||||
324 | what is a demons? | Matt 8:16 | JCrichton | 138044 | ||
Hi, Dannys2000! As the passage (Matthe 8:16) tells us demons are spirits who at times possess (control) people... their origins are of ancient where they existed as angels... they were seduced by Lucifer, Satan, into thinking that they could overthrow God and take control of the Heavenly Kingdom. (Revelation 12:3-4, 7-9, 12-17) The angels are spiritual beings... the wicked angels are renamed demons or devils. God Bless! Angel |
||||||
325 | Who is the Lord of the harvest in Mat 9: | Matt 9:38 | JCrichton | 133352 | ||
For through him we both have access to the Father by one Spirit. (Ephesians 2:18) Hi, Al John! Ephesians 2:18 demonstrates the relationship between the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit... how do we separate one from the other? One God Indivisible! Each one of the three Pesons of God functions mutually-dependent... though each is revealed throughout the Bible in different time frames and fuctions, we discover that the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit always act as one! So the Father is the Lord (Deuteronomy 11:1), the Son is Lord (John 13:13) and the Holy Spirit is both the Spirit of God and the Spirit of Christ (1 Corinthians 12:3, 4-6; 1 Peter 1:10-11;)... ultimately it is the Father who will receive everything from the Son (1 Corinthian 15:28); yet, in the interim, it is the Holy Spirit who works with the Church to prepare the harvest for Christ's Second Coming and it is He who will separate the sheep from the goats: "When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit on his throne in heavenly glory. All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate the people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. He will put the sheep on his right and the goats on his left. "Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’ "Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’ "The King will reply, ‘I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.’ "Then he will say to those on his left, 'Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. For I was hungry and you gave me nothing to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink, I was a stranger and you did not invite me in, I needed clothes and you did not clothe me, I was sick and in prison and you did not look after me.' "They also will answer, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or needing clothes or sick or in prison, and did not help you?’ "He will reply, ‘I tell you the truth, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.’ "Then they will go away to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life." (Matthew 25:31-46) God Bless! Angel |
||||||
326 | salvation | Matt 10:22 | JCrichton | 137211 | ||
Hi, Brife! There are many Scriptures where we are warned that we, on our own will have nothing... Jesus is very pecular about who can be His disciples and who can be saved: Luke 14:26, 27, 33; John 8:31; 13:35; 15:8; Matthew 7:21-27; Luke 6:46; John 1:9-13; 3:16-21 "I am the vine, and you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will bear much fruit; for you can do nothing without me. Those who do not remain in me are thrown out like a branch and dry up; such branches are gathered up and thrown into the fire, where they are burned. (John 15:5-6) As Jesus said in Luke 6:46, it is not about claiming salvation (Lord, Lord!)... it is about abiding (living) in Him and Him in us! If the branch does not remain on the vine, it will be removed and cast into the fire! God Bless! Angel |
||||||
327 | "Least in the kingdom of God"? | Matt 11:11 | JCrichton | 122628 | ||
Hi, Zsuzsi! As Christ, the Word incarnate, Jesus did become less than who He is... This happened only so that the fullness of Yahweh's Plan could come into fruition! Christ never stopped being God as pointed out by the Father Himself: but to the Son he says: Your throne, God, is for ever and ever... (Hebrews 1:8) No matter how anyone tries to circumvent God's Word, God, the Father, called Jesus, the Son, God! No matter how anyone tries to circumvent Hebrews 1:8, Jesus called Himself God's equal (John 10:30)! No matter what new age doctrines choose to sell, the Apostles understood that Jesus is God and they taught all the disciples that Jesus is God: Then he spoke to Thomas, 'Put your finger here; look, here are my hands. Give me your hand; put it into my side. Do not be unbelieveing any more but believe.' Thomas replied, 'My Lord and my God!' Jesus said to him: You believe because you can see me. Blessed are those who have not seen and yet believe. (John 20:27-29) We are well aware also that the Son of God has come, and has given us understanding so that we may know the One who is true. We are in the One who is true as we are in his Son, Jesus Christ. He is the true God and this is eternal life. Children, be on your guard against false gods. (1 John 5:20) To them belong the fathers and out of them, so far as physical descent is concerened, came Christ who is above all, God, blessed for ever. Amen. (Romans 9:5) waiting in hope for the blessing which will come with the appearing of the glory of our great God and Saviour Christ Jesus. (Titus 2:13) Simon Peter, servant and apostle of Jesus Christ, to those who have received a faith as precious as our own, given through the saving justice of our God and Saviour Jesus Christ. (2 Peter 1:1) (See also: 1 Corinthians 2:7-8; Galatians 1:11-12; Philippians 2:5-11; Titus 2:11-15...) So my question to you is: How can God be the least in Heaven? God Bless! Angel |
||||||
328 | texts about Jesus and outcasts | Matt 11:19 | JCrichton | 135289 | ||
Hi, revjlw! There are several Scripture passages that speak on this subject... I am listing three such passages: Matthew 9:10-13; Matthew 11:19; Luke 15:1-10... Now, we must understand that Jesus was never condoning the sinners' lifestyles... He was very specific about His cause (John 3:17; John 12:47)... it is God's desire that all shall repent, become obedient to His Will and receive Life (John 3:16). Jesus' concern is not to become a "friend" (enabler) to sin and sinners... His deepest desire is that we come to Him and regenerate ourselves into new creatures that humbly love and obey God's Will--as in the case of Zacheus (Luke 19:1-10) that upon receiving Christ's News made the commitment to amend his ways and joyously serve Jesus! God Bless! Angel |
||||||
329 | j. witnesses do not give blood. counter | Matt 12:1 | JCrichton | 126076 | ||
Hi, trimakkel! Your task is almost as insurmountable as Mount Everest (hope I got the spelling correct) in the middle of a tripple snowstorm. They remind me of the Masters of the Law, the Sadducees, and Pharisees: no matter how simple Jesus made His teachings... they refused to listen! In Matthew 12:10 Jesus explains that though there's a command to keep the Sabbath Holy restoring a man's health has priority over the observance of the Sabbath. Then and now people break God's commandments left and right (of course they always attempt to justify their actions), but when it comes to Love and Mercy they fall short of practicing God's commands! The Jews, with the exception of the Remnant, though they followed the letter of the Law (both written and oral) they failed to abide in God's Word and they rejected and crucified the giver of Life! The Jehovah Witnesses run the same fate--they are absorved in the letter of the Law (mixing in both the Mosaic and the Messianic Laws) and they fail to serve God over keeping the letter of the Law!: for faithful love is what pleases me, not sacrifice; knowledge of God, not burnt offerings. (Hosea 6:6) If you truly want to teach them about God, learn to direct them to Scripture passages that are not in their training manuals. Teaching them about Christ's and the Holy Sprit's Divinity can open up their eyes! Mostly, pray for them, that the Holy Spirit enlighten their minds and hearts! God Bless! Angel |
||||||
330 | Are there any sins that are unforgiven b | Matt 12:31 | JCrichton | 116783 | ||
Hi, Hood Rat! Jesus spoke of one particular sin that would not be forgiven: And so I tell you, every human sin and blasphemy will be forgiven, but blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven. And anyone who says a word against the Son of man will be forgiven; but no one who speaks against the Holy Spirit will be forgiven either in this world or in the next. (Matthew 12:31-32) Jesus is the Resurrection and the Life--but for Him there's no Salvation. Yet Jesus tells us that only those who are sent by the Father, Yahweh, will be able to come to Him (believe in the Spirit) and that those who do come to Him He will not cast aside (reject). We are creatures of God and only through coming to Jesus (believing and obeying Him) do we become children of God. But if we reject (disbelief) the Holy Spirit how can we listen to the Father when He calls us to follow the Son (Jesus)? And if we speak ill of the Holy Spirit, who is the third person of God, we are denying His Divinity and His authority over us! Jesus tells us (John 4:23-24) that God is Spirit and He demands that, all who wish to worship Him, we worship Him in Spirit and Truth! Suicide is one particular example of denying the Holy Spirit's authority over us; it is perhaps the greatest form of rejection: the person commiting suicide is basically saying that he/she has complete control of his/her body and calls God a liar (1 Corinthians 10:13) and totally rejects the Holy Spirit by destroying His Temple. (1 Corinthians 6:19, and 1 Corinthians 3:16-17) God Bless! Angel |
||||||
331 | forgiveable sins? | Matt 12:31 | JCrichton | 120779 | ||
Hi, ourfathersheart! In the Old Testament the reference of blaspheming was to Yahweh (Leviticus 24:11-16)--who ever blasphemed God should be taken out of the city/town and stoned to death (a physical death)! The Word was incarnated (John 1:1-18), Jesus Christ, and He preached about the changing times: the Kingdom of God is at hand (Mark 1:15). Jesus explained that He did not come to abolish the Law but to fulfill it (Matthew 5:17! Hence, He now revealed the importance of the Holy Spirit: if you blaspheme against the Holy Spirit (Mark 3:29) you will surely die (a spiritual death)! He makes quite a statement; He even says that a sin against the Son of man is forgivable (Mark 3:28) but not blaspheming against the Holy Spirit. Isn't that interesting? Jesus is the Resurrection and the Life, yet He is willing to forgive transgressions against Him! Here's why: The Father calls us to Jesus, Jesus brings us the Good News, we are forgiven by His blood on the cross and we will be resurrected in Him as coheirs... all is done by the active Power of God, the Holy Spirit (Luke 1:35; Romans 15:13; 1 Thessalonians 1:5)! The Holy Spirit is the one who creates sons/daughters of God out of the old creatures (John 1:12; Romans 15:16; Jude 1:20); the Holy Spirit is the one who teaches all of the Truth (John 16:12-13). Yes, it is true that Jesus Christ revealed many things about God, but He did not revealed all--the main purpose for the Word's incarnation was to take our place on the cross: to rescue us from our sins! It is also the Holy Spirit who showers us with God's gifts, distributing them according to His Will (1 Corinthians 12:4-11). By rejecting (blaspheming against) the Holy Spirit we cannot hear the Father's calling? How can we come to Jesus if we are not sent by the Father (John 6:44)? How can we gain salvation if we do not recognize the Resurrection and the Life (John 11:25-26)? In John 16:12-15 Jesus reveals the intricate relationship between the three Divine Persons of God--the job of educator and facilitator has been left to the Holy Spirit! He is our intimate teacher, our Divine anchor! As far as all other sins, if we listen to the Holy Spirit and allow Him to convict us of our sins we have the oportunity to repent (turn back to God) and in Jesus we have forgiveness--if we repent from the heart (Isaiah 1:18-29; Ezekiel 18:30-32). God Bless! Angel |
||||||
332 | Blasphemy? | Matt 12:31 | JCrichton | 138507 | ||
Hi, Amber! Jesus' statement is two fold: 1) It transfers the Old Testament mandate applied only to God--those that blaspheme God/His name would die--to the Holy Spirit, this demonstrates that the Holy Spirit is God. 2) It warns that if we reject the Holy Spirit (God's Holy Spirit/Jesus' Holy Spirit), we are doomed because only the Holy Spirit can enlighten us and bring us to God! It is the Holy Spirit who will reveal the fulness of Truth (John 16:13)... it is the Holy Spirit who reveals God to man (Ephesians 1:13-14; 4:30) and if we reject Him by denying that it is He who speaks to us or that it is He through whom the Father and the Son operate (Romans 14:17-18) we are condemned by our disbelief--there is no way that God can forgive us from not believing because it is our choice not to believe and repent and obey His Authority! God Bless! Angel |
||||||
333 | Once Saved, Always Saved? | Matt 13:20 | JCrichton | 144914 | ||
Hi! You've chosen an interesting tag... one that basically explains the relationship between salvation (being saved) and Christ (Savior): John 14:15: If you love me, keep my commandments. "If you love me, you will obey my commandments." Other translations: NIV “If you love me, you will obey what I command. NASB "If you love Me, you will keep My commandments. AMP If you [really] love Me, you will keep (obey) My commands. NLT "If you love me, obey my commandments. KJV If ye love me, keep my commandments. This is true Life and true Salvation: abiding in Christ Jesus! It is He who is our Salvation, as He Himself said: "...without me you are nothing!" (John 15:1-6) There is not a single reference by any of the Apostles that would demonstrate that they relied on "a special salvation..." rather, we will find amonestations and warnings to stay the course, to change from our carnal nature into our spiritual nature, to not simply claim to be in the spirit but to walk in the Spirit! When speaking to Peter Jesus delegated a special task to him... calling on Peter to gather the others (Luke 22:32)--if they (with the exception of Judas) were "saved" what need did Jesus have in commanding Peter to keep them together? Jesus also prayed for the Eleven (and us) to the Father... He prayed that the Father may keep us safe from the Evil One... Jesus, being God, would know more than any of us how "salvation" works... why would He pray for our protection if we are automatically "saved?" (John 17:9-20) Rather than seeking to seize "salvation" by adopting some Biblical clause, we should be rendering our obedient and humble heart (mind, body and soul) to Jesus and seeking to abide in Him as He promises that He will abide in us! (John 15:4) God Bless! Angel |
||||||
334 | Is Hell fire literal that burns forever? | Matt 13:40 | JCrichton | 122228 | ||
Hi, Jud! Jesus made it clear that hell does exists! (Matthew 5:22, 29, 30; 10:28; 11:23; 16:18; 18:9; 23:15, 33) A believer cannot end up in hell if he/she abides in Christ! (John 11:25-26) Abiding in Christ is not a tag, an umbrella, a contract, a guarantee of passage... abiding in Christ is obeying God! (Matthew 7:21 and Luke 6:46) If we obey God we will live in the Light for we will would be children of the Light! (1 John 1:7, 5:2) Nothing conquers the Light! (John 8:12) Now, can a person who once believed turn away from Christ? Yes! (2 Peter 2:17-22) When we reject Christ we are no longer believers! (1 John 4:3) We know things, as Lucifer knows things; by rejecting Christ we reject Life (eternal Life with God) and we embrace hell (eteranal life in damnation)! God Bless! Angel |
||||||
335 | concerning the death of John the Baptist | Matt 14:12 | JCrichton | 125987 | ||
Hi, Leslie N! There are many Biblical passages that seem to confound our understanding... After learning of Lazarus' fate Jesus did not hurry to his side--He waited about for two days before going to see Lazarus. Clearly, Jesus knew that Lazarus would die; yet He allowed it. Your sample passage talks about Jesus' taking off as soon as He heard of John's death--was He afraid of dying?... No! When it was His time He did not put up a fight! We must read the Scripture and look deeper than the textual language. We must allow the Holy Spirit to enlighten us with His Power! Jesus mission was not as that of the "crossing over" guy on the SciFi channel! When the disciples were overly concern about the end of times and Jesus did not offer an answer, did Jesus not truly know when the end is? Jesus, as the Lamb of God, did not come to reveal all knowledge, nor to fortell future events for the sake of entertainment. But you judge for yourself if He knew all or not: Now we see that you know everything and need not wait for questions to be put into words; because of this we believe that you came from God.' (John 16:30--see also Mark 2:6-8) Jesus' disciples were alert to the God's teachings and could see with greater clarity than the religious elite the things that pertained to Christ and to the Father. We too must allow God's Wisdom to shine on us! If we limit the Scripture to our finite knowledge and understanding the Truth may never set us free! God Bless! Angel |
||||||
336 | strain at gnat, and swallow a camel | Matt 15:8 | JCrichton | 122029 | ||
Hi, sis.love! Jesus is correcting the "religious elite" (Masters of the Law, Pharisees and Sadducees) who have corrupted the Law and Commandments with their selfish thirst for wealth and power. They were meticulous in presenting Israel with rules and regulations that would only increase their control of the people and their personal wealth, while, simultaneously, ignoring God's commands to lead Israel in Justice, Mercy and Love. In Matthew 23:24, Jesus is using an effective metaphore (the pre-movie special effects) to demonstrate the ignorance and disobedience of the Masters of the Law, the Sadducees and Pharisees. Matthew 23:13-35 (with emphasis on 23:23) and Matthew 15:1-20 (with emphasis on 15:8) are two examples of the failures of Israel's relgious. I liken Jesus admonishions on Matthew 23:24 to our culture's (both secular and spiritual) concern with tolerance for the sinners to the point of becoming blind to God's commandments: we feign mercy and understanding ("feel-good" attitute: "life style," "choice," "free needles," "provide condoms rather than teach abstinence, morality and selfrespect" "separation of Church and state," "God is love so come as you please...") while circumventing Christ's command to "abide in me," and "do the things which I say." (Paraphrased) Christ's words in Matthew 23:24 ring specially loudly when "Christians" distort the Word claiming that, because God is love, God is tolerant of sin and welcomes our refuse into the fold of the Church! God Bless! Angel |
||||||
337 | Who are the lost sheep of israel? | Matt 15:24 | JCrichton | 151333 | ||
Hi, Poetlois! While reading through the Old Testament Books (Samuel, Kings, Chronicles) we find Yahweh admonishing Israel for turning from Him, the only True and Living God, to the pagans' gods, anything and everything that was worshipped though not being God... when Jesus came to His people (Emmanuel, the God-among-us) Israel had been rejecting God's Authority--in essense, they had gone astray, in spite of all the warnings against idolatry and rejection of the One True God! Throughout the Old Testament, God promised that, in the fullness of time, He would come to His people and would live among them... but He also warned that Israel would reject Him and run to those that were nongods; He would then, come to those that were not His people and make unto Himself a nation... those that were once God's people would now be called not my people and those that were not God's people would now be called His people (please read Romans 9:1 thru 11:32)... it would be Jesus who would bring Hope (Life) to the Gentiles! Yet, before Jesus could bring the Gentiles to His fold, Israel, the people of God, had to enjoy their visitation with their God-with-us, Emmanuel (John 1:1-14)... once this was fulfilled, Jesus would then, through His Church, embrace the Gentiles! God Bless! Angel |
||||||
338 | Jesus called himself the son of man why? | Matt 16:13 | JCrichton | 127959 | ||
Hi! It is an interesting situation... there are quite a few verses in the Gospels where Jesus calls Himself the Son of man... while the same cannot be said of the "Son of God" since most of these verses it is not Him but others who are calling Jesus the Son of God... another notable incident is that Jesus had no biological father since His body was conceived through the Power of the Holy Spirit! ...Jesus is being true to the prophets and their prophecies that promised that Yahweh, the Lord, will come to His people as the Emmanuel (God-with-us) and would rule as the Eternal King on David's throne! Jesus is emphasizing his incarnation (the Creator who became as one of His creatures) by calling Himself the Son of man--it is the means to substantiate past and future Scripture that will reference both His Divinity and humanity. God Bless! Angel |
||||||
339 | I can't find any specific answer | Matt 16:18 | JCrichton | 120165 | ||
Hi, oddball! There are no specifics as far as a written plan or an organized written agenda... In Matthew 16:13-20 Jesus touches upon the issues of the Church: who do you think I am--God; on you I will build my Church; the keys of Heaven--but the world is not yet ready! The seal on the contract (if we look at it in human terms) is: Acts 2:1-12--the Apostles were gathered the Holy Spirit came upon them (with visible signs both before the immersion and after the filling grace) to demonstrate that these were sent by Christ and that they had His authority! God Bless! Angel |
||||||
340 | Is Peters accuser released from prison ? | Matt 16:23 | JCrichton | 138960 | ||
Hi! When we look at the text surrounding both statements we find that Peter is not Satan (Satan is the ancient Serpent, the Dragon, the Beast, the anti-Christ); while, Peter, a man who just minutes earlier allowed the Father to reveal to him the Truth about Jesus, being led by the carnal wisdom is called Satan by Jesus Christ, only to demonstrate who Peter was listening to at that particular moment. It is not that Peter is Satan... Jesus clearly stated that there was only one of the twelve that was lost (the son of perdition) because he would perform the hideous duty of betraying the Lord (John 6:70-71). Further evidence of Peter not being Satan is Jesus delegation to him: "Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift you as wheat. But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers." (Luke 22:31-32) When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, "Simon son of John, do you truly love me more than these?" "Yes, Lord," he said, "you know that I love you." Jesus said, "Feed my lambs." Again Jesus said, "Simon son of John, do you truly love me?" He answered, "Yes, Lord, you know that I love you." Jesus said, "Take care of my sheep." The third time he said to him, "Simon son of John, do you love me?" Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, "Do you love me?" He said, "Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you." (John 21:15-17) God Bless! Angel |
||||||
Result pages: << First < Prev [ 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 ] Next > Last [39] >> |