Results 441 - 460 of 773
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Results from: Answers On or After: Thu 12/31/70 Author: JCrichton Ordered by Verse |
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Results | Verse | Author | ID# | |||
441 | Did the Son exit before God exiting? | John 1:1 | JCrichton | 106424 | ||
brown, Hi! This sounds very much like the proverbial chicken/egg... God is the I AM. This explains all. There is no before, no during, and no after. There are some religious doctrines that want to place a plateau of existence for God. But clearly, Yahweh state that He is the Only God, that there are no gods beside Him, that before Him there was no god, that He does not cede His Glory (Power) to anyone, and that no god came into being after He (Isaiah 43:10-11, 42:8, 41:4). Only by faith in His Word can we truly begin to grasp that the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit are One God who has revealed Himself to us in three distinct yet equal persons (1 Corinthians 12:1-11 and Matthew 28:19). It is confusing. But we are not alone! Jesus promised that he would send the Paraclete, the Holy Spirit, who will teach us everything, and will remind us all that He had taught. Listen to what Paul said to the Corinthians (1 Corinthians 2:10, 12) "to us, though, God has given revelation through the Spirit, for the Spirit explores the depths of everything, even the depths of God. Now, the Spirit we have received is not the spirit of the world but God's own Spirit, so that we may understand the lavish gifts God has given us." I hope this has helped. God Bless! |
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442 | jesus sat on the right hand of god | John 1:1 | JCrichton | 117701 | ||
Hi, lynn77! There are many Biblical passages that, when viewed isolated, could confound and even misguide us. There are many Biblical passages where we can see three distict Persons of God: Matthew 28:19 Luke 1:35 Luke 3:21-22 John 14:26 John 14:23 John 16:13-15 Hebrews 1:8-9 Each one of the above passages has either three distinct Persons or at least two--the third one though not mentioned is still part of God's unity. There are some people who want to believe that Jesus is a lesser entity than the Father... Reading only one Biblical text they could surmise that they are correct in their belief... But the Bible has many expressions that, when viewed in isolation, could support almost any statement. Jesus said that He and the Father are One; He said that to know Him is to know the Father... But He also said that the Father was greater than He... But in John 14:10 He states that the Father abides in Him: He asked do you not believe that I am in the Father and that the Father is in me? We could go on in circles trying to define Jesus' Divinity, or for that matter the existence of God as the Father, the Son , and the Holy Spirit... It takes not logic and earthly wisdom but spiritual wisdom, humility, obedience and FAITH! Coming to God otherwise would be like trying to transfer all of the water in the ocean into a backyard pool! (Impossible!) Forget about placing the Father at this level, and the Son at that level, and the Holy Spirit at yet another level! Listen to God's Word and realize the Truth: In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God and the Word was God! If that does not clarify it enough for you try this one: You yourselves are my witnesses, declares Yahweh, and the servant whom I have chosen, so that you may know and believe me and understand that it is I. No god was formed before me, nor will be after me. I, I am Yahweh, and there is no other Saviour but me. I have revealed, have saved, and have proclaimed, not some foreigner among you. You are my witnesses, declars Yahweh. I am God, yes, from eternity I am. No one can deliver from my hand; when I act, who can thwart me? (Isaiah 43:10-13) It is as clear as sunlight: there has never been a god before, or after God came into existence: and He has been there since ever and will be there forever! Do not attempt to limit God to our finite understanding... let Him move you and guide you to His Truth; you will surely be set free! God Bless! Angel |
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443 | who can explain to me? | John 1:1 | JCrichton | 120182 | ||
Hi, eveready2004! I really don't follow you... Your English grammar knowledge told you that it was impossible? You mean you have a problem with God's definition of who He is: "I Am"? (Exodus 3:14) You are your mother's son/daughter... when you lived with your mother were you not part of your mother and yet apart from your mother?: The Word was God and yet the Word was with God! God Bless! Angel |
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444 | Is Jesus being called God or a God? | John 1:1 | JCrichton | 129695 | ||
Hi, Noveta! As it has been said to you on the previous posts... the Jehovah Witnesses do not accept the Holy Trinity (Father, Son and the Holy Spirit) as the fullness of God... they wish to view Christ as a human with super powers but always a subordinate creature; while accepting the Holy Spirit only as an "energy" coming from God. There are so many Scripture passages that reveal to us the Trinity (though never by the explicit term "Trinity") that a person must be either totally incapable or reasoning or must be blind and not have access to a Bible on braille or the latest speaking Bibles. In the Old Testament Yahweh makes it clear that He alone is God and that before Him there existed no god and that after Him no god was formed (Isaiah 43:10); He also states that He will not give His glory (power, authority...) to another... Yet, He shares His Throne with the Lamb (Revelation 5:12, 5:13, 6:16, 7:10, 7:17, 22:1, 22:3)... I understand that they twist every single Scripture that points to Jesus and the Holy Spirit as being God... but how do you suppose that an ancient and powerful God as our God is will allow a mere human to usurp His Power in His Face? It is no coincidence that the prophets revealed that Jesus is God, nor that the Apostles revealed that Jesus and the Holy Spirit are two of the three Divine Persons of God... Just look at the following two examples: When the crowd saw what Paul had done, they shouted in the Lycaonian language, "The gods have come down to us in human form!" Barnabas they called Zeus, and Paul they called Hermes because he was the chief speaker. The priest of Zeus, whose temple was just outside the city, brought bulls and wreaths to the city gates because he and the crowd wanted to offer sacrifices to them. But when the apostles Barnabas and Paul heard of this, they tore their clothes and rushed out into the crowd, shouting: "Men, why are you doing this? We too are only men, human like you. We are bringing you good news, telling you to turn from these worthless things to the living God, who made heaven and earth and sea and everything in them. (Acts 14:11-15) In this first example (Acts 14:11-15) Paul and Barnabas quickly reacted to the crowd who were insinuating that they were gods--they rejected their profession of divinity and clarified that there is only One who is God! The angel said to the women, "Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay. Then go quickly and tell his disciples: ‘He has risen from the dead and is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him.’ Now I have told you." So the women hurried away from the tomb, afraid yet filled with joy, and ran to tell his disciples. Suddenly Jesus met them. "Greetings," he said. They came to him, clasped his feet and worshiped him. Then Jesus said to them, "Do not be afraid. Go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee; there they will see me." (Matthew 28:5-10) A week later his disciples were in the house again, and Thomas was with them. Though the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, "Peace be with you!" Then he said to Thomas, "Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe." Thomas said to him, "My Lord and my God!" Then Jesus told him, "Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed." (John 20:26-29) In Matthew 28:5-10 and John 20:26-29, we find Jesus being worshipped and He does not chastise, correct or reject the actions of the disciples… they have come to understand that He is God and Jesus does not correct them because as He had stated that particular fact in so many ways: “I am in the Father and the Father is in me!” (John 14:10-11) God Bless! Angel |
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445 | What is the Bible | John 1:1 | JCrichton | 133416 | ||
Hi! There are many definitions for the "Word." The most important ones are: Word - Jesus, the second Divine Person of God. Word - Revelation of God, be it a direct Commandment, an admonition, a prophecy, an instruction, a communiqué, a warning... Word - Jesus' Gospels: the writings about His incarnation, His Teachings, His Sacrifice, His Resurrection, His Ascension... Word - God's Spirit with the ability to free us from sin and condemn us for our rebelliousness! I have made a quick search and I am offering various Scriptural passages, please first study the two which I consider most important ones since they define the relationship between the Word and God: In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. (John 1:1-3--see also verses 4, 5, and 14) That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked at and our hands have touched--this we proclaim concerning the Word of life. The life appeared; we have seen it and testify to it, and we proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and has appeared to us. We proclaim to you what we have seen and heard, so that you also may have fellowship with us. And our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ. (1 John 1:1-3) The following are too numerous to be able to list them quickly so I am just listing the Biblical references: Ephesians 1:13; 6:17; Colossians 1:25-29; 2 Timothy 4:2; Hebrews 4:12; 11:3; James 1:22; 1 Peter 1:23, 25; 1 John 2:7; 5:7; Matthew 13:21-23; Mark 4:33; 7:13; Luke 1:2-4; 3:2; 5:1; 8:11; John 6:63; 10:35; 12:48; 15:3, 25; 18:9, 32; God Bless! Angel |
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446 | IS jesus GOD ? prove ? | John 1:1 | JCrichton | 135611 | ||
Hi, mosa! Your thread has been restricted... If you truly are searching for the answer (He is!), email me at: jcrichtonfs1 at yahoo.com I can offer you a complete personal study on Jesus' Divinity and the Holy Trinity... In the mean while, for your consideration, I refer you to the following: Revelation: 5:8-14; 7:10, 17; 14;4; 17:14; 21:22-23; 22:1, 3; 1:7-8; 21:5; 22:12-13. God Bless! Angel |
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447 | Is Jesus was another of God's tests? | John 1:1 | JCrichton | 140217 | ||
Hi! Part 1 of 2 I understand your concern... many people do believe that there is a separation of God and little gods or sublevel creatures... The Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit are One God: For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit, because anyone who serves Christ in this way is pleasing to God and approved by men. (Romans 14:17-18) We cannot separate the Father from the Son or from the Holy Spirit! In the above passage Paul is using a formula for the Divine Trinity: Serving Christ in the Holy Spirit is pleasing to God! The Biblical term "serve or serving" means to be subject to as serving a master... worship is a form of service! There are various Scriptural passages that clearly demonstrate that Jesus is God and that He was being worship while still on earth... one particular the comes to mind, which I find extremely important is Thomas' confession that Jesus is Lord and God: A week later his disciples were in the house again, and Thomas was with them. Though the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!” Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe.” Thomas said to him, “My Lord and my God!” Then Jesus told him, “Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.” (John 20:26-29) Thomas realized who Jesus truly is and he confesses with his heart and mind: My Lord, and my God! Jesus was returning to the Father, the disciples were left with this revelation which could not have escaped any of them: Jesus is God! Yet, does Jesus admonish Thomas for calling Him God? No! It would be a lie for Jesus to deny His Divinity! ...instead, having you and I in mind, Jesus admonishes: blessed are those who have not seen and yet believe! Now, let me bring you to a future event... we are gathered around the Throne of the Mighty God, the One who would not share His Glory (Power, Authority, Worship) with others and what do we find?: 6Then I saw a Lamb, looking as if it had been slain, standing in the center of the throne, encircled by the four living creatures and the elders. He had seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven spirits of God sent out into all the earth. 7He came and took the scroll from the right hand of him who sat on the throne. 8And when he had taken it, the four living creatures and the twentyfour elders fell down before the Lamb. Each one had a harp and they were holding golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints. 9And they sang a new song: “You are worthy to take the scroll and to open its seals, because you were slain, and with your blood you purchased men for God from every tribe and language and people and nation. 10You have made them to be a kingdom and priests to serve our God, and they will reign on the earth.” 11Then I looked and heard the voice of many angels, numbering thousands upon thousands, and ten thousand times ten thousand. They encircled the throne and the living creatures and the elders. 12In a loud voice they sang: “Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and praise!” 13Then I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and on the sea, and all that is in them, singing: “To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be praise and honor and glory and power, for ever and ever!” 14The four living creatures said, “Amen,” and the elders fell down and worshiped. (Revelation 5:6-14) While in the center of the Throne the Lamb (Jesus Christ) is being worshipped! He is being flooded with acknowledgement and praises right in front of the Father! Not only that, but all of the creatures in existence pay Him and the Father the same homage! |
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448 | Is Jesus was another of God's tests? | John 1:1 | JCrichton | 140218 | ||
Part 2 of 2 Now, Revelation 22:1 and 3 offers us a complicated scenario, how do we worship the Father without worshipping the Son, how do we determine when it is the Father who is receiving or giving us something... where does the Father end and the Son begins?: Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, as clear as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb No longer will there be any curse. The throne of God and of the Lamb will be in the city, and his servants will serve him. (Revelation 22:1, 3) Now, are there various Thrones in Heaven? Is there one for the Father and one for the Son? Which part of the water flows from God and which from the Lamb? Noticed that there is One Throne that belongs to both God and the Lamb? Still if we pay attention to Jesus' words we find that this scenario is not that complicated... Jesus tells us that He and the Father are One! (John 10:30); He also tells us that the Father lives in Him and that He lives in the Father (John 14:10-11)... even the Jews understood exactly that Jesus was revealing that He was God (John 10:30-33)... Finally, John puts it this way: No one who denies the Son has the Father; whoever acknowledges the Son has the Father also. (1 John 2:23) We cannot separate the Father from the Son... nor can we separate the Father and the Son from the Holy Spirit! God Bless! Angel |
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449 | why does NASB say "the only begotten God | John 1:18 | JCrichton | 132459 | ||
Hi, mercy4all! No man hath seen God at any time: the only begotten Son who is in the Bosom of the Father, he hath declared him. (John 1:18) The Catholic Douay-Rheims 1899 Check also the BibleGateway.com: NIV on footnotes: 1. 1:18 Or the Only Begotten 2. 1:18 Some manuscripts but the only (or only begotten) Son KJV, NKJV, KJ21, ASV, YLT, DARBY: ...the only begotten Son... (John 1:18) As you can verify, it is not only the NASB version that uses the term in question! God Bless! Angel |
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450 | what is the gift of the Holy Spirit | John 1:33 | JCrichton | 131280 | ||
Hi, flock! There are several Scripture passages that speak of the Gift: In John 14, Jesus speaks of the Gift coming from the Father, at His request, and promises His disciples that the Holy Spirit will be with them forever; not only that but He will live in them! (Compare Jesus and the Father living in the Believer: John 14:23): I shall ask the Father, and he will give you another Paraclete to be with you forever, the Spirit of truth whom the world can never accept since it neither sees him nor knows him; but you know him, because he is with you , he is in you. (John 14:16-17) The Holy Spirit was manifested to the Apostles and disciples, and they understood that their commission (Matthew 28:19-20) involved both a water baptism and the baptism of the Holy Spirit: John baptized with water but, not many days from now, you are going to be baptized with the Holy Spirit… but you will receive the power of the Holy Spirit which will come on you, and then you will be my witnesses not only in Jerusalem but throughout Judea and Samaria, and indeed to earth‘s remotest end.’ (Acts 1:5-8) God Bless! Angel |
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451 | Was Jesus married? | John 1:38 | JCrichton | 156764 | ||
Hi, Annee! You are perhaps confused? Jesus was never part of the established religious body... He did not attend Temple ceremonies as part of the religious body... He did not come to live under the law but to fulfill the Law! ...you also missed his mission altogether... John the Baptist introduces Him as the Lamb of God and John the Evangelist reveals that He is the Word who was with God and was God, and also as the Light through whom and for whom all things were made! As Jesus said when faced with the demands of the tax collectors, does not the Son own everything? (Paraphrased!) God Bless! Angel |
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452 | Is wine acceptable for a Wedding Couple | John 2:1 | JCrichton | 106404 | ||
igsaved, Hi! When we read the Bible we find that there are only very specific commands against the fruits of the vine (wine/alcohol) and all of them refering to those anointed in the service of the LORD. Throughout the Bible it was a basic thing to do. Jesus offered wine as a New Covenant--that was not the only time he shared wine with His disciples. He even made a reference that He would not drink again from the vine with them until His second coming (taken literaly: there's gonna be a fantastic paaaartiiii). But seriously, what has always been God's Command is to drink in moderation. Now as a Christian, if you or I were to get drunk (substitute alcohol with everything else) we would become vulnerable to Satan's manipulation; losing selfcontrol, becoming irate, abusive, controlling, vain or boastful. Not only could we hurt ourselves and others physically but, most importantly, we could hurt others spiritually. In 1st Corinthians 11:26-34 Paul is not questioning the food or refreshments, he is correcting the behavior of some members that have lost the meaning of their celebration. Our Lord's Supper has meaning beyong the gathering and sharing of the meal--when you toast or have your celebrations (at home or in public) remember that you represent Jesus Christ. You can choose to claim Him in words or in deeds! God Bless! |
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453 | does one need to be baptised to be saved | John 3:5 | JCrichton | 130264 | ||
Hi, Toeknee! We are living the most "politically correct," and "anti-establishment" era that ever existed... Scripture is being challenged by both atheists and "Christians" alike... some even disregarding Jesus' own Word: In reply Jesus declared, "I tell you the truth, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again." "How can a man be born when he is old?" Nicodemus asked. "Surely he cannot enter a second time into his mother's womb to be born!" Jesus answered, "I tell you the truth, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless he is born of water and the Spirit. (John 3:3-5) Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to be baptized by John. But John tried to deter him, saying, "I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?" Jesus replied, "Let it be so now; it is proper for us to do this to fulfill all righteousness." Then John consented. (Matthew 3:13-15) All the people, even the tax collectors, when they heard Jesus' words, acknowledged that God's way was right, because they had been baptized by John. But the Pharisees and experts in the law rejected God's purpose for themselves, because they had not been baptized by John. (Luke 7:29-30) Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age." (Matthew 28:19-20) Baptism is not in itself salvation, but we are commanded by Christ, the second Person of God, to be baptized--how any disciple of Christ can believe and teach otherwise is beyond me! We are called to be God's servants... a servant cannot pick and choose which commands to obey, which commands to circumvent, and which commands to abolish altogether! Are we greater than the Lamb of God--He who was pure and for our sake suffered and died on the Cross? As the Son of man, Jesus obeyed the Father to the end (death on the Cross), how can He, being the Only Begotten Son, be obligated to fulfill the Father's Will while humanity, mere mortal beings, be allow obey or disobey at will? Jesus' could not have been clearer on the subject of baptism: "I tell you the truth, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless he is born of water and the Spirit." Am I suggesting that God is limited to our symbolic gestures (circumcision, sacrifices, holocausts, baptism...)? Decidedly not! This is why Jesus could tell one of the men being crucified along side of Him that on that very day he would be with Him (Jesus) in Paradise! (Luke 23:39-43) God Bless! Angel |
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454 | should Nicodemus have understood? | John 3:10 | JCrichton | 131804 | ||
Hi, Tobi6334! The answer is found within that passage of Scripture: 'You are the Teacher of Israel... (John 3:10) ...one of the Pharisees called Nicodemus, a leader of the Jews, (John 3:1): The Columbia Encyclopedia, Sixth Edition. 2001. Pharisees ...one of the two great Jewish religious and political parties of the second commonwealth. Their opponents were the Sadducees, and it appears that the Sadducees gave them their name, perushim, Hebrew for “separatists” or “deviants.” The Pharisees began their activities during or after the Hasmonean revolt (c.166--142 B.C.). The Pharisees upheld an interpretation of Judaism that was in opposition to the priestly Temple cult. They stressed faith in the one God; the divine revelation of the law both written and oral handed down by Moses through Joshua, the elders, and the prophets to the Pharisees; and eternal life and resurrection for those who keep the law. Pharisees insisted on the strict observance of Jewish law, which they began to codify. While in agreement on the broad outlines of Jewish law, the Pharisees encouraged debate on its fine points, and according to one view, practiced the tradition of zuggot, or pairs of scholars with opposing views. They developed the synagogue as an alternative place of worship to the Temple, with a liturgy consisting of biblical and prophetic readings, and the repetition of the shma, the basic creed of Judaism. In addition, they supported the separation of the worldly and the spiritual spheres, ceding the former to the secular rulers... Jesus, was checking Nicodemus, since he, unlike the average Israelite, was in the fortunate position of having full access to Scripture and the its study! God Bless! Angel |
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455 | Whats being compared in John 3:14-16? | John 3:16 | JCrichton | 107983 | ||
Hi, THE COT! Correct! There are so many parallels in the Bible that guide us to the Truth that it is almost incomprehensible to find that we (Christians) have so many diverging points. Was it necessary for a serpent to be made and lifted so that the Hebrew people those that were bitten by serpents, would look at it and be cured? No! It was not the action of looking up at the serpent that cured them (saved them from death) but obeying God's command to do so! Christ is in the midst of His people, who do not accept Him, and He uses many of the Old Testament terminalogies which are quite vivid in the Jews' mind (these were people proud of their ancestry and connection to the one true God, Yahweh) in order to show them their errors. So it's no wonder that the prophecies He's fulfilling are mirrored, in many occasions, in the Old Testament. And it's no wonder that there are specific events that project to Jesus (Melchizedek; the raised serpent; Abraham's sacrifice...). Ultimately, as you pointed out-- John 3:16, it all leads to obedient faith! God Bless! |
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456 | Clarify in/on in John 3:16, 18 | John 3:16 | JCrichton | 124741 | ||
"Either you believe or you don't." Hi, encourager4u! I am glad that you are not allowing semantics to disuade you of the Truth! God Bless! Angel |
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457 | promise of family to thousand generation | John 3:16 | JCrichton | 131445 | ||
Hi, mmam51! I think that the Scripture you're looking for is Exodus 34:7: maintaining love to thousands, and forgiving wickedness, rebellion and sin. Yet he does not leave the guilty unpunished; he punishes the children and their children for the sin of the fathers to the third and fourth generation." There's no implied "Umbrella Salvation" on this Scripture... It is similar two several others... I will include two of them: This day I call heaven and earth as witnesses against you that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life, so that you and your children may live (Deuteronomy 30:19) And if a woman has a husband who is not a believer and he is willing to live with her, she must not divorce him. For the unbelieving husband has been sanctified through his wife, and the unbelieving wife has been sanctified through her believing husband. Otherwise your children would be unclean, but as it is, they are holy. But if the unbeliever leaves, let him do so. A believing man or woman is not bound in such circumstances; God has called us to live in peace. How do you know, wife, whether you will save your husband? Or, how do you know, husband, whether you will save your wife? (1 Corinthians 7:13-16) Neither of these two Scriptural passages is implying an "Umbrella Salvation." In Deuteronomy 30:19 Yahweh is calling the Israelites to choose life, and He promises that by choosing life all of their household may gain life (Salvation)... our first task, as a Christian, is to bring our family members to Christ--both through example and through teaching; it is in this manner that we may bring "life" to all in our household. In 1 Corinthians 7:13-16 Paul is not declaring amnesty for the unbeliving spouses and the offspring of a union between a believer and an unbeliever... Paul is attesting to the fact that if only one spouse is a believer he/she can bring grace to the other spouse and the children... through the believer's prayer, example and teahing the nonbeliever and their child/ren can be brought into the Fold! Ezekiel 18 is an excellent example of how God sees Salvation and damnation... yet, though it is an individual occurrence, we can serve Christ (through prayer, example, and teaching) by being that voice crying in the desert... hence, God brings Salvation to all! God Bless! Angel |
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458 | God dosn't love everybody???? | John 3:16 | JCrichton | 133348 | ||
Hi, Doyle! There's a difference between God loving the world and God loving everybody... In John 3:16 Scripture tells us that God loved the world... but listen to what Scripture actually say: For this is how God loved the world: he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life. This is the condition of God's love... it is not come one come all just as you are/wish: meaning that we cannot expect to be rebellious to God's Authority and still remain in His love: And the judgement is this: though the light has come into the world people have preferred darkness to light because their deeds were evil. (John 3:19) Paul, speaking to the Romans explains it this way: For the wage paid by sin is death; the gift freely given by God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 6:23) So... though God so loved the world (humanity) that He gave His only begotten Son as sacrifice for our ransom, not everybody has accepted this Gift (John 1:10-12); hence, not everybody is God's beloved child! Sadly, people who want to govern themselves reject God's Will and Authority, and they pick and choose which Biblical passage they want to accept... they live the fallacy which reasons that since God is love He loves us just as we are, no matter how sinful and rebellious we choose to be! Clearly, God is not deceived by our twisting of Scripture: Nothing unclean may come into it: no one who does what is loathsome or false, but only those who are listed in the Lamb's book of life. (Revelation 21:27) ...twins... the passage you are referring to is about Esau, the first-born, and Jacob, the twin sons of Isaac... This election (the younger brother over the older) is found in Genesis 25:21-34; 27:6-40 and, as reference to Genesis', Malachi 1:2-3 and Romans 9:13... what we are taught by the election of Jacob (as with Ephraim, the younger twin brother of Manesseh--sons of Joseph) is that it is God who accomplishes His Plan--though He utilizes us as a medium to bring His Plan into effect, His Plan is not dependent upon us (John 3:16; Luke 23:34; John 11:46-52)... Doyle, I urge you to rethink your stategy (life's choice); seek the Lord your God, make Him your friend and you will indeed be Loved by God! There are many on-line resources, including Bibles, that you can access from your computer--just drop a note if you want assistance; you can also contact me direct at jcrichtonfs1 at yahoo.com; you are welcome to continue to post your queries... you are not too far from Jesus, trust Him, He truly wants to be your Savior! May the Holy Spirit guide you to the Truth and may your spirit listen to the Father's call! God Bless! Angel |
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459 | What makes Christianity right religion? | John 3:16 | JCrichton | 135377 | ||
Hi, Kathy! Christianity is the only religion that professes a God that died to save humanity! (Romans 5:6-10) Christianity is the only religion that offers life after death in God's plane of existence! (1 John 3:2) Christianity is the only religion where God cleanses the sin of his creatures making them His children! (Galatians 4:4-6) Christianity is the only religion whose God delivers promises through the prophets and the Holy Spirit! (2 Peter 1:20-21) Christianity is the only religion that professes equality amongst all! (Galatians 3:26-29) There are many other Scriptural passages... but I think that part of your task is to search them out! God Bless! Angel |
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460 | why would God allow his son to die fo us | John 3:16 | JCrichton | 137817 | ||
Hi, Shael! There are many people who are knowledgeable of Scripture yet they reject God's Authority--they prefer to serve their own appetites, even when their actions causes them damage, irreparable at times! Your lady coworker seems to be a profound advocate for pro-life! You've gotten some excellent replies... I simply want to add a passage which speaks on Jesus' function as both Priest and Sacrifice: The Holy Spirit was showing by this that the way into the Most Holy Place had not yet been disclosed as long as the first tabernacle was still standing. This is an illustration for the present time, indicating that the gifts and sacrifices being offered were not able to clear the conscience of the worshiper. They are only a matter of food and drink and various ceremonial washings--external regulations applying until the time of the new order. When Christ came as high priest of the good things that are already here, he went through the greater and more perfect tabernacle that is not man-made, that is to say, not a part of this creation. He did not enter by means of the blood of goats and calves; but he entered the Most Holy Place once for all by his own blood, having obtained eternal redemption. The blood of goats and bulls and the ashes of a heifer sprinkled on those who are ceremonially unclean sanctify them so that they are outwardly clean. How much more, then, will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself unblemished to God, cleanse our consciences from acts that lead to death, so that we may serve the living God! For this reason Christ is the mediator of a new covenant, that those who are called may receive the promised eternal inheritance--now that he has died as a ransom to set them free from the sins committed under the first covenant. In the case of a will, it is necessary to prove the death of the one who made it, because a will is in force only when somebody has died; it never takes effect while the one who made it is living. This is why even the first covenant was not put into effect without blood. When Moses had proclaimed every commandment of the law to all the people, he took the blood of calves, together with water, scarlet wool and branches of hyssop, and sprinkled the scroll and all the people. He said, "This is the blood of the covenant, which God has commanded you to keep." In the same way, he sprinkled with the blood both the tabernacle and everything used in its ceremonies. In fact, the law requires that nearly everything be cleansed with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness. It was necessary, then, for the copies of the heavenly things to be purified with these sacrifices, but the heavenly things themselves with better sacrifices than these. For Christ did not enter a man-made sanctuary that was only a copy of the true one; he entered heaven itself, now to appear for us in God's presence. Nor did he enter heaven to offer himself again and again, the way the high priest enters the Most Holy Place every year with blood that is not his own. Then Christ would have had to suffer many times since the creation of the world. But now he has appeared once for all at the end of the ages to do away with sin by the sacrifice of himself. Just as man is destined to die once, and after that to face judgment, so Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins of many people; and he will appear a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who are waiting for him. (Hebrews 9:8-28) I will pray that the Holy Spirit aides your ministering to your coworker! God Bless! Angel |
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