Results 541 - 560 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# | |||
541 | Acts 16:33 and infant baptism. | Acts 16:33 | JCrichton | 122339 | ||
Hi Huron! Part of the problem that we have in clarifying Biblical doctrine is that, regardless of how much we may allege against it, we are congregational-biased: meaning that we will see in the Scriptures what "our" church says. Christians were baptizing themselves for their dead loved ones, why did Peter, Paul and the rest of the Apostles not forbid them that practice since the dead could not be preached to but by Christ, and since the dead could not give even the simplest sign that they had Heard and Believed?: Otherwise, what are people up to who have themselves baptised on behalf of the dead?... (1 Corinthians 15:29) Since there is no Biblical formula requiring that a person be of a specific age before being baptized and since the Apostles did not forbid the rebaptizing of Christians for the sake of their dead loved ones why do we become so focused on setting an age limit to those entering the fold of Christ? Could it be pride? Could it be grandstanding? Could it be separation? God Bless! Angel |
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542 | What does your and your household mean? | Acts 16:33 | JCrichton | 140887 | ||
Hi, Lisa G! Sadly, many people think that salvation is a "package deal:" once saved always saved, one saved all saved! Jesus always made a very pronounce effort to warn us of things to come... at one particular time He queried: "When the Son of man returns, will He find faith on earth?" He also made a specific statement that He came for the Salvation of many--He did not say "the Salvation of all!" And the Word testefies that not all believe (John 3:17-20)... As far as all saved, Jesus warns that when that time comes two will be in the field (or working/walking/sitting, etc...) one will be taken and the other left behind... He even speaks of two in a bed: one taken the other left behind (Luke 17:34)... In Acts 16:31 Paul is not rewriting Salvation, he is merely stating that through one person Salvation can be preached to the whole household, and, as in the example of the marriage between and believer and a nonbeliever (1 Corinthians 7:12-16)... we who are Christians can through example and teaching bring our closest relations to the Lord and thus provide a means for their Salvation! God Bless! Angel |
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543 | Spirit baptism? | Acts 17:29 | JCrichton | 123101 | ||
"Romans 1:16-25 says that we should worship and serve the Creator rather than the creature" Hi, Ray! There will always be those who seek to somehow ground Christ to the finite existence of man. They seek to demonstrate the Creator as a mere creature and they refuse to understand that the Word's incarnation was for the purpose of lifting us up. (Matthew 20:28) They fail to see that, even as a child, Jesus separated Himself from the world as He knew His Divine Purpose. (Luke 2:49) I think that part of the problem is that, as Jesus contemporaries, people get caught up in the letter of the Law and they miss the message completely: The Word was the real light that gives light to everyone; he was coming into the world. He wa in the world that had come into being through him, and the world did not recognise him. He came to his own and his own people did not accept him. (John 1:9-11) It is our (Christians) commision to let His Fullness be known! (Matthew 28:19) God Bless! Angel |
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544 | Was Apollos baptized? If so, when? | Acts 18:25 | JCrichton | 144107 | ||
Hi! Part 1 of 2 Sometimes Scripture passages seem to be cryptic... at other times they just wet our appetite... yet, if we allow the guidance of the Holy Spirit, we would find that they offer more answers than they raise questions... In Scripture we find John the Baptist baptizing and preaching about the impending coming of the Heavenly Kingdom... he explains that he only baptizes in water and that Jesus, the Lamb of God, who precedes Him and is coming at his wake will baptize in the Holy Spirit and fire: Matthew 3:1-12 1In those days John the Baptist came, preaching in the Desert of Judea 2and saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near.” 3This is he who was spoken of through the prophet Isaiah: “A voice of one calling in the desert, ‘Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for him.’ ” 4John's clothes were made of camel's hair, and he had a leather belt around his waist. His food was locusts and wild honey. 5People went out to him from Jerusalem and all Judea and the whole region of the Jordan. 6Confessing their sins, they were baptized by him in the Jordan River. 7But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to where he was baptizing, he said to them: “You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the coming wrath? 8Produce fruit in keeping with repentance. 9And do not think you can say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father.’ I tell you that out of these stones God can raise up children for Abraham. 10The ax is already at the root of the trees, and every tree that does not produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire. 11“I baptize you with water for repentance. But after me will come one who is more powerful than I, whose sandals I am not fit to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire. 12His winnowing fork is in his hand, and he will clear his threshing floor, gathering his wheat into the barn and burning up the chaff with unquenchable fire.” Jesus is so adamant about John's baptism that He challenges and condemns His contemporaries: Luke 7:24-35 24After John's messengers left, Jesus began to speak to the crowd about John: “What did you go out into the desert to see? A reed swayed by the wind? 25If not, what did you go out to see? A man dressed in fine clothes? No, those who wear expensive clothes and indulge in luxury are in palaces. 26But what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet. 27This is the one about whom it is written: “ ‘I will send my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way before you.’ 28I tell you, among those born of women there is no one greater than John; yet the one who is least in the kingdom of God is greater than he.” 29(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. 30But the Pharisees and experts in the law rejected God's purpose for themselves, because they had not been baptized by John.) 31“To what, then, can I compare the people of this generation? What are they like? 32They are like children sitting in the marketplace and calling out to each other: “ ‘We played the flute for you, and you did not dance; we sang a dirge, and you did not cry.’ 33For John the Baptist came neither eating bread nor drinking wine, and you say, ‘He has a demon.’ 34The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and you say, ‘Here is a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and “sinners.” ’ 35But wisdom is proved right by all her children.” |
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545 | Was Apollos baptized? If so, when? | Acts 18:25 | JCrichton | 144108 | ||
Part 2 of 2 ...and, Matthew 21:23-27: 23Jesus entered the temple courts, and, while he was teaching, the chief priests and the elders of the people came to him. “By what authority are you doing these things?” they asked. “And who gave you this authority?” 24Jesus replied, “I will also ask you one question. If you answer me, I will tell you by what authority I am doing these things. 25John's baptism–where did it come from? Was it from heaven, or from men?” They discussed it among themselves and said, “If we say, ‘From heaven,’ he will ask, ‘Then why didn't you believe him?’ 26But if we say, ‘From men’–we are afraid of the people, for they all hold that John was a prophet.” 27So they answered Jesus, “We don't know.” Then he said, “Neither will I tell you by what authority I am doing these things. ...so knowing that Jesus expects all to receive John's baptism (either by John or Jesus' disciples) it is fair to surmise that Apollos' knowledge of John's baptism would refer to his own baptism in water... this is similar to the gentiles who knew only of water baptism and not of the Holy Spirit: Acts 19:1-7: 1While Apollos was at Corinth, Paul took the road through the interior and arrived at Ephesus. There he found some disciples 2and asked them, “Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?” They answered, “No, we have not even heard that there is a Holy Spirit.” 3So Paul asked, “Then what baptism did you receive?” “John's baptism,” they replied. 4Paul said, “John's baptism was a baptism of repentance. He told the people to believe in the one coming after him, that is, in Jesus.” 5On hearing this, they were baptized into the name of the Lord Jesus. 6When Paul placed his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came on them, and they spoke in tongues and prophesied. 7There were about twelve men in all. God Bless! Angel |
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546 | How can Paul be a Roman citizen when he | Acts 22:28 | JCrichton | 106902 | ||
Hi, LIVERIGHT! As EdB, kalos, and biblerey pointed out, Paul had a right to Roman citizenship. But at this particular time he used it as a tool (to gain entrance or security). Paul had a new citizenship which he pursuit wholeheartedly. Merry Christmas! |
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547 | is it a good thing to kiss one another o | Romans | JCrichton | 106780 | ||
Greetings, Ricardo! You have basically answered your own question! Romans 16:16 talks about a holy kiss--we cannot but interpret that as a sign of love, in our Lord Christ Jesus: there cannot be any sexual or sensual overtones! No behavior that contradicts Jesus' teachings can be atributed to "a holy kiss," because it represents Jesus' love--not human lust! A short time ago I posted an answer that dealt with this topic, somewhat; it is ID# 106770. Let me causion you in Christ: Anyone can love, in Christ, a member of the same sex or the opposite sex as long as that love is true to Christ's commands. But when the line between Christian love and human passion is blurred, the erroneous behavior has to be stopped. You still love and respect (D) in the Lord, good! But do two things: 1) correct his error, and 2) do not allow intimate situations to arise between you (always keep a third party around when (D) is in your immidiate sorroundings) him. Pray for a Christian solution! May the Holy Spirit bring you peace! |
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548 | THE BOOK OF ROMANS? | Romans | JCrichton | 148466 | ||
Hi, rubina! Though the book of Romans touches on many important issues and clarifies a great number of doctrinal teachings... no book in the Bible supercedes or summerizes God's Divine Inspiration! Just as an example, it is John who tells us that Christ is the Lamb of God... yet even he erred when he attempted to persuade Christ to baptize him instead of he baptizing Jesus... Still, John the Evangelist opens with the greatest most powerful writing in Scripture: In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God and the Word was God." There is no single expression in the Bible that demonstrates the coexistence, as God, of the Father and the Son--other than Jesus' own statement in John 10:30... There are no shortcuts to the Word of God... we are called to know God... so we must devour every book with equal desire for enlightenment and the Truth! God Bless! Angel |
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549 | please help. | Romans | JCrichton | 156763 | ||
Hi, Lola! I understand your predicament... I can tell you that what your fiancée has experienced may change his life completely... but I think he is confusing the impoverishment of a nation due to mismanagement of wealth by their own people and Christ's Salvation... God does not condemn anyone: 30 "Therefore, O house of Israel, I will judge you, each one according to his ways, declares the Sovereign LORD. Repent! Turn away from all your offenses; then sin will not be your downfall. 31 Rid yourselves of all the offenses you have committed, and get a new heart and a new spirit. Why will you die, O house of Israel? 32 For I take no pleasure in the death of anyone, declares the Sovereign LORD. Repent and live! (Ezekiel 18:30-32) Knowing this, Jesus came to give life to all who believe in Him: 10He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him. 11He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. 12Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God— 13children born not of natural descent,[a] nor of human decision or a husband's will, but born of God. (John 1:10-13) Jesus came to offer us all Life... but not even the people of Israel can be saved if they reject Jesus! My understanding of Islam is limited... but I've come to learn a few things about this religion... though it may be regional (related to the Muslins I've met in the Eastern US) but I do believe that it is safe to say that these are their basics: * All who do not accept their religion are seen and called infidels (with especial emphasis on Israel and the US) * They believe that it is their religion which is the only true religion * They believe that to live among the infidels means to fail their God (hence their desire to exterminate those who refuse to convert to their religion--ditto for those who convert their people and the people themselves who convert to Christianity) * They boast of their anti-Christianity (whatever Christians do they do the opposite) * They boast of their prophet and their lineage This latter is of particular importance because they are in essence rejecting Christ and Yahweh; their prophet of prophets is not Christ Jesus; their God is not Yahweh; they trace back their lineage not to Isaac (which would unequivocably lead them to Christ) but to Ismael... Here are two specific passages dealing with these two brothers: 11 The angel of the LORD also said to her: "You are now with child and you will have a son. You shall name him Ishmael, [a] for the LORD has heard of your misery. 12 He will be a wild donkey of a man; his hand will be against everyone and everyone's hand against him, and he will live in hostility toward [b] all his brothers." (Genesis 16:11-12) 19 Then God said, "Yes, but your wife Sarah will bear you a son, and you will call him Isaac. [a] I will establish my covenant with him as an everlasting covenant for his descendants after him. 20 And as for Ishmael, I have heard you: I will surely bless him; I will make him fruitful and will greatly increase his numbers. He will be the father of twelve rulers, and I will make him into a great nation. 21 But my covenant I will establish with Isaac, whom Sarah will bear to you by this time next year." (Genesis 17:19-21) These are self-explanatory... why the Muslins would choose to side with the son who does not receive the promise is beyond me... but history clearly demonstrates that Ismael's descendants are clearly against the world and the world is set against them... again, this due to their own determination to set the world afire! God Bless! Angel |
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550 | where should i start reading bible | Rom 1:16 | JCrichton | 119600 | ||
Hi, mikec! John is an excellent Gospel--my favorite! I would also suggest that you read Matthew, specially the first 7 chapters, and Luke, chapters 1 and 2. If you can purchase or borrow a concordance dictionary so that you may cross-reference the various passages. Read as much or as little as you can assimilate; just don't make it a chore or an epic reading--many people fall out of love once the honey-moon is spent! Make it a point to begin by praying for the Holy Spirit's guidance, separate yourself from as much as the environment as possible (after all, this is your special time with God!), make it a habit to interiorize the Word (practice makes perfect) and allow yourself to see the world through the Gospels! God Bless! Angel |
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551 | What does Romans 2:12 mean? | Rom 1:19 | JCrichton | 118889 | ||
Hi, BradK! I think that Romans 2:12 must be read in light of Romans 1:18-24, with emphasis on 19-20. Since not all were people of God, not all had the Mosaic Law; but ignorance of the Law would not be their excuse since God had allowed Himself to be known to them through nature (both the world about them and their own existence). In essence, God provided guidence to the Jews, via Mosaid Law, and the non-Jew through nature. They would fail or succeed according to their own inclinations! God Bless! Angel |
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552 | Where Does It Talk About Same Sex Marr | Rom 1:26 | JCrichton | 137477 | ||
Hi, Jets! There is no Scriptural passage that deals with same sex marriages as any homosexual activity is deemed an abomination by God! There is, however, admonishions against such practices as attested by Romans 1:26-27--you can read Paul's discourse on the matter of willful disobedience of God's Authority in Romans 1:18-31. God Bless! Angel |
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553 | context of God's kindness in Rm 2-4 | Rom 2:4 | JCrichton | 121874 | ||
"Considering the overall context and argument pattern of the Romans letter" Hi, Xenoid! If I understand you correctly "exclusively the former" would be ""kindness" in the Old testament"... I would have to disagree. Paul main argument is the Grace we receive in Christ. He emphasizes his ministry (Apostle to the gentiles), the righteousness gained through faith, the Power of Christ's incarnation, death and resurrection, the conflict that exists, in us, as the Holy Spirit battles the flesh, the Love of God, for us, in Christ, salvation for all, mercy for all, and life in God's service. Much of his argument is meant for us (and Christ's contemporaries, of course). He clarifies that the Jews have not been ignored by God--they have been allowed a period of disobedience so that we may be able to gain salvation... then, at the appointed time the two people will truly be one! God Bless! Angel |
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554 | Does a person who never hears about Jesu | Rom 2:14 | JCrichton | 151962 | ||
Hi, Otis! Your question has a built-in response on its clause: "for not accepting Jesus?" A person who is ignorant (lacking awareness/knowledge) of Jesus cannot willfully reject Him! ...I will further define the scenario: say that person meets someone who tells him/her about Jesus... and that person realizes that his/her life up to that moment has been in compliance with Jesus' Gospel... though not having an intimate knowlege of Jesus that person has been, by nature, part of the fold... Now, reverse that... let's say that that person realized that he/she had been living a life contrary to Jesus' Gospel and he/she refuses to repent and accept Jesus... the rewards for sin is death! If that person dies rejecting Jesus there's no one to intercede (Jesus is the Resurrection and Life) on his/her behalf. God Bless! Angel |
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555 | Before Jesus, were people saved? | Rom 2:16 | JCrichton | 107381 | ||
Hi, carrieb23! As Hank stated there was never a “before Jesus” time: In the beginning was the Word, the Word was with God and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things came into being, not one thing came into being Except through him. (John 1:1-2) I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End. (Revelation 22:13) And all drank from the spiritual rock which followed them, and that rock was Christ. (1 Corinthians 10:4) I have heard that question posed by many throughout the years. Empathizing with our fellow man is the beginning of consciousness (spiritual awareness): we are becoming Christ’s disciples (John 13:35). If I understand you correctly, you did not mean to say that Christ had a beginning; what you meant to say is “What about the people that died before Christ, the Word (Something which has existed since the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our own eyes, which we have watched and touched with our own hands, the Word of life--this is our theme. That life was made visible; we saw it and are giving our testimony, declaring to you the eternal life, which was present to the Father and has been revealed to us. 1 John 1:1-2) So what did happen to those people? Were they simply interred and forgotten by God? And if Christ came to die for our sins, why did he not come sooner so that all of humanity would have the same opportunity? What does Jesus have to say about God’s Salvation Plan?: Jesus said: I am the resurrection. Anyone who believes in me, even though that person dies, will live, end whoever lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this? (John 11:25-16) In all truth I tell you, the hour is coming-- indeed it is already here-- when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God, and all who hear it will live. For as the Father has life in himself, so he has granted the Son also to have life in himself; and, because he is the Son of man, has granted him power to give judgement. Do not be surprised at this, for the hour is coming when the dead will leave their graves at the sound of his voice: those who did good will come forth to life; and those who did evil will come forth to judgement. (John 5:25-29) Jesus is the resurrection! In Him all will have life! Foreshadow what Jesus’ resurrection means is Matthew 27:50-53). This passage clearly talks about those who died before Jesus was put to death on the cross. Though their resurrection was bodily (of the flesh only) it was a presage to the spiritual resurrection (as was that of Lazarus: John 11:1-45). There is awareness among the disciples as to the resurrection: 1 Thessalonians 4:15-17; 1 Corinthians 15:50-58; Romans 10:6-7; there are many more passages which I will let you search out and study. I’ll leave you with this final passage: Christ himself died once and for all for sins, the upright for the sake of the guilty, to lead us to God. In the body he was put to death, in the spirit he was raised to life, and , in the spirit, he went to preach to the spirits in prison. They refused to believe long ago, while God patiently waited to receive them, in Noah’s time when the ark was being built. In it only a few, that is eight souls, were saved through water. It is the baptism corresponding to this water which saves you now--not the washing off of physical dirt but the pledge of a good conscience given to God through the resurrection of Jesus Christ, who has entered heaven and is at God’s right hand, with angels, ruling forces and powers subject to him. (1 Peter 3:18-22) You may still have questions understanding God’s ways: read chapter 18 of Ezekiel, chapters 7 and 8 of Hebrews, chapter 2 of 1 Peter and Isaiah 52:13 through 53:12. Carrieb, when you search the Bible do it in the manner presented in James 1:5-8. God Bless! |
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556 | dead are risen and judged | Rom 2:16 | JCrichton | 107579 | ||
Hello, carrieb23! Glad I could help! Your new question is a "charged one;" I will work on it! For now hold on to these passages: but anyone who stands firm to the en will be saved. (Matthew 24:13) Therefore, you too must stand ready because the Son of man is coming at an hour you do not expect. (Matthew 24:44) …for those who prove victorious will come to no harm from the second death. (Revelation 2:11) It is true that we will (and have) face times of tribulations and turmoil but Jesus is our refuge: (Romans 8:38-39). We are not alone! Jesus gave His life for us, is Mediating in front of our Father, left us the Holy Spirit, and has done all the hardest work for us: (John 11:25-26; John 16:33; 1 Corinthians 15:54-58). Don't forget His promise: (paraphrase) Do not be afraid, I will be with you till the end ot times! God Bless! |
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557 | 1 Cor 15:3 | Rom 3:24 | JCrichton | 121473 | ||
"Did he give up his life or three days of his life?" Hi, mmat40! I think that that is an overly simplistic way of thinking about Christ's Sacrifice! In temporal values: If a person gives up his/her kidney/lung so that another person may live... has the donor simply given the other person an organ or has he/she given the other person life? In spiritual values: How long would you estimate that Jesus should have remained interred for each human being's sins? Would it concern God? One of the first excuses that popped into Moses' brain, when Yahweh ordered him to return to Egypt to rescue His people, was by whose authority should he address his people? Yahweh said to him: "Tell them I Am sent you." In God there's no beginning and there's no end... one day is like a thousand years and a thousand years is like "a second." (My phrase!) How long did God think was enough time for Jesus to be interred? As it happened! The Plan was set in motion with no deviation what so ever--Jesus even took into account the prophecy of the sponge being offered to Him to quench His thirst! Then He fulfilled it further by saying: "It is finished!" Nothing has escaped God--don't be afraid, accept Jesus' Salvation in full: nothing God has done has been done haphazardly or partially! God Bless! Angel |
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558 | WHAT IS JAMES 2 REALY ABOUT? | Rom 3:28 | JCrichton | 107981 | ||
Hi, THE COT! Since we know that man is saved by faith alone, James would certainly have known this and would not present us with a Gospel other than Christ's! James is reflecting on the same vein as Paul's admonishion to the Corinthians in 1 Corinthians 13:1-13: without love our faith is emptied of value. Saying that we believe and have faith and actually owning our confesion are two distinct things. Works can never produce salvation; yet, Jesus warned that not all will be saved by claiming to be of the Lord: Matthew 7:21. Paul talks about these works in 2 Corinthians 5:17 through 6:10. If we claim to be of Christ and we continually dwell in the flesh our faith is empty: sterile: fake! For how can we claim to love God, who we cannot see and hate our fellowman? (1 John 4:20) God Bless! |
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559 | Who is included in the promise? | Rom 4:16 | JCrichton | 119795 | ||
Hi, BOC James! This goes to the example of the tree that was cut down and the branch that was grafted in its place... the origininal olive tree is one hundred percent natural; the grafted olive branch which grows onto the original trunk will always be naturalized. If you belong to the household you do not need special grafting to be a member... Abraham believed in God, his faith was proven by his actions; God made a promise to Abraham about his descendants (one nation: Israel) and about making him the father of many nations (the rest of humanity). Through Abraham's obedience Israel's remnant is granted access to the Heavenly Father... Through Abraham's faith the rest of the world is also granted access to the Father. Israel was not rejected by God; Israel was allowed to become stubborn only so that we could find grace through the promise: I want you to be quite certain, brothers, of this mystery, to save you from congratulating yourselves on your own good sense: parts of Israel had its mind hardened, but only until the gentiles have wholly come in; and this is how all Israel will be saved. As scripture says: From Zion will come the Redeemer, he will remove godlessness from Jacob. And this will be my covenant with them, when I take their sins away. As regards the gospel, they are enemies, but for your sake; but as regards those who are God's choice, they are still well loved for the sake of their ancestors. There is no change of mind on God's part about the gifts he has made or of his choice. Just as you were in the past disobedient to God but now you have been shown mercy, through their disobedience; so in the same way they are disobedient now, so that through the mercy shown to you they too will receive mercy. God has imprisoned all human beings in their own disobedience only to show mercy to them all. (Romans 11:25-32) I suggest you read Romans chapters 9, 10 and 11--these are excellent sources that can clarify: Salvation for all! God Bless! Angel |
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560 | Salvation by compulsion-Romans 5 | Rom 5:1 | JCrichton | 121875 | ||
Hi, formereverything! Tim Moran cut to chase... I just wanted to add: But to those who did accept him he gave power to become children of God, to those who believed in his name who were born not from human stock or human desire or human will but from God himself. (John 1:12-13) And, particularly: just as the Son of man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.' (Matthew 20:28) Had salvation been an automatic "blanket" that would cover all for all times, why would only those who believe are granted inclusivity into the Kingdom of God and why would Jesus state that He is the ransom for many and not for all? God Bless! Angel |
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