Results 601 - 620 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# | |||
601 | Holy Spirit leaving the earth? | 1 Cor 6:19 | JCrichton | 120540 | ||
Hi, Kecia! There isn't a single verse in the Bible that talks about the Holy Spirit leaving or staying on earth. What we have to understand is that we (those who believe in Christ and keep His commandment) are the Temple of the Holy Spirit. Since the Holy Spirit indwells in the Church (John 14:15-17; John 14:25-26; John 15:26 and John 16:7-14), He comes to us, Christians, to teach us, to advise us, to guide us... His whole purpose is to assist the Church; to bring the Church to Christ! Once the fulness of the Kingdom of God is revealed, who is the Holy Spirit going to convict? Who is He going to guide? As Paul says: Now we see only reflections in a mirror, mere riddles, but then we shall be seeing face to face. Now I can know only imperfectly; but then I shall know just as fully as I am myself known. (1 Corinthians 13:11-12). Jesus is perfecting us through the Holy Spirit; once the fullness of time comes upon us we, those whose names are written in the book of life, will know the Father in His full glory! Since the Holy Spirit is the third Person of God, we will know Him completely as well! God Bless! Angel |
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602 | Newbie's questions (plz respond) | 1 Cor 7:9 | JCrichton | 107986 | ||
Hi, All0american0em! Sex: not a sin if you are married and you practice with your spouse! Paul was referring to such questions in 1 Corinthians 7:1-40. In 7:2, he recognizes that the people at Corinth were very immoral and that the Christians (believers that lived amongst them) were bombarded with all sorts of assaults (temptations) by the people around them. Our goal as Christians is to: Give in to God, then; resist the devil, and he will run away from you. The nearer you go to God, the nearer God will come to you. Clean your hands, you sinners, and clear your minds, you waverers. Appreciate your wretchedness, and weep for it is misery. Your laughter must be turned to grief, your happiness to gloom. Humble yourselves before the Lord and he will lift you up. (James 4:7-10). We cannot elect to serve Jesus on a part-time basis: I know about your activities: how you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were one or the other, but since you are neither hot nor cold, but only lukewarm, I will spit you out of my mouth. (Revelation 3:15-16). Jesus wants complete submission (Luke 14:33). Now, the Bible does not have a list of all the "bad" sexual things; but God has expressly condemned: homosexuality, beastiality; fornication (sexual activity outside of marriage) and adultery (sexual activity of married people with other partners than their spouses). And Jesus was very deliberate about sex: But I say this to you, he has already committed adultery with her in his heart. (Matthew 5:28) This passage demonstrate that God is concerned with even our sexual thoughts! But still some would say that there's nothing said against masturbation or the use of sexual toys; here's what Jesus said: If your right eye should be your downfall, tear it out and throw it away, for it will do you less harm to lose one part of yourself than to have your whole body thrown into hell. And if your right hand should be your downfall, cut it off and throw it away; for it will do you less harm to lose one part of yourself than to have your whole body go to hell. (Matthew 5:29-30). These commands do not selectively apply only to the married couple nor only to the male; they are all inclusive! Aroused?: While actively seeking sexual/sensual gratification?, yes. While subconsciously being aroused (ie: while asleep; while in the company of a significant other while not fixating on sex?), no. While defacting or urinating, again not being fixating on sex?, no. Fantasizing? yes. But even on the most innocent situations if you are aroused and you do not control the situation once aware of the arousal and you procede to dwell (lust) after the object of the arousal: guilty! Baptized? Check Jesus' words: Jesus replied: In all truth I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God without being born through water and the Spirit. (John 3:5) Of course, He did not mean that we are to travel from one congregation to another to be baptized over and over (one baptism); we will not get closer to God by being baptized 10 or 20 times! If you truly are seeking to serve the Lord occupy your mind and body in activities that promote a wholesome Christian life. Search the Bible; pray in the Spirit; obey God's commandments: Jesus is the true way to happiness and Salvation! God Bless! |
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603 | response | 1 Cor 7:9 | JCrichton | 108083 | ||
What Jesus is saying is that we should be aware of sin and the actions/stimuli that places us in the position of sinning. Jesus is not promoting self-mutilation. He means that we must avoid any act/activity that, if we follow the urgings of the flesh, can lead us to sin--which has only one reward: death: Roman 6:23: For the wage paid by sin is death... Jesus' words in Matthew 5:28 shows that God set higher standards than the Jew's diluted observance of the Law. So Jesus amends the Law by lifting it to God's original standard: if you think something that is prohibited by the Law, you are as guilty as if you had committed the act itself! Paul explains it this way: All those who have sinned without the Law will perish without the Law; and those under the Law who have sinned will be judged by the Law. For the ones that God will justify are not those who have heard the Law but those who have kept the Law. (Romans 2:12-13) Here's the beauty of God's commandments: they are guidelines to keep us safe and close to God. Don't look for ways to circumvent God's command--we can't out-think the Creator who gave us knowledge and wisdom. Work with Him and He will guide you to total peace and happiness! God Bless! |
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604 | Premarital relations? | 1 Cor 7:9 | JCrichton | 120452 | ||
Hi, Yates! There's much in the Bible that does not have the exact expression that we seek... this of course does not mean that it is permissible. In 1 Corinthians 7:1-40 Paul talks extensively about marriage and the single life. He proposes mode of conduct that is based on Christ's teachings and the guidance of the Holy Spirit. He includes God's commandments along with his own counsel: i.e.: 1 Corinthians 7:9-12, 36-38. Christ, of course was very exact when He addressed adultery: we commit sin even if we are just thinking about it!: Matthew 5:28--see also Matthew 5:27-30, 31-32; Matthew 19:3-9. There are more Bible passages that speak on sexual sins (such as Romans 1:28-32), if you like a list attach a note to this thread asking for them and I shall set up a list for you. God Bless! Angel |
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605 | Am I guilty if I leave my husband? | 1 Cor 7:13 | JCrichton | 138171 | ||
Hi, dr01871! It is interesting to find that even today the people of God continue to circumvent God's Word! I offer the example of the people of Israel... they brough a woman to Jesus accusing her of committing adultery... they wanted to engage Jesus and to test His abilities... clearly they were following the Law (Mosaic Laws) that demanded that those caught in/discovered to engage in an adulterous relationship be put to death! There was only one flaw in their plan: they only sought to apply the Law to the woman! (John 8:1-11)... Jesus was not condoning adultery (Matthew 5:27-30), He was showing mercy and ignoring their unjust application of the Law! Conversely, today's Christians want the females to be totally subserviant, allowing all sorts of abuse and neglect to go uncontested and uncorrected... that is not Jesus' Command! Notice that when addressing the marital union Christ calls it a union of two bodies becoming one, under God (Matthew 19:4-6); Paul expands on this by further defining the relationship between a husband and his wife: 25Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her 28In this same way, husbands ought to love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. 29After all, no one ever hated his own body, but he feeds and cares for it, just as Christ does the church-- 31"For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh." 33However, each one of you also must love his wife as he loves himself, and the wife must respect her husband. (Ephesians 5:25, 28-29, 31, 33) Husbands, love your wives and do not be harsh with them. (Colossians 3:19) In order for your spouse to claim to be a Christian, he must abide by God's standard of spousal obligations... He cannot love you in the Lord if he is constantly assaulting you (physically, emotionally, intellectually, morally, spiritually))... if he does not have your best interests at heart (including your children's welfare: physical, emotional, spiritual), how can he love you as he loves himself (Christ's Command)? How can he claim to be the spiritual head of your household? Our call as Christians is to obey God... not to pick and choose and to apply to others those portions of God's Mandates that suit our egotistical purposes! Sadly, too many women allow their spouses to bankrupt them (spiritually, emotionally, physically, financially), in a mistaken belief that they are pleasing God by allowing the husbands to use and abuse them (and their children)... Love is not selfish nor lacking compassion and humility--any relationship that removes Christ from its center will lack compassion, respect, charity and nurturing... it will only revolved around selfishness, neglect and exploitation! I do caution you not to seek a divorce just to be free to jump into another relationship--it may be time for you to rethink your priorities and to restructure your general perspective on "having that special someone" with whom to share your life; I am not preaching celibacy... but you do have two "special someones" in your life... perhaps you should concentrate in your relationship with the Lord and with your two children, before moving on to a third attempt at marital bliss! God Bless! Angel |
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606 | I'm saved/he isn't-what does this mean | 1 Cor 7:14 | JCrichton | 136633 | ||
Hi, Driving! I think that there are passages in Scripture that were written to deal specifically for the actual time period in which it was written... here, Paul is speaking to the early Church, one which constituted the apostles, and other first generation (Jesus') disciples, second and perhaps even, third and fourth generation disciples (disciples of disciples)... hence, the pre-existing union (marriages) of Believers and non-believers... Paul did not want chaos to rule the Church so he preached that the Believers who found themselves in relationships (marriages) with non-believers should stay in that relationship... in this manner the children would, through the Believers' teaching, come to know and believe in the Lord... and perhaps even the spouses, being witnessed to their husbans/wifes Faith, would have a greater opportunity to learn about and believe in Christ! This, of course, is not the ideal relationship for a Believer as the non-believer may serve as a stumbling block for both the Believer and their children. (1 Corinthians 7:15) 1 Corinthians 7:14 was not meant as an excuse clause so that Christian seek relationships with non-Christians... God's demands have not changed! There is no "umbrella salvation" (Matthew 24:40-41; Luke 17:34)... we must establish an individual relationship with Christ, our Lord and Savior (John 11:26-27)... sadly, it seems that we are continually gravitating away from God's demands that we be a separate people onto Him (1 Peter 1:16)... we tend to comply with God's Commands only after our personal desires are satisfied! So you should pay attention to both 1 Corinthians 7:14 and 7:15... understanding that you cannot save your husband and children with some "umbrella;" it is your responsibility, as a Believer, to teach them about Christ! It is a difficult and painful task which you have in your hands... but remember that you are not alone, the Holy Spirit is your personal guide and counsel... seek Him in prayers and devotions; He can enlighten your mind and spirit so that you can, through words and actions, convict your husband and children about Christ! God Bless! Angel |
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607 | Single, want to maximize my ministry | 1 Cor 7:34 | JCrichton | 130491 | ||
Hi, strickmar! As a single Christian you are not bound by the marital status... you are free from consulting with your spouse before taking on any service ministry that may cause you to spend extra time away from home or that may even require that you travel (either on a regular basis or on as in a geographical change)... being single allows you the flexibility of deepening your relationship with Christ by involving yourself in an intensified Bible Study or even pursuit theological studies without having to answer to a spouse who might not understand your desire to get closer to the Lord by employing even more of your free time in Bible Study... it also affords you the ability to search out other Christians (on/off line) in an effort to both gain spiritual growth and assist those that may be younger than you in the Faith--at times even the simplest of relationships (pre-dating socials) can eat up our energies, time, and moneys... and then there's the ole accountability of our whereabout's and unexpected absences--we may get so involved in an activity that time just flies; explaining to your spouse that you are 2 or 3 hours late because the activity (Bible Study; ministering to the sick, aged, novice; organizing events for the congregation; counseling troubled Christians, etc.) got too involved will most likely be met with some admonishion about neglecting spousal responsibilities; also, as a single person, you may be able to assist in organizing the various activities in your congregation (dealing with fifty or more people--each having his/her own view of "how," "when," and "what" should be done can exhaust both time and patience--as a single person you are free of the extra grieve that your spouse may unwillingly heap upon your already hectic load... I hope that this is helps you... since I saw that you reposted your query I thought that you may have been looking for examples of how you may serve Jesus better as a single person... Now, all of the above could easily be done by a Christian married couple who are willing to invest some of their "quality time" in the needs of Christ' Church (service, Bible Study, counseling, administration...)--the difference is that the spouses must contend with each other and must not commit their team without first consulting with each other... God Bless! Angel |
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608 | Animal images used by cults? | 1 Cor 8:9 | JCrichton | 148548 | ||
Hi, LinV! I think that your friend is misguided... she many be hypersensitive or her congregation may be teaching extremes... This could be an excellent point of discusion for you and your friend... you may be able to help her understand her error by working on the images on your shirt... The next time you meet with her bring up the subject yourself... ask her to clarify her objection and query her about the values on the image (if the owl were to be replaced by an eagle, a sparrow, a dove, raven, crow... would she still object to the depiction?... you could also go on line to search for related topics (animals and others as gods/amulets)... always return to the Bible as the major point of reference! God luck! God Bless! Angel |
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609 | All things | 1 Cor 9:22 | JCrichton | 120569 | ||
Hi, mrf84! Paul took pride in his work (preaching the Good News); he understood that to further the cause he had to be flexible--as Jesus was flexible in dealing with people. Though a scholar, there would be times when that could prove to be a hinderance. Though born a Jew, this could also serve to advance or hinder his work--to the Jew he would teach using his Jewish background (much to do with the Old Testament and the Jewish views of the forefathers, etc.); yet, when teaching the Gentiles much of his Jewish ancestry and customs might prove to be a hinderance as cultural and religious flags might be raised in the heart and minds of his listeners... to them he would become a Gentile... Then there were the Christians... some truly knowledgeable, others mere novices... Paul would address them on familiar grounds so as not to hinder the growth of the new convert and not to undo the construct of the more advanced in the Faith! Jesus preached and taught to one and all--never did He obliterate the spirituality of his audience; never did He treat the ignorant harshly or without patience! True, He was exact and unyielding, but He would not use the Scripture as a weapon to destroy His accusors--Jesus simply spoke the Truth and allowed the Word to judge them! Paul, must have reasoned that if Jesus could reach all people because He did not placed Himself above any of His disciples (this in the matter of teaching and preaching, of course!), then he too could benefit the Kingdom of God by becoming all things to all men! God Bless! Angel |
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610 | the end of the world? | 1 Cor 10:11 | JCrichton | 129028 | ||
Hi, geof! There's no formula in Scripture that tells us when the end of the world and Judgment is to happen... the closest Jesus came to revealing this was in Matthew 24 (verses: 6-14; 22-33; 36-42; 44). In the book of Revelation there are many warnings... not a single one makes a statement of a specific countdown date nor of a specific date to watch for... He will come as in the days of Noah... everybody will be doing "his/her thing" and only those who are as the good servant (Matthew 24) will be expecting that at any moment the Master will decide to come and will be doing His Will! The day and hour is not important! What is important is how we are found by the Lord!: ...But will the Son of man find faith on earth when he comes?" (Luke 18:8) God Bless! Angel |
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611 | beat up christian | 1 Cor 10:13 | JCrichton | 122968 | ||
Hi, Mike! Enter by the narrow gate, since the road that leads to destruction is wide and spacious, and many take it; but it is a narrow gate and a hard road that leads to life, and only a few find it. (Matthew 7:13-14) It is difficult to step up for Jesus! The world will become your enemy when you prosper in your Faith and loyalty. Here's the bottom line: Jesus: Truth, unadulterated truth! He tells you what is good for you and for your eternal salvation. The world: deception and fabrication: offers a myriad of goods (sex, drugs, money, power, joy, freedom, revelry, "feel-good" emotions) each containing a litany of hidden pitfalls: each, if engaged outside of Christ, will derail humanity from humility, Faith (in God), and obedience (to God): Romans 6:23. Don't forget that we can accomplish everything, in Christ (Philippians 4:13), and without Christ we are nothing (John 15:5). Bring your yoke to Christ and He will ease your burden (Matthew 11:29). God Bless! Angel |
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612 | searching for the truth | 1 Cor 11:3 | JCrichton | 125278 | ||
Hi, FytRobert! noahalso, responded quite exacting! I just wanted to add: We concern ourselves with equality... did God not already said that we are all equal (for all are sinners); did He not make it clear that we are nothing but His dependents ("I am the vine...without me you can do nothing!"). He established one priesthood, one format for worship... we transgress by reinventing the Scripture on the basis of enhancing God's Word to the world's 21st century standard (homosexual clergy, homosexual marriages, hatred, racism, rampant gluttony; unbridled lust (sex, power, fame, youth, health, wealth...)... and while seeking to bring enlightenment to the Bible we blind ourselves to the world's depravity and violence because it allows females to perpetrate on themselves and the males the same madness to which they had been previously subjected by their male counterparts--how equal is that? Now, Christ equality is that the woman obey her husband and that the manlove his wife as his own body--that he be willing to give his life for her as Jesus gave His Life for the Church--how backwards is that? Respect and Love can only come from God, but we can only achieve this on His terms! God Bless! Angel |
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613 | Searching for the truth | 1 Cor 11:3 | JCrichton | 125568 | ||
Hi, FytRobert! There are questions to which we may only know the answers once we meet Jesus face to face--perhaps not even then... Deuteronomy 34:4-8 Then the LORD said to Moses, "This is the land that I promised Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob I would give to their descendants. I have let you see it, but I will not let you go there." So Moses, the LORD's servant, died there in the land of Moab, as the LORD had said he would. The LORD buried him in a valley in Moab, opposite the town of Bethpeor, but to this day no one knows the exact place of his burial. Moses was a hundred and twenty years old when he died, he was as strong as ever, and his eyesight was still good. The people of Israel mourned for him for thirty days in the plains of Moab. How: God took him away. Why: He would not join Israel in the promised land and his task had been completed. Where: Land of Moab, valley opposite Bethpeor--burial site: unknown! When: At age 120--when he had brought Israel to the outskirts of the promised land. God Bless! Angel |
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614 | Searching for the truth | 1 Cor 11:3 | JCrichton | 125629 | ||
Hi, FytRobert! Could you be more specific? ""That's why Moses ended up dying in the wilderness"" Are you asking why did Moses died as he did? If that is the question… But the Lord reprimanded Moses and Aaron. He said. “Because you did not have enough faith to acknowledge my holy power before the people of Israel, you will not lead them into the land that I promised to give them.” This happened at Meribah, where the people of Israel complained against the Lord and where he showed them that he is holy. (Numbers 20:12-13) he Lord said to Moses, “Go up the Abarim Mountains and look out over the land that I am giving to the Israelites. After you have seen it, you will die, as your brother Aaron did, because both of you rebelled against my command in the wilderness of Zin. When the whole community complained against me at Meribah, you refused to acknowledge my holy power before them.” (Meribah is the spring at Kadesh in the wilderness of Zin.) (Numbers 27:12-14) Though some people believe that Moses died because he struck the rock twice (Number 20:1-13), clearly it was his moment of frailty that kept him from the promise land. I liken Moses failure to Peter’s when facing the tempest and for a split second removing his eyes from Jesus--he worried more about the tempest and his possible drowning than confiding in Jesus’ power! Moses allowed the people of Israel to get under his skin and for a few seconds he was insubordinate to God--questioning Yahweh reasons! God Bless! Angel |
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615 | Is Holy Communion for baptised believers | 1 Cor 11:27 | JCrichton | 108522 | ||
Hi, Peew! Would an Opera buff enjoy a Rock concert? Would a baseball fan travel to Mexico to watch a the semis in a soccer championship? It would be just as illogical for a person who has not committed him/herself to Christ (...and those that believe baptize them...) to share the Holy Communion with the believers. Paul met just such a situation in Corinth: So, when you meet together, it is not the Lord's Supper that you eat; for when the eating begins, each one of you has his own supper first, and there is one going hungry while another is getting drunk. Surely you have homes for doing your eating and drinking in? Or have you such disregard for God's assembly taht you can put to shame those who have nothing? What am I to say to you? Congratulate you? On this I cannot congratulate you. For the tradition I received from the Lord and also handed on to you is that on the night he was betrayed, the Lord jesus took some bread, and after he had given thanks, he broke it, and he said, 'This is my body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of me.' And in the same way, with the cup after supper, saying, 'This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Whenever you drink it, do this as a memorial of me.' Whenever you eat this bread, then, and drink this cup, you are proclaiming the Lord's death until he comes. Therefore anyone who eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord unworthily is answerable for the body and blood of the Lord. Everyone is to examine himself and only then eat of the bread or drink from the cup; because a person who eats and drinks without recognising the body is eating and drinking his own condemnation. That is why many of you are weak and ill and a good number have died. If we were critical of ourselves we would not be condemned, but when we are judged by the Lord, we are corrected by the Lord to save us from being condemned along with the world. (1 Corinthians 11:20-32) Of course, Paul was talking to believers (or those who were claiming to be believers); he may not have had a head count on how many were true believers or baptized. I find that there are key verses that can clarify your query: 11:26, 27, 28, and 29. God Bless! |
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616 | Does the Father have a God? | 1 Cor 12:3 | JCrichton | 138100 | ||
Hi, Stevenhh! Part 1 of 3 It is difficult to give a simplistic response to Scripture... when we divorce a Scriptural passage from the rest of the Bible, we can easily twisted to mean anything the mind of man can conveive... including separating God into sub-units of hierarchy (an Almighty part, and some secondary part/s)... When we read Scripture in the totality of the Bible we find different meanings to simplistic interpretations: Jesus tells us that the Father is greater than Him and we must believe! But why do we doubt when Jesus tells us that He and the Father are One, or when Jesus tells us that the Father lives in Him and that He lives in the Father, or when Jesus tells us that who ever has seen Him has seen the Father? Noticed that Jesus said only once that the Father was greater than He... and He said more than once that He and the Father were one and the same? The problem is not Jesus or Scripture! The problem is our limited and finite ability to accept everything that God reveals to us as the Truth! How can God be God and yet exist in sublevels? We cannot take God and distribute Him as we please! We cannot deny the passages of Scripture that we do not understand or refuse to accept while magnifying those passages that we think we understand or that we think that support our “personal theology!” If we separate God from God… where do we begin? Which part of God belongs exclusively to the Father, which part to the Son, which part to the Holy Spirit! Clearly, 1 Corinthians 12:3 is very succinct and unyielding!: We cannot worship the Father if we reject the Son and we cannot call Jesus Lord if not in the Holy Spirit! There’s no circumventing God’s Command: to love the Father we must come to the Lord, Jesus Christ, the Only Begotten Son, through the Grace and Charity of the Holy Spirit! We find this Truth amplified in Ephesians 1:3-23: Spiritual Blessings in Christ 3Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ. 4For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love 5he predestined us to be adopted as his sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will-- 6to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves. 7In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace 8that he lavished on us with all wisdom and understanding. 9And he made known to us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure, which he purposed in Christ, 10to be put into effect when the times will have reached their fulfillment--to bring all things in heaven and on earth together under one head, even Christ. 11In him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will, 12in order that we, who were the first to hope in Christ, might be for the praise of his glory. 13And you also were included in Christ when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation. Having believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, 14who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God's possession--to the praise of his glory. Thanksgiving and Prayer 15For this reason, ever since I heard about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all the saints, 16I have not stopped giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers. 17I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better. 18I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, 19and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is like the working of his mighty strength, 20which he exerted in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, 21far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every title that can be given, not only in the present age but also in the one to come. 22And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church, 23which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way. Without the Father we have no knowledge of God, without the Son we have no redemption nor eternal life, and without the Holy Spirit we are not chosen (elected) from amongst the nonbelievers--we are made children of God through Christ, in the Holy Spirit! How do we negate any part of God’s Wonderful Plan? |
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617 | Does the Father have a God? | 1 Cor 12:3 | JCrichton | 138101 | ||
Part 2 of 3 Paul continues to “bring home” this God who reveals Himself as the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit (Matthew 28:19): 14For this reason I kneel before the Father, 15from whom his whole family in heaven and on earth derives its name. 16I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, 17so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, 18may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, 19and to know this love that surpasses knowledge--that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God. 20Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, 21to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen. (Ephesians 3:14-21) So the fullness of God is found in Christ (Colossians 2:2-3) and is given to us through the Holy Spirit--which part is more important? Who can we ignore? Can we gain Salvation without the fullness of God in the manner that He has chosen to reveal Himself to us? Would the Father, Almighty God, allow us to get near Him when we empty ourselves of the Son or of the Holy Spirit? Romans 14:17-18 clearly state the Holy Trinity as a single unit of God: if we Serve Christ Jesus in the Holy Spirit we please God!: 17For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit, 18because anyone who serves Christ in this way is pleasing to God and approved by men. Paul is pleased to be a minister of the Gospel of God, not that there is another Gospel other than the Gospel of Christ (2 Corinthians 11:4), because he is procuring the sanctification of the Gentiles, which is done by the power of the Holy Spirit!: Romans 15 16to be a minister of Christ Jesus to the Gentiles with the priestly duty of proclaiming the gospel of God, so that the Gentiles might become an offering acceptable to God, sanctified by the Holy Spirit. Even when requesting prayers, Paul uses the formula of the Holy Trinity: the One God in three Divine Persons: Romans 15 30I urge you, brothers, by our Lord Jesus Christ and by the love of the Spirit, to join me in my struggle by praying to God for me. In Corinthians, Paul warns of about destroying (misusing) the Temple of God, which is our own bodies, and he reveals that our body is the Temple of the Holy Spirit, which was bought by Jesus!: 1 Corinthians 3 17If anyone destroys God's temple, God will destroy him; for God's temple is sacred, and you are that temple. 1 Corinthians 6 19Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; 20you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body. When we dissect Scripture and we hyper-analyze individual verses, are we being honest with God and ourselves or are we just attempting to impose our finite understanding on God? What does Scripture say about Christ’s resurrection? Does it not say that God raised Him from the dead? Does it not say that God’s Spirit raised Him from the dead? Who is right? Who is wrong? And when we include Jesus’ own statement--where do we go? Who has the final Word, the Father, the Son or the Holy Spirit?: Galatians 1 1Paul, an apostle--sent not from men nor by man, but by Jesus Christ and God the Father, who raised him from the dead-- 1 Peter 1 21Through him you believe in God, who raised him from the dead and glorified him, and so your faith and hope are in God. |
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618 | Does the Father have a God? | 1 Cor 12:3 | JCrichton | 138102 | ||
Part 3 of 3 Romans 8 11And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit, who lives in you. Romans 10 9That if you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 1 Corinthians 6 14By his power God raised the Lord from the dead, and he will raise us also. John 10 17The reason my Father loves me is that I lay down my life--only to take it up again. 18No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down and authority to take it up again. This command I received from my Father." Which part of God can we exclude from our Salvation, the Father who Saves, the Holy Spirit though whom we are Saved or the Son who is Salvation? Jesus introduces us to the Holy Trinity in the Gospel of John (14:16-17, 20-21, 23, 26; 15:26; 16:7-15) Finally, bear in mind that there is only One God, that that One God is a jealous God that will not allow others to share His Glory (Power/Honor), in light of this knowledge, how could anyone worship Jesus, even right in front of Him that sits in the Throne of Glory: Revelation 5 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 twenty-four 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. God Bless! Angel |
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619 | walking in your calling | 1 Cor 12:10 | JCrichton | 119656 | ||
Hi, 413 furman rd! There are many passages that talk, either directly or indirectly about Christ's call... 1 Corinthians 12:1-11 describes some of the various ministries that we, as Christians, are charged with in order to serve the Church of Christ! Among others are the following: Romans 1:1 1 Corinthians 1:2, 9 Ephesians 4:4 Colossians 3:15 I, the prisoner in the Lord, urge you therefore to lead a life worthy of the vocation to which you were called. (Ephesians 4:1) Many people seem at a loss when it comes to following a ministry... In 1 Corinthians 12:1-11 we find the Trinity being involved in every facet of ministry: Given by Yahweh, the Father, through the Holy Spirit, to Serve Jesus, the Lord! This is why it is so important not to hinder the Holy Spirit... how can we receive God's blessings or serve Jesus if we reject the Gift of God? God Bless! Angel |
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620 | 'Lone rangers' and spiritual discernment | 1 Cor 12:12 | JCrichton | 121931 | ||
Hi, Zsuzsi! I think that we are confusing God's selection and setting apart individuals that were to perform very specific tasks withing the people of Israel and the world at large with personal "feel good" separation from the Church. But if we reflect on Jesus', who is God incarnate, words we must see that the call is anything but to be "loners": 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) Even the simple prayer that Jesus taught has a built-in clause that does not allow us to go to God as an individual: And forgive us our debts, as we have forgiven those who are in debt to us. (Matthew 6:12) We must be careful not to grieve the Holy Spirit, who surely calls us to serve the Church with the various gifts and charismas! God Bless! Angel |
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