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Results from: Answered Bible Questions, Answers, Unanswered Bible Questions, Notes Ordered by Verse | ||||||
Results | Verse | Author | ID# | |||
1 | What do we believe? | Jude 1:3 | Aixen7z4 | 116973 | ||
What do we believe? What does the Bible say that we believe? Now, this is an Aixen question, and it requires thought. Please think about it some before responding. Please do not judge the question, but try to answer it. Please do not stray into controversy, or personal attacks, but consider this, that scriptural answers to this question may be of help to someone. Having come to the church, it seems appropriate that one should enquire as to what we believe. One comes in, not to bring one’s own ideas, but to join in with the assembly and to identify with it’s beliefs. The question may be asked by one who belongs; especially by a new member. A visitor who is not a believer should ask, “What do you believe?” And then, those who answer should not be stating a personal opinion. Neither should he say that there is a variety, and that there are differences among us, in what we believe. There is one faith (Ephesians 4:5). There is something called “the faith” that we should contend for . Jude reminds us that it has been once for all delivered to the saints, and we should beware of certain ones who will creep in unawares to deny parts of it or otherwise to dilute it and corrupt it. You should understand, if you stop and think about it, that I am not talking about an earthly organization, where people follow an earthly leader, or where they decide in a democratic manner what they believe. It is not a situation where the majority opinion or the latest fad or the dictates of the strong prevails. This is the church of the living God and only his word prevails. The question then is, “What does the Bible say that we believe?” I pray that we can be specific here and not say simply, that we believe the Bible. The prophets and the apostles tell us in specifics, what it is that we believe. Here are one example: We believe and are sure that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the living God (John 6:69). We are borrowing the words of Peter here, but we see that he is speaking for all of us. We do believe that about Christ, and by “we” I mean all of us who are saved. For But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name (John 20:31) . The person who does not believe that Jesus is the Christ is not saved. He may not believe. But he is not allowed to come into an assembly and dilute what we believe. We believe what the word of God says, and it does not change. It is forever settled in heaven. It bears repeating, I hope, that we believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. We also believe that he is God. We believe that he is Lord. He is the head of the church. He is the mediator between God and man. Mostly, I should say, we believe in him. We believe many other things, but they are all in him. And I have chosen not to fill this paragraph with references, but some of us know what they are. I encourage us to join in to ask or to answer the question, and to search the scriptures for the answer. A visitor may be asking what it is that we believe. Can we tell them, in this thread? |
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2 | What do we believe? | Jude 1:3 | Sir Pent | 117192 | ||
What do I believe.................................................. Hello Aixen7z4, I once came up with a summary of believes on a variety of Christian points to assist another member of this forum. Please type in the number 18160 into the "Quick Search" box at the top right corner of the screen for part 1 of my answer. Part 2 of my answer is post number 18161. |
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3 | What do we believe? | Jude 1:3 | Aixen7z4 | 117268 | ||
Hello Sir: I was very much impressed. What a labor of love! It is obvious that you took some time and care to help in that situation, and I am glad to see that it was appreciated. And what a high caliber of discussion, the entire thread! Now I am challenged to think again. Perhaps a statement of what we believe can be simple and straightforward so as to be understood in every culture. I am challenged to review my own statement, which I will repeat here. But before I do, I will wonder aloud: Is it really necessary for a person to know what the words “sanctification” and “redemption” mean, before they come to Christ? The intellects and vocabularies of those who took part in that discussion (in 2001) are impressive, but that did not seem to facilitate a breakthrough at the university. Also, some people are simple and uneducated and cannot understand these words. Truth be told there are so many who can barely read. Should not the statement of our faith be made in such words as would be meaningful to them? I will not take the time now to think and answer my own question. I can only hope that someone with the charity of a charis will have a chance to answer. What if he did not talk to the Japanese about redemption or reconciliation? What if he simply said the following: This is what we believe. And to this we are committed. 1. God gave us this life, and he is ruler over us. 2. There are two important things he asks of us: - to love him and obey him. - to love and help each other. 3. Since we have failed in both of these areas, he asks us to admit it, and to accept his forgiveness. 4. He can forgive us because Christ died for our sins, he was buried, and he rose again. 5. When we repent and trust in him, he gives us a new life, and with it, a new opportunity to do the tasks in #2. We have a large Bible, with many technical terms. It also has many examples and explanations, and we may be learning from these throughout our lives. But is there not a simple message that our God is giving to the world? He is full of patience and he will tell us to avoid killing and stealing and prejudice and hatred and lust, but what he wants to tell us simply, is to love (Romans 13:9). It is perhaps true that anyone in any culture can understand that if he is willing to listen (look around, ponder, meditate, ask questions). But the point was made in that discussion, that we should be ready to answer questions. We should recognize, perhaps, that questions are a sign that a person is interested. They also indicate where they are in their search and what their next step might be. We should be careful, perhaps, that our preaching is geared to provide answers to their questions. If they have no questions for us, it may indicate they are not ready to hear from us. (Maybe our lifestyle does not prompt the questions). The suggestion is that we should have a simple statement of the faith. We should be able to summarize the message of the Bible. Then, or in the process, we should obey the word which says to “sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear”. |
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