Results 301 - 320 of 975
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Results from: Answered Bible Questions, Answers, Unanswered Bible Questions, Notes Author: Aixen7z4 Ordered by Date |
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Results | Verse | Author | ID# | |||
301 | Why should we not be embarassed? | Rom 1:16 | Aixen7z4 | 123817 | ||
But one might ask, "Why should we be embarrassed?" It is hard to accept that we care that much about what people think. | ||||||
302 | What must I do to be Saved? | Rom 1:16 | Aixen7z4 | 123814 | ||
What is it about the Gospel? A search of this forum reveals a multitude of references to the topic. One may even find a thread with the title “What Must I Do to be Saved?” But it is apparently not easy to discuss these things. That particular thread elicited only a single response, to wit, “I’m not sure what is your question or if you are just making a statement”. And yet the questioner had been asking, “Is there a clear answer to a seeking sinner should they surf unto this forum?” One would hope that a seeking sinner could find a clear answer to the question about being saved wherever the Bible is in view. One would hope that the question would be boldly displayed and clearly answered. Indeed, this writer will attempt to revive the topic by appending this question to the thread. But one has to be prepared to see it “temporarily restricted from appearing on the homepage”. I have written to the webmasters to ask the question, but there has been no response. What is it about this topic? The Gospel seems to be an often-mentioned topic, here on this forum. And yet, Scripture seems to indicate that it is a divisive thing. The question “Why the Hostility?” dealt with the irony that the one who had come to preach the Gospel (Good News) and to die so that there could be a Gospel for us to preach, was treated with such hostility. The preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God (1 Corinthians 1:18). Paul said he determined to know nothing among them, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified ... that their faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God (1 Corinthians 2:2ff). The world in its wisdom does not know God, but it pleases God by the “foolishness” of preaching (of the Gospel) to save them that believe. Some seek a sign, and some look for wisdom, but we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumbling-block, and unto the Greeks foolishness. Some can accept Christ, his birth, his life, but not his death (See John 12:34). Some cannot accept the fact that he rose again (See 1 Corinthians 15). But the Gospel insists on both. It also calls for repentance toward God and faith in Christ, and some find it hard to do one or the other (See Luke 13:1-5 and John 12:37). It is easy to say that the Gospel causes uneasiness among those who do not believe, and it divides them from those who do accept it. The one who came with the Gospel said, “I am come to set a man at variance against his father, and the daughter against her mother, and the daughter in law against her mother in law” (Matthew 10). He also said, “Henceforth there shall be five in one house divided, three against two, and two against three” (Luke 12). But is it in the nature of the Gospel to also cause division among believers? Some preach Christ even of envy and strife; and some also of good will. The one preaches Christ of contention, not sincerely, but the other of love (Philippians 1). Thus there may be divisions even if we have the same gospel. There may be among us envying, and strife, and divisions. For one reason or the other (It is not clear that it has anything to do with the gospel we preach) one saith, “I am of Paul”; and another, “I am of Apollos”. Then there are those who, as in Galatia and Colosse, add to the gospel and make a difference. Then there are those with different views about the need to preach the Gospel. All in all, a lot of division, and tension, and contention. I have heard that there are differences within the religions of the world. But they are not as great, apparently, as among those who have accepted the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. This leads me to ask: “Is there something in the nature of the Gospel that it causes this tension and division?” |
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303 | The Gospel the sole means of salvation? | Rom 1:16 | Aixen7z4 | 123811 | ||
Or maybe you are asking if human instrumentality is the only means God uses to communicate the Gospel. | ||||||
304 | The Gospel the sole means of salvation? | Rom 1:16 | Aixen7z4 | 123810 | ||
I sat and read the entire thread. Such a wonderful discussion! What a disappointment that that it degenerated so, and revealed a hidden agenda to promote the ideas of Calvin again! And yet the originator seemed so open to the idea that the Judge of all the earth would find a way to communicate the necessary Gospel to all men. Since we have heard the Gospel in words such as those recorded in 1 Corinthians 15, it is difficult to imagine how God communicates it to the person who has not heard. Since we learn so much by reading and by hearing, it is difficult to imagine how God can communicate facts to someone who cannot read or to someone who cannot hear. But the Bible assures us that God does communicate to everyone, if not through words, then through nature (Psalm 19) and through conscience (Romans 2:15). God our Savior will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth(1 Timothy 2:3,4). How can that happen when they have not heard? The word is true whether or not they have heard it. God knows the thoughts that he thinks toward them, thoughts of peace, and not of evil. They shall ye call upon him, and they shall go and pray unto him, and he will listen to them. And they shall seek him, and find him, when thy search for him with all their heart. He will be found of them, says the LORD. This applies to all men, not Israel only, for God is not a respecter of persons. Whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. It is fine to ask the questions: How shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher? Faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. But I say, (concerning those who have not heard the way that I have heard) “Have they not heard? Yes verily, their sound went into all the earth, and their words unto the ends of the world”. Romans 1 and 2 contains so much about those who despise the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering of God, perhaps because they are the majority of the people. But what of the few who do respond to revelation and seek God? To them who by patient continuance in well doing seek for glory and honor and immortality, (he gives) eternal life: but unto them that are contentious, and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, (he responds with) indignation and wrath, tribulation and anguish, upon every soul of man that doeth evil, of the Jew first, and also of the Gentile; but (he gives) glory, honor, and peace, to every man that works good, to the Jew first, and also to the Gentile: For there is no respect of persons with God. Apologies to those who would have liked to see the scripture references for all this. One can but hope that the words are familiar enough that we can think of them again as from Romans and Jeremiah and the Psalms and find them as necessary. But let us put them together to see that God created the gospel when he allowed Jesus to die on the cross and raised him from the dead. He has ways of sending this news to the whole world. Some of us may refuse to go, and some who hear may refuse to believe, but God will enlighten every man anyway. Most will reject the good News, but those who accept it and respond with repentance and faith, will be saved. This is just another attempt to encourage our participation in this process. All things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation; to wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation. Now then, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God. |
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305 | Are there few that be saved? | Luke 13:23 | Aixen7z4 | 123657 | ||
Only a few will be saved, compared to the masses that will be lost. God has chosen to reveal this fact to us, and I would suppose he had a reason to tell us this. As with all other revelation, we should be moved to react to it (Deuteronomy 29:29). Someone will, for God's word will not return to him void. Amen. | ||||||
306 | How are we to react to the fact? | Luke 13:23 | Aixen7z4 | 123656 | ||
"They don't need to react at all". One might have thought that it would motivate the hearer to "strive to enter in" (Luke 13:24). But I see that this thread has been temporarily restricted from appearing on the homepage again, so I guess we will have to leave it at that and strive to spread the word elsewhere. |
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307 | How are we to react to the fact? | Luke 13:23 | Aixen7z4 | 123653 | ||
True … we do not know who will believe (Matthew 13:3-23;Mark 4:3-20;Luke 8:5-15). But do we have an idea how many? Someone has calculated the percentages based on the number of types of ground. Since there are four types of ground, he thinks that twenty-five percent of the people who hear the word will bring forth fruit. Yet there is nothing to suggest that the types of ground represent an equal number of people. Based on the verses cited in the original question, it seems that something less than one percent of the people who hear the Gospel will believe (few vs. many in Matthew 7, millions in Revelation 5 and 7 vs. billions who will have passed this way). It seems to this writer that a consideration of this ratio may affect the preacher of the Gospel as well as the person listening to the Gospel. Their situations may be analogous to those of an NBA scout and an aspiring player. I say this only to aid the understanding. But, as Jesus would say again, “Many are called, but few are chosen” (Matthew 20:16; Matthew 22:2-14). The preacher is told to preach without regard to results (2 Timothy 4:2). But the hearer is told to strive (Luke 13:24). This topic may be worth of further consideration on the part of the preacher who may be discouraged and on the part of the hearer who is careless. Few will be saved (Matthew 7:14). How must the preacher and the hearer react to the fact? (See Luke 16:16). |
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308 | Are there few that be saved? | Luke 13:23 | Aixen7z4 | 123642 | ||
Are there few that be saved? Jesus seems to answer this question in the affirmative (Luke 13:24). It is the few who will be saved. In Matthew 7:13,14 he seems to be saying the same thing without being asked. In Revelation 5 he shows millions of people in heaven, and in Revelation 7 he says the number is too large for a human to reckon. Yet this is a small number compared to the billions who are and have been on this earth. This information may affect our efforts and our expectations in the area of evangelism. Please discuss. |
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309 | Isn't delusion dangerous? | 2 Thess 2:11 | Aixen7z4 | 122795 | ||
In the matter of "What happens when a believer does not put up with sound doctrine?" I understand the quote from Scofield that came through Kalos to this page. But here again we have stopped at definition and not described the consequences that Paul described as shipwreck. Is that not a condition that we should guard against? It seems to me that there are many undesirable consequences which may be summarized with the word “shipwreck” but which are described in greater detail in passages such as Hebrews 12:15-17 and Revelation 2:5. But back to the more important issue, I did ask: "What happens when a person refuses to accept the Gospel? Can it be that they are then allowed to think that something else is the gospel? (See 2 Thessalonians 2:10,11)." You said, “First of all, there is only one true Gospel”. That is true. But does that not remind us that there are false gospels? What happens when a person believes one of those? I say he may get a false assurance of a salvation which is not. That assumes, of course, that he has previously heard the true Gospel and refused to submit to it. How do we know that God has not responded by sending strong delusion? I am afraid to think of that. It would cause me to urge people to accept the Gospel now, instead of waiting to hear it later. What they hear later may not be the gospel at all, but they might think it is if they are being deluded. You say that “the rejection of salvation by grace assumes that one relies upon works”, but I do not see why that would be the only other alternative. Nor do I see that people who reject the Gospel “most often refuse to believe that they are in need of saving”. Some believe they are too much of a sinner to be saved. Some believe it is too easy. Some cannot accept the resurrection. Some say Christianity is a bad thing. Some say “Unless I can see some signs and wonders I will not believe”, etc, etc. I guess my mind is not working well today, if it ever does. I hope I am not under some delusion. I am actually glad this time that this thread has been temporarily restricted from appearing on the homepage. I think I will go somewhere and think about these things. |
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310 | Isn't delusion dangerous? | 2 Thess 2:11 | Aixen7z4 | 122794 | ||
Hi. It was so good to hear from you. I trust that the Lord will be near and strengthen you as you face those “troubling issues”. But now I am forced to think long and deep on your responses. You say you are “not sure that people can believe they are saved when they are not” and I am surprised because this is one, perhaps the more important one, of my concerns here. I am almost always impressed with your observations and I am quite interested to see how you will support this one. Surely you are not unaware of Jesus’ statement in Matthew 7 that there are many who will come to him in that day calling him “Lord, Lord”, and he will say to them, “I never knew you”, and the chilling “Depart from me”. Is that not a description of people going into judgment day thinking they are saved when they are not? I have known of many people who thought they were saved and then found they were not. I know of preachers that this has happened to. One man became saved in his own evangelistic crusade! Truth is, I was one of those though not that far gone, who found out I was not saved as I had thought. And what do all of the other statements mean: “Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith”, etc.? It is to me the most important matter in all of life, that a person make sure he is saved. It is also clear to me that a person can be deceived in to thinking they are saved, and I am really taken aback by the statement that you are “not sure that people can believe they are saved when they are not”. It is clearly true that the Holy Spirit gives us assurance of salvation. But, as you have also pointed out, Satan is the master counterfeiter. Does he not also give an “assurance” of “salvation” to the people under his control. That is to me the point, the most important point, in this discussion. I go back to the passage from 2 Thessalonians 2, and is that not the point? A person fails to obey the gospel and he is sent strong delusions that he will believe a lie? Yet how many people do we know who admit that they once rejected the gospel and later got saved. What do you then make of the fact they can’t even tell you what the gospel is. It is a fantastic thing to me that people would then say let’s not make an issue of it, let every man be persuaded I his own mind, etc. It is as though we believe that delusion is an illusion. I am deeply disturbed by these thoughts, not the least because at this point, here, I am alone in this. Makes me think that the powers that be are correct in restricting this thread from appearing on the homepage. And yet I think it is the most dastardly thing, for what is the harm in asking someone to consider whether he is really saved? Yet how unkind to fail to warn someone who is in danger? What if he is not saved? Is it better to shield him for the question, from considering the possibility? You say that a discussion such as this might prompt unnecessary doubt in the hearts and minds of some "babes in Christ”. I am not sure what “unnecessary doubt” is, but I have always found there is no harm in going back to double-check my salvation. In fact I can even appreciate the trial of my faith that proves it is really genuine. Yet at a time like this I really wonder why my thoughts would be so different from those of my brethren. In one breath we say we know that many in our midst are not saved, yet we think it is not good to ask them to check to see if they are really saved. I find this really strange. |
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311 | Isn't delusion dangerous? | 2 Thess 2:11 | Aixen7z4 | 122736 | ||
I share the concern expressed in the issue of delusion. I am concerned that we believers can be deceived and can stray away from our service for God when we have failed to live in the light of God’s revealed truth. Also, I see that many people can believe they are saved when they are not, because they refused to believe the gospel when they heard it and later believed something else that they thought was the gospel but was not. I would love to see a discussion on those two points. First, what happens when a believer will not endure sound doctrine? What happens to him then? (See 2 Timothy 4:3,4). Can this situation be connected to the shipwreck mentioned in 1 Timothy 1:19? Second: What happens when a person refuses to accept the Gospel? Can it be that they are then allowed to think that something else is the gospel? (See 2 Thessalonians 2:10,11). If they believe a false gospel, won’t they be believing they are saved when they are not? |
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312 | How can we avoid deception? | 2 Thess 2:11 | Aixen7z4 | 122731 | ||
My dear friend, I agree with you that believers are secure in Christ. I understand that it is my post which was confusing to you. I think you said so very clearly. I have no reason to think that you are confused about what Scripture teaches, and I did not mean to suggest that you were. Now, please have patience with me, as I am exercising patience with you. The question was not whether a believer can lose his salvation. Rather it was whether a believer can be deceived, or deluded, or put to the test, or in some other way negatively influenced by a spirit other than the Holy Spirit sent to him by God. If you would like to think of this you might want to return to my first post and consider the cases that were cited. Consider what happened to Saul (1 Samuel 16:14). Consider what happened to Ahab (1 Kings 22:24). Consider what happened to David (2 Samuel 24:1). I asked you to judge for yourself whether this (God sending such a spirit) ever applies to a believer. This has nothing to do with a believer losing his salvation. At least, I am not suggesting that it does. You might want to consider that there are other unfortunate things that can happen to a believer even if, as you have rightly noted, he does not lose his salvation. You might want to think of 1 Timothy 1:19 where Paul speaks of some who, having put away concerning faith, have made shipwreck. You might want to think of 1 Timothy 4 where some depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron. You might want to consider Galatians 1:6 where Paul says, “I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel”. You might want to think of Jeremiah 2:13 where God says that his people had committed two evils; they had forsaken him, the fountain of living waters, and hewed them out cisterns, broken cisterns, that can hold no water. You might want to think of 1 Timothy 6:9 where believers who want to be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts. I am not saying that any of these are due to a spirit from God. I am saying that bad things can happen to believers even though, as you have rightly stated, they do not lose their salvation. Please consider that bad things happened to David and the others, even though Scripture does not suggest that they lost their salvation. I have written at length again to try to clear up any confusion. If you are still confused, I suggest you do not waste time commenting on the clarity or lack thereof in my expression. Perhaps you can just think about what I have said and if you cannot make anything of it, then move on to another matter. My real concern is for those who refused to accept and obey the gospel. Is it possible that God sends them strong delusions after that? Is it possible that they will later accept something that they perceive as the gospel but is really a lie. That is the situation suggested in the 2 Thessalonians 2 passage. I joined this discussion because I share the concern that Mommapbs expressed at the top of the thread. I am concerned that we believers can be deceived and can stray away from our service for God when we have failed to live in the light of God’s revealed truth. Also, I see that many people can believe they are saved when they are not, because they refused to believe the gospel when they heard it and later believed something else that they thought was the gospel but was not. I would love to see a discussion on those two points. First: Can it be that a believer will not endure sound doctrine? What happens to him then? (See 2 Timothy 4:3,4). Can this situation be connected to the shipwreck mentioned in1Timothy 1:19? Second: What happens when a person refuses to accept the Gospel? Can it be that he is then allowed to think that something else is the gospel? (See 2 Thessalonians 2:10,11). If they believe a false gospel, won’t they be believing they are saved when they are not? |
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313 | How can we avoid deception? | 2 Thess 2:11 | Aixen7z4 | 122697 | ||
If you are confused, then perhaps you should ponder the facts presented a little further. We have seen that the Lord does send delusions, an evil spirit, a lying spirit, he gives people over to a reprobate mind. It is apparent that he sends those to people who have refused to obey him. You can judge for yourself whether this ever applies to a believer. My point was that a person who refuses to believe the gospel is in real danger. He may hear another message at a later time and he may be deceived into thinking that it is the truth. It is so important that a person respond to the simple gospel without waiting for more. If he refuses to accept the gospel, how will he know that God will not be sending him strong delusions next? He may be looking for miracles and signs and wonders. He may be presented with lying signs and wonders. He may believe the message associated with those and think he is hearing the truth. He may be looking for a more convincing message and he may fall into the hands of a manipulator. He may be looking to have his emotions stirred and he may be so moved that he cannot think. If you are still confused, I suggest you think about it a little more. If a person hears the gospel (that Christ died for our sins and was buried and rose again) and if he refuses to obey the gospel (by repenting and trusting Christ) how can he know that the next thing he hears (accept Christ, accept a doctrinal statement, join the church, or whatever) is the truth. It may be a strong delusion and yet he will believe it. Read 2 Thess 2:9-12 and related passages such as 2 Timothy 4:3,4 again and think about it. |
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314 | How can we avoid deception? | 2 Thess 2:11 | Aixen7z4 | 122691 | ||
Deception is by it's very nature convincing. How then can we avoid it? The word of God seems to say that everyone will have a chance to hear and understand the gospel (John 1:9, John 12:32, etc.). But it also says that some will hear a lie and still believe it, thus sealing their eternal fate. We seem to be witnessing it. I heard again recently that most of the people in the average church are not saved. I saw again recently where a person “went forward”. They were asked if they believed certain fact (that Jesus is the Son of God, etc.,) and then put on track to become a member of the church. I met a lady recently who told how she had gone from church to church and finally found one that preaches the truth. I have a client who claims that she likes her church but cannot explain what it teaches. I know a lady who believes in healing, who attends a church where healing services are held each week but has never seen a person healed. Is it because these people have heard the gospel and rejected it? It is evident that we cannot be saved without the active involvement of the Holy Spirit (John 3:6, 1 Cor 12:23, etc.). It is not surprising that The Evil One is also active in influencing us away from God and salvation. It is also interesting to consider that God may send other spirits, other than the Holy Spirit to delude us. Who is not fascinated by the fact the Lord can send us an evil spirit? That is what he did in the case of Saul. We read “The Spirit of the LORD departed from Saul, and an evil spirit from the LORD troubled him” (1 Samuel 16:14). Who is not intrigued by the fact God can send us a lying spirit? That is what he did in the case of Ahab. Micaiah said, “Behold, the LORD hath put a lying spirit in the mouth of all these thy prophets, and the LORD hath spoken evil concerning you” (1 Kings 22:24). Who is not sobered by the fact God sends delusion? That is what is promised to those who fail to believe the Gospel, to those who “received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved”. God will send them “strong delusion, that they should believe a lie: that they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness” (2 Thessalonians 2:11,12). Who is not troubled by the fact God may leave a man to be controlled by his own sick mind? But that is what happens to those who do not respect God. They have only their natural spirits to discern right from wrong. “And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind” (Romans 1:28). One supposes that the Holy Spirit in us can resist and defeat Satan and any spirit he sends. But what will he do with the other spirits that have come from God? These are questions one might ask of those who have a reputation of being sound in doctrine, who have not been tossed about by every wind. What has happened, do you think, to people who were not satisfied with the simple gospel but have found satisfaction in something more exciting? |
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315 | female angels | Matt 22:30 | Aixen7z4 | 122686 | ||
"The reference to the angels is as witnesses of the Holy Spirit descending onto the earth to reveal all truth"? Now I am wondering why you say that. The idea of angels witnessing the descent of the Holy Spirit, I have never heard of. Perhaps you can provide a cross-reference to it. In the passage at hand (1 Peter 1) from verse 5 on, Peter has been talking about our salvation. He says that it is a very interesting matter which prophets and angels have tried to understand. The prophets wrote about it as the Holy Spirit moved them, but they did not understand fully. At the end of verse 12 he simply says that the angels also have a desire to know about these things. Of course, it is the angels we are interested in because they are the topic of this thread. The person who started the thread is interested in their gender. Aixen is expressing the understanding that angels have no gender and no known interest in sex. (This comes in spite of the opinion of some that angels took on bodies in Genesis 6, and procreated). On the other hand, we are learning from Peter that they do have an interest in matters of salvation. The fact he mentions only their desire suggests that they are unable or not allowed to look into that matter. It is evident that the prophets were told about the fact of salvation in Christ. What they did not understand was the fact that Christ would both suffer and be glorified. They wrote about it (See Isaiah 53, for example) but they did not understand it. Even the people in Jesus day failed to understand, and it seems that resurrection was the main sticking point. In John 12:34 the people were saying, “We have heard out of the law that Christ abideth for ever: and how sayest thou, The Son of man must be lifted up?” In Matthew 16, Peter himself was saying, “Be it far from thee, Lord: this shall not be unto you”. In Mark 9:10 they are questioning one with another what the rising from the dead should mean. So the facts of salvation, and the manner in which it would be procured was only partially known by the prophets. Of course they have been revealed to us. Paul took lots of time to explain it in 1 Corinthians 15, and we know clearly how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures. Meanwhile the prophets who wrote those scriptures searched but could not find the answers. The angels had a desire to look, but it seems they were kept at the "desire to look" stage. |
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316 | Can someone help me get to God? | Rom 10:9 | Aixen7z4 | 122622 | ||
Hello. I wonder if you are still interested, and if you still want to "get to God". If you are, then please write again. You may find that he is closer to you than you thought, and that he wants you to get to him. He loves you, and he will let you get to him, right where you are. Please continue to seek the Lord. And tell us where you are now in your search. You may not realize it, but there are actually two Bibles on the Forum. You can look things up by typing in words or references in the area called "Get Bible Text" in the right margin. Try typing the words "seek" and "find" under "Search word(s) or "Jer 29:13" and then "Acts 17:27"under "Book Chapter:verse". There are people here who want to pray for you and help you in your search. Please let us know if you are still interested. |
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317 | Can someone help me get to God? | Rom 10:9 | Aixen7z4 | 122621 | ||
Hello. I wonder if you are still interested, and if you still want to "get to God". If you are, then please write again. You may find that he is closer to you than you thought, and that he wants you to get to him. He loves you, and he will let you get to him, right where you are. Please continue to seek the Lord. And tell us where you are now in your search. You may not realize it, but there are actually two Bibles on the Forum. You can look things up by typing in words or references in the area called "Get Bible Text" in the right margin. Try typing the words "seek" and "find" under "Search word(s) or "Jer 29:13" and then "Acts 17:27"under "Book Chapter:verse". There are people here who want to pray for you and help you in your search. Please let us know if you are still interested. |
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318 | 3 heavens | 2 Cor 12:2 | Aixen7z4 | 122489 | ||
Please read this commentary from Matthew Henry and see if it is instructive. (In 2 Corinthians 12:2 Paul is reporting on a personal experience and it seems that)" in some sense he was caught up into the third heaven, the heaven of the blessed, above the aerial heaven, in which the fowls fly, above the starry heaven, which is adorned with those glorious orbs: it was into the third heaven, where God most eminently manifests his glory. We are not capable of knowing all, nor is it fit we should know very much, of the particulars of that glorious place and state; it is our duty and interest to give diligence to make sure to ourselves a mansion there; and, if that be cleared up to us, then we should long to be removed thither, to abide there for ever. This third heaven is called paradise (2Co_12:4), in allusion to the earthly paradise out of which Adam was driven for his transgression; it is called the paradise of God (Rev_2:7), signifying to us that by Christ we are restored to all the joys and honours we lost by sin, yea, to much better". |
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319 | female angels | Matt 22:30 | Aixen7z4 | 122377 | ||
It is apparent that the angels are sexless beings. Though they are referred to always in masculine terms, it does not indicate gender. Jesus said that they are not the type of beings that marry (Mark 12:25). God created them for the purpose of being ministering spirits (Hebrews 1:14). They were created individually and they do not reproduce. Isn't it interesting though, that they do not understand the gospel? They are apparently interested, and desire to know about it (1 Peter 1:12) but they can never really know it, because they cannot experience salvation. Most of them have never sinned, and those who did are destined for hell together with the devil (Mat 25:41). They do not have the privilege of repentance. It is interesting also, that folklore usually refers to angels as females. As Jesus would say, they do err, not knowing the scriptures. It is good to know the scriptures, because they make us wise unto salvation (2 Timothy 3:15). This salvation is the main reason we search the scriptures (John 5:39). It is good to know many things, but better to know how to be saved, and best to know that we are saved. |
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320 | A man of God? | NT general Archive 1 | Aixen7z4 | 122290 | ||
It is a grand topic, and we should thank our brother for raising it. I have thought of it a long time. I have read what others have said as well. I would like to share a few thoughts, including this one that someone has written: “’O man of God,’ … That is a remarkable word… That title combines two remarkable concepts: Man, in his weakness, confusion, blindness and failure, and God, in his majesty, his greatness and power. To be "a man of God" is the greatest title that could be bestowed upon Timothy. Every one who has the Spirit of God indwelling him has the desire to claim that title for himself -- to be a man …of God, not a man of the world, not a man of the flesh, but a man of God”. I associate myself with those remarks. As our brother Hank has noted, the term is used much more in the Old Testament than the New. Overall it is used more than 70 times in the King James Version, but it is used only two times in the New Testament and both of these refer to Timothy. Experience seems to show it is similarly held in reserve today, being applied now and then to “the pastor” and now and then to “the speaker for this occasion”. The idea is that this person speaks for God. The times the term is “a man of God”. Fifty-five times the term is “the man of God” and full half a dozen of these refer to Moses. Four times one is addressed as “You man of God”. Most of the references are in the Kings and Chronicles and refer to men like Elijah and Elisha. Sometimes, as in “a man of God”, the title is used instead of the person’s name. One time (1 Samuel 9) he is described as an honorable man. One time (2Ki 4:9) the man of God is described as holy. One time the “man of God” is actually an angel, and possibly the pre-incarnate Christ (Judges 13). And yet there is no indication that I have found as to what qualifies a person for the title “man of God”, except perhaps it is in 1 and 2 Timothy. In 1 Kings 13 he seems to be more than a prophet, as there is both an “old prophet” and a “man of God” in that story. But paul seems to be commending Timothy for being a man of God and motivating him to be more of that. For that, he should “flee these things (pride, ‘perverse disputing, the love of money); and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness (1 Tim 6:11). In 2 Timothy 3 Timothy is called to be a man of God in the midst of perilous times. Others will do other things “but you” (v. 10) know differently. “But you” (v.14) must “continue in the things you have learned”. He is referring to things Timothy has learned from Scripture and from seeing them in action in the life of Paul as he applied the Scripture to his life. And “all scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: that the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works”. All in all this seems to be saying that there is a path to follow by which a man can become a man of God, or otherwise to show oneself worthy of the title. Two other thoughts. It may be useful to consider how a “man of God” may be related to “a man sent from God” (John 1:6) and also to being one of the “children of God” (as in Galatians 3:26). This may also relate to the idea of being “a vessel unto honour, sanctified, and meet for the master's use, and prepared unto every good work” (2 Timothy 2:21). It may be that a man of God is a man who is always ready to be used of God. |
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