Results 121 - 140 of 263
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Results from: Answered Bible Questions, Answers, Unanswered Bible Questions, Notes Author: Aspiring Overseer Ordered by Verse |
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Results | Verse | Author | ID# | |||
121 | Praying for the 'World'. | Matt 5:44 | Aspiring Overseer | 163796 | ||
Kalos, That salvation is a gift is not in question. It is simply a gift that is given to those who chose righteousness. Heb 11:5-7 6 And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him. NAS Tim Moran gave you this excellent verse previously: 2 Cor 5:17-21 18 Now all these things are from God, who reconciled us to Himself through Christ, and gave us the ministry of reconciliation, 19 namely, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and He has committed to us the word of reconciliation. 20 Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were entreating through us; we beg you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. NAS God has given us the plan of reconciliation,. We must act on that plan. AO |
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122 | Praying for the 'World'. | Matt 5:44 | Aspiring Overseer | 163826 | ||
Dear Doc, A few more items for your consideration: Matt 13:45-46 45 "Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant seeking fine pearls, 46 and upon finding one pearl of great value, he went and sold all that he had, and bought it. NAS Note that the merchant was not simply given the “pearl”. First he sought it (action); found it (action); went and sold all he had (action) and bought it (etc.). Do you think he kept it a secret for the rest of his life or would he share his joy with others? Jer 9:23-24 23 Thus says the LORD, "Let not a wise man boast of his wisdom, and let not the mighty man boast of his might, let not a rich man boast of his riches; 24 but let him who boasts boast of this, that he understands and knows Me, that I am the LORD who exercises lovingkindness, justice, and righteousness on earth; for I delight in these things, "declares the LORD. NAS Those who understand and know God can certainly boast of their Lord. Their belief has been proven by their action and rewarded by God. They can confidently boast of this gracious system! AO |
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123 | Praying for the 'World'. | Matt 5:44 | Aspiring Overseer | 163882 | ||
Doc, Clearly stated truth; yes, that is what we should all strive to achieve, is it not? You wrote, "I'm certainly glad that in my own life He didn't choose to leave me to make my own decisions about eternity. I'd have never made it.". Just how has that worked for you with God making your decisions? That would have been great for Ananias and Sapphira! Best regards, AO |
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124 | Treasure? | Matt 6:20 | Aspiring Overseer | 120211 | ||
Hi Momma, How does a Christian "invest in things that contribute to the salvation of the souls of the lost" without being a faithful and obedient servant? Can they do this by being disobedient? AO |
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125 | Grace AND? | Matt 6:20 | Aspiring Overseer | 120438 | ||
Momma, Judgement day is NOT for the believer? Rom 14:10 10 But you, why do you judge your brother? Or you again, why do you regard your brother with contempt? For we shall all stand before the judgment seat of God. NAS AO |
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126 | i'm still not getting this | Matt 12:31 | Aspiring Overseer | 91655 | ||
Consider this: Someone who sins against God, but repents, is forgiven. In fact, is not all sin against God? If a person sins against the H. S. they are rejecting the teaching, or instructions, from God, and by implication, are practising these deeds. As long as a person continues to reject the word of God, they have no salvation. So the issue is whether the sinner feels remorse to repent or not. If they commit sin with disregard of God's master plan (as provided by the H. S.)then they will be eternally unclean. AO |
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127 | woman pastors | Matt 14:30 | Aspiring Overseer | 136923 | ||
Angel, I was with you until your last sentence where you state that the Apostles initiated others as Apostles. Have I understood you correctly or did you mean disciples? I am unfamiliar with any Apostle being appointed by anyone other than Christ. AO |
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128 | woman pastors | Matt 14:30 | Aspiring Overseer | 136955 | ||
Is a disciple of Christ not also sent by God? By your definition we would still have Apostles today. I am not aware of any who claim to be Apostles other than in denominations. AO |
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129 | Every NATION or every PERSON? | Matt 24:14 | Aspiring Overseer | 169215 | ||
Jeff, 1 Timothy 2:3-5 3 This is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, 4 who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. NAS Please excuse my butting-in, but I believe the reconciliation of God's desire for all to be saved and the fact that few are is explainable by one thing: choice. Acts 17:25-27 26 and He made from one, every nation of mankind to live on all the face of the earth, having determined their appointed times, and the boundaries of their habitation, 27 that they should seek God, if perhaps they might grope for Him and find Him, though He is not far from each one of us; NAS God created all of mankind to seek Him in accordance with knowledge (Acts 17:24-28; Ro 10:2). While He desires that each one of his creations would seek Him, He knows that few will. Not by His design, but by their choice. In other words, He has designed each person with the ability to reason and desires that they should use that ability to serve Him (Is 1:18)! If they chose to serve something else, whatever their outward actions, they must bear the consequences. Whether the bushman continuing to practice the religion of his parents or the atheist who holds themselves as supreme, both, as God's creation, have the opportunity for salvation, but they must first chose to seek it! Matthew 6:33-34 33 "But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added to you. NAS P.S. I appreciate your approach to scripture and look forward to future discussion. AO |
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130 | Every NATION or every PERSON? | Matt 24:14 | Aspiring Overseer | 169258 | ||
Hi Jeff, I understand your struggle with the doctrines mentioned. If it is God's will that all men should be saved why are so many lost? Specifically, you wrote: "If God desires that all be saved, then why is it that all were not elected/predestined to salvation?" Let's look at this concept in light of scripture. 1 Timothy 2:3-4 3 This is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, 4 who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. NAS Does not God hope that all men would be saved? What keeps that from happening? Is it God or ourselves? Are not the choices we make either pleasing or displeasing to God? Ezekiel 18:22-23 23 "Do I have any pleasure in the death of the wicked," declares the Lord GOD, "rather than that he should turn from his ways and live? NAS Ezekiel 18:32 32 "For I have no pleasure in the death of anyone who dies," declares the Lord GOD. "Therefore, repent and live." NAS Ezekiel 33:11 11 "Say to them, 'As I live!' declares the Lord GOD, 'I take no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but rather that the wicked turn from his way and live. Turn back, turn back from your evil ways! Why then will you die, O house of Israel?' NAS 1 Peter 3:11-12 11 "And let him turn away from evil and do good; Let him seek peace and pursue it. 12 "For the eyes of the Lord are upon the righteous, And His ears attend to their prayer, But the face of the Lord is against those who do evil." NAS Throughout scripture God declares we must turn back to Him if we desire to live. Why would He create people who could not turn back and then instruct them as He did above? Is God a God of confusion? No, but His plan of salvation is hidden from those who do not seek Him in accordance with knowledge. Why is God's Master Plan with regard to predestination always assumed to mean that only a "select few" were predestined for salvation? Romans 8:28-30 28 And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose. 29 For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the first-born among many brethren; 30 and whom He predestined, these He also called; and whom He called, these He also justified; and whom He justified, these He also glorified. NAS Has God not foreknown every soul of mankind and could He not have desired that each one would become like Christ? It is no different for those of us who are parents. Do we not desire the best for each of our children? Are they not brought into the world with a hope that they will be "predestined" for success? I do not know any parent who has conceived a child so that they would fail. Obviously not all kids grow into successful adults. Is that by chance or by choices that have been made? Now the world will lean towards "chance" because they do not believe in the design of a creator. Those seeking God, however, know that nothing happens to them by chance. Only those that seek to be successful will actually reach their goal. Furthermore, salvation is for all men, not just for a select few. Titus 2:11-14 11 For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all men, 12 instructing us to deny ungodliness and worldly desires and to live sensibly, righteously and godly in the present age, 13 looking for the blessed hope and the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Christ Jesus; 14 who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself a people for His own possession, zealous for good deeds. NAS 2 Peter 3:9-10 9 The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance. NAS I also recognize that not only a "considerable number" of bible scholars and theologians would disagree with me, but probably the majority of them. I hope that in time they might be persuaded to change their mind! :-) AO |
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131 | Every NATION or every PERSON? | Matt 24:14 | Aspiring Overseer | 169263 | ||
Jeff, Acts 13:48 48 And when the Gentiles heard this, they began rejoicing and glorifying the word of the Lord; and as many as had been appointed to eternal life believed. NAS Can not the “appointed” simply be understood as all those Gentiles who sought God in accordance with knowledge and believed Paul's preaching (i.e. they were sincere in their quest for the truth and desired to follow God rather than man)? God rewards those who seek Him. They simply made the proper choice. Interestingly, two verses before this we find another example of man's choice regarding obedience. Acts 13:46 46 And Paul and Barnabas spoke out boldly and said, "It was necessary that the word of God should be spoken to you first; since YOU repudiate it, and JUDGE YOURSELVES unworthy of eternal life, behold, we are turning to the Gentiles. NAS (emphasis added) The recipients of that message refused to accept the new covenant. Not because it was impossible, they simply chose not to obey. AO |
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132 | What does it mean to "love" God? | Mark 12:28 | Aspiring Overseer | 70758 | ||
Mark 12:28-31 28And one of the scribes came and heard them arguing, and recognizing that He had answered them well, asked Him, "What commandment is the foremost of all?" 29Jesus answered, "The foremost is, 'Hear, O Israel! The Lord our God is one Lord; 30and you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength.' NAS What does it mean to "love" God? |
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133 | what is baptismin the bible | Mark 16:16 | Aspiring Overseer | 176584 | ||
Brad, If God did not give an ordinance then what is the New Testament based upon? It appears from your statement that understanding God's requirements, or commandments, is not necessary for salvation. Why should baptism be rejected as needed for salvation while belief is not? Both require a person to work (do something, take action, etc.). AO |
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134 | Gift of Healing | Mark 16:17 | Aspiring Overseer | 169161 | ||
GJ2, Sorry this is a bit late, but I hope you do not mind some additional information. MIRACLES MIRACLES (Lat. miraculum, from mirari, to "wonder"). In general terms miracles may be defined as supernatural manifestations of divine power in the external world, in themselves special revelations of the presence and power of God; and in connection with other special revelations to which they are subservient, as aiding in their attestation, establishment, and preservation. (from The New Unger's Bible Dictionary. Originally published by Moody Press of Chicago, Illinois. Copyright (c) 1988.) What is, or were, the purpose of miracles? In the OT they were to confirm God’s power and to meet the needs of His people. In the New Testament they are used to confirm the validity of God’s word through the given messenger (Mark 16:20). Physical results were not an important benefit as the focus in Christianity is spiritual, not physical. 1 Cor 15:50 50 Now I say this, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; nor does the perishable inherit the imperishable. NAS Additionally, we are to walk by faith and not by sight. 2 Cor 5:7 7 for we walk by faith, not by sight-- NAS As such, the benefit of establishing a person’s faith in God through their witnessing of a miracle was the sole reason for their existence. Mark 16:19-20 19 So then, when the Lord Jesus had spoken to them, He was received up into heaven, and sat down at the right hand of God. 20 And they went out and preached everywhere, while the Lord worked with them, and confirmed the word by the signs that followed.] NAS Do miracles exist today? Prior to the Christian Age, miracles were directed to God’s people for their physical and spiritual benefit. Over time they became less frequent as the written word of God in the form of the Old Testament was compiled. Eventually, the Old Testament replaced the need for the miracles in that the Israelites could refer to the Law of Moses and the Prophets, at will, and had no need for a current reminder to strengthen their faith or act as a reminder of their responsibilities towards God. With the arrival of Jesus’ ministry, miracles were again started to demonstrate the validity of Jesus’ statements as the Son of God and allow the establishment of the Christian Church, but only to the point they were no longer serving a purpose. At that point they were ended and disciples then were required to depend upon faith only. The length of time these miracles were to take place, their purpose and location were all prophesied within the Old Testament. Mic 7:15 15 "As in the days when you came out from the land of Egypt, I will show you miracles." NAS Deut 29:4-5 5 And I have led you forty years in the wilderness; your clothes have not worn out on you, and your sandal has not worn out on your foot. NAS AO |
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135 | Apostle, or Disciple? | Luke 6:13 | Aspiring Overseer | 49188 | ||
An apostle was one hand selected by Christ. All Christians are disciples. See also Gal 1:1. |
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136 | why was the thief saved without baptism? | Luke 23:43 | Aspiring Overseer | 129852 | ||
It has been asked in regard to baptism, "Do we seek in Scripture ways to justify our preconceptions and misconceptions, or do we found our faith and practice solely on Scripture?". The asserted conclusion is against the need for baptism. Let’s see what scripture tells us regarding the topic of baptism. Acts 2:38 38And Peter said to them, "Repent, and let each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. NAS Acts 8:36 36And as they went along the road they came to some water; and the eunuch said, "Look! Water! What prevents me from being baptized?" NAS Acts 16:32-34 33And he took them that very hour of the night and washed their wounds, and immediately he was baptized, he and all his household. NAS Acts 18:7-8 8And Crispus, the leader of the synagogue, believed in the Lord with all his household, and many of the Corinthians when they heard were believing and being baptized. NAS Were these verses imprudently crafted by the author or were they commanded by God? If they are commanded by God, should we neglect these because we feel that baptism runs counter to the faith we are called to have as Christians? Is it not easy to be baptized? Is not the real fear, the fear of all proponents of man-made doctrine, that they must do something more than believe? AO |
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137 | why was the thief saved without baptism? | Luke 23:43 | Aspiring Overseer | 132637 | ||
J. Elkins, Welcome to the forum! In reading your posts I thought a response I had drafted earlier regarding whether just the Apostles or the 120 received the baptism of the HS, as evidenced by the miraculous gift of speaking in tongues, might be of interest. Here goes: "Remember that the chapter and verses we have in our translations today were not in the original letter. Keeping that in mind, Acts 1:26 specifically identifies the apostles. Acts 2:1-15 continues the narrative concerning the same people (and not necessarily the same or next day). How do we know the "they" in Acts 2:4 were not the 120? Aside from using proper grammatical rules, we must acknowledge that Jesus had disciples from all of the various regions He visited during His ministry. Acts 1:14 also tells us some of the 120 disciples present were women. With these points in mind consider Acts 2:7 and Acts 2:14-15. One tells us those speaking in tongues were "all" Galileans. Would all of the 120 been Galileans? We know the apostles were. Were only Galilean disciples faithful to Jesus or would the 120 include Judean and Perean Jews, as well? Secondly, Peter acknowledges those mocked in verse 13 were all "men". If 120 people spoke in tongues, might it been unusual to separate the 12 from them so quickly and at the same time identify the group displaying this miraculous gift as consisting solely of men? Why would Peter leave out the other 108? Was he a male chauvinist? Maybe he desired public attention only be focused on the apostles? Could it be that 108 of the disciples did not receive the HS baptism?" This may be "old hat" to you as your argument is more than adequate, but I though it might be something to add to your arsenal! AO |
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138 | why was the thief saved without baptism? | Luke 23:43 | Aspiring Overseer | 132660 | ||
Thank you for your comments and encouragement. AO |
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139 | Perfection? | John | Aspiring Overseer | 136593 | ||
Hi GH, Christians vary in their understanding and thus obedience to God’s will depending on their desire to serve God. Like the lazy slave (MT 25:24-30) the Christian who fails to obey their master can also expect a similar fate. That is why Christians are repeatedly urged to become perfect throughout the NT. Why are we to be perfect? God rewards all of mankind according to their deeds. Rom 2:4-11 5 But because of your stubbornness and unrepentant heart you are storing up wrath for yourself in the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God, 6 who will render to every man according to his deeds: 7 to those who by perseverance in doing good seek for glory and honor and immortality, eternal life; 8 but to those who are selfishly ambitious and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, wrath and indignation. 9 There will be tribulation and distress for every soul of man who does evil, of the Jew first and also of the Greek, 10 but glory and honor and peace to every man who does good, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. NAS It would therefore make sense for people to be perfect to ensure they persevere in doing good. How do you become perfect? By the renewing of your mind through the study and practice of God’s word. Rom 12:1-2 12:1 I urge you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship. 2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect. NAS “And do not be conformed” is a command requiring action, not passive expectation! Christians are to follow the example of Paul in doing everything in an orderly and righteous manner (Phil 4:8-9; 3:17-18). What righteousness must be practiced? We know the lazy slave was punished for his failure to leverage the resources given to him by his master. We also know Paul was committed daily to the teaching of God’s word and that he instructed all to do the same (2Tim2:2). It follows the Christian must leverage the spiritual resource (knowledge) they have received by sharing it with others who will do the same. What better way to love your neighbor than to teach him the word of God! Heb 5:11-14 11 Concerning him we have much to say, and it is hard to explain, since you have become dull of hearing. 12 For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you have need again for someone to teach you the elementary principles of the oracles of God, and you have come to need milk and not solid food. 13 For everyone who partakes only of milk is not accustomed to the word of righteousness, for he is a babe. 14 But solid food is for the mature, who because of practice have their senses trained to discern good and evil. NAS Does teaching reinforce the teacher’s understanding and obedience to the commands of God? Logic tells us that the teacher must know their subject to a much deeper level to effectively teach. Through practice the teacher nears perfection. Can Christians attain perfection during their lifetimes? Paul could not (Phil 3:12), but he continued to work towards that goal his entire life. Not by completing the works required by the Law of Moses, but by the Law of Faith: the faith that through obedience to God, salvation is obtained through Jesus Christ. Heb 5:8-9 8 Although He was a Son, He learned obedience from the things which He suffered. 9 And having been made perfect, He became to all those who obey Him the source of eternal salvation, NAS Unfortunately, many do not desire to love God as He desires, but prefer to love Him as they desire. This is evident through their conduct measured against God’s standard. Many espouse the only "work" is to have faith, yet are hard pressed to explain how having faith is a "work"! Those who honestly seek to serve God grow in their understanding and obedience to His will. Those who do not put forth the effort to accomplish this, stagnate. James 1:22-25 22 But prove yourselves doers of the word, and not merely hearers who delude themselves. 23 For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks at his natural face in a mirror; 24 for once he has looked at himself and gone away, he has immediately forgotten what kind of person he was. 25 But one who looks intently at the perfect law, the law of liberty, and abides by it, not having become a forgetful hearer but an effectual doer, this man shall be blessed in what he does. NAS Is doing anything of value easy? Neither is doing the will of God, yet by their obedience, Christians who persevere are assured their reward (James 1:2-4). AO |
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140 | Eternal Life: A Free Gift? | John 3:36 | Aspiring Overseer | 54763 | ||
"Not obey" is clearly the proper rendering. Someone can split hairs, but "to refuse or withhold" anything from God is disobedience. NT:544 apeitheo (ap-i-theh'-o); from NT:545; to disbelieve (wilfully and perversely): KJV-not believe, disobedient, obey not, unbelieving. (Biblesoft's New Exhaustive Strong's Numbers and Concordance with Expanded Greek-Hebrew Dictionary. Copyright (c) 1994, Biblesoft and International Bible Translators, Inc.) John 3:36 36"He who believes in the Son has eternal life; but he who does not obey the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him." NAS |
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