Results 281 - 300 of 361
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Results from: Answered Bible Questions, Answers, Unanswered Bible Questions, Notes Author: Bill Mc Ordered by Verse |
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Results | Verse | Author | ID# | |||
281 | Doctrine of Election, Yes or No? | Eph 3:6 | Bill Mc | 18124 | ||
Dear kiss, The doctrine of election is NOT that God has elected some people and not others. It does not concern the you's and me's but, rather, the Jews and Gentiles. Does God know who will respond to His offer of salvation? Yes. But He also says the whosoever will may come. The doctrine of election means that God has predistined that the Gentiles would come to God and be conformed to Christ's image the same way that the Jews would - by faith. See these scriptures: Romans 9 3 For I could wish that I myself were cursed and cut off from Christ for the sake of my brothers, those of my own race, 4 the people of Israel. Theirs is the adoption as sons; theirs the divine glory, the covenants, the receiving of the law, the temple worship and the promises. 5 Theirs are the patriarchs, and from them is traced the human ancestry of Christ, who is God over all, forever praised! Amen. 6 It is not as though God's word had failed. For not all who are descended from Israel are Israel. 7 Nor because they are his descendants are they all Abraham's children. On the contrary, "It is through Isaac that your offspring will be reckoned." 8 In other words, it is not the natural children who are God's children, but it is the children of the promise who are regarded as Abraham's offspring. John 1 12 Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God-- Romans 1 16 I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile. Ephesians 1 4 For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love 5 he predestined us to be adopted as his sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will-- 11 In 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, 12 in order that we, who were the first to hope in Christ, might be for the praise of his glory. 13 And 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, Ephesians 2 11 Therefore, remember that formerly you who are Gentiles by birth and called "uncircumcised" by those who call themselves "the circumcision" (that done in the body by the hands of men)-- 12 remember that at that time you were separate from Christ, excluded from citizenship in Israel and foreigners to the covenants of the promise, without hope and without God in the world. 13 But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near through the blood of Christ. 14 For he himself is our peace, who has made the two one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility, 15 by abolishing in his flesh the law with its commandments and regulations. His purpose was to create in himself one new man out of the two, thus making peace, 16 and in this one body to reconcile both of them to God through the cross, by which he put to death their hostility. 17 He came and preached peace to you who were far away and peace to those who were near. 18 For through him we both have access to the Father by one Spirit. 19 Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and aliens, but fellow citizens with God's people and members of God's household, 20 built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone. Ephesians 3 2 Surely you have heard about the administration of God's grace that was given to me for you, 3 that is, the mystery made known to me by revelation, as I have already written briefly. 4 In reading this, then, you will be able to understand my insight into the mystery of Christ, 5 which was not made known to men in other generations as it has now been revealed by the Spirit to God's holy apostles and prophets. 6 This mystery is that through the gospel the Gentiles are heirs together with Israel, members together of one body, and sharers together in the promise in Christ Jesus. Ephesians 4 4 There is one body and one Spirit-- just as you were called to one hope when you were called 5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism; 6 one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all. Romans 8 29 For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. 30 And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified. Ephesians 3 6 This mystery is that through the gospel the Gentiles are heirs together with Israel, members together of one body, and sharers together in the promise in Christ Jesus. I pray that this helps you. In Christ, Bill Mc |
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282 | Lionstrong, who is the world? | Eph 3:6 | Bill Mc | 18244 | ||
Lionstrong, Your post says essentially that Christ died only for the 'elect' - 'these He sent His Son to die for...' In contrast :), then how do you reconcile the fact that: 1) 'God so loved THE WORLD that He sent His only begotten Son' - John3:16? 2)'God was in Christ reconciling THE WORLD to Himself, not counting THEIR (the world's) trespasses against them' - 1 Cor 5:19? 3) John said, "Behold, the Lamb of God, which takes away the sins of THE WORLD" - John 1:29? 4) Christ came to save SINNERS not 'just the elect' - 1 Tim 1:15? 5)'And He Himself is the propitiation for our (the believers') sins; and not for ours only, but also for those of the WHOLE WORLD' - 1 John 2:2? How does your view understand these passages as applying only to the elect? I agree that God does know who will and will not be saved. But we cannot, and should not try to enter into this. The same sun that melts wax hardens clay. No offense, Lionstrong, but what CalvinisticSouthernBaptist says doesn't mean diddly-squat (sorry, no verse ref for this). Our standard is the Word of God - alone. Isn't it? In Christ, Bill Mc |
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283 | Lionstrong, who is the world? | Eph 3:6 | Bill Mc | 18251 | ||
Dear Joe, this is not intended to be an insult. Please do not take it as such. It is my merely my point of view. First, my question was for Lionstrong. Though, obviously, anyone can answer questions here (this is a forum, I understand that), I would appreciate hearing from Lionstrong because my questions were in response to what he said. Secondly, I am not here to debate Calvinism, Armenism or any other ism. I want to stay with what the Word of God says. If I have opinions on the interpretation, I frequently state it as such. Thirdly, Joe, I would prefer to not debate with you and I ask that you honor that. If you see that I have grossly misinterpreted a scripture or a passage then feel free to correct me with other SCRIPTURE. I will read your responses. And if your answers are scripture, I will, obviously, consider them. But if they start, Calvinism says...then don't waste your time typing. But I will not debate with you for my own personal reasons that I will not print here. This is my choice for the sake of unity and peace. Please respect that. Your 'weaker brother' in Christ, Bill Mc |
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284 | Lionstrong, who is the world? | Eph 3:6 | Bill Mc | 18255 | ||
Joe, this exactly what I mean. You take what someone says and you twist it: Here is what I said: "If you see that I have grossly misinterpreted a scripture or a passage then feel free to correct me with other SCRIPTURE." What you heard or wanted to hear was that I have a 'perceived right to write anything that you want without a response from those who will disagree with you.' This is exactly why I will not debate with you. You may claim to respect the whole counsel of God but you certainly do not respect those who would disagree with your point of view. If you did, you would not twist what they say or make self-righteous remarks like "If you hold with everything that I hold to, we can be one." Jesus had many things to say to those who were self-righteous. In Christ, Bill Mc |
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285 | Lionstrong, this is not universalism. | Eph 3:6 | Bill Mc | 18921 | ||
Dear Lionstrong, Let me try to clarify my view here. I'll summarize as much as possible: 1) Salvation is not just being forgiven for sins (unrighteous acts). Salvation is being saved by the indwelling life of Christ, not by reconciliation - Rom 5:10. Therefore, Christ's propitiation for the whole world is NOT salvation. It is forgiveness for all sins (unrighteous acts) for all people for all time. It is reconciliation. Now, if I believed that salvation was only the forgiveness of sins, then I would be supporting universalism - everyone is saved because everyone is forgiven. I AM NOT saying that at all. 2) The forgiveness that Christ provided at the cross is received at conversion. It is part of redemption - Eph 1:7; Col 1:14. Though it was provided at the cross, not everyone has accepted Christ's redemption (reconciliation) and appropriated the forgiveness that has been provided - Rom 5:11. 3) Therefore everyone in the world for all time is forgiven for their unrighteous acts but not for unbelief in Christ. Unbelief in Christ cannot be forgiven - it must be repented of. This is the world's sin (not sins, plural) - John 16:8,9. This is what God's wrath will be poured out on as 1 Thess says, unbelief in Christ. 4) So there is no contradiction. The cross provides reconciliation for all but we need to receive it. Christ's death provides forgiveness. And Christ's resurrection, imparted to us through the Holy Spirit, provides life to His formerly dead creation. So we are forgiven and then given life. The we are saved. Does this help? In Christ, Bill Mc |
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286 | Lionstrong, this is not universalism. | Eph 3:6 | Bill Mc | 18975 | ||
Dear Joe, Salvation is not just being forgiven. Salvation is the impartation of eternal LIFE. Jesus did not come to just provide forgiveness for our sins. He came that we might have LIFE (zoe), eternal life. "I come that you might have LIFE, and LIFE abundantly." "He who has the Son has the LIFE, he who does not have the Son of God does not have the LIFE." "I AM the Way, the Truth, and the LIFE." "I AM the resurrection and the LIFE." "You search the scriptures because you think that in them you'll find eternal LIFE, but you won't come to ME." Salvation is being saved from the wages of sin, spiritual death, by the free gift of God, eternal LIFE. This LIFE is imparted by the Holy Spirit to our spirit. "The Spirit is LIFE. The flesh counts for nothing." This is exactly why sins had to be forgiven. If our sins had not been forgiven, the first time we, as Christians, sinned after receiving God's Spirit, He would depart from us. Now Christ can say, "I'll never leave you or forsake you," because the only thing that could make Him do so, sin, has been eternally dealt with by the cross and Christ's blood. Joe, this is why your position cannot be true. Forgiveness is offered to the whole world. Salvation (LIFE) is offered to the whole world. But we must receive it. It's a gift. Forgiveness is a gift and so is righteousness before God. But, Joe, for a gift to be effectual, it must be offered by the Provider and received by the recipient. Forgiveness deals with our sins. It takes them away. But God's LIFE deals with the sinner, "While we were still sinners, God made us ALIVE together with Jesus Christ." In Christ, Bill Mc |
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287 | Lionstrong, this is not universalism. | Eph 3:6 | Bill Mc | 18978 | ||
Dear Joe, one other note. If the forgiveness of sins on the cross is the total embodiment of being saved, Paul would never has said, "If Christ is not raised from the dead, you are STILL in your sins." Christ has become, for us, a LIFE giving Spirit. If He had not been raised from the dead, He could not impart eternal LIFE to us now. LIFE begets LIFE. You can't get LIFE from something that is dead. Jesus Christ gave His physical life for us (to take away our sins), so that He could give His spiritual LIFE to us (through the Holy Spirit), so that He can live His LIFE through us. "I no longer live, but Christ lives in me." Living in Christ, Bill Mc |
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288 | Lionstrong, this is not universalism. | Eph 3:6 | Bill Mc | 19034 | ||
Dear Joe, We're closer in our views than probably either of us realize. But if forgiveness alone were the defining issue, then Christ died needlessly. The OT Jew had a system in place for being forgiven. They knew what forgiveness from God was. The sacrifices and the Day of Atonement, from a practical viewpoint, provided forgiveness. If this is the only problem between God and man, man's unrighteous acts, his sins, then the OT sacrifices could have just continued without God ever instituting a New Covenant. But I think you would agree that the forgiven OT Jew could not go into the Holy of Holies. Forgiveness and justification are not the same thing. Forgiveness deals with our sins. Justification deals with who we are. Forgiveness in the OT covered, atoned, for sins. But it could not make anyone righteous. Righteousness was credited to OT believers on the basis of faith. But they were never MADE righteous in their spirits. Forgiven? Yes. Saved by faith? Yes. Righteous? Only credited. In the NT, the believer is not only forgiven, he is made righteous as a gift. At conversion, our spirits are created in righteousness and holiness. That is the only reason that the writer of Hebrews says that we can now go into the Holy of Holies, that we are now the temple of God. "Do you not know that you are a temple? The temple of God is holy and that is what you are." We don't earn it. It is a gift of righteousness. Because we are in Christ, we are what He is in spirit. We are one spirit with Him. So, yes, the NT believer is forgiven but he is also justified (made righteous before and by God). We have this treasure in earthen vessels that the OT believer did not know. God indwells us. Therefore, brother, what I was saying in my original post is that, though everyone's sins are forgiven, not everyone is justified by faith in Christ's sacrificial work. I was trying to clarify a misunderstanding that says this: Salvation is being forgiven for your sins, Therefore not everyone is forgiven because that would mean universal salvation and we know that that conclusion is not true. That is why salvation is more than forgiveness. It is eternal life. We are saved FROM the wages of sin, spiritual death, separation from God, by the gift of God, eternal life, union with God. Forgiveness was provided to remove the sin issue between God and man so that when God imparts His life to the believer, it is indeed eternal. Justification provides that righteousness that God requires. You're right, brother, God has done so much more! I hope this clarifies my view. In Christ, Bill Mc |
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289 | Lionstrong, this is not universalism. | Eph 3:6 | Bill Mc | 19036 | ||
Dear Joe, The fact that God works through us is not 'sitting back and watching.' It is not being a puppet. Look at Christ's life, dear brother. I won't list all the scripture references because 1) it don't have them all memorized and 2) I know that you know scripture: 1. Christ did nothing unless the Father told Him to do it. 2. Christ said nothing unless the Father told Him to say it. 3. The miracles that Christ did, the Father enabled Him and told Him to do them. 4. Christ said, "I do nothing of My own accord (initiative). I ONLY do what I see My Father doing. 5. Christ said, "Not My will, but Thine be done." 5. Christ said, "Apart from Me, you can do NOTHING." This was Christ's attitude. Although He could have, being God, exercised His full Deity, He did not do so. He temporarily set His divine prerogatives aside and relied COMPLETELY on the Father, did He not? Now, Joe, would you characterize Christ's life as one of sitting back and watching the Father? Would you say that Christ was a mere puppet for the Father? Do you think that because He 100 percent relied upon the Father that that made Him passive, inactive, lazy, unmotivated, useless and without purpose? Hardly, my friend. Christ was an active participant in the Father's work. He did indeed become a servant but He was hardly a mindless automiton. This is my point, brother. You seem to think that I am advocating so mindless, 'Yes, mastuh...' relationship. Far from it. Yes, Paul lived His life. Yes, I live my life. But also Christ lives in us and through us. We are to live as Christ lived, in faith and complete reliance upon Him as our source just as the Father was His source. "As the Father has sent Me, so send I you." I'll be honest with you, Joe. This 'God living and working through me' is hard to comprehend intellectually. That is why it is by faith. Faithfully is He who called you, Who will do it. He who began a good work in you, will be faithful to complete it. Here's the truth, dear brother in Christ - if you are doing ANYTHING apart from His enablement (Apart from Me, you can do NOTHING. I can do ALL THINGS THRU CHRIST) you are operating in your flesh. Even your good works. Check out Paul's 'good flesh' qualifications in Phil chapter 3. He was without equal when it came to pleasing God through the Law. Then see, if you don't already know, how Paul sums up all those good works. In Christ but hardly In Active, Bill Mc |
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290 | Joe, how righteous are you? | Eph 3:6 | Bill Mc | 19122 | ||
Dear Joe, I agree that justification is a legal declaration, but that does not mean that it is not practical or real. You rightly speak of our records of wrong and Christ's record of righteousness switching places. So, in practical terms, I am declared righteous before God. This means that that is how God sees me, right? It would not benefit me in the least if God declared me righteous and then said, "Well, Bill, I've declared you righteous, but you're not really that way. I'm just pretending that you are for legal purposes." God, brother, does not pretend. God does not see something that is not there. God's view is truth. If God declares you righteous, it is because that is how He sees you -righteous. He declares you righteous because that is what He makes you, not because He is pretending. Say that I stand before God guilty of all my sin. God says, "Bill, the wages of sin is death and that is what you deserve. My standard is complete righteousness and you do not meet it. So I sentence you to death and you will be separated from Me forever." Then, from the sidelines, Christ speaks up and says, "Father, because I love Bill, I will take Bill's sentence. You may declare Me guilty in his place and exact his death sentence upon Me...but in return, because I am innocent and righteous, You must declare Bill innocent and righteous." God, being a just Judge, says that that trade is equitable. So Christ takes my sin and punishment and God declares me innocent and righteous. Now, when I leave that chamber, am I innocent and righteous in God's sight? Christ was made to be sin that I might become His righteousness, right? To imply that just because a truth is a legal declaration, that it is not practical is an insult to the judge and jury. If a judge and jury finds that an accused person is not guilty of a crime and they make that pronouncement 'not guilty', then that person is for all purposes, legally, practically, positionally, experientially 'not guilty.' The very reason that the accused is not guilty is because the jury or judge has made that determination. He is pronounced 'not guilty' because that is what he is, not because the judge and jury are pretending or 'just see Him that way.' Can I ask, out of curiosity, how righteous are you, Joe? If, perchance, God called you home right now, only the righteous can enter heaven, right? So how righteous are you right now on Oct 14, 2001? By Bible, not my church, not my pastor, not DTS, not dispensationalism, says that righteousness is a gift - Rom 5:17. Joe, have you received that gift? If you have received it, how can you make yourself more righteous than what Christ has made you? By Bible, not my church, not my pastor, not DTS, not dispensationalism, says that Christ's obedience has made me righteous - Rom 5:19. When does that happen, in your opinion? By Bible, not my church, not my pastor, not DTS, not dispensationalism, says that I have become the righteousness of God in Christ - 2 Cor 5:21. If I am in Christ, then I am what He is. Are you in Him, Joe? If so, how righteous are you? By Bible, not my church, not my pastor, not DTS, not dispensationalism, says that my new self has been created in righteousness and holiness of the truth - Eph 4:24. Was your new self (2 Cor 5:17) created this way, Joe, or are you seeking to establish your own righteousness? By Bible, not my church, not my pastor, not DTS, not dispensationalism, says that my righteousness is not from my own works but that I have received it through faith in Christ. It comes FROM God to me, not from me because of my works - Phil 3:9. Joe, if you are not currently righteous, why not? It is a gift, it is free, it comes from Christ (not the Law), He made you that way. Have you received it? Righteous in Christ, Bill Mc |
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291 | Lionstrong, this is not universalism. | Eph 3:6 | Bill Mc | 19199 | ||
Lionstrong, You write, 'If unbelief is a sin (unrighteous act) and all sins (unrighteous acts) are forgiven, how are your statements not contradictory?' The sin of unbelief is not an act, it is an attitude. In other words, unbelief is not accepting what God says is true. That is it's purest definition. That is why God says that whatever is not of faith is sin. This sin of unbelief can manifest itself as a committed sin, an actual act of unrighteousness or lack of an act of righteousness and is the root of all sin. Consider Eve. Her sin was first unbelief in what God said (you will die). That unbelief was then manifested by her partaking of the forbidden fruit, the actual act of sin. The Christian world is caught up in defining sin as only what you do or don't do. From God's perspective, sin is much deeper. Sin, from God's viewpoint, is what you think or believe. Consider the Sermon on the Mount. The Pharisees thought that they were righteous before God because they kept the Law (So do many Christians). They said, "We have never killed anyone." - an act. Jesus said, "Have you ever hated?" - an attitude. They said, "We have never committed adultery." - an act. Jesus said, "Have you ever lusted?" - an attitude. They were concerned only with outward actions, Jesus was showing them that the true root of their problem was not their actions but their hearts. I believe that Jesus took the punishment for all our sins (wrong attitudes and actions) on the cross. He provided forgiveness for all sins. But to receive that we must change what we believe concerning Him and His provision. The Bible uses the word 'sin' in three primary ways: 1. An unrighteous act or lack of it (omission) 2. An unrighteous thought or attitude 3. A power within (Rom 6,7,8) that causes 1 and 2. We have to look at the context of the passage in order to determine which definition is being used. In conclusion, no matter how you define it, if you die without accepting God's provision for forgiveness and life - His Son, your sin of unbelief in Christ is what results in you eternal death in hell, not every unrighteous act you have committed. But if, while here on earth, you accept God's provision by faith, you are indeed forgiven for all your sins and you have eternal life. In Christ, Bill Mc |
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292 | Propitiation or Faith? | Eph 3:6 | Bill Mc | 19206 | ||
Lionstrong, God's provision for forgiveness is Christ's redemptive work. God so loved the world (everyone) that He gave His only begotten Son (as propitiation) that whosoever (anyone who chooses) believes in Him (by faith) shall not perish but have eternal life (through Christ's resurrected life in us) All sins, except unbelief in Christ's work, are forgiven because Jesus' blood provides the payment for sins - Heb 9:22. With His blood being shed, Jesus proclaimed that forgiveness, "Father, forgive them..." God provided it. But we must receive it. You can't receive something by faith if you don't believe in it, can you? Let's say you were dying from cancer. But a brilliant doctor finally discovers a cure for cancer and mailed you a letter saying that he was sending you the cure. So he mails you the package with the cure in it. But when you got the letter you said, 'Ridiculous, there is no cure for cancer.' So when the cure arrives at your house (that the doctor provided), you simply throw the box in the trash because you don't believe the doctor's letter. If he was truthful and had discovered the cure, you would die needlessly. Not because the cure wasn't provided but because you hadn't received it by faith. Likewise, God has provided forgiveness and salvation for all men. Forgiveness was provided at the cross by Christ's blood. Salvation is provided by Christ's resurrection, eternal life. But not all men have received it by faith. In Christ, Bill Mc |
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293 | Propitiation: Forgiveness or Provision? | Eph 3:6 | Bill Mc | 19210 | ||
Lionstrong, I guess that I don't understand your question. Why do you perceive that my statements are diametrically opposed? I don't see a conflict. So let's let God respond, "...That God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not counting their trespasses against them...therefore...we beg you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God." His words, brother, not mine. Reconciled, Bill Mc |
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294 | Propitiation: Forgiveness or Provision? | Eph 3:6 | Bill Mc | 19225 | ||
Lionstrong, Thanks for the clarification. Now I understand. I believe that all sins were forgiven at the cross, both believers' sins and unbelievers' sins. The forgiveness that we HAVE (posess) was provided at the cross (back then). The forgiveness that OT saints experienced from animal sacrifices, was provided at the cross - Heb 9:15. I don't believe that anyone will go to hell because of their sins (breaking God's law). I believe that they will go to hell because of their unbelief in Jesus Christ and what He accomplished. But again, Lionstrong, forgiveness is not salvation. You are not saved by being forgiven. You are not saved by being reconciled. You are saved by the indwelling life of Christ in you - Rom 5:10, Rom 8:9, John 10:10, the new birth, being born again, being made a new creation, all different words for the regeneration that God causes to happen to believers. Salvation is being saved from the wages of sin (death) by the gift of God, eternal life in Jesus Christ - Rom 6:23. Forgiveness of sins was necessary so that we could have ETERNAL life. If your sins were not forgiven, the first time you sinned after the indwelling of God's Spirit, He would have to leave you. But because sins were, and now are, forgiven, He will never leave us or forsake us. And all of this is experienced through faith. God says that it is true, so I believe it. So the defining issue after the cross, despite all our wrangling of words, is not whether we are forgiven or not. The question to be asked is, 'Are you in Adam or in Christ? Are you born again of not? Is Christ's Spirit in you or not? Are you a new creation or not? Are you spiritually dead to God or alive to God through Jesus Christ?' I hope this answers your question. In Christ, Bill Mc |
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295 | Propitiation: Forgiveness or Provision? | Eph 3:6 | Bill Mc | 19237 | ||
Lionstrong, one other note. BTW, thanks for making think so hard :). I can tell that I have got to choose my words very, very carefully and say exactly what I mean, nothing more, nothing less. I feel like I'm on trial here :). Though forgiveness of sins is provided for the whole world by Christ's work on the cross 2000 years ago, not everyone has received it. It is the same with the way of salvation. It has been provided for on God's part, but our part is to believe by faith and receive it. Forgiveness for sins is not something that you get from God. It is not something that He dispenses as we need it. The forgiveness of sins is found, after the cross, only in Him and is part of our redemption. One cannot have forgiveness apart from having Christ. So though it is (you guys love these words) 'positionally' provided for at the cross, it is not 'experiencially' received until you receive Christ. Supporting scripture: Eph 1:7 - In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace. Col 1:13,14 - For He rescued us from the domain of darkness, and transferred us to the kingdom of His beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins. Acts 10:43 - Of Him all the prophets bear witness that through His name everyone who believes in Him receives forgiveness of sins. Acts 13:38 - Therefore let it be known to you, brethren, that through Him forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you. In conclusion, though forgiveness is provided for my Christ's work at the cross, taking away the sins of the world and reconciling God to man, it is received by faith at conversion or new birth. Thanks again for the challenge. Still forgiven, Bill Mc |
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296 | How do we live the 'Christian life'? | Phil 2:5 | Bill Mc | 18125 | ||
Do these verses describe how the Christian is to live the 'Christian life'? We, as believers, claim to follow, to imitate Christ. We say we want to do what He did. Then why do we not have His attitude? Acts 2:22 "Men of Israel, listen to these words: Jesus the Nazarene, a man attested to you by God with miracles and wonders and signs which GOD PERFORMED THROUGH HIM in your midst, just as you yourselves know--" John 5:30 "I CAN DO NOTHING ON MY OWN INITIATIVE. As I hear, I judge; and My judgment is just, because I DO NOT SEEK MY OWN WILL, but the will of HIM who sent Me." John 14:24 "He who does not love Me does not keep My words; and the WORD WHICH YOU HEAR IS NOT MINE, but the FATHER'S who sent Me." John 12:49 "For I DID NOT SPEAK ON MY OWN INITIATIVE, but the FATHER Himself who sent Me has given Me a commandment as to WHAT TO SAY and WHAT TO SPEAK." John 8:28 So Jesus said, "When you lift up the Son of Man, then you will know that I am He, and I DO NOTHING ON MY OWN INITIATIVE, BUT I speak these things as the FATHER taught Me." John 7:16 So Jesus answered them and said, "MY TEACHING IS NOT MINE, BUT HIS who sent Me." John 5:19 Therefore Jesus answered and was saying to them, "Truly, truly, I say to you, THE SON CAN DO NOTHING OF HIMSELF, unless it is something He sees the Father doing; for whatever the Father does, these things the Son also does in like manner." John 20:21 So Jesus said to them again, "Peace be with you; as the Father has sent Me, I ALSO SEND YOU." John 15:5 "I am the vine, you are the branches; he who abides in Me and I in him, he bears much fruit, for APART FROM ME YOU CAN DO NOTHING." Apart from Him, we can do NOTHING. Is this true or was Jesus lying? In Christ, Bill Mc |
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297 | Did Paul have 'Christ's attitude'? | Phil 2:5 | Bill Mc | 18131 | ||
Ray, thanks for your response. Phil 2:5 is a great verse! Do you think Paul was stating a view similar to Christ's when he said in Gal 2:20 - "It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me."? Or how about Phil 4:13 - "I can do all things through Him who strengthens me."? What do you think Paul meant by these statements? Do you think that he was expressing his reliance upon Christ similarly to Christ's reliance upon His Father? Paul did encourage us to have Christ's attitude. How would this play out in our lives? In Christ, Bill Mc |
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298 | Great answer, kalos! My two cents... | Col 3:17 | Bill Mc | 16958 | ||
Great answer, kalos! We often use 'in Jesus' name' as a Christian form of 'over and out' but your explanation makes it clear what the basis of this phrase is. Many Christians think that is they ask for something 'in Jesus' name', whether it's a new Cadillac, a house, etc., then God is obligated to answer that prayer regardless of motive. Many think 'in Jesus' name' is a magical incantation we use to get what WE want. Your comments clarify that we need to be agreeing with God concerning what HE wants. BTW, what significance do you see in our Savior's name as far as whether it is Jesus, Jesus Christ, etc.? He has many more names than these - Wonderful, Counselor, Prince of Peace, Holy One, Lamb of God, Emmanuel, Word of God, etc. I could go on (I frequently do...) But, in Bible times names described character and function. We have lost that in modern times. Names mean very little to our culture. Anyway, what point were you trying to make concerning His name? Blessings, Bill Mc |
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299 | Great answer, kalos! My two cents... | Col 3:17 | Bill Mc | 16973 | ||
Dear kalos, Thanks for answering my question. I understand your point. However, technically, His name is not the Lord Jesus Christ. His name that Joseph gave Him is "Jesus" - Matt 1:21. This is the Greek form of Joshua 'the Lord saves' and it was a very popular name at the time. The angel did not instruct Joseph to name Him the 'Lord Jesus Christ.' And in Rev 19:13, His name is called 'The Word of God.' Please don't misunderstand what I am saying. I am not in any way trying to say that Jesus is not Lord or not Christ. Indeed, He is and nothing you or I think or say changes that. Actually, I am substantiating your point. One phrase you used is, 'if the words of the Bible mean anything at all.' And that, brother, is exactly the point. The words of the Bible MEAN something. The NAME (technically speaking, arrangement of letters) is not what we have faith in. What we have faith in is the PERSON and work of the Lord Jesus Christ. Who He is, what He's done in providing our salvation, and how He now lives in us is what we must have faith in. There is no other name under heaven given among men whereby we can be saved, but many people in Christ's day and since have been named 'Jesus.' I have a couple of Hispanic friends named 'Jesus', but faith in their name, though it is the same as my Lord's, cannot save me. Faith in the PERSON of the Lord Jesus Christ saves me. I do agree with trying to stay with biblical terminology when speaking of biblical truths as much as possible. But, as you well know, anyone with a decent education can read the Bible. But ONLY the Spirit of God can tell you what it means. He may use various ways to do that - comparing scripture with scripture, your pastor, your friends, commentaries, even a seminary :), etc. But He is the revealer of truth. And biblical terminology, as wonderful as it is, must sometimes be explained. Who knows what propitiation is without using other words to explain it. We need to use everything God places at our disposal to help other's come to saving faith in our Lord. Even John tells us that, so we would understand, the Word became flesh, human, so we could finally understand who God is and His plan for us. Let's not let the words get in the way of the message. Blessings to you, Bill Mc |
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300 | Great answer, kalos! My two cents... | Col 3:17 | Bill Mc | 16974 | ||
True, Christ (Messiah) is loaded with meaning. And most of the Jewish leaders expected the Messiah to overthrow the Roman Empire. But Christ made it clear that His kingdom (at that time) was not of that world. One day, during the Millenium, it will be. But, you're right. All they saw was Jesus of Nazareth, a carpenter's son. And they thought that because they 'kept the Law' that they would go to heaven. Even the disciples wanted to argue over who would be the greatest. I firmly believe the One who is the greatest is the One who was the most humbled - Phil 2:6-11. What a wonderful Savior! Blessings in Christ, Bill Mc |
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