Results 61 - 65 of 65
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Results from: Answered Bible Questions, Answers, Unanswered Bible Questions, Notes Author: MrsBinGA Ordered by Verse |
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Results | Verse | Author | ID# | |||
61 | How can I answer Jehovah Witnesses? | 1 Pet 3:15 | MrsBinGA | 107176 | ||
My husband and I were part of the foundation of Watchman Fellowship, Inc., a Christian ministry to JW's, Mormons, and other religious groups which are termed cults. We attended many "Ex-Jehovah Witnesses Now For Jesus" conventions held annually in Pennsylvania. Probably 99 percent of the testimonies we heard there and on audio tapes said the #1 thing that brought them (the former JW now born-again Christian) out of the organization was the testimonies Christians gave on how Jesus changed their lives. JWs do not have a personal relationship with Jesus. Yes, we are to "give an answer to everyone who asks us about the hope that lies within us". And I, for one, greatly enjoy "debating" and "reasoning the Scriptures" with anyone. But like Prof. Walter Martin always said an average JW can turn a seminary graduate into a theological pretzel within minutes. JWs, especially, have changed the meaning of almost every Christian term. Plus, they've changed Bible verses, such as John 1:1, to "fit" their own doctrines. These things can be so frustrating for Christians when we try to talk with them. How well I know! **smile** So, continue studying your Bible so you know why you believe what you believe; contact ministies such as Personal Freedom Outreach, Watchman Fellowship, Lori MacGregor (she is excellent and a former JW), and Christian Research Institute for literature on how to witness to JWs; tell the JW or Mormon what Jesus means to you in your life; and continue to pray for these people that the Holy Spirit will open their eyes to the truth. Happy Holidays! Mrs. B in Georgia |
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62 | Should one try to be clear or muddled? | 1 Pet 3:15 | MrsBinGA | 107289 | ||
Happy holidays, Radioman2: You quoted: “Then what am I to do? If we shouldn't use arguments to promote the Gospel--because it's leaning on human wisdom and not God--then what are we to say? What do I say then when communicating my faith?” I enjoy very much discussing, debating, talking about the Scriptures - whatever you want to call it - with anyone who will listen. The following Scriptures and info were enlightening to me. Maybe they will be to you, too. I watched The John Ackerberg show one time when Dr. Hugh Ross was debating another gentlemen. When Dr. Ross would explain the meaning of a word in Greek, the other man would oppose him by saying "You're not a Greek scholar". I wanted to clariy that just because I'm going to share some Greek word meanings, I KNOW I'm NOT a Greek scholar. But I do have Strongs’ Exhaustive Concordance, and other excellent word studies books, and I can read fairly well with my bifocals. (smile) All the # references for the various Greek words are from Strongs’ Concordance. 1) Acts 9:29: “And he (Paul) spake boldly in the name of the Lord Jesus, and disputed against the Grecians: but they went about to slay him.” KJV Notice that the Greeks disliked so much what Paul was telling them that they wanted to kill him? Doesn't sound like Paul was "gently make assertions with a smile on my face being careful not to respond to challenges someone might raise lest it sound like I'm trying to argue for the Gospel and not depend on the Holy Spirit?" And I doubt anyone would accuse Paul of not depending on the Holy Spirit when it came to sharing the gospel. The word “disputed” in this verse is #4802. It is the Greek word “suzeteo (sood-zay-teh'-o)”; comes from #4862 and #2212. “Suzeteo” means “to investigate jointly, i.e. discuss, controvert, cavil”. KJV translates this Greek word as “dispute (with), enquire, question (with), reason (together).” Here is a list of all the places this Greek word is found in the N.T.: Mark 1:27; 8:11; 9:10,14,16; Mark 12:28; Luke 22:23; 24:15; Acts 6:9; Acts 9:29. 2) Acts 17:17: “Therefore disputed he (Paul) in the synagogue with the Jews, and with the devout persons, and in the market daily with them that met with him.” KJV The word “disputed” is a different Greek word than the one used in Acts 9:29. It is #1256: dialegomai (dee-al-eg'-om-ahee); middle voice from #1223 and #3004. It means “to say thoroughly, i.e. discuss (in argument or exhortation)”. KJV translates it as “dispute, preach (unto), reason (with), speak.” The following list is all the places this word is found in the N.T.: Mark 9:34; Acts 17:2,17; Acts 18:4,19; Acts 19:8-9; Acts 20:7, 9; Acts 24:12, 25; Heb 12:5; Jude 9. The verses in Acts are especially interesting on this subject. 3) Acts 19:8: “And he (Paul) went into the synagogue, and spake boldly for the space of three months, disputing and persuading the things concerning the kingdom of God.” KJV “Boldly” is #3955, Greek word “parrhesiazomai (par-hray-see-ad'-zom-ahee)”; middle voice from #3954. It means “to be frank in utterance, or confident in spirit and demeanor”. KJV translates it as “be (wax) bold, (preach, speak) boldly.” Being “frank in utterance” is often received by the hearer as being “tactless”, or coming across as a “know it all”. Yet the Bible tells us this is how Paul preached; certainly not "muddled". The word “persuading” in Acts 19:8 is #3982: peitho (pi'-tho); a primary verb. It means “to convince(by argument, true or false); by analogy, to pacify or conciliate (by other fair means); reflexively or passively, to assent (to evidence or authority), to rely (by inward certainty). KJV translates it “agree, assure, believe, have confidence, be (wax) conflent, make friend,obey, persuade, trust, yield.” 4) Acts 17:1-12 says Paul “reasoned”, “explained”, “proved” that Jesus had to suffer and rise from the dead. Verse 11: “These (Bereans) were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.” The word “searched” is #350: anakrino (an-ak-ree'-no); from #303 and #2919. It means “to scrutinize, i.e. (by implication) investigate, interrogate, determine”. KJV translates it as “ask, question, discern, examine, judge, search.” The Bereans were “more noble” than the Thessalonians because they “scrutinized, investigated, interrogated, and determined” what Paul was teaching was true. What I've gleened from this is that God’s Word seems to be saying we are to thoroughly discuss, argue, debate, be frank in what we say and confident in our mannerism when we share the gospel with anyone. Blessings to you, Mrs. B in Georgia |
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63 | Is smoking a sin? | 2 Pet 2:19 | MrsBinGA | 56044 | ||
I, too, smoked for many years, and I didn't even want to quit. I can still see myself sitting on the side of my carport, cigarette in hand, saying "Lord, if you want me to quit You will have to take the desire away from me because I just don't want to." Looking back, which has been 8-9 years, I can't pinpoint the day I stopped smoking. But at some point after saying that "prayer", I just didn't want the cigarettes anymore - and still don't. I can't take any credit for quitting. God "worked in me both to will and to do of His good pleasure" (Phil. 2:13). |
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64 | where does it say when jesus went to hel | Rev 1:18 | MrsBinGA | 115526 | ||
Norm, I fully agree with you that satan has no power over us in any area of our lives other than what God gives him. I am, however, curious about how satan has the "power" of spiritual death, as you seem to say Heb. 2:14 is referring to. Perhaps I'm ignorant on this, but I thought all of us, when we are physically born into this world, are "spiritually" dead as a result of sin. Our spirit-man becomes "spiritually alive" only when we are born-again through faith in Jesus Christ's substitutionary death on Calvary. If my thinking is true, then how can satan have the power of "spiritual" death? If my thinking is NOT true, then what is "spiritual death" and when are we in that condition? I'd appreciate yours thoughts/comments. Blessings, Mrs. B in Georgia |
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65 | Jahovah's witness | Rev 7:4 | MrsBinGA | 54595 | ||
Hello Christian 7! Having been involved in a Christian ministry that witnesses to Jehovah's Witnesses and Mormons, let me encourage you to know why you believe what you believe. Prof. Walter Martin, the leading authority on cult groups prior to his going Home, said "The average Jehovah's Witness can turn a Christian into a theological pretzel in a matter of minutes!" You will never be able to reach your friend by "arguing" Scripture. Yes, you need to do what I Pet. 3:15 says: "...sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:" But praying for him is THE number one thing you can do. And be sure to share your testimony with him and tell him what Jesus has done for you and what He continues to do for you daily. Jehovah's Witness have no relationship with the Lord Jesus. And remember, too, their meaning of words are NOT the same as evangelical words. Example: Jesus to them is a created being, the "firstborn of all creation" that Jehovah (the Father) made; hell is only the grave. A couple websites I recommend are: www.watchman.org www.serve.com/larryi/ www.equip.org Be blessed as you share the gospel! Mrs. B in Georgia |
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