Results 941 - 960 of 1239
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Results from: Answered Bible Questions, Answers, Unanswered Bible Questions, Notes Author: jlhetrick Ordered by Date |
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Results | Verse | Author | ID# | |||
941 | Every NATION or every PERSON? | Matt 24:14 | jlhetrick | 169128 | ||
Greetings Kalos, This is certainly a question worthy of consideration for all Christians. Exactly what is called for and expected of us regarding what many consider our greatest responsibility toward men. Personally, I have always heard it preached and taught to mean that EVERY individual will hear and have the opportunity to believe. That the “great commission” in fact is the command to go and tell every individual the good new of Christ. Not my understanding at all however, and not, I believe, consistent within the context of scripture as a whole. Some points to ponder: 1. While it is true that today’s technology offers significant opportunity to reach the masses in a way never imagined in biblical times, it falls far short of being able to speak to every individual. Hundreds of thousands of people live without the most simple means of communication such as telephone, radio, television. Many of those are also unable to read and write even in their own language. In spite of the advances of technology, we continue to be unable to locate some individuals, even ones that we know by name and are seeking (e.g., Osama Bin Laden). One may argue, he does not want to be found. The same is true for many individuals concerning the gospel. 2. Consider the conversion of Paul (Saul). It was a very dramatic event. He was not alone. Yet in the company of men, he was the only one to hear the “voice” and “words” of Christ and be called. Why did the Lord not give all who were there the opportunity to hear and believe on that dusty road to Damascus? We can wonder, but it is not our place to question who and why God calls this one and that one He does not. 3. One more point. Consider the words of Jesus spoken to the twelve when he sent them out to the people: Mat 10:12 As you enter the house, greet it. Mat 10:13 If the house is receptive, let your blessing of peace come on it. But if it isn't receptive, let your blessing of peace return to you. Mat 10:14 If no one welcomes you or listens to your words, as you leave that house or town, shake its dust off your feet. Mat 10:15 Truly I tell you, it will be more bearable for the land of Sodom and Gomorrah on the day of judgment than for that town!" Jesus doesn’t tell them to make personal contact with each and every person in the towns, or even in the specific houses for that matter. Quite the contrary. When asking the question: “what does ‘This gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations...”, what is the best answer supported by scripture? Simply, that the gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in the WHOLE WORLD, and to ALL NATIONS. Since it doesn’t say -to every person- then we shouldn’t attempt to make it say that. This should not, of course, keep us from the effort of reaching as many as each of us INDIVIDUALLY can however. It has not been given to us to know that this one has been called and empowered to believe and that one has not. My once and a half cents worth, Jeff |
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942 | Paul's evil practices Pre or PostJesus | Rom 7:19 | jlhetrick | 169019 | ||
hello whatever, You have heard from others and probably realize that your just as confused as when you asked the question. I don't know "Reformer Joe" from the forum but follow Moran (Tim) and Doc and respect both of their opinions and committment to study in search of the truth. This debate has gone on for a long time both here on the forum and within the church. My opinion is that when the very deep critical analysis of scripture yields differing opinions and/or interpretations, the best rule is to go with the plain language as it is written. Rom 7:21-25 21 So I find this law at work: When I want to do good, evil is right there with me. 22 For in my inner being I delight in God's law; 23 but I see another law at work in the members of my body, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin at work within my members. 24 What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body of death? 25 Thanks be to God — through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, I myself in my mind am a slave to God's law, but in the sinful nature a slave to the law of sin. NIV All of this plainly described/presented in the present tense. Hope this helps, Jeff |
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943 | angels exsistance prior to man | Bible general Archive 3 | jlhetrick | 169002 | ||
Hello pacifickost, Did you have a question? Jeff |
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944 | is this Faith in God or just confused? | Bible general Archive 3 | jlhetrick | 168975 | ||
Hello Chrissy, I would like to start my response with what is intended to be helpful advise. In no way is this meant to be mean spirited or negative toward you. We fail from the start, I believe, when we see the bible as a compilation of "verses" that we can look up; finding the right one for the right circumstance that it might be quoted to address and/or resolve our issues. What is needed is an understanding of what those verses, taken in context with the surrounding verses and the wider teachings of scripture has to say. With this said, there is a lot of teaching regarding the institution of marriage found in scripture. The bible also teaches very clearly what God's plan is regarding family and child rearing. If we make our own choices regarding these things, without following God's plan, the consequences can be very negative. I don't believe there is "a verse" that any of us can point you to that will serve any benefit at all in your cousin's situation. However, you might start in 1 Corinthians chapter 7 to begin to get an understanding of what God has said through Paul regarding appropriate/inappropriate relationships and marriage. You sound at a loss, it's an unfortunate situation that certainly should include prayer and hope. Remember though, it is up to your cousin to make her own choices. All you can do beyond prayer, is to provide her with the information found in God's word. Not a verse, but what God teaches us regarding the issue as a whole. I hope this is helpful to you, Jeff |
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945 | Questions I'm trying to answer | Joshua | jlhetrick | 168968 | ||
Hi Doc, Thanks for joining in. You might try applying the method to the writing on the back of a cereal box. I haven't tried it myself, but I read somewhere that you can get that to say just about anything as well. That is, if your creative enough with rearranging and reapplying the code to make something work out. Jeff |
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946 | Questions I'm trying to answer | Joshua | jlhetrick | 168954 | ||
OK Mark, and thanks for the dialogue. I do want to say though, that I believe this issue is one of greater importance than just one of us being right and one wrong. Actually, it's of greater importance than you and me period. I also believe that it is an issue of more than "pro's" and "con's". I do not at all consider it a "minor matter". Never should we consider the word of God minor; and to "tinker" with it, I'm sure is something that He does not consider a minor thing. I would encourage you to forget about "codes" (not that i believe you put a lot of stock in it in the first place) and continue with your otherwise apparent, sincere study of what is plainly written in the scriptures themselves. With Love, Jeff |
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947 | Questions I'm trying to answer | Joshua | jlhetrick | 168901 | ||
Hello pabrain, Thanks for taking the time to email me and respond. I got the email, and actually have visited the site before and have taken time to evaluate it briefly. If you will read my recent response to Mark that should suffice as a response to this post of yours (including the ending remarks). Jeff |
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948 | Questions I'm trying to answer | Joshua | jlhetrick | 168900 | ||
OK Mark, I still haven't had time to search the archives on this yet. I think you have been mislead, how, I do not know. I think what's important is that as Christians, we are to accept no teaching that doesn't line up with the teachings of scripture. I don't find the scriptures teaching, or even hinting that there are "codes" in the bible. As for the apologetic benefit of such a notion, I don't see the need for that either. It is God Himself who establishes His word as true. It is the word of God itself that establishes istelf as authentic. Did God look down the corridor of time and anticipate that He would need to hide codes within His word that would some day be discovered by man that His word would be authenticated? I don't believe so. I believe He, in his mercy and grace, provided faith for that. Let me say, I respect and appreciate you and your opinion, even when we disagree. Jeff |
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949 | Questions I'm trying to answer | Joshua | jlhetrick | 168859 | ||
Thanks Mark, I may be wrong, you may be right. I know little or nothing about codes and such. I don't believe God did any such thing. I think God simply gave us His word in scripture. For the saved, who have the Holy Spirit, we can no from the plain language (which ever language is translated) the messages that God intended to convey. I don't believe that ther are "secret codes" hidden within blocks of texts that give us deeper understanding or any such nonsense. I'm guessing with all the silliness regarding "bible codes" that has come out over the years, much has been posted on "studybibleforum". When I have time, I will do a search and see what other's have to say on the topic. It should make for some interesting reading. Thanks again for your response. PS ebrain, if your still following along, I still would like to know your position on bible codes. I am always interested in your and Mark's feedback because I have come to appreciate and respect both of you, even when we disagree. Jeff |
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950 | Questions I'm trying to answer | Joshua | jlhetrick | 168857 | ||
Hi Mark, Thanks for your "2 cents worth". Your posts are always worth at least that much. Just kidding. I always appreciate your posts and your insight and wisdom. To be honest though, I really didn't get your point on this one. I think you wrote it in "code". Just kidding again. but I really didn't get where you were coming from on this one. Jeff |
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951 | Questions I'm trying to answer | Joshua | jlhetrick | 168838 | ||
Hello ebrain, I would like to ask for clarification on your post. 1. Are you saying there are "subliminal" messages in the bible? 2. Are you saying that there are secret messages in the bible that can be deciphered by code? Jeff |
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952 | Jesus Baptized | Mark 1:7 | jlhetrick | 168713 | ||
Hello again ngkh, BradK's answer is sufficient, and I thought I would add something from Matthew Henry's commentary on the verse BradK quoted. It is helpful in uderstanding the bigger picture. Matt 3:13-17 "I. How hardly John was persuaded to admit of it, v. 14, 15. It was an instance of Christ's great humility, that he would offer himself to be baptized of John; that he who knew no sin would submit to the baptism of repentance. Note, As soon as ever Christ began to preach, he preached humility, preached it by his example, preached it to all, especially the young ministers. Christ was designed for the highest honours, yet in his first step he thus abases himself. Note, Those who would rise high must begin low. Before honour is humility. It was a great piece of respect done to John, for Christ thus to come to him; and it was a return for the service he did him, in giving notice of his approach. Note, Those that honour God he will honour. Now here we have, (from Matthew Henry's Commentary on the Whole Bible: New Modern Edition, Electronic Database. Copyright © 1991 by Hendrickson Publishers, Inc.)" Christ provided the greatest example of true humility not only in being born a man, exposing Himself to temptation (though never having sinned), and the most important of all as far as mankind is concerned; dieing on the cross. As BradK pointed out, NO, Christ never sinned. His being baptized was not an acknowledgement of sin, or the need to "repent". Think of this. The penalty for sin is death (Romans 6:23). Jesus never sinned. He never had the wages of sin to pay for Himself. But He paid it anyway, on the cross, for you and me and all who will be saved. How awesome is that? He began His ministry preaching, teaching, and living humility. He finished His earthly ministry in total humility, bearing the sins of the world on the cross. He didn't have to do it. He chose to do it. He loved us so much that He was willing to do it. Again, how awesome is that? Jeff |
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953 | John 4:1-2 | Mark 1:7 | jlhetrick | 168651 | ||
Mark 1:7-8 7 And this was his message: "After me will come one more powerful than I, the thongs of whose sandals I am not worthy to stoop down and untie. 8 I baptize you with water, but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit." NIV The baptism of John and all others prior to the finished work of Christ was a biptism of repentance. The baptism by Jesus was still yet to come at the time of John 4. It would be, and now is, a baptism with the Holy Spirit. Acts 19:1-7 19:1 While Apollos was at Corinth, Paul took the road through the interior and arrived at Ephesus. There he found some disciples 2 and asked them, "Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?" They answered, "No, we have not even heard that there is a Holy Spirit." 3 So Paul asked, "Then what baptism did you receive?" "John's baptism ," they replied. 4 Paul said, "John's baptism was a baptism of repentance. He told the people to believe in the one coming after him, that is, in Jesus." 5 On hearing this, they were baptized into the name of the Lord Jesus. 6 When Paul placed his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came on them, and they spoke in tongues and prophesied. NIV John's baptism was one of repentance, that is, ackknowledging one's condition of sin and need for salvation. It symbolized a desire and committment to turn from sin, but there was no power in it to save. The baptism "into the name of Jesus" could only happen after the Lord's work of atonement was complete. With this said, Jesus did not come into the world to condemn the world He came to save it. Luke 19:10 10 For the Son of Man came to seek and to save what was lost." NIV I hope this helps, Jeff |
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954 | ... | Is 43:10 | jlhetrick | 168635 | ||
Lionheart You've got that right. It amazes me how often I blow it. I can only be thankful that I have been and continue to be a recipient of His grace. And His mercy! furthermore, once I finally understood that I will never get it all figured out, it freed me up to stop trying to connect all the different teachings I came across. Once I was able to do that, I was able to go back to the bible and, as has been articulated in this thread, let IT speak for itself. Take care, Jeff Jeff |
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955 | ... | Is 43:10 | jlhetrick | 168630 | ||
Hello Lionheart, Great answer Jeff |
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956 | Are Cain and Able the first children? | Gen 4:1 | jlhetrick | 168629 | ||
Hello bookworm: Worm around in the book of Genesis :) Gen 4:1-2 4:1 Adam lay with his wife Eve, and she became pregnant and gave birth to Cain. She said, "With the help of the LORD I have brought forth a man." 2 Later she gave birth to his brother Abel. NIV Jeff |
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957 | Name some responsibilities Christian par | Eph 6:4 | jlhetrick | 167668 | ||
Good answer Doc, Jeff |
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958 | What is preaching Christ? | John 7:17 | jlhetrick | 167481 | ||
Thanks for the kind words Hank, It's always a great experience to witness. Have a great weekend, Jeff |
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959 | What is preaching Christ? | John 7:17 | jlhetrick | 167477 | ||
Hello again Mitch, You have said a lot here and I won't try to respond to it all. You are offended and that was not my intentions. I know that you did not say that "if it works for me it must be from God". Please reread my post. What I said is that the way you formulated your argument, it sounds to me, it gives me the impression that that is the position you take. That's why we have these exchanges so that we can get clarification. I apologize if I was not clear. I will only respond to one more point here because the ongoing dialogue is sufficient without my continued input. My challenge to you was not as an opposition. Once again, my language. What I should have said instead was, I encourage you to.... And it was not a challenge to read and study scripture as if you don't do that. The challenge, was to encourage you to take the WOF teachings themselves and prove or disprove them in light of scripture. Not a verse here and there, but in light of the context and the overall wider teaching of the bible. As for the other comments you made concerning sickness and hospitals and such, there has been sufficient response to that already. I haven't read them all and perhaps it has already been "encouraged". But if not, read the book of Job. It will be helpful. With sincerety and love, Jeff |
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960 | who told eve to tell the serpent , | Genesis | jlhetrick | 167434 | ||
Hello Mark, Your right of course. My mistake. I should have been more specific to say that the bible doesn't tell us. This is one of those areas where we have to use some discernment. When I read and consider the story I have to take what is given in scripture and draw some fair conclusions. Drawn from 1). The clear instructions from God. 2). Eve's response to Satan; which includes instructions that weren't given by God. So, to be more specific. Someone expanded and/or misinterpreted God's specific word. Whether Adam or Eve we can't know. What we do know, however, is we do have record of Eve stating it wrongly. Thanks for encouraging me to clarify my thoughts. Jeff |
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