Results 141 - 160 of 248
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Results from: Answered Bible Questions, Answers, Unanswered Bible Questions, Notes Author: zach† Ordered by Verse |
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Results | Verse | Author | ID# | |||
141 | Can a believer lose his salvation? | Luke 8:13 | zach† | 38163 | ||
Concerning Luke 8:13 They on the rock are they, which, when they hear, receive the word with joy; and these have no root, which for awhile believe, and in time of temptation FALL away. (Lk. 8:13 Mark 4:16-17) Fall in the above verse is the greek word aphistemi, which means to depart, or apostatize from ones once held profession of faith. In the above verse notice: 1. they hear the word 2. they receive the word with joy 3. But they have no root (this refers merely to the shallowness of their faith, or lack of depth) 4. They believe for awhile 5. Then FALL away (they don’t endure to the end) However they were believers for a time who did become apostates |
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142 | You can lose your salvation | Luke 23:26 | zach† | 2731 | ||
Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit. Jn. 15:2 Who is the speaker of the text in John Chapter 15? (Of course this is Jesus speaking) In 15:1 Jesus is the “true vine” And Jesus says “my Father is the husbandman (or pruner) 15:2 Every branch in who? Who is the "me" referred to in this verse? Of course we know Jesus is referring to himself. "me" in John 15:2 refers to Christ Jesus (Jesus is the vine John 15:1) We are the branches (John 15:1) 15:2 we see mentioned two types of branches. 1.) those that do not bear fruit 2.) And those that bear fruit. (we see here that both branches were already “in him”. The only difference being the one did not draw any life from either the root or the vine. It did not get nourshiment which is essential to life) 15:2 We see that the branch that “beareth not fruit” he taketh away (meaning it is removed) 15:2 And we also see that the branch that beareth fruit he “purgeth” (prunes) so that it may bring forth more fruit. to be "in" Christ Jesus is to abibe in him. The word abide means; to remain in, or to stay conneted to. In John 15:2 the word "purge" means to prune, to cut off lifeless or fruitless branches to promote new and healthier growth In John 15:2 "he" refers to God the Father (see John 15:1) Jesus is the vine, and his Father is the vinedresser (or one who prunes off the fruitless branches) So John 15:2 can be read: Every branch in Christ Jesus that doesn't bear fruit he takes away: and every branch that bears fruit he prunes it, that it may bring forth more fruit |
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143 | You can lose your salvation | Luke 23:26 | zach† | 2732 | ||
"I've made my choice," wrote the young basketball star. "I love Jesus Christ and I try to serve Him to the best of my ability. How about you?" Who is this--David Robinson of the San Antonio Spurs? It may surprise you to learn the tract was written 30 years ago by former Senator Bill Bradley. Bradley has since renounced his Christian beliefs,and his actions are a warning of the perils of political expediency--and of not holding our fellow believers accountable. The pamphlet, titled "I've Made My Choice," was published in the 1960s by the American Tract Society when Bradley was a rookie with the New York Knicks. In it, Bradley recounts how he accepted Christ while a student at Princeton. "I knew I had been giving my life to the wrong goals," he wrote. "I knew then that I wanted to give my life to Jesus Christ and His service." Not anymore, it appears. In his 1996 memoirs, Bradley says he was put off by the exclusive truth claims of fundamentalist Christianity. He was also bothered by the uncharitable attitudes and racism displayed by some Christians. Bradley now disavows his Christian beliefs and,according to "Investor's Business Daily," says he "now embraces all religions" from Buddhism to Islam, so long as they seek "inner peace." These are chilling words from a man who was once very active in the Fellowship of Christian Athletes. It appears that he has either renounced his faith entirely--or he has decided, for political reasons, to renounce it publicly. After all, the Democratic Party has never really warmed up to evangelical Christians. And politicians in general are afraid to talk about tough moral issues. Bradley's story is a cautionary tale, not just for Christians who go into politics, but for all of us. Here was a man who was converting others to Christ, and somewhere along the line, he got off the rails. It's a warning that we need to constantly keep ourselves fresh in the faith, to attend discipleship classes, and to hold one another accountable. It's a cautionary tale, as well, as to what the political system does to candidates. It does seem to reward politicians for turning their backs on unfashionable commitments, like Christian faith or pro-life positions. But what kind of "leader" does that produce? Can such a leader ever be trusted? As Bradley rises in the polls, Christians ought to pray that he will come to his senses. I can't think of anything more frightening than knowing the truth, but denying it. As for Bradley, I hope and pray he will to reconsider the words that he himself wrote in that long-ago tract: "The choice is simple. It is between the eternal and the passing, between the strong and the weak . . . between Jesus Christ and the world." |
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144 | Explain John 15:6 | John | zach† | 33282 | ||
John 15:6 If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned. In order to better understand this verse you have to go back to verses 1 and 2 Verse 2 mentions 2 different types of branches, which are "in Him" (meaning in Christ, and to be in Him is to be His. But we see in verse 2 the mention of one type of branch in Him which does not bear fruit. It doesn't produce anything when it should because it is not abiding and drawing life from the vine, and has become complacent, and is also in danger of being cut off from the vine, and a branch separated from the vine no longer draws nourishment from it's main life giving source, and through that process begins to dry up and wither. It is no longer green and growing. I'm sure you have seen how a branch cut from a tree over time begins to drop it's leaves and become dry and brittle. Thats what happens to us if we don't continue to abide in Him. Abide means to remain or stay connected. Once the branch becomes dry it then is only useful for the fire. Green braches don't burn well, but cut off non-producing branches will. |
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145 | predestination - free will or God | John | zach† | 33285 | ||
Let me simply answer your question with a quote that helps me with this topic. The quote goes like this: God is Sovereign, but in His Sovereignty He chooses not to violate man's free will to accept or reject Him. Though He knows the choice before we make it. And one more good quote to consider on this topic goes like this: I sought the Lord, and afterward I knew, He moved my soul to seek Him, seeking me. ‘Twas not I that found O Savior true, No, I was found of Thee. |
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146 | predestination - free will or God | John | zach† | 33288 | ||
Try starting with this verse. Rev. 22:17 And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely. |
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147 | predestination - free will or God | John | zach† | 34516 | ||
-Joe! you asked: "the question the Reformed theologian will ask is "Who wills to come to the water freely?" The answer I would give to those of any faith is: Unless God by His supernatural power awakens the individual out of his/her state of spiritual deadness, no individual is able to come. BUT, once God illuminates and awakens the person, then that person has been enabled to come, because the will of the inividual has been restored by God from it's fallen state. Without God, no one can come. God truly is the author of our faith. In Christ zach† |
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148 | Salvation comes by asking for it. | John 3:3 | zach† | 2729 | ||
Salvation comes when we are born-again. Plus Ephesians 2:8 states that; "it is by grace we are saved through faith." | ||||||
149 | "Born-again Christian" redundant? | John 3:3 | zach† | 32854 | ||
I personally believe there are TRUE born-again Christian's, and then there are those people who claim to be Christian, who have not been born-again, and have some false conception of what born-again means. For instance: some people think that if your water baptized, then that constitutes that you are born-again. But I believe they fail to see the difference between being baptized which is a type of burial. Being born-again is not a burial, but rather is a birth. There is a big difference between a burial and a birth. In John Chapter 3 being born of the water refers to ones physical birth. We were in our mother's watery womb and then the water broke and you came forth born physically from that watery womb. Secondly being born of the Spirit refers to our spiritual birth. Only God can give us spiritual life. We cannot give ourselves spiritual life, because we were dead spiritually, and a dead spiritual corpse cannot do anything to produce life in itself. The life giving source must come from outside of us. The same way we had no say in our physically birth, we likewise play no role or part in our spiritual birth. | ||||||
150 | Salvation comes by asking for it. | John 3:3 | zach† | 32856 | ||
We can ask for salvation see Romans 10:9-10 which says: Ro 10:9 That if thou shalt CONFESS WITH THY MOUTH the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. 10 For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and WITH THE MOUTH CONFESSION IS MADE UNTO SALVATION, |
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151 | "Born-again Christian" redundant? | John 3:3 | zach† | 33002 | ||
Hank; When I study John 3, I notice several things. First I will post the text and then make a couple of observations and comments. John 3:3 Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. 4 Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother's womb, and be born? 5 Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. 6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. I believe that Jesus was addressing Nicodemus's thoughts in 3:4 when Nicodemus said: "How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother's womb, and be born?" Jesus knew that Nicodemus was referring to physical birth from that statement. In John 3:5-6 Jesus is making it even clearer for Nicodemus to understand that a person has to be BORN of the Spirit. I submit that being BORN is not something a person can do. An unborn person cannot birth himself. So if we say water baptism is a birth, then we misconstrue being born-again as something man rather than God accomplishes, and that is the mistake of many. Finally in John 3:6 Jesus makes it super plain to Nicodemus and hopefully to us also. Lets look again: 6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Jesus speaks of 2 different births, one of the flesh, which we play no part or have no say in, and secondly and most importantly, being born of the Spirit, which is a supernatural act upon each and every individual, who God has chosen for salvation. So I think water baptism cannot possibly be meant here. |
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152 | baptismal regeneration? | John 3:3 | zach† | 33276 | ||
Emmanus; I would just like to ask it you believe in baptismal regeneration? | ||||||
153 | "Born-again Christian" redundant? | John 3:3 | zach† | 33277 | ||
Excellent comments I tend to agree here :) | ||||||
154 | baptismal regeneration? | John 3:3 | zach† | 33933 | ||
Emmaus; I just posted my profile which will show your observations are not accurate Love in Christ zach |
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155 | baptismal regeneration? | John 3:3 | zach† | 33935 | ||
Emmaus: You are entitled to your intrepretation of John 3:5 and other verses you posted however, I do not think that "born of water" in John 3 :5 refers to baptism. Nowhere is baptism referred to here or implied. This passage talks about a birth, not a baptism. And we know that we can play no role in our birth either physically or spiritually. A corpse cannot birth itself by any act or ritual. Birth or being born "is from above" So to say that spiritual life comes by us submitting to an earthly element such as water is to mis-construe the correct meaning of John 3 In Christ zach |
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156 | baptismal regeneration? | John 3:3 | zach† | 34305 | ||
Emmaus; No offense taken. However we still will have to agree to disagree on this baptism issue. In Christ zach† |
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157 | Non-denominational theology? | John 3:16 | zach† | 36247 | ||
VeryPrecious; In the course of my spiritual pilgrimage, I have attended various denominations. I have attended Reformed churches, pentecostal churches, churches of christ (who claim to be non-denominational, to which I disagree in spite of what they claim). I attended Liturgical churches, and now attend a church that is nationally and globally known as The Christian and Missionary Alliance. At this church there is a non-denominational flair, and feeling. We don't hold to any particular denominations creeds, and we don't have any creeds of our own that I have ever seen or heard. The closet I have ever come to any creed in my 13 years at this church is the few times we recited the Apostle's Creed. Also it has been my experience that at this church there is personal freedom to believe and express our various differences on scriptural topics. On any given Sunday you could experience a Sunday school class in which equal time is given to opposing view-points of the same subject, allowing those in attendance to also freely express their thoughts on which side of the subject they agree with. On a Sunday you might hear the pro's and con's for topics such as the various timings of the rapture, why or why isn't Calvinism Bibical. One week a teacher who believes in "Eternal security" may get up and present a Sunday school class on why he believes this teaching is Bibical, and the next week a different member of the church may be allowed to teach a class on why he personally believes that "Eternal Security" is not Scriptural. And when all is said and done, no one is belittled or looked upon as being ignorant and causing division within the body. However I also notice that in the essentials of our faith there is agreement and unity. It is more in the non-essentials that we disagree and discuss. But in all things we find charity, to freely allow the Holy Spirit to teach and convince each individual as to what the correct interpretation of scripture is, comparing scripture with scripture. Basically there is a Berean spirit within this church, everyone searching the scripture (not commentaries or foot-notes) daily to see whether or not the things which are being said are true. Just a personal observance; Grace and peace zach† |
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158 | Did God elect me? Or did I elect Him? | John 6:37 | zach† | 36110 | ||
chynna; The following quote helps me to simplify this whole matter. "I sought the Lord, and afterward I knew, He moved my soul to seek Him, seeking me. ‘Twas not I that found O Savior true, No, I was found of Thee." (unknown) Grace and Peace zach† |
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159 | Is 'once saved always saved correct? | John 6:37 | zach† | 31514 | ||
lynn; We cannot lose salvation, we can only forfeit it. Heb. 10:28-29 He that despised Moses' law died without mercy under two or three witnesses: Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace? They on the rock are they, which, when they hear, receive the word with joy; and these have no root, which for awhile believe, and in time of temptation FALL away. (Lk. 8:13 Mark 4:16-17) Fall in the above verse is the greek word aphistemi, which means to depart, or apostatize from ones once held profession of faith. In the above verse notice: 1. they hear the word 2. they receive the word with joy 3. But they have no root (this refers merely to the shallowness of their faith, or lack of depth) 4. They believe for awhile 5. Then FALL away (they don’t endure to the end) However they were believers for a time who did become apostates There are many examples in scripture of individuals and whole churches who once held the faith, and later departed from the faith. Among these are names such as Samson (Judges 16:20) Saul (1 Samuel 16:14) Jehoram (2 Chr. 17:13) Amaziah (2 Chr. 28:27) Judas Iscariot, and also Hymenaeus and Alexander (1 Tim. 1:19-20). Take a look at the church in Ephesus (Rev. 2:4-5) and the church of Sardis (Rev. 3:1-3) and the church of Laodicea (Rev. 3:15-16). There are too many warnings in scripture for the hearers, to not believe that their are no real dangers for the Christian in departing from the faith. Verses containing words such as take heed, beware, be on your guard and watch. Why all the Bibical warnings to believers if there is as some assert no danger of departing from the faith? Grace and Peace zach† |
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160 | Once Save; Always Saved? | John 6:37 | zach† | 36120 | ||
JD; Let me assure all who may read these lines that the arrows and indictments which he may discover in these following comments are not directed against persons but against doctrines. Some sects declare that the same sin that damns the unconverted sinner, cannot send the Christian to hell. In other words, the sinner sins and is damned forever, but the Christian, who has been converted, may thereafter commit the same sins, but is merely - taken home to heaven! I have actually heard a professed believer say: "that if a Christian persisted in his sin, God would be forced to take him to heaven." If we follow this idea logically it means that a poor Christian who gets homesick for heaven and anxious to go before his normal time need only plunge into deep sin, thus making it impossible for God to use him here any longer. such a position would mean that the sins which damn a sinner will not damn a Christian. It would mean that the deadliness is taken out of sin the moment of conversion Which in turn means that the atonement of Christ, applied in regeneration, effects a change in the nature of sin. According to some, final salvation is not conditioned upon perseverance in obedience. The effect of sin after regeneration is absolutely nil in so far as its bearing on eternal life is concerned We need to answer the question: Was the atonement by Christ made to change the nature of sin, and thus save a man in his sin, or to change the nature of man and thus save him by separating him from his sin? Some teach that the atonement of Christ changes the nature of sin. They teach, the imputation of Christ's righteousness to the believer. This says not that sin itself has been changed in nature or has become less repugnant, but that it has been charged to the account of Christ, and his righteousness credited to our account. Some insist that sin breaks one's fellowship with God, but they insist that fellowship and eternal life are independent, and that one may lose fellowship with God without forfeiting eternal life. If the sins of the future are already pardoned, why should one repent of them when they are committed, or even attempt to avoid committing them? Unto you first God, having raised up His Son Jesus, sent Him to bless you, in turning away every one of you from his iniquities Acts 3:26 Let the wicked forsake his way and the unrighteous man his thoughts. (Isaiah 55:7) He that covereth his sin shall not prosper, but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall obtain mercy. (Prov. 28:13) The cry I repeatedly hear is: "Believe! believe! your sins were forgiven away back there on the cross; the work is all done, all you need to do is accept it." We were provisionally saved at Calvary, but not actually and personally. The death of Christ was an expiation for all men, but an acquittal for none. repentance is man's work, although the goodness of God leads you to repentance. God will not repent for man. Acts 17:30 declares "God now commandeth all men everywhere to repent" God would not command all men to do something that all men were unable to do. Thus, in the necessity of repentance we find personal responsibility. Continued salvation is conditioned on obedience. John 15:9-10, 14 Acts 5:32 Heb 5:9 1 John 2:4,9,15; 1:6; 3:10,15,24; 5:18 2 John 1:9; 3 John 11 A friend of mine heard a modern eternal security speaker addressing a large group of youth at a conference not long ago, say to the young people: "Girls and boys, be sure you are born again! Then if afterward you go into sin, and die in disgrace, I'll meet you in heaven." What's wrong with these pictures? 1. A man enjoys telling a dirty joke at work once in awhile, but doesn't see it as sin because he has been saved by grace. 2. Another person goes to a party and ends up getting drunk. Afterwards he doesn't think twice about it because God granted him grace. 3. Yet another man when 'hanging out with the boys' will cuss and swear once in awhile with no concern as to whether he's offended God because of the grace he received as a child. The examples go on and on: People using sexual innuendo's during conversations; people cheating on their income taxes or insurance claims; people having sex outside of marriage; people lying to one another; people showing disrespect to their parents; people willfully practicing all these things and if confronted about their sin displaying an attitude of "Oh, well, it's not that big a deal, after all I'm under God's grace". Again I ask, "What's wrong with these pictures?" Even those who might abstain from the sinful behavior in a self righteous way will still tend to question the Bible's authority and disregard anyone who tries to show them what God says in it. Yet, these very people claim to be a child of God through God's grace. Again whats wrong with these pictures? Grace and Peace zach† |
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