Results 301 - 320 of 645
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Results from: Notes Author: JCrichton Ordered by Date |
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Results | Verse | Author | ID# | |||
301 | Integrity | Num 12:7 | JCrichton | 131982 | ||
Hi, Praise be to God! Though I respect your decision, and Steve's choice, I still suggest to you to bear in mind that beside Moses no other man, including John the Baptist, was placed in such predicament as to misuse God's Trust and Power... no other than Moses, including King David, had to contend with the constant whining, rebelliousness, and challanges of not only the people of God, but even those close to him! It is easy to prevail when things go your way and when a few people test your mettle, but when you have to carry the world (a nation) on your shoulders and when all you do, in God, is rejected or dismissed... even Job would have had a hard time at passive toleration and optimism! True, Moses did not make it to the promised land--but Moses was Jesus type and only another other person shared his glory with Christ (transfiguration). Both Joseph and Daniel were assistants to others who wheeled the power and had the ultimate determining vote--only Moses possessed all power to which he would only answer directly to God! Moses, in my consideration, had to undergo the deepest soul searching and battle of will than the others... further, it was only moses who placed himself between God and Israel (though John did risk his life for Israel, he did so without the pressure of additional loads as he only carried his responsibility to pronounce the Coming of God)... Joseph had to overcome the treachery of his brothers, and the unrighteousness of the captain's wife, but his burden was light compare to Moses'! God Bless! Angel |
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302 | Does this mean they do not go to heaven? | Rom 8:9 | JCrichton | 131975 | ||
"What is even sadder is many have never been told they need to or instructed on how to." Hi, EdB! I do not think that it is simply a matter of ignorance... I think it is a matter of choice! Most Christians have access to a Bible (whatever version) and most Christians have access to Bible Study... the problem lies not in not knowing Scripture or God's Command... rather, the problem lies in the callous circumvention of the Word in order to reap the "treasures" the offered by the world. "Christians" will twist Scripture to mean what ever they choose: OK to commit murder if it is self-murder; OK to fornicate (not just the sexual fornication) as long as there's a loophole that we think we can find in Scripture; OK to hate, envy, lust (not just sex), oppress, cheat, rob, debase, dehumanize, use, usurp, denigrate, circumvent Scripture... just as long as we can point to "not found in the Bible" or "we are born again" or "we are saved" or "the flesh is weak!" When Jesus explained God's possition against divorce (Matthew 19:3-9), what the the disciples do, did they receive His teachings with an open heart, mind and spirit? No! They proceded to complain... so why mary! (Matthew 19:10) "Christians" behave in just such manner! We search Scripture not just to merely get to know Christ and to get close to God, but to rule others, to invent methods of worship, to separate ourselves from others who claim to be Christians... yes, and even to presume to know God's Mind better than God Himself as we profess to know clauses that guarantee Salvation, wealth, health, and a myriad of Divine Gifts and Powers... We use Scripture to nullify Scriture and even when clear mandates are given we seek to know the deeper meanings of things in order to ignore God's Command! When it is convenient to our ego boosting we ignore all Scripture that guide us to the Truth: So with you, as you are eager to have spiritual powers, aim to be rich in those which build up the community (Church--personal emphasis). (1 Corinthians 14:12) Building up the commnity (Church) does not mean to tear down and rebuild according to personal preference or whim! Dividing Christ's Body (the Church) into an inexhaustible and inconsistent variation of doctrines in no way corresponds to edifying the Church! As "Christians" continue their quest for "their" church and truth... the Truth and the Life continues to be evaded: We were baptised into one body in a single Spirit, Jews as well as Greeks, slaves as well as free men, and we were all given the same Spirit to drink... and so that there not be disagreements inside the body but each part may be equally concerned for all the others... Now Christ's body is yourselves, each of you with a part to play in the whole. (1 Corinthians 12:13, 25, 27) And as you pointed out: "many are called but few chosen," because not all choose to be obedient to the Word (Romans 10:16-21)! God Bless! Angel |
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303 | Denounce militant Islam? | Matt 5:44 | JCrichton | 131964 | ||
Hi, Alien! I don't mean to be difficult... I still don't get it! Is Christendom a collective of anti-Christians? Is Christendom a coined word used by Christians to designate counterfeit Christians? "Christendom's" origins, does it refer back to one particular denomination? Would only counterfeit Christians use the term Christendom? Would counterfeit Christians not call themselves Christians but members of Christendom? Please, do not misunderstand me... "Christendom" is, relatively, a new term for me; till about a year or so ago I did not use it as part of my vocabulary! God Bless! Angel |
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304 | Denounce militant Islam? | Matt 5:44 | JCrichton | 131816 | ||
"Once again the world has witnessed a savage episode of Islamist terror, and once again it strains to hear a convincing rejection of the terrorists from those who should care most about Islam's reputation." Hi, Norrie! ...and it may never happen! Due to fear,complacency, and hatred, at the witnessing of atrocities committed by the murderous cowards that continually target infants and other defenseless people, most of the Arab world act as Germany did when Hitler and his hatred machine were commiting their atrocities against life: monkey see no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil! What is disturbing to me is how quickly the world forgets these murderous assaults on life! Remember those newspaper articles on "sensitizing" America to the plight of the povre, povre Muslims? God Bless! Angel |
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305 | Denounce militant Islam? | Matt 5:44 | JCrichton | 131813 | ||
Hi, Alien! Heard of history? The early Church suffered at the hands of power/wealth mongers that appointed themselves or their relatives/friends as bishops (much as it goes on today) only to reap ill-gotten booty as they plunged the world into chaos and war... Conversely, Muslims converted people under the threat of decapitation (mass decapitation); their choice of rule has not changed as it has been attested by the many people they have killed and raped (and will continue to kill and rape)... they relish the idea of decapitating the infidels and Christian women/girls are constantly abused and raped under the guise of religious conversion. As I offered previously: check historical records and world-wide mass media accounts! Heard what happened just recently in Russia? May the Holy Spirit enlighten your thoughts! God Bless! Angel |
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306 | Denounce militant Islam? | Matt 5:44 | JCrichton | 131812 | ||
Hi, Norrie! Not seeking to make this an exercise in denominations... I am interested in your views of what makes a true christian and the RCC... you may contact me with your thoughts at: jcrichtonfs1@yahoo.com God Bless! Angel |
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307 | Denounce militant Islam? | Matt 5:44 | JCrichton | 131811 | ||
Hi, Alien! Could you explain the difference between Christianity and Christendom? I picked up Christendom from some users in various sites... perhaps I misunderstood the significance... God Bless! Angel |
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308 | Denounce militant Islam? | Matt 5:44 | JCrichton | 131799 | ||
Hi, Norrie! Jesus was well aware of these problems even them: ...But when the Son of man comes, will he find any faith on earth? (Luke 18:8) It is for them that I pray. I am not praying for the world but for those you have given me, because they belong to you. I am not asking you to remove them from the world, but to protect them from the Evil One. I pray not only for these but also for those who through their teaching will come to believe in me. (John 17:9, 15, 20) Though He came to rescue us from death, He did not come to neutralize our will (willpower, resolve, etc.)... this is why He cautioned: those who have eyes... those who have ears... It is our choice to follow Christ or the world... I think that Christians lose it when we attempt to modernize Scripture by conforming Jesus' Word to interpretations that patronizes the world; we are only fooling ourselves by thinking that the creature will outmaneuver the Creator--it did not work for Lucifer nor Adam nor Cain nor the rebellious people of Israel nor the Masters of the Law, Sadducees, and Pharisees! We are not called to judge nor convert the world... our task is simplicity in itself: 'Son of man I have appointed you as watchman for the House of Israel. When you hear a word from my mouth, warn them from me. If I say to someone wicked, "Evildoer, you are to die." and you do not speak to warn the wicked person to renounce such ways, the wicked person will die for this guilt, but I shall hold you responsible for the death. If, however, you do warn someone wicked to renounce such ways and repent, and that person does not repent, then the culprit will die for this guilt, but you yourself will have saved your life. (Ezekiel 33:7-9) God is not concerned with what the world does; He is solely concerned with what we, who choose to call ourselves His children, do! (Matthew 5:20) He knows that we cannot convert a single person to Him--still He expects us to bring the Good News to all, and to warn them of the impending doom that sin visits onto all! We are called to be the voice in the desert: the cry that announces Salvation in Jesus Christ! Yet, as you mentioned, we refuse to recognize sin and we are quick to run to the latest fads that teaches us to hate Christ!: 'Anyone who is not with me is against me; and anyone who does not gather with me throws away.' (Luke 11:23) Our task is clear: profess Christ, live Christ, teach Christ, and allow the world to decide if they are for Christ or against Him! All the relativism, absolutism, hatred, and extremism in the world cannot separate us from Christ! (Romans 8:35-39) God Bless! Angel |
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309 | Denounce militant Islam? | Matt 5:44 | JCrichton | 131696 | ||
Hi, Norrie! This is of course frustration placed into text! I remember seeing the masses gathering outside in broad daylight celebrating the destruction of the twin towers... these people were a mix of mostly adults and young adults to children, adolescent and senior citizens... these were supposedly not extemists; these people were, believe if or not, a cross-sectiong of Islam (haters of all infidels--which is their synonym for Americans/Jews/Westerners)... I also remember reading, roughly a year later, a local newspaper story about some tribe in Africa that offered to send their most valued possessions (a few heads of cows) to America to helps us cope with the terrible assault on our nation... these extemely impoverished people had just heard the news (about a year later) and they did not celebrate hatred but compassion! They offered what quantifies as financial aide in the millions! The story did not speak of their chastisement against the murderous terrorist organism... but their gesture spoke volumes on life and love! Carter Clews may be sounding off to ears that just don't give a damn! It is almost as our system of corporate self-policing: government regulation--less abuse all around, including less airplains dropping like flies; deregulation--vultures and vampires stripping the flesh and sucking the blood out of every industry, including airplains and shuttles dropping like flies do to poor management and substandard parts and labor... to expect that Muslems will police their extremist members is just as productive as hoping that our industries reform and stop bankrupting America! God Bless! Angel |
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310 | Denounce militant Islam? | Matt 5:44 | JCrichton | 131695 | ||
Hi, Norrie! So true! The same machinery that's condones infanticide also approves of capitalization of the natal by-products for bioengineering, beauty treatments, rejuvenation and perhaps, once technology allows it, human organ farming--it's Coma meets Solyent Green! And what is infamously sad, is that many who call themselves "Christians" do not see any problem with our cultural practices... it seems that the Scripture is just another "choice" of "lifestyle" for them... Now, if Christ tells us that we will have to answer even for our words (Matthew 12:33-37), could you imagine what these people (those who both engage in infanticide, and other abuses against life, and proselitize the world into their culture) will have to answer to? Jesus spoke about them in John 3:19 when He said that they rejected the Light because their works (deeds, behavior, "lifestyle") were evil! As Christians we must not fall sleep and allow the world to distort Scripture... we must be active and consistent... but it starts in our own towns and cities... I dare say, in our own families! Atheists and anti-Christians cannot separate us from Christ (Romans 8:35-39); certainly, there's no power on earth that can remove us from Christ's hands... but if we willingly allow the culture of hate, lust, and destruction to entice us away from Christ... we will be no better than those of whom Peter and Jude spoke about (2 Peter 2:17; Jude 1:12): empty clouds tossed and turned at the whim of the wind! I do not deny that we are headed in that direction... I visit various forums and speak to "Christians" whose greater concern is how many times must we be submerged/sprinkled for a baptism to be valid or something as obscure as the meaning of pomegranate as decoration in the Tent/priestly garments or the various translations or transliterations, etc... while atheists and anti-Christians unite in their assaults against the Chruch and Christ Himself! Again, I understand your frustration... but we cannot condemn a nation because some of its members are extremists who are bent on mayhem and murder--yes, even when the predominant majority openly supports their homicidal and destructive behavior! Jesus said that if our justice is not greater than that of the Sadducees and Pharisees we cannot be His disciples. (Matthew 5:20) We must confront any and all anti-Christian behavior, but we must do it in Christ! All Christians forums should be buzzing with prayer petitions for peace in the world; the buzzing should also include a huge exchange in edifying the Church; lastly, all Christians forums should be educating and informing Christians about the multi-border and multi-faceted offensive that atheist and anti-Christian are constantly conducting against Christ and the Church--it goes without saying that all communication should include not just the revelation of problems but also solutions and sample activities that we should engage in order to fend against the fiery darts of the Devil! God Bless! Angel |
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311 | Denounce militant Islam? | Matt 5:44 | JCrichton | 131562 | ||
Hi, Norrie! I understand your frustration! But there is no Command from Jesus to use hatred or confrontational tactics against those who persecute Christians: Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God's wrath, for it is written: "It is mine to avenge; I will repay," says the Lord. On the contrary: "If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head." Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. (Romans 12:14, 17-21) As Tim Morant mentioned, Christians are bound by the Word and while governments must, at times, resort to violence to achieve peace (preservation) in no way does that means that they must operate in an all-out genocidal assault! Sadly, the problem with the terrorist machine is that fake religion has been breeding killers who believe that they are the hand of their god and that all, including defenseless infants and the elderly are justified targets of their hatret... This problem (their continual assault on life) is not endemic of Christendom! It has been fomented by a society that hates: exalting murderers as just killers while thirsting for the demise of all whom they deem insignificant. Ever remember reading some idiotic nonsense about how America caused the cowrdly assault on September eleven? Ever seen the media portraying terrorists in a bad light?, sanctioning any of their atrocities?, divulging their plans/whereabouts?, seeking to get to the bottom of their cowardice (the killing babies and other non-military people)?, ever seen the world's opinion (all those bleeding-heart activists) criticise any terrorist/s for dismembering or decapiting infants or any other people? The terrorists' agenda has never been peace! That is crystal clear, as History has witnessed their assaults taking place while others were in the midst of peace accord councils! They are ever eager to shed innocent blood, but they never confront their oppressive governments (as testefied by Saddams oppression and exploitations and others like him)! These people hide behind the farce of a religion that is more interested in keeping the status quo, then feeding their children or providing education/medicine for the needy. As Christians we are Commanded by Christ Himself to love our enemy and those who persecute us (Matthew 5:43-48)... As Americans, if we are called by our government to defend the nation against their evil assault we must be willing,as far as our abilities allows... but as Christians we cannot but pray for their enlightenment, offer them aide if they need it and we are able to provide it, and keep ourselves from seeking revenge (as it happened against some that were being held as POW)! God Bless! Angel |
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312 | Jesus called Good teacher | Mark 10:18 | JCrichton | 131375 | ||
Hi, Ray! I appreciate your words of encouragement! As far as capitalization... it is a personal custom that I've picked up through the years... I do not subscribe to any particular Bible translation as my basis--it's more of a personal preference... "I would talk about the Son of Man" Where you would capitalize both "Son" and "Man," I would only capitalize "Son"--the reasoning is that Jesus is God's Son and not the Son of man... to capitalize "Man" would elevate our finite being to a deity--from my view point... further, I find that by not capitalizing the "m" Jesus' dominance over humanity is present even when He is the Lamb of God! So stating that He is the Servant of God distinguishes Him from the servants (humanity) of God... but when stating that He remained in His station as "servant" I am stating His relationship with the Father--as He chose not to be equal with the Father so that He could accomplish the task as the Lamb... but it is quite clear that his Glory was put away only temporarily as He requests from the Father to be returned to His appropiate place with Him. (John 17:5) Again, when you see capitalization on my posts know that it is done out of a personal practice and though I do not follow any particular mode, I tend to capitalize not according to a grammatical format but according to the emphasis I am seeking to convey. God Bless! Angel |
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313 | Who is "he"? Why greater sin? | John 19:11 | JCrichton | 131227 | ||
Hi, Ray! You are so correct! ...just because His contemporaries (specially the religious) did not understand that Jesus is God, it did not keep Him from being God... I find it interesting that the Pharisees, Sadducees and the Masters of the Law, got so heated up over Jesus' behavior and proclamations that they were able to recognize that He was equating Himself to God, yet instead of believing in Him the accused Him of blasphemy against God--incidentally, an offense that was punishable by death! In contrast, those who were humble and genuinely sought God, they came to Jesus because with a believing spirit as they recognized that He indeed is God (the woman with the child, the Roman Centurion, the four men with their relative on the cot, Zacheus, the woman in the crowd that touched Jesus' hem...). In Scripture God has revealed to us all that is needed to understand and believe in Him--your practice of Captalization is a wonderful acknowledgement of God's Preeminence! God Bless! Angel |
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314 | Who is "he"? Why greater sin? | John 19:11 | JCrichton | 131170 | ||
Hi, Ray! Now, isn't it wonderful!--God's Wisdom I mean. Caiaphas, totally unbeknonw to him, was rightfully prophesying about the need for One to suffer for humanity's sake (Isaiah 52:13 thru 53:12)... in his blind thirst for power he became a mere vessel for God's announcement of Christ's death! God Bless! Angel |
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315 | does one need to be baptised to be saved | John 3:5 | JCrichton | 131168 | ||
Hi, ROGER! All I can say to you is that you do an excellent job in using Scripture to rebuke Jesus' Command to the disciples to go and baptize! (Matthew 28:19; John 3:5; ...But the Pharisees and experts in the law rejected God's purpose for themselves, because they had not been baptized by John.--Luke 7:29-30). Please do not confuse God's Gift of Salvation with God's Commands! Though we cannot do anything to merit salvation--and Jesus has done all that is required--we are Commanded by our Lord Jesus Christ to perform certain functions and to behave in a certain manner; to think that we can hold on to some clause without humble obedience to His Word is to place ourselves in the group which Jesus has admonished: 'It is not anyone who says to me, "Lord, Lord," who will enter the kingdom of Heaven, but the person who does the will of my Father in heaven. When the day comes many will say to me, "Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, drive out demons in your name, work many miracles in your name?" Then I shall say to them to their faces: I have never known you; away from me, all evil doers! (Matthew 7:21-23) Salvation is not mere words or an empty belief system; Salvation is Christ Jesus... He Himself has stated that many will claim to be saved (to be in Him) and He will flatly reject them! It is not enough to know Scripture! As James said we must be doers of the Word! (James 1:22) The best way that we can live the Word is by being obedient to Christ--regardless of how advanced we think we may be in our wisdom and understanding of Scripture! There is nothing I can say to you to bring you to humble obedience of the Word Christ has spoken... hence, there's little to gain in continuing this thread! Please accept my respectful departure from this particular thread exchange. God Bless! Angel |
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316 | wrong to see nudity if has no affect? | Col 3:2 | JCrichton | 131094 | ||
Hi, Natie! Regardless of what people come to believe, in God there’s accountability… Jesus told us that we must: ‘Enter by the narrow gate, since the road that leads to destruction is wide and spacious, and many take it; (Matthew 7:13) Paul, when speaking to the Corinthians, echoes Jesus’ Command about the narrow road (1 Corinthians 10:21-24; 2 Corinthians 5:15-21) As Scripture tells us, the old man/woman must become a new creature in Christ; though we are not bound by the Law, we are bound by the Spirit who Calls us to be, as new creatures, representatives of Christ Jesus--rejecting the old selfish desires of the flesh in order to serve the Lord as our Father has Called us in Jesus! (Romans 6:6-14--see also 1 John 1:1-7) So being new creatures who walk in the light everything we do must be in agreement with our Father’s Command to be holy (1 Peter 1:16); we cannot elect to do our will when it is convenient or profitable for us to do so while still clinging to the light. As children of the Light we cannot emulate the world and claim that it is our “freedom of choice!” On the issue of fornication, adultery and marriage Scripture is very specific: One man, One woman, both become One in God! (Mark 10:2-12) Jesus came not to abolish the Law but to fulfill it (Matthew 5:17--see Matthew 5:17 thru 7:23) and fornication, adultery and marriage were topics he adamantly addressed (Matthew 5:27-32; 19:1-9). He spoke to the people of Israel about the Law as it was established by Yahweh through Moses. Aside from the obvious moral values, there was an ancient promise made to Abraham (reflected from Genesis 3:15) about the nations of the world being blessed in his seed (Jesus). So it was very important for the people of Israel to obey God’s Command, specially when it pertained to marriage (Deuteronomy 22:13-28). Since specific statues addressed the matter concerning marriage it was clear to Israel that a wedding vow was comprised by both the conjugal couple and Yahweh. Further, the wedding vow came into effect even before the wedding ceremony took place (Deuteronomy 22:28; Exodus 22:16; Deuteronomy 20:7)--this practice is not to be confused with today’s standards where people have an active sexual relationship on the premise that one day they might get engaged and perhaps even get married! Christians are an extension of the people of Israel because we too are descendants of Abraham (Romans 4:9-25) and thus we are bound by God’s marital vows. Paul accentuates our relationship with each other and God in his discourses (Ephesians 5:22-33; 1 Corinthians 7:2-11, 33-34) All Christian romantic/marital relationships are forged between the couple and God and are based on mutual love and respect in Christ Jesus. God Bless! Angel |
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317 | does one need to be baptised to be saved | John 3:5 | JCrichton | 131093 | ||
Hi, ROGER! I cannot be any clearer than this: ...Jesus answered, "I tell you the truth, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless he is born of water and the Spirit. (John 3:3-5) It is Jesus’ own Word that tells you that we must be baptized in order to enter into the Kingdom of God! How you choose to interpret "water" (tears, flood, embryonic fluid, evolutionists’ ooze, or any other symbolic measure) is your prerogative... Scripture speak about water baptism and baptism in the Holy Spirit (I would not have known him, except that the one who sent me to baptize with water told me, ’The man on whom you see the Spirit come down and remain is he who will baptize with the Holy Spirit.’--John 1:33); neither baptism is optional and both are consequential to our salvation (not my words, Christ’s own words: Luke 7:24-35). Are you seeking a short-cut to salvation? Ignoring Christ's Command, whenever it pleases us, is not a sign of humility and obedience to Christ. I cannot convince you to accept water baptism as part of your visible acceptance of Christ as your Lord and Savior (Savior means He that brings Salvation)... that is an issue that you must take to the Lord! God Bless! Angel |
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318 | Does God plunge mortals into ignorance? | Obad 1:8 | JCrichton | 131092 | ||
Hi, RS! Thank you for your generous words! God Bless! Angel |
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319 | wrong to see nudity if has no affect? | Col 3:2 | JCrichton | 130973 | ||
Hi, Natie! This is a quick acknowledgement on you reply... I'll get back to you tomorrow with the list! God Bless! Angel |
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320 | does one need to be baptised to be saved | John 3:5 | JCrichton | 130972 | ||
Hi, ROGER! Perhaps it is you who are doing the "Side Step": "We are living the most "politically correct," and "anti-establishment" era that ever existed... Scripture is being challenged by both atheists and "Christians" alike... some even disregarding Jesus' own Word: In reply Jesus declared, "I tell you the truth, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again." "How can a man be born when he is old?" Nicodemus asked. "Surely he cannot enter a second time into his mother's womb to be born!" Jesus answered, "I tell you the truth, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless he is born of water and the Spirit. (John 3:3-5) Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to be baptized by John. But John tried to deter him, saying, "I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?" Jesus replied, "Let it be so now; it is proper for us to do this to fulfill all righteousness." Then John consented. (Matthew 3:13-15) All the people, even the tax collectors, when they heard Jesus' words, acknowledged that God's way was right, because they had been baptized by John. But the Pharisees and experts in the law rejected God's purpose for themselves, because they had not been baptized by John. (Luke 7:29-30) Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age." (Matthew 28:19-20) Baptism is not in itself salvation, but we are commanded by Christ, the second Person of God, to be baptized--how any disciple of Christ can believe and teach otherwise is beyond me! We are called to be God's servants... a servant cannot pick and choose which commands to obey, which commands to circumvent, and which commands to abolish altogether! Are we greater than the Lamb of God--He who was pure and for our sake suffered and died on the Cross? As the Son of man, Jesus obeyed the Father to the end (death on the Cross), how can He, being the Only Begotten Son, be obligated to fulfill the Father's Will while humanity, mere mortal beings, be allow obey or disobey at will? Jesus' could not have been clearer on the subject of baptism: "I tell you the truth, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless he is born of water and the Spirit." Am I suggesting that God is limited to our symbolic gestures (circumcision, sacrifices, holocausts, baptism...)? Decidedly not! This is why Jesus could tell one of the men being crucified along side of Him that on that very day he would be with Him (Jesus) in Paradise! (Luke 23:39-43)" In His discourse, in Luke 7:24-35, Jesus states (verse 30): "But the Pharisees and experts in the law rejected God's purpose for themselves, because they had not been baptized by John." Is God purpose that we call Him Abba/ABBA and we are free to dispense with all/any Command that we, with our keen wisdom, deem superfluous? Was not Jesus reproaching the Pharisees and experts in the Law because they chose not to obey God's Command that they repent from their rebelliousness and be baptized by John? My friend, I hope that this clarifies the issue on baptism: Am I equating baptism to salvation? NOT! Am I encouraging people to pick and choose which Command they desire to honor? NOT! Am I clarifying that it was Jesus Himself that gave the Command to baptize the world? EXCEEDINGLY, YES! Am I ordering you to accept Jesus' Command? NEGATIVE! You are free to accept Christ's Word as the final answer--conversely, you are free to reject Christ's Word! I cannot make it any clearer than this: Salvation is not about picking and choosing but about faithful obedience to God who has revealed Himself through His Holy Scripture: "...go and make disciples... baptizing them..." (Matthew 28:19) God Bless! Angel |
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