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Results from: Answered Bible Questions, Answers, Unanswered Bible Questions, Notes Author: Xapis Ordered by Date |
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Results | Verse | Author | ID# | |||
1 | Satan? | Ezek 28:12 | Xapis | 4166 | ||
The language "you were in Eden, the annointed cherub, blameless in all your ways" speak of an angelic being. This is another example of a dual fulfillment. Not only is this speaking of the king of Tyre, but also and more fully it speaks of a fallen being, one of high stature before the fall. I really don't know how to explain it, other than that the language is to explicit to be speaking of mere man. A parallel passage is Isaiah 14 where the king of Babylon is called "Lucifer, son of the morning" (KJV). Comparing these and the extreme language I come to the conclusion that God is talking about more than just man. | ||||||
2 | Timing 1st mtg between John TB and Jesus | John 1:33 | Xapis | 2255 | ||
If you look at verse 31 there is a parallel construct with recognize and manifest. This makes it possible that there is a tie between the words. Also the same word is used by Paul in 2CO 5:16 "Therefore from now on we recognize no man according to the flesh; even though we have known Christ according to the flesh, yet now we know Him thus no longer." The word translated recognize is only used in those three verses, so it seems to me that it doesn't mean a visual recognition, but rather a recognition of standing. I believe therefore that John was stating that he didn't know who Jesus was in relation to the Kingdom of God until the spirit descended upon Him. John was a prophet and one of the marks of a prophet is the lack of respect of persons. John's statement to the religious leaders of his day, LUK 3:8 "Therefore bring forth fruits in keeping with repentance," demostrates that he not a man moved by appearance or position. He probably withheld judgment on Mary's son until God demonstrated to him that He was His Son. This is then a declaration and a reflection. Behold the Lamb of God, and let me tell you why I believe it. These were past tense statements, "I did not recognize Him". But now he does recognize Him both personally and positionally. This is how it makes sense to me, I hope it helps you. Keep yourself in the love of God, Xapis. |
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3 | Who gave the writer of Job his info @ | 2 Tim 3:16 | Xapis | 2254 | ||
HEB 1:1 "God, after He spoke long ago to the fathers in the prophets in many portions and in many ways" The Bible is not clear, how God conveyed this knowledge to his saint. However, we know that God has used visions, dreams, and by speaking directly to His people. God is not limited in His ways of communicating truth. To be as specific as he was I would venture a guess, remember just a guess, that He gave him a dream or vision and I would lean toward a vision. Maybe someone else can do a better job, but since God doesn't tell us the first answer is the right answer, I don't know. But we do know that He spoke(or breathed) the Word of God. Praise His name we don't need to know it all, we just need to know Him. |
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4 | Does Bible ban body piercing? | Bible general Archive 1 | Xapis | 2172 | ||
There are two passages the that I am familiar with concerning this subject: LEV 19:26-28' You shall not eat anything with the blood, nor practice divination or soothsaying. You shall not round off the side-growth of your heads, nor harm the edges of your beard. You shall not make any cuts in your body for the dead, nor make any tattoo marks on yourselves: I am the Lord. and EXO 21:2-6 "If you buy a Hebrew slave, he shall serve for six years; but on the seventh he shall go out as a free man without payment. If he comes alone, he shall go out alone; if he is the husband of a wife, then his wife shall go out with him. If his master gives him a wife, and she bears him sons or daughters, the wife and her children shall belong to her master, and he shall go out alone. But if the slave plainly says, 'I love my master, my wife and my children; I will not go out as a free man, then his master shall bring him to God, then he shall bring him to the door or the doorpost. And his master shall pierce his ear with an awl; and he shall serve him permanently. One passsage seams to deal with the occult and forbids altering the body. The other passage deals with a healthy relationship. The latter also speaks of a specific mark done a specific way to present a specific message. The former speaks to a general cutting. I think that body piercing is unattractive, unnecessary and potentially unhealthy, but that is an opinion that is cultural, and personal. However does the Bible ban it, I don't think so. But then again, I don't see people who are serving Christ getting their bodies pierced, but again that may be cultural. |
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5 | How about common sense? | Bible general Archive 1 | Xapis | 2171 | ||
Gentlemen, I thank you for this thread. It has been a joy to read. May God bless you both and heal charis' wife. Jude 24-25. Xapis. | ||||||
6 | How have the offices changed? | Eph 4:11 | Xapis | 2169 | ||
How have the offices changed? Is it that there were other duties/responsibilities that were given to the original apostles? My understanding of scripture is that God is speaking to us today through the living Word of God. God knew that His word would be read, debated, and followed in the 21st century when He gave it to His servants years ago. Therefore He could have and would have informed us of the temporal state of the offices, or their responsibilities. Makes sense to me that the offices have stayed the same over the years, but the original individuals occupying those offices had individual callings and empowerments that no longer are required. I am just curious as to what the office of an apostle is. I am very curious as to what the office of a prophet is supposed to be. charis does a good job in another post of answering this. Follow the thread "what about the other ministries" to see it. | ||||||
7 | Wisdom personified as a woman | Prov 3:16 | Xapis | 2144 | ||
Solomon did not personify wisdom as a woman. The Hebrew language like many others has gender for nouns, some are male some are female. The Greek does the same thing. German has male, female and neuter nouns, other languages may have as well. Hebrew I haven't studied so I don't know if it has neuter. The point is that wisdom is a feminine noun and all pronouns must agree in gender in languages that have such. So in the original all pronouns used to describe wisdom were feminine, to agree with the gender of the noun. When our Bibles were translated instead of translating the pronouns to agree with the receiving language, the pronouns were literally translated and kept their gender. So, if you told Solomon that he described wisdom with feminine pronouns he probably would have wondered what your point was, he was grammitically correct, as usual. Being a male, it humbles me to know that both Hebrew and Greek have wisdom as a feminine noun. I think that it is because it is a trait found more commonly in the fairer sex. |
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8 | How do you define apostle? | Eph 4:11 | Xapis | 2143 | ||
Charis, I don't see how you will get an answer to your question. This concept of the 5-fold ministry was quite new to me several years ago. But the more that I consider it, the more I am made aware of its consistency with the scriptures. I had only been in the one man show type of churches that wdc refers to. The longer that I walk with Christ and the more that I see the strengths that He has given me and the weaknesses that they don't make up for, the more that I know I need others in the body to help me. Romans 12:3 warns us not to think of ourselves more highly than we ought. I believe that having a Spirit led ministry with a balance brought by this concept would empower all involved to function at higher levels of impact. One problem that I see reading this thread however,is that some are using one definition of apostle and others are using a different one, same with prophet. As long as that is happening there cannot be a coming together. That is why I don't think that you will get an answer that you can live with. How do you define apostle and what is a prophet? |
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9 | Are there (then) no mysteries? | 1 Cor 4:1 | Xapis | 2142 | ||
I don't have all the answers, but I have struggled with these questions myself, and the things that I add are the things that make the most sense to me. I go under the assumption that we are all adding the things that we have been taught together to bring us closer, in knowledge, to the truth. Yet knowledge does puff up. I also have almost 21 years of marriage, and I don't understand the unity that we have and have had since day one. However I don't confuse the mystery(modern english usage) of how with the mystery(NT defined) of what, since there are two different concepts here. I state the same concept a little differently, ignorance causes arrogance. If I come across as arogant, and apparently I do, I apologize. I don't want to waste your time with unwrapping the substance of what I believe. I lay it out for others to evaluate, and not without thought. I believe that I remain teachable, maybe I need to be taught how to interact on-line. As far as having the answers, I also have teenagers, so I obviously know that I don't have all the answers. Bear with me please, God has made me worth the effort, you will be rewarded. |
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10 | Are there (then) no mysteries? | 1 Cor 4:1 | Xapis | 2134 | ||
I think that we need to look at the way mystery is used in the Bible and not try to take our current use of the word and try to fit that definition into the passages. wdc did a great job of explaining how God used the word mystery throughout the NT. Have you noticed at the end of first 3 1/2 years of the tribulation that God states in REV 10:7 "but in the days of the voice of the seventh angel, when he is about to sound, then the mystery of God is finished, as He preached to His servants the prophets." I see at this time that God goes back to dealing with Israel exclusively, the mystery of God here, like the other mysteries in the NT, is the coming together of two to become one, marriage is spoken of as a mystery and so is the Jew and the Gentile becoming one. |
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11 | Tongues - do you realize... | Matt 11:13 | Xapis | 1796 | ||
That is true in every situation in life, we can never be truly objective. What we can do is attempt to get all of our issues in the open, being as completely honest with ourselves first and then we can approach objectivity. Now having that said let me say the following about what I have learned. First of all, I have never spoken in tongues. I have read an account of a modern missionary who while encouraging his native friend, spoke to the friend without any accent while delivering a message that the missionary thought God wanted him to share. I have also had a close friend in another state, who was also one of my pastors who had a prayer language that he did not understand. He did not think that the prayer language made him more spiritual, that he needed to pray in that language or that I needed a prayer language. He also walked consistantly in the Spirit, which was evidenced in that he learned from me( what humor is not allowed). So, I don't do tongues, I have had modern experiences related to me that demonstrate both the ability to speak in languages that you don't know and praying in an unknown language. I have had many experiences related to me about the unholy and unruly nature of those that speak in tongues. So, I will continue to walk in the Spirit and as 1John 4:1 says "test the spirits". The tests to date demonstrate a consitency with the scriptures by some and a deviation by others. Looks like the Spirit is alive and well, and unfortunately the tempter and counterfeiter is also up to his usual tricks, divide and conquer. |
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12 | Good study guide for Revelation? | Revelation | Xapis | 1794 | ||
Sounds like a great commentary on a book about studying the Bible, "left me asking more questions ... at the end of the study" Just a thought |
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13 | Is Biblical literacy dead?Or is prophecy | Matt 11:13 | Xapis | 1792 | ||
I have done some study and teaching on gifts, and I would like to add my thoughts. I hope they inspire yours. First let me give you my framework, I agree with the idea that there are different types of gifts, the ones listed in Romans 12 and the ones listed in I Cor 12. Both of these lists have prophets listed. The gifts listed in Rom 12 have been called "Motivational" gifts(Don and Katie Fortune, Discovering you God-Given Gifts). These have to do with the way the person functions in day to day life, to simplify. The list in I cor 12 are gifts given briefly for ministry, and come and go as the Spirit seems fit. This latter group are the "Charismatic" gifts of tongues, healings etc. The brief use of the gift of prophecy is what I where I would look for the test to come true but also the edifying that is spoken of elsewhere. The Rom 12 list has more to do with the makeup of the person. A prophet here is one who "sees everything as black or white", and needs "truth to be established in every situation" These prophets have always existed because that is part of the makeup of the human being. The gift of prophecy of 1 Cor 12 has to do with God moving according to His purpose. I cannot see that as ever ending either. God's purpose has been going forward since the beginning of time. I personally experienced some of these gifts and walked in them, before I understood that there was a name for them. Now my experience didn't validate the gift, because I just thought that happened to all believers that were in communion with God. The closer I walked the more that I experienced God, and the more I understood of His word, the more I realized that these were spoken of in his word. I had almost figured it out and I was introduced to an explanation from people who had studied it. When you look for prophets remember that Paul called a poet a prophet in Titus. Look at the songwriter that encourages you, that exposes wrong thinking, that exalts God, are they not part of the prophets of this day? They seem to fit Paul's definition and wasn't that what King David was, a prophet? The psalms are the songbook of Israel. Prophets and prophecy are alive and well today, but do we have eyes to see and ears to hear? May God richly bless all who read this. |
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14 | If elect is not choose, then what is it? | Job 38:1 | Xapis | 1791 | ||
I will read the responses that Radioman referenced from you on election, thank you for that. Radioman's response on 3/11 at 12:07 when he referred to Isa 55 is critical to my understanding, or the acceptance of my lack of understanding. It seems to me that it is both,(election and freewill) but I don't understand how it can be. But then I understand that we are predestined according to the foreknowledge of God [1 Peter 1:2](and foreknowledge is one of those untested Accords to me). Are we chosen in Him before the foundation of the world, by all means, but did I have to make a choice, of course. Is God unjust? No way, our whole understanding of justice is based upon who He is. I believe in election, and I work hard at convincing my friends and co-workers that they must choose to accept Him. Peter says that the prophets of old looked diligently and couldn't figure out the sufferings of Christ and the glory that should follow. I wonder if they debated, with each other one group saying he would "only" suffer and one group saying he would only receive glory. The more I know the more I know that I don't know, but it is ok because my Big Brother knows it all. | ||||||
15 | God can use woman in the ministry? | Gal 3:28 | Xapis | 1474 | ||
There are many reasons for believing that women are not called into the ministry. Some of them are what I judge to be educated reasons and some of them are less than that. I believe that good people with good intentions believe both ways. One pastor that I worked with had a group of us come together and he brought the question in a different way than I had ever heard it before. He first started out with the question who could lead, which brought us to the answer that whoever was the least was the greatest. Or put another way the leader was to be servant of all. Therefore if women can serve why can't women lead? Someone that I dealt with could not receive my teaching because they did not want me to be in authority over them. What they didn't know was I didn't want to be in authority over them, I wanted to serve them. There are many issues at stake here, tradition, the curse that pits man against women, pride, and translational difficulties. When you go from a language with gender, pastor being a male verb to a language without gender the pronouns aren't always consistant with the language being translated into. I have heard the argument that the pronouns for pastor are all male and that is why women should not be pastors. The same thing happens in Proverbs 8. I was told that because feminine pronouns were used it could not be a personification of Jesus. I think that the answer lies in a lot of areas. Many of us are not ready for change. Centuries of male dominance, the differences in the sexes, the attitudes towards women in the Bible, not by Jesus but by others, the information explosion and the education of women make this a time where we need honest evalution and study. Most people that I know don't want to go there, it is far too much work. Be patient and don't give up even on us men. | ||||||
16 | Who wrote the letter to the Hebrews? | Hebrews | Xapis | 1208 | ||
I am not aware of any reason to ascribe this work to any individual. However I think that Apollos is the most likely, since it doesn't bear anyone's name it is probably not Paul. Apollos is called a man mighty in the Scriptures, which seems to fit the description of whoever wrote this book. I have tried to get away from the tendency to say, "Paul, in the book of Ephesians" because it wasn't Paul, who said it, it is God who is saying it. Just my thoughts. I hope they bring you to think. | ||||||
17 | So, not separated from the Trinity? | Mark 15:34 | Xapis | 1207 | ||
Separated by a break in fellowship, Jesus was in constant communication with God as the earlier answer stated, but fellowship was broken because "He became sin". I can understand the concept, because of the great relationship that my wife and I have, when those rare occasions happen that we have a problem, it tears me apart. We are still one, but we are not in communion for a brief time. Now magnify that by how much the Father loves the Son more than I can love my wife, and WOW, what agony the Son must have experienced on the Cross. Remember all He has ever known in eternity is communion with the Father. | ||||||
18 | Snatch? | Hebrews | Xapis | 1203 | ||
Well, I did a word study on the word knowledge, since it would seem like a key to understanding the verse. One could make a point that the word doesn't necessarily mean experiential knowledge, but it would be weak. I can't in clear conscience say that the word doesn't mean what it looks like. But, let me add these thoughts. 1. There seems to be a parallel here to what Jesus said about driving out a demon and not filling the place, but sweeping it clean and the demon returns and brings with him seven demons that are worse. 2. Since I am sealed with the Holy Spirit, and He cannot deny Himself, it would seem difficult at best for me to renounce Christ, when his alter-ego is sealed in me. 3. God promised to finish the work that He started because he is faithful. 4. Paul seemed to deal with Christians that went astray. Leaving the flesh to be destroyed, with the confidence that the spirit would be saved. To sum up: God is faithful when we are not, He knew we would fall. God has a plan for when we won't listen, and being turned over to Satan for the destruction of the flesh sounds like a worse state to me. The Holy Spirit cannot deny Himself, so we can't casually walk away from God. We would have to tear ourselves free from the greatest force on earth, the force that kept Jesus on the cross, God's incredible love. I believe that as a believer, we are secure in the love of God, we have a holy and righteous fear of God, and we know in the depths of our being that God is the answer to all of our needs, and therefore choosing to leave is not even a possibility to the redeemed, to those that have been changed from the inside out. |
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19 | why did God create the world | Gen 1:1 | Xapis | 1063 | ||
You may think that I am goofy for using this reference to answer the question, but here goes. Hebrews 12 speaks of Jesus, for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, desping its shame. That joy I believe is the same reason that He created the world. JUD 24-25 Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling, and to make you stand in the presence of His glory blameless with great joy, to the only God our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion and authority, before all time and now and forever. Amen. So we could stand before the presence of His glory with great joy. He did it so that we could share His joy forever. Because of the way we are built, we need to have the contrast of the suffering, in our lives and in the world in order to understand the magnitude of the blessing that He has for us. We could not fully enter into the joy without the experiential knowledge. |
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20 | In Jesus' name...except baptism? | Col 3:17 | Xapis | 1062 | ||
Let me add another thought. In Mat 28 the focus is the entire world, a group of people that needed to be taught that there is one God, and He exists in three persons. In Acts 2 Peter is speaking to those who worshipped the one true God. If someone who was already convinced that God is one, is ready to or just has received His Son as savior, they have already come to the understanding that God is a Trinity. Therefore Peter only needs to say "in the name of Jesus". Whereas Matthew was echoing a greater statement than just baptize them, he was saying disciple them in the fullness of the truth of who God is. That encompasses the Father, Son and Holy Spririt. I also don't see how with the limited revelation that we have that we can presume any formula to be exclusive. Baptism is a picture, a testimony of what already happened, so the words that accompany it are a testimony as well. As you can tell from the Gospels the truth can be told from different views and still be the truth. God warns us about "controversial questions and disputes about words" in 1 Tim 6. Here He is talking about depraved minds which I am convinced none of you have, but we should watch so that our desire to understand doesn't end up paralleling those with depraved minds, always searching but never coming to know the truth, because we think we need a level of revelation that isn't available. I still say that if one baptizes in the name of Jesus or in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit it is one and the same. | ||||||
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