Results 1 - 20 of 89
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Results from: Answered Bible Questions, Answers, Unanswered Bible Questions, Notes Author: meta Ordered by Date |
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Results | Verse | Author | ID# | |||
1 | Am I Biblically free to marry? | Bible general | meta | 243737 | ||
Dear Friend, Your desire for freedom is a good thing. There is a freedom that is far more valuable than the freedom to remarry. It is the freedom to live a new life unto God by the power of the resurrection. Let me commend you for your actions of stepping down from a fraudulent ministry position. You took a stand for truth and for God. Bless you for that. Obviously this was undermining to the enemies plans and He was able to use your wife to come against what The Holy Spirit was intending to do with the two of you. It seems you were poised for repentance and a renewed walk with Christ. One in which you could come to know the King of Love better which would also bring deeper satisfaction in your relationship with Him and with her. If you want an answer from the Law I would say that you are free to marry. If you want an answer from the Spirit, It would be a step in a very wrong direction at this time. It should be obvious that something which opposes God is operating in your life. You will not have a successful relationship with any woman until you are healed and delivered from what ever is operating in your life. This is an obviouse pattern and ther is no evidence that you are in any position to avoid its consequences again and continuously in your future. It is like a snowball rolling downhill. The problem will only get bigger until it hits a tree. That tree is the tree our savior was crucified on. The cross is your hope right now. If you confess your sin He is faithful to forgive your sin and cleanse you of all unrighteousness. God mays have someone for you in the future but He cannot bless any relationship that you enter into until He prepares you for that relationship. The only way that can happen is to grow into a beautiful healthy relationship with Jesus Christ. I have some good news for you. Jesus wants that for you even more than you do and He is willing to take you there.It is not up to you to make it happen. We are not self made men in the Kingdom of God. All of the good that is found in us is produced by The Spirit of God. Our part is to be honest about our sin and to agree with Him in what He desires for us. He is willing and able to bring about a relationship with Himself that is filled with joy and a freedom that is so far beyond what you can now comprehend. It requires a couple of things on your part though. 1/ That you agree that you need a new life in Him. 2/ That He wants that for you too. 3/ That you cannot make that happen. 4/ YOU MUST BELIEVE THAT HE WILL MAKE IT HAPPEN. The scripture says that if we pray according to God's will He hears us and if He hears us we know we have the answer to our request. The scripture also says that when we pray we are to believe that we have received the answer to our request and then it shall be done for us. It should be obvious by now that this new life will have to start with a new prayer life. He will bring it about but we must want it. It is not a tedious repition of requests we hope will be answered. It starts with falling in love and experiencing intimacy with your Savior. It is Him you must seek. It is possible for you to try and find a good biblical church with a righteous man at the helm but end up deceived again. Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit are able to find that right church and pastor for you. Again you must learn how to pray. He is your teacher. He will take you there. He will even inspire the prayers. Remember If you ask for a piece of bread He will not give you a stone. If you ask for a fish He will not give you a serpent You have a whole new life awaiting you in Christ. Never give up hope, keep reaching out to this forum and other people you can trust. When it comes to The Kingdom of God you are like a baby that is learning to walk. It doesn't matter how long you have been a Christian. The Kingdom of God is so much bigger and more glorious than you ever imagined. Its time to go for it. When you find yourself saying "There must be more" you are on the right track. This is my prayer for you based on Eph.3:16-21 I ask our Father that He would grant you according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with power through His Spirit in the inner man; so that Christ may dwell in your heart through faith; and that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love which surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled up to all the fullness of God. Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us, to Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations forever and ever. Amen (I would memorise) God Bless you. Let Him create a man worth giving to a woman then He may find a woman worth giving to that man. However by that time it will be far less important. Your desire for Love will be filled with Him. |
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2 | baptism | Gen 2:21 | meta | 236226 | ||
As you stated vs 26. And God said (God said not man said) let us make man in our image.(how is God not part of the "our image" he did not say I will make man in your image to anyone, but OUR IMAGE. So it must be Gods image, He and everyone who shared His image is in the "our". It cannot be anything else. Verse 27b says In the image of God created He him. In whose image? In God's image. It says it right there in the text. How can you deny what is written. Why one anyone try so hard to make this into something else. We are to allow our beliefs to be challenged by scripture not try to make scripture fit our beliefs. I have seen how you end some messages with things like END OF DISCUSSION. that is why I said I wonder why you attend this forum. It is for discussion and growth for all not just so the rest of us get to hear from you the truth we have all been missing. |
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3 | baptism | Gen 2:21 | meta | 236224 | ||
These are in fact your interpretation of Gods words. You have no right to claim that everyone else should accept your limited understanding as divine authority. It weakens your arguments instead of lending any legitimacy at all. Having dominion over does not equal eating. Us and in our image is backed up by the other scriptures that reveal God as more than one. It was in the image of God that man was made. it is in verse 27 that you just submitted. The Father, The Son and The Holy Spirit are the "us" and the "our" that you speak of. It is my perception that this is a useless exercise on my part. Your condecending attitude reveals that you are not open to the truth. Only the truth that you already believe you see is acceptable to you. It makes me wonder why you are on this forum. |
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4 | baptism | Gen 2:21 | meta | 236223 | ||
These are in fact your interpretation of Gods words. You have no right to claim that everyone else should accept your limited understanding as divine authority. It weakens your arguments instead of lending any legitimacy at all. Having dominion over does not equal eating. Us and in our image is backed up by the other scriptures that reveal God as more than one. It was in the image of God that man was made. it is in verse 27 that you just submitted. The Father, The Son and The Holy Spirit are the "us" and the "our" that you speak of. It is my perception that this is a useless exercise on my part. Your condecending attitude reveals that you are not open to the truth. Only the truth that you already believe you see is acceptable to you. It makes me wonder why you are on this forum. |
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5 | baptism | Gen 2:21 | meta | 236222 | ||
These are in fact your interpretation of Gods words. You have no right to claim that everyone else should accept your limited understanding as divine authority. It weakens your arguments instead of lending any legitimacy at all. Having dominion over does not equal eating. Us and in our image is backed up by the other scriptures that reveal God as more than one. It was in the image of God that man was made. it is in verse 27 that you just submitted. The Father, The Son and The Holy Spirit are the "us" and the "our" that you speak of. It is my perception that this is a useless exercise on my part. Your condecending attitude reveals that you are not open to the truth. Only the truth that you already believe you see is acceptable to you. It makes me wonder why you are on this forum. |
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6 | Why did God allow Polygamy? | Gen 2:21 | meta | 236220 | ||
Where in the bible does it say that they were hunters and fishermen? Does having dominion over something imply that they were to eat them? | ||||||
7 | baptism | Gen 2:21 | meta | 236219 | ||
I believe you mean the new covenant was enforced. The new testament is a collection of scriptures. The writings of the apostles which make up that section of our Bible. The new Covenant has to do with the basis of our relationship with God after the Cross(to be brief and simple). I would also be more inclined to refer to the new covenant as being something we enter into rather than something enforced. But I do understand your intent. Some would also refer to the time period as a dispensation. you can google dispensationalism and get a quick idea of what some christian beliefs are regarding this. There are better sources but it is quick and helpful. Bless you |
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8 | Will God forgive me? | Jude 1:24 | meta | 235024 | ||
oops Please forgive. I accidentally posted by hitting the wrong key. The answer #1 posted is complete. The one listed as #2 was not. please ignore #2 Thanks Meta. |
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9 | Will God forgive me? | Jude 1:24 | meta | 235023 | ||
Dear friend, It is evident by the tenderness of your heart that you did by no means fall away. If every time we had a thought that was not divine, if that were were to be the cause of disqualification from eternal life then surely heaven would have no human being there other than Jesus Christ. (I know He is more than just a man but He is also a risen human being). How does Satan tempt us? Does every thought we have originate with us. Are not some thoughts inspired by The Holy Spirit. Are not some thoughts lies from the evil one? Even if you did entertain it. It may be a sin but that is not equal to falling away. Please read all of Hebrews 6:4-12. You should note that two things are necessary for this type of scenario. You must first have been enlightened and tasted the heavenly gift and been made partakers of the Holy Spirit, and have tasted the good word of God and the powers of the age to come and then fallen away. So do you qualify for the first part. I believe you may be in a process of experiencing it but not having fully tasted the good word of God and the powers of the age to come. If you had you would not be so easily moved from the place of confidence in the desire and power of Christ to save you. Heb 12:2 states that Jesus is both the author and the perfecter of our faith. Also Rom 5:10 states "for if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His Life." Did you catch that how much more... shall we BE SAVED BY HIS LIFE. A study of the words "Christ dwell" in the new testament would also be helpful. Please continue to seek God through all of the scriptures. Your fragile state can only be remedied by studying the scriptures and praying for God to enlighten you to the incredible love that Jesus Christ has for you and the solid assurance of salvation that comes from knowing Him. I am sure others will present a list of well known scriptures for the assurance of salvation. The second part of this scenario in Hebrews is referred to as "and then have fallen away". This is a seriouse state. You must have produced some seriouse bad fruit to qualify as having fallen away. I am going to be subjective here. I know someone who experienced a lot of wonderful stuff in Christ. His power, His faithfulness, His Love and many other benefits. This person after walking away from The Lord and the church eventually denied that any of it was real. They denied by their lifestyle and with their words that Jesus Christ is God. That person I believe fulfills this scripture. However, even in that case we must realise that this scripture in Heb 6 does not say what you wrote. It says "it is impossible to renew them again to repentance, since they again crucify to themselves the Son of God and put Him to open shame." At the very least we must realise that the scriptures are written to us not to God but by God. Therefore we can safely say it this way "It is impossible (for you)to renew them again to repentance. Is it impossible for the Holy Spirit? Perhaps. Think on the following also Rev 12:10 The evil one is also referred to as the accuser of the brethren. Luke 19:10 "For the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost. Jude vs 24,25 says. " 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. Your journey has just begun. You will learn how to deal with these lies as you grow in discernment and the knowledge of Gods word. Bless you. Be free. Meta |
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10 | Will God forgive me? | Jude 1:24 | meta | 235021 | ||
Dear friend, It is evident by the tenderness of your heart that you did by no means fall away. If every time we had a thought that was not divine, if that were were to be the cause of disqualification from eternal life then surely heaven would have no human being there other than Jesus Christ. (I know He is more than just a man but He is also a risen human being). How does Satan tempt us? Does every thought we have originate with us. Are not some thoughts inspired by The Holy Spirit. Are not some thoughts lies from the evil one? Even if you did entertain it. It may be a sin but that is not equal to falling away. Please read all of Hebrews 6:4-12. You should note that two things are necessary for this type of scenario. You must first have been enlightened and tasted the heavenly gift and been made partakers of the Holy Spirit, and have tasted the good word of God and the powers of the age to come and then fallen away. So do you qualify for the first part. I believe you may be in a process of experiencing it but not having fully tasted the good word of God and the powers of the age to come. If you had you would not be so easily moved from the place of confidence in the desire and power of Christ to save you. Heb 12:2 states that Jesus is both the author and the perfecter of our faith. Also Rom 5:10 states "for if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His Life." Did you catch that how much more... shall we BE SAVED BY HIS LIFE. A study of the words "Christ dwell" in the new testament would also be helpful. Please continue to seek God through all of the scriptures. Your fragile state can only be remedied by studying the scriptures and praying for God to enlighten you to the incredible love that Jesus Christ has for you and the solid assurance of salvation that comes from knowing Him. I am sure others will present a list of well known scriptures for the assurance of salvation. The second part of this scenario in Hebrews is referred to as "and then have fallen away". This is a seriouse state. You must have produced some seriouse bad fruit to qualify as having fallen away. I am going to be subjective here. I know someone who experienced a lot of wonderful stuff in Christ. His power, His faithfulness, His Love and many other benefits. This person after walking away from The Lord and the church eventually denied that any of it was real. They denied by their lifestyle and with their words that Jesus Christ is God. That person I believe fulfills this scripture. However, even in that case we must realise that this scripture in Heb 6 does not say what you wrote. It says "it is impossible to renew them again to repentance, since they again crucify to themselves the Son of God and put Him to open shame." At the very least we must realise that the scriptures are written to us not to God but by God. Therefore we can safely say It is impossible (for you)to renew them again to repentance. Is it impossible for the Holy Spirit? Perhaps that is why it says the followingportion of that scripture. The evil one is also referred to as the accuser of the brethren. Jesus Christ came to seek and save that which is Lost. Jude vs 24,25 says. " Now to Hom who is able to keep you from stumbling and to make you stand in the presence of His glory blameless with great joy,toi the only God our Saviorthrough Jesus Christ our Lordbe glory, majesty dominion and authority., before all time and now and forever. Amen. |
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11 | Nothing but the Blood of Jesus | Eph 2:13 | meta | 234902 | ||
Hi Doc, Please forgive me. I do believe it is beneficial that you mentioned that it was evangelicals in light of the fact that what they were deviating from was one of the basic principles of evangelicalism. In this context it only makes sense to make that reference. I was reacting to something that I do see so often. One group pointing at another rather than lifting up Christ. This is definitely not what you were doing and my reaction was unwarranted. Had I taken time to really pay attention to your first reply I would have realised that. I regret that I wasted your time with this nonsense. Thank you for your faithfulness. In Him Meta |
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12 | Nothing but the Blood of Jesus | Eph 2:13 | meta | 234891 | ||
Those are fine arguments Doc. I still feel that the fact that these people were evangelicals is irrelevant and therefore unecessary in making your point. I see no benefit. I do agree that Jesus himself said that he came not to bring peace but a sword Mat 10:34 There is no scriptural basis and no argument for unecessarily categorising the people that were in error here. It is a human practice that is not bliblical but comes from our sin nature. If there were some distiction as to what type of fallen creatures we are that make such mistakes I cannot see it. I definitly do not subscribe to peace or unity at any price. However I fail to see a price here. We are in fact to make an effort to preserve unity. Eph 4:3 being diligent to preserve the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. Let me reiterate. If there were a benefit. If it helped to reveal truth or enlighten us then I do not suggest we hide truth to protect anyone. Again that is not the case. It is a useless fact that they were evangelicals. You have so much wisdom and I am on your side (another irrelevant fact) about the atonement issue. If we are to judge ourselves first then I suggest you do just that. Why not ask The Lord what He would say concerning this issue? Blessings in Christ Meta |
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13 | Nothing but the Blood of Jesus | Eph 2:13 | meta | 234883 | ||
Hi Doc, I agree with you that it is a strange accusation. The one moment in time that all of eternity past and future is measured from is the cross. The single act of The Creator dying to rescue His creation from death is beyond what we could conceive or ask for. The most brilliant remedy, the greatest act of courage and the most effective and powerfull victory ever won should leave us humbled and in awe of our glorious and beautifull savior. How can anyone state that someone else is too atonement centered?. I do have a question though. Are evangelicals the only believers that make such mistakes? How many evangelicals would completely agree with your statements? I find it odd that a group has to be named to make this point. I find it odd that so many Christians have to look to some other group that they do not agree with to make their point. I understand that you cannot change the fact that these people may have claimed to be evangelicals. Is that why they were in error? Or is it just that they were deceived. If these folks were all in california would it be californian evangelicals. If these were people that all graduated university would it be educated Californian evangelicals. I think you can see where I am going with this. Please note the following is a direct extraction from the definition of the word "evangelical" : "emphasizing salvation by faith in the atoning death of Jesus Christ through personal conversion, the authority of Scripture, and the importance of preaching as contrasted with ritual" So if these so called evengelicals in your words "challenged the dominant understanding of Christ's death on the Cross as the substitute for our sins." then it is logical to state that they were not doing so as evangelicals but as unbelieving and deceived Christians. Perhaps we could be less divisive if we spoke about the arguements themselves and not malign some good people who may exalt Christ in their hearts, their conversations and their deeeds, in some cases as much as non evangelicals and in some cases maybe even more than some non evangelicals. Is that possible? You are a wonder full brother in Christ. Meta Luke 18:8b However, when the Son of Man comes, will He find faith on the earth? |
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14 | Am I going to Hell for attending UMC | Bible general Archive 4 | meta | 234262 | ||
Weather or not you go to hell has nothing to do with what church you attend. Romans 8:33-34 New American Standard Bible (NASB) 33 Who will bring a charge against God’s elect? God is the one who justifies; 34 who is the one who condemns? Christ Jesus is He who died, yes, rather who was raised, who is at the right hand of God, who also intercedes for us. Christ died and was raised for you. (more for the Father than for us I believe). If Jesus Christ includes you in His Salvation then it will not be good for your friend to pass a sentence of eternal destruction on someone by making such foolish and careless judgements. You should forgive them and pray for them so that something unpleasant does not befall them. Job 42:7-10 7 It came about after the Lord had spoken these words to Job, that the Lord said to Eliphaz the Temanite, “My wrath is kindled against you and against your two friends, because you have not spoken of Me what is right as My servant Job has. 8 Now therefore, take for yourselves seven bulls and seven rams, and go to My servant Job, and offer up a burnt offering for yourselves, and My servant Job will pray for you. For I will accept him so that I may not do with you according to your folly, because you have not spoken of Me what is right, as My servant Job has.” 9 So Eliphaz the Temanite and Bildad the Shuhite and Zophar the Naamathite went and did as the Lord told them; and the Lord accepted Job. 10 The Lord restored the fortunes of Job when he prayed for his friends, and the Lord increased all that Job had twofold. |
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15 | baptizem | Gal 5:19 | meta | 234259 | ||
The short answer is yes. Absolutely See Romans 10:8-11 |
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16 | baptizem | Gal 5:19 | meta | 234258 | ||
The short answer is yes. Absolutely See Romans 10:8-11 |
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17 | second list of fruit of the spirit | Gal 5:19 | meta | 234257 | ||
You are onto something but it is not exactly what you think. The fruit of the Spirit in Gal 5 are not meant to be an exhaustive list and they are not referred to as first fruits. In fact the list is not plural fruits but rather fruit. Apples pears and oranges are fruits. apples are the fruit of the apple tree. The fruit of the Spirit is a term used in Gal 5:22.23 22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. The word fruit here is also translated as “benefit, crop, produce, profit” and some other terms. It is singular fruit not fruits. It could as easily be translated “the result of the Holy Spirit” The key to understanding the Fruit of the Holy Spirit however is found in the last part of verse23 “Against such there is no law.” The author of this book is encouraging the believers in Galatia to look beyond religion. To look far beyond what is required of us to what is possible for us. As we desire, long for, hunger for, and seek The Holy Spirit and the relationship we can have with Him through Jesus Christ, and the relationship we can have with Christ through Him, then this list of fruit is what is produced in us. It is glorious to be filled with the Holy Spirit and be free from what the law or religion requires, to be spurned on with the wind at our backs to produce things that The Holy Spirit is doing that cannot be listed here or in the law. It is not a list. It is a picture of the Holy Spirit in us which is in turn a picture of the character of Christ. All of our efforts in the flesh will never result in us looking like Jesus. You cannot receive or produce these fruits. They are not the fruit of your efforts. They are the fruit of freely receiving the Holy Spirit and giving up on trying to become Holy by what we do or do not do. The list is unending but all of the fruit of the Holy Spirit is pure and holy and will bring glory to God the Father and Jesus Christ. If we read Rom 8: 23 in context we see there is no list. The greek word aparche used here refers to the first portion of something of which there is more to come. There is more of the Holy Spirit than what was given. That may mean more yet to come for us or simply more than we have received. |
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18 | The Lord our God works through man, why? | Bible general Archive 4 | meta | 234127 | ||
Well things have gotten a little messy here. First God is Love. As brothers and sisters in Christ we are actually a part of each other and the world will know us by the love we have for each other. Regardless of the rules here. God did many things without using man before he gave man dominion over all the earth. Even Jesus authority on earth was based on His humanity. The earth is the Lords and the fullness thereof however He is truth and will not violate His covenant with us. That does not mean He will not intervene but it is highly likely that most intervention is based on man requesting action from God. That being said God does expect us to exercise dominion over not only creation but also authority over spirits of darkness. Unless you consider serpents and scorpions to be taken literally. Luke 10:19 Behold, I have given you authority to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing will injure you. He gave Adam dominion. Gen 1:26-28 … fill the earth and subdue it and rule over the fish of the sea…and over every living thing that moves on the earth. It was because Adam had dominion over the earth that the earth became cursed when he sinned. Eve sinned and nothing happened. Gen 3:6 That is because God gave Adam dominion before she was formed. God instructed Adam not to eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil before He fashioned Eve from his rib. Perhaps the clearest scripture is this. Psalm 115:16 The heavens are the heavens of the LORD, But the earth He has given to the sons of men. We know that Jesus had to be born of a woman for two reasons 1/ He had to be under come under the law. This is the only way He could fulfill the law. That is the whole reason God chose Abraham and made a nation then gave that nation His laws. The purpose of the law was not to perfect Israel for that was never possible. Rom 8:3, and Heb 7:18-19 He could not be a son of Adam. Generational sins and curses come down the fathers line and not the mothers. Once again Eve sinned first but creation did not fall until Adam sinned. Important note. Not later when God pronounced the curse but at the very moment Adam sinned So even if God could have found a way for the Spirit of Christ to be born of a woman and a man He would have inherited generational curses and sins. Man had dominion and he had submitted himself to Satan through his sin. So it was essential that He be the seed of the woman but not of a man. So being a man himself with nothing passed from previous generations He remained sinless and he had dominion because he was a man. When Jesus left He gave the Holy Spirit to fill us with His life so through us He could legally exercise dominion in the earth. There is now a and forever will be risen human being on the throne in heaven beside the Father It is the church that will subdue even the spirits of darkness for the greatest victory of all time Ephesians 3:10-1110 so that the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known through the church to the rulers and the authorities in the heavenly places. 11 This was in accordance with the eternal purpose which He carried out in Christ Jesus our Lord, and Eph 3 16-20 16 that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with power through His Spirit in the inner man, 17 so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; and that you, being rooted and grounded in love, 18 may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, 19 and to know the love of Christ which surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled up to all the fullness of God.20 Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us, Look at the last 8 words. According to the power that is at work within us. God pours himself into man, He fills man with himself, His life flows through man resulting in Holiness and Power. In fact to a very great degree God limits Himself to what will be done through Man. His Son is a man on the throne of heaven. Yes He is God and we are not. We worship Him and fall at His feet in awe of His magesty and Splendor However It has not yet entered the heart of man what God has prepared for him (or what He has prepared him for). 1 |
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19 | please explain "fruits of the spirit" | Gal 5:22 | meta | 233546 | ||
The fruit of the Spirit is a term used in Gal 5:22.23 22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. The word fruit here is also translated as “benefit, crop, produce, profit” and some other terms. It is singular fruit not fruits. It could as easily be translated “the result of the Holy Spirit” The key to understanding the Fruit of the Holy Spirit however is found in the last part of verse23 “Against such there is no law.” The author of this book is encouraging the believers in Galatia to look beyond religion. To look far beyond what is required of us to what is possible for us. As we desire, long for, hunger for, and seek The Holy Spirit and the relationship we can have with Him through Jesus Christ, and the relationship we can have with Christ through Him, then this list of fruit is what is produced in us. It is glorious to be filled with the Holy Spirit and be free from what the law or religion requires and spurned on with the wind at our backs to produce things that The Holy Spirit is doing that cannot be listed here or in the law. It is not a list. It is a picture of the Holy Spirit in us which is in turn a picture of the character of Christ. All of our efforts in the flesh will never result in us looking like Jesus. You cannot receive or produce these fruits. They are not the fruit of your efforts. They are the fruit of freely receiving the Holy Spirit and giving up on trying to become Holy by what we do or do not do. The list is unending but all of the fruit of the Holy Spirit is pure and holy and will bring glory to God the Father and Jesus Christ. They are not the same as the Gifts of the Holy Spirit listed in 1 Cor. 12:7-11 7 But to each one is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good. 8 For to one is given the word of wisdom through the Spirit, and to another the word of knowledge according to the same Spirit; 9 to another faith by the same Spirit, and to another gifts of healing by the one Spirit, 10 and to another the effecting of miracles, and to another prophecy, and to another the distinguishing of spirits, to another various kinds of tongues, and to another the interpretation of tongues. 11 But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually just as He wills. For now lets focus on verse 7 and verse 11. This gift or manifestation of The Holy Spirit is for the common good. It is not primarily for the one who is being used in this way by The Holy Spirit but for others who will benefit from it. The fruit of The Holy Spirit has to do with our experience and our transformation into the image of Christ. Although it is obvious that love is the power behind these gifts it is not conditional that only people that have grown in Love are used in this way. Another major difference is the affect of the gifts such as miracles and healings. Even Jesus healed people that did not necessarily change in character. Verse 11 note “distributing to each individually just as He wills”. The fruit of the Holy Spirit is available to all who believe and it continues to increase as we seek and Love God. (See 2 Peter 1:5-8) It is not so with the gifts. It is the Holy Spirits choice when and if a person is going to experience these gifts. We may influence that choice but it is not a promise like the fruit is. That being said we are to seek the gifts 1 Cor.14:1 Pursue love, yet desire earnestly spiritual gifts, but especially that you may prophesy 1 Cor 12:31 But earnestly desire the greater gifts. And I show you a still more excellent way. Bless you in your search for The Spirit if Truth and all He has for you Meta |
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20 | Proof of receiving the Holy Spirir | Gal 5:22 | meta | 233525 | ||
Hello Les Paul, According to the scriptures, speaking in tongues was clearly a sign of baptism in the Holy Spirit. Acts 2:4 2:4 And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit was giving them utterance. But so was prophesying Acts 19:6 6 And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Spirit came on them, and they began speaking with tongues and prophesying. To draw the conclusion that either of these is necessary as a sign of the baptism (or infilling or whatever term a person wants to use) is neither loving or scriptural. It is in fact the traditions of men and has no authority of scripture. Here is the real evidence of the presence of the Holy Spirit in a believers life. 1 Cor. 12:3 3 Therefore I make known to you that no one speaking by the Spirit of God says, “Jesus is accursed”; and no one can say, “Jesus is Lord,” except by the Holy Spirit. (Obviously a person could say those words without meaning them but we need to keep it real) We see the fruit or result of receiving the Holy Spirit is also found here. Galations 5:22 22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. There are more scriptural evidences but this should suffice. Now that being said, it appears in scripture that receiving the Holy Spirit or the Baptism in the Holy Spirit was clearly something that at least some times happened on a separate occasion after salvation. Acts 8:14-17 14 Now when the apostles in Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent them Peter and John, 15 who came down and prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit. 16 For He had not yet fallen upon any of them; they had simply been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. 17 Then they began laying their hands on them, and they were receiving the Holy Spirit. Acts 19: 1-6 It happened that while Apollos was at Corinth, Paul passed through the upper country and came to Ephesus, and found some disciples. 2 He said to them, “Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?” And they said to him, “No, we have not even heard whether there is a Holy Spirit.” 3 And he said, “Into what then were you baptized?” And they said, “Into John’s baptism.” 4 Paul said, “John baptized with the baptism of repentance, telling the people to believe in Him who was coming after him, that is, in Jesus.” 5 When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. 6 And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Spirit came on them, and they began speaking with tongues and prophesying. It appears that there is also some type of filling that happens repeatedly and/or continually. Acts 13:52 And the disciples were continually filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit. The bible also speaks of men being full of the Holy Spirit as a distinctly different thing than just having received the Holy Spirit. Stephen Acts 6:5The statement found approval with the whole congregation; and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit, and Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas and Nicolas, a proselyte from Antioch. Barnabas Acts 11:24 24 for he was a good man, and full of the Holy Spirit and of faith. And considerable numbers were brought to the Lord. My question is this. If The Holy Spirit is available to us in any measure beyond what we have now would we not want that? If there is an accompanying gift that would benefit us and The Kingdom of God would we not want that also? It appears there is a gift available through the laying on of hands that can release a spiritual language for our edification. The scriptures state that we are to earnestly seek the gifts of the Holy Spirit 1 Cor 14:1 Pursue love, yet desire earnestly spiritual gifts, but especially that you may prophesy. Well, Les Paul Those are my thoughts and some references. Here is a very important function of the Holy Spirit for you. John 16:13 But when He, the Spirit of truth, comes, He will guide you into all the truth; for He will not speak on His own initiative, but whatever He hears, He will speak; and He will disclose to you what is to come. 1 John 2: 20-21 But you have an anointing from the Holy One, and you all know I have not written to you because you do not know the truth, but because you do know it, and because no lie is of the truth. 1 John 2:27 As for you, the anointing which you received from Him abides in you, and you have no need for anyone to teach you; but as His anointing teaches you about all things, and is true and is not a lie, and just as it has taught you, you abide in Him. I Bless you in your pursuit of truth. Rely on The Spirit of Truth through Jesus Christ and hold what all men say (myself included) lightly. Meta |
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