Results 1 - 8 of 8
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Results from: Answered Bible Questions, Answers, Unanswered Bible Questions, Notes Ordered by Verse | ||||||
Results | Verse | Author | ID# | |||
1 | Praying Rather than Cursing | Ex 22:28 | EdB | 242894 | ||
"As Reformed folks, we understand that God is in control of every single molecule in the universe. If He were not, then that one uncontrolled molecule might impede His fulfilling a promise. As a person that doesn't hold to the Reformed theology I find it hard to imagine a God that could be impeded by any thing of His creation. God created it all and to think something in that creation could impede God's plan, to me, fails to understand God's full might and power. As for praying for our leaders I agree we must, we are commanded by scriptures to do so. No matter how we might try to justify not doing so, the fact remains unless we do pray for our leaders we are in disobedience. |
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2 | Praying Rather than Cursing | Ex 22:28 | DocTrinsograce | 242895 | ||
Hi, Ed... You wrote, "God created it all and to think something in that creation could impede God's plan, to me, fails to understand God's full might and power." That would be a pretty good definition of what we call theology proper the sovereignty of God. The old Baptist divines stated it thus: "God hath decreed in Himself, from all eternity, by the most wise and holy counsel of His own will, freely and unchangeably, all things, whatsoever comes to pass; yet so as thereby is God neither the author of sin nor hath fellowship with any therein; nor is violence offered to the [free] will of the creature, nor yet is the liberty or contingency of second causes taken away, but rather established; in which appears His wisdom in disposing all things, and power and faithfulness in accomplishing his decree. (Isaiah 46:10; Ephesians 1:11; Hebrews 6:17; Romans 9:15, 18; James 1:13; 1 John 1:5; Acts 4:27, 28; John 19:11; Numbers 23:19; Ephesians 1:3-5)" 1689 London Baptist Confession of Faith 3.1 There are so many things on which Christendom agrees. I have heard that the variance is less than 5 percent. Our Lord is gracious toward His church, insuring that the truth of His word is spread throughout the world. I am so glad that I now see you and me as far less in disagreement, and far more in brotherhood (Ephesians 2:19-22). That realization has helped me to pray for you and your denominational fellows more than ever before. For those in the forum who do not know about it, Ed has graciously spent significant time explaining the nuances of Pentecostal belief. Through that, I was able to see that, although there may be differences in doctrine and practice, there are far more points on which we agree. I hope that our interaction, brother Ed, has also allowed you to pray for me and my denominational brethren. We all assuredly need this if we are to serve our righteous Lord in a world hostile to God (Psalm 2). Thank you for your comment! In Him, Doc PS Just think of it: how often we are praying for our leaders before the throne of God. No doubt we even do it simultaneously. |
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3 | Praying Rather than Cursing | Ex 22:28 | EdB | 242896 | ||
I think on sovereignty we are in close agreement however our 5 percent difference is over how much influence God manifests in man’s will and man’s situations. I believe God’s plan can not be impeded by creation yet allows man the freedom to choose rebellion or obedience. On the other hand, I believe you hold that God has orchestrated creation/man to fulfill His plan which in effect removing that choice. | ||||||
4 | Praying Rather than Cursing | Ex 22:28 | DocTrinsograce | 242899 | ||
Dear Ed, Yes, the 5 percent is significant. However, Reformed folks do not deny the freedom of the will. Did you see the phrase "nor is violence offered to the [free] will of the creature" in my citation of the 1689 LBCF? We do not believe in fatalism or determinism. We believe that God Himself repairs the believer's will such that he is enabled to choose God. That distinction makes a whole world of difference. Regardless of our 5 percent... I am sincerely glad that you are here in the forum. I am always grateful when you answer the 95 percent so succinctly. Being very frank, here, over the last year or so I have learned to embrace you as brother, thank the Lord for your ministry, and become gladdened by your participation in the forum. I am now of the opinion that our distinctives provide a more balanced response to forum questions... and that without qualification. God bless you, Ed! In Him, Doc |
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5 | Praying Rather than Cursing | Ex 22:28 | EdB | 242900 | ||
"We believe that God Himself repairs the believer's will such that he is enabled to choose God. That distinction makes a whole world of difference." "Repairs" is a synonym for "takes away man's free will." " or render it void" I'm working on a teaching about the blood covenant and tonight I'm talking on Johathan and David and how their covenant touched Mephiboseth. Jonathan and Saul are dead and Mephiboseth is living on the backside of nowhere, when David asks is there no one I can show covenant kindness to? 2 Samuel 9 The servants bring Mephiboseth who probably thinks he is being dragged in to be killed. David offers him a new life as a new person. Not because of anything Mephiboseth did but because of the covenant between David and Johathan. Mephiboseth has to make a decision. To accept the offer, to love David and to become a completely different person or return to being the one that was living on the backside of nowhere. This story is a Old Testament picture of New Testament truth. We are brought into covenant relationship with God because of the New Covenant, the covenant between Christ and God. We are brought in not because of anything we did but because of what Christ did. However we have to choose to become the new man that is being offered to us. The free gift of becoming a men person in Christ (Salvation) seems like too good of deal to turn down, yet through the years I have witnessed many people flat out refuse it or walk away after having accepted it. |
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6 | Praying Rather than Cursing | Ex 22:28 | DocTrinsograce | 242901 | ||
Hi, Ed... Actually repair means to put it back in functioning order. You see, our first parents, "...being the root, and by God's appointment, standing in the room and stead of all mankind, the guilt of the sin was imputed, and corrupted nature conveyed, to all their posterity descending from them by ordinary generation, being now conceived in sin, and by nature children of wrath, the servants of sin, the subjects of death, and all other miseries, spiritual, temporal, and eternal, unless the Lord Jesus set them free. (Romans 5:12-19; 1 Corinthians 15:21, 22, 45, 49; Psalms 51:5; Job 14:4; Ephesians 2:3; Romans 6:20 Romans 5:12; Hebrews 2:14, 15; 1 Thessalonians 1:10) Thus, "...from this original corruption, whereby we are utterly indisposed, disabled, and made opposite to all good, and wholly inclined to all evil, do proceed all actual transgressions. (Romans 8:7; Colossians 1:21; James 1:14, 15; Matthew 15:19)" 1689 LBCF 6.3-4 Consequently, it is quite the contrary of your assertion. The repair -- something only God can do -- is a work by which the will becomes free indeed! As Paul puts it, concerning the New Covenant, "Not that we are adequate in ourselves to consider anything as coming from ourselves, but our adequacy is from God, who also made us adequate as servants of a new covenant, not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life." (2 Corinthians 3:5-6) Our God makes us adequate... not our choosing. You won't agree, but we should be cautious not to burn straw men, contrary to the very nature of Him with Whom we have to do. In Him, Doc PS We'll be praying for your teaching tonight. 2 Samuel 9 is a wonderful picture of covenants. Even ones made before the beneficiary is born! |
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7 | Praying Rather than Cursing | Ex 22:28 | EdB | 242903 | ||
No one is denying sin or the effects of sin upon man, nor am I denying that without the working of the Holy Spirit we are blind to the truth. What I'm saying as just as David had to call to Mephiboseth before he could fulfill the covenant with Johathan and bestow the gift of loving kindness on Mephiboseth, God likewise calls to each of us. It was at that point Mephiboseth had to make the decision, to accept or reject the gift of David’s loving kindness, we each have to make the same choice. Once offered we must accept or reject God’s offer of salvation. As hard as it might be to believe any would reject it or that even more accept it at the time but reject it later. Hence the scripture that tell us we must persevere. The parable of the sower and seed is an excellent example. All hear the message(seed) but in some cases Satan snatches it from them, other hear it but allow this life to choke the life out of them, others hear and sprout but with shallow roots and when hard times come turn their backs on God. Still other hear, accept, grow and flourish. Matt 13 Doc this is old ground, ground we have both plowed many times. My first response in this thread was not an attempt to replow that ground but to present the other side of the story you presented. That side does exist and people need to hear it, to decide for themselves which best represents the true word of God. Also I thank you for and covet your prayers! I'm told the teaching went well, I don't know, but what I do know is it blessed my heart. As I was speaking I was nearly overwhelmed with presence of the Holy Spirit. Interestingly I was going to do this teaching about a month ago and something changed and I wasn’t able to so then. Then 2 weeks ago learned I was going to have an opportunity to do it last night. In that time God had me change the teaching constantly and even as late as yesterday afternoon God gave me insight into the story I had never seen before. I can’t think of anything that excites my spirit, heart and mind more that the Blood Covenant. Which makes sense since that is what the Bible is all about. Old Testament the Old Blood Covenant and the New Testament the New Blood Covenant. |
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8 | Praying Rather than Cursing | Ex 22:28 | DocTrinsograce | 242907 | ||
I am grateful to our Lord for the answer to prayer. | ||||||