Results 1 - 4 of 4
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Results from: Answered Bible Questions, Answers, Unanswered Bible Questions, Notes Ordered by Verse | ||||||
Results | Verse | Author | ID# | |||
1 | Commandments absolute? | Matt 28:20 | charis | 3502 | ||
Colleagues, Are these commandments a new set of laws? Are they alive or dead? (i.e. subject to birth, growth, degradation, restoration, or are they 'set in stone,' rigid and unbending) Are all the commandments 'knowable' by man, in an absolute sense? Blessings in the Lord Jesus, charis |
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2 | Commandments absolute? | Matt 28:20 | reformedreader | 3510 | ||
Chris, You have asked a very major question not many Christians are willing to discuss. There is really only one way to view what our Lord stated. Whatever He taught the Apostles and other followers, they are lawful commands from God Himself. Therefore, since they have not been rescinded anywhere else in the New Testament, they are still binding on all New Testament believers today. They are set in stone in the respect that they are solidly God's law for us to obey. They are set into the hearts of all believers in the respect they are the believers Christian duty and obedience from a loving heart for their Lord. "Are all commandments knowable by man"? No, not all. But that does not exclude any from being known by all men. Paul said all men are without excuse for all men have "a" knowledge of God. "A" knowledge of God is not a salvific knowledge, in that it is not the calling of God to receive salvation. Even though it is not a salvific knowledge, it is still "a" knowledge that God exists and they are without excuse. From what are they without excuse? Their sins. All men are endowed with the natural ability to know not only that there is a right and wrong, but also what that right and wrong is. God requires all men everywhere to obey His laws. Therefore, all men everywhere are without excuse when they sin for all have sinned and failed to glorify God. Sam Hughey |
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3 | Conscience? | Matt 28:20 | charis | 3517 | ||
Dear reformedreader, Thanks for a beautiful answer! By the way, this is not Chris, but charis, another nice fellow :-) You wrote, "They are set into the hearts of all believers in the respect they are the believers Christian duty and obedience from a loving heart for their Lord." I agree with this, that the loving heart is what makes our adherance acceptable to God. Might this 'natural ability to know right and wrong' be termed 'conscience,' as in that part of us which is created in the image of God? Do these commandments include many of the things that divide the church of Jesus? Indeed, many Christians are uncomfortable discussing such questions. Might it be that such questions would undermine traditions of men that divide the church into so many entities, often focusing on things that have nothing to do with a heart after God? Blessings in Jesus' name, charis |
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4 | Conscience? | Matt 28:20 | reformedreader | 3560 | ||
charis, I apologize for the name exchange. My eyes must have been looking where my brain was not thinking. When you use the phrase "acceptable to God" be careful. I think I know what you mean but it can be misunderstood. Some might take that to mean God accepts us on the grounds of what we do. I know, I've had some to accuse me of implying that. However, much like the worship of the priests of the Old Testament, the worship of the priests of the New Testament must also be acceptable by God. This is very strange to many Christians who think worship is just doing something religious. God has not changed His standard for worship and ours must be done so as to be acceptable by God, otherwise, we worship in vain. Our prayers will be attended to by God only if we approach God in the same manner as the Old Testament priests. We must approach Him on the grounds of a clean heart, meaning our sins must be confessed. We must approach the throne of God in no less a manner of holiness than our Old Testament priest equivalents. Yes, I believe the term 'conscience' is a good word for the natural ability to know right from wrong. But don't forget, just because we all have a conscience doesn't mean we all come to salvation. "These Commandments", as you call them, need to be sharply defined. Antinomianism is rapant in most Arminian congregations, so laws, to some extent, would not mean anything to them. Do God's laws divide? You bet they do. They divide the obedient from the disobedient. They divide the learned from the unlearned. You are absolutely correct that many "law" questions would undermine the traditions of men. Antinomians would disagree with you as well as those that support New Covenant Theology. If you would like to discuss this further, these "laws" need to be defined so we can be called legalists and grace rejecters. (know what I mean) Sam Hughey |
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