Results 1 - 6 of 6
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Results from: Answered Bible Questions, Answers, Unanswered Bible Questions, Notes Ordered by Verse | ||||||
Results | Verse | Author | ID# | |||
1 | Can a toddler go to heaven? | Rom 3:23 | disciplerami | 77116 | ||
" Even if Paul was referring to "we" as the apostles and himself, it does not relegate the "saints" to an infrerior group." I would not say they were 'inferior' because they did not hold apostolic or prophetic office. And why couldn't the letter be read alound, and the saints decide if "the shoe fits, wear it." Some of the saints were undoubtedly unspiritual. Chapter five is where Paul rebukes the church for tolerating "the man who had his father's wife." So those people are saints and they are acting in a manner unbecoming of a Christian. You ask, "the Spirit that who is from God"? Of course not!" I would disagree because, while it is true that all saints receive the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, not all had the supernatural gifts of prophecy, revelation, tongues. etc. It doesn't make them inferior, but less informed until they receive the epistle. About the 'enligtening' from the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit does not 'enligthen' separate and apart from the 'sword of the Spirit', the Word. It behooves every believer to equip himself with the Word of God, or there is no enlightenment. It appears that the 1 Corinthian letter served to enlighten the Corinthians, judging by the tone of the 2 Corinthian letter. You write, "What Paul says about the natural man cannot be said of any person who is indwelt by the Holy Spirit." I have to agree with Tim Moran that Paul does refer to the Corinthians in this manner (1 Cor 3:1). Tim writes the following: Here is where context helps answer the question. The word 'spiritual', or 'pneumatikos', is used 4 times in 1 Cor. 2-3. Twice in 1 Cor. 2:13 - "This is what we speak, not in words taught us by human wisdom but in words taught by the Spirit, expressing spiritual truths in spiritual words." Once in 1 Cor. 2:15 - "The spiritual man makes judgments about all things, but he himself is not subject to any man?s judgment:" And, once in 1 Cor. 3:1 - "Brothers, I could not address you as spiritual but as worldly?mere infants in Christ." 1 Cor. 2:13 and 2:15 bracket the verse you quoted, and form a contrast between 'spiritual' and 'natural'. Yet, in 1 Cor. 3:1, Paul says that he could not address them as 'spiritual'. We are agreed that Paul was writing to Christians. So, why couldn't he address them as 'spiritual'? Because, they were acting 'worldly', and not 'spiritual'." This last statement of yours indicates the weakness in your argument: "While it is true that we all too often act and think as if we were natural men, nevertheless, we retain the ability to understand spiritual things for we are never devoid of the influence and power of the in dwelling Spirit of God." Exactly right! The Corinthians, NEW CREATURES that they were, were acting unspiritual. They needed to repent and begin discerning the matters of life with spiritual emphasis. I'm glad to have your response. Have a good day. Disciplerami |
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2 | Can a toddler go to heaven? | Rom 3:23 | John Reformed | 77138 | ||
Dear Disciplerami, "And why couldn't the letter be read alound, and the saints decide if "the shoe fits, wear it."...............You misunderstood. I do believe the letter was read aloud to all (even the natural ones that may have been among them ("mere professers"). Concerning Tim's post, see my reply to it. "This last statement of yours indicates the weakness in your argument"...........I believe it to be a strength rather than a weakness. "The Corinthians, NEW CREATURES that they were, were acting unspiritual. They needed to repent and begin discerning the matters of life with spiritual emphasis"................ Repentance is one of those "things of the Spirit God" which the natural man considers foolishness. As far as discernment goes, it is another thing that the spiritually dead are incapable of. John R. |
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3 | Can a toddler go to heaven? | Rom 3:23 | disciplerami | 77237 | ||
Dear John, The spiritually dead state is the result of choices one has made. The individual chooses where to set his mind (Romans 8), and he may do so at his discretion. Without knowledge, he may go the easy and carnal route. With increased knowledge, he may reassess his position, and decide it makes more sense to bow to the Creator. It is a choice. The one who is dead in sin, is not incapable of choosing to do the right thing. So many passages of the Bible support my position. Matthew 11, Jesus says, 'come to me all who are weary and heavy laden, and I will give you rest." If you were right, the passage would not be set as an appeal followed by a promise; instead, it would state the promise as received, and it would then suggest you come to Him. Jesus appeals to the sinful, to the poor, to the sinner. Such appeals would be a waste of time if it isn't expected that men may choose to respond. Conversely, the Corinthians, born again, indwelled by the Holy Spirit, were quenching the Spirit and grieving the Spirit (1 The 5:19; Eph 4:30) by drawing up along party lines and by condoning sin in the church. Christians may indeed choose to do the unspiritual things. With that choice, they are not using spiritual discernment. |
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4 | Can a toddler go to heaven? | Rom 3:23 | John Reformed | 77258 | ||
Dear Discilerami, Our views are so far apart that it is not humanly possible for us to reach agreement on the issue. I believe salvation is of the Lord from start to finish. I was drawn by the Father, raised to spiritual life by the Son, and through the power of the Holy Spirit became a new creature in Christ. And this salvation was not due to my will or any good thing in me, but by the grace of God alone. You believe that Jesus is your Saviour as well, but that He has only made salvation possible. The rest is up to man. Requirements for salvation: 1. Sorrow for sin and a desire to turn from it. 2. Faith to trust in Christ as saviour and lord. 3. Do a good work; be baptised (by complete immersion only.) 4. Continue your life as a holy and faithfull christian. Given the time, I sure that additional rules would come to mind. The New Covenant is not about what we do. It is about what He has done and what He will contiue to do in and through us. Correct me if I'm mistaken in my conclusion. John |
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5 | Can a toddler go to heaven? | Rom 3:23 | disciplerami | 77275 | ||
Dear John, I would say that you depict my position pretty well. "The rest is up to man" to respond in faith. The things you write are the cause of confusion for me: __________ Requirements for salvation: 1. Sorrow for sin and a desire to turn from it. 2. Faith to trust in Christ as saviour and lord. 3. Do a good work; be baptised (by complete immersion only.) 4. Continue your life as a holy and faithfull christian. Given the time, I'm sure that additional rules would come to mind. The New Covenant is not about what we do. It is about what He has done and what He will contiue to do in and through us. ___________ In what way is sorrow a 'requirement' if God is doing it? In what way is desire a 'requirement' if God is working that in you? In what way is faith or baptism or any other thing a 'rules' when you say that God is doing them? On one hand you say it is all God, he does it all from first to last, and then you list requirement or rules for salvation. Do you not see the dilemma? Let me close by stating once again, my obedience is not to merit salvation, it is done out of faith in the one who saves. The blood of Christ atones for sins. Even when I've done everything commanded, I've only done that which I ought to have done. My works are as filthy rags because they are imperfect and I continually fall short of God's glory. I believe in salvation by grace through faith. When I stand before the judgment seat of Christ to give an account of the things I've done, I will have the forgiveness through His blood to thank for my salvation. Have a good day. |
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6 | Can a toddler go to heaven? | Rom 3:23 | John Reformed | 77297 | ||
Disciplerami, "On one hand you say it is all God, he does it all from first to last, and then you list requirement or rules for salvation. Do you not see the dilemma?" Yes I do see the dilema! My list was meant to point out the irony of your doctrine. 1. Sorrow for sin and desire for repentence are present in one's heart and are an evidence to the believer of the influence of the Holy Spirit. 2. Faith in Christ is not possible to those who are not drawn by the Father. All who are drawn come to Christ for they have been taught by God and will be raised up on the "last day" In v.44 Jesus proclaims the will of God as it pertains to salvation. John 6:40 "For this is the will of My Father, that everyone who beholds the Son and believes in Him will have eternal life, and I Myself will raise him up on the last day." Are all people drawn? The answer is found in v.44 John 6:44 "No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him; and I will raise him up on the last day. Only those whom He draws are saved. If you argue that He draws everyone, I would reply by pointing out that everyone who is drawn, is also taught by God and comes to Christ and is (without exception) saved. Unless you believe in "universal salvation" (no one is damned) your arguement fails. John 6:45 "It is written in the prophets, 'AND THEY SHALL ALL BE TAUGHT OF GOD.' Everyone who has heard and learned from the Father, comes to Me 3. Do a good work; be baptised (by complete immersion only.) We are saved by faith in Christ's finished work, on our behalf, on the cross alone. The desire to be baptised is in response to our new heart's desire to please our saviour by obeying His command. Baptism may be the first good work that we see ourselves perform. But we must not overlook this important fact: Eph 2:10 For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them. 4. Continue your life as a holy and faithfull christian. If it is by my own strength that I perservere to the end, should I not have something of which to boast? No, for it is God in us; leading, exhorting, warning, chastizing, encouraging, and in the end keeping us in Christ by His immutable will. Phil 2:13 for it is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure. It was His good pleasure to save us and it is His good pleasure to keep us. Glory and honor to God our Saviour. In other words: If I do any good work, it is not me but Christ in me. Gal 2:20 "I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me. John |
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