Results 101 - 120 of 128
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Results from: Answered Bible Questions, Unanswered Bible Questions Author: Aixen7z4 Ordered by Verse |
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Results | Verse | Author | ID# | |||
101 | What's in a name? | Phil 2:9 | Aixen7z4 | 132607 | ||
What's in a name? Someone has said that a rose by any name would smell as sweet. But the name is important, once it is attached to it, because it identifies the flower. It saves us time each time we would go to it, so that we do not need to look at the others, except perhaps as a backdrop and a comparison, as we go to it. What's in the name Jesus? I hope that everyone will flock to it and taste of it and talk about it. |
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102 | All of that? | Phil 2:9 | Aixen7z4 | 132646 | ||
Hello, GB. Thanks for that scripture. Is there also scriptural support for the other characteristics you attach to the name? | ||||||
103 | Just the name? | Phil 2:9 | Aixen7z4 | 132663 | ||
He felt that the Bible was trying to make the way of salvation too easy. First it says all we have to do is receive Jesus. But then it seems to say we don’t even have to do that much. If we only believe on his name; that is enough. He was wrestling with John 1:12. How would you help him? How would you explain it? Some passages of Scripture indicate we can be saved by believing the message of the Gospel. For example, in 1 Corinthians 15 Paul speaks of the gospel that he preached, which they had received, by which they were saved. In 1 John 5:1 Whosoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ is born of God. Other passages say we are saved by believing on the person of Christ. For example, in Acts 16:31 they said, “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you shall be saved”. In John 3:36 “He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life”. Still other passages require faith in his name. For example, in Matthew 12:21 as noted, “In his name shall the Gentiles trust”. In 1 John 5:12 it is those who believe on the name of the Son of God who have eternal life. We have already referred to John 1:12. Who can explain this focus on the name? |
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104 | But why the focus on the name? | Phil 2:9 | Aixen7z4 | 132671 | ||
Agreed. Completely. Amen. Now, do you have a thought about the focus on the name? |
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105 | What are the pure and lovely things? | Phil 4:8 | Aixen7z4 | 95705 | ||
It is clear that the word of God is given to us for practical reasons (2Ti 3:16). It gives us knowledge (Psa 78:5ff). It gives us faith (Rom 10:17). It gives us life (John 20:31). It gives us assurance of salvation (1 John 5:13). It is also supposed to direct our steps (Psa. 119:105). We are supposed to do those things (Matt. 7:24). "Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen ..., do" (Php 4:9). Now, in the previous verse Paul had said, "Whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things". My question is this: What are some of these things, true, honest, just, pure, lovely, etc. that we are supposed to be thinking of? And how do you determine that those things have those qualities? |
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106 | What are some examples? | Phil 4:8 | Aixen7z4 | 95725 | ||
It may be that we are to try to see the things that are true, or honest, or just, or pure, or lovely, in every situation. In other words: Focus on the good parts. Note Titus 1:15: "Unto the pure all things are pure: but unto them that are defiled and unbelieving is nothing pure; but even their mind and conscience is defiled". Still, what are the specifics here? What are some examples? The woman is an unwed mother. What is the good part? She just got saved. She's attending church. She's taking care of the child. There is something virtuous in her that we can focus on. Is Phil 4:8 not asking us to focus on the good part? Was Jesus not focusing on the good part of Mary's behavior as she sat at his feet and listened to his words? Is that not an example to us? And is it not an example of something good to think on? If so, what are some other examples? |
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107 | How can we avoid deception? | 2 Thess 2:11 | Aixen7z4 | 122691 | ||
Deception is by it's very nature convincing. How then can we avoid it? The word of God seems to say that everyone will have a chance to hear and understand the gospel (John 1:9, John 12:32, etc.). But it also says that some will hear a lie and still believe it, thus sealing their eternal fate. We seem to be witnessing it. I heard again recently that most of the people in the average church are not saved. I saw again recently where a person “went forward”. They were asked if they believed certain fact (that Jesus is the Son of God, etc.,) and then put on track to become a member of the church. I met a lady recently who told how she had gone from church to church and finally found one that preaches the truth. I have a client who claims that she likes her church but cannot explain what it teaches. I know a lady who believes in healing, who attends a church where healing services are held each week but has never seen a person healed. Is it because these people have heard the gospel and rejected it? It is evident that we cannot be saved without the active involvement of the Holy Spirit (John 3:6, 1 Cor 12:23, etc.). It is not surprising that The Evil One is also active in influencing us away from God and salvation. It is also interesting to consider that God may send other spirits, other than the Holy Spirit to delude us. Who is not fascinated by the fact the Lord can send us an evil spirit? That is what he did in the case of Saul. We read “The Spirit of the LORD departed from Saul, and an evil spirit from the LORD troubled him” (1 Samuel 16:14). Who is not intrigued by the fact God can send us a lying spirit? That is what he did in the case of Ahab. Micaiah said, “Behold, the LORD hath put a lying spirit in the mouth of all these thy prophets, and the LORD hath spoken evil concerning you” (1 Kings 22:24). Who is not sobered by the fact God sends delusion? That is what is promised to those who fail to believe the Gospel, to those who “received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved”. God will send them “strong delusion, that they should believe a lie: that they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness” (2 Thessalonians 2:11,12). Who is not troubled by the fact God may leave a man to be controlled by his own sick mind? But that is what happens to those who do not respect God. They have only their natural spirits to discern right from wrong. “And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind” (Romans 1:28). One supposes that the Holy Spirit in us can resist and defeat Satan and any spirit he sends. But what will he do with the other spirits that have come from God? These are questions one might ask of those who have a reputation of being sound in doctrine, who have not been tossed about by every wind. What has happened, do you think, to people who were not satisfied with the simple gospel but have found satisfaction in something more exciting? |
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108 | Isn't delusion dangerous? | 2 Thess 2:11 | Aixen7z4 | 122736 | ||
I share the concern expressed in the issue of delusion. I am concerned that we believers can be deceived and can stray away from our service for God when we have failed to live in the light of God’s revealed truth. Also, I see that many people can believe they are saved when they are not, because they refused to believe the gospel when they heard it and later believed something else that they thought was the gospel but was not. I would love to see a discussion on those two points. First, what happens when a believer will not endure sound doctrine? What happens to him then? (See 2 Timothy 4:3,4). Can this situation be connected to the shipwreck mentioned in 1 Timothy 1:19? Second: What happens when a person refuses to accept the Gospel? Can it be that they are then allowed to think that something else is the gospel? (See 2 Thessalonians 2:10,11). If they believe a false gospel, won’t they be believing they are saved when they are not? |
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109 | Can you believe this? | 1 Tim 1:15 | Aixen7z4 | 133064 | ||
There is a document that can be trusted and deserves complete acceptance; it is the word of God. We work hard and struggle to live a godly life, because we place our confidence in the living God. He is the Savior of all people, especially of those who believe. See 1 Timothy 4:9,10. We persevere in presenting the word of God as that which is to be heard and believed and obeyed, though the majority of people find it hard to do that. It tells us that God made the world, and people to populate it and tend. He gave them everything they needed and asked that they trust him and obey him. But they failed to do so. More and more they rebelled, until God was sorry he had ever made them. He chose one set of people and showered them with great blessings so others could see the virtue of submission to him. But the chosen people also turned away. He sent prophets to beg them to return to him, but they refused to listen. They persecuted them and killed them. Finally, God sent his Son. But they rejected him as well, and killed him. Ironically, that very death was accepted as payment for their sins, and God continued to offer them his friendship. The chosen people continued to reject that offer, so he brought in other people. He forgave their sins and formed them into his church. Now again, he sends prophets to them, but again they are rejected. He sends his Son again, and he stands at the door and knocks. As always, only a few, as individuals, respond to him while others look over their shoulders to see who else is moving. His prophets call the people to obedience, but they say, “That is your interpretation”. They flock to those who tell them what they want to hear, and crucify those who would tell the truth, while thy bow before their triune god of Intellectualism, Emotionalism and Prosperity. God says, “I am going to judge you”. But they say, “He can’t. He's already judged Jesus for our sins”. God’s servants turn to those outside. They tell them of God’s love, and his offer of forgiveness. But the people say, “A loving God will never send anyone to hell”. In spite of all this, God continues to love his creation and to call them to himself. He saves all who come to him, and promises them eternal bliss in heaven. Can you believe this? |
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110 | Do you believe this? | 1 Tim 1:15 | Aixen7z4 | 133272 | ||
Let's say we are saying that God has done everything he could do and said everything that needs to be said. Now all that awaits is final judgment. Now the unchannging message until the end of time is the Gospel, Repentance and Faith. Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shalt be saved. Can you believe that? Or do you believe? Or would you believe? | ||||||
111 | Is there a way to get back? | 1 Tim 2:9 | Aixen7z4 | 132478 | ||
Hello Tim: I think we need a balance, a suitable combination of knowledge and practice. You have also mentioned spirituality, and I will give some thought to that, what it means. But I’ll say this about the other two. In school, we divided our time between lecture and lab, between study and practice, and that was good. I think you will agree. Would it not be good if we could do the same in church? It might force us to focus on the knowledge we intend to put to use. It might make us more proficient in doing the will of God. I am suggesting that we need to know the word of God well. I do not think that we can go too far with that. I said we should saturate our minds with the word of God. Maybe I should have said “supersaturate” instead. Maybe I should have said “overflow” as that might give us enough and to spare, so we could share with others. Is saying we can go too far I did not mean that we can get too much of the word of God. On the other hand I say that studying every doctrine of man is unnecessary. If we concentrate of the truth (John 17:17) then we will be prepared to recognize and deal with error. If we know the word of God, we need not know whether Calvin or Arminius agrees with us. This is not to say we have no need of teachers. It is to say we have no need of favorites. We should be careful if we find our studies leading us to say, “I am of Paul; and I of Apollos; and I of Cephas”, much less to say, “I am of Augustine, Luther, Calvin, Zwingli, Whitfield, Toplady, Edwards, Spurgeon, Lloyd-Jones, Schafer, and/or John MacArthur”. Listen. I know that denominations exist and people have favorite Bible teachers. Have no illusion that my writing here will put an end to that. Paul did not put an end to it by writing what he did in 1 Corinthians 1 and 3. But I would appeal to us to come together around the scriptures. I think that discussions of traditions will only serve to strain the chains that bind us. The other fact, so apparent here, is that these discussions lead us away from the practical applications of the word of God. How did we get to this, when the question was about the way we dress? I think it was good that we talked about helping those who may not dress the way they think the Lord wants, and how the church might help them. It may be that we’re needing more of that. But now we are getting to rules of thumb and principles by which traditions get their doctrines, and we seem to have come off the field. I fear it will only come to a competition as to who has the best rules of thumb. Better to get back to the original topic, I think, and to see how we can encourage people to behave the way they realize God wants them to, and how we can encourage the church to help them. I hope this explains why I would decline an offer to learn more about one of the traditions. Does anyone want to offer some ideas as to how one can encourage churches to support those who are trying to practice the word of God and having difficulty doing so? I just got a call from a sister who is having problems. She is so distraught because of the response she’s gotten from her pastor! She is inviting me to invade their meeting on Sunday or Wednesday to talk to him. Does anyone have scriptures pertaining to that? That is the type of need I see, and it seems to be in line with the thread the way it started. If this request is out of line, I hope you will still find it in your heart to be kind in your responses. |
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112 | What is it about the Gospel? | 2 Tim 1:12 | Aixen7z4 | 123821 | ||
What is it about the Gospel? In Romans 1:16, Paul says he is not ashamed of the Gospel. In 2 Timothy 1:11,12; here it is again. “I am appointed a preacher … for the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed”. He says to Timothy (2 Tim 1:8) “Be not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord”. The Lord himself opens the possibility that we could be ashamed of him. He says, “Whosoever therefore shall be ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation; of him also shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he cometh in the glory of his Father with the holy angels (Mar 8:38). And now it seems that it is not the adulterous and sinful generation that should be ashamed, but rather those who shine like lights in it. There is something about the offense of the cross (Galatians 5:11), though Paul says that he would choose instead to glory in the cross (v.14). The cross, of course, is central to the Gospel (1 Cor 1:23). What is it about the Gospel that we could be ashamed of? Is it because one who preaches it is not highly esteemed by the world? Is it because its message is considered foolish? Is it because it brings persecution? This last is a question in itself, why the Gospel brings persecution. For some reason I do not get this, and I am asking this question even of the unbelievers that I encounter these days. The words “Gospel” and “shame” do not seem to belong in the same sentence. I would appreciate seeing one thoughtful response before this question is banished to the bowels of this forum. |
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113 | Can the word of God be imprisoned? | 2 Tim 2:9 | Aixen7z4 | 122195 | ||
In Psalm 19, nature speaks, and it cannot be shut down. Its voice is heard everywhere. In Romans 2, the conscience speaks, accusing or excusing. Its voice is heard in every man. The word of God also speaks, and it pierces a man’s heart. Paul says in this case that the word of God is not bound. My question is this: Is it just in this case, or is it always the case? Or is it in the nature of the word of God, that it is never chained or imprisoned? |
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114 | Is it by nature inexorable? | 2 Tim 2:9 | Aixen7z4 | 122199 | ||
Amen. I was thinking though, of places and times in which the word of God has been burned, or banned, or where the preachers of it have been imprisoned. Is it in the nature of the word of God that it is nevertheless unstoppable? |
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115 | How do we learn? | 2 Tim 2:23 | Aixen7z4 | 96176 | ||
How do we learn to ask good questions? How do I learn to do the other things a Christian has to do? This is an attempt to provoke discussion of, and hopefully some action on, an important question. I did not think or expect that the previous question would bring an end to the discussion, and I hope it did not offend anyone. In fact, if I may, I would like to ask it again in a different form. But now I am at a loss to find the appropriate phrasing. I hope that the lead, above, will serve. To preface the question is also difficult. But have you noticed that teaching in the church is somewhat different from teaching in a secular school? The school seems to teach us to do things. It gives us skills. The church, on the other hand, seems to teach us mainly how to talk. In this case, it does not even teach us how to ask questions. What if the people need to learn how to do that? The epistles are written to the church and they give us things to do. We preach to people that these things need to be done. Should there not be people to give them the skills. I am suggesting here that teaching consists of several steps and that announcing what is to be done is only the first step. A second step is to demonstrate or model the skill after ensuring that the students are observing, paying attention. A third step is to give the student a chance to copy the skill, to ask them to follow the example. A fourth step is to give the student feedback, hopefully positive, but corrective if necessary, on his performance. A fifth step is to encourage continued practice and application of the skill. I suggest that it is impossible to teach without having recognized and respected teachers who are willing to do all of the above. Likewise it is impossible to learn much without being a part of the above, on the receiving end. Lastly, I suggest that teaching and learning go together. Have you noticed that that is how people learn to pray? That is how they acquire other skills as well. That is how they learn to ask proper questions. If they are willing to learn that, then perhaps they will also be willing to learn to do the things related to their question. In all of this I assume that people ask questions in order to learn. But that, I suppose, is a big assumption. Some may ask a question when they already know the answer, so that others can learn. Others may ask for other reasons. It is to be hoped that people want to know something in order to do something. I have suggested that it is up the leaders of this forum to "avoid foolish and unlearned question". One way to do it is to teach us how to ask proper questions. How do they do that? I'd like to suggest that the method is given in the verses following. "In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth; And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will". |
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116 | I ask again: How do we learn/ | 2 Tim 2:23 | Aixen7z4 | 96179 | ||
How do we learn to ask good questions? How do I learn to do the other things a Christian has to do? This is an attempt to provoke discussion of, and hopefully some action on, an important question. I did not think or expect that the previous question would bring an end to the discussion, and I hope it did not offend anyone. In fact, if I may, I would like to ask it again in a different form. But now I am at a loss to find the appropriate phrasing. I hope that the lead, above, will serve. To preface the question is also difficult. But have you noticed that teaching in the church is somewhat different from teaching in a secular school? The school seems to teach us to do things. It gives us skills. The church, on the other hand, seems to teach us mainly how to talk. In this case, it does not even teach us how to ask questions. What if the people need to learn how to do that? The epistles are written to the church and they give us things to do. We preach to people that these things need to be done. Should there not be people to give them the skills. I am suggesting here that teaching consists of several steps and that announcing what is to be done is only the first step. A second step is to demonstrate or model the skill after ensuring that the students are observing, paying attention. A third step is to give the student a chance to copy the skill, to ask them to follow the example. A fourth step is to give the student feedback, hopefully positive, but corrective if necessary, on his performance. A fifth step is to encourage continued practice and application of the skill. I suggest that it is impossible to teach without having recognized and respected teachers who are willing to do all of the above. Likewise it is impossible to learn much without being a part of the above, on the receiving end. Lastly, I suggest that teaching and learning go together. Have you noticed that that is how people learn to pray? That is how they acquire other skills as well. That is how they learn to ask proper questions. If they are willing to learn that, then perhaps they will also be willing to learn to do the things related to their question. In all of this I assume that people ask questions in order to learn. But that, I suppose, is a big assumption. Some may ask a question when they already know the answer, so that others can learn. Others may ask for other reasons. It is to be hoped that people want to know something in order to do something. I have suggested that it is up the leaders of this forum to "avoid foolish and unlearned question". One way to do it is to teach us how to ask proper questions. How do they do that? I'd like to suggest that the method is given in the verses following. "In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth; And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will". |
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117 | Will you change your mind? | 2 Tim 2:23 | Aixen7z4 | 96210 | ||
Are you sure there are no stupid questions, DarcyA? If not, can you imagine what Paul is talking about in 2Timothy 2:23? You and I have heard it said that there are no foolish questions. They also say the only foolish question is the one you haven't asked. Have you heard that. But God says there are foolish and unlearned questions, and they are to be avoided. Will you then change your mind, so you can be in agreement with God? Someone has said there is no God. You would not agree with that. Would you? Someone is saying there is no devil. But God says there is one and that he catches us in snares. Now, we need to change our minds and agree with God. What do you say? Will you do it? Will you change your mind? |
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118 | Can't we practice asking good questions? | 2 Tim 2:23 | Aixen7z4 | 96248 | ||
I am inclined to agree with you that there is little done in today in the churches. Wish we could see the power that Paul talked of. Wish we could see some areas of the world turned upside-down again. Some are saying that Christians are ordinary people with extraordinary claims. Truth is I heard that a long time ago and I don't know if they're still saying it. What are they saying about the church today? Some say we are under the power of the banks, the financial institutions that lend us the money to build big buildings. Some say all they do is talk. Perhaps we build big buildings with great acoustics and we buy power amplifiers so that can talk. We talk a lot, and loudly, and there is little else that we do. I am not sure that is fair, frankly. Catholics are known for helping the poor, and Methodists run good hospitals, Seventh Day Adventists stress good health and Presbyterians who run nursing homes. So I am not sure. It may be that we are to do those things and still preach the gospel and provide counseling and show love in more practical ways. But before we do any of those things we must talk about them. So we are back to the subject of talking, which includes asking questions. As you say, asking questions is necessary for the body to grow. What we are trying to do is to make sure that the right kinds of questions are being asked. Foolish and unlearned questions do not cause the body to grow. Rather, they cause strife and other bad things. Now I gather that you are a teacher, because you say, “Don’t be afraid to ask questions just ask, I will answer as best as I can”. May I suggest that you make sure that others consider you a teacher and recognize you as such? Then, for all teachers, the idea is that you decline to answer foolish and unlearned questions? Ignoring is one way to extinguish a behavior. Better yet is the idea of helping that person. Rephrase the question for him. And when you do answer, may I suggest that you consider all of scripture in giving your response? You say, “The Bible tells us that, I need no man to teach me, except the Holy Ghost” but the Bible also says that God gives us teachers to answer our questions and otherwise to build up the body. It is true that “The Bible tells us that when we don’t know how to pray the spirit utters groanings”. We must balance that with the fact Jesus said, “After this manner therefore pray ye”. And there are other instructions about the proper way to pray. There are examples for us to follow. And always, always, we learn by practicing. “Practice what you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, and model your way of living on it, and the God of peace (of untroubled, undisturbed well-being) will be with you” (Philippians 4:9). We need to practice asking useful questions too. Do you think this response is helpful? |
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119 | Is that how you feel about it? | 2 Tim 2:23 | Aixen7z4 | 96252 | ||
I have sometimes wondered if revelation 22:11 applies. You know what it says: "He that is unjust, let him be unjust still: and he which is filthy, let him be filthy still: and he that is righteous, let him be righteous still: and he that is holy, let him be holy still". Is that how you feel about it? |
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120 | Did you go back to the top? | 2 Tim 2:23 | Aixen7z4 | 96296 | ||
The question was: "Will you change your mind (now that you see what the word of God says)?" Note: You will have to go up the string to see what the conversation was before you came in. The answer was: IF ANYONE IS TO LEARN THE TRUTH, THEN WE REQUIRED TO ADMIT THAT WE ARE WRONG IF SHOWED BY GOD IN SCRIPTURE. BUT DON'T ECPECT THAT TO HAPPEN IN AMERICAN CHURCHES. The follow-up question was: Is that how you feel about it? Translation: Is it a waste of time to try to get American churches to change? Now: Do you have an opinion on that? |
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