Results 101 - 120 of 361
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Results from: Answered Bible Questions, Answers, Unanswered Bible Questions, Notes Author: Bill Mc Ordered by Date |
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Results | Verse | Author | ID# | |||
101 | Lionstrong, who is the world? | Eph 3:6 | Bill Mc | 18244 | ||
Lionstrong, Your post says essentially that Christ died only for the 'elect' - 'these He sent His Son to die for...' In contrast :), then how do you reconcile the fact that: 1) 'God so loved THE WORLD that He sent His only begotten Son' - John3:16? 2)'God was in Christ reconciling THE WORLD to Himself, not counting THEIR (the world's) trespasses against them' - 1 Cor 5:19? 3) John said, "Behold, the Lamb of God, which takes away the sins of THE WORLD" - John 1:29? 4) Christ came to save SINNERS not 'just the elect' - 1 Tim 1:15? 5)'And He Himself is the propitiation for our (the believers') sins; and not for ours only, but also for those of the WHOLE WORLD' - 1 John 2:2? How does your view understand these passages as applying only to the elect? I agree that God does know who will and will not be saved. But we cannot, and should not try to enter into this. The same sun that melts wax hardens clay. No offense, Lionstrong, but what CalvinisticSouthernBaptist says doesn't mean diddly-squat (sorry, no verse ref for this). Our standard is the Word of God - alone. Isn't it? In Christ, Bill Mc |
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102 | Body/soul/spirit? | Bible general Archive 1 | Bill Mc | 18237 | ||
Hi There :), I do indeed appreciate your input. You bring up some very good points. Permit me to answer your questions: 1) If the number 4 view is correct, it does not invalidate the tree of life in the garden. My reasoning is that God put His divine life in Adam, but Adam (and Eve) had to choose whether or not they would keep that forever by eating from the tree of life. I believe that by God's design, man needed to make a choice considering what 'life' he would live out of. This is pure speculation, but I think that they could have chosen to eat from the tree of life and then they would have had God as their source in them forever. Instead, they chose to eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil and chose not to remain dependant upon God and what He said. So, if number 4 is correct, God withdrew His divine life from them and they died. In a nutshell, they, on some level, chose NOT to walk in the Spirit (with God as their source) and decided to walk in the flesh (with themselves and their souls as their source). 2) If this is true (big IF), then why doesn't God withdraw His Spirit and life from us when we sin? Because Jesus paid for the complete penalty. If view 4 is correct, Adam and Eve suffered the wages of their sin (spiritual death) the day they disobeyed God. But God has designed man in such a way that he 'runs' on God. He is not designed to be self-sufficient. Only God is self-sufficient. Self-sufficiency is the lie of Satan - "You don't need God's sufficiency. Do this and you will be like Him." He preaches the same garbage even now, "Do these things and you will be more godly..." The thing that made God withdraw His Spirit is sin. (Consider Saul and David.) But Christ has dealt with our sin on an eternal basis on the cross - taking it away. So now, for the believer indwelt by God, when we sin we deserve spiritual death - separation from God. We deserve for God's Spirit to leave us. Why can't that happen as it did to Adam and Eve, Saul, David? Because Christ has taken away that penalty. He took it all. So now, even though the wages of sin is death, the gift of God is ETERNAL (you can no longer lose it) LIFE. This is why Rom 8 says that there is no more judgment (condemnation) left for the believer. Why? Because the law of the spirit of LIFE in Christ Jesus has set me free from the old law that said 'if you sin, you die'. God's Spirit will never leave me nor forsake me because the ONLY thing that could make Him do so, sin, has been taken care of at the cross. But, even as a believer indwelt by the Spirit, I can still chose to walk out of the sufficiency of Christ in me (walk by the Spirit) or walk by my own sufficiency (really, from Satan's lie) and walk in the flesh. That is why Paul urges me to walk by the Spirit and I won't fulfill the desires of my flesh. But, even if I do, at some point, choose my flesh, He doesn't leave me like He did Adam. Here's my comments on the spirit/soul thingy. I believe that the spirit is the true essence, the true identity. It is the core of our being and, once it is united with God's Spirit, we are to believe out of that resource. I believe that the spirit of the man, not his soul, is his true identity. This is the true inner man, the eternal part of him. That being said, I think that the soul is the 'personality' that the spirit maifests itself through. The spirit is the essence but it 'displays' itself through the soul - mind, will, emotions. The soul (with God's Spirit as it's source) manifests itself through the body to others. Man without the Spirit of God, can only respond to his environment and others around him out of his soul - what do I think, what do I feel, what do I want? Living out of the soul resource is fleshly. But with God's Spirit in us, God wants us to live out of His sufficiency. God does not want the Christian to live out of his soul alone. What we think, what we feel, what we want, is not only self-centered, it changes from minute to minute. God wants us to live out of our spiritual union with Christ. This involves getting past what we think, feel, and want to what God says is true - His Word, Christ in us. I'm not sure about the disembodied spirit returning to God in an unbeliever. We know that the spirit can be corrupted. There are evil spirits, spirits in Hell. So I don't think that all 'spirit' is necessarily divine and returns to God. But I'm not sure on this point and your view has considerable merit. I do see that the soul can be sent to hell. I'm not sure about the spirit. Again, thanks for your post. I agree that our new birth once again allows man to reflect the Creator. Jesus Christ was the EXACT representation of the Father. "If you've seen ME, then you have seen the Father." Would that the world could always see CHRIST IN US, the hope of glory. Blessings to you, There, Bill Mc |
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103 | CDBJ, could you clarify this good post? | Bible general Archive 1 | Bill Mc | 18207 | ||
CDBJ, this is a very good explanation. I like your definition of spirit and your exegesis of 'death.' Please let me ask a couple of questions. You said that Adam's spirit died (became separated from God) at the fall. Does this mean, by your understanding, that Adam's spirit was in union with God's Spirit before the fall? If THANATOS is separation from God, was Adam's spirit one with God before the fall? Do you think the God indwelled him? Why or why not? And you stated that our souls, at new birth, are the 'real' us. What happens to our spirits at rebirth? Or do you believe that they are synonymous? Jesus gave up His spirit at His death. Is this the same as His soul? Thanks for taking the time (and patience) to answer my questions. In Christ, Bill Mc |
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104 | Body/soul/spirit? | Bible general Archive 1 | Bill Mc | 18198 | ||
This is a good question. Though there is not a scripture as such that says that Adam's spirit died, by the process of elimination, we can achieve some sense of what happened. It really goes back to what we believe about man's make up. Let's look at a couple of possible scenarios: 1) Man is two parts : body and soul/spirit (same thing). Now we know that Adam did not physically die the day he sinned. He lived to about 900 years as I recall. So, if one holds to a two-part man understanding, the soul/spirit would have been the only thing left to die that very day. Most biblical references to the soul show it to be the seat of intellect, emotions, and will. If this is the part of him that died, it becomes a little hard to swallow because he still had intellect, emotions, and will after the fall (as did his children). Obviously, his body did start to 'die', age and grow old. But Gen 2:17 says that 'something' in Adam died that day. In fact, whatever this 'something' is, from God's viewpoint it was Adam's identity. 'You will die', God says, not 'part of you will die.' 2) Man is two parts: body and soul/spirit (same thing). But God, at creation, imparted the Holy Spirit to Adam making him, at that point, tripartate. Then God withdrew the Holy Spirit when Adam sinned because God cannot inhabit a sinful vessel. This view has it's problems because, again, God said, "You (not God or His Spirit) will die." 3) Man is tripartate: body, soul, and spirit (his own). When Adam sinned his spirit died, leaving him still with a functional (though fallen) soul and body. In this view, some say that Adam's spirit literally died, and some believe that it was still alive (to sin) but dead to God. Adam's spirit could no longer function as designed. 4) Man is tripartate in nature but is designed to have his spirit inhabited by God's Spirit. This is the view that I personally lean to although I am open to hearing other views. This view is very similar to number 3 except that it hold's that God designed man not to be autonimous but dependent upon God's Spirit (spiritual life) in Him. When Adam sinned, God's Spirit departed from Adam and, as in view 3, Adam's human spirit died to God. God, at new birth of His creation, recreates the human spirit (alive to God) and joins it to His divine Spirit once again. So that the end result is that man is once again spiritually alive and God is in His creation as designed. Admittedly, the scriptures do not prove this. I am not 100 percent sure that this is a correct understanding. What I am sure of is that our spirits (1 per person, please) have been recreated and joined to Christ's Spirit. All that being said, if someone would like to 'gently' correct me or enlighten my understanding, I am open to it. I would like to settle this issue in my mind and, unfortunately, most of the people at my church are not interested in such 'deep':) things. Nevertheless, I know who I am in Christ and, thank God, I am no longer in Adam. As always, in Christ, Bill Mc |
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105 | When was Saul of Tarsus saved? | Heb 9:22 | Bill Mc | 18191 | ||
Dear DLD, I believe that Paul's sins, along with the sins of the world were forgiven at the cross. This is where the once-for-all sacrifice for the forgiveness of sins was made. God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not holding men's trespasses against them 2 Cor 5:19. I believe that Paul RECEIVED this forgiveness that Christ provided at Ananias' house when Paul received the Holy Spirit - Acts 9:17; Rom 8:9. Everyone's sins (acts of wrong doing) were forgiven at the cross. But, as you know, we need to receive it by faith. It is the same way with salvation. God provided salvation for the whole world at the cross but not everyone has received it. As it was with Paul, it is with us. When we, as sinners, come to God and confess that we've sinned, God is faithful and just to forgive us (because of Christ's sacrifice) and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness - 1 John 1:9. If there was any more forgiveness to be provided for you (or Paul), according to Heb 9:22, Jesus would have to shed His blood again. Obviously, that is not going to happen. I pray that this has answered your question. In Christ, Bill Mc |
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106 | Did Paul have 'Christ's attitude'? | Phil 2:5 | Bill Mc | 18131 | ||
Ray, thanks for your response. Phil 2:5 is a great verse! Do you think Paul was stating a view similar to Christ's when he said in Gal 2:20 - "It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me."? Or how about Phil 4:13 - "I can do all things through Him who strengthens me."? What do you think Paul meant by these statements? Do you think that he was expressing his reliance upon Christ similarly to Christ's reliance upon His Father? Paul did encourage us to have Christ's attitude. How would this play out in our lives? In Christ, Bill Mc |
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107 | Doctrine of Election, Yes or No? | Eph 3:6 | Bill Mc | 18124 | ||
Dear kiss, The doctrine of election is NOT that God has elected some people and not others. It does not concern the you's and me's but, rather, the Jews and Gentiles. Does God know who will respond to His offer of salvation? Yes. But He also says the whosoever will may come. The doctrine of election means that God has predistined that the Gentiles would come to God and be conformed to Christ's image the same way that the Jews would - by faith. See these scriptures: Romans 9 3 For I could wish that I myself were cursed and cut off from Christ for the sake of my brothers, those of my own race, 4 the people of Israel. Theirs is the adoption as sons; theirs the divine glory, the covenants, the receiving of the law, the temple worship and the promises. 5 Theirs are the patriarchs, and from them is traced the human ancestry of Christ, who is God over all, forever praised! Amen. 6 It is not as though God's word had failed. For not all who are descended from Israel are Israel. 7 Nor because they are his descendants are they all Abraham's children. On the contrary, "It is through Isaac that your offspring will be reckoned." 8 In other words, it is not the natural children who are God's children, but it is the children of the promise who are regarded as Abraham's offspring. John 1 12 Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God-- Romans 1 16 I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile. Ephesians 1 4 For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love 5 he predestined us to be adopted as his sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will-- 11 In him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will, 12 in order that we, who were the first to hope in Christ, might be for the praise of his glory. 13 And you also were included in Christ when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation. Having believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, Ephesians 2 11 Therefore, remember that formerly you who are Gentiles by birth and called "uncircumcised" by those who call themselves "the circumcision" (that done in the body by the hands of men)-- 12 remember that at that time you were separate from Christ, excluded from citizenship in Israel and foreigners to the covenants of the promise, without hope and without God in the world. 13 But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near through the blood of Christ. 14 For he himself is our peace, who has made the two one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility, 15 by abolishing in his flesh the law with its commandments and regulations. His purpose was to create in himself one new man out of the two, thus making peace, 16 and in this one body to reconcile both of them to God through the cross, by which he put to death their hostility. 17 He came and preached peace to you who were far away and peace to those who were near. 18 For through him we both have access to the Father by one Spirit. 19 Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and aliens, but fellow citizens with God's people and members of God's household, 20 built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone. Ephesians 3 2 Surely you have heard about the administration of God's grace that was given to me for you, 3 that is, the mystery made known to me by revelation, as I have already written briefly. 4 In reading this, then, you will be able to understand my insight into the mystery of Christ, 5 which was not made known to men in other generations as it has now been revealed by the Spirit to God's holy apostles and prophets. 6 This mystery is that through the gospel the Gentiles are heirs together with Israel, members together of one body, and sharers together in the promise in Christ Jesus. Ephesians 4 4 There is one body and one Spirit-- just as you were called to one hope when you were called 5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism; 6 one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all. Romans 8 29 For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. 30 And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified. Ephesians 3 6 This mystery is that through the gospel the Gentiles are heirs together with Israel, members together of one body, and sharers together in the promise in Christ Jesus. I pray that this helps you. In Christ, Bill Mc |
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108 | How do we live the 'Christian life'? | Not Specified | Bill Mc | 18117 | ||
Do these verses describe how the Christian is to live the 'Christian life'? We, as believers, claim to follow, to imitate Christ. We say we want to do what He did. Then why do we not have His attitude? Acts 2:22 "Men of Israel, listen to these words: Jesus the Nazarene, a man attested to you by God with miracles and wonders and signs which GOD PERFORMED THROUGH HIM in your midst, just as you yourselves know--" John 5:30 "I CAN DO NOTHING ON MY OWN INITIATIVE. As I hear, I judge; and My judgment is just, because I DO NOT SEEK MY OWN WILL, but the will of HIM who sent Me." John 14:24 "He who does not love Me does not keep My words; and the WORD WHICH YOU HEAR IS NOT MINE, but the FATHER'S who sent Me." John 12:49 "For I DID NOT SPEAK ON MY OWN INITIATIVE, but the FATHER Himself who sent Me has given Me a commandment as to WHAT TO SAY and WHAT TO SPEAK." John 8:28 So Jesus said, "When you lift up the Son of Man, then you will know that I am He, and I DO NOTHING ON MY OWN INITIATIVE, BUT I speak these things as the FATHER taught Me." John 7:16 So Jesus answered them and said, "MY TEACHING IS NOT MINE, BUT HIS who sent Me." John 5:19 Therefore Jesus answered and was saying to them, "Truly, truly, I say to you, THE SON CAN DO NOTHING OF HIMSELF, unless it is something He sees the Father doing; for whatever the Father does, these things the Son also does in like manner." John 20:21 So Jesus said to them again, "Peace be with you; as the Father has sent Me, I ALSO SEND YOU." John 15:5 "I am the vine, you are the branches; he who abides in Me and I in him, he bears much fruit, for APART FROM ME YOU CAN DO NOTHING." Apart from Him, we can do NOTHING. Is this true or was Jesus lying? In Christ, Bill Mc |
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109 | How do we live the 'Christian life'? | Phil 2:5 | Bill Mc | 18125 | ||
Do these verses describe how the Christian is to live the 'Christian life'? We, as believers, claim to follow, to imitate Christ. We say we want to do what He did. Then why do we not have His attitude? Acts 2:22 "Men of Israel, listen to these words: Jesus the Nazarene, a man attested to you by God with miracles and wonders and signs which GOD PERFORMED THROUGH HIM in your midst, just as you yourselves know--" John 5:30 "I CAN DO NOTHING ON MY OWN INITIATIVE. As I hear, I judge; and My judgment is just, because I DO NOT SEEK MY OWN WILL, but the will of HIM who sent Me." John 14:24 "He who does not love Me does not keep My words; and the WORD WHICH YOU HEAR IS NOT MINE, but the FATHER'S who sent Me." John 12:49 "For I DID NOT SPEAK ON MY OWN INITIATIVE, but the FATHER Himself who sent Me has given Me a commandment as to WHAT TO SAY and WHAT TO SPEAK." John 8:28 So Jesus said, "When you lift up the Son of Man, then you will know that I am He, and I DO NOTHING ON MY OWN INITIATIVE, BUT I speak these things as the FATHER taught Me." John 7:16 So Jesus answered them and said, "MY TEACHING IS NOT MINE, BUT HIS who sent Me." John 5:19 Therefore Jesus answered and was saying to them, "Truly, truly, I say to you, THE SON CAN DO NOTHING OF HIMSELF, unless it is something He sees the Father doing; for whatever the Father does, these things the Son also does in like manner." John 20:21 So Jesus said to them again, "Peace be with you; as the Father has sent Me, I ALSO SEND YOU." John 15:5 "I am the vine, you are the branches; he who abides in Me and I in him, he bears much fruit, for APART FROM ME YOU CAN DO NOTHING." Apart from Him, we can do NOTHING. Is this true or was Jesus lying? In Christ, Bill Mc |
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110 | Zealot, are you a sinner or saint? | Rom 8:10 | Bill Mc | 18095 | ||
Zealot, thanks for your answer. You have indeed laided out a good explanation. But, brother, I ask you to consider one thing. Not everyone is a sinner. 63 times in the New Testament, believers are referred to as saints. In fact, Paul never addresses his letters, "To the sinners at Corinth, To the sinners at Ephesus, To the sinners at Philippi, etc." You have rightly stated that our spirits are made alive with Christ. This being the case, we are born again spiritually and your new birth determines your identity, not your actions. We were all born sinners the first time. But at new birth, we are born in righteousness and holiness and God never refers to us again as sinners. If you'd like to do any interesting study, look up the word 'sinner' in the NT context. It is used almost exclusively of Gentiles and unbelievers. If God calls you a saint 63 times in the NT, then that is pretty good proof that you are no longer a sinner. Do you still sin? Yes. But that is not who you are. How would you like to go through your entire life labeled by your one major weakness? If you run around your house barking, chewing on the furniture, soiling the rug, and panting, does that make you a dog? No. Why? Because, no matter how you act, you were born a human. If you put clothes on your dog (some do, ya know), seat him at the dinner table, and teach him to use the commode, does that make him a human? No. Why? He was born a dog and a dog he will remain. Likewise, we are spiritually born again and, though we may ACT like sinners occasionally, we will NEVER be sinners again. Why is this important? Because the Bible says that as a man thinks in his heart, so is he. If you believe, at your deepest level, that you are a sinner, then how will you act? If you believe that you are a saint, then how will you act? You will act out whatever you believe is true of yourself. I am not spouting some 'name-it-and-claim-it' wishful thinking. God says unequivically that we are saints. What He says is true, regardless of my actions. What do you think? |
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111 | Please explain. | Rom 8:16 | Bill Mc | 18072 | ||
Hi Delaro, God's Holy Spirit comes to indwell the believer at salvation - John 7:39; Rom 8:9,11; 1 Cor 3:16; 1 Cor 6:19; 2 Tim 1:14. When we become believers by putting or faith and trust in Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit is joined to our human spirit - 1 Cor 6:17. Therefore one of the things that the indwelling Spirit of God does is to give the believer the assurance that he, indeed, is a child of God - Rom 8:14; Gal 3:26; Gal 4:6,7; 1 John 3:1,2. And, accordingly, He does that by illuminating the above verses to our hearts. I pray this answers your question. In Christ, Bill Mc |
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112 | Is 'breath' physical life or spirit life | Bible general Archive 1 | Bill Mc | 18066 | ||
Tim, thanks for your answer. I appreciate it. Thanks for the clarification on the original words. You're right, the passage just doesn't provide us with as much information as we'd like. The only thing that I would like to add is that I believe the Image of God is the divine life of God (call it what you will) in His creation. I don't believe that the Image was the physical body. Thank God that Jesus Christ has provided a way for man to be reunited with His Creator. In Christ, Bill Mc |
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113 | Is 'breath' physical life or spirit life | Bible general Archive 1 | Bill Mc | 18060 | ||
Hi, Tim. Can I ask a question here? I noticed that you stated that you think it is a stretch to think that Adam and Eve had God's Spirit breathed into them. If you've read my post, you can see that I think (though I can't prove it from this text alone) that Adam and Eve did have God's Spirit. So, my question is this: Isn't the Greek word for 'spirit' pnuema - breath? I was under the impression that it was. I know that the OT was written in Hebrew, but the thought is the same. If so, how could God breathe 'spirit' into them without it being of His Spirit? Isn't He the source? If you're understanding is correct and that God just breathed physical life (CPR, as you say) into Adam, then how is that different from the physical life that God gave the animal kingdom? But man and animals breathe. What would distinguish Adam, in the creation process, from the animals? (Also, if you have time, isn't the word 'creatures' in Gen chapter 1 that same word in Hebrew as 'souls'?) Thanks for your time, Bill Mc |
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114 | Where did our souls come from? | Bible general Archive 1 | Bill Mc | 18055 | ||
Dear BillyK, The Bible does not give clear, concise definitions of soul and spirit. Sometimes the terms are used interchangeably. Sometimes there seems to be a distinction. So, the best we can do is to research the scriptures and decide for ourselves what we believe. Tim has a very valid view and his opinion has merit. My view is slightly different but I think that it also has merit. Here is what I believe about Gen 2:7: We know that God created the plants and animals before man. As I understand it, these animals were called creatures and had what we would call souls, Hebrew word nephesh. This means that they had intellect, will, and emotions - behavior to varying degrees depending the the complexity of the creature. God created man with an animal body and a soul (behavior) but according to Gen 2:7, I believe that God, at man's creation, breathed His divine life (Spirit) into him. This made him a 'living' - alive to God - soul. So, not only did man have a body and soul (like the animals) but God gave man His life essence so that man could respond to God with love and fellowship. The animal world does not share this attribute. They have no spirits and cannot relate to God. When man sinned, this part of him, his spirit died to God. What I mean by this is that God withdrew His divine life from man the day that Adam and Eve disobeyed and they spiritually died. Thankfully, through our Lord's life, death, burial and resurrection, God can once again restore His divine life to His creation. This is why the NT often says that we, as believers, have been made alive to God - Rom 6:11; Rom 8:10; 1 Cor 15:22; Eph 2:5 and Col 2:13 - 'When you were dead in your transgressions and the uncircumcision of your flesh, He made you alive together with Him, having forgiven us all our transgressions,' This 'new man' - the new creation in Christ - is created in righteousness and holiness - Eph 4:24. So our spirits are once again united with God's Spirit and alive to God, and, per my interpretation, man can, once again, be a 'living soul' with God's Spirit and life inhabiting him. Note: this is only my opinion so I, obviously, cannot support this with specific scriptures other than what I have shared. A new creation in Christ, Bill Mc |
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115 | Where did our souls come from? | Bible general Archive 1 | Bill Mc | 18054 | ||
Sorry, dawveed. I put my post in the wrong spot. Your perspective sounds quite similar to mine. Bill Mc |
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116 | Where did our souls come from? | Bible general Archive 1 | Bill Mc | 18050 | ||
Dear dawveed, The Bible does not give clear, concise definitions of soul and spirit. Sometimes the terms are used interchangeably. Sometimes there seems to be a distinction. So, the best we can do is to research the scriptures and decide for ourselves what we believe. Tim has a very valid view and his opinion has merit. My view is slightly different but I think that it also has merit. Here is what I believe about Gen 2:7: We know that God created the plants and animals before man. As I understand it, these animals were called creatures and had what we would call souls, Hebrew word nephesh. This means that they had intellect, will, and emotions - behavior to varying degrees depending the the complexity of the creature. God created man with an animal body and a soul (behavior) but according to Gen 2:7, I believe that God, at man's creation, breathed His divine life (Spirit) into him. This made him a 'living' - alive to God - soul. So, not only did man have a body and soul (like the animals) but God gave man His life essence so that man could respond to God with love and fellowship. The animal world does not share this attribute. They have no spirits and cannot relate to God. When man sinned, this part of him, his spirit died to God. What I mean by this is that God withdrew His divine life from man the day that Adam and Eve disobeyed and they spiritually died. Thankfully, through our Lord's life, death, burial and resurrection, God can once again restore His divine life to His creation. This is why the NT often says that we, as believers, have been made alive to God - Rom 6:11; Rom 8:10; 1 Cor 15:22; Eph 2:5 and Col 2:13 - 'When you were dead in your transgressions and the uncircumcision of your flesh, He made you alive together with Him, having forgiven us all our transgressions,' This 'new man' - the new creation in Christ - is created in righteousness and holiness - Eph 4:24. So our spirits are once again united with God's Spirit and alive to God, and, per my interpretation, man can, once again, be a 'living soul' with God's Spirit and life inhabiting him. Note: this is only my opinion so I, obviously, cannot support this with specific scriptures other than what I have shared. A new creation in Christ, Bill Mc |
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117 | Joe, what is Paul and Hebrews 'the Law'? | Heb 6:4 | Bill Mc | 17996 | ||
Joe, Ok. And don't forget to respond to this note so that you're sure to have the last word. | ||||||
118 | Possible Lockman Forum Improvements #2 | Bible general Archive 1 | Bill Mc | 17986 | ||
Sir Pent, your solution sounds reasonable and beneficial. I think number 1 is a good idea. I think number 2 is a great idea - stick with the subject at hand as much as possible. (Could I do this? I'm willing to try.) I don't mind if certain people want to get on the forum and discuss Armenianism and Calvinism but I think that there is a time and a place for it. It could be made a primary question (already is to a certain extent) and post all relative arguments pro and con there. Then post a "for further explanation, search for 'Armenianism/Calvanism' to the right." That would go a long way to keep the posts on the topic. And lastly, I think number 3 is an excellent idea. Those who may be new believers or seekers or even skeptics need to see us united on the essentials. (Of course, then some want to argue as to what the essentials consist of :)) I would be willing to follow this guidelines. Thanks for your thought and consideration, Sir Pent. In Him, Bill MC |
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119 | Whatever happened to John 17:21? | Heb 6:4 | Bill Mc | 17985 | ||
Joe, I hope the above post is humor or at least an attempt at it. I will take it as such. (Hint: we already are one, like it or not.) In Christ, Bill Mc |
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120 | Joe, what is Paul and Hebrews 'the Law'? | Heb 6:4 | Bill Mc | 17984 | ||
Joe, my faith is demonstrated by Christ performing God's works through me. Do they reflect the moral commandments of God? More than that. His works through me reflect the true nature of God upon which His moral commands are based. The Mosaic Law would tell me to not steal. The law of Christ tells me to go beyond that and give to those in need. The life of Christ in me tells me what to give, when to give it, where to give it, and who to give it to. The Mosiac Law would tell me not to commit adultery. The law of Christ tells me to love my wife as Christ loves His church. The life of Christ in me shows me how to do that by leading me. These are two examples of how the life of Christ fulfulls the law of Christ and makes the Mosaic Law pale by comparison. Joe, no offense, brother, but if you would like to discuss this further, then click on my name and email me. I would be happy to discuss it with you one-on-one through email but I am not going to argue via this forum. I hope you understand. In Christ, Bill Mc |
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