Results 1141 - 1160 of 1260
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Results from: Answered Bible Questions, Answers, Unanswered Bible Questions, Notes Author: charis Ordered by Date |
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Results | Verse | Author | ID# | |||
1141 | Are you kidding? | Revelation | charis | 1190 | ||
Thank you, Cathy. I will look into it. Where I am there are no Christian bookstores 'down the street.' (Frankly, I don't know if I want that 'title' sitting on the shelf where everyone can see, though ;-) In Jesus' name! | ||||||
1142 | So, not separated from the Trinity? | Mark 15:34 | charis | 1189 | ||
So, not separated from the Trinity? Truly, friend, I am not trying to be picky. It is just that some people would receive that phrase as 'from a scholar,' and abuse it. I ask only for the sake of clarification. By the way, good answer! In Jesus. | ||||||
1143 | When are we saved? | Hebrews | charis | 1186 | ||
When are we saved? This seems to be the axis of the merry-go-round. I guess from God's point of view that we are saved from the eternal past to the eternal (glorious) future. Here, where I am now, I tend to think of my salvation experience starting (initially) when the gospel was presented to my heart for appraisal. Then there is the point at which I confessed that Jesus Christ is Lord of my life and Lord of all. (Here, there are many 'formulae' some of which are just plain legalistic and based on the traditions of man, and some that smack of 'cheap grace,' i.e. "After you repeat after me this little prayer, you are saved, born again, filled-with-the-Spirit, forever sinless, and going-to-heaven-no matter-what." I find these both a bit extreme. (Especially when someone is counting the 'decisions-for-Christ' for boasting in their pulpits and newsletters) Then there is the 'battle,' the 'race,' the 'walk.' I like to call this the Christian life. I consider this the present-day pilgrimage, the "...work out your salvation with fear and trembling;" of Philippians 2:12. I consider this to be a valid portion of our salvation experience. I understand that to someone who considers salvation to be an absolute in God's eyes, this smacks of 'works,' but the Bible does seem to say that we participate, though certainly all glory goes to God in Christ Jesus. In this life, I think you are right, a saved person can 'attempt' to renounce their salvation, and theoretically, could 'achieve' it by blaspheming the Holy Spirit. Indeed, many 'backsliders' or 'fallen' would appear to have accomplished the feat, at least on the surface. The reality is beyond what we can know for certain. Personally, I prefer to deal with real, normal people in the here-and-now. To tell them that they are (maybe) elected, but you have to wait until you die to find out for sure, is destabilizing for many people. It gives them no hope to overcome the sin that dogs them. They can say, "I guess I'm not saved after all," and give up serving the Lord. It also makes those who consider themselves to be 'relatively' sinless to get arrogant. On the other hand, the 'popular' Christianity of the day proclaims salvation to those who have shown absolutely no "fruit of repentance." They say, "I'm a baby on Daddy's knee," and never even attempt to grow in Christ. They continually sin from every 'orifice' of their being, at the same time being told by 'feel-good ministers' that they are perfect in every way. I tend to be wary of people who make 'decisions for Christ' almost every weekend. After all that 'preaching,' I will answer your question. It appears that 2 Peter 2:20 and the context are speaking of those who have believed in Jesus, but returned to their old ways, becoming even worse than before knowing Jesus. Though I agree that it speaks of 'renouncing' their salvation, only God knows if they truly 'lost' it. "But the righteousness based on faith speaks thus, "Do not say in your heart, 'Who will ascend into heaven?' (that is, to bring Christ down), or' Who will descend into the abyss?' (that is, to bring Christ up from the dead)." Romans 10:6,7 NASB Instead, I simply try to pursue Christ, speak Christ, and portray Christ. I pray this helps any who read. In Jesus' name. |
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1144 | Snatch? | Hebrews | charis | 1175 | ||
Snatching? Snap decisions to turn away from salvation in Jesus? Great semantics war! If I read this tit-for-tat correctly, one of you (I forget which) states that you cannot lose your salvation, because if you lost it you never had it. The other is saying that losing your salvation is a theoretical possiblity, but no one would purposely throw it away. It started with 'snatching.' Aside from the 'theological, theoretical, emotional' side of things, I would like to interject a few comments. 'Snatch' implies that Satan has the ability to steal you away when God is not looking. This is impossible! As to the eternal viewpoint, from God's eyes. We can't know what will happen. God has not revealed to us who is saved, and who is not. So, talking about a hypothetical 'saved, then backslidden, then repentant, then...' and trying to identify a person's eternal 'situation' is academic and moot. As to throwing away your faith, it DOES seem possible, but not like, "Here I am, a servant of God... but wait! All of a sudden I feel like I don't want to be saved anymore!" Deception, pride, and subtle change of direction CAN lead a saved person away from God. In the most extreme cases, maybe even to the point of denying the Holy Spirit. I think this is very difficult, nigh-impossible, but the Bible does say the possibility exists. How many have 'fallen' in this manner (if any) is known only to God. I am at peace with this. It satifies the Bible. Satan cannot 'snatch,' but he can whittle pretty well. There are too many practical examples of real-life Christians who have forsaken their faith, and sometimes fallen into abominable sin to discount the possibility of blaspheming the Spirit. Tell me what you think? I must go. Real life beckons :-) In Christ Jesus. | ||||||
1145 | Experience Hell? | Mark 15:34 | charis | 1166 | ||
Shaka, braddah! I got the 'understand death' part, but I'm not sure what you mean about the 'experience Hell' part? Again, 'separation' from His identity? Please elaborate. In Jesus. | ||||||
1146 | Jesus separated fron the Trinity? | Mark 15:34 | charis | 1165 | ||
Jesus separated from the Trinity? I don't quite understand your meaning, Mike. Did He return to the Trinity? In Christ Jesus. | ||||||
1147 | Executive privilege? | Matt 18:17 | charis | 1149 | ||
Dear bjanko, You answered my main point, which was that the church should be aware and involved in church discipline, up to a point dictated by common sense. I agree that vv 18-20 are not just about prayer. Obviously they have something to do with the context. I am not sure I agree with your 'take' on them ('church authorities' speaks to me of a church hierarchy I am unfamiliar with), but neither do I 'violently' oppose it :-) I will look into it, and get back if I think it is worth discussion. As to examination prior to ordination, I think that post-ordination examination is also in order. I am sure you are aware of a lot of 'wonderful fellows' falling from their ministry. In some manner (not just finances or hierarchy) a minister should be accountable to his flock. It is for his protection. By heinous I meant something that would divide the church or weaken the already weak. Deception, violence, and infidelity also come to mind. That which causes the church or individuals to stumble? In effect, anything that isn't healed by your last statement. Thank you for a good discussion. I hope others were blessed as I was. In Christ Jesus. | ||||||
1148 | A pastor who is there? | NT general Archive 1 | charis | 1146 | ||
Well said! bjanko. Theory is great, but doesn't shepherd the sheep! Your conclusion mad sense. I am not a Presbyterian, but I do believe in the presbuteros caring for His flock. Bless you, in Jesus' name. | ||||||
1149 | Executive privilege? | Matt 18:17 | charis | 1144 | ||
Dear bjanko, thanks for your answer. I believe in the authority you described, but am not sure how vv. 18-20 "show clearly that there is an ecclesiastical authority; an authority the church leaders -- ministers and elders -- have that the laity does not have." Did your caps mean that the two or three witnesses are ministers? I very much agree that the congregation can be spared the 'gory details,' but how much can the leaders hold back? Men, even ministers, have a tendency to hold back that which implicates them. Understand that I am simply stating the caution needed to save the church from the abuse of 'executive privilege.' The reason I ask the sin is that apostate, or not of the Kingdom, is often equated as, "If you're not with us, you are against us. (and possibly in the enemy's grasp or even employ)" This is a pretty serious pronouncement, and cannot be made glibly. Also, with this kind of judgment, it doesn't seem that reconciliation and repentance are truly desired or hoped for. My point is that the church must be a place of great love and patience, and a sin leading to a situation of this magnitude must be truly heinous. Love in Christ Jesus. | ||||||
1150 | WHY DOSE IT HAVE TO BE MOSSES AND ELIJAH | Revelation | charis | 1138 | ||
Dear Dan, Please onlock the Caps key. All capitals is hard to read! My question: Have you been reading, by any chance, the 'Left Behind' series? Blessings in Jesus' name! | ||||||
1151 | Are you kidding? | Revelation | charis | 1137 | ||
Elijah, are you kidding? No one has ever done it, but maybe I can help you? I hope you are saying that we can discuss it here and maybe clarify some specific areas through this forum. Yes there are lots of commentaries, but the best is the Bible. Take your time. Ask the Holy Spirit to guide you. A study Bible will give you a good start. Click one of the tabs at the top of this page. My own advice: if someone professes to 'understand' the Book of Revelation, watch out! Ask if they are affiliated with the Mormons, the Jehovah's Witnesses, the Seventh Day Adventists, the Unification Church (Moonies),or any other cult. Look at their eyes when they answer! May the Lord lead your path, and guard your soul in Him. In Christ Jesus. | ||||||
1152 | WILL A BABY IN THE WOMB GO IN THE RAPTUR | 2 Thessalonians | charis | 1136 | ||
Dear Dan, the 'rapture' has been discussed at length. Click 'Search' on the left and enter the word, it will lead you to several listings. My comment is on the 'age of accountability.' This might answer part of your question. There is no set age for faith. A child born of a Christian parent (hopefully parents) is under the authority and covering of that parent until a time (that God sets) when he becomes responsive and responsible to call upon the name of the Lord. I would suggest that this age changes according to circumstance, society, personal maturity, and foremost, God. Though a little boy of 6 might 'really love Jesus,' I would find it hard to believe that a child of that age was truly responsible for knowing sin and serving the Lord Jesus for the rest of his life. On the other hand, an 18 year old, still unable to battle against the sin in his life, and rebelling against his Christian heritage, is stretching his 'covering.' Though a popular 'Christian' book series and movie portrayed 'empty wombs' and all children as saved and 'taken,' I don't think this is from the Bible. Last I read the Bible, we are born as children of wrath, not blameless. In Christ Jesus. | ||||||
1153 | The church involved? | Matt 18:17 | charis | 1134 | ||
Good answer! Tell me, does the above scripture also say 1) what kind of sin is punishable by banishment? and 2)would the whole church be privy to the information leading to this judgment? I am not being petulant, it simply seems to me that the verse is fairly clear that this is 1) a pretty bad sin, and 2) the church should be made aware of the circumstances of their brother's demise. It appears that the whole point of going through 4 steps (vs.15-17) is to do whatever possible to 'win your brother,' but if it doesn't work, all must know why, in order to cleanse the church without causing division. It seems that this also works as a Biblical safeguard to protect the church from ministers who might abuse their authority to boot out someone they disliked for personal reasons. Your answer implies that 1) the person is apostate, outside the Kingdom (even salvation?), and 2) the church officers wield the authority of judgment, AND forgiveness, and that the congregation is not privy to the reasons. Thoughts? In Jesus' name. | ||||||
1154 | A Third Name? | Col 3:17 | charis | 1131 | ||
Doctor emery, I presume? :-) Am I correct in saying that you are proposing that a third possibility exists in proper usage of the name of the Lord? That of YaHWeH? I must admit that it is an interesting hypothesis, but, though the name is valid, the argument is gobbledegook to me. It sounds more like the Jehovah's Witnesses at worst, or, at best, trying to legitimatize the Messianic Jews as something 'more than a Christian.' Giving you the benefit of the doubt regarding your motives, I would have to say that I can see no practical reason why God would be this cryptic. It would take a doctorate to figure out the proper name for living in the Lord! The verse above, and about 900 other entries, proclaim that His name is Jesus. Though this could be Y'hoshua, Ie_sous, Y'heshua, Joshua, (Iesu, in Japanese) or whatever your translation says, it is not YaHWeH. I cannot help but think that God would be much more clear if He intended us to call upon His Old Testament moniker. Thank you for the brain-teaser! In Christ Jesus | ||||||
1155 | A pastor who is there? | NT general Archive 1 | charis | 1112 | ||
I like this answer, bjanko! If I may ask, do you mean that the minister (pastor) is actually around, and aware of all the individuals in his flock? I ask your clarification, because I have heard the argument that the pastor of a church of (for the sake of discussion) 2,000 souls, who has a paid ministerial staff of 20, and 40 lay-ministers, who is either out of town or has 'days off' 200 days a year, is busy building a 'network' and writing 'feel-good' books, and, though very good at remembering names, has no idea who you are (all this is hypothetical, you understand), is shepherding his flock. I find this to be contrary to the Bible. Yet, many aspire to this kind of situation, both shepherds and sheep! God bless you in Christ Jesus. | ||||||
1156 | ...by His grace, right? | 2 Peter | charis | 1109 | ||
...by His grace, right? jg8ball, I couldn't help adding this to the end of your note. It IS true, even if it is not Election with a capital 'E' (...which rhymes with 'P' which means 'Pool!' Sorry, we were watching "The Music Man" the other day :-) In any case, I fully expect to see jg8ball and JVH0212 together as brethren someday in His glorious eternity. That's my point. I cannot discard wholesale either opinion or bent, and I cannot endorse in the Lord any capital 'X' doctrine. How then should we live? Excommunicating one another is an option, but I don't think it is Godly. Discussion, prayer, humility, repentance toward God, and fellowship of the saints is the option I choose. With love in Christ Jesus. | ||||||
1157 | Sin vs. sins vs. iniquity? | Bible general Archive 1 | charis | 1108 | ||
That's the question! Sin and sins, with an 's' at the end. There seems to be a difference. I have heard that iniquity is in-born sin. Bible? I agree with your comment on dead works. Well said. Anyone else? In Jesus. | ||||||
1158 | Sin vs. sins vs. iniquity? | Bible general Archive 1 | charis | 1107 | ||
That's the question! Sin and sins, with an 's' at the end. There seems to be a difference. I have heard that iniquity is in-born sin. Bible? I agree with your comment on dead works. Well said. Anyone else? | ||||||
1159 | Which question? | Col 3:17 | charis | 1106 | ||
Welcome, dr_emery, in Jesus' name! I am not sure of your question. Is it about '...except baptism?' or 'Jewish baptism in YHWH?' Both are unanswered. Remember, in the Old Testament, the name of God was not pronounceable, the Law seems to have prohibited a personal relationship with the Lord. I do believe that many Christians today are too 'familiar' with the name of the Lord, using it vainly. I desire to 'do all' in the name of Jesus, but you can become ridiculous in it. (i.e. clipping your nails, waxing the car, excommunicating your 'former' brother, etc.) I look forward to hearing more from you, both question and answers. In Christ Jesus. | ||||||
1160 | Is any type of contraception allowed? | Bible general Archive 1 | charis | 1103 | ||
Amen! about abortion! I live in a place where abortion is more common than even the U.S.A. Re: the R.C.C., since you become a baptized member of the church soon after birth, and 'the more the merrier,' could there be a connection? Abstinence between a healthy married couple cannot be a 'formula for success.' Yes? I have asked the Lord to never let me become boring, because He is NEVER boring ;-) I want to be like Him! In Christ Jesus | ||||||
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