Results 121 - 140 of 156
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Results from: Answers On or After: Thu 12/31/70 Author: MJH Ordered by Verse |
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Results | Verse | Author | ID# | |||
121 | Which verse talks about heaven on earth? | Rom 8:21 | MJH | 213259 | ||
Your question is an interesting one. Where in Romans? I took the best stab I could being confined to one book. Romans 8:19-23 “The creation waits in eager expectation for the sons of God to be revealed. For the creation was subjected to frustration, not by its own choice, but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay and brought into the glorious freedom of the children of God. We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time.” NIV This idea of heaven “crashing into earth” has picked up some steam with the publication of a popular book. The idea is that when we live like Christ commands us to and we love our neighbors as our self, we will be revealing the Kingdom of God here in our midst. After all, where God’s subjects gather, and where His will is obeyed, His Kingdom reigns in that place. Therefore Heaven comes to Earth in part…according to this teaching. That being said…the Bible tells a story of how God desires to dwell with mankind (people). While most religious people imagine ascending to Heaven to live with God there forever, the Bible tells it the other way around. Apart from the intermediary time (the time between death and Christ’s final coming), the Bible always talks about God dwelling with mankind here on Earth. 1) Adam and Eve in the Garden … God walked with them in the cool of the day. 2) Israel built the Tabernacle so that God could “dwell among them.” 3) Jesus is Immanuel or “God with us.” 4) The book of Isaiah paints a picture of the world to come where God’s anointed One dwells on earth with us in a new world with no sin, pain, decay, etc… 5) Jesus’ Lord’s Prayer says, “Your kingdom come, your will be done, on Earth as it is in Heaven.” Are we praying for God’s will reign here on Earth? Is this Heaven on Earth in a way? 6) The last three chapters of Revelation tell of Heaven literally crashing onto Earth as the New Jerusalem descends from above. As far as Romans is concerned. The passage I picked talks about what happened to all creation as a result of our sin. Things are not meant to rust, rot, and fall apart. The original creation shows order coming from chaos. Since sin entered the world, not only are we separated from our Holy God, but the creation is frustrated and typically goes from order back to chaos. That’s why we have a maintenance budget line for our house. It tends to fall apart over time. Maybe your car is a better example. The Romans passage reminds us that creation itself will be liberated into the glorious freedom of the children of God. AMEN MJH |
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122 | Is apostle Paul under the law? | Rom 10:4 | MJH | 173823 | ||
Paul's view of the Law is one of the most misunderstood ideas of Paul's that Christians today have. Your question is a very common one. 1) Paul never says that the Law of Moses has ended (as you can see in Acts 21-22.) The Messiah is the "end" of the Law is misleading. Jesus was not the "end" meaning that the Law ended and we can ignore it now. Jesus is/was that which the Law pointed to. The target, or goal. He lived it out perfectly and was in fact the very thing the Law pointed toward and it still does. 2) Paul never says that you can be saved by following the Law. We are saved by the faithfulness of the Messiah, but we are judged by works/deeds of which the Law is the measure. I'm sure I raise some concern with #2, but over and over, Judgment is based on deeds where as salvation is based on Faith. The two are not one and the same. 3) Paul never stopped being a Jew or a Pharisee as can be seen in Acts 21 on. He went to great lengths to show that he still followed the Mosaic law. Some say this was a mistake of Paul much like Peter's mistake in withdrawing from the Gentiles when Jews showed up. However, the text never says he made a mistake, but rather the text seems to say he was absolutely right. The question Paul faces is not "what do Jews do in regards to the Law?" But "what do Gentiles do in regards to the law? Specifically in regards to salvation." Do Gentiles need to convert to Judaism before they can be "saved?" or not? Paul argued over and over that they do not, and he used the "Old Testament" to make is argument. He didn't come up with new laws or ideas, only new and more correct interpretation of the Law/Torah/Old Testament with the help of the Holy Spirit of course. MJH |
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123 | Be fruitful, multiply or God's guidance | Rom 14:23 | MJH | 155990 | ||
My wife and I spent a good amount of time looking into this very question. Read a lot of books and of course sought out the Bible and guidance in prayer. We ended up in a place I never thought I would. Even when we agree to look into this very question, I had my mind pre-made up. But.... Now we will have the children God blesses us with. There are sub-questions we ask, such as "Should we do Natural Family Planning until the new baby is old enough to wean in case my wife's milk supply dries up if she becomes pregnant?" (Believe it or not, the ancient Jews had discussed this very question, and said that “[Natural Family Planning] was expected lest the baby wean too early and die.†That was a discussion prior to 200 AD.) Like I said, I didn't expect to end up here, but I am glad I did. Now I bite my lip when I listen to people's discussion about how many babies they will allow God to bless them with. Good question, and regardless of what your conclusion, keep asking and seeking answer to questions. If you want resources, I'll be glad to dig them up, at least the ones we used. MJH |
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124 | children and last supper | 1 Corinthians | MJH | 150096 | ||
Your first question. Yes wine was served at communion. Communion was first done by Jesus during the Passover which used 4 cups of wine. Children were always a part of Passover (which is what Communion in some ways represents.) Jesus chose this meal for a reason. Passover was a family meal where extended family attended, or neighbors, or the poor. Every Jew participated (if they were ritually clean), but it was done in the home. Wine was used, but grape juice is a perfectly acceptible alternative, and in mass church audienaces is the best choice. If you did communion in your home with your family, wine, even with children, would be acceptible as well. We are not talking about a whole bottle, right..... Some believe communion can only be given by a priest or pastor. I suppose if you feel that way, then you should stick to your denominations teachings. Otherwise, family communion can be a beautiful thing. MJH |
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125 | Sex before marriage and lesbian passages | 1 Cor 6:16 | MJH | 157956 | ||
When I was in my early 20's and working at a factory for the summer, there were men there that boasted of many things. When it became clear that I was a virgin, and they believed me, and that I was proud of it, some of them were amazed. One of them who was probably the most sexually driven asked me privately why I was proud to be a virgin. I had the opportunity to explain what a husband/wife relationship could look like, and that cheating on my future wife was still cheating. But then I said something that really struck him to the heart in a convicting way. I said, "I can be what you are any day I choose. It would not be difficult. But you can never be what I am." To this he had to agree. So, before I was married, I reminded those who thought they were something for having sex, that the REAL triumph was in being able to wait. Anyone can lose their virginity, but only a strong man can keep it for his spouse. MJH |
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126 | why bible says the body is the temple | 1 Cor 6:19 | MJH | 229896 | ||
The Temple or Tabernacle was the place where God’s special Presence was. It was highly protected because for man to get too close he would die. God is Holy and we are not. The reason for the Temple was for people to have the ability to draw near to God safely. Also, God desires to dwell among His people. In the first verses of Leviticus we learn that “if a man desires” to draw near to God this is how…. It is up to us to desire to draw near and Psalm 84 is a good Psalm to read about what that experience may have been like. “My soul yearns and even faints for your courts.” “Now a people who were once far off are now brought near.” The apostle Paul (Eph 2:13). Even Gentiles are able to draw near to God, but how if they are nowhere near the Temple, and what about us in our day with no Temple? On the day of Pentecost the Spirit came with power as a symbol of a flame, the symbol of God’s presence. Remember in Exodus, God’s presence led them by fire at night and a cloud by day. Pentecost was a festival that particularly remembered the giving of the Ten Commandments where the people saw God’s voice (yes, “saw His voice”). This was the time and place when, not only did they receive the Ten Commandments, but the Law and the Tabernacle instructions. In Acts, at the very start of that Festival that remembers the time God’s Presence descended on the mountain and the giving of the Law, the Spirit comes as a flame onto each disciple. This is significant in that the dwelling of God is now present within the children of God. Even though we are still in This World of sin and death, we have a place in the Age to Come on account of Jesus actively serving as the High Priest in that venue. Prior to his sacrifice and service, the Spirit could not come in this manner (I wish I could explain why more clearly, but Jesus does say that the Spirit ‘cannot come’ unless He ascends.) Therefore, with the Spirit dwelling in us (in some mystical way) we are collectively the Temple of God. Would you bring shrine prostitutes into the Temple on earth? NO!, Then do not with your own body. Would you contaminate the Temple by treating it poorly, harshly, disrespectfully? No! Then treat your body well. I’m sure in years to come I will understand better. Maybe others can elaborate or know more clearly? |
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127 | M- Is this about 2 believers who divorce | 1 Cor 7:15 | MJH | 144270 | ||
Ansewred in post 144209 | ||||||
128 | Receiving Communion if not married | 1 Cor 11:24 | MJH | 186243 | ||
Would getting married in the church now be a sin, or would it be wrong to do so when you are already married in God's eyes? If this matter is of such importance to your spouse and for you it is only an unnecessary act, then it might be best to follow him in this matter. For example, to you this is probably a 2 on a scale of 10. But for him it's a 10. I agree with Doc, who gave a great response, but based only on the text you typed in your question and knowing nothing else, I would encourage you to get married in the church as soon as possible. MJH P.S. – Doc and I agree most the time…except when he isn’t correct ;-) |
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129 | Baptism in order to be saved? | 1 Cor 12:13 | MJH | 181512 | ||
Baptism was a very Jewish ritual that was practiced for hundreds of years before Jesus and is still practiced today in the Jewish life. To keep this post short, I'll speak only of the baptism into the community. Gentiles who wanted to become a Jew had to perform certain actions and make certain pronouncements, but in the end, they were "baptized" dying to their old self and being re-born as a Jew. This was how things were done in Jesus’ day and prior. When Paul and the Apostles began a knew sect of Judaism called "The Way" or Christianity, they did not continue to convert a person to becoming a "Jew", but rather accepted Gentiles into the community of the Messiah based on belief in the Messiah, accepting His yoke, and being baptized. A Gentile died to his old "ways" and was re-born into a knew life into the community of believers. Baptism has always been seen as an outward symbol of an inward reality. Both in the Jewish life and Christian. For Jews to enter the Temple and go near the Holy God, one needed to be "holy" or "ritually clean." Everyone was baptized every time they wanted to enter the Temple. This act did not clean them or make them Holy (you had to be ritually clean, or holy, before entering the Mikvah aka Baptismal). If a person dies before baptism and enters the Heavenly Temple, they are still made holy by Jesus sacrifice and can enter the presence of God based on that fact. Missing the baptism will not cause a person to loose their right standing before God. In Judaism, when a person dies the people doing the burial will get “baptized” before they work on the body, they will clean and finally "baptize" the dead body and bury the person, and finally get "baptized" again after the burial. They did this to prepare the dead for the coming of the Messiah in the world to come. (Paul speaks of this rite when he argues for the Resurrection and asks, "If there is no resurrection then why are people being baptized for the dead?") The people doing the burial are doing all of this because they have faith that this person will rise again and will enter the presence of God. I hope this helps some rather than confuse. MJH |
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130 | Will there be a partial rapture? | 1 Thess 4:17 | MJH | 153491 | ||
Kalos, Who says that the believer will be raptured rather than the non-believer. No where in scripture does it say which will go and which will stay. Jesus' parable states that two women will be in a field and one will be gone, but He does not say which. First century Judaism (at least that I am aware of...) does not show any picture of the faithful leaving to be with God, but God coming to be with His people. 1 Thess. has the best evidence that the rapture is a picture of believers "going to be with the Lord" but the picture is of a King coming to the people. In the first century, the people would leave their town, village, or city to meet the King (Emperor) on the way, and then all go back to the city with the King. (Trumpets announcing the Kings arrival were all apart of the production.) So, before one can answer the question about 1 or 2 raptures, one needs to know who is being raptured. Also, the rest of scripture is ALWAYS showing a picture of God making his dwelling among mankind, not the reverse. ... MJH |
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131 | HOW DO WE HELP THOSE IN NEED? | 1 Tim 2:3 | MJH | 214517 | ||
When I worked at a church I became acutely aware of the people who went from church to church either through the phone book or down the street. How does a church determine who to help with their limited resources? I have pushed for an area wide church coop system to deal with non-church members/attendees. The local churches collectively support a central aid organization and any time someone from outside their influence seeks aid, they are directed to the same organization as every other church in the region or city. This organization could help those in need and follow-up with them so they no longer need help. After all, true compassion is measured by how many people no longer need our help, not on how many are currently receiving it. Individual churches, regardless of the above, should know how to effectively help their own people and be ready to do so, and they should do that long before they help those who do not attend. If aid is a witness, than what witness is it when we neglect those who are in our family to help those who are not? The true witness would be for neighbors of those in true need seeing their local church community coming along side them through that time. Aside from all of that: It’s important for the church to teach what the Bible says about consumer debt. How you are not able to help others and be the blessing God wants you to be for others if your “cup isn’t over flowing.” The church should encourage and respect people who are successful and able to help rather than immune them as less than righteous; as if they became a success on the backs of others. Imagine if everyone in our church was debt free except maybe their home. Who could we help then? (note: I am not suggestion prosperity preaching here.) I think maybe this is a raw nerve for me. I shall digress. MJH |
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132 | Help with depression | 2 Tim 1:7 | MJH | 144177 | ||
- I agree with the great one, Doc. who already answered this post. - But on a personal note: Depression is a modern issue mostly. Also, it is rare in underdeveloped nations. For this reason, many believe that the foods we east may be one of the biggest causes of depression. (Food is dealt with in the Bible but we often ignore it. A GREAT book on the subject is "What the Bible Says About Healthy Living." by Dr. Rex Russell (see review below). My wife struggled for years with depression. When she finally decided to eat NO sugar in any form, her depression left within days and she said a cloud lifted from her head that she did not even realize was there because it has been so many years she assumed that was what life was. Her whole attitude and look on life changed dramatically. She went back to a sugar addiction a few months later and for a YEAR she was mildly depressed again. She just quit sugar again and life is much nicer around here. (I had to pay her to quite. This time it will cost me 625 dollars to help her last 10 weeks. After that we are hoping it will be easier for her. It is the best money I could spend.) Sugar alone may not be enough. She already identified food insensitivities and we eat whole foods (much of it organic) and no food coloring or non-food stuff like preservatives and nitrates and MSG and on, and on. (The book noted above helped us in this.) Basically it is a TOTAL lifestyle change when it comes to what we put in our mouths. It has changed our lives (my daughter had a chronic immune deficiency and she is now very healthy. When we were concerned that she wasn’t 100 percent, our Doctor said, "most kids like here are always sick and sickly looking. Your daughter may not be has healthy as you want, but she is much much better than most kids in her situation." When asked why, he said it was the food. We do not give her any medications. Most kids with her issues are on 3 - 5 medications at the same time. (She is 5 years old now.) Some people like to say all depression is one thing or another. I do not intend to say that all depression is food related (although eating healthy will always help every time it is tried). It is also not always spiritual, though it may be I suppose. Being a Christian does not prevent you from getting depressed any more than being a Christian prevents you from getting the flu. To see if you are addicted to sugar (or any substance or thing) try going without it for 90 days. If you can’t, you are addicted. (Maybe not medically speaking, but emotionally, or physically. You GOT to have it. Then “it” becomes a god.) Review of the book mentioned above by Amazon.com: “Why do we get sick? If God says we are "fearfully and wonderfully made" (Psalm 139:14), why do we always seem to be hampered with health problems? While a perfect, pain-free existence won't happen on this side of heaven, there are tangible, successful ways you can improve your health and overall quality of life. The answers, says Dr. Rex Russell, ... lie in God's Word. Through year's of searching for answers to his own struggle with diabetes, Dr. Rex Russell finally discovered a successful plan for healthy living: don't eat anything God didn't intend for food (e.g. avoid scavenger meats ..., [non-food additives]); don't become addicted to anything (i.e. do not make food your god); and ingest food before it is changed into nutrient deficient or harmful products.” MJH |
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133 | How did the atmosphere of persecution af | 2 Tim 2:15 | MJH | 213583 | ||
What school are you attending? Just currious. MJH |
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134 | Mentally incapacitated can be saved? | 2 Tim 3:15 | MJH | 165500 | ||
I notice that two very competent users have responded to your question already. In that light, I will not repeat what they said, but I think a couple of questions are in order. Your question makes two assumptions: 1) You seem to assume that salvation is determined by a cognitive accent to a Biblical belief. In other words, if I understand and say "Yes, I believe that…" then you are covered for your sins and "saved." Is this what the Scriptures teach concerning salvation? Also, the text quoted hear is to Timothy and refers to the Old Testament, not the New (although it also applies to the New Testament now, but when Timothy read it, there was no “New Testament.”) 2) Your question seems to assume that salvation is merely being rescued from hell in the life after. Is that your view of salvation and what Jesus gave His life for, or is it much more than that? MJH |
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135 | What are the limits of salvation? | 2 Tim 3:15 | MJH | 165859 | ||
Sorry for the late reply. 1) Many Christians assume that a mere intellectual accent to the facts of the faith is what “saves” a person from their sins and lead to salvation. Obviously one must have the intellectual accent to the facts of the faith, but that is not the extent of what the Biblical writers speak of. a) Jam 2:19 “You believe that God is one; you do well. Even the demons believe--and shudder!” - This section of James letter is his attempt to help Greek thinking Jews among the nations understand a Hebrew concept. Greeks (as can be seen at Athens with Paul) prided themselves on hearing the latest thoughts, and it was common for one to distinguish between what they believed, and what they did. Just listen to some politicians even today, "My being a Catholic will have nothing to do with how I lead as a Senator." This is said as if it's the ideal, as if there can be a separation. - When James was following Jesus this argument would have sounded absurd to him (even though he later is the one who makes it), not because he would have disagreed, but that the argument would need to be made. 2) The first abridged answer to the previous question leads into the second. Is salvation a rescue from hell? Did Jesus or his followers see it that way? - They may have seen it that way as a distant thought, but it most definitely was not the driving force for what moved them nor should it be the driving force for what moves us. This may sound almost heretical, but scripture speaks for itself on this matter so much I’d have to quote nearly half the Bible to site all the examples. We are called to LIVE a certain kind of LIFE. The focus is on how we live our lives hear and now. Are we bringing more of God’s way into the world we live starting with ourselves or are we doing the opposite. Are we helping the orphans and widows? How many times does scripture speak of this? Even the parable about the sheep and goats is about how we live, not simply what we believe. - I am quite disappointed in the continued emphases on what happens when we DIE as if death is what it’s about. As if Jesus LIVED his LIFE to show us how to LIVE ours was only so we would be assured about our DEATH. (Caps are for emphases, not shouting.) I’m sure I’ve raised several red flags amongst the readers, so let me state emphatically…We are saved by faith in Jesus alone for salvation both now and in the world to come. It is not of our own doing, nor by works, but by grace alone. But show me your faith in the One True God, and then show me your life that is like the Accuser and I say you are in grave danger. But show me your life and how it reflects the character, love and mercy of the One True God yet your doctrine is messed up in lots of places, and I believe you are sitting in a good place…and should study and fix your doctrine, but I don’t believe there is a theology test at the pearly gates. MJH |
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136 | What author in the Bible influences you? | 2 Tim 3:16 | MJH | 181757 | ||
I think first would be Moses, then Jesus, then Paul. Moses for the Torah of course, Jesus because he is the Messiah and interprets the Torah so well, and Paul for the shear volume. MJH |
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137 | Most important doctrines? | 2 Tim 3:16 | MJH | 215562 | ||
That there is but One God, Yod Hey Vav Hey (creator of all) who communicates his promises/covenants with His people though His Word that all who are His will be drawn near him as a result of the faithfulness of His Messiah Jesus, who's sacrifice is our guarantee that our everlasting covenant relationship is secured with God. And because of this, we are made able by the Holy Spirit to live rightly within this covenant relationship. One God; Inerrant Word; One Messiah all wrapped in the cloak of covenant relationship initiated by God Himself. Boy, three is just too hard. The Apostle Creed listed by hopalong is excellent. MJH |
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138 | What is the canon and why is it closed? | Heb 1:1 | MJH | 213296 | ||
You question is too much for a response on this forum, but maybe I can get you started. The canon is short for "Canon of Scripture." These are the books of the Bible that are considered by the Church to be authoritative and inspired by the Spirit of God. Protestants accept the 66 books found in the translation connected with this forum. The canon was finalized during the fourth century after the Christian church was given legitimacy by Constantine. Over the pervious years, the canon of Scripture had been debated book by book, but most were included already by all. The canon being closed means that the debate is over as far as the organized church is concerned. Of course it never is with individuals. It's a fascinating study if you have the time. MJH |
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139 | OT says Altar of Insence is outside viel | Heb 9:2 | MJH | 214284 | ||
Hebrews is speaking about the Day of Atonement in chapter 9. The High Priest entered once a year and before he could safely enter the most Holy place, he had to take the incense from the alter and create a cloud in front of the mercy seat so that he would not die when he entered to apply the blood. There was one golden censor (the others being silver) which was used only for this purpose. If the book of Hebrews was describing where things were stored, then this would be a problem, but the author is clearly speaking about the use and purpose on the specific Day of Atonement of which he is speaking. The entire letter to the Hebrews is very Jewish in its style and shows a high degree of understanding in regards to how the Tabernacle functioned. In fact, this knowledge of the Tabernacle has led some to hypothesize that the author may have been a priest. There is simply no way that this author would have been speaking about the storage place of the incense alter and gotten it wrong. No one knows for certain who actually wrote the letter. MJH |
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140 | Abraham lying? | Heb 11:17 | MJH | 230762 | ||
I agree with Searcher. Even if Abraham had succeeded in the sacrifice, Isaac would have rose from the dead as he was the promised child. If Isaac did die, and stayed dead, then God would be a liar, and all would be lost of them and us. This is the 10th and final test of Abraham. He'd been through a lot. The mere fact that Isaac was born of a woman who's womb had died is really no less than a resurrection itself. Of course, Hebrews 11 confirms all this to be the case. Love to learn . . . MJH |
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