Results 121 - 140 of 269
|
||||||
Results from: Notes Author: Country Girl Ordered by Verse |
||||||
Results | Verse | Author | ID# | |||
121 | Christianity -- American style vs... | Matt 28:19 | Country Girl | 128221 | ||
Yes, it's so good to read your story. I'm glad you're able to visit places like that and be a beacon for God's light. I don't think I could do that near as well as you. My talents lie in other areas. I'm just thankful that we're all blessed with different talents and God looks at us as a whole family. Blessings to you. Country Girl | ||||||
122 | Contrition and Repentance | Luke 3:8 | Country Girl | 132690 | ||
I can only add Ps 51:17 The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; A broken and a contrite heart, O God, You will not despise. Is 57:15 For thus says the high and exalted One Who lives forever, whose name is Holy, "I dwell on a high and holy place, And also with the contrite and lowly of spirit In order to revive the spirit of the lowly And to revive the heart of the contrite." And we all know why King David was a "man after God's own heart" because he so contrite and willing to humble himself to his Lord. Blessings to you. Country Girl |
||||||
123 | What is the biblical def of apostle | Luke 6:13 | Country Girl | 133228 | ||
Just my one and a half cents' worth. There's a couple more points that could be thrown in: First: Acts 1:20 "For it is written in the book of Psalms, 'LET HIS HOMESTEAD BE MADE DESOLATE, AND LET NO ONE DWELL IN IT'; and, 'LET ANOTHER MAN TAKE HIS OFFICE.' Acts 1:21 "Therefore it is necessary that of the men who have accompanied us all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us- Apparently, these men agreed with Peter that they must fulfill the prophecy. Second: 1 Cor 15:6 After that He appeared to more than five hundred brethren at one time, most of whom remain until now, but some have fallen asleep; 1 Cor 15:7 then He appeared to James, then to all the apostles; 1 Cor 15:8 and last of all, as to one untimely born, He appeared to me also. 1 Cor 15:9 For I am the least of the apostles, and not fit to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. 1 Cor 15:10 But by the grace of God I am what I am, and His grace toward me did not prove vain; but I labored even more than all of them, yet not I, but the grace of God with me. Apparently from vs 8, Paul didn't consider himself a legitimate apostle so one could argue that he is the odd man out and Mathias was part of the proper 12. Ultimately, I don't really think this basic question at the beginning of this thread can be answered Biblically this side of Judgment Day but I just want to try and complete the picture. Blessings to you all. Country Girl |
||||||
124 | antichrist | Luke 10:27 | Country Girl | 124954 | ||
Your two posts on this thread seems to indicate you've completely overlooked several key verses on the subject, one of which is cited below 1 Pet 5:6 Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you at the proper time, 1 Pet 5:7 casting all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you. 1 Pet 5:8 Be of sober spirit, be on the alert. Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. 1 Pet 5:9 But resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same experiences of suffering are being accomplished by your brethren who are in the world. No, my friend I'm afraid the Devil is as real as you and me. He's just spiritual like our God, whereas you and I are mostly physical, finite in this world. The big difference between God and the Devil is their devotion to good vs. evil, respectively. The Bible as a whole clearly portrays this Devil as a very real being whom we should respect because of the power of temptation and the lust for our souls he has for us. Why else do you think the Bible spends so much time and print on the concept of a christian and the possibility of being lost due to unfaithfulness or disobedience? I do hope you'll continue to study this topic and learn to respect Satan and his powers. Blessings to you. Country Girl |
||||||
125 | For Our Benefit and His Glory | Luke 13:8 | Country Girl | 127357 | ||
When we first become christians, most of us are on fire and enthusiastic about our newfound relationship with our Lord and our new family. So most christians would ask "Why do we need to be chastised by the Lord? The few times I goof up and make a mistake, my fellow christians will show me the way and we'll get along fine." Then finally we start maturing after going through a phase of "let down" upon enduring some disappointments with our fellow christians or the world. So like you're saying, it takes some spiritual maturing (and some physical maturing as well) for us to truly appreciate the refining process as Paul refers to, in Hebrews. I've always been taught it's more applicable to think of ourselves as the rock of raw gold ore and the purified potential christianity has to be refined out of us. Like James says in Chapter 1, we "must consider it joy to endure various trials and tribulations," but that's a sign of true Christ-like maturity. I must admit, I like to think I might be mature enough to appreciate whatever the Lord might throw at me but then again, I read the Book of Job and think again, "Would I be truly worthy enough?" How about you? What would be your thoughts on this issue? Blessings to you. Country Girl |
||||||
126 | why was the thief saved without baptism? | Luke 23:43 | Country Girl | 132672 | ||
One more little tidbit that a lot of people don't seem to notice about this controversy of the Holy Spirit descending on Cornelius and his family is this. We should remember that when the HS fell on the Apostles "with cloven tongues of fire," they too HAD NOT been baptized either. As a matter of fact, it's NOT absolutely clear in scripture that ALL of the Apostles were indeed baptized but I have to believe they were. How could they preach this new Gift of Salvation based on obedience to God if they all had not obeyed God's Terms and Conditions themselves? We do know for a fact that Apostle Paul was baptized to receive salvation so that's good enough for me. Just my two cents' worth. You'll probably want some change back...;-) Blessings to you. Country Girl |
||||||
127 | why was the thief saved without baptism? | Luke 23:43 | Country Girl | 132692 | ||
Hank: My point of my previous post was that of baptism. It CANNOT be proven that ALL of the Apostles were indeed baptised when it is clear that they were preaching it to be saved. We are left to infer that just like they baptized Cornelius and his family, they themselves must have been baptized so as to be consistent with their preaching. But notice further, this dispensation started the phase of baptizing in the name of the Father, the Son and Holy Ghost after the resurrection of Jesus. John the Baptist's baptism wasn't good enough as shown later on in Acts. Thus while Christ was alive, He truly WAS the King of the Jews and could bestow ANYTHING He chose on whomever He chose. So the thief didn't need to be baptized to get into Paradise. The Lord "punched his ticket" before both of them died. The Lord's Last Will and Testament had NOT been executed and therefore baptism wasn't authorized until after the Perfect Sacrifice was made. It is a good conclusion that this watery baptism is the one baptism as mentioned in Eph 4 as it's the only one that is common to ALL christians for all time since the start. Blessings to you. Good to hear from you. Country Girl |
||||||
128 | why was the thief saved without baptism? | Luke 23:43 | Country Girl | 132697 | ||
You've probably already figured out that I believe only the Apostles, Cornelius and his family actually received the baptism of the Holy Spirit as those (Acts 2 and 10) are the only clear instances where people received such an unusual event. All other manifestations or demonstrations of miraculous powers from people other than the Apostles received those powers from the Apostles by the laying on the Apostles' hands. Consequently I believe the one single baptism that is available to everyone and thus must have been the one discussed by Paul is that of the watery grave of baptism as depicted in Rom 6. Do you have Scripture depicting something else? Blessings to you. Country Girl |
||||||
129 | why was the thief saved without baptism? | Luke 23:43 | Country Girl | 132715 | ||
Amen, dear friend, Amen!! That's my point. The ONLY baptism that we can KNOW for certain that ALL christians can and should take part in is the watery grave of baptism as suggested by Jesus Words to Nicodemus. Thanks for the supportive scripture. Country Girl |
||||||
130 | why was the thief saved without baptism? | Luke 23:43 | Country Girl | 132767 | ||
Like I mentioned ALL the miracles performed by individuals other than the Apostles received that ability to perform those miracles from the Apostles' "laying on of hands." The fact that we don't have miracles in today's world meeting the very same Biblical standard as those in the 1st century is the Scriptural proof. Notice the basic purpose of these "wonders and signs" was to act as an endorsement from God above that everything said and done by these folks was indeed blessed by Him. Hope this helps and Blessings to you. Country Girl |
||||||
131 | why was the thief saved without baptism? | Luke 23:43 | Country Girl | 132811 | ||
Quoted for reference: Acts 2:37 Now when they heard this, they were pierced to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, "Brethren, what shall we do?" Acts 2:38 Peter said to them, "Repent, and each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. Acts 2:39 "For the promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off, as many as the Lord our God will call to Himself." and Acts 10:45 All the circumcised believers who came with Peter were amazed, because the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out on the Gentiles also. Acts 10:46 For they were hearing them speaking with tongues and exalting God. Then Peter answered, Acts 10:47 "Surely no one can refuse the water for these to be baptized who have received the Holy Spirit just as we did, can he?" I guess it's obvious you're keying in on the use of the same phrase "Gift of the Holy Spirit" but it's not quite that simple. It seems pretty obvious in Acts 2, the Gift was that of salvation. In Acts 10, however, I'll admit it looks like it could be interpreted at least a couple of different ways or more. I would lean toward that of Salvation but you would lean upon the empowerment of miraculous powers except there's no other demonstration anywhere in scripture of miracles being done outside of the parameters as I cited earlier. BUT just in case someone does wish to counter with some kind of discussion or a vague verse with such a claim, it's easy to verify/confirm the acutal supernatural quality of such miraculous powers. Life to a dead body after several days of confirmed death is a great miracle. Restoration of a limb after severance from the body with no modern medical technology would be a pretty effective miracle. Enabling the deaf to hear or the blind to see after a lifetime of such handicaps would be equally as powerful. If you know of such documented cases of miracles, I'd love to hear more about them with ALL the details. Again, the bottom line is that God never did intend for the age of miracles manifested by human beings here on earth to last for very long. Paul predicted their ceasation in 1 Cor 13. We can easily understand why with all the abuse that was going on in the first century church. Again, these "wonders and signs" had as their most important purpose the confirmation of God's Word through those speaking and acting in God's behalf during that initial phase of the Lord's church. I know, I know, you're going to ask for scriptures to back all this up but there is no specific scripture that can be cited to support this specific statement. It has to be concluded based on a thorough study of God's Word and making the necessary inferences. And then the inevitable statement about the level of miraculous manifestation in today's world resulting from our lessor faith as compared to the first century. And again, I would say that miracles being successfully performed were never a result of a lack of faith on the part of the recipient as in the case of the crippled beggar in Acts with Peter and John. Jesus actually chose not to perform miracles in His home town because of His countrymen. So, this too CANNOT be used as an excuse to explain why miracles don't come from modern people of today. There is simply NOT any documented case of an actual supernatural event being performed that meet the same standard as cited in the Bible. Blessings to you, my friend. Country Girl |
||||||
132 | why was the thief saved without baptism? | Luke 23:43 | Country Girl | 132864 | ||
So, how do you reconcile this baptism of the Holy Spirit with the other watery type baptism as cited throughout the NT and the fact there's only supposed to one baptism as Paul teaches in Eph 4? One can't simply dismiss the importance of watery baptism as it is administered for the remission of sins, Acts 2:38. If the one baptism is that of the Holy Spirit, how come it takes on so many different interpretations and meanings for nearly everybody in the world? In contrast, almost everybody agrees to most of the details of baptism. At least most everyone agrees it means immersion and most serious Bible students know it as part of the Plan of Salvation. I think that's one reason why God chose such a simple act as baptism in something as plentiful as water on this planet. A person really will have a tough task to argue this point on Judgment Day, but looking forward to your response. Blessings to you. Country Girl |
||||||
133 | why was the thief saved without baptism? | Luke 23:43 | Country Girl | 132869 | ||
In spite of my name which suggests my origin, I've traveled around the world quite a bit and I've covered most of the USA. In my travels, I've never heard of an actual miracle that actually meets the Biblical standard as I mentioned previously. But if you have, I'd like to hear about it. I'd like to contact that person and arrange to have him cure my son of a very bad and terrible disease. I understand to his dying day, people from around the world were bringing family members to Apostle John on the isle of Patmos for healing. Don't you know...a person with real, genuine, God-given miraculous powers would have a reputation ringing literally throughout the world. I'm really quite anxious to meet this person if you know of someone like this. Please advise and Blessings to you. Country Girl |
||||||
134 | why was the thief saved without baptism? | Luke 23:43 | Country Girl | 132877 | ||
Have you ever thought about...Why is there so much controversy on this subject? Good, conscientious, serious Bible students like you and me and all the others have studied this subject quite literally all our lives. I've read your profile so you and I are about the same age and yet we have such divergent views on this subject. To me, it seems like the devil is laughing his head off and enjoying all the strife and turmoil on this subject and all the many other controversies since the start of the apostacy. In spite of it all AND knowing this apostacy was coming, our Lord prayed for unity and for His children, us, you and me to agree on these kinds of matters. How sad? How truly very sad? Such good, devoted Bible students can't come to agreement on this rather simple subject IMO. Someone posts a question and I respond with my interpretation or you beat me to it and respond with yours. And the devil makes out like a bandit. How truly sad? I can only continue to encourage everyone reading this to study the whole Bible and make a decision that you can defend on Judgment Day because we'll be judged by ALL the words we read therein. Blessings to all who study and obey God's Word. Country Girl |
||||||
135 | why was the thief saved without baptism? | Luke 23:43 | Country Girl | 133227 | ||
You seemed to have left out a very important detail of this discussion and these words are from Christ himself: John 3:4 Nicodemus *said to Him, "How can a man be born when he is old? He cannot enter a second time into his mother's womb and be born, can he?" John 3:5 Jesus answered, "Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. John 3:6 "That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. John 3:7 "Do not be amazed that I said to you, 'You must be born again.' John 3:8 "The wind blows where it wishes and you hear the sound of it, but do not know where it comes from and where it is going; so is everyone who is born of the Spirit." I've mentioned this kind of logic before but I'll repeat myself yet again. When the Bible teaches two or more different ways to answer a particular question such as this, it behooves one to be thorough and study all of what Scripture says about it. Now readily enough, everyone knows about Paul's statement: "one faith, one baptism,... But then the Bible also clearly states there are two different kinds of baptism cited within the Scriptures which were apparently applicable in their day when these Words were written. So we're left with a puzzle. Oviously Paul's words about "one baptism" were issued for guidance to ALL christians throughout all the age or this dispensation. The one single baptism that we can know for certain is indeed applicable to ALL christians is the one as Jesus referred to in being born again and thus the phrase "born again christian." Like I've mentioned before the age of miracles was a temporary one in this Christian dispensation. The baptism of the Holy Spirit was the primary source for these miraculous powers so since the Apostles, Cornelius and his family were the only ones blessed with these miraculous abilities from this primary source, it is perfectly logical to conclude that the baptism of the Holy Spirit is no longer applicable in this day and time. This also is in harmony with Paul's teaching in 1 Cor as there tends to be much strife and immature bickering between christians when they are blessed with these powers. I think it is correctly inferred from all this that God never really meant for us as His children to have these miraculous powers throughout this dispensation because in addition to the strife, it takes away from our development of our faith. If we had physical manifestations or demonstrations of miracles all the time like the Jews did in their world, they would become commonplace like they did then. The worst thing is that they lost their respect for God as shown at the very giving of the 10 Commandments to Moses. God wants us to grow up spiritually and learn to come to Him in simple faith based on what we know to be Bible based facts and the historical records that match them so perfectly. So, my friend, I must conclude the one baptism that's so important to Paul is the same watery grave of baptism important to today's christian. I hope this is all clear. Blessings to you. Country Girl PS: I know you know this being the learned Bible student you are but I need to mention for everyone else's benefit. The conclusion cited above is shared now and has been promulgated by christians by the tens of millions plus throughout all 2000 years of the church's existence. PSS: As to why our Lord didn't make this more clear i.e. as in a Standard Operating Procedure or a manual, etc. I'd have to refer you to God Himself upon Judgment Day. |
||||||
136 | why was the thief saved without baptism? | Luke 23:43 | Country Girl | 133270 | ||
As I've said in several posts in the past, I'm firmly convinced that God knows His Word does NOT provide every answer to every question we could possibly think up. We just know and are assured that He does answer ALL the questions we NEED to have answered so as to go Home to Heaven. We've all discovered some very tough topics that just defy truly clear answers so I'll settle for your position and resolve to keep studying and praying on the matter. I'm also thankful to Him that it's not hinged on salvation one way or the other. I would encourage all who may be reading to study ALL of God's Word and draw your own conclusions. That's one thing that the Bible is very clear about from Peter: 1 Pet 3:14 But even if you should suffer for the sake of righteousness, you are blessed. AND DO NOT FEAR THEIR INTIMIDATION, AND DO NOT BE TROUBLED, 1 Pet 3:15 but sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness and reverence; 1 Pet 3:16 and keep a good conscience so that in the thing in which you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ will be put to shame. I'm sure you already know that part of the Greek meaning behind the word "defense" means using our logical minds. So this is most certainly an endorsement from our Lord that we ARE commanded to use our intellect to deduce certain conclusions from His Word. We just have to be thorough and draw the right conclusion after studying ALL of what He says on each respective subject. Blessings to you, my dear friend. Country Girl |
||||||
137 | Logos Word Logic | John 1:1 | Country Girl | 126985 | ||
So that brings to mind (at least my mind) one more question. Where in the Bible is this word locos translated as logic? It seems you have an extensive knowledge of Greek. Did you go to school to learn this much or learn it through other means? Blessings to you. Country Girl |
||||||
138 | NOR OF HUMAN DECISION...but born of God | John 1:13 | Country Girl | 132272 | ||
I agree with you 100 per cent. There's absolutely NOTHING we can possibly ever hope to do or say to earn our way to Heaven or to receive salvation based on our actions. BUT there are some things that God does expect from us to PROVE we really do belong to Him. James is most clear on this in his letter, Chapter 2. Ja 2:14 What does it profit, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can faith save him? 15If a brother or sister is naked and destitute of daily food, 16and one of you says to them, "Depart in peace, be warmed and filled," but you do not give them the things which are needed for the body, what does it profit? 17Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead. 18But someone will say, "You have faith, and I have works." Show me your faith without your works, and I will show you my faith by my works. 19You believe that there is one God. You do well. Even the demons believe--and tremble! 20But do you want to know, O foolish man, that faith without works is dead? 21Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered Isaac his son on the altar? 22Do you see that faith was working together with his works, and by works faith was made perfect? 23And the Scripture was fulfilled which says, "Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness." And he was called the friend of God. 24You see then that a man is justified by works, and not by faith only. 25Likewise, was not Rahab the harlot also justified by works when she received the messengers and sent them out another way? 26For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also. Just wanted to complete the picture. You see, it's not the works that saves us, it's our faith in God BUT real, genuine faith will produce these works. If there is no such works, according to James, we should be suspicious about the actual condition of our faith. IF that faith is dead as would be indicated by the lack of works in such a person's life, then it (the faith) is worthless to him, to you and me and most of all, to God. So, what is a person to do under this kind of guidance? We must look around, maybe in the world, maybe in our churches, wherever there is a need for Christianity, we must adopt a ministry of some kind and apply our talents as best we can. Lk 9:23 Then He said to them all, "If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me. 24For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will save it. 25For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and is himself destroyed or lost? 26For whoever is ashamed of Me and My words, of him the Son of Man will be ashamed when He comes in His own glory, and in His Father's, and of the holy angels. I hope this helps and Blessings to you. Country Girl |
||||||
139 | What is the meaning of John 4:5-42? | John 4:42 | Country Girl | 125491 | ||
Very, very good post. Nice digest of the whole story. Good conclusion. Country Girl | ||||||
140 | Are Jesus and God 2 or 1? | John 8:17 | Country Girl | 130749 | ||
Provided for context: John 10:24 The Jews then gathered around Him, and were saying to Him, "How long will You keep us in suspense? If You are the Christ, tell us plainly." John 10:25 Jesus answered them, "I told you, and you do not believe; the works that I do in My Father's name, these testify of Me. John 10:26 "But you do not believe because you are not of My sheep. John 10:27 "My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me; John 10:28 and I give eternal life to them, and they will never perish; and no one will snatch them out of My hand. John 10:29 "My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father's hand. John 10:30 "I and the Father are one." It seems pretty obvious (to me at least) that Jesus was saying that He and Father are one Being. That is they think alike. Their priorities are one and in perfect harmony. Don't get me wrong, there are just a few things that even Jesus didn't know, at least not then. Mk 13:32 "But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. 33Take heed, watch and pray; for you do not know when the time is. Thus we see in this some clear distinctions among the three that make up this Godhead but for us humans in our finite understanding, God the Father, Christ the Son and the Holy Spirit are all one. I hope this is clear. Blessings to you. Country Girl |
||||||
Result pages: << First < Prev [ 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 ] Next > Last [14] >> |