Results 1341 - 1360 of 1459
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Results from: Notes Author: John Reformed Ordered by Date |
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Results | Verse | Author | ID# | |||
1341 | The Gospel the sole means of salvation? | Rom 1:16 | John Reformed | 39368 | ||
Dear Searcher, What happens to the person who has never heard the Gospel? He can't accept or reject an offer he has never heard. Can he? John |
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1342 | Hebrews 6:6 explained | NT general Archive 1 | John Reformed | 39357 | ||
Sorry Hank, I'm A Hot Head sometimes. I posted you before reading your reply to cyclist. I'm sure glad that the Father sees Jesus when he looks at me and not my sin nature. John |
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1343 | Hebrews 6:6 explained | NT general Archive 1 | John Reformed | 39356 | ||
Hank, Did you notice how many posts this person lonelyblue has made? One! She is not exactly an "old hand" on the Forum. It was rude and insensitive to treat her in such an offhanded manner. John |
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1344 | The Gospel the sole means of salvation? | Rom 1:16 | John Reformed | 39354 | ||
Dear Searcher, Thank you for those beautiful words of C.H. Spurgeon. It is clear that he, at least, thought creation to be inadequate in itself to reveal God's eternal pupose for salvation. Do you agree? John |
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1345 | The Gospel the sole means of salvation? | Rom 1:16 | John Reformed | 39353 | ||
Dear meusing, Does God use any other method instead of the Gospel to draw men unto Christ? John |
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1346 | The Gospel the sole means of salvation? | Rom 1:16 | John Reformed | 39352 | ||
Dear Searcher, You say "No"...that the Gospel is not the sole means of salvation. And in support of your answer you offer Romans 10: 13-15. "WHOEVER WILL CALL ON THE NAME OF THE LORD WILL BE SAVED." How then will they call on Him in whom they have not believed? How will they believe in Him whom they have not heard? And how will they hear without a preacher? How will they preach unless they are sent? Just as it is written, "HOW BEAUTIFUL ARE THE FEET OF THOSE WHO BRING GOOD NEWS OF GOOD THINGS!" Please explain. John |
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1347 | The Gospel the sole means of salvation? | Rom 1:16 | John Reformed | 39331 | ||
Dear meusing, Am I correct in assuming that your answer to my question: "Is the Gospel the sole means of salvation?" is yes? John |
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1348 | The Gospel the sole means of salvation? | Rom 1:16 | John Reformed | 39330 | ||
Dear Searcher, I know God reveals to man His majesty and power, His goodness and wrath etc. thru the creation itself. But, does God use the witness of nature to proclaim the Gospel? John John |
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1349 | The Gospel the sole means of salvation? | Rom 1:16 | John Reformed | 39300 | ||
Dear Searcher, Thank you for your reply. From reading this verse, it appears that the Gospel is the means that God has chosen as the instrument of salvation. My question is : Is the Gospel the ONLY instrument that God uses to convey the message of salvation? John |
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1350 | What if God did not join them tohether? | Bible general Archive 1 | John Reformed | 39187 | ||
Dear Rainbowmaker, We all are guilty of attempting to get around God's commands. The world, the flesh and the devil are more than happy to supply us with all the phoney excuses we want. Our problems arise from our unwillingness to accept God's rule over our lives. We look for loopholes and exceptions to His written Word. It is hard to go through trials and tribulation. So we seek a way to escape from them. We ignore the plain teaching of Scripture and look elsewhere for "easy" answers. I would encourage unhappy couples to turn to Christ, repent of their sins against one another and to pray for grace to perservere til the end. "For without faith it is impossible to please God". Climb up out of the swamp by using the promises of God as your stepping stones. "having done all to stand; stand therefore". God Bless, John |
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1351 | What if God did not join them tohether? | Bible general Archive 1 | John Reformed | 39186 | ||
Dear Rainbowmaker, We all are guilty of attempting to get around God's commands. The world, the flesh and the devil are more than happy to supply us with all the phoney excuses we want. Our problems arise from our unwillingness to accept God's rule over our lives. We look for loopholes and exceptions to His written Word. It is hard to go through trials and tribulation. So we seek a way to escape from them. We ignore the plain teaching of Scripture and look elsewhere for "easy" answers. I would encourage unhappy couples to turn to Christ, repent of their sins against one another and to pray for grace to perservere til the end. "For without faith it is impossible to please God". Climb up out of the swamp by using the promises of God as your stepping stones. "having done all to stand; stand therefore". God Bless, John |
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1352 | was Paul above Christ | Rom 1:1 | John Reformed | 39065 | ||
Dear Don Pedro, I agree that Christ is the focus of the Scripture. He is our Lord and Saviour. His name is above all names. He is God!!! 2 Tim 3:16 "All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness". Maybe I did'nt understand what you were saying? It seemed to me like you implied that the recorded words of Christ were superior to the recorded words of Paul. I strongley disagree with that idea. All the words of Scripture are God,s words. Which makes them all equally true. If you don't believe that, you don't believe the Bible. John Reformed |
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1353 | was Paul above Christ | Rom 1:1 | John Reformed | 39003 | ||
Dear Don Pedro, The Word of God is His truth spoken to us through the writers of the 66 books of the Bible. These men wrote exactly what God inspired them to write. Do you believe this? John |
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1354 | Receive? | 1 John 2:2 | John Reformed | 38917 | ||
Dear Tim, I did'nt have time to respond fully to this post and I hope you don't think I'm trying to resurrect my question about those who never have heard the Gospel. Your verses (a-i) have no relavency (at least none that I can fathom) to The first part of my question: "What about the native in Africa who never even heard of Christ?". Your answer lists a)Rebekah b)Jethro c)Asa, The tribes of Judah and Benjamin d)Jehoshaphat (who in this verse is commended for not seeking the Baals)etc. etc. I know you have been busy and have grown weary of the topic. But Tim, the proof texts you offered have proved nothing relative to my question! I know, beyond a reasonable doubt, that you cannot offer any scriptual proof in response to what happens to those who never heard the Gospel. I'm as sure of it as I am sure that Dr. Giesler is an arminian! (I'm not being mean, I'm just being emphatic). The promise is to Abraham and His seed. Not to the fleshy seed but to the spiritual seed. Not to Ishmael but to Iassac; Not to Esau but to Jacob; Not to National Israel but to the Remnant; Not to the entire world but to those who believe, Not to the reprobate but to the elect. I see the Bible as God's revelation to His chosen people. In it we find who made the universe, why it was made, who we are, what we are, where we are going and who we are and in what manner we are to worship. In it He has graciouly disclosed to us His eternal purpose. How we have been His for all eternity. We were chosen in Christ from before the founding of the world. God does not peer into the future to find out who (if any) will take up His offer! He knows the beginning from the end and He knows it certainly, because He predetermined every thing that has and will, for all eternity, take place. I truly believe that a comprehensive appreciation of the nature and attributes of God are indispensible to rightly divide His Word. If I'm not tickled pink with everything that God has done, tough! I brief reflection on His Holiness and my filthiness, will soon enough send me to my knees asking forgiveness for my lack of trust in His righteous judgements. There is much more I could say, but if you do not want to hear it, I'll buton my lips (lot'sa folks wish I had a button on my lips for real). Maybe they have a point? But they'll have to prove it from scripture. Your Brother John |
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1355 | does God ever say no | 2 Cor 12:7 | John Reformed | 38830 | ||
Dear Cody, Have you ever asked God for something and He did'nt give it to you? If your answer is yes, you are in the same company as every one else in the world. God has a fixed plan and purpose, not only for you and me but for His entire creation. Heb 6:17: "In the same way God, desiring even more to show to the heirs of the promise the unchangeableness of His purpose, interposed with an oath," Eph 3:11: "This was in accordance with the eternal purpose which He carried out in Christ Jesus our Lord". God tells us to bring all our cares and all our needs to Him in prayer. Phil 4:6- "Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God." Having prayed we are to rest in the knowledge that He always does the right thing. We place our faith and hope in Him. Trust God. John |
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1356 | Receive? | 1 John 2:2 | John Reformed | 38768 | ||
Dear Tim, Eph 2:1-3 "And you were dead in your trespasses and sins, in which you formerly walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, of the spirit that is now working in the sons of disobedience. Among them we too all formerly lived in the lusts of our flesh, indulging the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, even as the rest." Rom 8:6,7 "For the mind set on the flesh is death, but the mind set on the Spirit is life and peace, because the mind set on the flesh is hostile toward God; for it does not subject itself to the law of God, for it is not even able to do so" If you are not persuaded by these verses, I am at a loss to know what verses will persuade you. Being a good calvinist, I am absolutely certain that God has predestined all things (eph 3:11). In the plan of God all things work together for the good of the believer (RO 8:28). He not only has preordained the good works that His children perform, but even the evil men do and the evil the devil does are part of His plan. At the same time He is not the author of sin or does He force men to do His will. Christians fulfill good works because of their love of Christ. Wicked men and Satan fulfill his plan because they hate Him.(Acts 4:26,27). I am comforted by my belief that if God wants to turn you into calvinist He will.(Im smiling) All I have said has been in happy christian fellowship. I have grown fond of you. I am sure that if we were neighbors we would spend many enjoyable hours discussing the wonders of our God. PS. If brother Giesler is a REAL calvinist, I'll eat my hat!!(I'm frowning) Your Affectionate Brother, John Adams |
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1357 | Receive? | 1 John 2:2 | John Reformed | 38724 | ||
Tim, I may have to aswer you one question at a time, because of the demands on my time. 1). "The first question hinges on a Calvinistic understanding of Total Depravity. Arminians believe in Total Depravity, we just don't make the jump that 'dead' in sin means unable to respond. Eph 2:1-3 "And you were dead in your trespasses and sins, in which you formerly walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, of the spirit that is now working in the sons of disobedience. Among them we too all formerly lived in the lusts of our flesh, indulging the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, even as the rest." Rom 8:6,7 "For the mind set on the flesh is death, but the mind set on the Spirit is life and peace, because the mind set on the flesh is hostile toward God; for it does not subject itself to the law of God, for it is not even able to do so". Rom 5:12 'Therefore, just as through one man sin entered into the world, and death through sin, and so death spread to all men, because all sinned". There are many other verses that support the total inability of man to will that which is pleasing to God. You will also note the the verses I chose are didactic. The meaning does not need to be deduced. they are clear in themselves. I say this in love: Who is the one doing the leaping? May Our Discourse Bring Praise to Our King. Your Brother John |
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1358 | Receive? | 1 John 2:2 | John Reformed | 38611 | ||
Goood Morning Tim, "Calvinism seems to hold that if anyone is capable of exercising free will, then God is diminished somehow". I understand arminianism because I was instructed from it for almost 20 years. However, from your above statement I see I have made a fundamental error in assuming that you were familiar with the calvinistic position. It is as follows: (The Westminster Confession of Faith) 1. God from all eternity did by the most wise and holy counsel of his own will, freely and unchangeably ordain whatsoever comes to pass; yet so as thereby neither is God the author of sin; nor is violence offered to the will of the creatures, nor is the liberty or contingency of second causes taken away, but rather established. God does not violate the will of his creatures. He graciously calls those He has chosen, and the rest are left to follow the dictates of their own corrupt desires. Is God injust? Not according to the Bible. Acts 4:27,28: "For truly in this city there were gathered together against Your holy servant Jesus, whom You anointed, both Herod and Pontius Pilate, along with the Gentiles and the peoples of Israel, to do whatever Your hand and Your purpose predestined to occur." Did the wicked act according to free will? Yes. Did God predestine these evil acts? Yes. Is God then the author of evil? No. Why is'nt He? For the reason that evil men acted according to their own evil desires. Even the devil is God's devil. Whatever evil the devil does, God means it for good. God's purpose is His eternal purpose. He does'nt peer down the corridors of time to determine what He should do. He does not react to unforseen circumstances and then adjust or change His plan. His ways are not our ways! I have to go plough my field. I'll continue my rant later. God Bless Tim, John |
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1359 | Hebrews 6:6 explained | NT general Archive 1 | John Reformed | 38578 | ||
Searcher, Shame on you! John |
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1360 | Receive? | 1 John 2:2 | John Reformed | 38516 | ||
Dear Tim, Your reponse implies that both you and I are intractable. Two guys that have their minds made up and that's that. I admit to being a stubborn person, however I am no match for the Holy Spirit! I've always been a person with strongly held convictions and have been skeptical (to put it mildly) about views in opposition to my own. That is, in part, why I hold to God's Soverign Grace vs Free Will. I was raised Roman Catholic; Abandoned catholisim at the age of 12. Lived for the devil til I was 30; Became a Diest and created a god as I understood him. At the age of 35 a friend of my father's presented the Gospel to me one sunny day beside a lake. I was impressed with his knowledge of the Bible, but unimpressed with his claim concerning Christ. I enjoyed the conversation but felt no compulsion to place myself under the authority of organized religion. That same afternoon, in the privacy of my bedroom, I asked Jesus to be my saviour! For years afterward, I felt that I had made a decision (or choice, if you prefer) to accept Christ as my Lord. I just was'nt to clear on how I had arrived at it. How did such a radical change in my thinking take place? I don't recall having weighed the arguements, or evaluated the benefits. Faith just seemed to have happend (Of course, now I know "faith comes from hearing the word of Christ"). Halleluia! Jesus is Lord!!! I could'nt wait to tell the Gospel to everyone. Family, friends and strangers alike. I was on fire for Jesus, I was filled with joy just anticipating their happy reception of the Good News. You've probablly been there and done that yourself. I was flabbergasted by their pitying looks and their warnings about my "reigious notions". It reminds me of Christian's reception by his family and frinds in "The Pilgrim's Progress". At any rate I was dumbfounded. Why me, when so many others deseved this blessing far more than I did? In fact most Christians I know believe that Christ just overwhelmed them. They give no credit to themselves. Tim, I bet (that is if, I was a betting man) that you feel exactly the same way. Don't you? I know that personal testimony and annecdotal evidence is not definitive proof. It is subjective and fallible. We have worn a hole in our mousepads copying and pasting scripture to one another. But rememember the Samaritan women at the well? What did she do (God bless her heart)? John 4:39 From that city many of the Samaritans believed in Him because of the word of the woman who testified, "He told me all the things that I have done." If you do not wish to pursue our dicussion to the end, I would not hold it against you. But I would be disappointed. I presented you with a pair of questions that at one time I could not answer scriptualy (at least not from an arminian perspective). That does not mean that you can't answer them. Does it? God Bless Tim, Your Brother John |
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