Results 141 - 160 of 255
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Results from: Answers On or After: Thu 12/31/70 Author: Robert Nicholson Ordered by Date |
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Results | Verse | Author | ID# | |||
141 | Can the blood of bulls take away sin? | Heb 10:4 | Robert Nicholson | 53062 | ||
Simchat Torah In Hebrews 10 the writer is comparing the shadow or type of the old covenant to the fulfilment of that shadow fulfiled in Christ. In V. 1-3 we find that the sacrifices of old covered sin for season and then the rememberance of sin. Thus, in V.4 we read "it is impossible that the blood of bulls and of goats should take away sins." However, under the new covenant in Christ we find that his sacrifice was once for all v. 10 " But this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins forever, sat down on the right hand of God" V11 The old testament sacrifices covered sin, but the blood of Jesus Christ provided a way whereby God could forgive the sins of those who had died in faith before the cross and for those who by faith put their trust in him after the cross. Forgiveness such as this "their sins and iniquities I will remember no more" is only found in Christ alone. Praise his name Robert |
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142 | Can a christian go to heaven | John 3:16 | Robert Nicholson | 52515 | ||
Greetings Ann: If a person is a Christian or in other words one who has been born into the family of God by faith in Christ, there is nothing which can separate us from the love of God. Romans 8:35-39 The only sin which will keep a person out of heaven is rejection of the gift of eternal life which God gives to each one puts faith in the finished work of Christ on the cross. Divorce in the life of a Christian spoils the picture which marriage represents which is the realationship between Christ and the church. However, there are many things which we do as Christians which are equally distressing and yet we place the keeping of our souls in Christ who said "I give unto them eternal life and they shall never perish" John 10:28 Robert |
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143 | Gold , Frankincense and myrrh? | Matt 2:11 | Robert Nicholson | 52219 | ||
Prayon: I believe that their is a reason that the Spirit of God is carefull to point out the gifts of the Maji. "They "presented or (offered) unto him gold, franckincese and myrrh" It is significant that they were offering unto him. Gold is a most precious, pure and eternal metal which would remind of of our Saviours royalty, his diety, his purity as he took that lowly stoop into this world. "He knew no sin" Frankincense was used as a perfume in the sanctuary and is connect with sacrificial offerings. When it burnt, it gave off a fragrant odor. The frankincense is symbolic of his divine nature and his holy life. (Malachi 1:11) At his baptism the heavens were opened and God the father declared "This is my beloved son, in whom I am well pleased" or "in whom I have found my delight" (Darby version) Matt. 3:17 Every step the Lord Jesus took was pleasing to his father and was as a sweet smelling savor to God. Myrrh is first mentioned in Exodus 30:23 and is one of the main ingredients in the holy anoiting oil. It was also used in embalming and in Mark 15:23 it was mixed with wine to provide a stupifying drink for those suffering death by cruicification. We find that the Lord Jesus refused this drink, he did not want to dull the suffering which he was enduring on account of sins not his own. Myrrh would remind us that he is the "annoited one", the promised redeemer who came to earth and went to calvary in obedience to his father's will. We read Psalm 22, Isaiah 53 and the gospel accounts of his death to understand in part the depth of suffering which was his. It is amazing that at this birth he was offered this gift which is symbolic of his suffering. Just a few thoughts which I have enjoyed Robert |
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144 | Holy Spirit evidence of Salvation? | Acts 2:38 | Robert Nicholson | 51298 | ||
Mommapbs: The Lord Jesus taught that we must be "born from above" "That which is born of the Spirit is spirit" John 3:6 It is the Holy Spirit who indwells the believer at the moment they place faith in Christ, who makes the change within. 11 Cor. 5:17 Regeneration is the work of God through his Spirit alone. It is the Holy Spirit who baptises us into the body of Christ. "For by one Spirit are we all baptised into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles..."1 Cor. 12:13 and we find that as such "Now ye are the body of Christ and members in particular" 1 Cor.12 :27 Your reference to Acts 10:44 again demonstrates "that when they heard the word" the Holy Spirit fell upon them. In v. 47 it was because they had received the Holy Spirit that Peter asks "Can any forbid water that these should not be baptized? V47 and in V48 they were baptised. Do you not think that in Acts we see a progressive unfolding of truth to the church? I agree with you that the fruit of the Spirit in our lives after we are born again is evidence that we are in Christ. Your brother by his grace Robert |
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145 | Does the Bible say why? God made man? | John 17:3 | Robert Nicholson | 51286 | ||
Goodmorning al k: I believe the words of Jesus gives us some insight into your question. "...that they may know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent" John 17:3 I enjoy the amplified rendering of the above verse. I believe that it has always been God's desire to have a personal relationship with humans as seen in Gen 3:8. It would appear that before sin came into the world God communed with Adam and Eve. The depth of this desire for us to know him is demonstrated in what he was willing to pay that this fellowship might be restored. Robert |
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146 | are there any souls in heaven , | 2 Cor 5:8 | Robert Nicholson | 51055 | ||
Sylaws: I had a lengthy answer for you, but the computer took it away. Souls in heaven? Where is heaven? It is where Jesus is! In 11 Cor. 5: 8-9 Paul teaches us that if we are present in the body we are absent from the Lord. However, if we are absent from the body we are present with the Lord. Present has the sense of a concious knowledge of him. He has not given us much to understand what saved loved ones are enjoying in his presence. Are there souls already in heaven? You have mentioned 1 Thess. 4 We read in v. 14 "For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him" When Christians die they are said to be asleep in Jesus. We find that they are already in his presence and when he comes there is an order in resurrection. a) they which are dead in Christ shall rise first". Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord." Paul expands on this idea In 1 Cor. 15:54 "the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed" The change which we shall undergo is the same as Enoch who was translated that he should not see death. I would agree with you that there are at least two who are with Christ in changed bodies, namely, Enoch and Elijah. When the Lord Jesus rose from the dead he emptied the saved side of hades and transferred them to paradise, the third heaven, the abode of God. God has not given us the details. However, I am sure that those of the old testament who died in faith are with him and will enjoy him forever. Those who have trusted him after the cross and have died are in his personal presence waiting until he comes to this earth. I love the words of Paul "to be absent with the body, present with the Lord." This is our hope as we watch for the Lord from heaven. Are souls asleep. According to Rev. 6:10-11 we read of the souls who were martyered for Christ and how they cry for justice. Souls which are asleep do not cry for justice. I hope I have helped Robert Lift up your heads your redemption draweth neigh. |
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147 | Define Hebrews 11:8-19 | Heb 11:13 | Robert Nicholson | 51042 | ||
Hebrews 11 is a wonderful chapter! V. 1 "Faith is the substance of things hoped or the evidence of things not seen" In other words, faith is founded on fact, it is founded on the promises of God and it is based on what God has done before. Faith is not belief in the unknown, but rather belief in the promises of God which are known. In Heb. 11 we read of the heros of faith who "died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them from afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embrassed them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth" Heb. 11:13 The examples are given: "Abel offered to God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain" "Enoch who walked with God "was translated that he should not see death: and was not found" V.5 Noah moved by faith "prepared an ark to the saving of his house" V 7 "by faith Abraham when he was called" Abraham listened to God and stepped out on his promises by faith. Abraham's test took him to the point he was asked to give his son Isaac. The principle here is that God calls certain people and he wansts them to move by faith. My father used to explain faith this way: God will give you certain information, if you accept it, you will move by faith. Faith is like stepping in the dark with a flash light. Each step will illuminate where we are going. So it is with God, as we trust him by faith and step forward he will reveal his will to us. What I love about Hebrews 11: 8-19 That these people no matter how limited their vision trusted God and it is written "that these died in faith, not having received the promises, but were persuaded of them afar off, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilrims on the earth. These dear people did not understand the big picture but they trusted God with what they had; they saw the promise afar off. So it is today our faith is centered in Christ and his work and we know that we belong to him forever. Even though we see through a glass darkly, we know that one day we will see him face to face. Define Hebrews 11"87-19???? People before the cross trusted the light which God gave them which pointed forward to Christ on the cross. Today, we have the same privilege to look backward by faith to the cross and by faith we explain thanksgiving "unto him who loved us and redeemed us to God by his blood, be glory for forever"! Our faith is founded on Christ who is the solid rock who will never fail. Faith is never in the unknown; sometimes in the unseen. God bless each one in him Robert |
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148 | Can God change our heart? | Ps 51:10 | Robert Nicholson | 51019 | ||
Greetings oregonraindrops God tells us about the spiritual human heart. "The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?" (Jeremiah 17:9) From this we learn that we cannot change our own heart. Can God change our heart? The Psalmist could pray: "Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me." (Psalm 51:10) It would appear that David believed God could change him. Paul writes: "Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new" (2 Cor. 5:17) I believe this includes our spiritual heart. It certainly refers to our changed focus of love and our desires which are new in Christ. In fact it is only through this change that we are able to approach God and to please him. I believe when we are "born from above" by the Spirit of God that he changes us at the time we place faith in Christ and continues to change us througout our lives to be more like him. There may be other verses. Robert |
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149 | Is Hell everlasting?Rev 20:15 | John 3:16 | Robert Nicholson | 50503 | ||
Greetings Grace and Truth: I would like to make a brief reference to the English word hell which I believe as used in the scriptures has at least 3 meanings. In Luke 16:19-31 Jesus speaks of two men in life and two men after death. I do not believe this is a parable since the names of both men are given. The word hell in this passage is the word "hades" which is defined as the place of departed spirits. We find in this account that the wicked are in concious torment and the righteous are comforted in Abraham's bosum and that between the two sections there is "a great gulf fixed" which does not allow movement from one to the other. "Hades" is also used in reference to the Lord Jesus after his death. "For thou wilt not leave my soul in hell; neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption." Psalm 16:10 and Acts 2:27 We know that after three days the Lord Jesus was raised from the dead. In 2 Peter 2:4 we read concerning the angels that sinned "For if God spared not the angels that sinned, but cast them down to hell, and delivered them into chains of darkness, to be reserved unto judgment;" The word for hell in this verse is "tartarovw" which is defined as the lowest place of the wicked dead. It is noteworthy that this verse tells us they are reserved for judgment which would suggest this is not their final place for eternity. The Lord Jesus warned of hell or "gevenna" which refers to the "Gehenna of fire" which was the ever burning garbage dump South of Jerusalem. This is fitting imagery to the Lake of Fire of Rev. 20 We must be careful to differentiate between the meanings of the word hell when we discuss it. In Rev 20:15 we read of the final judgment for those who have rejected Christ. The "second death", the lake of fire mean eternal separation from God forever. We see from Rev 20:13 that hades is emptied at the final judgement. Is the second death forever? We read of those who have rejected Christ and received the mark of the beast: And the smoke of their torment ascendeth up for ever and ever: and they have no rest day nor night, who worship the beast and his image, and whosoever receiveth the mark of his name. I believe that the Bible teaches that we will be either with the Lord or separated from him forever. The Lord Jesus gave his life that "we should not perish, but have everlasting life" John 3:16 Robert |
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150 | Who were the two men in white apparrel? | Acts 1:11 | Robert Nicholson | 47541 | ||
Angelface: What a sight it must of been for the disciples to watch the Saviour "taken up out of their sight." Acts 1:10 As we see at the beginning of the chapter, the disciples wanted to know when he would restore his kingdom on earth. Jesus made it clear that this time was only known by God himself. v7 As they stood gazing upward into heaven they are given this wonderful promise by the two men in white apparel "ye men of Galilee, why stand you gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which was taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as you have seen him go into heaven" v.11 We are not told who these messagers are, but we know they had a message from God which has provided a sure hope for over 2000 years. Robert |
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151 | According to Ecclesiastes 8:14 not. | Eccl 8:1 | Robert Nicholson | 47383 | ||
Lou100 Ecclesiastes shows the most that mere mortal man can be apart from God. What is our reason for being? I believe the Lord Jesus gave us insight into this in John 17:3 "That they might know thee the only true God and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent" It is God's desire for us to know him and that in knowing him love him with all our heart. He desires to have a personal relationship with us through Christ. When Adam and Eve was put in the garden their ulitimate purpose was to commune daily with God. Sin ended this relationship and yet through the work of Christ God can bring about that relationship again. Just a few thoughts Robert |
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152 | don't have one | 2 Cor 8:9 | Robert Nicholson | 47322 | ||
Ifan1 When you trusted Christ as your saviour you were born into the family of God. Christ is our saviour who died to put our sins away forever and to free us from the guilt of sin. God who knows when the sparrow falls,how much more does he care for you and all those who are his children. A personal relationship with Christ is something which grows as we learn to rest our all upon him for every care in our life. "Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you." (1 Peter 3:8) I have found great comfort in the words of 1 John 1: 3-9 We know that when we were born again we realized that Christ died for our sins and that we would never again need to worry about being judged eternally since Christ bore the judgement for our sins on Calavary. However, as we walk heaven and home sin is still present in our daily life and clouds our relationship with Christ. The important thing to know is that he has not left us alone "If we confess our sins, he faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteouness" I find that there are times when I feel alone and God does not seem to care. I have found great inner peace by simply bowing before God and confessing my sin and resting on his word for forgiveness. Do not allow thoughts of despair or inadequacey to block out the fact that each one of us are unique and precious to God. We will never be anything in ourselves and yet we can be everything in Christ. It is not so much how strong I think my faith is, but rather to place simple faith in a great God. Talk to God daily and let him talk to you through his word. May God richly bless you in Christ Robert |
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153 | after death, right then, what? | 2 Cor 5:8 | Robert Nicholson | 47319 | ||
Dear Farout: It is interesting that the scripture does not say we will go to heaven when we die. This of course gets a reaction from those who have always believed it as such. On the other hand we know that we will be present with the Lord who sits on the right hand of the Majesty on high (Heb. 1:3) What awaits the Christian at death? As you have pointed out from 2 Cor. 5:8 that "we are absent from the body and present with the Lord". I believe the word "present" indicates that we are aware of his personal presence. In John 14 the Lord Jesus makes it clear that he must go to Calvary to prepare a place for us "that where I am , there ye may be also."(John 14:3) You are correct that when a Christain dies that he or she is referred to as asleep in Christ. 1Thess. 4:13-18 is one reference. However, I do not this believe this means "soul sleep" as taught by some. In Rev.6:9-10 we are read about "he souls of them which were slain for the word of God" and how they cry "How long O Lord..." Where is heaven the abode of God? Where is paradise? Are they the same place? Before the death of Christ we are made to understand that all souls went to hades the place of departed spirits. Hades was divided with a great gulf between those who were tormented and those who were comforted in Abrahams bosum. Luke 16: 19-31. We also know that upon Calvary's cross the Lord Jesus declared to the dying thief "today shalt thou be with me in paradise" (Luke 23:43) We know that the thief and the Saviour shared paradise that day. God had declared in the Psalms "For thou wilt not leave my soul in hell (hades); neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption." I believe that the Lord Jesus was at comfort in Paradise after he finished his work at Calvary. Not only that on the third day God raised him from amoung the dead bodily and that he ascended to the right hand of God. Is paradise the same today? I think not. Concerning the resurrection and ascention of Christ we read: "Wherefore he saith, When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men. (Now that he ascended, what is it but that he also descended first into the lower parts of the earth? He that descended is the same also that ascended up far above all heavens, that he might fill all things.)" Eph. 4: 8-10 It would appear that the Lord Jesus emptied "Abrahams bosum" and led the souls of "just men made perfect" into the very presence of God on high. Paul provides some insight as to Paradise and heaven. In Acts 14 Paul was stoned and left for dead at Lystra. We are given some insight to what appears to be an "out of body" experience for Paul. He recounts the event in the third person be careful not to glorify himself. In 1 Cor. 12:2 he tells "such an one was caught up into the third heaven" In verse 4 he mentions "being caught up into paradise" This would appear to place the third heaven and paradise as the same place which from the language of 1 Cor. 12: 4 is the abode of God. Brother, I have read your transcript and think that you should be teaching me. However, it is wonderful to discuss the things of God knowing that "it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him." (1 Cor. 2:9) "What will it be to dwell above And with the King of Glory reign Since the blest knowledge of his love so brightens all this dreary plain No heart can think, no tongue can tell What joy 'twill be with Christ to dwell Rejoicing in his love Robert |
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154 | Thorn in the flesh | Is 57:1 | Robert Nicholson | 45352 | ||
Hi Mbooker: Re: thorn in the flesh In my Schofield study Bible a note is given "It has been conjectured that Paul's thorn in the flesh was chronic Ophthalmia, inducing bodily weakness and a repulsive appearance" The references given to back up this idea are Gal. 4:15, 1 Cor. 2:3-4 and 2 Cor. 10:10 We know that this is not positively known. However, whatever it was, it was an infirmity which Paul had to endure with God's help. It is possible the Spirit of God does not tell us the actual condition so that we might apply the consolations given to Paul to ourselves when we are passing through trials. I believe that we should pray as outlined in 1 John 5: 14-15 "And this is the confidence that we have in him, that if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us" I guess the point I was trying to make is that we cannot pressure God into our will if it is not his will. Think of the Lord Jesus in the garden and how that being in agony he prayed "If it be possible let this cup pass from me, nevertheless, not as I will, but as thou wilt". We know that it was God's eternal purpose that the Lord Jesus would drink of the awful cup of suffering and agony on the cross for our sins. We know that Jesus was in total communion with his father and that God heard him, but Jesus was obedient to his father's will, even the death of the cross. Once a friend of my was telling me that if he had enough faith and asked God, God would give him money, a wonderful house and a new car. My response was "Maybe and maybe not. It may be God's will that you have little money, that your house might be a missionary shack in a far off country and that you will have to walk rather than drive. It is nice chatting about these things. Your brother by his grace alone Robert |
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155 | Me again | Is 57:1 | Robert Nicholson | 45289 | ||
Greetings Mbooker: We can rejoice that we have a great high Priest who knows our needs and feels our sorrows. We are exhorted in Hebrews 4:16: "Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need." In other words we can have confidence that God does hear us and does answer our cries. At times however, as a Christain we sometimes have difficulty when God answers "no or wait". You have been discussing the will of God as it relates to healing. Does God always will a person to be healed? Not always. In the case of Paul who was used mightly of the Lord and yet he was given a condition which he refers to as a "thorn in the flesh" He asked the Lord three times that he would take it away. We find the the reason for this problem was to keep Paul humble in view of the revelations he had been given by God. (2 Cor.12:7) However, the Lord instead of healing Paul told him "My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness." In other words Paul was kept closer to the Lord and experience the Lord's grace and the Lord's strength to enable him to live with the infirmity. I believe that scripture would support that we should always pray "if the Lord will". I think it is wrong to try and pressure God into doing certain things which we may think are his will. I have listened to people pray and ask for healing and thank the Lord for already healing the person, when in fact the person was not healed. Another example that I have witnessed during a prayer meeting in which we were praying for a certain person that they might be saved. One brother thanked the Lord for saving the person, when in fact God's time was many months later. We must learn to wait upon God. Some will cite the strength of their faith as somehow hindering God's hand in deliverance. However, we must remember the Lord Jesus mentions faith as small as a grain of mustard seed. In other words it is our small faith in a great God that gives us strength to trust him unconditionally in the things he allows in our lives. Why does God allow bad things to happen to those who love him? My personal experience early in life was the death of my mother who knew the Lord Jesus and was a bright testimony for him. At 47 years of age she was suddenly taken from us? Why would God take a mother leaving behind small children who desperately needed her? I don't have the answer, but I trust in God who knows the big picture of our lives. I do know that my sister who was hardened to the gospel came to Christ after my mother's death. This is an example of blessing coming out of sorrow. These are just a few thoughts I have on the subject. May God continue to bless you and may you have the joy of placing your total confidence in him. Robert |
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156 | Me again | Is 57:1 | Robert Nicholson | 45288 | ||
Greetings Mbooker: We can rejoice that we have a great high Priest who knows our needs and feels our sorrows. We are exhorted in Hebrews 4:16: "Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need." In other words we can have confidence that God does hear us and does answer our cries. At times however, as a Christain we sometimes have difficulty when God answers "no or wait". You have been discussing the will of God as it relates to healing. Does God always will a person to be healed? Not always. In the case of Paul who was used mightly of the Lord and yet he was given a condition which he refers to as a "thorn in the flesh" He asked the Lord three times that he would take it away. We find the the reason for this problem was to keep Paul humble in view of the revelations he had been given by God. (2 Cor.12:7) However, the Lord instead of healing Paul told him "My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness." In other words Paul was kept closer to the Lord and experience the Lord's grace and the Lord's strength to enable him to live with the infirmity. I believe that scripture would support that we should always pray "if the Lord will". I think it is wrong to try and pressure God into doing certain things which we may think are his will. I have listened to people pray and ask for healing and thank the Lord for already healing the person, when in fact the person was not healed. Another example that I have witnessed during a prayer meeting in which we were praying for a certain person that they might be saved. One brother thanked the Lord for saving the person, when in fact God's time was many months later. We must learn to wait upon God. Some will cite the strength of their faith as somehow hindering God's hand in deliverance. However, we must remember the Lord Jesus mentions faith as small as a grain of mustard seed. In other words it is our small faith in a great God that gives us strength to trust him unconditionally in the things he allows in our lives. Why does God allow bad things to happen to those who love him? My personal experience early in life was the death of my mother who knew the Lord Jesus and was a bright testimony for him. At 47 years of age she was suddenly taken from us? Why would God take a mother leaving behind small children who desperately needed her? I don't have the answer, but I trust in God who knows the big picture of our lives. I do know that my sister who was hardened to the gospel came to Christ after my mother's death. This is an example of blessing coming out of sorrow. These are just a few thoughts I have on the subject. May God continue to bless you and may you have the joy of placing your total confidence in him. Robert |
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157 | Is baptism essential for salvation? | Acts 4:12 | Robert Nicholson | 45115 | ||
Greetings Powerfade: I would reverse your second question and ask "Is there any other way apart from the precious blood of Christ that a soul may be cleansed"? Secondly, I assume that you are referring to baptism by immersion which is demonstrated in the Acts 2:41 Thirdly, when you refer to salvation is it eternal life which you have in mind? Romans 3 makes it abundantly clear that all people regardless of race or creed are sinners V23 and as such are guilty before God V. 19. In Ephesians 2:1 we see our natural condition before God as "dead in tresspasses and in sin". In John 3:16 we see what God in his grace and love has done for lost sinners. "For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son that whosoever believeth in him, should not perish, but have everlasting life" The Lord Jesus Christ in obedience to his father came into this scene with the purpose of offering himself as a sacrifice for sin unto God. We as lost sinners can know our sins forgiven by acknowledging our need and placing simple faith in what Christ has done. The forgiveness which we have in Christ is complete and is not dependent on anything we can offer. We find in the Acts that after the people accepted the gospel or believed the word of God they were baptised by immersion. What did this signify? It showed to all their personal identification with Christ; in short, proclaiming "I belong to Christ, I have a new life in him, and by his grace I intend to serve him as my Lord for the rest of my life". It is God who saves the guilty sinner by grace through faith in the work of Christ. Eternal or Everlasting life is immediate to the person who puts their trust in Christ. Baptism is our first step of obedience to Christ in our life in him. Peter writes "Forasmuch as you know that you were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain (manner of life) received by tradition from your fathers; But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot" Robert |
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158 | right direction | 2 Tim 1:12 | Robert Nicholson | 45049 | ||
Kathy: Personal opinions regardless how strong, are only opinions at the most. The verse I posted gives us the word of Paul "I know whom I have believed" God does not want us to simply have an opinion, but wants us to know him through Christ. Pilate asked Jesus "What is truth" and then turned away without waiting for an answer. How do we know if we are following the right path? You are probably remember the words of Jesus in John 14:6 "I am the way, the truth and the life; no man comes to the father, but by me" Jesus made it abundantly clear that "except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God" John 3:3 It is when we are indwelt by the Spirit of God that these words become true in our life "Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path." Psalm 119:105 Kathy it is important that you should become grounded and settled in the truth of God's word and your personal relationship with him through Christ. Our faith in Christ as the Son of God "loved us and gave himself for us" is a foundation which will stand the test of time. I have a witness friend. During the past 15 years I have told him plainly about Christ and my faith in him for my eternal welfare. My friend is an active member of the witnesses and can be very dogmatic on his opinion. We have agreed to disagree. It is my prayer that something in my life or what has been said may be used of God to speak to him and bring him from that awful place of blindness into the glorious light of the gospel of Christ. I would be happy to try and answer any specific questions you might have. God bless you Robert |
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159 | Could it be they're not true believers? | Luke 15:32 | Robert Nicholson | 43962 | ||
Brother Searcher: The language of Heb. 10:26-31 reminds me of 2 Peter 2: 1 "...even there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them and bring upon themselves swift destruction. These people are "professing" Christians who have taken leadership of teachers and yet they deny the blood that bought them. We must remember that profession does not always mean possession. In Hebrews 10:26 -31 we are given a warning. V.26 "If we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins." Sin wilfully is a state of wilful sin even though we profess that Christ died for our sins and gives us power to overcome sin in our daily lives. Such a contradiction would indicate that they have never received the new nature in Christ, their sinful desires are the same and there is no evidence of the work of the Holy Spirit in their lives. This contradiction, professing to know the truth and wilfully going against it as evidenced in our sinful state, we are "treading underfoot the Son of God"V.29 In other words our live of wilful sin denies the power of Christ in the lives of those redeemed. They "have counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified an unholy thing" V. 29 By their actions they demonstrate that they do not consider the blood of Christ to be precious and an atonement for sin. Furthermore, they "hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace". They despise God in his grace, who has brought them to a measure of truth; which they deny. Like those in 1 Peter God's judgment is sure. I know that some will disagree, however, I do not think a person who has been born again to wilfully turn against Christ and his sacrifice for sin. Christians may fall into sin and get away from God, and yet deep within their soul they will always have an appreciation for Christ and his redemptive work on the cross. What do you think? Your brother by his grace Robert |
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160 | how to be baptize'd do you need holy | John 3:16 | Robert Nicholson | 43844 | ||
The order given in the scripture is as follows: Repentance, which is a change of mind about ourselves and our sin. In other words we agree with God that we are helpless and sinful in need of his cleansing. At this point the Holy Spirit will reveal to us the truth that Christ has died for our sins upon the cross. When we put our faith or trust in his finished work we are born from above or born of the Spirit (John 3:6, 16) The Holy Spirit enters our heart and makes us new creatures in Christ (2 Cor.5:17 At this point we are forgiven and we have eternal life. Believers baptism was commanded by the Lord Jesus and practiced by all who were saved. Acts 2:41. Baptism is outwardly symbolic of what has happen inward. In other words when I am baptised I am proclaiming to all, that I belong to Christ and that by his grace I intend to live for him for the rest of my life. He is my Lord and my saviour. We must remember that the Holy Spirit is a person and that he indwells the believer the moment they are born again. To see his work in our lives we must be willing to submit to the word of God and allow him to lead, teach and protect us. May God bless you in your life Robert |
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