Results 141 - 160 of 407
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Results from: Answered Bible Questions, Answers, Unanswered Bible Questions, Notes Author: Brian.g Ordered by Date |
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Results | Verse | Author | ID# | |||
141 | Crafts and Professions in the Bible | Ex 31:3 | Brian.g | 33961 | ||
Makarios You never cease to amaze me, my friend. You are an incredible source of knowledge. Brian |
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142 | Visit other churches? | Rom 16:16 | Brian.g | 33956 | ||
Charis About 6 months ago, I decided to begin attending different Christian services, so far, I've only attended a couple. In both cases, I made a point of attending with a friend of that denomination who could answer any questions which I had. My reason for attending is simply to obtain a better understand other Christian denominations. Just for the record: 1. In both cases, I felt the presence of Christ. 2. I attend Catholic services at 4:30 on Saturday evenings or 7:30 Sunday morning. 3. No, I am not leaving the Catholic Church. I hope this helps. Brian |
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143 | do we have any free will? | Bible general Archive 1 | Brian.g | 33849 | ||
WAK At first glance, I would almost agree with what you are saying. However, if Jesus did say this for the reasons you stated - it would demonstrate an imperfection in the relationship between God and Jesus. Instead, by quoting Scripture (Psalm 22), it demonstrated the ultimate perfection in the relationship of God and Jesus. Brian |
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144 | Two prophets? | Job | Brian.g | 33477 | ||
Ezra Thank you for the very kind compliment. However, there are many other people on this forum who are much more qualified to teach, such as Kalos, Hank, Tim Moran, Charis, Reformer Joe, Makarios (or whoever he is today) and many more - and more joining everyday. Each person has a different spin on things, but overall - keep your heart and learn from the group. Brian |
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145 | Two prophets? | Job | Brian.g | 33275 | ||
Prophecy (prophesy) takes on two distinct meanings, yet they overlap with purpose: the first referring to the Old Testament prophets (prophecy): · The inspired declaration of divine will and purpose. · As the term is used in mystical theology, it applies both to the prophecies of canonical Scripture and to private prophecies. Understood in its strict sense, it means the foreknowledge of future events, though it may sometimes apply to past events of which there no memory, and to present hidden things which cannot be known by the natural light of reason. · Correct/guide the path of the church and her people The second definition (prophesy), which I will refer to as New Testament prophets: · (Prophesy) To give instruction in religious matters, preach · (Preach) To urge acceptance or abandonment of an idea or course of action. · (Edify) To instruct and improve especially in moral and religious knowledge · (Evangelize) To preach the gospel to and/or to convert to Christianity · Correct/guide the path of the church and her people With that, the Prophets of the Old Testament received Divine Inspiration (knowledge and understanding) directly from God, with the purpose of keeping the people and the church on the correct path toward God. Prophets of the New Testament, serve the same purpose. However the source of their knowledge is from the teachings of Jesus and, their understanding of the teachings of Jesus, is clarified and enhanced with guidance from both, the Holy Spirit and the Church. In Paul’s letters to the Corinthians and Timothy (1 Corinthians 14, 1 Timothy), he spoke of the gift of prophesy whose purpose was to build up the church. Expanding on this, the role of a prophet of the New Testament has multiple responsibilities, which include: evangelize, preach, edify, moralize, guide, instruct and educate other members of our community. This is conveyed or passed along by his words, as well as by his actions. The focal point of the efforts of a prophet, is to assist his fellow man towards a stronger, more positive, direct and personal relationship with God through Jesus. And, in order to aid in the first, help effect a fuller understanding as to the true meaning, purpose and ways of the church – as an instrument created by Jesus, with the purpose of guiding man to Jesus. In addition to basic knowledge, the following are pit-falls of which any prophet will always need to be conscious: · Speak and act with humility. Lack of humility leads to loss of focus, accuracy and assistance to the people being served – a prophet would then be speaking only for his own benefit. · Having the wisdom to give the correct and proper guidance to help enhance an individual’s devotion to God without misleading or creating debate or confusion. · Conveying the message in a manner which will be understood, without alienating · Continue to be conscious that his words and actions are viewed as representative of the Church, his ministry, and Christianity and that his words and actions can have a negative influence more powerful, than his other efforts can have as a positive influence. · To be conscious of the phase which each person is at, within their faith development · To constantly insure that his words are, in fact, the truth and not just an opinion, conjecture or rambling. · Not to lose sight of his role and responsibilities in proper service to God. Brian |
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146 | Creating converts to Islam? | 1 Cor 1:12 | Brian.g | 33251 | ||
Joe The Gospel defines our responsibility to build up the Church of Christ, not to attack any part of it. Creating disharmony among Christians only serves our own egos, not Christ. By diminishing another Christian’s efforts, we are chancing the loss of a soul to seek God in a non-Christian light. That soul is not ours to loose. It is not the proper way to serve God. And with that, I think this discussion should be over. Brian |
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147 | Creating converts to Islam? | 1 Cor 1:12 | Brian.g | 33220 | ||
Joe My words are very clear. Instead of using history to justify creating disharmony, I would hope that people use the Gospel to understand how to promote harmny. That is my understanding as to what pleases God. Brian |
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148 | Creating converts to Islam? | 1 Cor 1:12 | Brian.g | 33212 | ||
Joe, Our unity is in the Trinity and all it represents. Looking to Paul and Peter, or more specifically Jerusalem and Paul, as justification for disharmony among Christians is wrong. The Gospel defines our responsibility to build up the Church of Christ, not to attack any part of it. Luke 9: 46-48 An argument arose among the disciples about which of them was the greatest. Jesus realized the intention of their hearts and took a child and placed it by his side and said to them, "Whoever receives this child in my name receives me, and whoever receives me receives the one who sent me. For the one who is least among all of you is the one who is the greatest (Luke 9:49-50) Then John said in reply, "Master, we saw someone casting out demons in your name and we tried to prevent him because he does not follow in our company." Jesus said to him, "Do not prevent him, for whoever is not against you is for you." Creating disharmony among Christians only serves our own egos, not Christ. By diminishing another Christian’s efforts, we are chancing the loss of a soul to seek God in a non-Christian light. That soul is not ours to loose. It is not the proper way to serve God. Brian |
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149 | Creating converts to Islam? | 1 Cor 1:12 | Brian.g | 32889 | ||
Joe Sorry for the delay in responding. Christ bestowed unity on his Church from the beginning. Christ always gives his Church the gift of unity, but the Church must always pray and work to maintain, reinforce, and perfect the unity that Christ wills for her. This is why Jesus himself prayed at the hour of his Passion, and does not cease praying to his Father, for the unity of his disciples: (John 17:21)"That they may all be one. As you, Father, are in me and I am in you, may they also be one in us, . . . so that the world may know that you have sent me." The desire to recover the unity of all Christians is a gift of Christ and a call of the Holy Spirit (John 17:12) “When I was with them I protected them in your name that you gave me, and I guarded them, and none of them was lost except the son of destruction, in order that the scripture might be fulfilled”. (Matthew 16: 19) I will give you the keys to the kingdom of heaven. Whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven; and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven." If an individual seeking God is within the light of a true Christian community, regardless of our personal feelings as to how imperfect the community or incomplete the light: we are not justified in attempting to pull that person from the light, on the belief that the they will eventually receive a more complete light within our community. It is during the time, away from the light, in which the soul can be lost. (Colossians 1: 18) “And He is the head of the body, the church.” All true Christian denominations, together, form The Church of Christ, the body of which Christ is the head. (1 Corinthians 1: 12) “I mean that each of you is saying, "I belong to Paul," or "I belong to Apollos," or "I belong to Kephas," or "I belong to Christ." Our responsibility as Christians is to build up and support all parts of the Body of Christ. If you feel that one part of the Body is insufficient, then work to build up that part of the Body. Then, the Body of Christ, as a whole, will be stronger for Christ and His people. (Matthew 12:25) Jesus knew their thoughts and said to them, “Every kingdom divided against itself will be ruined, and every city or household divided against itself will not stand” (Mark 3:25) If a house is divided against itself, that house cannot stand (Luke 11:17) Jesus knew their thoughts and said to them: “Any kingdom divided against itself will be ruined, and a house divided against itself will fall. (1 Corinthians 12:12-14, 20-27) As a body is one though it has many parts, and all the parts of the body, though many, are one body, so also Christ. For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body, whether Jews or Greeks, slaves or free persons, and we were all given to drink of one Spirit. Now the body is not a single part, but many. But as it is, there are many parts, yet one body. The eye cannot say to the hand, "I do not need you," nor again the head to the feet, "I do not need you." Indeed, the parts of the body that seem to be weaker are all the more necessary, and those parts of the body that we consider less honorable we surround with greater honor, and our less presentable parts are treated with greater propriety, Whereas our more presentable parts do not need this. But God has so constructed the body as to give greater honor to a part that is without it, So that there may be no division in the body, but that the parts may have the same concern for one another. If (one) part suffers, all the parts suffer with it; if one part is honored, all the parts share its joy. Now you are Christ's body, and individually parts of it. Christ bestowed unity on his Church from the beginning. Christ always gives his Church the gift of unity, but the Church must always pray and work to maintain, reinforce, and perfect the unity that Christ wills for her. Brian |
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150 | Creating converts to Islam? | 1 Cor 1:12 | Brian.g | 32475 | ||
Joe How do you decide if someone is in a bad church? Brian |
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151 | Creating converts to Islam? | 1 Cor 1:12 | Brian.g | 32474 | ||
Norrie Then, let's refocus the question: on people who are working on strengthening their relationship with Christ. If this individual is being guided towards a stronger relationship with Christ, by a true Christian denomination - are other Christian denominations justified in creating an environment of confusion and dissatisfaction in which this soul could be lost from Christ. Brian |
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152 | Creating converts to Islam? | 1 Cor 1:12 | Brian.g | 32467 | ||
Debbie The people potentially lost are those who are searching for a relationship with God, and have not fully found it through Jesus - but are trying to within a Christian church. I intentionally used the word recruit, because I am focusing the question on one Christian denomination trying to draw new membership directly from another Christian denomination. This is not witnessing to a non-Christian or reaching out to an unchurched. If I say to you, my denomination is a better way, I am, without saying another word, declaring that your denomination is inferior to mine. If you try my denomination and then move on - will your relationship with Jesus be strong enough to keep you within the Christian community. Would you be lost anyway? Or did I contribute to your being lost by adding dissatisfaction? Brian |
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153 | Creating converts to Islam? | 1 Cor 1:12 | Brian.g | 32465 | ||
Norrie Then, let's refocus the question: on people who are working on strengthening their relationship with Christ. If this individual is being guided towards a stronger relationship with Christ, by a true Christian denomination - are other Christian denominations justified in creating an environment of confusion and dissatisfaction in which this soul could be lost from Christ. Just as a point of reference - Islam is the fastest growing religion in North America - and it is growing by recruiting new members from other religions. Brian |
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154 | Creating converts to Islam? | 1 Cor 1:12 | Brian.g | 32419 | ||
Do Christians create the environment for other Christians to convert to Islam, other non-Christian religions or cults? When a Christian tries to recruit another Christian into their denomination, they promote "seeking" by focusing on the imperfections of the current denomination. In addition to exploring other Christian denominations, will Seekers potentially explore other religions or cults, including Islam - creating the possibility that the 'seeker' will be lost to Jesus? |
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155 | Jesus went to Hell before Resurrection? | Matt 12:40 | Brian.g | 32412 | ||
WaterChief Eph 4:10 He who descended is Himself also He who ascended far above all the heavens, so that He might fill all things.) 1 Pet 3:19 in which also He went and made proclamation to the spirits now in prison, Phil 2:10 so that at the name of Jesus EVERY KNEE WILL BOW, of those who are in heaven and on earth and under the earth, I hope this helps Brian |
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156 | Why change order of commandments? | Deut 5:21 | Brian.g | 32394 | ||
Hank I believe that it is good to remember not to completely discard the thought of religious art, all together. Just as the choir is able to worship and praise God with their human talents, an artist can also do the same - as can/should all of us through all of the talents we possess. However, if your talent is auto mechanics, it is recommended that you not demonstrate your talents during Sunday services. I remember one time I was in a museum and I saw a painting reflecting one of the saints and the torture he experienced. I had heard the story before but did not give it serious thought. Through the talents of this artist, I was visually seeing the suffering another man experienced on behalf of God. Humble is not adequate to describe how I felt to better realize the physical sufferings which this and many other Christians of all denominations had experienced for God. Through the use of his talents, this artist helped me in my relationship with God. Much in the same manner as when I read Paul and see his incredible ability to paint an image with words about the sufferings of Jesus. Brian |
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157 | Trinity and Confusion | Acts 2:38 | Brian.g | 32380 | ||
Savannah I was sure that I misunderstood you and I appreciate your responding. Brian |
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158 | Why change order of commandments? | Deut 5:21 | Brian.g | 32379 | ||
Hamk I believe the Church's position on the use of statues came out of Vatican II, the time in which the Bishops get together and talk things over. Since the mid 1960's, there has been a drastic reduction in "visual aids". Are "visual aids" santioned by Scripture. Probable no more than they are condemned. We do continue to use stained glass windows and I'm pretty sure that we are not the only denomination that uses this type of visual aid. Brian |
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159 | Why change order of commandments? | Deut 5:21 | Brian.g | 32369 | ||
Joe The Catholic Church has recognized that some Catholics gave (or give) the wrong value to statues and the Church has taken action to help people understand that they are taking things to far. You and I both know that the formal position of the Catholic Church is that a statue of a saint serves the same purpose as the photograph of my grandmother: when I look at it, it helps me remember what a wonderful person she was. With every denomination, you have extremists who are not reflective of the true beliefs. I don't remember the exact location, but there was a culture which believed that if you photographed someone, you were capturing their soul - I assure you, it wasn't in Rome. Your brother in Christ Brian |
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160 | The Irony of the StudyBibleForum | 2 Tim 3:16 | Brian.g | 32174 | ||
Charis It means Catholics have a little catching up to do when it comes to reading the Bible - we as a group are not up to full speed, yet. Brian |
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