Results 1601 - 1620 of 1773
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Results from: Answered Bible Questions, Answers, Unanswered Bible Questions, Notes Author: John Reformed Ordered by Date |
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Results | Verse | Author | ID# | |||
1601 | The Gospel the sole means of salvation? | Rom 1:16 | John Reformed | 39979 | ||
Dear Steve, Cyclist's abounding love and joy for his Lord is truly infectious. Even as I write this note I cannot stop smiling. It is a contagion we all could stand more exposure to. Hey! Jump in my man, the water is great! Your Brother, John |
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1602 | The Gospel the sole means of salvation? | Rom 1:16 | John Reformed | 39961 | ||
Dear Cyclist, I join you in singing the praises of our God. He is more awesome than we will ever be able to appreciate! My prayer is that both you and I will continue to grow in grace and in the knowledge of our God and Saviour Jesus Christ. To Him be all glory. From your email address I assume your name is Dave. Is that right? Well, Dave, if your experience is similar to mine (and I see no reason it shoud'nt be) you are about to discover some wonderful changes regarding your understanding of God's Word. I don't mean to be dramatic, but thats what happened to me. For the first time, as I reread the Gospel of John, many of the verses that had left me puzzled, began to be clear. I had been reading them using theological glasses that turned out to have been the wrong prescription. Though my eyesight is still far from perfect, I see much better than I did before. Don't expect everyone to rejoice with you over your newfound doctrine. But be patient and gentle, even as our Lord has commanded. He causes everything to work together for good to those who love Him and are called according to His purpose. Your Brother in Christ, John Reformed |
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1603 | The Gospel the sole means of salvation? | Rom 1:16 | John Reformed | 39936 | ||
Dear Cyclist, Welcome back! I hope you had a good trip. I plan to leave town myself next week. The good Lord has blessed Carole and me with a new grandaughter! We will be driving to northern Ca. to see her, if God wills. Praise His Holy Name! You said you had been studying Romans 9-11. There is nothing I can do that could make it clearer than it is. The apostle Paul has laid it out as clear as glass in chapter 9. He has confirmed it throughout his epistles, and is supported in his teaching by John, Peter, Luke, Daniel etc. In order for one to grasp Romans 9, the condition of fallen mankind must first be fully understood. The Bible calls man "dead in trespasses and sin". Some folks take this to mean "seriously ill". There is a world of difference between those two interpretations. If we would look into the deep things of God, to me this seems the place to start.(Actually God's Soverignty must be understood first, with your permission, I will send an email attachement to you). In the meantime, I suggest you check out www.reformed.org Time to go to walk the dog and get ready for work. Grace and Peace, Brother John |
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1604 | The Gospel the sole means of salvation? | Rom 1:16 | John Reformed | 39933 | ||
Dear Cyclist, Welcome back! I hope you had a good trip. I plan to leave town myself next week. The good Lord has blessed Carole and me with a new grandaughter! We will be driving to northern Ca. to see her, if God wills. Praise His Holy Name! You said you had been studying Romans 9-11. There is nothing I can do that could make it clearer than it is. The apostle Paul has laid it out as clear as glass in chapter 9. He has confirmed it throughout his epistles, and is supported in his teaching by John, Peter, Luke, Daniel etc. In order for one to grasp Romans 9, the condition of fallen mankind must first be fully understood. The Bible calls man "dead in trespasses and sin". Some folks take this to mean "seriously ill". There is a world of difference between those two interpretations. If we would look into the deep things of God, to me this seems the place to start.(Actually God's Soverignty must be understood first, with your permission I will send an email attachement to you). In the meantime, I suggest you check out www.reformed.org Time to go to walk the dog and get ready for work. Grace and Peace, John |
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1605 | The Gospel the sole means of salvation? | Rom 1:16 | John Reformed | 39773 | ||
Dear Cyclist, "Does God change his plans along the way?" God is Spirit: (John 4:24). "When the scriptures, in condescension to our weakness, express the fact that God hears by saying that He has an ear, or that He exerts power by attributing to Him a hand, they evidently speak metaphorically, because in the case of men spiritual faculties are exercised through bodily organs. And when they speak of His repenting , of His being grieved, or jealous, they use metaphorical language also, teachingus that He acts toward us as a man would when agitated by such passions." (A.A. Hodge) Mal 3:6 "For I, the LORD, do not change". Num 23:19 "God is not a man, that He should lie, Nor a son of man, that He should repent; Has He said, and will He not do it? Or has He spoken, and will He not make it good?". 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". "God changes not in his plans. That man began to build, but was not able to finish, and therefore he changed his plan, as every wise man would do in such a case; he built upon a smaller foundation and commenced again. But has it ever been said that God began to build but was not able to finish? Nay. When he hath boundless stores at his command, and when his own right hand would create worlds as numerous as drops of morning dew, shall he ever stay because he has not power? and reverse, or alter, or disarrange his plan, because he cannot carry it out? "But," say some, "perhaps God never had a plan." Do you think God is more foolish than yourself then, sir? Do you go to work without a plan? "No," say you, "I have always a scheme." So has God. Every man has his plan, and God has a plan too. God is a master-mind; he arranged everything in his gigantic intellect long before he did it; and once having settled it, mark you, he never alters it. "This shall be done," saith he, and the iron hand of destiny marks it down, and it is brought to pass. "This is my purpose," and it stands, nor can earth or hell alter it. "This is my decree," saith he,promulgate it angels; rend it down from the gate of heaven ye devils; but ye cannot alter the decree; it shall be done. God altereth not his plans; why should he? He is Almighty, and therefore can perform his pleasure. Why should he? He is the All-wise, and therefore cannot have planned wrongly. Why should he? He is the everlasting God, and therefore cannot die before his plan is accomplished. Why should he change? Ye worthless atoms of existence, ephemera of the day! Ye creeping insects upon this bayleaf of existence! ye may change your plans, but he shall never, never change his. Then has he told me that his plan is to save me? If so, I am safe. "My name from the palms of his hands Eternity will not erase; Impress'd on his heart it remains, In marks of indelible grace." (excerpt from a sermon given by C.H. Spurgeon). I'll continue on a second post. God Bless Cyclist, John |
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1606 | The Gospel the sole means of salvation? | Rom 1:16 | John Reformed | 39645 | ||
Dear Searcher, I have been re-reading your note. Imay have misunderstood it the first time. Do you mean to say that the Gospel is the only means by which men are saved? If your answer is Yes, then we agree. John |
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1607 | The Gospel the sole means of salvation? | Rom 1:16 | John Reformed | 39644 | ||
Dear Searcher, (NKJV) Psalms 19:1,3: " The heavens declare the glory of God; And the firmament shows His handiwork. Day unto day utters speech, And night unto night reveals knowledge. There is no speech nor language Where their voice is not heard." Nature does indeed clearly show that God does exist. It speaks to His glorious power and majesty. What it does not speak to is how man can be saved. That is the work of the Gospel. If you disagree, please tell me how mountains or stars reveal the work of Christ on the cross. John |
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1608 | Is visiting a grave a right thing to do? | 2 Cor 3:17 | John Reformed | 39638 | ||
Dear Bailybear, To visit the grave of a loved one is not a sin. It is symbolic of the affection and respect you had for them. How could it be wrong to pause and remember those things that made them so dear to you? To say a prayer of thanksgiving to God for placing them in your life, to contemplate the brevity of your own live and to ask Him for the grace to make your life count for Christ. I see nothing wrong in that. I do think it is wrong to try to speak to those who have died. But if you glorify God by what you do, He will be pleased. Grace and Peace, John |
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1609 | The Gospel the sole means of salvation? | Rom 1:16 | John Reformed | 39635 | ||
Dear Cyclist, This is my favorite hymn. It is like looking in a mirror. Rock of Ages, cleft for me, Let me hide myself in Thee; Let the water and the blood, From Thy wounded side which flowed, Be of sin the double cure; Save from wrath and make me pure. Not the labor of my hands Can fulfill Thy law demands; Could my zeal no respite know, Could my tears forever flow, All for sin could not atone; Thou must save, and Thou alone. Nothing in my hand I bring, Simply to the cross I cling; Naked, come to Thee for dress; Helpless look to Thee for grace; Foul, I to the fountain fly; Wash me, Savior, or I die. While I draw this fleeting breath, When mine eyes shall close in death, When I soar to worlds unknown, See Thee on Thy judgment throne, Rock of Ages, cleft for me, Let me hide myself in Thee. Augustus Toplady John |
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1610 | What about those who have never heard? | Rom 1:16 | John Reformed | 39615 | ||
Dear Hank, I guess it's a matter of discernment. 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" The last part of that verse hurt a bit! Your Brother in Christ, John |
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1611 | The Gospel the sole means of salvation? | Rom 1:16 | John Reformed | 39614 | ||
Dear Cyclist, (I'm about to get myself in trouble again.) The reason I brought this question up was to dispel any notion about people being saved in any way other than the Gospel. My goal is to see that Jesus gets ALL the glory for our salvation! God has known for all eternity what His plan for Creation was going to be. (Act 15:18) "Known unto God are all his works from the beginning of the world." His plan is perfect. (Deut 32:4) "The Rock! His work is perfect, For all His ways are just; A God of faithfulness and without injustice, Righteous and upright is He." God knew Adam would sin. He knew that, with the exception of Noah and His family, that HE would destroy the rest of mankind in the Flood. He knew Abraham would be the father of all who believe etc. etc. ad infinitum. He Knows the beginning and He knows the end. Some say that God looks into the future and sees what is going to happen and it's on that basis He makes His choices. That would make God dependent on something other than Himself. I don't believe that for one minute! I believe that the reason God can guarentee what will happen is because He caused it to happen! It is all part of His Eternal Purpose. Most people would protest: "That would make God the author of evil." God Forbid! Time to go to Scripture: (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." (emphasisis mine). God does not force men to commit evil acts. They do it because it is their nature to do it. Nevertheless God preordains what soever happens. Can we with our powers of reason fully comprehend it? No. But thats what the bible says and that's good enough for me. Every one who God elected unto salvation from the beginning will be saved. Why is this not widely believed among the churches today? It does not fit into their conception of a just God. They would rather tie thenselves in a knot over Romans 9 than accept it's clear teaching. I know because I fought it tooth and nail myself before I surrendered to the truth. No one goes to Hell because they never heard the Gospel. They go to Hell because they are guilty of sin. Grace and Peace, John |
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1612 | The Gospel the sole means of salvation? | Rom 1:16 | John Reformed | 39604 | ||
Dear Cyclist, I love your enthusiasm! Praise God, John |
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1613 | The Gospel the sole means of salvation? | Rom 1:16 | John Reformed | 39592 | ||
Dear Cyclist, I appreciate your words and join with you in praising our Lord. He is absolutely, positively in charge of His creation. He can choose whatever means He pleases to bring His elect into the Kingdom. However His Word tells us that He has chosen the Gospel of His Son Jesus, as the only means by which men will be saved. Rom 1:16 "For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. Heb 1:1,2 "God, after He spoke long ago to the fathers in the prophets in many portions and in many ways, in these last days has spoken to us in His Son". You cited examples of God's miraculous deeds from former times. He chose those means at that time to accomplish His will. Now that Christ has been revealed and has accomplished that which His Father's sent Him to do, He uses the Gospel alone. How else is Jesus to be glorified? Brother John |
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1614 | What about those who have never heard? | Rom 1:16 | John Reformed | 39560 | ||
Dear Robert, You said: "I was not suggesting that the great multitude was Israel or the Church. But rather a great mulitude from every nation which God by his grace has saved." The Church is the Body of Christ. Is Christ divided? Are some saved through the ministry of Christ, while others are saved by some other means? The very idea is preposterous! Pehaps your view that God has two plans (one for Israel and another for the Church) has led you to this conclusion. I strongly disagree with dispansationalism. Paul in romans 11 presents Israel and the Church as one olive tree. All who by faith belive are the children of Abraham. John |
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1615 | What about those who have never heard? | Rom 1:16 | John Reformed | 39556 | ||
Dear Mommapbs, I have asked "bible believing christians" to answer this question: "What happens to people who never have heard the Gospel (does God have an alternative plan for their salvation)?" Some of the answers I have recieved have been based on wishful thinking, others on human reason. None on Scripture. I ask this question bring into focus the erroneous doctine of Arminius and his followers. Arminians say that God has given fallen man "choice" in salvation. That it would be injust of God to save some and leave others to perish. If God has not provided for every person the "opportunity to accept Christ", how then can they defend their doctrine? John |
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1616 | What does Friendship mean to God? | James 2:23 | John Reformed | 39553 | ||
Dear Girl, I havent read "burn".Who wrote it? Whats it about? Friend in the Bible seems to be used in the same way we use it today. It defines an affectionate relationship between two people. We wish well for our friends. We desire the best for them. We love them. That having been said, the only person who God calls His "friend" in scripture is Abraham. Perhaps He had a special relationship with him? Perhaps it is because Abraham is the father of all those who believe. He was made righteous through his faith. I believe God's friendship extends to all His chosen people. Those who are justified by grace through faith. John |
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1617 | What about those who have never heard? | Rom 1:16 | John Reformed | 39550 | ||
Dear Robert, Thank you. I as well believe that there is but one way and that way is Christ. I was interested, however, in seeing if other views were held among Christians on the forum. I know we differ in other areas and thats just the way it is. I wish it were otherwise, but wishing does'nt make it so. In the meantime I see our freedom to disagree a part of the liberty and freedom we have in Jesus. Our consciences are bound only by the Word of God itself. God Bless John |
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1618 | What about those who have never heard? | Rom 1:16 | John Reformed | 39432 | ||
Dear Robert, I welcome your participation and contribution in helping to solve this question. I believe the God we love is a righteous judge. He will do right. (Ps 50:6) "And the heavens declare His righteousness, For God Himself is judge". My thoughts concerning those from among all tribes and nations: I do not think we have specific information concerning this great multitude. But at some point they would, by necessity, have become members of the Church (the Body of Christ). Apart from Christ no one will be saved. On that basis I cannot agree with your speculation that: "This multitude of people do not appear to be Israel or the church who is with Christ." The multitude must have at some point, prior to their personal deaths or Judgement Day, have believed in Christ unto salvation. Any other conclusion would not have a scriptural foundation. At least not one I'm aware of. The problem as I see it is: If people are told that their salvation rests on their choosing Christ as their saviour and they bring up the question of those who never get to choose, how are they to be answered? What NT (or OT for that matter) text can we point them to? Given my screen name you probably can guess where I'm headed. John |
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1619 | The Gospel the sole means of salvation? | Rom 1:16 | John Reformed | 39417 | ||
Dear Meusing, In modern times I believe it is possible for most people on earth to hear the Gospel. But what about the millions of people that it was impossible for the church to reach in times past? Had God made a seperate provision for them? You mention Jonah as an example. God sent Jonah to Ninevah. Jonah did everything he could to avoid going. But Jonah could not escape from God's will. He eventualy (against his own desire) was forced to obey God. Could God have not sent "Jonahs" all over the world 2000 years ago if it pleased Him to do so? Do you begin to see where I am going with this line of questioning? John |
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1620 | The Gospel the sole means of salvation? | Rom 1:16 | John Reformed | 39397 | ||
Dear Searcher, I am in complete agreement. No man will be justified by the keeping of the law. The law was given to show how sinful we are. Those who use arguements about "What about the poor native in the jungle who never heard of Jesus etc." are attempting to avoid judgement by implying that God is not just. However, You and I _were_ presented with the Gospel but many, throughout history, have not. Why not? God is certainly able to see to it that ALL are granted the same chance to be saved! Was it just our good fortune? If it is His will that all be saved, why are'nt they ALL given the opportunity? John |
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