Results 161 - 180 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# | |||
161 | Why don't you know for sure? | Eccl 11:6 | John Reformed | 100189 | ||
Dear Darcy, The reason I wrote to you was because of what I percieved as a negative attitude toward doctrines in general. Your reply seems to indicate that you do hold doctrines to be essential, but the doctrine of the cross should be the root of all other teaching. Am I right? John |
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162 | Who, does the Bible say, are the "elect" | NT general Archive 1 | John Reformed | 100180 | ||
"I agree with it, John, but your desire is to take it beyond that based or a poor, very poor interpretation which lead to all sorts of distruction. It's not unlike what a cultist might do....Anyone here got a NWT Bible?" OK Ken...You agree with my definition that the elect are those who will be in heaven. You also believe that innocent infants will also be in heaven. Therefore innocent infants are among the elect. What is so hard to understand about that? I also consider your inference that I am not unlike a cultist abusive. That is bearing false witness against your neighbor. God will judge between us. John |
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163 | Why don't you know for sure? | Eccl 11:6 | John Reformed | 100175 | ||
Hi Darcy, You said "My belief in eternal Salvation isn't a "Doctrine" It is what Jesus did on the cross." Titus 2:10 not pilfering, but showing all good faith so that they will adorn the doctrine of God our Savior in every respect. Perhaps I'm mistaken, but it seems to me that you are not fond of Doctrines in general. This is an attitude that perplexes me. It makes me wonder what your understanding of the word "doctrine" is. didaskalia; from 1320; instruction (the function or the information):--doctrine(9), doctrines(3), instruction(1), teaching(7), teachings(1). I doubt you would have a problem with the church instructing or teaching it's members. I assume your problem is with unsound doctrine. Bear in mind...As soon as you begin to tell another person what it is that Jesus did on the cross and why He did it, you are instructing them and teaching them. You are indoctrinating them! Do you see my point? John |
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164 | How do you evangelize someone who | Bible general Archive 2 | John Reformed | 100135 | ||
The way I see it is that our resposibility is to present the gospel to all whom are willing to hear it. As you know, we cannot make people believe through the power of our presentation of the gospel or our personal testimony. The power to save is the Holy Spirit using the gospel message to save whosoever believes. John 3:14,15 "As Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up; so that whoever believes will in Him have eternal life. We are often frustrated by the false notion that only "if our presentation was better the person could be made to see the truth!" Well...it just does'nt work that way. 1 Cor 2:14 But a natural man does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually appraised. The keys to salvation areGod's predesination and calling. Rom 8:30 and these whom He predestined, He also called; and these whom He called, He also justified; and these whom He justified, He also glorified. We have no idea whether or not the peson we are attempting to reach with the gospel has recieved the call of God upon his life or not. Sometimes we are preparing the groundwork for the christian worker who will reap the harvest. The beat advice I could give is keep on spreading the Good News of Jesus Chist and leave the results in God's hands. May God Richly Reward Your Efforts, John Reformed |
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165 | IS there any answers out there? | NT general Archive 1 | John Reformed | 100100 | ||
Ken, [Again, may I remind you that there was nothing to hinder that priviledge the children had. No law....no sin imputed. They couldn't be denied for such is the Kingdom made of...Why read into it "stuff" that's not there.] My point is that the gospel is the usual means by which men are called to place faith in Christ for salvation. This assumes that the hearer has the ability to understand it's message to begin with. In the case of infants and other innocents (severe mental handicaps) the understanding of the gospel would be beyond their physical ability. Since the Bible does not tell us explicitly how these helpless one's are to be saved, our trust must be placed in what we know about the character and attributes of God Himself. I have no clue as to where you got the mistaken idea that I think that mere professers will be saved! I BELIEVE Rom 10:9,10 that if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved; for with the heart a person believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, resulting in salvation. "The books, John, who's in there and were their names written in there before or after the resurrection? "Phil 4:3 Indeed, true companion, I ask you also to help these women who have shared my struggle in the cause of the gospel, together with Clement also and the rest of my fellow workers, whose names are in the book of life. Rev 3:5 'He who overcomes will thus be clothed in white garments; and I will not erase his name from the book of life, and I will confess his name before My Father and before His angels. Rev 13:7,8 It was also given to him to make war with the saints and to overcome them, and authority over every tribe and people and tongue and nation was given to him. All who dwell on the earth will worship him, everyone whose name has not been written from the foundation of the world in the book of life of the Lamb who has been slain. The Book of Life contains the names of the elect whom God had chosen from eternity. John PS I did not address your statement "Ok but you offer nothing because there is nothing other than "no law, no imputed sin" condition of the individual to support that, which is sufficient for my argument. Even the 'Downs syndrome people' are exempt under those guidelines even though they may be adult. That should bring comfort to alot of people." Sorry but I failed to understand it. Is "no law, no imputed sin" a quote of mine? I don't think so. |
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166 | IS there any answers out there? | NT general Archive 1 | John Reformed | 100093 | ||
There is only one true gospel. Men do attempt to twist it. Righteous men seek to teach and preach it. I check out what all men say concerning God's Word according to the enlightenment He has given me. The principle I hold is to trust in Him alone and place no confidence in myself. Don't concern yourself with my sesibilities. With God's grace we can withstand the worst offences. God Bless, John |
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167 | IS there any answers out there? | NT general Archive 1 | John Reformed | 100091 | ||
Dear Ken, You said "I thought I was stating the man could always make choices on his own; a God given ability..." 2 Tim 2:25,26 with gentleness correcting those who are in opposition, if perhaps God may grant them repentance leading to the knowledge of the truth, and they may come to their senses and escape from the snare of the devil, having been held captive by him to do his will. This passage, it seems to me, is teaching that God must GRANT repentance that leads to the knowledge of the truth; that unless He does bestow the grace of repentance they will not be lead to knowledge of the truth; will not come to their senses and will remain captive to the will of the devil. Are the captives spoken of a special case, or, is Paul speaking of unregenerate mankind as a whole? John |
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168 | Who, does the Bible say, are the "elect" | NT general Archive 1 | John Reformed | 100087 | ||
Dear Ed, What we have here is a failure to communicate! The term elect is not a theological term; elect is the term used by the writers of Scripture. I offered my definition and asked for yours for a reason. That reason being that is imposible to discuss the meaning of a word if we begin with different definitions. I respect your decision not to participate, but disagree with your reason. "every time I make a point you can't refute you either choose to ignore it by changing the subject or remaining silent" If that is indeed the case I apologize. It annoys me also when members appear to do it to me. What point did I overlook? I promise to try to address it. Some times I just get a bit mixed up :-) Nevertheless I do understand your frustration. I'll try to do better. God Bless, John |
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169 | IS there any answers out there? | NT general Archive 1 | John Reformed | 100067 | ||
I'm sorry Ken but what you are saying is that salvation is possible by works of the law as well as by faith. Rom 7:5 For while we were in the flesh, the sinful passions, which were aroused by the Law, were at work in the members of our body to bear fruit for death. Gal 2:16 nevertheless knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the Law but through faith in Christ Jesus, even we have believed in Christ Jesus, so that we may be justified by faith in Christ and not by the works of the Law; since by the works of the Law no flesh will be justified. John |
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170 | IS there any answers out there? | NT general Archive 1 | John Reformed | 100064 | ||
Thanks anyway Ken, but I find the prospect of your visit somewhat less than exciting. John |
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171 | Who, does the Bible say, are the "elect" | NT general Archive 1 | John Reformed | 100060 | ||
Dear Ed, Lets take this one step at a time. Perhaps God will grant us the understanding we both desire. The Bible teaches that the the term "elect" refers to those who will one day be with Christ in Heaven. Matt 24:31 "And He will send forth His angels with A GREAT TRUMPET and THEY WILL GATHER TOGETHER His elect from the four winds, from one end of the sky to the other. Mark 13:20 "Unless the Lord had shortened those days, no life would have been saved; but for the sake of the elect, whom He chose, He shortened the days. Do you agree with my definition of "elect"? If not, please provide me with your definition and which passages support it. Thanks, John |
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172 | IS there any answers out there? | NT general Archive 1 | John Reformed | 100053 | ||
Dear Ken, You asked “Easy now, what about those now dead who have never heard to name of Christ yet lived righteous lives? Where are they and why?” Rom 2:13 for it is not the hearers of the Law who are just before God, but the doers of the Law will be justified Rom 3:20 because by the works of the Law no flesh will be justified in His sight; for through the Law comes the knowledge of sin. Rom 3:10 as it is written, "THERE IS NONE RIGHTEOUS, NOT EVEN ONE; Based upon Paul's letter to the Romans, the people you are wondering about have never existed! John |
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173 | IS there any answers out there? | NT general Archive 1 | John Reformed | 100048 | ||
Hi Ken, You asked "You speak of Adams sin and I agree whole heartly with you but need you to say what [verse/chapt] you base that on." 1 Cor 15:21,22 For since by a man came death, by a man also came the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ all will be made alive. The only prize I desire is of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. If I go to jail, I expect you will visit me :-) John |
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174 | IS there any answers out there? | NT general Archive 1 | John Reformed | 100044 | ||
"It was written by man from man's interpretation of scripture so it is nothing more or less than man's opinion. I prefer to discuss the Bible not man's perception of the Bible. A point you seem to keep missing." Dear Ed, When you and I discuss a passage from scripture we each offer our opinions of what the passage means. Our opinions are of no real value unless scripture itself substantiates them. The divines of old were well aware of that fact and it was they who gave us the principle of "sola scriptura". Prior to receiving this principle, Christians who disagreed with the Church of Rome were compelled to receive their interpretation of Scripture as if it were Scripture itself! Anyone who disagreed could be declared anathema. My point is simply this: Just because an interpretation of Scripture is given by a fallible man does not mean that it is not a correct interpretation. God has given teachers to lead us into the deep things of His Word. It is our responsibility to ascertain whether or not Scripture itself substantiates the teaching, which we receive. We do this by hard work, prayer and reliance on the Holy Spirit I’m all for following the example of the good Bereans who made Paul "toe the line" by breaking out the Old Testament as evidence of his gospel God Bless, John |
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175 | IS there any answers out there? | NT general Archive 1 | John Reformed | 100031 | ||
Gee Ken, why don't you ask me a hard question? :-( But, seriously, God has revealed only that which He is pleased to reveal, and your question must remain unanswered (at least by me). I think that the answer to the fate of innocents may be found in an examination of the covenental relationships that God has established between Himself and men. The first Adam was the covenant head for his wife and all of his posterity. If Eve alone had sinned the race as a whole would not have her sin imputed to them. But when Adam fell we all fell in him. Under the New Covenant Christ (the second Adam) is our covenant head. He did not fail the test but, even though He was tempted, He did not fall! As a result of His perfect obediance, His righteousness has been imputed to those who are in covenant with Him, who are said to be "in Christ". On this foundation, infants must be members of the new covenant if they are to be saved. God has not said how He has achieved this end. Nevertheless, I believe that He has made a way for those who were incapable of actually sinning themselves, but who were subject to judgement because of imputed sin. Matt 24:30,31 "And then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in the sky, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the SON OF MAN COMING ON THE CLOUDS OF THE SKY with power and great glory. "And He will send forth His angels with A GREAT TRUMPET and THEY WILL GATHER TOGETHER His elect from the four winds, from one end of the sky to the other. Notice that there is no mention of any one but "His elect" being gathered together. I have found no evidence that there are "others" in heaven who have been saved apart from union with Christ, which your theory would neccessitate. John |
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176 | IS there any answers out there? | NT general Archive 1 | John Reformed | 100030 | ||
Gee Ken, why don't you ask me a hard question? :-( But, seriously, God has revealed only that which He is pleased to reveal, and your question must remain unanswered (at least by me). I think that the answer to the fate of innocents may be found in an examination of the covenental relationships that God has established between Himself and men. The first Adam was the covenant head for his wife and all of his posterity. If Eve alone had sinned the race as a whole would not have her sin imputed to them. But when Adam fell we all fell in him. Under the New Covenant Christ (the second Adam) is our covenant head. He did not fail the test but, even though He was tempted, He did not fall! As a result of His perfect obediance, His righteousness has been imputed to those who are in covenant with Him, who are said to be "in Christ". On this foundation, infants must be members of the new covenant if they are to be saved. God has not said how He has achieved this end. Nevertheless, I believe that He has made a way for those who were incapable of actually sinning themselves, but who were subject to judgement because of imputed sin. Matt 24:30,31 "And then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in the sky, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the SON OF MAN COMING ON THE CLOUDS OF THE SKY with power and great glory. "And He will send forth His angels with A GREAT TRUMPET and THEY WILL GATHER TOGETHER His elect from the four winds, from one end of the sky to the other. Notice that there is no mention of any one but "His elect" being gathered together. I have found no evidence that there are "others" in heaven who have been saved apart from union with Christ, which your theory would neccessitate. John |
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177 | IS there any answers out there? | NT general Archive 1 | John Reformed | 100017 | ||
Thanks mommapbs, Gal 2:20 "I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me. John |
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178 | IS there any answers out there? | NT general Archive 1 | John Reformed | 100016 | ||
The mere fact that you believe believe that the WCF is unsound in it's theology does not mean that it is indeed unsound. I've read The WCF and I've read the posts of EdB. Meaning you no disrespect Ed, but believe me, it's not even a contest as to whose theology I'm inclined to believe. :-) By the way, what they wrote caused many of them their lives. The threat we face pales in comparison. John |
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179 | IS there any answers out there? | NT general Archive 1 | John Reformed | 100011 | ||
Dear Ken, Doctrine cannot be made on the strength of a single verse. What can you offer in way of support for your use of Rom 4:15? You will also need to prove that departed infants are not elect! Which leads us back to the basis of election in the first place. My personal belief is that ALL infants are among the elect. Rom 9:18 So then He has mercy on whom He desires...It is hard to believe (given the testimony of the whole of Scripture regarding children) that any would be hardened. (Rom 9:18b) John John |
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180 | IS there any answers out there? | NT general Archive 1 | John Reformed | 100008 | ||
Hank, Your not exactly the most pliable fellow I've ever met either :-). You are correct to say that the term "elect infants" is not in the Bible. Niether is "elect adults" or "elect adolescents" for that matter. The "elect" are simply those whom God has chosen from before the foundation of the world. 2 Tim 2:10 For this reason I endure all things for the sake of those who are chosen, so that they also may obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus and with it eternal glory. The fact that God has chosen a people for salvation is not disputed by christians. It is the BASIS upon which they have been chosen which is the focal point of the arguement. John |
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