Results 161 - 180 of 196
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Results from: Answered Bible Questions, Answers, Unanswered Bible Questions, Notes Author: Lookn4ward2Heavn Ordered by Date |
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Results | Verse | Author | ID# | |||
161 | Calvin or Armini | Bible general Archive 3 | Lookn4ward2Heavn | 186802 | ||
From the little I have read, that "Historically the church has been strongly calvinist" does not seem to be an accurate account of Church History. Would you be able, if it is not going beyond the scope of this forum, to provide a couple of references from the first two or three hundred years? |
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162 | Calvin or Armini | Bible general Archive 3 | Lookn4ward2Heavn | 186801 | ||
It seems to me that confirming the truth requires both the written Word and the witness of the Spirit. Understanding itself only apprehends; it does not confirm that what has been apprehended is in fact truth. In other words, one may come to some understanding of something but that does not necessarily mean what he understands is truth. I somewhat enjoy the forum. My only qualm is that answers do not seem to be straightforward and attempts are made at analyzing the psyche (and judge the motives) rather than answer the question...at least, that is how my questions have been answered. Also, as I read some postings, there seems to be a stiffness as to doctrinal preferences. But, of course, on the internet you can't see a person's face or hear the tone of the voice, so my perceptions may be totally off...like I saw in an old newspaper cartoon, "Harry didn't know that he was chatting with a dog on the other end." |
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163 | Assurance based on performance? | Matt 7:21 | Lookn4ward2Heavn | 186777 | ||
Hi AF, 1. If I do this, I will live. Is assurance, therefore, grounded on performance and a proper performance at that? 2. If so, how then does one know they are loving God with all their heart (if the heart is deceitful), all their soul (if the soul is corrupt), all their strength (if they are weak), with all their mind (if the mind cannot subject itself to God)? |
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164 | Feelings demonstrate the facts? | Matt 7:21 | Lookn4ward2Heavn | 186771 | ||
AF, If you are correct that "emotions can be deceiving", it seems they are not good ground for assurance. Therefore, it seems would seem MacArthur began his essay on assurance on an erroneous assumption; and an erroneous assumption generally leads to erroneous conclusions. Thanks for the book reference but I have so much reading to do on my plate, as the saying goes, "so many books, so little time." |
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165 | Calvin or Armini | Bible general Archive 3 | Lookn4ward2Heavn | 186769 | ||
I like that Spurgeon quote, especially, "The guiding man is needed still...Their exposition can never be a substitute for our own meditations..." I think it would be correct to add that, as all men are fallible and no system of doctrine is Spirit-inspired and 100 per-cent error free, we must not base our faith on the teachings of others but on what God reveals personally to each of us as we meditate and study the Bible. It seems that an important purpose of Bible study is to own by faith the things God has spoken to us; to believe, not because someone taught it to us but because we have experienced the revelation of its truthfulness (John 4:41-42). I would think that as great in wisdom and exposition a Christian may be, only what God has confirmed to us as true need be believed. |
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166 | What should occur after accepting Christ | Acts 10:38 | Lookn4ward2Heavn | 186706 | ||
In general, it seems that the normal Christian life is to walk in and do the works of the Spirit just like Jesus did. | ||||||
167 | If possible, how can any be sure? | Matt 7:21 | Lookn4ward2Heavn | 186671 | ||
If one could, how would anyone know for certain they are saved? | ||||||
168 | Feelings demonstrate the facts? | Matt 7:21 | Lookn4ward2Heavn | 186670 | ||
Doc, Let's begin with one of MacArthur's initial statements. He says, "The subject here then is the assurance of salvation. And we have noted that there are basically two questions to ask. Question number one, is salvation forever? Is it secure? Question number two, can I feel that security? One is a fact and the other is a personal confidence. They are inseparable." It seems he places "feelings" as the basis for "personal confidence." Again, he seems to consider "fact" and "feeling" as inseparable. Therefore, can one safely conclude that if he feels saved, he is saved? |
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169 | Does chancing it make it? | Matt 7:21 | Lookn4ward2Heavn | 186668 | ||
Cheri, 1. Is "having a better chance" the same as having assurance. 2. Without assurance, can't the "surprise" go both ways? 3. Can one still be a genuine Christian while he let's go of being assured and believes he has a chance of being saved rather than the assurance that he is saved? |
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170 | Is their assurance for the future? | Matt 7:21 | Lookn4ward2Heavn | 186667 | ||
Hank, Stanley defines assurance this way: to "put beyond all doubt." However, how does one put their salvation beyond all doubt when: 1. the heart is deceitful and no one can understand the true condition of their own heart. 2. there are many examples of those who believed they were saved and later on rejected God. 3. it is admitted that one may both "walk the walk and talk the talk" but not really be saved. Unless I missed it, Stanley does not cover these issues. Stanley does seem to suggest that once saved, your future is on automatic, that is, going to heaven is inevitable; once saved, one may, for example, rape a child later on in life and, while remaining unrepentant, yet still go to heaven. He may not say it in these words but that's what it boils down to when he says, "There is nobody, not even yourself, who can take Christ's God-given gift of salvation away from you"; or, also when he says, "If you have Jesus, you have life. Eternal life. Not temporary, but eternal." |
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171 | An audible voice proves one is saved? | Matt 7:21 | Lookn4ward2Heavn | 186666 | ||
Azure, I apologize but I cannot see where your response specifically answers my two questions. |
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172 | Are soldiers certain of winning? | Matt 7:21 | Lookn4ward2Heavn | 186611 | ||
Doc, Response as follows: #1. …(1 John 2:4-6 ESV)This speaks of one who is obviously not a believer." My question takes into consideration one who outwardly, for all intents and purposes, professes Christ as Lord and behaves consistent with Gods commands (as best he can, anyway). "…Habitual sin never characterizes a believer (1 John 5:18)." Is this verse a promise a true believer will never sin or fall away? Don’t many believers admit to sinning and committing the same sins more than once? What do you mean “habitual sin”? Once a year? Once a month? Once a day? And what sin? Stealing? Adultery? If one falls into lust on the internet once a year, can that be considered a habit? #2. "Believers are sealed…(Ephesian 4:30)…as earnest payment…until glory." But how does one know for certain they presently possesses the Spirit that guarantees eternal life in the future, that is, “until glory”? #3. "…there will be people who thought they were saved, but were not (Matthew 7:23)…We should be constantly examining ourselves (2 Corinthians 13:5)…" My question presupposes one who shows every indication of being a true believer. As such, if one is being careful as much as they can, judging themselves as best they can, examining themselves constantly in the “mirror” (introspection?), do these acts assure – provide that certainty that cannot be mistaken - that he/she is saved? On second thought, why all this “introspection” if one knows for certain they are saved? Is it because there is the possibility they may actually not be saved? #4. "See above.The good news is that God grants grace to those that are utterly dependent on Him (Psalm 51:7). So seek…the 'means of grace'…" If my heart is deceptive, how can I know I am “utterly dependent on Him” or sincerely seeking grace? Does use of “means of grace” give assurance of salvation? In any case, are there not those who have used the “means of grace” and have fallen away anyway? "Soldiers do not win wars by being half-hearted…(Matthew 13:44-46)…" But neither do they know for certain that victory is theirs when once the war begins. |
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173 | Is lifestyle change proof of salvation? | Matt 7:21 | Lookn4ward2Heavn | 186604 | ||
Again, I apologize but I don't follow the connection your making to my question. | ||||||
174 | Is one's act of repentance guaranteed? | Matt 7:21 | Lookn4ward2Heavn | 186597 | ||
Lionheart, 1. What guarantee does one have that after having fallen away, they will repent? 2. Can one, without realizing it, "live on ones laurels" thinking that, although "far from perfect", he is sincerely living for and serving God under His grace when, in reality, he is not under grace or saved at all? |
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175 | Right reaction proves the Christian? | Matt 7:21 | Lookn4ward2Heavn | 186594 | ||
1. Then, if one can look the part of being a Christian and interpret it as evidence that they are saved, it still remains, how can one be assured that they are truly saved? 2. Or, do right reactions to trials give uncontested assurance of salvation? |
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176 | What assurance from the beginning? | Matt 7:21 | Lookn4ward2Heavn | 186591 | ||
Cheri, But my question is what assurance does one have of their salvation in the first place? |
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177 | "More assurance"? | Matt 7:21 | Lookn4ward2Heavn | 186588 | ||
Doc, 1. Then is it safe to assume that change does not give uncontested assurance of salvation; that is, one cannot know by his change of lifestyle, even changes that are "more Christ-like" or "more perseverant in the faith", that he is saved? 2. Please explain "more assurance": If one knows for certain they are saved, why would "more assurance" be necessary? |
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178 | Is lifestyle change proof of salvation? | Matt 7:21 | Lookn4ward2Heavn | 186586 | ||
John, I'm sorry, I do not understand how this point - true or not - is related to or answers my question. |
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179 | An audible voice proves one is saved? | Matt 7:21 | Lookn4ward2Heavn | 186585 | ||
Azure, 1. Does hearing God prove one is saved? is proof of salvation a subjective experience? 2. What happens to one who has never heard the voice of God audibly? |
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180 | How much change is required? | Matt 7:21 | Lookn4ward2Heavn | 186581 | ||
Lionheart, Another way to look at your comment is to ask, how much of a "changed life" is required to give uncontested evidence that they are saved? Or, how much evidence is needed to prove one is saved? |
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