Results 21 - 40 of 350
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Results from: Answers On or After: Thu 12/31/70 Author: Aixen7z4 Ordered by Date |
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Results | Verse | Author | ID# | |||
21 | Church discipline? | 1 Tim 5:22 | Aixen7z4 | 152422 | ||
We need to be careful here. We need to take these things in the context in which they were given. The context includes the answers to the following questions: To whom is this addressed? Where? When? Why? Etc. In this case, consider who the recipient was, and what his responsibilities were. Please note that the letter was addressed to Timothy. There are some things that we can apply to ourselves, but not all. Why? Timothy was a believer (2 Timothy 3:15), and so are we (1 Timothy 2:4). But Timothy also had a special position (Acts 16), a charge (1 Timothy 1:18), and responsibilities (Romans 12:8) that we do not all have (1 Corinthians 12). Timothy was left in Ephesus as a teacher, and a substitute for the Apostle Paul (1 Timothy 1:3). Paul, as an apostle, had a special responsibility in the church, and Timothy was his helper. It was in light of that position that he was to act (1 Timothy 1:18) and do the things specified. As it was with Titus (1:5), he was to set things in order, and he was to maintain order in the church, not only preaching, but reproving, rebuking, exhorting (2 Timothy 4:2). Clearly, that is not a position that we all have and not a set of responsibilities that we all have. In fact, some of us are called to be quiet, and not to speak at all (1 Timothy 2:11,12). The “laying on of hands” was something that Timothy would do, in his position. It is not a position that we all have. Similarly, “confronting sin” must be done in the church. But this is not a responsibility that we all have. Those who have that responsibility should face it (1 Peter 5). The rest of us are called to follow (Hebrews 13:17) Doubtless there are other responsibilities that we all have in dealing with sin, and these are addressed in other passages. But those specified in 1 Timothy 5 are not for all of us. Think about it. As Paul would say to Timothy, consider what I say, and the Lord will give you understanding in all things. |
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22 | Who will be saved? Few, Many or All? | Rom 3:23 | Aixen7z4 | 152321 | ||
They asked Jesus that. Someone said, “Lord, are there few that be saved?” (See Luke 13:23). The Lord’s answer should put an end to the investigation of individual words such as the “All”s in Romans 5:18, and remind us of the danger in focusing on other individual words elsewhere. He said unto them, “Strive to enter in at the strait gate: for many, I say unto you, will seek to enter in, and shall not be able“ (v. 24). With those words ringing in our ears, can we give any credence to a doctrine of universal salvation? Jesus said, “Strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leads unto life, and few there be that find it“ (Matthew 7:14). Does that suggest that everyone will be saved? But we have a fascination with individual words. Surely “All” must mean “All”, and “all” in Romans 5:18b must mean that all will be saved. False prophets must realize how easily we are tripped up and trapped by individual words. But Jesus said, “Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves“ (Matthew 7:15). They neglect the message of repentance toward God and faith in our Lord Jesus Christ and focus instead on individual words. Stop fighting over words. Such arguments are useless, and they can ruin those who hear them. An individual word has no particular meaning. Only context gives it meaning. Therefore, read the passage. Put the word in context. Yes, Adam's one sin brought condemnation upon everyone, but Christ's one act of righteousness makes all people right in God's sight and gives them life. Because one person disobeyed God, many people became sinners. But because one other person obeyed God, many people will be made right in God's sight (Romans 5:18,19, NLT). Jesus did say, “Come unto me all” (Matthew 11:28). He did say he would draw all (John 12:32). But he also said to some, “You are not coming to me that you might have life” (John 5:40). Happily, we also hear him say, “The one who comes to me, I will in no wise cast out” (John 6:37). And the Spirit and the bride say, “Come“. And let him that hears say, “Come“. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely. Only a few will respond. But all of them will be saved. |
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23 | If our sins are forgiven, why repent? | 1 John 1:9 | Aixen7z4 | 152265 | ||
Sin comes into our lives every day, and we have to deal with it. It is not that we are seeking salvation again. That has been accomplished once and for all and we must trust the Lord and thank him thereafter. We do not have to ask him to save us again. But we make mistakes. I made a mistake in addressing my response at first to someone else, when I wanted to send it to you. And I will probably get into trouble for that. What’s to be done? Admit it. Confess it. And move on. The scripture passages for that are included below. It is true that our sins are forgiven at the time of salvation. It is because we repent of sin and put our trust in the Lord Jesus Christ (Romans 4:5). All of our sins are forgiven at that time (Colossians 2:13). When we have repented, we have turned away from sin, and it is no longer a habit (1 John 3:9). But we do sin (Galatians 5:17). Even David sinned (1 Kings 15:5) and needed to confess it (Psalm 51). Even the apostles sinned, and needed to admit to the fact and to confess their sins (1 John 1). It is quite like a person who has bathed himself thoroughly and yet finds at the end of the day that his feet are dirty (John 13). He needs to have his feet washed in order to maintain fellowship with the Lord (Isaiah 59). What shall we do then? Shall we tolerate the sin that has come into our lives? (As in 2 Peter 2:22). We should rather seek to be cleansed from it lest we allow it to continue and to grow (as in 1 Corinthians 5). The way to be cleansed from it is to confess it and forsake it (Proverbs 28:13). Or shall we say that that sin is already covered since we are saved? Shall we continue in sin that grace may abound? (See Romans 6). Then we might well ask ourselves whether we do in fact have an abhorrence of sin that would have led us to repent in the first place. Sin ought to make us sad, and we should be sad about the fact that we still sin. We should resist the devil and draw nigh to God so we can live with him in holiness. Some say we should simply thank God that our sins are forgiven. We should thank him always and forever, for our salvation with the forgiveness of sin, the washing, and all else that it entails (Revelation 1). But the occasion of sin is not the time for that (James 4). There is a time to weep (Ecclesiastes 3). Some say we should confess our sins every day. Better perhaps to say we should confess every time we pray. When we come into the presence of a holy God, we recognize also our sinful nature (Isaiah 6). It is an opportunity to be touched and cleansed again. The fact is, we sin without knowing it (Psalm 19:12). We should not justify ourselves, but rather avail ourselves of searchlight of the word of God (Psalm 119) the knowledge of the Holy Spirit (Romans 8) and the love that causes the Lord to wash our feet. It is a good example that the apostles set for us in 1 John 1, and that David set in Psalm 139. David has a prophet who would come to him, and we have the Holy Spirit who lives within. We can do even better than he did (2 Samuel 12) and confess our sins immediately, as we are convicted without the need for human instrumentality (John 16). Sin, after we are saved, will not keep us from heaven (Romans 8). But it will continue to beset us, and we must strive against it (Hebrews 12). We can overcome it too (1 Corinthians 10), but is not by ignoring it or by minimizing it. While we are here on this earth, we are in the presence of sin (John 17). We spare ourselves some trouble, and save ourselves from God’s judgment and chastisement by recognizing and confessing and forsaking sin (1 Corinthians 11). We can copy a prayer of confession, I suppose, as Jonah did. Even when we are not aware of any particular sin, we can say as David did, in Psalm 139: “Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts. And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting“. |
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24 | Shed Light on 1 Corinthians 14:33-35 | 1 Cor 14:34 | Aixen7z4 | 152216 | ||
The question has been asked, and answered too, no doubt. But this writer is attracted by the call for light (as in Psalm 119:18,105,130) and by the clarion call for scripture (as in Romans 4:3 and Galatians 4:30). The one who sheds light on Scripture is the Holy Spirit (Isaiah 48; John 14,16). He is the one who illuminates us (Hebrews 6, 10) and it (1 Corinthians 2). Moreover, the Holy Spirit uses scripture to shed light on Scripture. In connection with 1 Corinthians 14:34, 35, then, you might consider the following: The head of every man is Christ; and the head of the woman is the man; and the head of Christ is God. The man is not of the woman; but the woman of the man. Neither was the man created for the woman; but the woman for the man. (1 Corinthians 11). Wives must submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord. The husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the savior of the body. Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so wives are to be to their own husbands in every thing. And let every wife see that she reverence her husband. (Ephesians 5). Wives are to submit themselves unto their own husbands, as that is fit in the Lord (Colossians 3). The aged women are to teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to be obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed (Titus 2) Wives are to be in subjection to their own husbands. In the old time the holy women also, who trusted in God, were in subjection unto their own husbands: even as Sara obeyed Abraham, calling him lord. And the modern Christian women are Sara‘s daughters, as long as they do well, and are not afraid (1 Peter 3). That is the way it has always been. The husband shall rule over the wife (Genesis 3). Now, before this day is through, there will be some who will attack these scriptures or add to them. They may assert the primacy of culture and the need for change. They will try to justify the present state of affairs in the church. But since you have asked for scripture, this post contains some, above. Some have difficulty understanding why it is a shame for the women to take the lead (1 Corinthians 14, 1 Timothy 2). The Spirit has commented on the shame, the disgrace, that comes when the word of God is blasphemed (Titus 2) and when God‘s natural order is contravened (1 Corinthians 11). It comes when a man wears long hair, and a woman wears short hair or a shaved head (1 Corinthians 11). It comes when a man abnegates his position of leadership, and a woman takes it (1 Timothy 2). It comes when a man looks at another man as a potential sex partner and when a woman looks at another of her own sex in that way (Romans 1). These things are not so to be, as it was not God’s intention when he made us (Genesis 1). Likewise, it was God’s intention that some, chosen and gifted by the Spirit, of the male gender, lead and teach the church (1 Timothy 3, Titus 2). It is a shame when those who should be protected and taught and provided for are then found in the lead (Judges 4). |
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25 | how can i overcome sin, and be forgiven? | John 3:16 | Aixen7z4 | 152045 | ||
The Lord has blessed you with an immediate response, the one written by Doc above. Some of us would love to know to what extent you found it helpful. It is what the Bible teaches, and if we understood your question correctly, it is the answer to it. What do you say? | ||||||
26 | Do this in remember of me | Luke 22:19 | Aixen7z4 | 151969 | ||
This is what the Lord said, and I pass it on to you just as I received it. On the night when he was betrayed, Jesus took a loaf of bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, "This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me." In the same way, he took the cup, after supper, saying, "This cup is the new covenant between God and you, sealed by the shedding of my blood. Do this in remembrance of me as often as you drink it." Every time you eat that bread and drink from that cup, you are remembering him, in his death, and proclaiming the Lord's death. We are to do that until he comes again. |
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27 | Word of Christ? | Rom 10:17 | Aixen7z4 | 151450 | ||
“What is the word of Christ?”? This forum is really a blessing because, as people share, one is forced to think of things that one would probably not have thought of otherwise. The phrase “word of Christ” appears only one time in Scripture, that I am aware of, and it is in Colossians 3:16. There: “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom”. I would have assumed that “the word of Christ” refers to all that Jesus said, just as “the word of God” refers to all that God has said, that is, to all of the Bible. Is there some other meaning? And I suppose we should keep it simple (2 Corinthians 11:3). “For our rejoicing is this, the testimony of our conscience, that in simplicity and godly sincerity …”; that is the way that Paul and Timothy had spoken to them (2 Corinthians 1:12). “Can we say that the word of Christ enables us to hear?” Enables. Does it give us the ability? Does it wake us up? Does it force its way into our consciousness? I suppose the word of Christ does have that power. For God commanded the light to shine out of darkness, and he has shined in our hearts (1 Corinthians 4). When Jesus spoke, dead Lazarus heard. He speaks with a voice that wakes the dead, and makes the people hear. The word of Christ is alive and powerful (Hebrews 4). It is a hammer breaking rocks (Jeremiah 23). It is a fire that gets into the bones (Jeremiah 20). It is a sword that pricks (Acts 2) and pierces Hebrews 4). To hear. Certainly we can say it enables us to hear the Gospel, for in the word of Christ is the message of the Gospel. Faith comes by hearing. But surely it does no refer to hearing without specifying the stimulus. It does not refer to hearing birds sing or to hearing the thunder roar. The hearing that is required requires that the word of God be preached (Romans 10). Hearing comes by the word of God. Does the word of Christ cause us to hear? To really hear? To hear at a deep level? With the heart and not just the ear? To hear and understand? For that we need not only the word of Christ but also the agency of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 2). Jesus said, “He who has ears to hear, let him hear”. It suggests a certain predisposition, as in John 7:17. We must be wanting to know the truth, to respond to it in obedience (1 Peter 4). “What is the word of Christ?” What is the summary of it? What is the gist of the message? This is the message we have heard from him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. If we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanses us from all sin. |
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28 | Who are the lost sheep of israel? | Luke 19:10 | Aixen7z4 | 151313 | ||
All in God’s time, my friend. The Gospel was to go to the Jew first (Romans 1:16; 2:9,10, etc.). See the words of Paul and Barnabas (Acts 13:46). They said: “It was necessary that the word of God should first have been spoken to you: but seeing ye put it from you, and judge yourselves unworthy of everlasting life, lo, we turn to the Gentiles”. You may also want to read Romans 11. You are correct, of course, that the Gospel is for everyone. And there are lost sheep in Israel (the Jews). And there are other sheep (John 10). And it was always God’s plan that there be one fold and one shepherd (Ephesians 2). But it was also in God’s plan that the Jews would have first dibs. Interesting (Isn’t it?) that they will have last dibs as well, after the Gentiles have had their chance. |
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29 | Mom, grandma, sister all in Satans hands | Bible general Archive 2 | Aixen7z4 | 151306 | ||
Hi: We understand, and we're with you. You have already had some good advice. I trust you will also find the following comments helpful. It is one of the heaviest burdens that we bear, I think, and the saddest, to see our loved ones on the road to hell. Sometimes a person will ask, “Why do you care so much for your family, and not so much for other folks?” But God has put them in our lives, and we know them well; so we have a special love for them. That gives us a special responsibility. It is expected that we should be concerned about them, and do what we can to witness to them with our lives and with our words, both reflecting the word of God. Paul set the example for us when he said (Romans 9): “I'm telling you the truth. I'm not lying. My conscience bothers me about this as it is stirred by the Holy Spirit, that I have deep sorrow and continuous heartache when I think about my relatives. I cold almost wish that I could be condemned and cut off from Christ for the sake of my brethren, my kinsmen according to the flesh”. Those are strong words. And it is likely that most believers with unsaved relatives have strong feelings like that. I hope it is comforting to you to know that God wants them to be saved even more than you do, and he will do all that is necessary to draw them to him and to let them know the truth (1 Timothy 2:4). So we can pray for that. They will have a chance to be saved, that‘s for sure. But it is the message of the Gospel that God uses, and we have the privilege of working along with God in bringing them the Good News. You can rest in the fact that the Gospel has its own power (Romans 1:16) and it will get through to them without our having to force it. If you have already given them the Gospel, then it is in them and doing its work. If not, then you can do it, or the Lord will use someone else to talk to them. It will help a lot if you, as a believer, will live a consistent life of faith and obedience to God. A bad testimony or an inconsistent life on our part can be a hindrance to the gospel (2 Peter 2). It will make it harder for them to hear and it will take longer for them to see the truth. Settle that in your own mind, and commit yourself to God for this (1 Peter 3:15). All in all I hope you realize that many of us are in the same situation as you, and we understand how you feel. So you can believe it when we say we are praying with that your relatives will be saved. |
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30 | Psalms 22 -awsome and confusing..... | 2 Sam 23:2 | Aixen7z4 | 151127 | ||
David was a prophet (Acts 2:32) and he was prophesying there. You note, correctly, that those words were written before Christ was born. That is the way it is with prophecy. For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Ghost (2 Peter 1). So the Spirit of the Lord spoke by David. How do we know when a prophet has been prophesying? Sometimes he tells us in advance. At other times, as in Psalm 22, he does not come out and say so. But someone with authority, such as the Lord Jesus Christ or one of the Apostles may let us know. Thus Jesus often said, “It is written”. Sometimes he would engage in an action so that a prophecy might be fulfilled. See, for example, Matthew 1:22; 2:15; 2:17; 4:14. Sometimes, as in the case of Psalm 22:1, it seems hardly necessary to say; Jesus utters the exact same words in Matthew 27:46. Sometimes, it is left unambiguous: “Jesus knowing that all things were now accomplished, that the scripture might be fulfilled, saith, ‘I thirst‘“ ( John 19:28). We need to be careful not to spiritualize without authority. But sometimes it is clear that a passage such as Psalm 22 is a prophecy. It was a song that came to David, but it was the Holy Spirit who was inspiring him. And the song was about Jesus. |
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31 | Order of Worship | 1 Cor 14:26 | Aixen7z4 | 150860 | ||
1 Corinthians 14 is a key passage. It explains what Jesus asked us to do in Luke 22, etc. and what the disciples did in Acts 2, etc. It is good to see this question as it shows someone is interested in the issue. It is also sad to see it because, as has been stated, the organized church seems little interested in it. How they developed the forms that are extant today, it would be fascinating to find out. They must not have read those passages. And I am feeling very uncomfortable today, as I am to substitute for a pastor for the next seven weeks. I have agreed to be there, as “the minister”, in the main weekly meeting, of a mainline church, and I must fit in with the way they do things. It is different from visiting and speaking, as I do regularly as I usually feel no responsibility for the format of the meeting. But now, I have agreed to play a central role in the drama. Already I know that the church is not interested in changing in any but very minor ways, and certainly not all the way back to the Bible way. We know that the Lord tells us how it is to be done. But what good is that knowledge when there is so little chance of getting it done? Unless you belong to an uncommon group such as a house church, you may not be happy to have the answer. |
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32 | Reincarnation, scripturally founded? | Heb 9:27 | Aixen7z4 | 150800 | ||
Someone should say No, and say it clearly. Reincarnation is not an idea that comes from Scripture. What do we mean by the word Reincarnation? It is the idea that everyone dies and returns to this life in another form. That is what the dictionary says. Reincarnation: n 1: embodiment in a new form (especially the reappearance or a person in another form); "his reincarnation as a lion". Scripture does not teach that people die and come back in another form. Reincarnation: n 2: a second or new birth [syn: rebirth] Scripture does teach the need for a new birth. However, it is doubtful that this is what anyone has in mind when they use the term Reincarnation. We should make it clear that Jesus is calling for a new birth, which must necessarily take place while we are still alive. Reincarnation: n 3: the Hindu or Buddhist doctrine that a person may be reborn successively into one of five classes of living beings (god or human or animal or hungry ghost or denizen of hell) depending on the person's own actions It is this definition that is most worrisome. One should not get the impression that this is a point of agreement between Christianity and other religions. It is true that Scripture records some people saying that Jesus might be John the Baptist returned from the dead (Matthew 16). But as our brother Hank has pointed out, that was their belief. But they were wrong. It is as when the Bible records the fact some people believed in gods of wood or stone. It does not mean that the Lord sanctions it, or that the Bible teaches it. It is true that the Bible reveals instances of people telling lies. It is quite another matter to say that there are lies in the Bible. Jesus did say that John the Baptist was (another) Elijah. But that is quite different from saying that John was Elijah reincarnated. It had been said of that old prophet that “the spirit of Elijah doth rest on Elisha” (2 Kings 2). Likewise, John the Baptist was preceding Jesus “in the spirit and power of Elias” (Luke 1). But Elijah was in heaven then, and he was not reincarnated as either Elisha or John. Even when he, and Moses, appeared with Jesus on the mount, it was not an instance of reincarnation. It is rather similar to a situation where an angel from heaven comes down to appear to someone on earth. They would appear and disappear. They did not come here to live another life, which is what reincarnation implies. God does not give us other chances at living a life on this earth. It is appointed unto man once to live this life, and then to die, and then to face the judgment (Hebrews 9). The next life will be for eternity, in heaven or in hell. Though some people believed Jesus was John, or Elijah, or some other prophet returned from the dead, it may not even be rightly said that they believed in reincarnation. Besides, there is no other record that I am aware of where anyone else spoke of someone else as having come back for a second chance at life, except in the rare cases of resurrection. And the folks who thought Jesus was someone else come back, they were certainly not acting under inspiration of God. Peter, the one who had been inspired by God, recognized Jesus as the Christ, the promised Messiah, who appeared once, to put away sin. There is a new birth, in this life, that is synonymous with being saved. There is a resurrection, which Jesus achieved, and we are assured of resurrection. But the Bible does not teach reincarnation. |
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33 | Reincarnation, scripturally founded? | Heb 9:27 | Aixen7z4 | 150799 | ||
Someone should say No, and say it clearly. Reincarnation is not an idea that comes from Scripture. What do we mean by the word Reincarnation? It is the idea that everyone dies and returns to this life in another form. That is what the dictionary says. Reincarnation: n 1: embodiment in a new form (especially the reappearance or a person in another form); "his reincarnation as a lion". Scripture does not teach that people die and come back in another form. Reincarnation: n 2: a second or new birth [syn: rebirth] Scripture does teach the need for a new birth. However, it is doubtful that this is what anyone has in mind when they use the term Reincarnation. We should make it clear that Jesus is calling for a new birth, which must necessarily take place while we are still alive. Reincarnation: n 3: the Hindu or Buddhist doctrine that a person may be reborn successively into one of five classes of living beings (god or human or animal or hungry ghost or denizen of hell) depending on the person's own actions It is this definition that is most worrisome. One should not get the impression that this is a point of agreement between Christianity and other religions. It is true that Scripture records some people saying that Jesus might be John the Baptist returned from the dead (Matthew 16). But as our brother Hank has pointed out, that was their belief. But they were wrong. It is as when the Bible records the fact some people believed in gods of wood or stone. It does not mean that the Lord sanctions it, or that the Bible teaches it. It is true that the Bible reveals instances of people telling lies. It is quite another matter to say that there are lies in the Bible. Jesus did say that John the Baptist was (another) Elijah. But that is quite different from saying that John was Elijah reincarnated. It had been said of that old prophet that “the spirit of Elijah doth rest on Elisha” (2 Kings 2). Likewise, John the Baptist was preceding Jesus “in the spirit and power of Elias” (Luke 1). But Elijah was in heaven then, and he was not reincarnated as either Elisha or John. Even when he, and Moses, appeared with Jesus on the mount, it was not an instance of reincarnation. It is rather similar to a situation where an angel from heaven comes down to appear to someone on earth. They would appear and disappear. They did not come here to live another life, which is what reincarnation implies. God does not give us other chances at living a life on this earth. It is appointed unto man once to live this life, and then to die, and then to face the judgment (Hebrews 9). The next life will be for eternity, in heaven or in hell. Though some people believed Jesus was John, or Elijah, or some other prophet returned from the dead, it may not even be rightly said that they believed in reincarnation. Besides, there is no other record that I am aware of where anyone else spoke of someone else as having come back for a second chance at life, except in the rare cases of resurrection. And the folks who thought Jesus was someone else come back, they were certainly not acting under inspiration of God. Peter, the one who had been inspired by God, recognized Jesus as the Christ, the promised Messiah, who appeared once, to put away sin. There is a new birth, in this life, that is synonymous with being saved. There is a resurrection, which Jesus achieved, and we are assured of resurrection. But the Bible does not teach reincarnation. |
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34 | What does "Christ" mean? | John 4:25 | Aixen7z4 | 150755 | ||
“Christ” refers to the one whom God had promised to send from heaven, into the world. In the Garden of Eden, when sin had come into the world, God spoke the prophetic words to Satan, that Jesus would come to earth. In Genesis 3 it is written what he said of him that would be born of a woman: “Her seed … will bruise your head”, he said to the Old Serpent, “and you shall bruise His heel”. Throughout the Old Testament, the expectation is raised. For example, God made promise of special blessings to Abraham and his seed (Genesis 12, 13, 15, 17). And to Abraham and to his Seed the promises were spoken. It does not say, “And to seeds“, as of many; but as of one, "And to your Seed," which is Christ (Galatians 3). Jacob prophesied that Shiloh would come (Genesis 49), and Moses said that the Lord would raise up a special prophet (Deuteronomy 18). David spoke of Christ (Psalm 16; Acts 2) and Isaiah (7:14) revealed that he would be born of a virgin. Micah (chapter 5) showed where he would be born. All of them were speaking about Jesus, and the people were looking forward to his arrival, as a consolation to Israel (Luke 2). He would also be a light to lighten the Gentiles. So Andrew would say to his brother, “ We have found the Messiah (which is, being translated, the Christ)” (John 1). Phillip would say, “We have found him, of whom Moses in the law, and the prophets, did write, Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph”. The woman at the well said, “We know that Messiah is coming” (John 4) and Jesus said, “I am he”. And that’s how it was. “When the fullness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman” (Galatians 4). “Once in the end of the world hath he appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself” (Hebrews 9). Jesus is the Christ, the one that God had promised. They looked for him a long time. And then he came and died for our sins, and rose again, and went back to heaven. And he is still the Christ, because, according to the promise, (John 14 etc.) he is coming back again. “Christ” is not a surname. It is a title. That is why Jesus is often called “the Christ”. Simon Peter answered said, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God“ (Matthew 16) and he said it again in John 6. Martha said, “You are the Christ, the Son of God, who has come into the world“ (John 11). Peter said (Acts 2) that God had made Jesus both Lord and Christ. Both “Lord” and “Christ” are titles. Therefore he is properly called the Lord Jesus Christ. That is why we say, as in Acts 16:31, “Believer on the Lord Jesus Christ”. Jesus himself would say, as he does in John 6:29, and it means the same thing, that we should believe on the one whom God has sent. |
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35 | Was Jesus claiming that he was God? | Luke 18:18 | Aixen7z4 | 150645 | ||
Jesus was claiming to be God! And for him, it was not a usurpation (See Philippians 2:6). But that is the answer to the short question. We do not know whether the young ruler was admitting to that fact, or even if he was aware of it, because he did not answer the question why he had called Jesus good. It is interesting that in the ensuing conversation Jesus said that which is impossible with men is possible with God (Luke 18:27). Who can be saved? Anyone (Romans 10:13). Even a rich man (Matthew 27:57). Who can save? Only God can (Isaiah 45:21). Jesus is able to save (Hebrews 7:25) because he is God. On another occasion, someone asked, “Who can forgive sins but God alone?” But Jesus, the “Son of Man” did have the power to forgive sins. He proved it by healing a man, (Mark 2) and in so doing he also showed that he is God. He is able to heal, and forgive, and save. In addressing Jesus as Good Master, even unwittingly, that man was doing well, because Jesus is God. |
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36 | It is the (s)Spirit that gives life?Both | John 6:63 | Aixen7z4 | 150520 | ||
Can you believer this? I wrote a long response, and lost it. I suppose the Lord wants me to simply reiterate that capital letters do not serve the purpose of clarifying what a word in the original language stood for. As far as I can tell, the Greek word for “spirit” is exactly the same word that is elsewhere translated “Spirit”. Capital letters are simply the choice of the translators. I think it helps to have the proper name for a person to start with a capital letter. Thus I would say, “I do not think there is a ray of hope that Ray will give up his fascination with capitalization”. It helps us to distinguish between different English words with identical spellings. But in the originals, there was no such device. The translators have used capitals to convey their understanding that a word refers to a person, a deity, etc. In John 6:63, I do believe the New Living Translation says it best. “It is the Spirit who gives eternal life. Human effort accomplishes nothing. And the very words I have spoken to you are spirit and life”. The reason that the NLT is so good is that it takes context into account. The translators knew (from vv. 40, 47, 54) that Jesus was talking about eternal life and not biological life. They knew from the rest of Scripture (John 3:5; 1 Corinthians 6:11; Titus 3:5) that the Holy Spirit plays this vital role in our salvation. They knew that the Gospel part of the word of God plays a key role (Romans 10:17; 1 Peter 1:23). They knew that the word of God is what the Holy Spirit uses (Ephesians 6:15). They knew that only the Holy Spirit knows the meaning of the word of God (1 Corinthians 2:11), and that only he can impart the understanding to the hearer (vv. 12,13). Therefore their translation. The person who gives eternal life is the Holy Spirit. The words he uses are spirit(ual words). As for John 11:25, I believe the NLT is accurate again: “Jesus told her, ‘I am the resurrection and the life.[a] Those who believe in me, even though they die like everyone else, will live again‘”. I prefer the GW translation, however: “Jesus said to her, ‘I am the one who brings people back to life, and I am life itself. Those who believe in me will live even if they die‘”. But I think the best translation would be: “Jesus said to her, ‘I am the restorer of life; I am life itself. Those who believe in me will always have me, and they will never die”. And then: “Those who are spiritually dead, when they believe on me, they will come to life again” (v.26). I am not sure what comparison can be made between those two passages (John 6:63 and 11:25). To my mind, they are additive, not comparative. Jesus is the giver of life and the restorer of life, and he speaks words that are spiritual and life-giving. When Jesus says, “Live”, then we live, (as in Ezekiel 16 or 37). I think it is unlikely that Jesus said, “It is the spirit that gives life”. Someone else may have said that somewhere else, meaning, “As long as the spirit is in you, then you are alive”. But Jesus was not making that trite and unnecessary statement. I do not think so. His words are spirit, and life. He was talking about the Holy Spirit, I believe, and the eternal life he gives. |
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37 | Does God have wings? | Bible general Archive 2 | Aixen7z4 | 150207 | ||
No. God has no wings, and neither do angels. They are spirits, and a spirit hath not flesh or feathers. But we should thank Hank for his excellent note on anthropomorphic speech, in this thread. Please read it. And thank God for finding a way to speak to us about spiritual things. No man has seen God at any time (John 1:18) and that in spite of what he said to Moses (Exodus 33), or what the prophet said he saw (Isaiah 6). In spite of what he saw, there are no wings on spirit beings. God is a spirit (John 4) and a spirit has no wings. But work. Work your faith. And may the LORD recompense your work, and a full reward be given you of the LORD God of Israel, under whose wings you have come to trust. |
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38 | the good news | 2 Thess 3:16 | Aixen7z4 | 150144 | ||
I trust you are encouraged. There is comfort in knowing that the Gospel is going into all the world. And there is joy in having a part in it, no matter how small. Walk with Jesus. | ||||||
39 | ... | Bible general Archive 2 | Aixen7z4 | 150057 | ||
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40 | Why should we go ?????? | Heb 7:25 | Aixen7z4 | 150040 | ||
I would like to offer you a view from Jesus’ standpoint. He has had to do a lot of the work alone. In the words of Isaiah 63, “I have trodden the winepress alone; and of the people there was none with me… I looked, and there was none to help; and I wondered that there was none to uphold: therefore mine own arm brought salvation”. This is taken out of context, to simply isolate the sense of aloneness. It is one instance where he works alone, not because he wants to work alone, but because there is none to help. As he faced the cross, he was in agony, alone. He asked them, “Could you not watch with me?” And then the soldiers came, and they all forsook him and fled. Peter stood around and denied that he even knew him. He went through his trial with none to testify on his behalf. He bore the cross to Calvary, and suffered and died, alone. Truly, he had to do that work alone, as no one else was qualified. And yet, in all of this, he was procuring salvation for all of us. Now he wants to get the news to the world, that he is ready to forgive them. Must he also be the newsboy? Must he spread the Good News of the Gospel all alone? He has asked us to help with this. Shall we not do that small part? Now I will speak in human terms to try to get the point across. Imagine you are a little girl. Your parents have worked for the money. They have bought the food. They have cooked the food. You have eaten your fill of the food. Now your mother asks you to help with the dishes. The two of you will do that task together? Will you not do it? “But she is doing the dishes”, you say. “Why do I have to do it?” Do you see a parallel there? Imagine you were the companion of a very brave man. He is on a mission to save people from disaster. He asks you to come along, to simply speak a message while he works. Would you go with him? But I will make an excuse for you. Perhaps you do not feel led, or you are scared, to give out the Gospel. More than that, you do not feel competent. You think that Jesus can do a much better job by himself, and you would only get in the way. In other words, you do not have the gift or the calling of an evangelist. I think of Moses and Jeremiah and Jonah, who were all gifted and called and who had to be urged to do the task. But each of us must decide whether we have been called by God to a task, and whether he is the one encouraging and urging us. You would like to see everyone saved. You know they need to hear the Gospel. You know that some people are preaching the Gospel, and I know that you are glad for that. You worry about the ones that humans cannot reach. You can't bear the thought they won't have the opportunity. And I assure you, with the Scriptures I have quoted before, (John 1:9; John 12:32; etc.), that everyone will have an opportunity. He lightens every man. He draws all men. Every one will see the truth and have an opportunity to accept it. Read the passages again and rest in the fact that the Judge of all the earth will do right. He will not condemn a man to Hell, who has never heard the Gospel. He will wink at the times of ignorance and hold men responsible only after he has shown them the truth. He says if he had not come and spoken to them they would have (been as though they) had no sin. He comes to them, with or without our assistance, and commands all men everywhere to repent. But now you say, since he is doing it we should not have to do it. It may be that you are correct that, with Jesus doing it, we don’t really have to. But I will offer you some reasons why we should. 1. We love him and we want to make him happy (1 John 4:9, etc.). 2. We know he wants people to be saved (1 Timothy 2:4, etc.). 3. We think it is not good to withhold good news (2 Kings 7:9, etc.). 4. We have the gift of evangelism and want to use it (1 Corinthians 9:16, etc.). 5. We want to follow his example (Mark 1:14, etc.). 6. Again I say, a person needs to think and judge whether he or she is gifted or called in the area of evangelism. Every believer is a witness, and every believer is called to be ready to give an answer to those who might ask them why they believe on the Lord Jesus Christ. But I do not think, as some claim, that every believer is called to be an active proactive witness. But we are called to do that task together, and together with God, as his coworkers. Let us bear the yoke together. Let us be as a bride, a help, to our bridegroom, our Lord Jesus Christ. If he is about the business of enlightening men with the message of the Gospel, then so should we, as a church, in cooperation with him. With all these words, and examples, and scripture references, I have tried to answer your question. I trust you will see that it is our responsibility, and our privilege to do this work along with our Lord Jesus Christ. |
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