Results 21 - 40 of 87
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Results from: Answers On or After: Thu 12/31/70 Author: Aspiring Overseer Ordered by Date |
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Results | Verse | Author | ID# | |||
21 | References to His Command | Ps 27:8 | Aspiring Overseer | 136917 | ||
Lissa, Here is a brief study on the topic of seeking God: Heb 11:6 6And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him. NAS Two prerequsities of Faith: Belief and that God rewards those who seek Him. How do we believe? Rom 10:16-18 17So faith comes from hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ. NAS Bible proofs demonstrate to us that God’s word is true. Once we know it is true, we have a decision to make; to seek God or not. Why do we seek God? God made us that way: Acts 17:24-28 24"The God who made the world and all things in it, since He is Lord of heaven and earth, does not dwell in temples made with hands; 25neither is He served by human hands, as though He needed anything, since He Himself gives to all life and breath and all things; 26and He made from one, every nation of mankind to live on all the face of the earth, having determined their appointed times, and the boundaries of their habitation, 27that they should seek God, if perhaps they might grope for Him and find Him, though He is not far from each one of us; 28for in Him we live and move and exist, as even some of your own poets have said,' For we also are His offspring.' NAS Why must we seek God to receive His reward? God desires His creation to choose Him! OT examples: Ex 32:25-27 25Now when Moses saw that the people were out of control-- for Aaron had let them get out of control to be a derision among their enemies-- 26then Moses stood in the gate of the camp, and said, "Whoever is for the LORD, come to me!" And all the sons of Levi gathered together to him. 27And he said to them, "Thus says the LORD, the God of Israel, 'Every man of you put his sword upon his thigh, and go back and forth from gate to gate in the camp, and kill every man his brother, and every man his friend, and every man his neighbor.'" NAS Josh 24:14 15And if it is disagreeable in your sight to serve the LORD, choose for yourselves today whom you will serve: whether the gods which your fathers served which were beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you are living; but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD." NAS God tells us to seek Him: 1 Chron 16:11 11Seek the LORD and His strength; Seek His face continually. NAS And Prov 8:17 17"I love those who love me; And those who diligently seek me will find me. NAS Jesus tells us to seek His kingdom above all else: Matt 6:33 33"But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added to you. NAS A person must seek with sincerity and truth otherwise God will not draw them to Him. 1 Cor 1:18-19 18For the word of the cross is to those who are perishing foolishness, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. 19For it is written, "I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, And the cleverness of the clever I will set aside." NAS John 6:60-65 60Many therefore of His disciples, when they heard this said, "This is a difficult statement; who can listen to it?" 61But Jesus, conscious that His disciples grumbled at this, said to them, "Does this cause you to stumble? 62"What then if you should behold the Son of Man ascending where He was before? 63"It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing; the words that I have spoken to you are spirit and are life. 64"But there are some of you who do not believe." For Jesus knew from the beginning who they were who did not believe, and who it was that would betray Him. 65And He was saying, "For this reason I have said to you, that no one can come to Me, unless it has been granted him from the Father." NAS We can not be with Christ in heaven unless we obey God. God sets the standard we must follow if we seek salvation. Only those who obey God are granted that reward. AO |
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22 | Perfection? | John | Aspiring Overseer | 136593 | ||
Hi GH, Christians vary in their understanding and thus obedience to God’s will depending on their desire to serve God. Like the lazy slave (MT 25:24-30) the Christian who fails to obey their master can also expect a similar fate. That is why Christians are repeatedly urged to become perfect throughout the NT. Why are we to be perfect? God rewards all of mankind according to their deeds. Rom 2:4-11 5 But because of your stubbornness and unrepentant heart you are storing up wrath for yourself in the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God, 6 who will render to every man according to his deeds: 7 to those who by perseverance in doing good seek for glory and honor and immortality, eternal life; 8 but to those who are selfishly ambitious and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, wrath and indignation. 9 There will be tribulation and distress for every soul of man who does evil, of the Jew first and also of the Greek, 10 but glory and honor and peace to every man who does good, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. NAS It would therefore make sense for people to be perfect to ensure they persevere in doing good. How do you become perfect? By the renewing of your mind through the study and practice of God’s word. Rom 12:1-2 12:1 I urge you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship. 2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect. NAS “And do not be conformed” is a command requiring action, not passive expectation! Christians are to follow the example of Paul in doing everything in an orderly and righteous manner (Phil 4:8-9; 3:17-18). What righteousness must be practiced? We know the lazy slave was punished for his failure to leverage the resources given to him by his master. We also know Paul was committed daily to the teaching of God’s word and that he instructed all to do the same (2Tim2:2). It follows the Christian must leverage the spiritual resource (knowledge) they have received by sharing it with others who will do the same. What better way to love your neighbor than to teach him the word of God! Heb 5:11-14 11 Concerning him we have much to say, and it is hard to explain, since you have become dull of hearing. 12 For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you have need again for someone to teach you the elementary principles of the oracles of God, and you have come to need milk and not solid food. 13 For everyone who partakes only of milk is not accustomed to the word of righteousness, for he is a babe. 14 But solid food is for the mature, who because of practice have their senses trained to discern good and evil. NAS Does teaching reinforce the teacher’s understanding and obedience to the commands of God? Logic tells us that the teacher must know their subject to a much deeper level to effectively teach. Through practice the teacher nears perfection. Can Christians attain perfection during their lifetimes? Paul could not (Phil 3:12), but he continued to work towards that goal his entire life. Not by completing the works required by the Law of Moses, but by the Law of Faith: the faith that through obedience to God, salvation is obtained through Jesus Christ. Heb 5:8-9 8 Although He was a Son, He learned obedience from the things which He suffered. 9 And having been made perfect, He became to all those who obey Him the source of eternal salvation, NAS Unfortunately, many do not desire to love God as He desires, but prefer to love Him as they desire. This is evident through their conduct measured against God’s standard. Many espouse the only "work" is to have faith, yet are hard pressed to explain how having faith is a "work"! Those who honestly seek to serve God grow in their understanding and obedience to His will. Those who do not put forth the effort to accomplish this, stagnate. James 1:22-25 22 But prove yourselves doers of the word, and not merely hearers who delude themselves. 23 For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks at his natural face in a mirror; 24 for once he has looked at himself and gone away, he has immediately forgotten what kind of person he was. 25 But one who looks intently at the perfect law, the law of liberty, and abides by it, not having become a forgetful hearer but an effectual doer, this man shall be blessed in what he does. NAS Is doing anything of value easy? Neither is doing the will of God, yet by their obedience, Christians who persevere are assured their reward (James 1:2-4). AO |
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23 | Doesn't NT forbid all images-somewhere? | NT general Archive 1 | Aspiring Overseer | 132632 | ||
Dear Student, You are correct in stating you have not found anything in the NT instructing God's people not to possess or make images or sculptures of "any" kind, because God is only concerned with those images which represent spiritual things. Secular art or photographs are not a concern to God if they do not relate to spiritual matters. NT Scripture is clear that God still prohibits the manufacture and use of any manmade item possessing a spiritual meaning (Acts 17:29; 19:24-25; 1Jo5:21). Statues or images of Jesus, Mary or angels are clearly not desired by God (Deu 4:15-16; LK 11:27-28; Col 2:18-19), but even less obvious idols such as "WWJD" adornments and "Christian" fish are spoken against in scripture by the necessary inference that God does not desire His people to use symbols of any kind to proclaim their righteousness (MT6:1). We need only to remember Jesus' rebuke of the scribes and Pharisees. (MK12:38-40; MT23:1-7) Though the majority may not agree with this viewpoint, neither did the majority survive the great flood. In the end, you must decide for yourself. Keeping praying for help as you seek an understanding of God’s word. AO |
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24 | Do all men belong to God? | Job 33:6 | Aspiring Overseer | 131927 | ||
Momma, Here are but a few verses which answer your question. Deut 10:17-18 17For the LORD your God is the God of gods and the Lord of lords, the great, the mighty, and the awesome God who does not show partiality, nor take a bribe. 18He executes justice for the orphan and the widow, and shows His love for the alien by giving him food and clothing. NAS Job 36:5 5"Behold, God is mighty but does not despise any; He is mighty in strength of understanding. NAS Acts 10:34-35 34And opening his mouth, Peter said: "I most certainly understand now that God is not one to show partiality, 35but in every nation the man who fears Him and does what is right, is welcome to Him. NAS Rom 2:4-9 5But because of your stubbornness and unrepentant heart you are storing up wrath for yourself in the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God, 6who will render to every man according to his deeds: 7to those who by perseverance in doing good seek for glory and honor and immortality, eternal life; 8but to those who are selfishly ambitious and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, wrath and indignation. NAS Col 3:24-25 25For he who does wrong will receive the consequences of the wrong which he has done, and that without partiality. NAS 1 Peter 1:16-19 17And if you address as Father the One who impartially judges according to each man's work, conduct yourselves in fear during the time of your stay upon earth; 18knowing that you were not redeemed with perishable things like silver or gold from your futile way of life inherited from your forefathers, 19but with precious blood, as of a lamb unblemished and spotless, the blood of Christ. NAS Col 1:20-23 21And although you were formerly alienated and hostile in mind, engaged in evil deeds, 22yet He has now reconciled you in His fleshly body through death, in order to present you before Him holy and blameless and beyond reproach-- 23if indeed you continue in the faith firmly established and steadfast, and not moved away from the hope of the gospel that you have heard, which was proclaimed in all creation under heaven, and of which I, Paul, was made NAS Heb 3:4-6 5Now Moses was faithful in all His house as a servant, for a testimony of those things which were to be spoken later; 6but Christ was faithful as a Son over His house whose house we are, if we hold fast our confidence and the boast of our hope firm until the end. NAS Heb 3:13-15 14For we have become partakers of Christ, if we hold fast the beginning of our assurance firm until the end; 15while it is said, "Today if you hear His voice, Do not harden your hearts, as when they provoked Me." NAS Heb 6:10-12 11And we desire that each one of you show the same diligence so as to realize the full assurance of hope until the end, 12that you may not be sluggish, but imitators of those who through faith and patience inherit the promises. NAS Heb 10:34-11:1 35Therefore, do not throw away your confidence, which has a great reward. 36For you have need of endurance, so that when you have done the will of God, you may receive what was promised. 37For yet in a very little while, He who is coming will come, and will not delay. 38But My righteous one shall live by faith; And if he shrinks back, My soul has no pleasure in him. 39But we are not of those who shrink back to destruction, but of those who have faith to the preserving of the soul. NAS Rev 2:10 10'Do not fear what you are about to suffer. Behold, the devil is about to cast some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and you will have tribulation ten days. Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life. NAS AO |
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25 | Rule or Ideal? | 1 Tim 3:2 | Aspiring Overseer | 130091 | ||
Doc, Here are my "two cents" regarding the passages you reference: 1 Tim 3:1-8 3:1 It is a trustworthy statement: if any man aspires to the office of overseer, it is a fine work he desires to do. 2 An overseer, then, must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, temperate, prudent, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, 3 not addicted to wine or pugnacious, but gentle, uncontentious, free from the love of money. 4 He must be one who manages his own household well, keeping his children under control with all dignity 5(but if a man does not know how to manage his own household, how will he take care of the church of God?); 6 and not a new convert, lest he become conceited and fall into the condemnation incurred by the devil. 7 And he must have a good reputation with those outside the church, so that he may not fall into reproach and the snare of the devil. NAS Titus 1:5-9 5 For this reason I left you in Crete, that you might set in order what remains, and appoint elders in every city as I directed you, 6 namely, if any man be above reproach, the husband of one wife, having children who believe, not accused of dissipation or rebellion. 7 For the overseer must be above reproach as God's steward, not self-willed, not quick-tempered, not addicted to wine, not pugnacious, not fond of sordid gain, 8 but hospitable, loving what is good, sensible, just, devout, self-controlled, 9 holding fast the faithful word which is in accordance with the teaching, that he may be able both to exhort in sound doctrine and to refute those who contradict. NAS What did Paul mean when he wrote of an elder being the "husband of one wife" and should this change with the norms of society? Addressing the later first, I would offer that since God does not change, those standards must remain unchanged from Paul’s original instruction. Paul’s instruction in both instances refers to men who are currently married to the only wife they have ever known. A single man could dearly love his mother, and be righteous in all other respects, yet he would not meet God’s standard as an elder. Conversely, a man who has been married and divorced has also had two wives. He would also fail to meet the standard. Why would God be so specific? My opinion was His desire for perfection within His church. The primary responsibility of an elder is to protect the congregation. As the church is to be protected from wolves in sheep’s clothing, so must the shepherds prove themselves to be the most capable and experienced men. Secondly, they set the standard for other men to follow, regardless whether those men may ever be elders themselves. They are the role models for the congregation. For contemplation and discussion at a later time, we should also consider these points: -Elders are appointed by the entire congregation with total agreement -Elders exist only where there are at least two qualified men -The children of elders must all be Christians -Elders must have the experience of converting people to the faith -An elder’s household must be run in an orderly manner -Elders must continue to actively teach -An elder’s reputation outside the church must be congruent with that within AO |
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26 | Is The Sabbath On Sunday Or Saturday? | Lev 23:32 | Aspiring Overseer | 124282 | ||
Matt 28:1 28:1 Now after the Sabbath, as it began to dawn toward the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary came to look at the grave. NAS |
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27 | How many in upper room?? | Bible general Archive 2 | Aspiring Overseer | 115256 | ||
Arrow, Remember that the chapter and verses we have in our translations today were not in the original letter. Keeping that in mind, Acts 1:26 specifically identifies the apostles. Acts 2:1-15 continues the narrative concerning the same people (and not necessarily the same or next day). How do we know the "they" in Acts 2:4 were not the 120? Aside from using proper grammatical rules, we must acknowledge that Jesus had disciples from all of the various regions He visited during His ministry. Acts 1:14 also tells us some of the disciples present were women. With these points in mind consider Acts 2:7 and Acts 2:14-15. One tells us those speaking in tongues were “all” Galileans. Would all of the 120 been Galileans? We know the apostles were. Were only Galilean disciples faithful to Jesus or would the 120 include Judean and Perean Jews, as well? Secondly, Peter acknowledges those mocked in verse 13 were all "men". If 120 people spoke in tongues, might it been unusual to separate the 12 from them so quickly and simultaneously identify the group displaying this miraculous gift as consisting solely of men? Why would Peter leave out the other 108? Was he a male chauvinist? Maybe he desired public attention only be focused on the apostles? Could it be 108 were not present? AO |
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28 | Why's my NASB diff. than online versions | James 1:6 | Aspiring Overseer | 115039 | ||
Lance, You have the classic NASB, which reads as follows: James 1:6 6But let him ask in faith without any doubting, for the one who doubts is like the surf of the sea driven and tossed by the wind. NAS The updated version (NASU) is what you are finding online: James 1:6 6But he must ask in faith without any doubting, for the one who doubts is like the surf of the sea, driven and tossed by the wind. NASU AO |
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29 | Holy Spirt w/ evidence of tongues? | 1 Cor 12:10 | Aspiring Overseer | 114775 | ||
Elmo, The miraculous gifts were established for what purpose? Was it not to confirm the validity of God's Word? Once it was obvious throughout the world that His word was the truth, there was no need for the confirmation. Thus we see even Paul's ability to use the gifts wane until they were no more. The "partial" that he mentions to the Corinthians is the need of these gifts to accompany and thereby confirm God's Word until the written form of God's Word was in place. That is "the perfect" and is, of course, here today. Complete, perfect and unchanging in every detail. As an aside, if tongues or healing existed today there would be 100 percent sucess in curing the sick and all tongues could be validated as an intelligable language. Even if we go with the suggestion that the "tongues of angels" in 1 Co 13:1, is a language unknown to man, Paul still commands that they not be spoken publically (1 Co 14:28) if there is no interpreter. This likely was a safeguard against those in the body who did not truely have the gift of tongues, but felt compelled to display it. To falsify the gift and bring others into their sin would corrupt the body, thus Paul directed it only be done in private. How someone desires to worship God in private is upon their own head. This was always the case in the NT and remains so today. AO |
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30 | should not enter into his rest | Heb 3:18 | Aspiring Overseer | 106813 | ||
Mes, To all those who are disobedient to God. AO |
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31 | Christmas-Is It Christian? | NT general Archive 1 | Aspiring Overseer | 106705 | ||
Hi Tess, Here are some notes from the other day you might find helpful: Christmas is a holiday created by man to celebrate the birth of Christ or, from a secular perspective, to enjoy the presence of family and friends. You ask if it is biblical, but I believe you already have your answer. God commands us throughout scripture not to add or take away from His word. Questions to consider: Would a holiday created by mankind, regardless of intent, be desired by God? Does God command Christians to honor Christ's birth? To what extent can a Christian participate (and promote) man-made practices to honor Christ, which are not directed by God? Some other food for thought: Why do many churches display nativity scenes? The scripture in Matthew which refers to the magi does not list a number nor does it allow for them to have visited Him in the manger. If both of these are distortions to fit the worldly religious version of Christmas, why would we expect anything different in the handling of scripture concerning salvation? P.S. What does Paul mean when he rebukes the Corinthians for naming themselves in 1CO1:10-13? How do you think this applies to JW's? AO |
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32 | A husband that doesn't give money? | Ps 43:3 | Aspiring Overseer | 106702 | ||
Ps 43:3 3O send out Thy light and Thy truth, let them lead me; Let them bring me to Thy holy hill, And to Thy dwelling places. NAS Sissy, What do you mean regarding your husband when you write, "He is saved but out of church."? AO |
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33 | Are these words for today? | John 13:35 | Aspiring Overseer | 106700 | ||
Aixen, John 13:35 35"By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another." NAS The key to John 13:35 is to understand that not all people who today say they are Christians, actually are. Most people have no understanding of the Bible, especially the denominations you mention. Christians do in fact, love (agape) each other and have genuine compassion for those who are lost. They are also of the same mind in that there is no disagreement on any aspect of God's master plan between them. In the denominationalist, worldly Christian paradigm, John 13:35 becomes a very difficult saying, but to a member of Christ's body it is accepted and followed without question. P.S. All men will know Christ’s disciples at some time. If not during their life, certainly in death. AO |
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34 | How can I spiritually endure? | Psalm | Aspiring Overseer | 106694 | ||
Dear Angellove, This is the test a Christian faces, “How do I spiritually endure?”. The only way to accomplish this is to put truth into your mind so that evil is shoved aside. We know that light and darkness can not exist in the same location, thus by continual study and teaching a Christian keeps their mind free of fleshly lust. Their focus must be spiritual rather than worldly: Matt 6:19-22 19"Do not lay up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. 20"But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves do not break in or steal; 21for where your treasure is, there will your heart be also. 22"The lamp of the body is the eye; if therefore your eye is clear, your whole body will be full of light. NAS How do you lay up “treasures in heaven”, but through teaching others the truth. The wise man wins souls. Christians must master their tendency to sin through the renewing of their mind, or in other words, the study and practice of God’s commands, through which they become transformed to their “new self”, as effectual doers. Eph 4:19-24 20But you did not learn Christ in this way, 21if indeed you have heard Him and have been taught in Him, just as truth is in Jesus, 22that, in reference to your former manner of life, you lay aside the old self, which is being corrupted in accordance with the lusts of deceit, 23and that you be renewed in the spirit of your mind, 24and put on the new self, which in the likeness of God has been created in righteousness and holiness of the truth. NAS This means being an independent thinker in scripture, not dependent upon the opinions of others, as the Christian must be able to stand alone before God with a clear conscience for all he has done. During life, they must overcome their fleshly nature and prove to God that they understand and practice His will. Rom 12:1-2 2And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect. NAS In the end, the best course is to pray for guidance and an open mind. God is always faithful. AO |
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35 | What is Chiristmas? | Gen 1:1 | Aspiring Overseer | 106561 | ||
Holy, Christmas is a holiday created by man to celebrate the birth of Christ or, from a secular perspective, to enjoy the presence of family and friends. You ask if it is biblical, but I believe you already have your answer. God commands us throughout scripture not to add or take away from His word. Questions to consider: Would a holiday created by mankind, regardless of intent, be desired by God? Does God command Christians to honor Christ's birth? To what extent can a Christian participate (and promote) man-made practices to honor Christ, which are not directed by God? Some other food for thought: Why do many churches display nativity scenes? The scripture in Matthew which refers to the magi does not list a number nor does it allow for them to have visited Him in the manger. If both of these are distortions to fit the worldly religious version of Christmas, why would we expect anything different in the handling of scripture concerning salvation? AO |
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36 | what does "falling away" mean? | Heb 6:6 | Aspiring Overseer | 106315 | ||
Delirious, The best advice is to sincerely pray for help from God and keep an open mind to the truth. God will send you the help you need. AO |
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37 | Where does Scripture teach an exception? | John 4:14 | Aspiring Overseer | 103447 | ||
Tim, At the day of Pentecost, did the Apostles understand the gospel before they received the HS? In Acts chapter 1 were they not asking Jesus when He would restore the Kingdom to the Jews? They obviously had a very imperfect understanding UNTIL they received the HS. Then Peter immediately began to preach the gospel. Why did this happen, do you suppose? Did not the HS bring understanding of God's master plan that they before lacked (such as the command for water baptism)? Jumping ahead to the first Gentile conversion in Acts 10, God gives us the same pattern. First understanding, then obedience. Acts 10 tells us that this confirmed to the Apostles that the gospel was for both Jews and Gentiles. God did not want to vary the initial pattern, because it was instrumental in the Apostle’s understanding of God’s impartial nature. Acts 10 did not say that this pattern was to ever again happen. The Apostles knew that and responded accordingly. How? By preaching the proper steps to conversion. Not only Acts 2:38, but many other verses throughout, as I know you are aware. That is why incident after incident of conversion always includes water baptism. Paul mentioned it; Luke mentioned it; Peter mentioned it. Did these men mention it because it seemed like a good idea or because they were directed to write it by the HS? If by the HS, it follows that this is a command of God. John 14:15 15"If you love Me, you will keep My commandments. NAS AO |
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38 | All He taught apply only after He died | John 4:14 | Aspiring Overseer | 103346 | ||
Searcher, No, just in this instance as he is clearly talking about the Christian Age. Do you see this differently? AO |
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39 | AO, was His John 3 not in effect? | John 4:14 | Aspiring Overseer | 103318 | ||
Hi Searcher, What Jesus taught in John 3:1-21 does not pertain to the Old Testament, but the New. No one of the Jews was "born again" to enter the Kingdom of God. Jesus was instructing Nicodemus of the things to come AFTER His death and resurrection. Thus water baptism prior to the start of the Christian Church was not required. AO |
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40 | Under the Law but not under water? | John 4:14 | Aspiring Overseer | 103301 | ||
Radioman2, That is a fair question. What Law are Christians no longer under, but the Law of Moses. There was no requirement to be baptised under the Old Covenant, but there was several foreshadowings of the concept. Today, God's people receive their benefit, salvation, under a new law, the Law of Grace, established by the New Covenant. Part of that convenant is the command to be buried and resurrected like Christ. If Christ followed the commands of God, why should people today expect they can do anything less? AO |
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