Results 21 - 40 of 266
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Results from: Answers On or After: Thu 12/31/70 Author: John Reformed Ordered by Date |
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Results | Verse | Author | ID# | |||
21 | 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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22 | Perfect sacrifice plus something else | NT general Archive 1 | John Reformed | 99966 | ||
All that had been prophecied in the OT regarding the Messiah had to be fulfilled. John |
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23 | The innocent children being violated? | 2 Tim 3:1 | John Reformed | 99904 | ||
Dear Dalila, I am sure that all christians are shocked and dismayed by the horror that is at times inflicted on the innocent. Children especially. "Why Lord, we cry, did you allow such a thing to occur?". I have found my only recourse is to humble myself before my Creator and confess that He is God. 2 Cor 5:7 "for we walk by faith, not by sight". It is one thing to say I believe that He is all-wise, all-knowing, all-powerfull and that He rules over all. It is another thing to accept as His will tragedy and heart-break. Job 1:19-21 and behold, a great wind came from across the wilderness and struck the four corners of the house, and it fell on the young people and they died, and I alone have escaped to tell you." Then Job arose and tore his robe and shaved his head, and he fell to the ground and worshiped. He said, "Naked I came from my mother's womb, And naked I shall return there. The LORD gave and the LORD has taken away. Blessed be the name of the LORD." Rom 8:28 And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose. I hope this helps. John |
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24 | WHAT DOES THE #'s 1 - 7 STAND FOR? | Bible general Archive 2 | John Reformed | 99606 | ||
Dear Scott3SS, 1 Tim 4:1 But the Spirit explicitly says that in later times some will fall away from the faith, paying attention to deceitful spirits and doctrines of demons, Believe me, numerology is an occult science. You should flee from even dabbling with it. All we need to know is plainly written in the Bible. It takes perspiration and inspiration but IT is of God and numerology is definitely not! 2 Tim 3:16 All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; I pray that you will heed what God has written. John Reformed |
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25 | remnant and remainder? | Zeph 2:9 | John Reformed | 99592 | ||
Hi Mommapbs, I believe that it was common that to put emphasis on something the same word was repeated (truly, truly I say to you...). In this case the words are different but have the same meaning, so I believe the object was the same...emphasis. Holy, Holy, Holy is to take the emphasis to the Nth degree. John |
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26 | What is meant by under the earth? | Phil 2:10 | John Reformed | 99432 | ||
Paul was simply making the point that all of creation should offer worship and homage to Jesus Christ the Word of God through whom all things are made. Of course some will read into Scripture all sorts of strange new things. It tickles them! John Reformed |
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27 | Which chapters in Job ARE NOT true? | 2 Tim 3:16 | John Reformed | 99430 | ||
Dear TommyS, Why would you think any chapters in the Bible were not true? John Reformed |
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28 | Which words of Jesus are literal? | 2 Tim 3:16 | John Reformed | 99429 | ||
Dear TommyS, As in all literature, context is the key. For instance: John 6:35 Jesus said to them, "I am the bread of life; he who comes to Me will not hunger, and he who believes in Me will never thirst. Our Lord was speaking in a spiritual sense. He also said that He was "the bread of life". R.C. Sproul has a great little book on how to undestand the Bible. In the meantime rely on common sense and prayers for enlightenment. John Reformed |
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29 | animals in heaven | Genesis | John Reformed | 99428 | ||
Dear Roxy, The Bible does'nt give us an answer, yes or no. Either way we do know that Heaven will be where all the love that we have ever longed for will be. Personaly, I do hope there are animals in Heaven, and God certainly enjoys creating things to delight us with. Just look at all the animals on Earth. I don't see why they would't be any in Heaven. We'll just have to wait to find out for sure. God Bless, John Reformed |
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30 | Can anyone be converted? | Eph 2:3 | John Reformed | 99399 | ||
Dear Nolan, 'Unregenerate man is not interested in serving and glorifying God'. "But is that true? Is it true that an unregenerate man is not interested? Does he not search? Does he not try?" As you know, we are not permitted by God to make His Word conform to our conception of how things ought to be. Neither are we to draw conclusions from our own experience that contradict what Scripture clearly teaches. It may appear that a number of unregenerate people are sincerely seeking Him, but, Paul is adament saying... Rom 3:11,12 THERE IS NONE WHO UNDERSTANDS, THERE IS NONE WHO SEEKS FOR GOD; ALL HAVE TURNED ASIDE, TOGETHER THEY HAVE BECOME USELESS; THERE IS NONE WHO DOES GOOD, THERE IS NOT EVEN ONE." Many who appear to be reaching out to the one true God are in actuality busily constructing a god of their own; a false god which conforms to the way they think God should be. Take a long hard look at Romans Chapters one through three. You are absolutely right to point out that God's ways are mysterious. You spoke to the case of the wise men who sought His star and came to worship. But you may not use one passage of Scripture to contradict another. The fact that these men were seeking the God of the Bible indicates that they were among those chosen by God to be fashioned as vessels of honor. The fact that these men were seeking to worship the True God is evidence that they were regenerate gentiles whose faith was akin to that of the regenerate Jews; Abraham, Iaasic, Jacob, etc. Was “Mother Teresa” regenerate? If she indeed had recieved God's mercy, and through faith believed in Christ then the aswer woukd be yes. If all she had was works...No. "Can an unregenerate man never become a regenerate man? Can a Saul of Tarsus not become a Paul?" Unregenerate is a term that defines those who have not been born again. Regeneration is bestowed on the unregenerate according to God's good pleasure. Acts 11:18 When they heard this, they quieted down and glorified God, saying, "Well then, God has granted to the Gentiles also the repentance that leads to life." 2 Tim 2:25 with gentleness correcting those who are in opposition, if perhaps God may grant them repentance leading to the knowledge of the truth, "We must say, however, that they do “come up for a memorial before God” and they may cause God to send a Peter" Acts 10:1-2 Now there was a man at Caesarea named Cornelius, a centurion of what was called the Italian cohort, a devout man and one who feared God with all his household, and gave many alms to the Jewish people and prayed to God continually. Obviously, Cornelius had been granted repentance "leading to the knowledge of the truth," already and was not unregenerate. Heb 11:6 And 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. Have to go... John |
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31 | Dear John: Is it possible? | Eph 2:3 | John Reformed | 99281 | ||
Dear Noble, You asked: "In the same manner, do you think that the people who believe something different from you were pre-ordained to believe what they believe? If so, it will not be possible for them to change." Yes, I do believe that is true. 1 Cor 2:7,8 but we speak God's wisdom in a mystery, the hidden wisdom which God predestined before the ages to our glory; the wisdom which none of the rulers of this age has understood; for if they had understood it they would not have crucified the Lord of glory; Thank God that we are saved by grace, through faith in Christ alone and not based upon our perfectly understanding each doctrine taught by Scripture. If that were so, none would be saved. Unregenerate man is not interested in serving and glorifying God. His heart is wicked and desires only that which glorifies himself. Even what men consider good works, charity, self-sacrifice, etc. are good things in themselves but unless they are done for the greater glory of God, they are done for the glory of the individual. They are "dead works". The only way one may change is by the gracious mercy of God. The purpose of this discussion (at least as I see it) is to glorify God by seeking to know Him as He is, and, to grow in awe of His majesty and love for the saints. John |
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32 | Dear John: Is it possible? | Eph 2:3 | John Reformed | 99267 | ||
"Do you believe that you were pre-ordained to believe what you believe? If so, it seems it will not be possible for you to change your mind." Yes. Based upon my reading of Scripture, My understanding is that the ability of anyone to believe the truth is by the grace of God. Eph 1:3-6 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ, just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we would be holy and blameless before Him. In love He predestined us to adoption as sons through Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the kind intention of His will, to the praise of the glory of His grace, which He freely bestowed on us in the Beloved. "If so, it seems it will not be possible for you to change your mind." If it is God's will that I continue to hold to these doctrines, I will. But knowing about God does not compare to knowing God Himself in a personal way. I trust that He will hold me and keep me, nevertheless, I must work out my salvation with fear and trembling. I must examine my heart daily. The way I see it is this. I know that God is in control of my life and that everthing that happens happens for a reason (in accordance to His eternal plan) but I must act AS IF it depends on me. In other words, I must strive to keep His commandments and to follow His teaching to the limit of my ability, knowing I am totally dependent on His grace to do anything that would please Him. I must run the race; put to death the deeds of the flesh etc. I have to go for now, but will attempt to answer more fully later. God willing! John |
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33 | God is not the author of evil. | Job | John Reformed | 99030 | ||
Perhaps this article by John Piper will help How God governs all events in the universe without sinning, and without removing responsibility from man, and with compassionate outcomes is mysterious indeed! But that is what the Bible teaches. God "works all things after the counsel of his will" (Ephesians 1:11). This "all things" includes the fall of sparrows (Matthew 10:29), the rolling of dice (Proverbs 16:33), the slaughter of his people (Psalm 44:11), the decisions of kings (Proverbs 21:1), the failing of sight (Exodus 4:11), the sickness of children (2 Samuel 12:15), the loss and gain of money (1 Samuel 2:7), the suffering of saints (1 Peter 4:19), the completion of travel plans (James 4:15), the persecution of Christians (Hebrews 12:4-7), the repentance of souls (2 Timothy 2:25), the gift of faith (Philippians 1:29), the pursuit of holiness (Philippians 3:12-13), the growth of believers (Hebrews 6:3), the giving of life and the taking in death (1 Samuel 2:6), and the crucifixion of his Son (Acts 4:27-28). From the smallest thing to the greatest thing, good and evil, happy and sad, pagan and Christian, pain and pleasure - God governs them all for his wise and just and good purposes (Isaiah 46:10). Lest we miss the point, the Bible speaks most clearly to this in the most painful situations. Amos asks, in time of disaster, "If a calamity occurs in a city has not the LORD done it?" (Amos 3:6). After losing all ten of his children in the collapse of his son's house, Job says, "The LORD gave and the LORD has taken away. Blessed be the name of the LORD" (Job 1:21). After being covered with boils he says, "Shall we indeed accept good from God and not accept adversity?" (Job 2:10). Oh, yes, Satan is real and active and involved in this world of woe! In fact Job 2:7 says, "Satan went out from the presence of the LORD and smote Job with sore boils from the sole of his foot to the crown of his head." Satan struck him. But Job did not get comfort from looking at secondary causes. He got comfort from looking at the ultimate cause. "Shall we not accept adversity from God?" And the author of the book agrees with Job when he says that Job's brothers and sisters "consoled him and comforted him for all the adversities that the LORD had brought on him" (Job 42:11). Then James underlines God's purposeful goodness in Job's misery: "You have heard of the endurance of Job and have seen the outcome of the Lord's dealings, that the Lord is full of compassion and is merciful" (James 5:11). Job himself concludes in prayer: "I know that You can do all things, and that no purpose of Yours can be thwarted" (Job 42:2). Yes, Satan is real, and he is terrible - and he is on a leash. John |
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34 | suffering is God's will? | Job | John Reformed | 98977 | ||
Dear Parable, God could have commanded Satan not to touch Job at all. But instead He gave Satan permission to afflict Job with one restriction. Satan could not put his hand on Job. What Satan meant for evil, God meant for good. God rules over all things bringing forth good out of evil.Nothing happens that God did not intend to happen. We serve a Mighty God!!! John |
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35 | Who have "once been enlightened"? | Heb 6:4 | John Reformed | 98969 | ||
Some say they are christians and others say they are not. I believe that regardless of who is right, this chapter does not teach that a child of God may lose the gift of eternal life. Christ Himself is the "author and finisher" of our faith and His work is always perfect. There are many verses in the New Testament that support the doctrine of the preservation of the saints. Those who would attempt to overturn this doctrine must hurdle an awful lot of scripture to do so. This doctrine (in a nut shell) is: Perseverance of the Saints is a doctrine which states that the saints (those whom God has saved) will remain in God's hand until they are glorified and brought to abide with him in heaven. Romans 8:28-39 makes it clear that when a person truly has been regenerated by God, he will remain in God's stead. The work of sanctification which God has brought about in his elect will continue until it reaches its fulfillment in eternal life (Phil. 1:6). Christ assures the elect that he will not lose them and that they will be glorified at the "last day" (John 6:39). The Calvinist stands upon the Word of God and trusts in Christ's promise that he will perfectly fulfill the will of the Father in saving all the elect. (http://www.reformed.org/calvinism/) God Bless, John Reformed |
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36 | personal prophecy | Bible general Archive 2 | John Reformed | 98966 | ||
Dear terryandangie, The reason it sounds weird is because it is weird! Heb 1:1,2 God, after He spoke long ago to the fathers in the prophets in many portions and in many ways, in these last days has spoken to us in His Son, whom He appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the world. Think about it...if there were men today who were speaking on the behalf of God to His people, should'nt those messages be recorded and added in the form of additional books of the Bible? If it were'nt so sad it would be funny. Stick with the Bible and ignore these self-proclaimed prophets. God Bless, John Reformed |
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37 | "objects of wrath" | Eph 2:3 | John Reformed | 98877 | ||
Dear NC, Permit me to modify my initial answer. The term as used in romans 9 differs from it's use in Eph 2. Rom 9 adds the modifier "prepared for destruction" to "objects of wrath". I don't believe that this distinction should be overlooked. I apologize for not being clearer from the start. John |
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38 | "objects of wrath" | Eph 2:3 | John Reformed | 98727 | ||
Dear NC, Romans 9 22What if God, choosing to show his wrath and make his power known, bore with great patience the objects of his wrath--prepared for destruction? 23What if he did this to make the riches of his glory known to the objects of his mercy, whom he prepared in advance for glory-- You concluded "From the following verse it appears that even the saved were (past tense) "objects of wrath" It seems, here at least, that being an "object of wrath" is not an fixed unmoveable condition." I think you are making a mistake that we all make from time to time, that is, reading our pre-suppositions into the text and forgetting to consider the preceeding verses. Paul had stated in Rom 9:14 What shall we say then? There is no injustice with God, is there? May it never be! (15) For He says to Moses, "I WILL HAVE MERCY ON WHOM I HAVE MERCY, AND I WILL HAVE COMPASSION ON WHOM I HAVE COMPASSION." (16)So then it does not depend on the man who wills or the man who runs, but on God who has mercy. Paul, knowing that his statement will bring surprise and protest from some, anticipates their objection and states the anticipated question, then answers it for them it for them: Rom 9:19 You will say to me then, "Why does He still find fault? For who resists His will?" Rom 9:20 On the contrary, who are you, O man, who answers back to God? The thing molded will not say to the molder, "Why did you make me like this," will it? Paul then ( so as to humble the objectors) reminds them what they are, and Who God is! They perhaps, were of the opinion that they (lumps of clay) had a right to protest over God’s (The Potter) right to form them according to His purpose alone. They thought they had “rights “ which superceded those of their Maker! Paul sets them straight. I believe it is important to remember that those who were not chosen by God to receive mercy have no right to protest because all have freely sinned and deserve only His justice. My advise is…don’t complicate this chapter by reading into it that which it does not say. John |
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39 | Did Judas have to betray Jesus? | Acts 4:1 | John Reformed | 98591 | ||
Dear TooToo, Acts 4:27,28 "For truly in this city there were gathered together against Your holy servant Jesus, whom You anointed, both Herod and Pontius Pilate, along with the Gentiles and the peoples of Israel, to do whatever Your hand and Your purpose predestined to occur. Gen 50:20 "As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good in order to bring about this present result, to preserve many people alive..." Judas did what he did out of the desire of his own wicked heart. Nevertheless, his actions were a part of God's eternal plan for His creation. It is by God's mercy, that those who are called by God, have escaped from the same fate as Judas. Judas will experience God's justice; the "elect", His mercy. John Reformed |
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40 | What about those who have never heard of | NT general Archive 1 | John Reformed | 98284 | ||
What about those who have never heard of Christ? No one is is either lost or saved apart from God's eternal purpose. Those who never have heard of Christ have not been drawn by God. No one can come to Me (Christ) unless the Father draws them. (John 6) God has not ordained that all shall recieve His mercy. Some do and others don't. Does this seem unfair? See Romans 9. Keep in mind the fact that all who die without Christ are guilty of sin. It is not unfair that lawbreakers are punished for what they have done. God owes man NOTHING! If He chooses to save some and to allow others to die in teir sin, He is pefectly justified in doing just that. "Where is Gods mercy in eternal damnation of a people for the traditions of their fathers?" His mercy cannot be demanded, it is ginen according to His good pleasure. Salvation is by grace and is given for the same reason; It pleased Him so to do.(Rom 9) "One thing to remember, God is not the authory of confusion, Christs teachings are more meaningful if using commonsense in reading" Commonsense is a good thing, but, without the enlightenment of the Spirit man cannot understand His teaching at all. John Reformed |
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