Results 21 - 40 of 344
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Results from: Answers On or After: Thu 12/31/70 Author: Lionstrong Ordered by Date |
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Results | Verse | Author | ID# | |||
21 | Reformers Say God's Mot. Of Salvatation? | Bible general Archive 4 | Lionstrong | 215443 | ||
The best authoritative source of reformed theology is the the Westminster Confession of Faith. You can read the text of this reformed statement of faith at http://www.pcanet.org/general/cof_preface.htm Regarding what we teach about God's motivation I would direct you to Ephesians 1:5,6, "IN LOVE (my emphasis) He predestined us to adoption as sons through Jesus Christ to Himself, ACCORDING TO THE KIND INTENTION OF HIS WILL (my emphasis), TO THE PRAISE OF THE GLORY OF HIS GRACE (my emphasis), which He freely bestowed on us in the Beloved." |
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22 | Clarity of God's Existence | Rom 1:19 | Lionstrong | 208165 | ||
No, I don't, "for God made it evident to them." (Rom 1:19) What the unbeliever needs is not proof of God's existance. What he needs is to understand and believe the Gospel. Neither in the Romams 1 passage or anywhere else in Scripture is the existance of God argued for. The Apostle Paul says here that God has already made His attributes evident to them. So, the unbeliever knows God and is without excuse. Rom 1:20 For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made, so that they are without excuse. Howerver, what the unbeliever does not know is the Gospel, that salvation from the wrath of God and eternal life are a free gift by faith in Chirst. Paul does not argue the existance of God, but he does very ernestly argue the free grace of God for eight chapters in the letter to the Romans. Rom 5:9 Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from the wrath of God through Him. Rom 6:23 For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. Rom 10:13 for "WHOEVER WILL CALL ON THE NAME OF THE LORD WILL BE SAVED." Rom 10:14 How then will they call on Him in whom they have not believed? How will they believe in Him whom they have not heard? And how will they hear without a preacher? Mark 1:15 and saying, "The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel." |
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23 | Saved or not ? | Jer 17:9 | Lionstrong | 189074 | ||
2Tim. 2:19 Nevertheless, the firm foundation of God stands, having this seal, “The Lord knows those who are His,” and, “Everyone who names the name of the Lord is to abstain from wickedness.” You cannot know if a person is saved. But you can be assured of your own salvation. 1John 5:13 ¶ These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, so that you may know that you have eternal life. The purpose of church disciple is not to determine who's saved or not, but to restore an erring member. Matt. 18:15 ¶ “If your brother sins, go and show him his fault in private; if he listens to you, you have won your brother. (and what follows) We cannot know who's saved, because we cannot see the heart. We can only judge by the outward things, that is, what a man says or what he does. Only God knows the heart of man. 1Sam. 16:7 But the LORD said to Samuel, “Do not look at his appearance or at the height of his stature, because I have rejected him; for God sees not as man sees, for man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.” Acts 15:8 “And God, who knows the heart, testified to them giving them the Holy Spirit, just as He also did to us; |
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24 | who does God say he is? | Bible general Archive 3 | Lionstrong | 189072 | ||
This is only a sample of who God says He is, and what His people refer to Him as. God Himself: Gen. 15:1 ¶ After these things the word of the LORD came to Abram in a vision, saying, “Do not fear, Abram, I am a shield to you; Your reward shall be very great.” Ex. 3:13 ¶ Then Moses said to God, “Behold, I am going to the sons of Israel, and I will say to them, ‘The God of your fathers has sent me to you.’ Now they may say to me, ‘What is His name?’ What shall I say to them?” Ex. 3:14 God said to Moses, “I AM WHO I AM”; and He said, “Thus you shall say to the sons of Israel, ‘I AM has sent me to you.’” Ex. 3:16 “Go and gather the elders of Israel together and say to them, ‘The LORD, the God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, has appeared to me, saying, “I am indeed concerned about you and what has been done to you in Egypt. Ex. 34:6 Then the LORD passed by in front of him and proclaimed, “The LORD, the LORD God, compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in lovingkindness and truth; Ex. 34:7 who keeps lovingkindness for thousands, who forgives iniquity, transgression and sin; yet He will by no means leave the guilty unpunished, visiting the iniquity of fathers on the children and on the grandchildren to the third and fourth generations.” Is. 45:21 “Declare and set forth your case; Indeed, let them consult together. Who has announced this from of old? Who has long since declared it? Is it not I, the LORD? And there is no other God besides Me, A righteous God and a Savior; There is none except Me. John 8:12 ¶ Then Jesus again spoke to them, saying, “I am the Light of the world; he who follows Me will not walk in the darkness, but will have the Light of life.” John 10:9 “I am the door; if anyone enters through Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture. John 10:11 ¶ “I am the good shepherd; the good shepherd lays down His life for the sheep. John 14:6 Jesus *said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me. Rev. 22:12 ¶ “Behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to render to every man according to what he has done. Rev. 22:13 “I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end.” God’s People: Gen. 14:22 Abram said to the king of Sodom, “I have sworn to the LORD God Most High, possessor of heaven and earth, Gen. 31:42 “If the God of my father, the God of Abraham, and the fear of Isaac, had not been for me, surely now you would have sent me away empty-handed. God has seen my affliction and the toil of my hands, so He rendered judgment last night.” Psa. 23:1 ¶ The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not want. Psa. 31:5 Into Your hand I commit my spirit; You have ransomed me, O LORD, God of truth. Rom. 15:6 so that with one accord you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. 1Tim. 1:17 Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen. Titus 2:13 looking for the blessed hope and the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Christ Jesus, Rev. 17:14 “These will wage war against the Lamb, and the Lamb will overcome them, because He is Lord of lords and King of kings, and those who are with Him are the called and chosen and faithful.” |
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25 | Significance to Tree of Life? | Gen 2:9 | Lionstrong | 183644 | ||
Hello, Convict! I'm glad my thoughts on God's Word are still getting some circulation! The discussion I was refering to is ID no. 9915. Hope it helps! Peace in the Lamb, Lionstrong |
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26 | How does Gen 1:27 compare to Rev 21:3? | Rev 21:1 | Lionstrong | 181002 | ||
This is not an answer to your question. I'm just wondering why you call it an "Eternal World?" It was created too, just like this world. The Bible calls it a NEW earth not an eternal earth. God is eternal because He has no beginning and He does not exist in time. He is the only eternal. All else is created and has a beginning. Granted, the new earth will have no end, but it would be incorrect to call it eternal. Besides, Man himself will be a new creation. (2 Cor 5:17 Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come.) And before the Fall man lived in the presence of God (Gen 3:8 They heard the sound of the LORD God walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and the man and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the LORD God among the trees of the garden.) as he will again in the new heaven and earth. |
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27 | How can you prove God exists? | Rom 1:20 | Lionstrong | 175627 | ||
There is no way to prove that God exists. The tradition of proving the existence of God comes down to us from great pagan philosopher Aristotle through THE theologian of Roman Catholic Church Thomas Aquinas to a large host of Protestant theologians. In fact, proving the existence of God is not a concern of the inspired writers of God's word. You won't find it there. Rom. 1:20 is not an endorsement of classical apologetics. It does not say that we can look at the so called evidence and be forced to conclude that the God of Abraham "exists." What it says is that all men know God because He has REVEALED Himself to them. In other words the knowledge of the God of the Bible is innate, and He will hold all men accountable for suppressing what they already know of Him. While the Bible spends no time trying to prove that the God of our Lord Jesus is the only true God (John 17:3), it does spend a lot of time giving evidence that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God. John 20:30, 31, "Therefore many other signs Jesus also performed in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book; but these have been written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing you may have life in His name." Arguing the person and work of Christ, not God's existence, is the concern of the Bible. Acts 18:28 for he powerfully refuted the Jews in public, demonstrating by the Scriptures that Jesus was the Christ. John 5:39, "You search the SCRIPTURES because you think that in them you have eternal life; it is THESE THAT TESTIFY ABOUT ME." (my capitalization) |
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28 | the Bible Alone | 2 Thess 2:15 | Lionstrong | 170914 | ||
So if we're not going to go by God's word alone, why stop at church tradition? Why not throw in the Book of Mormon and the Koran as well? If the knowledge revealed in the Word of God alone is NOT sufficient for "everything pertaining to life and godliness" (2 Pet 1:3), why not use any source? And if you appeal to the Scriptures (which can no longer be your only source of authority) to answer my question, then need I point out the contradiction? Is 8:20 To the law and to the testimony! If they do not speak according to this word, it is because they have no dawn. |
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29 | Suffering and God's providence | Bible general Archive 3 | Lionstrong | 162276 | ||
To ask, "How do I trust God in this matter," is saying, "I do not believe God in this matter, even though I want to; how can I come to believe Him in this matter knowing that God has called us to suffer?" (1 Pet. 2:21) I've generalized the question to give a general answer. 1. the Word: Study it; sit under the preaching of it, and remember the suffering of the Lord (in communion). "faith comes by hearing" Rom 10. As you take in His word trust God that His Holy Spirit will give you the faith to believe God in the midst of suffering. (I found great comfort from the word of God when my son died.) 2. Pray: the Lord's prayer (particularly, "and lead us not into tempation"); pray for understanding and wisdom. (James 1 - asking for wisdom in the context of suffering) |
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30 | Age for baptism? | Bible general Archive 3 | Lionstrong | 157604 | ||
Presbyterians view Christian baptism like the OT circumcision. It is a sign of the covenant. (Gen 17:10 "This is My covenant, which you shall keep, between Me and you and your descendants after you: every male among you shall be circumcised.) All the males eight days old and older in Abraham's household were circumsized, not just older kids and adults. (Gen 17:12 "And every male among you who is eight days old shall be circumcised throughout your generations, a servant who is born in the house or who is bought with money from any foreigner, who is not of your descendants.) In the new Testament the same pattern is followed. (Acts 2:39 "For the promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off, as many as the Lord our God will call to Himself.") If the head of the household got saved his whole household was baptised. This would include infants. Acts 16:31 They said, "Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household." Acts 16:32 And they spoke the word of the Lord to him together with all who were in his house. Acts 16:33 And he took them that very hour of the night and washed their wounds, and immediately he was baptized, he and all his household. |
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31 | How much wood could Issac carry? | Gen 22:7 | Lionstrong | 157602 | ||
Gen 22:6 Abraham took the wood of the burnt offering and laid it on Isaac his son, and he took in his hand the fire and the knife. So the two of them walked on together. Gen 22:7 Isaac spoke to Abraham his father and said, "My father!" And he said, "Here I am, my son." And he said, "Behold, the fire and the wood, but where is the lamb for the burnt offering?" See verse 7. He probably carried enough wood for a lamb, but enough not for a human sacrifice. They might have expected to find more wood at the place of sacrifice if they had need for more. The probably needed more wood after all, since God provided a ram in Isaac's place. You'll notice that the ram was caught in a thicket (v. 13). So, they had more stuff at that location that they could use to burn the sacrifice. |
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32 | where can I find step out in faith | 2 Tim 2:15 | Lionstrong | 157572 | ||
If "step out on faith" means to justify any irrational act a person might do in the name of Christ, then you then you'll find this concept in Romans ten where the Apostle Paul says, "For I testify about them that they have a zeal for God, but not in accordance with knowledge." While it is true that a Christian is convinced of things "not seen," (Heb 11:1) faith is never "blind." it acts "in accordance with knowledge," the knowledge of God's word, the knowledge of God's promises in Christ. God's word is the light to our path. Believing God's word we courageously step out, doing his word. (Josh 1:7 "Only be strong and very courageous; be careful to do according to all the law...) Yes, we are blind to our immediate future, but we trust Him who works out all things for the good. Our faith does not see the immediate future, "but we do see Him who was made for a little while lower than the angels, namely, Jesus.(Heb 2:9) Biblical faith is never irrational or blind. Biblical faith is always based on the knowledge of God's word. Biblical faith is the faith of Abraham. God made promises to him and he courageously acted on them. "For the promise to Abraham or to his descendants that he would be heir of the world was not through the Law, but through the righteousness of faith. For if those who are of the Law are heirs, faith is made void and the promise is nullified; for the Law brings about wrath, but where there is no law, there also is no violation. For this reason it is by faith, in order that it may be in accordance with grace, so that the promise will be guaranteed to all the descendants, not only to those who are of the Law, but also to those who are of the faith of Abraham, who is the father of us all, (as it is written, "A FATHER OF MANY NATIONS HAVE I MADE YOU") in the presence of Him whom he believed, even God, who gives life to the dead and calls into being that which does not exist. In hope against hope he believed, so that he might become a father of many nations according to that which had been spoken, "SO SHALL YOUR DESCENDANTS BE." Without becoming weak in faith he contemplated his own body, now as good as dead since he was about a hundred years old, and the deadness of Sarah's womb; yet, with respect to the promise of God, he did not waver in unbelief but grew strong in faith, giving glory to God, and being fully assured that what God had promised, He was able also to perform." Rom 4:13-21 |
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33 | Did American Revolution violate Rom 13:1 | Rom 13:1 | Lionstrong | 157562 | ||
I was listening to a lecture that touched on this very question. The subject was the Biblical view of government. The speaker answered your question with a no. But first he made a distinction between rebellion and disobedience. On the basis of Rom 13 rebellion or resistance on the level of the private citizen or subject is sin. And disobedience is right only if it's a matter of disobeying a sinful law. We must obey God rather than man. (Acts 5:29, "But Peter and the apostles answered, "We must obey God rather than men."") He argued that while resistance was always sin on the private level, resistance by a lesser magistrate against evils of a higher magistrate was not sin. He maintained that the American Revolution was not a private rebellion, but one conducted by the elected or appointed magistrates of the colonies. You can download the lecture entitled Political Philosophy: Biblical Answers at www.trinitylectures.org/MP3_downloads.php |
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34 | Confused of the 10 Commandments. | Rom 13:8 | Lionstrong | 157387 | ||
Rom 13:8 Owe nothing to anyone except to love one another; for he who loves his neighbor has fulfilled the law. Rom 13:9 For this, "YOU SHALL NOT COMMIT ADULTERY, YOU SHALL NOT MURDER, YOU SHALL NOT STEAL, YOU SHALL NOT COVET," and if there is any other commandment, it is summed up in this saying, "YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF." Rom 13:10 Love does no wrong to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfillment of the law. The reason the all Ten Commandments are not repeated in one place in the New Testament is because there was no need for a new set of moral laws. The Law of God as given to God's people in the days of Moses is good enough for God's people today. The Apostle Paul says, "the Law is holy, and the commandment is holy and righteous and good." (Rom 7:12) So the Ten Commandments still stand as the moral standard for God's people today. It's still sin to have another god, to make idols, to blaspheme, to work seven days a week, to dishonor your parents, to murder, commit adultery, steal, bear false witness and covet what belongs to others. All the commands in the New Testament are based on the Ten Commandments. A few verses for your consideration: Matt 5:17 "Do not think that I came to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I did not come to abolish but to fulfill. Matt 5:18 "For truly I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not the smallest letter or stroke shall pass from the Law until all is accomplished. Matt 5:19 "Whoever then annuls one of the least of these commandments, and teaches others to do the same, shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever keeps and teaches them, he shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven. Eph 6:1 Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. Eph 6:2 HONOR YOUR FATHER AND MOTHER (which is the first commandment with a promise), Eph 6:3 SO THAT IT MAY BE WELL WITH YOU, AND THAT YOU MAY LIVE LONG ON THE EARTH. 1 Tim 1:6 For some men, straying from these things, have turned aside to fruitless discussion, 1 Tim 1:7 wanting to be teachers of the Law, even though they do not understand either what they are saying or the matters about which they make confident assertions. 1 Tim 1:8 But we know that the Law is good, if one uses it lawfully, 1 Tim 1:9 realizing the fact that law is not made for a righteous person, but for those who are lawless and rebellious, for the ungodly and sinners, for the unholy and profane, for those who kill their fathers or mothers, for murderers 1 Tim 1:10 and immoral men and homosexuals and kidnappers and liars and perjurers, and whatever else is contrary to sound teaching, 1 Tim 1:11 according to the glorious gospel of the blessed God, with which I have been entrusted. 1 John 3:4 Everyone who practices sin also practices lawlessness; and sin is lawlessness. 1 John 5:21 Little children, guard yourselves from idols. So, you see that the Ten Commandments are also directed to God's people today. They have not been abolished. |
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35 | what 2 gigantic creations are in 40 ,41 | Bible general Archive 3 | Lionstrong | 157222 | ||
Chapters 40 and 41 of what book of the Bible? | ||||||
36 | who is jesus? | Bible general Archive 3 | Lionstrong | 157216 | ||
Just a few verses about who Jesus is: Matt 1:21 "She will bear a Son; and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins." ************************* Gal 4:4 But when the fullness of the time came, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the Law, *********************** Matt 16:13-16 Now when Jesus came into the district of Caesarea Philippi, He was asking His disciples, "Who do people say that the Son of Man is?" And they said, "Some say John the Baptist; and others, Elijah; but still others, Jeremiah, or one of the prophets." He *said to them, "But who do you say that I am?" Simon Peter answered, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God." ***************************** John 20:30 Therefore many other signs Jesus also performed in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book; John 20:31 but these have been written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing you may have life in His name. ************************ Acts 2:22-24 "Men of Israel, listen to these words: Jesus the Nazarene, a man attested to you by God with miracles and wonders and signs which God performed through Him in your midst, just as you yourselves know-- this Man, delivered over by the predetermined plan and foreknowledge of God, you nailed to a cross by the hands of godless men and put Him to death. "But God raised Him up again, putting an end to the agony of death, since it was impossible for Him to be held in its power. ************************** Col 2:9,10 For in Him all the fullness of Deity dwells in bodily form,and in Him you have been made complete, and He is the head over all rule and authority; ************************ Titus 2:13 looking for the blessed hope and the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Christ Jesus, *********************** Heb 1:1-3 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. And He is the radiance of His glory and the exact representation of His nature, and upholds all things by the word of His power. When He had made purification of sins, He sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high, **************************** Acts 4:10-12 let it be known to all of you and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead--by this name this man stands here before you in good health. "He is the STONE WHICH WAS REJECTED by you, THE BUILDERS, but WHICH BECAME THE CHIEF CORNER stone. "And there is salvation in no one else; for there is no other name under heaven that has been given among men by which we must be saved." |
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37 | Isn't the main point volition | Gen 3:1 | Lionstrong | 154030 | ||
Hi Bob, Please excuse the brevity of this answer. Man is not an animal. If one would look at the classifications of created things he finds in Genesis chapter one (I think a posted something along this line) he would come up with several. For example, on the fifth day God created living creatures that occupy the waters. The variety of these creatures is beyond the imagination! The same is true of those creatures he made to occupy the sky. Here you have two biblical classifications -- fish of the sea and birds of the air. But the final classification, the thing God created last is something that only one creature occupies. It is in a class by itself. It is the class of the image of God and the only creature that occupies that classification is man. The animals belong to different classes such as water, air, cattle and creeping things (v.26). Man belongs to none of those classes. Man is not an animal. Non-believers of our culture do not see man as the image of God. Man is seen as a smart animal or a machine. To our culture the difference between man and non-man is only a matter of degrees. This is not the biblical view. Man is unique among all God’s creatures. He is made in God’s image and has been give benevolent dominion over the earth and will judge angels. Yes, there are similarities in the bodies of men and animals, but that is because God has made us to live in the same environment. And the image of God is not man’s body. My point about animals is that they are not rational. They have not understanding. They do not think. “Animal intelligence” is only an expression. And I also need to add that animals are not made in the image of God nor in any degree of the image of God. I agree that a human person has thought, will and emotion. You think man is an animal and that other animals can think and emote but not choose, and that this inability to choose separates man from the “other” animals. I see no biblical basis for classifying man as an animal. And he is not an animal. He is the image of God. What distinguishes man from the animal is his rational mind, which is the image of God. Moral choices cannot be made without a rational mind. Animals cannot be immoral. One must understand the command of God in order to keep it. Adam understood and transgressed. |
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38 | How does God say to keep his law? | Gal 3:3 | Lionstrong | 153959 | ||
Gal 3:3 Are you so foolish? Having begun by the Spirit, are you now being perfected by the flesh? You are right Andrea, We are to keep God's law. The question is how. Let me give you the answer and then explain it. God says that we are to keep his law by Grace through Faith in the power of the Holy Spirit. The Law is holy, righteous and good. (Rom 7:12 So then, the Law is holy, and the commandment is holy and righteous and good.) It teaches us what sin is. (Rom 3:20 ... for through the Law comes the knowledge of sin.) It also teaches us the good works God requires of us. (Rom 7:19, 22 For the good that I want, I do not do, but I practice the very evil that I do not want.... For I joyfully concur with the law of God in the inner man...) The Law leads us to Christ. (Gal 3:24 Therefore the Law has become our tutor to lead us to Christ, so that we may be justified by faith.) But we both know that keeping the law cannot save us from the wrath of God nor give us eternal life. (Gal 3:21 Is the Law then contrary to the promises of God? May it never be! For if a law had been given which was able to impart life, then righteousness would indeed have been based on law.) The Law has its place, but its place is not to save us. Only God can do that. Only God can make us just. (Rom 8:3 For what the Law could not do, weak as it was through the flesh, God did... Rom 3:28 For we maintain that a man is justified by faith apart from works of the Law.) If we try to keep God's Law apart from Christ, then we are under the Law's condemnation. (Rom 8:1 Therefore there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.) Only by faith in Christ alone are we no longer under the Law's condemnation. (Rom 6:14 For sin shall not be master over you, for you are not under law but under grace.) When we believe in Christ, He gives us God the Holy Spirit. (Rom 5:1,5 Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ,.... and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us.) So, it is only by the Grace of God through faith in Jesus Christ in the power of the Holy Spirit that we are to keep God's Law. Eph 2:8-10 For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works..." |
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39 | Distiction in "will" not "rationality" | Gen 3:1 | Lionstrong | 153954 | ||
Rom 1:21 24 For even though they knew God, they did not honor Him as God or give thanks, but they became futile in their speculations, and their foolish heart was darkened.... Therefore God gave them over in the lusts of their hearts to impurity, so that their bodies would be dishonored among them. Luke 12:47 "And that slave who knew his master's will and did not get ready or act in accord with his will, will receive many lashes, Luke 12:48 but the one who did not know it, and committed deeds worthy of a flogging, will receive but few. From everyone who has been given much, much will be required; and to whom they entrusted much, of him they will ask all the more. RWC, I'm glad to see that my posts are still getting some circulation! But you're right! No one so far has proposed the will as that which distinguishes men and angels from the rest of creation. And I'm surprised that no one of the "free will" persuasion ever brought up your observation. But I will have to respectfully disagree. The uniqueness of men and angels is not their volition, their ability to choose; and the image of God in man is not the will. As the above quoted passages demonstrate, knowledge, not will, is the basis of responsibility. "Therefore, to one who knows the right thing to do and does not do it, to him it is sin," James says. (James 4:17) Knowledge requires rationality, understanding. This, animals do not have. Ps 32:9 says, "Do not be as the horse or as the mule which have no understanding." So, the image of God is not the will, but rationality. |
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40 | How to recieve the Holy Spirit? | Eph 1:13 | Lionstrong | 153317 | ||
Rom 5:1 Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, Rom 5:2 through whom also we have obtained our introduction by faith into this grace in which we stand; and we exult in hope of the glory of God. Rom 5:3 And not only this, but we also exult in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance; Rom 5:4 and perseverance, proven character; and proven character, hope; Rom 5:5 and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us. Davis, First, as this passage above teaches, all believers in Jesus are given the Holy Spirit as a gift (who is a person, not a thing. Notice the pronoun "who" above.) As Brad pointed out, it is by Him we are "sealed" for salvation. It is also by Him that we are washed (baptized) and regenerated (born again) and renewed. Titus 3:5,6 says, "He saved us, not on the basis of deeds which we have done in righteousness, but according to His mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit, whom He poured out upon us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior," The Romans passage above also points out the big three evidences of the presence of the Holy Spirit, namely, faith, hope and love. Read it again. These big three are also repeated in the very passage where the Apostle Paul teaches the relative UNIMPORTANCE of tongues, 1 Cor 12 and 13, which concludes with, "But now faith, hope, love, abide these three; but the greatest of these is love." The real evidence of the indwelling Holy Spirit is a life of faith, hope and love. As Titus 3:5,6 says you cannot get saved without the Spirit and Romans says that you cannot BE saved without the Holy Spirit: "However, you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you. But if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Him." (Rom 8:9) So you don't receive the gift of the Holy Spirit sometime AFTER you're saved. God through Christ gives you the Holy Spirit WHEN you're saved. The Holy Spirit does not give everyone the gift of tongues. You DON'T have to read 1 Corinthians 12 and 13 very carefully to see this. He gives different gifts to different believers so that we can all use our different gifts to build up one another. Eph 4:11 And He gave some as apostles, and some as prophets, and some as evangelists, and some as pastors and teachers, Eph 4:12 for the equipping of the saints for the work of service, to the building up of the body of Christ; Don't get caught up in seeking sensational experiences as proof of God in your life. God has not called us to a life of sensationalism (1 Tim 2:2 ... so that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity.) A life of quite obedience is the way to experience God and be assured of his salvation. Listen to what Jesus says, "He who has My commandments and keeps them is the one who loves Me; and he who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and will disclose Myself to him." (John 14:21) And loving God is impossible without the indwelling of His Holy Spirit. Peace, |
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