Results 21 - 40 of 562
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Results | Verse | Author | ID# | |||
21 | What is a repentance from dead works? | Heb 6:1 | Rowdy | 133595 | ||
I like the attitude of your first paragraph. We absolutely MUST not think that ANYTHING we do or say could possibly be more than "filthy rags;" I agree wholeheartedly. HOWEVER that does NOT mean that we can think for a single moment that we get into Heaven without doing them. Our "faith without works is dead" per James 2. So we must reconcile this conundrum by doing the works BUT with a proper attitude as if we were slaves, mere servants to our Lord for that's what we are. He bought and paid for us with His Own Dear and Precious Blood. His was the only thing that could have been used to make such a purchase. So we owe Him everything we are, everything we own and everything we can hope to be or to accomplish. That brings us back to doing good deeds in His name as we're commanded. Col 3:17 Whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father. I hope this helps and God bless. Rowdy |
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22 | Question for Rowdy.... | Acts 2:38 | Rowdy | 133594 | ||
I'd like to think your statement would be conclusive except for verses like Mark 16:16 and Acts 2:38. No, my friend, I'm afraid the Bible is very clear on the matter. If a person wants to be certain of his salvation, at least as certain as he can be on this side of Judgment Day, then we have to follow ALL of God's Word. God bless. Rowdy |
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23 | Question for Rowdy.... | Acts 2:38 | Rowdy | 133578 | ||
As I noted in another post, Country Gir is my wife and I neglected to change the automatic ID that comes up on the computer, thus my big goof. I apologize for the confusion. I didn't give scriptures as you put it because I've cited all 87 of them in the past. The sum total of those scriptures do make for a rather strong conclusion in most Bible student's minds, including mine. But you seem to have neglected to notice my challenge was never met with scripture either. I'll repeat the challenge for your reference and response if you'd like. Basically, I'm looking for a verse that says that we can be saved by faith only (alone) or belief only (alone), excluding all other features of Christianity. As I'm sure you already know, I mentioned earlier in the thread, the only place in the Bible that mentions this phrase is from James. James 2:24 You see that a man is justified by works and not by faith alone. In this verse the concept of "faith alone" is cited in a negative context. That is, faith alone won't get you anything with man or God. In this world, if a man says he has faith but then does NOT act like it, we say he's a hypocrite. Same attitude with God and His Son as shown in Rev 3:16. I don't see how the Bible or I could be any more clear about the matter. As I mentioned previously God does expect us to use our intellect and make certain conclusions based on His Word, especially in those few areas when some few verses aren't ideally clear like those verses pointed out by our dear friend Tim. I've also mentioned God isn't going to make this process of digging out His commands any simpler than He already has. It's all in His Book, our Bible. You know the scriptures at least as well as I do, probably a little better. This I do know: God will hold ALL of us accountable to His Words just like His Son said. John 12:44 And Jesus cried out and said, "He who believes in Me, does not believe in Me but in Him who sent Me. 45 "He who sees Me sees the One who sent Me. 46 "I have come as Light into the world, so that everyone who believes in Me will not remain in darkness. 47 "If anyone hears My sayings and does not keep them, I do not judge him; for I did not come to judge the world, but to save the world. 48 "He who rejects Me and does not receive My sayings, has one who judges him; the word I spoke is what will judge him at the last day. 49 "For I did not speak on My own initiative, but the Father Himself who sent Me has given Me a commandment as to what to say and what to speak. 50 "I know that His commandment is eternal life; therefore the things I speak, I speak just as the Father has told Me." Is there anything more that could possibly be said that hasn't been said already? Take a look and let me know. God bless. Rowdy |
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24 | What is a repentance from dead works? | Heb 6:1 | Rowdy | 133574 | ||
I just plugged in the words "dead works" into the Search Engine and came up with the following verses. Heb 9:14 how much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without blemish to God, cleanse your conscience from dead works to serve the living God? James 2:17 Even so faith, if it has no works, is dead, being by itself. James 2:26 For just as the body without the spirit is dead, so also faith without works is dead. It seems James devotes the whole of Chapter 2 of his letter to this topic. Basically, I gather from his discussion that our works must be genuine and of real value both to our fellow man and our God and Father above. What do you think? Good question and God bless. Rowdy |
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25 | is the seed non-human? | Dan 2:43 | Rowdy | 133570 | ||
Matt 24 is a very controversial chapter as Christ is talking about two different major events. This subject has been discussed to great lengths here on the Forum and just in case you need to know you can insert key words like "end times" in the Quick Search to retrieve those posts for your reading pleasure. Briefly, my belief along with many millions of christians from around the world is that Jesus was talking about the ultimate ending of the world and its disintegration as depicted by Peter. This was what I was referring to with the reference to the thief at night. The second major event as discussed by Jesus in this chapter is the pending doom and destruction of the Israelite nation as God's favored family. I suppose you already know on or about 70 AD, the Roman army completely destroyed the Temple, to the point they even melted the gold from between the column joints supporting that structure. They completely destroyed ALL the records of the Jewish family so that no one to this day can trace his roots back to Moses as required by Jewish custom to prove their nationality. You see, there's no clear scriptures that definitely descibes the rapture or this thousand year reign here on earth. All that is a lot of conjecture on someone's part with a few vauge verses giving very weak support. But in contrast we do know there will always be strife, wars and rumors of wars on this planet as long as it exists. Jesus did tell us that. And as I stated about the ultimate end of the world, no one can possibly know when it will happen. The trumpet could blow the very next second and I'd be as suprised as everyone else. The most important item of learning we all need to know is to be like the 5 wise virgins waiting for the coming of the bridegroom. That much was also clearly communicated from our Lord. Hope this helps and God bless. Rowdy |
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26 | is the seed non-human? | Dan 2:43 | Rowdy | 133552 | ||
You ask/pose some very tough questions, none of which I can answer with any high degree of confidence. I can only notice from history that God is incredibly patient and if the vast majority of "the whole world thinks only wickedness all the time" like it was in Noah's time, it might be close to the end of the world. But I don't think the world is quite that bad and another thing: I'm convinced as long as they are a substantial number of people looking for the Lord's second coming like we have in today's world, IMO I think that's another reason we're NOT close to the end of the world. As I'm sure you know very well, the Lord promised us His second coming would be like a thief in the night and NO ONE expects a thief in the night. So, with these two solid factors to consider, I think the Lord MIGHT let us live/exist for a little while longer. In answer to your other question, I just simply don't have a clue. If a person is alive as a result of being cloned, does He have a soul or not? I'd like to think so. I guess it'll depend on whether or not he has an innate conscience telling him right from wrong. We'll just have to wait and see and then there's the matter in the legal court system. Will the courts grant him full legal citizenship and voting rights and everything else a natural born person expects from this life? Yes, some very tough questions for us and our descendents to deal with. Lord, help us make the decisions you would endorse as being Your Will. God bless us all during this trial. Rowdy |
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27 | Question for Rowdy.... | Acts 2:38 | Rowdy | 133549 | ||
Sorry for the mix up. Country Girl is my wife and I forgot to change the ID which comes up automatically on our computer after she logs on. I thought you might have heard, in many circles most Bible students consider the ark to be the antitype of the church, complete with an ocean of sins. The ark is built to the Lord's specifications vs. the church being built to Jesus' specifications. I agree with you, "the emphasis is still on Faith," an active and obedient Faith, totally submissive to God's Will in contrast to the devil who also believes in God but has always refused to obey God and His Commands. I can only think of one more scripture to compliment your statement of "only 1 door." Eph 4:4 There is one body and one Spirit, just as also you were called in one hope of your calling; 5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism, 6 one God and Father of all who is over all and through all and in all. 7 But to each one of us grace was given according to the measure of Christ's gift. Hope this helps and God bless. Rowdy |
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28 | Isn't 24 more than one? | Acts 2:38 | Rowdy | 133477 | ||
Steve, my friend, you're putting words in my mouth for I didn't say "...yet your definition of proof is baptism." Instead, I would say that a christian must place his confidence, like I've been alluding to all along, in ALL the words of the Bible, with special emphasis on the NT as Christ took the authority of the OT with Him to the cross. When a Bible student studies God's Word thoroughly and collects ALL the acts, words and everything associated with salvation or the saving of a person from his sins, there are a few things that stick out. Those actions are Hear, Believe, Repent, Confess and be Baptized in the Name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Ghost. After that one must continue studying God's Word and finds out about adding fruits of the Spirit, imitating Christ's lifestyle like the Apostles and being faithful till death as recorded in Rev 2:10. There's much, much more like our perfecting our love for ALL mankind as described in 1 Cor 13. But the most important thing to remember is this: the Lord wants to refine us and get us away from our addiction to this physical, finite world and have us join Him in His spiritual, infinite world in the Hereafter. But this has to be done in accordance with His timetable. We just need to submit ourselves as clay to the Potter. I've already addressed the situation with the 24 verses from Tim. None of them cite "faith or belief only" to the exclusion of anything, least of all baptism. You and I both have to accept God's Whole "Enchilada" and comply with His every wish. Eccl 12:13 Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God and keep His commandments, For this is man's all. 14For God will bring every work into judgment, Including every secret thing, whether good or evil. I hope this clears up the controversy for you. God bless. Rowdy |
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29 | Isn't 24 more than one? | Acts 2:38 | Rowdy | 133475 | ||
I'm sorry, I should have referred you to the post wherein I cited the following verse Col 2:11 In Him you were also circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, by putting off the body of the sins of the flesh, by the circumcision of Christ, 12buried with Him in baptism, in which you also were raised with Him through faith in the working of God, who raised Him from the dead. Like I alluded to in an earlier post, circumcision was the seal of God's approval adding a foreign Gentile to the Jewish family. This verse above makes it pretty clear that the modern seal for christians is baptism. It's the act of total obedience, indicating total submission of our will to God's Will, just like circumcision was for those folks in the OT, especially for grown men. Our wisdom is submitted to His Wisdom. 1 Cor 1:24 but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. 25Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men. Also 1 Pet 3:21 There is also an antitype which now saves us--baptism (not the removal of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God), through the resurrection of Jesus Christ, Just what do you think is the antitype that Peter is referring to? What else could it possibly be? How can you ignore the power of 87 verses, mentioning baptism in the NT that together as a whole is far more powerful than the 70 times repentance is mentioned throughout the whole Bible? So what basic principle would you call when Jesus was illustrating with his discussion of chopping off hands and gouging out eyeballs? Why are there not thousands or millions of christians walking around missing body parts? Please advise. "In the true final analysis," on Judgment Day, I want to be one of those hearing "Well done good and faithful servant." Better than that, I want to be certain so I don't trust rabbit's feet or any other superstition. I put ALL of my trust in God's Word, ALL of His Word. That's how much I esteem the Grace of God. How about you? Which portion of God's Word are you obeying? God bless. Rowdy |
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30 | Isn't 24 more than one? | Acts 2:38 | Rowdy | 133470 | ||
Dear Tim, my friend. I'm only trying to be as precise as you are endeavoring to do. My whole answer in this regard is hinged on the fact nowhere in the Bible does God depict a concept of getting salvation with just simple belief without some kind of proof. The verses you've cited point toward that process and belief is absolutely a very necessary step in the right direction. But you keep side-stepping one of my most important points. Even the devil believes in God and always has. He like Cain, Moses and so many others have had one-on-one, personal conversations with God and Jesus. So he can't help but believe and I'm convinced he even knows that he's going to Hell as he probably knows Bible principles much better than you and me. The big difference between christians and the devil is our response to this belief. God commands men everywhere to repent and be baptized, Acts 2:38 for we all put Christ on that cross. AND we continue to do so as long as we don't establish a relationship of salvation through Him in His Name. I don't really think I can be any more clear. The Bible simply doesn't teach the concept of "belief or faith only" will get a person saved. We must follow through and complete the process, the Terms and Conditions of our Lord's Last Will and Testament. Remember, we'll be judged by ALL the Words from Jesus on Judgment Day. Do continue studying and praying on this matter. Meanwhile, I'm hoping others on the Forum will respond to this thread. Let's see what they might have to say. God bless. Rowdy |
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31 | Baptism-What Does the Bible Teach? | Acts 2:38 | Rowdy | 133461 | ||
I guess you're right, it's NOT particularly clear as to when he believed but I don't see your point. Surely, you're NOT saying that there's a great amount of importance to the timing of our belief in Christ. You might notice the scriptures don't say Paul actually repented or confessed the Name of Jesus Christ as His Lord and Savior but he surely does preach that simple Gospel message in his ministry. So please help me out. What's the real point of your post here? Again, I'll agree the timing of one's belief seems like it should take place before repentance, otherwise why should a person repent? But a person could argue about timing or the sequence of the Steps of Salvation all day. What are you trying to say? God bless. Rowdy |
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32 | Baptism-What Does the Bible Teach? | Acts 2:38 | Rowdy | 133451 | ||
Just wanted to get your response on all the points in my answer to Kalos' article, copied here for reference. I do have to agree with you, Kalos is an excellent Bible student and handles himself very well but I see nothing wrong with "Don't you think..." approach when it's warranted by God's Word. Peter encourages this kind of thinking with his guidance 1 Peter 3:15 But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear; The Greek word here for denfense includes the idea of using our "logical mind" in defending this hope and faith that is within us. So when the Bible is not absolutely crystal clear as in this discussion on baptism, we find we must use our minds and try to see the intent behind our Father's Words. I would also refer you to my Post No 133381 and ask for your response thereto. From my earlier post: I appreciate your contribution to this discussion and looking forward to others' participation. But you didn't cite any verses that either say "believe only" or teach such a concept. Please cite such a verse if you can. Also, I'd love to see your response to my challenge to BradK about the connection between these processes of getting into God's family 1) the Jewish family or Isrealites during the OT era and 2) the christian family under the Headship of Jesus Christ. Specifically, I'm comparing the process by which a foreigner was allowed into these two fellowships. In the former, the process was consumated with circumcision before which a man was NOT considered part of the family. In the latter, the process of Plan of Salvation if you prefer is consumated with baptism as shown throughout the Book of Acts. By the way, I agree that we are INDEED saved by Grace through our faith as you've cited in Eph 8. Part of that faith process involves total submission to Christ's Terms and Conditions as cited throughout the 87 verses on this subject of baptism. You see, our God really requires a lot more than just belief for the devil believes. So, apparently it's NOT all that big a deal to believe in God or His Son. The big difference that both God and His Son want to see is how we respond to our belief. That's one reason why Christ says Matthew 7:21 Not everyone who says to Me, 'Lord, Lord,' shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. Looking forward to your reply. God bless. Rowdy |
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33 | Baptism-What Does the Bible Teach? | Acts 2:38 | Rowdy | 133442 | ||
I appreciate your contribution to this discussion and looking forward to others' participation. But you didn't cite any verses that either say "believe only" or teach such a concept. Please cite such a verse if you can. Also, I'd love to see your response to my challenge to BradK about the connection between these processes of getting into God's family 1) the Jewish family or Isrealites during the OT era and 2) the christian family under the Headship of Jesus Christ. Specifically, I'm comparing the process by which a foreigner was allowed into these two fellowships. In the former, the process was consumated with circumcision before which a man was NOT considered part of the family. In the latter, the process of Plan of Salvation if you prefer is consumated with baptism as shown throughout the Book of Acts. By the way, I agree that we are INDEED saved by Grace through our faith as you've cited in Eph 8. Part of that faith process involves total submission to Christ's Terms and Conditions as cited throughout the 87 verses on this subject of baptism. You see, our God really requires a lot more than just belief for the devil believes. So, apparently it's NOT all that big a deal to believe in God or His Son. The big difference that both God and His Son want to see is how we respond to our belief. That's one reason why Christ says Matthew 7:21 Not everyone who says to Me, 'Lord, Lord,' shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. Looking forward to your reply. God bless. Rowdy |
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34 | Baptism-What Does the Bible Teach? | Acts 2:38 | Rowdy | 133429 | ||
I almost forgot you didn't thoroughly address the obvious connection between circumcision and baptism. Before you dismiss me completely, think about what I'm saying. We're discussing two different dispensations: in the Jewish era dominated by the Law of Moses, there were provisions for allowing foreigners into God's family and that process included the men being circumcised. In the same vein, the process for allowing us Gentiles into God's family in this era includes baptism. In both eras, a person was NOT considered a actual legitimate member of God's family until he completed the whole process. Please respond to the logic of my argument here along with the other points of my earlier posts. I appreciate it and look forward to continuing our discussion. God bless. Rowdy |
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35 | Baptism-What Does the Bible Teach? | Acts 2:38 | Rowdy | 133428 | ||
If you boys are finished playing, it's time to come back into school and do your homework. I'd be interested in your more thorough response to the flawed logic I identified in Kalos' article. Why don't you and Hank both take a chop at explaining why Saul and the Phillipian jailer were baptized in such a hurry? Can you quote me a verse that cites "faith only" does in fact get you salvation? That's why a person has to study ALL of what the Bible says on a particular subject, in this case salvation or being saved from our sins. Next, please explain to me exactly what was Jesus saying in his parable about chopping off hands and gouging out eyeballs? Why don't we see lots of christians without these body parts since we're all still sinners? Please explain. Thanks. God bless all of you. Rowdy PS: ANYONE doing a thorough study of my posts on this Forum would have to conclude I believe very strongly AGAINST "wishy-washy faith." I do, however believe in studying ALL of God's Word and drawing the proper conclusions that He wants drawn from His Words. I challenge you to do the homework and respond to my points cited above. Thanks. |
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36 | Baptism-What Does the Bible Teach? | Acts 2:38 | Rowdy | 133427 | ||
If you boys are finished playing, it's time to come back into school and do your homework. I'd be interested in your more thorough response to the flawed logic I identified in Kalos' article. Why don't you and BradK both take a chop at explaining why Saul and the Phillipian jailer were baptized in such a hurry? Can you quote me a verse that cites "faith only" does in fact get you salvation? That's why a person has to study ALL of what the Bible says on a particular subject, in this case salvation or being saved from our sins. Next, please explain to me exactly what was Jesus saying in his parable about chopping off hands and gouging out eyeballs? Why don't we see lots of christians without these body parts since we're all still sinners? Please explain. Thanks. God bless all of you. Rowdy |
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37 | Baptism-What Does the Bible Teach? | Acts 2:38 | Rowdy | 133381 | ||
I must admit, at first glance your post seems to be well written and appears quite logical but there's a big flaw in the logic. For some strange reason there seems to be a growing tendancy to question the fact of the Apostles being baptized when the Scriptures don't address that issue EXCEPT for this one instance. Acts 9:8 Saul got up from the ground, and though his eyes were open, he could see nothing; and leading him by the hand, they brought him into Damascus. 9 And he was three days without sight, and neither ate nor drank. 10 Now there was a disciple at Damascus named Ananias; and the Lord said to him in a vision, "Ananias." And he said, "Here I am, Lord." 11 And the Lord said to him, "Get up and go to the street called Straight, and inquire at the house of Judas for a man from Tarsus named Saul, for he is praying, 12 and he has seen in a vision a man named Ananias come in and lay his hands on him, so that he might regain his sight." 13 But Ananias answered, "Lord, I have heard from many about this man, how much harm he did to Your saints at Jerusalem; 14 and here he has authority from the chief priests to bind all who call on Your name." 15 But the Lord said to him, "Go, for he is a chosen instrument of Mine, to bear My name before the Gentiles and kings and the sons of Israel; 16 for I will show him how much he must suffer for My name's sake." 17 So Ananias departed and entered the house, and after laying his hands on him said, "Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus, who appeared to you on the road by which you were coming, has sent me so that you may regain your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit." 18 And immediately there fell from his eyes something like scales, and he regained his sight, and he got up and was baptized; 19 and he took food and was strengthened. Now for several days he was with the disciples who were at Damascus, You might notice that here Paul is baptized in a hurry (like the Phillipian jailer) as he does so before he eats a meal after 3 days of fasting. If baptism wasn't required for salvation, don't you think he could have waited? Similar to the jailer, if baptism isn't important, he could have waited till daybreak especially since he placed a high priority on tending to the ex-prisoner's wounds. You see, the whole logic of your article falls apart. The Bible simply doesn't address the issue of the other Apostles getting baptized at all, only Saul, later Apostle Paul. But throughout the Bible, I can see there are a few minor places where the emphasis isn't quite as plain as in Acts 2:38 so ultimately a person is faced with a quandry in his lap. 1) Should I be conservative, play it safe and be baptized to have my sins forgiven as cited in Acts 2:38 OR 2) Should I take a chance, take my salvation for granted like others do and get baptized at a later date? I've said this many times now and will repeat myself again and again as needed. When the Bible places these kind of options in front of us in response to this issues, I'll always recommend the "better safe than sorry" approach as endorsed by our Lord with his parable about cutting off a hand or gouging out an eye. Why take a chance with a controversial handful of verses when they ARE very definitely some few verses that clearly depict what I'm saying to be true. It's also in keeping with the practice of circumcision. A convert to Judiasm was NOT considered a Jew until AFTER the circumcision and we both know how our God truly is a bloody God. And since the Bible doesn't say one or the other about the Apostles, it's safe to say they were baptized before receiving salvation, since they would want to be consistent with what they were preaching. I do hope you'll keep studying and praying on this subject. God bless. Rowdy |
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38 | The Abiding Life | John 15:6 | Rowdy | 133275 | ||
Good post. Upon doing a thorough study of God's Word, one has to draw the conclusion there is definitely some major costs involved in this proposition of discipleship or Christianity. I guess we all realize to some this is not a very attractive proposition. I'm convinced the first and most difficult job for us as christians is to help convince those folks there truly is a God AND that He meant every word in our Bible. Rom 14:11 For it is written, "AS I LIVE, SAYS THE LORD, EVERY KNEE SHALL BOW TO ME, AND EVERY TONGUE SHALL GIVE PRAISE TO GOD." 12 So then each one of us will give an account of himself to God. God bless you in making such a good post to this Forum. Rowdy |
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39 | Does God BLESS Sinners | Matt 5:45 | Rowdy | 133218 | ||
Amen and very well said. Isn't it funny, even in today's world, we fathers expect our children to obey us? When they do, we're proud to call them our sons and daughters. When they're not, we spank (hopefully w/love) their little behinds and teach them to obey. When we grow up, we're encouraged to obey the laws of the land or pay the consequences. Isn't it strange so many people want to change the rules of the game and just get the good stuff from God without truly giving our all to him? Just give Him a token until we get what we want and then leave Him in the dust. No, my friend we must obey ALL of God's commands before we can truly call ourselves heirs of our Father, Creator of the Universe and hope to go Home to Heaven. God bless you for reminding us of the truth. Rowdy |
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40 | Why did the Savior Dread the Cup? | Matt 26:38 | Rowdy | 133212 | ||
Howdy, Doc: I just gotta ask to whom was Mr Spurgeon referring in this sermon. Who was executed? At first, I thought he was referring to Apostle Paul with the allusions to fire as a symbol, but apparently that's not the case. Please advise and thanks for the history lesson. I do enjoy reading your posts. God bless. Rowdy |
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