Results 221 - 240 of 253
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Results from: Answered Bible Questions, Unanswered Bible Questions Author: charis Ordered by Verse |
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Results | Verse | Author | ID# | |||
221 | Apostles impossible? | Hebrews | charis | 1563 | ||
My dear friend in Christ, I read with great interest your reply. I must respectfully disagree with some of the premises of your opinions on this issue. It seems that you start with the idea that we do not have apostles today, then move on to prove it. Regarding Ephesians 2:20, I agree, these ministries are the foundation Christ laid. I do not propose to re-lay, but to continue on in this foundational gift. In regard to 1 Corinthians 13:8-12, you imply that the 'perfect' has come, thus doing away with the need for spiritual gifts. Jesus is the 'Perfect' spiritual gift, and He has not yet returned. I cannot believe that you say the divided church as we know it is not in need of as many gifts of the Spirit as are made available. We NEED them, now! Unfortunately, many 'ministries' have made a mockery of these gifts, with their misuse, abuse, and just plain false use of them. These miscreants are no excuse for you to deny the Spirit, just encouragement to find their proper use. As to Judas, I meant Judas called Barsabbas. What about: "But when the apostles, Barnabas and Paul, heard of it, they tore their robes and rushed out into the crowd, crying out..." Acts 14:14 NASB. And when Paul, number 14, is considered to be number 12, does he displace James or Matthias? I also have personal experience with divine healing, my wife was healed from cancer of the womb, and I now have two teenage daughters. Actually, I do not like 'healing ministries,' and think that most are spiritually arrogant, some even charlatans. However, I cannot discount that many are healed by faith in God. I do, as a matter of fact, believe that one can be 'slain in the Spirit,' but think that the popular 'mass-slayings' are false, an abuse of showmanship and emotional manipulation. I am part of a healthy, well-balanced church. Many speak in tongues and (gasp!) prophesy. However, in our defense, I assure you that "...all things be done properly and in an orderly manner." 1 Corinthians 14:40 NASB. You may have never experienced this, but it IS possible. (Please note that stating that something cannot happen because you have not seen it is spiritual bigotry) My friend, you cannot make your assumptions based on the how many people abuse the gifts. After all, if every lemming jumped off the cliff, there would be no more lemmings. Obviously, some lemmings are not totally stupid :-) If you have never been to a 'spirit-filled' church that was orderly, respectable, responsible and balanced, come to Yokohama some time. Yours in Christ Jesus. charis |
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222 | Why must we divide soul and spirit? | Heb 4:12 | charis | 2192 | ||
Fellows, Why must we divide soul and spirit? How does this apply to our thoughts and intentions of the heart? In Christ Jesus, charis |
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223 | Is man a 'triune' creature? | Heb 4:12 | charis | 2199 | ||
Dear inhzsvc, "Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you entirely; and may your spirit and soul and body be preserved complete, without blame at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ." 1Thessalonians 5:23 NASB. Apparently, Paul is making a difference between body, soul, and spirit, and that this situation exists before we meet the Lord. The writer of Hebrews makes it seem that the Word divides them for a reason. I have a theory, but want to ask if anyone else thinks that man is a triune creature? Blessings in Jesus' name, charis |
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224 | Is this person saved? | Heb 6:4 | charis | 7515 | ||
Dear JVH0212, While Harper's observation may be true, and is most certainly true from God's point of view, no one on earth can claim knowledge of a person's salvation or condemnation. This knowledge is privy to God alone. We can only measure a few outward signs, but cannot measure the heart of man. 'Once saved, always saved' and ' one cannot be born again, again' are true *theological* statements. But there remains great doubt about our ability to truly know who is saved and who is not. As a minister, I offer a few practical examples: Person A goes to a 'revival' meeting, 'gives his heart to the Lord,' is told that he is born again, and gets a New Testament. He goes to church a few times, but the pastor is a stinker. So, he goes back to the bars. Later, he remembers the words of hope and returns to the Lord and returns to church. In the meantime the old pastor is fired, and a real shepherd is now in charge. He receives Person A into the fold, cares for him, and he becomes a fine Christian man. (This scenario is not so outlandish as one might think!) Is Person A saved? Person B is born into a Christian family. At age 12 she goes to a church camp. There is a great meeting with an altar call. She goes up, asks for forgiveness and professes Christ as Savior and she is prayed for. (she may even receive the baptism of the Holy Spirit and speak in tongues) Person B is 'on fire for the Lord!' A few years later, attending public high school, parents divorced, she gets in with the 'wrong crowd.' (It happens, folks!) Again, a few years later she repents, and turns toward God. Her Mom's pastor says, "Sorry, you had your (one) chance." Is Person B saved? Are these ridiculous? Was the 'first' experience just and illusion or 'wrongly discerned?' Will the second experience 'take' until death? I don't know, and neither does anybody (but God). Theology is fine, but just wait until you are in the counselor's chair :-) In Jesus' name, charis |
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225 | Only God knows...but, what? | Heb 6:4 | charis | 7527 | ||
Dear Steve, Only God knows...But? But what? Only God knows, right? I fail to see the gist of your answer. In Christ Jesus, charis |
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226 | Tabernacle/Sacrificial Animals? | Heb 8:5 | charis | 35594 | ||
Saints, Greetings in Jesus' name! A friend asked me the following questions: 1. Was the tabernacle constructed before Moses went up to Mt. Sinai or when he came back down? The scripture shows that the tabernacle was pitched at the base of the mountain before the golden calf problem, but then afterward it sounds like they are just beginning to construct it. Was that scripture kind of a review of the first description of the building or was it actually being constructed after the golden calf was destroyed? 2. Why were only the innards and the legs washed before being sacrificed and not the rest of the animal? 3. Why were certain parts of the different animals sacrificed on different sides of the altar? In Christ Jesus, charis |
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227 | What is reformation? | Heb 9:10 | charis | 6009 | ||
Brethren, This Scripture speaks of a time of 'reformation,' which came through Christ Jesus. What does this word mean, and what implication does it have for us today? In Jesus, charis |
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228 | What are your church expectations? | Heb 10:25 | charis | 29755 | ||
Dear Belmaree, Greetings in the name of Jesus! Friend, did it ever occur to you that one of your local group (maybe even YOU!) might be called to shepherd your local gathering? The Bible does not require that a shepherd be a graduate from a Bible college or seminary. The requirements for elder are written in the "Pastoral Letters" to Timothy and Titus. You might say that none of you meet all the standards written there, but I can tell you that formal religious education or certificates of ordination do not guarantee a person perfection before God. Our Lord desires a heart toward Him more than scholarship. "For where two or three have gathered together in My name, I am there in their midst." Matthew 18:20 NASB. If indeed those in your community are seeking a local church, God WILL provide. The problem is what are your 'expectations' of church? A name, an institution, 'professional' guidance and counsel? Or fellowship, commitment, spiritual guidance and the counsel of God? Blessings upon you and your fellows! In Christ Jesus, charis |
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229 | Where is faith from? | Heb 11:1 | charis | 6134 | ||
Dear fellow saints, We have the definition of faith here in Hebrews 11:1. Where does this faith come from? Is it the same for all believers? Can we receive or attain more? In Jesus' name, charis |
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230 | More on faith? | Heb 11:1 | charis | 6137 | ||
Dear Mylwa, Good Scripture. I would like to ask for a bit more. As to the same for all belivers, why does Jesus use the terms "little faith" and " great faith?" If these are meaningful, how do we lose or gain faith? Blessings in Christ Jesus, charis |
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231 | Allocation or possession? | Heb 11:1 | charis | 6171 | ||
Dear orthodoxy,Thank you for a good answer. Indeed, there can be no doubt that the origin of faith is from God, and that it is a gift poured out in love and grace. I am not sure what you meant in the last sentence. Though I agree that it is not something we naturally possess, I was under the impression that there were varying 'measures' of faith, which would explain the Lord's words of encouragement to those of 'little faith' and also th those of 'great faith.' Is the 'measure of faith' from Romans 12:3 a constant? Then, would the problem be in allocation, not possession? (I think it can be agreed that faith is not manifest in the lives of believers in the same manner) Thank you for your comments. In Christ Jesus, charis |
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232 | Promise? | Heb 11:39 | charis | 43176 | ||
Saints, Greetings in the name of Jesus! What is the 'promise' in this verse? Is this promise for us today? Is it wealth? Abundant life? Gifts? Eternal life? The Promised Land? (i.e. geographic Israel) The New Testament 'equivalent?' Please provide Scriptural evidence. In Christ Jesus, charis |
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233 | All of the above? | Heb 11:39 | charis | 43279 | ||
Dear faithfolk, Blessings in the name of Jesus! So...All of the above? :-) Would you (then) go as far as to say that the New Testament promises to us just about anything we claim? Would receipt of desired blessings be 'proof' of faith? Or are we in a similar situation to the Old Testament saints, that it is faith in the promises that is blessing, not receipt thereof? Peace in Christ Jesus, charis |
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234 | Is not Jesus enough? | Heb 11:39 | charis | 43285 | ||
Dear TRU4GOD, Greetings in Jesus' name! I agree that the saints of old were searching for the Messiah, and that He is come. But are we indeed 'entitled' to physical blessings because He has come? I know this is a popular theme on the TV circus shows, but is this really the promise of the Gospel? As you quoted from Hebrews 11:13, "All these died in faith, without receiving the promises, but having seen them and having welcomed them from a distance, and having confessed that they were strangers and exiles on the earth." (NASB) Does this not still apply to the present-day church? Are we not still 'Strangers and Aliens in a strange land?' It seems to me that the 'blessings' (plural) that the world seeks are not holy in themselves, but they CAN be a by-product of faith in Christ. BUT, not necessarily! O saints in 'blessed lands' (such as America), do not be enamored with the promises (desires!) of the world! Is not Jesus enough? In Christ Jesus, charis |
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235 | Worship Focus? | Heb 12:2 | charis | 18728 | ||
Dear forum friends and fellows, Who is the focus of our worship to God? In Christ Jesus, charis |
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236 | Ineffective prayer? | James 5:16 | charis | 6008 | ||
Friends and colleagues, Is there such a thing as 'ineffective prayer?' Explain from scripture. (I used the phrase 'passive prayer' in a posting the recently) In Christ Jesus, charis |
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237 | Ineffective prayer by believers? | James 5:16 | charis | 6017 | ||
Dear Steve, I thought your answer was very good! I especially liked the last statement. If you don't mind, I would like to make an adjustment, and ask again. Can believer's prayers be ineffective? I know you touched on this, but I think this important question is pertinent to the church. Blessings in Jesus' name, charis |
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238 | 'Born again' a moment in time? | 1 Pet 1:3 | charis | 6910 | ||
Saints, Is 'born again' a moment in time? Jesus answered and said to him, "Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God." John 3:3 NASB. I have never met a person who 'saw the kingdom of God' in it's fullness the moment they were apprehended by (or knew) Jesus. I have had glimpses of the kingdom in the midst of the church for years, but I doubt if I have seen fullness yet. Nor have I met many who could claim that they were 'filled with the Spirit' and free from all sin immediately after saying "Amen!" to the 'sinner's prayer.' I am still pursuing these blessings, and from what I observe, so are most Christians. It seems to me that the 'born again experience' in Christ Jesus has a starting point (meeting Him), a body (our life in Him), and a finale (when we meet the Lord Jesus, upon our 'giving up this earthly body' or 'meeting Him in the air.' Comments? In Jesus' name, charis |
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239 | Are we done? | 1 Pet 1:3 | charis | 7012 | ||
Dear Steve, From God's viewpoint, born-again may be an absolute. I don't think such can be said from our limited prospect. When we claim that we are 'born again,' the world sees and unfinished product. If we persist and say that all our sin has been wiped clean, we are re-created, we are led by the Spirit of God (or Spirit-filled), we speak of the hope that has been placed in our hearts. "Therefore you are to be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect." Matthew 5:48 NASB. I pursue this goal, and God may see it as accomplished, but as Paul spoke, " 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." Romans 12:2 NASB. This indicates a work-in-progress. I believe we are being more honest to ourselves and to potential Christians to clarify that 'born-again' is not an adjective describing present state, but a hope, a beginning. I have heard this term used in a sense of ultimate arrogance, and unbelievers are frightened away by this proud claim. That is why we always have to backpedal or use disclaimers in our evangelism. Many Christians are 'so heavenly bound they are no earthly good.' So brainwashed that they are 'perfect' they deny real sin and the necessity to pursue righteousness. "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." James 1:25 NASB. We are first born as flesh, and we are indeed flesh at that moment. However, when we are born again as Christians, it is a birth of faith. But you are still flesh until you meet Jesus. Are we done? In Christ Jesus, charis |
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240 | Behavior before the Gentiles? | 1 Pet 2:12 | charis | 30219 | ||
Saints, What does it mean to keep our behavior excellent among the Gentiles? What does this have to do with our charge to spread the Gospel? In Christ Jesus, charis |
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