Results 221 - 240 of 657
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Results from: Answered Bible Questions, Answers, Unanswered Bible Questions, Notes Author: stjones Ordered by Date |
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Results | Verse | Author | ID# | |||
221 | What is iniquity in Matthew 7:23? | Matt 7:23 | stjones | 74008 | ||
Greg; I'm sorry you don't know what I meant by "Christian"; I thought my post made it fairly clear; let me repeat it for you. I said "To the world, the label is just a category. To the Christian, however, it is a seal given by God, it is an admission of sin and dependence on Jesus. It is a badge of honor given to the unworthy, to be worn with humility, in the knowledge that it [is] given only by the grace of God through the shed blood of Christ." But, since you explained what the label means to you - a category that describes a "pork-eating, Sabbath-breaking, replacement theologist who ignores the Biblical festivals in favor of man-made pagan rituals", we all have a very clear answer to Hank's question. Thanks. Peace and grace, Steve aka Indiana Jones |
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222 | What is iniquity in Matthew 7:23? | Matt 7:23 | stjones | 73963 | ||
Hi, Greg; Hank has asked a valid question. Christians may, as Paul did at Athens, engage non-Christians in theological discussions. But Christians are unlikely to take instruction about Jesus from anyone but another Christian. There are many reasons, but the simplest is this: If you confess Jesus as your sole lord and savior, you are at least implying that your thoughts and desires are captive to him. If you confess Jesus, you suggest that your studies are guided not just by intellect, history, and culture, but by the Holy Spirit himself. If your "different light" is not shed by the Holy Spirit, it is of no more than passing intellectual interest to Christians. A confessing Christian is indeed labeled. To the world, the label is just a category. To the Christian, however, it is a seal given by God, it is an admission of sin and dependence on Jesus. It is a badge of honor given to the unworthy, to be worn with humility, in the knowledge that it given only by the grace of God through the shed blood of Christ. But it is to be worn boldly. The label you gave yourself is "truth-seeker". Jesus said he was the truth (John 14:6). He is the origin of all truth and the pathway to all truth. Paul, referring to the ability to understand sprititual truths, said "we have the mind of Christ." (1 Cor 2:16) Without the mind of Christ, spiritual truths are nonsense; any who have the mind of Christ bear the label "Christian". So I echo Hank's question - are you a Christian? Thanks. Peace and grace, Steve aka Indiana Jones |
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223 | What was the name of Lot´s wife? | Gen 19:26 | stjones | 73909 | ||
Hi, wordoer; Just a couple of points: First, the Bible does not indicate that the Book of Jashar (NIV) is inspired or authoritative - appropriate for what seems to viewed today as something like an early hymnal. Apparently the Israelites did not consider it worth preserving as part of the Hebrew canon. Second, at this late date, the burden of proof is on those who assert that their version is authentic. What is the provenance? If no known copy can be traced back more that 400 years (as Tim has suggested), I can see no reason to assume that it is authentic. Lacking any such persuasive evidence, I would have to approach it with a healthy dose of skepticism. Third, Taleb's observation about counterfeits is true for a very simple reason - there are only two authentic 20 dollar bills (American) but there can be an infinite number of counterfeits. There's no way to learn them all, so instead tellers learn to recognize the genuine articles. So it is with the Bible - there is no way to learn all the heresies, misleading interpretations and translations, and outright lies, so we must learn the authentic word of God in order to recognize the frauds. Having said all that, I can appreciate your interest in this book. Josephus is flawed, but we look with interest at his writings. You have clearly stated that Jashar is inferior to Scripture and that you are not defending it as authoritative. It's an intriguing rabbit trail. Others have chided you for spending time with Jashar that you could be spending with the Bible. This is true, but the same could be said for the time I spend in the workshop, so I'm not going to go there. ;-) Peace and grace, Steve aka Indiana Jones |
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224 | What is iniquity in Matthew 7:23? | Matt 7:23 | stjones | 73873 | ||
Greetings, Greg; Welcome to the forum. Just as a kindness to us American Protestants who study the entire Bible, please try to refrain from such sweeping generalizations as "Protestant America is walking in deception" and "Protestant apologists try and distance the true Hebraic roots of the faith that Yeshua preached because they are the 'lawless' ones". It's good of you to explain things to us and exhort us to "do our homework" so we will be compelled to see things your way. But if you actually believe that there is a monolithic "Protestant America" that does anything at all in concert, I will have to assume you may be similarly deceived in other areas as well. Peace and grace, Steve aka Indiana Jones |
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225 | Isn't Baptism neccessary for salvation?? | Rom 10:9 | stjones | 72877 | ||
Greetings, disciplerami; If God requires baptism for salvation then it seems he has placed enormous practical obstacles before the new believer. Below are some statements that seem to follow from your position. If you could show that any of them are incorrect, it might help to understand your position. 1. One cannot baptize oneself. There are no examples or any mention of such a thing in the Bible. 2. If one cannot baptize oneself, then God has ordained that no one can or will be saved without the participation of another human being. Of course, God is sovereign and can save anyone he pleases, but that fact offers no guidance for those who are earnestly seeking him. 3. If the participation of another human being is required, it would be helpful to know whether or not that person is qualified for the job. For example, I wonder if a non-believer or an unsaved person can baptize. Can a Hindu who knows the right words or a huckster posing as an evangelist or an unsaved preacher who thought it an attractive line of work baptize? Jesus' commission was to his disciples, not to unbelievers. And there are no examples in the Bible of unbelievers baptizing. So it seems the baptizer must be a saved believer. 4. If the baptizer must be a saved believer, then the new believer must know what only God and the would-be baptizer know - whether or not the baptizer is saved. If we just assume that God will always provide a saved baptizer, then we have to assume that everyone who ever responded to a huckster's alter call is deluded and condemned (even though Paul said in Phillipians 1:15-18 that it's the message, not the messenger). Or, we could assume it is only necessary that the new believer earnestly seek a qualified baptizer, but the Bible gives no guidance. In Acts, the people who were told to be baptized were told in person by a qualified baptizer; so this problem never arose. 5. Unlike the examples in Acts, not everyone comes to faith in the presence of a qualified baptizer. So new believers who come to faith in Jesus in isolation are not saved. Persons who are given a Bible or hear a passing missionary or listen to a Christian radio station and believe are stuck in limbo if no qualified baptizer (whatever that may be) is nearby. They must wait for one to show up or go seek and hope to recognize one. There can be no battlefield or deathbed conversions; the thief on the cross was the last one. 6. Peter's sermon in Acts 2 was not very forthcoming. He quoted Joel - "And everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved" - without qualification. But he should have added "and, oh, by the way, Joel's words aren't really applicable anymore. Not only do you have to call upon the name of the Lord, but now that you have killed Jesus, you also have to be baptized to be saved". To mention baptism as a requirement only after the main message was kind of a bait-and-switch tactic. We can't accept that Peter was guilty of shady dealings; Tim's explanation of Acts 2:38 solves that problem. Or, we could assume that Joel's message was only to his OT listeners and that it was no longer valid or sufficient by the time Peter quoted it. But then we're back in the same dilemma. Why would God inspire Peter to quote an invalid or insufficient prophecy? I don't expect you will change my mind (although forum members have changed my mind in the past, so is is possible). Nor do I expect to change yours. But since this a "place of ideas", I assume you might be willing to support yours by showing me my errors Thanks. Peace and grace, Steve aka Indiana Jones |
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226 | Isn't Baptism neccessary for salvation?? | Rom 10:9 | stjones | 72843 | ||
Hi, Taleb; Thanks for the reminder. Peace and grace, Steve aka Indiana Jones |
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227 | Isn't Baptism neccessary for salvation?? | Rom 10:9 | stjones | 72690 | ||
Hello, disciplerami; Tim is much too much the Christian gentleman to give your note an appropriate reply. However, I'm in a grouchy mood tonight so I will. If you think you've scored any points against an established and well-respected forum member with such a juvenile post, you're wrong. There was certainly nothing illuminating or responsive to Tim's points. Those of us who have been around a while have seen dozens of shooting stars come and go. They show up here, try to make a name for themselves, post a few messages lacking in substance, and then, when they don't get the respect they've done nothing to earn, they disappear. Will you be one of them? I don't know. But if you could demonstrate one tenth the wisdom, discernment, knowledge, patience, and care that Tim has, I for one might be interested in what you have to say. I don't know who the sarcastic moderator is, but he or she must be as new as you are. I haven't seen a moderator in the fifteen months I've been hanging around here. Perhaps you've picked the wrong role model. Peace and grace, Steve aka Indiana Jones |
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228 | Question re: Job | Job | stjones | 72431 | ||
Hi, boowig; I'll take a swing at the first one; I love Job. If you think about it, God first "incited" Satan. It was God who, out of the blue, said "have you considered my servant Job?" He then very pointedly told Satan that Job feared him (God) and shunned evil (Satan). I don't believe that Satan's response came as a surprise to God; he knew that Satan would respond by challenging Job's righteousness. I think God's remark about Satan "inciting" him is the key to understanding the entire book. God had expressed his pleasure with Job and his righteousness, implying that he (God) was worthy of Job's love and obedience. Satan challenged God by saying, in effect, that God was not worthy, it was only God's providence that had earned Job's allegiance. God responded by allowing Satan to take away all that God had provided. It was Satan's denial of God's worthiness that "incited" God to allow Satan to mistreat Job. As I said, I'm sure God knew all of this would happen when he first mentioned Job. But he knew something else too. This whole conversation took place "in public" in Heaven. In a sense, God took a terrible chance by bringing up Job. Suppose Job had followed his wife's advice to "curse God and die". Can't you just imagine Satan dancing around in Heaven going "neener, neener, neener; I got Job"? But God knew Job's heart and knew that he would not fail. From the very start, I think God chose the fight and chose Job to be his champion, to carry his colors in a battle waged before Heaven and - through the Bible - before us. What this story reveals is not just Job's faith in God but God's faith in Job – Job strengthened and sustained by his faith in God. Hope this is useful or interesting or something. ;-) Peace and grace, Steve aka Indiana Jones |
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229 | To learn the truth | OT general | stjones | 72426 | ||
Hi, Taleb; Thanks for the education - a fair exchange perhaps for a little encouragement. May God bless you as you continue to work in a very challenging vinyard. Peace and grace, Steve aka Indiana Jones |
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230 | Finding 'Act as though you have faith' | Bible general Archive 1 | stjones | 72405 | ||
Hi, Debbie; Thanks for the reply. I can't disagree with anything you say. But I continue to engage people who seem to find some value in the Bible. After all, why would non-believers (and aften1 certainly appears to be one) appeal to the Bible as authoritative in some way? I know it could just be a clever ploy to try to turn our own "weapon" against us - but maybe they do have a sense that the Bible reveals something important. I believe that Christianity is "a reasonable faith". Part of my mission in life is to show people that the Bible only makes sense if you take it at its word and take it as a whole. If someone believes that some part of the Bible is truthful, perhaps they can be shown that the Bible as a whole is truthful. Then there's no way out. ;-) Peace and grace, Steve aka Indiana Jones |
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231 | To learn the truth | OT general | stjones | 72403 | ||
Hi, Taleb; Thanks for the interesting reply. I admit I'm not a student of the Qur'an although I have read parts of it, especially what it has to say about Jesus. Your Lebanese friend's father must have been accomplished exegete to prove Jesus' claims from what the Qur'an says. You said "Sorry to say, the end result has not been what I had prayed". But as you know, you don't know what God will do with a seed once planted. So you keep up the good work too. Peace and grace, Steve aka Indiana Jones |
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232 | To learn the truth | OT general | stjones | 72330 | ||
Thanks, Ray; It always astounds me when Christians go along with the fiction that we all "worship the same God". Our God is the Father of our Savior; the god of Islam isn't. And you're right about the Holy Spirit and the Trinity. A falsehood about Christians sometimes spread by Muslims is that we are polytheistic, having three gods. Peace and grace, Steve aka Indiana Jones |
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233 | Finding 'Act as though you have faith' | Bible general Archive 1 | stjones | 72309 | ||
Hello, aften1; No offense, but I'm just wondering if you ever back up your assertions with real Biblical references. Do you find this "food chain" idea in the Bible or is it a synthesis of some passages here and there combined with your own philosophy? Inquiring minds want to know. Thanks. Peace and grace, Steve aka Indiana Jones |
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234 | To learn the truth | OT general | stjones | 72306 | ||
Hi, FytRobert; Christians do indeed worship the God of Abraham. Muslims, however, worship Allah, a made-up god. Muslims consider themselves, Jews, and Christians to be "People of the Book". However, the "Bible" they refer to is an edited version, altered to suit the claims of Islam. The test is very simple: the prophet Muhammad claimed that Allah revealed the Qur'an to him. The Qur'an denies Jesus' divinity, death, and resurrection. Therefore, whoever revealed the Qur'an to Muhammad, it was not the God of the Bible. Hope this helps. Steve aka Indiana Jones |
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235 | Finding 'Act as though you have faith' | Bible general Archive 1 | stjones | 72298 | ||
aften1; Jesus said "none come to the Father but through me." That is unambiguous and leaves no middle ground. You say there are many roads to God; Jesus says there is one. One of you is wrong. I think I'm within the Lockman Foundation's rules to say that you are welcome discuss your New Age philosophy here, but you have to have some Biblical authority for what you say. Unsupported personal opinions and appeals to man-made authorities are not really appropriate. This is, after all, a Bible study forum. As for "getting out and meeting a few", I'm a computer geek; I work with Muslims and Hindus every day. Many of them are indeed kind, generous, devout, and humble - and condemned by their refusal to accept Jesus on his terms. As, perhaps, are you. Peace and grace, Steve aka Indiana Jones |
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236 | No Joyce Meyer?????????????????? | Acts 17:11 | stjones | 72215 | ||
Hi, Jesified; At the risk of disturbing a truce, I will offer my opinion that you have not made a good case. Let me just say a couple of things about my courageous friend Job. First, you said that "Satan carried out what Job feared". The Bible says nothing about Job being fearful of having his flocks stolen or his servants murdered, yet Satan did those things too. Satan killed Job's children for the same reason that he had the flocks stolen and the servants killed - because Job valued them. And his reason for doing all of those things is clearly stated in the Bible. Job's alleged fearfulness is pure speculation with no Biblical foundation. In fact, Job himself denied your accusation: "Shall we accept good from God, and not trouble?". (Job 2:10) These are not the words of a fearful man. Second, you've said elsewhere in this thread that God looks at our hearts. If God had looked at Job's heart and seen "wrong reasons" (i.e. fear), he would not have pronounced Job righteous. What he saw when he looked at Job's heart was love and faith that could stand the severest test that Satan could devise. Come to think of it, you're right about one thing. The wisest man in the world said "here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man." (Ecclesiastes 12:13) If being a "worry-wart" means to fear God and being a "goody-two-shoes" means to keep his commandments, then Job was indeed doing his whole duty - courageously. Every Christian should strive for no less. Peace and grace, Steve aka Indiana Jones |
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237 | HOW COULD JESUS BE A DESCENDANT OF DAVID | Bible general Archive 1 | stjones | 72139 | ||
Hi, EdB; Good illustration. I imagine Matthew going through a similar process, recalling a past event and saying "wow, that takes on an entirely new meaning in light of what we've seen." But I'm certainly willing to admit that the traditional understanding might be correct. I'm sure that when I get to Heaven, I'll be humbled to learn how many things I got wrong. I'll feel badly until I see all my brothers and sisters in Christ in the same pickle. How can anyone live without grace? Peace and grace, Steve aka Indiana Jones |
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238 | HOW COULD JESUS BE A DESCENDANT OF DAVID | Bible general Archive 1 | stjones | 72126 | ||
Hi, EdB; Thanks for the thoughtful reply. I'll see Dr. Soards again next week and will ask him how he responds to what I've posted and to the objections that have been raised. I do wish someone would address the very specific words of Isaiah and the context - which concerns judgment on Israel, not the future deliverance is Israel. To my eye, there is simply nothing in Isaiah's words to suggest that this event was anything but what he said it was - a sign to Ahaz. If Matthew had not referred to it, would anyone assume that this was a messianic prophecy? I don't know. Well, it's an interesting discussion. I would hate to think that taking Isaiah at his word would be a stumbling block to anyone. Jesus was born of a virgin; he's no less the Son of God even if it turns out that God did choose to re-use that particular sign. Peace and grace, Steve aka Indiana Jones |
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239 | Finding 'Act as though you have faith' | Bible general Archive 1 | stjones | 72112 | ||
Hi, aften1; You said "All the great religions of the world say the same thing - it is better to be a good person than a bad one." But only one says being "a good person" will not get you to Heaven/Paradise/Nirvana/whatever. Only one says that the only way to get to Heaven is through a savior. Only one teaches that salvation is a free gift of God. Only one has it right. Does this make Christians narrow-minded bigots? If we made it up ourselves, it would. But as others have pointed out, it was Jesus himself who said so. There's no middle ground. Either Jesus is the exclusive way to God or he's a liar not worth listening to. If you make him out to be a liar, then he is not your savior and you'll have to stand on your own - as all the other "great religions" teach. Peace and grace, Steve aka Indiana Jones |
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240 | virgin birth | Is 7:14 | stjones | 72109 | ||
Hi, consider; I assume your question is about Jesus' deity. Simple answer: The implication is that the person does not believe what the Bible says about Jesus. Since the Bible is the only authoritative source of information about Jesus, this person would have no reason to believe anything about Jesus. More complicated answer: As I have explained in another thread, I don't think Isaiah 7:14 is a prophecy about Jesus. But that doesn't matter; both Matthew and Luke make it clear that God - not Joseph or any other man - is Jesus' father. Luke says "The angel answered, 'The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God.'" (1:35) I suppose that the Holy Spirit could have come upon Mary even if she weren't a virgin. But there are two problems with that. First, the passage in Isaiah establishes virgin birth as an extraordinary sign from God (even if it didn't directly foretell Jesus' birth). Second, there would always be room to question Jesus' paternity. Like any woman who sleeps around, it might be difficult to establish who the father of Mary's baby really was. Mary's virginity leaves no room for doubt. The angel's words sum up the dilemma: if this person believes that Jesus was the son of a man, then he or she cannot simultaneously believe that he is the Son of God - except in some vague, symbolic sense. The rest of the NT leaves little doubt that a vague, symbolic son would be an inadequate savior. Ultimately, if there is no virgin birth, there is no savior. Further, I think it's completely irrational to assume that God could not accomplish a virgin birth. I think it's entirely reasonable to believe that God would choose a virgin birth to bring his son into our world of space and time. So if this person can believe anything about Jesus, I can't imagine why the virgin birth would be a problem. Hope this helps. Peace and grace, Steve aka Indiana Jones |
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