Results 2281 - 2300 of 2452
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Results from: Answered Bible Questions, Answers, Unanswered Bible Questions, Notes Author: Reformer Joe Ordered by Verse |
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Results | Verse | Author | ID# | |||
2281 | Did Jesus go to hell? | 1 Peter | Reformer Joe | 80747 | ||
"I do believe all scriptural truth can be traced back to His teachings, although in the other letters, there is often much more detail." Then show me where Jesus condemned homosexuality. This is the same argument ("Jesus never mentioned it") that the pro-"gay Christian" people use. The fact is that all Scripture is God-breathed, and if there is significant teaching outside of the gospels on any matter, it doesn't matter if Jesus himself addressed it at length or not. "Since physical healing was a MAJOR emphasis of His ministry, how do you think such a MAJOR exclusion as never telling ANYONE who asked for healing, that it was God's will for them to remain sick for awhile." 1. I don't think it was nearly as major as you seem to think it is. How many of his miracles did not involve healing at all? Compare the number of references to Jesus healing to the number of parables He told. Add in all of the teaching moments, sermons, and so on. While His healing ministry was not tiny, it certainly wasn't a MAJOR focus of why He was here. In fact, I think it is safe to reasonably conclude that His healing of people was more about Himself than it was about their maldies. 2. While Jesus did heal the man born blind, was it God's will that he be blind from birth up until that moment? Didn't Jesus say that Himself? --Joe! |
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2282 | Did Jesus go to hell? | 1 Peter | Reformer Joe | 80748 | ||
'Prayerfull...someone seeking an answer of "sufferings" will realize Paul is speaking of persecutions and hardships due to our association with the person of Jesus the Messiah, and will realize one can't erase 'messenger of Satan' and write 'sickness and desease or affliction' as Paul's thorn.' When one is afflicted by demonic activity, does it not often result in physical ailment? Think of those oppressed by demons in Scripture who were mute or suffered seizures. Could Paul have been suffering physical torment from this messenger of Satan? I don't think anyone was arguing for erasing one thing and inserting another, but rather to suggest that the former could very well have manifested itself as the latter. --Joe! |
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2283 | Did Jesus go to hell? | 1 Peter | Reformer Joe | 80754 | ||
Okay...sorry to complicate things with Scriptural truth! :) --Joe! |
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2284 | Did Jesus go to hell? | 1 Peter | Reformer Joe | 80767 | ||
"My friend...what does homosexuality addressed in both the Old covenant and the New covenant have to do with the subject I was addressing." It has to do with your statement: "I do believe all scriptural truth can be traced back to His teachings, although in the other letters, there is often much more detail." The statements of Jesus, while absolutely true, are not more absolutely true than the other absolutely true statements of the Bible. "Jesus, in the gospels did not address homosexuality at all, however he addressed healing and faith almost/if not every chapter of the gospels." While He certainly did address it, I think you may be exagerrating here regarding just how much He did address it. And, as I have pointed out, we need to look at the whole counsel of God, rather than just a verse here and there which can be understood a number of ways outside of its context. So, it is anything but improper to bring in other Scripture passages (as you yourself have done, despite your protests) in order for us to thoroughly and thoughtfully examine the Scriptural support for a doctrine. --Joe! |
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2285 | WHY DOES GOD WANT US TO BE HOLY? | 1 Pet 1:16 | Reformer Joe | 49180 | ||
Because God is holy Himself. God being the single example in existence of infinite goodness and moral perfection, there is no other goal we should have than to pursue that same moral perfection. God knows that there is no one or nothing that is better than Himself, so we should reflect God's glory as humanity was created to do. --Joe! |
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2286 | Fear God! | 1 Pet 1:17 | Reformer Joe | 35805 | ||
You think that most modern preachers dedicate a fifth of their sermons to the fear of God? I think a better paradigm to study (rather than how much "fear" is preached) is whether we have a balance between law and gospel. God's moral law in Scripture shows us the righteous requirements of an infinitely moral, infinitely holy, infintely powerful Judge. That is sufficient to convict God's people of their sin and helplessness, and also show us as followers of Christ what the goal is of our sanctification. The gospel shows us God's gracious provision to meet for us the righteous demands of His law in the person of Jesus Christ. Everything in Scripture can be preached in terms of law and gospel, and in those two we have the whole picture of the character of God and what our response should be. Therefore, both should be clearly preached in every sermon. --Joe! |
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2287 | Fear God! | 1 Pet 1:17 | Reformer Joe | 35813 | ||
You have a very misinformed view of the preaching of Jonathan Edwards. I know that such a skewed perspective is due to the errors of the writers of the textbooks you read in high school, but the fact is that Jonathan Edwards preached the whole counsel of God like few others have before him or after him. I would suggest that you take some time to read some of his works (starting with the _Religious Affections_) and see how much he uses terms like "sweetness" and "mercy" and "grace." He even wrote a whole treatise on grace. Please do not believe the standard bit on the Puritans. There is a great deal of flat-out wrong information about them, their theology, and their lifestyle. Try reading what they actually wrote, and you will be amazed at their grasp of the grace and goodness of God, as well as the horrific nature of our sin against a holy God. And Edwards was 18th-century, by the way. --Joe! |
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2288 | Fear God! | 1 Pet 1:17 | Reformer Joe | 35823 | ||
I don't think that we are viewed quite as the Puritans are. The general view of the Puritans is the grim, black-wearing, somber "fun police" who lived in fear that "someone, somewhere may be happy" as H.L. Mencken put it. I see modern evangelicals characterized more as hypocrites (often true) or "fuzzy-headed" people that need a "crutch" to make it through the day. We are dastardly people who try to force our religion on other people, to be sure, but we are much wimpier about it than the Puritans were! :) --Joe! |
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2289 | Fear God! | 1 Pet 1:17 | Reformer Joe | 35853 | ||
Which is, of course, what did indeed happen to many of them in their day in England. Imagine being in prison in a "Christian" nation simply for refusing to stop preaching the biblical gospel! We could learn a lot of great lessons from men such as John Owen, John Bunyan, and the like about what it means to put one's hands to the plowshare and never turning back. --Joe! |
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2290 | Fear God! | 1 Pet 1:17 | Reformer Joe | 35887 | ||
And a HUGE reason behind that is we have grown accustomed to the state telling us where our boundaries are as believers. While I do not hold the view that the power of the sword belongs to the church, we too readily accept the notion that religion is a "private matter" and the gospel should only be proclaimed where it is legally permissible to do so without starting controversy. Compare that with the words of the apostles: 'And when they had summoned them, they commanded them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus. But Peter and John answered and said to them, "Whether it is right in the sight of God to give heed to you rather than to God, you be the judge; for we cannot stop speaking about what we have seen and heard."' --Acts 4:18-20 Would that we were truly a people who literally could not stop talking about what God in his mercy has revealed to us, no matter how much it ruffles the feathers of the "authorities"! Ed was wondering whether "Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God" would play well today. I happen to think that the messages of the Puritans would stir the hearts and minds of many people as the Holy Spirit operated through that means to bring them to Christ. It would cause countless controversies, to be sure, but God would certainly do His work through those messages. I have been listening to a tape series on the history of the Reformation, and I am truly astounded at how such a seemingly simple thing as a renewed interest in the words of the Bible sparked such a dramatic change in Western history. I know that you know from personal experience, Hank, what it is like to go to church week after week and never hear the gospel of Christ preached. These often unsuspecting folks sitting under the Reformers were given heavy doses of pure, unadulterated Scriptural exposition, and it transformed entire societies. THAT is the power of God when His Word is publicly proclaimed by His people who know it! Sadly, however, most of American society does not have the opportunity to respond to an Edwards-esque sermon, because there are so few places today in which it can be heard. What has resulted is a lukewarm, fuzzy-headed church which is all-too-susceptible to the spirit of this world and its lusts. --Joe! |
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2291 | Fear God! | 1 Pet 1:17 | Reformer Joe | 35891 | ||
I wholeheartedly agree. Most who read Edwards would also contend that he was one of the finest INTELLECTS produced on American soil. Even many non-Christians recognize this, and are dismayed that such a brilliant man "wasted his talents" on such God-centered pursuits. I am glad to have you aboard the forum! --Joe! |
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2292 | Fear God! | 1 Pet 1:17 | Reformer Joe | 35892 | ||
WAK: I encourage you to take some time to move beyong what was on the GED and immerse yourself in the woderful, God-centered, Scripture exalting writings of Jonathan Edwards. It is like a refreshing drink for the thirsty soul to read the words of a man so consumed with the wonder and majesty of Christ. To start off with, grab a book by John Piper entitled _God's Passion for His Glory._ It contains the entire text of Edwards' essay "The End for Which God Created the World" along with a huge commentary on it by Piper. That would be a great place to begin discovering the riches of Edwards. You won't be sorry that you did! --Joe! |
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2293 | How was Jesus slain 'before' ? | 1 Pet 1:20 | Reformer Joe | 81598 | ||
"I am just puzzled about the concept of Jesus being slain 'before the foundations of the world'. If I understand this right, I am hearing that He was already in the process of being slain before the world was ever formed. What exactly is meant here by this Scripture and what is it really saying?" Even though Christ was put to death in human history, at a specific place and time, the act has always been a part of the eternal decree of God. It was as certain of an event as Jesus' second coming, as far as God's eternal purpose is concerned. Additionally, the redemption purchased by Jesus on the cross benefits all of God's people from the Fall to the end of the age. Jesus died for Abraham's sins and David's sins just as surely as He did for mine, despite the fact that they lived before the Crucifixion. --Joe! |
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2294 | Why so many destined for Hell? | 1 Pet 2:8 | Reformer Joe | 70354 | ||
"My sister is just marveling over her new baby girl (number four child for her!) and the idea that any of our children would not be saved is just too painful to think about." I would recommend reading Deuteronomy 6 and Acts 2:39. I believe God works covenantally, in that if your sister and her husband are faithful to keep God's commandment -- and some would go so far as to say that such includes baptizing the girl (attention, other readers: please do not turn this thread into something it is not) -- to raise the girl as a Christian, praying for her and teaching her all of God's truth and living it out and encouraging her to embrace Jesus Christ in faith, that in the normal operation of things, God will bring their daughter to Himself. This is more than simply taking her to church with them, of course, but a lifelong commitment to nurture and shepherd a soul that will never, ever cease to exist. --Joe! |
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2295 | How can we influence who is saved? | 1 Pet 2:9 | Reformer Joe | 27538 | ||
Robert: Although every fiber of my being wishes to debate this with you, this discussion has already occurred at length several times in the forum. My friends here don't like it when I help fan the Calvinist threads into flame over and over again. :) So, I will point you to the search function of the forum and recommend that you type in "elect" or "chosen" and see what wealth of debate pops up! I would also recommend a book if you wish to understand the Calvinist perspective on evangelism. It is called _Evangelism and the Sovereignty of God_ by J.I. Packer. Basically, in a nutshell, the Calvinist perspective holds that while God does indeed call the elect unto himself, outwardly he primarily uses the preaching of his word by human beings as a means of grace. Therefore, while we cannot stifle God's sovereignty, our evangelism serves as our taking part in God's plan of calling his chosen to himself. That, and God told us to preach the Gospel, so it is a matter of obedience as well. --Joe! |
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2296 | How can God let us go through pain? | 1 Pet 2:24 | Reformer Joe | 42814 | ||
You write: "There are some that would say that we need to suffer, but God says in His Word in 1 Peter 2:24b that by His stripes we were healed." The whole book of Peter is about suufering for the sake of Christ. You have quoted one verse, which refers to our healing from sin (see Isaiah 53), and missed the entire point of the book, which most definitely says that there are godly reasons to suffer: "In this you greatly rejoice, even though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been distressed by various trials, so that the proof of your faith, being more precious than gold which is perishable, even though tested by fire, may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ" --1 Peter 1:6-7 "For this finds favor, if for the sake of conscience toward God a person bears up under sorrows when suffering unjustly. For what credit is there if, when you sin and are harshly treated, you endure it with patience? But if when you do what is right and suffer for it you patiently endure it, this finds favor with God. FOR YOU HAVE BEENCALLED FOR THIS PURPOSE, since Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example for you to follow in His steps" --1 Peter 2:19-21 "For it is better, IF GOD SHOULD WILL IT SO, that you suffer for doing what is right rather than for doing what is wrong." --1 Peter 3:17 "Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal among you, which comes upon you for your testing, as though some strange thing were happening to you; but to the degree that you share the sufferings of Christ, keep on rejoicing, so that also at the revelation of His glory you may rejoice with exultation." --1 Peter 4:12-13 "Therefore, those also who suffer ACCORDING TO THE WILL OF GOD shall entrust their souls to a faithful Creator in doing what is right." --1 Peter 4:19 "But resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same experiences of suffering are being accomplished by your brethren who are in the world. After you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace, who called you to His eternal glory in Christ, will Himself perfect, confirm, strengthen and establish you." --1 Peter 5:9-10 Peter says that suffering is appointed by God, and has purpose. But so does Paul: "For to you it has been granted for Christ's sake, not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for His sake" --Philippians 1:29 "Because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, for this reason, to keep me from exalting myself, there was given me a thorn in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to torment me--to keep me from exalting myself! Concerning this I implored the Lord three times that it might leave me. And He has said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness." Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me. Therefore I am well content with weaknesses, with insults, with distresses, with persecutions, with difficulties, for Christ's sake; for when I am weak, then I am strong.' --2 Corinthians 12:7-10 God uses suffering; God uses disease. And yes, God sometimes miraculously heals disease. We can always be assured that nothing happens to us without our sovereign God permitting it to happen (Matthew 10:29-31) for His purposes (Romans 8:28). --Joe! |
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2297 | How can God let us go through pain? | 1 Pet 2:24 | Reformer Joe | 42863 | ||
So you just choose to ignore all of those Bible verses...that's real solid theology! --Joe! |
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2298 | How can God let us go through pain? | 1 Pet 2:24 | Reformer Joe | 43039 | ||
Okay...you get "back to the front" with your misunderstanding of God, then! Good thing you aren't letting a little thing like the BIBLE getting in the way of your false teachings. After all, you FEEL it, so it MUST be real! --Joe! |
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2299 | How can God let us go through pain? | 1 Pet 2:24 | Reformer Joe | 43042 | ||
You wrote: "Those were some great scritures and I'm sure they back up your doctrine (suffering doctrine), but as I mentioned before, I don't believe in it." And, as I mentioned before: "So you just choose to ignore all of those Bible verses...that's real solid theology!" False teaching about our great God really disgusts Him. You are making a mockery of who He really is, building false images of Him just like Aaron did with the golden calf. You tell people who are sick and dying that they are in that situaton because they do not have enough faith. What paganism, and how cruel you are to those who need to hear the truth rather than your "health-and-wealth gospel" lies. Maybe you should read Galatians 1 to see what Paul had to say about false gospels. Oh, that's right: that's in that old, stale book again. Why bother with that when you can be experiencing a "fresh word" from whatever false teacher that happens down the pike to give you your next emotional high. It is precisely because of anti-thinking heretics like yourself that American evangelicalism is in such dire straits today. --Joe! |
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2300 | How can God let us go through pain? | 1 Pet 2:24 | Reformer Joe | 43091 | ||
Where do you go to church that you hear such false teachings? --Joe! |
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