Results 2961 - 2980 of 3133
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Results from: Answers On or After: Thu 12/31/70 Author: Makarios Ordered by Date |
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Results | Verse | Author | ID# | |||
2961 | Implications of Mat 17:20 vs I Cor 13:2? | Mark 9:23 | Makarios | 8682 | ||
Hello Chris, In Matthew 17:20, Jesus is explaining that nothing will be impossible for those who have faith and believe. In 1 Corinthians 13:2, Paul is saying that even if he has this faith to move mountains, it is useless to him if he does not have love. I'm not sure what your question is. Blessings, Nolan |
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2962 | what verse says, "Behold how they love" | 1 John 4:7 | Makarios | 8666 | ||
Hello ransom! The closest that I can find is 1 John 4:7 to "Behold how they love one another.." 1 John 4:7 says in the KJV, "Behold, let us love one another".. Hope this helps.. Nolan |
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2963 | Prophets after Christ | 1 Corinthians | Makarios | 8663 | ||
Hello montu, In Acts 21:10, a prophet named Agabus came down to meet Paul and Luke.. The presence of this prophet (who is called a 'prophet' by Scripture), confirms that there are prophets or prophetesses after Christ. Other verses that can be used to confirm the presence of prophets are 1 Cor. 14:37, Titus 1:12.. However, there are false prophets also, and the word that is spoken of the prophets must line up with or agree with Scripture, since Scripture can never be broken (John 10:35). The Greatest Revelation that God has given to man is the revelation of His Son, Jesus Christ! Blessings! Nolan |
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2964 | Spiritual Bondage | James 4:7 | Makarios | 8661 | ||
Can a Christian be demon possessed? I believe that this question has already been answered by the members of the Forum. Please go to the "Search command" at the right and type in the words 'christian possessed' and you should be able to pull up the threads. Blessings, Nolan |
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2965 | How do we remit | Matt 7:13 | Makarios | 8622 | ||
sharp, how is it that you can associate John 20:23 in any way with baptism? | ||||||
2966 | Yes, but how Nolan? | Joshua | Makarios | 8621 | ||
Hello prayon!! I'm back from church now... :) You ask, "how did Rahab the harlot come to her faith?" Good question. The passages in the Bible that mention Rahab (Joshua 2:1-24; 6:17-25; Hebrews 11:31; James 2:25) do not specifically state exactly how or who introduced her to the faith. Because of this, I have to offer my own opinion or interpretation of how she came to the faith in order to answer your question.. If you notice that Rahab and her family were the only survivors (v. 21) of the city, and Rahab was saved because of her faith (Heb. 11:31), then we could come to the conclusion that if there were any other people in the city that were Jews, believers, or 'ones' who had faith, then they would also be saved. Because of the fact that there is no one else who is saved (v. 21), then we have to come to the conclusion that either Rahab came to the faith herself or someone in her family was an influence to her. Since we do not know whether her family shared in her genuine faith or not, then it would be only speculative to assume that someone influenced her to come to the faith. The fact is- she had faith! So I come to the conclusion, based on the textual evidence, that she came to the faith herself, based on the messages or communication that was known to the citizens of Jericho about the Israelites (which was a great deal); a faith that began as the citizens of Jericho heard about the crossing of the Red Sea, and slowly grew within her as she heard more and more about the pursuits of the Israelites and their God. My conclusion is that she came to the faith on her own by God's grace through the reports of the Israelite activity in the land. I do not believe that anyone could have told her unless it was someone in her own family. And if it was someone in her family, then I don't see why the Bible failed to mention that. This is my own conclusion and I do not expect you to agree with me, but this is my interpretation for what its worth. :) Nolan |
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2967 | Mark what is driving you? | Titus | Makarios | 8601 | ||
Dear EdB, I have read your note that you sent privately, and now I am responding to your message.. Please don't lose heart, my friend! I pray that you don't take this personally! It was by the grace of our Lord that you happened upon the Forum in the first place, please don't let this 'consume' you or get the best of you, my friend! You have way too much to contribute to the Forum, way too much education and expertise not to continue on strong in your faith and in your Christian life! Sir, if you ever find this Forum causing you pain, then its time to get away and refresh yourself through other means. Then you can come back, my friend! All that we can do now is to pray for Mark Sutton and donnag. We must keep her in our prayers! Ed, I'll start.. "Dear Sovereign Lord in heaven, we come before You this moment so that You will help to strengthen my fellow brother Ed! I pray that You will sustain him and help him not to take responsibility for the actions of others on the Forum.. Lord we lift up to You donnag, who is married and facing a crisis situation with her church! We pray that You will have Your hand in her situation, and You alone Lord know what is going on there, and we pray that You Lord would help her and protect her and all the people involved from the wiles of the enemy! Dear Lord Jesus, we also lift up to you Mark Sutton.. We pray that you would bless him in his life, and that he would take heed of correction and continue on in a joyous Christian life with a Christlike spirit! Dear Lord Jesus, we ask these things in Your Holy Name." Amen Dear brother Ed, I will continue to pray for you.. Nolan Keck |
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2968 | 2Thess 2:7 forum, then respond | 2 Thess 2:6 | Makarios | 8596 | ||
Interesting question, Ray! (And yes, I have read the 2 Thess 2:7 thread before jumping here.. :) ) Here, Paul is writing to the believers in the Thessalonian church, trying to reassure them that Christ had not already returned, and that the Antichrist was yet to come.. Yet this verse speaks of a 'mystery of lawlessness'.. In the NT a mystery usually refers to something that people could not know by themselves but that God has revealed (see Rom. 11:25).. It is most often used in reference to the Gospel. The expression here indicates that we know some things about evil only as God reveals them. This evil is already at work and will continue until the restrainer is removed at the end time. This spirit of lawlessness is already prevalent in society (cf. 1 John 3:4; 5:17), but still a mystery in that it is not fully revealed as it will be in the one who so blatantly opposes God that he blasphemously assumes the place of God on earth which God has reserved for Jesus Christ. The spirit of such a man is already in operation (cf. 1 John 2:18; 4:3), but the man who fully embodies that spirit has not yet come. And if he is here, I would venture to guess that he is not reading this on the Study Bible Forum! :) Ray, your "Personal Copy" sounds interesting! I'll venture to guess that it is a formal equivalence translation with special contextual attention to punctuation! :) I like it, I like it.. Sources: Zondervan NASB Study Bible, MacArthur NKJV Study Bible Nolan Keck |
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2969 | How did Rahab learn about God? | Joshua | Makarios | 8594 | ||
Hello prayon! Nelson's NKJV Study Bible suggests, "Rahab's use of God's personal name Yahweh, translated here as LORD, indicates that she had come to faith in the living God (v. 11). God had graciously opened the heart and mind of a foreign prostitute to accept Him as Lord. 'the terror of you has fallen on us': Israel's reputation went before them. God already had dramatically delivered the Israelites in many ways, and the report had been spread throughout the nations. Rahab mentioned two miraculous deliverances: the crossing of the Red Sea and the victories over two kings east of the Jordan, Sihon and Og (v. 10; see Ex. 14; Num. 21:21-35)." After reading Joshua 2:1-24, we see that Rahab was indeed a believer and had faith in the God of the Israelites! First, she calls Him LORD (Yahweh), and tells them that all the inhabitants of Jericho are 'fainthearted' because of Israel (providing them with the covert information that they came for, and by doing so gives them encouragement), and then she gives the basis for her faith: which was the miracle at the Red Sea and their military prowess over the kings of the Amorites! We can see that even in these early days of the Israelite's conquering of Canaan, that information spreads fast! Jericho obviously had its share of spies and messengers. And when the people of the land of Jericho heard the news of the ever-advancing Israelites, the result was fear.. However, (due to God's grace) the result upon hearing this news for Rahab was faith in God instead of fear! And this faith is what had prepared her for this moment, where she would aid the spies, and save herself and family from annihilation by the Israelites. Good study! Nolan Keck |
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2970 | Any color significance? | Josh 2:18 | Makarios | 8593 | ||
Hello again prayon! "the cord of scarlet thread": The spies gave Rahab a line of scarlet cord to hang out the window as a sign of the agreement they had made. Scarlet, unlike drab green, brown, gray, etc., is better seen to mark the house for protection. The color is also fitting for these whose blood (v.19) was under God's pledge of safety. The function of the red marker was similar to that of the blood of the Passover lamb when the Lord struck down the firstborn of Egypt (see Ex. 12:7,13,22-23). The early church viewed the blood-colored cord as a type (symbol) of Christ's atonement. Also, the scarlet thread would enable the invading Israelites to identify the house they were to spare. This is probably not the same rope she used to let the spies down, since the words are different ('cord' v. 18, 'rope' v. 15). The cord's color also alludes to the story of Tamar, since a scarlet thread was tied to the wrist of her first son (Gen. 38:28,30). Both of these women were non-Israelite ancestors of Jesus (Matt. 1:3,5). Sources: Zondervan NIV Study Bible, Ryrie NASB Study Bible, MacArthur NKJV Study Bible, Zondervan NASB Study Bible, Nelson NKJV Study Bible. Nolan |
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2971 | Rahab's family believe? | Josh 2:13 | Makarios | 8592 | ||
Good question, prayon! We can find the answer if we look to Joshua 6:22-25.. Here we read that those same two spies (so that there would be no mistake) in 2:13 brought out Rahab and her family and placed them outside the camp of Israel. Either Rahab herself was able to convince them to believe in the power of God, or they believed themselves out of their fear for the Israelites.. Basically, all were convinced of the inevitable victory of the Israelites over the city of Jericho. (v.9) Consequently, Rahab acted towards the Israeli spies as though she were an Israelite, and now asks that Israel treat her similarly. Rahab asked the spies to swear to her. Even though to swear in God's name was a serious matter, the spies agreed to Rahab's request (vv. 14,17,20). Rahab confessed that He is the sovereign Creator and Sustainer of all that exists (cf. Deut. 4:39; Acts 14:15; 17:23-28), thus the Supreme One. The Bible commends her faith, not her lying to protect the spies (Hebrews 11:31; James 2:25). God's grace is remarkably demonstrated in giving her faith, sparing her, and including her in the Messianic line (Matthew 1:5). Sources: Zondervan NIV Study Bible, Ryrie NASB Study Bible, MacArthur NKJV Study Bible, Zondervan NASB Study Bible, Nelson NKJV Study Bible. Nolan |
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2972 | Rahab's family believe? | Josh 2:13 | Makarios | 8591 | ||
Good question, prayon! We can find the answer if we look to Joshua 6:22-25.. Here we read that those same two spies (so that there would be no mistake) in 2:13 brought out Rahab and her family and placed them outside the camp of Israel. Either Rahab herself was able to convince them to believe in the power of God, or they believed themselves out of their fear for the Israelites.. Basically, all were convinced of the inevitable victory of the Israelites over the city of Jericho. (v.9) Consequently, Rahab acted towards the Israeli spies as though she were an Israelite, and now asks that Israel treat her similarly. Rahab asked the spies to swear to her. Even though to swear in God's name was a serious matter, the spies agreed to Rahab's request (vv. 14,17,20). Rahab confessed that He is the sovereign Creator and Sustainer of all that exists (cf. Deut. 4:39; Acts 14:15; 17:23-28), thus the Supreme One. The Bible commends her faith, not her lying to protect the spies (Hebrews 11:31; James 2:25). God's grace is remarkably demonstrated in giving her faith, sparing her, and including her in the Messianic line (Matthew 1:5). Sources: Zondervan NIV Study Bible, Ryrie NASB Study Bible, MacArthur NKJV Study Bible, Zondervan NASB Study Bible, Nelson NKJV Study Bible. Nolan |
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2973 | Spirtual Gifts | Matt 7:13 | Makarios | 8589 | ||
Greetings Ezekiel! I apologize if I sounded a little 'terse'.. That was not my intention! Dear brother in Christ, you have asked some good questions! And it seems that we keep missing each other here.. :) That's Ok! You don't have to speak in fancy words or have the greatest intellect in order to understand the Word of God. The Lord knows that I do not. When you are baptized by the Holy Spirit, then you will eventually find what your Spiritual Gifts are as you progress in your walk with Christ. You see, when you get saved, you are just a baby in Christ! But you have to grow in the faith, and somewhere down the line, you will eventually discover your Spiritual Gifts. As for me, I have several gifts! I have the gift of Teaching, Encouragement, Organization, a 'Genuine Heart' for people and their needs (Pastor's Heart), and a willingness to help people. And I have found that these gifts all play together in harmony and work together. I am not a pastor, but I am a Bible scholar, Sunday School teacher, and a leader in my church. I attend a Conservative Mennonite Church, and I am useful to the congregation while being spiritually fed myself. Your gifts will surely vary from mine! There are myriad gifts! And I pray that the Lord has blessed you with many. For instance, I have never spoken in tongues. You may have this gift, but I am convinced that I do not. You may have the gift of prophecy! I have never prophesied, and I am convinced that I also do not have this gift either. You have to search and see what the Lord has blessed you with. I hope this helps! Blessings, Nolan |
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2974 | chapter6 opening the seals | 2 Thess 2:7 | Makarios | 8540 | ||
I have heard it argued that the Holy Spirit is referred to here in this verse as the One who restrains evil and Who is taken out of the way. If this is true, then this occurs immediately before or after the Antichrist is revealed (2 Thess. 2:3-4). Zondervan's NASB Study Bible declares here, "This evil is already at work and will continue until the restrainer is removed at the end time." The Ryrie Expanded Edition Study Bible states, "he who now restrains will do so until. Antichrist is now being held back by a restrainer. Some understand this to be God indwelling His church by the Holy Spirit, while others see human government as the restraint. According to the former view, the removal will be at the rapture of the church (1 Thess. 4:13-18) but, according to the latter, at the overthrow of human government by Antichrist." |
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2975 | Did Jesus mean this literally? | Matt 5:22 | Makarios | 8536 | ||
The KJV reads "Raca" in this verse, which means 'vain fellow'. The Chuck Smith Study Guide for Matthew (found at www.blueletterbible.org reads like this: "The scribes and Pharisees taught the commandment in a purely physical sense, but Jesus said that we should not harbor hatred for another in our hearts." Matthew Henry Commentary states, "1. Christ tells them that rash anger is heart-murder (v. 22); Whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause, breaks the sixth commandment. By our brother here, we are to understand any person, though ever so much our inferior, as a child, a servant, for we are all made of one blood. Anger is a natural passion; there are cases in which it is lawful and laudable; but it is then sinful, when we are angry without cause. The word is eikeµ, which signifies, sine causâ, sine effectu, et sine modo—without cause, without any good effect, without moderation; so that the anger is then sinful, (1.) When it is without any just provocation given; either for no cause, or no good cause, or no great and proportionable cause; when we are angry at children or servants for that which could not be helped, which was only a piece of forgetfulness or mistake, that we ourselves might easily have been guilty of, and for which we should not have been angry at ourselves; when we are angry upon groundless surmises, or for trivial affronts not worth speaking of. (2.) When it is without any good end aimed at, merely to show our authority, to gratify a brutish passion, to let people know our resentments, and excite ourselves to revenge, then it is in vain, it is to do hurt; whereas if we are at any time angry, it should be to awaken the offender to repentance, and prevent his doing so again; to clear ourselves (2 Co. 7:11), and to give warning to others. (3.) When it exceeds due bounds; when we are hardy and headstrong in our anger, violent and vehement, outrageous and mischievous, and when we seek the hurt of those we are displeased at. This is a breach of the sixth commandment, for he that is thus angry, would kill if he could and durst; he has taken the first step toward it; Cain’s killing his brother began in anger; he is a murderer in the account of God, who knows his heart, whence murder proceeds, ch. 15:19. 2. He tells them, that given opprobrious language to our brother is tongue-murder, calling him, Raca, and, Thou fool. When this is done with mildness and for a good end, to convince others of their vanity and folly, it is not sinful. Thus James says, O vain man; and Paul, Thou fool; and Christ himself, O fools, and slow of heart. But when it proceeds from anger and malice within, it is the smoke of that fire which is kindled from hell, and falls under the same character. (1.) Raca is a scornful word, and comes from pride, "Thou empty fellow;’’ it is the language of that which Solomon calls proud wrath (Prov. 21:24), which tramples upon our brother-disdains to set him even with the dogs of our flock. This people who knoweth not the law, is cursed, is such language, Jn. 7:49. (2.) Thou fool, is a spiteful word, and comes from hatred; looking upon him, not only as mean and not to be honoured, but as vile and not to be loved; "Thou wicked man, thou reprobate.’’ The former speaks a man without sense, this (in scripture language) speaks a man without grace; the more the reproach touches his spiritual condition, the worse it is; the former is a haughty taunting of our brother, this is a malicious censuring and condemning of him, as abandoned of God. Now this is a breach of the sixth commandment; malicious slanders and censures are poison under the tongue, that kills secretly and slowly; bitter words are as arrows that would suddenly (Ps. 64:3), or as a sword in the bones. The good name of our neighbour, which is better than life, is thereby stabbed and murdered; and it is an evidence of such an ill-will to our neighbour as would strike at his life, if it were in our power." |
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2976 | What is an ASHERAH POLE? | 2 Chr 24:18 | Makarios | 8535 | ||
Hello gubber! The KJV mistakenly renders 'Asherim' in this verse as 'grove', which is also done in the Vulgate and LXX (septuagint). In the earliest period of the Semitic occupation of Canaan (c. B.C. 2500-2000), the goddess Asherah shared with Baal (Judg. 3:7; 6:25) the chief worship of the immigrants, and Asherah was particularly worshipped as the goddess of fertility. Her place was later usurped by Astarte. In this early aniconic age, the wooden post (or pole) was her symbol, as the stone pillar was of Baal. Bearing her name, it passed by gradual stages into the complete anthropomorphic image of the deity as in Samaria and Jerusalem. Asherahs or Asherah poles are found beside 'sacred trees' in Jer. 17:2; 1 Kings 14:23; and 2 Kings 17:10. Asherah is the name of a Canaanite deity and we read of her an 'an abominable image' in 2 Chr. 15:16, and in 2 Kings 21:7 of 'a graven image' of Asherah. The graven image of Asherah set up by Manasseh in the Temple (2 Kings 21:7), when destroyed by Josiah, is simply termed the asherah (2 Kings 23:6). Like the idols described by the prophet of the Exile (Isaiah 41:7; 44:12). It evidently consisted of a core of wood overlaid with precious metal, since it could be at once burned and 'stamped to powder' (2 Chr. 15:16), and was periodically decorated with woven hangings ('tunics') by the women votaries of Asherah (2 Kings 23:7). Therefore there is good warrant for seeing the asherah which Ahab set up in the temple of Baal at Samaria (cf. 1 Kings 16:33 with 2 Kings 10:26) as something of greater consequence than a mere post or pole. It must have been a celebrated image of the goddess. In the remaining passages of the OT, the asherah is the name of a prominent object associated with the altar in the worship of the Canaanite high places. It was made of wood (Judg. 6:26), and could be planted in the ground (Deut. 16:21), plucked up or cut down (Mic. 5:14; Ex. 34:13), and burned with fire (Deut. 12:3). Accordingly, the asherah was a wooden post or pole having symbolical significance in the Canaanite cults. Source: Hastings' Dictionary of the Bible (1909, 1994 Hendrickson) |
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2977 | how to clear a bondage | Bible general Archive 1 | Makarios | 8533 | ||
Greetings montu! Would you mind being a little more specific? Are you referring to spiritual bondage or bondage in regards to slavery? Both are mentioned and dealt with in the Bible. If you referring to spiritual warfare and the idea of binding and loosing, then try the "Search Function" at the right or please be a little more specific. Thank you! Blessings, Nolan |
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2978 | I need to know if this is a cult? | Titus | Makarios | 8382 | ||
Hello donnag! Good question! Are there divisions within your small church? There is no problem with meeting within someone's home. I know many Amish families that do that very same thing. The real question is: Are you being spiritually fed at this church? Does the church follow the Word of God? What does this church accomplish as a body of Christ? Are there ways of 'reaching out' to the community as a church family? What is your feeling about this church after you pray? These are some 'searching' questions that you may want to ask yourself. Starting a brand new church is a blessed thing! But there are many pitfalls that the enemy will throw into your path, and your church must be on the 'lookout' by diligently keeping within the Word of God. Hopefully your 'group' of six people can begin to expand in their vision and have an 'identity' together.. Does your church have a name? It doesn't matter how large or small a church is, God can still use it! God can still draw people into it, and there needs to be some growth in your church as evidence of the spiritual growth of the members involved. But this is not always the case! There may be other reasons why your church doesn't grow. Your church is fragile here, and needs to begin growing a lot! If it is not growing, then there are some issues that need to be addressed in a "Pastor/Parish relations commitee" :) or in a 'church meeting'. That way, you can bring out some of the very things that are holding your church back from growing. Sometimes you just have to be patient. If you know that God has called you to be a part of that church, then just be patient and God will see to it that your church will grow. Be creative and as a church begin to invite people or make yourselves visible to the community. You said that 'not too many people can get along with her' in reference to your woman pastor. Are there specific reasons why? Blessings, Nolan! |
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2979 | Thomas being sarcastic or serious? | John 11:16 | Makarios | 8357 | ||
In response to this question (as an attempt to answer it completely for myself), I have added the interpretation of a few other sources that I have.. Zondervan's NIV Study Bible states, "We usually remember Thomas for his doubting, but he was also capable of devotion and courage." Nelson's NKJV Study Bible states, "Thomas said, Let us go also, that we may die. While the Lord saw their development in faith, Thomas saw their deaths. Yet in his loyalty, he followed anyway." And as we bring this question to a close, I thank you for the discussion! Nolan |
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2980 | I want to know if we are being sucked in | Acts 2:45 | Makarios | 8334 | ||
Well, if we look at Acts 2:45, we see where the believers had everything in common and shared with anyone that was in need (Acts 4:34). But must we be frugal and keep store for ourselves? I believe that it is important to tithe (even though we are not commanded to do so), and it is important to watch over your own finances in prayer and with Christ's leading in mind. Christ should also be clearly seen (evidence of) in what we spend our money on (or what we don't), but that doesn't mean that we should 'go broke' on certain charitable organizations, even though helping them is a very noble thing to do! But you should make doubly sure that you know exactly what and who you are contributing to, since the people of this world are more shrewd in relation to themselves than those who believe (Luke 16:8). So be careful! Money is something that we should be very careful with (1 Tim. 6:10) in relation to our own souls, as Ananias and Sapphira found out (Acts 5:1-11). | ||||||
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