Results 321 - 340 of 532
|
||||||
Results from: Answered Bible Questions, Answers, Unanswered Bible Questions, Notes Author: Robert Nicholson Ordered by Date |
||||||
Results | Verse | Author | ID# | |||
321 | One sacrifice for sins forever ! | 1 John 2:2 | Robert Nicholson | 45036 | ||
Dear friends: I have been enjoying the words of the woman of Tekoah found in 2 Samuel 14:14 "For we must needs die, and are as water spilt on the ground, which cannot be gathered up again; neither doth God respect any person: yet doth he devise means, that his banished be not expelled from him." It would appear that from this verse we are made to understand our mortality, our weakness and that their is nothing special in us that God should favour us. Yet God in his grace has "devised a means whereby his banished be not expelled" That means is found in the sacrifice of his Son who provided the way and means that those who are banished by sin be not expelled forever. "And he is the propitiation for our sins; but not for ours only but for (the sins) of the whole world. 1 John 2:2 What we read here is very deep truth. I believe it sets before us the sacrifice of Christ from a God-ward side. The sacrifice of Christ has satisfied God's holy throne against sin. The sin question as viewed from the throne of a holy and righteous God is settled through the sacifice of his Son. In the old testament times we see proitiation as the mercy seat, wherein once a year the priest entered for the people, not without blood, and sprinled the mercy seat with the blood which covered the sin of the people for another year. Because of the blood they had a seat of mercy rather than a seat of judgment. This of course, was a type which represented the sacrifice of Christ when he would offer himself without sin unto God once and for all. What does propitiation mean? It means that a holy God is satisfied with the sacrifice of the lamb of God for our sin. His throne of righteousness is satisfied. The sacrifice of Christ is what God's holy throne demanded and nothing less. Through Christ God now has a ground upon which he can righteously grant pardon or forgiveness to lost sinners. Is this not God's side of salvation? His throne is fully satisfied with Christ and his work on the cross, even if all reject him as saviour? This should humble us before God? Especially, when we realize that God by his grace has offered forgiveness to those who accept Christ through faith. Christ died for all. Forgiveness is offered to all.( Romans 3:22) However, forgiveness is only realized by those who will accept God's terms which is to acknowledge our need (repentance) and to rest by faith in Christ, in other words we must rest where God has rested. Robert |
||||||
322 | Left Behind in error w 2 Thess. 2:7-11? | 2 Thess 2:12 | Robert Nicholson | 44451 | ||
Mommapbs: I appreciate the amount of thought and study you have put into this subject. Their are some things that only eternity will reveal. I agree that the rapture is not the second coming of Christ to the earth when he will come in Power and glory and will put down all who are against him. I also agree that their will be millions saved including Jew and Gentile after the rapture, during the great tribulation. Having said that, it would appear from 2 Thess. 2 that after the rapture, the wicked one will be revealed. V.8 abd ub v9 "even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power, signs and lying wonders, and with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness" V.10 Not only will these people be deceived by the wicked one "God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie; That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness."V11-12 We Jesus takes the church away, there will be many who know the truth and in fact have rejected the truth. As I said in an earlier post I do not think we have a second chance once we miss God's salvation either by dying in our sins or missing the rapture of the church. We know that God is going to turn back to his people in grace and this grace will reach out to people from every nation who have not rejected the truth. I fear for those who in this day of grace when God by his Spirit deals individually with the hearts of humans, such privilege also brings accountability. We must answer Pilate's question "what shall I do with Jesus which is called Christ?" Thank God for Calvary, rather thank him for our Saviour who gave his all that we though unworthy and sinful, might be redeemed and made acceptable to God in him. Praise his precious Name! Thanks for chatting Robert |
||||||
323 | who is the man child? | Rev 12:5 | Robert Nicholson | 44365 | ||
Mommpbs: I would like to share my thoughts with you I believe that the church is taken away before the tribulation. (1 Thess.4:16) I tell you this so that you will understand where I am coming from. In Rev. 12 we read of the woman about to give birth. I believe that the woman represents the 12 tribes of Israel. We find in v. 4 that the dragon (satan) is ready to devour the child as soon as its born. This I believe is referring to Christ at his birth as Herod waited to destroy him. In Verse 5 "She brought forth a man child" this speaks of Christ at his birth. "who was to rule all nations with a rod of Iron" That is God's ultimate purpose for Christ. "her child was caught up to his throne" Christ did not rule at that time, rather he died, arose and was taken up to the throne of God. V.6 "The woman fled into the wilderness" This would reminds us of the dispersion of Israel after the death of Christ. "Where she had a place prepared of God" A remanent of Israel will be perserved, she will be protected from the beast. In V. 14 "The woman was given two wings of a great eagle, that she might fly into the wilderness, into her place, where she is nourished for a time" God is going to protect those whom he has saved out of the great tribulation. In Chp.14:1 we find that they have the "his father's name written on their foreheads in contrast to the lost who have the mark of the beast.Chp. 13:16 In Rev. 13 we are in the last stages of the great tribulation. God has allowed the beast to have power over all on earth. Keep in mind the remanent (the woman) are protected. It is here that we see the fate of those who have turned against God and refused Christ. In V.14 "he deceives them" by his power and demands their total worship and controls them with his mark. In 2 Thess. 2:11-12 we read "For this cause shall God send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie: That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrigheousness." These people are beyond the cleansing power of the blood of Christ. In When Christ comes in power and glory with his saints we have an earthly company saved out of the great tribulation who enters into the earthly kingdom and a heavenly company (the church) who rules with Christ over the earth. These are very difficult scriptures to understand and I do not pretend to have all the answers. Robert |
||||||
324 | When does the Baptism occur? | John 7:38 | Robert Nicholson | 44188 | ||
Greetings Ray; I appreciate your response, but I must admit that I am not sure of where you are coming from. I have always believed that the Holy Spirit is a person of the Godhead and agree with you that he indwells the believer the moment he rests in Christ for salvation. Please explain what you mean by the holy spirit? I have always differentiated between being indwelt by the Spirit and being filled by the Spirit. ( I don't understand your view on capitalization) As we have already agreed, all believers are indwelt by the Holy Spirit. I have looked at being filled with the Spirit as the willingness of a Christian to allow the Spirit of God to have his way in their life. We are warned not to quench the Spirit of God and not to greive the Spirit of God. I look forward to your response. your brother by his grace alone Robert |
||||||
325 | How did sin originate | Is 14:12 | Robert Nicholson | 44184 | ||
Greetings New Creature: According to Eph 2:1 "we were dead in tresspasses and in sins before we were made alive in Christ." Adam and Eve were placed in the position of spiritual death the moment they disobeyed God. In fact they were ashamed of their nakedness and try to cover themselves with fig leaves. Gen. 3:7 Even though they were dead, "they heard the voice of God" They were dead and could not change their situation (helpless), but they were not deaf to the call of God. This is where the idea of free choice verses God making the choice to call them. God knew their condition, he knew their need, but he wanted them to acknowledge that need before he would take the next step in restoring them to himself. God asked two questions which apply to sinners even today. "Where art thou?" and to Eve "What is this that thou hast done?" Gen 3:10-11 They acknowledge their sin and need "I was afraid, because I was naked and I hid myself" V.10 We find that God makes a covenant with them with a promise in V15 in of a redeemer through the seed of the woman speaking of Christ. God covered their nakedness with coats of skins. This is a picture of a sinner being clothed by God in the righteousness of Christ and made fit for God's presence. The only choice which Adam and Eve made was to sin. It was God who made the choice to call them and redeem them bringing them back into fellowship with him. We must remember that the plan of salvation for lost sinners was all of the grace of God. Humankind in his sinful state did not seek after God. Romans 3:11. The only choice we could make as humans was to continue building sin upon sin. Even the things which we did before we were saved which may have been kind works or goodness to others, none of this could earn us any peace with God. Do lost sinners have the ability to choose right from wrong. I believe that according to Romans 1;20 God has not left humans without a testimony of himself in creation. In Romans 2"14-15 we find that the Gentiles who know not God, "do by nature the things contained in the law" which would show us that the law is written in their hearts, in other words they have a conscience. The fact that they have this testimony of God and have a conscience which would convict them of wrong only makes them more responsible before God. However, as I have referred to Rom.3 a person in their natural state "does not seek after God." How then do we ever receive salvation? It is God by his Spirit who strives with sinners and shows them their utter, hopless condition. It is God by his Spirit through his word whether written or spoken who opens the understanding of lost sinners to the truth of the substitutionary sacrifice of Christ for our sins. The moment we rest, trust or believe this truth, it is God by his Spirit who indwells the believer giving them assurance of eternal life, a new nature within and power to live for Christ in our daily lives. What I am trying to show in the above paragraph is that eternal life is a free gift given to us by God and that he is the one who calls us, who convicts us, who enlightens us, who saves us and who keeps us. We are totally dependent on him. At one time I thought that I had made certain choices before I was saved. Yet in retrospect, I can see that God was in it all. It was no accident that a preacher from many miles away visited our farmhouse and brought the gospel to people who had never heard it before. It was no accident that my father was gloriously saved and immediately spread the good news to his family. I can see now that when as a young boy I learned about my sin and my need to be born again, that it was God by his Spirit who used my father and others to get that important fact across to me. I learned by bitter experience that I could not get saved whenever I wanted to. I thought I believed the gospel and God's promise to save those who believe and yet I was not saved. The day that I came to know Christ, I was alone on the roadside after school, I was in torment over my dilemma, not saved. I tried to believe and yet it seemed that there was only darkness in my soul. I got down on my knees and cryed to God "please help me to get saved" It was only moments later as my mind went over John 3:16 that God revealed to me the truth that I was the whosoever for whom Christ died. I took him at his word "that I would not perish but have everlasting life" On the other hand, we have many scriptures which invite sinners to come to Christ. We have examples of those who came to him in their need when he was on earth and had their sins forgiven and their bodies healed. Even Jesus warned of the urgency in coming to know him. "Strive to enter in at the strait gate" I have told my friends that if they are being convicted of their sin, if God is dealing with their soul be thankful for it and do not trifle with his call. Robert |
||||||
326 | Could it be they're not true believers? | Luke 15:32 | Robert Nicholson | 43962 | ||
Brother Searcher: The language of Heb. 10:26-31 reminds me of 2 Peter 2: 1 "...even there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them and bring upon themselves swift destruction. These people are "professing" Christians who have taken leadership of teachers and yet they deny the blood that bought them. We must remember that profession does not always mean possession. In Hebrews 10:26 -31 we are given a warning. V.26 "If we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins." Sin wilfully is a state of wilful sin even though we profess that Christ died for our sins and gives us power to overcome sin in our daily lives. Such a contradiction would indicate that they have never received the new nature in Christ, their sinful desires are the same and there is no evidence of the work of the Holy Spirit in their lives. This contradiction, professing to know the truth and wilfully going against it as evidenced in our sinful state, we are "treading underfoot the Son of God"V.29 In other words our live of wilful sin denies the power of Christ in the lives of those redeemed. They "have counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified an unholy thing" V. 29 By their actions they demonstrate that they do not consider the blood of Christ to be precious and an atonement for sin. Furthermore, they "hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace". They despise God in his grace, who has brought them to a measure of truth; which they deny. Like those in 1 Peter God's judgment is sure. I know that some will disagree, however, I do not think a person who has been born again to wilfully turn against Christ and his sacrifice for sin. Christians may fall into sin and get away from God, and yet deep within their soul they will always have an appreciation for Christ and his redemptive work on the cross. What do you think? Your brother by his grace Robert |
||||||
327 | How did sin originate | Is 14:12 | Robert Nicholson | 43961 | ||
New Creature: I knew you were going to ask this question! I would ask "What cause Eve to disobey God and why did Adam wilfully disobey God? They both knew the consequences at least at an intellectual level. I believe if we can understand the process which humans went through, we will have some understanding of the mind of the tempter. In Genesis 3 we find that the first thing the serpent did was question the word of God "Hath God said? Gen. 3:1 We find that Eve knows what God has commanded and the consequences of disobedience. However, we find that she is taken in by the serpent's part truth. He told her "you shall not die, for God knows that your eyes will be opened, and ye shall be as god knowing both good and evil. Consider the process of disobedience. First of all she allows a seed of doubt to form regarding God's word. Secondly, she is tempted by the look of the food of the tree that it appeared to be good and would make one wise. At this point she partakes of the tree and gives to her husband who eats willingly. We know the rest of the story. That "by one man sin entered the world and death by sin, so that death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned" Romans 5:12 Why did two people who were sinless allow themselves to disobey God? They made a personal choice because of their desire to be more than God intended them to be. No one forced them to disobey God. How does this relate to the serpent or Satan? Satan is referred to as "the annoited cherub that covereth; I have set thee so: Thou wast upon the Holy mountain of God; Thou hast walked up and down in the midst of the stones of fire. Thou wast perfect in all thy ways from the day thou wast created, till iniquity was found in thee. Ezekiel 28 :14-15 Satan appears to have had a place of leadership under God. He was exceptionally wise and yet from within his mind came the desire to be equal to or above God. Lucifer was judged by God and was cast down from his heavenly position. However, his final Judgement will not come until the end of the great tribulation at which time he is cast into the lake of fire (Rev. 20:10) When we meet Satan as the serpent in the garden of Eden, he is one of the most beautiful and crafty creatures who is judged after his temptation of Eve to the level of a loathsome reptile. We must remember that Satan has many guises. However, back to your original question? I believe that the process that brought Lucifer down was similar to that which came upon humans. Lucifer had observed the Holiness of God, in fact he was created for God for a heavenly service. Within his mind with all his wisdom he coveted that which was never intended to be his, and that was to rise himself above the throne of God in rebellion. Lucifer made a choice and as in the case of man no one forced him and that choice brought about horific consequences. More importantly, we must remember that Satan is alive and well on planet earth and his objective is always to destroy the things and people of God by whatever means. Paul in writing to the Corinthians reminds us of his subtile ways: "Lest Satan should get an advantage of us: for we are not ignorant of his devices." 2 Cor. 2:11 This is a very difficult question and I hope I have been able to shed some understanding. May God richly bless you Robert |
||||||
328 | is jesus god? | John 1:1 | Robert Nicholson | 43853 | ||
Juthcrst1 The Bible makes it very clear that Jesus Christ is the eternal Son of God. The subject of the Godhead is an awesome truth which transcends the capablitity of finite minds. Nevertheless, God in his word has shown us that " For there are three which bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word and the Holy Ghost and these three are one (1John 5:7) At his baptism, as the Lord Jesus was lifted "out of the water, the heavens opened, and Spirit like a dove descending upon him: And there came a voice from heaven saying, Thou art my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased." (Mark 1: 10,11) Jesus demonstrated that he is God manifest in the flesh in the fact that he was able to forgive sins. In Mark 2:5 Jesus declared to a man sick of palsey, "Son thy Sins be forgiven thee". Immediately the scribes reasoned in their hearts, accusing Jesus of blasphemy and in their derision spoke the truth "who can forgive sins, but God only: (v8) Jesus responded with an answer to their reasonings, "That you may know that the Son of man hath power on earth to forgive sins" (V10) He then healed the sick man of his palsy. The writer of the Hebrews writes "Who (Jesus) being in the brightness (effulgence ) of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high (Heb. 1:3) The Son of God is co-equal and co-eternal, indeed he could say "he that hath seen me hath seen the father" (John 14:9b) Why did Jesus not tell people directly "I am God"? Jesus had nothing to prove, his walk on this earth and his fulfilment of those things written of him in the Law, the Prophets and the Psalms proved beyond a shadow of a doubt that he is the "Christ of God" To the human mind his incarnation is a mystery. "Who being in the form of God, thouht it not a thing to be grasped at to be equal with God" We then read of his lowly stoop into humankind "he made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant and was made in the likeness of me..." Phil. 2: 6-9 Robert |
||||||
329 | how to be baptize'd do you need holy | John 3:16 | Robert Nicholson | 43844 | ||
The order given in the scripture is as follows: Repentance, which is a change of mind about ourselves and our sin. In other words we agree with God that we are helpless and sinful in need of his cleansing. At this point the Holy Spirit will reveal to us the truth that Christ has died for our sins upon the cross. When we put our faith or trust in his finished work we are born from above or born of the Spirit (John 3:6, 16) The Holy Spirit enters our heart and makes us new creatures in Christ (2 Cor.5:17 At this point we are forgiven and we have eternal life. Believers baptism was commanded by the Lord Jesus and practiced by all who were saved. Acts 2:41. Baptism is outwardly symbolic of what has happen inward. In other words when I am baptised I am proclaiming to all, that I belong to Christ and that by his grace I intend to live for him for the rest of my life. He is my Lord and my saviour. We must remember that the Holy Spirit is a person and that he indwells the believer the moment they are born again. To see his work in our lives we must be willing to submit to the word of God and allow him to lead, teach and protect us. May God bless you in your life Robert |
||||||
330 | How did sin originate | Is 14:12 | Robert Nicholson | 43833 | ||
New Creature: In Isaiah we read of the fall of Lucifer. Lucifer is a created being by God It began in his thoughts "For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God" Isaiah 14:13 In v. 14 we read "I will be like the most high" Lucifer was not content with the sphere in which he was placed by God. He wanted to be like God. Were not these his words in his temptation of Eve. You will be like gods knowing both good and evil Gen. 3:5 You are correct that God did not make lucifer a sinner. The verse which you have referred to in James 1. In v. 14 we are given the pattern "But every man is tempted when he is drawn away of his own lust and is enticed. Then when lust hath conceived it bringeth forth sin; and sin, when it is finished, bringeth death. This is the LDS of scripture. I believe that lucifier is the originator of evil in the universe and introduced humans to it on earth resulting in the disobedience of man, thus plunging the whole world under sin. Your brother by his grace Robert |
||||||
331 | Left Behind in error w 2 Thess. 2:7-11? | 2 Thess 2:12 | Robert Nicholson | 43829 | ||
Mommapbs; These are sobering days. I have not read the left behind series. I believe however, that the scripture makes it clear that if one rejects Christ and should die in that state or if the rapture occurs and they are left behind that they have indeed missed salvation. I also believe that God uses his word presented to sinners and by his Spirit he works with the souls of men. He never leaves a searching sinner alone. You are correct that God is sovereign and will bless whom he desires. However, I think that he has made it clear that if we miss Christ by willingly rejecting him there will be no second chance after death or after the rapture. I take great joy however, that God will bless those who have never heard and will save a great multitue of them alone with the remanent of Israel during the great tribulation. I often think of the words of Judah "How shall up go up to my father and the lad be not with me" Gen44:34 This is simmply an application with the thought "How can I go to my heavenly father, if my children be not with me". This has always tempered the joy of going to be with Christ when we have unbelieving children and friends. May it be that we who are Christs might reflect these eternal realilties to those who are near and dear to us and to those we are with each day. We know that he doeth all things well. In Christ Robert |
||||||
332 | When will Christ come in Kingdom Power? | Mark 9:1 | Robert Nicholson | 43791 | ||
I believe that Christ will come in power and glory at the end of the great tribulation as seen in Rev. 19 :11-21 At this time he will crush the beast and his armies. We find that the Beast and the false prophet are cast into a lake of fire and Satan is bound for a thousands years. Rev. 20:3 At this time Christ will judge the nations of earth and reign in righeousness for 1000 years Rev. 20:6 |
||||||
333 | Who are the Believers after the Rapture? | 2 Thess 2:12 | Robert Nicholson | 43790 | ||
mommapbs: I agree that 2 Thess. 2: 7-11 shows that there is no second chance after the rapture for those who have disobeyed the gospel of Christ during this day of grace. According to Rev. 7: 4-8 we find a remanent out of Israel saved and addition to this "a great multitude, which no man can number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people and tongues, stood before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes and palms in their hands" Rev. 7:9. Who are these people? In Rev. 7:14 ..."These are they which came out of the great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. It would appear that after the rapture, when God turns again to Israel as a nation, that not only will a remanent of Israel be saved, but the branches of God's blessing will go over the wall to include Gentiles who have never had the opportunity to hear the gospel before. In Christ Robert |
||||||
334 | When does the Baptism occur? | John 7:38 | Robert Nicholson | 43788 | ||
Dear brother Markarios: I believe there are events in the early days of the church which were transitional as in the case of receiving the Holy Spirit. In Acts 8:14-17 we read "When the apostles which were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, who when they were come down prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Ghost: (for as yet he was fallen upon none of them only they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus) Then laid they their hands on them, and they received the Holy Ghost." Another example was in the case of Saul of Tarsus who in Acts 9:17 received the Holy Spirit when Ananias laid hands upon him. However, in Acts 10:44 "While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them that heard the word. And they of the circumcision which believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Spirit. We find as I mentioned in V47 that after they had received the Holy Ghost they were baptised in the name of the Lord. In the early examples we have believers who were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus and later received the Holy Spirit by the Laying on of hands. I believe however, that my last reference shows us the order in which things happen today. They hear and believe the Word, are immediately indwelt with the Holy Ghost and then baptized in the name of the Lord. When we by the Spirit of God are made to see our need of Christ and except him as our saviour we are born again or born from above, we are indwelt by the Holy Spirit making us new creatures in Christ. I look forward to your response your brother in Christ Robert |
||||||
335 | Why does the Amplified include this? | 1 John 5:8 | Robert Nicholson | 43556 | ||
brother searcher The Darby translation reads "the Spirit, and the water, and the blood; and the three agree in one." I believe that "in the earth" is in contrast to V7 "in heaven" However, most marginal readings omit in or on the earth. It is also interesting to note that verse 7 was inserted at a later time. Robert |
||||||
336 | Does God soften hearts, or do we? | John 3:16 | Robert Nicholson | 43553 | ||
brother searcher: "The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?" Jeremiah 17:9. I do not think that we as fellow travellers to eternity cannot create one anxious thought in the heart of a lost sinner. However, I believe that God uses his people as instruments to provide the words which he will use in softing a hard deceitful heart. Paul writes "I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase" 1 Cor. 3:6 In this verse we see that there is planting and there is watering, but it is only God who can give life. "But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us." 2 Cor. 4:7 I think the amazing thing is, that God has entrusted to us his word and his gospel message and he expects us to spread the word that he might bless it as he has promised. Robert |
||||||
337 | Does being saved negate the Law? | Bible general Archive 1 | Robert Nicholson | 43551 | ||
Dear Searcher: A believer because of his privilege in Christ has a definite responsiblity to obey the Moral and eternal laws of God. Would you not agree that because we are indwelt by the Holy Spirit that we are enabled to walk in way well pleasing to the Lord. In contrast to those under the Mosaic Law who were motivated by fear to keep the commandments. I also agree with your points on the purpose of the Law. I agree that with James 2:17 that faith without works is dead. This is comparable to an apple tree without apples. There must be divine life for the fruit of the Spirit to be evident and is shown by our obedience to Christ and love toward others. I believe however, that Christians have been brought into a special relationship with Christ and as such we are his 24 hours a day and 7 days per week. Each day is his day and what ever we do, we do unto the glory of the Lord. "But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed." James 1:25 Robert |
||||||
338 | Acts 2:14a 36-47 | Luke 13:3 | Robert Nicholson | 43543 | ||
Deloris: Repentence is a change of mind about myself and about God. In other words when I repent I take sides with God against myself and acknowledge that I am a lost, helpless sinner in need of his salvation. It is at this point that God by his Spirit will reveal to us that Christ has died for our sins and has paid our debt in full. The moment we believe or accept this message we are born from above or born again by the Spirit of God. Each believer after being born again during the time of the early church were baptised. This outward expression of obedience to Christ showed outwardly what had happen inward. Baptism identifies the believer with Christ and in symbol is declaring to all "I belong to Christ and by his grace I intend to live for him the rest of my life." Peace in his precious Name Robert |
||||||
339 | When does the Baptism occur? | John 7:38 | Robert Nicholson | 43536 | ||
dear brother Markarios: I agree that the moment we are born again or born from above,(John 3) that we are indwelt or sealed by the Holy Spirit and are "baptized into one body" 1Cor.12:13 which is often referred to as the church which is his body. Believers baptism as you have indicated is the outward profession of the inward change, identifying us with the Lord Jesus Christ. In the times of the early church, for a believer to make this outward proclaimation, "that I belong to Christ and am set apart to live for him" placed them in a place of ridicule and persecution. I enjoy the thought given by Paul "Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new." 2 Cor. 5:17 This verse would teach us that the moment we are in Christ, the Spirit of God changes us. This is one of the proves that we are indwelt by the Holy Spirit of God. In reference to your initial verse John 7:38 I believe we have the promise that once a sinner by faith drinks of the living fountain, that from within will flow outward the fruit of the Holy Spirit in their lives. One last thing, do you not think that we have to recognize that immediately after the cross was a time of transition when we find the Holy Spirit was imparted by the laying on of hands by the apostles. We see however, that by Acts 10 that as Peter preached to the Gentiles that the Holy Spirit fell upon them when they heard the word. In Acts 10:47 we see the order "Can any man forbid water that these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we?" God bless you brother Robert |
||||||
340 | Does being saved negate the Law? | Bible general Archive 1 | Robert Nicholson | 43496 | ||
Searcher56: What is your take on Paul's writings to the Galations? In Galations 4: 19 -31 Paul explains that the systems of law and grace cannot co-exist. He speaks of the two covenants as represented by the bondwoman's son and the free woman. The wondwoman's son represented bondage in contrast the the freewoman's son promise. In Gal. 4:28 Paul writes "Now we brethren as Isaac was, are children of promise" and In v. 30 "Nevertheless, what sayeth the scripture? Cast out the bondwoman an her son for the son of the bondwoman shall not be heir with the son of the free woman. The problem with the Galations, their were some who were trying to bring those who were free in Christ back under the law. That is why the emphasis in Gal. 5:1 "Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made you free and be not entangled with the yoke of bondage" Freedom in Christ brings responsibility. "For brethren , ye have been called to liberty; only use not liberty as an occassion to the flesh: but love serve one another. For the Law is fulfilled in one word, even in this: Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself" Gal. 5:13-14. The believer is not asked to wall after the law but "Walk in the Spirit and ye shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh" V16 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. In other words those who walk in the Spirit will display the fruit of the Spirit and their lives through obedience to Christ will transcend the law. Peace in our Saviours Name Robert |
||||||
Result pages: << First < Prev [ 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 ] Next > Last [27] >> |