Results 341 - 360 of 386
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Results from: Answered Bible Questions, Answers, Unanswered Bible Questions, Notes Author: Country Girl Ordered by Verse |
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Results | Verse | Author | ID# | |||
341 | Superior Covnenat | Heb 8:7 | Country Girl | 127762 | ||
So why didn't God send His Son thousands of years earlier and saved Himself all the grief and heartache, putting up with the Jewish nation and their disobedience and eventually destroying their nationhood? I've got an opinion but I'd be interested in seeing your's first. Blessings to you. Country Girl |
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342 | Superior Covnenat | Heb 8:7 | Country Girl | 128046 | ||
That's a very powerful question. It makes one pause and think. But I'm convinced that just as we saw with the quick downward spiral into sin after the Fall of mankind from the Garden of Eden which lead to the Destruction of the Flood, mankind doesn't have a very track record for even understanding God. We have a much more difficult time growing and appreciating His thinking, His priorities. We're inclined to criticize the disciples and think they were so spiritually immature before the coming of the Holy Spirit. But then, look at the history of this planet since that timeframe. We've had several world wars/conflicts and continue to do the same. We're devastating our atmosphere and the plant life on this planet which helps replenish the oxygen on earth. And I don't need to remind you what we're doing to our own country. No, we have nothing to brag about. But back to the subject at hand. I think that mankind had to experience "hitting the bottom" like an alcholic. We have to understand that life here on earth without God quite often results in Hell on earth. And that's just a small sample of what Hell will be like after Judgment Day. Now that we have all this documented history of all the grief and misery produced from man's own wickedness, we finally begin to get an idea of the consequences from which Christ is rescuing us. So before that point when Christ came into the world, we wouldn't have appreciated His Gift, His Sacrifice. Now at least, most of mankind can identify and understand most of the Gospel Message without a whole lot of coaxing. Whereas in the centuries before Jesus' coming, only a very few people (even within the Jewish nation) had an inkling of appreciation for anything of a Godly nature. Now because of all of what the Jewish people went through and the Perfect Sacrifice of God's Son, the whole world has a chance to go to Heaven if we as God's children will just go out and preach the Good News. Hope this is what you were looking for. Blessings to you. Country Girl |
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343 | Being of sound mind... | Heb 9:17 | Country Girl | 127543 | ||
So what all is bequethed to those who receive? Who decides who qualifies? Who is the executor? What are the qualifications? Is there anything specific we have to do to accept? Is there room for/can we expect any codicil(s)? Good topic. Country Girl |
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344 | Being of sound mind... | Heb 9:17 | Country Girl | 127726 | ||
I know Mephibosheth was the son of Jonathan and that David took care of Mephibosheth, even as he was a cripple because of his feet. I see some parallels here but it's a little difficult to take this comparison much further. For example where's the qualifications for accepting God's/Jesus' gift from His Last Will and Testament? What are all the gifts that we might expect from Jesus' Will? There's no discussion of codicils. Is that not applicable in this topic/discussion? Who was the executor(s)? How did he/they determined who was truly qualified to receive the gift? Yes, interesting analogy but not quite complete. Please, enlighten me further. Blessings to you. Country Girl |
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345 | Being of sound mind... | Heb 9:17 | Country Girl | 128050 | ||
I must admit, I'm a little confused. You were the one who linked this story of David and Mephibosheth to the original post about the whole process and leaving a will and having it properly executed. Can you enlighten me and explain why you linked these two ideas? It seems to me, my other questions are still valid and need answers. Your response, my friend? Blessings to you. Country Girl |
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346 | Without the Local Church | Heb 10:25 | Country Girl | 132874 | ||
Ah, yes! The famous "one another" passages. I've studied most of these all my life but I've never seen them listed in such a comprehensive manner as this. I'll have to save a copy of this and put them into my Bible pocket for reference. Thanks a bunch. By the way, I agree 100 percent. Blessings to you. Country Girl |
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347 | Just what is the purpose of baptism? | Heb 11:7 | Country Girl | 129922 | ||
I can only speak from experience. Our first son was about 10 or 11 years old when he first came to me and his father about wanting to baptized and become a christian. My spouse and I looked at each other and agreed to talk about this at length at home. When we got home, we started talking to Josh, asking him questions about christianity. What did he need to do to become one? Why was it important to him? Did he realize the costs or the sacrifice involved? He did answer some of the questions correctly as he had been going to Bible classes all his life. He didn't know them all in spite of being able to check his Bible, you know open book style testing. After several more weeks of questioning and much discussion between us as his parents, Josh decided that he wasn't quite ready. We agreed. However, about a year and half later, Josh was ready. He answered those questions, this time with conviction and showed us in the Bible where those answers were to be found. Last of all, we reminded him of the costs and the sacrifices he must make. The next day, Josh was baptized and did indeed become a christian at the dear sweet age of 13. Now, several years later our son, that same Josh got a tatoo on his arm, against the advice of us, his parents. He has also displayed other areas of his life in which he has a weakness but he continues to struggle with His Lord. He has finally given up smoking and is now moving on to some of the other areas of weakness in his life. As you can imagine, all parents, especially christian parents who have lived their whole life in a christian home like I have, watch our children live and grow in a physical world and strive to develop a real and genuine spiritual relationship with God, the Father of all. Believe me, I have some small tidbit of knowledge and experience about gradually getting closer and closer to God both before and after our point of salvation. I'm convinced God realizes this difficulty in our human condition. Paul discusses this difficulty in Romans 7 and if Paul at this time of his life had difficulty with the baptismal meausre of the Holy Spirit living within him, you can imagine how much more difficult it is for us, without that Aid. Blessings to you in posing a good question. Country Girl |
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348 | Superior Hope | Heb 11:40 | Country Girl | 126986 | ||
I've been having a rather interesting and stimulating discussion with Kalos and a few others about the applicability of the OT to us as modern christians. I've been using this Book of Hebrews and its discussion on this superiority in contrast to the OT as one of my main supports. Although I have tremendous respect and love for the OT, it all boils down (at least to me) to the fact that there is currently no applicable authority in the OT as it applies to our modern form of worship, God's plan of salvation through His Son or the actual mechanics of running and organizing the church in this dispensation. Thus I've been saying (and have received much flak for it) that the OT is obsolete with its emphasis on the sacrifices of animals, the Levitical Priesthood, allowing men an easy out for divorce, and allowing a man to lust for a women as long as he doesn't commit adultery. This indicates just how spiritually immature mankind was in that dispensation and thus why the OT should be considered obsolete. Again, I wish to emphsize the tremendous value we have in the OT. It shows us like no other resource the tremendous love and patience our God has for all of us mankind. The OT shows the tremendous lengths and great strides our Lord went through to try to get to His children (Jews). This reflects the fact that He really wants to get through to us but NOW He chooses to do so through His Son. I guess my main point is that God wants to give His Son ALL the prominence in this dispensation and thus had the OT nailed to the cross when Jesus was crucified. That's why we as God's obedient children must give Christ the preiminence by worshiping Him on Sunday, the first day of the week and NOT any other day like the Sabbath. Although it's a tough thing for some people to do, in my opinion we should learn to give up our love affair with the OT and put its AUTHORITY on a shelf and move on with modern christianity as described in the NT. What do think about this subject? Blessings to you. Country Girl |
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349 | Superior Hope | Heb 11:40 | Country Girl | 127001 | ||
I like to think of this process with a little more accurate or at least more applicable comparison between our relationship of mankind to our Father to the relationship between an earthly parent and his/her kids. All parents experience the rearing and training necessary in our homes with kids. They start out in diapers but don't stay there for very long. Before you know iti they're running around all over the house, touching and playing with all of our favorite trinkets and treasured possessions on our coffee tables and other easy accessible places in our homes. So we say No, No and lightly slap their hands. They persist and sooner or later we have to learn and re-train ourselves to put things out of their reach. Finally, they grow up big enough to be potty trained and must now learn to pick up their toys. We as parents have to be very specific and tell them over and over again, giving much love and an ocassional spat on their backsides. Then they grow and learn to make up their beds and pick up their clothes. Eventually they take on more and more responsibilities, like mowing the lawn and cleaning the garage for which they expect an allowance. Finally, we see them graduate high school, tackle a real full time job and maybe even go to college. Ah, yes parenting...what a ride. It was so much fun, while it lasted. Now that we're "empty nesters," we get philosophical and talk over the old days. AND think about how our Lord did the same thing with us as his children, all mankind throughout history. Talk about the patience of Job; how incredibly patient our Lord has been. In spite of all the bad history of this planet, as documented both in our Bibles as well as our archeology, we still insist on following the footsteps of the Roman Empire and endanger the very future of this great and wonderful nation. Yet your analogy is also quite good. God does expect us to graduate from the elementary school of the Law of Moses and move on to the truly spiritual world of christianity. Better than that He really wants us to learn to prefer His spiritual world completely by leaving this physical world BUT of course He wants us to do this at HIS timing. It's a difficult thing to grasp and only after much experience, pain and suffering that God allows to temper our attitude so that we do grow up to be a little closer to God's standard as He sent to us, His Son. Thanks for your post and blessings to you. Country Girl |
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350 | Superior Hope | Heb 11:40 | Country Girl | 127027 | ||
In addition to the Book of Hebrews which contrasts the superiority of christianity to Judiasm, we also have the Book of Romans which clearly describes just how totally inadequate the Law of Moses really was. See below. Rom 4:13 For the promise to Abraham or to his descendants that he would be heir of the world was not through the Law, but through the righteousness of faith. Rom 4:14 For if those who are of the Law are heirs, faith is made void and the promise is nullified; Rom 4:16 For this reason it is by faith, in order that it may be in accordance with grace, so that the promise will be guaranteed to all the descendants, not only to those who are of the Law, but also to those who are of the faith of Abraham, who is the father of us all, Rom 6:19 I am speaking in human terms because of the weakness of your flesh. For just as you presented your members as slaves to impurity and to lawlessness, resulting in further lawlessness, so now present your members as slaves to righteousness, resulting in sanctification. Rom 7:4 Therefore, my brethren, you also were made to die to the Law through the body of Christ, so that you might be joined to another, to Him who was raised from the dead, in order that we might bear fruit for God. Rom 7:5 For while we were in the flesh, the sinful passions, which were aroused by the Law, were at work in the members of our body to bear fruit for death. Rom 7:6 But now we have been released from the Law, having died to that by which we were bound, so that we serve in newness of the Spirit and not in oldness of the letter. Rom 7:8 But sin, taking opportunity through the commandment, produced in me coveting of every kind; for apart from the Law sin is dead. Rom 7:23 but I see a different law in the members of my body, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin which is in my members. Rom 7:25 Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, on the one hand I myself with my mind am serving the law of God, but on the other, with my flesh the law of sin. Rom 8:2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and of death. Rom 8:3 For what the Law could not do, weak as it was through the flesh, God did: sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and as an offering for sin, He condemned sin in the flesh, Thus in spite of the opinions you offer from other men, we see Apostle Paul with divine inspiration puts down the Law of Moses and the whole system of Judiasm as it was totally inadequate and is now obsolete. How do you reconcile your position about the OT in contrast to Paul's teaching as cited above? Blessings to you, dear friend. Country Girl |
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351 | Superior Hope | Heb 11:40 | Country Girl | 127028 | ||
The true authority in this dispensation as blessed by God Himself was given to His Son as stated in Matt 28:18. Thus, the whole NT is epitimized with the Supreme Perfect Example and High Priest of our Lord. Only His Words and those of His appointed representatives should be heeded, and NOT those of the OT prophets including Moses himself. Don't get me wrong, those men in the OT were good men. They tried their best but they didn't have 3 and half years of living and being with the Savior like the Apostles did. Those OT prophets didn't have the benefit and full empowerment of the Holy Spirit with Its Gift of Salvation in Its Full and Powerful measure. Blessings to you. Country Girl |
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352 | Superior Hope | Heb 11:40 | Country Girl | 127037 | ||
Maybe "put down the Law" is a little harsh. I was trying to make a point in the contrast as shown by Romans and Hebrews. Yes, I agree with you. The Law did and still does show us as mankind how we are totally lost without God's Grace and His Son's blood. I must go back to my main point of emphasizing the authority of the NT over and above that of the OT. Appreciate your correction. Blessings to you, dear friend. Country Girl |
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353 | Superior Hope | Heb 11:40 | Country Girl | 127084 | ||
Although I may ocassionally read about religion or other Bible topics outside the Bible written by various men and Bible students, I think it's a mistake for them to introduce concept completely new and independent of the Bible. In this regard, with reference to dispensations, I only see three main dispensations clearly taught by the Bible: 1) the Patriarchical Age, Adam to Jacob 2) Israelite Nation w/Law of Moses and 3) Age of Christianity. This is endorsed by the discussion (verses) below as being the mystery hidden with God until the time was right when he chose to reveal all to the world. Rom 16:25 Now to Him who is able to establish you according to my gospel and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery which has been kept secret for long ages past, 1 Cor 2:7 but we speak God's wisdom in a mystery, the hidden wisdom which God predestined before the ages to our glory; 1 Cor 15:51 Behold, I tell you a mystery; we will not all sleep, but we will all be changed, Eph 1:9 He made known to us the mystery of His will, according to His kind intention which He purposed in Him Eph 3:3 that by revelation there was made known to me the mystery, as I wrote before in brief. Eph 3:4 By referring to this, when you read you can understand my insight into the mystery of Christ, Eph 3:9 and to bring to light what is the administration of the mystery which for ages has been hidden in God who created all things; Eph 5:32 This mystery is great; but I am speaking with reference to Christ and the church. Eph 6:19 and pray on my behalf, that utterance may be given to me in the opening of my mouth, to make known with boldness the mystery of the gospel, Col 1:26 that is, the mystery which has been hidden from the past ages and generations, but has now been manifested to His saints, Col 1:27 to whom God willed to make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. Col 2:2 that their hearts may be encouraged, having been knit together in love, and attaining to all the wealth that comes from the full assurance of understanding, resulting in a true knowledge of God's mystery, that is, Christ Himself, You might notice that main themes throughout the OT point toward the future looking forward to the time of the Messiah. The Gospels through Acts 1 introduce the life, ministry, death, burial and ressurection of Christ. Acts 2 through Revelation cites the establishment, administration, government, dealing with problems and the ultimate goal of reaching Heaven. So just what was/is the mystery of God revealed in His Word. It's not completely described in specific detail so we're left on our own. It seems clear that if the Devil suspected that God meant all along to literally sacrifice His Son on the cross for the sins of the entire world, for all time, that he the Devil would have done everything in his power to have prevented it. The Devil just didn't understand God's Perfect Sense of Justice and didn't see the danger to Himself in allowing Christ to die. He probably thought if he could just get Christ to come down to his world by having Him killed, then He'd have the last laugh on God. But God is incredibly clever and knows how to turn the bad things in our world and makes them turn for His Good. I realize this is somewhat simplistic but that's the way I see God's Word. I don't think He minds our probing and delving into His Word and discussing those truths as deeply as we like. The big thing I would be very cautious about and avoid almost entirely are those topics as I mentioned above if it's outside the parameters as set by the Bible. Hope this helps and blessings to you. Country Girl |
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354 | Superior Hope | Heb 11:40 | Country Girl | 127104 | ||
I might start to sound like I'm obsessed about this subject so I'll try to be brief and to the point. In my opinion, it's OK to become obsessed when we're talking about God's Word, most especially the NT. Again, IMO, we should see ourselves as being devoted to God's Word AND doing our best to imitate the attributes and all the other aspects of God and Christ we see in the Bible. In the OT, God got ALL of mankind's attention and worship. Those with the Law of Moses of course, worshipped him in accordance with that guidance. Those w/o that guidance worshipped Him in the same way as before the Law of Moses. The most important point of my statement that we must maintain our focus on Christ our Lord, just like Peter discovered while walking on water. When we take our eyes off our Lord, we endanger ourselves, taking our chances in the waves of this world. Although we can't cite specific verses saying "Thou shalt go to worship on Sundays," our Lord expects us to grow up spiritually and see that need in ourselves. Like I've been saying our Lord wants us to grow up spiritually and start figuring out for ourselves what He wants us to do. You might remember that only the first four of the Ten commandments were for God's benefit while the latter six commandments were issued for the Jew's benefit and eventually all of mankind. You see, God doesn't really need our worship or anything else from us. Sure God does WANT us to come Home to Him, He WANTS our worship as He is God and He craves to be worshipped. But IMO, in order for Him to be truly pleased, we should worship Him in accordance with His wishes and His guidance. You might compare this to the same kind of relationship with our own earthly parents. They love us regardless of what we do, even when we mess up and land ourselves in prison. But if we want to please them, we'll behave and develop ourselves in accordance with their wishes. I hope this makes things a little more clear. Blessings to you. Country Girl |
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355 | Superior Hope | Heb 11:40 | Country Girl | 127225 | ||
Although God wants and desire the devotion and worship of ALL His creation, He knows He's not going to get it because it's not the human tendency. We all tend to be selfish too much and some of us never even care to develop a relationship with Him as our Father. My previous post was really referring to all those who DO want and see themselves in need of this relationship. Throughout all 3 dispensations, there have been those who DO see this need and those who DON'T. That's part of the scenario that ends up being glorious to our Lord, when we as His children actually choose Him and leave the world behind. Blessings to you all. Country Girl |
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356 | Superior Hope | Heb 11:40 | Country Girl | 127227 | ||
I'm not certain or privy to all of God's details on this topic. All I can do is quote from His Word Rom 2:11 For there is no partiality with God. Rom 2:12 For all who have sinned without the Law will also perish without the Law, and all who have sinned under the Law will be judged by the Law; Rom 2:13 for it is not the hearers of the Law who are just before God, but the doers of the Law will be justified. Rom 2:14 For when Gentiles who do not have the Law do instinctively the things of the Law, these, not having the Law, are a law to themselves, Rom 2:15 in that they show the work of the Law written in their hearts, their conscience bearing witness and their thoughts alternately accusing or else defending them, God's Word is fairly straight forward, clear and simple but if you wish to discuss further, we're always willing to entertain questions as best we can. Blessings to you. Country Girl |
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357 | Superior Hope | Heb 11:40 | Country Girl | 127230 | ||
I've read over your post and most of those who responded to you. I just wanted to explain my position. I've seen this kind of discussion before and thought it would bear repeating. Basically, as I see it (and I've been taught this) God now provides for three basic kinds of commands in our NT. They are 1) Direct command or imperative statements, 2) Commands by example and 3) Implied Commands. I'll try to provide examples of these three. Imperative Command: In Mark 16:15-18, Christ charges his disciples (future Apostles) with a specific misson which all christians must heed. Command by example: Expelling a brother in unrepentant sin as cited in 1 Cor 5. Implied/Inferred Command: Collection of the saints as cited in 1 Cor 16. Let me emphasize that God no longer extracts immediate punishment at least as far as we know like he did with Uzza and the Ark of the Covenant or with Nadab and Abiuh offering strange fire. So God is (probably not going to immediately punish) a person (a christian) for NOT going to worship assembly on Sundays. But that doesn't mean that God is NOT displeased with that person. We will most emphatically "reap what we sow." Hope this helps and blessings to you. Country Girl |
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358 | Superior Hope | Heb 11:40 | Country Girl | 127267 | ||
My ultimate goal in posting my statement about these 3 kinds of commands is to motivate ALL of us on the Forum toward true and genuine respect for God's Word. We must grow up and mature spiritually so as to see our priorities line up with those of our God. When we do that, then we will realize a more fruitful prayer life with God. We'll also realize our constant life-long need to get closer and closer to our God. We can never retire from studying His Word and receiving new instructions to maintain and perfect our Godly armor. We can also never retire from our constant need for prayer to Him as our Father. I pray that you keep on studying and praying on this subject. In my mind, it all boils down to who is actually sitting on the throne of your (our) heart. Who's truly in charge of your (our)life and soul? Like I heard just a few days ago, "If God is one's co-pilot, then that person should move over and let God become the Pilot." Blessings to you. Country Girl |
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359 | Superior Hope | Heb 11:40 | Country Girl | 127306 | ||
If I may interject at this point, I'd like to think there's room for both sides of this argument to see the other and agree on some common ground. Like I've mentioned before, everyone readily agrees there is no specific verse or set of verses, in the NT, that give the impression of "Thou shalt do this" or "Thous shalt not do this." Don't you see the end result or conclusion from my previous post is that God wants us to grow up and get away from a need for this kind of specific commands...that's why there's so few of those kind of imperative statements in the NT. God wants us to figure out that most of His Word is really issued for our good so that we will find peace and salvation in His Family. We need to see ourselves as obedient children and obey ALL of His commands, regardless of their category as I cited previously. The bottom line is: it doesn't really matter what terminology we use or the system we come up with to organize the commands of God. I'm convinced we all know that we must comply with the examples and commands as best we possibly can in order to please Him and find ourselves in a favorable position when it comes to Judgment Day. I do hope this post will motivate both you and EdB to reconcile your differences and go back to being good and faithful servants of God, setting good examples for the rest of us on the Forum. It's sad and depressing to see such good friends bicker over such an elementary subject (imo). I'll be praying for blessings of peace for both of you. Country Girl. |
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360 | Superior Hope | Heb 11:40 | Country Girl | 127312 | ||
Supplement to my previous post, same subject: I should have made this clear in that previous post but there's a very vital factor to understand to prevent abuse of the third category of commands, Implied/Properly Inferred Commands. These are commands in direct support of one of the other two types of commands. For example: Although it is not specifically commanded in God's Word, it is certainly easily concluded and properly inferred that all congregations of the Lord's church should each have some kind of simple accounting of the Lord's funds within that congregation. This prevents abuse of those funds and also gives the elders and deacons the tools they need to faithfully execute their duties. The factor that was missing before and needs to be clearly understood here is: Implied/Inferred Commands are most often executed in a variety of methods but should be considered vital and necessary to the overall operation of the congregation in question. So in our example above, the accounting can be elaborate with thousands of dollars invested in computer hardware and software, as well as accountant's skills from accountants giving their time to the Lord learned in their professional careers. Or the congregation might be too small to afford such a luxury and go with simple bookkeeping, ledgers, etc. So we see that the accounting is very necessary but can be accomplished in a wide variety of methods and procedures. I hope this eliminates some confusion on this point and blessings to you all. Country Girl |
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