Results 361 - 380 of 495
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Results from: Notes Author: Aixen7z4 Ordered by Date |
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Results | Verse | Author | ID# | |||
361 | can only male's from a church baptise | Matt 28:19 | Aixen7z4 | 101652 | ||
Scripture gives us commands, directions, instructions. It is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness. Those things are written for us, that we may know how we ought to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God. Without the Scriptures we are lost, and we should feel at a loss until we have gone to it and found the answers. Without Scripture we are nowhere, and when we resort to “I don’t see anything wrong with …” without consulting Scripture we have stepped onto a slippery slope that leads to I don’t know where. |
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362 | Searching for the truth | Matt 28:19 | Aixen7z4 | 101649 | ||
We can try anything without even loking for any scriptural guidance. We can do whatever we like. Whose church is it anyway? | ||||||
363 | What comes after I'm saved? | Luke 14:26 | Aixen7z4 | 101620 | ||
That is true. There is so much more to discipleship than assurance of salvation. Much of it may have to be done in person with a mentor and a fellowship that one can worship with and serve with. Some of it can be done here. But already this thread is too long for newcomers to get the flavor of it. We may have to take up the other matters in other threads. |
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364 | Christ and Christians? | Luke 14:26 | Aixen7z4 | 101615 | ||
Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children; Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is. And every man that hath this hope in him purifies himself, even as he is pure. Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy, to the only wise God our Savior, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen. |
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365 | can only male's from a church baptise | Matt 28:19 | Aixen7z4 | 101611 | ||
The Great Commission (Matthew 28:18-20) does not specify whether men or women or children should be able to baptise. Maybe children can baptize as well. I do not know where the question came from, but I hope hope you see where the answers are leading. | ||||||
366 | True Disciples - eternal importance | Luke 14:26 | Aixen7z4 | 101520 | ||
Dear Seeker: May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost. And I myself also am persuaded of you, my brother, that ye also are full of goodness, filled with all knowledge, able also to admonish even us. It is good to see that you are also open to receiving help. It will be easy for you to check and see that is was “a certain man” who said “Help mine unbelief”. Thomas was the one who wanted proof. Jesus said to him, “blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed”. And believe me Seeker, you do not want to see. Many saw and did not believe. You, on the other hand, you want to see your faith increase. And faith is the evidence of things not seen. It would not be good to turn this into a therapy session, I suppose, but I think it would be good for you to sort out in your own mind what you are seeking. You have believed in Jesus, and you know you have to trust him for your eternal security. Whom else can you trust? There is no other Savior. You trust that Jesus is telling the truth. You know he said he is the truth. You do not think he is lying. You want a clearer understanding of what he is requiring. You are hindered by the fact there are others who believe on, or say they do, and do not seem to be following his teachings. You find it hard to walk alone with him. And you do not have to. There are many who have not bowed the knee to Baal. But you have to be willing to walk alone. Then the Lord will show you company. There are some things Jesus taught, that people have come to regard as dark sayings. It is interesting that they are not the ones that seem to be troubling you. You do not seem to be bothered even by the ones that his contemporaries called a “hard saying”. I take it you do not find it difficult to eat his flesh and drink his blood. And yet, to “hate” father and mother seems to be a difficult thing for you to accept. It is my sense that you have a deep longing to see the teachings of Jesus in action, in your own life, and in the church. Unfortunately, it is not happening. People do pick and choose what they will obey and/or disobey and/or ignore. Culture and tradition seem to have such a large effect. And yet, this is what you are seeking, the kind of company and reinforcement that the community can provide. It is my hope that this community, this forum, can provide some of that. But sometimes we do have to walk alone with him. I hope you find what you are seeking, and it is, I believe, wholehearted trust in the Savior that you need. Not a “because faith”, but an “in spite of” faith. After all, you do not want to be trusting in your intellect, but in him. He that comes to God must first believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of those who diligently seek him. I say “in spite of” in relation to what people around you do. Faith in God is not unreasonable for any other reason. It seems to me, Seeker, that we have to take everything from God by faith. “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth”. We cannot reason that out, but it is not beyond reason. We can accept it. It is by faith that we understand. The things which we see were made from things we cannot see. And yet Noah and Abraham and Moses were able to believe even when they knew nothing about atoms or molecules. There is enough, the heavens and the firmament, to cause us to believe. God is speaking to us through these, through our consciences, through his word and through his Son. And faith is believing God. It is clear to me that you believe in God. So what’s next? Jesus said, “You believe in God. Believe also in me.” Let us trust him. If he says we must hate father and mother, let us take the step of faith to do it, and he will lead us. I am afraid that if we demur, he will say you cannot be his disciple. But if you seek to obey, I think you will understand. Hate your mother the way Jesus hated his mother. After all, you are following him! You may find yourself saying, “Woman, what have I to do with you” and still be putting some wine into her life. You may find yourself doing God’s will for her and not her own will. If she accepts it, as Mary did, then there should be no problem. If she rejects God’s will, then your choice is clear. You may find yourself asking, “Who is my mother? and who are my brethren? ”, and saying, “whosoever shall do the will of my Father which is in heaven, the same is my brother, and sister, and mother”. You can trust Jesus, and if you do you will accept his teaching. The way is not dark, because we have the light of his word, and the fire of the Holy Spirit keeps us going. The way is narrow, my brother, and few there be that find it. But this is the way. Walk in it. |
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367 | Has he (not) shown you? | Mic 6:8 | Aixen7z4 | 101474 | ||
What does the Lord require of me? It is probably the most important question we should be asking as we go to the word of God. I am aware that the question has been asked before on this forum. Someone was looking for materials for a class, I think. I would like to suggest here that the matter goes beyond academics. It is related to life. God has revealed many things to us in his word, secret things, if you will. The answers are found nowhere else. Principally he has revealed himself, his nature, and he has revealed our nature and our need. But this revelation did not come only by words. It is probably in the incarnation that he showed us what he wanted to show us most clearly, in the life and work of Christ. Now we should know more clearly than Micah did, what God requires of us. Let us not be shy to discuss it for fear it will reveal our shortcomings. Let us encourage each other to know it (Ephesians 5:17) and to do it (John 13:17). |
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368 | True Disciples - eternal importance | Luke 14:26 | Aixen7z4 | 101472 | ||
Dear Jim: I use many translations and I usually take them as a whole and do not focus on the differences among them. (I like the NLT best and have noticed very few problems with it. I suppose I should say here that I also appreciate the NASB for its renowned accuracy and the Amplified for its shades of meaning). Somewhere on this forum I think we have discussed the importance of missing passages and of variations among the ancient manuscripts. I just thank God we have them all, and I use them all (1 Cor 3:22). We have also considered the apparent fact that signs and miracles and wonders were for those early disciples and their audiences. We have considered it a possibility that they are being used of God today in virgin territory, where the Gospel is being preached for the first time. You might want to review those discussions by searching on the relevant words. |
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369 | Christ and Christians? | Luke 14:26 | Aixen7z4 | 101470 | ||
A new thread is a good idea. What I suggest is that we discuss one topic or one passage at a time. Micah 6:8 might be a good verse for us to discuss: What does the Lord require of us? I also thought we might discuss Jesus' evaluation of one of the churches in Asia, from his messages to them in Revelation 2 and 3. To do that I will go back to the beginning of this program and enter the verse to see what has been done on it in the past. You might do the same with one of your key verses. If you get there before I do, I will see you there. You bring a lot to this forum, Seeker. Your knowledge of the word is apparent. As for etiquette, your patience, courtesy and responsiveness are like what most people around here have exhibited. I think you will fit in well. But you bring an emphasis on the practical that challenges us, and we have needed that. I hope you will be around for a long time. |
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370 | True Disciples - eternal importance | Luke 14:26 | Aixen7z4 | 101401 | ||
Good points indeed. Here’s an explanation. Because Seeker is new to the forum and has not filed a profile, it has been difficult to determine the real need. We gave priority to the issue of salvation because, frankly, it is the most important, and Seeker seemed to be in doubt of it. But it is clear that his questions are good and should be addressed, and I hope we can do so presently. See a first attempt at the Mark 16 question below. Seeker seems to have one overarching question and several underlying questions. It might be good if he can pose them separately. But again, you make a good point. Those are good questions and they should be answered. I also agree that they should be answered here and not privately. These are not private questions. The answers to each of them can benefit many. |
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371 | George, do you believe? | Luke 14:26 | Aixen7z4 | 101400 | ||
Easy, Brother George. Pleae go easy. The servant of the Lord must be gentle unto all, patient, in meekness instructing those that ask questions. | ||||||
372 | George, do you believe? | Luke 14:26 | Aixen7z4 | 101399 | ||
Please, Brother George, go easy. The servant of the Lord must be gentle unto all, patient, in meekness instructing those that ask questions. | ||||||
373 | I'm skeptical | Luke 14:26 | Aixen7z4 | 101307 | ||
Seeker, I think you are saved. I think that the church failed in not discipling you. I believe that there are still many things (divisions, contentions, bad attitues within and among Christians; it's "the old man", I think) that are still hindering you. I trust that you will find a good church and that this forum will be of help to you. | ||||||
374 | Did Jesus teach hate? | Luke 14:26 | Aixen7z4 | 101272 | ||
Brother Tim: Do you think that this Seeker is an unsaved person whom the Lord has led here so we can lead him to Christ? I am not sure. Statements such as "as Christians profess", above, suggest to me that this person is not saved. I assume he is here because he has some interest in becoming a Christian. However, I am not sure. I notice that he ignored the post where I broached the subject. Now, if he is not saved, and he is not interested in getting saved, what is the point of debating with him? I do believe that he needs to trust Christ. When he has learned to trust Christ for his salvation I believe it will be relatively easy for him to find answers to these other questions. I could be wrong. It could be that he needs these answers in order to realize that he can trust the Lord. I am praying that the Lord will guide this conversation. If this man is sincerely seeking the Lord I know he will find him, if not here then elsewhere. If I am not able to take further part in this debate, or if I tarry long, you know how you ought to behave yourself in this part of the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth. And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world. This seeker of truth can find the truth, maybe here. Would it not be fine if we can welcome him soon as a brother? God says, “You shall seek me, and find me, when you shall search for me with all your heart”. |
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375 | Balanced, centered, or lukewarm? | Eccl 7:18 | Aixen7z4 | 101241 | ||
Good morning, John. Rejoice. His mercies are new every morning: great is his faithfulness. We know not what a day may bring forth, but he is with us. Therefore, whatsoever your hand finds to do, do it with your might. I am assuming, of course, that you want a balanced life. I think that’s what he offers us. He whose heart is kind beyond all measure Gives unto each day what he deems best Lovingly, it’s part of pain or pleasure Mingling toil with peace and rest. Sorry to bug you, my friend, but it is to bless you. He giveth more grace. |
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376 | Explain the relationship between things | Luke 14:26 | Aixen7z4 | 101239 | ||
Hello Makarios: That is getting to the point. But would't that be a tough one for a new Christian? What if we asked him to read the Gospel of John? He might just observe in that one how Jesus related to his natural family, and how they became a part of his spiritual family. Happily, people can be related both ways. If that does not work out, we might be in a better position to understand the alternative. | ||||||
377 | Family commitment? | Luke 14:26 | Aixen7z4 | 101237 | ||
Also, may I say, Seeker, that neither of those passages is presenting the Gospel. Those statements were made to people who had already accepted the Gospel and to those considering it. What is the Gospel? "I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, …by which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain. For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures: (1 Corinthians 15). Jesus says we must repent and believe the gospel (Mark 1:15). We must also trust in him (Psalm 37:5; John 14:1). When we do, he changes us, so we are fit for heaven. He also gives us new desires and a new attitude. He gives us the Holy Spirit, and that opens up for us a whole new world of understanding. God may use someone to point out his word to you, but it is he himself who makes it meaningful. |
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378 | Balanced, centered, or lukewarm? | Eccl 7:18 | Aixen7z4 | 101217 | ||
Interesting. I wonder why Martin Luther did not choose to be a common laborer. Martin Luther King once said, "If it falls your lot to be a street sweeper, set out to sweep streets like Michelangelo painted pictures. Set out to sweep streets like Beethoven composed music. Set out to sweep streets like Shakespeare wrote poetry. Set out to sweep streets so well that all the hosts of heaven and earth will have to pause to say, ‘Here lived a great street sweeper who swept his job well’”. I wonder why Dr. King did not choose to be a street sweeper. But those were wise men. Those were great men. And it seems that each one felt the call of God to do what he did. And I would guess that neither one would spurn a turn to be a laborer or a street sweeper in a pinch. But MLK said, “If it falls your lot” and on one occasion he added “to carry it to one extreme”. I would guess that each one would say it is OK to aim higher, or at least to do some thing of a spiritual nature when you have the gift and the chance. That would provide some balance. Those men went to extremes. And there are many of us who say, “I would never do what these men did”. I have heard some to say, “I could never do what they did”. There are those who are saying now that they would not carry this conversation as far as Aixen is carrying it, or ask as hard a question. He should probably be more moderate on both counts. But the question he is asking is, how far is too far? And should we all not travel some? Must Jesus bear the cross alone And all the world go free? Some of us have sung the hymn as old Isaac Watts wrote the lines, Shall I be carried to the skies on flowery beds of ease; while others fought to gain the prize and sailed beyond the seas? And someone made it so they sailed through “bloody seas”. Would you go that far? How far would you go? How far have you gone? And how did you manage the balance? |
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379 | Balanced, centered, or lukewarm? | Eccl 7:18 | Aixen7z4 | 101215 | ||
Please do not be discouraged. This is not an exercise in giving answers. For me, it is not a matter of having the answers. Rather, it is that we encourage each other to practice what we know (John 13:17). If we have established that the Lord requires a balanced life, the question remains: How do we do it? Experiences, with verses, would be most welcome. |
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380 | Balanced, centered, or lukewarm? | Eccl 7:18 | Aixen7z4 | 101187 | ||
You say you don't recall reading in the Scriptures about balance? Then maybe you should read our key verses again. They are Ecclesiastes 7:16-18. The scriptures also speak about “moderation” and “modesty” and “self-control” and these seem to connote balance. One might say they are most desirable qualities in any man, most of all the Christian. “Balance with what?”, you ask. Don’t you like the way Jesus balanced power with meekness, knowledge with humility, desire with patience? But then individual postures, such as anticipation, may well be balanced too. Some days you can't wait for Christ's return and some days you say, “Oh God, don't come now”. How do you strive for balance? You don't. You seem to have good tolerance for the ups and downs of anticipation. If you wanted to have balance there you could decide to “abide in him; that, when he shall appear, we may have confidence, and not be ashamed before him at his coming. Remember to be ready always : “for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh”. Another alternative to balance is to be extreme. Very hot. Very cold. Very fast. O so slow. “Just go and go and go”. Or “no go”. One gets the picture of a driver rapidly alternating between the accelerator and the brake. Would it not be better to get some balance of that peddle? I think our passage, indeed the whole tenor of scripture, says there is a need for balance. It seems that experience and practice should help us to achieve it. What do you think? |
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