Results 41 - 60 of 350
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Results from: Answers On or After: Thu 12/31/70 Author: Aixen7z4 Ordered by Date |
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Results | Verse | Author | ID# | |||
41 | people who have never heard the Gospel ? | Heb 7:25 | Aixen7z4 | 149993 | ||
That question has puzzled many people for many years. But now, if you will promise to stop and think on it again, I will suggest to you that God has given us an answer in his word. Now I wish I could say, as Joseph might say, (Genesis 41) that God will give Gina Marie an answer of peace. I suspect that the answer which follows may be disturbing to many, but I trust that in so far as it is documented with passages from the word of God, you will consider it. No one who has left this life will ever be able to say he never heard the Gospel. God will make sure he hears it. God is clear in his declaration (in Romans 10 and elsewhere) that one must hear the Gospel in order to be saved. And I will say to you that ever since Genesis 3, the world has been hearing the Gospel. The news spread that the Lord had said to the serpent, “The seed of the woman shall bruise your head”. That was the event the world had to look to, and Jesus came “that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil; and deliver them” (Hebrews 2). That was and is, Good News. We should not take too much time here to show that the Gospel has always been preached. Let us say that God was surely speaking it to the Jews. There were too many statements, and events, and sacrifices, and figures, for them to miss the point. Jesus would one day appear to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself. Please note, however, that the message was sometimes brought by Jesus Christ himself. The LORD appeared unto Abraham in the plains of Mamre, as he sat in the tent door in the heat of the day (Genesis 18). The Lord revealed to him that the wicked would be destroyed. And Abraham asked him, “Shall not the Judge of all the earth do right?” It is a rhetorical question, and we should always remember the answer implied. The Judge of all the earth will do right by all the earth. He will give every person a chance to be saved. After saying that a person must hear the Gospel to be saved, he will not punish those who have not heard. It will always be the condemnation, that light came, and men preferred darkness. What will happen to those who have not heard, then? The point of this note is that there will be no such situation, because they all will hear. The Lord made a promise to Abraham (Genesis 12) and to Isaac (Genesis 26) and to Jacob (Genesis 28) to each of them, saying, “In you and in your seed shall all the families of the earth be blessed”. He does not say, “Seeds”, (plural) but “Seed” (singular), referring to Christ (Galatians 3). And he does say that all the families of the earth will be blessed. So people everywhere will be saved through Christ. God is no respecter of persons. Whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved (Romans 10). But the question was this: “How shall they call on him in whom they have not believed?” Also, “How shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard?” The point is that they must hear of Jesus. And Jesus told us to go into all the world and tell them about him (Matthew 28; Luke 24, etc.). But the follow-up question is this: “What if we do not go?” The answer I give to you is this, that Jesus goes himself. Do not be surprised at this. Jesus told us that he is going anyway. When he sends us, he goes before us (John 10). As we go, Lo, he is with us always (Matthew 28). I wish that I had the time and space now to show this in detail, but I will offer you these references. Jesus is the Light, and he lightens every man (John 1). He draws all men (John 12). He preached to them in Old Testament times (1Peter 3). He preached on earth in the times covered by the gospels (Mark 1, etc.). He appeared to Paul (Acts 9). He appeared to John (Revelation 1). He comes to the church (Revelation 3). He sends us into all the world, and we have that privilege to be coworkers with him. But when we do not go, and where we do not go, he goes himself. In every place, those who seek after him find him (Acts 17) because he is there for them. I hope this is not a comfort to anyone who refuses to go with the Gospel, to consider that Jesus goes himself. We do not refuse to praise him and then rejoice because the stones cry out. We must go, and he, going before us, will prepare their hearts. The Holy Spirit will use the words we speak to convince them. And we will win them. That is how we know our work is not in vain, because God is with us. It is God who works in them, as in us, both to will and to do his good pleasure. But when we disobey, and fail to go, that will not make the word of God of none effect. God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, will shined in their hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. He will bring the light of the Gospel to everyone, even if he has to do it himself. |
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42 | How is Joseph like Jesus? | Gen 30:25 | Aixen7z4 | 149903 | ||
Try these links: http://www.hishows.bizland.com/Topics/SUBTOPS/SoLikeJoseph.html http://www.cob-net.org/inspire/joseph_jesus.htm |
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43 | How can i MEET God? | Ps 132:1 | Aixen7z4 | 149888 | ||
Still, I wonder if I have addressed the concerns you have expressed. You still desire God to come to you like He did to Moses, or Elijah. You're wondering why He doesn't speak to us like that anymore. I think the fact is we have something better than they had. "For you are not come unto the mount that might be touched, and that burned with fire, nor unto blackness, and darkness, and tempest, and the sound of a trumpet, and the voice of words; which voice they that heard intreated that the word should not be spoken to them any more. (For they could not endure that which was commanded, and if so much as a beast touch the mountain, it shall be stoned, or thrust through with a dart: And so terrible was the sight, that Moses said, 'I exceedingly fear and quake'). But you are come ... to Jesus, the mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling, that speaks better things than that of Abel" (Hebrews 12). We have it better. We have the privilege of entering into the holiest, by the blood of Jesus (Hebrews 10). Let us not be content with anything less. Let us draw near with a true heart, in full assurance of faith. But also, I wonder why the talk about slipping. It does not seem to the idea of giving up the search. Is it the idea of giving up on the ways of organized religion? I take "All I care is that I know God" as a determined, undeniable desire. Perhaps it is the desire to be saved. You should look back on your life for a time when God filled your life with a sense of his presence. If there is no such memory, then I suggest you do the steps. Renounce sin. Trust in Christ. Then, accept his presence in your life. From my experience, and according to John 7:37, he will fill you to overflowing. One last thing before I close this second piece. Let God have his way. He will fill you when he sees fit, to enable you to his will. If you are not prepared to follow him into some field of service, you will find his presence not only overwhelming, but also quite uncomfortable. David prayed for the Spirit, and promised to "teach transgressors your ways" (Psalm 51). Isaiah said, "Send me". If you do not plan to serve the Lord, then there is not much point in seeking him. You may plan to simply enjoy his presence, but he has more than that in mind. You may want to experience God as Moses and Elijah did. But remember that God said to Moses, "Go" (Exodus 3), and to Elijah, "Go. Return." (1 Kings 19). Isaiah saw the Lord (chapter 6), but then the Lord asked, "Who will go for us?" It may be that your key to finding the Lord is your present willingness to do what he says. You do not know what he will say, or where he will send you. Some of it will be hard. It may be unpleasant, especially if he sends you to the multitude who said you should not have sought him in the first place. But do you think you will see the Lord and not want to talk about him? Do you imagine you will hear from him and not not want to speak for him? Count the cost, my friends. Then you can seek him and find him. |
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44 | How can i MEET God? | Ps 132:1 | Aixen7z4 | 149887 | ||
I thought it was the best question, the greatest question ever asked. Surely, that is the biggest need of the human heart: to know God,and to fellowship with him. Without that question we find ourselves under this his indigtment: "The ox knoweth his owner, and the ass his master's crib: but ... my people do not consider" (Isaiah 1). We belong to God. If we are away from him, we are to seek him. We should not stop. "Seek ye the LORD while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near" (Isaiah 55). We should not accept denial. We should be like the blind man in Luke 18. "They which went before rebuked him, that he should hold his peace: but he cried so much the more". Strange how the crowd sometimes tries to stop the seeker. They did it in Matthew 20. Two blind men sitting by the way side, when they heard that Jesus passed by, cried out, saying, "Have mercy on us, O Lord, thou Son of David", and the multitude rebuked them. But they would not be denied. They cried the more. Even believers try to stop us. They shut up the kingdom against men (Matthew 23). I wonder if it is that they do not understand. They take away the key of knowledge (Luke 11). Little children were brought unto him, that he should put his hands on them, and pray: and the disciples rebuked them (Matthew 19). We should seek the Lord. That is what God has in mind for us, that we should seek him, and find him. Paul says that he designed it so "that they should seek the Lord, if haply they might feel after him" (Acts 17). He had promised that our seeking would not be in vain (Isaiah 45). He is near to us, and we can find him. Aside from the hindrance of the multitude, what makes it so hard to find God? There may be many things, but the situation can perhaps be summed up best by noting his his requirement, that we seek him with the whole heart (Jeremiah 24;Jeremiah 29). For a while, we may be like the lover in the Song of Solomon 3: "By night on my bed I sought him whom my soul loveth: I sought him, but I found him not". But that does not last. "It was but a little that I passed from them, but I found him whom my soul loveth." David sings, "As the hart panteth after the water brooks, so panteth my soul after thee, O God. My soul thirsteth for God, for the living God: when shall I come and appear before God?" (Psalm 42). Again: "O God, thou art my God; early will I seek thee: my soul thirsteth for thee, my flesh longs for you in a dry and thirsty land, where no water is;to see your power and your glory, so as I have seen thee in the sanctuary" (Psalm 63). It is the most amazing thing, to realize that the one we seek is actually pursuing us. The Good Shepherd (Luke 15), the Son of Man (Luke 19), is seeking that which is lost. We thirst for God. But also, in the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried, saying, "If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink. He that believes on me, as the scripture has said, 'Out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water'" (John 7). The good news for the person who is saved is the fact that God is actually already in us (John 14). When we seek him, we find that he is there, with us, and in us. But everyone, saved and unsaved, should seek him. |
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45 | Are Job's friends words true? | Job | Aixen7z4 | 149828 | ||
It is clear that many of the words spoken by Job’s friends were truth. One way to determine that is to compare their words to other words on the same subject recorded in other places in the Scriptures. Please note that Job sometimes agreed with them. For example, see his “yes, who does not know such things as these?” in chapter 12. What they had been saying was obviously true. But he had additional, deeper questions, for which they had no answer. What was the problem with their words, then? As in so many cases, some of what they were saying was the truth, but they were not speaking the whole truth. Notice how God responds in Job 42. He does not say that those men had not spoken truth. What he said was, “You have not spoken of me the thing which is right, like my servant Job (has) ”. They had said the right thing about other things, but they had not said the right thing about God. The sum of their words to Job was that he was suffering because he had sinned. The pronouncement from God, however, was that Job was a righteous man: “a perfect and upright man, one who fears God and turns away from evil” (Chapter 1). They were saying that God would never treat him that way if indeed Job had been “perfect and righteous”. Of course, neither they nor Job were privy to the words that God had said to Satan. Also, they did not know Job’s heart or life as God did. But they were wrong to say that God would not treat a righteous person they way he was treating Job. That was a wrong thing to say, and a hurtful thing, was it not? Had God not corrected them we might still be befuddled today when we see the righteous suffer. The fact that Job recognized, and they did not, is that God is Sovereign and just, and will do what he wills, and what he does is right, though we sometimes fail to understand it. Note lastly that it was not the friends but Job himself to whom God said he had been darkening counsel by words without knowledge (Job 38). Job himself had not known the whole truth. As he would say, “I have spoken what I did not understand; things too wonderful for me; yea, I did not know” (Job 42). And we also do not know it all. But we have learned from Job’s experience, that God is Sovereign. Also, he is just, and good. Still, there are some things we do not know; secret things. The secret things belong to Yahweh our God; but the things that are revealed belong to us and to our children forever, that we may do all the words of this law. We can learn a lot from Job’s friends, I think, but they learned that they did not know everything. Now we know more than they did, but we still do not know everything. So though we speak what we do know, we can only encourage ourselves and each other to continue to meditate on the word of God. You will be able to say (as in Psalm 119) “ I have more understanding than all my teachers: for your testimonies are my meditation”. Consider what I say, and the Lord will give you understanding in all things. |
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46 | 1 Thess. 5:17 | Jer 29:12 | Aixen7z4 | 149821 | ||
It is sometimes so difficult to know what a person has in mind when a question is asked. And yet, these are good questions. They seem to have come from a sincere and caring saint. “Does prayer really help?“ suggests that the questioner realizes that some types of prayer do not help. In other words, it may not really make a difference whether one prays or not, if one prays that way. A common situation is where one prays for a sick person to get better. Sometimes he does. Sometimes he does not. One then wonders if it makes any difference whether one prays or not. And yet, it is God who asks us to pray and he promises that he will answer (Matthew 7, etc.). Moreover, he says that the reason we do not have some things is because we do not pray for them (James 4). Clearly then, God is saying that prayer does help, that it makes a big difference. In the words of the apostle James: it “avails much” (James 5). Yet we fail to get what we ask for when we ask amiss (James 4). “What kind of prayers does God answer?” suggests that God answers one type of prayer and not others. We know that we need to ask for things that are within God’s will (1 John 5). It seems logical that God will give us want he wants to give us. It is important then, that we know what God’s will is (Ephesians 5). The prayer that God answers, then, is one that matches his will. God answers the prayer of Elijah (1 Kings 18) because he was doing as God had directed him (v.38). Paul stopped praying for a thorn to be removed (2 Corinthians 12) and prayed for grace instead (every epistle he wrote) because God revealed that it was his will to give grace. If we ask anything according to his will, he hears us, and we get what we ask for (1 John 5). “How can one develop an attitude of prayer?” seems to be a completely different question, posed in in anticipation of satisfactory answers to the previous questions. If prayer is worthwhile, then we may want to develop an attitude of prayer. I am assuming that “an attitude of prayer” is a readiness to pray at all times. Jesus said men ought always to pray (Luke 18) and Paul says that we should be “praying always” (Ephesians 6), and praying “without ceasing” (1 Thessalonians 5). “It seems that the prayer I have been hearing are no more than begging God for things?” suggests an awareness that prayer should be more than that. One can agree that prayer is more than that. Prayer might well include worship, thanksgiving, confession, intercession, etc. (See Matthew 6, Ephesians 3, James 5, etc.). Even in thanksgiving and supplication, one might suggest we should be thanking God for spiritual things (as in Colossians 1) and asking for spiritual things (as in Ephesians 3). “Is that the object of prayer?” (to beg for things) suggests the questioner knows it is not. One might suggest that the purpose of prayer is to know God’s will, and to do God’s will. Men of God have prayed that God would open their eyes to behold his will in his word (Psalm 119) and Jesus taught (Luke 11) and exemplified a prayer that God’s will be done (Luke 22). One may say that prayer is the expression of a desire to play an active part in God’s program. Prayer, whether constant or sporadic, whether the right kind or not, is a habit. We do what we have learned to do. But the disciples asked Jesus to teach them to pray. And we might well pray to the Lord for that. But we have to be willing to change, to learn, and habits are often hard to break. The questions seem to have come from one who knows the nature and worth of prayer and is somewhat frustrated with the way it is practiced in the church today. It may be difficult to change what the church does, but we can change what we do in our private communication with God. We are happy to note that God listens to the individual and to the two who agree (on what his word reveals about his will). One person can pray, even silently, and the effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much. |
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47 | Avoid Curtis Neeley's web site!!!!! | Rom 14:14 | Aixen7z4 | 149712 | ||
The bad news is, this person says he may restore the offending link. I have encouraged him to give his testimony here and to ask for prayer, but he is not inclined to do that. The sad fact is, it is so hard to get a brother to listen. People love to be confirmed in their original opinions, but they find it hard to change their minds. And yet, we cannot grow without changing. And what good is a Bible Study if it does not affect our behavior? Should we not cease to condemn a brother for what his conscience allows him to do? That is what Romans 14:10 calls for. And should a brother not cease to do that which causes offense? That is what Romans 14:13 calls for. But now the brother says he will not change in order to please people who have been rude to him. And the people say they will not encourage him to change because he has done wrong; he has fallen. And yet the scriptures call on us to restore such an one (Galatians 6:1). It should be clear now that warning people to stay away may have the opposite effect. People will wonder just what it is they are being asked to avoid, and they will go to see. I trust the brother will find the strength to keep doing what is right. And I trust the brethren will find the grace to encourage him. |
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48 | Avoid Curtis Neeley's web site!!!!! | Rom 14:14 | Aixen7z4 | 149688 | ||
There is good news in the fact this person has taken steps to clean up his web site. That is what he has stated in personal correspondence. His other artwork is there, but the questionable items are gone. Please pray for that man. He has been in an accident and has had significant injuries. Yet he is pursuing his career in photography from his wheelchair. He has good skills and has produced other art that is quite good. Let us pray he will learn to use his abilities only for the Lord. The fact he has written in to this forum is a good sign, I think. I supposed that he was seeking the Lord, either for salvation or for his will in his life as a believer. He has stated that he has had some memory loss due to his accident, but he remembers his salvation experience, and he is seeking to live for the Lord. It has been pointed out to him that it is not necessary for him to indulge in whatever he thinks God allows, but to do what benefits others. So far, he has responded. He deserves our encouragement, I think, as he tries to do the right thing. |
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49 | . | Job 31:1 | Aixen7z4 | 149679 | ||
Hello Curtis: Are you saved? What I mean is this: I suppose you have heard that Christ died for our sins. Have you repented, and placed your trust in him? If you are trusting him, then you should listen to him. He says (Romans 14) that you should not do anything that would cause your brother or sister to fall into sin. It is clear from the responses you have received here that some of us have a problem with some of your work. It is clear that some are offended by it and it can lead others into sin. If you are a Christian, then I think that is reason enough to stop. Don’t you agree? The point is that we should not do what pleases us, or what we think God allows, but what brings a blessing to others. I understand that you have stopped displaying those particular pictures, and I commend you for that. Please keep them off your site. I suppose that you are seeking the Lord’s will and that is why you have come to a site such as this, to ask advice. If you have not yet exercised repentance toward God and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ, I would encourage you to give priority to those things. If you have done them, then please continue to do what he asks. Those of us who have exercised faith in Christ are encouraged to live our entire lives trusting and obeying him (Colossians 2:6). You will find joy in obeying the Lord and doing things that benefit your brothers and sisters. The question at this point is not whether you are allowed to do certain things, but whether what you do can lead others (albeit weak ones) to sin. I trust you will do the right thing. |
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50 | Avoid Curtis Neeley's web site!!!!! | Rom 14:14 | Aixen7z4 | 149558 | ||
And do not touch the wet paint. Better not to draw attention with a prohibition, I think. It may serve the opposite purpose. Sin, taking occasion by the commandment, wreaks all manner of concupiscence. For I was alive without the law once: but when the commandment came, sin revived, and I died. I know, and am persuaded by the Lord Jesus, that there is nothing unclean of itself: but to him that esteemeth any thing to be unclean, to him it is unclean. It is good neither to eat flesh, nor to drink wine, nor any thing whereby thy brother stumbleth, or is offended, or is made weak. Hast thou faith? Have it to thyself before God. Happy is he that condemneth not himself in that thing which he alloweth. And he that doubteth is damned if he eat, because he eateth not of faith: for whatsoever is not of faith is sin. for whatsoever is not of faith is sin. |
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51 | help | Rev 13:16 | Aixen7z4 | 149062 | ||
We looked at the passage in over twenty (20) translations and it always said the mark would be in one place or the other. We have not yet found one where it says the mark will be in both places. We would suppose that one saying so would be in error. But … It is evident that the location of the mark is not important. Also, from what follows, the mark and the name and the number are all the same. Interestingly, it is also apparent that even those who might have chosen to cut off their right hand (as in Matthew 5:30) would not escape the requirement. Isn’t that interesting? How much better to believe on the Lord Jesus Christ now and be included in the rapture! It will be a terrible time, and the beast will be a terrible creature! He will have power “to make war with the saints, and to overcome them: and power was given him over all kindreds, and tongues, and nations. And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world”. “If any man have an ear, let him hear”. |
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52 | Where in the bible does it say (Jesus is | John 20:31 | Aixen7z4 | 149057 | ||
“Son of God” is a term used throughout the New Testament to refer to our Lord Jesus Christ. Many believe that the term in the book of Daniel refers to him as well. The following is a sampling from the Gospel of John. John 1:34 And I (John) saw, and bare record that this is the Son of God. John 1:49 Nathanael answered and saith unto him, “Rabbi, thou art the Son of God; thou art the King of Israel”. John 3:18 Jesus said, “He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God”. John 5:25 Jesus said, “Verily, verily, I say unto you, The hour is coming, and now is, when the dead shall hear the voice of the Son of God: and they that hear shall live.” John 9:35 Jesus heard that they had cast him out; and when he had found him, he said unto him, Dost thou believe on the Son of God? John 10:36 Say ye of him, whom the Father hath sanctified, and sent into the world, Thou blasphemest; because I said, “I am the Son of God”? John 11:4 When Jesus heard that, he said, “This sickness is not unto death, but for the glory of God, that the Son of God might be glorified thereby”. John 11:27 She (Martha) saith unto him, “Yea, Lord: I believe that thou art the Christ, the Son of God, which should come into the world”. John 19:7 The Jews answered him, “We have a law, and by our law he ought to die, because he made himself the Son of God”. In many other passages of Scripture, many other speakers and writers refer to Jesus as the son of God, and he himself does as much by referring to God the Father as his father. John 20:31 But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name. |
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53 | can we be sure the Bible is valid? | 2 Tim 3:16 | Aixen7z4 | 148920 | ||
Surely, you are correct in understanding that the passage in 2 Timothy 3 refers to the writings of the Old Testament. Today, we accept the writings of the New Testament as Scripture also, but that was not the part to which Paul was making reference. It is perhaps good that we stay with the simple purpose and meaning of the passage we read, and not try to make it say more than it was intended to say. Paul was making a terrific point in that part of his letter to Timothy, and we should not miss it. The Scriptures (whether Old or New Testament, or both) are given to us for a purpose. They are given to bolster and support our faith in God. Such faith may have been born from our observation of nature. It may have been nurtured by the stirrings of our conscience. But it is strengthened and supported by the word of God. For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope (Romans 15:4). It was the Old Testament Scriptures that Paul was referring to when he wrote to the Romans as well, and he was pointing out that they provide us with comfort and hope. The point there was that we should not live to please ourselves but, in spite of temptations to the contrary, we should seek to please one another and edify one another. It is not the type of pleasing that “Let every one of us please his neighbour for his good to edification. For even Christ pleased not himself; but, as it is written, ‘The reproaches of them that reproached thee fell on me’” (Psalm 69:9). So now, “It is enough for the disciple that he be as his master, and the servant as his lord” (Matthew 10:25). You will have noticed, of course, that the New Testament and the Old Testament say the same thing. That which was prophesied in the Old was manifested in the New. But even when it was first spoken, in the Old, it was forever settled in heaven (Psalm 119:89). We need to remember that. And we need to remember the specifics of the word that was spoken. Most of the doctrines we need for our daily lives are given in the New Testament. But they are illustrated in the Old Testament, and in the lives of the saints who lived in those times. For example, the New Testament tells us we need to exercise patience. “Be ye also patient; stablish your hearts: for the coming of the Lord draweth nigh” (James 5). But it is the Old Testament that shows us how it is done. “Take, my brethren, the prophets, who have spoken in the name of the Lord, for an example of suffering affliction, and of patience” (v 10). “You have heard of the patience of Job, and have seen the end of the Lord; that the Lord is very pitiful, and of tender mercy”. The Lord was that to Job and he will be to us. He is the same The Old Testament illustrates the need for prayer, and the efficacy of prayer. For example, “Elias was a man subject to like passions as we are, and he prayed earnestly that it might not rain: and it rained not on the earth by the space of three years and six months (James 5). And he prayed again, and the heaven gave rain, and the earth brought forth her fruit. It is an encouragement to pray for our brother, even when he strays. “Brethren, if any of you do err from the truth, and one convert him; let him know, that he which converteth the sinner from the error of his way shall save a soul from death, and shall hide a multitude of sins”. Again, it is an encouragement to pray for each other (James 5:16). There is comfort in knowing that God answered the prayer of Elias, and he will answer ours. 2 Timothy 3 is not referring to the New Testament. It refers to the value and power of the Old Testament. We are in perilous times (v.1), just as the saints of old went through perilous times (Hebrews 11:35ff.) It is by looking at that “great cloud of witnesses” that we have encouragement. The New Testament is Scripture as well, and we do have examples in it, including the life of Paul (his doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering, charity, patience, persecutions, afflictions …). It is authorized in advance by our Lord Jesus Christ (Matthew 28:20; Hebrews 2:3,4; 1 John 1, etc.), just as the Old was empowered by his quoting of it (Matthew 4:4; Luke 24:27, etc.). There is ample proof that the New Testament is the word of God, but that is not what Paul was referencing in 2 Timothy 3:16. There he was referring to the Old Testament. But the New Testament was also written as holy men of God were moved by the Holy Ghost (Matthew 28:19, Mark 1:1,2; Luke 1:2; John 15:27; John 16:13; John 21:24; Acts 26:16; 1 Corinthians 2:13; 1 Corinthians 14:37; 2 Corinthians 1:21; Ephesians 2:20; Ephesians 3:7; Hebrews 10:15; 2 Peter 3:15; Revelation 1:10,11, etc.). |
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54 | Was this promise fulfilled? | Josh 1:4 | Aixen7z4 | 148567 | ||
God always, always, always keeps his word. From the verse cited, it is apparent that he promised Israel more land than they ever actually accepted. To unserstand why they never actually owned all that was offered to them, one need only read the previous verse. They had to take it. The fact that they never took it all is amply illustrated in Judges chapter 1. |
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55 | What does the "SPEAKING IN TONGUES MEAN" | Acts 2:4 | Aixen7z4 | 148311 | ||
What did it mean? That was the question on the day of Pentecost. They were confounded, because people who knew only one language were speaking a message and everyone was hearing it in his own language (Acts 2:6). Parthians, and Medes, and Elamites, and the dwellers in Mesopotamia, and in Judaea, and Cappadocia, in Pontus, and Asia, Phrygia, and Pamphylia, in Egypt, and in the parts of Libya about Cyrene, and strangers of Rome, Jews and proselytes, Cretes and Arabians, each group heard them speak in their own language the wonderful works of God. They were all amazed, and were in doubt, saying one to another, “What does this mean?” (v. 12). What did it mean? It was a sign (1 Corinthians 14:12). What was it signaling? It was signaling the fact that the Holy Spirit had been given (v. 16). For the Jew there was the additional fact that the Gentiles would be included as recipients. The Holy Spirit was for “all flesh” and not for Jews only. What was the importance in the life of a believer? Tongues were for a sign. They were for a sign, not to them that believed, but to them that believed not (1 Corinthians 14:22). Those who did not believe needed a sign. They were “children in understanding” (v.20). The appeal to the Corinthians was that they should grow up. Paul had had to treat them as babies, though they had been in Christ for some time (1 Corinthians 3:2). He had had to feed them with the milk of the word. But he was warning them that the baby things must pass away. The sign of new believers speaking in language unknown to themselves would fade away (1 Corinthians 13:8). When would that happen? It would happen when they were mature enough to do without it. Again, his appeal to them was to grow up, to cease being “children in understanding”. For the mature church there is no more milk, no more signs, no more “tongues”. The Jews desired a sign (1 Corinthians 1:22) but what God had for them instead was the Gospel (v. 23). Seems they had always hankered for a sign (Matthew 12:38, John 2:18, John 6:30, etc). But Jesus had said, “An evil and adulterous generation seeks after a sign; and there shall no sign be given to it, but the sign of the prophet Jonas” (Matthew 12:39). Now to the early church he said they could have the sign of tongues for a while, but then it would cease. When the Jews understood that the Gentiles were being grafted in, (as in Acts 11:18), when they had grown up and ceased to be children in their understanding of that fact, then “tongues” had served their purpose, and they were ready to pass away. Do we need “tongues” today then, people being enabled supernaturally to speak in unknown languages? Brethren, be not children in understanding. In malice be children, but in understanding, be men. |
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56 | we are saints | Heb 10:10 | Aixen7z4 | 148254 | ||
Those who have come to trust in the Lord Jesus Christ are saved, and are everywhere referred to as saints (Deuteronomy 33 to Revelation 20). Almost every letter addressed to believers contains a salutation referring to them as saints (Romans 1 to Jude). Indeed, the church is properly thought of as a called-out people and does consist entirely of saints -- them that are sanctified (1 Corinthians 1:2). They have been called out of the world’s system (Acts 26:18) and set apart to show forth his praises (1 Peter 2) and to serve him (Daniel 7:27). We are the ones he has raised up, as it were from the dead, and made us to sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus (Ephesians 2). Before we were saved we lived according to the course of this world, and we were by nature the children of wrath. But we are washed, but we are sanctified, (made to be saints) we are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God (1 Corinthians 6:11). |
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57 | prist and king | Rev 1:6 | Aixen7z4 | 148240 | ||
That fact is revealed at least two times in the book of the Revelations. John says, “Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood, and has made us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen“. (Rev 1:5,6). And they sung a new song, saying, “You are worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for you were slain, and you have redeemed us to God by your blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation; and you have made us kings and priests unto our God, and we shall reign on the earth” (Rev 5:10). |
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58 | OLD TESTAMENT GOD LAW | Deut 6:5 | Aixen7z4 | 148236 | ||
The best passage for that is probably Deuteronomy 6, verses 5 and 6, but there are other passages where the Law is summarized as well. (It is interesting that you say it was Jesus who summarized the Law in the Old Testament -- I am sure we know why, and this writer does not wish to go into that -- but the summaries below were given by Moses and by Micah, respectively). These be the words which Moses spoke unto all Israel … in the wilderness. … Moses spoke unto the children of Israel, according unto all that the LORD had given him in commandment unto them (Deuteronomy 1): Moses declared the law, saying, ‘The LORD … wrote on the tables, … , the Ten Commandments, … and the LORD gave them unto me … , and there they be, as the LORD commanded me. … And now, Israel, what doth the LORD thy God require of thee, but to fear the LORD thy God, to walk in all his ways, and to love him, and to serve the LORD thy God with all thy heart and with all thy soul … ”’(Deuteronomy 10). “Now these are the commandments, the statutes, and the judgments, which the LORD your God commanded to teach you, that ye might do them … all the days of your life … Hear therefore, O Israel, and observe to do it … Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God is one LORD: And you shall love the LORD thy God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your might” (Deuteronomy 6). The word of the LORD that came to Micah the Morasthite … Listen: (Micah 1): ... He hath showed you, O man, what is good; and what does the LORD require of you, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God? (Micah 6). |
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59 | What is so wrong with Catholics | Bible general Archive 2 | Aixen7z4 | 148170 | ||
But why this question? It may be an offshoot of another discussion, and it would be interesting to know which one. There is a question on this forum (ID# 95694) abut things that are praiseworthy in that system. But it is apparent there are good parts and not-so-good parts in every system. There is another question in the air, which may not have landed on this forum as yet. Someone wanted to ask the question: “Do you think the Pope was saved?” or “Do you think he went to heaven?” but they were afraid to ask. It is really a question about the system that he headed. One would guess that, with such a question, sparks would fly. (How dare you question whether His Holy …?) One might need to check the guidelines again to see if such a question is allowable. (This writer did not double-check the guidelines, and he is not asking the question). But it is on some of our minds. One might have to frame it in terms of an intellectual examination of scripture, or else initiate a Bible study related to false religion and false prophets leading hordes of people astray. There is not a question whether there are Catholics who go to heaven. One would not have asked Jesus if there were Pharisees who went to heaven. After all, Nicodemus and Paul had been Pharisees. But it is necessary to consider the idea of systems of religion preaching a false gospel and giving adherents a false hope of salvation. In an open discussion, it may be good if participants did not reveal their affiliation with the systems, (I do not know) as they might then feel the need to defend them, and those who speak against them, or anything in them would have to fear. It is easy to dismiss small cults, but more difficult and more dangerous to look with criticism at any major sect. Jesus was surely aware of that before he spoke up. But sometimes one is led to wonder: Does Jesus statement concerning false prophets apply to anyone? “Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves”. Does his statement about being blind alert any of us? Some of the Pharisees which were with him heard these words, and said unto him, “Are we blind also?” (John 9:40). What an amazing answer Jesus gave! (v. 41). It is one, I think, that those men had to ponder. And now, it is our turn. Does his statement about following blind men serve to turn us from them to him perhaps? “If the blind lead the blind, both shall fall into the ditch” (Matthew 15:14). But Jesus is the Light of the world. Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, “I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life” (John 8:12). Does Jesus’ prophecy frighten anyone? “Not every one that says unto me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter into the kingdom of heaven”. Does his warning concerning the ultimate consequences appeal to anyone? “Many will say to me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?’ And then will I profess unto them, ‘I never knew you: depart from me, you that work iniquity‘”. It may be that someone needs to be strong and fearless, to say what Jesus would have said today: “Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye shut up the kingdom of heaven against men: for ye neither go in yourselves, neither suffer ye them that are entering to go in” (Matthew 23:13). But it is my guess that any person saying that would be either ignored or crucified. |
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60 | Can a person know Gods' perfect will ? | Ps 98:2 | Aixen7z4 | 147883 | ||
Our gospel is hidden from those that are lost. The god of this world has blinded the minds of those who do not believe, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them" (2 Corinthians 4). They had asked unto him, “What can we do, so we can know we are doing the will of God?” Jesus answered and said unto them, “This is the will of God, that you believe on the one whom he has sent”. They said, “Show us a miracle and we will believe on you. Give us bread”. Jesus said unto them, “I am the bread of life: he who comes to me shall never hunger; and he who believes on me shall never thirst”. The Jews then murmured at him, because he said, “I am the bread which came down from heaven”. Jesus therefore answered and said unto them “Verily, verily, I say unto you, ‘He who believes on me has everlasting life‘”. They said, “That is a hard saying”, and from that time many of his disciples went back, and walked no more with him. Then said Jesus unto the twelve, “Will you also go away? ” Then Simon Peter answered him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. And we believe and are sure that you are the Christ, the Son of the living God” (John 6). The Father loves the Son, and has given all things into his hand. Those who believe on the Son have everlasting life: and those who do not believe on the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abides on them (John 3). |
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