Results 41 - 60 of 266
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Results from: Answers On or After: Thu 12/31/70 Author: John Reformed Ordered by Date |
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Results | Verse | Author | ID# | |||
41 | difference between sickness and disease | Matt 4:23 | John Reformed | 98281 | ||
Sickness: The quality or state of being sick or diseased; illness; disease or malady Disease: To derange the vital functions of; to afflict with disease or sickness; to disorder; Take your pick; their meanings can be inter-changable. Why do you ask? John |
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42 | Thanks | John 6:9 | John Reformed | 98184 | ||
Hi Dave, I think the danger lies in reading into the text a set of circumstances that cannot be proven (by the text itself or from other related verses). Many a false doctrine has found itself into the world through faulty and immaginitive speculating. As far as your "stumbling" on to the forum... I don't believe in chance happenings. :-) Welcome! John Reformed |
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43 | Does God love everything? | 1 John 4:8 | John Reformed | 98158 | ||
Dear terrifel, The following is an excerpt from a sermon given by C.H. Spurgeon on January 7, 1855. I am the Lord, I change not; therefore ye sons of Jacob are not consumed."—Malachi 3:6 It has been said by some one that "the proper study of mankind is man." I will not oppose the idea, but I believe it is equally true that the proper study of God's elect is God; the proper study of a Christian is the Godhead. The highest science, the loftiest speculation, the mightiest philosophy, which can ever engage the attention of a child of God, is the name, the nature, the person, the work, the doings, and the existence of the great God whom he calls his Father. There is something exceedingly improving to the mind in a contemplation of the Divinity. It is a subject so vast, that all our thoughts are lost in its immensity; so deep, that our pride is drowned in its infinity. Other subjects we can compass and grapple with; in them we feel a kind of self-content, and go our way with the thought, "Behold I am wise." But when we come to this master-science, finding that our plumb-line cannot sound its depth, and that our eagle eye cannot see its height, we turn away with the thought, that vain man would be wise, but he is like a wild ass's colt; and with the solemn exclamation, "I am but of yesterday, and know nothing." No subject of contemplation will tend more to humble the mind, than thoughts of God. We shall be obliged to feel— "Great God, how infinite art thou, What worthless worms are we!" But while the subject humbles the mind it also expands it. He who often thinks of God, will have a larger mind than the man who simply plods around this narrow globe. He may be a naturalist, boasting of his ability to dissect a beetle, anatomize a fly, or arrange insects and animals in classes with well nigh unutterable names; he may be a geologist, able to discourse of the megatherium and the plesiosaurus, and all kinds of extinct animals; he may imagine that his science, whatever it is, ennobles and enlarges his mind. I dare say it does, but after all, the most excellent study for expanding the soul, is the science of Christ, and him crucified, and the knowledge of the Godhead in the glorious Trinity. Nothing will so enlarge the intellect, nothing so magnify the whole soul of man, as a devout, earnest, continued investigation of the great subject of the Deity. And, whilst humbling and expanding, this subject is eminently consolatary. Oh, there is, in contemplating Christ, a balm for every wound; in musing on the Father, there is a quietus for every grief; and in the influence of the Holy Ghost, there is a balsam for every sore. Would you lose your sorrows? Would you drown your cares? Then go, plunge yourself in the Godhead's deepest sea; be lost in his immensity; and you shall come forth as from a couch of rest, refreshed and invigorated. I know nothing which can so comfort the soul; so calm the swelling billows of grief and sorrow; so speak peace to the winds of trial, as a devout musing upon the subject of the Godhead. It is to that subject that I invite you this morning. |
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44 | Does God love everything? | 1 John 4:8 | John Reformed | 98156 | ||
Dear terrifel, What does the Bible teach? Ps 11:5 The LORD tests the righteous and the wicked, And the one who loves violence His soul hates. Does Satan love violence? John 8:44 "You are of your father the devil, and you want to do the desires of your father. He was a murderer from the beginning,... Does God's heart break over the destruction of the wicked? Ezek 24:14 "I, the LORD, have spoken; it is coming and I will act. I will not relent, and I will not pity and I will not be sorry;... Can we put God in a box and find out everything about Him? Rom 11:33 Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and unfathomable His ways! Our concern as christians should be focused on how well we know our God as our Creator, Lord, King, Saviour, Father and friend. We will spend eternity learning to know and love Him more and more...But we will never learn everthing about Him or know Him as He knows Himself. Jer 9:24 but let him who boasts boast of this, that he understands and knows Me, that I am the LORD who exercises lovingkindness, justice and righteousness on earth; for I delight in these things," declares the LORD. Thanks for the question, but the answer is beyond my understanding. Nevertheless, it is good to think about and to wonder at His ways. John |
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45 | Church curses??? | Bible general Archive 2 | John Reformed | 98068 | ||
Anathema - anything laid up or suspended; hence anything laid up in a temple or set apart as sacred. In this sense the form of the word is anath(ee)ma, once in plural used in the Greek New Testament, in Luke 21:5, where it is rendered "gifts." In the LXX. the form anathema is generally used as the rendering of the Hebrew word herem, derived from a verb which means (1) to consecrate or devote; and (2) to exterminate. Any object so devoted to the Lord could not be redeemed (Num. 18:14; Lev. 27:28, 29); and hence the idea of exterminating connected with the word. The Hebrew verb (haram) is frequently used of the extermination of idolatrous nations. It had a wide range of application. The anathema_ or _herem was a person or thing irrevocably devoted to God (Lev. 27:21, 28); and "none devoted shall be ransomed. He shall surely be put to death" (27:29). The word therefore carried the idea of devoted to destruction (Num. 21:2, 3; Josh. 6:17); and hence generally it meant a thing accursed. In Deut. 7:26 an idol is called a herem anathema, a thing accursed. In the New Testament this word always implies execration (the act of cursing). In some cases an individual denounces an anathema on himself unless certain conditions are fulfilled (Acts 23:12, 14, 21). "To call Jesus accursed" [anathema] (1 Cor. 12:3) is to pronounce him execrated or accursed. If any one preached another gospel, the apostle says, "let him be accursed" (Gal. 1:8, 9); i.e., let his conduct in so doing be accounted accursed. In Rom. 9:3, the expression "accursed" (anathema) from Christ, i.e., excluded from fellowship or alliance with Christ, has occasioned much difficulty. The apostle here does not speak of his wish as a possible thing. It is simply a vehement expression of feeling, showing how strong was his desire for the salvation of his people. The anathema in 1 Cor. 16:22 denotes simply that they who love not the Lord are rightly objects of loathing and execration to all holy beings; they are guilty of a crime that merits the severest condemnation; they are exposed to the just sentence of "everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord." (EASTON'S BIBLE DICTIONARY). I would not be so bold as to set a curse on my enemies. The Lord said to love them. Perhaps the definition above is more in keeping with the Scripture as a whole. Curse their deeds not their persons. John |
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46 | Was a cross used in Apostolic worship? | Ex 17:15 | John Reformed | 97901 | ||
It does'nt. I retract my statement. I did'nt mean it to be taken literally. In fact we do have a cross standing outside our church building, but not one inside where our service is held. We are careful not to encourage even the least temptation to idolotry. I remember the crucifix of my childhood. It stood near the altar and after confession people would do penance near it. The feet of the statue were badly worn from stroking and kissing it. It was as if the statue itself held some holy vitue of it's own. That's the kind of idolatry that rises from unbiblical practices. Images of God made from wood, stone or paint. People begin to think the "things" made are holy in themselves! That is why even an altar can lead the people from worship that is true and spiritual. Christ is risen! He died once and is now seated at the right hand of God. His enemies have been made His footstool. The sacrifice has been made. Believe and be saved. John |
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47 | When did Christians start to use altars? | Ex 17:15 | John Reformed | 97889 | ||
Emmaus, Heb 1:1,2 God, after He spoke long ago to the fathers in the prophets in many portions and in many ways, in these last days has spoken to us in His Son, whom He appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the world. I understand your sensitivity on this subject. I am addressing protestant churches primarily. I know why Catholics have an altar. I should have said "apostolic" rather than "early". There is no evidence in Scripture of Paul or the other eleven apostles, having re-instituted any element the Levitical system. All of that passed with the incarnation and sacrifice of "The Lamb of God". The model we should follow is the New Covenant. John |
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48 | Altar Calls | Ex 17:15 | John Reformed | 97881 | ||
Dear Emmaus, "Altar Calls" in christian churches have no biblical warrant. They are a relatively recent innovation, whose passing would be welcomed by me. My opposition is based on Scripture. We are called by God to faith in Christ (Rom 8:30). The believer is then to confess with his mouth (Rom 10:9) that which he has believed in his heart. But, confession, as well as baptism is an evidence, not a means of salvation (Eph 2:8). The gospel does not proscribe walking an aisle, kneeling before an altar or saying a "sinners prayer" as an evidence that one has been regenerated by the Holy Spirit. It is a mistake to go beyond what is "written". John |
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49 | is it a sin to kill animals | Bible general Archive 2 | John Reformed | 97538 | ||
It would depend on the motive for killing them. If it were done for the sheer pleasure of seeing an innocent creature suffer and die, that certanly be a sin. If for food or clothing or some other benevelant reason, then no...it would be lawfull. John |
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50 | What is the correct procedure for going | Ephesians | John Reformed | 97415 | ||
It is NOT necessary for your flesh to go through deliverence! It's our old carnal nature that causes us so much trouble. We are to consider it dead and the old man crucified with Christ. Gal 3:3 Are you so foolish? Having begun by the Spirit, are you now being perfected by the flesh? What is necessary is for one to have placed his faith for salvation in Jesus Christ. Our ordeals are the means which God uses to strenghten us. If you are in Christ you have been delivered from the world and into the kingdom of God. You are not free from trials (at times very severe trials) but you have been freed to struggle against sin and temptation. Some promises: Rom 8:28 And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose. Eph 2:10 For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them. Heb 12:2 fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. We must fix our eyes on Christ and praise Him for what He has done on our behalf. |
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51 | oralsex sin? or not? | Proverbs | John Reformed | 97414 | ||
Rom 14:4 Who are you to judge the servant of another? To his own master he stands or falls; and he will stand, for the Lord is able to make him stand. We must be careful not to add to God's Word. On this subject the Bible is silent. Just because it seems sinful to you as an individual does not mean it is actually sinful. On the other hand talking to others about what takes place in the marriage bed between husband and wife does seem to defile the sanctity of sexual union. Heb 13:4 Marriage is to be held in honor among all, and the marriage bed is to be undefiled... We all might be better off if we stayed out of one anothers private lives, especially what they do in bed! It is a shame to even hear these things. Tell your friend that it is her and her husbands (and the Lord's) business what they do. NOT YOUR'S! John |
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52 | The Sacred Romance | Num 28:11 | John Reformed | 97408 | ||
Dear VR, 1 Cor 7:3 The husband must fulfill his duty to his wife, and likewise also the wife to her husband I don't blame for being concerned. It sounds like mumbo-jumbo couched in flowery language. At times like these the resposibility of being a husband can weigh heavily upon one's shoulders. I would ask for the scriptural basis for what is being taught. If I failed to be satified, I would have to express my concern to wife and ask her to find a Bible based study. Eph 5:22 Wives, be subject to your own husbands, as to the Lord. Eph 5:24 But as the church is subject to Christ, so also the wives ought to be to their husbands in everything. Maybe it's not merely the Baptist in you but the Holy Spirit. "...everyone else thinks it is great." That may be so, but, your wife is under your covering, not their's. 1 Pet 3:7 You husbands in the same way, live with your wives in an understanding way, as with someone weaker, since she is a woman; and show her honor as a fellow heir of the grace of life, so that your prayers will not be May God grant you wisdom and strength, John |
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53 | There are lots of messages on sale,some | Bible general Archive 2 | John Reformed | 97372 | ||
Good question. Ministries do require funds in order to function, and in today's society, I don't see how tape series could be offered for free to any and all who asked for them. However, I do believe the price should be limited to the costs of production, shipping and the overhead that the ministry needs to maintain it's teaching mission. I distrust teachers who profit heavily, living lavish lifestyles, from selling their interpretation the Word of God. What do you think? Perhaps I'm too skeptical. John Reformed |
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54 | fruit shows in the bible how many times | Bible general Archive 2 | John Reformed | 97077 | ||
Why do you ask? | ||||||
55 | FAITH? | 1 Pet 1:7 | John Reformed | 95786 | ||
The point of the parable is that the power of faith is found not in it's size but in the exercise; Actually disregarding the wisdom of this world and trusting that God will do that which He said He would do. There is a popular notion circulating among the churches (primarily in the USA) THAT FAITH IS AN ACTUAL SUBSTANCE LIKE ELECTRICITY!. The dreamers who are propagating this absurdity are appealing to the remnants of our old sin nature, a nature that continues to cling to this world and it's passing pleasures. This false gospel, which teaches that we are little copies of God Himself, is man-centered in the extreme. It says that through the manipulation of faith we can grow rich, be healthy and attain perpetual happiness in this life. It is a powerfull delusion when disguised as God's Word. In short it is wizardry and witchcraft clothed in false piety; A wolf in sheep's clothing! John |
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56 | Receiving Christ - Works? (2) Rom 10.17 | 1 Cor 2:14 | John Reformed | 95662 | ||
Dear Huron, Regeneration must pre-ceed faith. The natural man (unregenerate) being spiritualy dead in sin is unable to make a decision that requires spiritual perception. 1 Cor 2:14 But a natural man does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually appraised. The following is from John Piper's website (http://www.desiringgod.org/dg/id144_m.htm) Faith Is Our Act, But Is Possible Because Of God's Act Repentance and faith are our work. But we will not repent and believe unless God does his work to overcome our hard and rebellious hearts. This divine work is called regeneration. Our work is called conversion.10 Conversion does indeed include an act of will by which we renounce sin and submit ourselves to the authority of Christ and put our hope and trust in him. We are responsible to do this, and will be condemned if we don't. But just as clearly the Bible teaches that, owing to our hard heart and willful blindness and spiritual insensitivity, we cannot do this.11 We must first experience the regenerating work of the Holy Spirit. The Scriptures promised long ago that God would devote himself to this work in order to create for himself a faithful people: And the LORD your God will circumcise your heart and the heart of your offspring, so that you will love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul, that you may live. (Deuteronomy 30:6) I will give them a heart to know that I am the Lord; and they shall be my people and I will be their God, for they shall return to me with their whole heart. (Jeremiah 24:7) And I will give them one heart, and put a new spirit within them; I will take the stony heart out of their flesh and give them a heart of flesh, that they may walk in my statutes and keep my ordinances and obey them; and they shall be my people, and I will be their God. (Ezekiel 11:19-20) A new heart I will give you, and a new spirit I will put within you; and I will take out of your flesh the heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. And I will put my spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes and be careful to observe my ordinances. (Ezekiel 36:26-27) These great promises from the Old Testament describe a work of God that changes a heart of stone into a heart of flesh and causes people to "know" and "love" and "obey" God. Without this spiritual heart transplant, people will not know and love and obey God. This prior work of God is what we mean by regeneration. We Are "Called" The Way Jesus Called Lazarus: Death To Life In the New Testament God is clearly active, creating a people for himself by calling12 them out of darkness and enabling them to believe the gospel and walk in the light. John teaches most clearly that regeneration precedes and enables faith. Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ has been born of God. (1 John 5:1) The verb tenses make John's intention unmistakable: "Everyone who goes on believing [present, continuous action] that Jesus is the Christ has been born of God [perfect, completed action with abiding effects]." Faith is the evidence of new birth, not the cause of it. This is consistent with John's whole book (cf. 1 John 2:29; 3:9; 4:2-3; 4:7). Since faith and repentance are possible only because of the regenerating work of God, both are called the gift of God: Even when we were dead through our trespasses, [God] made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved).... By grace are you saved through faith; and this13 is not your own doing, it is the gift of God. (Ephesians 2:5,8) The Lord's servant must not be quarrelsome, but kindly to everyone, an apt teacher, forbearing, correcting his opponents with gentleness. God may, perhaps, grant that they will repent and come to know the truth, and they may escape from the snare of the devil, after being captured by him to do his will. (2 Timothy 2:24-26) Conversion Is a Condition of Salvation and a Miracle of God |
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57 | Is "once saved, always saved" Biblical? | NT general Archive 1 | John Reformed | 95622 | ||
Welcome Pete St. Jean, Have we been saved by an act of free will or by grace? If one believes that salvation is a choice made independently of God's grace, then it stands to reason that the free will rejection of salvation is also a choice one might take. On the other hand, if one's salvation was a result of God's choice, then we have been saved by grace and are kept by grace as well. Arguements abound on both sides of this doctrine. Each side appeals to the Bible for it's support. Personally, I come down on the side that believes Salvation is a result of The Father's choosing of individuals whom He gives to His Son. The indwelling of the Holy Spirit insures that these chosen ones (elect of God) will perservere and be with Christ for eternity. Easton's Bible Dictionary: Perseverance of the saints - their certain continuance in a state of grace. Once justified and regenerated, the believer can neither totally nor finally fall away from grace, but will certainly persevere therein and attain everlasting life. This doctrine is clearly taught in these passages, John 10:28, 29; Rom. 11:29; Phil. 1:6; 1 Pet. 1:5. It, moreover, follows from a consideration of (1) the immutability of the divine decrees (Jer. 31:3; Matt. 24:22-24; Acts 13:48; Rom. 8:30); (2) the provisions of the covenant of grace (Jer. 32:40; John 10:29; 17:2-6); (3) the atonement and intercession of Christ (Isa. 53:6, 11; Matt. 20:28; 1 Pet. 2:24; John 11:42; 17:11, 15, 20; Rom. 8:34); and (4) the indwelling of the Holy Ghost (John 14:16; 2 Cor. 1:21, 22; 5:5; Eph. 1:14; 1 John 3:9). This doctrine is not inconsistent with the truth that the believer may nevertheless fall into grievous sin, and continue therein for some time. (See BACKSLIDE.) I suggest you study the above verses and pray for enlightenment. It is critical that you arrive at the truth. If you get it wrong the error will effect how you view God and His rule over His creation. God Bless you as you study, John Reformed |
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58 | Acts 9:7 and Acts 22:9 contradict each o | Acts | John Reformed | 94478 | ||
Acts 9:7 The men who traveled with him stood speechless, hearing the voice but seeing no one. Acts 22:9 "And those who were with me saw the light, to be sure, but did not understand the voice of the One who was speaking to me. Dear Joyful333 I don't see any real contradiction between these 2 verses. Paul's fellow travellers saw the light but did not see Jesus or anyone else in the light. They heard voice, but did not understand what the voice (of Christ) was saying. It is apparent that Paul alone was given the grace to both see Christ and to understand what He said. I think a paralell can be drawn between this event and the preaching of the gospel. The light of the gospel shines on many people, but only some (by the means of God's grace) will see Christ and understand the gospel's spiritual truth Eph 2:8 For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; 1 Cor 2:14 But a natural man does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually appraised. Your thoughts? John Reformed |
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59 | What does sanctification mean? | Bible general Archive 2 | John Reformed | 93140 | ||
Dear fritzygirl01, Sanctification - involves more than a mere moral reformation of character, brought about by the power of the truth: it is the work of the Holy Spirit bringing the whole nature more and more under the influences of the new gracious principles implanted in the soul in regeneration. In other words, sanctification is the carrying on to perfection the work begun in regeneration, and it extends to the whole man (Rom. 6:13; 2 Cor. 4:6; Col. 3:10; 1 John 4:7; 1 Cor. 6:19). It is the special office of the Holy Spirit in the plan of redemption to carry on this work (1 Cor. 6:11; 2 Thess. 2:13). Faith is instrumental in securing sanctification, inasmuch as it (1) secures union to Christ (Gal. 2:20), and (2) brings the believer into living contact with the truth, whereby he is led to yield obedience "to the commands, trembling at the threatenings, and embracing the promises of God for this life and that which is to come." Perfect sanctification is not attainable in this life (1 Kings 8:46; Prov. 20:9; Eccl. 7:20; James 3:2; 1 John 1:8). See Paul's account of himself in Rom. 7:14-25; Phil. 3:12-14; and 1 Tim. 1:15; also the confessions of David (Ps. 19:12, 13; 51), of Moses (90:8), of Job (42:5, 6), and of Daniel (9:3-20). "The more holy a man is, the more humble, self-renouncing, self-abhorring, and the more sensitive to every sin he becomes, and the more closely he clings to Christ. The moral imperfections which cling to him he feels to be sins, which he laments and strives to overcome. Believers find that their life is a constant warfare, and they need to take the kingdom of heaven by storm, and watch while they pray. They are always subject to the constant chastisement of their Father's loving hand, which can only be designed to correct their imperfections and to confirm their graces. And it has been notoriously the fact that the best Christians have been those who have been the least prone to claim the attainment of perfection for themselves.", Hodge's Outlines. (Easton's Bible Dictionary). If you would like to discuss Sanctification further, I would be happy to do so. God Bless, John Reformed |
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60 | Holy Unity | John 17:11 | John Reformed | 92501 | ||
Until we are abolutely free from the remnants of our old fallen natures, we will not attain perfect unity with one another. In the meantime, as we wait and long for the return of the King, we are to keep our eye on the prize and struggle against all things that are impediments to our growth in holiness. Now... we are still sinners whose righteousness is by faith (imputed), then... we will be perfect, free from even the desire to sin, united together in perfect holiness. The prayer of Christ will finally be fulfilled in actuallity. John |
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