Results 41 - 57 of 57
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Results from: Notes Author: Bill Richardson Ordered by Date |
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Results | Verse | Author | ID# | |||
41 | What is the meaning? | NT general | Bill Richardson | 230827 | ||
Quoted for reference: Matt 7:1 “Judge not, that you be not judged. 2 For with what judgment you judge, you will be judged; and with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you. 3 And why do you look at the speck in your brother’s eye, but do not consider the plank in your own eye? 4 Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me remove the speck from your eye’; and look, a plank is in your own eye? 5 Hypocrite! First remove the plank from your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye. 6 “Do not give what is holy to the dogs; nor cast your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you in pieces. First of all, it must be said this passage is one of the most controversial and misunderstood sections in the Bible. I've been taught this way. In the first 5 verses, Jesus is referring to the constant tendacy of mankind to make up our minds about one another based on what we see in our first impression of another fellow human being. It takes patience and much time and effort to ask the right questions with an open mind, gathering all the facts and then make a seasoned judgment, usually after a little more time to interview other pertinent parties about their side of the story. And of course sometimes, it's just not possible to make an absolute, faultless judgment so it's always a good option to just admit it and say "I just don't know." Now that's NOT to say Jesus does expect us to make a good and righteous judgment concerning someone whose sin is obvious just as we do with inspecting a spoiled carton of milk and instantly make up our minds not to drink of it. BUT we should approach such a person in love, God's Love and attempt to teach them, remind them of what's right and wrong and persuade them to repent. IF they insist on NOT following God's Word, then they should be marked as Jude provides in... Jude 3 Beloved, while I was very diligent to write to you concerning our common salvation, I found it necessary to write to you exhorting you to contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints. 4 For certain men have crept in unnoticed, who long ago were marked out for this condemnation, ungodly men, who turn the grace of our God into lewdness and deny the only Lord God and our Lord Jesus Christ. Like I mentioned this kind of action MUST be preceded by much work and effort to avoid making a mistake. And when in doubt, we should err on the side of caution until we have more facts or see conclusive action(s) making clear their need of such conseling. Now of the latter verse 6 from Matthew, this verse is in my mind pretty straight forward and easy to understand. Again in the case of a person who is absolutely unGodly in every way and shows early on in such a conversation, he's just not going to listen to a child of God or to God in His Word, then we should NOT waste any more of our precious time and let him be. In this instance, our continued attempts to share God's Will for all mankind would literally be like "throwing pearls to swine" and a waste of our time. I'm thinking Paul was our best example of this kind of thinking as shown in... Matt 13:48 Now when the Gentiles heard this, they were glad and glorified the word of the Lord. And as many as had been appointed to eternal life believed. 49 And the word of the Lord was being spread throughout all the region. 50 But the Jews stirred up the devout and prominent women and the chief men of the city, raised up persecution against Paul and Barnabas, and expelled them from their region. 51 But they shook off the dust from their feet against them, and came to Iconium. 52 And the disciples were filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit. And as indorsed by Jesus' Words in Mark 6:11. Go with God in all things. Bill |
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42 | What about seeing Moses and Elijas after | NT general | Bill Richardson | 230823 | ||
Mike: All I'm trying to do is make this conversation productive for both of us. When a person comes to a Bible Forum such as this, we all have to assume we're conversing with adults. No one likes to be taken for granted but I will try to be open minded to you one more time. Your previous post was far from being clear. I tried to give you some hint(s) as to which of my posts to which you referring. Even with the assumption as I mentioned before, I would need to know exactly what it is about my post which you question. Please specify exactly if you would. Also it's helpful if you can offer a verse in support of your position on your particular point. Please advise on all the above. Thanks in advance and go with God in all things. Bill PS: One more item...you have a couple of different options for access to a Bible online. You can choose the Bible Window in the right hand column on the right side of your screen. Or you can go with my preference with BibleGateway.com with over a 100 different versions and a very quick and efficient Search Engine. With a little practice, you will gain some proficiency in using the Search Engine. I sincerely hope this helps. |
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43 | Saved by Grace or Acts? | Lev 6:2 | Bill Richardson | 230812 | ||
Yes Beja, I agree with your statement. Very well said. Our faith MUST be real and genuine. As you say, it must be shown to be genuine to our God by our deeds as His obedient children. As you mentioned James makes this so very clear. BUT also, just as clearly you mentioned, we must NEVER think we can reach the point whereby we've earned this salvation or justification. If we start to develop that attitude, it leads to following the wrong path which leads away from our God and to certain eternal death. God Bless you my brother. Bill |
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44 | Saved by Grace or Acts? | Lev 6:2 | Bill Richardson | 230801 | ||
But Brad, wouldn't you agree that we as obedient children of God MUST comply with the terms and conditions of Jesus' Last Will and Testament as reflected in... Heb 9:16 For where there is a testament, there must also of necessity be the death of the testator. 17 For a testament is in force after men are dead, since it has no power at all while the testator lives. If we're agreed on that then we must agree to God's other Commands as given by His Son and His Apostles listed in... Matt 28:18 And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. 19 Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen. and Acts 2:38 Then Peter said to them, “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39 For the promise is to you and to your children, and to all who are afar off, as many as the Lord our God will call.” I agree with you Repentance in of itself doesn't save us just like the act of Baptism doesn't save us. It's the fact that we're willing to humbly submit ourselves to God's Requirements so that we can receive the Gift of Salvation. This is made so clear by Jesus Himself in... Jn 14:21 He who has My commandments and keeps them, it is he who loves Me. And he who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and manifest Myself to him.” 22 Judas (not Iscariot) said to Him, “Lord, how is it that You will manifest Yourself to us, and not to the world?” 23 Jesus answered and said to him, “IF ANYONE LOVES ME, HE WILL KEEP MY WORD; AND MY FATHER WILL LOVE HIM, AND WE WILL COME TO HIM AND AND MAKE OUR HOME WITH HIM. 24 He who does not love Me does not keep My words; and the word which you hear is not Mine but the Father’s who sent Me. (As usual, all caps above are mine for emphasis.) I don't see how God's Word could make it any more clear. Repentance is most certainly REQUIRED of us IF we want to be saved from our sins. Go with God in all things, Bill |
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45 | Saved by Grace or Acts? | Lev 6:2 | Bill Richardson | 230798 | ||
I was just responding to Brent's post. I'm not of the Unification faith. I guess you noticed I left out all the quotes from all those other non-Christian faiths out since this Forum is dedicated to the Bible. I do think it's interesting that all those other faiths from around the world coincide and agree with the basic sentiment of what I was trying to say. I guess one would have to say I'm a practical kind of guy. 1 Cor 9:19 For though I am free from all men, I have made myself a servant to all, that I might win the more; 20 and to the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might win Jews; to those who are under the law, as under the law, that I might win those who are under the law; 21 to those who are without law, as without law (not being without law toward God, but under law toward Christ), that I might win those who are without law; 22 to the weak I became as weak, that I might win the weak. I HAVE BECOME ALL THINGS TO ALL MEN, THAT I MIGHT BY ALL MEANS SAVE SOME. 23 Now this I do for the gospel’s sake, that I may be partaker of it with you. Of course the statement in all caps above is the ideal for me as well as all of us. But what do you think of the whole matter? Go with God in all things, Bill |
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46 | When did the hebrew become jew and why | Gen 11:16 | Bill Richardson | 230767 | ||
I think our Lord summed it up rather succinctly in... Matt 3:7 But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to his baptism, he said to them, “Brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come? 8 Therefore bear fruits worthy of repentance, 9 AND DO NOT THINK TO SAY TO YOURSELVES, ‘WE HAVE ABRAHAM AS OUR FATHER.’ FOR I SAY TO YOU THAT GOD IS ABLE RAISE UP CHILDREN FROM THESE STONES. 10 And even now the ax is laid to the root of the trees. Therefore every tree which does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. 11 I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance, but He who is coming after me is mightier than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. 12 His winnowing fan is in His hand, and He will thoroughly clean out His threshing floor, and gather His wheat into the barn; but He will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.” (Emphais with all caps is mine.) One of man's oldest and most difficult sins to discard is that of the "pride of life," especially as it relates to racial prejudice. It started with Cain and will dominate this planet until its very last day in the universe. It's always been facinating to me how the elite of old would look at an American Native or an African black man with their red flowing blood and then declare somehow they were superior. Same ole problem between the Jews and Samaritans or the Gentiles. God installed His Image in all of us; Paul makes this so clear in... Col 3:9 Do not lie to one another, since you have put off the old man with his deeds, 10 and have put on the new man who is renewed in knowledge according to the image of Him who created him, 11 where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcised nor uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave nor free, but Christ is all and in all. God's Way truly is the best way for all of us. Bill |
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47 | Affecting the Vatican | NT general | Bill Richardson | 230739 | ||
Thanks for the encouragement. I'm just your humble servant. I'm anticipating you may have difficulty in locating a copy of that book; I purchased mine many years ago. I used it in coming up with my outline and teaching a class on the subject. If you're interested as well as anyone else reading, I'd be glad to send you a copy of my outline; just let me know. I followed Bro. Cox's book as closely as I could. Go with God in all things and He will bless you. Bill |
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48 | When did the hebrew become jew and why | Gen 11:16 | Bill Richardson | 230729 | ||
MJH, I agree with your answer for the most part but I thought I might add a little something. God did provide for an alternate way for a Gentile to become part of God's Jewish family although most Jews didn't seem to appreciate the idea. The two most prominent were 1) Rahab the harlot who hid the spies for the conquering nation as they spied out Jericho, Joshua 2 and 2) Ruth who became a wife to Boaz and literally becomes part of the lineage to Christ Himself. The Book of Ruth is really one of the most powerful love stories in the Bible. So it was quite possible for a Gentile to become a Jew. The Israelite nation never did appreciate God's sentiment in this matter as indicated in... Is 66:18 “For I know their works and their thoughts. It shall be that I will gather all nations and tongues; and they shall come and see My glory. 19 I will set a sign among them; and those among them who escape I will send to the nations: to Tarshish and Pul and Lud, who draw the bow, and Tubal and Javan, to the coastlands afar off who have not heard My fame nor seen My glory. AND THEY SHALL DECLARE MY GLORY AMOUNG THE GENTILES. 20 Then they shall bring all your brethren for an offering to the LORD out of all nations, on horses and in chariots and in litters, on mules and on camels, to My holy mountain Jerusalem,” says the LORD. (My emphasis with all caps above.) Go with God in all things, my friend. Bill |
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49 | who was the first person jesus saved? | Bible general Archive 4 | Bill Richardson | 230699 | ||
MJH, I'm afraid I would have to disagree as even in the case of the secular and objective world of "Wikipedia" the definition of salvation is pretty clear as follows... Within religion salvation is the phenomenon of being saved from the undesirable condition of bondage or suffering experienced by the psyche or soul that has arisen as a result of unskillful or immoral actions generically referred to as sins. Salvation may also be called "deliverance" or "redemption" from sin and its effects. Salvation is a concept common to most of the world's great religions and is in many respects the principal goal of religious practice. Depending on the religious tradition, salvation is considered to be caused either by the free will and grace of God (Theistic religion) or by personal responsibility and self-effort (e.g. the sramanic and yogic traditions of India). Religions often emphasize the necessity of both personal effort (e.g. repentance and asceticism) and divine action. And since we're on a Bible Study Forum with participation with serious Bible students, I would further state that we all agree salvation from God Almighty is only available through one single avenue as stated by Jesus Himself... Jn 14:6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me." Now true enough Jesus did heal a multitude of folks with many different and varied problems, including diseses and demons. But if I remember correctly, He only said those "magic words" indicating being saved to the thief on the cross (and him only)... Lk 23:43 And Jesus said to him, “Assuredly, I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise.” Can you tell me the Bible scripture that would indicate an alternate definition of salvation? And remember now, we are talking about those whom Jesus saved. Please advise and go with God in all things. Bill |
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50 | Was Matthew a carpenter? | Matt 9:9 | Bill Richardson | 230664 | ||
life, Maybe you're confusing two prominent figures in the Bible: 1) Jesus Christ who most certainly was a carpenter following in the footsteps of His earthly father and 2) Matthew who was a tax collector as Azure has mentioned already. So once again such a mix-up is easily resolved with just a little Bible study. You really need to spend some more time His Word. Go with God in ALL His Ways and all areas of your life and God will bless you. Bill |
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51 | who was the first person jesus saved? | Bible general Archive 4 | Bill Richardson | 230649 | ||
Good answer Beja. I'm only guessing Patorsma is asking if Jesus actually saved anyone during his 3 and 1/2 year ministry while here on earth. His main purpose and top priority as directed by His Father was to be the Perfect Sacrifice for all mankind and give us all the opportunity to be saved, as reflected by Beja. So the only person who would really qualify to the assumed stipulations mentioned above would have to be the thief on the cross. He was the only one who had actual assurance from Jesus Himself before He died that he too would "join Him in Paradise." Interesting question. Go with God in all things. Bill |
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52 | Safe passage from Earth to Heaven | John 14:6 | Bill Richardson | 230645 | ||
I have to agree with Azure. The OT is dominated by the thread of prophecy about the coming Messiah and is completely fulfilled in the NT. So the Bible is indeed God's telling all mankind He does want us to return to Him and now He has provided a road map. We MUST comply with Jesus' Instructions: Jn 14:15 “If you love Me, keep My commandments. 16 And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever— 17 the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him; but you know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you. 18 I will not leave you orphans; I will come to you. 19 “A little while longer and the world will see Me no more, but you will see Me. Because I live, you will live also. 20 At that day you will know that I am in My Father, and you in Me, and I in you. 21 He who has My commandments and keeps them, it is he who loves Me. And he who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and manifest Myself to him.” So this also means we must follow the sacred Guidance from the Holy Spirit as reflected through His Representatives, the Apostles throughout the whole NT. Go with God in all things, Bill |
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53 | division? | 1 Cor 14:1 | Bill Richardson | 230641 | ||
I think it's worthwhile to note that in both cases, the OT and NT were progressive as compared with their contemporaries in the world at that time. God has always been far more decent to women than most men of the world are inclined to be. It also needs to be said that all of us, men and women MUST follow our roles as provided by God. This Guidance from God does place men over women, just as He placed His Son over the church, His bride. In no way does this imply a position of one superior or inferior to the other. It's simply the Order of God's World, much like we put a horse in front of the cart or a car in front of the trailer. But I'll be first to admit the very real truth to the old axiom: "Behind every good man stands a good (and sometimes better) woman." God's Way is ALWAYS the best way. Go with God in all things. Bill |
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54 | Did Adam have blood before fall? | Lev 17:11 | Bill Richardson | 230638 | ||
I have to agree with the answer above. We're not given much detail but we at least know that Adam and Eve were aware of their nakedness and differences between their bodies. Their bodies had to have been fully functional and mature in order to "tend to the Garden" as instructed by the Lord. They were also equipped to reproduce and bear children, without any further changes from God. So their bodies were completely human in every way as are our bodies, thousands of years later. Go with God in all things, Bill |
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55 | biblical role of father with children | 2 Cor 6:4 | Bill Richardson | 230624 | ||
My heart goes out to all good, Godly single parents. "There but by the Grace of God, go I." I don't know what my life would have been without my wife but it definitely would not have been good. My only caution to you about "giving up" to this man is this. If he doesn't give you the respect you've clearly earned in rearing these boys after all this time, I doubt he's going to do a good job of teaching them and providing a good example to them in this regard. I would suggest you stay involved in their lives and try to give them balance as it already sounds like their step mother is a little too much on his side. Still praying for you and may God bless your sons. Bill |
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56 | Saved by Grace or Acts? | Lev 6:2 | Bill Richardson | 230610 | ||
Then there's also a little more on this topic from James, the "Straw Epistle" as descriped in the past. James makes it very clear by using the conjuction "and." James 2:19 You believe that there is one God. You do well. Even the demons believe—and tremble! 20 But do you want to know, O foolish man, that faith without works is dead? 21 Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered Isaac his son on the altar? 22 Do you see that faith was working together with his works, and by works faith was made perfect? Notice even the demons believe in the existance of Jesus Christ but they choose NOT to obey. We MUST follow the Commands of Christ; in obedience, we must adopt the lifestyle of a genuine christian with deeds of kindness and devotion for our Lord's sake. This is the way people of the world will see Christ in our lives by being that "light in the world of darkness" or the "salt of the earth," influencing the world for good and motivating them to inquire as to why we choose to live such a life. Notice ancient Samuel revealed this basic truth to King Saul and he too chose NOT to obey. 1 Sam 15:22 So Samuel said: “Has the LORD as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, As in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, And to heed than the fat of rams. So yes indeed we must put in faith in God to save us AND we must obey Him in acting and behaving as a true, genuine child of God. BUT we must never think we can earn our way to Heaven. No this attitude is also put down rather harshly in... Rom 2:5 But in accordance with your hardness and your impenitent heart you are treasuring up for yourself wrath in the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God, 6 who “will render to each one according to his deeds”: 7 eternal life to those who by patient continuance in doing good seek for glory, honor, and immortality; 8 but to those who are self-seeking and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness—indignation and wrath, 9 tribulation and anguish, on every soul of man who does evil, of the Jew first and also of the Greek; 10 but glory, honor, and peace to everyone who works what is good, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. 11 For there is no partiality with God. 2 Cor 5:10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad. 1 Pet 1:17 And if you call on the Father, who without partiality judges according to each one’s work, conduct yourselves throughout the time of your stay here in fear; Now on the other question about repentance as one of the steps in getting salvation. Throughout the Bible the concept of repentance has always included the attempt of restoration. Thus a theif must return the stolen goods to their rightful owners or do his best to do so. A murderer should feel obligated to ask forgiveness from the family and attempt to restore the manpower as represented by his victim to that family, again as best he/she can within his/her ability. Why is this necessary? God's basic Principle of "Reaping what we've sown in life." Gal 6:7 Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap. Are we forgiven by God? Sure BUT that doesn't mean He releases us from this basic principle. How long after being saved must this repentance or restoration process last? I really can't say for certain but I wouldn't want to approach God on Judgment Day and come up short when He asks that question. Ex 22:1 “If a man steals an ox or a sheep, and slaughters it or sells it, he shall restore five oxen for an ox and four sheep for a sheep. 2 If the thief is found breaking in, and he is struck so that he dies, there shall be no guilt for his bloodshed. 3 If the sun has risen on him, there shall be guilt for his bloodshed. He should make full restitution; if he has nothing, then he shall be sold for his theft. 4 If the theft is certainly found alive in his hand, whether it is an ox or donkey or sheep, he shall restore double. 5 “If a man causes a field or vineyard to be grazed, and lets loose his animal, and it feeds in another man’s field, he shall make restitution from the best of his own field and the best of his own vineyard. Lev 24:18 Whoever kills an animal shall make it good, animal for animal. Go with God, my friend, Bill |
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57 | Were the Jews doomed? | Is 58:2 | Bill Richardson | 230609 | ||
The answer above is good but I just wanted to make certain I understand correctly. It seems to me that Yes, of course, the Jews were all doomed to suffer the same fate as ALL mankind. Paul made this clear in Rom 3:23 for ALL of us are human and have a great irresitable urge to NOT live the absolutely perfect life like Jesus. So from the very beginning upon kicking Adam and Eve from the Garden of Eden, God knew that we would all need His Son as the Perfect Sacrifice to take care of our sins, thus His Plan to send Jesus for that purpose, Gen 3:15. All the heros of the Bible, even Abraham, Moses and all the others made mistakes in their lives and thus needed this avenue to make it to Heaven. Without Christ's Blood to cover our sins, any person on Judgment Day is doomed to spend eternity in Hell. 1 Pet 1:2 elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, in sanctification of the Spirit, for obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ: Grace to you and peace be multiplied. 1 Jn 1:7 But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin. Bill |
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