Results 461 - 480 of 532
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Results from: Answered Bible Questions, Answers, Unanswered Bible Questions, Notes Author: Robert Nicholson Ordered by Date |
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Results | Verse | Author | ID# | |||
461 | cut off | Rom 11:22 | Robert Nicholson | 33287 | ||
Brother Zach: To suggest that we can lose our salvation goes against the promise of the Lord Jesus "That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life" John 3:16 Your reference to Romans 11 21- 22: This chapter is discussing how that Israel because of unbelief had been set aside and that God has turned to the Gentiles by his grace. This is in a national sense. In this chapter it is made clear that individuals from all nations by faith can be saved. Romans 8:23. His warning to the Gentiles as a whole is " do not be puffed up in pride, you have nothing to boast of, it is the grace of God that in his sovereign mercy cut of the tame branches (Israel) that we the Gentiles the ( Wild branches) could be grafted in. I believe that God is speaking to Jews nationally and Gentiles as a group. The great mystery which was hid from the prophets was that the Gentiles who were outside of the promises of God, would be brought into God's favor by faith in Jesus Christ. In v. 23 makes it clear that individual Jews as well if Gentiles can be faith as individuals be grafted in. In this time or dispensation of God's grace the invitation to salavtion is to the "Whosoever will" regardless of race or creed. Thank God his promise takes me in. Lose our salvation???? John 15 is talking about abiding in him. In John 15:6-10 the word IF can be also translated "Since". Since I am in him and his is the one that keeps me safe in his hand, I can never lose my soul. I do not believe that the scripture supports salvation which is dependent upon works. Works is the fruit which results from knowing the Lord Jesus and the external proof that we have salvation through him. I am aware that there are those who disagree with this truth. The Lord Jesus made many positive statements which assures us that upon receiving or trusting him "we have eternal life". Eternal cannot be defined as temporary life. This is the wonderful thing of the Gift of God through Christ, that to us it is unmerited and yet by his grace he offers to us the forgiveness of sins and personal relationship as sons through faith in him. Praise his precious name. Robert |
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462 | Some will depart from the faith | 1 Tim 4:1 | Robert Nicholson | 33253 | ||
Dear brother: The question I ask myself on such an important question is how does this fit in with the other promises of God? Paul writes to the Romans chp. 8: "Who shall separate us from the love of Christ: shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril or sword? v.8 "Nay in all these things we are more than conquerers through him who loved us.V.10" "For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord" Our position in Christ is a personal bond which cannot be broken. We are placed in the body by adoption and are given eternal life by God himself. In other words, once we are in a family, our subsequent behaviour cannot affect our position which is secured by the new birth. All believers according to 1 Cor. 12:13 and 27. The church which is his body does not have any imposters. However, in contrast the local church which consists of professing believers can be infiltrated by those who are "tares" They look like a Christian, they appear to live like a Christian, talk like a Christian and walk like a Christian; however, in the end we find that they were never in the family of God by the new birth. Church History has shown us in part the fulfilment of the scriptures you have qoted from 1 Timothy and Titus. As the church grew, it was it many years before humans made a mockery of the simplicity which is in Christ Jesus. False teachers and false doctrines became prevalent and it appeared that the true gospel was lost. I believe the apostates where ones who understood the truth intellectually, appeared to accept it, but were never rooted in Christ. In Acts 8:13 we read of Simon the sorcerer who "himself believedalso and was baptised..." It appeared that Simon's profession was genuine. The thing which God alone knew were his motives. We find that he hoped to add the gift of "laying on hands" to add to his repretoire of powers. He even offered them money for the gift.V18-19 Sadly, Peter exposed him for what he was: "Peter said unto him, Thy money perish with thee, because you thought that the gift of God may be purchased with money, Thou has neither part nor lot in this matter: for thy heart is not right with God" 19,20 In my life time I have known people who profess to be Christians and are part of Christian organizations. Their motive appears to more for self-exaltation and for positions of control; than to live for the glory of Christ. Our profession is not worth a dime if it is not anchored in Christ. It appears that in last day teaching much is said regarding professing Christendom. After Jesus takes his people away, there will be still professing Christians on the earth who appear to blend in with the falling away as the man of sin is reavealed. 2 Thess 2:3-12 In fact Paul teaches us that that spirit doth already work in the world, but is held back by the Spirit of God in the church. 2 Thess2:7 When this influence is removed those who have a profession, but no possession will believe the lie of the Anti- Christ "That they all might be damned who believed not the truth..." v.12 Believers at times can get cold in heart, deny the Lord and live far away from him and yet as the father of the prodical son, he is always are father who watches with open arms to forgive us when we come home. If we should die in this condition of coldness, I believe we are still Sons. Our eternal life is dependent upon the work of Christ on Calvary and is not dependent on our works after we are saved. Our works after we are saved are motivated by devotion and love to him and are the external evidence that we belong to him. Praise his name. Peace in his Name Robert |
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463 | Does the Bible ever lie? | Heb 6:18 | Robert Nicholson | 33249 | ||
Hi Praisemaster: I believe that people who read the Bible sometimes lie and abuse the Bible to their own selfish ends. Other mistakenly try to intrepret the Bible and find themselves lost with seeming contradictions, all because they have not learned that "scripture interprets scripture". The Word of God which we call the Bible does not and cannot lie. It is God breathed by the Holy Spirit. However, when we read the Bible we must try to understand each book through the eyes to those to whom it was given within the context of their culture and social framework. We also must remember that although the Bible has many authors who where moved by the Holy Spirit to write down God's message to humankind, behind all of these authors we have the divine Author, God himself. The Bible consists of many individual books and yet is one book in itself. I am not sure of the purpose of your question. It may be due to seeming inconsistences which we may find when we read the Bible. We must remember that no one "scripture is of private interpretation" (2 Peter 1:20),but must be interpreted in harmony with the entire book. I believe this is why Paul speaks to Timothy saying "Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman which needth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. (2 Timothy 2:15) Paul also writes " All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: that the man of God may be mature, throughly furnished unto all good works" 2 Tim. 3:16-17 Finally, I believe there are translations of the Bible which are more accurate than others. That is why we must compare translations and try to go back to original languages where and if possible. What do you think Praisemaster, does the Bible lie? God bless you Robert |
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464 | Why is this event only in St. Matthew? | Matt 27:52 | Robert Nicholson | 33080 | ||
Good afternoon Tykklief: The "Miracle of the Millennium" is an understatement! The greatest miracle which is seen at Calvary is that God was willing to give his only Son to that awful death and to load our sins upon him that we might be made the righteousness of through him. Your question: Why is this event only found in Matthew? We must remember that each of the eye-witnesses of the four gospels were not always in the same place at the same time during the trial and crucifixtion of Christ. Thus, we would not expect each account to be identical, but in fact would be supplementary of each other. It would seem that the Spirit of God used each of the authors of the gospel to present Christ from different points of view. John tells us that "And there are also many other things which Jesus did, the which, if they should be written every one, I suppose that even the world itself could not contain the books that should be written. Amen." John 21:25. Matthews gospel presents Christ as the King of the Jews. Mark presents Christ as the humble servant. Luke presents him as the Son of Man, the perfect man on this earth. John presents him as the Son of God. Is it not amazing that individual authors view Christ from different views and in doing so give us the New Testament fulfilment of the Old Testament Prophesies concerning him. However, according to John, the writers of the New Testament did not rely on their memory when writing about the Lord Jesus. Jesus promised them that after his death he would send "the Comforter which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you" Back to your original question. Why is the event of the resurrection of the sleeping saints only recorded in Matthew. If Matthew is presenting his gospel to Israel as he presents Jesus as King or Messiah, then it would seem reasonable that he would feel that this event was important. He wants to show them that in the power of the Resurrection of Christ their King, that those from old testament times who slept in him by faith, would be raised one day. The picture of this is seen in Leviticus 23: 9-12 where Israel was to take a sheaf of wheat from their crop first and offer it to the Lord. The growth of wheat is a picture of resurrection. One single corn of wheat falls into the ground and dies, and yet in its growth from the ground we find many plants in its likeness. When the Lord Jesus died and was buried, he is like that single corn of wheat. When he was raised from the dead a small group of others typified by the sheaf followed him, they are an example of the larger crop or the millions who have trust him and will be changed at his coming. Peace in his Name Robert |
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465 | were OT saints seen after Jesus was resu | Matt 27:52 | Robert Nicholson | 33077 | ||
Good morning from snowy Canada TGSmom: The miracle of the open tombs at the cross is one of seven miraculous events which occurred. I have listed them for your information. As you will have noticed each one of these events have great spiritual significance and are the fulfilment of many prophecies concerning him. 1. The awful 3 hour darkness starting at mid-day 2. The rending of the Veil in the temple 3. The earthquake 4. The opened graves 5. The undisturbed grave clothes of Jesus 6. The resurrection of some Old Testament saints. One very important distinction we must make is: That the graves were opened, but the saints did not rise until after the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ. Notice how these events tie together: " Jesus, when he had cried with a loud voice, yielded up the ghost. And behold, the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom; and the earth did quake, and the rocks rent; And the graves were opened and many bodies of the saints that slept arose, And came out of the graves AFTER his resurrection, and went into the holy city, and appeared unto many" Matt. 27:50-53 We see the power of that loud Triumphant Cry of the Saviour "Finished!" He then dismissed his own spirit. The veil which covered entrance to the holy of holiest was rent from top to bottom, a great earthquake occurred, graves were opened. However, we must remember there is order to resurrection. "But every man in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; afterward they that are Christ's at his coming" Christ is the first to rise from the dead with an incorruptible body and because he lives!, we who are his at his coming will be changed along with those who sleep in him. That is why "we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ: Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body" Phil.3:20b-21. After his resurrection, the bodies of the saints which slept arose, and appeared unto many. There graves were opened at the moment of the Saviour's cry exposing the bodies within, who arose after his resurrection. What a testimony to the power of God! Did these saints go back to their graves? We are not told. Were these saints raised in immortal bodies like unto the Lord Jesus? Levitcus 23:10-12 we read about the feast of firstfruits which is typical of resurrection. "Speak unto the children of Israel, and say unto them, When ye be come into the land which I give unto you, and shall reap the harvest thereof, then ye shall bring a sheaf of the firstfruits of your harvest unto the priest: It has been suggested that a sheaf implies plurality. The Lord Jesus is the single "corn of wheat" which fell into the ground at his death and buriel.(John 12.24) In his resurrection he is first in order, but according to Eph. 4 8-10 "when he ascended on high, he led captivity captive and gave gifts to men" It appears that those who slept in him were taken by Christ from paradise into heaven with him at his ascention. The question I ask myself is, did he allow the bodies of the few which arose to go back to the tomb or did he take them along bodily with the souls of all the saints of Heb. 12:23.? We know that he raised Lazaraus from the dead. However, Lazarus was not given an immortal body at that time, he eventually died and was buried again. However, if the saints which rose after his resurrection are the fulfilment of the wave-sheaf offering which was a sample of the greater crop, then these dear saints are a sample of what we look for at his coming; and are with Christ in resurected bodies. We are not told who they are except they are saints which slept in Christ. I cannot be dogmatic on this view and yet I feel in view of the victory of Christ that these people were the first to experience this glorious change. One day we will be able to ask them? I apologize for going on and on. However, this topic is difficult to cover without side tracking somewhat. We look for our Saviour from heaven! Robert Nicholson |
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466 | How can we be more like Jesus? | 2 Cor 3:18 | Robert Nicholson | 33076 | ||
Dear Sister, Thank you for your response. It is wonderful to mutallly share our Saviour's love and to discuss God's purposes for us and through us. I love the words penned by Paul to the Philippians, "That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made comformable unto his death" Phil. 3:10 I agree that it is our Lord's command that we be concerned about the great commission Matt. 28: 19-20. "How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things." Rom. 10:15 Peace to you in our Saviour's name Robert Nicholson |
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467 | "Born-again Christian" redundant? | John 3:3 | Robert Nicholson | 33015 | ||
Dear brother The term born-again Christian is redundant since you cannot be a Christain unless you are born again. A Christian is a Christian, all others are counterfiet. Robert |
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468 | "Born-again Christian" redundant? | John 3:3 | Robert Nicholson | 33014 | ||
Brother Hank: Brother Hank John 3:5 is a verse which has been used by the RC and the Church of Christ to argue the need of baptism as part of being born again. Needless to say I have argued against this since the word of God has made it abundantly clear that we have eternal life the moment we rest in Christ. However, in studying the verse, I find that according to Strong's Concordance "water" in verse 5 of John 3 is indeed literal water. For years I accepted the view that the water was the word of God which ties in with John 5:24 However, if we look at the context we find that Jesus in explaining the new birth to Nicodemas is comparing natural and spiritual. That which is born of the flesh is flesh That which is born of the Spirit is spirit" V.6 It would appear in verse 6 he is comaparing natural birth to spiritual rebirth in response to Nicodemas In V.4 who is incredulous at the idea of rebirth and asks "How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter the second time into his mother,s womb and be born, can he?" John 3:4 NASB The emphasis by the Lord Jesus is on being born of the Spirit and in V. 8 describes the awsome mystery of His entrance into the heart of an unsaved person. Again the Lord Jesus resorts to natural elements to decribe spiritual reality. Nicodemas "the wind bloweth where it wishes and you can hear the sound of it, but do not know from whence it comes from and where it is going" In other words we can hear the wind, we can feel the wind and we can see the results of the wind on whatever it passes over and yet we cannot see its source. "So is every one that is born of the Spirit." We will see the change and as the person who is born of the Spirit we will feel the change within and yet it is almost impossible to explain the miracle which is wrought within by the Spirit of God. I may be totally wrong, but it seems to me that Jesus was explaining to Nicodemas that we are all born into this world at odds with God and that we must be born from above to be right with God. Just my humble thoughts. Robert |
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469 | How can we love the unloveable?? | Rom 5:5 | Robert Nicholson | 32980 | ||
Dear Search Thank you for your response. I agree that prayer and excercise before the Lord is needed as we live before those who are saved and those who know not Christ. Your reference Rom. 15:13 we shows it it only by the power of the Holy Spirit in our lives will be see work done for God. "Now may the God of hope, fill you with all joy and peace in believing, thay you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit" Romans 15:13 your brother in Christ Robert |
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470 | How can we be more like Jesus? | 2 Cor 3:18 | Robert Nicholson | 32978 | ||
Benjamite: Thank you for the excellent response. My post was intended to be rhetorical and reflective. I was hoping for response to share with others their thoughts on some of these topics which we sometimes take for granted. I agree our change is gradual, in some of us, especially me he has a challenging job and yet as we behold him by his Spirit through his word we should grow to know him and reflect Christ to the World through us. I do not believe the day of perfection will come until we are totally changed at his coming. Peace in his Name Robert |
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471 | Is God's Word Complete ? | Rev 22:18 | Robert Nicholson | 32976 | ||
Brother you are correct. Human nature is much like the people to whom Paul preached at Mars Hill, who spent their time wanting to hear or tell some new thing. Another verse which reflects the same idea is about those "Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth."1 Tim. 3:7 It seems as humans we follow into the trap of Satan in wanting to be "wise" in our own intellect apart from what God has given us. I have total confidence in God and his Holy Word. He took such care by his Spirit to give us all things we stand in need of. In addition to all of that, he has preserved his word even though it has been banned, burned, at times perverted by translation; despite all of this we still have the message clear and plain. Robert |
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472 | Is God's Word Complete ? | Rev 22:18 | Robert Nicholson | 32974 | ||
Brother Hank, Amen! I agree 100 percent! His Word shall stand forever. Today those who are redeemed by his precious blood have the opportunity and responsiblity to tell-forth the trues which are found therein. Praise his name. By the way, thank you for the snow which was sent our way from the South. ha ha Robert |
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473 | How can we love the unloveable?? | Rom 5:5 | Robert Nicholson | 32931 | ||
How can we love some who are so difficult to love? The love which a believer has presently in their hearts is God's love which has "been poured out in our hearts through the Holy Spirit" In other words those who have trusted Christ their hearts are overflowing with the love of God. When I am saved and see my neighbour as God sees him, it is his love within my heart which makes it possible to love my neighbour as myself. Do you not think that Gods love is pure and is connected with his light. His love does not overlook sin, but rather exposes it. Was it not his in his love by his spirit he revealled to us our sinful condition and yet by his grace revealed to us how we can be forgiven forever and made clean in his sight. If I truly love my neighbour, I will be kind, giving, sensitive and faithful as to the truth of God. How can I say I love my neighbour and as his fellow traveller to eternity never tell him of the sinner's need and of the saviour's sacrifice for sin on Calvary? |
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474 | How can we be more like Jesus? | 2 Cor 3:18 | Robert Nicholson | 32929 | ||
Dear friends More like Jesus? Am I, are you, after many years do others see that we have changed to be more like him? This is not some arrogant man made boast, but a gift from God himself as we continue to behold the glory of the Lord in his precious word. I love the words by Max Lucado in his book "Just like Jesus" "God loves you just the way you are, but he refuses to leave you there...His plan is nothing short of total transformation" The grace of God is awesome, to think that he can save a power sinner like me, change me by his spirit and give me the opportunity to grow into the image of his Son! |
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475 | Is God's Word Complete ? | Rev 22:18 | Robert Nicholson | 32928 | ||
Is the Cannon of Scripture complete? Or should we be looking for new truth today? I have been following the discussion on prophets. I find that when I hear of someone claiming to have a special revealation from God, the caution lights go on and I think of this warning in Rev. 22:18 In Luke 24:42 The risen Lord said to his disciples: "These are My words which I spoke to you while I was still with you, that all the things which are written of Me in the Law of Moses, and the Prophets and the Psalms must be fulfilled. In other words the Lord Jesus accepted that the old Testament was complete under the three catergories. The Prophets of the old testament according to Peter in 2 Peter 1:20-21 he writes "Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation. 21 For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost." In other words the old testament prophets were simply vessels of the Holy Ghost and were forth-tellers of the word of God. In the New Testament we have those who were chosen by Christ as stewarts of the truth which he gave to them while he was with them. How could they remember such detail. Jesus told them " But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance , whatsoever I have said unto you" (John 14:26) This is comfirmed again in John 16:12 "Jesus said I have many things to say unto you, but you cannot bear them now. Howbeit, when he, the Spirit of truth is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himselfl but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speakL and he will shew you things to come" We find from these verses that the Lord Jesus did not leave what we call the New Testament to the memories of those who loved him, but by the Holy Spirit gave them his mind and will which was presented to the church and the world. Other New testament prophets of course where John the Baptist and the greatest of all the Lord Jesus Christ himself. The Apostle Paul was also a choosen vessel through whom God presented great truths to the new testament church. In Strong's Concordance, the transliterated word from New Testament Greek as "Prophetes" is defined as: a) an interpreter of oracles or of hidden things. b) one who moved by the Spirit of God solemnly declares to men what he has received by inspiration"... It would appear that New Testament prophets is not ordinarily a "foreteller", but rather a forth-teller (1 Cor. 14:3) whose gift enabled him to speak to "edification, and exhortation and comfort". If we take Rev. 22:18 seriously than we would propose that the mind and truth of God is in his Word and by his Holy Spirit through his word. Present day prophets would then be known as forth- tellers of the truth revealled to them by the Holy Spirit from the word of God. Men do not interpret scripture. Scripture interprets scripture since "no scripture is of private interpretation" God has been careful to provide us with the whole word of God and if we prayfully ask the Holy Spirit to guide us, he will in the light of the whole word of God. I do not believe that God is about to add to his word through modern day prophets. If all truth was suffcient for the apostles, why would it not satisfy us? |
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476 | Spiritual Bessings in the Heavenlies | Eph 1:3 | Robert Nicholson | 32435 | ||
The believer's position is in the heavenlies. It has been suggested by Schofield that the blessings which we have in him may be defined as the sphere of the believer's spiritual experience as identified with Christ: in nature (2 Peter 1:4, in life (Col. 3.4; 1 John 5:12), in relationships (John 20:17; Heb. 2:11), in service (John 17:18; Matt. 28:20), in suffering (Phil.1:29; Phil. 3:10; Col. 1:24) in inheritance (Romans 8:16,17) and in future glory in the kingdom (Rom. 8 18-21; 1 Peter 2:9; Rev. 1:6, Rev.5:10) Do you not think that we are looking at position truth for all believers. We are in the heavenlies with Christ? Peace in his Name Robert |
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477 | can you lose your salvation? | Gen 1:1 | Robert Nicholson | 32298 | ||
SP31 I agree with you, although I know this is a subject of contraversey by some. The Bible teaches: "That by two immutable things, in which it was impossible for God to lie, we might have a strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us: Which hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and stedfast..." (Hebrews 6:18) The imagery of an anchor would remind us of a soul in the waters of life. Before we were saved we were tossed as the troubled sea and were going to perish. Yet God by his grace in his mercy and love offered us a lifeline in Christ and when we rested upon him by faith we are connected to Christ who is the anchor and we are safe in him. In John 10:9 the Lord Jesus promised "I am the door by me if any one enter in, he/she shall be saved..." When we are saved Jesus said,"My sheep hear my voice and they follow me and I give unto them eternal life and they shall NEVER perish" John 10:27-28 As a young boy before I was saved a song haunted me. "One door and only one Yet its sides are two Inside and outside On which side are you One door and only one Yet its sides are two I"m on the inside On which side are you I knew that I could not truthfully sing the second verse. However, on Mar. 11, 1954 I trusted Christ and was able to sing that song with joy in my soul. It is wonderful to know that God cannot lie. That when he saves us, he gives us eternal life and places us by adoption into his family. "We have an anchor that keeps the soul, Stedfast and sure though the billows roll Fastened to the rock, which cannot move Grounded firm and deep in our Saviour's Love. Praise his name. Robert |
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478 | self examination | Gen 22:14 | Robert Nicholson | 32294 | ||
SP31 The Lord Jesus told his diciples in discussion of temporal verses spiritual things "Seek you first the kingdom of God and his righteousness and all these things shall be added unto you. Luke 12:31 The Lord would like us to set priorities in our lives which would put him first. He will provide all our needs and not necessarily our wants. When God's people ask for something, God always answers their prayer in one of three ways. 1. yes 2. no or 3. wait. I believe every exercised Christian will always look for purpose in the things which happen in our lives. Sometimes, it would appear that the Lord has forgotten us and yet he allows us to go through trials that we might grow and become more dependent on him. I think that in your note you mention "listen and act on God's Word". Indeed, if we want to know his will in our lives we must be prepared to do so. " Godliness with contentment is great gain" 1 Tim. 6:6 What exactly do you mean by self examination ? Peace in our Lord Robert |
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479 | Church "Covenant" unbiblical? | Eph 1:23 | Robert Nicholson | 32287 | ||
Brother Markarios: I agree that in the early church Acts 2 that those who trusted Christ became immediate members of the church which is his body 1Cor.12:27. I believe that the scripture teaches that every person who has been saved by his grace from Calvary onward are part of this body. You ask: "What is Church Membership?" The church which I have referred to consists of only believers and includes all believers. We sometimes refer to this as the universal church (not a scriptual term) We find that Paul wrote "Unto the church of God which is at Corinth, to them that are sanctified in Christ Jesus,..." (1 Cor. 1:2) In this verse Paul was writing to a group of Christians who represented Christ in Corinth or in a local locality. The local church originally consisted of all professing believers who were baptised. The difference between the universal church and local church is that within the local church there may be members who are only professors and not possessors of Christ, whereas, in the universal church all are possessors of Christ. No Christian can be excluded or put out of the Church which is his body, whereas, within the local testimony people can be excluded and put out. You mentioned the "Church Covenant" in your church. We know that the apostles as they were guided into all truth by the Holy Spirit (John 16:13) gave teaching to the early church which provided them with doctrinal truth and guidance in daily life as members of a local church. It would seem that in the modern day "Covenant" reflects some of this teaching by the apostles. In reading the scriptures regarding the early church it would appear that admission is accomplished the moment we trust Christ. We must remember that in these early days that Christ was the head of the church, the divine teacher the Holy Spirit and that overseers were appointed to lead, to feed, to be a role model and to guard the flock in the local church. Is a "Covenant" unbiblical? I say this with great care: on the one hand most local gatherings have an official or unofficial requirements for membership with the view to maintaining the local testimony. Nevertheless, if such a Covenant excludes people who are truly born again than I would suggest it is unbiblical. Is it not better if the members of the flock have the fellowship of each other as they grow in Christ. Sorry brother, I have gone on long enough In Christ Robert |
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480 | Anyone Taken Trinity's Online Courses? | 2 Tim 2:15 | Robert Nicholson | 32259 | ||
Dear Henry: I am a student with Trinity Seminary located in Indiania. I am working on a BA in Biblical Studies which is accredited by the University of Liverpool, England. I have found the college to be supportive and helpful. The course work which I have encountered is quite heavy as one might expect with online studies. I would suggest that you visit the Trinity Forum and chat with other students. If I can be of any help please email me at mach@surenet.net Robert |
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