Results 501 - 520 of 562
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Results from: Notes Author: Rowdy Ordered by Date |
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Results | Verse | Author | ID# | |||
501 | Should we ask God for the gift of tongue | 1 Cor 12:11 | Rowdy | 111625 | ||
I have to agree wit Kalos and Searcher. Nowhere in the Bible do we have an example of the gift of the Holy Spirit to include any miraculous powers other than through the laying of hands of the Apostles. As a matter fact, there are examples of people like Simon the Sorcerer who wanted to buy those kind of powers and was harshly criticized for it. The main reason for the miraculous powers such as speaking in tongues was to confirm the word as being from God Almighty. Since we have the Word of God and know it to be His, there's no need for these kind of miracles to be directly relayed by humans. Instead the few miracles in the world come directly from God or possibly the Devil. There are scriptures to support these statements but I think they've been posted to the Forum in the past, which can be recalled by use of the Search Engine. God bless. |
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502 | Is it okay to drink alcohol? | 1 Tim 5:23 | Rowdy | 111475 | ||
I don't have any specific basis for condemnation of alcohol or its consumption but the most important two areas of this subject is to consume it with moderation and avoid the obvious sin of drunkenness. The other consideration is that of the effect we might have on other christians in God's family. I would be the last to advocate that a "weaker brother" use his beliefs against the stronger and make him feel miserable for consuming a drink. But on the other hand, we the stronger should watch out for the weaker and try our very best to consume in moderation AND out of sight and knowledge of that other brother. Otherwise, we are also guilty of sinning. Like EdB recommends, it's best to avoid the whole problem by abstaining but that's a level of spiritual maturity that each of us should aspire to. It's not absolutely required and CANNOT be insisted upon with any kind of basis on God's word. God bless. |
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503 | “Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, | Luke 5:8 | Rowdy | 111473 | ||
Don't forget Apostle John's following Isaiah's example in Revelation. | ||||||
504 | Where does it say "MUST be baptised" | John 3:5 | Rowdy | 111461 | ||
Basically, I guess you're seeing my responses as dodges because there is no specific verse in the Bible that has all the steps of salvation in a nice perfect, 1-2-3 style format. We have to study all the examples of God's disciples following the instruction/teaching from the Apostles. I work in an office environment that is guided by contract law so that's the mentality I've developed when I study God's word. Since there is no Standard Operating Procedure as mentioned above for this gift of salvation, we're forced to study all of God's Word to come up with a conclusion, just like we do with civil law or contract law. We look for precedents and specific phrases and try to make sense of it all. I'm convinced that God's Word does NOT contradict itself but some of the passages are difficult to understand. I'm also convinced that if we take all the passages that seem to be related to this subject of accepting salvation from God, and then put those actions in some kind of logical flow, we can be assured we have God's plan of salvation. Now, if one of those steps in that process is too much, it couldn't hurt; we'll have followed the process as closely as we could. In this sense we "covered all the bases" and then some but no harm done. BUT however, if we were to leave one of those steps out of the process and meet God not having put our faith in His process, what can we possibly say to our God on Judgement Day? How can anyone argue with this kind of logic? But in an effort to be fair, I'd like to challenge you to quote Book, Chapter and verse in one passage where you get your specific steps to salvation. Tell me where God specifically tells anyone the exact process in a step-by-step fashion what it takes to be saved. Remember we're talking about one specific passage from one Bible person, or one single example that's all inclusive. I'd love to hear from anyone on the Forum take up this challenge. God bless you all. Just so we're clear on this process, God's process. The steps as I see them is: 1) Hear the Word of God, the Gospel of Christ 2) Believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God 3) Repent of one's sins which includes the resolve to not go back to a life of intentional sin 4) Be baptized for the remission of sins, contacting the blood of Jesus in faith 5) Live faithfully the christian life to death or to the end of time, this dispensation whereupon the Lord comes. |
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505 | parenting | Prov 22:6 | Rowdy | 111460 | ||
I like the christian slant as reflected in most of Dr. James Dobson's books. He and his staff have some very practical and Bible based strategies for dealing with today's kids in a very, very difficult world. My two boys are grown now and on their own but we had our struggles. The single bit of advice that I would offer is the tremendous strength that comes from a united couple, husband and wife, father and mother. They must be united first of all with alligence to the same God and worship together in the same precious faith. Second, they must agree to appear completely united in front of their kids and disagree in love and out of earshot of those kids. Finally, never stop praying and seeking after God's advice from His Word AND His earthly appointed spiritual leaders, the elders in your church. It pays to show your spouse and your kids that you have an open mind AND an open heart. It does wonders when you mess up and make a mistake with your kids, for you as a parent to make a sincere apology to that child. That's all I can think of at this moment. God bless. |
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506 | Where does it say "MUST be baptised" | John 3:5 | Rowdy | 111399 | ||
I'd like to refer you to my post, with which I responded to Hank, No 111393. Thank you. Let me know what you think. God bless. | ||||||
507 | John 3:1-7 how can you say it's not true | 1 Cor 1:17 | Rowdy | 111397 | ||
I'd like to offer my opinion as to why there is this seeming contradiction. If one does a thorough and serious study of the life and teachings of Apostle, you have to come away with a strong conclusion that he most certainly did believe in baptism for the remission of sins and I think it can be inferred correctly that baptism for this reason is required to obey God's terms of His plan of salvation. However, we still have Paul's statement to deal with. Basically, I think by this time in Paul's life, he has recognized he has a very short time to live upon this earth and is also recgnizing his main talent is to spread to good news of the Gospel to all the world and let others do the baptizing and teaching thereafter. He is merely recognizing priorities just as we do in today's world. He was also delegating as his right to do so. Remember, Paul could see into the future and knew there would be a period of the apostecy, when men would fall away from the church. He was most traumatized over this as shown in his last gathering with the elders in Ephesis. One more thing and I'll hush. There's seems to be a great tendancy for us as men to demand all kinds of extra details such as this kind of explanation from God about all these kind of controversies in His Word. We seem to forget that God expects us to grow up as spiritual beings and realize some of this CAN be figured out on our own. We don't need to argue about it, at least NOT to the length of time and the degree of hurtful words I see posted on this Forum. I agree, this kind of bantering over such small matters doesn't do us or the Lord's church any good. Thanks for "listening" and God bless you all. |
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508 | Talking about the Church he left! | 3 John 1:9 | Rowdy | 111394 | ||
I can only say Amen to this advice. We all should follow Christ's advice concerning differences between members of God's family, Matt 18:15-17 and then when all else fails, warn him about God does to those who cause division, Rom 16:17-20. God bless those who study God's Word AND OBEY His Words. | ||||||
509 | Water, baptism and John 3:5/Titus 3:5 | John 3:5 | Rowdy | 111215 | ||
I think if a person were to actually count all the scriptures posted on this forum, there would most likely be just about as many in favor of baptism as those that SEEM to be or are at least a little questionable about it. But I really don't want to antagonize. I'll let you have the last word but I'll still pray for you. God bless. | ||||||
510 | Isn't baptism needed for salvation? | Mark 16:16 | Rowdy | 111208 | ||
I too am TRYING to be good and remain silent but I must insert this quote from the book of Acts and then I'll hush. I insert this once again in an effort to balance the scale here. Acts 5: 28"We gave you strict orders not to teach in this name," he said. "Yet you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching and are determined to make us guilty of this man's blood." 29Peter and the other apostles replied: "We must obey God rather than men! 30The God of our fathers raised Jesus from the dead--whom you had killed by hanging him on a tree. God bless ALL of you in your studies. |
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511 | searching for wisdom | Bible general Archive 2 | Rowdy | 111177 | ||
In addition to the comments/suggestions from Prayon and BradK, I would like to add my encouragement to you. My wife and I have been around the world and the country with the military and Government jobs. I've seen a lot of heartache and grief in the Lord's church. Some of it I must admit we brought on ourselves and sometimes we were victimized just as you seem to have been. Even if you were just a little bit guilty of fault, I can only encourage you to seek the forgiveness of those whom you've wronged. On the other hand, after you've prayed on this matter ernestly, preferably with your husband, you really must come to a decision. Just remember that you MUST "grow where you're planted." If you conclude that the Lord would rather re-plant you and your husband in another group of christiains, accept His will and His guidance but I would urge you not to break fellowship with this congregation. Hopefully, this congregation will grow and realize where they went wrong and maybe even miss you to the point that they will try to re-establish that close bond you've enjoyed in the past. There are other benefits to moving from town to town or across country and joining hands with different families of God's children. You get to expereince different levels of maturity and see the many different ways God would like you to use your talents. In some congregations in the past, I've been a deacon, I've always been a song leader since 15 years of age. In other areas, I taught a class of young people and now I'm teaching a class of adults older than myself. Try to look at this trying time in your life as a test, an opportunity to be refined as our beloved Peter encourages us in his epistle as follows: 1 Peter, Chapter 1: 6In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. 7These have come so that your faith--of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire--may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed. 8Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, The other benefit might be the opportunity for you to form a closer bond with your husband. Both of you would be encouraged to seek out another group of christians who might have more in common with you two. I've found that different congregations of christians have their very own distinct personality, some younger, some older, etc. The bottom line is...stay strong and stay on the Lord's side. He's got a plan for you but you've got to stay in the fight and don't let this difficulty get you down. God bless and all of us on the forum are praying for you. |
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512 | Is baptism for salvation? (Mark 16:16) | Mark 16:16 | Rowdy | 111176 | ||
All I can say is Amen!! Good job and God bless. | ||||||
513 | Acts 2:38 Repentance and Baptism? | Acts 2:38 | Rowdy | 110622 | ||
Thanks for the encouragement. I'll let you have the last word. Do keep studying my friend. Hope to see you in Heaven. | ||||||
514 | About Premillenialism... | Bible general Archive 2 | Rowdy | 110602 | ||
I think there are several other scriptures that could be cited but these are the first two that come to mind. John 18:35"Am I a Jew?" Pilate replied. "It was your people and your chief priests who handed you over to me. What is it you have done?" 36Jesus said, "My kingdom is not of this world. If it were, my servants would fight to prevent my arrest by the Jews. But now my kingdom is from another place." Hebrews 9:26Then Christ would have had to suffer many times since the creation of the world. But now he has appeared once for all at the end of the ages to do away with sin by the sacrifice of himself. 27Just as man is destined to die once, and after that to face judgment, 28so Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins of many people; and he will appear a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who are waiting for him. I agree Christ's words, as in Matt 24 are not absolutely clear on every detail but again it's always best to use the Bible as Its own best commentary. I'm confident if our God wanted us to believe in these unusual features such as the Rapture or Premillenialism, I'm absolutely certain He would have laid our clear language elaborating on those details. Instead, I see language like that quoted above. Again, I must emphasize the figurative portions of the Bible as found in Isaiah and Revelation are not a good basis or foundation upon which we should build a whole system of religious thought or discussion. I hope God coninues to bless you in your study and pursuit of His truth. |
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515 | About Premillenialism... | Bible general Archive 2 | Rowdy | 110600 | ||
Thanks. Appreciate the encouragement. | ||||||
516 | Acts 2:38 Repentance and Baptism? | Acts 2:38 | Rowdy | 110546 | ||
I too enjoy reading your stimulating messages and appreciate your knowledge of the Word but I'm afraid I must stand by my original statement. In support of that, I can only say there are just as many scholars with PhDs on both sides of this controversy. The fact is that the Koine Greek is no longer spoken or written anywhere in the world. (Ironic isn't it...so our Father wants us to accept Him on His terms on faith. That means we can't know absolutely with such certain evidence that we could prove it in a court of man's law.) Anyway, the bottom line boils down to what is meant by "Better safe than sorry," just like Mommaphs and I have been discussing. In this particular scenario, I'm contrasting the two views of being saved with or without baptism. Some people think that too much emphasis is placed on this single point but it's not our emphasis, it's God's. He sent His Son to take our place on that cross and He gets to dictate the terms of His Last Will and Testament. The Holy Spirit is the executor and bestows the gift of salvation to those who qualify, those who accept the terms and obey God's commands in order to please Him. In Mark 16, Jesus Himself commissioned his disciples to teach everything He taught them to the whole world. He said he who believes and is baptized is saved...I know you're going to quote the rest of the verse back to me about the missing word "baptize" in that latter phrase. But don't you see, if a person doesn't believe there's no need to mention baptizing to him. It's illustrated as follows: If a man wants to live, he must consume nourishment and digest it into his body. If a man doesn't ingest that food or nourishment somehow, there's no need to discuss digestion, he will simply die. We see this kind of consummation of relationships throughout the world. When does a man and woman actually get married in the eyes of the world, at least here in America. It's the point they both say "I do" and not before. When does a person actually receive the gift from his dead benefactor, after he's completed ALL the requirements as provided in that will. Throughout the NT, we see many scriptures on this subject of baptism. It's done for the remission of sins, it represents the burial of Jesus as I stated earlier. There's just too much emphasis from God's Word to ignore this conclusion, at least for me. But one last item and I'll hush at least for now. Let's take the two different views to their ultimate conclusion (and utlimately Judgement Day): 1) my view as I've stated above with the conclusion that all who have been baptized are indeed in God's family. And 2) your view that one can be saved without baptism. With the latter view, one goes to God with His faith in the words, the grammar and Greek as has been discussed. But God asks "But did you obey?" like I instructed you. Remember, God's words through the phrophet Samuel, "It is better to obey God than to make sacrifice." That's what I mean with the phrase "Better safe than sorry." Please think about all this and pray about it. God bless. |
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517 | Acts 2:38 Repentance and Baptism? | Acts 2:38 | Rowdy | 110527 | ||
This debate will probably go on till the end of time and we face Judgement Day but I gotta say that once again the attitude of "Better safe than sorry" should prevail in these kind of discussions. When presented with two or more conflicting interpretations, why would a person want to take a chance and regret the wrong choice all through eternity? It seems relatively clear to me that baptism is required, especially when you get a clear picture from Paul's Letter to the Romans, Chapter 6. There, it is clear baptism represents the burial that Christ went through and from which He was resurrected. It's there we contact the life-saving blood of Jesus through faith and rise up a new creature. There's just too many scriptures leading me to believe this conclusion in spite of the discussion of Greek grammar which is difficult to fully comprehend even by the scholars. I don't think I would want to take a chance and face the wrath of God on such questionable evidence. I would beg of you to keep studying and make up your own mind. It's important, at least to God and His Son. And I still pray for God's blessing on ALL of you. |
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518 | Is cremation right for believers? | Bible general Archive 2 | Rowdy | 110465 | ||
Only in an effort to give this discussion balance I would refer to 2 Cor 5 as follows: 1 For we know that if our earthly house, this tent, is destroyed, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. 2For in this we groan, earnestly desiring to be clothed with our habitation which is from heaven, 3if indeed, having been clothed, we shall not be found naked. 4For we who are in this tent groan, being burdened, not because we want to be unclothed, but further clothed, that mortality may be swallowed up by life. 5Now He who has prepared us for this very thing is God, who also has given us the Spirit as a guarantee. You can be assured that Paul IS NOT talking about a house or a building on earth. He's talking about our earthly bodies as these verses are really connected to the previous Chapter 4. So, yes our bodies are a temple to God and we should not abuse them but God will destroy them, and the rest of this world, just like He destroyed the Israelite's temple with the Romans help in the first century. God bless. |
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519 | proselytizing at work | Bible general Archive 2 | Rowdy | 110461 | ||
I have found in my world here at the office that people figure out from my manner of speech and the ocassional reference to going to church on weekends or Wed night that I'm a christian. That helps but I do enjoy the ocassional person here at the office who comes to me with a Biblical topic for questions and/or discussion. So once again, I would have to say moderation is the key to successful christian living, that and maintaining balance. Another very important factor in sharing Christ with this world is to maintain a truly open mind and an open heart. If people get the idea you're closed minded, it's a big turn-off. However, don't misunderstand me, when the Bible is plain and clear we do need to speak up and "take sides" with God's Word but we MUST do so with love, as God intended. Remember, "all it takes for evil to succeed is for good, moral people to remain silent." God bless. |
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520 | Question on one word in Mark 3:29 | Mark 3:29 | Rowdy | 110452 | ||
I would say your person who lies continually does eventually succeed in deceiving himself so well that he actually believes his own lies and truly sounds sincere. It's difficult to get such a person out of that "whirlpool" of self-deception. The devil, I think, makes it very attractive; he may even seem like he's serving God and when confronted with the truth from God's Word, his "seared conscience" takes over and makes it almost impossible to see the truth for what it is. God help us all to avoid this terrible, horrible set of circumstances to engulf any of us. God bless. | ||||||
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