Results 541 - 560 of 562
|
||||||
Results from: Notes Author: Rowdy Ordered by Date |
||||||
Results | Verse | Author | ID# | |||
541 | Meditate of Instigate | Ps 1:2 | Rowdy | 109358 | ||
I think I have to say Amen to Tim's statement. Meditation is very good but like with all things in this world, we really need to aim for balance. The single most important aspect I see in Christ's life that is most needed in this world is tolerance. There's literally a multitude of backgrounds and a myriad of spiritual maturities reflected on this Forum. We have to learn to see between the lines and try to get the actual intent of these messages. I agree that there is just a little bit of anger and frustration exhibited in some of these statements but overall this is a very good and productive Forum. Enjoy it and God bless. | ||||||
542 | differences in bible translations? | NT general Archive 1 | Rowdy | 109355 | ||
Good job! Well done. My only additional comment would be the fact the margin of error is really better than cited. Most of the alterations referred to are to articles like "the" "and," and prepositions, etc. So when you allow for that kind of revisions, one can narrow the margin to a much smaller figure, like 3-5 percent. There really are some sharp intellectuals on this Forum. And good question. God bless you all. | ||||||
543 | About Premillenialism... | Bible general Archive 2 | Rowdy | 109344 | ||
Sorry about the delay of my response but it sounds like your conclusions are highly subjective and are based on the portions of the Bible that are highly figurative. I'm sorry...I can't be convinced with your statement. Got any scriptures that specifically go into detail and describe this concept completely? Please let me know. Thanks. God bless you in your studies. | ||||||
544 | Is Holy Communion for baptised believers | 1 Cor 11:27 | Rowdy | 109314 | ||
Brother, I have to say Amen. All the examples of salvation show a little haste in getting the person being saved in the water. God bless you. | ||||||
545 | Did Jesus do anything in secret? | John 7:4 | Rowdy | 109311 | ||
I can only refer you to the scripture in Heb 2 as follows: 14Since the children have flesh and blood, he too shared in their humanity so that by his death he might destroy him who holds the power of death--that is, the devil-- 15and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by their fear of death. 16For surely it is not angels he helps, but Abraham's descendants. 17For this reason he had to be made like his brothers in every way, in order that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in service to God, and that he might make atonement for[6] the sins of the people. 18Because he himself suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted. Apparently our Lord was absolutely unique in more ways than we can count. He was 100 percent human and God at the same time, at least while He was here on earth. I'm convinced we'll never understand this whole concept until we get to heaven. God bless. |
||||||
546 | Are you a follower of Jesus or a church? | Matt 10:32 | Rowdy | 109302 | ||
I just now noticed this question and the tremendous amount of response linked to it so I'll throw in my two cents worth and THEN try to read what the rest of you wrote. Personally, I think it's important that we recognize we MUST give first alligence to our Lord and Savior and then do everything in our power to find a bunch of folks (christians) who believe in that same order of priority. We must study our Bibles constantly and this forum is a great aid toward that aim. Secondly we must spend as much time as possible in prayer alone and in company with our fellow christians. All these items must be seen as requirements, I don't see how a person can forsake any of them. Another item that is sometimes neglected is that habit of introspection or soul searching to check one's spiritual condition with His Lord. Everyone occasionally needs be tweaked or tuned up spiritually. It's best if you can find a soul mate, someone that literally knows you almost as well as you know yourself and ask that person how they perceive you as God's family member. Then, of course he/she could swap places and you can render the same favor for them. This kind of introspection is encouraged throughout the Bible and of course it needs to be done on a collective basis for the whole congregation. Call it a revival or a tent meeting or whatever you like. Congregations need to read the warnings to the 7 churches in Revelation and see if any of the defects apply to them. This is the best way to ensure both christians and the church are in sync with the Lord. Otherwise, we humans start to think too much of ourselves and start veering from the path like we see in the past 2,000 years. Like I've said before, there's not one thing that could possibly take the place of God's Perfect Maintenance Manual. It applies to us as individuals and collectively as the world-wide church. So you see, it's not really a choice that be made or a fork in the road between Christ or the church. They're married, one flesh, unseperable at least not by man. We have to find a sense of balance between the two. However, I'd be interested in your opinion(s). God bless this forum and all who participate therein. |
||||||
547 | Who will be saved? Few, Many or All? | Rom 3:23 | Rowdy | 109222 | ||
No, I'm thinking mostly and referencing Heb 9 as follows: 15 And for this cause he is the mediator of the new testament, that by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions that were under the first testament, they which are called might receive the promise of eternal inheritance. 16 For where a testament is, there must also of necessity be the death of the testator. 17 For a testament is of force after men are dead: otherwise it is of no strength at all while the testator liveth. 18 Whereupon neither the first testament was dedicated without blood. God was the author of this plan, this document as we humans would say and Christ gave His life to have it executed. I guess we could say that the Holy Spirit is the executor and delivers the gift of salvation after we fulfill the terms of this last will and testament of Christ. I do agree with you on the one point. We can't make anyone and God won't make anyone do anything to accept this gift. It most certainly has to be a willing recipient, submissive to God's will, just like that recipient in a worldly court petitioning to receive his gift from his benefactor. As to knowing something about law, I've taken 4 years of college courses in Business courses, including Contract Law. I have been a christian for 36 years and know a little something about forgiveness and have received far more than I deserve. Is there an alternate way to look at this? I don't see how but I'll try to maintain an open mind. What do you think? Anyone else? |
||||||
548 | Who will be saved? Few, Many or All? | Rom 3:23 | Rowdy | 109203 | ||
The only caveat I'd like to add is the fact that we must meet Christ's terms and conditions in the accepting of this gift of salvation. We humans do the same kind of thing in our legal system with the advent of someone's dying and leaving a last will and testament. The recipient must fulfill the terms and conditions of that will to receive that gift from his benefactor. We have to show God proof on Judgement Day that we really have been redeemed by His Son. | ||||||
549 | How to harmonize this passage | 1 Cor 14:34 | Rowdy | 109169 | ||
Please believe I mean no malice or disrespect. Maybe I'm a bit harsh but I was just trying to make a point. I think there's room for discussion but I must emphasize that the scriptures I've seen so far haven't given any support to the idea that women are allowed equal standing in the church with men. I realize this may not be policitically correct for our time but the Bible rarely is, especially when taken in its total. Thus we have the straight and narrow road compared to the broad way for the bulk of the world. I would like to urge you to continue studying God's word. I do think we CAN definitely comply with all of God's Word. I've already expressed my perplexity with the passage in Hebrews but I don't think it nor any of the other scriptures mentioned mean for women to take up that same standing, equal to the men in the church. But as I've mentioned, the women are definitely allowed to make their thoughts and wishes known through proper channels. Just as in the military, court system or any other system put together by human beings, God and His children MUST follow His protocals. I'll try to wrap up this discussion, at least from my perspective with this. I think the NT overall is laced with an absolute bare minimum BUT ESSENTIAL restrictions. That's part of the Lord's desire I referred to earlier. He wants us to grow up and realize most of His guidance can be inferred from the general guidance He's given throughout the Bible. Basically, we are to follow the examples we're given in His Son and His official representatives, the Apostles. God bless in your continued efforts. My praryers are on your side. Still anxiously waiting for anyone else to respond. |
||||||
550 | How to harmonize this passage | 1 Cor 14:34 | Rowdy | 109154 | ||
Again, I have to say the Bible is very, very clear on this subject. For example: Both elders and deacons are to be husbands of one wife. In other scriptures women are commanded not to ursup the authority of the leaders of the church. The scripture about women approaching their husbands for questions has been cited previously. Over and over again, God's Word is very clear on this point. The church's relationship to Christ as head is compared to the marriage relationship between a man and woman. I hate to beat a dead horse but this matter boils down to a simple matter of whether or not we are obeying God or not. Peter and John asked that same question of their court officials in Jerusalem 2,000 years ago. Each man must answer that same question every day all of us get out of our beds in the morning. This day, when it comes down to a choice between the two, will I (all of us) obey the commands of God or men? Please don't get me wrong. I'm not advocating blind obedience to something that goes against the laws of nature. We must study the scriptures with an open mind and an open heart. When we approach God's Word with respect and a determination to obey, we have to be submissive to His pattern. That's why I think it's so important to study the OT. It informs us that God did set a pattern for almost everything but He wants us to grow up and see beyond our simple, blind obedience to His dictates. He wants us to trust Him enough to know that His patterns were put into His Word for our benefit. If we follow His patterns, our world works better, just like our automobiles work better when we follow the manual and install parts in accorance with their guidance. It is a simple matter of form following function. Generally, things (especially in God's world, heaven and His church) function better for the long term when we abide with God's Perfect Maintenance Manual for us as humans. I'd be interested in seeing a response from you and all others, addressing each of the points I have cited above. I would welcome comments or questions from anyone in your congregation. How can we justify outright disobedience to God Almighty and hope to meet Him in Judgement? Please advise. |
||||||
551 | Did Jesus do anything in secret? | John 7:4 | Rowdy | 109081 | ||
Just did a quick search and found in Luke 5: 12While Jesus was in one of the towns, a man came along who was covered with leprosy.[3] When he saw Jesus, he fell with his face to the ground and begged him, "Lord, if you are willing, you can make me clean." 13Jesus reached out his hand and touched the man. "I am willing," he said. "Be clean!" And immediately the leprosy left him. 14Then Jesus ordered him, "Don't tell anyone, but go, show yourself to the priest and offer the sacrifices that Moses commanded for your cleansing, as a testimony to them." 15Yet the news about him spread all the more, so that crowds of people came to hear him and to be healed of their sicknesses. 16But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed. It seems Jesus was probably getting bad press from these priests if all the folks healed by Him were going to their local priests. Apparently, that word was getting relayed to the chief priest which really had a vengeful eye toward Christ. He was upsetting their whole world of control on these people. I don't really think I can come up with scriptures to authoritatively support my position as you've alluded to, it's mostly conjecture. Tell me what you think? |
||||||
552 | How to harmonize this passage | 1 Cor 14:34 | Rowdy | 109079 | ||
I guess my only response would be to invite you over and show you how it's done. I actually try to get the ladies (some of them much older than myself) to speak up during my Bible classes and most of them refuse. Every once in a while one of them (especially the younger ones) will open up and ask a question and we all (the whole class) responds with kindness and great open minds. That's perfectly OK with the scriptures as that's a classroom setting. Now don't get me wrong; it's true, we don't have any ladies leading classes with men as students but we're very much open to their participating from the classroom floor. But if they have any questions during the worship assembly, they're encouraged to communicate that thru the men folk, preferbly their husband. We have a time when Notes are solicited from everyone which are channeled to the elder who goes over them and announcements at the end of our service but this is just one way to do it. Oh, one more setting is the business meeting for the whole congregation, hosted by the elders to discuss miscellaneous topics, questions on almost anything are raised and discussed at length. I like to think we're somewhere in the middle of the spectrum on most issues, as long as we're talking about Bible based issues. Let me know which city you're in and I'll find you a congregation (or at least I'll try) that might show you what it's like. Let me know. God bless. |
||||||
553 | Man is considered to be what to God? | Gen 1:26 | Rowdy | 109071 | ||
I've always been taught that the image that God installed in us is our soul and conscience which is spiritual in nature. It's the single thing that separates us from the rest of God's creation. Only humans have this higher characteristic of life. It's the only thing that we can hope to take into the next life, after the destruction of this universe. I don't think we as humans have a divine mind but we do have, at least from birth a divine soul. Then after we mess it up with worldliness, we have to rely on our complete faith and trust in God to get us Home. Hope to see you there. |
||||||
554 | Inmature babes unskilled in righteusness | Heb 6:4 | Rowdy | 109057 | ||
I must admit, this scripture, Heb 6:4 has always been perplexing to me as a christian but it does seem to go counter to the guidance given by Peter in 2 Pet 2, as follows: 19They promise them freedom, while they themselves are slaves of depravity--for a man is a slave to whatever has mastered him. 20If they have escaped the corruption of the world by knowing our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and are again entangled in it and overcome, they are worse off at the end than they were at the beginning. 21It would have been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than to have known it and then to turn their backs on the sacred command that was passed on to them. 22Of them the proverbs are true: "A dog returns to its vomit," and, "A sow that is washed goes back to her wallowing in the mud." Again, I need to emphasize I'm fuzzy on the correct interpretation of Heb 6:4 and will ask Jesus when I get to Heaven but I gotta say that Peter's words are very plain and simple and very graphic. I don't see how these words could be confused so I'll let them speak for themselves. Two small items I would offer to those reading. When you're considering where you're going to be spending eternity, would you rather be absolutely certain of your membership in God's family or would you like to take a chance on the fuzzy interpretation of a somewhat questionable scripture, written by one of the most advanced minds whoever lived. Look again at 1 Cor 9:27 and remember it was most probably written by the same author as Hebrews. |
||||||
555 | Does speaking in tongues come naturally? | Acts | Rowdy | 108437 | ||
The history I'm referring to is that of the first couple of hundred years after the death of Christ. The learned folks of that day knew their history preceding their generation just like we know ours. They knew about miracles and where they came from because a few historians recording their happening and their circumstances. The knowledge to which I'm referring is that special dose gifted to a select few, in the same manner as the other miraclous gifts, immediately preceding it. This and all the other miraclous powers could only be bestowed by the Apostles' laying on of hands. So after the death of the Apostles and those blessed with these powers, no one was able to perform these kind of miracles. As you may know this was only way of getting this kind miraclous power was the laying on of hands as shown in Acts 6 and 8. The main purpose of miracles was God's endorsement of the message or Gospel these men were preaching as shown in Acts 5. Now that we have the Bible and secular history recording these facts, we have no need for miracles. I'm always open to discussing this and any other topic of the Bible but let's agree to define miracles in the same manner as they're described in the Bible. That is replacement of body parts, restoring life to the dead after several days of confirmed death or other supernatural acts that are clearly and unquestionably endorsed by God. Maybe we can agree that there is no human being that can claim such wonderful abilities. Let me know what you think. God bless. |
||||||
556 | Acts 9:7 and Acts 22:9 contradict each o | Acts | Rowdy | 108417 | ||
Very well done. | ||||||
557 | How I first came to Christ | Eccl 3:14 | Rowdy | 108237 | ||
I'd like to add my two cents worth. Yes, I agree with you all christians need to see ourselves as advancing the cause of Christ but the most important aspect of Christianity is love, God's kind of love, Agape love, described in 1 Cor 13. Then when we add the fruits of the spirit which is so desparetly needed in this world, God's light will shine through us and His Son's kingdom will be advanced. Remember, we need to see things as God sees them. He's the One we got to please on Judgement Day. Finally, when you get to be my age, you begin to appreciate those individuals in the world who foster an atmosphere of tolerance and patience, especially with God's family members are concerned. Let me know what you think. Thanks for sharing. |
||||||
558 | Thief on Cross discrepancy Mt vs Lk | Matt 27:44 | Rowdy | 107920 | ||
I've studied this contrast also and have been taught as follows: Matthew referred to an earlier episode during which both thieves did as Matthew describes but Luke is talking about a little later, possibly hours later. Apparently, this thief has had time to think about what he said earlier. Who knows: he may have even listened to one of Jesus' sermons or parables and may have even been baptized with John's baptism. Anyway, he repents and now ask Jesus' forgiveness. Since there's very little said about this in the Bible, this is about the only way I can reconcile these two accounts. Let me know what you think, especially after checking out Bullinger's Companion Bible. |
||||||
559 | Please explain John 19:27 | John 19:26 | Rowdy | 107918 | ||
I think I might have an answer to your question about Jesus' preference of John over James and His other blood siblings. I think Christ was trying to once again give us another example of a whole new standard for us as humans to follow. You remember Jesus' mother and His brothers thought He was going crazy thus in Matt 12, He lets the world know who His real family was. Remember James and probably his brothers didn't become christians until AFTER Jesus' death and resurrection. I understand this very well because one of my sisters has been a member of another faith for many years in spite of her growing up in the same household with me and the rest of the family. Our father was an elder; my brother is currently a deacon; I was a deacon in a previous congregation. (I've traveled quite a bit.) Don't get me wrong...my sis and I meet several times per year, her house, my house, Dad's house but we don't go to worship together and the subject of religion is taboo between us. So I feel MUCH closer to my own brethren in our congregation than I do to my blood sister. Again, I think this is God's preference in His world which should take precedence to our world. Remember, Christ predicted that His ways would come between family members and we see that every day. We need to get used to seeing things God's way and discard our preferences. |
||||||
560 | why is Acts 2:44 not practiced today | Acts 2:44 | Rowdy | 107715 | ||
I'm afraid I goofed on quoting Bible characters in referring to Annanias and Saphira. (What a sap!) By now, you've probably figured I really meant to refer to Priscilla, Aquila and Apollos in Acts 18. | ||||||
Result pages: << First < Prev [ 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 ] Next > Last [29] >> |