Results 621 - 640 of 787
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Results from: Notes Author: Radioman2 Ordered by Verse |
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Results | Verse | Author | ID# | |||
621 | can a women preach and teach men | 1 Tim 2:12 | Radioman2 | 85918 | ||
A GOD OF HUMAN PROPORTIONS: The Teachings of Kenneth Copeland - - - - - - - - - - - - - 'Copeland's deflation of God is best exemplified by his comment that "the biggest failure in the Bible...is God."* (*Kenneth Copeland, Praise-a-Thon, TBN, 1988. Copeland has, in another instance, stated that God "is not a failure" (Kenneth Copeland, The Troublemaker [Fort Worth, TX: Kenneth Copeland Publications, n.d.], 23).) - - - - - - - - - - - - - [Note: Numbers within or at the end of sentences are footnote numbers. To read the footnotes providing reference sources for this article, go to: (www.equip.org/free/DC755-2.htm)] 'Copeland's view of God fares no better biblically than his understanding of faith. He describes God as someone "very much like you and me....A being that stands somewhere around 6'2," 6'3," that weighs somewhere in the neighborhood of a couple of hundred pounds, little better, [and] has a [hand]span nine inches across."22 'Copeland's statement is based on his hyperliteral reading of Isaiah 40:12 ("Who has measured the waters in the hollow of his hand, marked off the heavens with a [nine inch] span,..." [AV]). Yet following the same line of interpretation, one would also have to conclude that God literally held a basket full of dust and weighed mountains on a gigantic set of scales (v. 12b) - an absurd proposition ruled out by the context of the passage. The fact is that Isaiah 40 makes extensive use of figurative language to underscore the vast difference between the Creator and His creation. 'Giving a literal spin on verses that figuratively describe God in humanlike (anthropomorphic) terms, Copeland makes God out to be a "spirit-being with a body, complete with eyes, and eyelids, ears, nostrils, a mouth, hands and fingers, and feet."23 However, the Bible never intended to convey the notion that God has physical features like His human creation. Anthropomorphic descriptions were simply meant to help us understand and relate to our Maker. Jesus declared, "God is spirit" (John 4:24), not a spirit-being with a body (cf. Deut. 4:12). The Creator is, after all, "God, and not man" (Hos. 11:9). 'The idea of God possessing a body (physical or spirit) implies the unbiblical view that the Trinity is actually composed of three separate beings. Moreover, a God who has a body with definite, measurable dimensions cannot truly be omnipresent, unlike the God of Scripture who is present everywhere in all His fullness (Jer. 23:23-24). (It is true that in His human nature Christ has a body and is localized in space and time. But in His divine nature He remains nonphysical and omnipresent, sharing this immutable nature with the Father and Holy Spirit.) Copeland's deflation of God is best exemplified by his comment that "the biggest failure in the Bible...is God."24 In stark contrast, the biblical God is an all-powerful being (Dan. 4:35) whose plans cannot be thwarted (Job 42:2) and who considers nothing too difficult (Jer. 32:17; Luke 1:37). 'Copeland's diminished view of God is further amplified by a correspondingly inflated view of the universe in general and man in particular. He claims that the earth is "a copy of the mother planet [i.e., heaven] where God lives."25 Exactly how Copeland could "squeeze" God on any planet is difficult to fathom, especially since Solomon pointed out that heaven itself cannot contain God (1 Kings 8:27).' ____________________ The Teachings of Kenneth Copeland. To read more, including extensive footnotes, go to: (www.equip.org/free/DC755-2.htm) matt2411 |
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622 | can a women preach and teach men | 1 Tim 2:12 | Radioman2 | 85919 | ||
JOYCE MEYER MISSING CHARACTER 'While Meyer claims, “It’s important to me to have character and integrity,”14 she lacks those qualities when she uses red herrings such as the above in order to evade any and every critic regardless of their status. Criticism directed to her does not stem from her lack of education, it rather stems from her heretical teachings. She not only lacks a sound understanding of Scripture, she lacks integrity and a teachable spirit, the very things she boasts about. 'Why does PFO make the charge of “unteachable”? When she met with Matzat to discuss the issues that were brought up on the radio broadcast, she told him that she was not going to change what she taught. This certainly emphasizes that she is not willing to learn sound doctrine or repent of the heretical teaching she promoted. The book of Proverbs is replete with admonitions that a wise man is teachable. Meyer, apparently prefers to hold onto teachings scraped from the garbage cans of the Word-Faith movement. 'On the radio broadcast, Matzat spent a great deal of time in his introduction of the program covering the issue of discernment and how it’s not a matter of dealing with the person or getting personal. He took great pains to explain this, “You don’t deal with the individual, rather you deal with the concepts.” Matzat made the truth as palatable as possible. It’s one thing to be confused or unclear on an essential Christian doctrine such as the Gospel, but it’s an entirely different matter when one adamantly refuses to acknowledge the truth when confronted with it. 'REAL CHANGE? 'Meyer told Charisma that she has been radically changed from being “angry, rebellious and hateful toward men” and “mean, ornery, sarcastic, sharp, hard, bitter and full of resentment.”15 She even admitted to have trouble submitting to her own pastor, “Acknowledging that their strong-willed personalities clashed regularly.”16 The Lord has worked in her life, she says, and the result is “an absolute, all-out, total miracle.”17 While there may have been a change in her life, the transformation falls short of being a “miracle.” 'Consider this example: '“And from here on, it probably wouldn’t do you one bit of good to try and follow me. So if you’re taking notes, you can write down the Scriptures. Cause very frankly, I’m not going to have time to wait on you.”18 'Her words are not exactly what one could label a servant’s heart or a demonstration of patience, nor much of a Christian display of love. Consider, also, these comments: '“Don’t talk to anybody, don’t go to the bathroom, don’t go get a drink of water, don’t move - just listen. Amen? I believe it’s that important.”19 'When listening to her sermon tape in its entirety, there is ample evidence that she possess an aura of haughtiness. For emphasis, she speaks just short of yelling through the entire tape. There is no doubt in her mind that what she is teaching is gospel truth. Unfortunately, if you first listen to Kenneth Copeland’s version of this damnable teaching, it is obvious that Meyer simply heisted not only his title, but his teaching as well. Plagiarizing someone else’s material is bad enough, but plagiarizing heresy is even more regrettable. And then naming God as the source is blasphemous. 'While she may have mellowed with time, there doesn’t seem to be a radical difference between the old and the new Joyce Meyer. The Charisma spin attempts to soften her personality, but in fact demonstrates her continued arrogance and combative spirit.' ____________________ THE PREACHER WHO DOESN’T TELL IT LIKE IT IS: THE TRUTH TWISTING AND TALL TALES OF JOYCE MEYER by Paul R. Belli and G. Richard Fisher This is an excerpt from the article. To read more go to: (http://www.pfo.org/preacher.htm) |
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623 | can a women preach and teach men | 1 Tim 2:12 | Radioman2 | 86018 | ||
Part 1 From your own words, it appears that your concept of bad doctrine is narrowly limited and your concept of heresy is nonexistent. It sounds as if you're saying it doesn't matter what you teach about Christ, His atonement or anything else, as long as you don't teach that it's OK for a Christian to sin. If so, then Joyce Meyer is not the only one who fails to understand essential Christian teaching. 'Like others in the Word-Faith camp who are uneducated, untrained and unskilled in doctrine and systematic theology, Meyer is none too eager to openly discuss the Christian faith with one who has worked hard to rightly divide the Word of Truth.' 'Matzat, a friend of Dave’s [Meyer's] family, recalled the meeting: “We had a very nice chat. I told them exactly what I just said here. I said, ‘You were distorting the doctrine of justification.’ I said, ‘What your doctrine will lead to is what Ken Copeland teaches, that Jesus had to be born again in hell. Because He’s simply a man dying for our sins.’ She did not reject what Ken Copeland teaches. She simply told me, ‘I am not going to change what I teach.’”4' 'Having foolishly appealed to divine revelation and God’s impartation for the message, she now, in essence, has made God culpable for an obsolete message. Thus, one must ask, why does she continue to rely upon revelation knowledge when it produces obsolete messages and indicts God as the author of heresy? And how can the average listener discern which part of Meyer’s materials are biblical truth and which are destined for the trash heap of obsolescence? The caution of Zechariah 13:4-5 regarding false prophets who change their mind and their message bears consideration here.' 'As noted above, neither Meyer nor her husband has the necessary theological training to defend her indefensible teachings. The only reason the Meyers can say that it’s not their “position” to respond and “straighten” us out is that they fail to grasp the basics of biblical interpretation and hermeneutics. As a result, it’s not that they won’t respond, it’s because they cannot respond. “Let[ting] God respond” is merely subterfuge. Strange how first-class, super-Christians, who would have us believe they are tapping into divine revelation, can do all things in Christ, except successfully defend their damnable doctrines of demons.' 'The amount of fanciful “revelation knowledge” necessary to contradict the clear teaching of Scripture, in order to teach the “born again Jesus” gospel, is nothing short of amazing. Meyer, like her predecessors, offers the same “you’ve got to get it by revelation” diversion.' 'her logic is as flawed as cult logic. Meyer needs something more concrete on which to base her claims. Remember, Christianity is based on facts, not feelings. Holy Ghost “goose bumps,” liver quivers or even subjective short-term change are not the confirmation of the Christian faith.' 'Listening to her twists, turns and changes could only lead one to conclude that God is confused. Meyer’s appeal to have God’s blessing upon her ministry is questionable when one considers that God does not empower the vanguards of the Church to teach false and heretical doctrine.' 'Our Lord said, “No good tree bears bad fruit, nor does a bad tree bear good fruit” (Luke 6:43). Meyer, like others lacking discernment, gets her spiritual nourishment from bad trees. Yes, Charismatic beliefs do “fuel conflict” with Evangelical Christianity when their sources are unbiblical and non-Christian.' ____________________ THE PREACHER WHO DOESN’T TELL IT LIKE IT IS: THE TRUTH TWISTING AND TALL TALES OF JOYCE MEYER by Paul R. Belli and G. Richard Fisher This are excerpts from the article. To read more go to: (http://www.pfo.org/preacher.htm) |
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624 | can a women preach and teach men | 1 Tim 2:12 | Radioman2 | 86019 | ||
Part 2 From your own words, it appears that your concept of bad doctrine is narrowly limited and your concept of heresy is nonexistent. It sounds as if you're saying it doesn't matter what you teach about Christ, His atonement or anything else, as long as you don't teach that it's OK for a Christian to sin. If so, then Joyce Meyer is not the only one who fails to understand essential Christian teaching. 'From 17th century mystics to 20th century Word-Faith proponents, Meyer has fed on a harmful diet of unbiblical teaching.' '“Joyce Meyer is the classic case of an individual who knows absolutely no theology, who has read a few books, picked up some ideas, takes some popular notions then teaches them. It’s these kinds of people who are dangerous in the Body of Christ because they know nothing. She has no grasp of historic systematic theology. Basically what she’s doing is, she’s going back to Rome with her understanding of sin...She has rejected the basic Reformational truth of justification. She’s a heretic!”29' 'Meyer maintains her “ministry is so important because we’re called to the believers. We’re to help believers mature, and grow up.”30 Yet, how can she fulfill such a noble “call” when she, herself, has no proper understanding of the doctrine of justification and promotes a different gospel? The Gospel is something every true believer should understand. Meyer’s confusion on such a vital tenet of the Christian faith emphasizes an immaturity on her part and an inability to help others. Rather, she is simply blindly leading the blind.' 'While Meyer’s preaching may be folksy and down-to-earth, it isn’t biblical when it comes to the Gospel, the crux of Christianity. Most of those who hear or watch Meyer via radio and television, are probably unaware that she espouses heresy.' 'Like the Watchtower, Meyer has absolutely no scholarly foundation for such a belief. She reads into Scripture (eisegesis) whatever it takes in order to buttress her heretical doctrine. This, too, is not very practical.' 'But if Meyer wants to truly teach the Bible, rightly divide the Word of Truth and affect lives in a lasting way, she needs to get a theological education and a sound doctrinal foundation.' 'She plays with the truth and recreates and fabricates her past as far as what she taught. She fails to understand essential Christian teaching. Scripture, whether knowingly or unknowingly in her view, is insufficient, thereby requiring “revelation knowledge” to supplement it.' 'Somehow, those who really, “tell it like it is” are looked down upon as overeducated, unanointed, critical, religious attackers. The bottom line is that as a result of not studying to show herself approved unto God, Meyer succumbs to heresies, promotes false teaching and does not tell it like it is — she tells it like it isn’t.' ____________________ THE PREACHER WHO DOESN’T TELL IT LIKE IT IS: THE TRUTH TWISTING AND TALL TALES OF JOYCE MEYER by Paul R. Belli and G. Richard Fisher This are excerpts from the article. To read more go to: (http://www.pfo.org/preacher.htm) |
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625 | Why use the ambiguous word "Temperate"? | 1 Tim 3:2 | Radioman2 | 83693 | ||
nephaleos (Strong's# 3524) "Definition "1. sober, temperate "a. abstaining from wine, either entirely or at least from its immoderate use" ____________________ The New Testament Greek Lexicon based on Thayer's and Smith's Bible Dictionary plus others; this is keyed to the large Kittel and the "Theological Dictionary of the New Testament." These files are public domain. (http://bible.crosswalk.com/Lexicons/Greek/) |
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626 | Who are these removed branches? | 1 Tim 3:6 | Radioman2 | 92533 | ||
EverLearning: Thank you for pointing out that it is pretty difficult to be precise when we only have words with which to communicate. I agree. That is why all of us need to avoid posting sentences such as the following: "Let's be careful with what you are think I am saying I what I think I am saying." Grace to you, Radioman2 |
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627 | A creed by any other name is still a... | 1 Tim 3:16 | Radioman2 | 96117 | ||
Creeds weren't in the Bible? NASB 1 Timothy 3:16 By common confession, great is the mystery of godliness: He who was revealed in the flesh, Was vindicated in the Spirit, Seen by angels, Proclaimed among the nations, Believed on in the world, Taken up in glory. AMPLIFIED 1 Timothy 3:16 And great and important and weighty, we confess, is the hidden truth (the mystic secret) of godliness. He [God] was made visible in human flesh, justified and vindicated in the [Holy] Spirit, was seen by angels, preached among the nations, believed on in the world, [and] taken up in glory. --Radioman2 |
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628 | Keep from Getting Spiritually Weird | 1 Tim 4:16 | Radioman2 | 83723 | ||
"How to Keep from Getting Spiritually Weird" Guidelines to keep you from getting "way out there." 'One of my students observed that a whole lot of folks who have gone spiritually weird seemed to start out great, but their lives as honorable Christians ended early. They found themselves unequipped to deal with the hardship and tribulation that inevitably faces every believer. They'd become ineffectual and disenchanted Christians. 'Others are not sunk but hardship, but by success. At the pinnacle of their ministries they get involved in sexual immorality, misappropriate funds, or simply turn into jerks, bringing shame on the cross of Christ. They become disbarred Christian leaders expelled from the Christian community. Sometimes they even find themselves in prison. 'Sometimes they never get caught or corrected, and in a way that's worse, because they quietly teach views that in the long run don't bring maturity and completeness in Christ, but actually prolong spiritual adolescence, even though these teachers come across as spiritually profound. 'So this student asked a very simple but important question: "How do you survive in the long haul as a Christian?" In other words, how do you keep from getting spiritually weird? 'So I've put some time and thought into it and I'm going to suggest a few things I think can make a difference. 'First, what kind of people get spiritually weird? People who are looking for quick fixes frequently get weird. 'It seems like every couple of years a new fad comes down the pike promising a, deeper richer, fuller, Christian life. If you've been around for a while you know what I mean. In my twenty years as a Christian we've had Power in praise; the "second blessing" as key to the powerful Christian life; . . . heavy-handed submission to church leadership; binding, loosing and rebuking of demons, name it and claim it, the School of the Prophets, hearing the voice of God, power evangelism. These are all fads, ladies and gentlemen, evangelical joy-toys. They each may emphasize something that has biblical merit, but they do so in an unbalanced way, and each fails utterly as a panacea, as the one particular and principle thing that makes your Christian life "work." 'It is uniquely American to want an easy way out, especially a way out that is not painful and requires no work. That American value has crept into our American Christianity. So we have these seminars to get it all taken care of in a weekend. Want mental health? Get hands laid on you and you'll have mental health overnight. Want spirituality? Have a vision, get the baptism, . . . Want your problems to disappear? Simply praise the Lord. Want to be rid of temptation and sin? Have the demon cast out. Want to be done with the aggravation of decision making? Let God speak to you. 'Instead of being devoted to developing spiritual maturity and attaining Scriptural knowledge, we want the quick fix. Instead of developing mastery, we want magic. Instead of learning our lessons, we want the master sitting next to us during the tests of life whispering His answers into our ears. We anticipate an A in the exam of life not because we know the material, not because we've mastered the content and it's become a part of us, but because we've cheated. 'You will notice, by the way, that these extreme things do not stay around long, and that the effects of these fads fade over time. That's why the church as a whole has to move on to its next fast-fix. ____________________ "How to Keep from Getting Spiritually Weird" by Gregory Koukl. This is a transcript of a commentary from the radio show "Stand to Reason," with Gregory Koukl. For more information, contact Stand to Reason at (www.str.org) |
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629 | "Doctrine divides" | 1 Tim 4:16 | Radioman2 | 85938 | ||
'"Doctrine divides" has been the hue and cry. Yes, doctrine does divide - that’s its very purpose. It divides us from the Jehovah’s Witnesses and from those . . . who promote a distorted view of Christ and His atonement.' -- Paul R. Belli and G. Richard Fisher 1 Timothy 4:16 (New King James Version) Take heed to yourself and to the doctrine. Continue in them, for in doing this you will save both yourself and those who hear you. |
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630 | Questionable Questions | 1 Tim 6:4 | Radioman2 | 61572 | ||
He is puffed up with pride and stupefied with conceit, [although he is] woefully ignorant. He has a morbid fondness for controversy and disputes and strife about words, which result in (produce) envy and jealousy, quarrels and dissension, abuse and insults and slander, and base suspicions, (AMPLIFIED) 1 Timothy 6:4 Is there such a thing as a stupid question? Read the following questions which have actually been posted here and judge for yourself. Questionable Questions. These are actual questions that have been posted on the forum. Note: I am not necessarily implying that there is anything "wrong" with either the questions or those who asked them. I merely point out that these questions are a bit odd. (These are direct quotes, unedited and uncorrected.) "Who do we know the bible is realy God's?" "? ? ?" "Russellville?" "If we are to love our enemies than why are we taught to hate Satan?" "Does God have free will?" "What was the first language of Adam/Eve?" "Was Abraham a Muslim?" "Why does everything happen in thirds?" "If 'computer' stands for 666 than isn't wrong for us to use the computer?" (Note: This question was posted using a PC -- Personal COMPUTER.) "In the bible, where are Japanese?" "Blue marbles roll faster than red ones(?)" "Are death and Hades destroyed or are they tormented forever?" "What if?" "Where does the Bible say that the earth revolves?" "How do you know the earth spins on its axis?" "Why do we grow old?" "The Bible says that what is put to death is dead both in heaven and earth,so how did Jesus raise himself from the dead?" Now I will ask a question. After reading the above samples of actual forum questions: Is this StudyBibleForum or Trivial Pursuit? |
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631 | Popular TV preachers | 1 Tim 6:5 | Radioman2 | 104176 | ||
'Popular TV preachers 'Joyce Meyer is one of America's best-known prosperity-gospel TV ministers - preachers who teach that personal wealth can be attained through a strong faith in God and a strict adherence to the Bible. 'Following is an alphabetical list of a new wave of popular word-faith ministers who have used television to build large followings: (...) 'Kenneth and Gloria Copeland 'Headquarters: Fort Worth, Texas 'Reach: Ministry Web site says its TV show, "Believer's Voice of Victory," is seen by more than 76 million households on nearly 700 U.S. stations. Show also airs on about 135 international stations. 'Wealth: A ministry official estimates the ministry's annual revenue at 70 million [dollars] . (...) 'Jan and Paul Crouch 'Headquarters: Costa Mesa, Calif. 'Reach: The Crouches are owners of Trinity Broadcast Network, the world's largest Christian TV network. TBN reaches millions of viewers on more than 5,000 TV stations and 33 international satellites around the world. 'Wealth: The Crouches and their son Paul Crouch Jr. said they earned a total of 855,000 [dollars] last year. TBN's annual income exceeds 100 million [dollars] a year, according to the Los Angeles Times. The ministry provides the Crouches a 10 million [dollar] , 80-acre, eight-home ranch near Dallas and two Land Rovers that the Crouches drive. In 2001, the couple bought a 5 million [dollar] oceanfront estate in Newport Beach, Calif. (...) 'Creflo Dollar 'Headquarters: College Park, Ga. 'Reach: Dollar's "Changing Your World" TV program on TBN reaches 150 countries. 'Wealth: The ministry's income is unavailable, but newspaper accounts say the ministry paid 18 million [dollars] in cash for his new 8,000-seat World Changers Church International on the southern edge of Atlanta. He drives a black Rolls-Royce and travels in a 5 million [dollar] private jet. (...) 'Marilyn Hickey 'Headquarters: Denver 'Reach: Her TV show, "Today with Marilyn," on the TBN and Black Entertainment Television networks can be seen around the world. She has offices in England, South Africa and Australia, and is on the board of Oral Roberts University. 'Wealth: Her ministry occupies a 260,000-square-foot former shopping mall in Denver. No information on ministry or her personal wealth is available. 'In the news: She has been dubbed the "fairy godmother of the word-faith movement" and "the mistress of mail-order madness," by the Texas-based Christian Sentinel, a ministry that monitors what it calls "religious deception." Hickey got the "mistress" name for her use of trinkets - blessed cornmeal, cloths, seeds and coins - sent out to followers to urge them to send in money. 'Benny Hinn 'Headquarters: Grapevine, Texas 'Reach: Hinn's "This is Your Day" program is seen throughout the United States and in nearly 200 foreign countries. 'Wealth: The ministry took in 60 million [dollars] in 2001. A news story earlier this year in the Colorado Springs Gazette said annual income now exceeds 90 million [dollars]. Hinn told CNN in 1997 that he drew an annual salary of 500,000 [dollars] to 1 million [dollars] a year. He has a 3.5 million [dollar] home in the Los Angeles area and drives an 80,000 [dollar] Mercedes-Benz G500. 'In the news: A "Dateline" segment on NBC examined five of Hinn's faith-healing "miracles," showing that none of the people was cured and that one woman with lung cancer died nine months later. 'Rodney Howard-Browne 'Headquarters: The River at Tampa Bay, Tampa, Fla. 'Reach: His live broadcasts from his River at Tampa Bay Church stream online on his Internet site www.revival.com and can be seen worldwide. 'Wealth: He and his wife, Adonica, oversee his 16 million [dollar] church, which they founded in 1996. The couple live in a six-bedroom, four-bath lakefront home on Cory Lake in northwest Tampa. The home includes a dock, spa, pool and gazebo. 'In the news: Howard-Browne has called himself the "bartender of holy laughter." Holy laughter was a controversial movement that swept evangelical circles in the mid-1990s. He would walk on stage laughing uncontrollably. The congregation would begin laughing. Howard-Browne would sweep his arm toward the crowd. People would appear "drunk on the Holy Spirit" and slide out of their chairs or dance in the aisles.' ____________________ St. Louis Post-Dispatch, 11/18/2003 (http://www.stltoday.com/) --Radioman2 |
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632 | Are we back to the absurd view...? | 2 Timothy | Radioman2 | 80921 | ||
justme: Thank you for replying to my question. It's always good to hear from you. Yours is an excellent post in which you make a number of good points -- points that all of us would do well to heed. In my opinion, everyone, regardless of which translation they prefer, would profit from reading and considering what you have posted here. Grace and peace to you. Radioman2 |
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633 | Definition of Spirit | 2 Tim 1:7 | Radioman2 | 81539 | ||
"gobbledigook"? gobbledygook (defined): wordy and generally unintelligible jargon |
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634 | Baptism-What Does the Bible Teach? | 2 Tim 2:15 | Radioman2 | 80127 | ||
Baptism-What Does the Bible Teach? - - - - - - - - - - 'If you think you're on safe theological ground because of a pet verse, better look twice. Simple prooftexting has its perils.' - - - - - - - - - - 'Is baptism necessary for salvation? Is it necessary to be water baptized after one's profession of faith before one can receive the gift of forgiveness and new life through regeneration? Or is baptism a proper act of obedience after one becomes a Christian? 'In the first case the order would be faith, then baptism, resulting in salvation. In the second case the order would be faith, resulting in salvation, followed by baptism. 'Verses seem to support both sides. In Acts 2:38 we read, "And Peter said to them, 'Repent, and let each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.'" If the repentant believer is baptized "for the forgiveness of sins," then repentance and belief are not enough. The order here appears to be faith, then baptism, resulting in salvation. 'This verse seems very straightforward. To some, simply quoting it is enough. The problem comes when one flips over a few pages to Acts 10:44-48. (...) 'Notice what's happening. Peter preaches the Gospel to Cornelius and his household. In the midst of Peter's sermon, the Holy Spirit falls on those listening and they manifest spiritual gifts. 'This is irrefutable evidence to Peter that these Gentiles have "received the Holy Spirit just as [he] did." Other verses make it clear that possessing the Holy Spirit in the New Testament sense is proof of salvation (see Ephesians 1:13-14 and Romans 8:9). 'After these Gentiles are regenerated, Peter announces it is appropriate for them to be baptized. The order in Acts 10 is faith, resulting in salvation, followed by baptism. 'Here's the problem. Apparently Acts 2 teaches that salvation comes after water baptism, and Acts 10 indicates it can come before. This is a contradiction. Unless these passages are harmonized, merely asserting one verse against another actually does violence to the authority of God's Word. 'This is when we must ask our question: Are either of the passages equivocal? That is, are there any legitimate alternative readings? 'The Acts 10 passage seems completely inflexible in its meaning. The sequence of events leaves no question (though I'm open to suggestions) that the order is faith/regeneration/baptism. Peter's response is unmistakable. 'Further, when the Jews later take issue with Peter about his involvement with Gentiles, he simply recounted the event and they were satisfied (Acts 11:1-18). In this passage regeneration clearly follows faith, not baptism: 'If God therefore gave to them the same gift as He gave to us also after believing in the Lord Jesus Christ, who was I that I could stand in God's way?" And when they heard this, they quieted down, and glorified God, saying, "Well then, God has granted to the Gentiles also the repentance that leads to life." (Acts 11:17-18) 'Notice baptism isn't even mentioned here, only the salient details of regeneration: repentance, faith, and salvation. By all appearances, Acts 10 is unequivocal. Baptism isn't necessary for salvation. 'What about in Acts 2? Is it possible this passage means something different than it appears to at first? On closer inspection the answer is yes. The key is in the grammar. 'In Acts 2, the command to repent is in the plural, as is the reference to those who receive the forgiveness of sins (i.e., "All of you repent so all of you can receive forgiveness"). The command to be baptized, however, is in the singular (i.e., "Each of you should be baptized"). 'This makes it clear that repentance, not baptism, leads to salvation, since an individual's baptism cannot cause the salvation of the entire group. Individual (singular) baptisms do not result in corporate (plural) salvation. 'As it turns out, then, the phrase "for the forgiveness of sins" modifies repentance, not baptism. A more precise rendering might be, "Let all of you repent so all of you can receive forgiveness, and then each who has should be baptized." 'If there is any question about which translation of Acts 2:38 is appropriate, Acts 10 and 11 give us the answer. Clearly, Peter's Gentiles were not getting baptized in order to bring about their salvation. They were baptized as a result of salvation. The clear (unequivocal) teaching in Acts 10 and 11 informs the ambiguous (equivocal) nature of Acts 2:38.' - - - - - - - - - - To read the entire ariticle, go to: (http://www.str.org/free/solid_ground/SG9909.htm) |
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635 | He is proud, knowing nothing | 2 Tim 2:23 | Radioman2 | 61542 | ||
AMPLIFIED 2 Timothy 2:23 But refuse (shut your mind against, have nothing to do with) trifling (ill-informed, unedifying, stupid) controversies over ignorant questionings, for you know that they foster strife and breed quarrels. KJV 2Ti 2:23 But foolish and unlearned questions avoid, knowing that they do gender strifes. KJV 1Ti 1:4 Neither give heed to fables and endless genealogies, which minister questions, rather than godly edifying which is in faith: so do. KJV 1Ti 6:4 He is proud, knowing nothing, but doting about questions and strifes of words, whereof cometh envy, strife, railings, evil surmisings, KJV Tit 3:9 But avoid foolish questions, and genealogies, and contentions, and strivings about the law; for they are unprofitable and vain. |
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636 | Is this a discussion group? | 2 Tim 2:23 | Radioman2 | 61546 | ||
Did you know? According to the Lockman Foundation, StudyBibleForum.com is "not a discussion group or topical survey" (http://www.gospelcom.net/lockman/studybibleforum/about.php). 2 Tim 2:14 "Of these things put them in remembrance, charging [them] in the sight of the Lord, that they strive not about words, to no profit, to the subverting of them that hear."; 2 Tim 2:16 "But shun profane babblings: for they will proceed further in ungodliness."; 2 Tim 2:23 "But foolish and ignorant questionings refuse, knowing that they gender strifes." 2 Peter 3:16 "as also in all [his] epistles, speaking in them of these things; wherein are some things hard to be understood, which the ignorant and unstedfast wrest, as [they do] also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction"; |
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637 | Continuing to ask the same question | 2 Tim 2:23 | Radioman2 | 61548 | ||
Quote of the Month "*Continuing* to ask the same question that has been duly answered, is belligerence." (Why do you continue to ask? (?)Answered Bible general charis Tue 05/15/01, 7:58pm) |
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638 | Better to remain silent and be thought a | 2 Tim 2:23 | Radioman2 | 61551 | ||
To whom it may concern: Are you proficient in the Greek language? (How many years did you study New Testament Greek at the university level?) Have you studied Old Testament Hebrew? What about Aramaic? If you cannot answer in the affirmative, then you are not qualified to second guess the interpretation of someone who is proficient in one or more of these languages. Reading a dozen medical or health articles in Reader's Digest does not qualify you to second guess your doctor. Watching every episode of "L.A. Law" does not prepare you to pass the bar exam and set up your own practice. Subscribing to "Psychology Today" doesn't mean you are ready to start your own counselling service. Nor does the ability to quote a dozen Bible verses and outshout the other guy anoint you to serve as a guide of the blind, a light of them which are in darkness, an instructor of the foolish, or a teacher of babes. In the event that you have an irresistible urge to proclaim that another man is incorrect, wrong or in error, you need to know the subject as well as, if not better than, the other man. Before you blurt out your omniscient pronouncements, just remember: "Better to remain silent and be thought a fool than to open your mouth and remove all doubt." |
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639 | Idle speculation w/o scriptural support | 2 Tim 2:23 | Radioman2 | 61556 | ||
Here at the Forum you will find all the bricks without straw, clouds without water, and idle speculation without Scripture that you'll ever need. ------------- Why, oh why, are people so FASCINATED with speculation about what the Bible does NOT say? Shouldn't they be watching "Unsolved Mysteries" or one of those TV shows? Does anyone here have any respect for the silence of the Bible? When one speculates on what the Bible does not say, who is edified, who is encouraged, who is comforted? People need to study and learn what the Bible DOES say. Then they might have less questions about and interest in what it doesn't say. Be assured: the Bible is complete. God has not, as some have suggested, left anything out that should be there or made any mistakes in the Bible. To go on and on and on about what the Bible does not say is to cast doubt upon the inspiration and sufficiency of Scripture. Scripture surely would not be sufficient if people had to make up 1,001 questions about what it does not include. One may get some kind of kick out of questioning the reliability or sufficiency of Scripture, but all one does is create doubt and confusion for seekers and babes in Christ. And by a strange twist of logic some on this forum have claimed that this is somehow helpful in furthering the gospel and the kingdom of God. That somehow speculating on trivial matters on which the Bible is silent is going to strengthen someone's faith in God or in the essentials of the Christian faith. We ought to read the Bible with an open mind and heart. Be willing to obey what we find there. Accept it for what it actually is, the very words of God Himself. "Therefore, the person who rejects [the Bible] does not reject man, but God, who also gives you His Holy Spirit." One more time: according to the Lockman Foundation, this is neither a discussion group, a survey, or an opinion poll. If one finds the Bible insufficient to satisfy all their curiosity, maybe they ought to discard it and turn to the Book of Mormon, the Watchtower Society, the writings of Mary Baker Eddy, or some of the more colorful and imaginative postings here at the forum. All of the above are equally spurious, fanciful and uninspired. Here at the Forum you will find all the bricks without straw, clouds without water, and idle speculation without Scripture that you'll ever need. Selah. (Pause and think about that.) |
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640 | Where is paradise? Inquiring minds want | 2 Tim 2:23 | Radioman2 | 61559 | ||
Where is paradise? Inquiring minds want to know. (repost) Your Questions and My Answers 1. Q: Are we to pray to Jesus? A: Had you been in combat in Vietnam, you wouldn't need (or have time) to ask that question. 2. Q: Could Jesus sin? A: No. 3. Q: Is sex before marriage wrong? A: Yes. Also note: Usually the Bible doesn't speak of right and wrong. It speaks of good and evil. 4. Q: When did God change lifespan of man? A: DID God change lifespan of man? In what verse of the Bible does it SAY he did? 5. Q: What law(s) did Christ fulfill? A: He fulfilled the law. Not "laws" (plural), but "the law" (singular). 6. Q: Why? A: Because. 7. Q: Does God have multiple motivations? A: Is the clay questioning the motives of the Potter -- AGAIN? 8. Q: Satan take the place of God in Genesis? A: No. 9. Q: Good News Bible? A: Yes. 10. Q: Does it state anywhere in the old testament about jesus' crucifixion? A: Yes, it does. Otherwise what was the source of the prophecies fulfilled when Christ was crucified? (FYI: We usually spell Jesus with a capital J.) 11. Q: Can all churches worship together as one? A: No. Can all Christians worship together as one? One day we will. This is not that day. 12. Q: Can someone give me a CLEAR answere to the question..Does salvation require baptism? A: Yes, someone can. 13. Q: Where is paradise? A: Anywhere where foolish and ignorant questionings (speculations) have ceased. |
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