Results 741 - 760 of 802
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Results from: Answered Bible Questions, Answers, Unanswered Bible Questions, Notes Author: Wild Olive Shoot Ordered by Date |
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Results | Verse | Author | ID# | |||
741 | The origin of God and His identity. | John 1:1 | Wild Olive Shoot | 150831 | ||
Just to add to thought. I was referred to Job 38:1-7 The NIV states "angels" but most other translations say "sons of God". This took place as God was unfolding His creation? WOS |
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742 | Sin to Smoke? | Gen 1:1 | Wild Olive Shoot | 150810 | ||
The following link you may find helpful. http://www.gotquestions.org/smoking.html WOS |
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743 | The origin of God and His identity. | John 1:1 | Wild Olive Shoot | 150782 | ||
Harper’s Bible Dictionary edited by Paul J. Achtemier (San Francisco: Harper and Row, 1985) angel (Gk. angelos, ‘messenger’), a spiritual being, subordinate to God, who serves at God’s command and pleasure to deliver his messages, help his people, and punish his enemies. In the ot, angels appear in the stories of the patriarchs (e.g., Gen. 16:7-14; 19:1-22; 22:11, 15-18; 28:12; 31:11-13; 32:1-2) and elsewhere (e.g., Exod. 3:2; 23:20-23; 33:2; Judg. 13:3-5; 1 Kings 19:5-7; 2 Kings 19:35; Isa. 37:36; Pss. 34:7; 35:5-6; 91:11). There is some ambiguity, however, about what form these messengers take, exactly what type of beings they are, and just what their relation to God is, especially in the earlier materials. Since God frequently confronts humans directly in the ot texts, the appearance of angels is somewhat sporadic. As religious thinking developed, and as God came to be understood as increasingly transcendent, the perceptions about angels also began to change. Ideas developed about good and bad angels, a hierarchy of angels before God, and specific duties assigned to each angel or group of angels. Many of these ideas can be found in the apocryphal and pseudepigraphical writings (e.g., Tobit, 2 Esdras, 1 Enoch, and The Testaments of the Twelve Patriarchs). By the nt period, angels were understood as suprahuman or spiritual beings who were allied with God in opposition to Satan and his angels, the demons. Angels had many functions. They praised God (Ps. 103:20), served as his messengers to the world (Luke 1:11-20, 26-38; 2:9-14), watched over God’s people (Ps. 91:11-12), and were sometimes instruments of God’s judgment (Matt. 13:49-50). KJV English Concordance for "mal'ak (Strong's 04397) " 1) messenger, representative a) messenger b) angel c) the theophanic angel AV angel 111, messenger 98, ambassadors 4, variant 1; 214 KJV English Concordance for "aggelos (Strong's 32) " aggelos (ang'-el-os) from aggello [probably derived from 71, cf 34] (to bring tidings) a messenger, envoy, one who is sent, an angel, a messenger from God AV angel 179, messenger 7; 186 So I guess my question is even more stirring since we see angels deliver God’s messages. Who are they delivering the messages to? Who were they ambassadors for? If their purpose is to deliver God’s message to us, was there a need for them prior to God creating us? I wasn’t really expecting an answer to my last post but since you have directed, my question seems to run deeper now. terrib’s reference to Ephesians 1:4 reminds me that God did choose us before the foundation of the world, but God did not “create” us prior to laying those foundations. Since angels are ministering “spirits”, they too could have been chosen prior to the foundation of the world and prior to us, (and maybe even existed since they didn’t need this world to exist) but then they would have no one to minister to, or to be an ambassador to or to deliver God’s message to. WOS |
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744 | The origin of God and His identity. | John 1:1 | Wild Olive Shoot | 150768 | ||
If Hebrews 1:14 means just what it says and is true in all cases; Then wouldn't God have created angels into existence about the same time as man or very soon after? Do angels serve other purposes besides ministering to us and carrying out God's commands and worshipping Him? Hebrews 1:14 (NIV)Are not all angels ministering spirits sent to serve those who will inherit salvation? I know it makes no difference really when they were created, just a question I thought was interesting. If they were sent to minister to us, would there have been a purpose for them prior to us? WOS |
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745 | Does God answer the prayers on a sinner? | James 5:16 | Wild Olive Shoot | 150705 | ||
If God loves us enough to send Christ for us: Romans 5:8 (NIV) 8But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. I would say that He would listen to us as well. If he does not listen to sinners, there are a whole bunch of people being ignored because we all sin: 1 John 1:7-9 (NIV) 7But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin. 8If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. 9If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. 1 John 2:1-3 (NIV) 1My dear children, I write this to you so that you will not sin. But if anybody does sin, we have one who speaks to the Father in our defense—Jesus Christ, the Righteous One. 2He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world. 3We know that we have come to know him if we obey his commands. I would add though: 1 John 3:4-10 (NIV) 4Everyone who sins breaks the law; in fact, sin is lawlessness. 5But you know that he appeared so that he might take away our sins. And in him is no sin. 6No one who lives in him keeps on sinning. No one who continues to sin has either seen him or known him. 7Dear children, do not let anyone lead you astray. He who does what is right is righteous, just as he is righteous. 8He who does what is sinful is of the devil, because the devil has been sinning from the beginning. The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the devil's work. 9No one who is born of God will continue to sin, because God's seed remains in him; he cannot go on sinning, because he has been born of God. 10This is how we know who the children of God are and who the children of the devil are: Anyone who does not do what is right is not a child of God; nor is anyone who does not love his brother. WOS |
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746 | Whats the point? | Bible general Archive 2 | Wild Olive Shoot | 150704 | ||
Katebote, I’ve read your profile in which you state: “I'm just someone looking for a little more than Faith to believe the Bible is really the word of our Creator.” And: “It only seems appropriate givin the time we live in to have a little more than just Faith in order to believe in something”! Read Hebrews 11. Faith is what you need. WOS |
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747 | will david role again people ekz 37.24 | Jer 23:5 | Wild Olive Shoot | 150700 | ||
I think the following from Acts 2 (NIV) is pretty clear concerning who will rule concerning David and Christ. 22"Men of Israel, listen to this: Jesus of Nazareth was a man accredited by God to you by miracles, wonders and signs, which God did among you through him, as you yourselves know. 23This man was handed over to you by God's set purpose and foreknowledge; and you, with the help of wicked men, put him to death by nailing him to the cross. 24But God raised him from the dead, freeing him from the agony of death, because it was impossible for death to keep its hold on him. 25David said about him: " 'I saw the Lord always before me. Because he is at my right hand, I will not be shaken. 26Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices; my body also will live in hope, 27because you will not abandon me to the grave, nor will you let your Holy One see decay. 28You have made known to me the paths of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence.' 29"Brothers, I can tell you confidently that the patriarch David died and was buried, and his tomb is here to this day. 30But he was a prophet and knew that God had promised him on oath that he would place one of his descendants on his throne. 31Seeing what was ahead, he spoke of the resurrection of the Christ, that he was not abandoned to the grave, nor did his body see decay. 32God has raised this Jesus to life, and we are all witnesses of the fact. 33Exalted to the right hand of God, he has received from the Father the promised Holy Spirit and has poured out what you now see and hear. 34For David did not ascend to heaven, and yet he said, " 'The Lord said to my Lord: "Sit at my right hand 35until I make your enemies a footstool for your feet." ' 36"Therefore let all Israel be assured of this: God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ." WOS |
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748 | The land of Nod? | Gen 4:17 | Wild Olive Shoot | 150614 | ||
http://www.gotquestions.org/Cains-wife.html Question: “Who was Cain's wife?" Answer: The Bible does not specifically say who Cain’s wife was. The only possible answer was that she was his sister or niece or great-niece, etc. The Bible does not say how old Cain was when he killed Abel (Genesis 4:8). Since they were both farmers, they were likely both full-grown adults, possibly with families of their own. Adam and Eve had surely had more children than just Cain and Abel at the time Abel was killed - they definitely had many more children later (Genesis 5:4). The fact that Cain was scared for his own life after he killed Abel (Genesis 4:14) indicates that there were likely many other children and perhaps even grandchildren or great-grandchildren of Adam and Eve at that time. Cain's wife (Genesis 4:17) was a daughter or granddaughter of Adam and Eve. Since Adam and Eve were the first (and only) human beings, their children would have no other choice than to intermarry. God did not forbid inter-family marriage until much later when there was enough people that intermarriage was not necessary (Leviticus 18:6-18). The reason that incest often results in genetic abnormalities in children is that when two people of similar genetics (i.e. a brother and sister) have children – genetic defects are far more likely to result because both parents had the same defects themselves. When people from different families have children – it is highly unlikely that both parents will have the same genetic defects. The human genetic code has become increasingly “polluted” over the centuries as genetic defects are multiplied, amplified, and passed down from generation to generation. Adam and Eve did not have any genetic defects, so that enabled them and the first few generations of their descendants to have a far greater quality of health than we do now. Adam and Eve’s children had few, if any, genetic defects. As a result, it was safe for them to intermarry. © Copyright 2002-2005 Got Questions Ministries. All Rights Reserved. www.gotquestions.org Who was Cain's wife? |
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749 | Homosexuality, sin or not? | Lev 20:13 | Wild Olive Shoot | 150485 | ||
My reference to Matthew 19:4-6 was that Jesus quoted from Genesis concerning the joining of “male and female”. That God made male and female and that the two would become one. Male and female, get that? And then let no man separate what God has joined. Get that. God did not create man and man to have them united as one. God did not create female and female to have them united as one. When two unite themselves through sexual intercourse, they unite themselves into one as Paul reiterates in 1 Corinthians 6:16. God intended male and female to join. And if Romans doesn’t clue you in as to how sexual immorality and homosexuality are viewed by God, nothing that neither I nor anyone else can ever say will make see. And Hank was absolutely correct about Matthew 19:11. What does that have to do with Homosexuality? It deals with celibacy and not taking a wife so that one can better serve the Lord. Paul again reiterated this in 1 Corinthians 7. You were taught that it was a sin because that is what God’s word tells you. You risk much in attempting to misuse His Word or twist it into a context in which it was never meant to be. God’s word is clear my friend, it is you who is not. WOS |
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750 | Hindering layman from participating | Bible general Archive 2 | Wild Olive Shoot | 150462 | ||
To all: After seeing what I have seen today, (the defense of homosexuality) I sincerely revoke my premature accusations of some participants being too harsh. I now truly see there are those who wish to only debate and twist the Word and they force some to become harsh and risk ultimately harming those truly seeking guidance and truth and knowledge. Take the bad with the good I guess. If I have offended anyone with the statements I made yesterday, I am truly sorry and I will make it my business to mind my own business and let harshness beget harshness. Truly mystifying what some do to the word of God. My prayers go out for you. In Christ WOS. |
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751 | Homosexuality, sin or not? | Lev 20:13 | Wild Olive Shoot | 150460 | ||
Sorry Fox, but you are wrong. If you can't see that from what I posted and what Hank posted, all I can do is pray for you, that you'll see the right way. I can't debate an issue that far more knowledgeable people than I have already proven using God’s own words. WOS |
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752 | Homosexuality, sin or not? | Lev 20:13 | Wild Olive Shoot | 150446 | ||
I would say that Jesus very much did touch on this subject. As a matter of fact: Matthew 19:4-6 4"Haven't you read," he replied, "that at the beginning the Creator 'made them male and female,' 5and said, 'For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh' ? 6So they are no longer two, but one. Therefore what God has joined together, let man not separate." Jesus in His own words specified male and female. He said that a man would be united with his wife as one. Jesus made reference here to Genesis 1:27 and 2:24. He specified male and female, not partners or man and man. WOS |
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753 | Hindering layman from participating | Bible general Archive 2 | Wild Olive Shoot | 150413 | ||
Kalos, Thank you for your response. But it seems you have digressed, as I don’t believe the article you posted answered my original questions or I do not understand fully what you are trying to get across. “So my question(s) is this, why do some feel it acceptable to ridicule those who are weak in the faith and why do others condone it instead of pointing it out? Could it not be detrimental to another brother who is weak and is looking for encouragement from other Christians”? However, the article you posted I think may be in reference to an earlier post of mine concerning the vehicles God uses to convey His Word. Am I right on that? I do not disagree with anything the article stated. My point, and maybe I failed to properly convey my thoughts, which I’ve found I often do, was not that God fails to be heard. Simply that we may at first fail to recognize that it is God speaking. One of the examples I used was of Samuel and Eli when the Lord spoke to Samuel and Samuel failed to recognize that it was the Lord speaking to him until Eli informed him of who it actually was. (1 Samuel 3:1-10) The Lord was still heard, and truly when He speaks He is heard, no matter our position, but in our finite minds, sometimes we fail to recognize it. But God established and knew His Word would be conveyed and the vehicle used was Eli in this instance. As is the point with misinterpreted Scripture, God does not fail to be heard, we fail to hear or understand and yes, there are those who simply refuse to respond or obey. God is sovereign and therefore I put know limitation or constraints on God Almighty. He speaks however He wishes and whatever He wills it be done. But as I stated previously, this doesn’t necessarily respond to my original question in this thread, or I’m simply failing to see the correlation. Can you please elaborate somewhat further so that I may understand the reason for taking this particular path? WOS |
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754 | Hindering layman from participating | Bible general Archive 2 | Wild Olive Shoot | 150373 | ||
nothing I can disagree with in that. Elaborate please. |
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755 | Trying to where this story is from | 1 Kin 18:1 | Wild Olive Shoot | 150340 | ||
Is this what you were searching for? 1 Kings 18:16-46 Elijah on Mount Carmel 16 So Obadiah went to meet Ahab and told him, and Ahab went to meet Elijah. 17 When he saw Elijah, he said to him, "Is that you, you troubler of Israel?" 18 "I have not made trouble for Israel," Elijah replied. "But you and your father's family have. You have abandoned the LORD's commands and have followed the Baals. 19 Now summon the people from all over Israel to meet me on Mount Carmel. And bring the four hundred and fifty prophets of Baal and the four hundred prophets of Asherah, who eat at Jezebel's table." 20 So Ahab sent word throughout all Israel and assembled the prophets on Mount Carmel. 21 Elijah went before the people and said, "How long will you waver between two opinions? If the LORD is God, follow him; but if Baal is God, follow him." But the people said nothing. 22 Then Elijah said to them, "I am the only one of the LORD's prophets left, but Baal has four hundred and fifty prophets. 23 Get two bulls for us. Let them choose one for themselves, and let them cut it into pieces and put it on the wood but not set fire to it. I will prepare the other bull and put it on the wood but not set fire to it. 24 Then you call on the name of your god, and I will call on the name of the LORD. The god who answers by fire—he is God." Then all the people said, "What you say is good." 25 Elijah said to the prophets of Baal, "Choose one of the bulls and prepare it first, since there are so many of you. Call on the name of your god, but do not light the fire." 26 So they took the bull given them and prepared it. Then they called on the name of Baal from morning till noon. "O Baal, answer us!" they shouted. But there was no response; no one answered. And they danced around the altar they had made. 27 At noon Elijah began to taunt them. "Shout louder!" he said. "Surely he is a god! Perhaps he is deep in thought, or busy, or traveling. Maybe he is sleeping and must be awakened." 28 So they shouted louder and slashed themselves with swords and spears, as was their custom, until their blood flowed. 29 Midday passed, and they continued their frantic prophesying until the time for the evening sacrifice. But there was no response, no one answered, no one paid attention. 30 Then Elijah said to all the people, "Come here to me." They came to him, and he repaired the altar of the LORD, which was in ruins. 31 Elijah took twelve stones, one for each of the tribes descended from Jacob, to whom the word of the LORD had come, saying, "Your name shall be Israel." 32 With the stones he built an altar in the name of the LORD, and he dug a trench around it large enough to hold two seahs [a] of seed. 33 He arranged the wood, cut the bull into pieces and laid it on the wood. Then he said to them, "Fill four large jars with water and pour it on the offering and on the wood." 34 "Do it again," he said, and they did it again. "Do it a third time," he ordered, and they did it the third time. 35 The water ran down around the altar and even filled the trench. 36 At the time of sacrifice, the prophet Elijah stepped forward and prayed: "O LORD, God of Abraham, Isaac and Israel, let it be known today that you are God in Israel and that I am your servant and have done all these things at your command. 37 Answer me, O LORD, answer me, so these people will know that you, O LORD, are God, and that you are turning their hearts back again." 38 Then the fire of the LORD fell and burned up the sacrifice, the wood, the stones and the soil, and also licked up the water in the trench. 39 When all the people saw this, they fell prostrate and cried, "The LORD -he is God! The LORD -he is God!" 40 Then Elijah commanded them, "Seize the prophets of Baal. Don't let anyone get away!" They seized them, and Elijah had them brought down to the Kishon Valley and slaughtered there. 41 And Elijah said to Ahab, "Go, eat and drink, for there is the sound of a heavy rain." 42 So Ahab went off to eat and drink, but Elijah climbed to the top of Carmel, bent down to the ground and put his face between his knees. 43 "Go and look toward the sea," he told his servant. And he went up and looked. "There is nothing there," he said. Seven times Elijah said, "Go back." 44 The seventh time the servant reported, "A cloud as small as a man's hand is rising from the sea." So Elijah said, "Go and tell Ahab, 'Hitch up your chariot and go down before the rain stops you.' " 45 Meanwhile, the sky grew black with clouds, the wind rose, a heavy rain came on and Ahab rode off to Jezreel. 46 The power of the LORD came upon Elijah and, tucking his cloak into his belt, he ran ahead of Ahab all the way to Jezreel. WOS |
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756 | Hindering layman from participating | Bible general Archive 2 | Wild Olive Shoot | 150331 | ||
Following are only a few of the more recent cases. Now I am fairly new to the forum and have taken to heart many of the inspiring and forthright answers and notes rendered and believe me they have helped and in many ways, and others as well, as I am able to convey the thoughts collected on this forum to others. I believe in being harsh when required and appropriate in order to convey a point when correcting and edifying, but when posts can be taken as demeaning, don’t we risk turning some away from searching for the truth in God’s word? I’m a little more persistent than most, but should I have not been, and received answers similar to those posted below, I know I would have shied away from furthering my knowledge in this forum. Now I’m including some of those, knowing full and well, to be expecting the backlash. But I’m doing it because it seems the thing to do, and because you asked. I mean no offense by picking those below, just showing examples. Maybe I’m being too critical and sensitive. If so, please tell me so and forgive me and I’ll not mention it again. But my questions still stand. Like I mentioned in my previous post, we are all not Scholars and some need to be taught truth per Scripture but effectively doing so would not include demeaning replies. I believe that is one of the premises this forum functions on and I’m so thankful it does. WOS What about the Forum "experts" who are not only amateurs but armatures as well? In electricity, an armature is the rotating part of a dynamo. Forum armatures rotate, i.e, go around in circles, all the time. An armature is also defined as the moving part of an electromagnetic device, such as a buzzer or loudspeaker. Forum armatures also buzz and speak loudly. ..... In biology, an armature is a protective covering, such as teeth, claws, thorns, or the shell of a turtle. Forum armatures will bite and claw you if you challenge them, and if you ask them for scriptural proof of their wild musings, they will hide in their shell like a turtle. isn't incredible that there are people calling themselves Christians whose spiritual discernment is so dim and Bible knowledge so limited that they fall for the absurd blunders of theological dunderheads Duh,… I thought everbody knowed heresy was chocolate candy. My daddy he used to buy me a Heresy Bar as a treat for being good, which warn't very often. So she has seen a seven-foot angel? I wonder how she goes about measuring angels I would have thought that an idea like that would be discussed as a philosophy, among those who have no respect for the scriptures. I PASTED THIS FROM YOUR REPLY: God does not "help and try." WHAT A SAD WORLD YOU MUST LIVE IN |
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757 | Hindering layman from participating | Not Specified | Wild Olive Shoot | 150318 | ||
Hebrews 3:12-14(NASB) 12Take care, brethren, that there not be in any one of you an evil, unbelieving heart that falls away from the living God. 13But encourage one another day after day, as long as it is still called "Today," so that none of you will be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin. 14For we have become partakers of Christ, if we hold fast the beginning of our assurance firm until the end, Hebrews 10:23-25(NASB) 23Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful; 24and let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds, 25not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more as you see the day drawing near. It appears to me that there are those participating in this forum that want to limit others or strip them of their authority or rather their entitlement to respond on a particular subject. This is a Bible Study Forum, correct? Then shouldn’t we allow everyone to bring a Scripture to light and then engage in a Christian-like correspondence on the particular Scripture? If someone is mistaken in their interpretation or understanding of a passage, isn’t it the responsibility of those who participate in this forum to correct them? Rather than hindering them and ridiculing someone for posting their view, shouldn’t we be encouraging one another to seek the truth? Postings by some on this forum are not effective in leading another to the truth and possibly, eventually, preventing them from misleading another. Believe it or not, not all who have questions or an interpretation of a Scripture are Bible Scholars and some do in fact need to be led to the truth. In fact, if all of us were Bible Scholars, there would really be no reason for this forum to exist, now would there? Taken from “Resources: About the Forum: “For the layman, it's a 24-hour source of evolving Bible study notes with which to contrast and compare”. How do you expect the layman to compare and contrast and ultimately learn if they are discouraged from responding and conversing with those who are attempting to correct them? Isn’t it our responsibility to witness to those who know not and strengthen those who are weak in the faith? Mark 2:14-15(NASB) 14As He passed by, He saw Levi the son of Alphaeus sitting in the tax booth, and He said to him, "Follow Me!" And he got up and followed Him. 15And it happened that He was reclining at the table in his house, and many tax collectors and sinners were dining with Jesus and His disciples; for there were many of them, and they were following Him. Levi gives us a great example of witnessing. The very day he believed in Christ, his witness began. How much do we think Levi knew at the time? Let even those new to Christ ask and then teach them appropriately. In our discernment of one another, we look to actions and deeds of another in order to verify their witness of Christ. In this forum, it is the words in which we convey through type. Ridiculing and demeaning words are not indicative of an effective witness. In this Christian’s opinion, they are unbecoming of someone who is supposedly in a position to strengthen a weaker brother in the Word of God. James 3:13-18(NIV) 13Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show it by his good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom. 14But if you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth. 15Such "wisdom" does not come down from heaven but is earthly, unspiritual, of the devil. 16For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice. 17But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. 18Peacemakers who sow in peace raise a harvest of righteousness. If we could learn to tame our tongues, we could effectively reach many more rather than turning them away. So my question(s) is this, why do some feel it acceptable to ridicule those who are weak in the faith and why do others condone it instead of pointing it out? Could it not be detrimental to another brother who is weak and is looking for encouragement from other Christians? In Christ WOS |
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758 | Hindering layman from participating | Bible general Archive 2 | Wild Olive Shoot | 150324 | ||
Hebrews 3:12-14(NASB) 12Take care, brethren, that there not be in any one of you an evil, unbelieving heart that falls away from the living God. 13But encourage one another day after day, as long as it is still called "Today," so that none of you will be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin. 14For we have become partakers of Christ, if we hold fast the beginning of our assurance firm until the end, Hebrews 10:23-25(NASB) 23Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful; 24and let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds, 25not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more as you see the day drawing near. It appears to me that there are those participating in this forum that want to limit others or strip them of their authority or rather their entitlement to respond on a particular subject. This is a Bible Study Forum, correct? Then shouldn’t we allow everyone to bring a Scripture to light and then engage in a Christian-like correspondence on the particular Scripture? If someone is mistaken in their interpretation or understanding of a passage, isn’t it the responsibility of those who participate in this forum to correct them? Rather than hindering them and ridiculing someone for posting their view, shouldn’t we be encouraging one another to seek the truth? Postings by some on this forum are not effective in leading another to the truth and possibly, eventually, preventing them from misleading another. Believe it or not, not all who have questions or an interpretation of a Scripture are Bible Scholars and some do in fact need to be led to the truth. In fact, if all of us were Bible Scholars, there would really be no reason for this forum to exist, now would there? Taken from “Resources: About the Forum: “For the layman, it's a 24-hour source of evolving Bible study notes with which to contrast and compare”. How do you expect the layman to compare and contrast and ultimately learn if they are discouraged from responding and conversing with those who are attempting to correct them? Isn’t it our responsibility to witness to those who know not and strengthen those who are weak in the faith? Mark 2:14-15(NASB) 14As He passed by, He saw Levi the son of Alphaeus sitting in the tax booth, and He said to him, "Follow Me!" And he got up and followed Him. 15And it happened that He was reclining at the table in his house, and many tax collectors and sinners were dining with Jesus and His disciples; for there were many of them, and they were following Him. Levi gives us a great example of witnessing. The very day he believed in Christ, his witness began. How much do we think Levi knew at the time? Let even those new to Christ ask and then teach them appropriately. In our discernment of one another, we look to actions and deeds of another in order to verify their witness of Christ. In this forum, it is the words in which we convey through type. Ridiculing and demeaning words are not indicative of an effective witness. In this Christian’s opinion, they are unbecoming of someone who is supposedly in a position to strengthen a weaker brother in the Word of God. James 3:13-18(NIV) 13Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show it by his good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom. 14But if you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth. 15Such "wisdom" does not come down from heaven but is earthly, unspiritual, of the devil. 16For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice. 17But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. 18Peacemakers who sow in peace raise a harvest of righteousness. If we could learn to tame our tongues, we could effectively reach many more rather than turning them away. So my question(s) is this, why do some feel it acceptable to ridicule those who are weak in the faith and why do others condone it instead of pointing it out? Could it not be detrimental to another brother who is weak and is looking for encouragement from other Christians? In Christ WOS |
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759 | Does God have wings? | Bible general Archive 2 | Wild Olive Shoot | 150287 | ||
Danny, The text being referred (Genesis 1:26) actually states “let us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness…” It is pluralized for the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. We know from Psalm 104:30 that the Spirit was present at creation and we also know from Colossians 1:16 that Christ was present. We are made in the image, to the likeness of all three or the three as one. Since God has no physical body, this implies simply that we are reflections of His glory. He actually gave us the ability to reflect His character. You are right when you say the more we know about Him the better we can praise and worship Him. But what does His appearance have to do with that. We worship and praise God for who He is, not what He looks like. And yes God wants to be known. Know Him by reading His Word. Don’t add anything to it. Don’t take anything away from it. Don’t twist God’s Word to fit your life, twist your life to fit God’s word. WOS |
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760 | Does God have wings? | Bible general Archive 2 | Wild Olive Shoot | 150238 | ||
So is God Black? White? Hispanic? Oriental? Does God look like the infant born without legs? Does God look like a man at 20 years of age or a man of 90 years? My point is this: We were made in His likeness yes, but not just like Him. We know not what God truly looks like. His word is not clear and as a matter of fact, at least two tried so fervently to explain what God looks like and still only ended up with somewhat vague descriptions. Ezekiel 1:26-28 and Revelation 1:14-16 God is indescribable. Any physical form we try to attach to God is only speculative. I would add this though: I bet God looks like Jesus. WOS |
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