Results 81 - 100 of 500
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Results from: Answers On or After: Thu 12/31/70 Author: Reformer Joe Ordered by Date |
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Results | Verse | Author | ID# | |||
81 | To judge or not to judge...??? | Rom 14:3 | Reformer Joe | 70151 | ||
The difference in the two situations is the matter on which the person is being judged. The whole thrust of Romans 14 is that there are some things that are neither sinful nor pleasing to God in themselves. These are matters of conscience, for which God has given no specific command. However, as a matter of conscience some feel free to engage in such activities, while others in the church as a matter of conscience see them as sinful. Examples in our day might include going to the movies, card playing, dancing, listening to secular music, and other things which have been debated on this Forum as well. In this instance, Paul is exhorting the "stronger" Christian (the one who feels free to engage in the non-forbidden activity) to not cause the "weaker" one to stumble by encouraging him to sin against his own personal conscience. At the same time, he encourages both sides to not judge each other on matters where God has not given a clear commandment. In 1 Corinthians 5, we have a different situation, one of clear-cut sin (sexual immorality). Paul makes it quite known that such sin among professing Christians must be judged, that the elders have a duty to discipline the sinning offender for the sake of the name of Christ and the sanctification of the other Christians, and for the sake of the possible repentance of the offender. This situation is not a "gray area" like we see in Romans 14; it is a blatant violation of God's law and it is the work of the church leaders to root out public, unrepentant sin from the flock. Hope this helps! --Joe! |
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82 | Is God somehow responsible? | Rom 1:20 | Reformer Joe | 70091 | ||
Here are a couple of observations I wanted to make. You wrote: "However, one must accept, a fact. The culmination of all the circumstances in ones life is what influences one to make the decisions he or she makes." Our circumstances do exert significant influence on us, but it would be unbiblical to say that we are merely blank slates upon which our life experiences write. Since the fall, we are in bondage to sin until we become Christians. Our sin might express itself in different ways due to our respective circumstances, but we willingly commit the sins we do. We come into this world as an enemy of God, and until we are reconciled through Jesus Christ, that is how our lives are lived. You wrote: "Now he knew that because of the way Cain would be raised and because of the circumstances and environments around him that he would refuse to give the sacrifice God wanted and insist upon his own way." And yet Abel didn't, being raised in the same circumstances... "Since the choices in life we make are based on the large compendium of circumstances which have occured to us, then God almost has seemed to have created both the saved and doomed sinner." God did create the saved and the doomed sinner, but we are more than the product of our circumstances. We are not simply "programmed," as you directly state or imply in your post. We come in this world wanting to sin. And absolute, unmediated justice on God's part is that we all go to hell. Anything else is an exhibition of God's mercy. God did create knowing that the fall would happen, but those who go to hell get what they deserve, and the Christian does not. --Joe! |
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83 | regarding the apocrypha? | Rev 22:18 | Reformer Joe | 70074 | ||
The warning in Revelation is talking about the book of Revelation, not the entire 66-book compilation, which hadn't been compiled yet. The Protestant Old Testament does not include the Apocrypha because these books are not part of the Jewish version of the Old Testament, the Tanakh. --Joe! |
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84 | Curse of the law | Gal 3:13 | Reformer Joe | 70059 | ||
The Law itself is good. It is the violation of the Law, due to our sinful and rebellious nature, that brings the curse. Deuteronomy 28 speaks of the consequences of the violation of the Law for the covenant people of Israel. And Hell is the obvious eternal result for failing to meet the standards of the Law (hence the need for Jesus to meet them for our sinful, rebellious selves). Paul also quotes Deuteronomy 27:26 to illustrate how this curse is brought about: 'For as many as are of the works of the Law are under a curse; for it is written, "CURSED IS EVERYONE WHO DOES NOT ABIDE BY ALL THINGS WRITTEN IN THE BOOK OF THE LAW, TO PERFORM THEM' --Galatians 3:10 --Joe! |
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85 | What are the three main "views" | Gen 1:1 | Reformer Joe | 70049 | ||
'What is "evolution?" and how does it differ from "creation?"' Most proponents of "common descent" and "speciation through descent with modification" (what most people commonly think of when they think "evolution") usually hold that nothing but brute time and circumstance caused the universe and life on earth. While some may believe in a kind of "guided evolution" by a higher power, it is pretty hard to reconcile the Bible's account with evolutionary models as explanations for creation. A "third view" that diverges in many respects from what is commonly known as "creationism" is known as the "Intelligent Design" movement. You can find articles and explanations of this perspective (which is not theistic evolution, but holds to an "old earth" form of special creation) at these links: http://www.origins.org http://www.discovery org/crsc Hope this answers your question! --Joe! |
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86 | WHERE IS MARY NOW? | Amos 1:1 | Reformer Joe | 70000 | ||
Heaven. | ||||||
87 | About the Forum | Jude 1:3 | Reformer Joe | 69955 | ||
How does discussing doctrine tear one another down? We can't even talk about the Bible at all without discussing doctrine. And we will come across different points of view on that, unless we are limited to saying that Jesus rose again and that there is one God. --Joe! |
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88 | how is Titus relevant to us today | Titus 3:8 | Reformer Joe | 69943 | ||
Considering that it sets out the qualifications and duties of Christian leadership, gives instructions for relationships within God's household, points to God's mercy in saving us and the hope which He has set before us, and exhorts the people of God to honor Him with their works, I would see this short book as being very relevant to 21st-century evangelicalism. --Joe! |
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89 | How can a believer overcome sin? | Gal 5:24 | Reformer Joe | 69328 | ||
"So then, brethren, we are under obligation, not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh-- Verse Info. Notes Rom 8:13 for if you are living according to the flesh, you must die; but if by the Spirit you are putting to death the deeds of the body, you will live." --Romans 8:12-13 I recommend an excellent book called _The Pursuit of Holiness_ by Jerry Bridges. The question you are asking is covered there in great biblical detail. http://www.discerningreader.com/pracofgodpur.html --Joe! |
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90 | are we allowed to eat meat or not. | Matt 5:17 | Reformer Joe | 69313 | ||
The dietary requirements of the covenant given through Moses were temporary in nature, specifically for the nation of Israel to set them apart, to distnguish them from the nations around them. Now that the good news of Jesus Christ has gone out to all nations, those aspects of the covenant are no longer binding on them. --Joe! |
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91 | Children at the Lord's Supper? | 1 Cor 11:27 | Reformer Joe | 69277 | ||
People are going to differ on this one, I am sure, but here is what I consider to be biblical. Because 1 Corinthians 10 and 11 tell us that participation in the Lord's supper is participating in the body and blood of Christ, and because Paul also warns us that we are to discern the body rightly, children who partake of communion should be examined to determine that they have made a reasonable profession of faith. In other words, they should believe in Jesus Christ. Secondly, of the two rites that Jesus specifically instituted as signs and seals of God's redemptive work, baptism is the one that initiates the individual into the visible church. If the child has not been baptized, that should come before partaking of the Lord's table. In my denomination, the elders of the church actually have a class that children attend for several weeks, examining them in their knowledge and belief and also making sure they understand the significance of communion. Upon satisfactory completion, the children become full communing members of the church. --Joe! |
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92 | Do you know a good Bible commentary? | Eph 4:11 | Reformer Joe | 69241 | ||
For one on the whole Bible, I would look for Matthew Henry's. It is an oldie but a goodie. If you are studying particular books, there are also a great deal of good, in-depth commentaries on specific books. I would recommend the Crossway Classic Commentary Series or Crossway's Preaching the Word commentary series. --Joe! |
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93 | Sinful nation between holy nation? | Gen 3:6 | Reformer Joe | 69235 | ||
If you are a believer in Jesus Christ, a member of His Church, then you are part of a holy nation here and now, in the midst of a fallen and sinful world. And why? The Scriptures give us the answer: "But you are A CHOSEN RACE, A royal PRIESTHOOD, A HOLY NATION, A PEOPLE FOR God's OWN POSSESSION, so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light" --1 Peter 2:9 --Joe! |
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94 | What is a false prophet? | 1 Cor 14:3 | Reformer Joe | 68816 | ||
"I will raise up a prophet from among their countrymen like you, and I will put My words in his mouth, and he shall speak to them all that I command him. It shall come about that whoever will not listen to My words which he shall speak in My name, I Myself will require it of him. But the prophet who speaks a word presumptuously in My name which I have not commanded him to speak, or which he speaks in the name of other gods, that prophet shall die. You may say in your heart, 'How will we know the word which the LORD has not spoken?' When a prophet speaks in the name of the LORD, if the thing does not come about or come true, that is the thing which the LORD has not spoken. The prophet has spoken it presumptuously; you shall not be afraid of him." --Deuteronomy 18:18-22 --Joe! |
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95 | history of the book of Acts | Acts | Reformer Joe | 68770 | ||
I give it two thumbs up! | ||||||
96 | Is marriage when you sign a paper ? | Bible general Archive 1 | Reformer Joe | 68695 | ||
Here is another suggestion: ask your fiance to go with you to discuss the issue with the minister of the church you both attend. Offer to sit down with the two of them and discuss with the minister if it is okay for you two to have sex yet. And please come back to the Forum and let us know his reaction; it should be entertaining! :) --Joe! |
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97 | Is marriage when you sign a paper ? | Bible general Archive 1 | Reformer Joe | 68694 | ||
Hi, Pris. You wrote: "My fiance believes that we are considered married, just because we said a prayer unto GOD that we are married,which he says that it is only between us and GOD." A marriage is more than just a prayer to God. It is a public, societally-acknowledged commitment before God and men. That's why weddings are events to which guests are invited, and why even if you go to the justice of the peace there have to be witnesses who sign the certificate. While someone may argue that the state doesn't ultimately determine whether someone is married or not, it does involve more than a privately whispered prayer between two individuals and God. "Also he believes that we are now allowed to have sex. I think I need lots of help." Here is some help. Repeat after me: "NO, not yet!" If he doesn't respect you and honor God enough not to manipulate you into sex, imagine how life is going to be once he IS your husband... --Joe! |
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98 | Do you own a TNIV BIBLE? | 3 John | Reformer Joe | 68488 | ||
I think that this question was a duplicate one. | ||||||
99 | Really that difficult for Christ to die? | Matt 27:46 | Reformer Joe | 68393 | ||
"I know his death was for the atonement of our sins, but how was his death any harder than our own death?" Well, that atonement thing is a really big deal, facing God's infinite wrath so that I won't. In addition to that, however, in our assertion of Jesus' divinity, we also often forget that He is a human being, and he experienced human emotions and his death was a very real and physical one, just like you and I will experience one day. And the means of his death was far more brutal than what we are likely to experience. Maybe it would help to look at it from our own lives. As Christians, we know that eternal glory and bliss lie on the other side of our own death. I have full assurance of that. However, does that make us look forward at all to the actual process of our deaths? As R.C. Sproul is known to say, he is not afraid of DEATH; it is DYING that he doesn't look forward to. --Joe! |
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100 | What is the Bible's take on sacriments? | Acts 13:38 | Reformer Joe | 68373 | ||
In short, there are different views on what the sacraments/ordinances of the church are, and what they "do." Protestants like myself hold that baptism and the Lord's supper are the only two ordinances instituted by Christ for the church (Matthew 28:19-20; Luke 22:19). Most Protestants also hold that, while they are important, they do not, in and of themselves, save anyone or forgive sins. Beyond that, there is a difference of opinion on what the sacraments represent. Some hold them as mere "symbols" or "pictures" of what God does in the believer's life. Others, like myself, hold that they are "means of grace," signs and seals of God's redemptive and sanctifying work in the Christian. The Holy Spirit works in and through the right use of the sacraments to strengthen the believer's faith and obedience to Jesus Christ. As far as biblical supprt, one can look at the stress placed on baptism as an initiatory rite in the New Testament, while at the same time asserting that we are saved through faith in Jesus Christ. Also, in 1 Corinthians 10-11, we see that in the bread and wine, we are partakers of Christ (I believe in a spiritual sense rather than a literal one), and that the abuse of the sacrament results in judgment. Therefore, while I hold that the sacraments do not make us righteous before God, I have a real hard time with the view that many contemporary Protestants have that baptism and communion are more or less "optional." --Joe! |
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