Results 81 - 100 of 140
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Results from: Answered Bible Questions, Answers, Unanswered Bible Questions, Notes Author: Inquisitor Ordered by Verse |
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Results | Verse | Author | ID# | |||
81 | Who to follow? Jesus or Moses | Matt 5:17 | Inquisitor | 223318 | ||
Quoted from Lionheart, Romans 15:4 For whatever things were written before were written for our learning, that we through the patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope. I'm thinking that's an excellent supplement to Gal 3:24 with specific reference to the "Schoolmaster." |
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82 | believeth and is baptized | Mark 16:16 | Inquisitor | 222914 | ||
It would seem that Matt 28:19 gives this matter quite a bit of power and authority, don't you think? There's over 80 verses in the Bible that refer to this subject. I agree some of them are a little vague but most are pretty clear. | ||||||
83 | Pastor giving a wrong info | Luke 6:37 | Inquisitor | 223238 | ||
Also, IF you don't get the kind of response for which you're looking, here's a few more verses that would apply. Acts 18:24 Now a certain Jew named Apollos, born at Alexandria, an eloquent man and mighty in the Scriptures, came to Ephesus. 25 This man had been instructed in the way of the Lord; and being fervent in spirit, he spoke and taught accurately the things of the Lord, though he knew only the baptism of John. 26 So he began to speak boldly in the synagogue. When Aquila and Priscilla heard him, they took him aside and explained to him the way of God more accurately. 27 And when he desired to cross to Achaia, the brethren wrote, exhorting the disciples to receive him; and when he arrived, he greatly helped those who had believed through grace; 28 for he vigorously refuted the Jews publicly, showing from the Scriptures that Jesus is the Christ. I would think that should be enough but upon his continued rejecting your loving advice, I can only refer you to Matt 18:15 “Moreover if your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault between you and him alone. If he hears you, you have gained your brother. 16 But if he will not hear, take with you one or two more, that ‘by the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established.’ 17 And if he refuses to hear them, tell it to the church. But if he refuses even to hear the church, let him be to you like a heathen and a tax collector. |
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84 | Actions to preach the kingdom of God | Luke 9:2 | Inquisitor | 224442 | ||
I would have to say the most powerful and emphatic way to "preach the kingdom of God" is to imitate God and be a truly devoted disciple. Now of course, we as humans can't possibly imitate God the Father quite as well as we can and should imitate His Son, Jesus Christ. Naturally that's because Jesus spent three and a half years here on earth as a human, 100 per cent as well as 100 percent deity. How can that be possible? Only by God. So what do we see in Jesus' life that is so different with what we see in our world? We see extreme cases of Mercy and Love as in the situation of the woman caught in the act of adultery, John 8. Naturally a big question here is where is the man involved in this adultery, but we must move on. Instead of the world's natural inclination to punish, Jesus would much rather forgive and encourage her to "sin no more." As a matter of fact, the ONLY time Jesus rose to anger is when He saw the abuse heaped onto the poor crowds around the temple in Mark 11 and John 2. Another extreme picture of contrast is that of Jesus' handling of His own trial before His execution. The mockery of this trial is truly one of the biggest example of man's shameful behavior of all time. Yet Jesus was as "silent as a lamb" just as predicted in Is 53:7 and proven true in His cross examination with the high priest in Matt 26. Yes, we must share the ultimate Gospel News of how to become a christian with our fellow man but don't you see, it is so much more powerful when that part of the sermon is preached AFTER the person watches and confirms that this Christianity business is very real with the person sharing this Gospel. Yes the most effective way of sharing Christ Jesus is to follow Paul's advice, "imitate [Paul] even as I imitate Christ." 1 Cor 11:1. There are many more ways of imitating Christ that draw attention NOT to ourselves but to Him we're imitating. The world is so tired of seeing cheap imitations but imitating Christ must be a life of total sacrifice because it has to be real and genuine. It must include those instances when we have to give up what we want in preference to what He wants. Of course, this is just my opinion and I hope it starts a good strong series of comments and discussions from others. God bless you in asking a good question. One more suggestion to those who haven't seen it; I recommend your getting a copy of "The Passion of Christ" directed by Mel Gibson. A true depiction of just how much our God and His Son loves us, the whole world. If you can watch that film and NOT end up with tears in your eyes, then you have my sympathy. |
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85 | i need help with a question | John | Inquisitor | 223928 | ||
I've never heard anything like that about the Jews but I am reminded of the following: John 14:6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me. I hope this is that for which you're looking. In His Word, Inquisitor. |
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86 | Why do i need to love god? | John 3:16 | Inquisitor | 223404 | ||
As you have stated, we are to love God but He would much rather that we love Him on a voluntary basis rather than feel a "requirement" to do so. The biggest, most powerful reason we SHOULD love God is so we can go to Heaven. In the beginning as provided by Genesis, mankind had a very special, face-to-face relationship with God. But we lost that special relationship when sin was introduced into the world. Now God has sent His Son to fulfill a promise God made after closing down that Garden of Eden. He provided the ONLY Way for any human being to go to Heaven and that is done by obeying God's Commandments or His Son's Last Will and Testament which was executed by the Holy Spirit through His Apostles. Again we find ourselves loving God as described in 1 John BUT we MUST also love our fellow man in obedience to God. If we don't love our fellow man and claim to love God, He calls such a person a liar. So you see this loving of God most probably comes upon us in a gradual sort of way, like refining of silver. That process takes a lot of heat and much patience as depicted in Isaiah 48:10 Behold, I have refined you, but not as silver; I have tested you in the furnace of affliction. As you grow in maturity and experience, you will realize the value of these words far more than you do at this moment. BTW, welcome to the Forum. It's so refreshing to see such a young person come to the Forum in this way. Praise the Lord and God bless you. Inquisitor |
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87 | Why do i need to love god? | John 3:16 | Inquisitor | 223424 | ||
Dear Beja and BradK, I agree with your responses. Yes of course, we're saved by Grace through Jesus Christ but from where do you think our motivations originate? What does a child do when his/her parents loves that child enough to care for the child and put clothes on his back and all the many other things a parent does? The obvious answer: that child returns the love and most children obey the parents because they want that love to keep on coming. Yes of course, as the child grows he/she learns about the difference of right and wrong and the consequences that flow from each choice. But in its simpliest form, love is the best motivation. When a grown man first hears about God and all the things He has done for mankind, our usual first response is "Why?" Then usually the person finds out about the consequences of NOT obeying God which generates fear of the fires of Hell. Sure I'll agree, a lot of people (maybe even most) might start out obeying God out of fear but then they see others who have matured in the Lord and the joy in their lives. The new christian starts experiencing some of this same joy and learns that loving God is much better than fearing Him. And that's exactly what God wants. Like I mentioned Loving God in the ultimate way like Jesus asked Peter in John 21:17 He said to him the third time, “Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me?” Peter was grieved because He said to him the third time, “Do you love Me?” And he said to Him, “Lord, You know all things; You know that I love You.” Jesus said to him, “Feed My sheep. and John 14:15 “If you love Me, keep My commandments." Beja and BradK, Does the Lord have to ask you a thrid time to love Him? |
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88 | Why do i need to love god? | John 3:16 | Inquisitor | 223427 | ||
BradK, Your Quote: Thanks for the reply. I would make the distinction (and emphasize) that love is not the motivation or cause (on our part) that brings us to Christ! 1 John 4:10 says, "...not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins" (NASB) Once we have beleived on the Lord Jesus Christ, we are motivated by His grace- Titus 2:11 "For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all men," Titus 2:12 "instructing us to deny ungodliness and worldly desires and to live sensibly, righteously and godly in the present age," It seems to me in my mind, I addressed this subject, at least briefly. Remember I agreed with you. Yes, some of us might be motivated by Grace but it's SO much better to be motivated by Love as implied by Jesus in the verses from my post, repeated below. John 21:17 He said to him the third time, “Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me?” Peter was grieved because He said to him the third time, “Do you love Me?” And he said to Him, “Lord, You know all things; You know that I love You.” Jesus said to him, “Feed My sheep. and John 14:15 “If you love Me, keep My commandments." A person could say BradK is making "his distinction and emphasizing" on Grace and I'm making mine on Love. Yes, apparently part of God's Love as mentioned in John 3:16 includes the Magnificent and Wonderful Grace as you have stated AND yes, as I mentioned a lot of people are NOT properly motivated to respond to God's Love. Fear is one motivation, probably the most frequent but I still like to think Love is by far a much better motivation. I noticed you didn't reply directly to my quotes from Jesus above. Please tell me what would be your reply to Jesus' Words. God bless you all -- Inquisitor |
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89 | Why do i need to love god? | John 3:16 | Inquisitor | 223440 | ||
Dear Beja, BradK and DocT: With each successive post, I seem to confuse y'all more and more, when it seems so simple at least in my mind. I have to agree with all of your posts excpet for the idea (a question) that we can earn our salvation. Once again I agree with you here; there's absolutely NO WAY any human being can possibly earn their way to Heaven. BUT I still insist Love is the best motivation to seek Him out, find out about His Commands and obey them so we can please Him. Further I'll agree this kind of Love may not be the first type of response to our God, especially when we see the kind of punishments meted out to different individuals we see in His Word, i.e. the Cannanites, Achan and his family, Annanias and Saphira in Acts 5, etc. Thus the fear to which I alluded earlier. All I'm saying is a confirmation of what we see in God's Word: IF we truly love God, we'll obey Him. That means we'll study His Word and find out what all that level of obedience means. Hopefully a person after reaching the age of accountability like Shannon apparently has will be perseverant enough to pursue her study and follow God's Plan of Salvation and become a christian. Hopefully, like it's been suggested, she will ask the right questions of her parents, teachers at Sunday school and elsewhere and come up with the right answers. Upon obeying God's Commands in this area, she will become a christian and begin her journey with her hand in God's Hand and go to Heaven. How could this be simpler? This is merely just anohter chapter in the history of mankind with yet another child of God finding their way to Heaven like God is hoping for ALL of mankind. God has extended His Grace and Mercy to mankind ALL of this time since He kicked us out of the Garden. His Plan of having His Son sacrified for men and women everywhere came off just like He intended. And now we enjoy the benefits. But like we're ALL saying, in order for any one of us to receive this Gift of Salvation, we must follow and obey God's Commands from the day we become a christian to the end of our lives, Rev 2:10. Hopefully, this post has cleared up any remaining questions. I remain your servant and God bless. Inquisitor |
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90 | Why do i need to love god? | John 3:16 | Inquisitor | 223444 | ||
Then please explain to me how you're fulfilling God's Commands? How are you demonstrating your faithfulness to Him in accordance with Rev 2:10? How do you deal with a person who becomes a christian but then a few years later, gets himself in a siatuation wherein he kills someone and refuses to repent? Where is this person headed? Are we not motivated to approach this person (say you or I know him personally) and strive to get him to repent so as to restore his faithfulness to God? How about instead of getting back to a good relationship with God, his life spirals downward into a life drug abuse and stealing? He gets further and further away from God; does this eternal security work for him and all other christiains who afterwards turn away from God and deny their relationship with Him? The scriptures from which you quote are all true and reflect the Wonderful Grace as a sure fact. But our response is one of attitude; that is, we must RESPECT God's Grace and NOT take it for granted. We shouldn't abuse His Grace and Mercy like someone may be tempted to do IF they believe in this "eternal security." If we love God and maintain this special relationship to Him with the proper attitude to the end of lives, yes I agree with you, Christ will be there for us, 1 Jn 1. BUT if we're NOT faithful as reflected in some of the letters He issued in Revelation, Chapters 2 and 3, He will treat us like all the unfaithful and divert those individuals to eternal damnation. This is all reflected very clearly in Matt 25:31 “When the Son of Man comes in His glory, and all the holy angels with Him, then He will sit on the throne of His glory. 32 All the nations will be gathered before Him, and He will separate them one from another, as a shepherd divides his sheep from the goats. 33 And He will set the sheep on His right hand, but the goats on the left. 34 Then the King will say to those on His right hand, ‘Come, you blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: 35 for I was hungry and you gave Me food; I was thirsty and you gave Me drink; I was a stranger and you took Me in; 36 I was naked and you clothed Me; I was sick and you visited Me; I was in prison and you came to Me.’ 37 “Then the righteous will answer Him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry and feed You, or thirsty and give You drink? 38 When did we see You a stranger and take You in, or naked and clothe You? 39 Or when did we see You sick, or in prison, and come to You?’ 40 And the King will answer and say to them, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me.’ 41 “Then He will also say to those on the left hand, ‘Depart from Me, you cursed, into the everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his angels: 42 for I was hungry and you gave Me no food; I was thirsty and you gave Me no drink; 43 I was a stranger and you did not take Me in, naked and you did not clothe Me, sick and in prison and you did not visit Me.’ 44 “Then they also will answer Him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not minister to You?’ 45 Then He will answer them, saying, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to Me.’ 46 And these will go away into everlasting punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.” God bless you all -- Inquisitor |
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91 | Why do i need to love god? | John 3:16 | Inquisitor | 223449 | ||
I can only respond with the way I've been taught all my life. I'll try to follow the flow of your post. Your Item 1: I quoted Rev 2:10 because it most certainly does apply to all christians for all time. Jesus specifically wrote to those 7 different congregations but He also meant for the guidance to be applicable to all christians everywhere for all time. I agree that Revelation is a prophetic book (and highly figurative) for the most part but the first three chapters are very easily understood. He identified some problems and to a few congregations He gave praise but the guidance for correction is easily understood and should be followed, thus the straight-forward and simple instruction of "Be thou faithful till death." is in perfect harmony with the quote from Matt 25:31-45. I realize this is not in harmony with the belief about "Once saved, always saved" or "Eternal Security" but this conflict has existed since those beliefs were first postulated. In support of Jesus' Words, I can only provide more scriptures such as 1 Tim 1:18 This charge I commit to you, son Timothy, according to the prophecies previously made concerning you, that by them you may wage the good warfare, 19 having faith and a good conscience, which some having rejected, concerning the faith have suffered shipwreck, 20 of whom are Hymenaeus and Alexander, whom I delivered to Satan that they may learn not to blaspheme. Here we see Paul has apparently failed to have these two individuals repent of their sin of blasphemy and their being given over to the devil. Pretty clear example of christians falling from Grace. 1 Cor 9:24 Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may obtain it. 25 And everyone who competes for the prize is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a perishable crown, but we for an imperishable crown. 26 Therefore I run thus: not with uncertainty. Thus I fight: not as one who beats the air. 27 But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified. Another clear example from Paul about his own fragile condition. He's afraid if he doesn't keep his own spirit humble, he could lose his soul. So it's quite obvious it's not just one verse but a very large portion of NT reflects this possibility of people becoming christians but are not able or not willing to remain faithful and dedicated to the Lord. Peter describes this problem in 2 Pet 2:18-20. Your Item 2: I was very cautious in citing previous examples of people who failed God miserably in being His children at one time in their lives and then NOT following His guidance. Along with the group in my previous post, I could add Nadab and Abihu from Num 3, Uzzah in 2 Sam 6. ALL (the whole group) these people were considered followers of God and failed so miserably that God punishes them publically and records it in His Word for everyone for all time to recognize and learn from their mistakes. In contrast as you have stated, King David was "a man after God's own heart" but the key difference is the main point I've been emphasizing all along: David's attitude. He was willing to recognize his sin, he repented of that sin and lived a Godly life at least to the best of his ability. In contrast, we all know christian friends in our lives who started out their lives as good, clean-living people and worshipped on a regular basis. But our faithfulness to God requires more than that as Jesus stated in Matt 25. We must see ourselves as God sees us. As I mentioned there's nothing we can do as our acts of kindness and everything else "good" about our lives are as filthy rags to our God, Isaiah 64:6. Our only hope to put our faith in God's Grace as you have stated BUT the key afterwards is to maintain that relationship with the proper attitude as clearly shown in 1 Jn 1:5 This is the message which we have heard from Him and declare to you, that God is light and in Him is no darkness at all. 6 If we say that we have fellowship with Him, and walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. 7 But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin. 8 If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. 9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 10 If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar, and His word is not in us. So the Bible is clear throughout, from start to finish. Yes, we must establish a personal relationship with God Almighty BUT we must maintain that relationship. Hopefully this is all made clear. God bless you all -- Inquisitor |
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92 | Why do i need to love god? | John 3:16 | Inquisitor | 223454 | ||
Quoted from Beja: Q. How do we receive forgiveness and imputation of God's righteousness? A. Acts 2:36 “Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly that God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ.” 37 Now when they heard this, they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Men and brethren, what shall we do?” 38 Then Peter said to them, “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39 For the promise is to you and to your children, and to all who are afar off, as many as the Lord our God will call.” Q. This is the entire question, a lot of what you say is correct, IF it is understood with the right answer to the above question. If you are saying that we receive these things by loving God, this is a false gospel. These things were purchased for us by Christ's life, death, ressurection, but we receive these things through faith alone. Can you or can you not affirm this? If you wish to to not confuse us, simply answer that question clearly. A. Yes indeed the gift from the Holy Spirit includes all these things like salvation for our soul (forgiveness for our sins), close personal relationship with Christ our Saviour, close personal relationship with the church for our support and edification, especially when we worship together. There are so many things included in this gift but there are also a few things we must do to ACCEPT this gift just as we do when fulfilling the requirements of a Last Will and Testament of someone who passes on and leaves his goods, Christ did this for all of us. This is made so very clear in Heb 9:15 And for this reason He is the Mediator of the new covenant, by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions under the first covenant, that those who are called may receive the promise of the eternal inheritance. 16 For where there is a testament, there must also of necessity be the death of the testator. 17 For a testament is in force after men are dead, since it has no power at all while the testator lives. 18 Therefore not even the first covenant was dedicated without blood. 19 For when Moses had spoken every precept to all the people according to the law, he took the blood of calves and goats, with water, scarlet wool, and hyssop, and sprinkled both the book itself and all the people, 20 saying, “This is the blood of the covenant which God has commanded you.” 21 Then likewise he sprinkled with blood both the tabernacle and all the vessels of the ministry. 22 And according to the law almost all things are purified with blood, and without shedding of blood there is no remission. I'm NOT saying that we receive these things by loving God, that's one of our motivations. I'm saying that we received what God has promised us as a result of our obeying and following His Commandments. This further demonstrated by all the past examples throughout the Bible. All of God's faithful and obedient followers like Abraham, and all the others described in Heb 11 received God's Blessings because they obeyed God. They too may have been motivated by their love of God but the main reason they pleased God is a result of their obedience. I'm not certain of this concept of "imputed righteousness" but I'll take a stab at it. Hopefully you're referring to the fact that God looks at all human beings with the sin in our lives BUT after becoming a christian, then we have the Blood of Jesus covering our sins. Again I must refer to the passage in Hebrews as Christ is described there as the Perfect High Priest, our Mediator. He's our "go-between" spanning the gulf between us and God. He's the One who first blazed the trail between the human condition to God and we can follow His Footsteps by accepting His Leadership into our lives. This is made clear in 1 John 1:5 This is the message which we have heard from Him and declare to you, that God is light and in Him is no darkness at all. 6 If we say that we have fellowship with Him, and walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. 7 But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin. 8 If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. 9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 10 If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar, and His word is not in us. I do sincerely hope this is clear -- Inquisitor |
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93 | Why do i need to love god? | John 3:16 | Inquisitor | 223475 | ||
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94 | Why do i need to love god? | John 3:16 | Inquisitor | 223749 | ||
All I can say is that we should comply with the obvious guidance in our Bibles, God's Word. Throughout the NT, the guidance is very clear. In becoming christians, we establish a personal relationship with God, through His Son and His Blood shed on the cross. AFTER becoming christians, we must maintain that relationship through studying His Word and praying for continued guidance. This is all made very clear in 1 John. IF we neglect this relationship, then we can repent and re-establish that connection. We also must maintain our relationship with our fellow man, most especially our fellow christians. I'm not sure about the wording, as you say "right being" or "good works" but I'm quite certain we MUST maintain this balance between worshipping in Spirit AND in Truth. We MUST maintain this balance between love for God AND love for our fellow man. AND we MUST maintain this balance between faith in God and good works as described in James 2. This way, our good works is proof of our faith in God. I hope all this is a little clearer. God bless you. Inquisitor. |
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95 | Becoming a christian | John 6:37 | Inquisitor | 222879 | ||
According to Jesus, how does one become a christian? | ||||||
96 | Becoming a christian | John 6:37 | Inquisitor | 222882 | ||
I saw a show on TV and they were talking about the importance of baptism. I looked up some of the verses as quoted and they do seem to apply. What do you think? Shouldn't we obey Christ if we claim to love Him? | ||||||
97 | Becoming a christian | John 6:37 | Inquisitor | 222885 | ||
I agree with your response and the scriptures in support but other folks on TV and some of my friends keep on adding the verses about baptism. How can we ignore all the verses in the Bible about that subject? Even Jesus said "Repent and be baptized..." I forget where. | ||||||
98 | Becoming a christian | John 6:37 | Inquisitor | 222888 | ||
Brad and Doc: I agree with the gist of what you're saying, especially about the "whole counsel of Scripture." So based on that wise guidance, why am I not encouraged to go ahead and be baptized in addition to all the other items of obedience? As you say, Romans does offer some good words about baptism and the analogy to the death of Christ so it does seem baptism is an important element in this process. Wouldn't you agree? All of those folks bragged about in Heb 11 were famous to both God and man because they obeyed all of God's commands. How can we hope to get by with any less? As for the TV info and my friends, I'm always open-minded to those who sincerely study God's Word and want to follow His Will. I also agree with you 100 percent about studying the Bible within the context. That's a must. Otherwise we'd all be bringing a coat to Paul in the first century, ha-ha. |
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99 | Becoming a christian | John 6:37 | Inquisitor | 222891 | ||
Doc, I'm just trying to make sense out of what I see in my Bible and what I see and hear in the world. Now according to what I see from you, we're NOT supposed to follow "the practices of the primitive church in Acts" in spite of their following Jesus' Words. How can this be right? Please explain. I'm certainly NOT saying baptism is essential to this process. |
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100 | Becoming a christian | John 6:37 | Inquisitor | 222892 | ||
CDBJ, I'm hoping you're also persuaded that we all need to heed to "the whole counsel of ALL scripture." What does all the rest of the verses on this subject say to your heart? |
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