Results 81 - 100 of 109
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Results from: Answered Bible Questions, Answers, Unanswered Bible Questions, Notes Author: eklektos Ordered by Date |
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Results | Verse | Author | ID# | |||
81 | Can anyone recommend a good study book? | Bible general Archive 3 | eklektos | 172694 | ||
I believe in an earlier post it was said, "these are good and not to be trod upon", pertaining to commentators and historians, that that point might have been overlooked. And, looking back on multitudes of previous posts, we can see a vast number of quotes and referrals to these great persons of the past, however, we cannot say that a foot has no need for an eye or the eye is foolish because of its needs. When this happens the foot must say to the eye, "I shall turn the other cheek". eklektos |
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82 | Can anyone recommend a good study book? | Bible general Archive 3 | eklektos | 172690 | ||
Any study book that you read will have someone's opinion written within the pages. There is one Book and One only that can bring you Life. There is one Book that will bring you to your knees. There is one Book we are commanded to read. No matter what is said, the final word on the matter is Scripture. The Bible is written in such a way that the words written within mature as you mature. We have much technology and many abilities earlier fathers did not have and yet many are farther away from the Father than those. As Paul states, we have such a cloud of witnesses, we really should be ashamed that we are so far from the Father. Always looking for some easy way to go through the gate. Looking for the path of least resistance. Well, there is only One path and Jesus told us how to learn all there is to know about the Father. "Man shall not live ... but by every Word that proceeds from the mouth of God." We can have Philo, Josephus, Pink, Packer, Spurgon, Graham and these are good and not to be trod upon but they all contain a man's opinion and therefore contain a bias someplace. There is One Book and One only. If one could master the book of Psalms and the book of Proverbs and of Job and of the Gospel of John, and ... well, there you go, book after book within the Book. Scripture alone I think is the call. The Holy Spirit is promised to guide us unto ALL understanding, if we are willing. In an hour when we know not what to say, the Holy Spirit is promised to give us the words to speak. Where two or three are gathered in My name, there I Am. In your closet in prayer we see the Father. "Thou shalt have no other gods before Me." Worship Him in Spirit and Truth and you will know Him for He will show Himself to you. "Will ye also go away?" ... "Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life." Yes, but, ...! eklektos |
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83 | Make a joyful noise | Bible general Archive 3 | eklektos | 157151 | ||
Hello Gospelpearl, Are you thinking of: 2Ch 23:13 And she looked, and, behold, the king stood at his pillar at the entering in, and the princes and the trumpets by the king: and all the people of the land rejoiced, and sounded with trumpets, also the singers with instruments of musick, and such as taught to sing praise. Then Athaliah rent her clothes, and said, Treason, Treason. "and such as taught to sing praise"? By Grace, eklektos |
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84 | what does the cross on the side mean? | Bible general Archive 2 | eklektos | 154977 | ||
Hello Lorennp14, It is the logo for the Nelson Publishing Company. Nelson Bible with the cross between the letters N B. by Grace, eklektos |
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85 | A CLEAR UNDERSTANDING OF THE WORD BUY. | Is 55:1 | eklektos | 154922 | ||
Hello Fun, The "buy" is figurative or poetic in coming to the saving Grace of Jesus Christ. Where literally you cannot buy anything from heaven with money but you can buy (figuratively) eternity with your soul when we have given your all to the Lord and come to know His fullness upon your rebirth, presenting ourselves a living sacrifice (Rom 12:1). So in a certain way, by giving all that we have and giving every item that we hold dear for the blessing of Grace that only comes through Jesus Christ, one could say we "buy" salvation. (Those that have an ear let them hear). DO NOT take the "buying" as literally purchasing salvation through something we have done. Plus, salvation really is "without cost" as the text states, for we came into this world with nothing and whatever we do have has come from the Lord anyway, so truly salvation costs nothing. Buy the Lord with your spirit, buy the Lord with your soul and buy the Lord with your body. Compare: Mat 13:45 Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a merchant man, seeking goodly pearls: Mat 13:46 Who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had, and bought it. Compare: Mat 6:19 Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: Mat 6:20 But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: Mat 6:21 For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also. Jesus said, "I am the Bread of Heaven" also "I am the True Vine", come buy of Me, hunger and thirst no more. by Grace, eklektos |
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86 | is it animal? | Job | eklektos | 154917 | ||
Hello iktoose, Conjecture is conjecture. What the Scriptures say is what the Scriptures say. Anything not written or explained in Scriptures is pure speculation. For all we know it could be an animal that has been extinct for many many years. Myths of dragons usually have some basis of truth to them, but to interject those myths into Scripture is not rightly dividing the Word of Truth. They are speculation and result in getting your mind off the focus of Truth. As Paul said, 1Co 13:12 "For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known." Let it be said that it is some kind of creature. But as powerful as it is as stated, it cannot compare to the awesomeness of its Creator, which is the whole point. This is not to put you off; it is just that the Scriptures do not define this creature with our understanding of today. Back then; some centuries and centuries ago, it most likely made perfect sense for those at that time. With all our knowledge we boast about today and pride ourselves in, some things are still a mystery. by Grace, eklektos |
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87 | Do angels have a free will as humans do? | Jude 1:6 | eklektos | 154892 | ||
Hello creech9, Yes. Jud 1:6(KJV) "And the angels which kept not their first estate, but left their own habitation, he hath reserved in everlasting chains under darkness unto the judgment of the great day." " 'But left their own habitation' - To wit, according to the common interpretation, in heaven. The word rendered “habitation” [ ** ] occurs nowhere else in the New Testament. It means here that heaven was their native abode or dwelling-place. They left it by sin; but the expression here would seem possibly to mean that they became “dissatisfied” with their abode, and voluntarily preferred to change it for another. If they did become thus dissatisfied, the cause is wholly unknown, and conjecture is useless." (Albert Barnes' Notes on the Bible) [** Greek letters omitted - not allowed on forum format] by Grace, eklektos |
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88 | is it animal? | Job | eklektos | 154885 | ||
Hello csk_trk, Here is more information about your question: "...the crocodile be established as the "leviathan", and the behemoth as the river horse, the transition from the one to the other would appear very easy; since, as Pliny says, there is a sort of a kindred between them, being of the same river, the river Nile, and so may be thought to be better known to Job than the whale; though it is not to be concealed what Pliny says, that whales have been seen in the Arabian seas; he speaks of one that came into the river of Arabia, six hundred feet long, and three hundred and sixty broad. There are some things in the description of this creature that seem to agree best with the crocodile, and others that suit better with the whale, and some with neither..." (John Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible) Looking at the Scriptures in another version. (Contemporary English Version) Job 41:1 Can you catch a sea monster by using a fishhook? Can you tie its mouth shut with a rope? Job 41:2 Can it be led around by a ring in its nose or a hook in its jaw? Job 41:3 Will it beg for mercy? Job 41:4 Will it surrender as a slave for life? Job 41:5 Can it be tied by the leg like a pet bird for little girls? Job 41:6 Is it ever chopped up and its pieces bargained for in the fish-market? Job 41:7 Can it be killed with harpoons or spears? Job 41:8 Wrestle it just once-- that will be the end. Job 41:9 Merely a glimpse of this monster makes all courage melt. Job 41:10 And if it is too fierce for anyone to attack, who would dare oppose me? Job 41:11 I am in command of the world and in debt to no one. Job 41:12 What powerful legs, what a stout body this monster possesses! Job 41:13 Who could strip off its armor or bring it under control with a harness? Job 41:14 Who would try to open its jaws, full of fearsome teeth? Job 41:15 Its back is covered with shield after shield, Job 41:16 firmly bound and closer together Job 41:17 than breath to breath. Job 41:18 When this monster sneezes, lightning flashes, and its eyes glow like the dawn. Job 41:19 Sparks and fiery flames explode from its mouth. Job 41:20 And smoke spews from its nose like steam from a boiling pot, Job 41:21 while its blazing breath scorches everything in sight. Job 41:22 Its neck is so tremendous that everyone trembles, Job 41:23 the weakest parts of its body are harder than iron, Job 41:24 and its heart is stone. Job 41:25 When this noisy monster appears, even the most powerful turn and run in fear. Job 41:26 No sword or spear can harm it, Job 41:27 and weapons of bronze or iron are as useless as straw or rotten wood. Job 41:28 Rocks thrown from a sling cause it no more harm than husks of grain. This monster fears no arrows, Job 41:29 it simply smiles at spears, and striking it with a stick is like slapping it with straw. Job 41:30 As it crawls through the mud, its sharp and spiny hide tears the ground apart. Job 41:31 And when it swims down deep, the sea starts churning like boiling oil, Job 41:32 and it leaves behind a trail of shining white foam. Job 41:33 No other creature on earth is so fearless. Job 41:34 It is king of all proud creatures, and it looks upon the others as nothing. "...To convince Job of his own weakness he is here challenged to subdue and tame this leviathan if he can, and make himself master of him, and, since he cannot do this, he must own himself utterly unable to stand before the great God..." (Matthew Henry’s Commentary on the Whole Bible) by Grace, eklektos |
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89 | Radical Boycott??? | John 17:15 | eklektos | 154771 | ||
Hello Brazos, Just how far do you want to go with this? The electric companies supply all of those things you listed. You could stop paying your bill! Our Government supports some of these activates. You could stop paying your taxes! You pay rent or buy your house from agents or landlords that support such activates. You could stop making payments! You can't drive your car because the oil companies also supply gasoline to the drug lord's vehicles! Personally I have selected not to do business with Target stores, for two reasons: 1.) they do not support Toys 4 Tots. 2.) they do not support Salvation Army bell ringers in front of their stores. Jesus prayed, Joh 17:15 I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil. Joh 17:16 They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. God sends the rain on the just and the unjust. We are planted in the same field, earth, and along with us grow the tares. We grow together until Jesus commands His angels to reap the harvest. We are told not to hob-knob with the ungodly. The disciples bought the Passover lamb sacrifice, most likely in the marketplace and the marketplace sold strong drink (Mk 14:12). God knows our needs in this culture. But, if you must, there are many Amish communities around, for they also feel that calling. And, yet, their buggies use the asphalt roads laid down by the ungodly governments. There are specialty shops that directly use ungodly practices, porn stores, tattoo parlors, cat houses, saloons, etc., that would destroy your witness if someone you were trying to reach for Jesus saw you coming out of them, but general stores are not usually associated with the lusts of the world. You will have to decide this, for what is not of faith is sin. Preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ and use what God has given you to do it. by Grace, eklektos |
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90 | what does the word pentecostal mean | Acts 2:4 | eklektos | 154703 | ||
Hello Shema, Denominationalism is nothing more than carnal vanity. Paul, being called personally and intimately by Jesus Himself, was disgusted with this carnality (labeling). We read: 1Co 3:3 For ye are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men? 1Co 3:4 For while one saith, I am of Paul; and another, I am of Apollos; are ye not carnal? 1Co 3:5 Who then is Paul, and who is Apollos, but ministers by whom ye believed, even as the Lord gave to every man? 1Co 3:6 I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase. 1Co 3:7 So then neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase. There is a label referred to twice in the Scriptures - "Christian" - according to the King James Version: Act 26:28 Then Agrippa said unto Paul, Almost thou persuadest me to be a Christian. 1Pe 4:16 Yet if any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God on this behalf. Jesus said: Mat 7:20 Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them. Mat 7:21 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. What are these fruits that Jesus is talking about? Man's vanity of their denomination? - No! but to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ! Is one to teach you why this is right and that is wrong, why you should follow Calvinism or Pentecostalism or any other ism that is out in the world? Is this the will of the Father? What is the will of the Father? 2Pe 3:9 "... not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. " And how are they going to come to repentance unless they hear the Word of God? Now, no doubt there any many that are chomping on the bit to rebut about how we need labels to define what they believe. Well, that's fine, but how many have they brought into the Kingdom with their preaching of labels? How many have edified the Church with their ism's? "Go ye into the world and preach the Gospel!" You are right, Shema, denominations are not of God, they are of man and his vanities. When I found my wife that I loved I told everybody I met how she was the light of my life. Have I done this with Christ? When I found a great friend I told everybody how great of a friend he is. Have I done this with Christ? Will I stand on the rooftops and proclaim the name of Jesus? No?, why, because I would look foolish and people would think I was crazy. That is the mind set today, what others might think of us - vanity. "By their fruit ye will know them"! They can be nicer than nice and full of pleasantries and even very articulate in choosing just the right words, and all full of knowledge, but if they don't produce fruit, fruit for the Kingdom, it is all vanity! Even in the beginning, as in the natural so is it in the spiritual, "Be fruitful and multiply". The first and last command. Denominations do separate the Church. And they are not the will of God! Mat 7:23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity. Blessed are you Shema for seeing the Mind of God. by Grace, eklektos |
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91 | what does the word pentecostal mean | Acts 2:4 | eklektos | 154489 | ||
Hello Ray, (all Scripture is from the KJV) 1Co 12:4 Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. 1Co 12:5 And there are differences of administrations, but the same Lord. 1Co 12:6 And there are diversities of operations, but it is the same God which worketh all in all. All things come from "God which worketh all in all." 1Co 12:7 But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal. The gifts are the manifestation of the Spirit. The gifts are given to the body which is the church. 1Co 12:12 For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ. 1Co 12:13 For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit. The gifts are for this age of the church until all things are reconciled unto Christ, i.e. until the perfect comes. 1Co 13:10 But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away. Therefore the gifts are of a certainty different than the Giver, for the Giver is Eternal but the gifts are temporal. We will no longer need these gifts that help us through this life of limited understanding. 1Co 13:12 For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known. Pressing on to that mark, face to face with our Creator, that is our reward. by Grace, eklektos |
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92 | Three scores and ten | Ps 90:10 | eklektos | 154479 | ||
Hello Ezekiel1, 23 verses for "threescore and ten" in the KJV (Gen 46:27) And the sons of Joseph, which were born him in Egypt, were two souls: all the souls of the house of Jacob, which came into Egypt, were threescore and ten. (Gen 50:3) And forty days were fulfilled for him; for so are fulfilled the days of those which are embalmed: and the Egyptians mourned for him threescore and ten days. (Exo 15:27) And they came to Elim, where were twelve wells of water, and threescore and ten palm trees: and they encamped there by the waters. (Num 33:9) And they removed from Marah, and came unto Elim: and in Elim were twelve fountains of water, and threescore and ten palm trees; and they pitched there. (Deu 10:22) Thy fathers went down into Egypt with threescore and ten persons; and now the LORD thy God hath made thee as the stars of heaven for multitude. (Jdg 1:7) And Adonibezek said, Threescore and ten kings, having their thumbs and their great toes cut off, gathered their meat under my table: as I have done, so God hath requited me. And they brought him to Jerusalem, and there he died. (Jdg 8:30) And Gideon had threescore and ten sons of his body begotten: for he had many wives. (Jdg 9:2) Speak, I pray you, in the ears of all the men of Shechem, Whether is better for you, either that all the sons of Jerubbaal, which are threescore and ten persons, reign over you, or that one reign over you? remember also that I am your bone and your flesh. (Jdg 9:4) And they gave him threescore and ten pieces of silver out of the house of Baalberith, wherewith Abimelech hired vain and light persons, which followed him. (Jdg 9:5) And he went unto his father's house at Ophrah, and slew his brethren the sons of Jerubbaal, being threescore and ten persons, upon one stone: notwithstanding yet Jotham the youngest son of Jerubbaal was left; for he hid himself. (Jdg 9:18) And ye are risen up against my father's house this day, and have slain his sons, threescore and ten persons, upon one stone, and have made Abimelech, the son of his maidservant, king over the men of Shechem, because he is your brother;) (Jdg 9:24) That the cruelty done to the threescore and ten sons of Jerubbaal might come, and their blood be laid upon Abimelech their brother, which slew them; and upon the men of Shechem, which aided him in the killing of his brethren. (Jdg 12:14) And he had forty sons and thirty nephews, that rode on threescore and ten ass colts: and he judged Israel eight years. (1Sa 6:19) And he smote the men of Bethshemesh, because they had looked into the ark of the LORD, even he smote of the people fifty thousand and threescore and ten men: and the people lamented, because the LORD had smitten many of the people with a great slaughter. (1Ki 5:15) And Solomon had threescore and ten thousand that bare burdens, and fourscore thousand hewers in the mountains; (1Ch 21:5) And Joab gave the sum of the number of the people unto David. And all they of Israel were a thousand thousand and an hundred thousand men that drew sword: and Judah was four hundred threescore and ten thousand men that drew sword. (2Ch 2:2) And Solomon told out threescore and ten thousand men to bear burdens, and fourscore thousand to hew in the mountain, and three thousand and six hundred to oversee them. (2Ch 2:18) And he set threescore and ten thousand of them to be bearers of burdens, and fourscore thousand to be hewers in the mountain, and three thousand and six hundred overseers to set the people a work. (2Ch 29:32) And the number of the burnt offerings, which the congregation brought, was threescore and ten bullocks, an hundred rams, and two hundred lambs: all these were for a burnt offering to the LORD. (2Ch 36:21) To fulfil the word of the LORD by the mouth of Jeremiah, until the land had enjoyed her sabbaths: for as long as she lay desolate she kept sabbath, to fulfil threescore and ten years. (Psa 90:10) The days of our years are threescore years and ten; and if by reason of strength they be fourscore years, yet is their strength labour and sorrow; for it is soon cut off, and we fly away. (Zec 1:12) Then the angel of the LORD answered and said, O LORD of hosts, how long wilt thou not have mercy on Jerusalem and on the cities of Judah, against which thou hast had indignation these threescore and ten years? (Act 23:23) And he called unto him two centurions, saying, Make ready two hundred soldiers to go to Caesarea, and horsemen threescore and ten, and spearmen two hundred, at the third hour of the night; by Grace, eklektos |
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93 | what does the word pentecostal mean | Acts 2:4 | eklektos | 154477 | ||
Hello Shema, Noting or pertaining to any of various Christian groups, usually fundamentalist, that emphasize the Biblical activity of the Holy Spirit, stressing holiness of living, expressing their religious feelings uninhibitedly or unashamedly, by speaking in tongues and allowing the Holy Spirit to use His gifts through the church. by Grace, eklektos |
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94 | Blood of unsaved on us if we don't share | 1 Cor 9:16 | eklektos | 154408 | ||
Hello StarHigh, Actually it is about the prophet's (Ezekiel) duty to the House of Israel. (Eze 33:1 NASB) And the word of the LORD came to me, saying, (Eze 33:2 NASB) "Son of man, speak to the sons of your people and say to them, 'If I bring a sword upon a land, and the people of the land take one man from among them and make him their watchman, (Eze 33:3 NASB) and he sees the sword coming upon the land and blows on the trumpet and warns the people, (Eze 33:4 NASB) then he who hears the sound of the trumpet and does not take warning, and a sword comes and takes him away, his blood will be on his own head. (Eze 33:5 NASB) 'He heard the sound of the trumpet but did not take warning; his blood will be on himself. But had he taken warning, he would have delivered his life. (Eze 33:6 NASB) 'But if the watchman sees the sword coming and does not blow the trumpet and the people are not warned, and a sword comes and takes a person from them, he is taken away in his iniquity; but his blood I will require from the watchman's hand.' (Eze 33:7 NASB) "Now as for you, son of man, I have appointed you a watchman for the house of Israel; so you will hear a message from My mouth and give them warning from Me. (Eze 33:8 NASB) "When I say to the wicked, 'O wicked man, you will surely die,' and you do not speak to warn the wicked from his way, that wicked man shall die in his iniquity, but his blood I will require from your hand. (Eze 33:9 NASB) "But if you on your part warn a wicked man to turn from his way and he does not turn from his way, he will die in his iniquity, but you have delivered your life. by Grace, eklektos |
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95 | Biblical World View | Prov 29:25 | eklektos | 154366 | ||
Hello DocTrinsograce, That's an interesting article. First published on January 12, 2004. Did you read the related article also? 12-1-2003 in the Article, "A Biblical Worldview Has a Radical Effect on a Person's Life", by the same researcher. Barna goes on to say about adults of these denominations that have a biblical worldview are: 13 percent non-denominational 10 percent Pentecostal 8 percent Baptist The entire article can be read at www.barna.org It would be interesting to find out why the pastor percentages do not correspond to the people percentages. After reading some of his articles it sounds like he does a thorough sampling for the collection of data. He also has some impressive clients. Thanks for your posting. by Grace, eklektos |
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96 | is it wrong fr younger man to marry oldr | 2 Cor 6:14 | eklektos | 154322 | ||
Hello smurfrenee, Answering as to the Biblical viewpoint: If both parties are Christian. 2Co 6:14 Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? Then there is nothing wrong. If either have been divorced you might get more insight from this website: http://www.carm.org/questions/divorce.htm by Grace, eklectos |
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97 | tongues | Eph 4:14 | eklektos | 154177 | ||
Hello Searcher56, You wrote: "... prophesy and knowledge will cease differently than tongues. The latter is (was) not affected by the perfect coming." To respond to your comment with understanding, the following two items would need to be clarified first. What will make these cease differently? And could you explain what "is(was)" indicates? by Grace, eklektos |
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98 | tongues | Eph 4:14 | eklektos | 154166 | ||
Hello Hunting, It truly is refreshing to hear that the Spirit is working freely in others. For we are told not to quench the Spirit (1 Th 5:19). Yes, God is willing to bless us with these gifts and we should be willing to use them. In 1 Co 13, the raw, basic, total concept and context is Paul talking about how that love is eternal. Love, prophesies, tongues and knowledge are compared to this world and the next world. In this world we have all these things but when the "perfect comes" (1 Co 13:10) we will no longer need these gifts of the Spirit for we will see and know all things clearly but love will still exist. There is not a drop of instruction that prophecies, tongues or knowledge are to cease in this world. 1 Co 3:9 "For we know in part", true. We are still bound to earth. For if we knew all knowledge this forum would be useless and debates and discussions would not be necessary. When the "perfect comes", all this will pass away but not love. 1 Co 3:9 "and we prophesy in part", true. Because we know in part. When the "perfect comes", all this will pass away but not love. 1Co 13:12 "For now we see through a glass, darkly", because we are bound to earth, but then (when the perfect comes) face to face (truly being in the presence of the Lord), the limits of this earthly boundary will disappear, but not love. "now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known", again the "but then" references to the heavenly future. All these things will pass away but not love. Hunting is a good name also; keep hunting in the Word of God. You linked your response to me and I am responding. You might want to link a response to Kennyittis so he may get an email and your uplifting words also. by Grace, eklektos |
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99 | tongues | Eph 4:14 | eklektos | 154157 | ||
Hello Wild Olive Shoot, Though we disagree on the uses of historical data it cannot bring a division between us and I also will not belabor any more points that would jeopardize a brotherly relationship. Thank you for your sharing and your gentle way. We are of the same branch and are supported by the same root, Jesus. I too, would enjoy other topic discussions with you. by Grace, eklektos |
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100 | tongues | Eph 4:14 | eklektos | 154124 | ||
Hello Wild Olive Shoot, Pardon my tardy response but other matters required attention. You wrote: “…you used the writings of Reitzenstein, Philos and Celsus to support and uphold your view of what one will endure while under the influence of the Holy Spirit and speaking in tongues, am I mistaken on that point? My friend, even if what they claim is truth, the source of it is still evil, as their claims and teachings and lives were and are contrary to the Word of God.” Let us take this line by line: (1) As to Philo’s quote: “The best (ecstasy) of all is a divinely-infused rapture and 'mania,' to which the race of the prophets is subject.... The wise man is a sounding instrument of God's voice, being struck and played upon invisibly by Him.... As long as our mind still shines (is active)...we are not possessed (by God)...but ... when the divine light shines, the human light sets.... The prophet ... is passive, and another (God) makes use of his vocal organs.” This Philo observes of one that is filled with the Spirit of God and prophesies. (2) As to quoting Celsus’ : (the entire quote is offered here). Being a non-believer, this is what he observed of the early Christians. “There are many who, although of no name, with the greatest facility and on the slightest occasion, whether within or without temples, assume the motions and gestures of inspired persons; while others do it in cities or among armies, for the purpose of attracting attention and exciting surprise. These are accustomed to say, each for himself, 'I am God; I am the Son of God; or, I am the Divine Spirit; I have come because the world is perishing, and you, O men, are perishing for your iniquities. But I wish to save you, and you shall see me returning again with heavenly power. Blessed is he who now does me homage. On all the rest I will send down eternal fire, both on cities and on countries. And those who know not the punishments which await. them shall repent and grieve in vain; while those who are faithful to me I will preserve eternally.'" Then he goes on to say: "To these promises are added strange, fanatical, and quite unintelligible words, of which no rational person can find the meaning: for so dark are they, as to have no meaning at all; but they give occasion to every fool or impostor to apply them to suit his own purposes.” Though he did not understand the happenings, his observations are that of Christians filled with the Holy Ghost preaching and speaking in tongues. Even though he was not of the church, what he observes is supporting Biblical accuracies of the Corinthian epistle. (3) “of what one will endure while under the influence of the Holy Spirit” I never stated "will endure"; I stated "similar to". (4) My desire was not to judge good and evil but to compare historically what was observed in those days of the early church. Many historians have been most valuable in their views to those times. I do not praise these men nor do I condemn them but my eyes can’t see what they saw, thus by reading about times of the past, to me, is most helpful in understanding. If what they say conflicts with Scripture, the Holy Spirit witnesses the falsehood. If what they say supports the Scriptures, all to the better. These men are dead and in the hands of God but their experiences are still valuable, historically. Just as we read about some of the good-guys and bad-guys in the Old Testament; they are all written in history for us to learn. There is something to learn in everybody. If we are grounded and our roots have taken deep hold upon the Truth, the readings of historical documents, either of a believer or an unbeliever (insert the history textbooks of our schools here), in no way tarnishes the Word of God to us. In another post you say (pertaining to Celsus): “… thought Jesus was no more than a bastard … who acquired certain magical powers…”, even the Pharisees in the Bible voiced this, John 8:19, John 8:48. So, lastly, if one would read again my first post, it was offered for the reader to “compare” what was said by these people for a historical view as to a "state" of one being in the Spirit. by Grace, eklektos |
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