All Discussion PAGE 1350

Thank you S. Spencer,

I understand what you said about conversing about salvation matters. This is very important to do with unbelievers and believers alike. We need to hear often the good news of salvation in Christ Jesus our Lord. And also, we need to mature in our faith. This is where sound doctrine plays a part. If we do not adhere to sound doctrine on Who God is and what His nature is like, and Who Jesus is and what His nature is like, and who humans are and what our nature is like, one will fall into error and be promoting a false god and false Jesus and a false view of our own selves in relation to God. And this can lead one into heresy, blasphemy and idolatry, worshipping the god we have devised in our heart and having an unduly high view of mankind. This is why we speak to such erroneous thinking as this, because, as you have said, it is a danger to believers.

Have a good day. You always have such a good word. Thanks

Christian Greetings Phillip! I myself have not studied from the Fox book. What I like from the old books are personal testimonies of particular martyrs faith, what they mention and what they do not.

We have an abiding comforter.

:)

Dear Sherry, thank you for this update. It is sad news. I will pray for Athena and Alexandre's family.

Dear Lord Jesus, be with Athena and those who are grieving today with Alexandre's passing. Comfort them with Your love and mercy. We ask that each will come to understand that You do weep with those who weep and mourn with those who mourn. Fill them with hope despite this time of sadness and lift up their eyes to see You amidst the tears. Surround them with Your peace. We ask these things in Your name, Jesus. Amen.

Donna,

Thanks for encouraging me. You are so good at that. I will pray for you today.

Dear Lord Jesus, We ask You today to strengthen Donna and bring an end to the illness that is making her feel unwell. We ask that Donna be made whole and has the stamina to care for her sister's needs as well as herself. We ask that You will bring an end to the cancer in her sister. We ask these things in Your name, Jesus. Amen

The Woman AT the Well. What are the lessons to be learned

It doesn't matter how long any of us live or how long we have been reading the Bible , we are all still students of it . All things will be clear to all of us , one day . God bless you .

Dear Ty , your post did not sound uneducated , please don't do yourself down , God's plan of salvation for us is very simple , it's only us humans who complicate things . Trust in the Lord with all thy heart and lean not unto thine own understanding . May God bless you

Hey Philip Murray,

I agree there is not any scripture that states at any time anyone goes to heaven. And Jesus is the only one who has gone to heaven from where He came John 3:13. Scriptures have been used to create a beautiful picture with the premise of not having to go through the tribulation that is coming but will be taken to heaven, adding a return of Jesus before His second coming.

There are several names Morgan Edwards, Edward Irving, a teenage girl in the lowlands of Scotland named Margaret MacDonald, and more, but spread by John Darby, and C.I. Scofield with the study bible with footnotes helped promote the doctrine. This is a deception I feel that Satan is behind, for those who are still living at the end (my opinion).

Where is in the air? Is it heaven? In Strong's 109 air (The air, lower air we breathe). In Strong's 3772 air Heavens, the visible heavens, the atmosphere, the sky, the starry heavens, the spiritual heavens. The word air 109 was used in 1Thessalonians 4:17 and seems as it says, it's no higher than the clouds. Now, this is a gathering in the air-breathing sky. Jesus will reign on this earth and also the elect, Revelation 11:15 2 Thimothy 2:12 Revelation 5:10 on earth not in heaven and on the new earth Revelation 21:1 Revelation 22:1-5.

No scripture says we are taken up to heaven after we meet Jesus but there is the scripture that says where Jesus goes when He returns. On that day His feet will stand Zechariah 14:4, He will send His angels to gather the elect, after the tribulation, Matthew 24:29-31 Mark 13:24-27. The earth is round, and the elect will be global when gathered will be in the air going to meet Jesus.

I could say more but it is up to us individually to pray and study for the understanding what is the truth led by the Holy Spirit. Consider the context when you study.

God bless,

RLW

Josh,

Thank you, I will try seeking out more in scriptures. I'm new to learning the bible as a whole but am going to church for the first time ever in my life, (never studied in a group or attended any kind of schooling I am self-educated.) I am concerned of getting involved with false teachings but there are many good things at this church I am going to, such as their focuses are greatly on Jesus, but they use other teachings along with the Bible. It seems every church feels theirs is the best and only church. My inner self has questions, having heard of false profits. It is why my question of the seven churches that I have heard are in the last of times.

I am near blind at times from an eye disease, was fully blind but now can see again after years, thanks to God, the Ophthalmologists and major experimental surgeries. I never went to school as a youth, I am self-taught throughout my adult life but have problems to read fine print. I'm happy to adjust my computer to help me read better and glad for this site! And all the responses I have received.

Sincerely,

Cyanrose

Hello Edith,

You ask a very deep, but pertinent question! One I have asked many times. The short answer (the long answer takes some time to research and study): December 25 in the time of the Roman (Byzantine) Empire, the masses celebrated this date called Saturnalia, or "venerable day of the sun", the winter solstice, as they were heathen sun-worshipers. But to appease his wife (a devout sun-worshiper) and the growing mass of Christians demands for such a holiday of their own, Emperor Constantine decreed that Dec 25 was a holiday for both, and the rest is history. As for Christmas, that has its roots in Babylonian mythology thanks to the Queen mother of Nimrod, whose husband the King died, and she proclaimed herself the ruler, but the people soon objected and demanded a King, so she married her son and made him King to appease the people. Nimrod died and his mother concocted the story that he didn't die, but became a god and as gods do, took his place in the heaven by becoming a star in the sky. To celebrate him in an effort to maintain her power and control over the people, she decorated an evergreen tree on the day of his "departure" and commanded all the people to bring gifts for him (a ruse to maintain their belief that he yet lived) and that he would return annually and retrieve his gifts and so bless the people and the land (while at the same time maintain her control over them and heap up the wealth of costly gifts for herself). All the pagan holidays celebrated by Christians such as Easter, Christmas etc have their roots in pagan eastern religion, but that knowledge is no deterrent to the devoted. All this information is readily searchable on line, in libraries and many other references, but it is work, and as well know, WORK is a 4-letter word, and everyone hates them. Lol! Best seek the answers for yourself, because then you will know for sure, and as I have discovered, telling the truth and the facts on this forum draws the ire of many.

Blessings!

Thank you.

Hi John.

The things you say you are lacking is listed in the fruit of the Spirit.

Galatians 5:22-25. It's not something we can manifest.

This may not come by motivational speakers or mere teachings although they're profitable as a seed already planted needing water for edification.

However it takes a belief in who all the scripture is written about. "Jesus". We have peace in his faithfulness, Not ours.

Hebrews 13:5-6.

Hebrews 12:1-2.

Romans 8:28-39.

And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.

For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.

Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified.

What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?

He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?

Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God's elect? It is God that justifieth.

Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us.

Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?

As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.

Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.

For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come,

Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Spiritual growth comes by feeding, hearing, believing. 1 Peter 2:2.

God bless

Thank you so much. I appreciate your response. Are you a Pastor?

Joe

What does gold, silver and (?) can do for our health?

Janet,

It says follow peace with all people, and the term follow is literally continually be pursuing. If I were to have the Lord's permission to insert a little note here, it would be "Now concerning your relationship with your fellow teammates, continually pursue peace with your brethren, the one's you are running the race with."

Follow after peace, and then it says, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord:

Who are you supposed to be seeing? The Lord! If you get off the track, if you get out of running the race, your eyes are no longer on Jesus.

Something else I am looking at in this verse is the word holiness. You are correct in saying "As long as we live in our earthly bodies we (our flesh nature) will not be 'sinless'." Our flesh is corrupt. The only holiness we have is Christ in us. And it is Christ in us that gives us the ability to be continually pursuing peace with our brothers and sisters in Christ.

Hello Janet,

Holy simply means "separate" in the Hebrew (and Greek) language, and it simply is a commandment to separate ourselves from "worldly" living, thinking, desires, etc. True no one is or ever will be without sin in this life, for ALL have sinned and come short of the Glory of God. But all through the gospels we are encouraged to "crucify" the flesh daily and walk in the Spirit. Be ye not "unequally yoked" with unbelievers, is the basic premise in that context. Don't over-think it, sister, or you will set yourself up for failure. Been there; done that! Lol! Just BE JANET, and believe; the Holy Spirit will guide you the rest of the way.

God bless and keep you!

Greetings Christadelphian.

Actually, in my 73 years of life, I have read the Bible cover to cover; more than once, and it was challenging and rewarding. I continue to study and read it and other references. My Pastor is up to 145 times! Glory be!

So, I am not familiar with the Christadelphians, but as time permits, I just may well investigate.

Thank you so much for taking a moment out of your life to share, encourage and comment. Blessing you!

Greetings Carleton;

Thank you for taking a moment to reply. I am not familiar with the book you cite, defaulting mainly to Fox's Book of Martyrs, but perhaps I will investigate it. Thanks for the suggestion.

Be blessed.

Thank you, Jason. Your reply is most appreciated. I read all of II Cor just this morning, and I DO understand what Paul writes. But I think perhaps those who have replied have misunderstood what I was saying, but that's ok, as we all know our Savior is Jesus, and our hope is sure in Him. As Paul, we are all perpetual students of the Truth and the Word, otherwise we lose hope.

Be blessed, brother.

I want to correct something I wrote in error. "Also Hebrews 11:40 and Hebrews 12:1 show that the people in Hebrews 11 ultimately HAD their faith made perfect when WE ENTERED into the New Covenant."

What Hebrews 11:40 really shows is that the people in Hebrews 11 WILL NOT be made perfect without us.

39 And these all, having obtained a good report through faith, received not the promise: 40 God having provided some better thing for us, that they without us should not be made perfect.

This indicates a future perfection for both them and us, with our perfection either coming at the same time as theirs or before theirs. The perfection being spoken of I take to be the same as 1 Corinthians 13:10

But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away.

I do believe that there is a connection in Hebrews 11 between the examples of faith before Christ the author lists and our faith in Christ ( Hebrews 11:6,9-10,14-16,19,25-26) as well as their future perfection and ours ( Hebrews 11:39-40), otherwise it is hard to understand the purpose of Hebrews 11 in my view.

Anyway, I wanted to correct what I said. It is harder than I thought to deal with topics that don't have an easy proof text and present them within a 2000 character limit without any mischaracterazation of scripture in my summaries. And in this case I did have a misunderstanding of what the author of Hebrews wrote that I only realized after reading the scriptures I had referenced more carefully.

Thank you , Kay. I appreciate the reply and the encouraging words. I do think that those who have replied have quite misunderstand what I was saying, but that's ok. I know I have many brothers and sisters in Christ that I have not yet met, but we are one in spirit.

Be blessed.

1 Corinthians 15:22

1 Corinthians 15:22

For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.

This verse does not mean that every sinner born on earth will go to hell any more than it means every sinner born on earth will be made alive in Christ. However, every sinner now on earth lives, moves, and has his being because of Christi just as ever human who ever lived or lives now will experience death in the flesh because of Adam.

John 3 tells us that sinners who do not believe in Jesus are already condemned. Why are they condemned, because they were born of Adam? No, they are condemned because they have not believed in Jesus. God does not condemn sinners to hell for the sins of others, but for their own sin.

Ezekiel 18:20

The soul that sinneth, it shall die. The son shall not bear the iniquity of the father, neither shall the father bear the iniquity of the son: the righteousness of the righteous shall be upon him, and the wickedness of the wicked shall be upon him.

This account in 2 Kings and in Jeremiah concerning what became of Zedekiah and his family have always burned in my mind. The killer part was he had been CONSTANTLY warned through prophecy. This man had witnessed the power of God and how he used Nebuchadnezzar to judge Jerusalem before. It just boggles my mind that he still did evil and even rebelled against the man who put him in his position, though he had NO power.

The prophecy given to Hezekiah in his pride about his sons and them being castrated is utterly stupefying. Another man taking your manhood because of God's judgement, that makes me fear God even more. May God deliver me from my own arrogance and unbelief so I don't end up like Zedekiah, family slain and eyes gouged out. God is truly to be feared.

The ten commandments were written in stone, but their application to modern Christians is limited by these verses.

2 Corinthians 3:3

Forasmuch as ye are manifestly declared to be the epistle of Christ ministered by us, written not with ink, but with the Spirit of the living God; not in tables of stone, but in fleshy tables of the heart.

2 Corinthians 3:7

But if the ministration of death, written and engraven in stones, was glorious, so that the children of Israel could not stedfastly behold the face of Moses for the glory of his countenance; which glory was to be done away:

Moses' face shown when he descended from the mount with the ten commandments, but that glory has been done away in the NT applications of spiritual meanings of OT commands.

Hebrews 10 ends with encouragement for Christians to take stock of themselves and to examine themselves to verify they have evidence to give themselves assurance they are saved.

38 Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him.

39 But we are not of them who draw back unto perdition; but of them that believe to the saving of the soul.

There are Christians whose faith is not real and those whose faith is genuine. That is what is in focus.

In Hebrews 12 we are again encouraged to keep seeking and serving God to guard against falling away which those do whose faith is not genuine.

12 Wherefore lift up the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees;

13 And make straight paths for your feet, lest that which is lame be turned out of the way; but let it rather be healed.

14 Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord:

15 Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled;

16 Lest there be any fornicator, or profane person, as Esau, who for one morsel of meat sold his birthright.

17 For ye know how that afterward, when he would have inherited the blessing, he was rejected: for he found no place of repentance, though he sought it carefully with tears.

Nobody is saved by cleaning up but neither are the saved still filthy as they were before they were saved, so we should examine ourselves and give diligence to make sure our salvation is real.

2 Peter 1:10

Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall:

Matthew 5:20

For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven.

Ezekiel 37:1-14

This is the vision that Ezekiel was given referred to as The Valley of Dry Bones.

Verse 11 clearly states that the vision included the WHOLE HOUSE OF ISRAEL. What this says to me is that God intends to resurrect ALL JEWS.

Verse 14 says the God will PUT HIS SPIRIT IN THEM. This says that the Holy Spirit will enter into them.

So, the vision says that ALL (The Whole House of Israel) will not only be resurrected, but also given the Holy Spirit. Their sins will/are forgiven and have life just because of their race. Not by a choice.

I doesn't seem that the Jews inherit everlasting life through faith. It says that God will save them ALL. Perhaps only Gentiles receive salvation "Through faith alone by Grace alone".

God says " I will have mercy on whoever I wish" (my paraphrase). So, since Jesus paid the sin debt of all humanity, God is also JUST to declare the Whole House of Israel righteous.

(This includes Judas Iscariot).

I have never been taught this interpretation of this vision but it appears cut and dried to me.

I've been taught that this is prophetically speaking that the nation of Israel will be drawn from the 4 corners of the earth and become a nation, but the vision speaks of God raising the whole house from their graves!

So, my entire statement is out there for comments. I'm open.

OT saints were saved by faith just like NT saints were and believers today are.

Psalm 78:21-23

King James Version

21 Therefore the Lord heard this, and was wroth: so a fire was kindled against Jacob, and anger also came up against Israel;

22 Because they believed not in God, and trusted not in his salvation:

Romans 4:3

For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness.

Believers who died before Christ died on the cross for their sins will never go to hell because their justification was in believing God, not in knowing and understanding every detail of Jesus' death on the cross for their sins.

If you believe in Jesus , that he is the Son of God and you have been baptized into him then he is your righteousness and your sins are forgiven . As long as you try very hard to live your life in a way that is acceptable to God , you will still sin some times , we all do , as long as you are trying and when you do fail you talk to God about it and ask Him to forgive you through the name of Jesus Christ , then you will be forgiven .

Sorry, Ty; wrong "citation" , but thanks for replying. The "rest" of my response is sincere. Sorry if that's confusing.

Thank you, Ty. I've not read the book you cite; more familiar with Fox's Book Of Martyrs. Perhaps I'll look into that.

I appreciate you taking the time to respond. I'm just an "uneducated fisherman" as well. I am diligent to "be not deceived", so I question everything, particularly my own understanding.

Some of the other responders have given good insight also. At 73, I'm still a "student" of the Bible. Blessings, friend.