Bible Questions & Discussion PAGE 111

A person need to receive the Holy Ghost. And Christ gave the Holy Ghost unto his Apostles and they gave it unto those that were chosen by God. Jesus said unto his Apostles free you have received it free you shall give it. If he that claim he is a chosen of God because he paid for the education and has a certificate to prove it is a liar and had been lied to.

The New testament acknowledge Jesus and tel us things about him and the works he did and the things he said but it also tel us about the Apostles and the things they did and say and how God appeared unto them and have send them where He God needed them.

The Scripture by itself dont bring salvation. It may bring hope. Salvation is to know the true God and his Son Jesus Christ - the Church today off which Christ is the head.

What I learn from the new testament is that God - if (you are a chosen) may personally appear unto you, from time to time, with a special request which you SHOULD NOT go against.

The thing is - CAN "YOU - meaning anyone today" with authority claim he is a chosen one of God.

I do understand how you feel and I've been in a similar situation to you . I haven't been to church for a while now and I miss it . In all honesty I don't miss the people , I miss the sermons , I love to be taught about the Bible and I'm always hungry to learn and I miss the bread and the wine very much . It is a precious privilege to partake of the bread and wine and I believe we should do so if possible . Keep looking for a church , I hope you find somewhere you can be comfortable and enjoy , I miss singing hymns also . I sing them at home but I have a hideous singing voice :( .

Really ? I can't quite believe that you said that , perhaps I'm missing something , forgive me if that's the case .

Stay cool , don't allow yourself to be baited . I don't agree with everything that you say but I am very grateful to you for keeping me sharp and focused and you have very much helped my understanding , I have learned things from you and that's what I want from this site , to learn . Thank you .

Brother Spencer,

Amen! False teaching must be called out, so thank you for doing so!

But you know something? No matter how false or corrupt someone's teachings are, there will always be at least one follower, and we see that here on this forum.

I think the best advice given by Jordyn was when he said "Don't believe a word I say without looking to the scriptures and asking Christ to teach you."

Well, I have taken his advice and searched the scriptures, which we are supposed to do anyways without anyone telling us to do so, and I find that the things he's saying go completely against sound biblical doctrine.

Again, thank you for exposing these things.

God bless!!!

Hello, Fred

We will meet up when God wills it, either in this life or the life to come which will last forever.

We do need to be wise and watchful concerning the genuine truth of God vs. truth that man thinks is genuine. I wish that all believers would all have the same genuine truth of God, but for reasons we do not understand, God has allowed so much diversity within the body of Christ as to doctrine and practice. Perhaps it is for us to practice love and patience, forbearance and gentleness in teaching one another, especially with those who may not believe exactly as we do ourselves.

I imagine when we are resurrected, we will be very humbled by realizing that what we thought to be genuine truth of God and His ways and His Word really does not even touch the surface of the depths of the wisdom, knowledge, will, grace, and truth of God in Christ.

Every day that God gives us to live in this first life is filled with opportunities to worship Him, serve Him, serve others, speak the truth to ourselves and others, exercise the love of Christ to those we come in contact with in the day that God gives us, and also to have our faith be tested in order to drive us to the Word to have His Spirit bring us into truth and instruct us on how to live this day, today, for the Lord and for the benefit of others.

Fred, I am glad that you are back posting. I always enjoy your wisdom. Thanks for giving it out to those who have been called to be children of God.

Hello Gerhardus, welcome.

The story of Philip and the Ethiopian demonstrates why God gave the offices of pastor, teacher, evangelist, apostle to the church Jesus created and promised to preserve throughout the ages. The Scriptures are our teachers because the words were written by apostles, taught of God, Who gave them the inspiration as to what to write. The Words in Scripture are God's message to us.

We are to read the Scriptures repeatedly to get them deep into our minds and hearts:

*to be able to remember verses to share with others in their time of learning or need

*to bring to mind when we need comfort, correcting, and understanding in all situations in our lives

*to teach them to our children in the everyday moments when circumstance come up where a good word from Scripture is needed without opening up the Scriptures to search for a verse

There are many more reasons to be very familiar with ALL of the Bible, so frequent reading is important.

Then there is the study of the Scriptures that goes beyond just reading it. We do this to:

*learn correct doctrines taught by the apostles across the epistles

*to learn more and more of Jesus in the Gospels

*to mature in our understanding of what God has revealed in Scripture

*to share our thoughts with others as we interact with Scripture

*to learn from a pastors sermons, teachers who lead us, and those God has anointed to be wise in Scriptural truth.

There are many other reasons to study the Scriptures

We meditate on what we read in Scriptures to:

*allow the Holy Spirit to strengthen our faith

*to immerse ourselves in the thoughts of Gods instead of thoughts of the world

*to mindful of God's Presence in us and His prescribed way of coming to Him through prayer and His Word

*to help us as we pray with the help of the Holy Spirit

There are many other reasons to meditate on Scripture.

All these actions are important to employ in our lives regularly.

Jesus said, "My words are Spirit and Live"

Jesus said - No one comes to the Father than by me and no one come to me if the Father have not chosen him. So even having the new testament to read dont help much.

Brother S Spencer:

Quote my words, don't say I said something that I did not say.

I will debate with you all day long if you wish.

God Bless YOU!

BrotherS Spencer:

HOW were you saved?

WHAT were you saved from?

WHEN were you saved?

God BLESS YOU!

Thank you Gigi.

God bless you.

So right on, S. Spencer.

Thanks for addressing these heresies espoused by "Jordyn", a new screen name of one we have known by other names on here, I believe.

Today in the UK is Armastice day , remembering the dead of two world wars . There have also been hundreds of thousands deflecting from this national day of remembrance by staging pro palestine marches . UK is a democracy so this is certainly permitted . We were assured by the organisers that the march would be peaceful , we believed them . I've just watched on the news , crowds of men , six and seven deep , surging towards police officers attacking them very deliberately . The police are responding in equal measure . This conflict is divisive worldwide . We have a large muslim population in the UK , which is a very small island . I hope that wherever you are , that you keep away from this trouble , do what Rahab and her family did , stay home with your doors closed and wait for the Mercy of God .

Part 2.

Galatians 1:8-9.

Jordyn said;

Those who believe they DIED and were made ONE in Christ, will never die again.

Those who don't believe they DIED, and the resurrection made them ONE as the Father and Son and son are ONE will be cast into prison, the GRAVE. "Made one in Christ" in Jordyn's opinion means you become Gods"

Is this not another Gospel?

More issues.

Jordyn claims the flesh of the unbelievers is the devil and the bottomless pit mentioned in Revelation 20:2-3 is the grave.

He also claims we are already living in the 1000 years mention in verse 5.

He claims the unbelievers/Devil will be loosed out of the grave, "resurrected" in Revelation 20:7.

After all the dead are raised at the second resurrection, "LOOSED OUT OF THE BOTTOMLESS PIT" the Sons of God "WILL PREACH THE TRUTH TO THEM ABOUT THE TRUTH OF THE RESURRECTION"

LET'S EXAMINE.

Revelation 20:7-8. And he laid hold on the dragon, that old serpent, which is the Devil, and Satan, and bound him a thousand years,

AND SHALL GO OUT TO DECIEVE THE NATIONS which are in the four quarters of the earth, Gog and Magog, to gather them together to battle: the number of whom is as the sand of the sea.

(Jordyn says these verses says the unbelievers will preach the truth!)

The bible says Satan will deceive the nations!

So, Jordyn says God will judge the unbelievers by the word of God and give them the truth and mercy given to us, and they will have DIED the second death, and also become the SONS of God and will enter the Kingdom. Thats what he gets out of Revelation 20:2-8.

However, Look at Revelation 22:11-15. SOME REMAIN UNJUST!

Some have right to the tree of life and may enter in through the gates into the city.

Some are seen here in verse 15. "For without are dogs, and sorcerers, and whoremongers, and murderers, and idolaters, and whosoever loveth and maketh a lie.

BEWARE OF WHO YOU FOLLOW! NO CHILD OF GOD WOULD DO SUCH BLASPHEMY TO THE WORD OF GOD!

Revelation 22:19.

God bless.

Goodmorning.

Part 1

Here is something I wanted to address earlier but I had to wait until the weekend due to my busy work schedule.

Jordyn said;

"The wages of UNBELIEF is DEATH.

The Gift of BELIEF is IMMORTAL LIFE and Christ ONLY has IMMORTAL LIFE."

and then in a few more lines you said the unbelief and those who believe will receive eternal life.

SO, THEY BOTH RECEIVES THE GIFT IN HIS THEOLOGY.

Well, there is no reward for the righteous.

HE'S CALLING GOD A CORRUPT JUDGE.

Here is more blasphemy in this theology.

Here is a direct quote of what he stated. (Pay close attention to 1a!

Those who believe they DIED and were made ONE in Christ, will never die again.

1a) "Those who don't believe they DIED, and the resurrection made them ONE as the Father and Son and son are ONE will be cast into prison, the GRAVE. Revelation 20:2-3. End quote.

(Shouldn't it be those who didn't receive Christ and had their names written in the Lambs book of life will be cast into prison?)

Jordyn is saying who ever don't believe in his theology is the unsaved! I WILL COME BACK TO THAT.

1b) After God has gather all his SONS to be priest in the Kingdom, he will resurrect the unbelievers back to their flesh and blood bodies, they will be loosed out of their prison ( Revelation 20:7).

After all the dead are raised at the second resurrection the Sons of God will preach the gospel to them about the truth of the resurrection, judge them by the words of God, and give them the truth and mercy given to us, and they will DIED the second death, and also become the SONS of God. End quote.

SO ACCORDING TO HIM ALL HUMANITY WILL EVENTUALLY BE SAVED.

Recap;

From what he has mentioned in the past, according to him the devil is our flesh.

The bottomless pit mentioned in Revelation 20:2-3 is the grave.

The unbelievers/Devil will be loosed out of the grave, "resurrected" in Revelation 20:7.

I will deal with this in part 2.

See Part 2.

The Scripture is good for teaching and referral. Knowing the Scripture by heart is good but is not meaningful to God. Looking at the piece where Philip was send to the eunuch on the wagon there are a lot to learn from this piece.

1) The Lord after His crucifixion appeared unto Philip (ONE he taught) and instructed him to visit the eunuch on the wagon. It is clear that God from time to time make use of people HE TAUGHT to go and do work for HIM. Now then if you are not a taught of Christ how will he appear unto you?

2) The eunuch did read the Scripture but did not understand (hidden from). This again shows me if you are not taught by Christ himself or by one he directly taught and or they taught you will not understand the scripture. And therefor not one of HIS. As it is written in the scripture where Jesus told them who did not understand - you dont understand cause you not of my flock.

Amen, not one church can give you the truth. Jesus said in

" John 8:31] Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed;

[32] And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free."

Churches are walking around in their sin with strong delusions to believe a lie to ve damned with. They all believe they are holding onto God's hand when in reality they are holding unto the devil's hand up to their neck in sin and expecting grace to keep on saving them like it is a walk in the park. Churches are not interested in going back to the old road of revival with the King James bible as they have tasted too much of the world and not too much of the word. As Jesus said, his words has no place in them John 8:37. He was talking to Abraham's seed to his people before people were called Christians. Christanity has rejected Jesus Christ the Son of God as prophesied abs accepted the world and the bible in 2nd Cor 6 tells us to come out from amoung them. Come out of the synagogues of Satan who refuse the love of the truth and walk hand in hand with your pocketbook and nothing for the saving of the soul. You find a evangelist who believes in the perfecting of the saints and does not rebell agianst the words of the Gospel of Christ the King Janes Bible. For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft...this is what the church is engaged in their abominations and their carnal minded fun only to be cast into hell after with no fear of God before their eyes.

What law is John talking about? Not the ten commandments but the law the that Jesus came with, the law of the spirit of life in Christ Jesus Romans 8:1-2. The ten commandments were a schoolmaster to bring us to Christ Jesus Galations 3:24-25. Sin is a violation of the law of the spirit of life as it is the opposite of what Moses carried the law of sin and death. All sin is of the devil period 1st John 3:8. Tge reason why mankind sins and has to sin is because thry are a servant to sin a servant to the devil and not to Jesus Christ the Son of God.

The law of Moses made nothing perfect, it was the brining in of the better hope that did Hebrews 7:9. The law of spirit and life as Jesus'words are spirit and life John 6:63. Churches of all kinds are still bound by the old law, that is why they still celebrate the Sabbath when Jesus is now our rest and not the Sabbath day anymore.

Gal.3[24] Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith.

[25] But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster

Rev 14:13] And I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me, Write, Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth: Yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labours; and their works do follow them.

Hebrews 4:8] For if Jesus had given them rest, then would he not afterward have spoken of another day.

[9] There remaineth therefore a rest to the people of God.

[10] For he that is entered into his rest, he also hath ceased from his own works, as God did from his.

Romans 8:1] There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.

[2] For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.

[3] For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh:

1 john 3:4,-... whoever commits sin transgresses the law, for sin IS the transgression of the law.. 1cor 7:19,circumcision is nothing and uncircumcision is nothing, but the keeping of the commandments of God... I have to say, according to the bible, they must still mean something, jot, tittle, whatever.. it doesn't save us but they seem rather important.

In Christ Jesus we are blessed with the righteousness of God though faith. No one can be righteous be being faithful to the Ten Commandments. We must be faithful to Jesus. Jesus presented himself to his Father on the day of his resurrection as a living sacrifice, and He became the one to redeem us from trying to establish our own righteousness by keeping the commandments. Now, thorough Jesus Christ, we are made the righteousness of God. Anyone who claims to be righteous by keeping the commandments or because they do not commit any sin, have a righteousness which is of no avail for it has been done away with by the death and resurrection of Jesus our Lord. We can not say the Ten Commandments are to be done away with. It is the righteousness which was once obtained by keeping the commandments which is done away with. This is why we glory in Christ Jesus at all times for He is our righteousness if we choose to walk and continue in his word. We follow after new laws the law of the spirit of life in Christ Jesus Romans 8:1-3. Jesus is the end of the law of righteousness Romans 10:4. You were a righteous Jew when you kept the commandments. It is now in us thorough the words of the bible which are spirit and life John 6:63.

It is much like the Sabbath. The Sabbath has been done away with because the Lord of the Sabbath whom we serve daily is the forerunner. We are resting in the words of Jesus and not resting on any particular day as the Sabbath day was foreshadowing of things to come. Jesus is the head of the Ten Commandments for righteousness sake, and He is also the head of the Sabbath for rest's sake. In Christ we have ceased to work for our own righteousness. We need to be born of God and do what the Bible is telling us to do. "Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him: and he can not sin, because he is born of God." 1st John 3:9. Strive to enter in at the straight gate, and to sin no more. "

So Matthew Ch 13 from V 18 onwards , is talking about the very end of this world , after the one thousand year reign of Christ on earth in his Father's Kingdom ! V 49+50 speaks to Revelation Ch 20 !

Thank you , that ties in with Matthew Ch 13 V 28-30 and Revelation Ch 14 V 15-20 .

Thank you , you make me think about the Truth all day :) .

Thanks so much Jordyn , you have given me plenty to think about . I have often wondered about Genesis Ch 49 , it always seemed very significant to me but I couldn't work out why . Tying it to the twelve apostles and their governing of the twelve tribes in the Kingdom has been a revelation to me , thank you . As always you get my brain going and I'm very grateful for your insights :) much love in Christ .

Hello

Fred, Haven't heard from you for a while. Welcome back to posting!

Formal church attendance: Vows and covenants

1 Corinthians 10:4 talks about everyone drinking from the same spiritual rock and the Rock was Christ. God made a covenant with His chosen people and delivered them after 400 years of bondage in Egypt; passing them through the Red Sea. Not all Israel is Israel however. ( Romans 9:6-7). Some argue this represents Baptism; holding those under the covenant parents make on behalf of their children at infancy. Whatever the case; when we become church members; we make a vow or covenant as to our service toward other believers. In fact when we first come to Christ; it should be looked at as a Covenant. Christ has fulfilled everything in the finished work on the cross on our behalf; but is only EFFECTIVE if we are truly saved. God makes us willing ( Psalm 110:3) and He gives the gift of repentance. ( 2 Timothy 2:25 and several other references). If we truly are saved we will love God and of course keep His commandments ( John 14:15). This involves obedience toward Christ and Him being Lord Savior AND Master of our lives.

When we make a church vow as members we affirm our faith in Christ; and our commitment to the body of Christ (prayer and fellowship). In Pittsburgh one of the things my pastor did annually was print out our vow as a reminder which I think is a good thing. This naturally encompasses the discipline of rebuking a brother and going through necessary disciplinary measures if personal resolution cannot be accomplished. If leadership is guilty and the congregation doesn't corroborate clearly evident apostasy or sin then we must disfellowship. I went through a specific issue that I won't elaborate on now with an elder after discussion with the Pastor in a previous church; eventually I left; so I've been there. This as with a marriage involves the same principal; we always seek reconciliation but separation may be needed at times. We are all part of covenant fellowship with all true Christians.

Hello Richard, A common fellowship in the Church of God is built presently by the Lord, at the cross, in love, if we believe. Looking to another day to commune by faith has little substance.

An evening meditation.

Home church or regular church attendance: "Secondary doctrinal issues"

Perhaps one difference between home churches and formal churches is that when one has a disagreement in a home Bible study they just leave. When one is a member of a church it means someone is more likely to be entrenched for a long battle that results in much collateral damage. We should become church members at least accepting the doctrinal statement. I myself had some issues with various reformed churches as to the Post Millennium view; Baptism; etc. The first issue I agreed to disagree with; as to the second when I was in OPC before the local church shut down due to lack of attendance somehow they let me be a member without espousing to their errant view of infant Baptism as I saw it. The secondary eschatological view was also espoused elsewhere (amillennialism in that case). I wasn't at my last church before I moved here long enough to become a member; I probably would have to espouse their view on infant baptism to become a member but I'm not sure.

When I was in the home study one person broke out and joined a Preterist group; thus I had to disfellowship there. Christ clearly has not come back yet (this was full preterist sadly enough). As to eschatology I have stated before that I attended a church that believed as I did on Pre Tribulation rapture and such but didn't really discuss it. I have seen that quite often where doctrines espoused are never brought into a serious discussion. It probably is a good thing as the one time it was discussed in the past where Post Mil was the official belief the Pre Trib was mocked as a concept. We all need to choose our battles carefully.

For me the determining factor was divorce and remarriage; which I am convinced is wrong when a spouse is still alive at least as far as remarriage is concerned. PRC was one of the few places that believes it along with my current local church. I will get into vows and covenants in my next post.

Formal church or home fellowship continued

My previous posts today are focused on personal involvement and investment in the church. We can be involved in attending a service every Sunday and perhaps a few other activities but never want to stand in the gap when doctrinal error occurs or disciplinary issues arise. There shouldn't be a mutually exclusive issue when it comes to respecting the elders or pastors and coming to them to expose error; whether intentional or otherwise. In the same token; of course sin should be dealt with properly; which seems to be a rare event today from my observations in regard to church discipline for those obviously living lifestyles of sin. This is part of what elders should be doing in looking after the flock (see 1 Peter 5:1-8). There is at least doctrinal standards in reformed churches today; but my honest assessment is that such activities; along with other duties of such church officials seems to be lacking. I have seen little of prayer with oil for the sick; exhortation; or trying to assess and build up those in regard to spiritual gifts. Again; in the Reformed circles I have seen angst among those who are teaching false doctrines among the congregation (in particular the PRC I attended in Pittsburgh regarding these issues elsewhere in the country). This was a very tight knit congregation and kept a close watch in regard to that subject. Church splits are no rare event today; as controversies abound. How much the average layperson is involved in this is somewhat subjective as to whether they are church members; for instance. Unresolved issues in a local church causing strife is one determining factor that could lead us elsewhere perhaps to a home church environment; at least for a time.

I have seen both extremes; from too much tyrannical control among leadership to to lax an approach. Both can lead to serious issues. My next post will discuss "secondary issues" and considerations in church membership.

Church vs home churching considerations.

Another irony I have seen is that there was a rather strict adherence to the London Baptist confession (1600s) when I was in the home study; yet my current church where I am a member has no regular doctrinal statement it adheres to. It seems from my experience that there is a wild swing from those in Reformed circles; who often read every week from the Westminster confession and those elsewhere who only seem to discuss it when someone wants to be a new church member. Such a doctrinal stance I would expect normally would be lacking in home churches. The advantage of a home church is that people usually know each other pretty well and in depth interactions help to clarify what the consensus is in regard to doctrine. The home study I did attend was run by someone that had a seminary degree; although he didn't want to teach formally in churches due to his strong Calvanistic stance at least in part. There were occasional visits to those in family and acquaintances who preached in local churches; however. Another advantage in being there was discussion of the workplace and others we knew; whether family or friends so that regular prayers for their souls would come up. There is less room there for cliques to develop.

My current church is probably like many others where there is a network; mainly of women who are involved socially and caring for the needs of elderly "shut in" individuals. That is commendable compared with some churches in that regard; since our pastor doesn't need to push people to do things in that regard. There is still; especially among men a sort of rugged individualism. I have found some people if you give a listening ear really open up; but perhaps it takes something such as the fracture of a marriage for people to open up enough to disuss such matters (or in the case of one man his disfunctional family and sins with his kids he is grieving about). We all need to be open to those in need.