Bible Questions & Discussion PAGE 601

David,

Yes, I agree. That's what the scripture teaches.

( 1 Corinthians 15:53).

Thanks!

Donna,

Thank you for this list of one to pray for. I was just thinking in past days about Gabriel and Gabby, having not heard from him in a while, and Kent Bass, who hasn't posted in some time. LaTonya is recovering from heart transplant and has not updated us lately. Your son, Daniel, has a hard road in front of him. Tasha, too. Mason, and others have lost loved ones recently.

So, I will join you in prayer for these whom we have come to know on this site.

Heavenly Father, We lift up these requests Donna has voiced here to You in the name of Your Son, Jesus. We ask that you will help Daniel successfully complete rehab and maintain recovery. Please remove the addiction from him completely. Bring healing to his brain that has been damaged from a trauma from his early years. Bring these miracles in his life, Father. More so, bring Daniel to salvation, the biggest miracle of all! Though nothing is too difficult for You, Father.

We pray for Gabriel and Gabby, that You will unite them together once again and heal their relationship, hearts, hurts, and redeem this relationship. Uplift Gabriel in his sorrow and longing and strengthen his faith and trust in You and Your timing and ways. Urge Gabriel to come back on this site again.

We ask that You continue to heal Latonya as her body learns to accept this new heart you provided for her. We ask that You prevent any rejection of this heart, any complication. Bring her health and many more years of life. Urge her to come back on this site and post an update.

We lift up Tasha to You Father, bring her comfort and healing from cancer and treatment. Strengthen her in every way.

We lift up Mason, and others who have lost a loved one recently. Comfort their hearts and help them as they grieve their losses. You are God who sees us, hears us, helps us, and comes alongside us in our times of sorrow. Have mercy on all who grieve.

Amen.

David,

Yours is one of the most useful sharing I've ever received. You remind me that to be saved one has to confess it loud that you believe that Jesus is my Savior and that God has risen him from the dead. I have done this before but I think I need to do this again in front of someone or in front of a group. Does the type of declaration it affects the credit of your act of confessing it?

Like for example, if we say it virtually on our video posted in the you tube, will God accept that even if it is not done in person?

Yes the renewing of mind to a mature mind in God is the real product of your acceptance of Jesus as your Savior. This is one of the hardest things to do that I think we must accomplish to be victorious in Christ Jesus. I got to read the 12:2 I need to check it back. I received so many replies... Praise the Lord ! Hallelujah...

Glad I am off today... Thanks for this day Lord !

Dear S. Spencer,

Thank you for such a good reply. I am looking forward to part 2!

Ronnette,

I was thinking upon this matter last night sort of along the lines that you posted.

I thought, well, of what great significance is it whether Paul or Matthias was the 12th apostle? Really. I don't think that this is a matter to really have a long discussion about, as it does not affect the topics of salvation, the truth about Who God or Jesus is, or the Christian walk. So, thanks for appreciating the discussion between all of us. I, too, find such discussions helpful. It takes me back the Word of God to find truth. That is always a good thing! Blessings to you today.

Dear Mae (love your name)!

You have received some helpful comments already, but I wish to add these thoughts prompted by reading your question and the replies:

First, In my mind, a rephrasing of your question may be helpful. Are you saying that yes, we are saved by faith, not good works, but are good works still important in the life of a believer?

To this question, I would answer. Correct, we are saved by God through His outpouring of grace by faith gifted to us by Him. And, yes, good works are important in the life of a believer. They are, as Jessie states, the result of the working of the Holy Spirit indwelling in us after conversion. Yet, I will add, in order for the Holy Spirit to cause us to abound in good works, we do have to use our will and actions to cooperate with the Holy Spirit to allow Him to work in us and through us.

If we yield and cooperate with the Holy Spirit (which is a choice to walk with the Spirit) we will produce the fruits listed in Galatians 5:22. The Holy Spirit does not take over us and force us to do good works. He creates in us a desire to love what is good and hate what is evil. He creates in us a deep desire to obey like Jesus did, who never sinned. Our natural body, mind, and soul all work with the Holy Spirit to do these good works. It is the sinful nature in use that works in us to tempt us to do evil works.

We have both the Holy Spirit and the sinful nature in, it is a constant battle within us to choose which we will allow to reign in each action, thought, and motive brought forth in our mortal, natural being. With the indwelling Holy Spirit, we have the power of grace to overcome sin in any given moment and choose God's way. But, even so, the sinful nature is still within us and we give in to it at times. In these times, we are to do what John says in 1 John 1: to confess to God that we have sinned and ask for forgiveness, knowing He will always forgive us and cleanses us from all unrighteousness.

Fred Scanlan

This is amazing. T How wonderful to think that God has given us the gift of salvation . Without Jesus our savior we are wretched sinners with no hope of salvation at all.

Now we can smile and dance and be happy . We just have to believe and obey.

Thank you bro

Hi Spencer bro, I still couldn't see my reply to you.. it might be still in the screening process :)

I am really so thankful to God for all of your help in my spiritual growth as a baby Christian.

T. Levis

Thank you ! Yes these should help greatly in my spiritual growth as a Christian.

All of these are must reads. I need to finish reading these with whole heart and mind.

God bless !

Part 2.

Titus 3:4-6. But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared,

Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of REGENERATION, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;

Which he shed on us abundantly THROUGH Jesus Christ our Saviour;

Let's look at this word regeneration. Greek:

Transliteration: paliggenesia

Pronunciation: pal-ing-ghen-es-ee'-ah

Definition: From G3825 and G1078; (spiritual) rebirth (the state or the act) that is (figuratively) spiritual renovation; specifically Messianic restoration: - regeneration.

We have been REGENERATED, REBORN, Given a new heart and ready to present Christ work through you.

So we have the words Quickening.

Greek:

Transliteration: zopoie

Pronunciation: dzo-op-oy-eh'-o

Definition: From the same as G2226 and G4160; to (re-) vitalize (literally or figuratively): - make alive give life quicken.

KJV Usage: quicken(9x), give life(2x), make alive(1x).

It means to make alive or give life.

Here in

1 Corinthians 15:45.

We know Jesus is that Quickening spirit which is also the Holyspirit that gives life in Romans 8:11-14.

( If you notice verse 14 you have to be led by the Spirit.)

A life now that can bare fruit such as faith.

This is what James is saying in James 2:17-18. Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.

Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works.

What James is saying is he's going to show that this gift is in me by his work. You see a Christian is saved UNTO good works. Ephesians 2:10.

This is why the Lord says you shall know them by their fruits. It doesn't say you shall know them by their works! You see your fruits is something only God can produce such as Love/Agape, Faith, ect.. and fruit determines what type of works it is. "OF God/Spirit. or of Self/flesh. Matthew 7:15-20.

God bless.

Well said GiGi.

Spencer,

Thank you so much for sharing the scriptures related to my question. These has really done a great impact in my understanding and finding the truth. I need to ponder on the given verses and have to read the Bible diligently and heartily.

I am so grateful to God today and forever

Glad to have someone out there to answer my questions because I am still a baby Christian :)

God bless you bro!

Dear LaNette

You are asking for details that the scripture doen't give us, so everything else would be a guess. But you must know that at that time people got ill and die and nobody knew why, i.e its written that Lasarus had fever, but fever is due to thousand different reasons. But at a time that the ancient people had no knowledge about illnesses and medicines, nobody really knew what was the illness that often killed them. Many of those illnesses today are cured by simply giving antibiotics for a few days, but at that time those things were fatal.

Jessie,

I really appreciate your help. This is so enlightening. I have learned something priceless. It has opened a vast understanding within my spirit. The Lord must be working on your wisdom and the zeal to help fellow believers like me to get a better understanding of His words. I am so happy knowing that my efforts or choice to do good signifies that I am saved or this must be how God the Father draw us.. I would like to say it loud that this is indeed the day that the Lord has made ! we will rejoice and be glad in it. This is a chance to do good works. Glory to God in the Highest.

God bless you!

Amen.

Well stated

Jesse Biblically speaking jesus christ was the first fruits and in the gathering together we will have a body like his incorruptable.

Mae By the grace of god we are born again when we confess Romans 10:9+10 and start applying Gods word in our lives.

Even to get born again takes an individuals actions confessing with mouth and thought and heart which are all things we do the

then God does the miracleof all miracles and were born again a child of God spiritually. The work for a believer daily is to walk

by gods word which in Romans 12:2 which is a lifetime process. All of chapter 3 of collosians has renewed mind keys in thought

and action. Again the work is the process of change in our walk which is required to walk by the spirit. Agapeo.

Being saved by grace: Genesis 6:8, Genesis 19:12,13,15,16, Exodus 33:12,17,

By The law: Romans 3:10-31,

Faith : Romans 4, Romans 5,

Obedience, yeilding to GOD: Psalms 84:11, Romans 6, Romans 12, 1Corinthians 3:9-15, 2Corinthians 9:8, Ephesians 2:1-10, Titus 3:7,8, 1Peter 4:10, 1Peter 5:1-11,

Romans 11:16-22, Matthew 25:31-46, Matthew 7: , Hebrews 10, James 2,

Watch out for: Jude 1:4,

Hopefully these are helpful in your walk, with GOD

What is the time frame of the book of Acts?

I have been working with your app for quite a while now but never signed in. I find it a great aid in my studies. Noce work

Hello David:

This is one of those topic that in the end whether Mathias or Paul is the answer, I have had the privileges to have known people like you and others who are willing and able to discuss Bible verses in a Godly way. That alone is very precious in my walk in spirit. I respect your belief on this topic and thank you so much for sharing your point of view. Kind regards. Agape.

Mae,

Good works is the result of salvation. It is God's Spirit in a believer that produces the work. It is His Spirit that persuades us to do good. We cannot produce anything spiritual that pleases God. All we can produce is flesh. It is God's Spirit in us that does the work so that we have nothing to boast. ( Ephesians 2:8-9).

Hi Mae.

Part 1.

Yes salvation is by grace alone.

Romans 3:28.

Galatians 2:16.

Every verse emphasizing salvation in the Bible presents this grace when read in context.

When the Lord judge the quick and the dead you are going to have to present yourself spotless!!

THAT MEANS NOT JUST REFRAINING FROM SIN, NOT EVER EVEN THINKING OF COMMITTING SIN. ( EVER!!!) Sin is in the Heart. The penalty of sin is death.

We had to be bought by THE "UNBLEMISHED" BLOOD OF CHRIST.

When we attempt to add our works/filthy rags to Christ unblemished sacrifice those filthy rags shows up at the judgment seat alone without Christ and is rejected.

That's what Jesus is saying in Matthew 7:22-23.

Man working for salvation doesn't change the Heart of Man. The Lord came to give a new Heart, not repair the old one.

Let's look at Ephesians 2.

Notice what's highlighted.

Ephesians 2:3-5. Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, FULFILLING THE DESIRES OF THE FLESH AND OF THE MIND; AND WERE BY NATURE THE CHILDREN OF WRATH, even as others.

But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us,

Even when we were dead in sins, hath QUICKENED us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;)

We "WERE" by nature children of wrath. What happened? We were QUICKENED!!

Notice the order of events.

Ephesians 2:8-10. For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:

Not of works, lest any man should boast.

For we are his WORKMANSHIP, CREATED IN CHRIST JESUS UNTO GOOD WORKS, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.

Now let's take this mindset to the book of James and see what he is actually saying.

See part 2.

As I read God's word, and He points out Babylon the great, and how sudden destruction will come upon her.

"Babylon the great has fallen has fallen.." Rev. 18:2. In fact, the whole of chapter 18 appears to describe the United States!

I pray people will wake up, and take His word as it is written. As I talk with many "born again" Christian's, I find that many are thinking they do not have to worry about what's coming upon the earth, because God is going to "rapture" them out of harms way. That is NOT what God's word says! 2 Timothy says, " Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution".

What makes us so special that God is going to snatch us up and away from trouble? Did he not protect Daniel while in the lions den. His word shows us that He'll protect us as we go through tribulations. He is the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow. Many Christians are saying that God is "doing a new thing. Really .? God's word doesn't change to fit one's own narrative. Look what's happening in our country. The Biden democrat/Marxist party is destroying everything good about our nation, and filling influential positions with godless people who hate our country, while at the same time claiming to be good Christians. I correct myself such that Biden and Pelosi claim to be good Catholics, which opens up another ungodly can of worms. I pray God gives us eyes to see and ears to hear during these corrupt and evil times. Thanks you for reading this post.

I respect your approach Chris.

I love our discussions despite different approaches. I seldom find someone open and calm to discuss very simple yet very important issue in the Bible. I know all of us here love the Lord Jesus Christ. We may say something that it may hurt someone, and I myself is capable in doing so. But I know and understand we are still in our corruptible body susceptible for errors and mistakes. In addition, I tried to see what others say in a cup half full than cup half empty. That to me avoid vain babbling and put anyone in a stumbling block. Anyway, I leave you and our fellow believers with these verses: For I long to see you, that I may impart unto you some spiritual gift, to the end ye may be established; That is, that I may be comforted together with you by the mutual faith both of you and me. Rejoice evermore. Agape.

Hello Gigi:

Thank you so much for finding that verses. Correct they were baptized with water. Then said Paul, John verily baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying unto the people, that they should believe on him which should come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus. This verse reveals to me and exactly the way what happened in my own experience. I know some people would say you have to be baptized by water to receive the Holy Spirit. But clearly they did not received the Holy Spirit until after Paul shared Jesus Christ where they must believe to receive the Holy Spirit. When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. Today, in my opinion, to make a water baptism a requirement is not necessary. After Jesus died on the cross, He promise to send his Holy Spirit to those who believe, trust in the righteousness of faith in the blood Jesus Shed for the forgiveness of our sins. The most God graceful free gift one could ever received in a person's life time on earth. I get emotional every time I think of Jesus sacrificing Himself for everyone of us. A love that I would have never understood until I started to love everyone so deeply although they never could love me in return. Agape.

Thanks Giannis. Very encouraging; It is comforting for me to meditate on the meaning of those words (truths) more consistently. Thank you Holy Spirit.

Mae In the epistle to the phillipians specifically 2:12 Paul writes second half work out your salvation or wholeness

or completeness[a constant changing from old man nature to new] with fear and trembling more accurately is respect

and awe. The work is in the renewed mind or all of Collossians chapter 3. Look at the number of times do and let are

used. We continue to do Gods Word putting it in our minds and acting thats letting God work by believing what He's

accomplished for us in Christ. Agapeo to you.

Hi Chris

My opinion about 1 Corinthians 15:29 "Else what shall they do which are baptized for the dead, if the dead rise not at all? why are they then baptized for the dead?"

My belief is that it talks about baptism in water in the name of Jesus. Be patient and I will explain myself.

Firstly lets read what the scripture says about baptism in water (what it really symbolizes)

Colossians 2:12

"Buried with him (Jesus) in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead."

Romans 6:3-7

"Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? (Baptism in greek means immersion, submersion)

Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.

For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection:

Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin.

For he that is dead is freed from sin."

One may argue that the above verses are not about baptism in water, but for me their is no doubt.

So Baptism in water symbolizes burial of our old sinful person in the grave (of the water tank) and the rising up (resurrection of) a new person ready to follow a new holly life, exactly like Jesus was burried after crucifixion and was raised up from the dead.

But if Jesus was never resurrected from the dead, baptism would be in the name of a dead Jesus, that is in the name of the dead/for the dead. Ther isn't any benefit for us in such a case. If Jesus was never resurrected, we are still in our sins and we have no eternal life.

GBU

Charles One point to keep in mind is that God in the book of exodus made the sabbath for man not man for the sabbath

long before any pope or other man. It was instituted as a day of rest worship and fellowship. In this day and time that

is the age of grace its 24-7 all the time via qalking by the spirit in fellowship with God.