Bible Questions & Discussion PAGE 731

Brothers and Sisters in the Lord, please, help :

Apart from the words "your master is eating with the publicans" , is there anywhere in the FOUR (4) Bible gospels (MATTHEW, MARK, LUKE, JOHN) , Where we have a recorded or documented conversation between the twelve (12) disciples and the people around them? Or Do we have any recorded conversation between the twelve (12) disciples and the people around them just within the four (4) Bible gospels (MATTHEW, MARK, LUKE, JOHN)?

Erich...Thanks for your response...But John 10 : 29 is not a scripture that can be negotiated or twisted ...Its Absolute...Jesus is saying My Father that gave them me is GREATER then all and No man is able to pluck them from my Fathers hands...Period...And about the parable of the sower that good seed is the living WORDS the very seeds of God...Thats y he is saying to whom the WORD came it made them Gods and the scripture cannot be broken Jesus's breath/words...Which means you donot understand the ENORMITY of the seed of the sower...Remember NO MAN can pluck them out of my fathers hands.

.....Thats y we cannot fallaway even if we wanted to...That good seed is the very seed of God..Spirit and Life,..We are ALL bought with a price, we are NOT our own...He paid for us with his own blood...If i be lifted up i will DRAW ALL men unto me when the time comes...( when the book is opened in Gods right hand ) Thats when the Kingdom comes..That woman in birth pains

.....That good seed is his WORD and his Word cannot return unto him void...It has to accomplish what it was sent to do a Birth a baby Christ which is the H.G that Child of Promise...Ya gotta realize that the sower of this good seed is the bridegoom..Thats y he has to KNOW us thats when the good seed is sown in our hearts...Thats hearing his voice ( his seed ) Hebrew 11 : 1 impling Faith and Real Faith is a spritual pregnancy simply b/c its the substance of things hoped for ( a baby Christ )...The H.G. The evidence of things NOT seen...Simply b/c the Child is spirit..Whosoever receiveth one such child in my name receiveth me..She brough forth a man child a baby that is gona rule all nations and her Child was caught up to God and to his throne..Remember the babes and sucklings...His children that gonna result from his seed...They don't call him the bridegroom for nothin..ok leme go Gbu Erich

I'm thankful to have the bible at the palm of my hand day and night.

why are we here?

I think that's it's also worth remembering that Melchizedek wasn't just the High Priest of Salem , he was also the King of Salem , I'm sure that you already know that Salem means peace . Salem to you smiley face . Genesis Ch 14 V 18 .

See also Galatians 5:22-23

"22 - But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,

23 - Meekness, TEMPERANCE, against such there is no law."

Dear Bobby

We don't know that but it is obvious they had some writings or oral instructions by God(?) about that. Definitely not used astrology, that is fake science. Not astronomy either which is real science. The star had to be down near the ground to show the house where Jesus was. If it was up the sky like normal stars it couldn't show a specific point on earth. It was not a usual star.

GBU

I picked that verse because We're getting so many questions about: "can people in heaven see us on earth?"

Maybe you can figure a better way to answer that question. There's more inquiries in the rooms now.

I don't believe in that. Im at a loss of why people want to think that anyway?

Dear brother/sister

I disagree with your comment about baptism as a condition for salvation

Please read Mark 16:15-16 .(there are other verses too)

" 15 - And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.

16 - He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned."

Does baptism saves one if not born iagain? The answer is No.

Does new birth saves one if not baptised in water afterwards? The answer is still No.

One has to go through both of them to be saved (my opinion ...)

There is a difference between baprism in water and baptism in Spirit. The former you do it yourself, the later God does it.

Also there are different opinions between christians about baptism in Spirit, that are:

a. One is baptised in Spirit when one believes in Christ, that is when one is born again.

b. when one is baptised in water

c. baptism in Spirit has nothing to do with either new birth or baptism in water. It is independent of those, but has to be either at the same time or after new birth.

Anyway I think baptism in water is essential for salvation. There are exceptions to this only when one is impossible to be baptized, like the other thief on the cross next to Jesus, or when one has no time left to live, etc

GBU

Thank you for your help. Blessings

Hi Sarah. The Jewish Sabbath starts from the evening of the Friday according to our Gregorian calendar. They keep to the same dates as we have them, except that their year is different (their current year is 5782). So whether your calendar shows Sunday as the first day of the week or Monday as the first, it won't matter, as the Sabbath will always start from Friday evening. And all their other holidays & observances are based on the calendar we have.

As the Jew remains under the Law, it is imperative that they abide to the given Law, for by it they will be judged ( Romans 2:12). But for the one In Christ, our judgement was at the Cross & the Law has no hold or gives any penalty to us ( Romans 8:1-4).

Thank you Mishael.

Ron

You can Google the star of Bethlehem and get the astronomy on that; approximate time in history, etc.

I believe the Wise Men were astrologers, mathematicians. Observers of the Times. Quite possibly Chaldean in nature. They had a purpose to fulfill in Gods plan. Each gift had a meaning. Mary and Joseph could use the gold to live on, in Egypt until King Herod died, in Israel.

It's very interesting to study the ways God provides for His purposes. For us too.

This is an ongoing subject that gets wrangled routinely.

When you come to Jesus for salvation, BEING BORN AGAIN ( John 3), Jesus will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.

Water Baptism is a wonderful ceremony, to be shared with your Church and family. But it does not save you. You have to give your life to Christ and take His Life into your heart, mind, and soul__by asking to be baptized by the Holy Spirit.

Anyone can walk into a church and be baptized. Call and make an appointment first. It'll be private if that is your aim.

Jesus was baptized by John the Baptist, because it was a prophesy. A lot of people got baptized that day.

The best Baptism is the day you realize that the Holy Spirit is seated on the throne of your heart, and speaks to your heart with the still, small voice. He's teaching, comforting, warning when you're about to sin some way. He tells you about Jesus__if you will get into the Bible and read it every day. Start in Proverbs. Lots of practical information in there. Isaiah is prophetic scriptures about Jesus. Matthew to 1-2-3 John are Jesus's life on earth. Revelation gives you a special blessing for reading it. Every time you do.

By every means, grow up in Christ.

Refuse to be a ( Revelation 3:14-22) kind of Christian. Be hot.

I love you in Jesus, Mishael

Reply to Corey Banning.

What does Psalm 91 have to do with baptism?

I do not believe Christ saves a sinner but then makes that salvation dependent on that sinner keeping himself pure enough from sin not to warrant being rejected by Jesus in the end.

Reply to Doug

I believe foolish virgins with no oil in their lamps, professing Christians with no fruit of the Holy Spirit and no works to evidence genuine faith, and foolish hearers who build their houses on the sand are all pictures of sinners who never get saved because God saw they valued other things more than God, like the eager young man in Matthew 19 who valued his money more than salvation.

Jesus was anointed with all gifts of the Holy Spirit. Specifically, in this incident He knew by the Word of Knowledge __ WHO the sinners and hypocrites were, in that mob.

They were trying to trick Jesus into rendering a death sentence on the woman. Jesus just said, "HE WHO IS WITHOUT SIN, throw the first stone."

We have to cultivate the Mind of Christ within ourselves. We need Jesus to do that. If it feels like judging, it probably is. We need to drop all of our rocks and go get our minds renewed in the Bible.

The Bible speaks on RIGHTEOUS judgment. If it's illegal, the police and courts are appointed by God; to settle these issues. There are soul sins, and those that are settled in courts. On THAT DAY, no one was on that jury. All were conscious of their sins.

I always got in trouble because of judging. It was very very painful to UNLEARN IT. We can, by prayer, be released for judging others sins, but not our own sins.

When we get cured of that__The Lord will use us to set others free too. You will love the rewards!!

If your friend is going through this, Teach them to run TO THE CROSS, to be declared Not Guilty. Jesus paid in Blood for all of our sins.

EXCEPTION: the sins we retain, REMAIN. Think on that.

I'm not going to condemn anyone. It's too painful and prolonged, to get ourselves free.

I do not believe we are running a race with the end goal of obtaining salvation in the end for scoring well on the run. Christians are immediately saved as soon as the Holy Spirit fills them in response to their whole-hearted search for forgiveness and salvation on the basis of Jesus' death on the cross.

VERSES ON MODERATION. Jesus practiced moderation.

Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 - To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:

1 Corinthians 6:12 - All things are lawful unto me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of [excesses of anything]

Ephesians 5:18 - And be not drunk with wine, wherein is EXCESS; but be filled with the Spirit;

1 Corinthians 6:19-20 - What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?

1 Peter 5:8 - Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: [over consumption=poor health]

1 Timothy 4:2-5 - Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron;

Philippians 4:5 - Let your MODERATION be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand.

Proverbs 20:1 - Wine is a mocker, strong drink is raging: and whosoever is deceived thereby is not wise.

1 Timothy 5:23 - Drink no longer water, but use a little wine for thy stomach's sake and thine often infirmities. (This was a stomach remedy; not a reason to party.)

1 Timothy 3:8 - Likewise must the deacons be grave, not doubletongued, not given to much wine, not greedy of filthy lucre;

Comment: anger creates cortisol in the blood, and it kills people.

Almost everyone knows these things. The only way I've found to fight back, is to not even bring stuff into the house. God created everything to give us life and health.

I drink water until my brain sends the signal I am "full". It turns off that screaming. Try it.

Cain is a Biblical figure in the Book of Genesis within Abrahamic religions. He is the elder brother of Abel (whom Cain killed), and the firstborn son of Adam and Eve, the first couple within the Bible. He was a farmer who gave an offering of his crops to God.

Cain

Spouse(s)Awan, who was his sister

ChildrenEnoch

Parent(s)Adam and Eve

Ephesians 2:8-9 Ephesians 2:8-9 (KJV)

For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.

Response- Yes, by grace we've been saved (past tense). We're told in the next verse that we're made for the purpose of good works. This gives evidence to genuine change in heart & we need to guard our heart (ref. Heb. 3: 12) That's why we can look to Rom 2:6-7 " Who will render to every man according to his deeds:To them who by patient CONTINUANCE in well doing seek for glory and honour and immortality, ETERNAL LIFE:" You can see from this text that salvation starts at the moment we believe on Christ, but, is not a 1x event. It is a lifelong walk. (Reference Rom. 6: 16 & Gal. 6: 7-9)

John 10:28 And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.

Response- John 10:27 "My sheep hear my voice, I know them and they FOLLOW me (present continuous tense). Those who actively follow Jesus will inherit eternal life. John 10:28 is such a blessing to know that no one can take me out of the love of Christ, but, even as Jude warns we are to keep ourselves in the love of Christ.

Hebrews 12:8 But if ye be without chastisement, whereof all are par takers, then are ye bastards, and not sons.

Response- Heb. 12:8 teaches how God corrects His children with the objective of bringing the backsliding back on the strait & narrow. However, we still have a free will and need to come back on our own. Ref. James 5:19-20; 2 Chron. 15: 2)

1 Corinthians 5:5 To deliver such an one unto satan for the destruction of the flesh, that the spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus.

Response- 1 Cor. 5:5 is talking about casting a sinner out of the church, as they could bring grave sin, hence a little leaven leaven the lump. Not a OSAS verse. See 1 Cor. 10: 7-12; 1 Cor. 15: 1-2

We are saved, are being saved, and will be saved it we endure to the end in Christ

Hi Alex, so I see where you are coming from, but, Bionically speaking you appear to be painting half the picture. I am already aware of the wheat and the tares. The purpose of this parable is not to prove OSAS. As a matter of fact, this is a final judgement parable and the fact that children of God and children of satan are going to be together, among one another, until Christ's 2nd coming. However, when I look at this parable in conjunction to all the other parables of scripture, and the teachings of the epistles, I think the Bible differs from what you are saying.

Biblical salvation is not a 1x event & we have to look at the warning passages & understand that the promise of eternal life is conditional. For example, Paul writes in 1 Cor. 15: 1-2 "Moreover, brethren (fellow believers), I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received , and wherein ye stand; By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain." Notice that salvation is conditional on our continued faith in Christ.

Col. 1: 22-23 "to present you holy and unblameable and unreproveable in his sight: IF ye continue in the faith grounded and settled, and be not moved away from the hope of the gospel, which ye have heard". Again, notice the condition for salvation.

We also see the promise of eternal life is conditional on continued faith, which doesn't make it a "work" or "keeping myself saved". Christ is still doing the saving, even though we must remain steadfast in the faith.

1 Peter 1:5 is clear that we are kept by God through faith. God is doing the keeping, it is still His gift. However, it is OUR faith (continued present tense in the Greek).

The point of the wheat & tares is that there are going to be Christians and non-believe together until Christ's coming. Only those who remain steadfast, grounded & endure to the end will inherit the gift of eternal life (ref. 1 Jn. 2:24-25 & Rom. 6: 22)

I was having a conversation with a sister and the subject of all things created for the consumption of man in moderation. But I cannot remember or find this in any verses currently. Would it be possible that it would be in the NKJ EASY READ?

Marke, you stated "It is also impossible for a Christian who is saved because he yielded to the witness of the Holy Ghost to come to Jesus for salvation to then refuse to do that after he has already done it. Christians get saved once, not over and over again." Can you please reference the Bible verse that says it's impossible for a Christian to refuse salvation once they have done so? And can you reference the Bible verse that says one doesn't get saved over and over again.

How about the parable of the prodigal son? He was at home with the father, but, of his free will went out on his own and ended up lost. He came back again and we forgiven. He was dead and was made "alive again". Some may say this is a reference to the initial "born again" experience ( John 3). However, this is different because the prodigal son was already with the father before becoming an "apostate".

How about Rom. 11: 23 "And they also, if they abide not still in unbelief, shall be graffed in: for God is able to graff them in again." This is in regard to the state of grace the gentiles were in and their need to remain in Christ or be cut off. Likewise, anyone who comes back to Christ can be graffed in AGAIN. This was a clear admonition to the Gentile converts to remain in the body of Christ or ultimately be lost.

There are so many warnings in the NT alone to think that it is impossible for one to walk away from Christ, renounce their faith, and still go to Heaven. And there is no proof in the Bible that everyone who renounces their faith was "never really saved". Some, yes. However, that doesn't negate the warnings to the true believer to remain in Christ or be cut off from eternal life. The Bible teaches salvation is a walk with Christ, not a 1 time event.

If one who renounce Christ is "never really saved", then how can anyone know if they are really saved, since we can't predict the future. We can have assurance of salvation and still take the warnings to remain on guard serious.

Marke, I see where you are coming from on point 4 and I've studied this topic in depth. However, when reading this with the parable of the 10 virgins it make a lot more sense. In that parable from Matthew 25: 1-13, there were 10 virgins with oil in their lamps. The oil represents the Holy Spirit, in which they are the "light" of the world. The virgins represent the church (ref. 2 Cor. 11:2). Now, 5 were foolish and let their oil be quenched (ref. 1 Thes. 5:19). Now, when the 10 got to door and were greeted by the groom (representing Christ on the day of judgement) he told the 5 foolish virgins he "never knew them". That seems odd that he would not know them just because they let the oil burn out. They didn't guard their oil and tend to it, and they ended up in the darkness of night (hell).

We know from Eph. 1: 13 that we are sealed w/ the Holy Spirit when we believed on Christ, but, even seals can be broken. We also see in Eph. 1:14 that the Holy Spirit is our earnest, but, that is not a guarantee. If we could never have our names blotted out of the Book of Life and forfeit the Holy Spirit by not remaining faithful to Christ then why would Christ even tell his followers of the parable of the 10 virgins?

You also said that nowhere in the Bible does Christ say that he once knew someone and then didn't. For that, I go to Rev. 3:16, in which Christ spits out the lukewarm Christian. This is not a depiction of someone who was "never in Christ to begin with" but someone who was in Christ and is spit out.

Also Rev. 3: 21 "To him that OVERCOMETH will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne." To overcome means to endure to the end ( Matthew 24:13)

Paul speaks under inspiration of the Holy Spirit tell Christians in Rom. 6: 16 that only those who obey Christ will inherit eternal life. This is not a unconditional.

Also ref. 2 Peter 1: 10-11 regarding eternal life. It's conditional, not unconditional.

Marke, regarding 1 Cor. 9: 24-27 you said "Paul likens the Christian life after salvation to that of running a race. He is talking about receiving rewards and commendations at the judgment seat of Christ. He is not talking about running to finally obtain long-sought-after salvation offered in Christ but never vouched by Christ until the race is audited by Christ, in the end, to see if the race was run well enough" However, I disagree with your interpretation of this and will explain.

In v. 25, Paul states "And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible." You think this has to do with rewards (plural). However, this is singular. We compare this to James 1:12 "Blessed is the man that ENDURETH temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life (eternal life), which the Lord hath promised to them that love him (conditional promise!)." and Rev. 2:10 "Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou FAITHFUL unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life (eternal life)."

In both James and Revelation there's enduring and overcoming. There are conditions to God's promise of eternal life.

As for "cast away", I fail to see the connection between being a cast away and receiving/losing heavenly rewards. Cast away means being cast our from Christ and His Kingdom. Continuing to 1 Cor. 10: 11-12 "Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples: and they are written for OUR admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come. Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he FALL." Fall from what? Salvation! Also, in 1. Cor. 10:4 Paul says they drank of the spiritual rock, which was Christ. Yet, they were cut off and destroyed for not doing God's will. And we know idolators and fornicators won't inherit eternal life.

Regarding Heb. 4:3, this paints half the picture. Looking at Heb. 3: 12-19 through Heb. 4: 11 you'll see that while all who believed do enter into Christ's rest, it's a journey. I've seen a lot of posts in this thread saying that Christians "will endure to the end" or if they live in disobedience they are still eternally secure. If that is the case, Why does Heb. 5:9 say Christ is the author of eternal life for those who obey him? Why are Christian told to continue in well doing for eternal life? Why are there so many if/then warnings. If/then warning constitute conditions.

Regarding Mt. 13:35, I'm not sure what this has to do with unconditional eternal security. Christ's perfect sacrifice was known Him since the foundation of the world. Yet, each individual believer must repent, turn to Christ, & remain grounded/steadfast if they are going to receive the end of their faith, eternal life ( Rom. 6:22).

Regarding Jn 15:16, Christ is omniscient. From the foundation of the world he knew who his 12 apostles would be and who would betray him. Yet, each individual believer must come to Christ and abide in him for the hope of eternal life. 1 Jn 2:24-25 makes this clear.

You also said "Man is a vessel, he has no say IN THE WORKS OF GOD." If this is the case, why doesn't God just save everyone? After all, it's the will of the Father that all be saved. I agree salvation is of God. It's HIS grace & gift to give. Yet, we must receive this gift (that's something we do) & must endure in saving faith for eternal life. And Faith is faith. Remaining faithful doesn't somehow make it "work". Calling it a work is somewhat of a straw man argument.

Regarding Phi. 2:13, this is a primary function of the Holy Spirit, but, we can resist, grieve and quench it. Notice v. 16 "Holding forth the word of life; that I may rejoice in the day of Christ, that I have not run in vain, neither laboured in vain." Paul would labour in vain if his converts didn't endure to the end for eternal life.

I tried to respond and lost the verses. Anyway; look at Ephesians 6:17; Romans 13:4; and the earlier warnings to Pergamum for a similar response of God if repentance doesn't occur. There are other verses such as in Isaiah which prophetically speak of the sword of the Lord as it were. Basically; there is the effect on us; as the Spirit of God should pierce our hearts as Luke 2:35 states; and it is also our offensive weapon against the fiery darts of the enemy ( 1 Peter 4:12). These should be a sobering reminder; as the scripture states if we are scarcely saved; what about the ungodly (also in 1 Peter 4). There are some; as in the Corinthian church who have "fallen asleep" and who are "given over to Satan for the destruction of the body so that the soul can be saved." ( 1 Cor. 5:5).

The Lord chastises all He loves; and they will ultimately produce fruit if they are truly saved. He is patient; but will do whatever is necessary for His plans and work in our lives to be accomplished. Truly; we are Christ's great reward for His sufferings (see Isaiah 53:11). He is given ALL authority over heaven and earth; which would be expected being a member of the Godhead. But God chose to bring Him here and to become a man suffering in all ways as we do without sin. This was God's plan and surely we all must die to ourself as the Spirit enables. Psalm 2 indicates how the world will try to break the bonds as it were of the rulership of Christ; but God has the last laugh. Surely the world will have the stone fall on them rather than falling on it.

May we allow the pruning necessary to produce fruit. Praise God that although we were enemies of God He has reconciled us. ( Colossians 1:21). Remember that those who have taken the mark have been predestined to be reprobate as they were not written in the book of the Lamb ( Rev. 13:8).

Agape.

Mishael, I was thinking of that very verse when I read this question. We should be encouraged to know that there are millions and millions who have gone before us in faith and attaining to the prize of taking hold of Jesus and receiving the crown of glory.