Bible Questions & Discussion PAGE 770

Kelly,

I will attempt to answer your questions with guidance from the HOLY Spirit. With scripture.

Hebrews 4:12-15, Matthew 25:31-46,

Matthew 3:7, Matthew 16:1, Matthew 16:6, Matthew 16:12,

Romans 14:12, Matthew 18:23, 1Peter 4:1-19,

Hopefully these are helpful.

I mean the one before the Kingdom of God, the one that the antichrist will use to rule earth and make people accept the beast's mark.

Hi Daniel , please read the first chapter and first verse if Revelation .

Jay,

Here is the text of the Nicene Creed.

I believe in God, the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth, and all things visible and invisible.

and in one Lord, Jesus Christ, the only begotten Son of God, begotten of the Father before all ages; God from God, Light from

Light, true God from true God, begotten, not made, being of one substance with the Father, through Whom all things were

made. Who for us men and for our salvation, came down from heaven; was incarnate by the Holy Spirit; born of the virgin

Mary; and was made man. Who for us, too, was crucified under Pontius Pilate; suffered, died, and was buried. On the third day

day He rose from the dead, according to the Scriptures. He ascended into heaven and sits at the right hand of the Father. He

shall come again with glory to judge the living and the dead; and His kingdom will have no end.

And in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the Giver of life; who proceeds from the Father and the Son; Who together with the Father and

the Son, is worshipped and glorified; Who spoke through the prophets.

And I believe in one holy, catholic, and apostolic church. I acknowledge one baptism for the remission of sins; and I look to the

resurrection of the dead and the life of the age to come. Amen.

This creed omits the part of Jesus descending into hell, and the communion of saints. I do not know why.

Doug,

My only question to you would be "How do you do God's work?" I speak for myself when I say this, but if God is counting on me to His work for Him, He's in trouble!

Thank you ahead of time if the Lord leads you to respond!

Hi Jay, I did some research on the Nicene Creed and it was addressing the heresies of Arianism, (that Jesus was just a human man) and Nestoriansim (which taught that there were two separate persons in Jesus, one human and one divine, rather than two natures in one Person) and explained further the Godhead. So this creed emphasizes that God is three persons in One God, that Jesus was fully human and fully God, but the natures were not mixed. and that Jesus and the Holy Spirit are God, existing eternally with the Father.

This creed was developed at the Council of Nicea in 325 A.D. and further expanded upon in 381 in the Council of Constantinople.

It is longer than the Apostles' Creed, but is built on the Apostles' Creed as a framework.

Adam, (Part 4)

Giannis had a good point about how thoughts can be placed in one's mind to cause damage. I will pray that God delivers me from blindness if the prayer list was truly a bad thing.

Thank you all.

Adam, (Part 3)

That's praying against the things that he's doing that are harmful to him, his Walk, and our family.

You said, "That's interesting that you say you'd be ok with your husband keeping a list of wrongdoing you've done and hide it from you, but I don't believe that's true. As you can see with the feedback, 100% think its wrong in addition to scripture and all feel it would be hurtful to them". It is absolutely true. I am being authentic about this. He's told me that he prays for me. I think that he should pray for these things until I am healed or cured. How else would he keep track and steadfastly (pray without ceasing) pray against my issues, if he doesn't maintain a list? I would hope that he wouldn't share it with anyone other than one-on-one with a Pastor, but of all the people on the planet, it is he who should keep me and cover me in prayer, and I him.

Now, in honesty, I believe that in all of this I erred when I did not talk with him about why I had the list (based upon the "tell the truth" Scriptures I shared) or how he responded based on Matthew Chapter 18:

15 Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother.

16 But if he will not hear thee, then take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established.

17 And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell it unto the church: but if he neglect to hear the church, let him be unto thee as an heathen man and a publican.

His response hurt me because he became so angry, he saw not my true intent, but he saw me as someone standing against him with the list, he went outside our marriage with the list. I felt hugely betrayed. My wrong is that I did not discuss the incident 20+ years ago. But me, 20+ years ago would never have spoken up.

Giannis had a good point about how thoughts can be placed in one's mind to

Adam, (Part 2)

Help me not to blame myself because this happened."

These are from lists of things that wives pray against. These are lists. There are similar lists for husbands. What exactly is the difference? Many online and in-person Churches ask people to provide prayer requests, so that two (or more) can stand in prayer against whatever issue or evil. Prayer requests are lists. Many online or tv Pastors jot down the requests of viewers. What they jot down are lists. I see no difference since there was no malintent. If I had maintained the list to hold over his head, that would be wrong.

I am not afraid to communicate with my husband. Afraid is not the correct word or thought. I was uncertain about discussing it because it's in the past, but present. Like I said in the beginning, I was not certain that I should bring it up because we're to "leave the past alone". I had not found the Scripture about telling the truth or had not been presented the other Scriptures until yesterday, so all that I had as guidance to more forward (or not) was the Scripture that I shared. I have talked with him about some things, and I will discuss the actual issue when the time is right--as directed by God.

I feel no regret in maintaining the prayer list. None whatsoever. My intent was Spiritual and not malicious. I feel regret that I didn't better hide it, that he found it, and that he was hurt by it. I just do not get how (other than the intent of keeping track of or laying in wait-which was not my intent) maintaining a prayer list for my husband is wrong. I understand that for the intent of pointing fingers, and because one is walking in unforgiveness, keeping track of offenses is wrong. If my husband were simultaneously drinking heavily, cutting himself, doing drugs (which he's not), and I prayed against these things, that's not keeping track of his offenses. That's praying against the things that he's doing that are harmful to

Adam, (Part 1)

I am not offended by your response or expecting that you would respond any way but kindly. Sorry that this answer is so long, but I want to reply to all of your point

I have realized that there are three components of this circumstance:

1 I asked for advice about discussing a 20+ year-old issue. That the issue is with my husband (though, a concern that I recently realized probably still plagues our marriage) was not germane to my query. I wanted to know if it were Spiritually correct to discuss the old concern, particularly since it's still a current issue. I believe that we collectively have reconciled that issue, and I appreciate the feedback.

2 I maintained a prayer list that people believe was wrong (though I had no ill intent). Many of the issues on the prayer list are ongoing today.

3 My error 20+ years ago.

I did not notice that everyone thought my prayer list was wrong, but that is okay. Earlier, I was not defending what I did, but explaining because of someone else's comment/question. However, to be clear, I absolutely do not believe that maintaining his prayer list was wrong.

I am definitely not above reflection, so to understand why anyone would believe what I did was wrong, or why it was wrong for me to maintain a hidden prayer list for my husband, I went to several Christian sites to view other prayer advice and strategies. These were not my husband's issues, but here are some of the advisory prayers:

Prayer Against Gambling Addiction. "Dear Lord, please help (the person's name) to beat his gambling addiction. Please Lord show him the path toward a better life. Help him, please, to rebuild his life and regain the trust of his family. Oh, Lord, please fill him with courage and strength to say no to this destructive habit.

Prayer Against Spouses Porn Addiction. Show my husband that he idolizes sex. Reveal to him the reason he allowed himself to be addicted. Lord, help me to be supportive and not leave him.

Hi Giannis again,

You may want to check out the site I noted on another reply to Jay concerning the Apostles' Creed..

Hi again,

Chris, you may want to check out the site I noted on a reply to Jay.

Hi Suze, you may wish to see my new reply to Jay, as I found a site that gives biblical verses for each tenet of the apostles creed.

Hello, jay again.

I found a site that gives bible verses for each tenet of the Apostles creed. It is pastormarkdotinfo under "statement of faith.

In a journal I used this as an outline and also added other Scripture that I found, maybe this will be helpful to others.

Well this is hard to answer.

As far as Mose's law is concerned please read in the book of Acts when apostle Paul went to Jerusalem, before being imprisoned there, what apostle James said to him: ( Acts 21:17-20)

v17-And when we were come to Jerusalem, the brethren received us gladly.

v18-And the day following Paul went in with us unto James; and all the elders were present.

v19-And when he had saluted them, he declared particularly what things God had wrought among the Gentiles by his ministry.

v20-And when they heard it, they glorified the Lord, and said unto him, Thou seest, brother, how many thousands of Jews there are which believe; and they are all zealous of the law:

Pay attention to "Thou seest, brother, how many thousands of Jews there are which believe; and they are all zealous of the law." What this shows? I don't think those Jews were not saved. Now whether this is true only for Jews and not for gentiles, I can not answer.

Now if you want to ask what happens in churches that preach that salvation must be accompanied by good works to get saved, my opinion is that as long as people there are reborn again and get baptised (the two necessary conditions for salvation) no matter what else they practise they still get saved (since they do those for God - Romans 14:6-10). God does not held one account for what one does not know but for what one chooses to do against His will. And some more. In my life I have met christians from those churches that surprise me with the good works they do and have met christians from reborn churches that have no interest at all in doing any good thing to help others. God wants us to become good Samaritans. And lets not forget that in the final judgement that is described in Matthew 25:31-45 people will not be sent to hell according to their faith but according to their works, not for what they had done, but for what they had NOT done.

Gob Bless you.

Linda,

Linda,

To believe as you are stating, we have to misinterpret scripture, and ignore much scripture.

Jesus held Apostle Peter in very high regard so much so that Jesus stated the following:

Matthew 16:18-19

"And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it."

"And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven."

Read and believe!

Please advise me about the following questions:

Does the bible speak about God's human vision? Whether or not his sight was low during the daytime hours?

When a person repents - regarding pen testiment saducees? - is he/she required to write down who has betrayed him/her or what mistakes have been made? Is thinking about sinful mistakes enough for God and his son to forgive every person?

Is it ok for people to assume that committing a sin as a group is ok because it is easy to hide what they have done? The bible

states that each person is judged as an individual in heaven and on earth. I ask my children to tell on those who force them to commit sins so their judgement does not include the blame or responsibility of others.

Your response will be received on my mobile communication device.

Hi Jesse

The greek text says (I am using latin letters since this site does't recognise greek letters)

V 22. - "Ei the thelon o Theos endeixasthai ten orgen kai gnorisasthai to dynaton autu enegen en polle makrothymia skeue orges KATARTISMENA eis apoleian"

English: "What if God, willing to shew his wrath, and to make his power known, endured with much longsuffering the vessels of wrath FITTED to destruction"

The word that is translated in English as FITTED is the word KATARTISMENA. The noun of this word is KATARTISIS. Although there is not a precise respective in English for what it means, in general it means study, spiritual training, aquasition of spiritual supplies, spiritual forming etc. Thus what the verse means is that those vessels of wrath trained/formed themselves to be like that, wanted and worked in their mind to be against God's will.

Often a problem arises from not so successful translations. Even in modern Greek Gospels the word used is PREPARED which leads one to think that God Himself made and prepared some people to become vessels of wrath, which is absolutely wrong. Thit also violates God's rule that people must use their FREE will to accept Him. Your explanation is great.

Giannis, the last kingdom on earth, is the kingdom of God.

Luke 16:6 The law and prophets were until John, since that time the kingdom of God is preached....

Peter was kind of gruff and rough around the edges Until he met Jesus. Peter was a fisherman but he had a healthy knowledge of scripture. The ways he changed, following Jesus on his travels is remarkable. (Except for the "ear" incident.

The Pharisees were powerful, but they thought themselves far above the "regular people".

Jesus is the son of God, but He was very grounded as a human. He identified with everyone. He communicated laterally; not high above other peoples experience. People naturally gravitate to someone who speaks their language: uncomplicated and down to earth.

Jesus didn't entertain people. He taught on their level of experience. Quite a difference between Pharisees and Fishermen, Tax collectors and women followers.

It takes being versatile I think. I like people who can make me see things from their view. Jesus was anointed in Luke 4:18. He had all gifts of the Holy Spirit. You can often see the word of knowledge in operation.

I don't think people care for how we all communicate to each other these days. Media and social networks have brought us down to levels never experienced before in history. Our President uses buzz words. Word fights in Congress too.

I notice a man who has temperance and an elegance of thought and speech; someone who unites and divides, intelligently (emphasis on gently). I also think we should be forgiving when it's merited; because Jesus taught it.

I watch speeches ALOT. I like someone who keeps emotions level, and presses for the "point". I think good use of humor is genius.

Praise God! keep Jesus as our point of reference.

Dear Ronald.

Here you have stated your "creed". I certainly agree with it.

But we are told in Jude 4 to contend for the faith passed down to us. so, this implies there was in place a set of doctrines that

comprised the essence of the Christian faith taught by the apostles. So, you are right that there is not a mention of a "creed" we

are to hold to in Scriptures, but there definitely was a set of doctrines passed down we are expected to hold to. This essentially

is another way to speak of a "creed".

But I understand your point.

In the time where the Bible was not printed for common use and with very limited access to the actual written letters and

gospels of the NT writers and apostles, believers had to rely on being taught this set of essential doctrines as a measure of

truth. God knew that this would be so. He provided for the communication of the gospel and the doctrines of faith to be spread

and learned by those who would come to believe. You can read the Apostles Creed I included in my reply to Jay. Please tell me

if there is any doctrine included in this creed that is unbiblical and also how your statements of faith differ from a creed.

I am not trying to be contrary here, as that is not my point nor intention. I just want to encourage discussion on this matter so

that we all can be stimulated to growth and understanding.

Dear one, go on YouTube and type in GREG LAURIE.

He's a Pastor of Harvest Church. The whole church participates in evangelism. He's a really great guy. Probably about your dads age. He has an "all purpose testimony like mine". You should read it to know what he's about.

If you subscribe all his most recent sermons will appear on your "home" button in the YouTube app.

Sometimes we have to go to some flaky churches to find one that really gets us involved.

I'm praying for you to find a true place of rest, like Psalm 23, describes. Keep coming back here when you have time. I love new faces. Make comments too. :D

Dear brothers/sisters

In Daniel's Book ( Daniel 2:31-45) the last kingdom in earth's history that will rule on earth is described:

V40 - And the fourth kingdom shall be strong as iron: forasmuch as iron breaketh in pieces and subdueth all things: and as iron that breaketh all these, shall it break in pieces and bruise.

V41 - And whereas thou sawest the feet and toes, part of potters' clay, and part of iron, the kingdom shall be divided; but there shall be in it of the strength of the iron, forasmuch as thou sawest the iron mixed with miry clay.

V42 - And as the toes of the feet were part of iron, and part of clay, so the kingdom shall be partly strong, and partly broken.

V43 - And whereas thou sawest iron mixed with miry clay, they shall mingle themselves with the seed of men: but they shall not cleave one to another, even as iron is not mixed with clay.

Assuming that we live at the very end of this world, what do you think, which modern nation/country looks like that kingdom?

My opinion, as well as many christians' over here, is that it looks like the European Union, what do you think about it?

Amen, Daniel, there is an outreach to be made to Catholics as well as "nominal believers" in many denominations. These people are not outside of the reach of the work of the Holy Spirit should we reiterate the Gospel to them again and again until the work of the Holy Spirit is completed in them.

I know many Catholics who believed as you did. I just keep telling them the fullness of the Gospel as often as opportunity arises and pray for the Holy Spirit to bring His work in them to completion.

I also know Catholics who truly have embraced the Gospel and become born again as a Catholic. Some have remained in the Catholic church and others have been called out of it. God leaves a witness!

Thanks Suze,

In the times before the printing press and personal bibles, believers did not study the whole of Scriptures like we do. They were

taught by their "overseers" (pastors, teachers, elders, bishops) the Scriptures and doctrines of the faith taught to them by the

apostles. Not all of what the apostles taught was recorded in written form. Most of it was passed on by oral presentation and

memorization. This is why "creeds"-which is Greek for "I believe" where developed. Each church planted in the early church era

had what they called the "rule of faith" which was a kind of "creed" that was what we now call "a statement of faith" (which is

similar to a creed or confession). This rule of faith was a summary of the necessary beliefs that the church congregation

communally held that explained the beliefs that were deemed essential for a professing Christian to hold to and teach others.

Today, if someone were to ask a believer what they believe as a Christian, that person would relay to the inquirer their own

"creed". In the case of the early church and the later creeds, having believers attest to a common creed (at of essential or core

beliefs concerning true faith and salvation) ensured common doctrine within the church, promoted unity of belief across

generations, gave a basis of truth to teach children, aided in evangelism, and provided within a believer a guard against false

doctrine, and for the church, a "measuring rod" to use to evaluate potential false doctrine.

The Apostles' creed was not written by any of the apostles, but is called such because it reflected the core beliefs taught by

them. The individual tenets taught in the Apostles Creed can be matched to Scriptural teaching.

I read on a site that provided this match-up. If I can find it again, I will post it.

Whenever I recite the Apostles Creed or the Nicene creed with other believers, I am glad to be in the company of those who

profess the same faith

Hope this helps you.

Romans 10:9 - That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.

1 Thessalonians 4:13 - But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope.

Revelation 21:4 - And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.

Ecclesiastes 3

I'm 70. Been to some funerals. My generation is passing on, but those of us left can leave some hope with our young people just carving out their futures.

People like me, have seen a lot, done a lot and still have more time left. Do you have time for me or for the aged relatives in your life? I would LOVE to sit at Isaiah's feet and hear what he saw in chapter 1. I would like to get inside Paul's head in the days he was blinded by seeing Jesus on that Road. Every time Jacob got through something impossibly hard, he would build a pile of stones and leave the memory there. I have lots of questions_still.

It's good to ask questions, dig like an archaeologist in the Bible. Sift out every detail you can.

Evangelize. Pass on what you've sifted out of the Bible. Tell the Stories like Jesus did.

It's not right for the elderly to die with their stories still untold. Those are bricks we lean on, when life sends humanquakes. I'm taking my stories to heaven. There'll be billions I can tell them to :)

Likein the 60's we didn't ink up our bodies with tatoos. We used washable paint and went swimming after. It was fun. We waded in fountains. Racism was taught by politicians. We didn't segregate our paint & swim parties.

Church picnics were not segregated. I ate everyone's chicken! I hate what America has become. Jesus didn't teach it either. If only we would follow Jesus!

Yes, Giannas, you are correct on this.

Thanks Jesse, that is funny. Glad I made that typo!

Janet D:

1 John 2:27 For the anointing that you have received of him abideth IN YOU, and you need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing teacheth you all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in him.

The hardest thing, is THIS DYING TO SELF, and coming to TRUTH that the LIFE, IN US, IS CHRIST.

Philippians 2:13 For it is God that WORKETH IN YOU both TO WILL and TO DO his good pleasure.

1 John 3:9 Whosoever is BORN OF GOD doth not commit sin .....he cannot sin because he is BORN OF GOD

Why can't you commit sin; because the life IN YOU IS CHRIST.

Philippians 1:27 ... this mystery .... CHRIST IN YOU .....

If you pick up a pencil, it's not you, IT'S CHRIST, if you drive the car, it's not you, it's Christ, if you help you neighbor, it' not you, it's Christ, ETC.

Ezekiel 36:27 And I will put my Spirit (life) WITHIN YOU, and CAUSE YOU (his body) to walk in my statutes, and ye shall keep my judgements and DO THEM.

God speaks to you through HIS WORDS (the bible), the more you study, the more he speaks.

To whom much is GIVEN (the life of Christ); much more is GIVEN (the MIND OF CHRIST).

Ask and ye shall receive.

God Bless You as YOU DIE TO HIS WORDS and are GIVEN LIFE BY THOSE SAME WORDS.

Linda,

I agree with Jesse, here.

Satan is a fallen angel as well as a devil. So Jesus was addressing Satan who was influencing Peter to speak against Jesus going to Jerusalem and be killed. He told Satan to get behind Him, because He recognized the work of Satan in Peter in that moment. he was delivering Peter from this influence at this time.

As for Judas, he was a man, like every other mad, unredeemed and easily brought under the influence of Satan or a devil. Jesus loved Judas and spoke about one of His disciples being a devil to let Judas know who was influencing him at that time.

Only God knows the heart of any person and se I feel it is best to leave the determination of any person's final judgment up to God. We really do not know if Judas was irredeemable or not.

But in this time after Jesus' death and resurrection, we can assure people that they can receive salvation and eternal life because of this sacrifice of Jesus and His triumph over sin, death, Satan, and hell. As believers we can have the assurance of salvation because of the power of the word of the Gospel brought to us by the hearing of the death and resurrection of Jesus, through the regenerative work of the Holy Spirit that brings us to faith.

Peter and Judas, at this time in the life of Jesus was prior to His death and resurrection. Judas, unfortunately hung himself in sorrow and regret before He saw the fulfillment of what Jesus had said would happen. Peter did live to see this fulfillment and became one chosen to deliver the gospel to all nations and witness the converting work of the Holy Spirit in his own life, in the life of the other apostles, and in those he brought the Gospel to over the remaining years of his life.