I don't think it's any secret that there is a wide political divide among people in the United States. No matter where we stand politically.
it's important for us to remember that being American and being Christian are two different things.
As a believer, not only do you represent your own opinions, but you also represent the church and our Savior.
Does the Gospel have political implications? Absolutely. But as soon as our political convictions become more important than the humanity of the person we're speaking with (or speaking about), we are no longer able to interact in a way that reflects Christ.
5) The Distraction of Personalities.
For it hath been declared unto me of you, my brethren, by them which are of the house of Chloe, that there are contentions among you.
Now this I say, that every one of you saith, I am of Paul; and I of Apollos; and I of Cephas; and I of Christ.
Is Christ divided? was Paul crucified for you? or were ye baptized in the name of Paul?
1 Corinthians 1:11-13.
Believers, it is our job to ensure that people in our midst don't love us more than they love their Savior. That they don't identify with us or our beliefs more than they identify with Jesus.
I love Paul's question in that 1 Corinthians.
( Is Christ divided?)
6) Pride and a fascination in a particular area of scripture.
We can be so fixed on a particular area of scripture or doctrine that we put it ahead of our great commission. Eschatology is probably the leading area in this.
We love to tell you when and how Jesus is coming back to destroy the world but neglect to give the listener the message of the Gospel.
These distractions and many more hinders us from being unprofitable in winning people to Christ.
Christianity is not just sharing and comparing our thoughts.
Everything we do should be for the purpose Christ died for and made you his Desciples.
Having Christ's righteousness imputed to us does not mean we automatically do what is right-that will come through the process of sanctification. What it does mean is that we are positionally righteous; even though we still sin, we are legally righteous. God has credited the righteousness of Christ to our account, and He did this when He saved us. In grace, the holiness of Jesus Christ is ascribed to us. Christ "has become for us wisdom from God, that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption"
1 Corinthians 1:30.
1John 5:13 reads"These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.
Here's an helpful article.
If a person knows Christ and is growing in grace, he or she will be generally marked by the following traits:
1. The believer enjoys fellowship with Christ and His redeemed people. 1 John 1:3.
2. The believer walks in the light, not in the darkness. 1 John 1:6-7.
3. The believer admits and confesses his sin. 1 John 1:8.
4. The believer obeys God's Word. 1 John 2:3-5.
5. The believer loves God rather than the world. 1 John 2:15.
6. The believer's life is characterized by "doing what is right" 1 John 2:29.
7. The believer seeks to maintain a pure life. 1 John 3:3.
8. The believer sees a decreasing pattern of sin in his life. 1 John 3:5-6.
1 John 5:18.
9. The believer demonstrates love for other Christians ( 1 John 3:14).
10. The believer "walks the walk," versus just "talking the talk" 1 John 3:18-19.
11. The believer maintains a clear conscience. 1 John 3:21.
12. The believer experiences victory in his Christian walk 1 John 5:4.
Number 8 in the list above is that the believer will evince a decreasing pattern of sin in his or her life.
No one who belongs to Christ continue to "Practice" sin as a way of life.
"Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils;"
1 Corinthians 1:23-24
23 But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumblingblock, and unto the Greeks foolishness;
24 But unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God.
Going from the last discussion on Cathechisms; doctrine is at the core and essense of that topic. All commitments which we adhere to especially related to church membership in regard to doctrine in the Cathechism should be based on scriptural truth.
Clearly in today's churches we see many variations of interpretation and many are spurious. I am not here primarily to bash any particular denomination; but asking us to be Bereans in studying the Word to be approved before men and God ( Acts 17:11). It is noteable that the Bereans were said to be more noble than the Thessalonians especially since they came to quick understanding of deep prophetic texts. I am not aware that they were even an organized church; per se; maybe someone can shed light on that. In any event NO church hierarchy should dissuade careful study of scripture before any commitment is made; or any statement is said to be factual at least in terms of things that aren't core doctrines such as the life; burial and resurrection and bodily return of Christ. This stems back to my last post as well; because as I see it having kids memorize and study chatechisms before showing evidence of saving faith in Protestant circles is no different than those of Catholic churches which have ritual readings such as the "Hail Mary".
In any event; these verses quoted attempt to keep central teachings always in mind; as well as being careful for new interpretations and errant versions of the Bible. In brief if it appeals to the flesh it is to be avoided in worship.
Did Jesus exist before creation? Did the Holy Spirit exist before creation?
Jesus existed in God's plan, Jesus is the beginning of creation Rev. 3:14 and by Him were all things created Col. 1:16 my understanding is Jesus, was the first in God's plan of creation and everything was created by God, in and through the plan and purpose of Jesus. My understanding Jesus did not physically exist until the fullness of time. Ephesians 1:10 He was born of Mary the Son of God. the seed of woman. Genesis 3:15Matthew 1:20
My understanding is the Holy Spirit is the Spirit of God, not a person, Genesis 1:2. We see all the greetings are from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ. Romans 1:71 Corinthians 1:32 Corinthians 1:2Galatians 1:3Ephesians 1:2Ephesians 6:23Philippians 1:2Colossians 1:2 and 6 more. The Holy Spirit not being included is a good clue the Holy Spirit was not considered a person by Paul and others at that time.
If so, who were they in relation to the Father?
I believe the above answers this.
How did the Father, the Son, and the Spirit all create all that is, seen or unseen?
My understanding is God the Father created all, Genesis 1:1Genesis 1:31Proverbs 16:4Isaiah 45:18Nehemiah 9:6.
Does Scripture teach that God is only one person who manifests in three forms, but all these manifestations are only one person?
Scripture does not support Modalism I have never considered this and do not know anything about it.
God made Jesus Lord, Acts 2:36, made is thee Greek word ginomai that means to come into being, to happen, to become. This was foreordained before the foundation of the world and this Lamb was slain before the foundation of the world, 1 Peter 1:19-20Revelation 13:8, foreordained the Greek word proginosko means to know beforehand to appoint or decree beforehand.
I see too many Scriptures that do not agree with the doctrine. I hope this makes sense. This is Scripture without man's knowledge or wisdom 1 Corinthians 1:22Jeremiah 10:10 10 Malachi 2:10Mark 12:32
Paul wrote these; Romans 3:30Romans 15:61 Corinthians 8:62 Corinthians 1:32 Corinthians 11:31Ephesians 1:3Ephesians 1:17Ephesians 3:14Ephesians 4:6Colossians 1:31 Timothy 2:5
Peter wrote this; 1 Peter 1:3
These are Jesus's words Himself; Matthew 27:46 Same in Mark 15:34John 14:28John 17:3John 20:17Revelation 3:12
What this says to me, there is only one true God who is the God and Father of Jesus,
These Scriptures are clear without our wisdom or knowledge do not agree with the doctrine of the Trinity. I do thank you and again I hope you do not consider me a Gnostic that would be sad, they are more of a philosophical like the immortal soul came from Greek philosophy, I am believer and follower of Jesus our Lord and savior.
Just as in the materials used in the tabernacle, in GOD'S hands everything is good and precious in HIS sight. The worst sinner, who I am, when confessed and repented according to scripture will be a "pearl of great price" in the hands of my SAVIOR GOD.
1 Corinthians 1:
27 But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty;
28 And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are:
29 That no flesh should glory in his presence.
As the time of the LORD'S return is imminent, may we be encouraged and diligent in our desire to praise the LORD and declare the gospel to as many as we can.
The LORD to shine HIS face and bless each of us gloriously as we faithfully await HIM. May our hearts and mind continually stay on JESUS, that we may be at peace because our mind is stayed on our GOD. Isaiah 26: 3, 4
Happy New Year brethren. As we pray for the peace in Jerusalem, and the ministries of the LORD around the world. May we be found faithful to stand in the gap and make up the hedge as the LORD requires for the land to be blessed. Ezekiel 22:30
in his days pahraoh-nechoh, king of egypt went up against the king of assyria.....
- pharaoh necho of egypt went up to the euphrates river to help the king of assyria...
(again a totally different scenario)
acts 8:37
....i believe jesus christ is the son of god.
- omitted completely
(there are many more more. i don't know which niv version i am using on my computor with bible gateway, as there has been 3 versions so far of this book. it seems to them the holy ghost can't quite make up his mind exactly what he wants to say so he has to keep coming back to fix it. actually, i believe that it has to be changed every so often in order for them to keep their copywrite so they can sell it. i'm not sure what version this is and what changes they made but it really is a mute point, they are all wrong.)
god bless you all who understand the wrong of modern versions of these books.:)
P1: Re-read some scriptures last evening and would like to write them here.
All of John Chapter 13 ; Chapter 14
John 1:4 "In him was life; and the life was the light of men."
Colossians 1:15 "Who is the image of the invisible God, the first born of every creature."
Romans 8:32 "He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?"
Hebrews 1:8 "But unto the Son he saith, Thy throne, O God, is forever and ever: a sceptre of righteousness is the sceptre of thy kingdom."
John 1:3 "All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made."
Hebrews 1:3 "Who being the brightness of his glory and express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high;"
Romans 8:29 "For whom he did foreknowledge, he did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the first born among many brethren."
1 Corinthians 1:29 "That no flesh glory in his presence"
John 1:14 "And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we behold his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth."
Luke 1:31 "And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS."
Matthew 1:19 "Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing to make her a publick example, was minded to put her away privileges."
Isaiah 53:1 "Who hat believed our report? and to whom is the arm of the Lord revealed?"
Philippians 2:5 - 6 "Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God."
Hebrews 6:20 "Whither the forerunner is for us entered, even Jesus, made an high priest after the order of Melchisedec."
You said you disagree with me about his natural abilities. He was a very intelligent man prior to his conversion with many skills and abilities that God used.
And you said you don't think Paul is meaning in the verses I quoted that he was illiterate, nor unskilled with language or reason prior to conversion.
Re examine my post, I didn't say either of those things.
Here's all I said; Paul in his "Natural mind/ Wisdom persecuted Christians and did not understand the things of God.
Referring to this verse.
1 Timothy 1:13-14.
And IGNORANTLY IN UNBELIEF!! That wasn't a blessing.
Everything else I posted that you disagree with was scripture I copied pasted and posted.
The emphasis is that NO! God doesn't need anything intellectual from anyone and nor does he seek out those things.
The reason being is that we will do exactly what you are displaying now. Glory man and not God.
Listen to Paul again here in
1 Corinthians 2:1-4.
And I, brethren, when I came to you, came not with excellency of speech or of wisdom, declaring unto you the testimony of God.
FOR I DETERMINED NOT TO KNOW ANY THING AMONG YOU! save Jesus Christ, and him crucified.
And I was with you in weakness, and in fear, and in much trembling.
AND MY SPEECH AND MY PREACHING WAS NOT WITH ENTICING WORDS OF MAN'S WISDOM, BUT IN DEMONSTRATION OF THE SPIRIT AND OF POWER:
Paul says he came to them as someone Knowing nothing!
This section of scripture Parallels with the passage you disagree with in 1 Corinthians 1:26-31.
When we are born again we start out as babes in Christ and we feed on the sincere milk of the word whereby we grow, as Peter mentioned in his epistle.
The Holyspirit is the most neglected member of the Godhead amongst the Church,
That's why there is so much ignorance in the word of God.
There's many verses that disagree with you
Philippians 3:4-8.
So I disagree with your take that God blessed and prepared Paul with intellect to prepare him for ministry.
Yes God blessed the Apostles, including Paul with wisdom of words, But until AFTER they were converted!
Paul in his "Natural mind/ Wisdom persecuted Christians and did not understand the things of God.
Listen to Paul in his own words.
1 Timothy 1:13-14.
Who was before a blasphemer, and a persecutor, and injurious: but I obtained mercy, because I DID IT IGNORANTLY IN UNBELIEF.
And the grace of our Lord was exceeding abundant with faith and love which is in Christ.
Paul said he did it "IGNORANTLY IN UNBELIEF!! That wasn't a blessing.
Here again.
1 Corinthians 2:4.
1 Corinthians 2:6
1 Corinthians 2:12.
1 Corinthians 2:14-15.
1 Corinthians 1:26-31.For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called:
But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty;
And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are:
That no flesh should glory in his presence.
But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption:
That, according as it is written, He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord.
In 1 Corinthians 1:23-24 Paul says "But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumblingblock, and unto the Greeks foolishness;
But unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God.
Those verses I posted describes what Christ crucified means and the result of that preaching.
Justification and Sanctification by way of the Holyspirit.
No spirit filled Christian should have a problem with this preaching.
It's what the Apostles preached.
Paul also says in 1 Corinthians 1:18For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God.
Romans 3:10,12 As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one:there is non that seeketh after God.
Psalms 33:12 Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD; and the people whom he hath chosen for his own inheritance.
Matthew 20:16 So the last shall be first, and the first last: for many be called, but few chosen.
Mark 13:20 And except that the Lord had shortened those days, no flesh should be saved: but for the elect's sake, whom he hath chosen, he hath shortened the days.
John 15:16 Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you.
John 15:19 If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you.
1 Corinthians 1:27,28 But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty; And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are:
Ephesians 1:4 According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love:
2 Thessalonians 2:13 But we are bound to give thanks alway to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth:
James 2:5 Hearken, my beloved brethren, Hath not God chosen the poor of this world rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom which he hath promised to them that love him?
1 Peter 2:9 But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:
Just referring in general whether on this site or the world.
That's why I said the world persecutes the Gospel message.
I gave an illustration of three different views.
The one that the world hates most is the message of the cross!
The slain Lamb that took away the penalty of sin for the whole world and made an atonement for those who believe.
That's the only message that's deemed foolish to the lost.
1 Corinthians 1:18-21.
That's the partition between those who are truly saved and those who are deceived.
The law is holy as Paul says in Romans 7:12.
But it doesn't regenerate the heart!
The law is the ministration of Death as mentioned in 2 Corinthians 3.
When the law came it slew us from Adam and Eve till the end of time!
It declared man guilty!!
It painted the picture of mankind in Adam!
Now that we have the law we also have sin and the wages of sin is death.
The world is softer on you do your best and the Lord will save you by his Love apart from Christ than Christ finish work on the cross apart from the Law.
And it's emphasized in this notion you can loose your Salvation.
If you can't work to get it, you can't work to keep it.
The regeneration by the Holyspirit is a neglected doctrine today.
Our measuring instrument is Love for the Brothern.
That's also misunderstood!
We treat "this Love" as an work rather than a fruit is a big issue.
For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God. For it is written, I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and will bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent. Where is the wise? where is the scribe? where is the disputer of this world? hath not God made foolish the wisdom of this world? For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe. For the Jews require a sign, and the Greeks seek after wisdom: But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumblingblock, and unto the Greeks foolishness; But unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God. Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men; and the weakness of God is stronger than men.
For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called: But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty; And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are: That no flesh should glory in his presence. But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption: That, according as it is written, He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord.
We are told in Romans 10:13, "For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved."
That is a promise. If you call out to Him and cry out to Him for mercy and to save you, He will do it. And the evidence of that, especially for a Hebrew and Jewish person is that with their mouth they will be making confession that He is their personal Lord.
1 Corinthians 1:12 says that we cannot even call upon Him as our Lord Jesus without the Holy Spirit. A religious person can, but out of a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, we cannot start talking to Jesus as our personal Lord without the Holy Spirit. We don't have that ability.
But the manifestation that we have that personal relationship, it's not working for it. It's by faith, receiving Him, and with our mouth, making confession, and with our heart believing that our Messiah was raised up from the dead. And there's no difference between Jew and Greek. Whoever will call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. That's a promise!
So please, if you have not already done so, call out to the Lord to have mercy on you and to save you. Romans 10:13 is a promise for all who call out to Him. He will save you, and He will give you His Spirit which will abide in you forever. Please call out to Him today to save you. Surrender your life to Him. Since none of us are guaranteed tomorrow, tomorrow may be too late.
If you feel God's Spirit drawing you to Christ, do not harden your heart to the call. Receive Him. Surrender your life to Him! ( Psalm 95:7-8).
Jimbob! That was a really good to read. I'm in 1 Corinthians right now and I'm doing a sermon on (What Is A Godly Foundation?) Your comment couldn't have come at a better time. I started it off with 1 Corinthians 1:12-13 and then all of 1 Corinthians 3.
Thanks to you I have a lot more verses/passages to look at. So thank you! God Bless!
d. the revelation of the anti-Christ is restrained ( 2 Thessalonians 2:1-12). Paul's reason for writing this was because the Church was greatly troubled that the Day of the Lord (Christ) had begun. Paul said that that day wouldn't commence until Jesus came for them & raptured them ("our gathering together unto him": v1). The 'restrainer' is the Holy Spirit in God's people, then when He is removed, God's people are removed, for the Holy Spirit was sent to indwell us & work in & through us & for the Gospel's propagation ( John 16:7,8,13).
e. a comparison between an imminent Rapture & Rapture at the Second Coming:
1. Translation of all believers ( 1 Thessalonians 4:15-18) --- No translation at all ( Revelation 19:6-21).
2. Raptured saints return to Heaven ( 1 Thessalonians 4:17; John 14:1-3) --- Raptured saints return to Earth ( 1 Thessalonians 3:13; Revelation 19:14).
3. Any moment, in readiness, without signs ( 1 Corinthians 1:7; Philippians 4:5; 1 Thessalonians 1:10; 1 Thessalonians 5:6; Titus 2:13; James 5:7-9; Revelation 3:11, 22:7,12,20) --- many signs given of the Great Tribulation which leads into Jesus' coming (so a readiness cannot be expected, as the seven year's count down begins with the anti-Christ).
A Pre-Tribulation Rapture position keeps the Church ready & watching for her Lord's Coming. Any other position can give her the tendency to apathy & carelessness. The Church is told to be watchful, in spite of ridicule, "where is the promise of his coming" ( 2 Peter 3:4). But Christ's coming is held back until the full number are saved (v9) - and then Jesus will come to take His Church Home.
Six things determined upon Daniel's people and the holy city.
Part 4
To make reconciliation for iniquity
Reconciliation is an element of salvation that refers to the results of the atonement, to coat or cover, Isaiah 61:10Rev. 3:4Rev. 16:15, iniquity is guilt, crookedness, twistedness, perverseness, that which is not straight or upright, and moral distortion in the dark.
The word reconcile means to bring back to a former state of harmony, Jesus reconciled both Jew and Gentile unto God in one body by the cross and now through Jesus we both Jew and Gentile have access by one Spirit unto the Father, no more strangers or foreigners but fellow citizens. Making reconciliation for iniquity concerns our involvement in the work of salvation. God has reconciled himself to us and empowered us by his Spirit to reconcile ourselves to God and one another.
To bring in everlasting righteousness.
Everlasting, no end, long duration, antiquity, futurity, forever, ever, everlasting, evermore, perpetual, continuous existence. Righteousness, God's attribute, justice, mercy, loving-kindness, in conformity to the demands of the covenant, and according to God's will, fair and balanced.
Everlasting righteousness was what our Lord manifested in His sinless life. Jesus by His blood entered in once into the holy place not made by hands having obtained eternal redemption, everlasting, and in Jesus we have everlasting righteousness and salvation, through faith, given by grace from God, by the blood of the Lamb freely offered for us. We have no righteousness apart from Jesus Christ.
I'm sorry if my response did not answer your question. Please allow a second shot at it.
You asked two questions. First question was if 1 Corinthians 1:18 means that we wear gold crosses around our necks?
My answer to that would be no.
Your second question: does 1 Corinthians 1:18 mean that we go to the tattoo parlor and ask for a cross to be etched/cut into our skin.
My answer to that would also be no. I gave you my understanding of what that verse means.
Again, your question is "Are we supposed to wear crosses on our necks?"
I do not know of any scripture that forbids it. There is scripture that speaks against idols and worship of idols. I suppose if a person does not worship or idolize a piece of jewelry or any other material possessions, that person would be okay.
Also, Luke 14:27 does not address your question. "Whosoever does not bear his cross" doesn't mean whosoever does not wear a cross around his neck.
What does it mean to bear ones cross?
Here in our culture, basically people understand it to mean whatever hardships I have to go through today, I'm just bearing my cross for Jesus. Except that whether you are a Christian or not, you are going to go through difficulties. It is not what it means.
When Jesus died on the cross, He died my death.In reference, you can read Romans 6:1-14, and Galatians 2:20.
What does it mean to take up your cross?
You see, when I received the life of Jesus Christ, I also received His death. That's why Paul can say in Philippians, "Oh that I might know Him and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of his sufferings."
Power to live and power to suffer go hand in hand. But they are not my sufferings. They are the sufferings of Christ. But when He died on the cross, He died my death. He died in my place therefore I have died. But my biggest struggle in life is that every day, my flesh is trying to get down off that cross.
No, I don't believe we're supposed to wear crosses. Leviticus 26:1, nowhere does it say wear a cross, as jewelry. However it does say not to make idols.
Recently I thought, if a person had a friend that was killed by gunshot & had a miraculous recovery. How would he feel, if when he returned to his friends & family, they had an image of the gun or bullet around their neck, to honor him. I would think it would be upsetting to say the least. Wouldn't he say, "your missing the main point." isn't it the life lived?Jesus himself being the example of a loving life, helping others in need? & the hope & promise of resurrection. John 5:21-29, 1Corinthians 15:42-58, John 11:25, Ecclesiastes 5:15, 1Timothy 6:7,
Bare your cross: Luke 14, looking at context, whole chapter Jesus in doing the better thing by healing, suffered rejection, hate, wrongful judgement.
A cross is painful, it's obvious, on view for everyone to see, not something we can hide in our pocket. It causes ridicule & even division. Luke 14:11, Luke 14:12-14, Luke 14:17-20,24, Luke 14:26,27, also Matthew 10, note Matthew 10:36, Matthew 10:17,18, Matthew 10:21, Matthew 10:22, please read in context Matthew 10, Matthew 10:32-42, & Luke 9:22-26, also Matthew 16:21-28, Mark 8:29-38, Mark 10:14-52,
If I examine this verse, I notice a vast difference if I contrast that. One person hears the gospel and says "Yea, I heard it. It doesn't make sense and it's foolish." But to another person, the power of God will come upon them and save them through the foolishness of preaching.
Also, 1 Corinthians 1:17 is a tremendous verse. Paul says, "For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel:"
And then he gives us insight and he opens up the whole rest of the book to us by saying that when I preach the gospel, it's not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of none effect.
In Chapter 2, Paul is going to tell us about his method. What's Paul's method? Number one, by the inspiration of God's Spirit, and number two, he says I'm not going to preach anything except Jesus Christ and Him crucified! He says I know nothing amongst you except Christ and Him crucified.
Why? Because as he develops the thought through the rest of the book, he says that is God's designed plan, because to man it is foolish. So to preach Jesus Christ crucified for your sins, he's going to say that the world thinks that's foolish.
He said that it's God's designed plan, so I'm going to preach Christ, and Him crucified, and the person that has a heart for the Lord is going to respond, and the people that don't have a heart for the Lord, they're going to reject it.
Paul didn't compromise the gospel message in order to get people to receive it. He says it's got to be either the power of the Spirit of God through the simple message of the gospel that convicts people of their need of Christ, or Paul says I won't do it any other way.
So Paul says if I try the maneuverings and the persuasiveness with human wisdom to get people to believe, it makes the cross of Christ empty. The power of the cross is then released of its power when I'm trying to persuade people with human wisdom!
"For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God." 1 Corinthians 1:18 KJV - Does this mean that we wear gold crosses around our necks? Does this mean that we go to the tattoo parlor and ask for a cross to be etched/cut into our skin.......which is against the law by the way ->
"Ye shall not make any cuttings in your flesh for the dead, nor print any marks upon you: I am the LORD." Leviticus 19:28 KJV
Thanks Texsis. As you probably know, even the name 'Christian' was given to 'those Christ followers' by the people in Antioch ( Acts 11:26), & was intended to be used in a derogatory manner, as Gerald has pointed out in his other comments. So it wasn't a glowing affectionate name that was given at that time but it certainly became a badge worthy to be carried on their, & our, hearts & lips, with great honor.
And Paul considered himself to be an apostle ( 1 Corinthians 1:1; 2 Corinthians 2:1), though the sense here I think, was that he was numbered with the other apostles yet one born out of due time (i.e. the others were direct witnesses of Jesus, walked with Him & called by Him, whereas Paul's qualification was of his explicit vision & calling to be Jesus' chosen vessel). Since Paul's day, there has been no other apostle, except Barnabas & those others since, who fulfil the apostolic definition of being God's messenger to the unsaved but not of the original 12 + 1.
Thanks 'Prosperity'. To answer your three questions:
a. Romans 9:3-5. Paul says what he did in this portion because he was speaking about his brethren by blood, i.e. Israel - not brethren by faith in Christ. Here in these chapters, Paul is relating what the Jews should have gained, if they had accepted Christ, but had lost their position because they wanted to hold to the Law & not come to Christ (which can only be by faith). So the Roman believers, & there could have been believing Jews amongst them as well, needed to hear this message that salvation has come to them because of the "fall" of the Jews & acceptance by God of Jew & Gentile through His Son.
b. Romans was written to believers in Rome ( Romans 1:6-8); the Corinthian Epistles to the Church/saints at Corinth ( 1 Corinthians 1:2); Ephesians to the saints in Ephesus ( Ephesians 1:1); and the Thessalonian Epistles to the Church in Thessalonica ( 1 Thessalonians 1:2-4). So, in the Churches there would have been the Jewish diaspora as well as Gentiles, and together Paul considered them as the Church, the beloved of God.
c. I see no problem with the content of Paul's letters to the largely Gentile Churches there. It's as if I preached in a Pakistani Church of what God was doing in Pakistan among Muslims, also about believers living the Spirit-filled life, & the need to share their faith, & also that my heart continued to be for the salvation of Muslims. Would I be wrong to share that so that the Church might be informed & encouraged to pray? So Paul was sharing with the Roman Church that one day all Israel will bend their knee to Jesus & be saved. Shouldn't the Gentiles rejoice in this wonderful time of salvation of the Jews, through whom the Lord Jesus came & ministered to? But if any today in the Church despise Israel, then maybe, yes, they could take umbrage to such news.
So, when it is all summed up here is the difference between the two.
"As often said" Mercy is not getting what we deserve, and grace is freely receiving what we don't deserve.
Here is where I believe they come together.
As posted in others response mercy is flowing from the God by way of love.
This is Gods Holy spirit. God is Love! God is Just! God is merciful!
In the cross we have God displaying his very nature without compromising any of his attributes.
LOVE and Mercy.
He loved us so he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
JUDGE.
In Matthew 26:39-44 Jesus prayed three times "O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt." Those were our sins that nailed him to that cross and those prayers were answered by those sins being judged and paid for by the penalty of death.
GRACE.
Christ done what only he could have done as "God in the flesh" live the sinless life he did as the perfect lamb of God endure the cross and raise the 3rd day. And his righteousness is imputed to those who believe. For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Ephesians 2:8.
Also. But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption: 1 Corinthians 1:30.
Sin has been judged.
Mercy has been given.
We have been graced with the Holy spirit.
We have been given Christ!
Now we look to display for this fruit to exist in our lives.
Hi Neveah. Just further to GiGi's accurate & helpful comment, I would like to clarify an oft mistaken understanding of the Person of God. As you asked, "How can God be three people at the same time?", I think many people, even some Christians, seem to think that the word 'Trinity' implies three gods. Why? Because it's difficult for the human finite mind to comprehend how one can be divided into three & still equal one, without becoming fractions. But it's not one dividing into three, but three together manifesting the one.
This is where the first error comes in: that some believe that God can be divided. The Scriptures remind us that God is One ( Deuteronomy 6:4; Deuteronomy 4:35,39) & there is no other god beside Him. Then the fact that we read in the Word, of God's Spirit and God's Son, we are then inclined to believe that the Spirit & Son are separate gods from the One God. The Bible tells us in 1 John 5:7, "For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one." So, in the person of God we find the evidence of Father, the Word, & the Holy Ghost. This is God for Who He is - the absence of any one of these 'aspects' negates the reality of God or any evidence of Him (i.e. God cannot be God unless His Word & Spirit are in existence within Him).
Now God can do what mortal man cannot do: He can send out His Spirit to fulfil His Will & Plans for the universe & for us. He has also chosen to send out His Word, clothe the Word with human flesh for the salvation & redemption of sinners ( John 1:1-14). Impossible for us to do, but not impossible with God. Is God now deficient in Himself by doing all this? Not so. Both the Spirit & the Word were sent out by God from within God, & all they have done & continue to do are in perfect harmony with God's Mind, Power, & Purpose. Simply put, the Word (Jesus) & the Spirit can never do anything outside of God's Will because they are fully within or sent from God's Being.
Part 3.
4) The Distraction of Political Opinion
I don't think it's any secret that there is a wide political divide among people in the United States. No matter where we stand politically.
it's important for us to remember that being American and being Christian are two different things.
As a believer, not only do you represent your own opinions, but you also represent the church and our Savior.
Does the Gospel have political implications? Absolutely. But as soon as our political convictions become more important than the humanity of the person we're speaking with (or speaking about), we are no longer able to interact in a way that reflects Christ.
5) The Distraction of Personalities.
For it hath been declared unto me of you, my brethren, by them which are of the house of Chloe, that there are contentions among you.
Now this I say, that every one of you saith, I am of Paul; and I of Apollos; and I of Cephas; and I of Christ.
Is Christ divided? was Paul crucified for you? or were ye baptized in the name of Paul?
1 Corinthians 1:11-13.
Believers, it is our job to ensure that people in our midst don't love us more than they love their Savior. That they don't identify with us or our beliefs more than they identify with Jesus.
I love Paul's question in that 1 Corinthians.
( Is Christ divided?)
6) Pride and a fascination in a particular area of scripture.
We can be so fixed on a particular area of scripture or doctrine that we put it ahead of our great commission. Eschatology is probably the leading area in this.
We love to tell you when and how Jesus is coming back to destroy the world but neglect to give the listener the message of the Gospel.
These distractions and many more hinders us from being unprofitable in winning people to Christ.
Christianity is not just sharing and comparing our thoughts.
Everything we do should be for the purpose Christ died for and made you his Desciples.
Blessings.
Part 2.
Sanctification and fruit barring.
Having Christ's righteousness imputed to us does not mean we automatically do what is right-that will come through the process of sanctification. What it does mean is that we are positionally righteous; even though we still sin, we are legally righteous. God has credited the righteousness of Christ to our account, and He did this when He saved us. In grace, the holiness of Jesus Christ is ascribed to us. Christ "has become for us wisdom from God, that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption"
1 Corinthians 1:30.
1John 5:13 reads"These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.
Here's an helpful article.
If a person knows Christ and is growing in grace, he or she will be generally marked by the following traits:
1. The believer enjoys fellowship with Christ and His redeemed people. 1 John 1:3.
2. The believer walks in the light, not in the darkness. 1 John 1:6-7.
3. The believer admits and confesses his sin. 1 John 1:8.
4. The believer obeys God's Word. 1 John 2:3-5.
5. The believer loves God rather than the world. 1 John 2:15.
6. The believer's life is characterized by "doing what is right" 1 John 2:29.
7. The believer seeks to maintain a pure life. 1 John 3:3.
8. The believer sees a decreasing pattern of sin in his life. 1 John 3:5-6.
1 John 5:18.
9. The believer demonstrates love for other Christians ( 1 John 3:14).
10. The believer "walks the walk," versus just "talking the talk" 1 John 3:18-19.
11. The believer maintains a clear conscience. 1 John 3:21.
12. The believer experiences victory in his Christian walk 1 John 5:4.
Number 8 in the list above is that the believer will evince a decreasing pattern of sin in his or her life.
No one who belongs to Christ continue to "Practice" sin as a way of life.
1 Peter 2:2
God bless.
1 Timothy 4:1
"Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils;"
1 Corinthians 1:23-24
23 But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumblingblock, and unto the Greeks foolishness;
24 But unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God.
Going from the last discussion on Cathechisms; doctrine is at the core and essense of that topic. All commitments which we adhere to especially related to church membership in regard to doctrine in the Cathechism should be based on scriptural truth.
Clearly in today's churches we see many variations of interpretation and many are spurious. I am not here primarily to bash any particular denomination; but asking us to be Bereans in studying the Word to be approved before men and God ( Acts 17:11). It is noteable that the Bereans were said to be more noble than the Thessalonians especially since they came to quick understanding of deep prophetic texts. I am not aware that they were even an organized church; per se; maybe someone can shed light on that. In any event NO church hierarchy should dissuade careful study of scripture before any commitment is made; or any statement is said to be factual at least in terms of things that aren't core doctrines such as the life; burial and resurrection and bodily return of Christ. This stems back to my last post as well; because as I see it having kids memorize and study chatechisms before showing evidence of saving faith in Protestant circles is no different than those of Catholic churches which have ritual readings such as the "Hail Mary".
In any event; these verses quoted attempt to keep central teachings always in mind; as well as being careful for new interpretations and errant versions of the Bible. In brief if it appeals to the flesh it is to be avoided in worship.
Part 2 Trinity discussion
Did Jesus exist before creation? Did the Holy Spirit exist before creation?
Jesus existed in God's plan, Jesus is the beginning of creation Rev. 3:14 and by Him were all things created Col. 1:16 my understanding is Jesus, was the first in God's plan of creation and everything was created by God, in and through the plan and purpose of Jesus. My understanding Jesus did not physically exist until the fullness of time. Ephesians 1:10 He was born of Mary the Son of God. the seed of woman. Genesis 3:15 Matthew 1:20
My understanding is the Holy Spirit is the Spirit of God, not a person, Genesis 1:2. We see all the greetings are from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ. Romans 1:7 1 Corinthians 1:3 2 Corinthians 1:2 Galatians 1:3 Ephesians 1:2 Ephesians 6:23 Philippians 1:2 Colossians 1:2 and 6 more. The Holy Spirit not being included is a good clue the Holy Spirit was not considered a person by Paul and others at that time.
If so, who were they in relation to the Father?
I believe the above answers this.
How did the Father, the Son, and the Spirit all create all that is, seen or unseen?
My understanding is God the Father created all, Genesis 1:1 Genesis 1:31 Proverbs 16:4 Isaiah 45:18 Nehemiah 9:6.
Does Scripture teach that God is only one person who manifests in three forms, but all these manifestations are only one person?
Scripture does not support Modalism I have never considered this and do not know anything about it.
See part 3.
Part 2
God made Jesus Lord, Acts 2:36, made is thee Greek word ginomai that means to come into being, to happen, to become. This was foreordained before the foundation of the world and this Lamb was slain before the foundation of the world, 1 Peter 1:19-20 Revelation 13:8, foreordained the Greek word proginosko means to know beforehand to appoint or decree beforehand.
I see too many Scriptures that do not agree with the doctrine. I hope this makes sense. This is Scripture without man's knowledge or wisdom 1 Corinthians 1:22 Jeremiah 10:10 10 Malachi 2:10 Mark 12:32
Paul wrote these; Romans 3:30 Romans 15:6 1 Corinthians 8:6 2 Corinthians 1:3 2 Corinthians 11:31 Ephesians 1:3 Ephesians 1:17 Ephesians 3:14 Ephesians 4:6 Colossians 1:3 1 Timothy 2:5
Peter wrote this; 1 Peter 1:3
These are Jesus's words Himself; Matthew 27:46 Same in Mark 15:34 John 14:28 John 17:3 John 20:17 Revelation 3:12
What this says to me, there is only one true God who is the God and Father of Jesus,
These Scriptures are clear without our wisdom or knowledge do not agree with the doctrine of the Trinity. I do thank you and again I hope you do not consider me a Gnostic that would be sad, they are more of a philosophical like the immortal soul came from Greek philosophy, I am believer and follower of Jesus our Lord and savior.
God bless,
RLW
1 Corinthians 1:
27 But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty;
28 And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are:
29 That no flesh should glory in his presence.
As the time of the LORD'S return is imminent, may we be encouraged and diligent in our desire to praise the LORD and declare the gospel to as many as we can.
The LORD to shine HIS face and bless each of us gloriously as we faithfully await HIM. May our hearts and mind continually stay on JESUS, that we may be at peace because our mind is stayed on our GOD. Isaiah 26: 3, 4
Happy New Year brethren. As we pray for the peace in Jerusalem, and the ministries of the LORD around the world. May we be found faithful to stand in the gap and make up the hedge as the LORD requires for the land to be blessed. Ezekiel 22:30
December 26, 2023
are saved -
are being saved
8) 2 kings 23:29
in his days pahraoh-nechoh, king of egypt went up against the king of assyria.....
- pharaoh necho of egypt went up to the euphrates river to help the king of assyria...
(again a totally different scenario)
acts 8:37
....i believe jesus christ is the son of god.
- omitted completely
(there are many more more. i don't know which niv version i am using on my computor with bible gateway, as there has been 3 versions so far of this book. it seems to them the holy ghost can't quite make up his mind exactly what he wants to say so he has to keep coming back to fix it. actually, i believe that it has to be changed every so often in order for them to keep their copywrite so they can sell it. i'm not sure what version this is and what changes they made but it really is a mute point, they are all wrong.)
god bless you all who understand the wrong of modern versions of these books.:)
divine - divination6)
6) proverbs 18:
the words of a talebearer are as wounds and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly. (they really hurt)
- the words of a talebearer are like tasty trifflies' (i doubt anyone would agree that hurtful words taste good like candy.)
7) 1 corinthians 1:18
are saved -
are being saved
8) 2 kings 23:29
in his days pahraoh-nechoh, king of egypt went up against the king of assyria.....
- pharaoh necho of egypt went up to the euphrates river to help the king of assyria...
(again a totally different scenario)
5) proverbs 16:10
divine - divination6)
6) proverbs 18:
the words of a talebearer are as wounds and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly. (they really hurt)
- the words of a talebearer are like tasty trifflies' (i doubt anyone would agree that hurtful words taste good like candy.)
7) 1 corinthians 1:18
are saved -
are being saved
8) 2 kings 23:29
in his days pahraoh-nechoh, king of egypt went up against the king of assyria.....
- pharaoh necho of egypt went up to the euphrates river to help the king of assyria...
(again a totally different scenario)
5) proverbs 16:10
divine - divination6)
6) proverbs 18:
the words of a talebearer are as wounds and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly. (they really hurt)
- the words of a talebearer are like tasty trifflies' (i doubt anyone would agree that hurtful words taste good like candy.)
7) 1 corinthians 1:18
are saved -
are being saved
8) 2 kings 23:29
in his days pahraoh-nechoh, king of egypt went up against the king of assyria.....
- pharaoh necho of egypt went up to the euphrates river to help the king of assyria...
(again a totally different scenario)
All of John Chapter 13 ; Chapter 14
John 1:4 "In him was life; and the life was the light of men."
Colossians 1:15 "Who is the image of the invisible God, the first born of every creature."
Romans 8:32 "He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?"
Hebrews 1:8 "But unto the Son he saith, Thy throne, O God, is forever and ever: a sceptre of righteousness is the sceptre of thy kingdom."
John 1:3 "All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made."
Hebrews 1:3 "Who being the brightness of his glory and express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high;"
Romans 8:29 "For whom he did foreknowledge, he did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the first born among many brethren."
1 Corinthians 1:29 "That no flesh glory in his presence"
John 1:14 "And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we behold his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth."
Luke 1:31 "And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS."
Matthew 1:19 "Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing to make her a publick example, was minded to put her away privileges."
Isaiah 53:1 "Who hat believed our report? and to whom is the arm of the Lord revealed?"
Philippians 2:5 - 6 "Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God."
Hebrews 6:20 "Whither the forerunner is for us entered, even Jesus, made an high priest after the order of Melchisedec."
P2 follows
You said you disagree with me about his natural abilities. He was a very intelligent man prior to his conversion with many skills and abilities that God used.
And you said you don't think Paul is meaning in the verses I quoted that he was illiterate, nor unskilled with language or reason prior to conversion.
Re examine my post, I didn't say either of those things.
Here's all I said; Paul in his "Natural mind/ Wisdom persecuted Christians and did not understand the things of God.
Referring to this verse.
1 Timothy 1:13-14.
And IGNORANTLY IN UNBELIEF!! That wasn't a blessing.
Everything else I posted that you disagree with was scripture I copied pasted and posted.
The emphasis is that NO! God doesn't need anything intellectual from anyone and nor does he seek out those things.
The reason being is that we will do exactly what you are displaying now. Glory man and not God.
Listen to Paul again here in
1 Corinthians 2:1-4.
And I, brethren, when I came to you, came not with excellency of speech or of wisdom, declaring unto you the testimony of God.
FOR I DETERMINED NOT TO KNOW ANY THING AMONG YOU! save Jesus Christ, and him crucified.
And I was with you in weakness, and in fear, and in much trembling.
AND MY SPEECH AND MY PREACHING WAS NOT WITH ENTICING WORDS OF MAN'S WISDOM, BUT IN DEMONSTRATION OF THE SPIRIT AND OF POWER:
Paul says he came to them as someone Knowing nothing!
This section of scripture Parallels with the passage you disagree with in 1 Corinthians 1:26-31.
When we are born again we start out as babes in Christ and we feed on the sincere milk of the word whereby we grow, as Peter mentioned in his epistle.
The Holyspirit is the most neglected member of the Godhead amongst the Church,
That's why there is so much ignorance in the word of God.
There's many verses that disagree with you
Philippians 3:4-8.
So I disagree with your take that God blessed and prepared Paul with intellect to prepare him for ministry.
GB.
Yes God blessed the Apostles, including Paul with wisdom of words, But until AFTER they were converted!
Paul in his "Natural mind/ Wisdom persecuted Christians and did not understand the things of God.
Listen to Paul in his own words.
1 Timothy 1:13-14.
Who was before a blasphemer, and a persecutor, and injurious: but I obtained mercy, because I DID IT IGNORANTLY IN UNBELIEF.
And the grace of our Lord was exceeding abundant with faith and love which is in Christ.
Paul said he did it "IGNORANTLY IN UNBELIEF!! That wasn't a blessing.
Here again.
1 Corinthians 2:4.
1 Corinthians 2:6
1 Corinthians 2:12.
1 Corinthians 2:14-15.
1 Corinthians 1:26-31.For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called:
But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty;
And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are:
That no flesh should glory in his presence.
But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption:
That, according as it is written, He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord.
God bless.
But unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God.
Those verses I posted describes what Christ crucified means and the result of that preaching.
Justification and Sanctification by way of the Holyspirit.
No spirit filled Christian should have a problem with this preaching.
It's what the Apostles preached.
Paul also says in 1 Corinthians 1:18For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God.
Romans 3:10,12 As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one:there is non that seeketh after God.
Psalms 33:12 Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD; and the people whom he hath chosen for his own inheritance.
Matthew 20:16 So the last shall be first, and the first last: for many be called, but few chosen.
Mark 13:20 And except that the Lord had shortened those days, no flesh should be saved: but for the elect's sake, whom he hath chosen, he hath shortened the days.
John 15:16 Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you.
John 15:19 If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you.
1 Corinthians 1:27,28 But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty; And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are:
Ephesians 1:4 According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love:
2 Thessalonians 2:13 But we are bound to give thanks alway to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth:
James 2:5 Hearken, my beloved brethren, Hath not God chosen the poor of this world rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom which he hath promised to them that love him?
1 Peter 2:9 But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:
Just referring in general whether on this site or the world.
That's why I said the world persecutes the Gospel message.
I gave an illustration of three different views.
The one that the world hates most is the message of the cross!
The slain Lamb that took away the penalty of sin for the whole world and made an atonement for those who believe.
That's the only message that's deemed foolish to the lost.
1 Corinthians 1:18-21.
That's the partition between those who are truly saved and those who are deceived.
The law is holy as Paul says in Romans 7:12.
But it doesn't regenerate the heart!
The law is the ministration of Death as mentioned in 2 Corinthians 3.
When the law came it slew us from Adam and Eve till the end of time!
It declared man guilty!!
It painted the picture of mankind in Adam!
Now that we have the law we also have sin and the wages of sin is death.
The world is softer on you do your best and the Lord will save you by his Love apart from Christ than Christ finish work on the cross apart from the Law.
And it's emphasized in this notion you can loose your Salvation.
If you can't work to get it, you can't work to keep it.
The regeneration by the Holyspirit is a neglected doctrine today.
Our measuring instrument is Love for the Brothern.
That's also misunderstood!
We treat "this Love" as an work rather than a fruit is a big issue.
God bless you.
1 Corinthians 1:18-31
For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God. For it is written, I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and will bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent. Where is the wise? where is the scribe? where is the disputer of this world? hath not God made foolish the wisdom of this world? For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe. For the Jews require a sign, and the Greeks seek after wisdom: But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumblingblock, and unto the Greeks foolishness; But unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God. Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men; and the weakness of God is stronger than men.
For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called: But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty; And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are: That no flesh should glory in his presence. But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption: That, according as it is written, He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord.
We are told in Romans 10:13, "For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved."
That is a promise. If you call out to Him and cry out to Him for mercy and to save you, He will do it. And the evidence of that, especially for a Hebrew and Jewish person is that with their mouth they will be making confession that He is their personal Lord.
1 Corinthians 1:12 says that we cannot even call upon Him as our Lord Jesus without the Holy Spirit. A religious person can, but out of a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, we cannot start talking to Jesus as our personal Lord without the Holy Spirit. We don't have that ability.
But the manifestation that we have that personal relationship, it's not working for it. It's by faith, receiving Him, and with our mouth, making confession, and with our heart believing that our Messiah was raised up from the dead. And there's no difference between Jew and Greek. Whoever will call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. That's a promise!
So please, if you have not already done so, call out to the Lord to have mercy on you and to save you. Romans 10:13 is a promise for all who call out to Him. He will save you, and He will give you His Spirit which will abide in you forever. Please call out to Him today to save you. Surrender your life to Him. Since none of us are guaranteed tomorrow, tomorrow may be too late.
If you feel God's Spirit drawing you to Christ, do not harden your heart to the call. Receive Him. Surrender your life to Him! ( Psalm 95:7-8).
Thanks to you I have a lot more verses/passages to look at. So thank you! God Bless!
d. the revelation of the anti-Christ is restrained ( 2 Thessalonians 2:1-12). Paul's reason for writing this was because the Church was greatly troubled that the Day of the Lord (Christ) had begun. Paul said that that day wouldn't commence until Jesus came for them & raptured them ("our gathering together unto him": v1). The 'restrainer' is the Holy Spirit in God's people, then when He is removed, God's people are removed, for the Holy Spirit was sent to indwell us & work in & through us & for the Gospel's propagation ( John 16:7,8,13).
e. a comparison between an imminent Rapture & Rapture at the Second Coming:
1. Translation of all believers ( 1 Thessalonians 4:15-18) --- No translation at all ( Revelation 19:6-21).
2. Raptured saints return to Heaven ( 1 Thessalonians 4:17; John 14:1-3) --- Raptured saints return to Earth ( 1 Thessalonians 3:13; Revelation 19:14).
3. Any moment, in readiness, without signs ( 1 Corinthians 1:7; Philippians 4:5; 1 Thessalonians 1:10; 1 Thessalonians 5:6; Titus 2:13; James 5:7-9; Revelation 3:11, 22:7,12,20) --- many signs given of the Great Tribulation which leads into Jesus' coming (so a readiness cannot be expected, as the seven year's count down begins with the anti-Christ).
A Pre-Tribulation Rapture position keeps the Church ready & watching for her Lord's Coming. Any other position can give her the tendency to apathy & carelessness. The Church is told to be watchful, in spite of ridicule, "where is the promise of his coming" ( 2 Peter 3:4). But Christ's coming is held back until the full number are saved (v9) - and then Jesus will come to take His Church Home.
Part 4
To make reconciliation for iniquity
Reconciliation is an element of salvation that refers to the results of the atonement, to coat or cover, Isaiah 61:10 Rev. 3:4 Rev. 16:15, iniquity is guilt, crookedness, twistedness, perverseness, that which is not straight or upright, and moral distortion in the dark.
Colossians 1:20-22 Isaiah 53:5-6 Isaiah 53:11 Ephesians 2:16 Titus 2:14 Romans 4:7 2 Romans 5:10-11 2 Corinthians 5:18-19 Colossians 1:19-22
The word reconcile means to bring back to a former state of harmony, Jesus reconciled both Jew and Gentile unto God in one body by the cross and now through Jesus we both Jew and Gentile have access by one Spirit unto the Father, no more strangers or foreigners but fellow citizens. Making reconciliation for iniquity concerns our involvement in the work of salvation. God has reconciled himself to us and empowered us by his Spirit to reconcile ourselves to God and one another.
To bring in everlasting righteousness.
Everlasting, no end, long duration, antiquity, futurity, forever, ever, everlasting, evermore, perpetual, continuous existence. Righteousness, God's attribute, justice, mercy, loving-kindness, in conformity to the demands of the covenant, and according to God's will, fair and balanced.
Isaiah 61:10-11 Hebrews 8:12 Romans 3:21-26 Romans 5:17-21 1 Corinthians 1:30 2 Corinthians 5:21 1 Peter 2:24
Everlasting righteousness was what our Lord manifested in His sinless life. Jesus by His blood entered in once into the holy place not made by hands having obtained eternal redemption, everlasting, and in Jesus we have everlasting righteousness and salvation, through faith, given by grace from God, by the blood of the Lamb freely offered for us. We have no righteousness apart from Jesus Christ.
See Part 5
I'm sorry if my response did not answer your question. Please allow a second shot at it.
You asked two questions. First question was if 1 Corinthians 1:18 means that we wear gold crosses around our necks?
My answer to that would be no.
Your second question: does 1 Corinthians 1:18 mean that we go to the tattoo parlor and ask for a cross to be etched/cut into our skin.
My answer to that would also be no. I gave you my understanding of what that verse means.
Again, your question is "Are we supposed to wear crosses on our necks?"
I do not know of any scripture that forbids it. There is scripture that speaks against idols and worship of idols. I suppose if a person does not worship or idolize a piece of jewelry or any other material possessions, that person would be okay.
Also, Luke 14:27 does not address your question. "Whosoever does not bear his cross" doesn't mean whosoever does not wear a cross around his neck.
What does it mean to bear ones cross?
Here in our culture, basically people understand it to mean whatever hardships I have to go through today, I'm just bearing my cross for Jesus. Except that whether you are a Christian or not, you are going to go through difficulties. It is not what it means.
When Jesus died on the cross, He died my death.In reference, you can read Romans 6:1-14, and Galatians 2:20.
What does it mean to take up your cross?
You see, when I received the life of Jesus Christ, I also received His death. That's why Paul can say in Philippians, "Oh that I might know Him and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of his sufferings."
Power to live and power to suffer go hand in hand. But they are not my sufferings. They are the sufferings of Christ. But when He died on the cross, He died my death. He died in my place therefore I have died. But my biggest struggle in life is that every day, my flesh is trying to get down off that cross.
No, I don't believe we're supposed to wear crosses. Leviticus 26:1, nowhere does it say wear a cross, as jewelry. However it does say not to make idols.
Recently I thought, if a person had a friend that was killed by gunshot & had a miraculous recovery. How would he feel, if when he returned to his friends & family, they had an image of the gun or bullet around their neck, to honor him. I would think it would be upsetting to say the least. Wouldn't he say, "your missing the main point." isn't it the life lived?Jesus himself being the example of a loving life, helping others in need? & the hope & promise of resurrection. John 5:21-29, 1Corinthians 15:42-58, John 11:25, Ecclesiastes 5:15, 1Timothy 6:7,
Bare your cross: Luke 14, looking at context, whole chapter Jesus in doing the better thing by healing, suffered rejection, hate, wrongful judgement.
A cross is painful, it's obvious, on view for everyone to see, not something we can hide in our pocket. It causes ridicule & even division. Luke 14:11, Luke 14:12-14, Luke 14:17-20,24, Luke 14:26,27, also Matthew 10, note Matthew 10:36, Matthew 10:17,18, Matthew 10:21, Matthew 10:22, please read in context Matthew 10, Matthew 10:32-42, & Luke 9:22-26, also Matthew 16:21-28, Mark 8:29-38, Mark 10:14-52,
Philippians 2:1-15, Colossians 1:10-29 ,
Matthew 25:31-46, James 1:5,
Hopefully these are helpful
"And whosoever doth not bear his cross, and come after me, cannot be my disciple." Luke 14:27 KJV
Here is what I take away from 1 Corinthians 1:18.
If I examine this verse, I notice a vast difference if I contrast that. One person hears the gospel and says "Yea, I heard it. It doesn't make sense and it's foolish." But to another person, the power of God will come upon them and save them through the foolishness of preaching.
Also, 1 Corinthians 1:17 is a tremendous verse. Paul says, "For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel:"
And then he gives us insight and he opens up the whole rest of the book to us by saying that when I preach the gospel, it's not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of none effect.
In Chapter 2, Paul is going to tell us about his method. What's Paul's method? Number one, by the inspiration of God's Spirit, and number two, he says I'm not going to preach anything except Jesus Christ and Him crucified! He says I know nothing amongst you except Christ and Him crucified.
Why? Because as he develops the thought through the rest of the book, he says that is God's designed plan, because to man it is foolish. So to preach Jesus Christ crucified for your sins, he's going to say that the world thinks that's foolish.
He said that it's God's designed plan, so I'm going to preach Christ, and Him crucified, and the person that has a heart for the Lord is going to respond, and the people that don't have a heart for the Lord, they're going to reject it.
Paul didn't compromise the gospel message in order to get people to receive it. He says it's got to be either the power of the Spirit of God through the simple message of the gospel that convicts people of their need of Christ, or Paul says I won't do it any other way.
So Paul says if I try the maneuverings and the persuasiveness with human wisdom to get people to believe, it makes the cross of Christ empty. The power of the cross is then released of its power when I'm trying to persuade people with human wisdom!
"Ye shall not make any cuttings in your flesh for the dead, nor print any marks upon you: I am the LORD." Leviticus 19:28 KJV
And Paul considered himself to be an apostle ( 1 Corinthians 1:1; 2 Corinthians 2:1), though the sense here I think, was that he was numbered with the other apostles yet one born out of due time (i.e. the others were direct witnesses of Jesus, walked with Him & called by Him, whereas Paul's qualification was of his explicit vision & calling to be Jesus' chosen vessel). Since Paul's day, there has been no other apostle, except Barnabas & those others since, who fulfil the apostolic definition of being God's messenger to the unsaved but not of the original 12 + 1.
a. Romans 9:3-5. Paul says what he did in this portion because he was speaking about his brethren by blood, i.e. Israel - not brethren by faith in Christ. Here in these chapters, Paul is relating what the Jews should have gained, if they had accepted Christ, but had lost their position because they wanted to hold to the Law & not come to Christ (which can only be by faith). So the Roman believers, & there could have been believing Jews amongst them as well, needed to hear this message that salvation has come to them because of the "fall" of the Jews & acceptance by God of Jew & Gentile through His Son.
b. Romans was written to believers in Rome ( Romans 1:6-8); the Corinthian Epistles to the Church/saints at Corinth ( 1 Corinthians 1:2); Ephesians to the saints in Ephesus ( Ephesians 1:1); and the Thessalonian Epistles to the Church in Thessalonica ( 1 Thessalonians 1:2-4). So, in the Churches there would have been the Jewish diaspora as well as Gentiles, and together Paul considered them as the Church, the beloved of God.
c. I see no problem with the content of Paul's letters to the largely Gentile Churches there. It's as if I preached in a Pakistani Church of what God was doing in Pakistan among Muslims, also about believers living the Spirit-filled life, & the need to share their faith, & also that my heart continued to be for the salvation of Muslims. Would I be wrong to share that so that the Church might be informed & encouraged to pray? So Paul was sharing with the Roman Church that one day all Israel will bend their knee to Jesus & be saved. Shouldn't the Gentiles rejoice in this wonderful time of salvation of the Jews, through whom the Lord Jesus came & ministered to? But if any today in the Church despise Israel, then maybe, yes, they could take umbrage to such news.
Great question and great responses!
So, when it is all summed up here is the difference between the two.
"As often said" Mercy is not getting what we deserve, and grace is freely receiving what we don't deserve.
Here is where I believe they come together.
As posted in others response mercy is flowing from the God by way of love.
This is Gods Holy spirit. God is Love! God is Just! God is merciful!
In the cross we have God displaying his very nature without compromising any of his attributes.
LOVE and Mercy.
He loved us so he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
JUDGE.
In Matthew 26:39-44 Jesus prayed three times "O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt." Those were our sins that nailed him to that cross and those prayers were answered by those sins being judged and paid for by the penalty of death.
GRACE.
Christ done what only he could have done as "God in the flesh" live the sinless life he did as the perfect lamb of God endure the cross and raise the 3rd day. And his righteousness is imputed to those who believe. For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Ephesians 2:8.
Also. But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption: 1 Corinthians 1:30.
Sin has been judged.
Mercy has been given.
We have been graced with the Holy spirit.
We have been given Christ!
Now we look to display for this fruit to exist in our lives.
God bless.
This is where the first error comes in: that some believe that God can be divided. The Scriptures remind us that God is One ( Deuteronomy 6:4; Deuteronomy 4:35,39) & there is no other god beside Him. Then the fact that we read in the Word, of God's Spirit and God's Son, we are then inclined to believe that the Spirit & Son are separate gods from the One God. The Bible tells us in 1 John 5:7, "For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one." So, in the person of God we find the evidence of Father, the Word, & the Holy Ghost. This is God for Who He is - the absence of any one of these 'aspects' negates the reality of God or any evidence of Him (i.e. God cannot be God unless His Word & Spirit are in existence within Him).
Now God can do what mortal man cannot do: He can send out His Spirit to fulfil His Will & Plans for the universe & for us. He has also chosen to send out His Word, clothe the Word with human flesh for the salvation & redemption of sinners ( John 1:1-14). Impossible for us to do, but not impossible with God. Is God now deficient in Himself by doing all this? Not so. Both the Spirit & the Word were sent out by God from within God, & all they have done & continue to do are in perfect harmony with God's Mind, Power, & Purpose. Simply put, the Word (Jesus) & the Spirit can never do anything outside of God's Will because they are fully within or sent from God's Being.