Discuss Acts 2 Page 6

  • Giannis - In Reply - 2 years ago
    Hello Spencer.

    A bit late but I just got some time to reply to your post to me last week..

    Yes those words of Jesus were directed to apostles.

    Paul writes to Timothy. 2 Timothy 2:1-2 "... And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also." So apostles taught others ... and sometime later on all those things were written in what we call the New Testament. In Corinthians and Ephesians Paul writes about the gifts and ministries God appointed to His church to serve the believers. So there is an order and an hierarchy in God's church. It is not a vague thing where everybody acts the way they like and think it is proper.

    What I wanted to point out in my posts is that it is wrong for christians to stay out of any congregation. One can not grow spiritually that way. They need to integrate themselves in a congregation where they will be taught the proper teachings by people who God selected and annointed (or we hope so) to do that work. As I read in posts some people believe that they can stay alone and figure out the right teachings by reading themselves, by taking part in sites like this one etc believing that the Spirit of God will lead them to the whole truth. I wanted to point out that this is a wrong attitude, it is not how God planned it to work. God's plan is (if practically possible) to be a (an active) part of the church. And when I say church I don't mean the vaguely figured universal church, but a specific congregation of which they should be a part. To offer their work to fellow christians and receive work by them in a post where God places them. To be a part of the Body of Christ in that specific congregation.

    In my church we often use the following example:

    Acts 2:42 "And they (the believers) continued stedfastly in the (1)apostles' doctrine and (2)fellowship, and in (3)breaking of bread, and in (4)prayers". These four things are essential for our spiritual growth.

    GBU
  • Ronald Whittemore - In Reply - 2 years ago
    Hey Someone, who cares,

    Who is an antichrist? Christ is a translation of the Greek word Christos which means anointed one. The Hebrew word is Mashiach translated Messiah which means the anointed one, the chosen one. One who God fixed for a specific purpose set apart to fulfill God's plan.

    Jesus said many times that He/Him sent me, Matt. 10:40 Mark 9:37 Luke 10:16 John 5:30 and many more times. Also, Jesus said He came down from heaven not to do His will but to do the will of Him who sent Him in John 6:38, and Jesus said this in John 6:35-40.

    We see when Jesus was baptized, He was anointed not with oil but with the Holy Spirit/Ghost, Matt 3:16 Mark 1:10 Luke 3:22 John 1:32, and John 3:34-36 Jesus was anointed with the Holy Spirit without measure. Peter confesses and puts clear the Messiah/Christ, and the miracles, wonders, and signs God did by Him Acts 2:22, also read 23-39.

    "God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit", manifest Greek word phanero; revealed, made known, 1 Timothy 3:16 John 17:1-8. God gave His only begotten Son, God sent His Son who was come in the flesh, tempted as you or me, and the spirit of antichrist is denying that is true, John 3:16 1 John 4:3 2 John 1:7. Christ is not part of Jesus name it is a title, Jesus is the Messiah, Jesus is the Christ.

    A liar is he who denies or says Jesus is not the Christ/Messiah, and he is an antichrist, that denies the Father and the Son. If we deny the Son, we have not the Father but if we acknowledge the Son we have the Father also, 1 John 2:18-24. You must come to your own understanding not mine, with open mind, prayer, and the Holy Spirit guiding you, you will.

    These verses about the antichrist paint a picture of a deceptive seducing spirit and the people that have been deceived, just like Eve 2 Cor. 11:3. My understanding of these verses does not refer to the beast that will ascend out of the bottomless pit that has come to be called the antichrist.

    God bless,

    RLW
  • T Levis - In Reply on Acts 2 - 2 years ago
    My advice : stay in the WORD of GOD, stay in prayer. 1Thessalonians 5:17, 2Timothy 2:15,
  • Ronald irving on Acts 2 - 2 years ago
    god would not let sleep, because troubles i have been dealing with.i had not picked up my bible in a long, i did his time in the wee hours of the morning. i opened my bible to where my ribbon was and it happened to be acts. i read and a calmness came over me. peace came. have had that feeling in a long time.pray that stays.

    thank you jesus
  • Adam - In Reply - 2 years ago
    Hi Mark,

    My comment is that salvation is conditional whether people believe it or not, because its what the Bible says. It's full of calls to action and challenging us to change our behavior. Most people will not be saved Matthew 7:13. Salvation is with grace but is only for believers/followers- a choice that each person must make. One way to summarize this action appears to be genuine belief and faith in Jesus Christ. John 3:16. That is an action and choice.

    So, if someone does not believe, one can presume the unbeliever will not be saved. This already "offends" a lot of people, because some want to justify themselves in their own mind while doing the bare minimum they assume God wants. Some have been deceived into believing obeying God is "bad." But believing is only one of many action verbs the Bible challenges us to do. Other actions fall under this category of genuine active belief and following Jesus too. All these verses in the Bible are true and are equally important. Some like to cherry pick one, but ignore others and assume they don't apply, but they all apply and are true and are God's word.

    believe:

    John 3:16

    follow Jesus:

    John 8:12

    deny himself:

    Luke 9:23

    confess:

    Romans 10:9

    faith:

    Ephesians 2:8

    hearing:

    Romans 10:17

    repent and be baptized:

    Acts 2:38

    keep commandments:

    John 15:10

    love:

    Matthew 22:37-40

    There are many more. Some falsely assume by obeying God they are doing 'works' and that is 'bad', therefore, obeying God is 'bad'. No, that's not what the Bible says, and obeying doesn't mean you're saved by works or that people who obey believe that.

    My last comment is that James and Paul are consistent. Some assume Paul was anti-works, but only if you cherry pick a few verses and ignore large parts of his book can that conclusion be drawn. Paul was very much pro-obedience as the following verses demonstrate:

    Romans 2:9-10

    1 Peter 1:5

    1 Cor 9:24-27

    Hebrews 6:4-6

    Galatians 5:1-4

    2 Timothy 2:10

    Hebrews 10:26

    2 Corinthians 5:10
  • Gwen Johnson - In Reply - 2 years ago
    Ms. Smiley, my minister did a very informative sermon on Baptism a couple of Sundays ago. If you would go on facebook and pull up the Richmond Ave. Church of Christ video, and listen to that sermon I'm sure you will be edified and encouraged to obey the gospel. Also I know some people don't do social media: if that is the case with you you can always read from the King James version of the Bible these scriptures: Acts 2:38, Mark 16:15-16, Acts 22:16: I Peter3:20-21; Acts 10:48, John 3:5; Luke 7:30. Also read 2 Corinthians 5:17 with Galatians 3:27. If after reading these passages you are still unsure or have any questions, please feel free to give us a call at (817) 739-4933. The scriptures I gave you are in reference to specifically the purpose of baptism. There are others that speak to the action itself and who are candidates for taking the action, let me know if you would like those. But God's plan of salvation for us all is a 5-step process given in the book. You must first Hear the gospel, believe what you hear, repent, you must confess faith and then be baptized. Just know this is GOd's plan. Not mine or my minister's. In closing just know,"We speak where the Bible speaks, and are Silent where the Bible is silent."

    Sister Gwen Johnson
  • Henry - In Reply - 2 years ago
    Gigi. It doesn't say in Acts 2:38. Thet were baptised in water, and in Acts 22 it's

    Just says Paul Aries and be baptised water never mentioned so I'll stick with

    Scripture and not add.
  • GiGi - In Reply - 2 years ago
    Yep, both Jesus and Peter commanded for people to be water baptized. What is so hard about obeying even a request made of our Lord let alone a command? Matthew 28:19; Acts 2:38; 10:48. Even Paul says he was baptized by Ananias in Acts 22:16.

    If Pamela desires to be baptized, then no one should discourage her. It was never discouraged for believers in the Bible.
  • T. Levis - In Reply - 2 years ago
    If you're feeling a need, want to be baptized, it may be the HOLY Spirit leading you. Even during the New Testament Church, there were some that were baptized by John for repentance that realized they needed to be re-baptized. Acts 19:1-6,

    Acts 2:38,

    To understand Baptism more, if your interested in studying it fully. I recommend searching "Bapti" in the [Search words or verses] tab, then it will show [Modify Search] big red button. Click, it. New options show, multiple tabs, tap [Partial Word Match] it should respond with= 91 instances 4 pages of where this KJV Bible app has every variance of the word, Baptism, Baptized, Baptize, Baptizing. Then I usually click the underlined phrase [Sort By Book Order].

    You can Search using each word individually too, but those will be like 51, 7, 22, 4, instances, with repeating scriptures, for each word individually searched.

    Hopefully this is helpful.
  • Paul - In Reply - 2 years ago
    But the Bible speaks of things to be revealed beyond what's written,

    ...for the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy. ( Revelation 19:7)

    Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come. ( John 16:13)

    But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God. ( 1 Corinthians 2:10)

    Wherefore, brethren, covet to prophesy, ( 1 Cor. 14:39)

    And on my servants and on my handmaidens I will pour out in those days of my Spirit; and they shall prophesy: ( Acts 2:18)

    And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams: ( Acts 2:17)

    Surely the Lord GOD will do nothing, but he revealeth his secret unto his servants the prophets. ( Amos 3:7)
  • Adam - In Reply - 2 years ago
    Hi Paul,

    I agree that some perceive these as conflicting verses, but just because some assume something is contradictory does not make it so.

    Why can't both verses be true?

    Ephesians 2:8-9 is true that we are saved by grace alone through faith and James 2:17 is also true that faith without works is dead. Why exactly can't these both be true? The entire chapter of James 2 already explains this. For instance James 2:18 "...shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works." Isn't it possible that faith and belief is like an overall umbrella and the fruit are good deeds and works that can flow through as a result of genuine faith? And if no works, then it would be like the parable of the sower in Luke 8. The scriptures do not contradict each other.

    Romans 2 also explains this. Romans 2:13 (For not the hearers of the law are just before God, but the doers of the law shall be justified.

    People seem to like to cherry pick and pluck out only Ephesians 2:8-9 and ignore James 2:17. Or, some may pluck out only James 2:17 and ignore Ephesians 2:8-9. But the reality is it is both. Both are God's word and both are true. All of the scriptures must be taken cohesively in context.

    I believe this can happen with other topics too. For instance, yes, someone can just read John 3:16, and conclude that only "believing" is all someone needs. While true, it's assumed it's genuine belief is active and would also include Acts 2:38, which introduces more actions such as repenting, and being baptized. These are not contradictions as some may assume. They instead compliment each other and are both true. People can get a simple understanding with light reading of broad statements and a deeper understanding by deeper study. I think this is by design. Some believe the Bible is a living Word of God and that the more we read that God can supernaturally reveal more and more insights that we didn't notice the first time.
  • T. Levis - In Reply - 2 years ago
    Psalms 139, Deuteronomy 4:30-40,

    Words of Jesus : John 10:15,16, Matthew 15:24, Matthew 18:10-14, John 3:16, Romans 8,

    Matthew 3:2, Matthew 4:17, Mark 1:15, Acts 2:38, Acts 3:19,

    Hopefully these are helpful
  • Brenda - In Reply - 2 years ago
    Must be born AGAIN of water and Spirit. Jesus is

    not talking about your nature birth/1st birth, but a second birth, which is spiritual, according to his will. The book of Acts is where the birth of New Testament/Jesus church begins, the Lord's disciples show how to do this, are first to obey this: Peter preached this first message to the Jews, later to all/non Jews.

    Acts 2: 38: Repent, be baptized every one of you in

    the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of your

    sins(blood Jesus shed is applied/ Hebrews 9:22), and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.

    All books after Acts are written to the churches that are already born again, as Paul writes:

    Romans 6: 1 - 6. Actually all of chapter 6.
  • Mari B - 2 years ago
    Olga, yes Acts 2:38 is correct. Matthew 28:19 does say "in the name of". That name is Jesus. Test we see not one person was water baptized in the book of Acts in titles. And in John 3:3-5 Jesus said water & the Spirit are needed to enter into the kingdom of God. So many don't even think water baptism is needed when it's clearly all thru the New Testament bible. So many scriptures. Thank you for obeying the Lord Jesus. Blessings to you
  • Giannis - In Reply on 1 Corinthians 11 - 2 years ago
    Dear Alvis.

    Throughout the history of christianity wine was always used for communion. Not just wine but sweet wine which was the type of wine used in ancient times Acts 2:13 "Others mocking said, These men are full of new wine." New wines are sweet, they contain glucose in large quantities. That grape fruit juice practice is a recent "invention" of the previous, or so, centuary.

    Paul in his letter to Corinthians talks about believers who got drunk but to understand that we have to see how communion was performed in the early days. The communion was not done during the church service as probably nowadays most churches do. In Sunday evenings (Sunday was a working day at that time) believers sat on tables to eat together and the communion was done at the end of that supper, just like Jesus and apostles did on that day. So some believers had a bit too much of wine during the meal (not during the communion) and got a bit drunk. Others ate their food without expecting the rest, who probably were poor and had little or nothing at all to eat. So Paul adresses this sort of things. If you read the history of christianity, you will find out that those meals were called "agapes", from the greek agape which means love. That practise was kept until aprox. the middle or end of the 2nd centuary AD and was eventually abandoned since christians were then thousands and practically couldn't gather together in huge tables. So the communion was eventually transfered from the tables to the Sunday service. During emperor Constantine's time Sunday was declared a holiday and the church service together with the communion were transfered from evenings to mornings. A brief account of the practice of the early church.

    GBU
  • Doug - In Reply - 2 years ago
    Adam I am trying to be open about this subject. I was in church today and this passage opened. I never noticed it before. I wonder how many in this post has missed it too and never had a chance to ponder it. Acts 2:22 "Ye men of Israel, hear these words; Jesus of Nazareth, a man approved of God among you by miracles and wonders and signs, which God did by him in the midst of you, as ye yourselves also know:" In controversial topics our minds run to the verses we already know and we try to keep convincing ourselves. I asked one of ministers if he noticed it. He didn't. He believes in the deity of Christ.
  • Ronald Whittemore - In Reply on James 1 - 2 years ago
    Giannis,

    Part 2

    Scripture describes death as sleep and the grave/hell is our home until Jesus returns and releases us from the pains of death, Acts 2:24, and the hope we have, Rom. 8:11. We see in Psalm 6:5 Job 14:12-14 Job 17:13-16. When a person dies, he "lies down" in death and does not arise out of that sleep until his regeneration at the resurrection. Psalm 89:48 Psalm 115:17 Ecclesiastes 9:5-10.

    Jesus said this referring to eternal life, Matthew 16:26. Sory for being wordy but I hope this sort of explains my understanding. If our soul is immortal, Luke 16 is a real story, I believe scripture is clear, our soul is us and is mortal, there would be nothing to resurrect. Where would be victory over the grave and death? 1 Cor. 15:54-55 1 Cor. 15:14.

    Jesus's soul along with his body was as He said of Jonah/Jonas, Matt. 12"40. In Acts 2:22-35 Jesus was not left in Hell and did not see corruption, in vs. 24 God loosed the pains of death because Jesus was sinless, and death had to let go.

    1 Peter 3:18-20 is hard, we have spirits in prison who were disobedient in the days of Noah, and the waters of the flood compared to the baptizing waters saving not washing away the filth of the flesh but for the conscience toward God. Our conscience, our hard drive our testimony, 2 Cor.1:12 tells us with the help of the Holy Spirit if we are good to go and it is pure.

    There is no clear indication of when Jesus did this so to say it was when He was in the tomb would be just an opinion.

    Spirits in prison from Noah's time building the ark? Why that time and not all the time up to His resurrection? I may be wrong, but I do not know of the dead being called spirits and being in prison, but the angels who left their first estate are locked in chains of darkness. Revelation gives another look at what that prison may be. This one will be full of opinions that would need setting at a table discussion, so I will leave this one to your understanding.

    See part 3
  • Giannis - In Reply on James 1 - 2 years ago
    Dear Ronald

    Where did Jesus' soul go after He died on the cross? Acts 2:22-35 tell us. Pay attention to verses 27 & 31.

    Also in 1 Peter 3:18-20 it is written:

    "18 For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit:

    19 By which also he went and preached unto the spirits in prison;

    20 Which sometime were disobedient, when once the longsuffering of God waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was a preparing, wherein few, that is, eight souls were saved by water."

    1 Peter 4:6 talks about the same thing.

    "For for this cause was the gospel preached also to them that are dead, that they might be judged according to men in the flesh, but live according to God in the spirit."

    Finally, if the story of the rich man and Lazarus is actually a parable and not a real story, then Jesus made up a story, OK? But a parablet must resemble to reality. It must be respective to the actual facts, it can not be something totally different from the real situation. A parable is actually a story which uses imaginary images to describe the same events of the real story.

    God Blessings
  • Chris - In Reply - 2 years ago
    Hi Jackie. Yours would be the most unusual question that I've come across, but I'll try to assist by correlating manicure kits to a 'cutting or shaping' action in the Bible.

    The verse that is foremost in my mind is from Hebrews 4:12: that of God's Word doing an intrusive, piercing/cutting, yet thorough work in a person's heart. Though a nail clipper/emery board may be useful to cut & shape nails, even flicking out some grit under the nail, God's Word is no mere man-made cutter, but is "quick (alive, active, at work), endued with God's Power & keeness (finely sharpened), that is able to penetrate the impenetrable (dividing the soul & spirit, getting in-between the bone & marrow), and judges & exposes the deepest thoughts & devises of our hearts." Their gifts of manicure kits should accomplish well the tasks they were made for - but God's Word strikes much further than a finger nail, going straight to a person's heart & spirit, to the end that a complete change can occur & not simply a superficial & temporary cut & shape.

    We can find examples of this in the Apostle Peter's sermon at Pentecost ( Acts 2:14-41, especially verse 37 'pricked in their hearts') & Stephen's sermon in Acts 7:2-60, especially verse 54 'cut to the heart'). God's Word can either bring people to repentance & faith or cause some to well up in fury against the Truth. Such is the penetrating Power of God's Word with its divisive action that separates those hungering for the Peace of God & His Salvation in their hearts from those whose end is only anger against God & rejection of His Truth.

    But Jesus said in John 10:10, "...I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly." Jesus didn't come to just give us a quick cut & shape (a temporary fix to make us feel or look better) - He came to sacrifice His Life for each one of us, so that we might be forgiven of our sins, turn from them & become God's children, receiving an abundant life both now & into eternity.
  • Giannis - In Reply - 2 years ago
    Hello Ronald

    Where did Jesus' soul go after He died on the cross? Acts 2:22-35 tell us. Pay attention to verses 27 & 31.

    Also in 1 Peter 3:18-20 it is written:

    "18 For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit:

    19 By which also he went and preached unto the spirits in prison;

    20 Which sometime were disobedient, when once the longsuffering of God waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was a preparing, wherein few, that is, eight souls were saved by water."

    1 Peter 4:6 talks about the same thing.

    "For for this cause was the gospel preached also to them that are dead, that they might be judged according to men in the flesh, but live according to God in the spirit."

    Finally, if the story of the rich man and Lazarus is actually a parable and not a real story, then Jesus made up a story, OK? But a parablet must resemble to reality. It must be respective to the actual facts, it can not be something totally different from the real situation. A parable is actually a story which uses imaginary images to describe the same events of the real story.

    God Blessings
  • Free - In Reply on Romans 14 - 2 years ago
    Dear "Wade Harrids" Acts 2:38 are words that many are saved by, and are my favorite words. It also says that: If there are any pp who doubt whether they should be baptized with water, they usually repent, as they understand the word here. Amen

    Personally, i believe that a water baptism is a covenant of good conscience with the Lord. This is also confirmed by one of the Apostles in:

    1 Peter 21 The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ: Amen.

    Personally, i also think we can change the tactics with water burial/baptism. Because many shy people don't actually get baptized. Because of the white apron they will dress with. Shows the most delicate things a person has.

    A proper baptism must take place in the person's own everyday clothes. You could probably say that they should be freshly laundered in that case. In the sea under the sky it is not so difficult. But there is probably chlorine in the baptismal font.

    God bless u and yours in Jesus name, love u in Christ John 7:10-24
  • Wade Harrids on Romans 14 - 2 years ago
    Can you explain Acts 2:38
  • Chris - In Reply - 2 years ago
    Hello Frank. Just responding to the points you raised.

    a. both Water Baptism and the Lord's Supper are considered ordinances of the Church, as we see both being received & performed by the apostles & the early Church: Acts 2:42; Acts 20:7; 1 Corinthians 10:16-21; 1 Corinthians 11:22-34; Romans 6:3-5; Acts 8:34-38; Acts 16:27-33; 1 Peter 3:20,21; 1 Corinthians 1:14-16. And since these 'ordinances' were never rescinded during the writing of the Scriptures, the Church has continued to observe them, albeit in different ways.

    b. I agree that "being baptized into the Body of Christ is a spiritual baptism not a water baptism"; though both have different meanings. When a person is truly saved by the power of the Holy Spirit, the Spirit resides & takes ownership of this new child of God ( Romans 8:9; 1 Corinthians 12:13; Ephesians 4:5). The believer enters the family of God by the indwelling Spirit: this is Baptism of the Spirit. Whereas, water baptism is simply a public declaration of one's identification with Christ, which should occur very soon after conviction of sin, repentance & faith in Jesus' Sacrifice. Yet, today this order is rarely observed (but that's another matter). Can a person be water baptized, yet not have saving faith? It can happen. Or, can one be endued with the Holy Spirit & not be baptized in water? Most certainly as salvation comes by a Work of God in the heart & not by an act of immersion in water. But water baptism ought to follow as a part of God's saving Work & due diligence from the evangelist.

    c. I don't see that Paul "stopped baptizing altogether". Rather the 1st Corinthians chapter 1 reference you gave speaks about him baptizing only a few, as others seemed unworthy because of their infighting & divisions, but his mission was to preach the Gospel & not be sidetracked with water baptizing, which others could fulfil. So, we would be hard pressed to find clear Scripture that rescinded water baptism for both believing Jew & Gentile.
  • Starbux - In Reply - 2 years ago
    In John 3:3-5, why did Jesus say that we must be born of water and the Spirit to enter into the kingdom of heaven of God? It's his red letter words.

    People must learn that in the epistles, they are not written to sinners. Not written to the world. Romans- Jude are written to the saints. Written to the people that came from the book of Acts that were water baptized & received the Holy Ghost.

    Now in Acts 19:2 , Paul asked certain disciples if they received the Holy Ghost since they first believed?. They said they had never heard of the Holy Ghost. Then they asked what then were they baptized under? They said John (the Baptist). So

    then they baptized them in the name of the Lord Jesus.

    And when Paul laid his hands upon them, the Holy Ghost came on them; and they spake with tongues, and prophesied. So you see, they obeyed Acts 2:38.

    It is about the death, burial & resurrection of Jesus Christ.



    Acts 2:41, Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls.

    Acts 2:42 And they continued steadfastly in the apostles doctrine & fellowship, & in breaking of bread, & in prayers.

    Why are people dismissing the book of Acts?

    And why are people dismissing Romans 6:3 -6

    V 3 Know ye not, that so many of us

    as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death?

    V4 Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.

    V5 For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection:

    V6 Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin.

    Jesus was water baptized to fulfill all rightousness.

    We must know God & obey the gospel to be saved.

    We are going to be judged on how we have kept Gods word.

    The Lord speaks.Listen.
  • Ronald Whittemore - In Reply on James 1 - 2 years ago
    Gary Myers,

    We sleep in death until we are resurrected.

    If I may give my understanding.

    Luke 16:19-31 First, we must understand this is a parable, and the parables Jesus told he had to explain for his disciples to understand and he did not explain this one. We cannot take this passage as a literal description.

    In the context of Luke 16, Jesus is talking to Pharisees and scribes about stewardship, love of riches, adultery and no servant can serve two masters. The Pharisees were covetous, they flaunted their wealth and the seat of authority they had. Is this parable describing a holding place where the redeemed can live in peace but can look and even talk across a vast chasm with the sufferings of the sinners in torment?

    The Babylonian Talmud speaks of "Abraham's Bosom" as the place that righteous Jews went after they died. The Jewish people of the time of Jesus had been influenced by Babylonian and Hellenistic Greek cultures, and that influence is still today.

    Jesus was probably using a common image from that culture to create a picture that they could relate to their final destination. This parable also does not fit all of the scripture if we receive our reward as soon as we die, as said, we go to heaven or hell.

    Many scriptures tell us when we will receive our reward and it is not when we die. Here are just a few and they all agree it is at the second coming of Jesus Christ. Matthew 16:27 1 Corinthians 1:7-8 1 Corinthians 15:22-23 1 Thessalonians 2:19 Revelation 22:12

    John wrote this a while after Jesus ascended, he said Jesus was in heaven, "Son of man which is in heaven", John 3:13. Peter said David is dead and buried and his sepulcher is with us unto this day, and he has not ascended to heaven. Acts 2:29-34

    The day of redemption, Eph. 4:30 1 Cor. 15:52 1 Thess.4:16 (not descend) and many more.

    God bless,

    RLW
  • Willie milton on 1 Corinthians 14 - 2 years ago
    God do not contradict himself the holy ghost has nothing to do with the flesh but power over the spirit of the devil .A women and a man have a chores in this word through the flesh and the no male or female is for when we become Angels. A woman still are under Adam and eve law in the flesh and the flesh of a man have the rulership over the woman. The holy spirit will stop a woman for her monthly period nor childbirth nor death . Hebrews 5:1 if a priest is needed and your pastor is dead then then church must

    line all qualified males and choose a priest from among men. Numbers 28:1 when god was setting up the priesthood he said call all males from the family of Arron that they may minister to me in the priesthood . God had a women prophetess call Mariam Moses sister. a elder is appointment after one is saved. The holy ghost have nothing to do with putting a woman in authority over a man just over the Devil works. 1Tim 2:11 this was after the holy Ghost had fell Acts 2:1 -2 1Co 11:3-4 this was written after the Holy Ghost had fell. So why now the women liberation is come now it seems that God have a new thing concerning the Pastor position. if you believe anything out of the scripture you are in False Doctrine and the Bible say's if a Angel from heaven preach any other gospel from what we preach let him be accursed . So it is not what God told the woman she could not do...He told her what to do. Thanks Willie
  • Jesse - In Reply - 2 years ago
    Hello Doug,

    I think we would be hard pressed to find someone that understands it all. I know I am far, far from it myself. My thought on remission of sin is that no amount of water can remove the stain of sin. I believe the blood Jesus shed was sufficient, nothing else needed, including water. Personally, and this is just my thought process, but if I were to say that water played some part in the remission of sin, I would basically be saying that the blood Jesus shed on my behalf was insufficient for my salvation.

    As for John 19:34, those pockets of blood and water that are around the heart area, some medical experts have said this indicates that Jesus died of a ruptured heart and that water and blood would coagulate in the area around the heart by the way that He died, suffocating.



    Here is what I get from reading 1 John 5:6: It says, "This is He, (Jesus), that came by water and blood, even Jesus Christ; not by water only, but by water and blood. And it is the Spirit that bears witness, because the Spirit is the truth." John is going to present three witnesses. At the Lord's baptism, it showed He had a physical body. But he says and blood, that it was the Lord's physical body that shed blood on the cross. Both of those instances are witnesses to the physical body of Jesus, along with the Spirit that bears witness, because the Spirit is the truth.

    Now for Acts 2:38, where Peter says, "Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins," I have to believe that they would have never been water baptized unless they first repented. My understanding is that repentance is the emphasis, not water baptism. A person must repent, completely surrender their life to Christ for their salvation, and then after that, be water baptized. But it's the repentance and complete surrender to Jesus Christ that removes or remits sin, not water.
  • Frank Bush - 2 years ago
    Most Baptist churches recognize two ordinances that believers should partake of, The Lords Supper and Baptism. My question is, since the Apostle Paul is the Apostle to the Gentiles, where does he include Baptism as an ordinance? Being baptized into the Body of Christ is a spiritual baptism not a water baptism and is the only baptism he writes to Gentile believers. Wasnt baptism required only for Jewish believers when Peter offered them the Kingdom Gospel... Acts 2:38? and John the Baptist preaching the Kingdom of God is at hand? It seems that the Apostle Paul stopped baptizing all together when reading the first chapter of 1st Corinthians.
  • Jesse - In Reply - 2 years ago
    Star,

    Luke 24:47 does not say water baptism is for the remission of sin. It says repentance and remission of sin should be preached. The word "for" is not found, neither is water baptism unless you add it. What Jesus said in Matthew 26:28 would be correct teaching on remission of sin. Jesus does not say that water baptism is for the remission of sins, but the blood He shed is for remission. Water cannot remove sin. Only the blood of Jesus Christ can.

    In Acts 2:38, Peter said to Repent! The word repent means make a decision for change. It also carries with it the understanding that you can't change yourself. You're just making the decision for change and you're surrendering your life to Christ for Him to make the change. Repent and be baptized every one of you, (upon the basis of the name of Jesus Christ) for the remission of sins. Please notice that repent comes first. And the promise is that you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

    Repent, surrender to Christ, identify with Him, and He will pour out His Spirit upon you and save you. Water baptism does not save. Repentance and surrendering to Christ does. It's when Jesus baptizes us with His Spirit. That's what saves a person, not water baptism.

    If, as you say, "Water baptism saves you as in for the "remission of sins". Your previous sins are washed, forgiven," why then did Jesus have to come and shed His blood on the cross? What was that for? I mean if water baptism is for the remission of sin, why did He have to shed His blood?

    It says in Hebrews 9:22, "And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and WITHOUT SHEDDING OF BLOOD IS NO REMISSION." But you say water baptism is for the remission of sin?

    You also say that "Instead of arguing this & that, why not go to the Lord in prayer & seek this truth. The Lord will always show us the way. Ask for revelation." That's fair advice. But I don't think the Lord revealed to you that water baptism is for the remission of sin. Only the blood He shed!
  • Star - 2 years ago
    This post is to no one in particular. In the book of Acts, Cornelius was not a Jew & he was water baptized. Water baptism is all thru the New Testament. Romans 6:1-8. Colossians 2. Mark 16:16-17. Luke 24:47 also says it's for the remission of sins. Matthew 26:28 Acts 2:38 is the New Testament salvation message. Water baptism saves you as in for the "remission of sins". Your previous sins are washed, forgiven. And now we must walk the straight path, sin no more. Love the Lord w all our heart & love our neighbor as thyself. We must continue on to receive the Holy Ghost. We must receive the Holy Ghost or we are none of his. I am of the Apostles doctrine, the book of Acts. And in Acts 2:39 says, The promise is unto you & to your children and to all those that are afar off even as many as the Lord our God shall call. It was first to the jews but then to the gentiles. There's so much scripture for water baptism. First in Acts 2:38 w Peter saying to "Repent & be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost". Jesus gave Peter the keys to the kingdom of heaven, therefore he was not in error.

    Instead of arguing this & that, why not go to the Lord in prayer & seek this truth. The Lord will always show us the way. Ask for revelation. Hallelujah amen I love the Lord & all his ways.


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