Acts
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I agree an eclipse does not last for three hours, the dark time when Jesus was on the cross. I feel many things will not be clear until they start. Like what was said about the beast, Rev. 13:4 "who is able to make war with him?" In today's world what beast could be that China, the US, Russia, and the world would be defenseless to make war? We just need to be ready and watching.
My understanding is different, I know many believe in the rapture of the church and will be taken to heaven and the 7 years from Daniel placed at the end times. My understanding of Daniel 9:27 has been fulfilled, the whole prophecy was about the Messiah and the lost sheep of Israel. Jesus's ministry, the first 3.5 years and Jesus through His apostles the last 3.5 years, which ended the 70 weeks. Dan. 9:24 the things determined, then the gospel was taken to the Gentiles. The first was Philip the evangelist, Acts 8:5.
I feel it will start when Satan is cast out of heaven, Rev.12:8-9.
God bless,
RLW
Thank you very much for your insightful knowledge of Calvinism and Arminius doctrine.
Especially, for not giving a definitive praise to one or the other.
I was searching scripture, and wondering why some are so adamant for one or the other;
When scripture seems to lay it out so clearly, that God is sovereign and His words will come to pass to fulfill His prophecy and purpose, partly, through predestination of some;
I also believe, He can touch us and speak to us in various ways to guide us to Him, and gave us free will to accept or reject His word.
I agree with your explanation and It gives me more confidence in my learning,
As you know the following verse...
Acts 8:30b,31a - Understandest thou what thou readest? And he said, How can I, except some man should guide me?
Thank you and hope to have more conversations.
Steve
Isaiah 8:19-20 kjv,
Leviticus 19:31 kjv,
Acts 8:22 kjv.
2 Kings 21:6 kjv.
Romans 6, Colossians 2:12,
Hopefully these are helpful
I guess it can be described as simple opposition to GOD, "rebellion is as witchcraft " leading into much worse.
Hopefully these are helpful
Isaiah 47:9-15, Malachi 3:5, Acts 8:9-24, Revelation 9:20,21, in context Revelation 9:15-21, Revelation 18:23, Revelation 21:8, Revelation 22:15, in Context Revelation 22,
James 1:5,
Hopefully these help
15 That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life.
16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.
18 He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.
Acts 8:13 Then Simon himself believed also: and when he was baptized, he continued with Philip, and wondered, beholding the miracles and signs which were done.
14 Now when the apostles which were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent unto them Peter and John:
15 Who, when they were come down, prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Ghost:
16 (For as yet he was fallen upon none of them: only they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.)
17 Then laid they their hands on them, and they received the Holy Ghost.
Acts 19:2 He said unto them, Have ye received the Holy Ghost since ye believed? And they said unto him, We have not so much as heard whether there be any Holy Ghost. 3 And he said unto them, Unto what then were ye baptized? And they said, Unto John's baptism.
Luke 23:43 And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, To day shalt thou be with me in paradise.
Jesus can forgive sin, or he can say take up thy bed and walk, or I will be thou clean, or he can say today today shalt thou be with me in paradise.
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.
"Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his"
Acts 8:15-17 seems to suggest that it is possible
to believe and not have the Spirit?
So how does one:
a.determine whether this critical status has been achieved?
b.And if it is pending, what is the mechanism for the attainment of that status?
The word, "receive," and "Holy Spirit" are never found in the same verse in the KJV.
On the other hand, "receive/received" and "Holy Ghost" are found here:
John 7:39
John 20:22
Acts 1:8
Acts 2:33
Acts 2:38
Acts 3:21
Acts 8:15
Acts 8:17
Acts 8:19
Acts 9:17
Acts 10:47
Acts 19:2 ("Holy Ghost" is mentioned twice here.)
1 Thessalonians 1:6
Anything we can learn from this?
Part 3.
John said I baptize with water he who is coming after me shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost and with fire.
Now, Is Jesus still baptizing with the Holy Ghost? Yes. He does that through the preaching of the gospel and you receiving the message through open eyes and a blood tipped ear. This call goes out to jew and Gentiles, Before the crucifixion Christ was gathering the lost sheep of Israel, The king was in their midst and the kingdom was at hand, John the baptist came to pronounce that. Did Jesus ask the Disciples to baptize the lost sheep of Israel or anyone else BEFORE they crucified him, No. His Death had to bring on a new covenant. The circumcision of the heart. No more a commandment, IT'S NOW A CONDITION. Hebrews 8:6-11. He now put his law in man's heart. "Circumcision of the heart"
and only the baptism of the Holyspirit can do that. In Acts 2:38 the jews was asked to repent, this was very new to them.
Again, this was all Israel.
see Acts 2:36.
Now, everyone taught didn't believe, were they baptized? No, You had to believe. see Acts 8:35-37.
"Then Philip opened his mouth, and began at the same scripture, and preached unto him Jesus.
And as they went on their way, they came unto a certain water: and the eunuch said, See, here is water; WHAT DOTH HINDER ME TO BE BAPTIZED?
And Philip said, IF THOU BELIEVEST WITH ALL THINE HEART, THOU MAYEST. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.
Note:
1 Corinthians 12:13.
Ephesians 4:4-5.
We're put into the body by that 1 baptism and that's the baptism John the baptist referred Israel to. The Holy Ghost.
Matthew 28:18-19. And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, ALL POWER IS GIVEN UNTO ME IN HEAVEN AND IN EARTH.
Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:
Do you notice no ask of repentance?
This is beyond Jerusalem. This power is of Jesus, His baptism.
God bless.
The "rapture" is a contentious item, (pre-trib, mid-trib, post-trib, pre-wrath, no rapture and also inverse: removal of the wicked) I too sought answers on this. 1 Thes 4:17 The key word used in this argument is in English "caught up", in Latin "rapture", and in Greek "harpazo" G726. This same word in our KJV is used 13 times, some of interest in comparative study are Rev 12:5, Jude 1:23, Acts 8:39, John 6:15. We all have an opinion in this matter, but we are all in HIS body. Regardless of what we think, His Word will come to pass as He intends it too. Alleluia!
1 Thes 4:15 The key word here is "coming" G3952 parousia- par-oo-see'-ah
From the present participle of G3918; a being near, that is, advent (often, return; specifically of Christ to punish Jerusalem, or finally the wicked); (by implication) physical aspect: - coming, presence. (there is no 3rd coming, we are looking for the 2nd advent of Christ which is this, the harvest)
Who is the restrainer? Who is he who is letting until he be taken out the way? Jude 1:9, Dan 10:21, Dan 12:1
God bless you,
Josh
Matthew 1:6 Jesus called Christ, John 4:25, Luke 6:15, John 1:42, John 11:16, not Colossians 4:11,
Romans 2:17, Romans 7:3, same supposed writer as Acts , also Romans 9:26
Matthew 26:14, Luke 23:33, John 19:13, John 19:17, Acts 6:9, Revelation 11:8,
Revelation 12:9,
Luke 2:4, Luke 8:2, John 21:2, different than Acts 9:11,
Acts 1:23, Acts 9:36,
Colossians 3:15, 1John 3:1,
Hopefully these are all helpful in your study
And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book. God has a plan for salvation and we have no right to change it by our interpretation of the word 2 Timothy 3:16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: These are not my word, they are scripture By Which we as CHRISTIANS must live by. I submit this in the love of Jesus and the hope of seeing his will, that NO MAN SHOULD PARRISH !
There are some others in the New Testament the same:
Elymas ( Acts 13:6-12)
Simon Magus ( Acts 8:9-24)
Your body is in the ground, i believe since the body belongs to a saved person, it leaves first, the dead in Christ rise first, then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up with them in the clouds.. I think the Lord want the bodies of the saved believers out of this world before the Antichrist takes over. I think he will put the molecules back together and match it back to the soul.
What is an evangelist?
Ephesians 4:11-12
"11 - And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;
12 - For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:'
The Evangelists mentioned in the above verses are persons that God uses to preach His Word to people.
Philip was an evangelist.
Acts 21:8
"And the next day we that were of Paul's company departed, and came unto Caesarea: and we entered into the house of PHILIP THE EVAGELIST which was one of the seven; and abode with him."
We know the story how he went to Samaria and preached the Gospel to Samaritans.
Acts 8:5-8 & Acts 8:40
"5. Then Philip went down to the city of Samaria, and preached Christ unto them.
6. And the people with one accord gave heed unto those things which Philip spake, hearing and seeing the miracles which he did.
7. For unclean spirits, crying with loud voice, came out of many that were possessed with them: and many taken with palsies, and that were lame, were healed.
8. And there was great joy in that city.
40. But Philip was found at Azotus: and passing through he preached in all the cities, till he came to Caesarea."
That is how an evangelist works in God's work.
This ministry involves specific persons (male) that God uses to bring His word to masses of people. And how it is proved that they have the specific spiritual gift? Mainly from the results their ministry has. It is Important that God testifies their word. In the case of Philip the whole city believed his preaching and got baptised.
That is completely different from what we use to call an evangelist nowadays. We simply call evangelist someone who talks to people, usually one at a time,, about Jesus Christ. Those, men and women, are actually evangelists since they bring the Good News of God's salvation to people. But they are not the specific ministry that God uses in His church to evangelize whole towns.
GBU
Matthew 12:40 says " For as Jonas was three days and three nights In the whale's belly so shall the Son of man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth"
That comes to a full 72 hours not 36. Not sure I your math was off accidentally or purposefully.
For all this business of a person having to know that Christ did do this and all the suffering that he went through is a bit heavy. Yes a person needs to know that Jesus bore his/her sins on the cross, died and was buried, then on the third day he rose conquering death and hell. But the simple fact is that it isn't required to know this.
John 3:16 "For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son that whosoever believeth in him should not perish but have everlasting life"
Jesus hasn't been to the cross and here he is telling Nicodemus how to be saved...without the knowledge of what Jesus will go through.
Take Phillip and the eunuch in Acts 8:26-40. Yes the eunuch was reading in Isaiah 53:7 concerning the prophecy of Christ having to endure the suffering and death of the cross but when the eunuch saw water he asked. "See here is water. what doth hinder me to be baptized? and Phillip said, if thou believest with all think heart thou mayest. And he answered and said I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. Acts 8:36-37
Acts 16:23-34 tells of the time Paul and Silas we're in Philippi, arrested and beaten with whips and thrown into prison with the jailer given orders to keep them safely. We learn that en earthquake cames and broke the foundation of the prison, with the doors opened and their bands loosed. The jailer came out and thinking his prisoners escaped was about to kill himself. Paul cries out for him to not do so.
Bringing us to verse 30, "And brought them out and said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved?
And they said, believe in the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shalt be saved, and they house."
That's just 2 passages showing the simplicity of salvation.
He is still a full human and fully God in one person. The Holy Spirit is not Jesus, nor is the Spirit the Father, nor is Jesus the Father.
Rather we worship a Godhead of three distinct Persons that are a union in one Being.
The believers that has departed the Earth prior to Christ coming is with the Lord.
We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord.
2 Corinthians 5:8.
Philippians 1:23.
The Lord will bring them, and those raptured at his second coming.
Right after the marriage supper of the Lamb we are presented with Christ's "VISIBLE" return to this earth to execute judgment, put down evil, and set up His kingdom. He returns "with his saints.
1 Thessalonians 3:13.
Behold, he cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see him, and they also which pierced him: and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of him. Even so, Amen.
Revelation 1:7.
I hope this helps.
God bless.
Matthew 24:3-51, Mark 13:5-37, 1Corinthians 15:41-58, 1Thessalonians 4:13-18, Psalms 97:2, Psalms 104:3, Joel 2:1-15, Zephaniah 1:14-18, Matthew 26:62-68, Mark 14:60-65, Revelation 1:7, 2Thessalonians 1:4-12, 2Thessalonians 2:1-17, Revelation 6:9-17, Revelation 7, Revelation 8, note Revelation 8:6 continues on through Revelation 9, & Revelation 10, Revelation 10:6-7, Revelation 14, note Revelation 14:12-20,
Matthew 25:31-46, Revelation 20:5, Revelation 20:12-15, Revelation 20, in context &
Revelation 1:5, Colossians 1:18,
Hebrews 6:1-3, Hebrews 11, Revelation 11:15-19, Acts 24:15, Mark 12:26-27, Luke 16:19-31
Hope these are helpful
The first coming of Christ was his ministry IN THE FLESH, three and a half years, on earth in the flesh.
His SECOND COMING is SPIRIT, you cannot see SPIRIT, it comes like a thief in the night.
At pentecost Christ POURED OUT his Spirit on mankind.
Christ, in the form of the Holy Ghost, now lives inside you, you are the BODY OF GOD, Christ is THE LIFE in YOU.
Colossians 1:27 ....this mystery ....Christ in you ......
Philippians 2:13 For it is GOD (Christ in you) that WORKETH IN YOU (the body) both TO WILL and TO DO HIS (the life's) good pleasure.
PROPHECY:
Ezekiel 36:27 And I will put my Spirit (life and truth) within you, and CAUSE you to walk in my statutes, and ye shall keep my judgements, and DO THEM.
God Bless You!
The word creed comes from the Latin credo, "I believe." a set of beliefs of Christianity, and without believing these creeds salvation cannot be obtained. I have been told this in different denominations of churches I have gone to. "You cannot be a Christian unless you believe these creeds". Many Christian bible discussion web sites will not let you on unless you profess these creeds.
My understanding of scripture.
You must believe that God exists. Hebrews 11:6
You must believe Jesus is the only begotten Son of God.,18 6:40; 1 John 4:14-15, 5:5, 5:10
You must believe God gave His only Son for us to have eternal life John 3:16
You must believe Jesus came in the flesh 1 John 4:3 2 John 1:7
You must believe that Jesus is the Christ 1 John 2:22
You must believe Jesus died for Your sins. 1 Corinthians 15:2-3
You must believe God raised Jesus from the dead. Romans 10:9
You must believe we are saved by Jesus' life Romans 5:10
Being baptized in the name of Jesus. Acts 2:38 Acts 8:16
You must believe we are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus 1 Corinthians 6:11
You must believe we obtain salvation only in Christ Jesus. John 14:6 2 Acts 4:12 Timothy 2:10
Are there any scriptures saying you must believe in these creeds for salvation?
Are these creeds similar to what the sect of Pharisees tried to do in Acts 15? What did Peter say? Acts 15:7-11
God is not the author of confusion. 1 Corinthians 14:33
God bless,
RLW
And they stoned Stephen, calling upon God, and saying, Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.
Acts 8:2
And devout men carried Stephen to his burial, and made great lamentation over him.
Luke 23:46
And when Jesus had cried with a loud voice, he said, Father, into thy hands I commend my SPIRIT: and having said thus, he gave up the ghost.
Mishael: these are other scriptures that show awareness of the spirit in Jesus, and those that are born again.
The fleshly body Sleeps, wherever it fell dead, or was buried. The born again to heaven someday.
The unsaved, wicked dead to judgement one day.
When you Google this, be sure you are not on a Catholic doctrine website. The King James Bible which was canonized is the standard for being born again. See the Book of John. I write this in love and concern for all of Gods people.
Romans 6:3, Mark 10:38,
Acts 8:12-17, Acts 11:16, Acts 19:1-5, Acts 2:38,
As well, we could think of the many each day that might be turning to Christ, whether in prison, in hospital, in calamities of wars & earthquakes, even on their death bed, with no opportunity to have someone baptize them. What happens here? Have they responded to the Spirit in error & failed of God's Grace by not being baptized & maybe soon to face eternity? And we certainly can't make exceptions to such folk, since 'no baptism = no salvation'.
Water baptism, I understand from reading the Scriptures, was an event that took place very soon after a soul acknowledged his sin & turned to Jesus; in other words, repentance & baptism were almost a single event - if you turned to Christ you immediately were baptized by the preacher/witnessor; the convert expected to be 'dunked' as a witness of his new life. Unfortunately, that baptismal prototype has since deteriorated over the ages, some even using sprinkling & infant baptism as valid forms of it. Much more could be written on this subject, but will leave it for now since our approaches to it & understanding of the Scriptures are seriously divergent.
34 And the eunuch answered Philip, and said, I pray thee, of whom speaketh the prophet this? of himself, or of some other man?
35Then Philip opened his mouth, and began at the same scripture, and preached unto him Jesus.
36And as they went on their way, they came unto a certain water: and the eunuch said, See, here is water; what doth hinder me to be baptized?
37And Philip said, If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.
38And he commanded the chariot to stand still: and they went down both into the water, both Philip and the eunuch; and he baptized him. So, If what you say is true we must discount this also. Gods Word is true and we must believe the whole word, If we start picking apart Gods word to fit our own Idea then we have made Gods word of no affect and a lie.
Remember that peter had the keys Acts 2:38 Then Peter said unto them, Repent,( and 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. I'll be praying for you, you seem to be sincere and I pray God shines his light in your heart . please rememder I do not give my own opinion, Just Gods word