Discuss John 3 Page 12

Hi GiGi,

Your post is on point, fulfilling the Law and the Prophets, Jesus and Paul used that saying many times. This is not to generate a back-and-forth; just thought you might want to look at it. I agree the transformation was awesome and like you said we have the law and the prophets and the Messiah in the middle a true picture of the fulfillment of scriptures by the Messiah, Jesus.

I have heard it said by many, Moses and Elijah were there and were alive and I have a hard time understanding that. Does it matter? This was before the resurrection of Jesus and Jesus is the firstfruits of those who slept, 1 Cor. 15:20. So, before Jesus defeated death and was resurrected no person who ever lived had not ascended to heaven, John 3:13.

Paul tells us in Acts 2:29,34 David is dead and buried and has not ascended to heaven. How do we explain Enoch and Elijah being taken? There are some things about that like them being the two witnesses, but I do not know, by the scriptures, I have not found it. But if Moses, after he died, Deuteronomy 34:1-5, was taken up to heaven Jesus would not be the firstfruits.

We see this in Matt. 17:9 Mark 9:9 Jesus said it was a vision and do not tell anyone what they saw and in Luke 9:32 they were heavy with sleep and John did not write about it. All three covered the cloud, (the Shekinah Glory), and what God said, "This is my beloved Son: hear him." Peter also repeats it in 2 Peter 1:15-18. Was it a vision? Was it to reinforce their faith?

Like I said, this is not to start a ruckus, I just cannot get an understanding of Moses and Elijah alive and being there when John wrote this after Jesus had ascended, because he said Jesus was in heaven; only Jesus who came down is the only one who has ascended to heaven, John 3:13.

In love thank you for what you do.

God bless,

RLW

Pt 2

Spencer

So lets sum up John's ministry.

1. He preached people to leave their sinful lives and turn back to God. To obey God's commadments. He led them to repentance for their sins and asking for forgiveness. That was done during baptism, in public. He helped them clean their hearts as a first step towards the salvation that was going to be revealed to them through Jesus. Obviously John had to teach people to clean their hearts before introducing the Savior. to them.

2. He revealed the Savior to them. From that time onwards John was diminishing and Jesus kept increasing ( John 3:30, "He must increase, but I must decrease."

Hence John, the last prophet of the Old Testament era functioned as a bridge between Judaism and Christianity, between the OT and the NT, between the Law and the Grace. John's ministry served as a smooth transition from one era to a whole new era. He was an ntercessors (I don't know if this is a proper word). That was his ministry. It is what Isaiah said.



Now lets go to the incident that Jesus gives His apostles His final instructions before leaving. That incident is described in both Matthew and Mark.

Matthew 28:19-20, "Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, BAPTIZING them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world"

The same incident is described in Mark as ( Mark 15-18) , "And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. He that believeth and is BAPTIZED shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned..."

So I think it becomes obvious that Jesus talks about water baptism, not Spirit baptism.

About the creeds. I live in a country where everybody knows the Nicene creed, we are tought it in school as well. And I can assure you that the baptism it talks about is the water baptism. I think you can find a lot of information about it on the net.

John ray, YOU CAN LOSE YOUR SALVATION! People that believe you cannot lose your salvation are those that believe, 'once save, always saved'. Don't forget who does the saving. Never accuse Christ of not having the power to save. If you ask Christ to save you again it's saying he did not have the power to save you the first time or its crucifying him all over again. His saving grace is always there, it the person that slip so far from God that they lose their salvation. There are those that cannot see that the word 'should' in John 3:16 is a conditional word. God Bless.

Seeing with spiritual eyes (part 2).

The second thing after prayer for those walking in the Spirit is some sort of action whenever we are able. 1 John 3:17 echoes what is already written in Proverbs 14:31 about not neglecting a brother in need (a sin of omission). Sadly; we live in a fallen world and what is politically correct in immediately stepping out to help financially may end up getting us rended such as indicated in Matthew 7:6.

Often today no one wants to get into something messy. There are things such as domestic abuse where wisdom in contacting the authorities and those who are specialized in care of certain situations rather than stepping in ourselves.

I cannot overemphasize from the way I see it warning people of the seriousness of sin; as it affects not just them but others within their family and the entire congregation much of the time as well. We cannot assume if someone has been a believer for many years that they can't be headed for a fall; and these days more seem to go toward total apostasy. Exhortation needs to warn people that in our own strength we will be beaten down; in our own understanding we can and will be decieved without the Spirit guiding us as well as TRUSTING God even when it seems things around us contradict that as being a logical approach.

Just as we need to be careful who prays for us; we also need to be cautious who we take advice from. The enemy was granted permission to speak lies through the prophets ( 1 Kings 22:21-23) and many around us today will be used by the enemy if we are not careful. Such things as divorce and subsequent remarriage are high on that list in my assessment. There is always someone out there who will tell us to do what we want and tell us what we want to hear.

It is always a small remnant who live out what they believe by example; and there are no short cuts to obedience due to our love for Christ. ( John 14:15). Obedience is better than sacrifice as well ( 1 Sam. 15:22).

(Part 2):

1 John 1:7 continued:

And that's what happens with a believer. The moment that you receive Christ, you are cleansed and forgiven for all of your sins.

But we're still out in the world during the day. We need our "walk" cleansed. There's still some stain from the world and its influence that is running interference in our relationship with the Lord.

At the beginning of John Chapter 15, Jesus told the disciples that you are cleansed through the word which "I have" spoken unto you, indicating that everything Jesus said to them, they were in the process of being cleansed every time He talked to them.

So it's interesting, if we walk in the light "as" He is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ "is" cleansing, continuously, us from all sin.

1 John 3:6, Whoever abides in Him, that is, in the Lord, does not sin:

Wow! A Christian does not sin according to the scriptures. Please let me explain.

Again, the word abides is a Present Participle, (abiding). Whoever has Him abiding "is" Present Tense, not sinning, (continuously) as a habit of life.

We're not talking about committing an act of sin. We're talking about committing sin continuously, a lifestyle of not surrendering to Christ.

But this is a condition. Whoever is continuously remaining in Him, does not practice sin, ever! I can never go back and live the old lifestyle I lived before I received Christ. It's impossible.

In contrast: Whoever sins, and again that's a Participle. Whoever is continuously sinning has not seen Him, neither have they known Him. That's a pretty bold statement to make!

I will send a Part 3 (final part, I promise!) and give you my understanding of 1 John 1:10

I seek the council of brothers and sisters in Christ on two verses which at first glance seem in opposition. One seems to say we have no sin when abiding in Christ and the other says if we deny that we're sinners then the truth and his Word is not in us. When reading the context around each, each verse seems to double down on each statement. Both seem to be addressed toward Christians, like 1 John 1:7.

Any thoughts?

"Whosoever abideth in him sinneth not: whosoever sinneth hath not seen him, neither known him." 1 John 3:6 KJV

"If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us." 1 John 1:10 KJV

Concluding thoughts on assurance of salvation

Basic points: Scripture makes it clear that we as believers are to "suffer for His name's sake" ( Philippians 1:29). We are given a new heart with our stony heart removed ( Ezekiel 36:26). We are to love the brethren (1 John 3:14) if we have "passed from death to life." We also love our enemies ( Matt. 5:44) and we should read the entire passage to meditate on how we pray for them who despitefully use you"; etc. We are aliens ( 1 Peter 2:11-12; see also 1 Chron. 29:15) and not of this world. We are truly born again and seated in heavenly places ( Eph. 2:6) and our treasure is now in heaven as well ( Matt. 6:20-21). We understand that we were saved as hopeless sinners and therefore serve as "unworthy servants" ( Luke 17:7-10). We still have peace that passes understanding (Phillipians 4:7); and is not of this world ( John 14:27).

With all this we have an understanding of how we have been called and chosen and predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son ( Romans 8:29).

We learn to love His ways and His Word; trusting God for the difficult and hard scriptures and sayings as well. A true believer is being transformed by the renewing of His mind ( Romans 12:2) and is concerned about the needs of others; particularly within the house of God. Hebrews 13 as well as Paul's example ( 2 Cor. 11:28) despite the persecutions he endured. We desire to grow and also must believe He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him ( Heb. 11:6). That means we also desire to win the prize of the high calling (Phillipians 3:14). Therefore those in Christ should be careful not to lose their reward ( Rev. 3:11).

All this being said; there are examples of those who think they are saved but are not; as well as those who make it into heaven but suffer loss. Evidence of fruit can be seen in time; and each of us are responsible to test ourselves to see if we are in the faith ( 2 Cor. 13:5). Seek and ye shall find ( Matt 7:7-8

Pt 2

GiGi mentioned John 3:26, "And they came unto John, and said unto him, Rabbi, he that was with thee beyond Jordan, to whom thou barest witness, behold, the same baptizeth, and all men come to him.".

Also John 3:22, "After these things came Jesus and his disciples into the land of Judaea; and there he tarried with them, and baptized."

Also John 4:1-2, "When therefore the Lord knew how the Pharisees had heard that Jesus made and baptized more disciples than John,(Though Jesus himself baptized not, but his disciples,)"

So the understanding I have concurs with GiGi's. Jesus baptized his first disciples. then those baptized the next ones and so on.

GiGi it is important in the sence that if the apostles were baptized, so was Judas. But new birth precedes w/baptism, so Judas was saved. That is what all this discussion was all about.

GBU

Jesse, I guess I read in John 3:22 that it says he spent time with his disciples (the twelve) and baptized. S, I think this is when He baptized His disciples.

In John 4:1-2 It says that Jesus did not baptized, but the disciples. I take this to mean that He only baptized His disciples and then they baptized the others that came to be baptized.

I guess this interpretation may be reasonable because it is doubtful that He would have His disciples baptize others if He had not baptized them first.

So, maybe you can shed some light on this as far as Greek meaning.

You're welcome Gigi.

Jesus certainly was overseeing some baptizing.

If you take those verses you presented chronologically I believe it explains itself.

John 3:22-26. "After these things came Jesus and his disciples into the land of Judaea; and there he tarried with them, and baptized.

And John also was baptizing in Aenon near to Salim, because there was much water there: and they came, and were baptized.

For John was not yet cast into prison.

Then there arose a question between some of John's disciples and the Jews about purifying.

And they came unto John, and said unto him, Rabbi, he that was with thee beyond Jordan, to whom thou barest witness, behold, the same baptizeth, and all men come to him."

Then in John 4:1-2 the Pharisees took notice of this but verse 2 explains it.

Vs 2. ( Though Jesus himself baptized not, but his disciples,)

John's ministry was about up.

"There was a man sent from God, whose name was John.

The same came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all men through him might believe.

He was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light. John 1:6-8."

John was to present the one in the loins of Abraham prophesied to come into the world in the OT.

John the baptist baptism was for Israel to turn/repent from Judaism.

Luke 1:16-17.

Malachi 4:5-6.

He announced one coming for the lost sheep of Israel.

God bless.

Yes, S. Spencer,

I meant to write John 3:22-23. Thanks for catching that.

Jesse again I am sorry, I'm just trying to get a good understanding of what you believe. No offence but some things here don't seem to be adding up if I remember right. Isn't it part of the pre-tribulation rapture belief that the Holy Spirit is taken away, removed from the earth when the church is raptured? Wouldn't the Holy Spirit have to be here if people are being saved? If all those who are left on the earth to start the 7-year tribulation period are non-believers then who would the war in ( Rev. 12:17) be against who keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ? (non-believers are non-believers) We are told in ( John 3:36) of non-believers "the wrath of God abideth on them". (That is the (wrath) of God which is very different from the great tribulation) Isn't the abomination of desolation when the antichrist sits in the holy place? ( Mt. 24:15,21,22), "he sitteth in the temple of God shewing himself that he is God" ( 2 Thess. 3-4) This will be the last 3 1/2 years ( Rev. 13:4-8) v5 Tells us "power was given unto him to continue (forty and two months)" 3 1/2 years, the last 3 1/2 years of great tribulation. (The time period the mark of the beast will be forced on all) ( Rev. 13:6) "And he opens his mouth to blasphemy against God" ( Rev. 13:7) Tells us "power was given him over all kindreds, and tongues, and nations". The mark of the beast comes just a few verses after this in ( Rev. 13:15-18) You said "The first 3 1/2 years of the 7-year tribulation is known as the pains of birth which is covered in" ( Mt. 24:4-14) I completely agree with that Jesse but I believe we are living in the beginning of sorrows time period right now! great tribulation will start soon. I honestly believe we are much farther along in the Lastdays timeline than most True Believers think we are. We are very near the End just look at this world right now ( 2 Tim. 3:1-4) Thank you for answering the questions Jesse, Iron sharpens Iron. This is how we learn. Many Blessings.

-God Created us to have fellowship with Him. This is found in

Genesiss 3:8-And they heard the voice of the Lord God walking in the garden in the cool of the day: and Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the Lord God amongst the trees of the garden.

God expected to find them, but they were hiding - meaning this followship happened regularly but not anymore for sins has separated friends. Amos 3:3

-Due to the sins committed in Genessi 3:6

6, And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat

-Man died spiritually and at the end he also died physical form the world remembers the wages of sins is death and That followership which we once had with God in the beginning was repaired at the cross by Jesus Christ the Son of the Living God. in John 3:16

Its written in John 14:17

17,even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.

Now you see, from here unless you repent of your sins at the cross and accept Jesus Christ in your heart then Jesus Christ who is the way the truth and life will connect you to the father. the best term here is if you abide in Him.HE will abide in you the man.

as it is written in JOHN 14:23

23Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him.

as we have seen if we love Jesus Christ then we will obey and keep his words and in keeping them the father will love us The trinity will come and followship with us.

Now note this alot of people are still searching for purpose in life but those who have given their lives to Jesus Christ the son of the living God have a purpose in life which is to followship with GOD.

ROMANS 8:14

Jesse, sorry if I misunderstood you, but what I thought you were saying is that ( Mt 24) was written to the Jews only. Are you saying that ( Mt 24) is prophecy in the Lastdays (only for the Jews?) You also said only non-believers will be left on the earth at the time of the mark of the beast. Is that true Jesse? ( Rev. 14:9-11) Tells us if any man worship the beast and his image, and receive his mark in his forehead, or in his hand. The same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God. So the mark of the beast will happen (before) the wrath of God is poured out on the disobedient ones who deny Jesus Christ. The wrath of God is poured upon those who accepted the mark of the beast, ( Rev. 16:1-2) The mark of the beast happens during great tribulation, The wrath of God is poured out on deniers of Jesus Christ (after) great tribulation. Thats when all who are left on the earth will be non-believers (Believers are saved from wrath) ( 1 Thess. 5:9) ( Rom. 5;8-9) ( 1 Thess. 1:10) All non-believers will face that wrath, ( Rom. 1:18) ( Eph. 5:6) ( Col. 3:6) ( John 3:36) These verses are very clear they are different time periods. You also said the remnant of her seed is (the believing Jews) If we look at (Isa.44:1) God says of Israel "whom I have chosen" ( Isa. 45:4) God calls Israel "mine elect" The word (Israel) is #3478 it means he will rule (as) God; a symbolic name of Jacob, also typically of his posterity. (OF HIS POSTERITY) Now ( Rev. 7:4-8) All the tribes of the children of Israel, His posterity. The word (Israel) in Greek is #2474; it means the adopted name of Jacob including his descendants. (The descendants of Jacob, his posterity are the remnant of the seed of Israel which was scattered among the nations by God). ( Jer. 31:10) ( Jer. 50:17) ( Ezek. 20:34) This (seed) can be taken back all the way to ( Gen. 3:15) and also ( Gen. 4:25) That seed was the bloodline that Jesus Christ would be born from into this world. Out of space more soon. Thanks again, Truth matters. God Bless you.

Assurance of salvation

This being the Sunday where we honor Jesus' Resurrection; I don't want to delve too deeply into a new subject of controversy to stimulate discussion. I am planning; Lord willing to tackle the topic of "once saved; always saved" in terms of what (in the correct sense) that means; and what it doesn't mean. Ephesians 2:6-7 seems to indicate that we are in some sense "already raised" with Him; and glorification seems to be the final result of a saved individual after glorification according to Romans 8:30. That also; BTW matches up with John 3:16 with an ongoing (as the Greek indicates) process; rather than someone who believes in a mere confession never dying. These verses fit into the first concept that those who are called and chosen have what we may call undue "favor" on their lives; preserved on this earth until in time and space a verbal confession and change of heart occurs ( Romans 10:9). Also it is a continuing process of sanctification; resulting in good fruit being produced. I will fill in more scripture later on based on that topic.

A basic stumbling block is those who say that any sin can make us disqualified to enter heaven. 1 John 1:10 should be a clear rebuttal of that; and Paul's letters to the Corinthians who clearly were manifesting "carnal" behavior as well as other warnings about losing reward and getting into heaven as though through the fire ( 1 Cor. 3:15) show that there is a more complex theology involving not just the saved and lost but those who are at various levels in their walk. It appears; however that those who are exposed to any truth are held accountable and judged in a harsher manner ( Matt. 11:21 for example).

There are many sections of scripture such as large portions of Hebrews which are very challenging; my Dake's Bible has many hundreds of verses that make it seem we can lose our salvation; some of which are more easily refuted than others.

Concerning our eternal security.

If I can lose my salvation;

how do I re-save myself if I still abide in this sinful flesh?

If perfection is required; can we ever produce perfection being born of Adam?

Isn't that's why we have to be born Again?

Consider these verses:

1 John 3:9Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God.

1 Corinthians 15:45-51

And so it is written, The first man Adam was made a living soul; the last Adam was made a quickening spirit.

Howbeit that was not first which is spiritual, but that which is natural; and afterward that which is spiritual.

The first man is of the earth, earthy: the second man is the Lord from heaven.

As is the earthy, such are they also that are earthy: and as is the heavenly, such are they also that are heavenly.

And as we have borne the image of the earthy, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly.

Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption.

Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, ( Then you will be perfect)

( neither doth corruption inherit incorruption.)

Being born of this corruptible flesh

If one can lose his salvation, he could never get it back!

I've seen one post saying; no one is saved or knows he's saved until the judgment.

(Isn't that the opposite of faith?)

Consider these verses:

2 Corinthians 1:22

Ephesians4:30.

Ephesians 1:13-14.

In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise,

Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory.

God bless.

Hi Jema.

I agree, there's nothing wrong with choosing not to use your real name for various reasons such as cyber bullying and stalking ect..

However that is not the issue here.

Here we have one that stood in the way of the Gospel message that used his name for years until his attempts and false doctrine was found to be faulty.

Then he and others like him decided to start using several different names.

One of the key components to this doctrine they espoused is an attack on 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.

SALVATION.

What are we saved from?

The consequences of sin. Gods wrath.

What did it cost God to display the love he have for the world?

His son.

This means nothing if there's no consequences to sin!

If salvation is universal and we all become gods in the end whether we believe or not, Whether we repent or not,

That's exactly the message an unrepentant world wants to here.

It also the approach Satan had when he approached Eve in the garden. "You shall not surely die"

Paul said we should examine ourselves how do we examine ourselves if there's no right or wrong.

Vladimir Putin and everyone like him will be rewarded with eternal life with God when it's said and done.

God display of Love when he slew his son was at best a mistake.

And God taking out a people for himself a joke.

Yes Jema, it does matter when you constantly change your name to display that.

God bless.

First of all i would like to point out few things

If you don't repent your sins before God and believe in the lord Jesus Christ

you will not see nor enter the kingdom of God. JOHN 3:3.

Majority of churches today they have departed from the word of God, and they have either loved the world and the life of it while the Scriptures expresses, we are not of the world and Jesus the son of God has said my kingdom is not of the world.

In Doing so the churches have Turned from grace to legalism and from the word of God to Tradition of men. Some churches nowadays its even impossible to preach Jesus Christ and Him crucified at the cross.

I pray God to Open your mind for understanding Amen.

Instead of Teaching what is given to us in the scriptures, we as men have added and twisted the word of God, and in the process, we have gone form Obeying God to Be entertainers and men-pleaser.

and this is evident in the world and in the scriptures.

Remember the Jews, scribes and Pharisees who took the law of Moses and sub-divided it, is creating their own ways of worshiping God then from that point on it became words of men and Tradition which they followed to appoint That even when the Son of God was standing right next to them, they could not recognize Him.

Same as what we are experiencing in the generations that has pasted and this current one, Massive Tradition of men to appoint that our churches have become entertainment center wondering If Jesus will find Faith on Earth when he Cames back? Luke 18:8



Matthew 15:1-3

1Then came to Jesus scribes and Pharisees, which were of Jerusalem, saying, 2Why do thy disciples transgress the tradition of the elders? for they wash not their hands when they eat bread. 3But he answered and said unto them, Why do ye also transgress the commandment of God by your tradition?

So there's no place in the bible that state we should oberserve any Lent commemorating the 40 days., Please read your bible, Pray without ceasing and Fast before the Lord

@Mishael

Advocate 1 John 2:1

Shephard & Bishop of souls I Peter 2:25

Man of sorrows Isa 53.3

Judge Acts 10:42

Faithful and True Witness Rev 3:14

Head of the Church Eph 5:23

Rock 1 Corth 10:4

High Priest Heb 6:20

Master Matt 8:19

Living Water John 4:10

Rose of Sharon Song of Solomon 2:1

Alpha and Omega Rev 22:13

Lamb of God John 1:29 Messiah Daniel 9:25

Mediator I Tim 2:5

Teacher John 3:2

Author and Finisher of our Faith Heb 12:2

Image of the invisible God Col 1:15

Everlasting Father Isa 9:6

The Word John 1:1

Holy One Mark 1:24

Light of the world John 8:12

Lion of the tribe of Judah Rev 5: 5

LORD OF LORDS I Tim 6:15

The Beloved Eph 1:6

Carpenter Mark 6:3 The Almighty Rev 21:

Shiloh Gen 49:10

The Way, the Truth and The Life John 14:16

Bright and Morning Star Rev 22:16

Good Shepherd John 10:11

Son of Man Matt 20:28

Only Begotten Son John 3:16

King Of Kings 1 Tim 6:15

Prince of Peace Isa 9:6

Bridegroom Matt 9:15

Dayspring Luke 1:78

Saviour of the world Eph 5:23

Immanuel Luke 1:78 & Matt 1:23

Wonderful Counselor Isa 9:6

I AM John 8:58

The Door John 10:9

The True Vine John 15:1

King of the Jews Mark 15:26

Prophet Matt 21:11

Redeemer Job 19:25

Saviour Isa 45:15 , John 42:2, 1 Tim 4:10

The Amen Rev 3:14

The Living God

Anchor Heb 6:19

The BRANCH Zech 6:12

Bread of Life John 6:15

The Resurrection & Life John 11.25

The Living God, who is the Saviour of all men,

Salvation by man, or salvation by God?

(Part 2):

In the early Church, the requirement for salvation was the presence of God's Spirit dwelling within a person. Paul instructed, in Romans 8:9, "Now if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, this one is not of Him." In Romans 8:14, he wrote, "For as many as are being led by the Spirit of God, these are the sons of God."

And again, in Romans 8:16, he instructs that "The Spirit itself bears witness with our spirit, that we are children of God." Also, in 2 Corinthians 13:5, Paul challenged the church at Corinth: "Examine yourselves, if you are in the faith; prove your own selves, or do you not know your own selves, that Jesus Christ is in you, except you are reprobates?"

John, writing in 1 John 3:24 supported this same understanding: "And in this we know that He abides in us, from the Spirit whom He has given to us." He repeats this same truth, although worded somewhat differently, in 1 John 4:13, "In this we know that we dwell in Him, and He in us, because He has given to us of His Spirit."

From the preceding scriptures, we see that salvation happens only when God's Spirit enters and remains in a person's spirit, thereby causing spiritual birth. Nothing in the Bible teaches that salvation is accomplished by the repetition of the Sinner's Prayer or through the performance of any other kind of human formula.

In addition to teaching that God is the sole source of salvation, the Bible also teaches that every saved person is kept by the power of God. Peter writes, in 1 Peter 1:5, that believers are, "The ones who are being kept in the power of God through faith for salvation ready to be revealed in the last time."

Salvation by man, or salvation by God?

(Part 1):

Over the last 40 years or so, emphasis on the ability to save has been shifted from God to man. As a result, the permanency of salvation has been called into question, because this approach to salvation emphasizes that believing certain truths can save a person and then that same person can subsequently lose his/her salvation by disbelieving those same truths.



However, the bible clearly teaches that salvation is based solely on God's Spirit coming into the spirit of a human being; and in so doing, causing that person to become a new creation, a new person. A person's experience of regeneration by the Holy Spirit is an act of God, not of man.

Biblically, the salvation process begins with God the Father. Jesus said, in John 6:44, "No one is able to come to me, unless the Father who has sent me should draw him; and I will raise him up in the last day." In John 3:3, Jesus says, "Unless anyone should be born from above, he is not able to see the kingdom of God."

Consequently, if the Father does not draw a person to Christ, that person cannot be saved. It is only after the Father has drawn someone to Christ, that the Spirit of Christ enters into the spirit of that person and a spiritual birth takes place.

These same truths are taught by the Apostles.

Paul, in Titus 3:5 wrote, "Not out of works in righteousness which we did, but according to His mercy He saved us, through washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Spirit."

Peter said, in 1 Peter 1:3, "Blessed is the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the One who according to his great mercy has regenerated us again into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead."

TammyC. Post-trib, and pre-wrath. Post-trib means it is After the tribulation like we are told in ( Mt 24:29-31) Pre-wrath means the wrath of God will start the same day Jesus returns for His elect, the church. ( Nahum 1:2,5-6) ( Zephaniah 1:14-18) ( John 3:36) ( Romans 1:18) Then God pours out His wrath on those disobedient ones who are left on the earth. One shall be taken and the other left. This view is Biblically correct. I hope this helps. Blessings.

Pray this day finds you & your well. This should help you out..Remember the theif hanging by Jesus that ask Jesus to remember him, Jesus replied "today you shall be with me in heaven". Do you feel this man is now in heaven with Jesus? Of course he is.Therefore, he wasn't taking down, baptised, then returned to the cross.! Jesus died for ALL sin & if one excepts Him as Lord& Savior: John 3:16; they are now baptised with His holy spirit. I got baptised cuz I want ppl to hold me accountable To my repenting. Yet it is not a requirement to get to be saved or get to heaven or His death was for nothing. When it was said, NO works can get you to heaven, baptism was included my child of God.

THE LOVE OF GOD

Romans 5:5

"And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us."

Romans 5:8

" And God commanded HIs love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us."

1 John 4:16

"And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God; and God in him."

1 John 3:1

"Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God:"

Romans 8:38

"For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor height , nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, in Christ Jesus our Lord."

Thinking on the love of God this morning. So, so good to know that His love is unfailing, eternal, freely poured into us by the Holy Spirit, and allows us to dwell in God and God to dwell in us.

Even in hardships and sufferings, God's love never fails. Even when enemies, mortal or spiritual war against us, His love never departs from us. Even when we are faithless, His love draws us back to faith. Even when we are discouraged and our hope wanes, His love breaks through these and uplifts us and sustains us.

There is so much to be thankful to God for, but His love stands out as so precious to me. Knowing that, before the foundation of the world, God made an everlasting covenant between the Persons of the Godhead to save mankind from sin as essential to His plan to create the universe and all creatures, mortal and physical. And this covenant was made out of the love that defines God so well. He loved us even before He made Adam and Eve. The elect of God was in mind when He created all things. In love, he determined to create a people for Himself to spend eternity with Himself to the praise of His glory which benefits us to the maximum degree.

How precious is our election!

Hey S Spencer,

I thought you were on vacation and was not looking for your response, hope ya'll had a good time. What do these verses mean to me? John 17:22-23, the first thing that I see is John 3:16, God's love. He sent His only begotten Son into this world to die for us so that we who are called believe. God's Word, the Light of the knowledge of the glory of God.

The will of the Father that sent His only begotten Son who did the will of the One who sent Him that we may know the only true God. John 17:1-3 These words spake Jesus, and lifted up his eyes to heaven, and said, Father, the hour is come; glorify thy Son, that thy Son also may glorify thee: 2 As thou hast given him power over all flesh, that he should give eternal life to as many as thou hast given him. 3 And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.

The antichrist denies this. 1 John 2:22 Who is a liar but he that denieth that Jesus is the Christ? He is antichrist, that denieth the Father and the Son.

John 17:20-21 Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word; 21 That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me.

May we be as one, one body in love, all working together as Ephesians 4:11-16, and not as Ephesians 4:17-19. It starts with repentance, if one cannot see the need to repent, there is no hope of salvation.

God bless,

RLW

Hello, I believe the largest % of Christians say no, but what's most important is what the Bible says about it, not just what a group of people say. Is water baptism a command from God? Yes. Acts 2:38, 1 Peter 3:21, John 3:5, etc.

Link

Of course you will have people get excited about this, twist scripture, and try to convince you that its not important- that was the Bible says isn't what it says. Is the goal of Christianity to obey Jesus or to disobey? I would think those who genuinely love Jesus would just do what He says. John 14:15.

It was important enough that Jesus himself was baptized and told everyone else to. I would see only upside in doing it and a downside in stubbornly refusing to. Another question worth asking is would you ask Jesus the same question, even though He already said to do it? Hope that is helpful. God bless.

Agree S Spencer, We must be born again: John 3:3 - Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.

1 Peter 1:23 - Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever.

Hammer63 Thank you for your response. Yes I have considered ( Gen 4:1) In that verse the word (conceived) is #2030; it means pregnant, (be, woman) with child. But you need to read the next verse for the full context ( Gen 4:2) It says "And she (again) bare his brother Abel". The word (again) is #3254; it means to add or augment, to continue to do a thing, add, again. If a woman gives birth to a child then continues to do a thing, which is her being in labour and bares his brother. Then what has happened? She had Twins! Other things point to this also, ( Gen 3:3) The word (touch) is #5060; it means to touch, lay the hand upon, TO LIE WITH A WOMAN. ( Gen 3:7) Tells us their eyes were opened and ((they knew that they were NAKED)). ( Gen 3:15-16) In verse 15 the LORD is speaking to the serpent and says "And I will put (enmity) between thee and the woman, and between ((thy seed)) and ((her seed))" First the (enmity) is #342; it means hostility, hatred, to hate, to be hostile. The word (seed) is #2233; it means posterity, carnally, child, to disseminate, bear, conceive seed. The word (seed) in Greek is #4690; it means something sown, i.e. ((seed including male "sperm")). Now we take a look at a couple of verses in the New Testament? First the Words of Jesus in ( John 8:44) Ye are of your father the devil,. Then we are told in (1 John 3:12) Not as Cain, who was of that wicked one,. This was the reason Cain's works were evil, and his brother's righteous? Cain was of that wicked one, the serpent in the garden, the devil. The devil was trying to corrupt the blood line that he knew Jesus Christ would come through. I hope you can see this Hammer63. Blessings.

Hey Jesse,

Thanks for your reply. You have a better knowledge of Greek than I do, what I see is today, the Greek word , smeron, meaning today, this day, this very day. I think the word today is correct it is how we read the sentence and how it fits with what the thief said and when will he be in paradise, and if paradise is part of Hades or the new earth when it is all fulfilled.

Heb. 9:27 And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment: What do we understand the meaning to die/death? Platonism says it is a separation of the soul from the body and the souls go to Hades. If the soul is immortal what is appointed to die?

Luke 16:19-31. Was this a real story or is this a parable He told to people mainly the Pharisees? If we take it as reality, they were judged at death because Lazarus went to Abraham's bosom, and the rich man went to a fiery place of torture. Does scripture support that? Dan. 12:2 Matt. 25:31-34 John 5:28-29 Rev. 20:11-15.

The rich man was aware of where he was and talking and seems they have a body, asking for Lazarus to wet his finger and cool his tongue. Does scripture say we are awake in death? Job 14:10-12 Ecc. 9:5-6. The context of this chapter is the love of money, and stewardship, Jesus was addressing this to the Pharisees, "No servant can serve two masters".

Eph. 4 I know some understand this to mean that when Jesus ascended into heaven, he led a host of captives who ascended into heaven with him. But in Acts 2:29-34 David is still in his grave and has not ascended, would David be left? John 3:13. Does this show Jesus ascended alone?

I will leave it there, I guess it comes down to if we believe our soul is immortal which influences how we understand the scripture. Just some other thoughts, like you said there are probably more understandings. Thanks again.

God bless,

RLW

Hi Anita.

The shed blood of Jesus Christ is the most important factor of all 66 books of the Bible

The wages of sin is death.

Romans 6:23.

There's no remission of sins without the shedding of blood.

Hebrews 9:22.

Jesus took our sins upon himself and cleansed and sanctified us.

Hebrews 13:12.

Christ died the sacrificial death for the whole world.

John 1:29.

John 3:15-17.

That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life.

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.

For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.

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.

Feel free to msg back if you have any more questions.

God bless.