Discuss John 3 Page 15

Identity in Christ and the Body of Christ

The battle for self identity isn't too profitable when we understand that as sinners; we are in a helpless; hopeless state with the wrath of God abiding on us. ( John 3:36). Once our lives are under the authority of Christ rather than the prince of the power of the air ( Eph. 6:12); but now we have the King of Glory as Lord; Savior and yes; Master. Or; alternatively; as the popular Sting song lyric states our servant has become our master if we remain in our sinful state. God promises that although unworthy servants we are called "friends" and His yoke is easy; and burden is light ( Matt. 11:28). Satan is a brutal taskmaster; coming to "steal; kill and destroy." ( John 10:10). Such basically is the state of youth in America today; and sadly many of those who give testimony of their children dying of drug (usually Fentinal) overdoses see nothing getting better in the near term.

So the question comes up; what is a more profitable state; our old self or our identity in Christ? We are still; in some sense uniquely "us" but with our spirit testifying with His Spirit ( Romans 8:16) that we indeed are "God's children." Somehow; we naturally tend to hold onto our old nature as long as we live; we are still subject; of course to the effects of the fall with the flesh eventually passing away but the new man growing (see 1 Cor. 4:16). We literally are crucified to the flesh in Christ and already in the new life in the spirit ( Colossians 3:3). In reality then; our old selves are redeemed to be all they would have been if they had never been corrupted by th effect of sin; and in fact are in much better glory. (See 1 Cor. 15). What we DON'T realize before salvation is that we are never autonomous and able to go beyond the set limits God has; and we are held accountable for our actions. With faith we can begin to comprehend that we are "seated in heavenly places" ( Eph. 2:4-6).

And; "to live is Christ; to die gain" ( Phil. 1:21).

The word in the New Testament is referred to several times as the water (probably for the word's cleansing of the heart). Ephesians 5:26 That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word. St. John 4:14 But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life. Hebrews 10:22 Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water. St. John 15:3 Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you. Sometime the reference to the water and the word are not in the same verse, but in the following verses it is the water, the word that a person becomes born again. St. John 3:5 Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into 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. James 1:18 Of his own will begat he us with the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures. Could also be the separation from sin symbolized by baptism, the children of Israel passing through the Red Sea, etc.

Hi Michael. It is my belief that 1 John was written to believers. Maybe as a general epistle sent to the churches in Asia Minor, sent to teach, encourage & warn them. References such as 1 John 2:1,12,13,18,28; 1 John 3:17,18; etc, show that John is addressing those who are in the faith (his little children), some of those may be immature in faith. Certainly, there were unbelievers amongst them, since a part of this epistle was to warn the believers of false teaching ( 1 John 2:18,19,26; 1 John 3:7; 1 John 4:1-3) making inroads into the Church.

In reference to 1 John 1:8-10: one aspect of gnostic teaching was that God was not entirely perfect (pure); that both good & evil existed within Him. Not only is this belief reprehensible, it also led to diminishing any sin (even the principle of sin) as of no consequence, since God remains unconcerned about it. But John stated that "God is light, and in him is no darkness at all" ( 1 John 1:5): God is altogether holy/pure - no darkness or evil can be found in Him. Therefore, if it be said that "we have no sin (i.e. the principle of the existing sin nature in us), we are simply deceiving ourselves". We ought not to believe those false teachers who deny this & by extension, "that we have not sinned (i.e. experientially)" (v10). But John is reminding them that we are sinners by nature & performance, but if we recognize sin for what it is & come to God in confession of it, 'he is faithful and just to forgive us & cleanse us entirely' (v9).

Even another striking false teaching is found in 1 John 4:2,3: the denial of the deity of Christ as the gnostic (docetic) teaching was that deity could never unite with anything material. Their claim that this Jesus was just a man endowed with a special anointing; or another teaching: He didn't have a body & was just a spirit, hence He could not die on the Cross; and probably many others beliefs that would take away from the demonstration of God's Love in the sacrifice of His Son.

Richard, I 99.9% agree with you, with a few nuances While I agree that a true believer won't become an atheist, agnostic, Muslim, etc. the Bible assures us that "If we believe not, yet he abideth faithful: he cannot deny himself." ( 2 Tim. 2:13). Solomon is an example of someone whose heart was turned from the Lord late in in life, to the point where he worshipped the false gods of the pagan women he took to wife. Salvation is a one and done - "Believe on the Lord Jesus and thou shalt be saved" ( Acts 16:13), "That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved." ( Rom. 10:9). Jesus said "Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God." ( John 3:3); born again, once. When we are saved, our spirit is sanctified; bearing fruit depends on whether we walk in the spirit or in the flesh.

I agree 100% that God is the one who preserves us, we are to be confident that "he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ." ( Phil. 1:6), and we are "kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time." ( 1 Pet. 1:5). Our faith saves us (obviously by what Jesus has done for us); the power of God keeps us saved, if we truly believe ( Acts 8:37).

I also agree - not all the wheat and tares are evident, which is why the Lord said to leave them and let them grow together. However, I can assure you, there are many tares that look like wheat, and some wheat that look like tares. True believers can become backslidden, and in some cases, severely backslidden to the point where their life produces no fruit, being saved, "yet as so by fire" ( 1 Cor. 3:15). But, any "believer" who completely abandons the faith simply demonstrates that they were never saved to begin with ( 1 Jn. 2:19).

-Chris

This site has a free download under "More" tab. You can also read the Standard KJV & 1611 version online on this site. Just click the version you want to read, then there are options for searching, books, chapters, words, phrases, names

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Preaching to the elect: My radical approach.

Bless the Lord; o my soul and forget none of His benefits ( Psalm 103:2). In preaching to the lost world; we certainly need to declare the victory over sin; and God's love ( John 3:16). We are translated from death to life in His Dear Son ( Colossians 1:13).

In fact God IS love ( 1 John 4:8).

In the backdrop of the news of the "exceeding great glory" awaiting us; ( 2 Peter 1:4) we also have 2 Corinthians 4:17 which mentions our "light afflictions" before glorification. Paul himself was told how much "he would suffer for the Kingdom of God's sake" ( Acts 9:16). Peter was instructed of similar things when the Lord asked him if he loved Him 3 times in John 21:15-16.

Such messages are rarely given today.

There are several problems preventing these truths to be given in exhortation. First of all; if we don't see some sort of persecution being suffered as is promised toward ALL who are Godly in Christ Jesus as their fate ( 2 Timothy 3:2) then we are not given any example to emulate and therefore live with unrealistic expectations as to how comfortable our lives will be once we live out our faith. Of course; with anything else the fact of the matter exists that the "fear of the Lord is the beginning of understanding." ( Prov. 1:7; 9:10; Psalm 111:10 and many other passages). It follows that reverence; awe; and respect result from such an understanding as well as the discipline to be as a hardened soldier not concerned with "civilian affairs" ( 2 Timothy 2:4).

I have stated in other places how exhortation and rebuke is; in such a permissive society not considered proper etiquette. That feeds into my next point; that we aren't seeing what is Biblical discipleship in WEEDING out those tares that are there to spread false doctrines and cause dissention as well as giving challenges as "iron sharpens iron" ( Prov. 27:17). This is a problem with church elders and other leaders and of course laypersons follow their lead.

Baptism: Acts 2:38-47, Matthew 28:18-20, these are the same baptism, Ephesians 4:5, context Ephesians 4:1-13, please read all the scriptures I've included even the scriptures surrounding the ones you're asking about. They're very important on what Jesus our Christ =(the Messiah) is saying & the Scripture is saying about Him.

Origin of Baptism: Matthew 3, Mark 1, Luke 3, John 1, John 3 - John 4:1,2, ; Matthew 21:25, Mark 11:30, Luke 7, Luke 20:4, Acts 13:24,25,26,

Acts 1,

Symbolism of baptism: Matthew 20:22-28, Matthew 11:10,11,12,13, Mark 10, note these scriptures in Mark 10:21,29,30,31,32,33,34,38,39,42,43,44,45, Mark 16:16, Luke 12:49-59, in context Luke 12, John 3:3,5, Romans 6, Colossians 2:12, 1Peter 3:21,

HOLY Ghost HOLY Spirit Baptism: Acts 8, Acts 10, Acts 11, Acts 19:2-7,

In one Spirit 1Corinthians 12:13,

Hopefully these are all helpful

Dear Mario, Have you taken Jesus as your personal savior?

"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." John 3:16

Paul and Silas's jailer asked them in ACTS 16:30 ..."Sirs, what must I do to be saved?" Their answer was as simple as this in ACTS 16:31 ..."Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved..." Simple as that.

That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness, and with the mouth, confession is made unto salvation. For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed. For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him. For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.-- Romans 10:9-13.

If you have been saved, dig deeper into God. Study His Word, pray without ceasing, serve others, continue to take your medication, and have faith. No force on earth or hell can keep you from God.

ROMANS 8:34-35, 38-39 Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? 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, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

I respectfully disagree with Jesse's answer. The Bible is clear on salvation. One must believe on the Lord Jesus Christ to be saved. John 3:16. It is by faith Ephesians 2:8. The question was asked how to be saved.. answered in Acts 16:30 ."Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved". Every Word of God is true.in Mark. 16:16 it says "He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned". It does not say if you don't believe and are not baptizedyou shall be. Damned only that if you don't believe. Another proof that there is no need for baptism to be saved is that when Jesus was on the cross the thief said to Jesus in Luke 23:42. 42 And he said unto Jesus, Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom. 43 And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, Today shalt thou be with me in paradise." So clearly the thief was not baptized prior to his death and it was his belief alone that saved him. It is not of any works.lest any man boast. You don't have to go to church.keep the commandmentsnor be baptized . There's no amount of works or anything you can do to save yourself. It is the free gift of God. All these things are good .. but we all fall short.. and the reason God sent Jesus. Ephesians 2:8. 8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9 Not of works, lest any man should boast. It is easy to be saved that is why even a small child can be saved.

Son of GOD, please read : John 3:16, Luke 1 & 2, John 17,

John 5:30, John 10:17, John 14:23, John 16:27,

Deuteronomy 4:2, Revelation 22:18,19, 1John 2:26,27, Colossians 2:8,

Hopefully helpful

Spiritual discernment part 6

Encouragement and the lack thereof within the Body of Christ

It has been said that a Prophet is never honored in his own hometown in Luke 4:24. This is in regard to faith; as opposed to unbelief. Mark 9:24 shows the proper response to those seeking more faith in "helping with my unbelief". Since we are not God and only have a slight understanding "seeing as through a mirror darkly" ( 1 Cor 13:12) we can't necessarily diagnose what is true unbelief nor have the Spirit "without measure" ( John 3:34) as Christ did. If we look at outer circumstances and misuse verses to convince people that they should be healthy and wealthy then we may bring unnecessary discouragement to those who need a "merry heart" ( Prov. 17:22) for healing purposes. We don't bring things forth as some seem to cleim through words as the "name it and claim it" or blab it and grab it crowd would like us to believe. Or; more aptly put we should seek the "worst life now" as the countercultural resistance to the opposing camp (I'll leave it at that).

Recognizing potential in the gifting and talents of others seems like a rare thing today. Since we are all called to edify one another ( Romans 12:4-5) there should be a joint effort as part of the army of Christ; salt and light of the world we are called to be. This should be the duties of elders but we all have responsibilities. The giver of the gifts; of course is more crucial than the gift itself but we shouldn't have to sacrifice gifts because there are those who don't find it expedient to believe in such things.

As with anything else; as the old song goes we need to know when to hold; fold; walk or run away with the cards on the table in our hand. If the Spirit isn't present or welcome in a place of fellowship it is no mystery; sin is in the camp (Read Joshua 7).

This eliminates the effectiveness of a ministry. There is still hope if some truth is preached and at least a few still living in true faith.

The Spiritual Dimension

...The life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God..." That is part of Galatians 2:20. His Spirit also testifies with our spirit that we "are children of God" according to Romans 8:16. Scripture cannot be read alone with mental faculties and understood as God's truth unless these realities exist; namely being Born of the Spirit ( John 3:6-8) makes the Word living and active in our hearts ( Hebrews 4:12).

Scriptural truth also is what separates the God of truth and His angels from the fallen angels and demons that are the ruling principalities and powers of this world in this age ( Ephesians 6:12). Thus; we can experience God whether "in or out of the body" ( 2 Corinthians 12:2) as Paul did and by extension a demonic spiritual "trip" can occur much in the same way.

Anyone realistically wanting to understand 2 Corinthians 5:8 on being absent from the body; present with the Lord will understand that being in His presence as a believer is overwhelming to the extent that John fell at His feet as though dead ( Revelation 1:17). This is all the more telling since he was the disciple who always was closest to Jesus and even in his own testimony most loved ( John 13:23 and apparently in 4 other verses).

If we are NOT truly in Christ then there is only the terror of the Lord and of course immediate judgment and condemnation for those who are goats rather than sheep. Thus; those who promote a false gospel even if they were brain dead and came back to life God allows them to continue here for a while for His purposes. It would seem that it is possible as long as a body can be resuscitated for a few minutes that this can occur; that is a far cry from Lazarus being raised from the dead or the Lord Himself.

In any case, anyone preaching a gospel other than the truth let him be "anathema" ( Galatians 1:8); and that includes angels as well. To know we are hearing from God being saved is a minimum requirement.

Scripture about an Angels carrying ._. Not "spirit" Luke 16:22, 'your question spirit seeing loved ones on earth', more importantly GOD ALMIGHTY sees us Psalms 139, Psalms 27:10, & Jesus intercedes for us Romans 8,

It's important to understand the Biblical laws of marriage were given to Moses for Israel & "the Children of GOD" John 1:12, also Romans 8, relevant.

These laws are for GOD fearing, believers, a guideline for what's best.

Mark 10:2-12, Matthew 19:3-12, Matthew 5:31-37, notice it was to test, Jesus. Deuteronomy 24:1-4

1Corinthians 7,

Malachi 2:10-15, John 3:16, Matthew 25:31-46, Jude 1,

Hopefully these are helpful

John 17, John 1, John 3:16, John 14:10

Hopefully these are helpful

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Hi Michelle.

I concur with Brother Jesse well placed reply.

There's no improving on that.

God bless.

alex1939...Michelle good Question... John 3 :16 God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son that whosoever believeth on him will not perish but have eternal life.

.....1 st Peter 1:23...Being Born again of an INCORRUPTIBLE SEED even by the WORDS of God that liveth and abideth for ever.

......Nicodemus was teaching that the works of the law wd bring righteousness....But Jesus was teaching that we wd needed to birth a New Heart and a New Spirit...A new innerman...Mankind needs someone Heavenly to guide him...Christ in us..The H.G.

.....Which is the Child of Promise...The woman in Rev. 12:10 is giving birth to the Child of the Kingdom...Now is come salvation and the Kingdom of our God and the power of his Christ...Remember smite the shepard then i will turn my hand to the little ones...The babes and sucklings that are able to praise God with a perfect praise...Our new hearts and new spirits...

.....What Jesus did at Calvary by the shedding of his blood is gonna result in a New Covenant...And a Kingdom is in this Child.

.....Unless you receive the Kingdom of God as a lil Child you will in no wise enter there in...Which is the result of the heavenly Birth... Isaiah 60:22 kjv...A lil one is gona become a 1000 and a small one a strong nation...I THE LORD WILL HASTEN IT IN ITS TIME...Which is that which is born of the spirit the H.G...An Israel of God...Which is Christ/the H.G. born in us.

.....Thats y he always refers to himself as the son of man....Mankind is gonna have a spritual baby which is the H.G...That HEAVENLY BIRTH...Thats y Hebrews 11:1 describes faith as a spritual pregnancy...The substance of things hoped for the evidence of things not seen.. is a beautiful picture of a spiritual pregnancy the Child is the H.G...the gift of God...By the seed of the bridegroom...ok lemme go...

Michelle,

John 3:13 is part of a chapter outline that begins at Verse 1 and goes to Verse 15, and it is the presentation of the Spiritual birth from heaven.

In John 3:13, Jesus is telling Nicodemus that that He was the only One that has come down from heaven. He said, but if I tell you earthly things and you don't get it, and you are the master teacher?

He should have associated the Lord's teaching to Ezekiel Chapter 37 Verses 1 through 15.



This is where God takes the prophet and He shows them a valley of dead bones and says this is Israel. Spiritually dead! And He says to him, prophecy over these bones that flesh would come on them. And the bones came together and the flesh came on the bones.



And then He says prophecy to the wind that the wind would blow on them and breathe life in them. And he prophesies and the wind blows and they are filled with life and spirit.



And so God's promise to His people Israel is that you are spiritually dead until my spirit gives you life. But right now you are spiritually dead!



And He tells Nicodemus, you should have known what I was talking about. How can you be the master teacher in Israel and you don't know anything about being born from above? You don't know anything about the wind blowing, and how the spirit moves!

Explain John 3 verse 13 please? Thanks

Hey Bulletpencil,

My understanding, Jesus coming, the Messiah/Christ was not a secret, Daniel 9:25 prophesied when He would come. Jesus came to fulfill the prophets and the law, and when Jesus was baptized by John the Baptist the Holy Spirit descended on Jesus, and Jesus was filled without measure, John 3:34.

John the Baptist proclaimed it, John 1:34 and His disciples did as well, John 1:41 Jesus told the woman at the well He was the Messiah, John 25:25-26 and Martha John 11:27. It was confirmed by all the miracles Jesus did by the Spirit of God, Matt. 12:28 the kingdom of God has come, but the death and resurrection were, at that time a secret/mystery, Rom. 11:25.

The kingdom of God has come, John said it was at hand, Matt. 3:1-2. After John was put in prison Jesus came preaching Mark 1:14-15. The mystery of the kingdom; they were looking for the stone to crush Rome and the kingdom would be set up then Daniel 2:44, but it was like the parables of the mustard seed and the yeast Matt. 13, increasing even today until the crushing blow at Jesus second coming.



The disciples knew Jesus was the Messiah/Christ, so I am sure that was part of their preaching, but Jesus' death and resurrection were hidden even from the disciples Luke 9:45. We see how they fled when Jesus was arrested, Matt. 26:56, and they did not believe He resurrected Mark 16:10-11 Luke 23:10-11 it was hidden from them for if Satan had known the results, he would have tried to stop it.

Jesus spoke mainly to the Pharisees and Sadducees in parables to fulfill the prophecy, Matt. 13:10-15 Mark 4:10-13 Luke 8:10. The mystery was not revealed until after Jesus was resurrected as Jesus told them the Holy Spirit would bring remembrance and teaching to them John 14:26 John 16:3-4 Romans 11:25 Romans 16:25 the promise to Abraham Genesis 17:4-7 and that seed was Jesus the Messiah/Christ.

This is my understanding may someone else have another, pray and study for your understanding.

God bless,

RLW

Hello, my name is Charles Roberts III and I was hoping you could help me by explaining

how i cite the Bible,

how to cite Matthew Henry commentaries,

as well as how to cite Strong's concordance off of your website.

Thank you, Charles Roberts III

We should believe on the name of his Son Jesus Christ

1 John 3:23

The Holy Bible

We should believe on the name of his Son Jesus Christ,

1 John 3:23b

The Holy Bible

This is to no one in particular:

Indeed 1st Corinthians 15:1-4 is the written gospel. You read it but NOW it is up to everyone to obey the gospel which is what Jesus spoke in John 3:3-5. Also Matthew 28:19 is fulfilled bc it is in the name of. No one was ever water baptized in the book of Acts by father, son, & Holy Spirit. Acts 2:38 is the New Testament salvation message. Water baptism remits your sins. Matthew 26:28 says the same.

We need the Holy Ghost power. Lo & behold, not everyone has the Holy Spirit just bc they believe.That's just not true. Ppl must stop making a doctrine from one verse. For ex: John 3:16 is true, however we must all start at the beginning of the chapter. And there we find what Jesus Christ spoke on in John 3:3-5, for without it we can not enter into the kingdom of heaven. All the ppl in the book of Acts were told to repent & be baptized everyone of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins. Romans 10:9 is an example---call on the name of the Lord. Read Matthew 26:28, Jesus spoke, "For this is my blood of the New testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins". Hallelujah & Amen

I love God & his truth

Greetings, Mmathapeio! Two points:

1. If you have taken Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, you are saved and sealed with the Holy Spirit-- Ephesians 1:13 "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," You see, if you and your children each have earnestly asked Jesus to save you, He has, point blank and period, without the need to continuously pray for salvation.

2. If you and each one of your children individually has not asked Jesus to forgive his or her sins, now is the time to ask.

"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." John 3:16

Paul and Silas's jailer asked them in ACTS 16:30 ..."Sirs, what must I do to be saved?" Their answer was as simple as this in ACTS 16:31 ..."Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved..." Simple as that.

That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed. For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him. For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.- Romans 10:9-13.

To know God is far more than knowing the facts about God .

I agree we are called to enter that holy place . But I still think that not many actually answer the call .

For is it not written we have been made kings and priests unto God ?

But by careless preaching the gospel has been reduced to being but BORN again to enter the outer court to accept the sacrifice that was made out in the world in the cold light of day for all to see.

There as in the Old Testament we commune with God ,happy as " little children" in his love and provision but yet still only seeing things by sight and the natural light of the sun.

The Holy place has no natural light of the sun to illuminate it .

Eyes cannot peer into it .

Yet the curtain into the outer court is of the same pattern as that of the Holy place .

He who called us to the first also calls all to the second .

But first needs must wash our feet and hands .

Is it not written that they who ascend the hill of the Lord must have clean hands ( our service towards man) and a pure heart ( our service to God).

In the Holy place we have the 7 branch oil lamp on the left and the bread on the right .

The 7 branch oil lamp of one piece are thec" seven spirits of God " but of one .

The bread speaks of the Word of God . In the outer court you might think that God is our servant and many do.

But in the Holy place we find we are Gods servant and here we walk by faith and not by sight .

Moreover is there not the alter of incense? Also continually burning?

Are we not called to " pray without ceasing"?

How do you pray without ceasing? And not become a mumbling religious?

We become a prayer to God our hearts always turned to the Lord in continual prayer and with groaning that cannot be uttered .

Or carry in our hearts the burden of the Lord . Did not Samuel say it would be a sin for him if he did mot pray for the people?

Note we have hardly touched the subject and we have still only just entered the Holy place .

GB.

Hello again Gerald. I agree that to endeavor to gain deeper and truer understanding of the Godhead is treading on holy ground.

But I do think that He wants us to go there. And I do think this forum is a most appropriate place to bring forward truth about

Him. With the vast array of topics that arise on this forum, those that address the nature and Being of God come along too

infrequently. He is the object of our faith, the One we worship, so learning more and more about Him is every so beneficial.

Knowing Him in truth through the Spirit really is vital to our faith, for to learn falseness about Him is from another spirit and

leads us to worship a god who is not Him who revealed Himself to us in Scripture, history, and in the physical universe.

We are to worship God with all of our being, so employing our God-given mind and its capacities to apprehend Him more and

more is doing just that. This is what our minds were made for and since our minds have been sanctified along with the rest of

us, we should be pursuing knowledge of God, which is what Jesus said is eternal life in John 17:3. Of course, it is not just with

our intellect that we know Him, but with our hearts and soul and whole being as well.

Thanks for your reply.

The idea that anyone can fully explain the trinity of God is absurd .

So also is the idea that the unsaved can even grasp the truth of it .

Or indeed the carnal mind .

Your right I believe in that using an egg water etc as examples is not biblical .

But it is not I who said " He who made the ear can He not hear . Or He who made the eye can He not see?Is is hand short that He cannot save?

Or in another place " Man shall not live by bread alone but by everyWord that proceedeth from the mouth of God .

This subject of the Godhead is treading in that most Holy place .I'm not sure this platform is the place to be going there .

For the approach to the subject has to be as careful as entering into that a holy of Holies .

Someone might say we can now boldly go. Not many actually do I think . But rather stay outside as it were in the outer court and seek God there.

I do actually believe that the Holy Bible is a full and perfect revelation of God but is a closed book to just the curious or carnal mind .

WE have the body of truth and the Spirit of truth who knows "the mind of God and the deep things of God"

We need both .

But perhaps a consideration of the fact that the Father did not create anything without the Son "for whom are all things and by whom are all things" But if you cannot hear or understand a man's words without him giving his breath or life to his words ,nor then can any man hear or understand Gods Word unless the Holy Spirit enables him to do so .

For even as the same Holy Spirit was needed to inspire men to so write . So by the same measure the Holy Spirit is needed to understand what is written.

" My Word shall not return unto me void but shall accomplish that where unto I sent it ."

But that's enough

GB

Hello Gerald,

I can see that the tri-partedness of man can be used as an example to explain the Trinity, but mind, soul, and body of man are each parts of the whole, and if one part is missing, the organism cannot live. But with God, He is not made of parts. He is a unified whole without components. Even with the triunity-the Father, Son and Spirit are not each part of God. They are all of God, each of them and as a unity all of them.

Some people do think that each member of the Trinity are 1/3 of God, but his is an error in doctrine. With God, none of the members can be withdrawn from the Being of God. This is an impossibility. But with man, the mind, soul, or body can be separated, but this is deadly to man as an organism (which by definition is made of many component parts). This is not true of God in any way.

Using the analogy of the makeup of man to illustrate the Trinity is not so much incorrect as it is inadequate to describe God in His triunity. AS is using the idea of an egg, or a three leaf clover, or other natural physical things to illustrate the same doctrine.

God is incomprehensible to man, but He can be understood and apprehended by man through what God has revealed about Himself in the Word, the physical universe, and in history. Some things are just very difficult to describe accurately with our language, knowledge, and field of experience.

The whole Bible .and the witness of the Holy Spirit with my spirit the truth of it and the error of denying it .

Man ,is he not a tripart being?

Of mind body and spirit .

The body is not the body ,the spirit is not the mind .neither is the same as the other but all three are one .

Unless of course your mind is not right your spiritually dead or your body is not what you say it is .

For man was created in the image of God .

But he is born in the image of Adam.

John 17 is worth prayerful and bought full study .