Romans
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One thing we know for certain is that every single person one day will stand before God. Will they have an excuse? Will God accept "I never heard?"
Romans 1:20 tells us, "For the invisible things of him (God) from the creation of the world (from the time of creation up till now), the invisible things of God, and please notice the clarity, are CLEARLY seen. So, there's no confusion! And then we see the comprehension: "being understood by the things that are made (referring to creation). Verse 20 ends by saying that "they are without excuse."
Not a single person will ever stand before God and say, "I didn't know," or "no one ever told me." Through creation, God testifies to man that there is a God. No one will have an excuse!
Psalm 19:1-4 says, "The heavens declare the glory of God. And the firmament shows His handywork. Day unto day utters speech and night unto night shows knowledge. There is no speech nor language where their voice is not heard." So, we know that there's no language or speech that God's creation cannot reach.
God has His testimony draped over us every night as well as the sun beating down on us during the day, and it is all a testimony. Somebody had to create that, someone so powerful that they created the entire universe. Even the psalmist says that there is a testimony in the heavens that God is using to illuminate a person's spirit and their conscience to make them consciously aware that there is a God. They might not know His name, but He's out there!
John 1:9 tells us that every person born into this world is enlightened. Again, no one will have an excuse. God's Spirit is able to reach every person that comes into this world one way or another. If never hearing about Jesus or the gospel message could be used as an excuse, and God accepts that excuse and grants salvation, wouldn't it be beneficial is no one ever heard?
Just my thoughts!
I am sure we all have thought about that, but it is hard to answer. We have a loving and just God wanting all to come to Him and be saved because He gave His only Son for the redemption of sins. Some may say no since the only way to the Father is through the Son but what about those who never had the opportunity to hear the gospel of Jesus?
All of us have a conscience and the knowledge of good and evil, some get to a point of no return and God gives them over to a reprobate mind, Romans 1:28. Some go so far into evil that their conscience is seared with a hot iron, 1 Timothy 4:2, they do not know good from evil. I do not know if you have ever met someone like that, but you can see cold darkness in their eyes.
If we read Romans 1-16 it is not the hearers of the law but the doers of the law for they, have it written in their heart and their conscience bears witness. Our conscience records all we have ever done or thought. I believe this is about those who have heard the gospel and those who did not have a chance to hear it.
Many take the great white throne judgment as for the lost only, but I believe this is for those who are not in the first resurrection, Revelation 20:4-6. My understanding is the great white throne judgment goes with Daniel 12:2 John 5:28-29 Matthew 25:31-46 and Revelation 20:11-15.
As it says in Revelation 20:15 all that was not found in the Book of Life was cast into the lake of fire. So, to me, this is all the rest of the dead Revelation 20:5 if some were not found, some are found in the Book of Life. Some who lived before Jesus first came and some after Jesus came who never heard the gospel, their conscience bearing witness, will be found in the Book of Life. As we see in John 8:9 Acts 24:16 Romans 9:1 2 Corinthians 1:12 1 Timothy 3:9 Hebrews 13:18.
This is my understanding.
God bless,
RLW
PT. 3
Another way that God's transcendence is expressed is in His royal and exalted glory and power.
Ps. 57:5, 97:9 speak of God being exalted above all else. He always is in the most high position from creation.
Deut. 4:39; Eccl. 5:2 speaks of God dwelling in heaven above, even the highest heavens. ) Ps 8:1, 57:5) None of us CAN go up to heaven to check Him out in His sovereign majesty. God had to come down to us in the Son for us to know what God s like. John 3 :13.
Ps. 113:5 says that He Himself is the most high ( Ps. 97:9)
So the term 'transcendence" s a convenient term to use to summarize these ways in which God is "above us"; in majesty, holiness, sovereignty, exaltation, glory, perfection, etc.
God is ontologically different and distinct from us that we can only describe Him adequately with our human language (this is called "ineffable). But in His immanence, He has revealed Himself in human terms, both verbally and in Jesus, the Son so that we can be redeemed and have fellowship with Him both now and forever. Jesus said, "This is eternal life, to know the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom He has sent." ( John 17:3)
Though God is transcendent, He has spoken clearly and in language that we can understand with certainty His nature and actions. Romans 1:18-22 says this and that therefore no one can be blameless from ignorance.
Romans 11:33-36 does speak of His mystery, incomprehensibility, ineffability, and "deep things of God" that no man can know.
We can also understand God's transcendence as referring to his Lordship over all that is, to His power and right as the King of everything He has made in all of creation, to His sovereignty and authority over all creatures and in all of His will. This speaks to His omnipotence, omniscience, and omni-presence. ( Ps. 2:47; 93:1; 96:10-13; 97:4; 99:1)
His authority is His control over the moral sphere, over all things that happen in time, all circumstances, and all that w happen.
As S Spencer said we may not know for sure.
We all have inside us, a sinful nature from the first Adam, we also have a conscience, the knowledge of good and evil, and the knowledge of God. We first see this when Adam and Eve hid themselves because they were naked. We see some go so far into the darkness that their conscience can be seared, the conscience no longer tells them good from evil, 1 Timothy 4:2. There is a point where God turns them over to a reprobate mind, Romans 1:28-32.
I believe there will be those who enter eternity who have never heard the gospel, and those who lived before Jesus first came because we have a loving and just God.
Romans 2:11-16 For there is no respect of persons with God. 12 For as many as have sinned without law shall also perish without law: and as many as have sinned in the law shall be judged by the law; 13 (For not the hearers of the law are just before God, but the doers of the law shall be justified. 14 For when the Gentiles, which have not the law, do by nature the things contained in the law, these, having not the law, are a law unto themselves: 15 Which shew the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and their thoughts the mean while accusing or else excusing one another;) 16 In the day when God shall judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ according to my gospel.
My understanding is this will happen at the great white throne judgment, Revelation 20:11-15, in this it says, "And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire". If some were not found in the Book of Life means some were found in it. I know many may not agree but if we consider verses like Daniel 12:2 Matthew 25:31-46 John 5:28-29 to me these also point to this white throne judgment.
I am sure our loving and just God communicates with those who have not had a chance to read or hear Scripture, I believe the blood of Christ will cover them as well.
God bless,
RLW
I guess we differ on when regeneration happens. I believe one needs to be regenerated (which God does in one by grace alone) in which one is )given the capacity to believe. I believe that without God regenerating a person, that person cannot believe because they are dead in sin and depraved and not inclined to seek Him or obey Him.
As to the people you mentioned. It is true that ma y who have been baptized as infants fall away from their belief in the gospel which they have heard at least in the readings during church services. Just because someone has been baptized does not equate to them being regenerated. They are to separate works, one is what God (regenerate) and the other is what a person chooses (baptism). In churches that baptize infants, children, and adults it is common to speak the gospel over the person before they are baptized because it is the power of God for salvation ( Romans 1:16) and your quote from 1 Peter..
As parents we cannot know of God's work of regeneration in our children, whether they are baptized as infants or as older teens at that time. We will know by fruitful living over time that demonstrate this has occurred in the past. Baptism does not save a person, but it is a sign and a seal that places one into the body of believers. So Christian parents baptize infants and children because they are holy due to the believing faith of their parents and therefore covenantal members of God's people.
We cannot know if one is elect or not. That is God's determination. Churches are full of both those who are elect and those who are not. It can be hard to tell one from another.
And it is true that many who were baptized, whether as infants, children, teens or adults, who stray from faith in Jesus and live lives that are in opposition to God despite being baptized by their parents' choice or their own. This is quite evident. And as long as they are alive, there is still hope that they will come to Jesus in faith. So we pray.
May our Lord GOD hear your petition.
Romans 1:16-18
16 I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of GOD unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.
17 For therein is the righteousness of GOD revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.
18 For the wrath of GOD is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the Truth in unrighteousness;
May the Lord GOD bless you and your family
Sorry for the delay. I searched to interpret the nuances of your answer to the question I made for you, i.e. why did JESUS send not a letter to the Church of Rome, that was developed by Paul Apostle ( Romans 1:7-13, written around 57AD), when He sent the seven letters to the Churches of Asia? My focus was: what would you say about this? It was just curiousity.
Of my part, trying to search an explanation for the omission or exclusion of the Church of Rome of the list of our Lord JESUS, only for to report or to clarify my point, I would say that when was revelead the Apocalypse to John, the Church of the Lord in Rome had already apostatised completely, and had turned itself the embryo and the birthplace, or the cradle, of the antiChrist, linking to the Roman Empire -the iron-, and remains still until today an apostate Church in the hands of Devil ( 1John 2:18-21).
When the false messiah of the JEWS- John 5:43-47 combined with Revelation(Apocalypse)13:11- manifest himself in Israel (probably this year or next?), both Beasts -(Catholicism-the Papacy, and the esoteric and kabbalistic Judasm) will make a deal to establish a religious and satanic kingdom(the feet and 10 toes of the Nebuchadnezzar's statue- Daniel 2:44-45 combined with Revelation 13:2), and there will be a WAR between GOD x SATAN- Revelation 13:3 and !3:14 combined with Revelation 12.
Get ready
Well,the Word is GOD,self-executing,He had a Plan:to save the mankind from the power of Devil.To execute it He needed to incarnate Himself,and He did so at the turn from the fourth to the fifth Day,so He was made flesh around 2000 years ago- Hebrews 1:1-3,He introduce Himself in the world of Devil by the name of JESUS,a LITERAL IMAGE of GOD,His Plan was to make man in His image and likeness in the SIXTH Day-Gen.1:26-Let us make man in our image,after our likeness.GOD's Plan for salvation was to preach the Gospel of His Kingdom,but by whom?Only by He Himself.
JESUS was born after week 69th,i.e.after a period of 483 years.His birth was something around 7to3BC,as this is known.
That said,GOD, now called JESUS,the stone which is become the head of the corner,He was set at nought of the builders of the OT, even the prophets which had the Spirit of Christ were killed by the builders- Matthew 23:29-35.Paul wrote:The Gospel of Christ is the power of GOD unto salvation to every one that believes;to the Jew and also to the Greek.For therein is the righteousness of GOD revealed from faith to faith: Romans 1:16-17.
Acts 4:12 reveals:Neither is there salvation in any other:for there is none other NAME under heaven given among men,whereby we must be saved.It still was the beginning of the fifth Day.
JESUS himself began to be about thirty years of age,He started His Ministry,saying:The time is fulfilled,and the Kingdom of GOD is at hand:repent ye,and believe the gospel- Mark 1:15.JESUS said to the Jews:My Father works hitherto,and I work-Jo.5:17.
JESUS said to the Father:I have glorified thee on the earth:I have finished the work which thou gave me to do.The validity of His sacrifice for salvation already last around 2000 years,more than 730.000 days,in days to come the false messiah of the Jews- John 5:43-47,Re.13:11,will enthrone himself in Jerusalem,the Abomination of desolation is established,the daily sacrifice is taken out,the Dispensation of Grace gets to the END.
Allow me to bring an interesting question about Revelation 1, object of your post, regarding to the seven Churches of the Lord. The question is: Why did JESUS send not a letter to the Church of Rome, developed by Paul Apostle? Romans 1:7-13,witten around 57AD. Was there a reason? what would you say about this?
Now another Day arrived,the Lord's Day,seventh and last Day, seventh and last millennium,again Satan is also among the current sons of GOD( John 1:11-12),but strongly structured,more than in the time of Job,i.e. now he is with 7 heads,10 horns and a terrible TAIL- REVELATION 12:3-4-,it's a world religious MONSTER whose satanic system is established through a false Christianity in seven Continents-Europe,Asia,Africa,Oceania(Australia),North America, America Central and South America(7 regions of the Earth-7 heads of the dragon).His main partner is Catholicism ruled by the MAN Beast of sea,the current guide and leader/ruler of the Roman Catholic Church which rides upon the Beast, followed by Orthodox, and Anglicanism and Protestantism and their respective divisions called denominations and sects and movements gospel.Total adherents to Christianity are currently around 2.5 billion,but Scriptures warned:The Spirit speaks expressly,that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith,giving heed to seducing spirits,and doctrines of devils;Speaking lies in hypocrisy;having their conscience seared with a hot iron; 1Timothy 4:1-2combined with Romans 1:18-25.This is the devilish scenary of the 7 heads of the Devil,the red Dragon.
But there is also the religious esoteric,and kabbalistic,and spiritist Judaism, practiced in Israel,represented by ten tribes of the ancient Kingdom of Israel and its 10 Princes,one from each tribe.The MAN of sin,son of perdition,is from one of the 10 tribes,he should be of the tribe of Dan,and he is the little horn,the ileventh horn,which will manifest himself as Messiah,AN IMPOSTER- John 5:43-47 combined with Re.13:11,and will enthrone himself in Jerusalem. The next Pope to be elected in this current year, he will sit in the throne of the Messiah in Jerusalem-Re.13:2-first half of the last week,week 70th Dan.9:24-27
Get ready
Part 4 Trinity discussion.
Do you believe that the will of the Father and the will of the Son are always the same or different?
Jesus was obedient to the Father, Jesus said many times it is not His will but the will of the Father who sent Him, the same as we are to do, John 4:34 John 5:30 Mark 3:35.
Do you believe that a human being can truly save all men from sin and death by a perfect life in their own will?
First, I will have to say it was the will of the Father, Jesus at the end even asked His father if there was another way but not Jesus's will but the will of His Father, Matthew 26:39 Luke 22:42. We are told this is the foundation of our faith, Jesus' sacrificial death. God cannot die God is Spirit He has no blood to shed for sin it had to be a man, His Son, born of a woman.
John 3:16 God gave His Son not Himself 1 John 2:22 1 John 4:3 2 John 1:7 Romans 5:8 2 Corinthians 5:21, God cannot be made sin, 1 Corinthians 15:17 Jesus died, and God raised Him from the dead, the first man to live a perfect life, the first fruits of those who sleep in death. 1 Corinthians 15:14 as said if Jesus was not a man who lived a perfect life and died and was raised from the dead all is vain.
The first Adam was the first man Jesus was the last Adam and the second man, 1 Corinthians 15:45-47. 1 Corinthians 15:21 For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead. The law had to be fulfilled by a man.
How would a human being know that they are the Messiah from birth and thus know not to ever sin?
As we see Luke 2:51-52 Jesus grew up increasing in wisdom and stature in favor with God and man. Jesus was twelve years old and He knew His father was God, but it doesn't say Jesus knew then He was to be the Messiah. God also said He would raise up unto thee a Prophet from the midst of thee, Deuteronomy 18:15, Isaiah 11:1-5 Isaiah 61:1-2 confirmed in Luke 4:18-21. Romans 1:1-4 2 Timothy 2:8.
See part 5
Part 2 Trinity discussion
Did Jesus exist before creation? Did the Holy Spirit exist before creation?
Jesus existed in God's plan, Jesus is the beginning of creation Rev. 3:14 and by Him were all things created Col. 1:16 my understanding is Jesus, was the first in God's plan of creation and everything was created by God, in and through the plan and purpose of Jesus. My understanding Jesus did not physically exist until the fullness of time. Ephesians 1:10 He was born of Mary the Son of God. the seed of woman. Genesis 3:15 Matthew 1:20
My understanding is the Holy Spirit is the Spirit of God, not a person, Genesis 1:2. We see all the greetings are from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ. Romans 1:7 1 Corinthians 1:3 2 Corinthians 1:2 Galatians 1:3 Ephesians 1:2 Ephesians 6:23 Philippians 1:2 Colossians 1:2 and 6 more. The Holy Spirit not being included is a good clue the Holy Spirit was not considered a person by Paul and others at that time.
If so, who were they in relation to the Father?
I believe the above answers this.
How did the Father, the Son, and the Spirit all create all that is, seen or unseen?
My understanding is God the Father created all, Genesis 1:1 Genesis 1:31 Proverbs 16:4 Isaiah 45:18 Nehemiah 9:6.
Does Scripture teach that God is only one person who manifests in three forms, but all these manifestations are only one person?
Scripture does not support Modalism I have never considered this and do not know anything about it.
See part 3.
The gospel is not good advice.
However, the gospel is much more than good news!!
The gospel is "the power of God UNTO salvation".
For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. Romans 1:16.
The gospel is power!
Good advice is not worth the snap of the fingers unless there is power to see it through.
There is three steps to our Salvation.
Justification.
Sanctification.
Glorification
Justification is "an act of God whereby He pronounces a sinner to be righteous because of that sinner's faith in Christ." We are justified, or declared righteous, at the moment of our salvation.
Sanctification is "the process by which Christians are set apart for God from the rest of the world, or the process by which Christians are made holy." Progressive, or experiential, sanctification, as it is sometimes called, is the effect of obedience to the Word of God in one's life. It is the same as growing in the Lord ( 2 Peter 3:18) or spiritual maturity.
Glorification is "God's final removal of sin from the life of the saints so that they stand faultless before Him in glory in eternity"
As Christians, we were justified when we confessed Christ and believed ( Romans 10:9), we are sanctified as we grow in holiness through the work of the Spirit.
Ephesians 4:11-32; Galatians 5:16-24, and we will someday be glorified when we are resurrected into eternal life ( Colossians 3:4).
Justification is a one-time event, sanctification is a process, and glorification is a future event.
If you are a Christian, you are guaranteed all three steps.
THE GOSPEL IS "THE POWER OF GOD UNTO SALVATION!
God bless.
2Co.5:10:We must ALL appear before the Judgment Seat of Christ;that every one receive the things done in his body,according to that he hath done,whether it be good or bad. -GET READY-
Re.1:20-The seven stars are the angels of the seven Churches(ANGELS?OR DOGS?):and the seven candlesticks which thou sawest are the seven Churches.(What we can see by the letters sent to the Churches of Asia is that several angels of the Churches unfortunately failed.By the way,around 65 years after His ascension,at that time the CHURCH OF ROME had completely apostatized( ROMANS 1:21-28),it was no longer part of the body of Christ,reason by which my Lord JESUS directed messages only to the seven Churches in Asia,they were also greatly threatened by the growth of apostasy and idolatry,but my Lord JESUS was watching Satan's movement against His Church,against His body here on earth.The church of Rome would have been the eighth if it had not apostatized as a whole)
Is.56:10-11
10His watchmen are blind:they are all ignorant,they are all dumb DOGS,they cannot bark;sleeping,lying down,loving to slumber.
11Yea,they are greedy DOGS which can never have enough,and they are SHEPHERDS(PASTORS)that cannot understand:they all look to their own way,every one for his gain,from his quarter.
OTOH,the prophet(the preachers of the Word of GOD)that teacheth lies,he is the TAIL-Is.9:15-,yeah,the TAIL of the Red Dragon- Revelation 12:3-4)
1Pe.4:17-18
17The time is come that Judgment must begin at the house of GOD:and if it first begin at us,what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of GOD?(Compare with 1Corinthians 6:1-3 and Re.22:15)
18 And if the righteous scarcely be saved, where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear?
Celebration of the Lamb's marriage?ONLY AFTER THE JUDGMENT of BABYLON
Christ's argument is: If your law calls judges gods, why should I be held guilty of blasphemy for saying that I am the Son of God?
As per the other argument trying to discredit the word "one" sounds like your argument is that one doesn't really mean one, because Jesus used it to describe believers being one. I don't see how being one in unity as Christ's body somehow means that all the Bible verses about Jesus being God and divine suddenly don't apply? The verse about the Father and Son being one is only one of MANY verses competing the picture. The Bible already says Jesus the Word is God so how can you disregard that?
God: "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God." John 1:1 KJV
You: Word was "NOT" God?
"Then said they unto him, Where is thy Father? Jesus answered, Ye neither know me, nor my Father: if ye had known me, ye should have known my Father also." John 8:19 KJV
Have you thought about how your belief reconciles with verses like this above?
Isaiah 7:14 -
Yes, Jesus is called Immanuel which means "God with us". People called Jesus "God". He's King of King and Lord of Lords. Alpha and Omega, first and last. Do you believe Jesus is Lord? I believe that is a requirement for even being a Christian. A Christ follower should know who Christ is.
1 John 5:7-8
John 10:30
John 8:19
Genesis 1:26
Genesis 11:6-7 (plural "us" which includes Jesus, as per John 1:1)
Philippians 2:5-8
2 Corinthians 5:19
John 1:3
Matthew 28:19
1 Peter 1:2
2 Corinthians 13:14
Deuteronomy 6:4
John 14:10
John 20:28
1 John 2:22-24
Matthew 1:23-25
Colossians 2:9
Acts 17:29
Romans 1:20
Isaiah 7:14
Hebrews 1:8
Isaiah 44:6
Isaiah 43:11
Thank you for this discussion, it is good to hear salvation is not dependent on this doctrine I have been told in many Churches I have attended I was not saved and was a heretic and shunned.
You know Greek better than I, but my understanding is the word Godhead which was added in the 1500s was translated twice and is misleading. Godhead is in the Bible 3 times, Acts 17:29, Greek word theios which means divine, Romans 1:20, Greek word theiotes which means divinity, divine nature, and Colossians 2:9 Greek word Theotetos which means deity.
The verse Colossians 2:9, in Jesus, dwelleth all the fulness of the deity of God, Jesus was filled without measure with God's Spirit/Holy Spirit John 3:34. John the Baptist said God had told him when Jesus was anointed/baptized John 1:32-33. God dwelt in Jesus and empowered Him by the Spirit. God gave Jesus power and authority Matthew 11:27. In John 1:14 we probably differ, God in Jesus dwelt/tabernacled among us. God was manifest in Jesus, John 12:49 John 14:10.
Mark 2:5-8 in Matthew 11:25 Things were hidden from the wise and prudent, Scribes, Sadducees, and Pharisees were the ones accusing Jesus of blasphemy, as we see in Matthew 9:6-8, the same event multitudes glorified God. Jesus was given full authority in Matthew 28:18 and John 17:2-3 that we should know the only true God and Jesus Christ whom the Father sent, same as all the introductions, greetings, and blessings given to the followers of Christ in the New Testament were from God our Father and our Lord Jesus Christ and in Revelation 21:22.
All authority has been given to Jesus by the Father until the last enemy, death is put under His feet, 1 Corinthians 15:25-28 Revelation 20:14.
May our discussion inspire study.
God bless,
RLW
Jesus gave us 2 "new" commandments, not new as in abolishing the old, but to look at the old in a new, more concise way. The first covers the first 4 commandments, how to worship God, and the second cover how to treat others with God's unconditional love. Jesus lived the 10 commands.
No scripture tells the church to start worshiping on the 1st day of the week. No verse tells the church that our rest in Jesus takes the place of the 4th commandment. The laws of sacrifice were replaced by the sacrifice of Christ's blood on the cross so were no longer necessary but the commandments where not, else how would man know how to l live righteously? Christ's salvation gives us the way to forgiveness of our sins but how dose man know what righteous is without the laws of God? After the sin of Adam and the world was cursed, mankind has had a difficult time following God's law, even after Jesus' paid the price for our because mankind still sins without the blood of Jesus washing them away. You seem to not have any regard for any of the commandments not just the 4th and yet they tell us plainly what sin is. How do we know if we don't have them? Again, I believe the bible shows us Jesus obeyed His Father's laws even the 4th. Jesus' teachings of righteousness were based on the 10 commandments. Show me where HE put these law's of His Father in such contempt? In Romans 1: 29-32 the verses give a list of the unrighteousness of men to the point of becoming reprobates. Study each one and you can see they are based on all 10 commandments. My prayers are with you.
When Jesus gave us His 2 commandments they were new as in looking at the 10 in a different way, not abolishing the 10. The first commandment He gave follows the first 4 commands, how we are to worship God, and the second follows the last 6 in how we are to treat others.
Paul list the sins that are covered by God's law In Romans 1:29-32 " 29)Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers, 30)Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, 31)Without understanding, covenantbreakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful: 32)Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them." How would they know the things that were worthy of death without the laws of God telling them so? All of the teachings of Christ are based on the Laws of God. God commanded us to remember the 6th day as our day of rest, because by holding to the commandment it would have set His church apart instead we have let the Catholic Church tell us when to do it. See "Who Changed the Day of Worship ....." by Eddie Foster. A commandment of God is a Commandment of God.
Thus if one feels that 1 Corinthians 9:27 might be Paul indicating that if he fails to keep his body (his flesh) under subjection, that when he preaches to others, then God would cast him away; could he then just be a failure, or incur God's disapproval, or even actually be a counterfeit Christian to be relegated to a destiny with other unbelievers?
Then do verses such as Romans 1:28, 2 Timothy 3:8, or Titus 1:16 apply also to Paul if he neglected to keep his body under subjection? And if Paul is deemed to be a castaway (i.e. having lost his salvation), does this then open the door to the Lord's failure to call & appoint His primary apostle to the Gentiles? But as we know, Paul didn't let the flesh or the Devil overcome him - he remained clear in conscience & faithful to his Lord; and this power, could it have come from within, i.e. the Holy Spirit in him, Who helps those endued with the Spirit, to not only do as Paul did, but also to be confident that He will indeed keep them from falling & be presented faultless before the Throne?
It's for such questions & verses in the NT, that confirm to my heart that God makes no mistakes in calling, redeeming, justifying & sealing His children. Readers of those passages will have to satisfy their own hearts & minds as to how to understand the different word usages for 'castaway or reprobate'.
The apostle Paul knew what it was to follow after Jesus. Paul could not literally follow Jesus in the flesh as most churches are preaching in vain and teaching as if Jesus is still walking the face of the earth. The apostle Paul said this:
1st Cor 11:1] Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ.
This is not the only instance in the bible Paul said such a thing, there are other places.
1st Cor 4:16] Wherefore I beseech you, be ye followers of me.
Philippians 3:17] Brethren, be followers together of me, and mark them which walk so as ye have us for an ensample.
1st Thess 1:[6] And ye became followers of us, and of the Lord, having received the word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Ghost:
Amen, Jesus never preached to follow after him, he preached to follow after his words and not his person as his words are spirit and life John 6:63. We follow after Jesus' words as Jesus is no longer around to be followed in person.
2nd Cor 5:16] Wherefore henceforth know we no man after the flesh: yea, though we have known Christ after the flesh, yet now henceforth know we him no more.
[17] Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.
The apostle Paul knew that he could not follow Jesus in person but had to follow after that voice from heaven that gave him words to preach. The apostle Paul never met Jesus in person, he did hear his voice and seen a light and that was it. The apostle Paul knew he had to follow after new directives from the Holy Ghost. We see many people trying to find Jesus or try to follow him and it is in vain as Jesus is not around to be followed, he has to be in you, and that is from his words by faith as faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God Romans 10:17.
Repent, and believe the Gospel of Christ's words Romans 1:16-17.
John 3:15 "That whosoever BELIEVETH in him should not perish, but have eternal life."
John 6:47 "Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that BELIEVETH on me hath everlasting life."
John 11:25 "Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that BELIEVETH in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live:"
Romans 1:16 "For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that BELIEVETH; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek."
Thank you again for your time and patience to respond to a question that seems obvious to the experienced Christians. I am nothing but a mere child in the faith and so my understanding is somewhat limited and have a little catching up to do. Thanks and may God bless you and peace to you in Jesus name
Acts 17:29 states:
Being then God's offspring, we ought not to think that the divine being is like gold or silver or stone, an image formed by the art and imagination of man.
God has many warnings in scripture regarding not making idols of created beings or heavenly objects such as the moon and stars. This verse shows how God cannot be reduced to a man made concept or picture.
Colossians 1:15 states: "He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation." This verse is discussing Christ who although He came in a man is part of the Godhead; so certainly we shouldn't have images of Him either; especially to be venerated or worshipped. As to whether; say a stained glass window is equally offensive we have to look to the heart of those who are attending a church service; as sadly some even with such an object as that will find some feature that seems to have some supernatural light in the image which is idolotry. The same could be said for the Apostles on such imagery; a Protestant wouldn't have any desire normally to make it an idol; but other denominations such as Greek Orthodox have statues of "saints" which clearly constitute worship that is against scripture.
John 1:18 states that no man has ever seen God but in Christ we in a sense see Him. His attributes including the Godhead are said to be clear from creation ( Romans 1:20). This was said to be known from the time of Creation according to the beginning of this verse. This shows that only later the nations departed from the knowledge that Adam and his immediate descendants would have instilled in them; there was deliberate rebellion against the Creator throughout the earth; both after the garden and after the flood with the tower of Babel and then God confusing the languages and scattering men throughout the earth (see Genesis 10:25 on likely splitting off of continents and dispersion of men).
Part three,
Each believer is personally responsible for living in obedience to Christ's commands. 1 Timothy 4:16. Can we come up short, Hebrews 4:1. Some of the natural branches of the house of Israel were broken off for unbelief so the people of the nations who believe and are justified are grafted in. Believers/saved can be cut off if they do not continue in his goodness/grace. Romans 11:15-24.
Much of your post I agree, it is about becoming saved and our relationship with Jesus, and if we continue to abide in Him those scriptures apply. Concerning Pentecost, Peter was pleading that they accept Jesus as their Messiah that was promised, and they killed Him, not to repent from Judaism. Peter and the disciples at this time were still observing the old law. We see years later they were still debating it in Acts 15.
1 Cor. 9:27 If we look at the wording "But I keep under my body and bring it into subjection" it is as if his body is his adversary. It is like he was beating his body whether it is said metaphorical, but to the subduing of the natural appetites of the flesh, a life of self-denial not to succumb to the sins of the flesh. The Greek adokimos translated as castaway, is the same word for reprobate, Romans 1:28 Titus 1:16. I do not think Paul is talking about rewards.
Hebrews 3:12-13 This chapter starts with "Wherefore holy brethern" These are Christians, saved, verse 6 "if we hold fast the confidence and the rejoicing of the hope firm unto the end." The writer includes himself "If We". Verses 12 and 13 are to these same people and verse 14 says "For we are made partakers of Christ" Because they are made so they are saved believers in Christ.
1 John 1:7 If is conditional a choice if you walk in the light there is fellowship, if you don't walk in the light, you are outside of the fellowship.
See part four.
These characteristics all are involved with the Trinity to some respect; but we will not attempt to "parse out" specific attributes related to any member of the Godhead in this posting but get into general characteristics here unique to the Lord. Divine has a sort of untouchable royalty associated with the sentiment behind the meaning; which of course sort of fits in with the "essense" generally of His precence. Father and God also are pretty well interchangeable as to our designation of the almighty Lord.
Divinity: God is high and exalted but not remote. Isaiah 57:15 states: "For this is what the high and exalted one says, the one who rules forever, whose name is holy: 'I dwell in an exalted and holy place, but also with the discouraged and humiliated, in order to cheer up the humiliated and to encourage the discouraged.' Philippians 2:7 shows how Christ emptied Himself from divine form and became a servant. Divinity is used in a handful of other verses as well; but we understand the condescension Christ did for our behalf as part of the "Divine counsel" ( Psalm 82:1).
Essence: To sum God up would bring unique characteristics (the three "O"s-omnipresence; omnipotence and omniscience which will be discussed later in the O section). God is to be worshipped in "Spirit and truth" ( John 4:24). He also came bodily and we must believe He came in the flesh ( 1 John 4:2) to have saving faith; thus we don't adhere to a "gnostic" gospel. His Godhead is important and apparently evident from creation (King James version Romans 1:20) which also BTW mentions His Divine nature.
He who denies the Son doesn't know the Father ( 1 John 2:23). Therefore we must hold to the Christian faith where there is the Messiah in Christ promised in the O.T.; as well as God the Father and the Spirit which lives within His elect ( Ephesians 1:13-14).
Father and God: God was Christ's Father and our heavenly father.
Yes, I gave a different view by asking a question. Sometimes, a question "tills the field" better than a statement because it gives the reader a chance to come to the conclusion on their own. You see, perspective is key to understanding, and it's perspective that allows us to "see" the another's eyes and understand! Now, concerning the serpent in The Garden; God said Do Not, and the serpent asked "why not"? The serpent did what "the flesh" (sarx) always does, tempt! I'm sure doubt is a part of this, yet I ask is God really ALMIGHTY? Because if He is, and He TRULY is, then "the fall" of man was always The Plan of God from The Beginning! I'll put it more clearly, the fall of mankind was Always supposed to happen. It is either, accept this truth, or believe that satan is at least as Powerful as God. How else did satan get into The Garden and have access to Adam & Eve? God allowed it.
Furthermore, it saddens me to think that you can't tell the difference between The Word Of God (The Holy Spirit), and the holy bible. You see the holy bible is holy, just, and good BUT it is a created thing and God is The Creator of the thing! We are Commanded to Worship The Creator NOT the created! Romans 1:20-25 It is for this transgression that our understanding is darkened. For The Word does and will Endure Forever, somehow I Understand that The Word is God and not a book made of paper and ink! Why else does God place His Law in our inward parts (heart) Jeremiah 31:33-34 Again, The True Gospel is NOT from a book, It is from The Holy Spirit of God.
I am with God sir, and where ever I am it is where God put me! What irks me the most is that I have to speak against a book not because of any ill will for I LOVE the holy bible, I speak against a book because people can't tell the difference from a book and God ALMIGHTY! God is Spirit and we are HIS tabernacles.
Romans 1:21-32
Romans 1:32
the words knowing the judgements of God, implies they have a knowledge of God
Whether they profess to be a Christian or not
the righteous judgements of the Holy, Holy, Holy God will find them out! Hebrews 4:12,13
& will reward them according to their deeds, if not confessed with a godly sorrow unto repentance & forsaken, which is a reward according to their deeds also.
"Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated unto the gospel of God, (Which he (i.e. God) had promised afore by his prophets in the holy scriptures,) concerning his (i.e. God;s) Son Jesus Christ our Lord, which was made of the seed of David according to the flesh..."
So Paul is stating that even as he Paul was called by the Lord to be Jesus' apostle, the Gospel which Paul had to preach was of Jesus Christ, God's Son Whom God had "promised afore by His prophets..."). So where are these promises? You can look at Deuteronomy 18:18; Isaiah 9:6,7; Isaiah 53:1-12; Isaiah 61:1-3; Jeremiah 23:5 (yet a future fulfillment): these prophets all spoke of Jesus (though they didn't know Him by that Name but that One would be sent from God), Who would come from Heaven through the Davidic line, being called the Son of God by His Divine Birth.
as for me, I will follow the commands of my Lord because He tells me to in His word. I believe him! it is the Holy spirit in me that causes me to desire to do God's will and having these commands show me the kind of character we ought to have because it is the character of Jesus whom we are to imitate, be a light to the nations, that others will see the good that we do and glorify God.
So, I have no problem at all in leaning on the Holy Spirit to help me have the mind of Christ, to do what He has said is the loving thing to do against what He said is not loving actions towards God or humans. From a very young age I have loved the commands of God because by knowing them, the Spirit reminds me of the command I am breaking when I am acting against loving Him and others. Being a believer all of my life, knowing what God says is righteous actions has helped to shape my character and approach to life.
I know that the law is good, but that we cannot meet its demands by along shot. I know that it is only Jesus who has done so perfectly. So I, and all believers, need to cast ourselves onto the mercy and grace of Jesus to receive righteousness before God now and on the day of final judgment. I know that the law was given to drive us to Jesus for salvation because we realize by the working of the Holy Spirit that we are sinful and in need of God's mighty work of salvation in Christ.
I don't know how it is for those who came to Christ as adults, but for me, having come to Him even before I could understand it all has blessed me. The earliest memory I have of the gospel and the character of God is when I was 6 and we talked about why God made me and what Jesus did for us. I know that I had been told this repeatedly by my parents and church prior to 6 years old, but that is as far back as I can remember. I believe what Paul wrote in Romans 1: that the preaching and hearing of the gospel is the power of God to save. ...cont.