Bible Discussion Thread

Can you lose salvation? This man who claims to be a prophet of God Said God reveal you can lose salvation. Can God also speak to you also and tell you things?

John, if someone comes to you claiming to be a "prophet of God" and says that God revealed something to them, ask them to show you in the bible where Jesus or Paul taught it. If it's not in the bible, it is not true, and that person is a false prophet. I had a person come to me once claiming to be a "prophet of God," and they told me that God gave them a message.

My response to them was "Good for you, but He didn't give me that message, so it doesn't do me any good. You see, if God wants to reveal something to any of us, He doesn't need to go through someone claiming to be a prophet in order to give us the message. Besides that, the Apostle John was the last true prophet!

One other thing to think about: If someone says God revealed something to them that is not already in the bible, then it should be added to the bible, right? I mean, if God said, then it's His word. But we are warned against that because we already have the complete prophecy of God in written form. Next time a "prophet of God" comes to you with a message and he/she cannot show you in scripture, tell them that they need to add it. You'll probably get a very puzzled look from them, and they will not be willing to go that far!

John, the Bible of course, speaks on many, many subjects & one of the important ones is of a person who has been saved through the Holy Spirit's convicting, & then his repentance & then knowing God's forgiveness based on faith in Jesus Christ's death on the Cross for our sins. If this person has truly come God's Way, we say that he is Born Again (i.e. not a second birth back into the world, but re-born in his spirit, where God's Spirit takes up residence in that person's life - John 3:3-7). We still look the same, go to work, etc., but by His Spirit within, we are now accepted by God as His very Own children, we look at life through 'different eyes', the graces of Jesus begin to fill us & become evident to others, we want to tell others of this great experience & new life, etc. etc.

However, after this great work of God in us, there are some well-meaning Christians who will teach that even though you may be a child of God now, you can some time in the future, choose to reject God, His Son & His Spirit & lose your salvation. They will even show you scriptural proof to support this. And true, if Scripture is taken in isolation or misinterpreted, then a Christian can lose his salvation. But I also take note that the Work of God in sending His Son to die for us was not a poorly devised plan. Jesus' death & resurrection was complete & final and God accepted this sacrifice for our sins by raising Him from the dead & giving Him a position of Power & Authority in Heaven. The Scripture also tells us that true Christians have been sealed by God (look these up: 2 Cor 1:22; Eph 1:13; 4:30). When God seals, He will NOT un-seal - we are His forever & He will "never leave us nor forsake us" ( Heb 13:5). Then can a Christian choose to forsake God? If a Christian is truly born again, he cannot & will not reject God & His Son. It's not possible. Yes, a Christian can still commit sin, but he is soon convicted by the Spirit within him & repents & is restored.

Chris, very true. If I might just go one verse further in Ephesians to Verse 14 which says "Which, or who, is the earnest, or guarantee, of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of His glory. This tells me that we are purchased by Christ, meaning He owns us. The seal is a mark of ownership. No one can break that seal except the owner of the possession. We're sealed with the Holy Spirit. He doesn't give us a seal. He is the seal.

He's the mark of ownership and He has sealed us so that no spiritual force or otherwise can penetrate our spirit. As you mentioned, we've been sealed. We've been sealed by the Holy Spirit and filled with the Spirit of Christ. We are very rich!

Verse 14 also tells us we were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise who is the (guarantee) of our inheritance. It's nice to know that in the midst of our weaknesses that the presence of God's Spirit is our guarantee, until the redemption of the purchased possession.

I believe this use of the word redemption is making reference to the coming of Christ, when redemption is realized. We've been purchased and we're sitting at the "will call window." He hasn't picked us up yet. But when Christ comes, He's going to come for the purchased possession, you and I, and all genuine believers who belong to Him!

And then I go down to Ephesians 4:30 that tells us that we are sealed with the Spirit of God "until" Christ comes. We're preserved. We're being kept for Christ at His coming. God's powerful grip is keeping us. That's our guarantee that we are preserved for Him. I think if believers would trust in the one who has saved them, the one who has purchased them, and the one who owns them and says He is coming for us, instead of trusting in themselves to keep themselves saved; they would come away with a whole new perspective about their salvation. It all boils down to who we're trusting in. Are we trusting God's power to keep us? Or, are we trusting in ourselves?

Jesse, that's a great 'dissertation', if I could use that word; a very concise & accurate description of His Sealing & His Guarantee of His purchased possession. I loved reading it over & over again to appreciate the wonder of God's Work in every aspect of our lives (from first seeking us out, right through to marking us for life).

I have considered of late, that when our Lord comes back for us, how does He locate each one of us & gather us together unto Him? Surely, His Spirit Who indwells the purchased of God, will return to the Son bringing the wheat with Him to the barn, while the tares are taken for burning. 2 Thes 2:6,7: "and now ye know what withholdeth that He might be revealed in His time..For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only He Who now letteth will let, until He be taken out of the way". I can't help but see this passage referring to the Holy Spirit being taken away at the appointed time from His Work on Earth; and if He must needs go, so must we also who have been indwelt & sealed by Him. What a blessd hope & revelation awaits us.

I need help to understand Romans.

Everything a true prophet says to you must be truth; revelation of truth. There is very serious things that happen to a teacher or prophet that says lies; makes up words for itching ears.

If you draw close to God; he will draw close to you. Sit with Him, sing praises to Him..even if it's Amazing Grace. I like a song: Only in God. If you truly have a question...ask the Holy Spirit. One aspect of His work is to teach you :)

Pray for a teachable spirit. When He tells you something, Date it and Write it down.

I went through a long spell when God went quiet; didn't speak to me. You wouldn't believe all the insecurities that float to the surface. If you're kinda punchy, He'll work that out of you. You learn to wait on the Lord.