There have traditionally been two main camps since midieval times; that of the Calvanists believing in Predestination (along with some other early theologians) and those of the "Arminian" or free will camp. There is no doubt that there is a predetermined path known beforehand by God (and translated predestined as Romans 8:29 states). The debate is to whether it is the individual who is always referred to or the PLAN that is established from eternity for the church in general to conform us into His image. It ends up being a logic sort of argument; basically stating that we are "totally depraved" which is deduced from many verses showing that man is estranged from the womb ( Psalm 58:3); and many other scriptures indicating that since the fall of Adam we are all in the nature of fallen man. It does seem clear that without Divine guidance we are indeed unable to do any good works ( Isaiah 64:6).
We cannot ignore Romans 1 and Psalm 19; two examples that show man deliberately ignoring the obvious design of nature and His Divine attributes. Man has a conscience; but that is already subjective as to our own emotions and will and fallen; and sin hardens it further so that it can become seared ( 1 Tim. 4:2). It is clear whatever school of thought we entertain that God knows who will be saved and who won't be ultimately as He knows all things. Jesus knew His sheep ( John 10:14); but also that Gospel shows that those who are NOT His sheep ( John 10:26). It is pretty clear that God has predetermined all who Christ will die for in that Gospel as well. We really don't get these concepts BEFORE in time and space we come to a state of repentance and new birth (again; things GIVEN by God). We must repent and be held accountable; whether it is for works done apart from grace for nonbelievers; or those done as believers at the Bema Seat Judgment. We also must agree that God is fair; judges impartially; and doesn't rejoice in the death of the wicked. (see Deut 29:29).
This is what King David does in the two psalms at the close of 2 Samuel. Second Samuel 22 records David's reflections, penned at the outset of his reign as Israel's king.105 The first seven verses of chapter 23 are a second psalm; this one is perhaps David's last psalm. We are told that this inspired reflection at the end of his reign as Israel's king contains some of his last words as Israel's king. Together, these two psalms of David give us his inspired appraisal of the hand of God in his life as the King of Israel, from the outset of that reign to its closing days.
As I have already said -- and as you can see from most translations -- the words of reflection in our text are Hebrew poetry, two psalms if you would. In fact, 2 Samuel 22 is virtually identical with Psalm 18, with very minor variations.
These psalms of David are songs. Second Samuel 22 is actually the longest of David's psalms: 106
I read it is the Word that is the seed that we are born again with. Parable of the sower. 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. Water and the Spirit to Nicodemus. Water being the Word.
We can still love family and friends that are not saved_yet. You, praying on your knees might break the chains that hold them captive. That is true love.
It is probably best if we separate ourselves from drunken parties and etc. Not dress like we used to. You know what I mean?
It's best to witness our change in a smaller get togethers. If they ask you why your face seems to glow? You can tell them Jesus is the reason.
You can invite them to meet you at your church, so you can sit together. Pray to the Lord to touch their hearts with the power of the Holy Spirit.
One person praying for others can be the reason they come to know Jesus. Don't be weary in well doing. Faith goes where angels fear to tread. We have Jesus as our protection. Let your faith get huge, reading the Bible.
We can grow from David the shepherd boy, to David, Giant Killer. His faith was in God__not his ability to throw rocks. God took the rock and it caved-in Goliaths nasal cavities and entered his brain. Instant death. I know that sounds gross.
But David had challenged God, and God sent David to confront Goliath. David only knew that God would go with him. Maybe David was about your age. :)
1 Peter 2:9 - But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:
John 15:16 - Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you.
Doug thanks your for your input...But at the cross when they pierced him out came the blood and the water which is indicative of a birth ...Thats Y Zech. is saying they shall look on me whom they have Pierced etc...Smite the shephard and the sheep will be scattered...Then i will turn my hand to the lil ones...The babes and sucklings that are the result of his Death...When a seed dies it multiplies...Thus our new birth is the result of his death....We cannot be born again without a good seed...But there wd have been no seed had he not died...Jesus told the Greeks unless a seed dies it abides alone...But if it dies it will bring forth much fruit...In that Christ died he will be multiplied as the stars of heaven...Thus we will all be bornagain of an incorruptible seed ..Thus the blood and the water is indicative of a birth....As Zech. says he is our 1st born our only son...They shall look on me whom they have Piecered...thus the blood and the water....
.....But this does not negate what God told Peter...what i have made clean ( by the blood ) do not call common or unclean....By commanding water baptism for the remission of sins....3 times the lord rebuked Peter with that sheet with all the unclean animals which is the Church humanity that was made clean by the blood of the lamb...Not water baptism....That sheet was knit at the 4 corners The Cross the blood is knit in the 4 gospels...That New covenant in his blood....ok GBU
Principles For Tithes and Offerings - In Reply on 1 John 3 - 1 year ago
I just want to add one thought about tithing and offerings.
Your giving is AS UNTO THE LORD JESUS.
Tithes are 10% of your net income. This is for the needs of the local church.
If you are faithful to give this, without complaint; God will help you out some way when you have more month than money:
He may help you get a promotion or a better job. He may give you wisdom how to save money for "long months"; curb impulse spending, or money for entertainments etc.
Offerings are exactly what it means. You give OVER the tithe, out of your need. It is given to your church for repairs or needs. It is given to the church missionaries (those sent to other nations). You can bless a church member who has just lost their job; you can believe God for money for new tires or repairs on your car, etc.
Mark the envelope that this is an offering.
This is money given between you and God. He knows exactly how best to repay you. Some people are healed of diseases. I am not saying that offerings can buy healing. The offering is holy unto God. It's about obedience and faith.
The Principle
Ecclesiastes 11:1 - Cast thy bread upon the waters: [faith in action] for thou shalt find it after many days.
Peter did right by God with water baptisms, water was his prescribed tool. End time Jesus is saying since you people are incorrigible, and your faith is weak as water, that now He will baptize you with fire so you can't sin anymore. Dead men don't sin. Don't forget how God finished off the house of Israel, and the house of Judah with brutal captivities, 721 BC, 604 BC, respectively. God will again temporarily finish us off, forging us through the fire, and for your own good. What you've done to others will be done unto you, and to the double, Revelation 18:6 If it takes 15 Sarmat missiles to defeat you, they will use 30.
Water too will be involved as the Russians have a deadly ocean weapon called Poseidon, which can create a 160 foot tsunami wave, reaching 1,000 miles inland, covering the land with radioactive ocean water, Revelation 12. Mystery Babylon's inhabitants won't understand why they are being attacked, nor will they know where it comes from. I look forward to it, to get it over with, to kill the evil that is us so we can fulfill our destiny.
Psalm 110:1. The Lord said unto my Lord, Jehovah ladoni, the saying, or decree, that is, I record the saying or decree of Jehohovah to my Lord, that is, to his Son the Messiah, whom I acknowledge as my Lord and God. This decree, made in eternity, was in due time published, and was actually executed when God raised up Christ from the dead, and brought him into his heavenly mansion. David designedly calls the Messiah his Lord, to admonish the whole church, that although he was his Song of Solomon according to the human nature, yet he had a higher nature, and was also his Lord, as being by nature God blessed for ever, and consequently Lord of all things, as he is called Acts 10:36; and by office, as he was God man, the Lord and King of the whole church, and of all the world, for the church's sake. And this was said to prevent that offence which the Holy Ghost foresaw the Jews and others would be ready to take at the meanness of Christ's appearance in the flesh. The Hebrew word adon, is one of God's titles, signifying his power and authority over all things, and therefore is most fitly given to the Messiah, to whom God had delegated all his power in the universe, > Matthew 28:18. Sit thou at my right hand - Thou who hast for so many years been veiled with infirm and mortal flesh, despised, rejected, and trampled upon by men, and persecuted unto death; do thou now take to thyself thy great and just power. Thou hast done thy work upon earth, now take thy rest, and the possession of that sovereign kingdom and glory, which by right belongs to thee; do thou rule with me, with an authority and honour far above all creatures, in earth or heaven. So this phrase is expounded in other places: see Luke 22:69; 1 Corinthians 15:25; Hebrews 1:3; Hebrews 8:1; Hebrews 10:12-13; Ephesians 1:20
Read through the Link out on the Red Page where you came into the rooms: BECOME A BELIEVER
It answers many questions we have about what Receiving Jesus as Savior and Lord truly means.
Most of us had to give up some sinful lifestyles. The Holy Spirit helps us with that. Reading through the New Testament, first, will get us on our way to understanding what assurances we have in Jesus. Sins to refuse, and new ways to find power to live our lives in Christ.
We all had to learn the same way; there are no short cuts. We had to read the Bible to find the answers to our questions.
Jesus gave us the Holy Spirit when we asked to be Born Again ( John 3). If it is heartfelt, you will be baptized by the Holy Spirit right then. You can still be water baptized at your Church with family and friends in attendance. It's a very joyous occasion.
The Baptism of the Holy Spirit begins your journey to knowing who Jesus is, what it means to have Jesus's life on the inside of your heart. When you find out that He is on the inside of you, sitting on the Throne of your human heart, you will be wild with JOY.
Your soul and spirit will be united with pure love. There are no restrictions on how deeply you can love, like Jesus does. Well, in my case, you know by what you hear coming out of your mouth. Is it Faith, Fear or bad words?
Just ask for the Holy Spirit's help with that. One of His names is Helper. Read the New Testament first, to find out How the Holy Spirit helps you. He is the Spirit of Jesus. You are much beloved of both. GOD IS LOVE. And Jesus wants you to know that.
It's not about do's and don'ts. It's about you loving Him and Knowing He loves you. You can be as close as you want to be. "I chose full bore, head on, give me everything that is available." I've never regretted asking.
Confessing is good because we still make mistakes.
It is Jesus who comes with the beast army to deliver the abomination of desolation, to lay the land of ISRAEL desolate (BOTH HOUSES). The whole house of Israel will be baptized by fire. God says "the attack is against MY PEOPLE", Ezekiel 21:7
I'm afraid you sinners have no idea what's coming, no idea that Jesus is coming for your souls. Christians only talk a good surface game, never knowing their identity, and are groomed to never expect the hell on earth that's coming, because that's what we dish out to our weak enemies.
Ezekiel 38:1-17 describes the destruction of modern day ISRAEL, and Revelation 18 describes the destruction of Babylon. They both describe the same end-time event as they are one in the same!!! It doesn't take a scholar to figure out who will be attacking who, who is the hammer of the earth, and who gives up the ghost. It is the sons of Joseph who are in serious trouble.
GOD KNOWS WHERE OUR REMAINS ARE - In Reply - 1 year ago
God will give us new bodies in heaven bodies that will be similar to Christ's body after His resurrection. The Bible says that Christ, "by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body(Philipp.3:21)
But Jesus rose in the power of an endless life ( Hebrews 7:16), and he's never going to go through death again, and neither will you in the resurrection. Your resurrection body, like his, will be a body that will never die. Your resurrection body will never age, and it will never decline.
2 Corinthians
5For we know that when this earthly tent we live in is taken down (that is, when we die and leave this earthly body), we will have a house in heaven, an eternal body made for us by God himself and not by human hands. 2We grow weary in our present bodies, and we long to put on our heavenly bodies like new clothing. 3For we will put on heavenly bodies; we will not be spirits without bodies.[a] 4While we live in these earthly bodies, we groan and sigh, but it's not that we want to die and get rid of these bodies that clothe us. Rather, we want to put on our new bodies so that these dying bodies will be swallowed up by life. 5God himself has prepared us for this, and as a guarantee he has given us his Holy Spirit.
6So we are always confident, even though we know that as long as we live in these bodies we are not at home with the Lord. 7For we live by believing and not by seeing. 8Yes, we are fully confident, and we would rather be away from these earthly bodies, for then we will be at home with the Lord. 9So whether we are here in this body or away from this body, our goal is to please him. 10For we must all stand before Christ to be judged. We will each receive whatever we deserve for the good or evil we have done in this earthly body.
[Christians are cremated in accidents or before burial. Some are lost at sea, etc. God knows all the circumstance's. Trust Him.
Say Yes To Jesus and Find Out The TRUTH__streetpreacher - In Reply - 1 year ago
You can at any time commit your life to follow Jesus. His message was to all peoples, everywhere. He said, FOLLOW ME.
That means following what the New Testament (covenant) preaches and teaches. The Bible. If we don't read it after Salvation, we're still in the dark about what it means to follow Jesus.
It means turning your whole life over to Jesus; being Born Again. John chapter 3. When you make the commitment, Jesus baptizes you with the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit helps you understand what it means to be a Christ follower. He is YOUR Teacher of the Bible. He lives in your heart and mind. He will help you learn how to follow Jesus: the things we used to do without thinking about it, He leads us to be able to put it down and let go of sinning. We learn something new every day :D In time, we are experiencing the enabling through Holy Spirits strengthening inside of us; to be able to live it on the outside.
We can hold back (for a time) giving our whole hearts to Him; but His ministry to us is so sweet and real, we realize that He truly is in our life (day to day, and nights too). Our habits and values change. Reading the New Testament, Proverbs and even Psalms, empowers us to make changes.
No person has to go to hell. Lots of people believe there is no hell; that hell is just getting through each day. Jesus lives to change that reality. Faith in the Savior (not rituals or trying to be good), will help you to depend upon Jesus for Love, Wisdom, and assurance that your destination is in Heaven.
He totally took my sinful life and changed me in about 6 months. I gave him all the mess of me, and He gave me Himself. Transformed me. Experiencing peace will change you__and you want more of Him. Things you used to do, you don't want to do anymore. Because sin is painful. Things hurt us and we don't want that pain anymore.
Read the Link "Become A Believer" out on the red entrance page. Pray that prayer if u mean it.
Thank you Alex , I've just read Acts so won't be reading it again for a while but I will surely keep your post in mind as I continue studying , much love in Christ , thank you again , you always get me thinking and I love that about you .
Hello again Gigi , giving sage advice is fine by me , especially if u have tried and tested it before u give it . I feel that we need to remember the newbies on here , some of whom may b looking to this site for guidance and may take our words as gospel . It did seem to me that u were not just expounding on the ten commandments but actually adding to the laws of Moses .Not a good idea for many reasons that I'm sure I don't need to explain to an intelligent lady like yourself . Sound advice is good , I think it's a good idea that we make sure that our advice is just that , and not biblical doctrine , and that we make such things clear in our posts , for the sake of the newbies . Glad to c u back on here regularly .
One last thing I thought of before I retire for the night.
I re-read the entire thread as you suggested. In your post beginning this thread you did not ask "Is water baptism essential for salvation? But Texsis responded to the thread with such a query and I responded to her response. So that is how I became involved with this thread. Sometimes people take a thread in a direction that differs from the original poster. I am o.k. with that. But, even so, I hope you are not too frustrated that your original post has gone the way it has.
Also, when you spoke about the command to love God and love others, I thought about 1 john 4:7-16, my favorite Bible passage. So in speaking about obeying these two commands Jesus gave us, we can only love Him or others because He is Love and loved us first. That is why I responded as I did. I don't think I was way off in my response, but it seems you thought so.
We can talk more on this tomorrow, if it seems good to do so. For now, I have spoken into this conversation the best way I can tonight. I am tired and need to be off to bed. God's blessings to you tonight, Steven
The moment Adam and Eve sinned everyone born after them was disconnected from eternal fellowship with God, in the Throne room of God, until God provided redemption from the sin of Adam and Eve through the substitutionary, sacrificial offering of Christ Jesus, the Son of God, on the cross of Calvary to give salvation from sin to as many as believe that this response to sin is the absolute and only cure for mankind in this life and in the life to come; thereby diverting the believer from the pathway to hell, upon which everyone naturally travels from birth because of Adam and Eve's fall from grace and innocence in the beginning.
Does God predestine people to hell? And if so how is that fair and how does free will co-exist with predestination? Does it co-exist? Any insight to this question will help, God bless you!
I usually try to give scripture references that this website highlights in red to link directly to the scripture, within contextual writing so everyone can read for themselves. There is also a tab to do word & phrase searches.
Thanks for the reply, however it is far from what I meant when I posted, I never mentioned anything about the love of God, I'm sorry but you missed this one by a mile! Nowhere close to the context.
Here's the verses I have given. John 13:34-35. and 1 John 2:1-11. 1 John 4:20-21. and yes these topics has shut down debates whether it's about the trinity, eternal security, baptism, etc. because I've posed these during several debates and no response afterwards.
Please read and go over the response I gave to Bro Dan that you're replying to again.
We cannot ignore Romans 1 and Psalm 19; two examples that show man deliberately ignoring the obvious design of nature and His Divine attributes. Man has a conscience; but that is already subjective as to our own emotions and will and fallen; and sin hardens it further so that it can become seared ( 1 Tim. 4:2). It is clear whatever school of thought we entertain that God knows who will be saved and who won't be ultimately as He knows all things. Jesus knew His sheep ( John 10:14); but also that Gospel shows that those who are NOT His sheep ( John 10:26). It is pretty clear that God has predetermined all who Christ will die for in that Gospel as well. We really don't get these concepts BEFORE in time and space we come to a state of repentance and new birth (again; things GIVEN by God). We must repent and be held accountable; whether it is for works done apart from grace for nonbelievers; or those done as believers at the Bema Seat Judgment. We also must agree that God is fair; judges impartially; and doesn't rejoice in the death of the wicked. (see Deut 29:29).
As I have already said -- and as you can see from most translations -- the words of reflection in our text are Hebrew poetry, two psalms if you would. In fact, 2 Samuel 22 is virtually identical with Psalm 18, with very minor variations.
These psalms of David are songs. Second Samuel 22 is actually the longest of David's psalms: 106
In form and content.
He desires we walk in forgiveness.
We can still love family and friends that are not saved_yet. You, praying on your knees might break the chains that hold them captive. That is true love.
It is probably best if we separate ourselves from drunken parties and etc. Not dress like we used to. You know what I mean?
It's best to witness our change in a smaller get togethers. If they ask you why your face seems to glow? You can tell them Jesus is the reason.
You can invite them to meet you at your church, so you can sit together. Pray to the Lord to touch their hearts with the power of the Holy Spirit.
One person praying for others can be the reason they come to know Jesus. Don't be weary in well doing. Faith goes where angels fear to tread. We have Jesus as our protection. Let your faith get huge, reading the Bible.
We can grow from David the shepherd boy, to David, Giant Killer. His faith was in God__not his ability to throw rocks. God took the rock and it caved-in Goliaths nasal cavities and entered his brain. Instant death. I know that sounds gross.
But David had challenged God, and God sent David to confront Goliath. David only knew that God would go with him. Maybe David was about your age. :)
Matthew 22:14
For many are called, but few are chosen.
1 Peter 2:9 - But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:
John 15:16 - Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you.
Streetpreacher
.....But this does not negate what God told Peter...what i have made clean ( by the blood ) do not call common or unclean....By commanding water baptism for the remission of sins....3 times the lord rebuked Peter with that sheet with all the unclean animals which is the Church humanity that was made clean by the blood of the lamb...Not water baptism....That sheet was knit at the 4 corners The Cross the blood is knit in the 4 gospels...That New covenant in his blood....ok GBU
Your giving is AS UNTO THE LORD JESUS.
Tithes are 10% of your net income. This is for the needs of the local church.
If you are faithful to give this, without complaint; God will help you out some way when you have more month than money:
He may help you get a promotion or a better job. He may give you wisdom how to save money for "long months"; curb impulse spending, or money for entertainments etc.
Offerings are exactly what it means. You give OVER the tithe, out of your need. It is given to your church for repairs or needs. It is given to the church missionaries (those sent to other nations). You can bless a church member who has just lost their job; you can believe God for money for new tires or repairs on your car, etc.
Mark the envelope that this is an offering.
This is money given between you and God. He knows exactly how best to repay you. Some people are healed of diseases. I am not saying that offerings can buy healing. The offering is holy unto God. It's about obedience and faith.
The Principle
Ecclesiastes 11:1 - Cast thy bread upon the waters: [faith in action] for thou shalt find it after many days.
Streetpreacher
Water too will be involved as the Russians have a deadly ocean weapon called Poseidon, which can create a 160 foot tsunami wave, reaching 1,000 miles inland, covering the land with radioactive ocean water, Revelation 12. Mystery Babylon's inhabitants won't understand why they are being attacked, nor will they know where it comes from. I look forward to it, to get it over with, to kill the evil that is us so we can fulfill our destiny.
Psalm 110:1. The Lord said unto my Lord, Jehovah ladoni, the saying, or decree, that is, I record the saying or decree of Jehohovah to my Lord, that is, to his Son the Messiah, whom I acknowledge as my Lord and God. This decree, made in eternity, was in due time published, and was actually executed when God raised up Christ from the dead, and brought him into his heavenly mansion. David designedly calls the Messiah his Lord, to admonish the whole church, that although he was his Song of Solomon according to the human nature, yet he had a higher nature, and was also his Lord, as being by nature God blessed for ever, and consequently Lord of all things, as he is called Acts 10:36; and by office, as he was God man, the Lord and King of the whole church, and of all the world, for the church's sake. And this was said to prevent that offence which the Holy Ghost foresaw the Jews and others would be ready to take at the meanness of Christ's appearance in the flesh. The Hebrew word adon, is one of God's titles, signifying his power and authority over all things, and therefore is most fitly given to the Messiah, to whom God had delegated all his power in the universe, > Matthew 28:18. Sit thou at my right hand - Thou who hast for so many years been veiled with infirm and mortal flesh, despised, rejected, and trampled upon by men, and persecuted unto death; do thou now take to thyself thy great and just power. Thou hast done thy work upon earth, now take thy rest, and the possession of that sovereign kingdom and glory, which by right belongs to thee; do thou rule with me, with an authority and honour far above all creatures, in earth or heaven. So this phrase is expounded in other places: see Luke 22:69; 1 Corinthians 15:25; Hebrews 1:3; Hebrews 8:1; Hebrews 10:12-13; Ephesians 1:20
See BibleHubDOTcom
It answers many questions we have about what Receiving Jesus as Savior and Lord truly means.
Most of us had to give up some sinful lifestyles. The Holy Spirit helps us with that. Reading through the New Testament, first, will get us on our way to understanding what assurances we have in Jesus. Sins to refuse, and new ways to find power to live our lives in Christ.
We all had to learn the same way; there are no short cuts. We had to read the Bible to find the answers to our questions.
Jesus gave us the Holy Spirit when we asked to be Born Again ( John 3). If it is heartfelt, you will be baptized by the Holy Spirit right then. You can still be water baptized at your Church with family and friends in attendance. It's a very joyous occasion.
The Baptism of the Holy Spirit begins your journey to knowing who Jesus is, what it means to have Jesus's life on the inside of your heart. When you find out that He is on the inside of you, sitting on the Throne of your human heart, you will be wild with JOY.
Your soul and spirit will be united with pure love. There are no restrictions on how deeply you can love, like Jesus does. Well, in my case, you know by what you hear coming out of your mouth. Is it Faith, Fear or bad words?
Just ask for the Holy Spirit's help with that. One of His names is Helper. Read the New Testament first, to find out How the Holy Spirit helps you. He is the Spirit of Jesus. You are much beloved of both. GOD IS LOVE. And Jesus wants you to know that.
It's not about do's and don'ts. It's about you loving Him and Knowing He loves you. You can be as close as you want to be. "I chose full bore, head on, give me everything that is available." I've never regretted asking.
Confessing is good because we still make mistakes.
Streetpreacher
I know that when I sin against God only do I sin .of course that's is what David said in the Bible . So one day when I was praying
I said I forgive so and so but I don't want to hang with them anymore or talk to them
But God still talks to us as if we nv sinned against Him . I know man is not God and His thoughts are not huour thoughts .
My question is cause I feel it depends on the person , the sin . Should I feel compassion . I was told forgive and feeling should come later.
It is Jesus who comes with the beast army to deliver the abomination of desolation, to lay the land of ISRAEL desolate (BOTH HOUSES). The whole house of Israel will be baptized by fire. God says "the attack is against MY PEOPLE", Ezekiel 21:7
I'm afraid you sinners have no idea what's coming, no idea that Jesus is coming for your souls. Christians only talk a good surface game, never knowing their identity, and are groomed to never expect the hell on earth that's coming, because that's what we dish out to our weak enemies.
Ezekiel 38:1-17 describes the destruction of modern day ISRAEL, and Revelation 18 describes the destruction of Babylon. They both describe the same end-time event as they are one in the same!!! It doesn't take a scholar to figure out who will be attacking who, who is the hammer of the earth, and who gives up the ghost. It is the sons of Joseph who are in serious trouble.
But Jesus rose in the power of an endless life ( Hebrews 7:16), and he's never going to go through death again, and neither will you in the resurrection. Your resurrection body, like his, will be a body that will never die. Your resurrection body will never age, and it will never decline.
2 Corinthians
5For we know that when this earthly tent we live in is taken down (that is, when we die and leave this earthly body), we will have a house in heaven, an eternal body made for us by God himself and not by human hands. 2We grow weary in our present bodies, and we long to put on our heavenly bodies like new clothing. 3For we will put on heavenly bodies; we will not be spirits without bodies.[a] 4While we live in these earthly bodies, we groan and sigh, but it's not that we want to die and get rid of these bodies that clothe us. Rather, we want to put on our new bodies so that these dying bodies will be swallowed up by life. 5God himself has prepared us for this, and as a guarantee he has given us his Holy Spirit.
6So we are always confident, even though we know that as long as we live in these bodies we are not at home with the Lord. 7For we live by believing and not by seeing. 8Yes, we are fully confident, and we would rather be away from these earthly bodies, for then we will be at home with the Lord. 9So whether we are here in this body or away from this body, our goal is to please him. 10For we must all stand before Christ to be judged. We will each receive whatever we deserve for the good or evil we have done in this earthly body.
[Christians are cremated in accidents or before burial. Some are lost at sea, etc. God knows all the circumstance's. Trust Him.
That means following what the New Testament (covenant) preaches and teaches. The Bible. If we don't read it after Salvation, we're still in the dark about what it means to follow Jesus.
It means turning your whole life over to Jesus; being Born Again. John chapter 3. When you make the commitment, Jesus baptizes you with the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit helps you understand what it means to be a Christ follower. He is YOUR Teacher of the Bible. He lives in your heart and mind. He will help you learn how to follow Jesus: the things we used to do without thinking about it, He leads us to be able to put it down and let go of sinning. We learn something new every day :D In time, we are experiencing the enabling through Holy Spirits strengthening inside of us; to be able to live it on the outside.
We can hold back (for a time) giving our whole hearts to Him; but His ministry to us is so sweet and real, we realize that He truly is in our life (day to day, and nights too). Our habits and values change. Reading the New Testament, Proverbs and even Psalms, empowers us to make changes.
No person has to go to hell. Lots of people believe there is no hell; that hell is just getting through each day. Jesus lives to change that reality. Faith in the Savior (not rituals or trying to be good), will help you to depend upon Jesus for Love, Wisdom, and assurance that your destination is in Heaven.
He totally took my sinful life and changed me in about 6 months. I gave him all the mess of me, and He gave me Himself. Transformed me. Experiencing peace will change you__and you want more of Him. Things you used to do, you don't want to do anymore. Because sin is painful. Things hurt us and we don't want that pain anymore.
Read the Link "Become A Believer" out on the red entrance page. Pray that prayer if u mean it.
Blessings on you.
One last thing I thought of before I retire for the night.
I re-read the entire thread as you suggested. In your post beginning this thread you did not ask "Is water baptism essential for salvation? But Texsis responded to the thread with such a query and I responded to her response. So that is how I became involved with this thread. Sometimes people take a thread in a direction that differs from the original poster. I am o.k. with that. But, even so, I hope you are not too frustrated that your original post has gone the way it has.
Also, when you spoke about the command to love God and love others, I thought about 1 john 4:7-16, my favorite Bible passage. So in speaking about obeying these two commands Jesus gave us, we can only love Him or others because He is Love and loved us first. That is why I responded as I did. I don't think I was way off in my response, but it seems you thought so.
We can talk more on this tomorrow, if it seems good to do so. For now, I have spoken into this conversation the best way I can tonight. I am tired and need to be off to bed. God's blessings to you tonight, Steven
have a good evening.
Appreciate your contribution.
I usually try to give scripture references that this website highlights in red to link directly to the scripture, within contextual writing so everyone can read for themselves. There is also a tab to do word & phrase searches.
Hopefully that's helpful
Thanks for the reply, however it is far from what I meant when I posted, I never mentioned anything about the love of God, I'm sorry but you missed this one by a mile! Nowhere close to the context.
Here's the verses I have given. John 13:34-35. and 1 John 2:1-11. 1 John 4:20-21. and yes these topics has shut down debates whether it's about the trinity, eternal security, baptism, etc. because I've posed these during several debates and no response afterwards.
Please read and go over the response I gave to Bro Dan that you're replying to again.
It's getting late, I will cover this tomorrow.
God night and God bless.
I think we can relate to many, in some ways.