1 John 5:15 - in my opinion supports asking for anything. It doesn't mean God will say yes. But if done in faith, and if genuine and not a selfish request then I think its likely to be a yes. I personally have prayed and I thought I checked both boxes and was denied. This can feel devastating to someone's faith at times. But we don't know the answers to everything. There is suffering in this world, especially as Christians. We aren't here to have everything totally comfortable and to serve us.
For example, a friend prayed for safety for racers before a race and someone ended up dying. That was a total shock to me. It was an unselfish prayer for people's safety but that prayer wasn't answered as a yes that particular time. The Bible says our life is as a vapour, so I think our real life is after this life.
Going to heaven-how can I guarantee my eternal destination?
Answer
Face it. The day we step into eternity may come sooner than we think. In preparation for that moment, we need to know this truth-not everyone is going to heaven. How can we know for sure that we are going to heaven? Some 2,000 years ago, the apostles Peter and John were preaching the gospel of Jesus Christ to a large crowd in Jerusalem. Peter made a profound statement that resonates even in our postmodern world: "Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved" ( Acts 4:12)
Many people today hold to a watered-down gospel that does away with the need for repentance. They want to believe in a "loving" (nonjudgmental) God who never mentions sin and who requires no change in their lifestyle. They may say things like, "My God would never send a person to hell." But Jesus spoke more about hell than He did about heaven, and He presented Himself as the Savior who offers the only means of going to heaven: "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me" ( John 14:6).
Who will actually enter God's kingdom? How can I guarantee that I'm going to heaven? The Bible makes a clear distinction between those who have eternal life and those who do not: "He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life" ( 1 John 5:12). It all goes back to faith. Those who believe in Christ are made the children of God ( John 1:12). Those who accept Jesus' sacrifice as the payment for their sins and who believe in His resurrection are going to heaven. Those who reject Christ are not. "Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God's one and only Son" ( John 3:18).
Bible says there is one and only one way to heaven-Jesus Christ. Follow Jesus' command: "Enter through
Q: Was not Jesus using the Parable of the Sower to present his Father as 'the Word was God'?
A: Parable was his way of separating the corruptible seed from the incorruptible seed. Peter's epistle qualifies this process as 'born again' and separates the incorruptible from the ungodly world,, "Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever."(1 Pe.1:23). This is according to the will of God ,the unseen world and how it was made to appear? By his word, is it not? "For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one."( 1 John 5:7,1). Whosoever believes,"that Jesus is the Christ is born of God: and every one that loveth him that begat loveth him also that is begotten of him. " Father Son relationship is built about the word. It also explains "the only begotten Son," status, He is the firstborn since it was the word of God that framed the world where the fullness of God is made to appear. Framing a painting to hang in a gallery to show off the excellence of the artist is one way of putting it.
Each believer has a volume. Heaven bears blessing upon the seed thus sown by the word of God. God gives a body to the herbs trees,- "And the fruit tree yielding fruit after his kind, whose seed is in itself," has to show by the fruits whether it be good or bad. Israel would not bear the seed so Jesus said,"But he answered and said, Every plant, which my heavenly Father hath not planted, shall be rooted up"(Matt.15:13).
But what is the firstborn? According to the covenant a believer's world is as promised by God in his Son and it ought to show by fruits. This is explained by the term firstborn. "Thus saith the Lord, Israel is my son, even my firstborn."(Ex.4:22-23) Pharaoh's first born of the corruptible seed. "Israel failed so parable was one way of separating the unteachable from those whose heart still showed some promise.
The Holy Spirit does not bear witness with our spirit that we are the "worms" of God. No, He encourages us when we are in times of weakness and trembling, and in spite of all our failure says that we are the children of God.
A remarkable thing is stated in the following verse:
For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father. ( Romans 8:15)
The word Abba is an untranslated Aramaic word. The translators of the first English Bibles, who had great reverence for the Word of God, who believed it was indeed the Word of God, would not translate it. Abba is a very personal word that could be translated "my Daddy." We don't use this word in reference to God because of the danger of becoming overly familiar with Him. But the Spirit affirms it and causes us to realize that God is our very own Father through regeneration and by adoption.
There is an experience of salvation for the child of God that he does not have to seek. It will come, for it is impossible for the Holy Spirit to regenerate a sinner and for Christ to dwell in the heart and there not be a corresponding experience.
Do not look for an experience! Do not probe your feelings! Do not use psychoanalysis! Believe God! Take Him at His Word! Trust His faithfulness! "Let God be true, but every man a liar" ( Romans 3:4). Christ says, "Him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out" ( John 6:37). Will you come?
He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life. ( 1 John 5:12)
God is offering eternal life - everlasting life - to those who believe in Christ. It is not temporary or uncertain. It is not paid for on the installment plan. It is a gift the moment one believes, but for longer than a moment - for eternity.
You may or you may not have the assurance of this salvation that God offers as everlasting life. An anomalous situation exists today. Some Christians believe in the security of the believer but do not themselves have the assurance of their salvation; "My brethren, these things ought not so to be" ( James 3:10), but they do exist.
God wants you to know that you are His child through faith in Jesus Christ:
But as many as received him, to them gave he power [the right] to become the children of God, even to them that believe on his name; who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God. ( John 1:12, 13)
It is not honoring to Him for you to have misgivings, doubts, and a lack of assurance. "Maybe" and "perhaps" should not be in the vocabulary of a born-again Christian when the matter of salvation is the subject. It is not a "hope so" but a "know so" salvation that God offers. It is always described as everlasting or eternal life; it is not temporary or conditional. Listen to God and be assured:
He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life. These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God, that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God. 1 John 5:12-13
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. Hebrews 10:22.
This is not the language of uncertainty. There is a remarkable passage in this connection expressed in Isaiah 32:17 And the work of righteousness shall be peace; and the effect of righteousness, quietness and assurance forever.
Eternal security is an objective fact; assurance of salvation is a subjective experience.
Eternal security is not in the realm of experience, and therefore is totally independent of a person's feelings; assurance of salvation is truly an experience - an inner consciousness and confidence that a right relationship exists between the soul and God.
Eternal security rests upon certain objective facts that are established and sure; it depends upon God's faithfulness. A simple illustration will clarify this point. The Battle of Bunker Hill is a fact in American history. You and I did not experience the Battle of Bunker Hill, and our feelings are, therefore, no guide to the accuracy of history concerning it.
Eternal security rests upon what God says!
He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life. ( 1 John 5:12)
The most wonderful statement in the Bible (or out of the Bible, for that matter) is Romans 8:1 -
There is, therefore, now no condemnation to them who are in Christ Jesus..
In conjunction with this verse are verses 33 and 34 of the same chapter:
Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God's elect? Shall God that justifieth? Who is he that condemneth? Shall Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us?
The throne of God is behind every sinner who has trusted in Jesus. Christ's work of redemption is adequate enough to secure the perfect salvation for the sinner who trusts Him. If not, then the work of Christ was of no avail, and it was not a finished transaction but must be written down as "unfinished business." However, He, as it were, wrote over His cross, "It is finished" ( John 19:30).
If you truly accepted Christ as savior you have Salvation "Eternal life".
He that hath the Son hath life; and he that
hath not the Son of God hath not life. These
things have I written unto you that believe on the
name of the Son of God, that ye may know that ye
have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the
name of the Son of God. ( 1 John 5:12, 13)
Let me share a article on the subject from J Vernon Mcgee.
Part 1.
Can we know experientially that we are saved and that we are the children of God? For years, my soul was tossed on the troubled sea of uncertainty and insecurity. Finally, there dawned upon my darkened mind the light of Philippians 1:6 -
Being confident of this very thing, that he who hath begun a good work in you will perform [perfect] it until the day of Jesus Christ.
It was then that the sun of Scripture rose with many shafts of light and penetrated the dark recesses of fears and doubts. I pray that I may be given wisdom and power to convey to your fearful heart the assurance of your salvation, if it is not already your present possession. For those who have experienced the assurance of salvation, perhaps these few words will stabilize and strengthen the fabric of your faith. Assurance is your rightful possession, and God wants you to have it as your portion.
First of all, we need to distinguish between one's eternal security and his assurance of salvation. The line of demarcation must be clearly drawn if we are to enter experientially into the joy of salvation.
1 John 5:7: For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost, and these three are one.
John 14:26: But the Comforter, the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, shall teach you all things and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.
John 1:14: And the Word was made flesh and dwelt among us (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father), full of grace and truth.
Matthew 28:18- 20: And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and on earth. (Read More)
John 15:26 But when the Comforter comes, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of Truth, which proceeds from the Father, he shall testify of me:
1 Corinthians 8:6: But to us there is one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we in him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we by him.
John 14:10: Believest thou not that I am in the Father, and the Father in me? The words that I speak unto you, I speak not of myself; but the Father that dwells in me, he doeth the works.
Genesis 1:26: And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness, and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and the cattle, and all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creeps upon the earth.
Romans 8:26- 27: Likewise, the Spirit also helps our infirmities, for we know not what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit makes intercession for us with groanings that cannot be uttered. (Read More...)
Ephesians 4:6: One God and Father of all, who is above all, through all, and in you all.
1 Peter 1:2: Elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through sanctification of the Spirit, unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ: Grace unto you, and peace, be multiplied.
Isaiah 48:16: Come ye near unto me, hear ye this; I have not spoken in secret from the begin
Hello Everett and welcome to this Site. You're certainly doing the right thing by contributing to our discussions & hope to hear more from you; and speaking for myself, I do enjoy reading other people's perceptions that they receive from God's Holy Word.
Yes, we do see the triune aspect of man in the Bible as we also see of the LORD God, yet we acknowledge that we don't fully comprehend the mystery of such natures. We can certainly overlook our proper understanding/division of man's soul & spirit & just leave that it in God's Hands, but when it comes to God's Nature, we really need to get it right, for so much of Who God is, His Love, His Mercy towards sinners and Saving Work in the lives of men, depend on it.
As you thought of 1 Thessalonians 5:23-28 observing the three-part nature of man & this aspect revealed of the LORD God, my mind turned to 1 John 5:6-8:
"This is he that came by water and blood, even Jesus Christ; not by water only, but by water and blood. And it is the Spirit that beareth witness, because the Spirit is truth. For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one. And there are three that bear witness in earth, the Spirit, and the water, and the blood: and these three agree in one". Onto Page 2.
Jesus said I am the way "the truth and the life" in John 14:6
1 John 5:20 also speaks of us coming to the truth (God) and that we come to Truth (God) in Jesus.
1John 5:6 says that the Spirit is the truth
Go is TRUE, FAITHFUL, AND TRUSTWORTHY
Is. 65:16 says that God is the God of truth.
Heb. 6:18 says that God cannot lie.
Prov. 30:5 says that every word God speaks is true.
Ps 33:4 speaks of all of God's works are done in faithfulness and that all of His words are upright.
Mt. 22:16 speaks of Jesus as true and that He speaks what is true.
Rev. 21:5 says that the words spoken by God (Jesus) are trustworthy and true.
Rev. 19:11 says that Jesus is named Faithful and True.
We can trust as true all that God has chosen to be written in Scriptures because He is faithful and true in every way: in what he says, does and in Who He is. He will never lie or deceive us, never change from being righteous and true to being sinful and evil. He is forever our source of truth and He grants us to be enlightened by the Truth of Himself.
Jesse, please don't take this wrong I care, and I am trying to understand. I have read your posts on Matthew and some of it is helpful, but I do not agree with your understanding of the meaning you give on some of the Greek words.
In Matthew 16:16 you are saying when Peter told Jesus He is the Son of the living God Peter is confessing to Jesus, that He is the Messiah and He is God. You also say Son of the Living God is a title of God, sorry I don't agree with that. I understand you and probably most on this site believe in a triune God and that Jesus is God, I am sorry, but a title did not die for my sins.
God cannot be the Messiah, if we deny Jesus is the Christ/Messiah we are a liar and an antichrist. The one who does that also denies the Father and the Son, 1 John 2:22.
The heart and truth of the gospel is Jesus is the only begotten Son of God, a man born of a virgin whose Father is God conceived by the Holy Ghost with flesh and blood who God the Father sent, John 3:16. Who became the Messiah when He was anointed with the Holy Ghost after John the Baptise baptized Him. He died for our sins, and we are to confess Him and believe He is the Son of God, 1 John 4:151 John 5:10. In the Son of God Jesus is our faith and the only hope of salvation. Jesus is the one Moses spoke of Deuteronomy 18:15
My understanding is 2 Corinthians 11:3-4 is about this doctrine; I know you and others on here will not agree.
You are right, the word "even" doesn't appear in the grk text. As you said it was probably used to emphasize Jesus' person.
The grk says:
Acts 9:17,"...the Lord sent me, Jesus, who appeared to you on the way that you were coming..."
1 Thessalonians 1:10, "And to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, Jesus, who releases of us from the coming wrath."
Hebrews 6:20, " Where forerunner for us Jesus entered, becoming high priest for ever according to the order of Melchisedec".
1 John 5:6, "He is who came through water and blood, Jesus Christ; not in water only, but in water and blood. And the Spirit is that bears witness, because the Spirit is the truth."
The text I am using is the majority text which is almost the same as the received text.
Hi Cheryl1655. I understand what you are thinking & could be confusing, as several verses in the NT have this phrase, "even Jesus" ( Acts 9:17, 1 Thessalonians 1:10, Hebrews 6:20, 1 John 5:6). I couldn't detect the word 'even' appearing in the Greek (our Greek reading/speaking brothers could verify this), so I surmise that the KJB translators added this word to emphasize the One Who was being spoken/written of. It's probably like us saying, "the Lord, that is, Jesus", or "Whither the forerunner is for us entered, the very One called Jesus", when we want to correctly or emphatically point to Jesus alone. So these verses don't speak of two different people, just the One called Jesus.
Does our soul live on after we die? Do the souls of the dead roam around on the earth and some are in heaven and some are in hell? This is my understanding, the thought or belief in ghosts or spirits of people, some going to heaven and some going to hell comes from the teaching that the soul is immortal, and the soul never dies. It started when the serpent told Eve you shall not surely die, many ancient nations had different forms of religious beliefs on the immortality of the soul, and what we see today was adopted from Greek philosophy.
Are there evil spirits, devils, and demons on this earth? Yes, and these are what people are encountering, my understanding of the Bible they are not the souls of people. God told Israel and it applies to us today, not to deal with mediums or spiritualism those who work divination. We see Saul doing it in 1 Samuel 28 and he died because he did it, 1 Chronicles 10:13.
We sleep in death when we die Psalm 13:3Matthew 27:52John 11:11-141 Corinthians 15:20. We only put on immortality when we are resurrected, Job 14:13-14Daniel 12:21 John 5:28-29 Corinthians 15:51-54. I hope this helps but you and your husband study it for your understanding, not mine.
"If any man see his brother sin a sin which is not unto death, he shall ask, and he shall give him life for them that sin not unto death. There is a sin unto death: I do not say that he shall pray for it."
In studying the entire chapter in relation to today's scripture verse we see the contrast between statements related to those of God not sinning and other verses which indicate anyone who says they are without sin are a liar and the truth not in them (actually 1 John 1:8 so I should have said in studying the entire book). I am not studying that but this verse specifically in regard to the "sin unto death" and its implications.
Paul mentions letting a man be given to Satan in 1 Corinthians 5:5:
"To deliver such an one unto Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that the spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus."
That could be one application. Another would be related perhaps to the law and justifiable punishment of a death penalty for homocide. It also applied to adultery although it would appear this punishment was not as common in the time of Christ and especially once the church stated to flourish towards the end of the 1st Century AD. Since the church was being addressed here the blasphemy of the Holy Spirit shouldn't be the cause; although it certainly would apply to unbelievers as the "unforgiveable sin" as mentioned in the Gospels ( Mark 3:28-29; also verses in Matthew).
The context of the rest of the verse shows how we can pray that God will heal and restore a brother caught in sin and once again emphasizes the idea of confessing our sins to one another ( James 5:16). This is also mentioned in the Gospels at initial salvation ( Matt. 3:6) and most often to God Himself in a plethora of other scriptures. Matthew 5:23-24 speaks of leaving a "gift before the altar" and restoring relationship with a brother which alludes to the Old Testament sacrifice but certainly is applicable now. Sin hurts us and others.
Thank you David0921 for your response. I would align myself with most of what you've written concerning biblical inspiration, that the Word of God is indeed wholly authored by God. Yet, when I read 2 Timothy 3:16, that "ALL scripture is given by the inspiration of God", I would be in conflict with some who hold fervently that what we read now (from the ancient recordings, also the KJB) are the actual Words that God (by His Spirit) spoke to godly men to write. "Inspiration" to me, doesn't mean that God dictated the Words to record, nor does it mean that the fingers of the writers were gripped by Him to pen those holy Words. Rather, as men recorded down what they saw or learned, God's Spirit was present to help them record accurately and remember correctly. That said, since you brought it up, I'll move on.
"What do I believe the Bible says about the term BORN AGAIN?" When we have Scriptures such as John 3:3-8, 1 Peter 1:22-23, 1 John 2:29, 1 John 5:1, & others in John's epistle, we can believe that this re-birth is wholly of God & not of man's doing or involvement; that re-birth is a spiritual birth, whereby God gives us a new spirit (His Spirit) Who always inclines us towards God & His Son; that God's Ministry to us can only be to our revived spirit in us and not to the flesh that has no desire after godly things. Therefore, we are to continue to crucify our flesh which lusts against the Holy Spirit ( Galatians 5:17) in us & distracts us from serving God acceptably & in fear. Therefore, by the Holy Spirit in us, we have become new creatures in Christ Jesus, reckoning ourselves to be dead unto sin but alive unto God through Jesus Christ. This re-birth must be the final Work of God in the sometimes lengthy course in a person's struggle dealing with conviction of sin, brokenness, humility, & cry for a Savior to save & redeem him. (continued on Page 2).
As to your question you have received several answers, my understanding in the Bible baptism is done only by immersion as the word means. As Jesse said sprinkling did not start until the 1300s and it was for the reason it was so inconvenient. So, this was done just because of convenience's sake, nothing Biblical about it. I agree with Giannis, and we must believe as Jesus said in Mark 16:16.
All we do is to be done in our Lord Jesus's name, Colossians 3:16-17. Many use Matthew 28:19 but we also see in the rest of Scripture that a person who is baptized in Jesus' name is someone who believes in Jesus as Savior, the Messiah, the Son of God who for us died, was buried, and was resurrected we acknowledge this by being baptized in His name, Acts 2:38Acts 8:12Acts 8:16Acts 10:48Acts 19:5Acts 22:16Romans 6:3Galatians 3:27Colossians 2:12Ephesians 4:5.
Paul shows the importance of being baptized in the name of Jesus, Acts 19:1-6. God has placed Jesus and His name above all that is in heaven and earth, Matthew 28:18Philippians 2:9-11. Salvation only comes in His name Acts 4:12Romans 10:13. The name of Jesus is the source of power and authority for healing, miracles, and deliverance, Mark 16:17Luke 10:17Acts 4:7Acts 4:30Acts 16:18.
We are to give thanks in Jesus's name, Ephesians 5:20. Our faith is through Him and in His name, Acts 3:16. We must believe in Jesus, John 3:16John 6:47Acts 16:311 John 3:231 John 5:13. Whatever we ask for we are to ask in His name, John 14:13-14. We are to pray to the Father in His name, James 5:14. Jesus is our priest and the only mediator between God and men, 1 Timothy 2:5.
God blessed man who is created in 'our image and in our likeness'. This is part of the everlasting covenant. God has given the earth to man. Coming back to the key text, "The heaven, even the heavens, are the LORD's: But the earth hath he given to the children of men. (Ps.115:16) Fellowship of God with Man acknowledges no nation per se but man. so salvation plan of God at one level uses Trinity where God the Father sends his only begotten Son. ( John 3;16). Second we have the Word. John's Gospel begins with it. The Word was with God. Only begotten Son in the sense that God taking on human likeness lived among the children of men. "And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth."( John 1:14). "For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one./And there are three that bear witness in earth, the Spirit, and the water, and the blood: and these three agree in one." ( 1 John 5:7-8). Whosoever believed in the Testimony of the Three were aligned in their body, soul and spirit.
Faith with works meant the testimony of blood shed by the Son worked in the believer. By baptism of water he established that he died to sin and the world. If this is the case what value one ought to attach to notions of the Gentiles or on Israel? By literalism the imposter church would legitimize Israel as a nation despite of the word of God has set down as the holy writ.
The outpouring of the Holy Spirit is another and it connects God with man through the Son of man whose Ascension as promised was freely given to him.
The earth was void and empty. The Spirit works with symbols so fire water rock and wind make the earth as a whole in 'our image and our likeness. National identity of Israel or the Gentiles has no place.
Salvation: Predestination and thinking beyond time.
My last post began to delve into the concept of how the Lord and a saved individual communicate; or perhaps better expressed "commune" with one another. We all have to beware of what is expressed in Matthew 7:23 when after a whole laundry list of things that were done "for the Lord" or "in His Name" Jesus states "I never KNEW you" before they are cast into damnation.
Obviously in a marriage situation there is a close analogy; two people don't get to know each other intimately without there being a unity; in that case of "one flesh".
I have probably delved into the concept another time of the fact that our salvation was determined before the foundation of the earth (see Rev. 13:8). In the practical understanding we have of our mortal existence on earth we see a time and place when our salvation occurred; perhaps more precisely stated as its activation. I have no doubt that those who through God's foreknowledge WOULD come to faith are guaranteed to live until that moment of confession and contrition ( Romans 10:9).
This can be proven more or less by the usual scenario; people who witness to us and circumstances that occur that trigger our interest in "spiritual" matters. Or; we could say simply that as God determined where and when we would be born; which parents; etc. certainly He also determines those details when someone is "Born Again".
Because assurance of salvation is something we all need to consider in light of 2 Corinthians 13:5 and other passages such as Phillippians 2:12 where we are to "work out our salvation with fear and trembling" we need to be cautious of our own profession of faith and that of others. We can't use the "grace card" to sidestep obedience to the Lord to His commandments. 1 John 5:3 states that His commands aren't "burdensome" much as would be the case if we tried to follow all the details of the Old Testament law. Christ shows that true worship is from the heart.
Having Christ's righteousness imputed to us does not mean we automatically do what is right-that will come through the process of sanctification. What it does mean is that we are positionally righteous; even though we still sin, we are legally righteous. God has credited the righteousness of Christ to our account, and He did this when He saved us. In grace, the holiness of Jesus Christ is ascribed to us. Christ "has become for us wisdom from God, that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption"
1 Corinthians 1:30.
1John 5:13 reads"These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.
Here's an helpful article.
If a person knows Christ and is growing in grace, he or she will be generally marked by the following traits:
1. The believer enjoys fellowship with Christ and His redeemed people. 1 John 1:3.
2. The believer walks in the light, not in the darkness. 1 John 1:6-7.
3. The believer admits and confesses his sin. 1 John 1:8.
4. The believer obeys God's Word. 1 John 2:3-5.
5. The believer loves God rather than the world. 1 John 2:15.
6. The believer's life is characterized by "doing what is right" 1 John 2:29.
7. The believer seeks to maintain a pure life. 1 John 3:3.
8. The believer sees a decreasing pattern of sin in his life. 1 John 3:5-6.
1 John 5:18.
9. The believer demonstrates love for other Christians ( 1 John 3:14).
10. The believer "walks the walk," versus just "talking the talk" 1 John 3:18-19.
11. The believer maintains a clear conscience. 1 John 3:21.
12. The believer experiences victory in his Christian walk 1 John 5:4.
Number 8 in the list above is that the believer will evince a decreasing pattern of sin in his or her life.
No one who belongs to Christ continue to "Practice" sin as a way of life.
Abba Father, pour such of your Tender Love into Dee, edify her in the Spirit of God, send her your Words as breaths of Life, Hope and buoy her up.
If you Will show her in secret and open ways those doings of your Hands as Will bath her in your personal love to her.
Send Jesus people along her path, speaking words moved by your Spirit, to wash her in your love.
We know Father, it's written, when we pray in line with your Will, we can rest assured you have heard. And help to nourish that truth in Dee's heart, because it is written, that if we know You have heard us, we can know we have the requests we have asked. 1 John 5:14-15
Amen. Strengthen her and wash her today in your Love, loosing and shedding your Love in her heart.
[14] And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us: [15] and if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him.
Answer:
Deuteronomy 31:8 KJV
[8] And the LORD, he it is that doth go before thee; he will be with thee, he will not fail thee, neither forsake thee: fear not, neither be dismayed.
Referenced from Pastor Charles Blake II Sunday January 8, 2024
My answer: Prayer and requests will prevail for me and West Angeles Church Cogic Cathedral
Looking over the horizon I am suddenly made aware of the controversy; like today's earthquakes in our part of the country which if were over open water would cause a Tsunami (if they were a lot stronger). It seems necessary to navigate through the seas in regard to what VERSION of scripture we should use; but I will swim out far enough and; as with an undertow attempt to go sideways as not to be dragged under.
Okay; facing it head on; I think most of us agree the KJV is the best study version of scripture to use; and I simply will leave all the aftershocks of the debate a couple months back about those dogmatic that it is the only inspired version of scripture for others to bring up as it seems inevitable that it will. I simply want to repeat that ancient Greek in particular has MORE THAN ONE descriptive adjective that can be used in English to get the full meaning thus it CANNOT be translated word for word without jumping around and causing much confusion. I will also say (risking the uproar) that sometimes other versions may have another word that helps to more clearly describe the original text. Now; if we can get past what I hope to be a 90 second event and move on....
Other sources can be used (commentaries; concordances; history books; sermon readings and interpretations of scripture) but enough can usually be understood in the Bible that we have at least a fair comprehension of God's Word. His commands are not grievous ( 1 John 5:3) and that should also mean they aren't overly complex to understand; cumbersome or voluminous. The concept of loving God and our neighbor as ourself ( Mark 12:30-31) sums up the law and should be the primary motivation; mindset and state of our heart and soul when the love of Christ constrains us ( 2 Cor. 5:14-19).
Starting with concordances; I am probably going to leave it to the audience to recommend the top ones. I have found some Bibles have cross references that are baffling.
Dear Lord: my request is that all true believers remember in all things, as we pray, the upper most desire in our minds and hearts is THAT GOD'S WILL BE DONE.
1 John 5: 13-15
"These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God. And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing ACCORDING TO HIS WILL he heareth us: And if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him."
God always hears our prayers and answers them but sometimes it might be a "no" or a "not right now" but always remember whatever the answer is God knows it is for your absolute good and this should give you peace. God Bless :)
"Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven./Therefore is the kingdom of heaven likened unto a certain king, which would take account of his servants."
'Therefore' preceding the verse connects the verse before which gives us the Perfect number 7 and multiples of it. Kingdom of heaven calls for accounts which is directly pendent to the everlasting covenant drawn up in 'seven' days. God blessed His servants in manifold ways covered by verses in Ge.1:3- till 2:3. In the Parable of Jesus he refers God's commandment to man is service. He is the steward. Adam is a representational figure.(Ge.1:28) These are the Abstract and God shall require of his servants the proof of their service. Seventy is a man's life ("The days of our years are threescore years and ten,"-Ps.90:10). In short seventy years signifies the end times so when Jesus appointed seventy 'other' disciples he is referring to the everlasting gospel.( Luke 10:1)
The Spirit gives us an example of the Min-Max mode of narrative where a specific even veers of to the end times. Malachi 3:1 is a classic example. How we serve today is set in direct frame of reference to the Judgement so without abiding in Christ as so many branches to the true vine we are like the servant who hid his talent in the ground. ( John 15:3)
How does the talent is converted into the quality of service that one does? Gifts of the Spirit is given for building up each servant as well as for the common good. "But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal."(1 Co.12:7). And it is towards the one body to which gifts severally given to each member should count. In short no one may dare offending the will of God by serving as he pleases but according to 1 John 5:7-8.Both heaven and the earth must agree. "For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body"(v.13)
Evidence of things seen in the world of the flesh is unlike evidence of things unseen which can only be reconciled in God. ( 1 John 5:7-8) The Father the Word and the Spirit agree in one. Sum total of heaven and earth has only faith with which to possess them. "Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen." (He.11:1)
How reliable are proof in the world of the flesh? Joseph's brethren brought their evidence and their father believed it. "And they sent the coat of many colours, and they brought it to their father; and said, This have we found: know now whether it be thy son's coat or no./ And he knew it, and said, It is my son's coat."(Ge.37:31-35). Similarly Potiphar's wife had proof. Substance of things presented as evidence in the world of the flesh has a way of getting lost. "Wilt thou set thine eyes upon that which is not? For riches certainly make themselves wings; they fly away as an eagle toward heaven."(Pr.23:5)
"I don't believe that the Pope is speaking for God allowing for same sex marriages and the Pope isn't great, matter of fact I believe the the Pope is Satan himself." I don't believe he speaks for God either and, indeed, he personifies Satan himself. I was being factious. I left Catholicism too when I left my Catholic home at 18. I couldn't stand it and was so relieved when it was in my past.
I don't know exactly what you mean when you say "and have been searching for a long time for the "true" religion." "True religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world." James 1:7. Because you are a true believer, God is in your heart, soul and mind. You belong to God. Those who are true believers are The Church of God, sometimes called the Kingdom of God. You are a part of the Body of Christ. This is your religion. James is saying if you love God you will show His love unconditionally, but especially to the needy and keep yourself holy. If you wonder how you can "keep unspotted in the world" do this - read Exodus 20: 1-17. These are the ten commandments of God-not laws-commandments written by God Himself. "For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous." 1 John 5: 3 and Jesus said: "For my yoke is easy and my burden is light." Matthew 11:30. Some Christians teach a Sinning/Christian doctrine but this is false. We may have weakness and faults as a true believer. These are not sins. When we are born again we are not "perfect", of course, but God helps us overcome these weaknesses and faults by maturing in Him but we are to "go and sin no more." John 8: 3-11/ 11- ....... And Jesus said unto her, Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more." I know I have been preaching :) and if I have presumed things about you that are wrong please forgive me, I just want to help if I can. God Bless :) I hope you will respond.
Your second question: "If Jesus was preexisting, an immortal being, God the son. How can an immortal being die?" There are varying beliefs about Jesus' position in Heaven prior to His incarnation. I rather simply accept John 1:1-18, John 14:10,11, John 16:27,28, 1 John 5:7, that Jesus came forth from God. Did He come out as a Divine Being in the presence of God, to be made a human for the sake of death, or did God take His Own Word & give Him flesh for this very purpose? We don't have a problem of God sending out His Spirit & the Spirit's indwelling in every believer (can He even be dissected?), but to send His Word out, clothe Him in a body, unnerves many.
"How can an immortal being die? How can God be tempted...How can God die?" God is Spirit - He is Immortal - He can never die. No one, having a spirit from God, can die - the body will perish, but who can destroy the spirit which cannot be touched by age or man's devices? But if the immortal is given a body, as Jesus received, or even as we also have to house our spirits, then the body will die but the spirit lives on. Can God take on flesh? A mystery no human can fully fathom, but truly "a body hast thou prepared me" ( Hebrews 10:5-7, taken from Psalm 40:6-8). So Jesus could be tempted & could die whilst in the body, and so in His complete identification with sinful men in need of salvation, Philippians 2:6-8 reminds us:
"Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross." "thought it not robbery" = Jesus didn't grasp onto/retain His equality with God, but 'emptied Himself' ('ekenosen'), laying aside His Glory, to become a Man, obedient to death that which was the Father's Plan.
RLW, I'm happy to discuss further if its a fair discussion. I asked if your use of trinity "doctrine" was to demean, and I'm gathering from your response that it was unintentional and not a tactic, correct?
This word was used to characterize our believing scripture like 1 John 5:7. You called it a trinity "doctrine" but I just call it reading the Bible as written. So, if you think my belief is a doctrine then I suppose your belief is a doctrine- that would only be fair. Just want a level playing field for whatever is discussed.
I think believing the Bible as written is important without distortion or bias, but I believe many things discussed in forums like this, such as the trinity, are not salvation issues. I've never met another Christian who has ever believed this, either. There are more that believe baptism, tithing or taking communion are higher on the essentials list than believing in trinity. Some churches have pastors that don't agree on the trinity. It is admittedly a confusing concept that humans cannot easily relate to, because we don't have 1 be 3 things and also 3 be 1 in our world.
God is greater than our comprehension and I trust that when God's Word says things like John 1:1 or 1 John 5:7 that it is true. I am aware of your objection with the translation, but I believe it is already accurately translated and other scriptures support it too. I also think there's a tendency to target the translation for verses people don't like, but often the verses people do like aren't equally dissected. This leads to a distorted understanding in my opinion.
I'm curious what you think about the last two verses shared about Jesus being the Alpha and Omega. To me that says that Jesus is God, but I'm sure you've read this before and have reconciled this with your belief somehow, so I'm open to hearing that. But if you want to save it for another day that's fine too. God bless.
For example, a friend prayed for safety for racers before a race and someone ended up dying. That was a total shock to me. It was an unselfish prayer for people's safety but that prayer wasn't answered as a yes that particular time. The Bible says our life is as a vapour, so I think our real life is after this life.
Answer
Face it. The day we step into eternity may come sooner than we think. In preparation for that moment, we need to know this truth-not everyone is going to heaven. How can we know for sure that we are going to heaven? Some 2,000 years ago, the apostles Peter and John were preaching the gospel of Jesus Christ to a large crowd in Jerusalem. Peter made a profound statement that resonates even in our postmodern world: "Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved" ( Acts 4:12)
Many people today hold to a watered-down gospel that does away with the need for repentance. They want to believe in a "loving" (nonjudgmental) God who never mentions sin and who requires no change in their lifestyle. They may say things like, "My God would never send a person to hell." But Jesus spoke more about hell than He did about heaven, and He presented Himself as the Savior who offers the only means of going to heaven: "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me" ( John 14:6).
Who will actually enter God's kingdom? How can I guarantee that I'm going to heaven? The Bible makes a clear distinction between those who have eternal life and those who do not: "He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life" ( 1 John 5:12). It all goes back to faith. Those who believe in Christ are made the children of God ( John 1:12). Those who accept Jesus' sacrifice as the payment for their sins and who believe in His resurrection are going to heaven. Those who reject Christ are not. "Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God's one and only Son" ( John 3:18).
Bible says there is one and only one way to heaven-Jesus Christ. Follow Jesus' command: "Enter through
Q: Was not Jesus using the Parable of the Sower to present his Father as 'the Word was God'?
A: Parable was his way of separating the corruptible seed from the incorruptible seed. Peter's epistle qualifies this process as 'born again' and separates the incorruptible from the ungodly world,, "Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever."(1 Pe.1:23). This is according to the will of God ,the unseen world and how it was made to appear? By his word, is it not? "For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one."( 1 John 5:7,1). Whosoever believes,"that Jesus is the Christ is born of God: and every one that loveth him that begat loveth him also that is begotten of him. " Father Son relationship is built about the word. It also explains "the only begotten Son," status, He is the firstborn since it was the word of God that framed the world where the fullness of God is made to appear. Framing a painting to hang in a gallery to show off the excellence of the artist is one way of putting it.
Each believer has a volume. Heaven bears blessing upon the seed thus sown by the word of God. God gives a body to the herbs trees,- "And the fruit tree yielding fruit after his kind, whose seed is in itself," has to show by the fruits whether it be good or bad. Israel would not bear the seed so Jesus said,"But he answered and said, Every plant, which my heavenly Father hath not planted, shall be rooted up"(Matt.15:13).
But what is the firstborn? According to the covenant a believer's world is as promised by God in his Son and it ought to show by fruits. This is explained by the term firstborn. "Thus saith the Lord, Israel is my son, even my firstborn."(Ex.4:22-23) Pharaoh's first born of the corruptible seed. "Israel failed so parable was one way of separating the unteachable from those whose heart still showed some promise.
The Holy Spirit does not bear witness with our spirit that we are the "worms" of God. No, He encourages us when we are in times of weakness and trembling, and in spite of all our failure says that we are the children of God.
A remarkable thing is stated in the following verse:
For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father. ( Romans 8:15)
The word Abba is an untranslated Aramaic word. The translators of the first English Bibles, who had great reverence for the Word of God, who believed it was indeed the Word of God, would not translate it. Abba is a very personal word that could be translated "my Daddy." We don't use this word in reference to God because of the danger of becoming overly familiar with Him. But the Spirit affirms it and causes us to realize that God is our very own Father through regeneration and by adoption.
There is an experience of salvation for the child of God that he does not have to seek. It will come, for it is impossible for the Holy Spirit to regenerate a sinner and for Christ to dwell in the heart and there not be a corresponding experience.
Do not look for an experience! Do not probe your feelings! Do not use psychoanalysis! Believe God! Take Him at His Word! Trust His faithfulness! "Let God be true, but every man a liar" ( Romans 3:4). Christ says, "Him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out" ( John 6:37). Will you come?
He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life. ( 1 John 5:12)
God bless.
God is offering eternal life - everlasting life - to those who believe in Christ. It is not temporary or uncertain. It is not paid for on the installment plan. It is a gift the moment one believes, but for longer than a moment - for eternity.
You may or you may not have the assurance of this salvation that God offers as everlasting life. An anomalous situation exists today. Some Christians believe in the security of the believer but do not themselves have the assurance of their salvation; "My brethren, these things ought not so to be" ( James 3:10), but they do exist.
God wants you to know that you are His child through faith in Jesus Christ:
But as many as received him, to them gave he power [the right] to become the children of God, even to them that believe on his name; who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God. ( John 1:12, 13)
It is not honoring to Him for you to have misgivings, doubts, and a lack of assurance. "Maybe" and "perhaps" should not be in the vocabulary of a born-again Christian when the matter of salvation is the subject. It is not a "hope so" but a "know so" salvation that God offers. It is always described as everlasting or eternal life; it is not temporary or conditional. Listen to God and be assured:
He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life. These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God, that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God. 1 John 5:12-13
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. Hebrews 10:22.
This is not the language of uncertainty. There is a remarkable passage in this connection expressed in Isaiah 32:17 And the work of righteousness shall be peace; and the effect of righteousness, quietness and assurance forever.
See part 4.
Part 2.
Eternal security is an objective fact; assurance of salvation is a subjective experience.
Eternal security is not in the realm of experience, and therefore is totally independent of a person's feelings; assurance of salvation is truly an experience - an inner consciousness and confidence that a right relationship exists between the soul and God.
Eternal security rests upon certain objective facts that are established and sure; it depends upon God's faithfulness. A simple illustration will clarify this point. The Battle of Bunker Hill is a fact in American history. You and I did not experience the Battle of Bunker Hill, and our feelings are, therefore, no guide to the accuracy of history concerning it.
Eternal security rests upon what God says!
He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life. ( 1 John 5:12)
The most wonderful statement in the Bible (or out of the Bible, for that matter) is Romans 8:1 -
There is, therefore, now no condemnation to them who are in Christ Jesus..
In conjunction with this verse are verses 33 and 34 of the same chapter:
Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God's elect? Shall God that justifieth? Who is he that condemneth? Shall Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us?
The throne of God is behind every sinner who has trusted in Jesus. Christ's work of redemption is adequate enough to secure the perfect salvation for the sinner who trusts Him. If not, then the work of Christ was of no avail, and it was not a finished transaction but must be written down as "unfinished business." However, He, as it were, wrote over His cross, "It is finished" ( John 19:30).
See Part 3.
Salvation is in a person! Our Lord Jesus Christ!
If you have Christ you have ( Eternal ) life.
That's what Christ is offering! (Eternal life!)
If you truly accepted Christ as savior you have Salvation "Eternal life".
He that hath the Son hath life; and he that
hath not the Son of God hath not life. These
things have I written unto you that believe on the
name of the Son of God, that ye may know that ye
have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the
name of the Son of God. ( 1 John 5:12, 13)
Let me share a article on the subject from J Vernon Mcgee.
Part 1.
Can we know experientially that we are saved and that we are the children of God? For years, my soul was tossed on the troubled sea of uncertainty and insecurity. Finally, there dawned upon my darkened mind the light of Philippians 1:6 -
Being confident of this very thing, that he who hath begun a good work in you will perform [perfect] it until the day of Jesus Christ.
It was then that the sun of Scripture rose with many shafts of light and penetrated the dark recesses of fears and doubts. I pray that I may be given wisdom and power to convey to your fearful heart the assurance of your salvation, if it is not already your present possession. For those who have experienced the assurance of salvation, perhaps these few words will stabilize and strengthen the fabric of your faith. Assurance is your rightful possession, and God wants you to have it as your portion.
First of all, we need to distinguish between one's eternal security and his assurance of salvation. The line of demarcation must be clearly drawn if we are to enter experientially into the joy of salvation.
See Part 2.
( Eternal ) Salvation.
1 John 5:7: For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost, and these three are one.
John 14:26: But the Comforter, the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, shall teach you all things and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.
John 1:14: And the Word was made flesh and dwelt among us (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father), full of grace and truth.
Matthew 28:18- 20: And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and on earth. (Read More)
John 15:26 But when the Comforter comes, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of Truth, which proceeds from the Father, he shall testify of me:
1 Corinthians 8:6: But to us there is one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we in him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we by him.
John 14:10: Believest thou not that I am in the Father, and the Father in me? The words that I speak unto you, I speak not of myself; but the Father that dwells in me, he doeth the works.
Genesis 1:26: And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness, and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and the cattle, and all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creeps upon the earth.
Romans 8:26- 27: Likewise, the Spirit also helps our infirmities, for we know not what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit makes intercession for us with groanings that cannot be uttered. (Read More...)
Ephesians 4:6: One God and Father of all, who is above all, through all, and in you all.
1 Peter 1:2: Elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through sanctification of the Spirit, unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ: Grace unto you, and peace, be multiplied.
Isaiah 48:16: Come ye near unto me, hear ye this; I have not spoken in secret from the begin
Hello Everett and welcome to this Site. You're certainly doing the right thing by contributing to our discussions & hope to hear more from you; and speaking for myself, I do enjoy reading other people's perceptions that they receive from God's Holy Word.
Yes, we do see the triune aspect of man in the Bible as we also see of the LORD God, yet we acknowledge that we don't fully comprehend the mystery of such natures. We can certainly overlook our proper understanding/division of man's soul & spirit & just leave that it in God's Hands, but when it comes to God's Nature, we really need to get it right, for so much of Who God is, His Love, His Mercy towards sinners and Saving Work in the lives of men, depend on it.
As you thought of 1 Thessalonians 5:23-28 observing the three-part nature of man & this aspect revealed of the LORD God, my mind turned to 1 John 5:6-8:
"This is he that came by water and blood, even Jesus Christ; not by water only, but by water and blood. And it is the Spirit that beareth witness, because the Spirit is truth. For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one. And there are three that bear witness in earth, the Spirit, and the water, and the blood: and these three agree in one". Onto Page 2.
Jesus said I am the way "the truth and the life" in John 14:6
1 John 5:20 also speaks of us coming to the truth (God) and that we come to Truth (God) in Jesus.
1John 5:6 says that the Spirit is the truth
Go is TRUE, FAITHFUL, AND TRUSTWORTHY
Is. 65:16 says that God is the God of truth.
Heb. 6:18 says that God cannot lie.
Prov. 30:5 says that every word God speaks is true.
Ps 33:4 speaks of all of God's works are done in faithfulness and that all of His words are upright.
Mt. 22:16 speaks of Jesus as true and that He speaks what is true.
Rev. 21:5 says that the words spoken by God (Jesus) are trustworthy and true.
Rev. 19:11 says that Jesus is named Faithful and True.
We can trust as true all that God has chosen to be written in Scriptures because He is faithful and true in every way: in what he says, does and in Who He is. He will never lie or deceive us, never change from being righteous and true to being sinful and evil. He is forever our source of truth and He grants us to be enlightened by the Truth of Himself.
Jesse, please don't take this wrong I care, and I am trying to understand. I have read your posts on Matthew and some of it is helpful, but I do not agree with your understanding of the meaning you give on some of the Greek words.
In Matthew 16:16 you are saying when Peter told Jesus He is the Son of the living God Peter is confessing to Jesus, that He is the Messiah and He is God. You also say Son of the Living God is a title of God, sorry I don't agree with that. I understand you and probably most on this site believe in a triune God and that Jesus is God, I am sorry, but a title did not die for my sins.
God cannot be the Messiah, if we deny Jesus is the Christ/Messiah we are a liar and an antichrist. The one who does that also denies the Father and the Son, 1 John 2:22.
The heart and truth of the gospel is Jesus is the only begotten Son of God, a man born of a virgin whose Father is God conceived by the Holy Ghost with flesh and blood who God the Father sent, John 3:16. Who became the Messiah when He was anointed with the Holy Ghost after John the Baptise baptized Him. He died for our sins, and we are to confess Him and believe He is the Son of God, 1 John 4:15 1 John 5:10. In the Son of God Jesus is our faith and the only hope of salvation. Jesus is the one Moses spoke of Deuteronomy 18:15
My understanding is 2 Corinthians 11:3-4 is about this doctrine; I know you and others on here will not agree.
God bless,
RLW
You are right, the word "even" doesn't appear in the grk text. As you said it was probably used to emphasize Jesus' person.
The grk says:
Acts 9:17,"...the Lord sent me, Jesus, who appeared to you on the way that you were coming..."
1 Thessalonians 1:10, "And to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, Jesus, who releases of us from the coming wrath."
Hebrews 6:20, " Where forerunner for us Jesus entered, becoming high priest for ever according to the order of Melchisedec".
1 John 5:6, "He is who came through water and blood, Jesus Christ; not in water only, but in water and blood. And the Spirit is that bears witness, because the Spirit is the truth."
The text I am using is the majority text which is almost the same as the received text.
Does our soul live on after we die? Do the souls of the dead roam around on the earth and some are in heaven and some are in hell? This is my understanding, the thought or belief in ghosts or spirits of people, some going to heaven and some going to hell comes from the teaching that the soul is immortal, and the soul never dies. It started when the serpent told Eve you shall not surely die, many ancient nations had different forms of religious beliefs on the immortality of the soul, and what we see today was adopted from Greek philosophy.
Are there evil spirits, devils, and demons on this earth? Yes, and these are what people are encountering, my understanding of the Bible they are not the souls of people. God told Israel and it applies to us today, not to deal with mediums or spiritualism those who work divination. We see Saul doing it in 1 Samuel 28 and he died because he did it, 1 Chronicles 10:13.
We sleep in death when we die Psalm 13:3 Matthew 27:52 John 11:11-14 1 Corinthians 15:20. We only put on immortality when we are resurrected, Job 14:13-14 Daniel 12:2 1 John 5:28-29 Corinthians 15:51-54. I hope this helps but you and your husband study it for your understanding, not mine.
God bless,
RLW
"If any man see his brother sin a sin which is not unto death, he shall ask, and he shall give him life for them that sin not unto death. There is a sin unto death: I do not say that he shall pray for it."
In studying the entire chapter in relation to today's scripture verse we see the contrast between statements related to those of God not sinning and other verses which indicate anyone who says they are without sin are a liar and the truth not in them (actually 1 John 1:8 so I should have said in studying the entire book). I am not studying that but this verse specifically in regard to the "sin unto death" and its implications.
Paul mentions letting a man be given to Satan in 1 Corinthians 5:5:
"To deliver such an one unto Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that the spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus."
That could be one application. Another would be related perhaps to the law and justifiable punishment of a death penalty for homocide. It also applied to adultery although it would appear this punishment was not as common in the time of Christ and especially once the church stated to flourish towards the end of the 1st Century AD. Since the church was being addressed here the blasphemy of the Holy Spirit shouldn't be the cause; although it certainly would apply to unbelievers as the "unforgiveable sin" as mentioned in the Gospels ( Mark 3:28-29; also verses in Matthew).
The context of the rest of the verse shows how we can pray that God will heal and restore a brother caught in sin and once again emphasizes the idea of confessing our sins to one another ( James 5:16). This is also mentioned in the Gospels at initial salvation ( Matt. 3:6) and most often to God Himself in a plethora of other scriptures. Matthew 5:23-24 speaks of leaving a "gift before the altar" and restoring relationship with a brother which alludes to the Old Testament sacrifice but certainly is applicable now. Sin hurts us and others.
Thank you David0921 for your response. I would align myself with most of what you've written concerning biblical inspiration, that the Word of God is indeed wholly authored by God. Yet, when I read 2 Timothy 3:16, that "ALL scripture is given by the inspiration of God", I would be in conflict with some who hold fervently that what we read now (from the ancient recordings, also the KJB) are the actual Words that God (by His Spirit) spoke to godly men to write. "Inspiration" to me, doesn't mean that God dictated the Words to record, nor does it mean that the fingers of the writers were gripped by Him to pen those holy Words. Rather, as men recorded down what they saw or learned, God's Spirit was present to help them record accurately and remember correctly. That said, since you brought it up, I'll move on.
"What do I believe the Bible says about the term BORN AGAIN?" When we have Scriptures such as John 3:3-8, 1 Peter 1:22-23, 1 John 2:29, 1 John 5:1, & others in John's epistle, we can believe that this re-birth is wholly of God & not of man's doing or involvement; that re-birth is a spiritual birth, whereby God gives us a new spirit (His Spirit) Who always inclines us towards God & His Son; that God's Ministry to us can only be to our revived spirit in us and not to the flesh that has no desire after godly things. Therefore, we are to continue to crucify our flesh which lusts against the Holy Spirit ( Galatians 5:17) in us & distracts us from serving God acceptably & in fear. Therefore, by the Holy Spirit in us, we have become new creatures in Christ Jesus, reckoning ourselves to be dead unto sin but alive unto God through Jesus Christ. This re-birth must be the final Work of God in the sometimes lengthy course in a person's struggle dealing with conviction of sin, brokenness, humility, & cry for a Savior to save & redeem him. (continued on Page 2).
Matthew 28:19
John 10:30
Colossians 2:8-9
Hebrews 1:8
1 John 5:20
John 10:30
etc
Try searching 'Godhead'
As to your question you have received several answers, my understanding in the Bible baptism is done only by immersion as the word means. As Jesse said sprinkling did not start until the 1300s and it was for the reason it was so inconvenient. So, this was done just because of convenience's sake, nothing Biblical about it. I agree with Giannis, and we must believe as Jesus said in Mark 16:16.
All we do is to be done in our Lord Jesus's name, Colossians 3:16-17. Many use Matthew 28:19 but we also see in the rest of Scripture that a person who is baptized in Jesus' name is someone who believes in Jesus as Savior, the Messiah, the Son of God who for us died, was buried, and was resurrected we acknowledge this by being baptized in His name, Acts 2:38 Acts 8:12 Acts 8:16 Acts 10:48 Acts 19:5 Acts 22:16 Romans 6:3 Galatians 3:27 Colossians 2:12 Ephesians 4:5.
Paul shows the importance of being baptized in the name of Jesus, Acts 19:1-6. God has placed Jesus and His name above all that is in heaven and earth, Matthew 28:18 Philippians 2:9-11. Salvation only comes in His name Acts 4:12 Romans 10:13. The name of Jesus is the source of power and authority for healing, miracles, and deliverance, Mark 16:17 Luke 10:17 Acts 4:7 Acts 4:30 Acts 16:18.
We are to give thanks in Jesus's name, Ephesians 5:20. Our faith is through Him and in His name, Acts 3:16. We must believe in Jesus, John 3:16 John 6:47 Acts 16:31 1 John 3:23 1 John 5:13. Whatever we ask for we are to ask in His name, John 14:13-14. We are to pray to the Father in His name, James 5:14. Jesus is our priest and the only mediator between God and men, 1 Timothy 2:5.
God bless,
RLW
God blessed man who is created in 'our image and in our likeness'. This is part of the everlasting covenant. God has given the earth to man. Coming back to the key text, "The heaven, even the heavens, are the LORD's: But the earth hath he given to the children of men. (Ps.115:16) Fellowship of God with Man acknowledges no nation per se but man. so salvation plan of God at one level uses Trinity where God the Father sends his only begotten Son. ( John 3;16). Second we have the Word. John's Gospel begins with it. The Word was with God. Only begotten Son in the sense that God taking on human likeness lived among the children of men. "And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth."( John 1:14). "For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one./And there are three that bear witness in earth, the Spirit, and the water, and the blood: and these three agree in one." ( 1 John 5:7-8). Whosoever believed in the Testimony of the Three were aligned in their body, soul and spirit.
Faith with works meant the testimony of blood shed by the Son worked in the believer. By baptism of water he established that he died to sin and the world. If this is the case what value one ought to attach to notions of the Gentiles or on Israel? By literalism the imposter church would legitimize Israel as a nation despite of the word of God has set down as the holy writ.
The outpouring of the Holy Spirit is another and it connects God with man through the Son of man whose Ascension as promised was freely given to him.
The earth was void and empty. The Spirit works with symbols so fire water rock and wind make the earth as a whole in 'our image and our likeness. National identity of Israel or the Gentiles has no place.
My last post began to delve into the concept of how the Lord and a saved individual communicate; or perhaps better expressed "commune" with one another. We all have to beware of what is expressed in Matthew 7:23 when after a whole laundry list of things that were done "for the Lord" or "in His Name" Jesus states "I never KNEW you" before they are cast into damnation.
Obviously in a marriage situation there is a close analogy; two people don't get to know each other intimately without there being a unity; in that case of "one flesh".
I have probably delved into the concept another time of the fact that our salvation was determined before the foundation of the earth (see Rev. 13:8). In the practical understanding we have of our mortal existence on earth we see a time and place when our salvation occurred; perhaps more precisely stated as its activation. I have no doubt that those who through God's foreknowledge WOULD come to faith are guaranteed to live until that moment of confession and contrition ( Romans 10:9).
This can be proven more or less by the usual scenario; people who witness to us and circumstances that occur that trigger our interest in "spiritual" matters. Or; we could say simply that as God determined where and when we would be born; which parents; etc. certainly He also determines those details when someone is "Born Again".
Because assurance of salvation is something we all need to consider in light of 2 Corinthians 13:5 and other passages such as Phillippians 2:12 where we are to "work out our salvation with fear and trembling" we need to be cautious of our own profession of faith and that of others. We can't use the "grace card" to sidestep obedience to the Lord to His commandments. 1 John 5:3 states that His commands aren't "burdensome" much as would be the case if we tried to follow all the details of the Old Testament law. Christ shows that true worship is from the heart.
Part 2.
Sanctification and fruit barring.
Having Christ's righteousness imputed to us does not mean we automatically do what is right-that will come through the process of sanctification. What it does mean is that we are positionally righteous; even though we still sin, we are legally righteous. God has credited the righteousness of Christ to our account, and He did this when He saved us. In grace, the holiness of Jesus Christ is ascribed to us. Christ "has become for us wisdom from God, that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption"
1 Corinthians 1:30.
1John 5:13 reads"These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.
Here's an helpful article.
If a person knows Christ and is growing in grace, he or she will be generally marked by the following traits:
1. The believer enjoys fellowship with Christ and His redeemed people. 1 John 1:3.
2. The believer walks in the light, not in the darkness. 1 John 1:6-7.
3. The believer admits and confesses his sin. 1 John 1:8.
4. The believer obeys God's Word. 1 John 2:3-5.
5. The believer loves God rather than the world. 1 John 2:15.
6. The believer's life is characterized by "doing what is right" 1 John 2:29.
7. The believer seeks to maintain a pure life. 1 John 3:3.
8. The believer sees a decreasing pattern of sin in his life. 1 John 3:5-6.
1 John 5:18.
9. The believer demonstrates love for other Christians ( 1 John 3:14).
10. The believer "walks the walk," versus just "talking the talk" 1 John 3:18-19.
11. The believer maintains a clear conscience. 1 John 3:21.
12. The believer experiences victory in his Christian walk 1 John 5:4.
Number 8 in the list above is that the believer will evince a decreasing pattern of sin in his or her life.
No one who belongs to Christ continue to "Practice" sin as a way of life.
1 Peter 2:2
God bless.
Abba Father, pour such of your Tender Love into Dee, edify her in the Spirit of God, send her your Words as breaths of Life, Hope and buoy her up.
If you Will show her in secret and open ways those doings of your Hands as Will bath her in your personal love to her.
Send Jesus people along her path, speaking words moved by your Spirit, to wash her in your love.
We know Father, it's written, when we pray in line with your Will, we can rest assured you have heard. And help to nourish that truth in Dee's heart, because it is written, that if we know You have heard us, we can know we have the requests we have asked. 1 John 5:14-15
Amen. Strengthen her and wash her today in your Love, loosing and shedding your Love in her heart.
In Lord Jesus name.
Amen
[14] And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us: [15] and if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him.
Answer:
Deuteronomy 31:8 KJV
[8] And the LORD, he it is that doth go before thee; he will be with thee, he will not fail thee, neither forsake thee: fear not, neither be dismayed.
Referenced from Pastor Charles Blake II Sunday January 8, 2024
My answer: Prayer and requests will prevail for me and West Angeles Church Cogic Cathedral
Looking over the horizon I am suddenly made aware of the controversy; like today's earthquakes in our part of the country which if were over open water would cause a Tsunami (if they were a lot stronger). It seems necessary to navigate through the seas in regard to what VERSION of scripture we should use; but I will swim out far enough and; as with an undertow attempt to go sideways as not to be dragged under.
Okay; facing it head on; I think most of us agree the KJV is the best study version of scripture to use; and I simply will leave all the aftershocks of the debate a couple months back about those dogmatic that it is the only inspired version of scripture for others to bring up as it seems inevitable that it will. I simply want to repeat that ancient Greek in particular has MORE THAN ONE descriptive adjective that can be used in English to get the full meaning thus it CANNOT be translated word for word without jumping around and causing much confusion. I will also say (risking the uproar) that sometimes other versions may have another word that helps to more clearly describe the original text. Now; if we can get past what I hope to be a 90 second event and move on....
Other sources can be used (commentaries; concordances; history books; sermon readings and interpretations of scripture) but enough can usually be understood in the Bible that we have at least a fair comprehension of God's Word. His commands are not grievous ( 1 John 5:3) and that should also mean they aren't overly complex to understand; cumbersome or voluminous. The concept of loving God and our neighbor as ourself ( Mark 12:30-31) sums up the law and should be the primary motivation; mindset and state of our heart and soul when the love of Christ constrains us ( 2 Cor. 5:14-19).
Starting with concordances; I am probably going to leave it to the audience to recommend the top ones. I have found some Bibles have cross references that are baffling.
1 John 5: 13-15
"These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God. And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing ACCORDING TO HIS WILL he heareth us: And if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him."
God always hears our prayers and answers them but sometimes it might be a "no" or a "not right now" but always remember whatever the answer is God knows it is for your absolute good and this should give you peace. God Bless :)
"Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven./Therefore is the kingdom of heaven likened unto a certain king, which would take account of his servants."
'Therefore' preceding the verse connects the verse before which gives us the Perfect number 7 and multiples of it. Kingdom of heaven calls for accounts which is directly pendent to the everlasting covenant drawn up in 'seven' days. God blessed His servants in manifold ways covered by verses in Ge.1:3- till 2:3. In the Parable of Jesus he refers God's commandment to man is service. He is the steward. Adam is a representational figure.(Ge.1:28) These are the Abstract and God shall require of his servants the proof of their service. Seventy is a man's life ("The days of our years are threescore years and ten,"-Ps.90:10). In short seventy years signifies the end times so when Jesus appointed seventy 'other' disciples he is referring to the everlasting gospel.( Luke 10:1)
The Spirit gives us an example of the Min-Max mode of narrative where a specific even veers of to the end times. Malachi 3:1 is a classic example. How we serve today is set in direct frame of reference to the Judgement so without abiding in Christ as so many branches to the true vine we are like the servant who hid his talent in the ground. ( John 15:3)
How does the talent is converted into the quality of service that one does? Gifts of the Spirit is given for building up each servant as well as for the common good. "But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal."(1 Co.12:7). And it is towards the one body to which gifts severally given to each member should count. In short no one may dare offending the will of God by serving as he pleases but according to 1 John 5:7-8.Both heaven and the earth must agree. "For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body"(v.13)
Evidence of things seen in the world of the flesh is unlike evidence of things unseen which can only be reconciled in God. ( 1 John 5:7-8) The Father the Word and the Spirit agree in one. Sum total of heaven and earth has only faith with which to possess them. "Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen." (He.11:1)
How reliable are proof in the world of the flesh? Joseph's brethren brought their evidence and their father believed it. "And they sent the coat of many colours, and they brought it to their father; and said, This have we found: know now whether it be thy son's coat or no./ And he knew it, and said, It is my son's coat."(Ge.37:31-35). Similarly Potiphar's wife had proof. Substance of things presented as evidence in the world of the flesh has a way of getting lost. "Wilt thou set thine eyes upon that which is not? For riches certainly make themselves wings; they fly away as an eagle toward heaven."(Pr.23:5)
I don't know exactly what you mean when you say "and have been searching for a long time for the "true" religion." "True religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world." James 1:7. Because you are a true believer, God is in your heart, soul and mind. You belong to God. Those who are true believers are The Church of God, sometimes called the Kingdom of God. You are a part of the Body of Christ. This is your religion. James is saying if you love God you will show His love unconditionally, but especially to the needy and keep yourself holy. If you wonder how you can "keep unspotted in the world" do this - read Exodus 20: 1-17. These are the ten commandments of God-not laws-commandments written by God Himself. "For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous." 1 John 5: 3 and Jesus said: "For my yoke is easy and my burden is light." Matthew 11:30. Some Christians teach a Sinning/Christian doctrine but this is false. We may have weakness and faults as a true believer. These are not sins. When we are born again we are not "perfect", of course, but God helps us overcome these weaknesses and faults by maturing in Him but we are to "go and sin no more." John 8: 3-11/ 11- ....... And Jesus said unto her, Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more." I know I have been preaching :) and if I have presumed things about you that are wrong please forgive me, I just want to help if I can. God Bless :) I hope you will respond.
Your second question: "If Jesus was preexisting, an immortal being, God the son. How can an immortal being die?" There are varying beliefs about Jesus' position in Heaven prior to His incarnation. I rather simply accept John 1:1-18, John 14:10,11, John 16:27,28, 1 John 5:7, that Jesus came forth from God. Did He come out as a Divine Being in the presence of God, to be made a human for the sake of death, or did God take His Own Word & give Him flesh for this very purpose? We don't have a problem of God sending out His Spirit & the Spirit's indwelling in every believer (can He even be dissected?), but to send His Word out, clothe Him in a body, unnerves many.
"How can an immortal being die? How can God be tempted...How can God die?" God is Spirit - He is Immortal - He can never die. No one, having a spirit from God, can die - the body will perish, but who can destroy the spirit which cannot be touched by age or man's devices? But if the immortal is given a body, as Jesus received, or even as we also have to house our spirits, then the body will die but the spirit lives on. Can God take on flesh? A mystery no human can fully fathom, but truly "a body hast thou prepared me" ( Hebrews 10:5-7, taken from Psalm 40:6-8). So Jesus could be tempted & could die whilst in the body, and so in His complete identification with sinful men in need of salvation, Philippians 2:6-8 reminds us:
"Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross." "thought it not robbery" = Jesus didn't grasp onto/retain His equality with God, but 'emptied Himself' ('ekenosen'), laying aside His Glory, to become a Man, obedient to death that which was the Father's Plan.
This word was used to characterize our believing scripture like 1 John 5:7. You called it a trinity "doctrine" but I just call it reading the Bible as written. So, if you think my belief is a doctrine then I suppose your belief is a doctrine- that would only be fair. Just want a level playing field for whatever is discussed.
I think believing the Bible as written is important without distortion or bias, but I believe many things discussed in forums like this, such as the trinity, are not salvation issues. I've never met another Christian who has ever believed this, either. There are more that believe baptism, tithing or taking communion are higher on the essentials list than believing in trinity. Some churches have pastors that don't agree on the trinity. It is admittedly a confusing concept that humans cannot easily relate to, because we don't have 1 be 3 things and also 3 be 1 in our world.
God is greater than our comprehension and I trust that when God's Word says things like John 1:1 or 1 John 5:7 that it is true. I am aware of your objection with the translation, but I believe it is already accurately translated and other scriptures support it too. I also think there's a tendency to target the translation for verses people don't like, but often the verses people do like aren't equally dissected. This leads to a distorted understanding in my opinion.
I'm curious what you think about the last two verses shared about Jesus being the Alpha and Omega. To me that says that Jesus is God, but I'm sure you've read this before and have reconciled this with your belief somehow, so I'm open to hearing that. But if you want to save it for another day that's fine too. God bless.