"GODS" in Bible Discussions

 
  • Sonofman1973 - In Reply - 9 hours ago
    As I mentioned. No prophecy of Scripture is of any private interpretation. Gods eternal purpose was to bring himself Glory, and it included first and foremost destroying the works of the devil= darkness. Thanks for your input. I apologize for misunderstanding you. I don't study gap theories. I study scriptures. Precept upon precept, here a little there a little. I apologize if I stirred up anything concerning the flesh. As I mentioned. To expound revelation can't be done in one sitting. He committeth sin is of the devil,for the devil SINNETH FROM the BEGINNING for This PURPOSE The son of God was manifest ( Light) that he might destroy the works of the devil. 1 John 3:8 -- and LET THERE BE LIGHT - IF ITS TOO DIFFICULT FOR US TO UNDERSTAND THE DEEP THINGS OF GOD WE MUST NOT BE STUDYING IN THE HOLY SPIRIT. FOR THE SPIRIT SEARCHES ALL THINGS, YEA THE DEEP THINGS OF GOD. AND DARKNESS WAS WHERE? UPON THE FACE OF THE DEEP Spirit searching it out. So do I. Thank you brother Ronald. God bless you
  • Sonofman1973 - In Reply - 3 days ago
    Greetings brother "One eighty" thank you for taking time to reply to my question and thought. I may be misunderstanding you,if so I apologize. But according to what has been revealed to me personally by revelation is that Jesus is the thoughts of Gods heart. Psalm33:11 And the beginning of the Gospel of John. The logos where we get our word logic or reason. Thus God before Time began purposed all things in his heart before beginning the creation by the word= thoughts. Jesus was in the beginning with God,and when God logos creation began,. I have a question for you to ponder. Which came first light or darkness. Just something to ponder. I seek godly counsel to always make sure God's word doesn't get twisted in my finite mind. For thinkers are what God created us to be. And to always think upon Him And meditate upon his word and he promises that we can understand All things. His word says so. Proverbs 28:5
  • Ronald Whittemore - In Reply - 3 days ago
    Hello ToshiroWhite,

    There are several speculations on what the mark may be, a literal mark, a computer chip, symbols, and more but the mark of the beast will be based on worship. It is the false prophet, the second beast who causes people to worship the first beast and his image. The number 666 goes back to Babylon, the 36 gods numbered 1 through 36, 6 columns and 6 rows the numbers were arranged in such a way that the sum of any given row, column, or diagonal was 111, and therefore the sum of all six rows or all six columns was 666, like 18+20+22+21+17+13 =111, 1+2+3 to 36=666.

    We are told to have faith and patience Luke 21:19 Hebrews 6:12 and hear in Revelation 13:10 and Revelation 14:11 that if we are strong in our faith and patience we will have the steadfastness and endurance (the meaning of patience) to not give into the temptation of the three who is to come, Satan, the beast out of the bottomless pit and the beast who will be the false prophet, even if we face death, the hour of temptation, Rev. 3:10.

    Something like this was done in the past in the Decian persecution in 250 AD. The decree ordered sacrifices be performed in the presence of a Roman magistrate, it was a signed and witnessed certificate, issued to that effect. People had to perform a sacrifice to the Roman gods and the well-being of the emperor.

    Christians were put to death for refusing to perform the sacrifices, many others apostatized and performed the ceremonies, and others went into hiding. Those who compromised were able to prosper economically. By way of contrast, those who did not have the certificate were unable to buy or sell and suffered economic hardship. Buying and selling was done in marketplaces ruled by Rome. This may be similar to what is coming but a mark instead of a certificate.

    Hope this helps.

    God bless,

    RLW
  • Momsage - In Reply - 1 week ago
    Hello Chrisdube:

    You asked this about the Apocrypha: "So if it wasn't "God inspired," how did it manage to remain between the Testaments for 270+ years?" Why the Apocrypha was included in the KJV until 1885 is a kind of mystery but it shouldn't be a cause to believe in this book as Holy Ghost inspired. What matters is this book contains some very serious false doctrines which proves it is not Holy Ghost inspired.

    In 2nd Maccabees 12: 40-43 it gives credence in giving prayers and alms so that the dead can be forgiven and eventually go to heaven. After a major battle during the preparation for burial of soldiers who had died, it was discovered that each of them was wearing amulets of devotion to pagan gods under their clothes which was sin: "Then under the tunic of each one of the dead, they found sacred tokens of the idols of Jamnia, which the law forbids the Jews to wear. And it became clear to all that this was the reason these men had fallen. So they all blessed the ways of the Lord, the righteous Judge, who reveals the things that are hidden; and they turned to supplication, praying that the sin that had been committed might be wholly blotted out,"

    In Baruch 3:4 it teaches that the dead can pray for themselves to eventually go to heaven. "O Lord Almighty, thou God of Israel, hear now the prayers of the dead Israelites, and of their children, which have sinned before thee, and not hearkened unto the voice of thee their God: for the which cause these plagues cleave unto us.

    In Tobit 9:12 it claims that alms can purge away sin. "For alms doth deliver from death, and shall purge away all sin. Those that exercise alms and righteousness shall be filled with life:"

    So whether we can give a precise reason why God allowed the Apocrypha to be included in the KJB for a time or not, it is a book to be avoided by true believers. God Bless :)
  • Bennymkje - 1 week ago
    Matt.28:10-20 "Jesus Christ the same" (1 of 2)

    "And this saying is commonly reported among the Jews until this day."

    Hypocrisy of the chief priests and elders is vile in that they profess faith, without backing it with their whole heart. "Forasmuch as this people draw near me with their mouth, and with their lips do honour me, but have removed their heart far from me, and their fear toward me is taught by the precept of men." (Is.29:13) They covenanted with Judas for a sum to destroy an innocent man. But they would not take what he returned. Knowing money as blood money they use it yet to buy silence from soldiers. Their respect for money was learned from the precepts of men. If this nation was a bundle of prejudices and shallow opinions what they really believed in? Their heart was like "a cage of every unclean and hateful bird" with least attention span to commune with God in truth and quietness, As soon as Moses turned his back they were urging Aaron "Up, make us gods, which shall go before us; for as for this Moses, the man that brought us up out of the land of Egypt, we wot not what is become of him."(Ex,32:1) . When the ten spies brought back an evil report, they were so overwrought, "And wherefore hath the Lord brought us unto this land, to fall by the sword, that our wives and our children should be a prey? were it not better for us to return into Egypt?/And they said one to another, Let us make a captain, and let us return into Egypt."(Nu.14:3-4)

    'Until this day' refers to the Son so what is written of him must be fulfilled as well as the kingdom appointed for him fill both heaven and the earth. " For it pleased the Father that in him should all fulness dwell;/ And, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven."(Col.1:19-20)

    "All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth"
  • Heir on Deuteronomy 28 - 2 weeks ago
    This book is describing the transatlantic slave trade. And they would be sent into Egypt Again, which means this particular nation of people have had a history of being enslaved prior.

    Me Personally have been going to church my entire life and not once have I ever heard the Priests, Pastor's preach this book in complete.

    Which Is why most don't understand even though it's clear who the people are the book speaks of and who claim to be but are not.

    The most high Yahweh leadath Israel into captivity in Egypt for disobeying his laws and sent Moses to being them out but they hardheaded Israelites continued there disobedience of his laws so the most high sent them into Egypt again this time on ships with yolks of iron upon thy necks sold to thy enemies separated from there children never to see them again given names and nationalities of the gentiles so they would no more be known as Israel and would work on pagan gods of the heathen so they will be broken.
  • BillyRay - 3 weeks ago
    You have the Whole Bible in the King James, Problem is they Followed the CHOPPED UP into 66 Books Version of the Latin Vulgate, Created in 400 ad

    Put the Bible back in GODS ORDER, 49 Books, Read the Bible as a Progressive Book, Leading to GRACE VS WORKS, and it Makes Good Sense,

    Saul the learned and Mighty One, After He was Struck Down, became PAUL the Little Humble One, Paul come from the Tribe of Benjamin, #12, All of His Writings Should of Remained at the End of the Bible, with the Exception of Revelations,
  • BillyRay - 3 weeks ago
    1st Where in the Bible does it say the Number One Sin God Hates is a PROUD LOOK

    2nd Where does it say if you even think to LY then in Gods Mind you have Broken all His Laws
  • Confuzzled - 4 weeks ago
    In proverbs it talks a lot about how sparing the rod spoils the child. I understand and agree that children need rules and discipline. I'm new to Christianity. My husband grew up with god. We have a toddler. My husband believes the best and only way to discipline our toddler is by spanking. I grew up being spanked and have always been against it. I have a hard time emotionally not interfering when he does it and he gets upset that I don't spank as well. I know what the Bible says. I just don't know how to make myself ok with it or even do it myself. The Bible says to die to yourself and follow gods word. So how do I put my trauma and emotions aside to do what the Bible says? How do I not worry about my child's emotional and mental wellbeing or what being spanked could do to them? I want to submit to my husbands lead and have my child grow up to be a good human being. I just can't get over physically and possibly mentally harming my child to do it.
  • Richard H Priday - 1 month ago
    Further insight on idol worship and witnessing.

    In my last post; I discussed the concern over graven images in Catholicism; but in reality this is evident in Greek and Russian Orthodox and many other denominations as well. A key factor here is to consider that all which is worthy in regard to any true saint of God is Christ Himself who has taken up residence. This does tie into an individual soul and spirit submissive to that authority and rewarded for faithfulness accordingly; but we cannot adequately represent that either. Going beyond saints who are in scripture or designated by man we have those who keep images; whether pictoral or sculptural of deceased loved ones; whether professing believers in life or not. Those who are not have no chance whatsoever of bringing the true God into the equation when we focus on remembering their lives or "sensing their presence." That at best is our imagination; and oftentimes are demons who trigger these memories and try to control us. I have not found it beneficial or edifying to always bombard people who have such keepsakes but don't think much about it but nonetheless the danger is very real. And objects that are directly correlating to demon gods or goddesses of course are going to invite evil to fill a household with all the curses inherent with such things. Getting into an exhaustive list of all these items is beyond the scope of this post; but this would include anything with "supernatural powers" such as scapulars; holy water; images; etc.

    In witnessing; therefore we must be attentive in particular to cultures from Eastern religions that have these sorts of things tied in with family possessions. This of course involves those who practice polytheism in this countryu and ranges from seemingly innocuous items with New Age mystics to overtly Satanic items actually used in rituals.

    In the next post I will discuss the idols of this culture as to media magnates; rock stars and entertainers.
  • Bennymkje - 1 month ago
    Is.2:1 "Conclusion"

    (Continued from the previous post)

    I am the Lord: that is my name: and my glory will I not give to another, neither my praise to graven images."(Is.42:8)

    Coming back to Isaiah we have the glory of God expressed in terms of the Law, which is the truth. I am the truth". So we need look at the truth expressing 'that God may be all in all" fulfills the ministry of Reconciliation by Jesus Christ. "Behold, I and the children whom the LORD hath given me are for signs and for wonders in Israel from the LORD of hosts, which dwelleth in mount Zion.:(Is.8:18). So the clause in v.2 "and all nations shall flow unto it" is to be understood as referring to the Throne of God and of the Lamb.

    "Their land also is full of idols; they worship the work of their own hands, that which their own fingers have made/And the mean man boweth down, and the great man humbleth himself: therefore forgive them not." Here we have judgment about to visit Israel as we have in our times culture wars and super rich treating themselves as cream floating in the cauldron. "this city is the caldron, and we be the flesh." (Ez.11:3). Those who makes idols of men take glory in the worthless " and for the glory of his majesty, when he ariseth to shake terribly the earth./Cease ye from man, whose breath is in his nostrils: for wherein is he to be accounted of ?"(Is.2:21-22)

    Those who do not abide in Christ as many branches to the true vine may say they are justified and saved by faith. But their glory is in their idols. God is not fooled by their professions when they glory in their worthless gods and not in the true God. "And theLordalone shall be exalted in that day./And the idols he shall utterly abolish." (vv.17-18)
  • Chris - In Reply - 1 month ago
    Well Oseas, from reading of your beliefs, I'm unable to place where you exactly are with this. You were first dealing with the Name of God in Isaiah. You've now quoted Acts 7:53-58, particularly verse 55, "But he (Stephen), being full of the Holy Ghost, looked up stedfastly into heaven, and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing on the right hand of God". In the NT, Koine Greek is the language used. If you believe that the Hebrew 'Yahweh' written of God in the OT is a devilish name, does this also apply to the Greek word for God: 'Theos'?

    You asked, "what GOD's NAME was manifested by my Lord JESUS?" Yet, reading the rest of your comments, it appears to me that you hold to an "only Jesus is in Heaven" position, that when Jesus was made flesh, "GOD called Himself Jesus.." Really!!! So, as not to be mistaken, are you in that camp, that says 'that since God is in Christ that only Jesus is now in Heaven'? I'm hoping that I've misunderstood you, as we know most assuredly that when Jesus ascended into Heaven, He went back to the Father & is seated at His right Hand ( John 20:17, Acts 2:32,33, Romans 8:34, Hebrews 1:3, 1 Peter 3:22, etc.). So, NOT two Gods, but the One God, with Jesus His Son Who came forth out of God now distinct from Him through the incarnation. Thus He rightly fully claims the eternity of the Godhead (the Alpha & Omega), & also receives the worship of all. So your comments are troubling, if that is your position.
  • Bennymkje - 1 month ago
    Is.34 "The Day of the Lord" (2 of 2)

    vv. 1-4 This is universal call to the nations. They are responsible for 'all things that come forth of it.' Foolish shepherds instead have been assuring Israel, peace, peace while there was no peace.(Jer.6:14) Friends of Israel in fact were false to their cloth and whoring after false gods of Christian Right white evangelicalism etc.,

    "Come near, ye nations, to hear; and hearken, ye people: let the earth hear, and all that is therein; the world, and all things that come forth of it."

    vv.5-6 Edom and the Greek variant, Idumea tell us that these names are interchangeable. ""The sword of the LORD is filled with blood, it is made fat with fatness, and with the blood of lambs and goats, with the fat of the kidneys of rams: for the LORD hath a sacrifice in Bozrah, and a great slaughter in the land of Idumea."

    vv.9-10 ""It shall not be quenched night nor day; the smoke thereof shall go up for ever: from generation to generation it shall lie waste; none shall pass through it for ever and ever."

    For ever and ever inform us that the decree of the Day is from God and the Word alike. So rebuilding the temple in Jerusalem as of old or Israel as a state (founded in 1949) as legit is a pipe dream. It is a lie foisted upon the world as proven by the inhabitants of the land 'condemned' by God.

    Who are the denizens among the stones of confusion? "But the cormorant and the bittern shall possess it; the owl also and the raven shall dwell in it: and he shall stretch out upon it the line of confusion, and the stones of emptiness."(v.11)

    Where are the princes of the 12 tribes? "They shall call the nobles thereof to the kingdom, but none shall be there, and all her princes shall be nothing."(34:12)

    "It shall not be quenched night nor day; the smoke thereof shall go up for ever:(34:10) It is given in Re.16:5-6

    And I heard the angel of the waters say, Thou art righteous, O Lord, which art, and wast, and shalt be, because thou hast judged thus."
  • Oseas - 1 month ago
    What matters and prevails is the Word of GOD,the Word is from everlasting to everlasting,the Word is GOD,self-executing.The Word -GOD-was made flesh around 2000 years ago or two GODs' Days ago,indeed it still was the fourth GOD's Day- Genesis 1:16-and He as the Greater Light said:My Father worketh hitherto,and I work-Jo. 5:17.Yes,GOD the Father still was working,it was still the fourth Day of His works.

    The Word is a lamp unto my feet,and a light unto my path- Psalm 119:105 combined with 1Jo.1:5:This is the message which we have heard of Him,and declare unto you,that GOD is Light,and in Him is no darkness at all. And the Word made flesh said:I am come a Light into the world,that whosoever believes on me should not abide in darkness-Jo.12:46.JESUS also said to the Father in His prayer:Jo.17:7-8- ->7 Now they have known that all things whatsoever thou has given me are of thee. 8 For I have given unto them the words which thou gave me; and they have received them, and have known surely that I came out from thee,and they have believed that thou did send me.

    The testimony of JESUS is the Spirit of prophecy.By the way, Isaiah prophesied:For unto us a child is born,unto us a Son is given:and the government is upon His shoulder:His name shall be called Wonderful,Counsellor,The mighty God,The everlasting Father,The Prince of Peace.

    JESUS said to the Father:All mine are thine,and thine are mine;and I am glorified in them.

    And now come I to thee;and these things I speak in the world,that THEY(THE TRUE BELIEVERS) might have my joy fulfilled in themselves.Jo.17:10-13.

    Jo.1:18-No man hath seen GOD at any time,the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father,He has declared Him.

    Jo.14:8-9:-->8 Philip saith unto JESUS:Lord,show us the Father, and it sufficeth us.9 JESUS saith unto Philip:Have I been so long time with you, and yet has thou not known me,Philip?he that has seen me has seen the Father;and how say you then,Show us the Father?

    I and my Father are one-Jo.10:30
  • Giannis - In Reply - 1 month ago
    Hello Ronald

    Thanks for your reply to my comment.

    I will keep it short since we have had those discussions before and we know what each one of us believe.

    I noticed that you believe that when a human person receives the fullness of the Spirit somehow they aquire divine characteristics as if though they are Gods themselves. ie omnipresence, speak all languages, hear millions of people simultaneously. Well there are some churches that actually believe that we will become sort of Gods. The Ortodox church is one of those.

    Also Jema (why is she gone? I actually liked very much her encouraging comments,I will miss them) in her reply to me said that we will become something sort of Gods when we will be dressed up with our spiritual body.

    Although there isn't any revelation from God about the state we will be in Heaven, I still find it very hard to believe that. If that was true then even angels would had been sort of Gods. Well I don't know Richard so I am going to put my hand on my mouth and keep silent. GBU
  • Richard H Priday - 2 months ago
    The Trinity: Introduction to basic concepts

    It is said that those of the Oneness Pentacostal camp never refer to themselves as "modalists"; and in reality the term "Trinity" although the best description we have for God being represented by three different entities as it were along with any other term has its limitations. As with any other issue; when there is error involved there is always a deeper reason as well as associated other spurious elements of doctrine involved. I am writing believing in; more or less the Trinitarian approach and using scriptures to support this concept which I will attempt to do in further postings; provided that incoming comments are something the Lord leads me to respond to and that it is edifying to involve myself is such an undertaking.

    The first thing I feel obligated to respond to is the charge by those such as Jino Jennings that those of my persuasion believe in multiple gods or 3 different dieties. That by no means is what I and others believe. I will also give positive affirmation where praise is due; the focus on holiness which is mandated by those in that camp and knowledge of scripture; particularly in the Old Testament helps build knowledge. He and others in that type of church also tend to have elders read scriptures along with their commentary and also preach from time to time. Such involvement would be helpful in any church to some extent as scripturally the gift of elder is basically synonymous with a pastor and there should be shared responsibilities in a church rather than the imbalance we sometimes see when a head pastor tries to fly solo. There is; however a tendancy among that denomination of shouting and appearing to "lord it over" people; shouting and other "signs" such as tongues and uncontrollable behaviors that are often part of a typical service. An emphasis on the necessity of speaking in tongues to be saved was a challenge given to me over 30 years ago which goes against 1 Corinthians 12:30
  • Adam - In Reply - 2 months ago
    Thank you RLW for your input. It sounds like from your response you don't believe that God is triune like 1 John 5:7 says. The 3 verses about Godhead are not the only part of the Bible that says God is plural. Genesis 1:26 for example: "And God said, Let us make man in our image.." Jesus's followers called Jesus "God" and worshipped Him, etc.

    Evidence I see so far indicates that most references to God are triune. One, singular, but triune God. Not 3 Gods, one God. As hard as it is to comprehend the Bible gives a distinction within God between the Father and the Son and the Holy Ghost.
  • Giannis - 2 months ago
    Hello brothers and sisters

    I have a question for all fellow christians who do not consider that Jesus is God.(hello Ronald, I saw your comment and I was reminded of something I was thinking lately.)

    Let me do an introduction before going to my point. When we talk with people from the Orthodox church who often pray to saints or to Mary Jesus' mother, we ask them how is it possible that they hear you all, millions and millions of you, they are not Gods after all. So many millions of people pray to Mary, how is she able to hear them all and, as they claim, she often responds. She is not God, only God can do that.

    So I come to what I want to say. Somewhere in NT, Jesus says that when two or more are gathered in His name then He is there among them. How is that possible if Jesus is not God. Because at the same time I believe thousands of congregations take place in the whole world. To do such a thing one must have divine properties. He also said somewhere that when we ask something in His name then He will do that. How can He hear millions of prayers simultaneously if He is not God.

    Expecting for your opinion.
  • GiGi - 2 months ago
    Next I wish to speak of how God' character is "QUINTESSENTIAL"

    Which means the highest, purest, most perfect, supreme manifestation, example, incarnation, type of the essence of something, the express image.

    Jesus is the quintessential expression of God.

    Hebrews 1:3 "Who being the brightness of His glory, and the express image of His person, and upholding all things by the word of His power, when He had by Himself purged our sins, sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on High."

    Colossians 2:9 "For in Him dwelleth ALL the fullness of the Godhead bodily"

    John 14:9 "Have I been so long time with you, and yet hast thou not known me, Philip?

    He that hath seen me hath seen the Father,, and how saith though then: Show us the Father?

    Jesus is God in the flesh. He is the Son of the Father eternally and one with the Father and the Holy Spirit. The Godhead is three Persons in one Godhead. Not three gods, but one. Jesus became man to save us and to show us a fleshy person of the Godhead, that is in union with the Godhead as the Word made flesh. Jesus is the perfect manifestation of true God. There is no other who can truly and perfectly represent God to us. Jesus is the only one who came from within the Godhead to earth to live as a man for us. The Holy Spirit is the only Spirit who came from within the Godhead to come to live in us. When Jesus came to earth, the Father and the Spirit were in Him yet still separate Persons from Him. And when the Holy Spirit lives in us, the Father and the Son lives in each of us, yet are still separate Persons. There are not multiple Fathers and Sons and Holy Spirits inhabiting every believer that every has lived. There is only one. God who is everywhere present all the time and specifically present in every believer. This is a mystery, but it is real and true. God has told us so in His Word that is truly true.

    In heaven, if Jesus is the only one we see of the Godhead, we will truly be seeing the Godhead.
  • Momsage - In Reply - 2 months ago
    If I'm misunderstanding what you are saying, I apologize. But if not, I find your comments very harsh and insulting to me as a true believer in Christ. To accuse me of these harsh things is hard to understand just because I am sure God intended for mankind to take a day off once a week and rest. I can't possible understand how you can believe the 10 commandments are not perfect, written by the hand of a perfect God. They are only given for the good of mankind from a good God. Jesus did give the 2 new commandments but he just simply combined the 10 into 2. The first one tells us to love God with all our hearts, minds and souls, this covers the first 4 of the 10; worship the one true God, do not use His name as a cuss word, don't worship false gods, and devote one day a week to rest in Him. The second one covers the last 6 which deals with treating your fellowman with how you would want to be treated; honor your parents, don't kill (ratsach: murder, slay) (even in your heart as Jesus also added), no adulatry (including in your heart as Jesus also added), no stealing, no lying ( little or big) and no coveting.

    I was very hesitant to reply to you because of the unkind way you expressed your opinion, I wanted to ignore you, but I didn't because others will read your reply and I feel, in righteous indignation. that I need to debunk what you have accused me of. If you are going to accuse someone of being a heretic and holding on to garbage learned in a cult (I was never in a cult) you are being insulting and should not be on this forum which calls for kindness and love. You didn't do that. I am a true Christian, dedicated to my precious Lord and I do live my life as He would want me to based only on His word, and please don't come back with a snarky "you must think your perfect then," because I'm not. I do have my weaknesses and faults (not sins) but the Holy Spirit is always helping me to overcome them and is helping me to grow in the Lord. Again, if I am wrong, sorry.
  • Richard H Priday - 2 months ago
    PART THREE: Reading scripture and devotional time

    There are egregious errors which false prophets and others can do with incorrect or deliberately nefarious manipulations of the Word of God to suit their own purposes. That is not the focus here.

    After the first two postings; it is certainty important to assess before we study anything why we are doing it. As new believers; of course it is often the leadership of a Pastor that initiates our study of scriptures when we are largely ignorant of it's contents (unless atheists that have already studied the Bible as literature respecting it's dominance in history and importance through the centuries). This parenthesis I feel shouldn't be overlooked. As a dumbed down society we are often discouraged from appreciating anything enough to determine even if it may be interesting. It is much like how we don't learn Chinese but the Chinese are mandated to learn English for economic gain; and also to beat the enemy at their own game. In the same logic it helps to study the basic tenents and literature of another religion before attempting to witness to them; not to search for something meaningful for us but to show the person we witness to that we are willing to take the time so that arguments brought up may be refuted by the Bible as well as the logic of the sacred writings they themselves hold up to where often contradictory statments exist. For some; of course the doctrines of demons may have a great pull to drive us away from truth to false gods. Therefore; we must be ready for the "meat" of scripture and be growing in the faith "wise as serpents and innocent as doves" ( Matt. 10:16). The application there shows how Jesus confronted the Pharisees. He not only knew the scriptures well; but their traditions and how they would twist the truth.

    In all of this we must be convinced ourselves that the Bible is inerrant and be driven by the Holy Spirit to enter into a commitment and plan for daily reading.
  • GiGi - In Reply - 2 months ago
    Hi Giannis,

    I read your reply to me again and I just would like to clarify a few things. It is true that secularism has been taken into churches of every denomination. Yet, this does not mean that they are now TOTALLY secular. The Scriptures are still read at services and God is still important to the life of the congregation for the most part. Prayer is still encouraged for those in need. And help for the poor and needy is still promoted.

    We can commend churches who continue to do these things as well as adhering to doctrines that are biblically sound. And we can speak against teachings and practices that are worldly, secular, and in error as pertains to biblical teachings and doctrines that depart from the doctrines of the apostles or are added such as the doctrines concerning Mary or the prosperity doctrine or the "little gods" doctrine, or universalism, or other doctrines that have become popularly accepted over the centuries in both the Catholic church and Protestant sects. We are all to watch our life and doctrine carefully, as Paul instructs and to check ourselves to see that we are truly of the apostolic faith passed down to the church of Jesus our Lord.

    I pray that His church will come to the unity of faith based on the inspired word of God and through the knitting of us together in love and common doctrine by the Holy Spirit.
  • Bennymkje - 3 months ago
    Matt.13:24-30 "While men slept"

    "The kingdom of heaven is likened unto a man which sowed good seed in his field:/ But while men slept, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat, and went his way./ But when the blade was sprung up, and brought forth fruit, then appeared the tares also."

    The good seed must be what is in accordance with the divine Will, "And God said, Let the earth bring forth grass, the herb yielding seed, and the fruit tree yielding fruit after his kind, whose seed is in itself, upon the earth."(Ge.1:11) "And it was so". The Abstract is set in terms of the Father Son relationship where God willed and the Son says, "Amen" to it.

    "Behold, he that keepeth Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep." God has no need for sleep so under the watch of his servant the enemy has slipped in tares. How the decadent Imperial Rome became the seat of the Church of Rome reads like the story of Rip Van Winkle and the tares are everywhere. Never mind, the redoubtable Elijah also thought God had none as faithful as he. "Yet I have left me seven thousand in Israel, all the knees which have not bowed unto Baal, and every mouth which hath not kissed him."(1 Ki.19:18) The Lord God is in control. " Let both grow together until the harvest: and in the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, Gather ye together first the tares, and bind them in bundles to burn them: but gather the wheat into my barn."(v.30) The wicked shall go one with their false gods and culture wars. Fire shall try their works. "Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you."(2 Co.6:17)
  • Momsage - In Reply - 3 months ago
    As you know I have agreed with much of what you say in your comments but what you said about God being one God and Jesus being another, "two separate Gods united for one purpose" Unless I misunderstood, I can not agree with you on this. God and Jesus and the Holy Spirit are 3 in one not separate in any way. Saying God and Jesus are two separate Gods is like having a friend helping you move. Two of you working together to accomplish something. It just sounds to me like this is somehow diminishing the deity of God and Christ. :)
  • Momsage - In Reply - 3 months ago
    I hope you'll let me be straight with you. I mean no offense but perhaps you overlooked the part in my comment where I said I loathed ALL false doctrines but loved and grieved over the poor souls that are deceived by them. Well I did, and I do. I think that's compassion. You once said you didn't defend the Catholic Church but it seems that you are. Defending a false doctrine so people who are immersed in them can be placated is very harmful. One false teaching is idolatry, among so many other things, and the people have such a heartfelt desire to believe in that. They may get truly saved by someone's witness but if they continue to commit that idolatry, like praying the rosary and lighting candles to false gods, they will be like the seed that fell on the wayside and the fowls (idolatry) devoured them Matthew 13:4. I was raised a Catholic, had to stick with it until I left home because my mother asked me too. That was a while ago but I have kept up with it's influence in the world and it is getting worse and worse as time goes on. I would never say the Pope was the antichrist. I would never say anyone is the antichrist. To me that is not wise. As to the part of the Catholic doctrine being true, Jesus said "you can't serve two masters - Matthew 6:24. One will be hated and the other loved. The scriptures also says in Galatians 5:9 " a little leaven leaveneth the whole lump." A little false doctrine ruins the whole doctrine. Catholics believe in the one true God but idolize the Pope. They worship Mary and a whole slew of other dead people, salvation is obtained by good works, etc. I think you understand. All false doctrines probably have a little bit of truth mixed in. That's how the devil in lures souls in. Might I suggest you study the doctrines of Catholicism. See if they don't teach many things contrary to what the KJB teaches. You can find them on a Catholic Church website so you will know they are the true teachings. God Bless :)
  • GiGi - In Reply - 3 months ago
    Momsage

    I so understand your intent concerning hating false doctrine. The Catholic Church has many correct doctrines that we should support, but also many false doctrines that we should denounce. We should not hold a blanket denunciation of the whole body of teaching of the Catholic Chruch, in my view. They have a very correct view of God as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, about the life and sacrificial death of Jesus and his resurrection.

    I think it is important to point out where they did change the Scripture i.e. verses, phrases, words. (if they truly did

    There are many false teachings in Protestant churches today. So, we should hate these as much as the ones taught in Catholicism. Whereas we do not blanketlike denounce these sects, we should not blanket like denounce the Catholic Church either.

    Sects that teach that Jesus is Michael the archangel, that he is not the eternal Sonn of God, that he became divine at His baptism or crucifixion, that He is only filled with the Holy Spirit as we are but to the fullest and only human, that teach that the Holy Spirit is only a power or force, but not a person that can be interacted with, grieved, lied to, etc., that humans will become gods, that Jesus needed to be born again, that all persons will be saved eventually. These are all false teachings in my view. Some of these we find in sects like Mormonism, Jehovah Witnesses, but also in sects that many find to be within the Christian faith. There are those sects that teach that you must belong to their sect to be saved, such as Church of Christ, Plymouth Brethren, Catholic Church. And there are those who teach that you must be baptized in the Holy Spirit with evidence of speaking in tongues to be saves, such some Pentecostal churches.

    So Momsage, there are many false teachings in numerous sects besides the Catholic Church. The language that you and Hadassah use towards the Catholic Church is hateful and generalized rather than specific. Compassion is needed.
  • Hadassah - 3 months ago
    The following verses are object lessons explaining the relationship between God the Father and Jesus Christ. Two separate Gods united as one in purpose, plan, and action. Add in the Holy Spirit, which is also God. And that's the Trinity. It is easy to understand:

    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 over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth.

    Genesis 1:26 (emphasis mine).

    24 Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and THEY SHALL BE ONE FLESH."

    Genesis 2:24 (emphasis mine).

    God is ONE GOD in purpose, plan, and action. There is no shadow of turning with our God who will never change. Thank you, LORD, that we, your children, may trust in you. We sojourn in a scary land that is not our home. Come soon. Amen.
  • GiGi - In Reply - 3 months ago
    Hello Jema,

    Getting back to you.

    I do believe that there is only One God , as the Scriptures I gave state. But I also believe that Scriptures reveal that God exists as three distinct Persons. Not three Gods who are independent of one another nor of differing natures or substances. No! All Persons share the same divine nature and essence that is what God is. The Persons inter-dwell each other, as Jesus speaks in Jn. 10:30, 14:10-11; 16-17; 23; 13:31-32.

    Anyone who believes in Jesus believes also in the Father, John12:44 and he who receives Jesus receives the Father. And he that sees Jesus sees the Father- Jn.12:45. 14:9. Whoever knows Jesus knows the Father- Jn.14:7. He that hates Jesus hates the Father, Jn. 15:23; All that the Father has is Jesus', too, and the Spirit receive from Jesus what the Father and Son possess, Jn. 16:14-15. The Father's glory is shared with Jesus- Jn. 17:5; Jesus came out from within the Father- Jn. 17:8; 16:28.

    We are to honor Jesus as we honor the Father-in the same way, as our God - Jn.5:23.

    I have spent the past two days studying what the Scriptures say about the deity of Jesus and about the Persons of the Godhead and find that Scriptures does teach that Jesus is God just as the Father is God and the Spirit is God AND that there is only one God.

    This is what the doctrine of the Trinity teaches. Only One God in essence and nature, but three distinct Persons indwelling one another in unity.

    Jema, I can tell that you think this belief is incongruous. I think it is true, yet a mystery we cannot fathom fully but can believe because the Word teaches it to be so.

    Instead of me going on and on citing dozens of Scriptures that show that prove these doctrines are true, I suggest that you do as I have done. Search the Scriptures. There are many websites you can go to also on these topics to find the Scriptures that people cite to support the doctrine of the deity of Jesus and the Triunity of God.

    see pt. 3
  • S Spencer - In Reply - 3 months ago
    Amen Gigi I agree.

    If salvation was to the wicked whether you accept Christ or not and we all "including the wicked" will be ce gods whether we accept Christ or not, there is no need for righteous living.

    And God's display of love in offering his only begotten Son on the cross was pointless and cruel.

    That is not the Gospel of Christ!

    Here is who's Gospel it is.

    Genesis 3:4-5.

    And the SERPENT said unto the woman, Ye shall not surely die:

    For God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and YE SHALL BE AS GODS, knowing good and evil.

    Isaiah 12:14

    How art thou fallen from heaven, O LUCIFER, son of the morning! how art thou cut down to the ground, which didst weaken the nations!

    For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north:

    I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High.

    This origin is of Satan.

    For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ.

    And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light.

    Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works.

    2 Corinthians 11:13-15.

    Also

    Just because there is two opposing views on the deity of Christ.

    If either side hates the other view, how is it possible join sides and to usher in this view or any other heresy to attack the Gospel and say that you are a child of God.

    Blessings.
  • Adam - In Reply - 3 months ago
    John 10:34- seems to be a popular verse here. People want to believe they are a god, is that what's happening here? That would be a gross misinterpretation. You know this is a quote with a question mark at the end, right? Let's be honest about it. Here's the commentary for that:

    Christ's argument is: If your law calls judges gods, why should I be held guilty of blasphemy for saying that I am the Son of God?

    As per the other argument trying to discredit the word "one" sounds like your argument is that one doesn't really mean one, because Jesus used it to describe believers being one. I don't see how being one in unity as Christ's body somehow means that all the Bible verses about Jesus being God and divine suddenly don't apply? The verse about the Father and Son being one is only one of MANY verses competing the picture. The Bible already says Jesus the Word is God so how can you disregard that?

    God: "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God." John 1:1 KJV

    You: Word was "NOT" God?

    "Then said they unto him, Where is thy Father? Jesus answered, Ye neither know me, nor my Father: if ye had known me, ye should have known my Father also." John 8:19 KJV

    Have you thought about how your belief reconciles with verses like this above?

    Isaiah 7:14 -

    Yes, Jesus is called Immanuel which means "God with us". People called Jesus "God". He's King of King and Lord of Lords. Alpha and Omega, first and last. Do you believe Jesus is Lord? I believe that is a requirement for even being a Christian. A Christ follower should know who Christ is.

    1 John 5:7-8

    John 10:30

    John 8:19

    Genesis 1:26

    Genesis 11:6-7 (plural "us" which includes Jesus, as per John 1:1)

    Philippians 2:5-8

    2 Corinthians 5:19

    John 1:3

    Matthew 28:19

    1 Peter 1:2

    2 Corinthians 13:14

    Deuteronomy 6:4

    John 14:10

    John 20:28

    1 John 2:22-24

    Matthew 1:23-25

    Colossians 2:9

    Acts 17:29

    Romans 1:20

    Isaiah 7:14

    Hebrews 1:8

    Isaiah 44:6

    Isaiah 43:11


Do you have a Bible comment or question?


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