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March 29, 2024, 08:43:16 AM

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Our Lord Jesus Christ loves you.
286777 Posts in 27568 Topics by 3790 Members
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31  Theology / Apologetics / Re:Interacial Marriage on: April 13, 2004, 11:31:27 PM
Some people believe that interracial marriages are prohibited in the Scriptures. Often they will argue that marriage with foreigners (implying people both of different culture and color) was prohibited throughout the Old Testament.

Actually, the prohibitions were not strictly against Jewish-Gentile marriages as racial mixture, but against believer-unbeliever marriages (cf. Deuteronomy 7:3).

Solomon was judged for marrying, not simply foreign women, but foreign women who believed in false gods. In fact, in the Old Testament provisions were made for Gentiles to convert to Judaism (cf. Exodus 12:48, 49).

One should also remember both Rahab and Ruth, Gentile women of faith; they were both accepted into the community of believers (they are even in the genealogical line of Jesus! Matthew 1:5).

"But," someone may say, "the New Testament prohibits being unequally yoked. Therefore, people of different races shouldn't marry."

The passage being referred to here is 2 Corinthians 6:14 f. This is where the apostle Paul rhetorically asks, "What fellowship hath light with darkness?" In accordance with the Old Testament teaching, Paul is simply prohibiting believers from intimate fellowship with unbelievers. The context speaks nothing of skin color.

There are absolutely no grounds in either the Old Testament or the New Testament to prohibit interracial marriages.
32  Theology / General Theology / Re:Sin unto Death... 1 John 5:16 on: April 13, 2004, 04:18:46 PM
 The phrase "sin unto death" describes the final stage of divine discipline in which God removes from the earth the person who is totally alienated from God. The "sin unto death" is not a particular sin; but it is, rather, a mental attitude of total indifference to and rebellion against the will and purpose of God.

The spiritual condition of the person who comes under the "sin unto death" is characterized by continual and maximum carnality; and this punishment represents God's final step of chastisement to those who are in maximum alienation from God. Only God can discern the true nature of a person's mind, attitude, or volition; and only God knows whether a person is actually implacable and deserving of physical death.

The "sin unto death" is described as a principle in 1 John 5:16; Psalm 118:17,18; and Ezek. 18:21-32.

It is important for the Christian to understand the circumstances under which sins are not "unto death".

First, sin which is confessed is not "unto death". 1 John 1:9; 1 Cor. 11:31; Ps. 32:5; Ps. 38.

Second, sin which is discontinued is not "unto death". Heb. 12:1; Eze. 18:21-32.

Finally, the person who responds positively to divine discipline is not involved in the "sin unto death". Heb. 12:6, cf. 12:11-15.

There are definite characteristics by which to recognize the conditions which lead to God's applying the "sin unto death". Persistent, unconfessed sin, sin which continues unchecked with no repentance, may bring a person under this category. Also, the person who persistently ignores Grace, warnings, and discipline may come under the "sin unto death". Lev. 26. Then, sin which has a maximum adverse effect on other people (causing stumbling) may lead a person into severe discipline.

Some case histories of the "sin unto death":

* The case of "lying to the Holy Spirit" (Ananias and Sapphira). Acts 5:1-10.

* The case of persistent carnality while sitting at the Lord's Table, 1 Cor. 11:30,31.

* The case of disobedience to the Word of God.1 Chron.10:13,14; 1 Sam. 13:9-14. King Saul did not kill Agag although directly ordered to do so by God; he insisted on personally offering sacrifices in the place of divinely appointed priests; and he consulted a witch, itself a capital offense.

* The case of self-righteousness and dependence on man which was perpetuated (case of Hezekiah). Isa. 38.

* The case of apostasy on the part of a believer. Num. 31:8; 1 Tim. 1:19,20.
33  Theology / General Theology / Re:TRINITY?? on: April 13, 2004, 04:03:51 PM
Another Look at the Trinity ( cont)

     The Trinity can be a difficult concept to understand. Some think it is a logical contradiction. Others call it a mystery. Does the Bible teach it? Yes it does,  but that doesn't automatically make it easier to comprehend.
      The Trinity is defined as one God who exists in three eternal, simultaneous, and distinct persons known as the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Such a definition may suffice for some, but for others this explanation is insufficient.
      Therefore, to help understand the Trinity better, I offer the following analogy that, I think, is hinted at in Rom. 1:20: "For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made."
      Notice that this verse says God's attributes, power, and nature, can be clearly seen in creation. What does that mean? Should we be able to learn about God's attributes, power, and nature by looking at what He has made? Apparently, according to the Bible, this is possible.
      When a painter paints a picture, what is in him is reflected in the painting he produces. When a sculptor creates a work of art, it is from his heart and mind that the source of the sculpture is born. The work is shaped by his creative ability. The creators of art leave their marks, something that is their own, something that reflects what they are. Is this the same with God? Has God left His fingerprints on creation? Of course He has.

Creation

      Basically, the universe consists of three elements: Time, Space, and Matter. Each of these is comprised of three 'components.'
Time Past Present Future
Space Height Width Depth
Matter Solid Liquid Gas
         
  As the Trinitarian doctrine maintains, each of the persons of the Godhead is distinct, yet they are all each, by nature, God.
     With time, for example, the past is distinct from the present, which is distinct from the future. Each is simultaneous. Yet, they are not three 'times,' but one. That is, they all share the same nature: time
      With space, height is distinct from width, which is distinct from depth, which is distinct from height. Yet, they are not three 'spaces,' but one. That is, they all share the same nature: space.
      With matter, solid is not the same as liquid, which is not the same as gas, which is not the same as solid. Yet, they are not three 'matters,' but one. That is, they all share the same nature: matter.
      Note that there are three sets of threes. In other words, there is a trinity of trinities. If we were to look at the universe and notice these qualities within it, is it fair to say that these are the fingerprints of God upon His creation? I think so. Not only is this simply an observation, but it is also a good source for an analogy of the Trinity.

A Criticism of Trinitarianism

     Some critiques of the Trinitarian doctrine say that the Trinity is really teaching three gods, not one. They will say that God the Father, and God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit would make three gods, since the Father plus the Son plus the Holy Spirit would make three. But this is not a logical necessity. Instead of adding, why not multiply? One times one times one equals one. Why must addition be the criteria by which the doctrine is judged? It need not be. Rather, the doctrine should stand or fall based upon biblical revelation, not human logic. Nevertheless, let me draw an analogy from creation itself to illustrate the doctrine of the Trinity.

An Analogy of the Trinity

      To continue with the observation about the Trinitarian nature of creation, I would like to use 'time' to illustrate the Trinity. Is the "past" plus the "present" plus the "future" a total of three times? Not at all. It simply is a representation of three distinct aspects of the nature of time: past, present, and future. Likewise, the Father and the Son and Holy Spirit are not three separate beings or entities, but three distinct persons in the one nature of the Godhead.
      One more comment about Jesus. All cults deny that Jesus is God, the creator of the universe, in flesh. Various objections are raised saying that Jesus could not be God, otherwise, He would be praying to Himself, etc. Let's work with the analogy above, and continue with 'time' as our illustration.
      Let's take 'present' and add to it human nature. Present, then, would have two natures: time and man. If 'present' were truly human then he would be able to communicate with us, tell us much, and we could see and touch him. But, because he is also 'time' by nature, he would be able to tell us both the past and the future as he manifested the 'time' nature within him. If 'present' then, communicated with the past and the future, it would not mean he was communicating with himself, but with the distinctions known as the past and the future.
      I know that this is only an analogy. But I think it is a good, though basic, illustration of God's nature as expressed in Trinitarian expression.
34  Theology / General Theology / Re:TRINITY?? on: April 13, 2004, 03:47:36 PM
jeneen,

God exists as a unity of three distinct persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Each is divine, yet there are not three gods, but one God.The Father is not the same person as the Son who is not the same person as the Holy Spirit who is not the same person as the Father.
Scrpitures that are usually used to demonstrate that in the doctrine of the Trinity is indeed biblical.
njv(new king james version)
* matt28:19 Go  ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:
* 2 Cor. 13:14, The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, be with you all.
* Jude 20-21, "But you, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith; praying in the Holy Spirit; 21keep yourselves in the love of God, waiting anxiously for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to eternal life."
* mark1:10 And immediately,coming up from the water, He saw the heavens parting and the Spirit descending upon Him like a dove."You are my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased."


Does that mean Jesus is God?

The bible says Jesus is God in flesh.
*John1:1In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
*John1:14 The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us


Jesus has two natures He is both God and man.

GOD

He is worshiped (Matt. 2:2,11; 14:33; 28:9)
He is prayed to (Acts 7:59; 1 Cor. 1:2)
He was called God (John 20:28; Heb. 1:Cool
He was called Son of God (Mark 1:1)
He is sinless (1 Pet. 2:22; Heb. 4:15)
He knew all things (John 21:17)
He gives eternal life (John 20:28)
The fullness of deity dwells in Him (Col. 2:9)


Man
He worshiped the Father (John 17)
He prayed to the Father (John 17:1)
He was called man (Mark 15:39; John 19:5).
He was called Son of Man (John 19:35-37)
He was tempted (Matt. 4:1)
He grew in wisdom (Luke 2:52)
He died (Rom. 5:Cool
He has a body of flesh and bones (Luke 24:39)

Can we pray to Jesus?

Yes. you can pray to any member of the trinity.
Jesus said in John 14:14, "If you ask Me anything in My name, I will do it."


         






 
35  Theology / Apologetics / Re:How do you know Jesus was not just an average man? on: April 13, 2004, 02:51:33 PM
Having faith in things we cannot see,  

jn20:29 Jesus saith unto him, Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed.



It's hard to believe in a God whom you cannot touch, see, and hear. But He comes to live in the bible and in our hearts. Everything He did was beyond a mere mortal. How do I know it is by faith in what He said and what He has done in my own life.And here are some other reasons that show He is more than a man , can a man rise from the dead? Can a man calm the winds and waters ? or have 12 legions of angels come and rescue them if they asked?  

Jesus was here in the beginnig, He is the word, He is God in flesh,

jn1:1 In  the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.


jn1:14 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.
 
He is the mediator,
1tim2:5 For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus;

He created all things,

jn1:3 All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.

He is the savior,
1jn4:14 And we have seen and do testify that the Father sent the Son to be the Saviour of the world.

He saves lives,
heb5:25 Wherefore  he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them.

luke19:10 For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.

 He died and rose again,
1thess4:14 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him.


 He is and always will be.

 13 I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last.
36  Fellowship / You name it!! / dreaming awake on: April 13, 2004, 03:55:37 AM
Just before I fall asleep I hear people talking outside and in my head sometimes I can hear what their saying other times I cant yet there's no one there and the tv's not on  . And I tend to still be awake and yet see images in my head  that seem just as vivid as a dream like I can see faces clearly in my head and detail and color its like a dream yet im not sleeping.Does anyone know what this is?  Huh
37  Theology / General Theology / Re:Sin unto Death... 1 John 5:16 on: April 06, 2004, 11:53:47 PM


  Smiley
38  Theology / General Theology / Re:Sin unto Death... 1 John 5:16 on: April 06, 2004, 05:57:35 AM
blasphemy against the Holy Spirit results in spiritual death
(mark3:29)and the book of hebrews describes spritual death of a person who turns against christ(hebrews6:4-6)John was probably talking about the people  who had left the christian fellowship and joined the antichrists rejecting the only way to salvation.
39  Entertainment / Music / Re:What type of music do you listen to? on: March 26, 2004, 12:07:02 AM
I prefer christian rock and Punk!


such as Disciple, blindside( their older stuff),12stones,kutless,officier negative,seven dayjesus,spoken,pocketchange,jonah33,newsboys,plankeye,grammatrain,guardian,project86
mxpx and skillet
40  Entertainment / Music / Re:christian emo pop punk recommendations? on: March 25, 2004, 11:47:35 PM
here are a few that I know of.....

ace troubleshooter,squadfive-o( fight the system ),anberlin,pocket change,everydaysunday and the dingees ,cadet

smashing pumkins, bush and foo fighters are considered rock so here are some christian rock bands that are similiar to them kinda

 kutless,spoken,blindside( solid state not there new stuff),plankeye, and seven day jesus
41  Theology / General Theology / Re:Blasphemy against the Holy Spirit? on: March 23, 2004, 02:45:34 AM
A true christian can not committ the blasphemy of the Holy Spirit. Its just hasn't happen.It's the total rejection of Jesus a delibrate hardening of the heart against God's word by rejecting Jesus and attributing God's power to the devil and not God's Spirit therefore, rejecting the helper your rejecting Christ by refusing to believe in Christ theres no forgiveness apart from Him.
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