The following are the fundamental principles of Bible study that the God Himself lays down in the Bible:
Christ is the author of the whole Bible. "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we behold his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth." John 1:1,14
"Holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Spirit" 2 Peter 1:21
Christ spoke in parables, earthly stories with a heavenly meaning. "But without a parable spake he not unto them: and when they were alone, he expounded all things to his disciples." Mark 4:34
We compare spiritual with spiritual. "Which things also we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual." 1 Corinthians 2:13
The historical-grammatical method of interpretation employed by the churches seeks to discover the writer's intended meaning, and thus fails to recognize that God is the author and that we are to compare spiritual things with spiritual to discover the underlying gospel message.
Moreover, the churches fail to recognize that as we approach the end of the world, where we are today, God is unsealing truths that have been kept sealed until the time of the end ( Daniel 12:9-10). This is spoken of in the Bible as a vision that will speak at the end and not lie.
"And he said, Go thy way, Daniel: for the words are closed up and sealed till the time of the end. Many shall be purified, and made white, and tried; but the wicked shall do wickedly: and none of the wicked shall understand; but the wise shall understand."
"And the LORD answered me, and said, Write the vision, and make it plain upon tables, that he may run that readeth it. For the vision is yet for an appointed time, but at the end it shall speak, and not lie: though it tarry, wait for it; because it will surely come, it will not tarry." Habakkuk 2:2-3
Dear "Jimbob" and all others. One day someone corrected me about faith. That's the most important word for me. Smiley face. Because I have full confidence in the God Jesus Christ that He who has all power can lead believers to Him. Just as He wants. Then it will be as God wills, according to His will. Hallelujah amen.
So when someone comes to God in faith and He Himself will complete the fermentation.
In Romans 1 chapter there is much good. First, Paul thanks the Lord. So he says in romans 1:16-17. The gospel has the power of God unto salvation FOR EVERY ONE WHO BELIEVES.
After it comes a lot of things we christians can do. Here we got a Pattern of What These Christians Are and what we not going to do!
Wicked Christians Do This Things.
Stand strong in the word of God, He will do the work. And He needs ppl like u and me who dare to speak the truth.
I agree with GiGi it does not mean Dispensationalism. This is my understanding and may others give theirs. Studying the Bible is not always easy, sometimes the meaning of a passage seems clear and others we can spend hours and it still is not clear. First, I will say pray that the Holy Spirit to lead and guide you and then clear your mind of all preconceived ideas you have.
You may notice some parts of the New Testament are capital letters, these are quotes from the Old Testament. Go back and read those from the Old Testament and the whole chapter maybe the one before and the one after to get the full context. Like what Jesus said on the cross, "My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me", Matt. 27:46, this is a quote from Psalms 22:1.
At first, it may seem Jesus doubts God feeling He has forsaken Him but if we go back and read this Psalm, we can get a better understanding of what Jesus was saying, we see the connection between His crucifixion and this Psalm that was written long before. Same with the other quotes from the OT we should go back and study those quotes they are there for a reason.
In Luke 14:26, the word hate is the Greek word miseo it does not mean hate as we use it today as an emotional feeling it has a meaning of action, to do we love more we choose which centers on moral choice, elevating one over another.
Just a couple of examples of my understanding of the meaning of 2 Timothy 2:15 I hope this helps, If we do not clear our minds of all we hear and what we think we cannot hear the truth from the Spirit of truth.
1) STUDY TO SHEW THYSELF APPROVED UNTO GOD. That's studying scripture as your primary.
Not man's doctrinal biblical history.
2) RIGHTLY ( DIVIDING ) THE WORD OF TRUTH. Take all 66 books and let them synchronize and divide them self.
Note: All scripture is to you for your learning and some as example but all scripture is NOT for you.
Scripture should not be taken out of context nor twisted to say what we would like it to say,
God's message to us is unified as a whole which unveils the nature and character of God and the devastating effects of sin.
This is seen throughout the Word.
The message spans from creation to the eternal ages to come.
It declares God's wider plan of salvation and Identifies the enemy of the faith. "Satan".
But it also distinguishes between many important concepts and periods of time.
For instance, being saved must be differentiated from growing in the Christian life.
AND!!
Passages that were specifically written to Israel should not be confused with those that were written to the Church. Example; Was the Church exiled? Will the Church be re-gathered? No that's Israel!
Literal passages must not be twisted into spiritual passages, and vice versa.
Scripture is its own interpreter, and the Holy Spirit should be the teacher of the believer.
Good topic for discussion. We all need to be aware and wise-testing what people say against Scripture; asking the Holy Spirit to guide us , and turning away from preachers and teachers who promote error.
There are many great pastors, teachers and evangelists in our day. We can be thankful that we have the opportunity to be present to hear them preach and teach or read their teaching the internet. We can learn a lot from them. But we still cannot put blind faith in anyone as a teacher. We need to be as the Bereans, testing all that was spoken by Paul and other disciples against wheat the Scriptures (OT) says. WE have both the NT and OT to use to test what is being taught or promulgated. So we are to beware of false teachers.
We also are to have compassion and concern for someone who teaches or holds to ideas that are false doctrine. We are to re-teach them with gentleness from the Scriptures in language styles they can understand. We are to attempt to reach them with truth and pray for them to receive the loving correction we offer them. If they refuse to consider what we say, then we have to let them go their way, while we tuck their need firmly in our "prayer box" in our minds and hearts to not give up on praying for them. God gave us an opportunity to bring correction to someone else (no matter the doctrine) not only for us to correct them, but to care about them and not easily discard them by the wayside when they do not heed what we say. Who knows-maybe they will come back around to us again asking for the same information again at a time when they are ready to reconsider their belief.
I am thankful for all the people who helped me with theological questions or corrected me when my doctrine on a topic was not quite pure in the sense that there were still nuances that needed to be straightened out.
You have posed several different questions here in your post. I will speak to your first question regarding 2 Tim. 2:15. This verse is NOT speaking of Dispensationalism. It is not talking about the way Dispensationalists divide up the Scriptures. This was NOT the understanding of this verse before John Nelson Darby and the early Dispensationalists in the 1800's began to interpret it in a Dispensational way so that it would fit with their newly developed theological approach to Scripture called Dispensational Premillennialism.
For the most part, this verse is speaking of studying the Scriptures:
* carefully and prayerfully,
*being teachable and learning from those the holy Spirit has placed in our lives to guide us in our spiritual growth,
*being "tight" as to how we interpret the Scripture by not bringing in wild and sensational interpretations of a verse by inserting things that are not really spoken of in the context of the verse. (This is adding to Scripture)
*and as a "workman" (preacher, teacher as Timothy was) be careful to (rightly divide), that is -preach and teach from the Scriptures with fidelity and faithfulness to the context, genre, wording, and authority of the Scriptures because others are depending on you doing so as a leader.
This verse has NOTHING to do with Dispensational theology. It has nothing to do with dividing the Scriptures up into dispensations and/or designating some Scriptures being to/for the Jews and other Scripture being strictly to/for the Church. To think that this verse DOES teach these ideas of Dispensationalism is to overlay a set viewpoint onto Scriptures to make it mean what it was never intended to mean. Dispensationalism DOES NOT rightly divide this particular Scripture and should not be taught to mean so by them. It is false teaching.
I do agree that it is only through the blood and sacrifice and perfect life of Jesus that we are saved. But the Bible also says that faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God. ( Romans 10:13-17) Paul said that he is not ashamed of the Gospel for it is the power of God unto salvation to everyone that believeth. ( Romans 1:26) So we are to know what the Gospel is and we are to share the Gospel with others. We are to study the Scriptures to show ourselves approved of God ( 2 Tim. 2:15) It is important to trust fully in the work of God in Christ for our salvation, be are to grow in grace and knowledge of Jesus. We find knowledge of Him in the written word-the Bible.
Dear Alex, your postings seem to denigrate the value and holiness of the Scriptures and in a way defames them. I know that you offend refer to multiple Scripture texts in most of your posts. So when you speak against the Scriptures you are sending a confusing message-on the one hand you seem to think that citing Scripture is important for the promotion of your point of view -and on the other hand you denounce the Scriptures.
So, I think that you can make your point in a way that does not slander the Scriptures. Please consider finding out how to do that in your posts. David is right. The Scriptures are our authority, not people's feelings, dreams, visions, "prophecies", or rational reasoning. I know that you value the Word, Alex, but in recent posts your wording sounds like you don't.
The crucifix (which you described with an icon of Jesus on it) is a symbol that commemorates His great and holy sacrifice for us. So, for some, this is a graphic reminder. For others of us, a simple cross without the icon of Jesus reminds us of the same thing.
If we allow ourselves one of these similar icons, we cannot condemn the other, because both are icons.
For me, I prefer to not wear any icons like these, not because I am opposed to either one, but because I know that Jesus died AND ROSE for us. The cross was not the end of His saving work for us. It was followed by a triumphant resurrection that defied all natural laws and the thinking of the evil ones. It reminds us that we, too, have a resurrection ahead for us.
But each person can decide in their own hearts what things to use to commemorate the work and life of our Lord.
It is a matter of Christian liberty for the most part and yet we should not let our liberty lead anyone else against their conscience. So for me, being well aware of the commandment to not make any graven images, then I refrain from having them around my neck or in my home so as not to cause offense to a weaker brother. But I am not offended by these things because they are not an object of worship on my part. Even so, I prefer to leave them out of my life.
Matthew 7:16 Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles?
If one is not barring fruit and you are not sure by his doctrine he's probably a worker of the flesh.
You will notice the absence of "love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance in him.
FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT AND WORKS OF THE FLESH.
See; Galatians 5:19-21.
Here's a few of the Characteristics I picked out of the list that has similar properties of one lacking the Spirit.
* Variance = contention debate strife variance.
* Strife = Contentious.
* Sedition = division sedition, "Perhaps one who brings an uproar with the intent to divide against.
LAST BUT NOT LEAST HERESIES.
( Probably is the cause of the previous three mentioned.)
*Heresies = properly a choice that is (specifically) a party or (abstractly) disunion . (heresy is the Greek word itself.) the formal denial or doubt of a core doctrine of the Christian faith as defined by one or more of the Christian churches.
If we bring such accusation as this on someone do we thrive with such a person?
You can wear anything you want as long as you do not 'worship' it, {the cross.) i do not like the see Yoshus hanging on the cross. He has been off that ole cross a long time. The Christian cross of course is a symbol of "Christianity"..
"Rightly divide the word of truth", does it mean Dispensationalism? I've heard it from Dr. Gene Kim and Pastor Jae Joo ( 2 Timothy 2:15 King James Version 15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.)
In your opinion, should we learn Hebrew, Greek, and Aramaic to understand the Bible? Does God intend to have a one Final Bible? I mean God created the KJV as the one true bible since not all people can understand Hebrews, Greek and Aramaic. There are people who can't even fathom KJV without internet, since the internet is very important in researching about the Bible. Also, what about those that reads KJV Bible translation from their mother tongue? For example, my mother is reading a bible that's a local translation.
David0921 love ya my man.....But all the bibles in the world cd have redemed humanity back to God....Only the blood of the lamb...Only by Calvary are we redemed back to God.... Gal. 2:21 If righteousness cd have come by the law the written word then Christ died in vain....God so loved the world that he gave us his only begotten son....Thus that New Covenant...As Paul is saying when that which is perfect ( that New Covenant the book in the righthand of the father ) is come then that which is done in part will be done away with.....ok gbu
Not approximately 2,000 yrs ago..it was exactly 2023, going on 2024 yrs ago. His resurrection IS the beginning of our new time line..hence 2023 years ago Christ resurrected for ALL our sins should we choose to believe *He is the ONLY way truth & life being the bridge to see heaven (God) not spending eternity in the lake of fire. (Hell). For without Jesus we will not get there. Therefore we are to now live by faith thru God's grace, Rightly divide the word of truth. Old testament is prophecy, history & Peter speaking to the Jews. New testament is Jesus birth, life, teachings of new ways (not 613 laws), & Paul teaching to gentiles, or ANY one who repents & believes, that He is the ONLY way to heaven. *Love God w/All your being (commandments 1-4) & neighbor as yourself (5-10). God knows if the world did this, we wouldn't have wars, arguing, hate or sin. Pray for our enemies. God will provide the rest.! Plus, Hebrew, Greek & other languages it was originally written in, have totally different meanings then English meanings so, as God said, we are to read His word daily, study it ourself..not merely believing others & continue to grow in His strength & wisdom to be more like Jesus. Those that stupidity chose to change even a single word are the ones that confused the true meaning God intended. I have several books dating back to 16-1800s. You'd be amazed how the wording is different even in last 200 yrs. (Compared to any translations even kjv) therefore..*=key objectives of life & nothing else matters.! Let go & Let God..do His job. :) Amen
You can check what Jesus said in Matt. 24, Mark, 13, and Luke 21.
You can check what Paul said in 2 Thess. 2 to see the sequence of events he gives that is the same that Jesus gave.
From what I have read, I have not found one verse that states explicitly that there will be a pre-trib rapture, but the sequences given by Jesus and Paul are explicitly stated and do not mention such an event as the pre-trib rapture.
Matthew 24 and Mark 13 speak about the Great Tribulation, Christ's return, and the Rapture of True Believers. It can be shown, I believe, that we are currently living in the period of God's plan for this world that He calls the Great Tribulation spoken about in these chapters.
There is only ONE Rapture of believers and it occurs, as we read in Matthew 24:29, "IMMEDIATELY after the tribulation of those days". And that is referred to in the Bible as "the Last Day".
The Bible is clear that the Resurrection and Rapture of all True Believers that God has saved throughout the history of the world will occur at the Last Day. ( John 6:39,40,44,54). This is when Christ will return to complete the salvation of all whom He has saved by giving them their resurrected Spiritual Bodies in which they will live with Christ eternally in the new heavens and new earth, which He will create as He destroys this sin cursed earth. This is also when God's Final Judgement will occur on all of the unsaved. The Rapture is described in 1 Thessalonians 4:14-17. Read also Matthew 24, Mark 13, and Luke 21.
Not exactly sure what you are saying in this post but you seem to be making a grave error if you believe the Bible, the written Word of God, is somehow not for us today. And that God had some different "Salvation" for Old Testament true believers than for New Testament true believers.
Before the Bible was completed, God spoke directly to individuals and actually appeared in various forms to them. Once the Bible was completed with the book of Revelation, God very clearly states in Rev 22:18,19 that we are neither to add nor take away anything from the Bible and there are very serious penalties for doing so. This means that we are never to look for any communication from God in the form of a dream or a vision or a tongue, etc. The Lord Jesus Christ, Eternal God Himself, identifies Himself with the Bible very directly in John 1:1-5 He states:
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made. In him was life; and the life was the light of men. And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not.
Today, Christ, the living Word, speaks to us ONLY through His written Word, the Bible, as God, the Holy Spirit would lead us into Truth as we search the scriptures. Romans 10:17 So then faith cometh by HEARING and HEARING by the WORD OF GOD.
The Bible alone and in its entirety is the Word of God.
Rev 22:18,19
For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book:
And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and from the things which are written in this book.
Therefore also now, saith the LORD, turn ye even to me with all your heart, and with fasting, and with weeping, and with mourning: And rend your heart, and not your garments, and turn unto the LORD your God: for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness, and repenteth him of the evil. Who knoweth if he will return and repent, and leave a blessing behind him; even a meat offering and a drink offering unto the LORD your God?
Jonah 3:4-10
Yet forty days, and Nineveh shall be overthrown. So the people of Nineveh believed God, and proclaimed a fast, and put on sackcloth, from the greatest of them even to the least of them. For the word came unto the king of Nineveh, and he arose from his throne, and he laid his robe from him, and covered him with sackcloth, and sat in ashes. And he caused it to be proclaimed and published through Nineveh by the decree of the king and his nobles, saying, Let neither man nor beast, herd nor flock, taste any thing: let them not feed, nor drink water: But let man and beast be covered with sackcloth, and cry mightily unto God: yea, let them turn every one from his evil way, and from the violence that is in their hands. Who can tell if God will turn and repent, and turn away from his fierce anger, that we perish not? And God saw their works, that they turned from their evil way; and God repented of the evil, that he had said that he would do unto them; and he did it not.
Ezekiel 36:24-31
For I will take you from among the heathen, and gather you out of all countries, and will bring you into your own land. Then will I sprinkle clean water upon you, and ye shall be clean: from all your filthiness, and from all your idols, will I cleanse you. A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh. And I will put my spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes
Christ is the author of the whole Bible. "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we behold his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth." John 1:1,14
"Holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Spirit" 2 Peter 1:21
Christ spoke in parables, earthly stories with a heavenly meaning. "But without a parable spake he not unto them: and when they were alone, he expounded all things to his disciples." Mark 4:34
We compare spiritual with spiritual. "Which things also we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual." 1 Corinthians 2:13
The historical-grammatical method of interpretation employed by the churches seeks to discover the writer's intended meaning, and thus fails to recognize that God is the author and that we are to compare spiritual things with spiritual to discover the underlying gospel message.
Moreover, the churches fail to recognize that as we approach the end of the world, where we are today, God is unsealing truths that have been kept sealed until the time of the end ( Daniel 12:9-10). This is spoken of in the Bible as a vision that will speak at the end and not lie.
"And he said, Go thy way, Daniel: for the words are closed up and sealed till the time of the end. Many shall be purified, and made white, and tried; but the wicked shall do wickedly: and none of the wicked shall understand; but the wise shall understand."
"And the LORD answered me, and said, Write the vision, and make it plain upon tables, that he may run that readeth it. For the vision is yet for an appointed time, but at the end it shall speak, and not lie: though it tarry, wait for it; because it will surely come, it will not tarry." Habakkuk 2:2-3
So when someone comes to God in faith and He Himself will complete the fermentation.
In Romans 1 chapter there is much good. First, Paul thanks the Lord. So he says in romans 1:16-17. The gospel has the power of God unto salvation FOR EVERY ONE WHO BELIEVES.
After it comes a lot of things we christians can do. Here we got a Pattern of What These Christians Are and what we not going to do!
Wicked Christians Do This Things.
Stand strong in the word of God, He will do the work. And He needs ppl like u and me who dare to speak the truth.
Romans 1 chapter. Love u in Christ.
I agree with GiGi it does not mean Dispensationalism. This is my understanding and may others give theirs. Studying the Bible is not always easy, sometimes the meaning of a passage seems clear and others we can spend hours and it still is not clear. First, I will say pray that the Holy Spirit to lead and guide you and then clear your mind of all preconceived ideas you have.
You may notice some parts of the New Testament are capital letters, these are quotes from the Old Testament. Go back and read those from the Old Testament and the whole chapter maybe the one before and the one after to get the full context. Like what Jesus said on the cross, "My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me", Matt. 27:46, this is a quote from Psalms 22:1.
At first, it may seem Jesus doubts God feeling He has forsaken Him but if we go back and read this Psalm, we can get a better understanding of what Jesus was saying, we see the connection between His crucifixion and this Psalm that was written long before. Same with the other quotes from the OT we should go back and study those quotes they are there for a reason.
In Luke 14:26, the word hate is the Greek word miseo it does not mean hate as we use it today as an emotional feeling it has a meaning of action, to do we love more we choose which centers on moral choice, elevating one over another.
Just a couple of examples of my understanding of the meaning of 2 Timothy 2:15 I hope this helps, If we do not clear our minds of all we hear and what we think we cannot hear the truth from the Spirit of truth.
God bless,
RLW
1) STUDY TO SHEW THYSELF APPROVED UNTO GOD. That's studying scripture as your primary.
Not man's doctrinal biblical history.
2) RIGHTLY ( DIVIDING ) THE WORD OF TRUTH. Take all 66 books and let them synchronize and divide them self.
Note: All scripture is to you for your learning and some as example but all scripture is NOT for you.
Scripture should not be taken out of context nor twisted to say what we would like it to say,
God's message to us is unified as a whole which unveils the nature and character of God and the devastating effects of sin.
This is seen throughout the Word.
The message spans from creation to the eternal ages to come.
It declares God's wider plan of salvation and Identifies the enemy of the faith. "Satan".
But it also distinguishes between many important concepts and periods of time.
For instance, being saved must be differentiated from growing in the Christian life.
AND!!
Passages that were specifically written to Israel should not be confused with those that were written to the Church. Example; Was the Church exiled? Will the Church be re-gathered? No that's Israel!
Literal passages must not be twisted into spiritual passages, and vice versa.
Scripture is its own interpreter, and the Holy Spirit should be the teacher of the believer.
I hope this helps.
God bless.
Good topic for discussion. We all need to be aware and wise-testing what people say against Scripture; asking the Holy Spirit to guide us , and turning away from preachers and teachers who promote error.
There are many great pastors, teachers and evangelists in our day. We can be thankful that we have the opportunity to be present to hear them preach and teach or read their teaching the internet. We can learn a lot from them. But we still cannot put blind faith in anyone as a teacher. We need to be as the Bereans, testing all that was spoken by Paul and other disciples against wheat the Scriptures (OT) says. WE have both the NT and OT to use to test what is being taught or promulgated. So we are to beware of false teachers.
We also are to have compassion and concern for someone who teaches or holds to ideas that are false doctrine. We are to re-teach them with gentleness from the Scriptures in language styles they can understand. We are to attempt to reach them with truth and pray for them to receive the loving correction we offer them. If they refuse to consider what we say, then we have to let them go their way, while we tuck their need firmly in our "prayer box" in our minds and hearts to not give up on praying for them. God gave us an opportunity to bring correction to someone else (no matter the doctrine) not only for us to correct them, but to care about them and not easily discard them by the wayside when they do not heed what we say. Who knows-maybe they will come back around to us again asking for the same information again at a time when they are ready to reconsider their belief.
I am thankful for all the people who helped me with theological questions or corrected me when my doctrine on a topic was not quite pure in the sense that there were still nuances that needed to be straightened out.
You have posed several different questions here in your post. I will speak to your first question regarding 2 Tim. 2:15. This verse is NOT speaking of Dispensationalism. It is not talking about the way Dispensationalists divide up the Scriptures. This was NOT the understanding of this verse before John Nelson Darby and the early Dispensationalists in the 1800's began to interpret it in a Dispensational way so that it would fit with their newly developed theological approach to Scripture called Dispensational Premillennialism.
For the most part, this verse is speaking of studying the Scriptures:
* carefully and prayerfully,
*being teachable and learning from those the holy Spirit has placed in our lives to guide us in our spiritual growth,
*being "tight" as to how we interpret the Scripture by not bringing in wild and sensational interpretations of a verse by inserting things that are not really spoken of in the context of the verse. (This is adding to Scripture)
*and as a "workman" (preacher, teacher as Timothy was) be careful to (rightly divide), that is -preach and teach from the Scriptures with fidelity and faithfulness to the context, genre, wording, and authority of the Scriptures because others are depending on you doing so as a leader.
This verse has NOTHING to do with Dispensational theology. It has nothing to do with dividing the Scriptures up into dispensations and/or designating some Scriptures being to/for the Jews and other Scripture being strictly to/for the Church. To think that this verse DOES teach these ideas of Dispensationalism is to overlay a set viewpoint onto Scriptures to make it mean what it was never intended to mean. Dispensationalism DOES NOT rightly divide this particular Scripture and should not be taught to mean so by them. It is false teaching.
I do agree that it is only through the blood and sacrifice and perfect life of Jesus that we are saved. But the Bible also says that faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God. ( Romans 10:13-17) Paul said that he is not ashamed of the Gospel for it is the power of God unto salvation to everyone that believeth. ( Romans 1:26) So we are to know what the Gospel is and we are to share the Gospel with others. We are to study the Scriptures to show ourselves approved of God ( 2 Tim. 2:15) It is important to trust fully in the work of God in Christ for our salvation, be are to grow in grace and knowledge of Jesus. We find knowledge of Him in the written word-the Bible.
Dear Alex, your postings seem to denigrate the value and holiness of the Scriptures and in a way defames them. I know that you offend refer to multiple Scripture texts in most of your posts. So when you speak against the Scriptures you are sending a confusing message-on the one hand you seem to think that citing Scripture is important for the promotion of your point of view -and on the other hand you denounce the Scriptures.
So, I think that you can make your point in a way that does not slander the Scriptures. Please consider finding out how to do that in your posts. David is right. The Scriptures are our authority, not people's feelings, dreams, visions, "prophecies", or rational reasoning. I know that you value the Word, Alex, but in recent posts your wording sounds like you don't.
The crucifix (which you described with an icon of Jesus on it) is a symbol that commemorates His great and holy sacrifice for us. So, for some, this is a graphic reminder. For others of us, a simple cross without the icon of Jesus reminds us of the same thing.
If we allow ourselves one of these similar icons, we cannot condemn the other, because both are icons.
For me, I prefer to not wear any icons like these, not because I am opposed to either one, but because I know that Jesus died AND ROSE for us. The cross was not the end of His saving work for us. It was followed by a triumphant resurrection that defied all natural laws and the thinking of the evil ones. It reminds us that we, too, have a resurrection ahead for us.
But each person can decide in their own hearts what things to use to commemorate the work and life of our Lord.
It is a matter of Christian liberty for the most part and yet we should not let our liberty lead anyone else against their conscience. So for me, being well aware of the commandment to not make any graven images, then I refrain from having them around my neck or in my home so as not to cause offense to a weaker brother. But I am not offended by these things because they are not an object of worship on my part. Even so, I prefer to leave them out of my life.
Matthew 7:16 Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles?
If one is not barring fruit and you are not sure by his doctrine he's probably a worker of the flesh.
You will notice the absence of "love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance in him.
FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT AND WORKS OF THE FLESH.
See; Galatians 5:19-21.
Here's a few of the Characteristics I picked out of the list that has similar properties of one lacking the Spirit.
* Variance = contention debate strife variance.
* Strife = Contentious.
* Sedition = division sedition, "Perhaps one who brings an uproar with the intent to divide against.
LAST BUT NOT LEAST HERESIES.
( Probably is the cause of the previous three mentioned.)
*Heresies = properly a choice that is (specifically) a party or (abstractly) disunion . (heresy is the Greek word itself.) the formal denial or doubt of a core doctrine of the Christian faith as defined by one or more of the Christian churches.
If we bring such accusation as this on someone do we thrive with such a person?
Here's a few principle scriptures.
Titus 3:9-11.
2 Peter 1:10.
Galatians 1:8-9.
God bless.
In your opinion, should we learn Hebrew, Greek, and Aramaic to understand the Bible? Does God intend to have a one Final Bible? I mean God created the KJV as the one true bible since not all people can understand Hebrews, Greek and Aramaic. There are people who can't even fathom KJV without internet, since the internet is very important in researching about the Bible. Also, what about those that reads KJV Bible translation from their mother tongue? For example, my mother is reading a bible that's a local translation.
Here are a few verses that pre-tribulation rapture believers use to prove a pre-tribulation rapture.
( 1 Thessalonians. 4:15-17) There are 3 things to look at in these verses.
(1) v16 says "with the ((trump)) of God. (a trumpet sounds)
(2) v17 says "we shall be caught up to meet the Lord ((in the clouds)) (The Lord comes in the clouds)
(3) v17 also says "we shall be caught up ((together)) with them" (There is a gathering together)
Now a look at ( Mt. 24:29-31)
(1) v31 Tells us "a great sound of ((a trumpet))"
(2) v30 Tells us "and they shall see the Son of man ((coming in the clouds))"
(3) v31 Tells us "they shall ((gather together)) his elect".
(4) v29 Tells us when this happens "Immediately ((after)) the tribulation"
There is no pre-tribulation rapture mentioned anywhere in the Bible.
The Lord comes (in the clouds) with a great (sound of a trumpet) to (gather together) His elect
"Immediately after the tribulation".
Not before!
Would you mind sharing your view on the rapture, please?
Thank you!
You can check what Jesus said in Matt. 24, Mark, 13, and Luke 21.
You can check what Paul said in 2 Thess. 2 to see the sequence of events he gives that is the same that Jesus gave.
From what I have read, I have not found one verse that states explicitly that there will be a pre-trib rapture, but the sequences given by Jesus and Paul are explicitly stated and do not mention such an event as the pre-trib rapture.
You are surely welcome. What a good thing it is to pray for one another.
Matthew 24 and Mark 13 speak about the Great Tribulation, Christ's return, and the Rapture of True Believers. It can be shown, I believe, that we are currently living in the period of God's plan for this world that He calls the Great Tribulation spoken about in these chapters.
There is only ONE Rapture of believers and it occurs, as we read in Matthew 24:29, "IMMEDIATELY after the tribulation of those days". And that is referred to in the Bible as "the Last Day".
You will be in my Prayers.
God Bless.
The Bible is clear that the Resurrection and Rapture of all True Believers that God has saved throughout the history of the world will occur at the Last Day. ( John 6:39,40,44,54). This is when Christ will return to complete the salvation of all whom He has saved by giving them their resurrected Spiritual Bodies in which they will live with Christ eternally in the new heavens and new earth, which He will create as He destroys this sin cursed earth. This is also when God's Final Judgement will occur on all of the unsaved. The Rapture is described in 1 Thessalonians 4:14-17. Read also Matthew 24, Mark 13, and Luke 21.
The C word is always unnerving, my prayers are with you. I am one who don't always post my prayers so I am sure others out there are praying for you.
The Lord will be with you through this.
God bless
RLW
We certainly will be praying for you.
God bless you.
Not exactly sure what you are saying in this post but you seem to be making a grave error if you believe the Bible, the written Word of God, is somehow not for us today. And that God had some different "Salvation" for Old Testament true believers than for New Testament true believers.
Before the Bible was completed, God spoke directly to individuals and actually appeared in various forms to them. Once the Bible was completed with the book of Revelation, God very clearly states in Rev 22:18,19 that we are neither to add nor take away anything from the Bible and there are very serious penalties for doing so. This means that we are never to look for any communication from God in the form of a dream or a vision or a tongue, etc. The Lord Jesus Christ, Eternal God Himself, identifies Himself with the Bible very directly in John 1:1-5 He states:
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made. In him was life; and the life was the light of men. And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not.
Today, Christ, the living Word, speaks to us ONLY through His written Word, the Bible, as God, the Holy Spirit would lead us into Truth as we search the scriptures. Romans 10:17 So then faith cometh by HEARING and HEARING by the WORD OF GOD.
The Bible alone and in its entirety is the Word of God.
Rev 22:18,19
For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book:
And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and from the things which are written in this book.
Therefore also now, saith the LORD, turn ye even to me with all your heart, and with fasting, and with weeping, and with mourning: And rend your heart, and not your garments, and turn unto the LORD your God: for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness, and repenteth him of the evil. Who knoweth if he will return and repent, and leave a blessing behind him; even a meat offering and a drink offering unto the LORD your God?
Jonah 3:4-10
Yet forty days, and Nineveh shall be overthrown. So the people of Nineveh believed God, and proclaimed a fast, and put on sackcloth, from the greatest of them even to the least of them. For the word came unto the king of Nineveh, and he arose from his throne, and he laid his robe from him, and covered him with sackcloth, and sat in ashes. And he caused it to be proclaimed and published through Nineveh by the decree of the king and his nobles, saying, Let neither man nor beast, herd nor flock, taste any thing: let them not feed, nor drink water: But let man and beast be covered with sackcloth, and cry mightily unto God: yea, let them turn every one from his evil way, and from the violence that is in their hands. Who can tell if God will turn and repent, and turn away from his fierce anger, that we perish not? And God saw their works, that they turned from their evil way; and God repented of the evil, that he had said that he would do unto them; and he did it not.
Ezekiel 36:24-31
For I will take you from among the heathen, and gather you out of all countries, and will bring you into your own land. Then will I sprinkle clean water upon you, and ye shall be clean: from all your filthiness, and from all your idols, will I cleanse you. A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh. And I will put my spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes