I can say and I believe you as well, we believe God has no beginning or no end. In John 1:1 it starts with in the beginning, why? Does it mean Jesus the Son of God has been God from eternity or is that an assumption? Scripture tells us Jesus the Amen is the beginning of creation, Rev. 3:14.
Scripture tells us Jesus in whom we have redemption through His blood and forgiveness of our sins and is the image of the invisible God (the manifestation of God). Jesus is the firstborn of every creature and through Him, everything that is was created through and for Him Col. 1:12-17.
It also says the Father made us meet/qualify of the inheritance and says He, Jesus was before "all in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things". Does that say He was eternal with the Father or does scripture tell us He was the firstborn of every creature/all creation in the beginning?
By this Jesus can say "I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, the first and the last, He, Jesus was first of all and He will be the last and the ending of this creation when the mystery of God should be finished and the new heaven and the new earth (the new creation perfect without spot).
Jesus the Son of God was the beginning, He is the only begotten Son of God. Does scripture honestly tell how He was begotten? Can we only say God ordained it before the world? Jesus said in John 17:5 And now, O Father, glorify thou me with thine own self with the glory which I had with thee before the world was. With our human minds can we have any clue to what that glory is?
Words that Paul and Jesus wanted believers to understand and know. Ephesians 1:17 That the God (of) our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him: John 17:3 And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the (only) true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent. 1 Timothy 2:5 For there is (one God), and one mediator between God and men, (the man) Christ Jesus; Luke 1:32 He shall be great, and shall be called the Son (of) the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David:
I put in parenthesis words that can be passed over easily. A lot of the phrases "deity of Christ", "fully God, fully man", "God the Son" I haven't read in the Bible. I might have missed them. If so I would like to know them. I wonder if their is a benefit in adding to the words the Bible uses to describe Jesus Christ.
Therefore, to your words, "the Spirit doesn't become flesh (man)" - the Spirit remains as God's Spirit. God took His Word & clothed the Word (Jesus) with human flesh ( John 1:1-14). And this act cannot be an impossible task for God. Is anything too hard for the LORD? Jesus lived out His Days in holiness & worked by the Power of God's Spirit within Him. And this Holy Spirit is the same as Jesus' Spirit, even as Paul declared ( Romans 8:9), & Peter as well ( 1 Peter 1:11).
Question: how can the Spirit of Christ be the same as God's Spirit ( Romans 8:9), if Jesus is not eternally a part of the Godhead? As Christians, we have the Holy Spirit within, but none of us can say that He has replaced our spirit with His Spirit ( Romans 8:16). Our spirits will always exist, but now we have another Spirit Who will "abide with us forever" ( John 14:16). But Jesus Spirit was only the Holy Spirit, & not a human spirit, because He came from the Father Who is Spirit ( John 17:5).
Even the word "devil" can be translated as "to divide."
The devil loves chaos. Ever since his fall from Heaven Satan seeks to divide the world. His first action was to divide the angels, which was followed-up by tempting Adam and Eve in the garden, driving a wedge between the first humans and God.
Division is the devil's playground and it shouldn't be surprising. The word "devil," comes from the Greek word diabolos, which can be translated as, "to divide," "to separate," or more literally, "to throw against." Whenever we see division occur in the world, especially division that pits one group in society against another, we can affirm that the devil is in some way behind it. He wants us to destroy ourselves and hatred against other people is one of the fastest ways we become the authors of our own demise.
Jesus, on the other hand, desires unity.
I pray not only for them, but also for those who will believe in me through their word, so that they may all be one, as you, Father, are in me and I in you, that they also may be in us, that the world may believe that you sent me. And I have given them the glory you gave me, so that they may be one, as we are one. ( John 17:20-22)
The Holy Trinity is the prime example of unity and communion, something we will ultimately participate in if we reach Heaven someday. Heaven will essentially be "communion," where we are unified not only with God, but with each other.
Above all, we need to strive for unity in truth, coming together to fight against injustices with charity. If we can stay united together under the leadership of Jesus Christ, we are able to thwart the plans of the devil.
End article.
BE VISUAL!!
For there are certain men crept in unawares, who were before of old ordained to this condemnation, ungodly men, turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness, and denying the only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ. Jude 1:4.
You're correct Robert, Jesus was always referred to as the Son OF God, or the Son OF Man - and so He was & is. Yet, when we consider other Scriptures of how Jesus regarded His relationship to the Father, we are compelled to re-think our beliefs.
Other Scriptures have been given on this thread, but I would emphasize only a few:
John 17:5 - Jesus had God's Glory even before the worlds were created.
Matthew 1:23 - Jesus' Name, Emmanuel, is "God with us".
Colossians 1:15-17 - Jesus is God's Image; Jesus created all things; Jesus was before all things & He holds all things together.
John 10:30 - Jesus' claimed equality with God, for this very reason the Jews wanted to stone Him.
Just a few very compelling verses to show beyond doubt that this Jesus was not a mere created being for the world's salvation. He was the Essence of God (the Word of God made flesh) Who was declared as God coming in the flesh ( John 1:1-14).
We would have to discount Jesus' former Glory in Heaven, His Name as, "God now with mankind", His creative & sustaining Work, and His Own claim of equality with the Father, to believe that Jesus was anything less than wholly Divine in Heaven & on Earth.
It may be difficult for our fickle human minds to comprehend such concepts & Truths, but our weaknesses should not prohibit us from believing God's Word & the necessity for God Himself to pay to secure our salvation (this is His love demonstrated) - no other sacrifice would do - not even a special created human being or a specially prepared animal. If the people of His day understood it & the apostles & early Church believed it, then where & how did we go wrong by rejecting His Deity?
Christ's perfect alignment with the Father's will and works allowed Him to have every action planned out; as well as a clear understanding of His impending death and Resurrection. Again; His Divinity necessitated this; but he was able to learn (as best as can be described) obedience ( Heb. 5:8-10) when in human form. This necessitated all His time to be prearranged for that final outcome and dictated where He went; who He talked to etc. In short unlike us there was never any confusion how to handle the situation moment by moment while simultaneously planning for the future long term mission.
This mindset; of course would clearly cause much confusion among His disciples and everyone else who were thinking with their own understanding. Clearly; He didn't condescend to placating other's expectations; although He was obedient to His parents after starting an early evangelistic venture in the Synagogue at age 12. This was to show an example of servitude and honoring family; but also He had a specific time (at age 30); perhaps according to Rabbinic principles to begin His ministry at that time.
Nonetheless; despite frequent misunderstandings He would heal all those who sought Him out. He Himself would go to places not considered appropriate; to the woman at the well; to hang out with children; and other unseemly individuals in society. The emphasis was always skewed toward repentance. Whenever the crowds followed Him after providing for their physical need; He would honestly assess that they were doing it for the payoff. He would base His actions incorporating responses such as that of the Pharisees complaining of Sabbath Day "work"; doing things in the power of Beelzebub; etc. He had Disciples arguing about who was the greatest and be betrayed and left alone just when their support mattered the most. Most notably; His concern was for the Church at the Hour of His trial ( John 17:17-23).
Scripture tells us the unclean spirits/devils knew He was the Son of God, Matt. 8:29Mark 3:11Luke 8:27-28. Scripture tells us Jesus is the Son of God the only begotten of the Father, John 1:14. Scripture tells us Jesus the Son of God was before this world John 17:52 Timothy 1:9. Scripture tells us Jesus the Son of God was the beginning of creation Rev. 3:1. Scripture tells us everything was created through Him Col. 1:16.
Scripture tells us to confess Jesus is the Son of God, 1 John 4:15. Scripture tells us God gave His only begotten Son, John 3:16. Scripture tells us to believe God gave His only begotten Son, 1 John 5:10. Scripture tells us God was made known in the flesh through His only begotten Son same as creation was through His Son 1 Timothy 3:16Col. 1:16.
Scripture tells us we have salvation and eternal life only in Jesus Christ, John 3:36Acts 4:12Eph. 4:121 Thess. 5:91 John 5:13 Scripture tells us we can only come to the Father through Jesus, John 14:61 Timothy 2:5.
Jesus came to fulfill the law and the prophets and died for our sins, and the only way that could be done is in the flesh, the seed of Abraham, Hebrews 2. He experienced temptation the same as you and me, Luke 4:2Heb 2:18, He had a brain and a will, Luke 22:42 but He was obedient to the Father. We now have a high priest in heaven that lived in this flesh just like us, Hebrews 4:14-16.
Salvation and eternal life only by the grace of God through faith which is in Christ Jesus. Jesus Christ's perfect life in the flesh, His blood shed for us, and His resurrection. We cannot deny the divinity of Jesus, the only begotten Son of God that was before this world, but no creed, doctrine, or statement of faith can be placed above or added to that we must believe to receive salvation and eternal life if scripture does not tell us we must believe. Truth is in the simplicity that is in Christ.
I love this site and the brothers and sisters on it.
2Th 2:3 (KJV) Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition;
let no man or woman deceive you, that day shall not come (the day of Christ) except there come a falling away from the true faith, which has been happening slowly but seems to have ramped up today, with all this false theology, dispensationalism being at the top of the list in the destruction of American Christianity..
so the falling away is first then, that man of sin, the son of perdition is revealed
the man of sin and the son of perdition are speaking of the same.... Satan
here's the reference for the man of sin... Isaiah 14:16... start around verse 12 and read to verse 23 to get the context..
and the reference for the son of perdition... John 17:12
The BODY is only a vessel that holds THE LIFE OF GOD.
When the body DIES (the wages of sin is death: Romans 6:23) it returns to the dust from whence it came.
Ecclesiastes 3:20 ALL go unto one place; for all are of the dust, and all turn to dust again.
Job 34:15 ALL FLESH shall perish together and man shall turn again into dust.
Ecclesiastes 12:7 Then shall the dust return to the earth as it was: and the spirit (LIFE) shall return unto God who gave it.
Ephesians 4:4 ONE SPIRIT .....one LIFE
1 Corinthians 15:38 For God giveth it (the new creation, YOU, Christ resurrected) a body as it hath pleased him, and to every SEED his (Christ's) own BODY.
Ephesians 4:4 ONE BODY ....
HELL (Hades) is the grave, where men, the dust of the earth go.
The NEW MAN goes to the presence of God, the Father. as the BODY of Christ resurrected.
Ephesians 4:6 ONE GOD and FATHER OF ALL .......
Revelation 20:6 Blesses and HOLY is he (the new creation) who hath part in the FIRST RESURRECTION.
Matthew 16:24 .....DENY YOURSELF ......
Colossians 1:27 .....this mystery ......CHRIST IN YOU ..... you the body (of Christ).
John 17:21 That they (new creation) may be ONE, as thou Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they (new creation) may be ONE IN US ....
Revelation 12:2 And SHE (the church, Christ's bride) being with child (the new man) cried, travailing in BIRTH, and pained to BE DELIVERED.
Whosoever BELIEVES SHALL (at the death of this body of flesh) BE SAVED ....... DELIVERED.
Thank You Father The life of God flows in my blood and cleanses my arteries of all matter that does not pertain to life. My heart beats with the rhythm of life, carrying the Life of God throughout my body, restoring LIFE AND HEALTH ABUNDANTLY. ( John 17:23; Eph. 2:22).
I have a strong heart. Every heart beat floods by body with life and cleanses me of disease and pain. Ex. 23:25Mark 11:23.
I command my blood cells to destroy every disease germ and virus that tries to inhabit my body. I command every cell of my body to be normal In Jesus' Name. Rom. 5:17; Luke 17:6
Every cell that does not promote life and health in my body is cut off from its life source. My immune system will not allow boils and infection to live in my body In Jesus' Name! Luke 17:6; Mark 11:2
I am redeemed from the curse of the law and my heart beats with the rhythm of life. The spirit and life of God's Word flows in me cleansing my blood of every disease and impurity.
The law of the Spirit of Life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death; therefore, I will not allow sin, sickness or death to lord over me! Rom 8:2; 6:13,14
The same Spirit that raised Jesus from the dead dwells in me, permeating His life through my veins, sending healing throughout my body Rom 8:11.
In Jesus' Name I forbid my body to be deceived in any manner. Body, you will not be deceived by any disease germ or virus. Neither will you work against life or health in any way. Every cell in my body supports life and health.
Let's look at the principle that could be the key to you being a partaker of God's provision concerning your healing.
There is probably no other subject as important to your healing and health than the principle of CALLING THINGS THAT ARE NOT. We see in Romans 4:17-22 that Abraham became fully persuaded that God would do what He had promised. The way he became fully persuaded was by calling those things which were not manifest as though they were.
Hi John. Expanding on the John 17:13-19 reference that T. Levis shared, I would also direct you to 1 Corinthians 5:9-11: "I wrote unto you in an epistle not to company with fornicators: Yet not altogether with the fornicators of this world, or with the covetous, or extortioners, or with idolaters; for then must ye needs go out of the world. But now I have written unto you not to keep company, if any man that is called a brother be a fornicator, or covetous, or an idolater, or a railer, or a drunkard, or an extortioner; with such an one no not to eat."
The Apostle Paul is referencing an earlier letter he had written to the Corinthian believers (that letter doesn't exist now) in which he addressed the matter of keeping company with fornicators in the world. As you have asked, "how far do you go with that do not have nothing to do with this world", I see that it's not so much a percentage of our time, if any, that we give to the world, rather, what type of interaction we have with the world. In Paul's letter, he wrote about keeping company (or, fellowshipping) with sinners, not just sinners in the world, but those caught in sin within the Church. And Paul qualifies his statement by saying that there will always be some interaction between believers & unbelievers, because if one could manage to not connect with unbelievers, then one would have to leave this world to achieve that.
Therefore, we could say, 'we can interact with the world but not have communion (fellowship) with them'. Matters have to be discussed, trading to be carried out, people you have to work with, even the Gospel needs to be preached, with material help if needed; so we will always have & need to have contact with the world. But when the world wants us to join them in their activities, their parties or acts not becoming of Christian witness or behaviour, then we must abstain. And Paul repeats this important rule in Ephesians 5:11,12; 2 Corinthians 6:14. You might be the only Light they ever see.
Note : Matthew 24:8, Matthew 24:7, Matthew 24:21-24, these are Jesus Words, Matthew 24:29, " Immediately after the Tribulation of those days shall the sun be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken: And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. And he shall send his angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other." Matthew 24:29-31,
Please note: these all also recorded as Jesus Words : Mark 13:23, Mark 13:24-27, " But in those days after that tribulation, the sun shall be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, And the stars of heaven shall fall, and the powers that are in heaven shall be shaken. And then shall they see the Son of man coming in the clouds with great power and glory. And then shall he send his angels, and shall togather his elect from the four winds, from the uttermost part of the earth to the uttermost part of heaven."
1Thessalonians 4:13-18, 1Thessalonians 5:1-10, 2Thessalonians 1:4-10, Please note: this was written after 1Thessalonians to clarify : 2Thessalonians 2, Please read: 2Thessalonians 2:3 "Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition;"
2Peter 2:9,
Jesus Words again, praying for all believers: John 17, notable : John 17:15 " I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil."
Finally, did Muhammed glorify Jesus in the Qur'an? Only as Prophet (Surah 33:7; Surah 5:46, & many more). He refused Jesus' Sonship (Surah 4:171; Surah 9:31). Yet, Jesus Himself spoke of His Sonship He had with His Father ( John 3:16; Matthew 11:37; John 17:1).
So trying to find any inference to Muhammed in the Bible ensures a fruitless search - only found in the Qur'an & later documents. The Bible cannot be used to show Muhammed's coming or his work. Jesus came, His Spirit was then given and now the only prophecy yet to be fulfilled is the coming Great Tribulation on the Earth & then the coming of Jesus Christ, the Lord of Glory, to reign for a thousand years, when all evil will be bound & Satan locked away.
Reconciliation can be defined as the restoration of friendship following an estrangement. It can also be defined as the bringing together of two opposing parties by a third party. Reconciliation is a very real thing. With it, we are free, but without it we are plunged into unforgiveness and a vicious cycle of replaying offenses over and over again in our minds.
The love of Christ will arrest you in your tracks if you allow it do so. It will turn you away from living a life marked by bitterness and vengeance to a life characterized by freedom, love, and compassion. If we do not allow the love of Christ to arrest us, we will eventually be held captive to the memories of offenses, assaults, and unfairness that life inevitably brings our way.
The Apostle Paul tells us that in the course of human events, we can be road blocked from expressing the love and grace of Jesus Christ by our own carnality. Even in an advanced, mature Christian state, we can become prisoners to the desire to wreak vengeance upon our brothers and sisters in Christ. God wants to bring reconciliation to our lives through Jesus Christ. Christians should view their lives as an entrance ramp to the narrow path, expediting the route for others through reconciliation in Jesus.
The Bible emphasizes that unity in the Christian church is a crucial element to the world understanding and accepting the Gospel. Jesus said in John 17:21 that we must draw together in unity. We must draw together around the essentials in the Gospel and disregard things that tend to separate and divide us. This does not mean uniformity. The Bible gives great latitude in the kind of community of believers we become. There is no need to be "cookie-cutter" Christians -- there is diversity in the body through unity in Jesus Christ. God gives us this freedom for us to enjoy.
Immanuel/Emmanuel "with us is God" "God with us". John 1:14 And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth. The word dwelt here is not the ordinary word for dwelt, meaning to house, or take residence.
The Greek word dwelt in this verse is skno meaning to tent, tabernacle. God set up His tent or tabernacle among us in His only begotten Son Jesus, therefore Jesus' name Immanuel/Emmanuel. In John 14:1-3, this is just before Jesus was to be crucified when He told them this.
The word mansions is the Greek word , , mon means an abiding, an abode, dwelling-place. When Jesus was arrested, beaten, nailed to that cross, gave His life, and rose from the dead He provided that place that the first Adam corrupted that God through Jesus, by the Spirit can again dwell in man therefore His Name Immanuel/Emmanuel "with us is God" "God with us".
John 10:30 I and my Father are one.
John 17:11 And now I am no more in the world, but these are in the world, and I come to thee. Holy Father, keep through thine own name those whom thou hast given me, that they may be one, as we are.
John 17:21-23 That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me. 22 And the glory which thou gavest me I have given them; that they may be one, even as we are one: 23 I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them, as thou hast loved me.
Jesus' life in the flesh, death, and resurrection prepared the place where we can be one, therefore His Name Immanuel/Emmanuel "with us is God" "God with us".
Revelation 3:20 Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.
the problem is you, and others, believe one scripture but then don't believe another scripture.
you believe: john 10:30 the father and i are one. divinity
you don't believe: john 17:21 that you and christ become one. divinity
you quote these scriptures, but you don't believe them
you don't believe: philippians 2:6 let this mind be in you, christ in the form of god thought it not robbery to be equal to god. divinity
you don't believe:: genesis 1:26 you were made in the image of god. divinity
you don't believe: 2 corinthians 5:19 to wit, that god was in christ (a body, a man)(and yes this make christ divine, reconciling the world to himself .......all will be divinity
you don't believe: matthew 28:19 ...baptising them in the father, son, and holy ghost.... this baptism make you: one with them, now there is no longer three, a trinity.
you don't believe: 1 corinthians 15:28 .....and god will be all in all. everyone divinity; not three.
your right we as brothers are to come together and rightly divide the word of god: truth vs falsehoods.
to repent has more to do with teachings than sins of the flesh.
as we come to truth, we repent, of our beliefs hundreds of times, of the falsehoods that have invaded the true gospel.
Jesus is not speaking of His divine glory, but the glory God gave Him as the perfect human. We will receive this same glory when we are perfected in heaven, having perfect humanity like Jesus.
Although John did not write his gospel until late in his life, it is probably likely that he did write some things down either while with Jesus, or early after Pentecost. We just don't have these writings preserved. Who knows, perhaps John was a "record keeper" for the group while they were with Jesus. John founded many churches in Asia Minor. He must have written letters or preached at these, but the letters were not preserved over time. We just don't know.
Dear Joyce , here are some scripture references that might help you understand a bit better ; 2nd Peter Ch 1 V 16-21 , John Ch 2 V 17 + V 22 , John Ch 12 V 16 and John Ch 14 V 26 . Also Luke Ch 24 V 4-7 and finally Luke Ch 21 V 8-19 . Hope these help .
Dear Joyce, actually we don't know that but It is obvious that John was writing down what Jesus was saying. John is said that to have written his gospel when he was very old 90-100 years old, many decades after those things happened. If he didn't record Jesus talking how could he remember all that?
It amazes me that John was able to record 4 chapters basically of Jesus talking, teaching, praying there in the upper room the night of his betrayal. I'm wondering if we know if John was recording as he spoke.
Part 1
I can say and I believe you as well, we believe God has no beginning or no end. In John 1:1 it starts with in the beginning, why? Does it mean Jesus the Son of God has been God from eternity or is that an assumption? Scripture tells us Jesus the Amen is the beginning of creation, Rev. 3:14.
Scripture tells us Jesus in whom we have redemption through His blood and forgiveness of our sins and is the image of the invisible God (the manifestation of God). Jesus is the firstborn of every creature and through Him, everything that is was created through and for Him Col. 1:12-17.
It also says the Father made us meet/qualify of the inheritance and says He, Jesus was before "all in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things". Does that say He was eternal with the Father or does scripture tell us He was the firstborn of every creature/all creation in the beginning?
By this Jesus can say "I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, the first and the last, He, Jesus was first of all and He will be the last and the ending of this creation when the mystery of God should be finished and the new heaven and the new earth (the new creation perfect without spot).
Jesus the Son of God was the beginning, He is the only begotten Son of God. Does scripture honestly tell how He was begotten? Can we only say God ordained it before the world? Jesus said in John 17:5 And now, O Father, glorify thou me with thine own self with the glory which I had with thee before the world was. With our human minds can we have any clue to what that glory is?
See part 2,
I put in parenthesis words that can be passed over easily. A lot of the phrases "deity of Christ", "fully God, fully man", "God the Son" I haven't read in the Bible. I might have missed them. If so I would like to know them. I wonder if their is a benefit in adding to the words the Bible uses to describe Jesus Christ.
Therefore, to your words, "the Spirit doesn't become flesh (man)" - the Spirit remains as God's Spirit. God took His Word & clothed the Word (Jesus) with human flesh ( John 1:1-14). And this act cannot be an impossible task for God. Is anything too hard for the LORD? Jesus lived out His Days in holiness & worked by the Power of God's Spirit within Him. And this Holy Spirit is the same as Jesus' Spirit, even as Paul declared ( Romans 8:9), & Peter as well ( 1 Peter 1:11).
Question: how can the Spirit of Christ be the same as God's Spirit ( Romans 8:9), if Jesus is not eternally a part of the Godhead? As Christians, we have the Holy Spirit within, but none of us can say that He has replaced our spirit with His Spirit ( Romans 8:16). Our spirits will always exist, but now we have another Spirit Who will "abide with us forever" ( John 14:16). But Jesus Spirit was only the Holy Spirit, & not a human spirit, because He came from the Father Who is Spirit ( John 17:5).
Time of Grace article on division.
Even the word "devil" can be translated as "to divide."
The devil loves chaos. Ever since his fall from Heaven Satan seeks to divide the world. His first action was to divide the angels, which was followed-up by tempting Adam and Eve in the garden, driving a wedge between the first humans and God.
Division is the devil's playground and it shouldn't be surprising. The word "devil," comes from the Greek word diabolos, which can be translated as, "to divide," "to separate," or more literally, "to throw against." Whenever we see division occur in the world, especially division that pits one group in society against another, we can affirm that the devil is in some way behind it. He wants us to destroy ourselves and hatred against other people is one of the fastest ways we become the authors of our own demise.
Jesus, on the other hand, desires unity.
I pray not only for them, but also for those who will believe in me through their word, so that they may all be one, as you, Father, are in me and I in you, that they also may be in us, that the world may believe that you sent me. And I have given them the glory you gave me, so that they may be one, as we are one. ( John 17:20-22)
The Holy Trinity is the prime example of unity and communion, something we will ultimately participate in if we reach Heaven someday. Heaven will essentially be "communion," where we are unified not only with God, but with each other.
Above all, we need to strive for unity in truth, coming together to fight against injustices with charity. If we can stay united together under the leadership of Jesus Christ, we are able to thwart the plans of the devil.
End article.
BE VISUAL!!
For there are certain men crept in unawares, who were before of old ordained to this condemnation, ungodly men, turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness, and denying the only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ. Jude 1:4.
God bless.
Other Scriptures have been given on this thread, but I would emphasize only a few:
John 17:5 - Jesus had God's Glory even before the worlds were created.
Matthew 1:23 - Jesus' Name, Emmanuel, is "God with us".
Colossians 1:15-17 - Jesus is God's Image; Jesus created all things; Jesus was before all things & He holds all things together.
John 10:30 - Jesus' claimed equality with God, for this very reason the Jews wanted to stone Him.
Just a few very compelling verses to show beyond doubt that this Jesus was not a mere created being for the world's salvation. He was the Essence of God (the Word of God made flesh) Who was declared as God coming in the flesh ( John 1:1-14).
We would have to discount Jesus' former Glory in Heaven, His Name as, "God now with mankind", His creative & sustaining Work, and His Own claim of equality with the Father, to believe that Jesus was anything less than wholly Divine in Heaven & on Earth.
It may be difficult for our fickle human minds to comprehend such concepts & Truths, but our weaknesses should not prohibit us from believing God's Word & the necessity for God Himself to pay to secure our salvation (this is His love demonstrated) - no other sacrifice would do - not even a special created human being or a specially prepared animal. If the people of His day understood it & the apostles & early Church believed it, then where & how did we go wrong by rejecting His Deity?
Christ's perfect alignment with the Father's will and works allowed Him to have every action planned out; as well as a clear understanding of His impending death and Resurrection. Again; His Divinity necessitated this; but he was able to learn (as best as can be described) obedience ( Heb. 5:8-10) when in human form. This necessitated all His time to be prearranged for that final outcome and dictated where He went; who He talked to etc. In short unlike us there was never any confusion how to handle the situation moment by moment while simultaneously planning for the future long term mission.
This mindset; of course would clearly cause much confusion among His disciples and everyone else who were thinking with their own understanding. Clearly; He didn't condescend to placating other's expectations; although He was obedient to His parents after starting an early evangelistic venture in the Synagogue at age 12. This was to show an example of servitude and honoring family; but also He had a specific time (at age 30); perhaps according to Rabbinic principles to begin His ministry at that time.
Nonetheless; despite frequent misunderstandings He would heal all those who sought Him out. He Himself would go to places not considered appropriate; to the woman at the well; to hang out with children; and other unseemly individuals in society. The emphasis was always skewed toward repentance. Whenever the crowds followed Him after providing for their physical need; He would honestly assess that they were doing it for the payoff. He would base His actions incorporating responses such as that of the Pharisees complaining of Sabbath Day "work"; doing things in the power of Beelzebub; etc. He had Disciples arguing about who was the greatest and be betrayed and left alone just when their support mattered the most. Most notably; His concern was for the Church at the Hour of His trial ( John 17:17-23).
Scripture tells us the unclean spirits/devils knew He was the Son of God, Matt. 8:29 Mark 3:11 Luke 8:27-28. Scripture tells us Jesus is the Son of God the only begotten of the Father, John 1:14. Scripture tells us Jesus the Son of God was before this world John 17:5 2 Timothy 1:9. Scripture tells us Jesus the Son of God was the beginning of creation Rev. 3:1. Scripture tells us everything was created through Him Col. 1:16.
Scripture tells us to confess Jesus is the Son of God, 1 John 4:15. Scripture tells us God gave His only begotten Son, John 3:16. Scripture tells us to believe God gave His only begotten Son, 1 John 5:10. Scripture tells us God was made known in the flesh through His only begotten Son same as creation was through His Son 1 Timothy 3:16 Col. 1:16.
Scripture tells us we have salvation and eternal life only in Jesus Christ, John 3:36 Acts 4:12 Eph. 4:12 1 Thess. 5:9 1 John 5:13 Scripture tells us we can only come to the Father through Jesus, John 14:6 1 Timothy 2:5.
Jesus came to fulfill the law and the prophets and died for our sins, and the only way that could be done is in the flesh, the seed of Abraham, Hebrews 2. He experienced temptation the same as you and me, Luke 4:2 Heb 2:18, He had a brain and a will, Luke 22:42 but He was obedient to the Father. We now have a high priest in heaven that lived in this flesh just like us, Hebrews 4:14-16.
Salvation and eternal life only by the grace of God through faith which is in Christ Jesus. Jesus Christ's perfect life in the flesh, His blood shed for us, and His resurrection. We cannot deny the divinity of Jesus, the only begotten Son of God that was before this world, but no creed, doctrine, or statement of faith can be placed above or added to that we must believe to receive salvation and eternal life if scripture does not tell us we must believe. Truth is in the simplicity that is in Christ.
I love this site and the brothers and sisters on it.
God bless,
RLW
For HE (the Father, Spirit, Life) performeth the thing that is appointed for me (the Body).......
Philippians 2:13 For it is God (the Father, Spirit, Life) that worketh in you (the Body) both TO WILL and TO DO his good pleasure.
Ephesians 4:4 ONE BODY .....ONE SPIRIT .....
Ephesians 4:6 ONE GOD and Father of ALL .....
Not many BELIEVE that the LIFE in their BODY is CHRIST.
Matthew 7:14 Because straight is the gate, and narrow is the way, that leadeth unto LIFE, and few there be that find it.
John 10:10 .....I am come that they might HAVE LIFE ......
John 19:28 I give unto them ETERNAL LIFE ...
1 Timothy 6:18 WHO only (CHRIST ONLY) hath immortality, dwelling in the LIGHT which no man can approach unto .....
John 11:25 I am the resurrection, and THE LIFE .....
John 14:6 ....I am THE LIFE .....
John 20:31 ....and that BELIEVING you might have LIFE through HIS NAME .....
Revelation 22:4 ....and HIS NAME shall be in their foreheads .....
Revelation 3:12 ...and I will write upon him MY NAME .....
Acts 2:38 ....be ye baptised every one of you IN THE NAME OF JESUS CHRIST .....
John 17:21 That they all may be ONE, as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also be ONE IN US ......
God Bless You.
let no man or woman deceive you, that day shall not come (the day of Christ) except there come a falling away from the true faith, which has been happening slowly but seems to have ramped up today, with all this false theology, dispensationalism being at the top of the list in the destruction of American Christianity..
so the falling away is first then, that man of sin, the son of perdition is revealed
the man of sin and the son of perdition are speaking of the same.... Satan
here's the reference for the man of sin... Isaiah 14:16... start around verse 12 and read to verse 23 to get the context..
and the reference for the son of perdition... John 17:12
The BODY is only a vessel that holds THE LIFE OF GOD.
When the body DIES (the wages of sin is death: Romans 6:23) it returns to the dust from whence it came.
Ecclesiastes 3:20 ALL go unto one place; for all are of the dust, and all turn to dust again.
Job 34:15 ALL FLESH shall perish together and man shall turn again into dust.
Ecclesiastes 12:7 Then shall the dust return to the earth as it was: and the spirit (LIFE) shall return unto God who gave it.
Ephesians 4:4 ONE SPIRIT .....one LIFE
1 Corinthians 15:38 For God giveth it (the new creation, YOU, Christ resurrected) a body as it hath pleased him, and to every SEED his (Christ's) own BODY.
Ephesians 4:4 ONE BODY ....
HELL (Hades) is the grave, where men, the dust of the earth go.
The NEW MAN goes to the presence of God, the Father. as the BODY of Christ resurrected.
Ephesians 4:6 ONE GOD and FATHER OF ALL .......
Revelation 20:6 Blesses and HOLY is he (the new creation) who hath part in the FIRST RESURRECTION.
Matthew 16:24 .....DENY YOURSELF ......
Colossians 1:27 .....this mystery ......CHRIST IN YOU ..... you the body (of Christ).
John 17:21 That they (new creation) may be ONE, as thou Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they (new creation) may be ONE IN US ....
Revelation 12:2 And SHE (the church, Christ's bride) being with child (the new man) cried, travailing in BIRTH, and pained to BE DELIVERED.
Whosoever BELIEVES SHALL (at the death of this body of flesh) BE SAVED ....... DELIVERED.
May God give us eyes to see and ears to hear.
God BLESS.
I have a strong heart. Every heart beat floods by body with life and cleanses me of disease and pain. Ex. 23:25 Mark 11:23.
I command my blood cells to destroy every disease germ and virus that tries to inhabit my body. I command every cell of my body to be normal In Jesus' Name. Rom. 5:17; Luke 17:6
Every cell that does not promote life and health in my body is cut off from its life source. My immune system will not allow boils and infection to live in my body In Jesus' Name! Luke 17:6; Mark 11:2
I am redeemed from the curse of the law and my heart beats with the rhythm of life. The spirit and life of God's Word flows in me cleansing my blood of every disease and impurity.
The law of the Spirit of Life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death; therefore, I will not allow sin, sickness or death to lord over me! Rom 8:2; 6:13,14
The same Spirit that raised Jesus from the dead dwells in me, permeating His life through my veins, sending healing throughout my body Rom 8:11.
In Jesus' Name I forbid my body to be deceived in any manner. Body, you will not be deceived by any disease germ or virus. Neither will you work against life or health in any way. Every cell in my body supports life and health.
Let's look at the principle that could be the key to you being a partaker of God's provision concerning your healing.
There is probably no other subject as important to your healing and health than the principle of CALLING THINGS THAT ARE NOT. We see in Romans 4:17-22 that Abraham became fully persuaded that God would do what He had promised. The way he became fully persuaded was by calling those things which were not manifest as though they were.
Mishael
Matthew 9:38; John 17:20,21; Acts 26:18; Romans 10:1; 1 Timothy 2:1-4.
The Apostle Paul is referencing an earlier letter he had written to the Corinthian believers (that letter doesn't exist now) in which he addressed the matter of keeping company with fornicators in the world. As you have asked, "how far do you go with that do not have nothing to do with this world", I see that it's not so much a percentage of our time, if any, that we give to the world, rather, what type of interaction we have with the world. In Paul's letter, he wrote about keeping company (or, fellowshipping) with sinners, not just sinners in the world, but those caught in sin within the Church. And Paul qualifies his statement by saying that there will always be some interaction between believers & unbelievers, because if one could manage to not connect with unbelievers, then one would have to leave this world to achieve that.
Therefore, we could say, 'we can interact with the world but not have communion (fellowship) with them'. Matters have to be discussed, trading to be carried out, people you have to work with, even the Gospel needs to be preached, with material help if needed; so we will always have & need to have contact with the world. But when the world wants us to join them in their activities, their parties or acts not becoming of Christian witness or behaviour, then we must abstain. And Paul repeats this important rule in Ephesians 5:11,12; 2 Corinthians 6:14. You might be the only Light they ever see.
Hopefully these are helpful
Man DOES NOT have free will.
Man was made to be a BODY; or a vessel.
Vessels, or bodies, have NO LIFE.
Bodies, or vessels, were made to HOLD the LIFE of GOD.
God is Spirit.
Spirit cannot be seen.
God created a BODY; Jesus Christ, that can be seen.
The body of Christ HOLDS the Life of the FATHER.
Christ came, as sinful flesh, and sinful flesh DIED on the cross, three days latter the Father resurrected, HIS (the father's) BODY, Christ.
1 Timothy 6:16 Who (Christ) ONLY hath immortality dwelling in the light .....
All mankind took part in that resurrection.
At some point in time God's creation will become the IMAGE (the body) of Christ.
Colossians 1:27 ...this mystery .....Christ in you .....
Philippians 2:13 For it is God (Christ in you) that worketh IN YOU (his body) both TO WILL and TO DO his good pleasure.
1 Corinthians 15:38 For God GIVETH IT (his creation) A BODY as it hath PLEASED HIM, and to every SEED HIS OWN BODY ( the Father's body Christ).
HIS WILL, not man's free will, because man has NO LIFE outside of GOD, man is just the BODY of Christ (Life and Truth).
Psalms 82:6 I have said, Ye (his body) are gods, the children of the most high.
Psalms 136:2 O give thanks unto the GOD of gods (God's body) .....
Daniel 2:47 .....of a truth it is, that your God is a God of gods ....
John 17:21 That they (the bodies) may ALL be ONE, as thou, Father are IN ME (the body), and I in thee, that they (all bodies) may be ONE IN US ....
Ephesians 4:4 ..... ONE BODY ....ONE SPIRIT .....
Ephesians 4:6 .... ONE GOD ....FATHER OF ALL ....above ALL ....through ALL ....and IN YOU ALL .....
Hosea 4:6 For my people are destroyed for lack of KNOWLEDGE: because thou has rejected KNOWLEDGE, I will also reject thee (his body) ......
Amos 3:3 Can TWO (the LIFE and the BODY) walk TOGETHER without being agreed?
God Bless you, his body!
Hosea 4:6 My people are destroyed for lack of KNOWLEDGE .......
Most DO NOT have knowledge of the Kingdom of God.
Ephesians 4:4 ......ONE BODY and ONE SPIRIT ......
Ephesians 4:6 ....ONE GOD and Father of ALL ....above ALL ....through ALL ....and IN YOU ALL .......
John 14:6 ....I AM TRUTH .....I AM LIFE ......
John 17:21 That they may be ONE; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in you: that they may ALSO BE ONE IN US .....
Christ is a BODY that HOLDS the LIFE of his Father.
John 5:19 ....the SON can do NOTHING of himself ....
John 5:30 ...I can of mine own self DO NOTHING .....
WE are a BODY that HOLDS CHRIST (the life and truth of our Father).
John 15:5 .... for without me you can do nothing .....
What happen at the CROSS of Calvary?
Sinful flesh was crucified (all mankind died that day); three days latter all mankind was raised a NEW CREATION.
Matthew 8:22 ...let the dead bury the dead ......
They now have the LIFE OF CHRIST:
BUT they have NO KNOWLEDGE.
1 Timothy 4:16 Who (Christ) ONLY hath immortality dwelling in the LIGHT .....
1 Corinthians 15:38 But God GIVETH IT (the new creation) a body as it hath PLEASED HIM: and to every SEED HIS (Christ's) OWN BODY.
Colossians 1:27 ....this mystery .....Christ in YOU ....
Philippians 2:13 For it is GOD (Christ in you) that WORKETH IN YOU (his BODY) both TO WILL and TO DO his good pleasure.
To be BORN AGAIN is to come to TRUTH and KNOWLEDGE and LIFE.
Christ is the LIFE IN YOU, and Christ CANNOT SIN.
Revelation 12:9... and Satan who deceiveth the whole world was cast out ....
You are either the TEMPLE of SATAN: dwelling in deception, with no knowledge.
OR:
You are the TEMPLE of God: dwelling in truth and light and the LIFE OF CHRIST.
Psalms 82:6 For I have said: Ye are gods, the children of the most high.
Psalms 136:2 O give thanks to the God of gods .....
We die daily to deception and are daily being born again of truth.
God Bless you!
Note : Matthew 24:8, Matthew 24:7, Matthew 24:21-24, these are Jesus Words, Matthew 24:29, " Immediately after the Tribulation of those days shall the sun be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken: And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. And he shall send his angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other." Matthew 24:29-31,
Please note: these all also recorded as Jesus Words : Mark 13:23, Mark 13:24-27, " But in those days after that tribulation, the sun shall be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, And the stars of heaven shall fall, and the powers that are in heaven shall be shaken. And then shall they see the Son of man coming in the clouds with great power and glory. And then shall he send his angels, and shall togather his elect from the four winds, from the uttermost part of the earth to the uttermost part of heaven."
Revelation 6, note Revelation 6:10-11, Revelation 8, see Revelation 8:3-4, Revelation 9, Revelation 10, Note: Revelation 10:7, Revelation 11, Please notice: Revelation 11:15-19,
1Thessalonians 4:13-18, 1Thessalonians 5:1-10, 2Thessalonians 1:4-10, Please note: this was written after 1Thessalonians to clarify : 2Thessalonians 2, Please read: 2Thessalonians 2:3 "Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition;"
2Peter 2:9,
Jesus Words again, praying for all believers: John 17, notable : John 17:15 " I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil."
Hopefully helpful
Finally, did Muhammed glorify Jesus in the Qur'an? Only as Prophet (Surah 33:7; Surah 5:46, & many more). He refused Jesus' Sonship (Surah 4:171; Surah 9:31). Yet, Jesus Himself spoke of His Sonship He had with His Father ( John 3:16; Matthew 11:37; John 17:1).
So trying to find any inference to Muhammed in the Bible ensures a fruitless search - only found in the Qur'an & later documents. The Bible cannot be used to show Muhammed's coming or his work. Jesus came, His Spirit was then given and now the only prophecy yet to be fulfilled is the coming Great Tribulation on the Earth & then the coming of Jesus Christ, the Lord of Glory, to reign for a thousand years, when all evil will be bound & Satan locked away.
Part 1.
Reconciliation can be defined as the restoration of friendship following an estrangement. It can also be defined as the bringing together of two opposing parties by a third party. Reconciliation is a very real thing. With it, we are free, but without it we are plunged into unforgiveness and a vicious cycle of replaying offenses over and over again in our minds.
The love of Christ will arrest you in your tracks if you allow it do so. It will turn you away from living a life marked by bitterness and vengeance to a life characterized by freedom, love, and compassion. If we do not allow the love of Christ to arrest us, we will eventually be held captive to the memories of offenses, assaults, and unfairness that life inevitably brings our way.
The Apostle Paul tells us that in the course of human events, we can be road blocked from expressing the love and grace of Jesus Christ by our own carnality. Even in an advanced, mature Christian state, we can become prisoners to the desire to wreak vengeance upon our brothers and sisters in Christ. God wants to bring reconciliation to our lives through Jesus Christ. Christians should view their lives as an entrance ramp to the narrow path, expediting the route for others through reconciliation in Jesus.
The Bible emphasizes that unity in the Christian church is a crucial element to the world understanding and accepting the Gospel. Jesus said in John 17:21 that we must draw together in unity. We must draw together around the essentials in the Gospel and disregard things that tend to separate and divide us. This does not mean uniformity. The Bible gives great latitude in the kind of community of believers we become. There is no need to be "cookie-cutter" Christians -- there is diversity in the body through unity in Jesus Christ. God gives us this freedom for us to enjoy.
See Part 2.
Immanuel/Emmanuel "with us is God" "God with us". John 1:14 And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth. The word dwelt here is not the ordinary word for dwelt, meaning to house, or take residence.
The Greek word dwelt in this verse is skno meaning to tent, tabernacle. God set up His tent or tabernacle among us in His only begotten Son Jesus, therefore Jesus' name Immanuel/Emmanuel. In John 14:1-3, this is just before Jesus was to be crucified when He told them this.
The word mansions is the Greek word , , mon means an abiding, an abode, dwelling-place. When Jesus was arrested, beaten, nailed to that cross, gave His life, and rose from the dead He provided that place that the first Adam corrupted that God through Jesus, by the Spirit can again dwell in man therefore His Name Immanuel/Emmanuel "with us is God" "God with us".
John 10:30 I and my Father are one.
John 17:11 And now I am no more in the world, but these are in the world, and I come to thee. Holy Father, keep through thine own name those whom thou hast given me, that they may be one, as we are.
John 17:21-23 That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me. 22 And the glory which thou gavest me I have given them; that they may be one, even as we are one: 23 I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them, as thou hast loved me.
Jesus' life in the flesh, death, and resurrection prepared the place where we can be one, therefore His Name Immanuel/Emmanuel "with us is God" "God with us".
Revelation 3:20 Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.
God bless,
RLW
i am not denying the divinity of christ.
the problem is you, and others, believe one scripture but then don't believe another scripture.
you believe: john 10:30 the father and i are one. divinity
you don't believe: john 17:21 that you and christ become one. divinity
you quote these scriptures, but you don't believe them
you don't believe: philippians 2:6 let this mind be in you, christ in the form of god thought it not robbery to be equal to god. divinity
you don't believe:: genesis 1:26 you were made in the image of god. divinity
you don't believe: 2 corinthians 5:19 to wit, that god was in christ (a body, a man)(and yes this make christ divine, reconciling the world to himself .......all will be divinity
you don't believe: matthew 28:19 ...baptising them in the father, son, and holy ghost.... this baptism make you: one with them, now there is no longer three, a trinity.
you don't believe: 1 corinthians 15:28 .....and god will be all in all. everyone divinity; not three.
your right we as brothers are to come together and rightly divide the word of god: truth vs falsehoods.
to repent has more to do with teachings than sins of the flesh.
as we come to truth, we repent, of our beliefs hundreds of times, of the falsehoods that have invaded the true gospel.
it's war: flesh vs divinity.
god bless you!
Jesus is not speaking of His divine glory, but the glory God gave Him as the perfect human. We will receive this same glory when we are perfected in heaven, having perfect humanity like Jesus.
You said, Jesus took back his divine glory, which we will never have.
John 17:22 And the glory which thou hast given me I have given THEM; that they MAY BE ONE as WE ARE ON.
God Bless YOU.
Although John did not write his gospel until late in his life, it is probably likely that he did write some things down either while with Jesus, or early after Pentecost. We just don't have these writings preserved. Who knows, perhaps John was a "record keeper" for the group while they were with Jesus. John founded many churches in Asia Minor. He must have written letters or preached at these, but the letters were not preserved over time. We just don't know.
Christ said when you need a word to speak or a scripture to quote it will come to your mind, because THE WORD is the LIFE of the Body (YOU).
PROPHECY:
Ezekiel 36:27 And I will put my SPIRIT within you, and CAUSE you (the body) to walk in my statutes, and keep my judgements, and DO THEM.
FULFILLED at pentecost:
Philippians 2:13 For it is GOD (the life) that WORKETH IN YOU both TO WILL and TO DO his good pleasure.
Your (the body) lips move because the life (Christ in You) CAUSES them to move.
Job 23:12 Neither have I gone back from the commandments of HIS LIPS (you are ONE with Christ)(LIFE is Christ and BODY is You).
Job 27:4 My (yours and Christ) LIPS shall not speak wickedness, nor my tongue utter deceit.
Job 2:10 ...in all this Job did not sin with his lips.
Psalms 12:4 Who (one with no knowledge of truth) have said, With our tongue we will prevail, our lips are our own: who is Lord over us.
We were PREDESTINATED to be the IMAGE OF CHRIST.
John 5:30 I can of myself do nothing ...
Christ is the BODY that holds the LIFE of the FATHER.
John 15:5 .....for without me you can do nothing ....
WE are the BODY that holds the LIFE of Christ.
John 17:22 And the glory that thou gavest me I have given them, that they MAY BE ONE, even as WE ARE ONE.
Is it not mind boggling to walk in TRUTH.
God Bless YOU!
GBU