Bible Discussion Replies PAGE 329

S. Spencer,

Thanks for clarifying because, as you said, your comment could be taken two ways, and I made sure I addressed both take aways with you.

I hope you are not offended that I explained how I felt if the first take away was true. I was not so much defending myself as attempting to explain how it is good to not assume things about others that we cannot know about them and leave that knowing up to God.

And, yes, we all have pride in us. As a believer, we are to overcome the temptations and put to death the old nature at every turn. Sometimes we do and other times we find in review of our actions and motives that pride has had its way in us. We repent and ask God to help us identify this and any other sin that tries to entrap us into committing, especially those that can be hurtful to others as well as those that fester motivations within us that dishonor our Lord and the unity of the brethren, as you emphasized.

In conversations here, I tend to think that people choose to bring up certain topics or respond to posts because they genuinely wish to discuss it, to find out what a person actually means if unclear to me, to attempt to faithfully bring out what is revealed in Scripture, and to do all this out of love and concern for the one I am speaking with.

And, yes, some people do bring up some topics and phrase their ideas in a way that is an outright challenge to debate or to stir up controversy. There are some like this in every situation. But it seems to me that most people here are to trying to do this.

Some of the more blatant ones who stir up controversy have come and gone. But then there is always some to step into the void when one of these people stop posting. It is not my desire (nor that of others) here to be a catalyst for anyone leaving this forum. But some will leave because they do not like the debating because they are uncomfortable with it themselves, or don't think it reflects well on Christ. Which I understand. Talk more later.

Hi Gigi.

You made me go back and re-read that post. I wasn't accusing you of anything.

However, I can see where it could have been misunderstood.

Here my that quote.

"So, if someone comes on the site for help in their walk or faith, Don't be distracted by the quarrels and take the time and help them.

Gigi, I've seen you do that!

End quote.

Gigi, I was saying you take the time and help them. I wasn't saying otherwise.

Sorry for that misunderstanding. I do see how that could go both ways.

I said they DON'T break away from their quarrels or debate to help.

I was saying, "I've see you break away from your debate or quarrels to help. Just as I do. I don't think I have never left a UNANSWERED request for help concerning their salvation.

I'm saying that is far more important than 5 people debating everyday and ignore helping someone because they have become consumed in winning their debate.

Yes, pride will make you do that.

As for Pride. We all suffer that to some degree. If we feel we haven't then that maybe a sign of pride in itself.

Now I have ignored challenges. Here is how.

When I see in a lengthy debate with people like Chris, Jesse, and others like them that hold the same view I have on a topic like Eschatology, and then later challenge me because of something I said to someone else on a separate thread, that has nothing to do with them,

I pretty much tell them they have debated this with another brother that presented his argument, and I can't improve on it.

Or I see how consumed they are on a certain doctrine, so I refuse to engage, and I ask them if they wanted to discuss soteriology we can.

I've been doing this for some time now.

It probably started with Jimbob a year ago because he said he didn't want to discuss a topic on Salvation.

As mentioned in my other post. I will be discussing this on another thread.

Thanks, and God bless.

I was just wondering if anyone could help me. I've been studying in the book of Acts chapters 2 & 3 has anyone thought about the time between the two chapters it seems to me like this was all done on the same day. I know this may sound like a petty question, and it has nothing to do with salvation. For some reason, I cannot get this off my mind. Could someone help me with this?

Just wondering, has anyone thought about the timing of these events that may have happened between ACTS chapters 2 & 3?

While I was studying for my sermon it just hit me.

How much time was there between these 2 Chapters?

I think that these Chapters seemed to have happen on the same day, I know this may sound like a petty question, and has nothing to do with salvation, but for some reason, I can't seem to get it out of my mind.

I hope someone out there could help with this I would really appreciate it!

Momsage,

I have prayed for your daughter and her situation.

Ad, it sounds like your son has helped to make your living space more enjoyable. It is so great to be outside and be surrounded by natural beauty. Hummingbirds are beautiful and intriguing animals.

Helo, Patricia,

I will pray for your brother now.

Dear Heavenly Father, this brother needs the healing that comes from You for he is so very sick right now. We know that You hear our prayers and will answer when we come to You in the name of Jesus. Sp, thank You for your tender love and care for all of us but especially for this brother today. Amen.

Ps.104:35 Signs-Fire

" Let the sinners be consumed out of the earth, and let the wicked be no more."(104:35)

Fire serves as a sign of disfavour. So God created angels spirits,"his ministers a flaming fire."(v.4) From the life of Prophet Elijah we have an example, "And he looked, and, behold, there was a cake baken on the coals, and a cruse of water at his head." (1 Ki.19:6). Why the Spirit has set this example? Prophet is set as a double for Jesus Christ. Now we shall see how the risen Christ was helped by his angel."As soon then as they were come to land, they saw a fire of coals there, and fish laid thereon, and bread./ Jesus saith unto them, Bring of the fish which ye have now caught. "( John 21:9).

The Last Adam is he who came from heaven. The Lord of heaven refers to the fire as a sign. " I am come to send fire on the earth; and what will I, if it be already kindled?"( Luke 12:49) It is to this Apostle Peter refers, "But the heavens and the earth, which are now, by the same word are kept in store, reserved unto fire against the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men."(2 Pe.3:7)

The Prophet foreshadows in the manner he chose to defeat the prophets of Baal. "Then the fire of the Lord fell, and consumed the burnt sacrifice, and the wood, and the stones, and the dust, and licked up the water that was in the trench."(1 Ki.18:38)

This is according to the everlasting covenant which is the house that Wisdom built. (Pr.9:1) These have foundation which we find in Hannah's prayer. "For the pillars of the earth are the Lord's, and he hath set the world upon them." (1 Sa.2:8). The same truth we have in the Psalm we are discussing at present. God " Who laid the foundations of the earth, that it should not be removed for ever."(104:5) Notice the ubiquitous phrase 'forever' used here? We are discussing fire as reserved for the children of wrath. Showers of blessing for the blessed in the Son. Everlasting covenant as a sure foundation. God knows. 2 Ti.2:19-20

Dear Cingoodstanding.

May the Lord bring help to you swiftly in your job situation. I know that He is working even though we cannot see it happening. How great is He!

May you be strengthened in your faith more and more and also be deepened in your knowledge of God in Jesus our Lord.

I will be standing with you in this in prayer and spirit.

Keep us posted, please.

S. Spencer,

To finish up my response.

If by saying that "Gigi, I've seen you do that!" you meant that even though I continue in a discussion were parties disagree yet still take the time to speak to others who post a request for help, then I have seen you do that, too. Thank you for doing so!

And lastly, when you speak of people here continuing in a discussion where parties strongly disagree you attribute it to pride. How can you say you know that is true? Only God really know the heart and intentions of why people do such things.

Was Paul being prideful when he addressed Peter strongly when Peter ate with the Judaizers instead of the Gentiles in fellowship meetings?

Was he being prideful when he spoke against those who spread false teaching? We cannot know for sure, but his love and zeal for the truth and right living compelled him as it does many here.

Was Jesus being prideful when he corrected or spoke harshly to the Pharisees and Sadducees, priests and leaders? Of course not!

We should all be careful to not judge others motives and the attitudes of their hearts concerning what they post here. We can certainly pray for one another and also think the best of others ( Phil. 2:3 tells us to think of others as better than ourselves). Doing so fosters respect and charity between believers. I endeavor to do just this, especially when another person says things I do not agree with or even are offended by their viewpoint. Even so, I pray for the conversation and the persons involved in it, myself and others, and I also seek not to judge another person in their intentions or in their standing with Christ.

This being said, I do think it is important that we be willing to speak the things that are hard to say, such as stating that what one speaks or promotes is erroneous or even heresy. We have an obligation to do this from Scripture as Paul and Jude m. But we do so in love even though it may not seems so to the recipient.

Steven, thanks for your response.

Amen, Jaz

We are to treasure our brethren and to pray for them when when we haven't spet time with them for a while.

Thanks for reminding us of this today.

Dear S. Spencer.

Hmmm. your comment that I have continued to quarrel on a topic when someone comes on the site for help is not a true reflection of me or my motives for continuing a conversation. But if you believe I have been this way, I can remember many times when you have continued debate on a topic in the same way even when there are people who post their requests for help. So, we should be self-reflective when we accuse another person of the same things we have done.

If you look at my history on here you will find that I respond to requests for prayer and help often. And when a topic is being discussed strongly, I try to continue in it until it seems to come to a point to cease, as I believe you and many others do here.

For me, I don't mind strong disagreement on ideas as long as we are free to respond on topic. Others may not like to engage this way. Having strong disagreement is not the same as being divisive or mean-spirited. The free exchange of ideas and view points is allowed here and has been part of the Christian conversation since the time of Jesus and the early church. Being assertive is not the same as being argumentative.

Also, what you may consider a minor topic or doctrine does not necessarily make it so. Therefore, we should not be the judge of the choice of topics on this forum.

I know that both you and I and many on here are concerned about truth being spoken concerning biblical teachings, and we should be. I understand that there are many beliefs that are in disagreement among believers here and in the church at large. But just because there is such variety does not mean that we take a Laise-fair attitude about this because truth does matter.

I do agree that we should be speaking of soteriology often on this site and I do think that we do. But there are many other discussions that address other topics too. I attribute this diversity of topics to the work of the Holy Spirit for the building up and maturing of the saints.

What shall happen from now on?Exactly what the true Christians have announced for many years before- 2Peter 3:10-13:

10The heavens(both environment of the Old Testament and New Testament)shall pass away with a great noise(be imploded, or even heavily hit or impacted like the WTC twin towers,because that which decayeth and waxeth old is READY to vanish away- Hebrews 8:13), and the elements shall melt with fervent heat(GOD is a devouring fire, understand?), and the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up (even now, from now on, as is determined in the Word of GOD- Daniel 2:34-35 & 44-45,take a look, for the Word is GOD,GOD Himself,self-executing,understand?)

11Seeing then that all THESE THINGS shall be DISSOLVED (DISMANTLED),what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness,

12Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the Day of GOD(the Lord's Day,seventh and last Day or seventh and last millennium),wherein the heavens(both environment of the Old Testament and New Testament),being on FIRE shall be DISSOLVED(will no longer exist),and the elements shall melt with fervent heat?

13Nevertheless we,according to His promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness.(Phil.3:20-21: 20For our conversation is in heaven(heven? Ephesians 1:3-8); from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ:

21Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto His glorious body( Luke 20:35-36), according to the working whereby He is able even to subdue all things unto Himself.)

Re.11:15-18KJV

15The kingdoms OF THIS WORLD are become the kingdoms of our Lord,and of His Christ;and He shall reign for ever and ever.

...

18And the nations were angry,and thy wrath is come,and the time of the dead,that they should be Judged,and that thou should give reward unto thy servants the prophets,and to the saints,and them that fear thy name,small and great;and should DESTROY them which destroy the earth.

You're welcome Michael.

God bless.

Hi Gigi.

Thanks for replying.

Gigi, I have enjoyed and talked about every biblical topic you can imagine on this site as well as others but I never neglect what's most important. "Our commission.

With that being said the distraction I spoke to Brother Ronald about wasn't because there were other topics than Soteriology.

The distractions is the quarrels over less important issues.

If someone won me over with their eschatology that wont save me!

So, if someone comes on the site for help in their walk or faith, Don't be distracted by the quarrels and take the time and help them.

Gigi, I've seen you do that!

Maybe this will help.

I pasted and copied the "theme" of my conversation to Ronald.

"That is true Brother Ronald but finding having the truth doesn't necessarily eliminate pride.

To quarrel about a secondary topic and neglect what's most important is a show of pride.

You see we set Christ commission aside to do our own thing.

Winning a debate doesn't out weigh Winning souls.

Here's an example of what I noticed.

A person posted questions on their fear of coming to Christ. That message lingered for hours before there was an response while posts of several topics went on.

When one or two offered their help on the subject the thread was flooded but not many of those replies went to the lady posting. (By the way, it was a guy)

This person's request for help was ignored while debates went on.

There's the distraction!

Jaz was the first to respond.

As for Unity.

Being in agreement with one Doctrinally doesn't necessarily mean you have unity. There are those who doesn't want to have nothing to say or do with others because of diverse reasons.

As you said, "You don't think there is a need for us to discuss this further"

Thanks for joining in!

I will be discussing it as I always has. Perhaps on a separate thread.

God bless you.

Signs -water-2

"Then Isaac sowed in that land, and received in the same year an hundredfold: and the Lord blessed him." (Ge.26:12)

Isaac is set as a sign. He is set in the frame of reference to the Son. As the heir of promise his blessings came from the everlasting covenant.. It has nothing to do with Abraham as Christians have ben taught by imposter church. The Spirit tags here with hundredfold with the same meaning as Jesus promised his disciples. " And every one that hath forsaken houses, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my name's sake, shall receive an hundredfold, and shall inherit everlasting life."(Matt.19:29) Man's life was set in terms of 120 (12x10) years. (Ge.6:3) Hundred refers to the day decreed for the Son. The end times has 144x1000 as a tag so the number of saints redeemed from the earth standing on the mount Sion is 144,000. (Re.14:1). Blessings of Abraham and Isaac come from the Ge.1:28. God allowed Abraham to sojourn in Egypt during the famine while He commanded Isaac to obey the everlasting covenant instead. "And said, Go not down into Egypt; dwell in the land which I shall tell thee of." Blessedness came from obedience to the covenant and not to Abraham. Literalism gives altogether a different meaning.

Water as a sign we see from the quarrel ensued between the servants of the king and of Isaac. Notice the expression,"unto this day". The servant report to Isaac," We have found water./And he called it Shebah: therefore the name of the city is Beersheba unto this day. "(Ge.26:32-33) Name of persons, places and events are thus tagged as signs ad it owes to the everlasting covenant. In association with the great stone of Abel we have this verse,"even unto the great stone of Abel, whereon they set down the ark of the Lord: which stone remaineth unto this day in the field of Joshua, the Bethshemite." (1 Sa.6:18) Apart from 'unto this day' the name Joshua is the Hebrew variant of Jesus.

Dear Christian , I'm so glad for you . It is when life is at its most difficult that we need to lean even harder on our God . This is what faith is all about , knowing that God is with us every second of every day no matter what . The physical world in which we live can be very brutal , to us personally and the things that we see and hear going on around us can be truly terrifying . We must cling even tighter to our Rock , He is our peace , our calm in the storm that is these kingdoms of men , as long as we have faith in Him and His love and mercy , we shall come through anything and everything that this life throws at us . When these tough times come upon us we must rejoice in Him even more than usual and be grateful for the opportunity for our faith to grow in Him , through Christ our Passover Lamb . This tough time for you will stay in your memory and in the future , maybe you will be feeling a bit low or doubtful or afraid and you will remember this time . The time that you were potentially in trouble but you knew , every step of the way , that God was with you guiding your feet and keeping you close to Him . Praise God for His love and His boundless wisdom and gentle guidance .

Signs-Water

"Jesus answered and said unto her, Whosoever drinketh of this water shall thirst again:/ But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life." ( John 4:13-14) Two kinds of water.

Thirsting again is the quality of water that went up as a mist, "But there went up a mist from the earth, and watered the whole face of the ground."(Ge.2:7) What God gave Samson to drink was the same. This sign is within frame of reference to the day decreed for the Son. Thus blessings stipulated in the covenant or condemnation arises. This is made clear by unto this day and in that day. The latter refers to the condemnation.

"But the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life," is what every believer or true worshiper could claim."n the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried, saying, If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink."( John 7:37-38; Is.55:1) The two kinds of water have thus different source as Adam and the last Adam have. "The first man is of the earth, earthy; the second man is the Lord from heaven."(1 Co.15:47)

It is thus we distinguish between Sabbath as one day which need like water from the Jacob's Well. But thirst never gos away. The water unto everlasting life that we drink in the Son signified we have entered into the rest with the Son.

Does this insight come from human intellect or from the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ?" (2 Co.4:6) The heretical sects who make much Israel and Sabbath are holding truth in unrighteousness. More worse is that the refuse to come to light because their works are evil." And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. ( John 3:19-20) What is their take on the unity of the Spirit. Drivel.

Signs: "water and fire"

Water

"And God said, Let there be a firmament in the midst of the waters, and let it divide the waters from the waters."(Ge.1:6) As with separation of light we have God making a distinction between the waters above and below the firmament. So signs where water from the earth rising as a mist is different from the river flowing out of Eden to water the garden on the east of Eden. Everlasting covenant applies here as well. Adam whose sin of disobedience proved that he was a servant. "Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness?"(Ro.6:16). Jesus gives us a clue to the expulsion of Adam, "And the servant abideth not in the house for ever( John 8:35-36). The Garden that God planted was for the last Adam. It also example the purpose of the water,"But there went up a mist from the earth, and watered the whole face of the ground." This is the quality of 'the vile body' of flesh and blood.(Ge.2:7-8) The first Adam was earthy on account of it.

Water sent from God we shall see at several places, so everlasting covenant is operational. The ground was cursed on account of sin and when Hagar was in dire straits in the wilderness of Beersheba we read that God opened her eyes, "And she saw a well of water; and she went, and filled the bottle with water, and gave the lad drink."Ge.21:19). This river of time flows till the last chapter. Against which Moses giving Israelite water to drink and quenching the thirst of mighty Samson which establishes the covenant is working. God sent succour to him and the place, "which is in Lehi unto this day:(Ju.15:19). This water serves as a sign that he was blessed in the Son according to the covenant. On the contrary we have " In that day there shall be a fountain opened to the house of David and to the inhabitants of Jerusalem for sin and for uncleanness." (Ze.13:1). This is in relation to the new earth.

Matt.16:3-4 "Signs""O ye hypocrites, ye can discern the face of the sky; but can ye not discern the signs of the times?/A wicked and adulterous generation seeketh after a sign; and there shall no sign be given unto it, but the sign of the prophet Jonas."

Jesus the word become flesh was the sign and it referred to the Father who sent him. So whatever signs the Jews sought belonged to a wicked and adulterous generation. Isaiah referring to his sons referred to another generation which owed it validity from the everlasting covenant. "Behold, I and the children whom the Lord hath given me are for signs and for wonders in Israel from the Lord of hosts, which dwelleth in mount Zion."(Is.8:16). God had determined beforehand what their names shall be. It applied to the spirit of the times, a specific threat from Syria. In relation to the national identity of Israel these two sons were living proof that His promises shall not fail. Signs based on the Generation of Jesus owed to the covenant. For this reason Jesus referred the sign of the prophet Jonah. It referred to the death and resurrection of his Son.,The writer to the Hebrews cites Isaiah in order to show the generation of Jesus covered the day God decreed for his Son.(Ps.2:7). " Behold I and the children which God hath given me" leads us to the reason for the humanity of Jesus. Sanctification is what it meant. "Wherefore in all things it behoved him to be made like unto his brethren, that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people." So who sanctifies the people? (He.2:10-11). This shall throw light on the commandment on Sabbath. "Verily my sabbaths ye shall keep: for it is a sign between me and you throughout your generations; that ye may know that I am the Lord that doth sanctify you."(Ex.31:13) That ye may know." Without this their disbelief made their generation, them hypocrites.

Hello Momsage. I'm surprised by your engaging with me here, since you haven't rescinded your past request in this regard.

In any case, to respond now to your question, I think you will agree that the Sabbath, as with the other nine commandments were given purely to the children of Israel. I say that with some confidence as you stated this fact (in part) to Naisa Koroi, "The 4th commandment, although, addressed to Israel at the time God gave them, were for ALL of Gods children...".

So our difference is not on which day the Sabbath falls (i.e. on the seventh day of the week, the day that the LORD chose to cease from all His works & sanctify it ( Genesis 2:2)), but whether the Jewish observance of the Sabbath is encumbent upon the one in Christ now. You've stated that the 4th Commandment is "for ALL of God's children", and this is where I would disagree. I would find it difficult to correctly understand the directives given to the Church from Jesus & the Apostles, and yet still hold onto the Law (which includes the Decalogue & other commandments) that not only don't apply to me, a Gentile, but of no value to the Church in Christ Jesus.

Probably like you, I grew up learning by rote, the Decalogue, as also the stories of Adam & Eve, the Flood, the Crucifixion, etc. And we accepted all that we were taught without question. But when I became new in Christ Jesus, many questions arose, and sometimes challenged my long-held beliefs carried through the years. So, by searching the Scriptures, I no longer count my previous learning valid, though very useful of course, but try to bring together all what the Bible teaches me. Many Scriptures assisted me in this, but one as an example is Galatians chap 3, and particularly verse 19: "Wherefore then serveth the law? It was added because of transgressions, till the seed should come to whom the promise was made...". Jesus' Coming & Sacrifice negated all the Law - we are now to live by His Spirit, obeying His Laws imputed in us.

Something happen to me and it's so wonderful that I want to share it with you all.

I am dealing with a job related issue for the last four weeks and I have been frustrated. I would pray morning and night and cry out to GOD and believed no matter what happen, even in my frustrated, daily state. GOD still showed up with me each day!

Each day I was expecting an answer but only got a partical answer or no answer at all to move me forward to the next day to receive a closure on the matter. Yesterday I got terrible news but I instantly decided to not stop believing and keep going.

I have never used my Faith for this long a period of time and the sistuation is dire but I refuse to believe that my GOD is not greater than any issue I face.

I'm now, more Determined, Frustrated and Excited all in one while still praising the LORD each day. I still do not have my answer but here is his glory:

I'm talking to GOD with grace and confidence each day.

I'm speaking the words from the bible of GOD's promises to me.

I'm standing on his words because they cannot return unto him void.

Through this process GOD is revealing things I did not know that are hendering my answer and providing me with wisdom to overcome it. It's just amazing when you put your Faith on the line and trust the process of GOD behind the seen.

This is our GOD KING JESUS>>>>

GOD is AWESUME.....and Worthy to be praised.

Hello S Spencer again.

Thankyou for your patience and guidence.This is sincerly appreciated and taken to heart.You have greatly expanded my experiance and journey.I have some distance to travel now and i feel excited about this.Thankyou.I feel i must stay intouch with you and Dear Gigi you are a comfort to me that i do not want to leave behind.Through KJV i will be intouch with you both again thankyou both.

Michael.May God be with you both.

Hello again Gigi.

I am more than gratefull for your patience with me.Thankyou.Your advice and guidence has expanded and taught me much already.I understand that this is a journey that never ends.Not a race to the finish.I have a large volume of reading and learning ahead.I tend to see this with excitement.Dont ask me to explain this because i can't.But in saying that i do know.A juxtaposition i know.Thankyou again Gigi.May God be with you.

Michael.

Luke 17:28-30-JESUS said:

28Likewise also as it was in the days of Lot;they did eat,they drank,they bought,they sold,they planted,they builded;

29But the same day that Lot went out of Sodom it rained fire and brimstone from heaven,and destroyed them all.

30Even thus shall it be in the day when the Son of man is revealed.

What was there or what happened in Sodoma,and Gomorra,and in the neighboring cities? Well,GOD sent two men there.And they said unto Lot,Hast thou here any besides?son in law,and thy sons,and thy daughters,and whatsoever thou hast in the city,bring them out of this place:For we will DESTROY THIS PLACE,because the cry of them is waxen great before the face of the Lord;and the Lord hath SENT US to DESTROY IT-Gen.19:12-13.

And Lot went out,and spake unto his sons in law,which married his daughters,and said, Up, get you out of this place;for the Lord will destroy this city.But he seemed as one that mocked unto his sons in law-Gen.19:14.

Again:Even thus shall it be in the day when the Son of man is revealed.Yes, even thus shall it be now,even now,from now on,the difference is that now is sent only one,not two men,and now the order/the command is to DESTROY THE WHOLE WORLD OF THE DEVIL,the process of destruction of the Devil's world is already running,understand?

Do you believe or you are like the sons in law of Lot thinking that I'm moking you?No surprise,if so.JESUS said:even thus will be in the day when the Son of man is revealed.Who is he?Michael- Daniel 12:1-3, Matthew 24:15-25 and 1Thessalonians 4:16.

Get ready

Satan will be cast down into the bottomless pit,and his followers- 1Corinthians 6:9-10 and Revelation 21:8-,will be cast into the lake of fire.

Re.20:1-3->1And I saw an angel come down from heaven,having the key of the bottomless pit and a great chain in his hand.And he laid hold on the dragon,that old serpent,which is the Devil,and Satan,and bound him a thousand years...and set a seal upon him,that he should deceive the nations no more

S.Spencer,

I agree with you in this matter. I was just wanting to encourage you to begin conversation on this forum on soteriology since it seems the Lord has put that on your heart at this time. I look forward to these discussions.

I do want to say that any of us should follow the promptings of the Holy Spirit in our conversation here and elsewhere. It is not a distraction or divisive to discuss a wide range of topics here or elsewhere. We do need to enter such discussions as you said, humbly and lovingly, with forbearance and patience no matter what the topic. Discussing soteriology is always a good topic to discuss, but there are many other topics that speak to important doctrines taught in Scripture that aid in building up the church in wisdom and unity. We each should bring forward the topics the Holy Spirit is prompting us to do, for, as you said, there is one body and one Spirit.

I don't think there is a need for us to discuss this further as I do agree that we should desire unity and harmony as well as take time to speak the Gospel in situation that are presented to us by the Holy Spirit and that there are those who are new believers that may need further explanation on their recent conversion and new relationship with God in and through Jesus Chrsit.

Blessings to you, Steven, as always. I hope your evening goes very well. Will talk with you soon.

Hi Chris.

If the day didn't matter why did God (Jesus) specifically command the Sabbath or the seventh day to be our day to rest like He did and emphasis it by telling us to remember it and then turn around when He was incarnate and discount it or change His mind about something so important?

A real day of rest, which is what God commanded, would be a real blessing for us. It rejuvenates the mind, body and soul. It gives us the opportunity to set the things of the world, work, even troubles, aside and gives us a full day to give God and family our undivided attention so we can just relax in the Lord. Fellowship with friends is good on the Sabbath also giving them real time and attention, not just a few minutes after church or sitting in a crowded, noisy restaurant.

That said, 2 Timothy 2:15 "Study to shew theyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed rightly dividing the word of truth." is one of the most important scriptures we can read and obey, I believe. There are to many people telling us this and that and the other thing, including myself, so believers need to learn what God says about anything themself by studying and trusting the Holy Spirit to show them what God's will is. God Bless :)

Hello Naisa koroi:

Worshiping God is wonderful for the believer any day, any time whether on your own or in fellowship. The 4th commandment, although, addressed to Israel at the time God gave them, where for ALL of Gods children and that is proven by the fact that we obey them still today, except the 4th. The 4th commandment only asks that we set one day (Sabbath; Saturday) for a rest for our minds, bodies, and souls. Since most of the world worships on Sunday this is not breaking the 4th commandment, unfortunately though, people have also determined that that will be their day of rest also, despite the commandment is for Saturday. But putting days of the week aside, we need to have one day of real rest a week. God commanded it and specifically said "remember it" for us so that we, as believers, would make it a true day of rest. Mostly now Saturdays are for chores and errands and hopefully after worship on Sunday the person or family relaxes and rest at home. But if chores or errands weren't finished on Saturday it usually gets finished on Sunday because people attribute the Sabbath as only a day of worship now when, in fact as I said, there is nothing in the commandment that is about worship. It is such a blessing that you are a believer in Christ and have given your heart and life only to Him. Be glad and rejoice. Study your bible diligently for your answers as we are told to do in 2 Timothy 2:15 one of the most important verses in the bible, in my opinion.

God Bless:)

Hi Gigi.

Here's part 2.

We have Ephesians 4:1-13 touching on what's expected.

Vs 1) We are told to

walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called.

Vs 2) Here's how we are to do it. "With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love;

Vs 3) Another Verse that brings clarity to what I posted.

"Endeavouring to KEEP THE UNITY OF THE SPIRIT IN THE BOND OF PEACE.

Vs 4-13 ) We are gifted Christ Spirit and offices for him to perform in us. For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:

Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:

Contrary to this is Vs 14 where there is no unity but yet DISTRACTIONS and deception.

That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;

Gigi my post was about distractions that take us away from our Great commission.

We don't glorify the Lord that way.

My reply to Ronald was about, out of all the doctrines I mentioned, ( Eschatology, Soteriology, ect ect. Soteriology is the most important and most neglected.

And it is the only one that carries consequences if you get it wrong.

God bless.

Hi Gigi.

Our purpose is to glorify God.

Our mission is to take the Gospel out to the whole world whether on Church on the streets in the grocery store or on this site.

It's "shouldn't" be common that any Christian would refute that.

My post, and reply to Brother Ronald was concerning our mission.

However,

let's talk about Glorifying God for a moment in relations to what I posted.

Here goes.

An article on distractions.

"Remembering Jesus' Prayer for Unity

We all know the narrative in John 17. But let's revisit it.

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.

This was the last thing on Jesus' mind before he went to the cross. He could have been praying about anything, but he chose to pray about unity.

There is the heading Gigi to this whole conversation.

When we are as one we Glorify the Lord, not when we are divided.

Look at the previous verse.

John 17:10. And all mine are thine, and thine are mine; and I AM GLORIFIED IN THEM.

We are many members but yet one body, one Spirit, and one Lord.

We glorify the Lord by carrying on his mission in Love not chaos.

God set up these different offices within the body for that cause!

I will post a few scriptures for lack of time and space.

Ephesians 4:1-3.

Ephesians 4:4.

Ephesians 4:7-8.

And last but certainly not least. Ephesians 4:11-13.

"And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;

For the perfecting of the saints, FOR THE WORK OF THE MINISTRY, FOR THE EDIFYING OF THE BODY OF CHRIST:

Till we all come in the UNITY of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature OF THE FULNESS OF CHRIST:

We have built for a mission that Glorifies Christ!!

See Part 2. Staying right here in Ephesians.

Ge.1:14-18 "Signs" (2 of 2)

Then Jesus said unto them of his work. "For the bread of God is he which cometh down from heaven, and giveth life unto the world." At this they wouldn't have any of it. (He.12:14) Without holiness no one shall see God and without faith understand him. God gave the Israelites manna which they hated and would even want to stone Moses, and to them Jesus as the bread from heaven as a sign and his work would mean nothing. So Sabbath was a sign which was set within frame of reference to the Son. "It is a sign between me and the children of Israel for ever." (Ex.31:17). As with the sign mentioned earlier, without fulfilling the forever aspect of the everlasting covenant the Law of Moses is a law given to the servant. The covenant between God and Man is everlasting. It is meant to be holy for the reprobate stiff-necked people. "Ye shall keep the sabbath therefore; for it is holy unto you." God who sanctifies them has set his Son. "But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption."(1 Co.1:30)