tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21755166880027983432024-02-20T11:19:18.026-08:00The Gospel of Jesus ChristUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger46125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2175516688002798343.post-42452350709587863962015-10-10T15:06:00.001-07:002015-10-10T15:06:28.913-07:00Exaltation one of the 1st doctrines of the Devil<p dir="ltr">Claiming there are many gods in other worlds and universes is border line insanity if you believe what the bible says.</p>
<p dir="ltr">Deuteronomy 6:4 "Hear, O  Israel: The Lord our God is one Lord:</p>
<p dir="ltr">This following verse alone rebukes the damnable teaching of exaltation, where mere men can become gods of their own planets.</p>
<p dir="ltr">Isaiah 43:10 "Ye  are my witnesses, saith the Lord, and my servant whom I have chosen: that  ye may know and believe me, and understand that I am he: before me there was no God  formed, neither shall there be after me."</p>
<p dir="ltr">Isaiah 44:6, 8 "Thus saith the Lord the King of Israel, and  his redeemer the Lord of hosts; I am the first, and I  am the last; and beside me  there  is no God...</p>
<p dir="ltr">...8 Fear ye not, neither be afraid: have not I told thee from that time, and  have declared it? ye  are even my witnesses. Is there a God beside me? yea,  there is  no God; I know not any."</p>
<p dir="ltr">The following verse 5 refutes the teaching of a premortal existence, a couple of churches believe this, Christian Sciences and Mormons. Apologists will claim that the reason why we didn't  know God before we were born is because there is a veil over our eyes, even though when the bible speaks about veils is in no whereas the context of what they are suggesting.</p>
<p dir="ltr">Isaiah 45:5-6 "I  am the Lord, and  there is  none else, there is no God beside me: I girded thee, though thou hast not known me:  6  That they may know from the rising of the sun, and from the west, that there is none  beside me. I am the Lord, and  there is none else."</p>
<p dir="ltr">Religions that teach exaltation of man to godhood.</p>
<p dir="ltr">Jesus said the following in the context of men exalting themselves in a worldy sense, how much of a weightier meaning would the following verse mean in a much broader context?</p>
<p dir="ltr">Matthew 23:12 "And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be  abased; and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted."</p>
<p dir="ltr">The word "abased" here means to bring down or brought down.</p>
<p dir="ltr">Some use the the following verse Jesus quoted about us as being little "g" gods.</p>
<p dir="ltr">John 10:34 "Jesus answered  them, Is it not written in your law, I said, Ye are gods?"</p>
<p dir="ltr">Herein lies the problem with the interpretation...Jesus quoted this directly from psalms:</p>
<p dir="ltr">Psalms 82:6 "I have said,  Ye are gods; and all of you  are children of the most High." </p>
<p dir="ltr">However, if you continue reading verse 7 it says this:</p>
<p dir="ltr">Psalms 82:7 "But ye shall die like men,  and fall like one of the princes."</p>
<p dir="ltr">The context of Psalms 82 is referring to the Judges and Rulers over the nation of Israel, God gave them authority to Judge over the nation, only God himself reserves that right to judge righteously, so these judges and rulers are in like FIGURE gods because they have been given this right.</p>
<p dir="ltr">But you shall die like men...</p>
<p dir="ltr">The teaching that men can become god is not a new modern teaching, infact thousands of years ago throughout had taught this doctrine among many pagan circles, luciferian occults and one only has to flip the pages of the bible back to the Creation Event of man in Genesis, the garden of Eden where the Serpent taught this doctrine which has permeated out to ancient civilization throughout all time to present day by whispers of the Devil himself.</p>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2175516688002798343.post-21201346091456548602015-10-08T03:03:00.001-07:002015-10-08T03:03:06.358-07:00The Gospel of Jesus Christ: That Dumb Question...<a href="http://wordofchristos.blogspot.com.au/2015/10/that-dumb-question.html#links">The Gospel of Jesus Christ: That Dumb Question...</a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2175516688002798343.post-76875102548316569642015-10-07T21:56:00.000-07:002015-10-07T21:56:03.376-07:00That Dumb Question...Jesus response to a very dumb question:<br />
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Who asked this very dumb question?<br />
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The Sect of the Sadducees.<br />
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What was their core beliefs?<br />
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No Resurrection<br />
No Spirits/Angels<br />
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The Dumb Question: Matthew 22:23-28<br />
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"The same day came to him the Sadducees, which say that there is no resurrection, and asked him, Saying, Master, Moses said, If a man die, having no children, his brother shall marry his wife, and raise up seed unto his brother. Now there were with us seven brethren: and the first, when he had married a wife, deceased, and, having no issue, left his wife unto his brother: Likewise the second also, and the third, unto the seventh. And last of all the woman died also. Therefore in the resurrection whose wife shall she be of the seven? for they all had her."<br />
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So, here is this stupid hypothetical question put forward to Jesus, trying to trip him up in his words so that they might have something for them to accuse him of. However like all dumb question like, what about the guy in Africa in the middle of nowhere? There have been more missionaries sent to Africa throughout history than any other country in the world...<br />
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Well any way, the purpose of this post is to show you the simple truth, so that you are not fooled or bamboozled by phony Christians trying to suck you into their money making S club 7 type memberships.<br />
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So Who's Wife will she be in the resurrection? bearing in mind the Sadducee's don't even believe in the resurrection!<br />
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The Absolute truth given by Jesus: Matthew 22:29-32<br />
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"Jesus answered and said unto them, Ye do err, not knowing the scriptures, nor the power of God. For in the resurrection they neither marry, nor are given in marriage, but are as the angels of God in heaven. But as touching the resurrection of the dead, have ye not read that which was spoken unto you by God, saying, I am the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob? God is not the God of the dead, but of the living."<br />
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The first thing Jesus tells them is that they are in error, they are in error because they do not know the scriptures! How many times must we keep telling new born babes in Christianity to read their bibles! Many people are in error because they do not know their bibles and what the word of God says!!!!<br />
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When you lack any knowledge of the scriptures how then can you even begin to understand or know the power of God?<br />
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Jesus says, for in the resurrection we don't marry or are even given in marriage!<br />
For we will be like the angels of God in heaven.<br />
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Pretty simple huh? no mentions of sealing each other together for eternity, no mentions of being married forever. Jesus SAID THERE WILL BE NO MARRIAGE!!!<br />
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As touching the resurrection, Jesus is basically saying, well, why don't you believe in the resurrection? For God said, I AM the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob. For God is not the God of the dead, but of the living, see, he didn't say WAS, he said AM, as in present tense, that means Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob are alive still, when Jesus made reference that God is God of the Living, Jesus is referring to the fact that they are living, and we know from scripture that after death, a saved person goes directly to heaven, whilst an unsaved person goes to hell.<br />
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There you have it, easy peezy, no scripture twisting, no adding or removing from God's word, just good ol' plain truth from the guidance of the Holy Spirit.<br />
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I thank the Lord for giving us his clear word, all praise and glory to the Father in heaven, in Jesus name.<br />
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Amen.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2175516688002798343.post-2866562950265265222015-03-01T21:17:00.001-08:002015-03-01T21:17:44.211-08:00Have You Received the Invitation to the Great Wedding Feast of the Lamb?<span xmlns=""></span><br />
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<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #5b9bd5;"><strong><em>Revelation 19:9 "And he saith unto me, Write, Blessed are they which are called unto the marriage supper of the Lamb. And he saith unto me, these are the true sayings of God."</em></strong></span></span></blockquote>
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<span xmlns="">It's been a while since I've had the opportunity to post on this blog, been caught up in holidays, work, family, work, holidays; but, God willing, I can continue posting a stream of articles and bible studies.</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">So today, I felt it necessary to write about the Great Wedding Feast of the Lamb, especially in light of what is going on around the world today with the Ukraine, the Middle East, and all other manner of dark and wicked plans the world leaders and elites are planning to unleash on the world.</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">So, the title of this sermon/article is exactly what is in the heading, and I want to ask you, will you be attending the wedding feast of the lamb?</span><br />
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<span xmlns=""><span style="color: black;">Jesus gives us a parable in Matthew 22:2-14 and he talks about a wedding feast, lest use scripture with scripture to interpret what he is talking about.</span></span><br />
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<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #0070c0;"><strong><em>Matthew 22:2-14 "The kingdom of heaven is like unto a certain king, which made a marriage for his son, <sup>3 </sup>and sent forth his servants to call them that were bidden to the wedding: and they would not come. <sup>4 </sup>Again, he sent forth other servants, saying, Tell them which are bidden, Behold, I have prepared my dinner: my oxen and my fatlings are killed, and all things are ready: come unto the marriage. <sup>5 </sup>But they made light of it, and went their ways, one to his farm, another to his merchandise: <sup>6 </sup>and the remnant took his servants, and entreated them spitefully, and slew them. <sup>7 </sup>But when the king heard thereof, he was wroth: and he sent forth his armies, and destroyed those murderers, and burned up their city. <sup>8 </sup>Then saith he to his servants, The wedding is ready, but they which were bidden were not worthy. <sup>9 </sup>Go ye therefore into the highways, and as many as ye shall find, bid to the marriage. <sup>10 </sup>So those servants went out into the highways, and gathered together all as many as they found, both bad and good: and the wedding was furnished with guests.<sup>11 </sup>And when the king came in to see the guests, he saw there a man which had not on a wedding garment: <sup>12 </sup>and he saith unto him, Friend, how camest thou in hither not having a wedding garment? And he was speechless. <sup>13 </sup>Then said the king to the servants, Bind him hand and foot, and take him away, and cast him into outer darkness; there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. <sup>14 </sup>For many are called, but few are chosen."</em></strong></span></span></blockquote>
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<span xmlns="">What's unique about this parable is that it spans over the Old and New Testaments, the parable speaks of a King who throws a wedding feast for his son, he sends out invitations but the initial guests refuse to go, we'll find out what happens when we begin to dissect this parable.</span><br />
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<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #0070c0;"><strong><em>Verse 2 "The kingdom of heaven is like unto a certain king, which made a marriage for his son,"</em></strong></span></span></blockquote>
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<span xmlns="">The kingdom of heaven is like unto a certain king, this certain king is <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>God the Father</strong></span>; which made a marriage for his son, and the son being the <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>Lord Jesus Christ</strong></span>.</span><br />
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<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #0070c0;"><strong><em>Verse 3 "and sent forth his servants to call them that were bidden to the wedding: and they would not come."</em></strong></span></span></blockquote>
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<span xmlns="">So this part of the parable is taking place in the Old Testament, and sent for his servants, who are the servants?</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">They are the Prophets of the Old Testament sent forth to call them that were bidden (means offered) to the wedding: and they would not come. So we see here, God sent forth his Prophets but they would not come, who are the "they"?</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">Well, Jesus is speaking to the crowd of Jews or more specifically the religious leaders, namely the Pharisees. </span><br />
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<span xmlns="">But if you are familiar with Old Testament, then you will know that God had been sending his Prophets to the Children of Israel, but the majority of times they kept rejecting the Lord, they kept turning their backs on the Lord and worshipped other gods.</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">So it is these people that refused to come to the wedding.</span><br />
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<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #0070c0;"><strong><em>Verse 4 "Again, he sent forth other servants, saying, Tell them which are bidden, Behold, I have prepared my dinner: my oxen and my fatlings are killed, and all things are ready: come unto the marriage.</em></strong></span></span></blockquote>
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<span xmlns="">Again, this word "Again" is denoting that this isn't the first time the king sent forth his servants, but it says he is sending forth other servants, what's happened to the first lot of servants?</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">We'll find out soon enough, but the new lot of servants have also been sent forth to tell them that were bidden, that the king has prepared his dinner, the king says my oxen and my fatlings are killed, next notice what he says because this is the key phrase, he says, "ALL THINGS ARE READY" come unto the marriage.</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">It's very important to note that we are still in the Old Testament period, and the key phrase to this parable is "ALL THINGS ARE READY".</span><br />
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<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #0070c0;"><strong><em>Verse 5 "But they made light of it, and went their ways, one to his farm, another to his merchandise:"</em></strong></span></span></blockquote>
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<span xmlns="">"They made light of it", who made light of it? </span><br />
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<span xmlns="">They did, the children of Israel made light of it. </span><br />
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<span xmlns="">What does the phrase "They made light of it" mean?</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">To make light of something is to treat something as unimportant, to make a joke of it, which is what the Nation of Israel did, they thought it was just a joke, treated it as unimportant. </span><br />
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<span xmlns="">And then what did they do? </span><br />
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<span xmlns="">Well it says, they went their ways, one to his farm, and another to his merchandise. </span><br />
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<span xmlns="">Just like today, when you give the gospel to an unbeliever, they make light of it, then go about their daily business, one to his own house, some to their TV's, Movies, Sports, Facebook and son on.</span><br />
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<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #0070c0;"><strong><em>Verse 6 "and the remnant took his servants, and entreated them spitefully, and slew them."</em></strong></span></span></blockquote>
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<span xmlns="">"Remnant" means a small portion of the majority or the people left, so these people took the servants, they entreated them spitefully, and slew them, these people killed the Prophets. This is what they did to the Prophets in the Old Testament.</span><br />
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<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #0070c0;"><strong><em>Verse 7 "But when the king heard thereof, he was wroth: and he sent forth his armies, and destroyed those murderers, and burned up their city."</em></strong></span></span></blockquote>
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<span xmlns="">But when the king heard thereof, he was wroth (Angry): and he sent his armies, throughout the Old Testament the Nation of Israel kept rejecting the Lord, they killed the Prophets and would not listen, after King Solomon's reign the Nation of Israel split in two, The Northern Kingdom retained the name of Israel, while the Southern Kingdom was known as Judah (Later called Judaea in Pagan Roman times).</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">Solomon's sons would not rule in the northern kingdom, this kingdom had 10 of the 12 tribes of Israel. The northern Kingdom was ruled by a succession of wicked kings that were not descendants of David and Solomon. This kingdom would eventually have Samaria as its capitol. </span><br />
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<span xmlns="">This kingdom became so wicked that God had the Empire of Assyria invade and destroy the Northern Kingdom, the Northern Kingdom became no more. What was left of the 10 tribes of Israel had now been intermingled with the heathens, they would later became known as the Samaritans.</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">The Southern Kingdom of Judah which consisted mainly of the tribe of Judah and Benjamin (A few remnants of others as well) would eventually be taken captive to Babylon as punishment for their sins, most notably serving other gods. There was also a remnant left behind in Judah when the rest got taken captive to Babylon.</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">The Capitol of Judah, is known as Jerusalem, this is also the Location of Solomon's temple of the Lord. </span><br />
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<span xmlns="">When the Babylonians took Jerusalem, they razed the first temple to the ground by fire, along with much of Jerusalem.</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">However, this part of the parable in verse 7 is actually prophesying the complete destruction of Jerusalem which was carried out in 70 AD by the Roman Emperor Titus in which, fulfilled the prophecy given by Jesus (Matthew 24:2, Luke 21:6, Mark 13:2).</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">We now read the cut-over into the New Testament.</span><br />
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<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #0070c0;"><strong><em>Verse 8 "Then saith he to his servants, the wedding is ready, but they which were bidden were not worthy."</em></strong></span></span></blockquote>
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<span xmlns="">Then saith he to his servants, these are New Testament servants, as it will be explained in the next verse. Remember, here is the keywords again, "THE WEDDING IS READY", I will explain the wedding in a moment, but for now let's just understand that we know that "ALL THINGS ARE READY" and "THE WEDDING IS READY", but those that were bidden, those whom were offered a place at the wedding were not worthy, they rejected the Lord, served other gods and killed the Prophets, they are not worthy, the Nation of Israel is no longer the branch on the vine, it has been cut off, and cast aside, and another branch has been grafted in; the Gentiles.</span><br />
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<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #0070c0;"><strong><em>Verse 9 "Go ye therefore into the highways, and as many as ye shall find, bid to the marriage."</em></strong></span></span></blockquote>
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<span xmlns="">Go ye therefore, that phrase means for that reason, what reason? "They which were bidden were not worthy".</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">This phrase is linked to what Jesus told his disciples and by extension all Christians in Matthew 28 the great commission:</span><br />
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<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #c00000;"><strong><em>Matthew 28:19-20 "Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: <sup>20 </sup>teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen."</em></strong></span></span></blockquote>
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<span xmlns=""><span style="color: black;">Notice the same wording, "Go ye therefore", Jesus says for us, the soul winner to go into the highways, and AS MANY AS YE FIND, bid to the marriage, or in other words invite them to come to the marriage.</span></span><br />
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<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #0070c0;"><strong><em>Verse 10 "So those servants went out into the highways, and gathered together all as many as they found, both bad and good: and the wedding was furnished with guests."</em></strong></span></span></blockquote>
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<span xmlns="">So those servants, the New Testament Christians, the soul winners went into the highways, and they gathered together as many as they could find, look what the texts says, BOTH BAD and GOOD: and the wedding was furnished with guests.</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">You see, they gathered anyone that they could find it didn't matter if they were bad or good, they just had to go.</span><br />
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<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #0070c0;"><strong><em>Verse 11-14 "And when the king came in to see the guests, he saw there a man which had not on a wedding garment: <sup>12 </sup>and he saith unto him, Friend, how camest thou in hither not having a wedding garment? And he was speechless. <sup>13 </sup>Then said the king to the servants, Bind him hand and foot, and take him away, and cast him into outer darkness; there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. <sup>14 </sup>For many are called, but few are chosen."</em></strong></span></span></blockquote>
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<span xmlns="">Now let's just stop for a moment, I want to explain something here and make it perfectly clear. This is a PARABLE, it is an illustration of a heavenly truth. We should not use a parable to form the basis of our doctrine, our doctrine should come only from clear statements in the bible, not from a story, not from what a man has said and certainly not from a parable. We should however use clear statements in the bible, especially if it came from the mouth of the Father or the Lord Jesus Christ himself, those a clear statements.</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">We should use a clear statement to interpret a parable in this case. I'm saying this because people have taken this part of the parable to prove that you can get into heaven and then be thrown out, this is flat out wrong.</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">A parable is like a good truck, it'll get you to where you need to go, but it will eventually break down, much like a parable, if we dissect it too much it will break down and can conflict with clear statements from the bible.</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">Ah yes, when the king came in to see the guests, he saw a man there which had not on a wedding garment. OK, so this man had not on a wedding garment, what's the deal here?</span><br />
<span xmlns="">What we know so far:</span><br />
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<li><span xmlns="">ALL THINGS ARE READY</span></li>
<li><span xmlns="">THE WEDDING IS READY</span></li>
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<span xmlns="">CALL ANYONE TO COME, BAD OR GOOD</span></div>
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<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #0070c0;"><strong><em>Verse 12 "and he saith unto him, Friend, how camest thou in hither not having a wedding garment? And he was speechless."</em></strong></span></span></blockquote>
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<span xmlns="">Again, not teaching you can get into heaven and then get thrown out of heaven, Jesus is making a point here. You will only get into heaven for the wedding feast if you have this garment.</span><br />
<span xmlns="">So what is this garment? Turn to Isaiah 61:10</span><br />
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<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #c00000;"><strong><em>Isaiah 61:10 "I will greatly rejoice in the Lord, my soul shall be joyful in my God; for he hath <span style="text-decoration: underline;">clothed me with the garments of salvation, he hath covered me with the robe of righteousness</span>, as a bridegroom decketh himself with ornaments, and as a bride adorneth herself with her jewels."</em></strong></span></span></blockquote>
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<span xmlns="">God hath clothed me in the garments of Salvation, he hath covered me in the robes of righteousness! This is of course the righteousness of the Lord Jesus Christ, are you covered by the blood of the Lamb? Are you placing all your faith that you have, your trust in the finished work of the Lord Jesus Christ to enter the wedding feast of the Lamb?</span><br />
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<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #0070c0;"><strong><em>Verse 13 "Then said the king to the servants, Bind him hand and foot, and take him away, and cast him into outer darkness; there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth."</em></strong></span></span></blockquote>
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<span xmlns="">Because if you are not clothed in the righteousness of Christ you will be cast into outer darkness (referring to the location of the lake of fire), there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth which is describing the degree of torment one will go through for eternity.</span><br />
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<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #0070c0;"><strong><em>Verse 14 "For many are called, but few are chosen."</em></strong></span></span></blockquote>
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<span xmlns="">Jesus says, for many are called, he means that God is constantly calling out to all men, because it is his will that all be saved. But Jesus says that only few are chosen, this does not mean that certain people are chosen by God to be saved, that's what the Calvinists say, the heretics!</span><br />
<span xmlns="">What he means is that there be few that have made that decision to go to the wedding feast that accepts Christ only as their Saviour.</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">Are you only trusting in Christ? Are you clothed in his robes of Righteousness or are you clothed in your own righteousness?</span><br />
<span xmlns=""><br /><b><u><span style="font-size: x-large;">This Parable is a picture of Salvation!</span></u></b></span><br />
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<span xmlns="">Amen.</span><br />
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2175516688002798343.post-65837607756833717822015-01-06T21:00:00.001-08:002015-01-06T21:00:46.308-08:00Bible Study Series – Romans Chapter 7<span xmlns=""></span><br />
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<h1>
<span xmlns="">Recap of Chapter 6</span></h1>
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<span xmlns="">We read in the final verse of Chapter 6 that there is a payment for sin, much like when we all go to work and we get paid our daily wages in money, when we work the works of sin we also must get paid, and that payment is death, and not just any death.</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">The death this that is being spoken of here is found in Revelation:</span><br />
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<blockquote>
<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #0070c0;"><strong><em>Revelation 21:8 "But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death."</em></strong></span></span></blockquote>
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<span xmlns="">There are certain religions out there that teach that Hell is not a literal place, they call it a place of darkness (Outer Darkness) where it is a separation from God. </span><br />
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<span xmlns="">This is absolutely false, Jesus himself gave powerful sermons to warn us that Hell, or what would be the final destination, "the lake of fire" which is located in outer darkness, but a literal place of fire and brimstone.</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">The above verse gives us the literal definition of what the lake of fire is: <span style="color: #0070c0;"><strong><em>which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.</em></strong></span></span><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<h1 style="text-align: center;">
<span xmlns="">Romans Chapter 7</span></h1>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
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<blockquote>
<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #0070c0;"><strong><em>Romans 7:1 "Know ye not, brethren, (for I speak to them that know the law,) how that the law hath dominion over a man as long as he liveth?"</em></strong></span></span></blockquote>
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<span xmlns="">Apostle Paul starts off this chapter by addressing the brethren that are familiar with the Law; he says did you not know, that so long as the man lives, the Law shall have dominion over him?</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">The Law is in effect until the day you die.</span><br />
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<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #0070c0;"><strong><em>Romans 7:2 "For the woman which hath an husband is bound by the law to her husband so long as he liveth; but if the husband be dead, she is loosed from the law of her husband."</em></strong></span></span></blockquote>
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<span xmlns="">Paul is using an illustration of marriage between a wife and her husband to expound on verse 1.</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">When a man and a woman get married, they are bound by a legal agreement, the couple will remain together married until either dies.</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">The vowel "till death do us part" is in the legal binding contract between the couple. </span><br />
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<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #0070c0;"><strong><em>Romans 7:3 "So then if, while her husband liveth, she be married to another man, she shall be called an adulteress: but if her husband be dead, she is free from that law; so that she is no adulteress, though she be married to another man."</em></strong></span></span></blockquote>
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<span xmlns="">There are many scriptures in the bible which teach that divorce is a sin, what God has joined together, let no man pull it apart. </span><br />
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<span xmlns="">Jesus taught that if a married couple file for divorce, and either remarry at any time, that that person is committing adultery so long as the other still lives.</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">I don't want to go deep into this subject, as this would be truly a full-fledged article within itself; Marriage is death till you part.</span><br />
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<blockquote>
<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #0070c0;"><strong><em>Romans 7:4 "Wherefore, my brethren, ye also are become dead to the law by the body of Christ; that ye should be married to another, even to him who is raised from the dead, that we should bring forth fruit unto God."</em></strong></span></span></blockquote>
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<span xmlns="">Because Jesus is sinless, he was able to offer his body as the ultimate perfect sacrifice resulting in a substitutionary process effectively trading his own life for all of mankind (of course this does not mean all of mankind will be saved, as salvation is given on one condition), as Jesus offered his body on the cross for all, he also effectively loosed us from the bonds of the law, hence the phrase "free in Christ".</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">The Law was there to serve as the schoolmaster, to show us that we are all sinners for before the Law was given, the earth was an exceeding violent place. </span><br />
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<span xmlns="">So now that we are dead to the Law (this does not mean that the Law has been abolished, it is still in effect), we who are saved are free in Christ, we are now married to Christ. </span><br />
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<span xmlns="">And now that we are married to Christ Jesus, we should bring forth fruit to God.</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">The Word of God teaches us that no man can serve two masters, the Apostle James writes in his epistle that such men are unstable in all their ways.</span><br />
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<blockquote>
<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #0070c0;"><strong><em>Romans 7:5 "For when we were in the flesh, the motions of sins, which were by the law, did work in our members to bring forth fruit unto death."</em></strong></span></span></blockquote>
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<span xmlns="">The term "we were in the flesh" meaning before we got saved, overcame, got born again; the motions of sin, the acting out of sin, which were by the law, this does not mean that the Law was responsible for us acting out sin, remember the Law made us aware that we have sin. The instruments or members of our body working that sin would bring forth fruit unto death.</span><br />
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<blockquote>
<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #0070c0;"><strong><em>Romans 7:6 "But now we are delivered from the law, that being dead wherein we were held; that we should serve in newness of spirit, and not in the oldness of the letter."</em></strong></span></span></blockquote>
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<span xmlns="">The Lord Jesus Christ delivered us from the Law, which is the bondage effect that the Law would have on us. </span><br />
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<span xmlns="">"That being dead" meaning that the Law condemned us in the flesh, we were creatures of the flesh before; but now, Jesus has quickened our spirit he made us alive, born again we can now serve and worship the Father in the newness of our spirit, instead of the oldness of the written Law.</span><br />
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<blockquote>
<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #0070c0;"><strong><em>Romans 7:7 "What shall we say then? Is the law sin? God forbid. Nay, I had not known sin, but by the law: for I had not known lust, except the law had said, Thou shalt not covet."</em></strong><br /> <strong><em><br /> </em></strong></span></span></blockquote>
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<span xmlns="">As I mentioned earlier, The Law is Holy and Paul asks the question, is the Law sin? Absolutely NOT! Paul says if it weren't for the Law, he would not have known sin.</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">Paul said that he would not have known lust, except that the Law had said you shall not covet. Notice how the Law is used like a self-evaluation questionnaire?</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">Try it with the 10 Commandments and begin each commandment with the words, "Am I doing this" or "do I do this" questions and see if you answer a yes or a no to each of the commandments.</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">Remember James wrote in his epistle in chapter 2:10 that if you offend in one point, you are guilty of all.</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">If this questionnaire went out to all mankind and the results came in there shall be no man standing. Not one of us would be standing perfect before the Law, God's Law is perfect.</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">You say, no way! Surely there be some of us standing, well 1 John 1:8 says <strong><sup> </sup></strong>If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">That's right, those people are lying to themselves.</span><br />
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<blockquote>
<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #0070c0;"><strong><em>Romans 7:8 "But sin, taking occasion by the commandment, wrought in me all manner of concupiscence. For without the law sin was dead."</em></strong></span></span></blockquote>
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<span xmlns="">Paul says here, that by reason of the commandment, Sin made or shaped in him all manner of concupiscence, this word means Lust or strong sexual desires, because without the Law, sin was dead or made not known is the intended meaning.</span><br />
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<blockquote>
<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #0070c0;"><strong><em>Romans 7:9 "For I was alive without the law once: but when the commandment came, sin revived, and I died."</em></strong></span></span></blockquote>
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<span xmlns="">Continuing on from the train of thought in verse 8 the Apostle Paul describes in his own case how men are pretentious toward the law before it enters as a condemning judgment into their own hearts, hence the phrase "for I was alive without the law once".</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">The law was hanging over him as a condemnation, as a minister of death, but he felt it not. </span><br />
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<span xmlns="">He went about life not caring, or feeling, or fearing, whether the law was his friend or enemy. In fact, like most people, Paul had viewed it as his friend, for he was using it as a friendly help to build up his own righteousness. </span><br />
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<span xmlns="">Isn't this what we see today in all the false religions that are out there now? </span><br />
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<span xmlns="">Many seek their own righteousness and even go as far as to add to the righteousness of our Lord Jesus Christ as though our Lord's righteousness was not enough to get into heaven; such blasphemy.</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">Paul knew its letter, but not its spirit; its outward commands, but not its inward demands. </span><br />
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<span xmlns="">When the commandment came, when it sunk into his conscience, and when you think about it, that 10<sup>th</sup> commandment of "thou shalt not covet", sin revived, that inward lust from within the heart awoke, and stung him like a scorpion and thus Paul says "he died". </span><br />
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<blockquote>
<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #0070c0;"><strong><em>Romans 7:10 "And the commandment, which was ordained to life, I found to be unto death."</em></strong></span></span></blockquote>
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<span xmlns="">The Law had brought him death instead of life.</span><br />
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<blockquote>
<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #0070c0;"><strong><em>Romans 7:11 "For sin, taking occasion by the commandment, deceived me, and by it slew me."</em></strong></span></span></blockquote>
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<span xmlns="">Paul goes onto explain that because of sin, taking occasion by the commandment, or by reason of the commandment, deceived him, why?</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">Because the first thing that happens when sin is present is that it blinds you to the fact, that you have sin. The first step to fighting sin is to acknowledge, that you have sin; and the Law was never meant to be there to assist any man to establish his own righteousness.</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">The Apostle then says "and by it slew me", any honest person trying to keep the law would constantly be slain by the commandments, only a liar would boldly say they have kept all the commandments and have not ever offended in one point, the rich young ruler anyone?</span><br />
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<blockquote>
<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #0070c0;"><strong><em>Romans 7:12 "Wherefore the law is holy, and the commandment holy, and just, and good."</em></strong></span></span></blockquote>
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<span xmlns="">As a result of which the Law is holy, and the commandment is holy and just and good. We should not be trying to use the Law as a standard in which man must keep to enter into heaven, the Law is holy, and it reflects God's holy character. </span><br />
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<span xmlns="">The words at the end "and just, and good." </span>Tells us this: God is Just and righteous, God is good; remember the rich young ruler calls Jesus "good master" and Jesus responds with "why do you call me good, there is none good but one, and that is God."<br />
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<span xmlns="">The Law and the commandment is God.</span><br />
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<blockquote>
<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #0070c0;"><strong><em>Romans 7:13 "Was then that which is good made death unto me? God forbid. But sin, that it might appear sin, working death in me by that which is good; that sin by the commandment might become exceeding sinful."</em></strong></span></span></blockquote>
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<span xmlns="">Is that which is good became death to me is the question, Paul responds with the absolute no way! </span><br />
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<span xmlns="">But sin, that it might appear sin or in other words for sin to be recognised as sin, using that which is good to bring about his death; that sin by the commandment might become exceedingly sinful, or the ultimate realisation that one has sins.</span><br />
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<blockquote>
<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #0070c0;"><strong><em>Romans 7:14 "For we know that the law is spiritual: but I am carnal, sold under sin."</em></strong></span></span></blockquote>
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<span xmlns="">The Law is spiritual: but Paul says he is carnal, the word carnal means something relating to the physical, especially sexual, needs and activities.</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">This is what man is, a creature of carnal desires, sold under sin in bondage to it; we are prisoners of sin.</span><br />
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<blockquote>
<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #0070c0;"><strong><em>Romans 7:15 "For that which I do I allow not: for what I would, that do I not; but what I hate, that do I."</em></strong></span></span></blockquote>
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<span xmlns="">I once listened to a preacher named Paul Washer on you tube, he quite the popular preacher, he is no doubt in my mind that he is a Lordship Salvationist which my readers know that I do not agree with. </span><br />
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<span xmlns="">Anyway I was listening to one of his sermons and in it he said the following, "there is no such thing as a carnal Christian" I gasped as I read Romans 7:14 where the Apostle Paul says, "I am carnal" now who is wrong here?</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">Apostle Paul says he is carnal and just look at verse 15, he says he does the things he hates, and the right things that he would do, he does not!</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">There are those who think the Apostle Paul was a goody two shoes, but here he is claiming that he is just as guilty of being carnal and sinful as everyone else.</span><br />
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<blockquote>
<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #0070c0;"><strong><em>Romans 7:16 "If then I do that which I would not, I consent unto the law that it is good."</em></strong></span></span></blockquote>
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<span xmlns="">Paul says if then he does that which he would not do, then he consents or agrees that the law is good. The law has made him aware.</span><br />
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<blockquote>
<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #0070c0;"><strong><em>Romans 7:17 "Now then it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me."</em></strong></span></span></blockquote>
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<span xmlns="">Paul declares that as a saved, born again Christian it is no longer him that does what he would not, but sin that dwells in his physical body, the flesh.</span><br />
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<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #0070c0;"><strong><em>Romans 7:18 "For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not."</em></strong></span></span></blockquote>
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<span xmlns="">Paul says he knows that nothing good dwells in his flesh, our physical bodies are heavily stained in sin. </span><br />
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<span xmlns="">Paul says to will is present with me, meaning his spirit is willing, but how to go about performing that good thing, he can't find it.</span><br />
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<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #0070c0;"><strong><em>Romans 7:19 "For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do."</em></strong></span></span></blockquote>
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<span xmlns="">Paul is reemphasising what has just stated earlier, that for the good that he would do, he does it not, and the evil that he would not do, the sin that he would not do in the spirit, he does.</span><br />
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<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #0070c0;"><strong><em>Romans 7:20 "Now if I do that I would not, it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me."</em></strong></span></span></blockquote>
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<span xmlns="">So when we as born again believers commit a sin, it is not ourselves in our born again state that commits the sin, it is our flesh where sin still resides that commits sin. </span><br />
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<span xmlns="">There is a false doctrine out there that people teach and live by called "repenting of your sins".</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">No one has turned from their sins!</span><br />
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<blockquote>
<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #0070c0;"><strong><em>Romans 7:21 "I find then a law, that, when I would do good, evil is present with me."</em></strong></span></span></blockquote>
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<span xmlns="">We find that what our spirit wants to do, we do it not, but we do what our flesh desires; when we do that which is good, evil is always present with us, Paul talks about there being a law and we will find out what that law is in the next verses.</span><br />
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<blockquote>
<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #0070c0;"><strong><em>Romans 7:22 "For I delight in the law of God after the inward man:"</em></strong></span></span></blockquote>
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<span xmlns="">Paul says he delights in the law of God after the inward man, the reborn spirit.</span><br />
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<blockquote>
<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #0070c0;"><strong><em>Romans 7:23 "But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members."</em></strong></span></span></blockquote>
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<span xmlns="">So the law of God working in the inward man, the spirit, but there is another law which wars in his members, his carnal body, and he is saying that this law in his members is at war with the law of his mind; bringing him into captivity or bondage to the law of sin in the flesh.</span><br />
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<blockquote>
<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #0070c0;"><strong><em>Romans 7:24 "O wretched man that I am! Who shall deliver me from the body of this death?"</em></strong></span></span></blockquote>
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<span xmlns="">Paul proclaims that he is a wretched man, and asks the question of who shall deliver him from his body of death; this goes for all of us; that who shall deliver us?</span><br />
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<blockquote>
<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #0070c0;"><strong><em>Romans 7:25 "I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then with the mind I myself serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin."</em></strong></span></span></blockquote>
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<span xmlns="">And here Paul gives the answer to his question by thanking God through Jesus Christ our Lord.</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">So with the mind we serve the law of God; but with flesh we serve the law of sin.</span><br />
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2175516688002798343.post-57260707452595851482014-12-29T15:49:00.000-08:002015-01-04T15:02:05.354-08:00Dialogue between a bible believer and Mormons.<span xmlns=""></span><br />
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<span xmlns="">Question:</span></h1>
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<h1>
<span xmlns="">Is God Spirit or made of flesh and bones?</span></h1>
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<span xmlns="">This question I put forth is in light of sitting in the LDS Church where members were giving talks stating that <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>God the Father</strong></span> is flesh and bones.</span><br />
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<span xmlns=""><span style="color: black;">Fairmormon Website<span style="color: #c00000;">: It is incorrect to imply that God cannot be in human form, since a fundamental doctrine of Christianity is that Jesus is God, made flesh.</span></span></span><br />
<span xmlns=""><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: #c00000;"><br /></span></span></span>
<span xmlns=""><span style="color: black;">Me<span style="color: #0070c0;">: This statement is false and misleading, and is served to only place the reader in a state of mind or have a train of thought into thinking that God CAN be in human form with no scriptural evidence (Bible Only) that God (The Father) is Flesh.</span></span></span><br />
<span xmlns=""><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: #0070c0;"><br /></span></span></span>
<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #0070c0;">Here is the problem, this statement does not make a distinction between Jesus and the Father. This statement is a play on words or putting it more specifically a word game leaving the reader open to any interpretation.</span></span><br />
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<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="color: red;" xmlns=""><b><i>2 Timothy 2:15 "Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth."</i></b></span></blockquote>
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<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #0070c0;">We must study the Word of God to show ourselves approved unto God, RIGHTLY Dividing the word of truth.</span></span><br />
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<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #0070c0;">So who are we talking about in the statement?</span></span><br />
<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #0070c0;"><br /></span></span>
<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #0070c0;"> Jesus or the Father? </span></span><br />
<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #0070c0;"><br /></span></span>
<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #0070c0;">You can take this statement and say that Jesus and the father are the same Person/God, can you not?</span></span><br />
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<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #0070c0;">Christians rooted in the Holy Bible believe Jesus is God manifest in the flesh, yes. </span></span><br />
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<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #0070c0;">Jesus is God.</span></span><br />
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<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="color: red;" xmlns=""><b><i>John 1:1-3 "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. <sup>2 </sup>The same was in the beginning with God. <sup>3 </sup>All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made."</i></b></span></blockquote>
<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #0070c0;">We all know Jesus is the Word. He was in the beginning, he was with God, and was God. The same was in the beginning with God and all things created by him.</span></span><br />
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<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="color: red;" xmlns=""><b><i>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."</i></b></span></blockquote>
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<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #0070c0;">The Word was made flesh and dwelt among us, full of grace and truth. (He is the only begotten of the Father)</span></span><br />
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<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #0070c0;">So we read here that the Word (Jesus) was made flesh and came to live among us (man).</span></span><br />
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<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="color: red;" xmlns=""><b><i>John 20:28 "And Thomas answered and said unto him, My Lord and my God."</i></b></span></blockquote>
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<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #0070c0;">Jesus appears to the Apostle Thomas after his resurrection, Thomas call's Jesus his Lord and his God.</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: red;" xmlns=""><b><i>1 Timothy 3:16 "And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory."</i></b></span></blockquote>
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<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #0070c0;">This verse speaking of Jesus, whom is God manifest in the flesh.</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: red;" xmlns=""><b><i>John 8:58 "Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I am"</i></b></span></blockquote>
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<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #0070c0;">Jesus claiming to be God in reference to Exodus 3:14.</span></span><br />
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<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #0070c0;">There are many more verses that show Jesus is God, but this is not what you were teaching at your chapel service,</span></span><br />
<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #0070c0;"><br /></span></span>
<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #0070c0;"><b><u>Jesus is God in the flesh, but you say God the Father is flesh and bones.</u></b></span></span><br />
<span xmlns=""><br /> </span><br />
<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #0070c0;"><b>GOD THE FATHER IS SPIRIT:</b></span></span><br />
<span xmlns=""><br /> </span><br />
<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #0070c0;">Jesus himself defined what a spirit is – and pointed out that it is different from a human, physical body. After his resurrection, he told his disciples in Luke 24.</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: red;" xmlns=""><b><i>Luke 24:39 "Behold my hands and my feet, that it is I myself: handle me, and see; for a spirit hath not flesh and bones, as ye see me have."</i></b></span></blockquote>
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<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #0070c0;">From this definition, we see that a spirit is not flesh and bones.</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: red;" xmlns=""><b><i>John 4:23-24 "But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him. <sup>24 </sup>God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth."</i></b></span></blockquote>
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<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #0070c0;">Here we have Jesus Speaking to a Samaritan woman at Jacob's Well, she had finished asking Jesus which location should they be worshiping God.</span></span><br />
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<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #0070c0;">Jesus makes a clear statement to her and says we will no longer be worshiping the Father in any physical location, which according to the Samaritans was in mount Gerizim or with the Jews in Jerusalem. </span></span><br />
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<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #0070c0;">Jesus said the TRUE WORSHIPERS shall worship the FATHER in spirit and truth.</span></span><br />
<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #0070c0;"><br /></span></span>
<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #0070c0;">Verse 24 Jesus states God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and truth.</span></span><br />
<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #0070c0;">Jesus cannot be talking about himself as he makes a clear distinction that he is talking about the Father.</span></span><br />
<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #0070c0;"><br /></span></span>
<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #0070c0;">And the KJV translators added words in italics to indicate that it is not part of the original text but inserted by them to give more clarity to the text.</span></span><br />
<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #0070c0;"><br /></span></span>
<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #0070c0;">So in verse 24 even if you did remove the italics it would read the following: </span></span><br />
<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #0070c0;"><br /></span></span>
<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #0070c0;">"God a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship in spirit and in truth" – how can you yet still misunderstand that?</span></span><br />
<span xmlns=""><br /> </span><br />
<span xmlns=""><span style="color: black;">Fairmormon Website<span style="color: #c00000;">: Mormons believe that God has a physical body and human form. Does scripture which says that "God is not a man" (e.g. Numbers 23:19, 1 Samuel 15:29, Hosea 11:9) contradict this idea?</span></span></span><br />
<span xmlns=""><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: #c00000;"><br /></span></span></span>
<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #c00000;">These scriptures read (emphasis added):</span></span><br />
<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #c00000;"><br /></span></span>
<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #c00000;">"God is not a man, that he should lie; neither the son of man [i.e., a human being], that he should repent: hath he said, and shall he not do it? Or hath he spoken, and shall he not make it good?" - Numbers 23:19</span></span><br />
<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #c00000;"><br /></span></span>
<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #c00000;">The first passage, in Numbers, not only says that "God is not a man", but it also says that God is not "the son of man." If a Christian were to claim from this passage that God is not a man, they would have to consistently claim that God is also not a "son of man." This of course contradicts many New Testament statements about Jesus (who is God) to the contrary.</span><br /> </span><br />
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<span xmlns=""><span style="color: black;">Me<span style="color: #0070c0;">: Of course this boils down to who you are talking about, if we know that Jesus is the "I AM" of the Old Testament, and we know he made this statement before he manifest in the flesh does not this verse ring true?</span></span></span><br />
<span xmlns=""><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: #0070c0;"><br /></span></span></span>
<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #0070c0;">The nature of the godhead had not fully been revealed until the moment Jesus got baptised.</span></span><br />
<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #0070c0;"><br /></span></span>
<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #0070c0;">Think about it, if he said this in the Old Testament, and not yet manifest in the form of Jesus in the New Testament, then this verse is true. There is no contradiction. </span></span><br />
<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #0070c0;"><br /></span></span>
<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #0070c0;">And if we are talking about Jesus then this verse has nothing to do with the Father, in which <b><u>Mormonism claims that the Father is flesh and bones.</u></b></span></span><br />
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<span xmlns=""><span style="color: black;">Fairmormon Website<span style="color: #c00000;">: Therefore, we know that the passage from Numbers is not suggesting that God is fundamentally not a "son of man", but rather that God is not a "son of man" in the sense that God doesn't have need for repentance. The next logical step requires us to conclude that the passage is not suggesting that God is fundamentally "not a man", but that God is not a man in the sense that God does not lie. </span></span></span><br />
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<span xmlns=""><span style="color: black;">Me<span style="color: #0070c0;">: Agreed, in context God, speaking through Balaam, explains His nature to the pagan king Balak and says, "God is not a man, that he should lie, neither the son of man, that he should repent: Hath he said, and will he not do it? Or hath he spoken, and will he not make it good?" </span></span></span><br />
<span xmlns=""><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: #0070c0;"><br /></span></span></span>
<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #0070c0;">But nowhere is this teaching that God the Father is flesh and bones.</span></span><br />
<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #0070c0;"><br /></span></span>
<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #0070c0;">Yes God does not lie, nor does he have the need to repent <b><u>like </u></b>man.</span></span><br />
<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #0070c0;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="color: #0070c0;">But, THERE ARE CLEAR SCRIPTURES THAT SHOW IS THAT GOD DOES REPENT.</span><br />
<span style="color: #0070c0;"><br /></span>
<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #0070c0;">Jesus has two natures, he is God and Man, he is 100% God, and 100% Man, and this is called Hypostatic Union, the term we use to describe this state. </span></span><br />
<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #0070c0;"><br /></span></span>
<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #0070c0;">He is not half God and half man, He continued to exist as God when he became a man and added human nature to Himself.</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: red;" xmlns=""><b><i>Philippians 2:5-11 "Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: <sup>6 </sup>who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: <sup>7 </sup>but made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:<sup>8 </sup>and being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. <sup>9 </sup>Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: <sup>10 </sup>that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; <sup>11 </sup>and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father."</i></b></span></blockquote>
<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #0070c0;"><b>Jesus as God</b></span></span><br />
<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #0070c0;"><b><br /></b></span></span>
<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #0070c0;">He is worshiped - Matthew 2:2, 11; 14:33<br />He is prayed to - Acts 7:59<br />He is sinless - 1 Peter 2:22; Hebrews 4:15<br />He knows all things - John 21:17<br />He gives eternal life - John 10:28<br />All the fullness of deity dwells in Him - Colossians 2:9</span></span><br />
<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #0070c0;"><b>Jesus as Man</b></span></span><br />
<span xmlns=""><br /> </span><span style="color: #0070c0;">He worshiped the Father - John 17</span><br />
<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #0070c0;">He prayed to the Father - John 17</span></span><br />
<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #0070c0;">He grew in wisdom - Luke 2:52</span></span><br />
<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #0070c0;">He was tempted - Matthew 4:1</span></span><br />
<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #0070c0;">He died - Romans 5:8<br />He has a body of flesh and bones - Luke 24:39<span style="color: #70ad47;"><br /> </span></span></span><br />
<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #0070c0;"><br /></span></span>
<span xmlns=""><span style="color: black;">Fairmormon Website<span style="color: #c00000;">: "And also the Strength of Israel will not lie nor repent: for he is not a man, that he should repent." - 1 Samuel 15:29I will not execute the fierceness of mine anger, I will not return to destroy Ephraim: for I am God, and not man; the Holy One in the midst of thee: and I will not enter into the city. - Hosea 11:9</span></span></span><br />
<span xmlns=""><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: #c00000;"><br /></span></span></span>
<span xmlns=""><span style="color: black;">Me<span style="color: #0070c0;">: Again, this does not answer my question, is God the Father Flesh and bones?</span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span xmlns=""><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: #0070c0;"><br /></span></span></span>
<span xmlns=""><span style="color: black;">Fairmormon website<span style="color: #c00000;">: Though there are many examples, one should suffice. Jesus says, "For as Jonas was three days and three nights in the whale's belly; so shall the Son of man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth." Matthew 12:40 </span></span></span><br />
<span xmlns=""><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: #c00000;"><br /></span></span></span>
<span xmlns=""><span style="color: black;">Me<span style="color: #0070c0;">: What does this have to do with God the Father being a spirit? </span></span></span><br />
<span xmlns=""><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: #0070c0;"><br /></span></span></span>
<span xmlns=""><span style="color: black;">Fairmormon Website<span style="color: #c00000;">: These verses say nothing about the nature or form of God—they merely assert that God is not like man in certain ways</span></span></span><br />
<span xmlns=""><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: #c00000;"><br /></span></span></span>
<span xmlns=""><span style="color: black;">Me<span style="color: #0070c0;">: why even bring up Jonas and Matthew scriptures, these verses aren't even saying what you are implying either!</span></span></span><br />
<span xmlns=""><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: #0070c0;"><br /></span></span></span>
<span xmlns=""><span style="color: black;">Fairmormon Website<span style="color: #c00000;">: It is incorrect to imply that God cannot be in human form—the fundamental doctrine of Christianity is that Jesus is God, made flesh. One would have to assume that these verses also apply to Jesus, when they clearly do not. Jesus may be in human form, but he will not sin, or change his mind from doing his father's will.</span></span></span><br />
<span xmlns=""><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: #c00000;"><br /></span></span></span>
<span xmlns=""><span style="color: black;">Me<span style="color: #0070c0;">: it is also incorrect to imply that God the Father <b><u>can </u></b>be in human form, the fundamental doctrine of Christianity is Jesus who is God manifest in the flesh is correct – are you doubting the bible?</span></span></span><br />
<span xmlns=""><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: #0070c0;"><br /></span></span></span>
<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #0070c0;">You have no verse from the Holy Bible to support your claims that God the Father is flesh and bones, but there a plenty of verses to support the Father is Spirit</span></span><br />
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<span xmlns=""><span style="color: black;">Mormon Member<span style="color: #7030a0;">: Don't you believe that God was once a man? </span></span></span><br />
<span xmlns=""><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: #7030a0;"><br /></span></span></span>
<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #0070c0;">Yes in the form of Jesus who is God the Son and the Word, but as to the Father who was once a man? </span></span><br />
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<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #0070c0;">No.</span></span><br />
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<span xmlns=""><span style="color: black;">Fairmormon Website<span style="color: #c00000;">: </span></span></span><br />
<span xmlns=""><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: #c00000;"><br /></span></span></span>
<span xmlns=""><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: #c00000;">In John1:1-14</span></span></span><br />
<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #c00000;">1. In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God</span></span><br />
<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #c00000;">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.</span></span><br />
<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #c00000;">Well considering that you believe Jesus is God. In what form did Jesus come in? Flesh and Blood.</span></span><br />
<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #c00000;"><br /></span></span>
<span xmlns=""><span style="color: black;">Me<span style="color: #0070c0;">: </span></span></span><br />
<span xmlns=""><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: #0070c0;"><br /></span></span></span>
<span xmlns=""><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: #0070c0;">He came by water and blood, John's first epistle chapter 5 gives us the testimony of Jesus.</span></span></span><br />
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<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<b><i><span style="color: red;"><span xmlns="">1 John 5:6 "This is he that came by water and blood, even Jesus Christ; not by water only, but by water and blood. </span>And it is the Spirit that beareth witness, because the Spirit is truth."</span></i></b></blockquote>
<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #0070c0;"><br /></span></span>
<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #0070c0;">Note: water is symbolic of the flesh. </span></span><br />
<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #0070c0;"><br /></span></span>
<span xmlns=""><span style="color: black;">Fairmormon Website<span style="color: #c00000;">: Does the doctrine that God has a physical body contradict the Bible's statement that "God is a Spirit"?</span></span></span><br />
<span xmlns=""><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: #c00000;"><br /></span></span></span>
<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #c00000;">Questions</span></span><br />
<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #c00000;"><br />Some Christians object to the LDS position that God has a physical body by quoting John 4:24</span></span><br />
<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #c00000;">God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth. (Italics in KJV original).</span></span><br />
<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #c00000;"><br /></span></span>
<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #c00000;">Answers</span></span><br />
<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #c00000;"><br />Adopting a critical reading of this verse leads to some strange conclusions if we are consistent. Deuteronomy 4:28 says that our God can see, eat and smell. Can an unembodied spirit do that? </span></span><br />
<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #c00000;"><br /></span></span>
<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #c00000;">Deuteronomy 4:24 and Hebrews 12:29 say that God is a consuming fire, 1 Jn 1:5 says God is light, and 1 Jn 4:4,16 says that God is love. </span></span><br />
<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #c00000;"><br /></span></span>
<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #c00000;">Is He just those things? Clearly not, and the LDS conclude that neither is He just a spirit.</span><br /> </span><br />
<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #c00000;"><br /></span></span>
<span xmlns=""><span style="color: black;">Me<span style="color: #0070c0;">: this view is completely illogical and shows the calibre of this person who wrote this article, this writer has difficulty in rightly dividing the word, no doubt has difficulty in distinguishing literal and metaphors.</span></span></span><br />
<span xmlns=""><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: #0070c0;"><br /></span></span></span>
<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #0070c0;">Of Jesus said no man hath seen the Father, a clear distinction between himself and the Father.</span></span><br />
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<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<b><i><span style="color: red;"><span xmlns="">John 1:18 "No man hath seen God at any time; the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared him."</span></span></i></b></blockquote>
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<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<b><i><span style="color: red;"><span xmlns=""><br /></span><span xmlns="">John 6:46 "Not that any man hath seen the Father, save he which is of God, he hath seen the Father."</span></span></i></b></blockquote>
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<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #0070c0;">Clear scriptures that tell us that no man has seen the Father.</span></span><br />
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<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="color: red;" xmlns=""><b><i>Deuteronomy 4:28 "And there ye shall serve gods, the work of men's hands, wood and stone, which neither see, nor hear, nor eat, nor smell."</i></b></span></blockquote>
<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #0070c0;"><br /></span></span>
<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #0070c0;">This verse is talking about false idols, where on earth is this talking about the true living God? </span></span><br />
<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #0070c0;"><br /></span></span>
<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #0070c0;">Note that the word "god" is lowercase…</span></span><br />
<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #0070c0;"><br /></span></span>
<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #0070c0;">Again this shows how unlearned the writer of the fairmormon website is, failing to rightly divide the Word. This shows their apologetics and how they employ their tactics.</span></span><br />
<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #0070c0;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="color: #0070c0;">Cannot a Spirit see? Is this writer so content with their writing that they are making foolish statements?</span><br />
<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #0070c0;"><br /></span></span>
<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #0070c0;">Cannot a Spirit hear? It is foolish for the writer to make a statement who assumes that Spirits cannot hear then how do you explain the numerous recorded events in the bible where men are communicating to spirits?</span></span><br />
<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #0070c0;"><br /></span></span>
<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #0070c0;">Did not King Saul Communicate with a familiar spirit (Demonic Spirit) supposing to be Samuel the Prophet? Read </span></span><b><span style="color: red; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 107%;"><u>1 Samuel 28:14-20</u></span></b><br />
<b><i><span style="color: red; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-AU; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: "MS Mincho"; mso-fareast-language: JA; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> </span></i></b><span xmlns=""><span style="color: #0070c0;"><br /></span></span>
<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #0070c0;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="color: #0070c0;">Hebrews 12:29 - God is a consuming fire, Why can't God be a consuming fire? This is literal, Can God not be anything he wants to be? Or is your human mind to ignorant of the fact that God is God and farimormon's writers are not as intelligent as other humans?</span><br />
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<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="color: red;"><b><i>Deuteronomy 4:24 "</i></b></span><span style="color: red;">For the Lord thy God </span><i style="color: red;">is</i><span style="color: red;"> a
consuming fire, </span><i style="color: red;">even</i><span style="color: red;"> a jealous God."</span></blockquote>
<span style="color: #3d85c6;"><b><u>Not only is he a consuming fire, but this verse says he's also a jealous God. </u></b></span><br />
<span style="color: #3d85c6;"><b><u><br /></u></b></span>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: red;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="color: #0070c0;"><br /></span>
<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #0070c0;">1 John 1:5 – God is light, fairmormon is getting ridiculous now, of course God is light, even in revelation we are told the sun and moon will no longer shine it's light in the new kingdom to come.</span></span><br />
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<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span xmlns=""></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span xmlns=""><b><i><span style="color: red;">Isaiah 60:19 “The sun shall be no more thy
light by day; neither for brightness shall the moon give light unto thee: but the Lord shall be unto thee an everlasting light, and thy God thy glory.”</span></i></b></span></div>
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</span></blockquote>
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<span xmlns=""><b><i><sup><span style="color: red;"> </span></sup></i></b><b><i><span style="color: red;">Revelation
21:23 “And the city had no need of the sun, neither of the moon, to shine in
it: for the glory of God did lighten it, and the Lamb is the light thereof.”</span></i></b></span></div>
<span xmlns="">
</span></blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<b><i><sup><span style="color: red;"> </span></sup></i></b><b><i><span style="color: red;">Revelation
22:5 “And there shall be no night there; and they need no candle, neither light
of the sun; for the Lord God giveth them light: and they shall reign for ever
and ever.”</span></i></b> </blockquote>
<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #0070c0;"><br /></span></span>
<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #0070c0;">1 John 4:4,16 – God is love</span></span><br />
<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #0070c0;"><br /></span></span>
<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #0070c0;">Is this Author trying to insult our intelligence? Clearly these are only some of the things that describe his attributes, and even pointed out that he is literally all these things, can a body of flesh and bones be all these things? No. So the LDS conclusion is illogical.</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #0070c0;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #0070c0;">Which now leads me to ANTHROPOMORPHISM.</span><br />
<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #0070c0;"><br /></span></span>
<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #0070c0;">Means the attribution of human characteristics or behaviour to a god, animal, or object.</span></span><br />
<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #0070c0;"><br /></span></span>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Let’s take a look at some of them.<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>By the power of his mighty arm</b><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><br /></b></div>
<ul style="margin-top: 0in;" type="disc">
<li class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: red;">Exodus
15:16 “Fear and dread shall fall upon them; by the <b><u>greatness of
thine arm</u></b> they shall be <i>as</i> still as a stone;
till thy people pass over, O Lord, till the people pass over, <i>which</i> thou
hast purchased.</span><o:p></o:p></li>
</ul>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p> </o:p><b>God is also pictured as having a face, hands, fingers and
a back.</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="color: red;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: red;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<ul style="margin-top: 0in;" type="disc">
<li class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: red;">Psalm
27:8 “<i>When thou saidst</i>, <b><u>Seek ye my face</u></b>; my
heart said unto thee, <b><u>Thy face</u></b>, Lord, will I
seek.”<o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: red;">Psalm
10:12 “Arise, O Lord; O God, <b><u>lift up thine hand</u></b>:
forget not the humble.”<o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: red;">Psalm
88:5 “free among the dead, like the slain that lie in the grave, whom thou
rememberest no more: and they are cut off <b><u>from thy hand</u></b>.”<o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: red;">Deuteronomy
9:10 “and the Lord delivered unto me two tables of stone written
with <b><u>the finger of God</u></b>; and on them <i>was written</i> according
to all the words, which the Lord Spake with you in the mount out
of the midst of the fire in the day of the assembly.”<o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: red;">Exodus
33:23 “and I will take away <b><u>mine hand</u></b>, and thou shalt
see my <b><u>back parts</u></b>: but <b><u>my face </u></b>shall
not be seen.”</span><o:p></o:p></li>
</ul>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><u>As well, God is described as talking, walking, laughing, and
weeping. </u></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Such <b>anthropomorphism's</b> are poetic symbols or metaphors
representing that which would otherwise be <u>indescribable</u>, because
God in his being is invisible and unknown. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Such symbols of God’s being are
condescension’s to us – put in words that we can understand. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We have to have
some way of describing God’s relationship to us. The only way this can occur is
through symbols that are understandable to our finite minds and experience.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The nature and size of the universe itself tells us that it
would be impossible that a God made in the image of humans could create,
maintain and control the universe. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Yet, precisely the opposite is said of God – that the
universe cannot contain him…</b><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><br /></b></div>
<ul style="margin-top: 0in;" type="disc">
<li class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: red;">2
Chronicles 2:6 “But who is able to build him an house, <b><u>seeing
the heaven and heaven of heavens cannot contain him</u></b>? who <i>am</i> I
then, that I should build him an house, save only to burn sacrifice before
him?”</span><o:p></o:p></li>
</ul>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Anthropomorphism, as mentioned earlier,<b><u> makes God in our
image and forgets that we are made in his image. </u></b><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Man has been given the ability to reason and to express many
divine qualities, such as communication, invention and the creation of new
things, but only from existing materials. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
God has also given humanity dominion
and stewardship over his creation, which shows humanity's place as ruler and
king, much like God. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
This is the meaning of God creating us "in his own
image," not that God is like humans in having bodily parts and shape.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><u>Taking Anthropomorphism literally, is a dangerous and
pagan doctrine that we should avoid. </u></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>In the book of Romans, explains what
happened in human philosophy and religion.</b><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><br /></b></div>
<ul style="margin-top: 0in;" type="disc">
<li class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: red;">Romans
1:21-23 “because that, when they knew God, they glorified <i>him</i> not
as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and
their foolish heart was darkened.<b><sup>22 </sup></b>Professing
themselves to be wise, they became fools, <b><sup>23 </sup></b>and
changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to
corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping
things.”</span><o:p></o:p></li>
</ul>
<span xmlns="">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #0070c0;"><br /></span></span>
Fairmormon Website<span style="color: #c00000;">: Note that in the KJV cited above, the word "is" is italicized. This is because the King James translators have inserted it on their own—it is not present in the Greek text from which the translation was made.</span><br />
<span style="color: #c00000;"><br /></span>
<span xmlns=""><span style="color: black;">Me<span style="color: #0070c0;">: Already know that. Note now this author is only spewing out what they have been told, they are not Hebrew and Greek scholars. It shows in their failure to correctly interpret Deuteronomy 4:24.</span></span></span><br />
<span xmlns=""><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: #0070c0;"><br /></span></span></span>
<span xmlns=""><span style="color: black;">Fairmormon Website<span style="color: #c00000;">: Secondly, the reader should be aware that the indefinite article ("a", as in "a dog" or "a spirit") does not exist in Greek. Thus, the addition of the word "a" in English occurs at the discretion of the translators.[3]</span></span></span><br />
<span xmlns=""><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: #c00000;"><br /></span></span></span>
<span xmlns=""><span style="color: black;">Me<span style="color: #0070c0;">: Yeah, So this author is now an expert in ancient Hebrew and Greek? And wants to pit their wits against the 52 translators of the KJV bible whom each individual who were godly men that are fluent in ancient Hebrew, Greek, Aramaic, Syriac, and Latin among 15 other modern languages?</span></span></span><br />
<span xmlns=""><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: #0070c0;"><br /></span></span></span>
<span xmlns=""><span style="color: black;">Fairmormon website<span style="color: #c00000;">: This leaves two Greek words: Theos pneuma [θεος πνεμα]—"God spirit". The JST resolves this translational issue by saying "for unto such hath God promised his spirit". The word pneuma, which is translated spirit, also means 'life' or 'breath'. The King James Version of Revelation 13:15 renders 'pneuma' as life. Thus "God is life," or "God is the breath of life" are potential alternative translations of this verse.</span></span></span><br />
<span xmlns=""><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: #c00000;"><br /></span></span></span>
<span xmlns=""><span style="color: black;">Me<span style="color: #0070c0;">: Wrong this author is not an expert in Ancient Greek.</span></span></span><br />
<span xmlns=""><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: #0070c0;"><br /></span></span></span>
<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #0070c0;">Joseph Smith made his own version of the Bible. It was called The Inspired Version of the Bible or JST. </span></span><br />
<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #0070c0;"><br /></span></span>
<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #0070c0;">The Inspired Version contains numerous alterations to what the text actually says, the rendering: "For unto such hath God promise his Spirit" is not found in any Greek manuscript. </span></span><br />
<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #0070c0;"><br /></span></span>
<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #0070c0;">Produce one manuscript having over <strong>5,800</strong> complete or fragmented Greek manuscripts, <strong>10,000</strong> Latin manuscripts and <b>9,300</b> manuscripts in various other ancient languages including Syriac, Slavic, Gothic, Ethiopic, Coptic and Armenian; produce one that supports Joseph Smith's translation.</span></span><br />
<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #0070c0;"><br /></span></span>
<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #0070c0;">As with the Jehovah's Witnesses Bible: The New World Translation, Joseph Smith changed the text to force his own theology into the text.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #0070c0;">The literal reading of John 4:24 is: "God is spirit" (pneuma ho Theos). The word "spirit" (pneuma) is an anarthrous predicate nominative that comes before the subject (literal translation: "spirit the God"), hence grammatically, "spirit" cannot be translated indefinite: "a spirit" but rather qualitative: "spirit" denoting as to the quality of God - namely as to His nature: He is spirit, thus the text does not read: has a spirit but is spirit. </span></span><br />
<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #0070c0;"><br /></span></span>
<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #0070c0;">Do not confuse possession with identity due to the unacquaintedness (That this Mormon has) of Greek grammar! </span></span><br />
<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #0070c0;"><br /></span></span>
<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #0070c0;">It's laughable that someone today can turn to the Greek or Hebrew who can't even speak the language can come along and undermine an entire translation committee who spoke these languages fluently.</span></span><br />
<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #0070c0;"><br /></span></span>
<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #0070c0;">And in regards to Joseph Smith's translation which is not a translation at all but really an interpretation if you could even call it that, and you couldn't even call it a paraphrase, and in doing so just condemned himself by adding and removing from God's Word in his so called inspired translations.<span style="color: #70ad47;"><br /> </span></span></span><br />
<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #0070c0;"><br /></span></span>
<span xmlns=""><span style="color: black;">Fairmormon website<span style="color: #c00000;">: Also, if God is a spirit and we have to worship him in spirit, do mortals have to leave our bodies to worship him?</span></span></span><br />
<span xmlns=""><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: #c00000;"><br /></span></span></span>
<span xmlns=""><span style="color: black;">Me<span style="color: #0070c0;">: another unintelligent statement by the author, Understand what it means to be Born Again please…this is such a condescending statement that just goes to show the intent of the author by trying to insult Christians, look, Mormons might think that you have to leave your mortal body to worship God but biblical Christians do not.</span></span></span><br />
<span xmlns=""><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: #0070c0;"><br /></span></span></span>
<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #0070c0;">In Fact this author is implying that we should die in order to worship the Father, after all the bible says to the Corinthians the following:</span></span><br />
<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #0070c0;"><br /></span></span>
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="color: red;" xmlns=""><b><i>2 Corinthians 5:8 "we are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord."</i></b></span></blockquote>
<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #0070c0;"><br /></span></span>
<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #0070c0;">And if you get the context, Paul is talking about dying when he says to be absent from the body, is to be present with the Lord; of course this only refers to Born Again believers.<span style="color: #70ad47;"><br /> </span></span></span><br />
<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #0070c0;"><br /></span></span>
<span xmlns=""><span style="color: black;">Fairmormon website<span style="color: #c00000;">: Thus, the Latter-day Saints believe that man is also spirit (DC 93:33-34; Numbers 16:22; Romans 8:16) and is, like God, housed in a physical body. We were, after all, created in the "image" of God (Genesis 1:26-27).</span><br /> </span></span><br />
<span xmlns=""><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: #c00000;"><br /></span></span></span>
<span xmlns=""><span style="color: black;">Me<span style="color: #0070c0;">: We all believe man is spirit and housed in a physical body also. However, the difference between biblical Christianity and Mormonism is WHEN that spirit came to be in the body, before or after the physical housing was made, and the fact that the Father is Spirit, not having a body.</span></span></span><br />
<span xmlns=""><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: #0070c0;"><br /></span></span></span>
<span xmlns=""><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: #0070c0;">The bible teaches that the spirit comes after the physical body, proving also that their belief that men pre-existed as spirit children residing with the heavenly Father is incorrect.</span></span></span><br />
<span xmlns=""><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: #0070c0;"><br /></span></span></span>
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span xmlns=""></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span xmlns=""><b><i><span style="color: red;">Genesis 2:7 “And the Lord God formed
man of the dust of the
ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a
living soul.”</span></i></b></span></div>
<span xmlns="">
</span></blockquote>
<br />
<span style="color: #0b5394;">Hmmm, body formed first, then the breath of life (ruach = breath, wind, spirit) then man became a living soul...what do you know???</span><br />
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><br /></span>
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<b><i><span style="color: red;">Genesis 1:26-27 “And God said, Let us make man
in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of
the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the
earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth.<sup>27 </sup>So God created man in
his own image, in the
image of God created he him; male and female created he them.”</span></i></b></blockquote>
<br />
<span style="color: #0b5394;">At this point is it safe to say that both the Father, Son and Holy Spirit are in...Spirit form?</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #0b5394;">Has Jesus manifest in the flesh yet? No...So Genesis 1:26-27 is referring to their Spirit then isn't it?</span><br />
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #0b5394;">So God said let us make man in our image, after our likeness, God did not say let us make an exact copy of us, verse 27 God created man in his own image = likeness, resemblance or similarity. </span><br />
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #0b5394;">Notice man is the one that is created in God's image, the female is in the image of man.</span><br />
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #0b5394;">The body is formed before the spirit as bible states.</span><br />
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><br /></span>
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><i><span style="color: red;">1 Corinthians 15:44-49 “it is sown a natural
body; it is raised a spiritual body. There is a natural body, and there is a
spiritual body. <sup>45 </sup>And
so it is written, the first man Adam was made a living soul; the last Adam was made a quickening spirit.<sup>46 </sup><u>Howbeit that was not first which is
spiritual, but that which is natural; and afterward that which is spiritual.</u><sup>47 </sup>The first man is of the earth, earthy: the
second man is the
Lord from heaven. <sup>48 </sup>As is the earthy, such are they also that are earthy:
and as is the
heavenly, such are they
also that are heavenly. <sup>49 </sup>And
as we have borne the image of the earthy, we shall also bear the image of the
heavenly.”</span></i></b></div>
</blockquote>
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #0b5394;"> Hmmm no pre-existence there, in fact the pre-existence teaching isn't even new, heretics of Paul's time tried to teach this heresy.</span><br />
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #0b5394;">What else can we find:</span><br />
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><i><span style="color: red;">Zechariah 12:1 “The burden of the word of the Lord for
Israel, saith the Lord, which stretcheth forth the heavens, and layeth the
foundation of the earth, and formeth the spirit of man within him.”</span></i></b></div>
</blockquote>
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #0b5394;">According to the bible here, spirit formed in man...</span><br />
<br />
<br />
<span xmlns=""><span style="color: black;">Fairmormon Website<span style="color: #c00000;">: It is interesting that in 1 Corinthians 2:11, Paul wrote about "the spirit of man and the Spirit of God." </span></span></span><br />
<span xmlns=""><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: #c00000;"><br /></span></span></span>
<span xmlns=""><span style="color: black;">Me: </span><span style="color: #0b5394;">You sir are truly a deceptive false evil tree, true God rejecting baboon, proving that Mormons are very good at taking verses out of context.</span></span><br />
<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #0b5394;"><br /></span></span>
<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #0b5394;">The context of this verse starts at verse 6 of this chapter, and is telling us how the Spirit reveals to us the wisdom of God. verse 11 in part is a question, showing how foolish they making doctrine from a question like there baptisms for the dead heresy.</span></span><br />
<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #0b5394;"><br /></span></span>
<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #0b5394;">Verse 11 is asking a question, Paul is asking for what man knows the things, as in his thoughts other than his own spirit? In the same way no man knows the things of God except the Spirit of God.</span></span><br />
<span xmlns=""><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: #c00000;"><br /></span></span></span>
<span xmlns=""><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: #c00000;">Elsewhere he spoke of the resurrection of the body and then noted that it is a "spiritual" body (1 Corinthians 15:44-46), though, rising from the grave, it is obviously composed of flesh and bones, as Jesus made clear when he appeared to the apostles after his resurrection ({s||Luke|24|37-39}}).</span></span></span><br />
<span xmlns=""><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: #c00000;"><br /></span></span></span>
<span xmlns=""><span style="color: black;">Me<span style="color: #0070c0;">: Again the Author shows how misleading they are, and how unapproved they are to God in their scriptures. Besides isn't that what most do when they have more than one source of authority? </span></span></span><br />
<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #0070c0;">Let's read from the bible, oh no! we've found a contradiction to our theology, let's turn to our Book of Mormon to override the bible…hmmm still can't find what I'm looking for in the book of Mormon, let's turn to our Doctrines and Covenants, hmmm found it section 130:22! Ah that's what I wanted, always knew that the Holy Bible was mistranslated…</span></span><br />
<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #0070c0;"><br /></span></span>
<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #0070c0;">I explained 1 Corinthians 15 already, and there explanation is full of it, it makes one angry to see how full of the anti Christ spirit this writer has. You can tell when one is not saved because they twist and pull and stretch scriptures to fit their own theology it's sad.</span></span><br />
<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #0070c0;"><br /></span></span>
<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #0070c0;">This person is a false teacher, an evil tree which bears only evil fruit, they'll probably twist the meaning of fruit as well and say it's good works...lol...they say they're Christian too...</span></span><br />
<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #0070c0;"><br /></span></span>
<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #0070c0;"><br /></span></span>
Fairmormon website<span style="color: #c00000;">: Paul also told the saints in Rome, "But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you" (Romans 8:9).</span><br />
<span style="color: #c00000;"><br /></span>
<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #c00000;">One Commentary insists:</span></span><br />
<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #c00000;"><br /></span></span>
<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #c00000;">That God is spirit is not meant as a definition of God's being—though this is how the Stoics [a branch of Greek philosophy] would have understood it. </span></span><br />
<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #c00000;"><br /></span></span>
<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #c00000;">It is a metaphor of his mode of operation, as life-giving power, and it is no more to be taken literally than 1 Jn 1:5, "God is light," or Deuteronomy 4:24, "Your God is a devouring fire." It is only those who have received this power through Christ who can offer God a real worship.</span><br /> </span><br />
<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #c00000;"><br /></span></span>
<span xmlns=""><span style="color: black;">Me<span style="color: #0070c0;">: Again, this writer has the inability to tell the difference between what is literal and what is a metaphor. Does this writer have to resort to somebody else's commentary? Which is darn right wrong.</span></span></span><br />
<span xmlns=""><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: #0070c0;"><br /></span></span></span>
<span xmlns=""><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: #0070c0;">This is from a lack of understanding scripture as well especially from somebody with little knowledge about ancient Greek.</span></span></span><br />
<span xmlns=""><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: #0070c0;"><br /></span></span></span>
<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #0070c0;">I am no expert in the language of ancient Hebrew and Greek, and would dare not attempt to destroy the work of men under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit.</span></span><br />
<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #0070c0;"><br /></span></span>
<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #0070c0;">This is like that ridiculous unintelligent nonspiritual comment previously made;</span></span><br />
<span xmlns=""><br /> <span style="color: #990000;"><b>"Also, if God is a spirit and we have to worship him in spirit, do mortals have to leave our bodies to worship him?"</b></span><br /> </span><br />
<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #0070c0;"><span style="color: #c00000;"><br /></span></span></span>
<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #0070c0;">When Jesus says he is the door, does that mean he is an actual door with a handle, hinges and screws? </span></span><br />
<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #0070c0;"><br /></span></span>
<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #0070c0;">When Jesus said he is the bread that came down from heaven, does this mean that Jesus actually turned into a loaf of bread?</span></span><br />
<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #0070c0;"><br /></span></span>
<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #0070c0;">When Jesus said, "Eat my flesh and drink my blood" do you think he meant it literally?</span></span><span style="color: #0070c0;"> </span><br />
<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #0070c0;"><br /></span></span>
<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #0070c0;">Seriously? </span></span><br />
<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #0070c0; font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span></span>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #0070c0; font-size: large;"><b>Show me where in the bible (KJV) does it say that God the Father is flesh and bones!</b></span></span></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2175516688002798343.post-67516815578127604672014-12-07T21:14:00.003-08:002014-12-09T15:18:43.991-08:00The Baptism of Jesus and Baptism in General<span xmlns=""></span><br />
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<span xmlns="">I thought it was about time to write out an article on the subject of Jesus Baptism, many questions have arisen over why Jesus got baptised, and it stems from the baptismal regeneration crowd (Those who say Baptism is necessary for salvation) and between those who say baptism is not required for salvation.</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">Of course we will use the KJV Bible and the help of the Holy Spirit to shed light on this subject.</span><br />
<span xmlns="">Now, the main argument both sides will bring up is the question of why did Jesus get baptised?</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">To answer this question, we are going to do some serious studying of the scriptures to come to a straight forward biblical conclusion. It is important to understand that in order to come to the right conclusion was must employ sound biblical, grammatical and exegetical techniques.</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">In order to gain an understanding we must first look to where baptism began, with the man, John the Baptist and we will dive into the purpose and goal of his ministry.</span><br />
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<h2>
<span xmlns="">The Purpose of John the Baptist</span></h2>
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<span xmlns="">In the gospel according to Matthew we read the following:</span><br />
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<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #0070c0;"><strong><em>Matthew 3:1-2 "In those days came John the Baptist, preaching in the wilderness of Judaea, <sup>2 </sup>and saying, Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand."</em></strong></span></span></blockquote>
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<span xmlns="">In the gospel according to Mark we read the following:</span><br />
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<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #0070c0;"><strong><em>Mark 1:4-5 "<sup> </sup>John did baptize in the wilderness, and preach the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins.<sup>5 </sup>And there went out unto him all the land of Judaea, and they of Jerusalem, and were all baptized of him in the river of Jordan, confessing their sins."</em></strong></span></span></blockquote>
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<span xmlns="">In the gospel according to Luke we read:</span><br />
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<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #0070c0;"><strong><em>Luke 3:2-3 "Annas and Caiaphas being the high priests, the word of God came unto John the son of Zacharias in the wilderness.<sup>3 </sup>And he came into all the country about Jordan, preaching the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins;"</em></strong></span></span></blockquote>
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<span xmlns="">And in the gospel according to John we read the following:</span><br />
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<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #0070c0;"><strong><em>John 1:6-7 "There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. <sup>7 </sup>The same came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all men through him might believe."</em></strong></span></span></blockquote>
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<span xmlns="">From Mark and Luke we read that John the Baptist came preaching the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins. To understand what the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins means we need go a little further back in the gospel according to Luke Chapter 1 prior to his birth.</span><br />
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<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #0070c0;"><strong><em>Luke 1:11-17 "And there appeared unto him an angel of the Lord standing on the right side of the altar of incense. <sup>12 </sup>And when Zacharias saw him, he was troubled, and fear fell upon him.<sup>13 </sup>But the angel said unto him, Fear not, Zacharias: for thy prayer is heard; and thy wife Elisabeth shall bear thee a son, and thou shalt call his name John. <sup>14 </sup>And thou shalt have joy and gladness; and many shall rejoice at his birth. <sup>15 </sup>For he shall be great in the sight of the Lord, and shall drink neither wine nor strong drink; and he shall be filled with the Holy Ghost, even from his mother's womb. <sup>16 </sup>And many of the children of Israel shall he turn to the Lord their God. <sup>17 </sup>And he shall go before him in the spirit and power of Elias, to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just; to make ready a people prepared for the Lord."</em></strong></span></span></blockquote>
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<span xmlns="">Verse 13 tells us that an angel spoke to Zacharias (John's dad) that his wife Elisabeth will give birth to us son, and that they will call his name "John".</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">John's birth was a called a miracle birth as earlier in Luke chapter 1 we read that his parents were both stricken in age.</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">Verse 15 is interesting, we read details that John received the Nazarite/Nazirite Vowel from birth. I'm not going to go into this vowel but you can read details about it in Numbers 6:1-21, and Numbers 30:-1-16.</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">Now verse 16 and 17 gives us insight into his purpose and helps explain the meaning the term "baptism of repentance for the remission of sins".</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">For some reason, I always find myself explaining what the word repentance means, I guess it's because too many people pervert the meaning of the word.</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">Breaking down the term "Baptism of Repentance for the Remission of Sins"</span></h1>
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<span xmlns=""><strong>Baptism (and its many variations): </strong><em>The word baptise means to <strong>immerse, to completely cover, or submerge an object fully into another substance or object.</strong></em></span><br />
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<span xmlns="">People errantly think any mention of baptism automatically means being dipped in water, this is wrong and perverts many passages in the bible. </span><br />
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<span xmlns="">We must rightly divide the word and <strong>look</strong> at the context that the word is used in.</span><br />
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<span xmlns=""><strong>Repentance:</strong></span><br />
<span xmlns=""><b><br /></b> <em>means to change one's mind about something, to turn from one thing to another, to change from one course of action to another, to change your mind about something.</em></span><br />
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<span xmlns=""><strong>We read that God repents more often in the bible than anyone, this would be a whole sermon in itself, to explain that God is not a man that he should repent…</strong></span><br />
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<span xmlns=""><strong>IT DOES NOT MEAN TO STOP SINNING!</strong></span><br />
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<span xmlns=""><strong>Remission:</strong></span><br />
<span xmlns=""><b><br /></b> <em>to cancel, forgiveness, the cancellation of a debt, charge, or penalty.</em><br /> </span><br />
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<span xmlns="">So now that we have our definitions let's take a look at what this statement is NOT saying.</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">People will look at this statement and say see, we have to get baptised to cleanse us of our sins; this not only defies the grammatical structure of the sentence, but goes against what is taught in the bible.</span><br />
<span xmlns="">We know that Salvation is dependant only on one thing, and that is <strong>BELIEF or FAITH on the Lord Jesus Christ. </strong>And I will put an Amen to that!</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">A careful analysis of the sentence structure we can conclude that there are two parts to this sentence.</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">The sentence starts by with the word preached or preaching, so John is delivering a sermon or religious talk to a group of people and what is his preaching called?</span><br />
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<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #0070c0;">BAPTISM of REPENTANCE <span style="color: #c00000;">for REMISSION of Sins</span></span></span></h1>
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<span xmlns=""><span style="color: black;">So I've coloured the breakdown of the sentence to show you the two parts. Let's get on with the explanation.</span></span><br />
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<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #0070c0;">The first part we will put it into its literal meaning: John preached the <strong>immersion</strong>, in this case <strong>immersion</strong> in water of <strong>a change of mind or turning from something</strong>, we'll get to that something soon. So this is saying we get <strong>baptised</strong> because we have had <strong>a change of mind </strong>about something.<span style="color: black;"><br /> </span></span></span><br />
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<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #c00000;">The second part goes like this:</span></span><br />
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<span xmlns=""><span style="color: black;">What does the word "for" mean or used to denote about a sentence?</span></span><br />
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<span xmlns=""><span style="color: black;"><strong>FOR: </strong>With the object or purpose of. For example "<em>to run for exercise."</em></span></span><br />
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<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #c00000;">So we read literally <strong>"for the purpose of forgiveness of sins."</strong><br /> </span></span><br />
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<span xmlns=""><span style="color: black;">The first half of the sentence is the object or subject or the action and the second half tells us the reason why it is done. </span></span><br />
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<span xmlns=""><span style="color: black;">Now we need to figure out what that something is that they have to repent of? </span></span><br />
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<span xmlns=""><span style="color: black;">Let's start with the verse in Mark first.</span></span><br />
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<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #0070c0;"><strong><em>Mark 1:5 "And there went out unto him all the land of Judaea, and they of Jerusalem, and were all baptized of him in the river of Jordan, confessing their sins."</em></strong></span></span></blockquote>
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<span xmlns="">So all these people from Judaea and Jerusalem came out to get baptised by John, confessing their sins. Let's make one thing clear here, if we know that nowhere in the bible does it teach that you have to repent of your sins to be saved, then we cannot interpret this verse to say they got baptised because they turned from their sins.</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">This verse does not say they turned from their sins, the word "Confess" means to acknowledge, so these people are acknowledging their sins. They have acknowledged that they are sinners.</span><br />
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<span xmlns=""><span style="color: black;">So this verse is still a little muddy or unclear as to why they got baptised.</span></span><br />
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<span xmlns=""><span style="color: black;">Now let's go to Matthew.</span></span><br />
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<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #0070c0;"><strong><em>Matthew 3:1-2 "In those days came John the Baptist, preaching in the wilderness of Judaea, <sup>2 </sup>and saying, Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand."</em></strong></span></span></blockquote>
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<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #0070c0;"><strong><em>Matthew 3:5-6 "Then went out to him Jerusalem, and all Judaea, and all the region round about Jordan, <sup>6 </sup>and were baptized of him in Jordan, confessing their sins."</em></strong></span></span></blockquote>
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<span xmlns="">So in Matthew's account we read that John proclaims for everyone to repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand, so here John is telling us to change our minds about something because the kingdom of heaven is at hand. </span><br />
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<span xmlns="">And in verses 5 & 6 we read the parallel to Mark's account.</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">At this point it is still not clear of what we are supposed to be repenting of, but we read these people got baptised, and confessed their sins, so they are acknowledging that they are sinners.</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">Let's turn to the gospel according to John and see if he can shed light on what it is we are supposed to be repenting of.</span><br />
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<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #0070c0;"><strong><em>John 1:6-7 "There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. <sup>7 </sup>The same came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all men through him might believe."</em></strong></span></span></blockquote>
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<span xmlns="">So in John's account we read that John the Baptist was sent from God, he came for a witness, John came to bear witness of that light we read. That light is the Messiah who we know as Jesus.</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">So now we get a glimpse of John's purpose, his mission, to point the people to the Christ. That all men through him (John) might <strong>believe.</strong></span><br />
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<span xmlns="">Ah I see, you're thinking right now, that all men, might believe.</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">It's starting to become clearer now isn't it?</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">Let's go back to Luke's account before John was born and read what was prophesied of him.</span><br />
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<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #0070c0;"><strong><em>Luke 1:16-17 "And many of the children of Israel shall he turn to the Lord their God. <sup>17 </sup>And he shall go before him in the spirit and power of Elias, to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just; to make ready a people prepared for the Lord."</em></strong><br /> </span></span></blockquote>
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<span xmlns=""><span style="color: black;">Verse 16 says he will turn many of the children of Israel to the Lord their God. This verse describes exactly what repentance is, a turning from something to something, in this verse we see that the children of Israel need to turn from not believing in the Lord their God, to believing the Lord their God.</span></span><br />
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<span xmlns=""><span style="color: black;">Following me yet?</span></span><br />
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<span xmlns=""><span style="color: black;">Verse 17 and he (John) shall go before him (Jesus Christ) in the spirit and power of Elias (Elijah), this verse is prophesied by the prophet Malachi.</span></span><br />
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<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #0070c0;"><strong><em>Malachi 3:1 "Behold, I will send my messenger, and he shall prepare the way before me: and the Lord, whom ye seek, shall suddenly come to his temple, even the messenger of the covenant, whom ye delight in: behold, he shall come, saith the Lord of hosts."</em></strong></span></span></blockquote>
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<span xmlns="">So now we not only see John's message become clearer, but we read from here that his mission was to prepare the way for the Lord. </span><br />
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<span xmlns="">So a quick recap, his baptism of repentance was to show that people had acknowledged that they were a sinners, would get baptised to show that they have now turned to the Lord their God, and that John was preparing the people to receive the Messiah. </span><br />
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<span xmlns="">This is true when it comes to soul winning and giving the gospel to someone, it is easier to win someone to the Lord when this person acknowledges that they are a sinner and need someone to save them.</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">The rest of Luke 1:17 says to turn (Repentance) the hearts of the fathers to the children, <span style="color: black;">and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just (Righteous, there is none righteous but God); to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.</span></span><br />
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<span xmlns="">So there you have it, John's mission, to get the people ready to receive the Lord Jesus Christ.</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">I'm not done yet showing you more evidence that John preached Baptism of Repentance to mean to turn from whatever they believed in to believing the one true God.</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">The bible also gives us more details on what John the Baptist preached:</span><br />
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<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #0070c0;"><strong><em>Mark 1:7 "and preached, saying, There cometh one mightier than I after me, the latchet of whose shoes I am not worthy to stoop down and unloose."</em></strong></span></span></blockquote>
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<span xmlns="">So now we get even a clearer message of what or who the people had to repent to, in which he says in the verse that there comes one mightier (Jesus) than he (John).</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">Now in Mark's account after John was put in prison, Jesus, at the beginning of his ministry he went into Galilee and proclaimed the following:</span><br />
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<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #0070c0;"><strong><em>Mark 1:14-15 "<sup> </sup>Now after that John was put in prison, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God, <sup>15 </sup>and saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel. "</em></strong></span></span></blockquote>
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<span xmlns="">The time has been fulfilled, and the kingdom of heaven is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel.</span><br />
<span xmlns="">Jesus says repent, change your mind, turn from your unbelief and believe the gospel!</span><br />
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<h1>
<span xmlns="">Overview of John the Baptist and his purpose</span></h1>
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<span xmlns="">So we learned the following things:</span><br />
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<li><span xmlns="">They had to repent first, from what? Unbelief and turn to the Lord their God (Believe on him).</span></li>
<li><span xmlns="">People got baptised to show as an outward (public profession) sign that they have repented from unbelief and now turned to the Lord their God for the purposes of having their sins forgiven.</span></li>
<li><span xmlns="">John came to prepare the way for the Messiah, to make the people ready to receive the Lord, and how did he achieve that?</span></li>
<li><span xmlns="">By getting the people to acknowledge that they have sin, that they are sinners in need of the Lord to have their sins forgiven.</span></li>
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<span xmlns="">Now onto my next lesson, this is also key as to why John the Baptist baptised people under water.</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">BAPTISM IS A "PICTURE" OF THE GOSPEL THAT PICTURES THE DEATH, BURIAL AND RESURRECTION OF JESUS CHRIST.</span></h1>
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<span xmlns="">Baptism or Believers baptism is a participation in the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, in which our old selves have been crucified and forsaken in Christ and we have been freed from the shackles of the past, present and future and given a new being through his resurrection. </span><br />
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<span xmlns="">Baptism proclaims the good news that Christ has made us his own, and that it is only in him that our new life of faith and obedience emerges.</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">Baptism is a picture of all this.</span><br />
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<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #0070c0;"><strong><em>Romans 6:3-6 "Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death?<sup>4 </sup>Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. <sup>5 </sup>For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection:<sup>6 </sup>knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin."</em></strong></span></span></blockquote>
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<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #0070c0;"><strong><em>1 Corinthians 15:1-4 "Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; <sup>2 </sup>by which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain. <sup>3 </sup>For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; <sup>4 </sup>and that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:"</em></strong></span></span></blockquote>
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<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #0070c0;"><strong><em>Colossians 2:12 "buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead."</em></strong></span></span></blockquote>
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<span xmlns="">Being immersed in water pictures the death of Jesus Christ dying for our sins, being raised from the water is a portrayal of Jesus' resurrection in which He overcame and conquered sin and death.</span><br />
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<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #0070c0;"><strong><em>1 Corinthians 15:55-56 "O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? <sup>56 </sup>The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law. <sup>57 </sup>But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ."</em></strong></span></span></blockquote>
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<span xmlns="">Therefore, being baptized by immersion in water the believer visually shows the physical death, burial, and resurrection (of the spirit) of the believer's life showing that the old man has died and the new man has risen.</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">Water Baptism should follow belief in Jesus Christ as one's Saviour, although baptism is not necessary for a person to be saved and born again, we should do it as the first step in obedience to the Father.</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">The prerequisite (what must happen before baptism) to baptism however is to believe on the Lord Jesus Christ as it is written in the book of Acts where Philip is giving the gospel to the Ethiopian Eunuch:</span><br />
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<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #0070c0;"><strong><em>Acts 8:35-39 "Then Philip opened his mouth, and began at the same scripture, and preached unto him Jesus. <sup>36 </sup>And as they went on their way, they came unto a certain water: <span style="color: #c00000;"><span style="text-decoration: underline;">and the eunuch said, See, here is water; what doth hinder me to be baptized?</span> <span style="color: #0070c0;"><sup>37 </sup>And Philip said, <span style="color: #c00000;"><span style="text-decoration: underline;">If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.</span> <span style="color: #0070c0;"><sup>38 </sup>And he commanded the chariot to stand still: and they went down both into the water, both Philip and the eunuch; and he baptized him. <sup>39 </sup>And when they were come up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord caught away Philip, that the eunuch saw him no more: and he went on his way rejoicing."</span></span></span></span></em></strong></span></span></blockquote>
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<span xmlns="">So there is something that must take place before one can be baptised, verse 36 we read the Eunuch asks Philip what is stopping him from being baptised, and Philip responds to him by saying that if he believes with all his heart he may.</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">Baptism in water is not an act that one does to obtain salvation, and no one in the New Testament was baptized who did not first believe and put their faith in Jesus Christ.</span><br />
<span xmlns=""><br /> </span><br />
<blockquote>
<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #0070c0;"><strong><em>Ephesians 2:8-9 "For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: <sup>9 </sup>not of works, lest any man should boast."</em></strong></span></span></blockquote>
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<span xmlns="">For that reason salvation is not merited by any ritual, ordinance or work that we perform ourselves, the only applicant for baptism is one who has already been saved. It is a public testimony of salvation, a public profession that you are a believer.</span><br />
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<h1>
<span xmlns="">Are there examples in the bible where people believed, got saved and did not get baptised in water?</span></h1>
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<span xmlns="">Sure, and you will find many examples in the bible, let's take a look.</span><br />
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<h2>
<span xmlns="">The Thief on the Cross</span></h2>
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<span xmlns="">During the crucifixion of Jesus, they also crucified two other men, the bible called them malefactors (means wrongdoers, criminals, offenders, lowlifes, you get the picture). </span><br />
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<span xmlns="">Jesus was in midst of the two, in other words at either side of Jesus himself; this fulfilled scripture that said he would be numbered among the transgressors.</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">As the two hung on the cross and time went by we read from the gospels that both these men in like manner of the certain of the public mocked Jesus in Matthew's account:</span><br />
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<blockquote>
<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #0070c0;"><strong><em>Matthew 27:44 "The thieves also, which were crucified with him, cast the same in his teeth."</em></strong></span></span></blockquote>
<span xmlns=""><br /> </span><br />
<span xmlns="">In Luke's account we read more:</span><br />
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<blockquote>
<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #0070c0;"><strong><em>Luke 23: 39-43 "And one of the malefactors which were hanged railed on him, saying, If thou be Christ, save thyself and us. <sup>40 </sup>But the other answering rebuked him, saying, dost not thou fear God, seeing thou art in the same condemnation? <sup>41 </sup>And we indeed justly; for we receive the due reward of our deeds: but this man hath done nothing amiss. <sup>42 </sup>And he said unto Jesus, Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom. <sup>43 </sup>And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, to day shalt thou be with me in paradise."</em></strong></span></span></blockquote>
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<span xmlns="">So we see here one of the criminals rails on Jesus and the other rebukes that criminal railing on Jesus.</span><br />
<br />
What we see here at some point this criminal that gives the rebuke has had a change of heart, and we read earlier that Jesus had spoken some words to the Father to ask him to forgive them for they know not what they do, was it this statement that was made by Jesus cause a change in the heart of this malefactor?<br />
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<span xmlns="">The Malefactor got saved, otherwise Jesus would not have told him that he would be heaven with him. </span><br />
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<span xmlns="">Yes, Paradise is a synonym for Heaven, do a concordance of the word and you will find that the word Paradise is defined as heaven, it only occurs a few times in the New Testament and NEVER in the Old Testament.</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">Now the question stands, did the malefactor on the cross get baptised?</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">Obviously no, some would argue that the thief may have gotten baptised prior to being crucified? </span><br />
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<span xmlns="">Not only is this a far stretch, but nowhere in the bible does it mention this, and we read in this account that he believed on the Lord at that very moment on the cross, and we know that there is a prerequisite before you can get baptised.</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">This event also goes to prove that your good works has nothing to do with getting saved.</span><br />
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<h2>
<span xmlns="">Are there people in the bible that believed but the bible is not clear whether they got baptised or not?</span></h2>
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<span xmlns="">Yes, we read numerous people believed and there is no indication that they got baptised.</span><br />
<span xmlns=""><br /> </span><br />
<blockquote>
<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #0070c0;"><strong><em>John 12:42 "Nevertheless among the chief rulers also many believed on him; but because of the Pharisees they did not confess him, lest they should be put out of the synagogue:"</em></strong></span></span></blockquote>
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<span xmlns="">So the bible says here that MANY believed on him, no mention of them being baptised; they did NOT openly confess him for fear of the Jewish authorities.</span><br />
<span xmlns=""><br /> </span><br />
<span xmlns="">Are there any others?</span><br />
<span xmlns=""><br /> </span><br />
<blockquote>
<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #0070c0;"><strong><em>John 19:38 "And after this Joseph of Arimathaea, being a disciple of Jesus, but secretly for fear of the Jews, besought Pilate that he might take away the body of Jesus: and Pilate gave him leave. He came therefore, and took the body of Jesus."</em></strong></span></span></blockquote>
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<span xmlns="">So we read Joseph secretly was a disciple of Jesus. Now, if Baptism is a public profession of one's beliefs, then why would the bible tell us that Joseph was a secret disciple for fear of the Jews? </span><br />
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<span xmlns="">So let's recap what we have learnt so far:</span><br />
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<ol>
<li><span xmlns="">People got baptised to show as an outward sign that they have repented from unbelief and now turned to the Lord their God for the purposes of having their sins forgiven.</span></li>
<li><span xmlns="">John came to prepare the way for the Messiah, to make the people ready to receive the Lord, and how did he achieve that?</span></li>
<li><span xmlns="">By getting the people to acknowledge that they have sin in their lives, and that they are sinners in need of the Lord to have their sins forgiven.</span></li>
<li><span xmlns="">Baptism is a picture of the death, burial and resurrection</span></li>
<li><span xmlns="">Baptism is a believers public profession of their saviour the Lord Jesus Christ</span></li>
<li><span xmlns="">Baptism does not save, works does not save.</span></li>
<li><span xmlns="">There is a condition you must meet before you can get baptised, and that is to believe on the Lord Jesus Christ.</span></li>
<li><span xmlns="">There are examples of people who did not get baptised after Salvation had occurred.</span></li>
</ol>
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<h2>
<span xmlns="">Is there only baptism by water or is there other types?</span></h2>
<span xmlns=""><br /> </span><br />
<span xmlns="">Yes, John the Baptist himself proclaimed and made distinctions to different types of baptism. Let's take a look at all the scriptural accounts.</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">Starting with Matthew's account:</span><br />
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<blockquote>
<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #0070c0;"><strong><em>Matthew 3:11 "I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire:"</em></strong></span></span></blockquote>
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<span xmlns="">So we read here that John makes a clear distinction between his water baptism, baptism of the Holy Ghost and the baptism of fire. </span><br />
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<span xmlns="">So in this verse we see 3 distinct separate baptism mentioned here.</span><br />
<span xmlns="">Let's look at Mark's account:</span><br />
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<blockquote>
<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #0070c0;"><strong><em>Mark 1:8 "I indeed have baptized you with water: but he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost."</em></strong></span></span></blockquote>
<span xmlns=""><br /> </span><br />
<span xmlns="">Here we read John stating that he baptises with water, but he (Jesus) shall baptise you with the Holy Ghost. Mark's account gives us two distinct baptisms.</span><br />
<span xmlns="">Let's take a look at Luke's account:</span><br />
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<blockquote>
<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #0070c0;"><strong><em>Luke 3:16 "John answered, saying unto them all, I indeed baptize you with water; but one mightier than I cometh, the latchet of whose shoes I am not worthy to unloose: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost and with fire:"</em></strong></span></span></blockquote>
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<span xmlns="">Same thing said as in Matthew's account, Luke's is parallel with Matthew's account. </span><br />
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<span xmlns="">But what we see here is a distinction between John's baptism of water and the Lord Jesus Christ Baptism of the Holy Spirit and with fire.</span><br />
<span xmlns=""><br /></span>
<span xmlns="">Before Jesus ascends back to heaven in the Acts of the Apostles, he tells them the following:</span><br />
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<blockquote>
<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #0070c0;"><strong><em>Acts 1:4-5 "and, being assembled together with them, commanded them that they should not depart from Jerusalem, but wait for the promise of the Father, which, saith he, ye have heard of me.<sup>5 </sup>For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence."</em></strong></span></span></blockquote>
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<span xmlns="">So they have not received the Holy Spirit as yet, he is the gift, the gift of salvation that indwells every believer; the promise of the Father.</span><br />
<span xmlns=""><br /> </span><br />
<blockquote>
<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #0070c0;"><strong><em>John 14:16 "And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever;"</em></strong></span></span></blockquote>
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<span xmlns="">Jesus said to his disciples that this other Comforter will never leave us.</span><br />
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<h2>
<span xmlns="">So what's the difference between being baptised with the Holy Spirit and being filled with the Holy Spirit?</span></h2>
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<span xmlns="">Baptism of the Holy Spirit occurs only in the New Testament, on the day of Pentecost recorded in Acts Chapter 2 when all the believers received the Holy Spirit.</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">This baptism occurs at salvation. I'm not going to go into major details about it because I have written articles that explain this in greater detail on my blog site.</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">Both Old and New Testament people could all be filled with the Holy Spirit in times that God needed to use these people to achieve certain goals.</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">But realise that there is a clear distinction from being filled with the Spirit and being baptised by the Holy Spirit.</span><br />
<span xmlns=""><br /> </span><br />
<h1>
<span xmlns="">The Baptism of Jesus</span></h1>
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<span xmlns="">Now we have established the fundamentals around Baptism of Water let's dive into the weight of the matter, why did Jesus get baptised?</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">Like all proven bible students we must start from a firm foundation, so we will dive into the 4 gospels to get a foothold into why Jesus got baptised.</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">We know part of John the Baptist mission was to prepare the way for the coming Messiah. </span><br />
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<span xmlns="">He was to create an ideal environment for the Lord to operate in.</span><br />
<span xmlns=""><br /></span>
<span xmlns="">Let's start in Matthew's account:</span><br />
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<blockquote>
<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #0070c0;"><strong><em>Matthew 3:13-14 "Then cometh Jesus from Galilee to Jordan unto John, to be baptized of him. <sup>14 </sup>But John forbad him, saying, I have need to be baptized of thee, and comest thou to me?"</em></strong></span></span></blockquote>
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<span xmlns="">And in Mark's account:</span><br />
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<blockquote>
<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #0070c0;"><strong><em>Mark 1:9 "And it came to pass in those days, that Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee, and was baptized of John in Jordan."</em></strong></span></span></blockquote>
<span xmlns=""><br /> </span><br />
<span xmlns="">And Luke's account we read:</span><br />
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<blockquote>
<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #0070c0;"><strong><em>Luke 3:21 "Now when all the people were baptized, it came to pass, that Jesus also being baptized, and praying, the heaven was opened,"</em></strong></span></span></blockquote>
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<span xmlns="">I'm not going to touch on John's account yet because his account details more of the actual baptism than Jesus rocking up.</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">Now what is interesting here is only Matthew's account do we read that as Jesus turns up, John forbids Jesus, he says in verse 14 <span style="color: #0070c0;"><strong><em>"…I have need to be baptized of thee, and comest thou to me?" </em></strong><span style="color: black;"><br /> </span></span></span><br />
<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #0070c0;"><strong><em><br /></em></strong></span></span>
<span xmlns=""><span style="color: black;">So John is saying to Jesus that he needs to be baptised of him (Jesus), and instead you (Jesus) come to me (John)?</span></span><br />
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<span xmlns=""><span style="color: black;">Jesus replies:</span></span><br />
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<blockquote>
<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #0070c0;"><strong><em>Matthew 3:15 "And Jesus answering said unto him, suffer it to be so now: for thus it becometh us to fulfil all righteousness. Then he suffered him."</em></strong></span></span></blockquote>
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<span xmlns="">The word "suffer" means to allow, allow it to be so now: for hence or consequently it becomes us to fulfil all righteousness. What does that mean?</span><br />
<span xmlns=""><br /></span>
<span xmlns="">To do what is right. But let's elaborate this further, because a lot of misunderstandings have resulted on the subject of baptism.</span><br />
<span xmlns=""><br /></span>
<span xmlns="">Now we know that baptism in water itself does not cleanse us from sins, to say so is otherwise heresy and voids the significance of the precious blood of our Lord Jesus Christ.</span><br />
<span xmlns=""><br /></span>
<span xmlns="">Here is what Peter says about the water and what it symbolizes:</span><br />
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<blockquote>
<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #0070c0;"><strong><em>1 Peter 3:21 "The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ:"</em></strong></span></span></blockquote>
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<span xmlns="">Out of context this verses almost looks as though it says baptism by water does save us, but this is an incorrect understanding of the verse. </span><br />
<span xmlns=""><br /></span>
<span xmlns="">In context the verse before this is talking about how in the days of Noah, only 8 souls were saved by water, Peter then goes onto say in the above verse that "The like figure" Baptism in water pictures or symbolizes the resurrection of Jesus Christ. </span><br />
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<span xmlns="">Notice in the parenthesis he emphasises "not the putting away of the flesh" as in washing in water, "but the answering of a good conscience toward God," notice this part of the sentence defines what repentance is also.</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">Now, to fulfil all righteousness, what does that mean?</span><br />
<span xmlns=""><br /></span>
<span xmlns="">Let's review what we know Jesus.</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">The scripture, we can know that Jesus is both fully God, and fully man. His father is none other than heavenly Father himself whom by the Holy Spirit came upon Mary (a Virgin), and thus he was also born of a woman.</span><br />
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<blockquote>
<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #0070c0;"><strong><em>Matthew 1:18 "Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost."</em></strong></span></span></blockquote>
<blockquote>
<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #0070c0;"><strong><em>Matthew 1:21 "Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us."</em></strong></span></span></blockquote>
<blockquote>
<span xmlns=""><br /> </span></blockquote>
<span xmlns="">So we read above that his birth is a miraculous birth, conceived by the Holy Spirit. </span><br />
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<span xmlns="">There are religions out there that deny the virgin birth, they even go on to say that God the Father himself came down in his bodily form and had an actual physical union with Mary to conceive the Messiah; what absolute trash, this is one of the fundamentals of Christianity, to deny this is to deny Christianity!</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">Next we read how Jesus came into the world as we know it, the same manner as every other human born baby.</span><br />
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<blockquote>
<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #0070c0;"><strong><em>Matthew 2:1-2 "Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem, <sup>2 </sup>saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? For we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him."</em></strong></span></span></blockquote>
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<span xmlns="">And in Luke's account we read the following, it's interesting to note that Luke's account contains a very detailed description of the Lord's birth:</span><br />
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<blockquote>
<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #0070c0;"><strong><em>Luke 2:7 "And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn."</em></strong></span></span></blockquote>
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<span xmlns="">So we can see that the Lord being born in the same manner as all men, what is interesting though is that we read that men came <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>to worship him</strong></span> (baby Jesus). Now let's see if we can find anything out about his childhood.</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">Now it is important to note that I am not covering precisely what the bible records about Jesus from his birth but only listing what is relevant to our topic in question.</span><br />
<span xmlns=""><br /></span>
<span xmlns="">But after Jesus birth, we read that on the 8<sup>th</sup> day he gets circumcised according to the covenant between God and Abraham which can be read in Genesis Chapter 17.</span><br />
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<blockquote>
<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #0070c0;"><strong><em>Luke 2:21 "And when eight days were accomplished for the circumcising of the child, his name was called JESUS, which was so named of the angel before he was conceived in the womb."</em></strong></span></span></blockquote>
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<span xmlns="">Then we read the following:</span><br />
<span xmlns=""><br /> </span><br />
<blockquote>
<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #0070c0;"><strong><em>Luke 2:40 "And the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, filled with wisdom: and the grace of God was upon him."</em></strong></span></span></blockquote>
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<span xmlns="">As the child Jesus grew, he became strong in spirit, FILLED with wisdom, now does it say he always had wisdom? </span><br />
<span xmlns=""><br /></span>
<span xmlns="">No, he was filled with wisdom as he grew, which mean he was just like us, human in nature and we read that the grace of God was upon him.</span><br />
<span xmlns=""><br /></span>
<span xmlns="">Joseph and his mother attended every year in Jerusalem to take part in the Passover, Jesus was 12 years old at this point and as they fulfilled the custom of the feast they returned from Jerusalem a day's travel before they realised that Jesus was not with them so they turned back. </span><br />
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<span xmlns="">After 3 days they find Jesus sitting amongst the doctors, this word means teachers.</span><br />
<span xmlns=""><br /> </span><br />
<blockquote>
<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #0070c0;"><strong><em>Luke 2:46-49 "And it came to pass, that after three days they found him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the doctors, both hearing them, and asking them questions. <sup>47 </sup>And all that heard him were astonished at his understanding and answers. <sup>48 </sup>And when they saw him, they were amazed: and his mother said unto him, Son, why hast thou thus dealt with us? Behold, thy father and I have sought thee sorrowing. <sup>49 </sup>And he said unto them, how is it that ye sought me? Wist ye not that I must be about my Father's business?"</em></strong></span></span></blockquote>
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<span xmlns="">The key passages here that we need to understand for this topic is verses 48 & 49.</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">In verse 48 Mary addresses Jesus that she and his father (Implying that Joseph is Jesus father) had been seeking him worried sick. </span><br />
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<span xmlns="">In verse 49 Jesus responds to her, he says how is it that you sought me? Did you not know that I must be about my Father's business?</span><br />
<span xmlns=""><br /></span>
<span xmlns="">Jesus is pretty much saying, how can you and this man, who you say is my father be seeking me? My Father is in heaven, he knows where I am, and I am about HIS business, preaching and teaching the Word of God!</span><br />
<span xmlns=""><br /></span>
<span xmlns="">And there we have another clue which we will eventually tie it all up.</span><br />
<span xmlns=""><br /></span>
<span xmlns="">We then read in verse 52 the following:</span><br />
<span xmlns=""><br /> </span><br />
<blockquote>
<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #0070c0;"><strong><em>Luke 2:52 "And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man."</em></strong></span></span></blockquote>
<span xmlns=""><br /> </span><br />
<span xmlns="">Just like what most men strive to do, to increase in wisdom and stature, but unlike Jesus, some men deny God and seek to increase their wisdom and stature with other men, rather than God.</span><br />
<span xmlns=""><br /></span>
<span xmlns="">Now we move onto Jesus Baptism, in Luke's account he gives us the age at which Jesus got baptised.</span><br />
<span xmlns=""><br /> </span><br />
<blockquote>
<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #0070c0;"><strong><em>Luke 3:23 "And Jesus himself began to be about thirty years of age, being (as was supposed) the son of Joseph, which was the son of Heli,"</em></strong></span></span></blockquote>
<span xmlns=""><br /> </span><br />
<span xmlns="">So we find that Jesus was baptised at the age of 30, coincidentally King David started his reign as King when he was 30 years of age. So Jesus Started his ministry at the age of 30, just like King David started his reign as King!</span><br />
<span xmlns=""><br /></span>
<span xmlns="">We know that Jesus is born of the tribe of Judah from the same bloodline as King David.</span><br />
<span xmlns=""><br /></span>
<span xmlns="">There are other attributes of Jesus nature as man that we can find in the bible.</span><br />
<span xmlns=""><br /></span>
<span xmlns="">The shortest verse in the bible is this:</span><br />
<span xmlns=""><br /> </span><br />
<blockquote>
<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #0070c0;"><strong><em>John 11:35 "Jesus wept."</em></strong></span></span></blockquote>
<span xmlns=""><br /> </span><br />
<span xmlns="">We know he wept.</span><br />
<span xmlns=""><br /> </span><br />
<blockquote>
<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #0070c0;"><strong><em>Mark 3:5 "And when he had looked round about on them with anger…"</em></strong></span></span></blockquote>
<span xmlns=""><br /> </span><br />
<span xmlns="">He got angry,</span><br />
<span xmlns=""><br /> </span><br />
<blockquote>
<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #0070c0;"><strong><em>Mark 4:38 "And he was in the hinder part of the ship, asleep on a pillow: and they awake him, and say unto him, Master, carest thou not that we perish?"</em></strong></span></span></blockquote>
<span xmlns="">He also slept!</span><br />
<span xmlns=""><br /> </span><br />
<span xmlns="">So from what we have gathered so far let's go down the list.</span><br />
<span xmlns=""><br /> </span><br />
<ol>
<li><span xmlns="">Jesus miracle birth</span></li>
<li><span xmlns="">Jesus born like any other human baby</span></li>
<li><span xmlns="">As he grew, he also grew in wisdom</span></li>
<li><span xmlns="">We know he is 100% God and 100% man</span></li>
<li><span xmlns="">We know he has taken on human nature</span></li>
</ol>
<span xmlns=""><br /> </span><br />
<span xmlns="">From this information we can see that Jesus is, every bit as human as we are, and lastly of all he could die like us. So suffer it to be so now…</span><br />
<span xmlns=""><br /> </span><br />
<blockquote>
<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #0070c0;"><strong><em>Matthew 3:15 "And Jesus answering said unto him, suffer it to be so now: for thus it becometh us to fulfil all righteousness."</em></strong></span></span></blockquote>
<span xmlns=""><br /> </span><br />
<span xmlns="">To fulfil all righteousness takes on a new meaning doesn't it?</span><br />
<span xmlns="">Jesus came to fulfil the law and the prophets:</span><br />
<span xmlns=""><br /> </span><br />
<blockquote>
<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #0070c0;"><strong><em>Matthew 5:17-18 "Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil. <sup>18 </sup>For verily I say unto you, till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled."</em></strong></span></span></blockquote>
<span xmlns=""><br /> </span><br />
<span xmlns="">If we know that that Jesus came to fulfil the law, in which no man has done, Jesus who is God, made manifest in the flesh, in other words God took on human form and nature, and don't you think it was only fitting for God to do this to save us?</span><br />
<span xmlns=""><br /></span>
<span xmlns="">And here lies the answer:</span><br />
<span xmlns=""><br /></span>
<span xmlns="">As Jesus came to 'fulfil all righteousness' it seems to best to say that He came to perform perfect obedience to Gods Law. </span><br />
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<span xmlns="">This obedience not only included all the ceremonial, civil and moral laws given to Moses, but as Christ was not only God but man, He must also submit to the ministries of Prophets that was sent by God. </span><br />
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<span xmlns="">Also we see that the level of awareness that Jesus, as a man, had of His purpose and ministry seems to have taken a sudden increase after His submission. </span><br />
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<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<div class="MsoQuote">
<b><i><span style="color: #0070c0;">Matthew 3:16-17 “And Jesus, when he was
baptized, went up straightway out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were
opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and
lighting upon him: <sup>17 </sup>and
lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well
pleased.”<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
</blockquote>
<span xmlns=""><br /></span>
<span xmlns="">For it is hear that God declares from a voice from heaven and a visible token of His Spirit anointing Him for His ministry that he is the One whom God loved, that He is the Messiah, and also the suffering servant who He was well pleased with.</span><br />
<span xmlns=""><br /></span>
<span xmlns="">Peter put's it perfectly in Acts chapter 10:</span><br />
<span xmlns=""><br /></span>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span xmlns=""><div class="MsoQuote">
<b><i><span style="color: #0070c0;">Acts 10:38 “<sup> </sup><u>how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost
and with power:</u> who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed
of the devil; for God was with him.”<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
</span></blockquote>
<span xmlns=""><br /></span>
<span xmlns=""></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
And we also have revealed to us the Triune nature of God,
whom all are present at the moment of the Lord baptism.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
To say that God is three separate Gods is to contradict all scripture in the bible, the concept of the Trinity is best what describes the true and living God, which is 3 separate personages that make up our one true God, also called the Godhead.</div>
<span xmlns=""><br /></span>
<span xmlns=""><strong>So His baptism was to fully comply with all Laws in order to have a righteousness that He could provide to sinners while the sins of the world were placed upon Him in return.</strong> </span><br />
<span xmlns=""><br /></span>
<span xmlns="">Take a note what John the Baptist says:</span><br />
<span xmlns=""><br /> </span><br />
<blockquote>
<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #0070c0;"><strong><em>John 1:29 "The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world."</em></strong></span></span></blockquote>
<span xmlns=""><br /> </span><br />
<span xmlns="">Remember how earlier we learned that baptism was the foreshadowing of his death, burial and resurrection?</span><br />
<span xmlns=""><br /></span>
<span xmlns="">Jesus was presenting Himself as the Lamb in Baptism, to suffer all the sins of men punishable under the Law of Moses. </span><br />
<span xmlns=""><br /></span>
<span xmlns="">Jesus was the focal point upon which this baptism had meaning, for water does not cleanse, only the blood of the Lamb. </span><br />
<span xmlns=""><br /></span>
<span xmlns="">Amen.</span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2175516688002798343.post-54929639884247759362014-12-07T20:06:00.000-08:002014-12-07T20:06:30.932-08:00What's missing from NIV and ESV Bible versions?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2175516688002798343.post-85675842734164864212014-12-01T20:20:00.000-08:002014-12-01T20:20:51.472-08:00Bible Study Series – Romans Chapter 6<span xmlns=""></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfhM9CZ0fMR8zvOhL7gSrRte8hXNUO7GWB744HyT0psjPES-bXIQ9e1XHLlh-bjEvZd20HoxBkLQA8hALde1evt4SuLDedrFFoGVRhmsLEZUvfbohN3P4je3fwdVwYQj2BEv8gRHMnjKU/s1600/romans_6-540x330.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfhM9CZ0fMR8zvOhL7gSrRte8hXNUO7GWB744HyT0psjPES-bXIQ9e1XHLlh-bjEvZd20HoxBkLQA8hALde1evt4SuLDedrFFoGVRhmsLEZUvfbohN3P4je3fwdVwYQj2BEv8gRHMnjKU/s1600/romans_6-540x330.jpg" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span xmlns=""><br /> </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span xmlns=""><br /> </span></div>
<blockquote>
<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #0070c0;"><strong><em>Romans 6:1 "What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound?"</em></strong></span></span></blockquote>
<span xmlns=""><br /> </span><br />
<span xmlns="">And here we have it, the apostle Paul here is addressing people who ridicule easy believism, they ridicule the true biblical teaching of today as they did then in Paul's time.</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">Here we have these false teachers creeping in saying stuff like, if Salvation is a free gift from God, given to us by his grace, does that mean we can continue to sin as much as we want? </span><br />
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<span xmlns="">Can we then go ahead and live our lives anyway we like?</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">Let me answer that for you, the answer is, it's your choice but be prepared to reap what you sow. </span><br />
<span xmlns="">I have explained this time and time again using the bible, so I'll keep it short here. </span><br />
<span xmlns=""><br /></span>
<span xmlns="">When a person gets saved, they do not immediately change their outward appearance or attitudes, this becomes a process, called sanctification. </span><br />
<span xmlns=""><br /></span>
<span xmlns="">Our bodies did not change, this will happen when the Lord Jesus Christ returns, only our spirit has been quickened (made alive), we become born again of the spirit, our flesh (body) still wars against our spirit and through sanctification, we need to bring our bodies under subjection of the spirit.</span><br />
<span xmlns=""><br /></span>
<span xmlns="">Now we have a choice to live righteously, which is what the epistle to the Romans teaches, and we should serve the Lord to further the kingdom of God, we can take up our cross, forsake our father, mother, brother, sister, children, literally give up everything we have and be a disciple of the Lord, known as discipleship or, go on living like the world and face divine discipline.</span><br />
<span xmlns=""><br /></span>
<span xmlns="">The truth is, not everyone who gets saved will go on to produce fruit (another saved person), look at the apostles, they saved thousands of souls, did they (the saved) all go on producing more saved people?</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">No, in fact if they did, the world wouldn't be like the way it is now, full of hypocrisy and false religious institutions.</span><br />
<span xmlns=""><br /></span>
<span xmlns="">But if we do continue in sin, grace does abound, do you understand that you cannot lose your salvation you are completely covered by the blood?</span><br />
<span xmlns=""><br /></span>
<span xmlns="">The Apostle Paul wrote to the Galatians the following:</span><br />
<span xmlns=""><br /> </span><br />
<blockquote>
<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #385623;"><strong><em>Galatians 5:17 "For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would."</em></strong></span></span></blockquote>
<span xmlns=""><br /> </span><br />
<span xmlns="">The flesh is at war with our born again spirit, think about it like this, our flesh is older or matured than our spirit (which is a babe) when we are born again, guess which one is going to win more often or have a stronger influence over what decision you are going to make in our spiritual infancy?</span><br />
<span xmlns=""><br /> </span><br />
<span xmlns="">You can never reach a state of sinless perfection, Paul the Apostle says he dies daily, everyday he has to bring his body under subjection of the spirit. Have ye not read in the scriptures that they who say they have no sin deceives themselves and are a liar?</span><br />
<span xmlns=""><br /> </span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span xmlns=""><span style="font-size: 48pt;">~</span></span></div>
<blockquote>
<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #0070c0;"><strong><em>Romans 6:2 "God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?"</em></strong></span></span></blockquote>
<span xmlns=""><br /> </span><br />
<span xmlns="">God Forbid! One of the strongest statements one can make to deny or reject something or a statement. Notice this is a question that Paul is asking, we must be careful not to base a doctrine on a question, but only by clear statements should we derive doctrine from.</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">So Paul here is asking a question, he is asking that as we are dead to sin, how shall we live any longer in sin?</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">The next verse is also a question:</span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span xmlns=""><span style="font-size: 48pt;">~</span></span></div>
<blockquote>
<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #0070c0;"><strong><em>Romans 6:3 "Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death?"</em></strong></span></span></blockquote>
<span xmlns=""><br /> </span><br />
<span xmlns="">Paul is asking a question here again, he is asking us if we knew that when we got baptised in Jesus Christ, we got baptised into his death as well. </span><br />
<span xmlns=""><br /></span>
<span xmlns="">Baptise means to immerse or submerge, it implies being "all in".</span><br />
<span xmlns=""><br /></span>
<span xmlns="">When we are baptised by the Holy Spirit, we are being immersed or put in Christ, completely covered in him. This is the baptism you receive when you believe on the Lord Jesus Christ. It is a supernatural event and takes place spiritually, as you become born again.</span><br />
<span xmlns=""><br /></span>
<span xmlns="">Then after this (Salvation) happens, one <span style="text-decoration: underline;">should</span> make the decision to get baptised in water, to get saved? To stay saved? No!</span><br />
<span xmlns=""><br /></span>
<span xmlns="">Being immersed in water does not save, FAITH ONLY in the Lord Jesus Christ as your saviour saves!</span><br />
<span xmlns=""><br /></span>
<span xmlns="">But water baptism is a public profession of your faith to man that you believe, it is to show the world that you are a believer in Jesus Christ!</span><br />
<span xmlns=""><br /></span>
<span xmlns="">So is baptism salvation?</span><br />
<span xmlns=""><br /></span>
<span xmlns="">The answer should be no, Salvation <span style="text-decoration: underline;">is</span> believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shalt be saved.</span><br />
<span xmlns=""><br /></span>
<span xmlns="">Baptism by immersion in water is a picture of Salvation, not literal salvation. It is a picture of you going into the water dying and when you come up out of the water picturing the resurrection.</span><br />
<span xmlns="">Noah on the Ark is a picture of Salvation not literal Salvation.</span><br />
<span xmlns=""><br /></span>
<span xmlns="">I'll say it again, literal Salvation is faith in the Lord Jesus Christ to be saved!</span><br />
<span xmlns=""><br /></span>
<span xmlns="">Here's another question for you baptismal regeneration believers (must be baptised to go to heaven), if you have to be water baptised like what John the Baptist did, was he baptising the people in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit?</span><br />
<span xmlns=""><br /></span>
<span xmlns="">He couldn't have baptised in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit; why?</span><br />
<span xmlns=""><br /></span>
<span xmlns="">Because the Godhead was not yet made known, so how could John the Baptist baptise people in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit if the Godhead were not yet revealed?</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">As a matter of fact, the Godhead was not revealed until Jesus himself came to be baptised:</span><br />
<span xmlns=""><br /> </span><br />
<blockquote>
<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #70ad47;"><strong><em>Matthew 3:16-17 "And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him: <sup>17 </sup>and lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased."</em></strong></span></span></blockquote>
<span xmlns=""><br /> </span><br />
<span xmlns="">In verse 16 we read that the Spirit of God (Holy Spirit) descending on Jesus like a dove, and lighting upon him (Jesus being anointed with the Oil of Gladness): and then verse 17 tells us that a voice (The Father) from heaven can also be heard. </span><br />
<span xmlns=""><br /></span>
<span xmlns="">This was all done as a testimony or witness to show that Jesus is the Messiah, the Christ. The beginning of the Lords earthly ministry!</span><br />
<span xmlns=""><br /> </span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span xmlns=""><span style="font-size: 48pt;">~</span></span></div>
<blockquote>
<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #0070c0;"><strong><em>Romans 6:4 "Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life."</em></strong></span></span></blockquote>
<span xmlns=""><br /> </span><br />
<span xmlns="">For this reason we are buried with Jesus by baptism into death, the old man, the carnal man; sin had died: and just like Christ was raised up by the glory of the Father, even so we should walk in newness of life. This is saying as the old you had been buried in the likeness of his death by baptism, we now emerge as the new man, the born again spirit child of God whom <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>should</strong></span> walk in the spirit; the new life.</span><br />
<span xmlns=""><br /></span>
<span xmlns="">When Jesus entered Samaria he came to a well and spoke to a Samaritan woman by Jacob's well. </span><br />
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<span xmlns="">This woman says to Jesus, that the Samaritans worshipped in the mountain; but you Jews say that in Jerusalem is the place you ought to worship, let's see what Jesus answers the Samaritan woman.</span><br />
<span xmlns=""><br /> </span><br />
<blockquote>
<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #70ad47;"><strong><em>John 4:21-24 "Jesus saith unto her, Woman, believe me, the hour cometh, when ye shall neither in this mountain, nor yet at Jerusalem, worship the Father. <sup>22 </sup>Ye worship ye know not what: we know what we worship: for salvation is of the Jews.<sup>23 </sup>But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him. <sup>24 </sup>God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth."</em></strong></span></span></blockquote>
<blockquote>
<span xmlns=""><br /> </span></blockquote>
<span xmlns="">In context, the woman is asking Jesus where they should be worshipping God, she is asking should they be worshipping in the mountain (most likely Mount Gerizim) or in Jerusalem (Solomon built temple).</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">Jesus says to her that the hour cometh (his death by crucifixion) when man will worship the Father neither in the mountains or Jerusalem.</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">Jesus says you don't know what you worship: but we Jews know what we worship: for salvation is of the Jews, what does this mean?</span><br />
<span xmlns=""><br /></span>
<span xmlns="">Salvation is come by the way of the root and offspring of King David, of the tribe of Judah; Jesus is of the tribe of Judah, and Jesus is salvation, of the tribe of Judah; also known as the Jews of the southern kingdom of Israel.</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">Jesus says true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and truth: for that reason the Father seeks such to worship him.</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">Verse 24 is rather a smack in the face to Mormons who believe the Father is of flesh and bones like man, to deny this scripture is to call Jesus a liar.</span><br />
<span xmlns=""><br /></span>
<span xmlns="">From the mouth of Jesus himself, he says God is a Spirit: and they that worship him MUST worship him in spirit (born again) and in truth!</span><br />
<span xmlns=""><br /></span>
<span xmlns="">My friends, here is the answer to the question of how do we worship God?</span><br />
<span xmlns=""><br /></span>
<span xmlns="">Not in building made with hands, it is not the building or place of worship that matters, it is believers coming together and worshiping the Father in spirit and truth and the start of walking in newness of life!</span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span xmlns=""><span style="font-size: 48pt;">~</span></span></div>
<blockquote>
<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #0070c0;"><strong><em>Romans 6:5 "For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection:"</em></strong></span></span></blockquote>
<span xmlns=""><br /> </span><br />
<span xmlns="">Seeing as we have been planted together in the likeness, notice the word likeness it doesn't mean literally, in the likeness of his death, we shall also be raised up in the likeness of his resurrection, meaning we shall also receive a new body at the second coming of the Lord, glorified the same manner in how Jesus Christ's body was glorified at his resurrection.</span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span xmlns=""><span style="font-size: 48pt;">~</span></span></div>
<blockquote>
<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #0070c0;"><strong><em>Romans 6:6 "knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin."</em></strong></span></span></blockquote>
<span xmlns=""><br /> </span><br />
<span xmlns="">Knowing that we shall be like him at the resurrection (2<sup>nd</sup> coming) that our old man (The flesh) is crucified with him (Jesus) that the body of sin (flesh, the spirit cannot sin because it is of God) might be destroyed, that henceforth, the word henceforth means "from this time on" or "that time on" we should not serve sin. </span><br />
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<span xmlns="">Notice it doesn't say "must not" it says we "should not" serve sin, as man, we are still prone to sin, whether it be wilfully or in ignorance, we will still sin.</span><br />
<span xmlns=""><br /> </span><br />
<blockquote>
<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #70ad47;"><strong><em>Colossians 3:1-4 "If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. <sup>2 </sup>Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. <sup>3 </sup>For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God.<sup>4 </sup>When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory."</em></strong></span></span></blockquote>
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<span xmlns="">As believers we should set our affections or cares on things above (Heavenly), and not of things on the earth; John says it beautifully in his 1<sup>st</sup> epistle.</span><br />
<span xmlns=""><br /> </span><br />
<blockquote>
<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #70ad47;"><strong><em>1 John 2:15-17 "Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. <sup>16 </sup>For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. <sup>17 </sup>And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever."</em></strong></span></span></blockquote>
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<span xmlns="">Just beautiful!</span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span xmlns=""><span style="font-size: 48pt;">~</span></span></div>
<blockquote>
<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #0070c0;"><strong><em>Romans 6:7 "For he that is dead is freed from sin."</em></strong></span></span></blockquote>
<span xmlns=""><br /> </span><br />
<span xmlns="">When the body dies, as a believer we are free in Christ, free from sin, free from bondage to sin; the Apostle Paul says the following to the Corinthians:</span><br />
<span xmlns=""><br /> </span><br />
<blockquote>
<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #70ad47;"><strong><em>2 Corinthians 5:8 "we are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord."</em></strong></span></span></blockquote>
<span xmlns=""><br /> </span><br />
<span xmlns="">Paul says he is rather willing to be absent from the body, so that he could be present with the Lord. </span><br />
<span xmlns=""><br /></span>
<span xmlns="">This scripture also punches in the face of false doctrine that teaches when you die you go to a sort of spirit prison to await the 2<sup>nd</sup> coming and judgement, and then there's the soul sleep crowd where when you die, you stay asleep in the grave to await the 2<sup>nd</sup> coming of the Lord Jesus Christ; these are false teachings because when we die (in Christ of course), we leave our bodies and go to be present with the Lord, and where is the Lord presently?</span><br />
<span xmlns=""><br /></span>
<span xmlns="">The Lord Jesus Christ is presently in <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>heaven</strong></span> sitting at the right hand of his Father!</span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span xmlns=""><span style="font-size: 48pt;">~</span></span></div>
<blockquote>
<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #0070c0;"><strong><em>Romans 6:8 "Now if we be dead with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him:"</em></strong></span></span></blockquote>
<span xmlns=""><br /> </span><br />
<span xmlns="">This verse can be taken two ways, an earthly interpretation of dying physically we believe that we will go to heaven to live with him as explained above.</span><br />
<span xmlns=""><br /></span>
<span xmlns="">And the spiritual interpretation of this verse would be because the old man has been crucified with the Lord, or the old man, the carnal man has been buried in baptism with him, then we are risen with him, as a new man of the spirit with him living in us also.</span><br />
<span xmlns=""><br /></span>
<span xmlns="">Our new life is in Christ, not in the flesh.</span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span xmlns=""><span style="font-size: 48pt;">~</span></span></div>
<blockquote>
<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #0070c0;"><strong><em>Romans 6:9 "knowing that Christ being raised from the dead dieth no more; death hath no more dominion over him."</em></strong></span></span></blockquote>
<span xmlns=""><br /> </span><br />
<span xmlns="">Jesus was risen from the dead, he will no longer die; death itself has no dominion over him. If we die with Christ (believers) we are promised eternal life through faith in him, to never die ever again.</span><br />
<span xmlns=""><br /> </span><br />
<blockquote>
<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #70ad47;"><strong><em>2 Timothy 1:9-10 "who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began, <sup>10 </sup>but is now made manifest by the appearing of our Saviour Jesus Christ, who hath abolished death, and hath brought life and immortality to light through the gospel:"</em></strong></span></span></blockquote>
<span xmlns=""><br /> </span><br />
<span xmlns="">And we read in 1<sup>st</sup> Corinthians the following:</span><br />
<span xmlns=""><br /> </span><br />
<blockquote>
<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #70ad47;"><strong><em>1 Corinthians 15:54 "<sup> </sup>So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory."</em></strong></span></span></blockquote>
<span xmlns=""><br /> </span><br />
<span xmlns="">And Jesus says the following in Revelation:</span><br />
<span xmlns=""><br /> </span><br />
<blockquote>
<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #70ad47;"><strong><em>Revelation 1:18 "I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death."</em></strong></span></span></blockquote>
<span xmlns=""><br /> </span><br />
<span xmlns="">Jesus has the keys of hell and of death, they have no dominion over him.</span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span xmlns=""><span style="font-size: 48pt;">~</span></span></div>
<blockquote>
<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #0070c0;"><strong><em>Romans 6:10 "For in that he died, he died unto sin once: but in that he liveth, he liveth unto God."</em></strong></span></span></blockquote>
<span xmlns=""><br /> </span><br />
<span xmlns="">Baptism is a picture of our old man, our old self put to death, and when risen, our new self now lives for God, we should walk in the spirit and do those things that are pleasing to God.</span><br />
<span xmlns=""><br /> </span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span xmlns=""><span style="font-size: 48pt;">~</span></span></div>
<blockquote>
<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #0070c0;"><strong><em>Romans 6:11 "Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord."</em></strong></span></span></blockquote>
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<span xmlns="">Notice how Paul hammers the same thing over and over again?</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">He is saying here likewise meaning in the same manner reckon that you yourselves be dead to sin, but alive to God by Jesus Christ our Lord, our saviour; by his precious blood is it made possible to live unto eternal life.</span><br />
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<span xmlns=""><span style="font-size: 48pt;">~</span></span></div>
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<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #0070c0;"><strong><em>Romans 6:12 "Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof."</em></strong></span></span></blockquote>
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<span xmlns="">Because we are now living unto God, we should not let sin reign in our mortal body, our flesh, if we let sin reign in our mortal body then we are going to more than likely obey it according to our lusts. </span><br />
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<span xmlns="">James Chapter one illustrates this perfectly when we allow our lusts of the flesh reign in our bodies.</span><br />
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<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #70ad47;"><strong><em>James 1:15 "Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death."</em></strong></span></span></blockquote>
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<span xmlns="">What is lust? Our desires, a sense of longing for something, ultimate what the bible calls covetousness, when we desire to have something that does not belong to us. </span><br />
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<span xmlns="">That beautiful beach mansion, your neighbours wife or husband, heck wishing your husband or wife was more like so and so is covetous, you get the idea.</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">And God here is saying that when lust has conceived, when we desire something that does not belong to us in our hearts it will eventually outwardly manifest itself in the form of sin: and when sin is finished, it brings forth death.</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">We should walk in the spirit so that we are not tempted to walk in the lusts of the flesh.</span><br />
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<span xmlns=""><span style="font-size: 48pt;">~</span></span></div>
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<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #0070c0;"><strong><em>Romans 6:13 "Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God."</em></strong></span></span></blockquote>
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<span xmlns="">God is saying here don't let sin be the master of you, don't let it control the various members or body parts that you have, don't let them be under the control of sin; rather yield or give over your members, yourself to God, as those that are alive whom are no longer dead, yield your members as instruments or tools of righteousness to God.</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">It is in our own power or freedom of choice to decide whether we want to yield ourselves to sin or to God, either your master is sin or the Lord Jesus Christ.</span><br />
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<span xmlns=""><span style="font-size: 48pt;">~</span></span></div>
<blockquote>
<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #0070c0;"><strong><em>Romans 6:14 "For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace."</em></strong></span></span></blockquote>
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<span xmlns="">If we yield our members over to God, sin will no longer have dominion over us: for we are NOT under the law, but under grace.</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">The law was never meant to save us, man could not keep the law it was impossible under the Old Testament, the law itself was holy and righteous, therefore the law cannot be broken as in James chapter 2 it says that whosoever offends in one point of the law, has offended in all. For man it was impossible and it became a curse for man. </span><br />
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<span xmlns="">Since it cannot help anyone to keep God's moral standard; it can only show the standard, and thus rebuke, convict and condemn those who fail to keep it.</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">We are under grace, by grace we are saved through faith, and it is not of our works lest any man should boast. It is by God's grace we have been saved through faith, by the goodness and righteousness of God, salvation is a free gift, it is not earned by any man. Even though we do not deserve it, God has freely given it to those who believe on his Son.</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">We have been clothed in the righteousness of Christ, it is Jesus' blood that washed away our sins and inequities, and he will remember them no more.</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">By grace when establish the law, and begin the process of sanctification.</span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span xmlns=""><span style="font-size: 48pt;">~</span></span></div>
<blockquote>
<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #0070c0;"><strong><em>Romans 6:15 "What then? Shall we sin, because we are not under the law, but under grace? God forbid."</em></strong></span></span></blockquote>
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<span xmlns="">Paul continues on in his train of thought about us being under grace and not the law, and asks the question, because we are not under the law but under grace shall we continue in sin?</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">Paul says God forbid! </span><br />
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<span xmlns=""><span style="font-size: 48pt;">~</span></span></div>
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<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #0070c0;"><strong><em>Romans 6:16 "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?"</em></strong></span></span></blockquote>
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<span xmlns="">Again Paul is repeating what was said before, his question he is asking is do you not know to whom you yield yourselves to obey, is your master sin which is unto death or of obedience unto righteousness?</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">As a believer, after salvation, if you are living for sin, in the flesh you will face divine discipline, God will scourge and punish EVERY son he receives.</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">And just because you sin, and nothing happens immediately don't think that recompense isn't coming.</span><br />
<span xmlns="">Think not that God has not killed people and taken them home (Heaven) because they consistently refused to obey, and live according to God's will. </span><br />
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<span xmlns="">So chose your master, sin or God?</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">For believers, this can mean being removed sooner from this earthly life or living a long fruitful life in serving the Lord to further the kingdom of God.</span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span xmlns=""><span style="font-size: 48pt;">~</span></span></div>
<blockquote>
<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #0070c0;"><strong><em>Romans 6:17 "But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you."</em></strong></span></span></blockquote>
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<span xmlns="">BUT GOD BE THANKED! PRAISE THE LORD!</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">We believers used to be servants of sin, we read in Romans chapter 5 that all men have sinned. </span><br />
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<span xmlns="">Thank God we do not have to remain in sin. </span><br />
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<span xmlns="">We who believe in Christ have taken on the righteousness of Jesus Christ and no longer serve sin.</span><br />
<span xmlns=""><br /></span>
<span xmlns="">We obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine, Faith on the Lord Jesus Christ who imputes his righteousness to you, a sinner who is now clothed in the righteousness of the Lord.</span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span xmlns=""><span style="font-size: 48pt;">~</span></span></div>
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<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #0070c0;"><strong><em>Romans 6:18 "Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness."</em></strong></span></span></blockquote>
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<span xmlns="">We are made free of sin by the blood of the Lamb, our Lord Jesus Christ who died for all our inequities, if it were not for the selfless sacrifice the Lord had done for us, we would all still be in bondage to sin, and we will all be appointed wrath; for there is none righteous, no not one.</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">But now we have been freed from our bonds, we have now become the servants of righteousness, since Christ has clothed us in his righteousness we are able to become his servant.</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">The Corinthian's are told the following:</span><br />
<blockquote>
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<blockquote>
<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #70ad47;"><strong><em>2 Corinthians 5:17 "Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new."</em></strong></span></span></blockquote>
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<span xmlns="">On Salvation, the believers has become a new man in Christ, a new creature!</span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span xmlns=""><span style="font-size: 48pt;">~</span></span></div>
<blockquote>
<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #0070c0;"><strong><em>Romans 6:19 "I speak after the manner of men because of the infirmity of your flesh: for as ye have yielded your members servants to uncleanness and to iniquity unto iniquity; even so now yield your members servants to righteousness unto holiness."</em></strong></span></span></blockquote>
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<span xmlns="">Paul is speaking after the manner of men or in human terms, most found it difficult in grasping divine truth so Paul would use this master/slave analogy to try to convey what he is saying with more clarity. </span><br />
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<span xmlns="">Our members was explained in verse 13, our different body parts that we have in our physical bodies, and that before we yielded these body parts as a slave to uncleanness and to iniquity unto iniquity: in other words like a vicious animal when you feed it, the appetite to sin only grows when it is being fed.</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">Even now we should give our members over to be servants of righteousness and from righteousness to holiness.</span><br />
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<span xmlns=""><span style="font-size: 48pt;">~</span></span></div>
<blockquote>
<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #0070c0;"><strong><em>Romans 6:20 "For when ye were the servants of sin, ye were free from righteousness."</em></strong></span></span></blockquote>
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<span xmlns="">Notice how Paul just keeps on hammering this down hoping it hits home with everyone? </span><br />
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<span xmlns="">When we were servants of sin, before Salvation we were in bondage to sin, free from righteousness. We were living in the flesh.</span><br />
<span xmlns=""><br /> </span><br />
<blockquote>
<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #70ad47;"><strong><em>1 John 2:16 "For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world."</em></strong></span></span></blockquote>
<blockquote>
<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #70ad47;"><strong><em>Galatians 5:17 "For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would."</em></strong></span></span></blockquote>
<blockquote>
<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #70ad47;"><strong><em>James 4:4 "Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? Whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God."</em></strong></span></span></blockquote>
<span xmlns="">If we are living in the flesh, we are living in the world, and James states that if any therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God.</span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span xmlns=""><span style="font-size: 48pt;">~</span></span></div>
<blockquote>
<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #0070c0;"><strong><em>Romans 6:21 "What fruit had ye then in those things whereof ye are now ashamed? For the end of those things is death."</em></strong></span></span></blockquote>
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<span xmlns="">The life you lived before in sin, what fruit did you have, that fruit that you are ashamed of? </span><br />
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<span xmlns="">Living in sin and iniquity only leads to death. James put it well:</span><br />
<span xmlns=""><br /> </span><br />
<blockquote>
<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #70ad47;"><strong><em>James 1:15 "Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death."</em></strong></span></span></blockquote>
<span xmlns=""><br /> </span><br />
<span xmlns="">Sin begins with the thoughts of our hearts, our desires and when it has conceived in the heart it will manifest out in the form of sin, and when you follow through with that sin, it will bring forth death. </span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span xmlns=""><span style="font-size: 48pt;">~</span></span></div>
<blockquote>
<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #0070c0;"><strong><em>Romans 6:22 "But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life."</em></strong></span></span></blockquote>
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<span xmlns="">A servant obeys his master, obedience is better than sacrifice. God wants our loyalty and our love, and the very reason for creating us, for fellowship with him.</span><br />
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<blockquote>
<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #70ad47;"><strong><em>1 Samuel 15:22 "And Samuel said, Hath the Lord as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the Lord? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams."</em></strong></span></span></blockquote>
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<span xmlns="">We see here the problem is not the offerings but the disobedience of God's commands and the desire for approval of people rather than the approval of God.<br /><br />We are servants of God, and our fruit unto holiness, we should be soul winners, a soul winners fruit is another soul won to the Lord. At the end everlasting life.</span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span xmlns=""><span style="font-size: 48pt;">~</span></span></div>
<blockquote>
<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #0070c0;"><strong><em>Romans 6:23 "For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord."</em></strong></span></span></blockquote>
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<span xmlns="">Great soul winning verse to explain after telling someone that we all fall short of the glory of God, and that there is none righteous, no not one, they have all gone out the way.</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">And the wages or payment for sin is death, not any death as we might know it, but the second death; but the GIFT of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. Salvation is a FREE gift, Amen.</span><br />
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2175516688002798343.post-74636566686277944562014-11-19T21:08:00.000-08:002014-11-19T21:08:18.615-08:00Bible Study Series – Romans Chapter 5<span xmlns=""></span><br />
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<h3 style="text-align: center;">
<span xmlns="">Recap of Chapter 4</span></h3>
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<span xmlns="">In the last chapter we learnt about Abraham, and we read how he was imputed righteousness by God through Faith, by calling upon the name of the Lord!</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">We are justified by faith, not works, as works cancels out grace, let's now dive into chapter 5 and see what we can learn from this chapter!</span><br />
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<span xmlns=""><span style="font-size: 48pt;">~</span></span></div>
<blockquote>
<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #385623;"><strong><em>Romans 5:1 "Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:"</em></strong></span></span></blockquote>
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<span xmlns="">We are justified in God's sight by faith, and we can have peace with God, knowing that we are not subject to his wrath and fierce anger through our Lord Jesus Christ.</span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span xmlns=""><span style="font-size: 48pt;">~</span></span></div>
<blockquote>
<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #70ad47;"><strong><em>Romans 5:2 "by whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God."</em></strong></span></span></blockquote>
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<span xmlns="">Through our Lord Jesus Christ, this grace, was made accessible by him. Wherein we stand, means we now stand in grace, not of our works but inside the Father's grace, this is our position that we must stand in when we come to the Father for Salvation, we must leave our works at the door and stand within God's grace, and because of this grace we are able to rejoice in hope of the glory of God!</span><br />
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<span xmlns=""><span style="font-size: 48pt;">~</span></span></div>
<blockquote>
<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #70ad47;"><strong><em>Romans 5:3-4 "And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; <sup>4 </sup>and patience, experience; and experience, hope:"</em></strong></span></span></blockquote>
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<span xmlns="">Not only do we as believers rejoice in hope, but as believers we too must glory in tribulations as well!</span><br />
<span xmlns=""><br /> </span><br />
<span xmlns="">What is Tribulation?</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">Tribulation means persecution, or a state of great suffering or trouble.</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">We glory in tribulation also is because tribulation builds character, and saints need to go through such things in order to sanctify ourselves, knowing that tribulation works patience, and through patience, experience, and from experience, hope. </span><br />
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<span xmlns="">To get a really good understanding of this saying, reading through the book of Job is a perfect example of Job going through tribulation, and through his patience was experience enhanced and through experience, his hope on the Lord strengthened. Job did not renounce the Lord once, even his wife told him to curse God and die!</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">Jesus also taught that believers will also endure tribulation for his sake, he also explained that whilst we go through these things, that we need to remember that peace is found through him as we are going through such ordeals.</span><br />
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<blockquote>
<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #c00000;"><strong><em>John 16:33 "These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world."</em></strong></span></span></blockquote>
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<span xmlns="">In 2 Corinthians Chapter 1 we read that tribulation can come to anyone, it comes to all, however believers in Christ have Jesus Christ to rely upon in times of tribulation.</span><br />
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<blockquote>
<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #c00000;"><strong><em>2 Corinthians 1:4 "who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God."</em></strong></span></span></blockquote>
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<span xmlns="">We must also distinguish between divine punishment and unmerited tribulation, however regardless of what kind of tribulation you are going through, I believe whatever form of tribulation you are going through, we should receive it in all meekness and give praise and all glory to God, we go through this to make us stronger in God.</span><br />
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<span xmlns=""><span style="font-size: 48pt;">~</span></span></div>
<blockquote>
<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #70ad47;"><strong><em>Romans 5:5 "and hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us."</em></strong></span></span></blockquote>
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<span xmlns="">And this hope we have, we ought not to be ashamed of; because we know that God poured his love out to all the believers hearts, which we know is by the Holy Spirit, whom is living in us.</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">Remember what the Apostle Paul said in Romans Chapter 1?</span><br />
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<blockquote>
<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #c00000;"><strong><em>Romans 1:16 "For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek."</em></strong></span></span></blockquote>
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<span xmlns=""><span style="font-size: 48pt;">~</span></span></div>
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<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #70ad47;"><strong><em>Romans 5:6 "For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly."</em></strong></span></span></blockquote>
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<span xmlns="">When we were yet without strength, meaning man being dead in sins, incapable of saving himself, in due time, meaning at the appointed time as prophesied in the bible, that Christ would die for us, sinners as written in <span style="color: #c00000;">Romans 3:10 "as it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one:"<span style="color: black;">.</span></span></span><br />
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<span xmlns=""><span style="color: black; font-size: 48pt;">~</span></span></div>
<blockquote>
<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #70ad47;"><strong><em>Romans 5:7 "For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die."</em></strong></span></span></blockquote>
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<span xmlns="">For scarcely meaning very rarely would someone would die for a righteous man: yet for a good man, by chance, some would even dare to die. </span><br />
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<span xmlns="">For a good man? </span><br />
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<span xmlns="">Remember Jesus said, there is one that is good and that is God. Jesus is good, he is God.</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">Now let's stop and think about this statement, wouldn't it have made more sense or made us feel better, that Jesus died for us because we are righteous?</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">Compare Old Testament sacrifice, when sin was committed it had to be atoned by a blood animal sacrifice; and even then it was only a temporary covering for the sins committed. </span><br />
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<span xmlns="">We had to keep doing this to satisfy God's demand for payment of sin by offering sacrifices continually.</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">But here is the beauty of the New Testament, sacrifice is no longer required. Jesus himself offered his own body as the perfect sacrifice, covering our sins forever!</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">The mystery, is that God showed us his love that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in Him shall have everlasting life. Jesus died for us, even though we were sinners and are undeserving of such a thing.</span><br />
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<span xmlns=""><span style="font-size: 48pt;">~</span></span></div>
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<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #70ad47;"><strong><em>Romans 5:8 "But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us."</em></strong></span></span></blockquote>
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<span xmlns="">As stated previously, that while we were yet sinners every single one of us, Jesus died for us; that is how much God loved us, he commended his love toward us even though we did not deserve it, Jesus died for us even while we were yet in rebellion against God.</span><br />
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<span xmlns=""><span style="font-size: 48pt;">~</span></span></div>
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<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #70ad47;"><strong><em>Romans 5:9 "Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him."</em></strong></span></span></blockquote>
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<span xmlns="">Because believers have been justified or made righteous by his blood, by whose blood? </span><br />
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<span xmlns="">Our Lord Jesus Christ's blood of course!</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">Because of the Lord spilt his blood for us, we have now been saved from the wrath of God, believers are not appointed to wrath, but to Salvation.</span><br />
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<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #c00000;"><strong><em>1 Thessalonians 5:9 "For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ,"</em></strong></span></span></blockquote>
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<span xmlns="">And because of his blood, his precious blood is what saved us from the wrath of God.</span><br />
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<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #70ad47;"><strong><em>Romans 5:10 "For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life."</em></strong></span></span></blockquote>
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<span xmlns="">For when we were enemies of God, sinners who were bound by sin have been reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life, you see; Jesus did it all, he made it possible for us to be reconciled to God, to him we owe everything!</span><br />
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<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #70ad47;"><strong><em>Romans 5:11 "And not only so, but we also joy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom we have now received the atonement."</em></strong></span></span></blockquote>
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<span xmlns="">Not only have we been reconciled to God by our Lord Jesus Christ, but we also joy in God through him, that word "joy" reminds of what he said in the parable of the talents (Matthew 25). Through Jesus Christ we have now received the atonement.</span><br />
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<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #70ad47;"><strong><em>Romans 5:12 "Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned:"</em></strong></span></span></blockquote>
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<span xmlns="">This part of the scriptures is now talking about how death came through one man, Adam and now life has come through one man, the Lord Jesus Christ. </span><br />
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<span xmlns="">Sin entered the world through one man, and the penalty for sin is death (Romans 6:23); and so death is passed upon all mankind, for that all have sinned (Romans 3:23).</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">The sin nature of man has to do with the flesh man. The flesh man is controlled by the desires of the flesh. Man is a spirit who lives in a body of flesh. Man has a free will to do with his life on earth as he wishes.</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">Because all humanity existed in the loins of Adam, and have through procreation inherited his fallen nature and corruption, it can be said that all sinned in him. Therefore, humans are not sinners because they sin, but rather they sin because they are sinners.</span><br />
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<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #70ad47;"><strong><em>Romans 5:13 "(for until the law sin was in the world: but sin is not imputed when there is no law."</em></strong></span></span></blockquote>
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<span xmlns="">Notice the next few verses are in parenthesis, the purposes of parenthesis is to de-emphasis something or to reduce the importance or prominence of something. So these next verses are contained inside the parenthesis!</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">Paul here is saying that sin was in the world even before the law was given to Moses. He then expounds by saying that sin is not imputed when there is no law.</span><br />
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<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #70ad47;"><strong><em>Romans 5:14 "Nevertheless death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over them that had not sinned after the similitude of Adam's transgression, who is the figure of him that was to come."</em></strong></span></span></blockquote>
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<span xmlns="">Sin is not imputed when there is no law, however or in spite of that, death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over them that had not sinned after the same manner or similarity of Adam's transgressions or offences.</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">Instead of man possessing life, man is instead, facing death. Adam had brought death into the scene, God could not allow man to live forever in sickness, agony, and through deterioration of the body and mind. </span><br />
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<span xmlns="">So God has provided a way out of this terrible mess that man has gotten himself into, by sending the second Adam, i.e. Who is the like figure or a shadow of him that is to come, the Lord Jesus Christ.</span><br />
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<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #70ad47;"><strong><em>Romans 5:15 "But not as the offence, so also is the free gift. For if through the offence of one many be dead, much more the grace of God, and the gift by grace, which is by one man, Jesus Christ, hath abounded unto many."</em></strong></span></span></blockquote>
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<span xmlns="">For the offence many have died, through Adam many have died, but much more is the grace of God, the gift by grace through one man, the Lord Jesus Christ has proliferated or abound unto many who believe. </span><br />
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<span xmlns="">By one man's transgression sin entered. Jesus Christ actually took the sin of the whole world upon His body and sin for the Christians died on the cross. Peter says the following:</span><br />
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<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #c00000;"><strong><em>1 Peter 2:24 "who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed."</em></strong></span></span></blockquote>
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<span xmlns="">Jesus provides our righteousness. He made us righteous. We can't make ourselves righteous in God's sight. Jesus made us righteous in God's sight!</span><br />
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<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #70ad47;"><strong><em>Romans 5:16 "And not as it was by one that sinned, so is the gift: for the judgment was by one to condemnation, but the free gift is of many offences unto justification."</em></strong></span></span></blockquote>
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<span xmlns="">Adam brought upon all men condemnation by only one offense, his wilful act of disobedience. </span><br />
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<span xmlns="">Jesus, however delivers the believers from the condemnation of many offenses unto righteousness, justification through his wilful act of obedience to the Father.</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">Paul tells the Corinthians this:</span><br />
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<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #c00000;"><strong><em>1 Corinthians 15:50 "Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption."</em></strong></span></span></blockquote>
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<span xmlns="">Jesus did not die for only certain sins which some erroneously teach, he died for all.</span><br />
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<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #70ad47;"><strong><em>Romans 5:17 "For if by one man's offence death reigned by one; much more they which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ.)"</em></strong></span></span></blockquote>
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<span xmlns="">This is pretty much a repeat of what has been said, through one man's offence death reigned, but those whom are declared righteous by grace shall reign in life by the Lord Jesus Christ.</span><br />
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<span xmlns=""><span style="font-size: 48pt;">~</span></span></div>
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<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #70ad47;"><strong><em>Romans 5:18 "Therefore as by the offence of one judgment came upon all men to condemnation; even so by the righteousness of one the free gift came upon all men unto justification of life."</em></strong></span></span></blockquote>
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<span xmlns="">Now that we are out of the parenthesis let's continue on from verse 12!</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">Because all have sinned, for that reason as the offence by one, Adam's transgression, judgement came upon all men to condemnation. </span><br />
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<span xmlns="">Because of Adam's transgression we have all come to condemnation, I have heard people say that we are not punished for the transgressions of Adam, but our own, but doesn't this scripture prove otherwise?</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">Through the righteousness of one man, Jesus Christ, the free gift (Salvation) came upon all men unto justification of life.</span><br />
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<span xmlns=""><span style="font-size: 48pt;">~</span></span></div>
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<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #70ad47;"><strong><em>Romans 5:19 "For as by one man's disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous."</em></strong></span></span></blockquote>
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<span xmlns="">Through one man and his act of disobedience resulted in the entire human race becoming sinners, so by the act of obedience of one, many shall be made righteous. </span><br />
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<span xmlns="">Straightforward scripture there…</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">You see it is not our obedience that saves us, it is the obedience of the Lord Jesus Christ that saved us, and Salvation is not of ourselves lest any man boast!</span><br />
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<span xmlns=""><span style="font-size: 48pt;">~</span></span></div>
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<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #70ad47;"><strong><em>Romans 5:20 "Moreover the law entered, that the offence might abound. But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound"</em></strong></span></span></blockquote>
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<span xmlns="">When the law entered, the offense abounded more, meaning as man became aware of the law, and many became convicted of their sins, made aware of them. But where sin abounded, grace abounded much more!</span><br />
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<span xmlns=""><span style="font-size: 48pt;">~</span></span></div>
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<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #70ad47;"><strong><em>Romans 5:21 "that as sin hath reigned unto death, even so might grace reign through righteousness unto eternal life by Jesus Christ our Lord."</em></strong></span></span></blockquote>
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<span xmlns="">Sin reigned until Jesus Christ shed his precious blood on the cross and nailed sin to it. </span><br />
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<span xmlns="">God's grace (unmerited favour) has provided eternal life, we did not earn it, and it is a free gift. </span><br />
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<span xmlns="">We can have life eternal, if we will only believe on the Lord Jesus Christ.</span><br />
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2175516688002798343.post-23260235204473222212014-11-07T03:26:00.000-08:002014-11-07T03:26:05.572-08:00Bible Study Series - The 1st General Epistle of John Chapter 5<span xmlns=""></span><br />
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<h1 style="text-align: center;">
<span xmlns="">1 John 5</span></h1>
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<h1 style="text-align: center;">
<span xmlns="">Authorized (King James) Version</span></h1>
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<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #70ad47;"><strong><em>1 John 5:1 "Whosoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ is born of God: and every one that loveth him that begat loveth him also that is begotten of him."</em></strong></span></span></blockquote>
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<span xmlns="">Anyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God, you need to believe that Jesus is the Messiah and in doing so you become born again, born of God, and if God is a Spirit; it means you are born again in the spirit.</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">"Him that begat" The Father, whom begot the Son, if we love the Father, we also love the Son.</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">Now recently I have been at spiritual war with an online you tuber with the alias of "Arod Peace" (This guy is an absolute evil tree, reprobate whom refuses to answer whether he is born again, who seeks to pervert the Word of God) now he claims that the Jews believe in God, so there is no reason of them to repent of unbelief because they already believe in God. </span><br />
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<span xmlns="">This is as such a folly of a view, because throughout history since Abraham, we learn how many of them did not believe and perished.</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">Jesus himself said the following to the Jews, particularly the religious leaders:</span><br />
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<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #7030a0;"><strong><em>John 8:19 "Then said they unto him, Where is thy Father? Jesus answered, ye neither know me, nor my Father: if ye had known me, ye should have known my Father also."</em></strong></span></span></blockquote>
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<span xmlns="">Jesus states that they don't know either the Father or himself, in fact they that reject Jesus, Reject the Father also.</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">Heck, they don't even believe Moses, read what Jesus says to them in the following:</span><br />
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<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #7030a0;"><strong><em>John 5:46-47 "For had ye believed Moses, ye would have believed me: for he wrote of me. <sup>47 </sup>But if ye believe not his writings, how shall ye believe my words?"</em></strong></span></span></blockquote>
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<span xmlns="">Jesus says that Moses wrote of him, if Moses wrote the first 5 books of the Holy Bible (Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy, also known to the Jews as the Torah) that means we lose the practitioners of Judaism right at Genesis 1:1! Rather, these Jews believe on the rabbinical writings of the satanic Talmud, this is a collection or a large volume detailing the "traditions of the elders" or the oral law.</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">This satanic volume also blasphemes our Lord Jesus Christ, his mother Mary among other heinous commentaries. </span><br />
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<span xmlns="">They absolutely despise the Apostle Paul, they hate him more than Jesus and label him as a traitor. Do a Google search on the Talmud if you're interested in learning more about the minds of Judaism.</span><br />
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<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #70ad47;"><strong><em>1 John 5:2 "By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God, and keep his commandments."</em></strong></span></span></blockquote>
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<span xmlns="">The completeness of the commandments that Jesus gave to all of us was caught up in the one word, and that is "love". </span><br />
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<span xmlns="">He said love God first, and then love your neighbour as yourself. </span><br />
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<span xmlns="">His commandment is love.</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">We read the following in: </span><br />
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<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #7030a0;"><strong><em>John 13:34-35 "A new commandment I give unto you, that ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. <sup>35 </sup>By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another."</em></strong></span></span></blockquote>
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<span xmlns="">If we love one another, people who see us doing this will know that we are disciples of the Lord Jesus Christ, this is discipleship. </span><br />
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<span xmlns="">We are already saved by believing on the Lord Jesus Christ, and now we are to love one another to show the world that we are His disciples. </span><br />
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<span xmlns="">Now it's important to know that not everyone who gets saved will go onto picking up his cross to follow the Lord, the parable of the sower is about discipleship as well, remember there were 4 groups, 1 group is unsaved, the other 3 are saved, but 1 group goes onto produce fruit, that group is <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>discipleship!</strong></span><br /> </span><br />
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<span xmlns="">But understand this, whether you are seeking discipleship with the Lord or not, we are to take heed of his commandment to love one another.</span><br />
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<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #70ad47;"><strong><em>1 John 5:3 "For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous."</em></strong></span></span></blockquote>
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<span xmlns="">If we love God, we keep his commandments, if you have been following this study from the beginning, you will know there is a difference in "keeping" and in "Doing" or "Obeying". </span><br />
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<span xmlns="">As born again believers, we should strive from the moment of Salvation, that point where we are spiritual babes (milk) and to make that conscious choice to be a disciple of the Lord (meat). </span><br />
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<span xmlns="">Not everyone received the call from the Lord for believers to become His disciples (Pick up your cross and come follow me) very well. In fact, you can read from the Gospels that the Lord himself denied certain people because he knew it was not for them. </span><br />
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<span xmlns="">The call to Salvation had but one condition, that you believe; the call to Discipleship had many conditions and could be summed up in these words: you <span style="text-decoration: underline;">must forsake all that you have</span>, and come, follow me.</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">Not all believers could do this, or were willing to do this, does that mean that they weren't saved? </span><br />
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<span xmlns="">Does this mean they lost their Salvation because they didn't follow the Lord?</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">No!</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">Many confuse Salvation with Discipleship, especially those who preach the gospel according to Lordship Salvation, this theology is a damnable teaching, preachers like John McArthur, Paul Washer Raul Ries, John Hagee, Sam Gipp, Michael Yousseff, and YouTubers like Levi Price among many who flood the world with satanic deception.</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">They like to mince words and mix free grace (Salvation) with costly grace (Discipleship) and mould it into a gospel of poison, and works of iniquity. </span><br />
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<span xmlns="">The Lords commandments are not grievous, to love one another is all we have to do, and in stark in contrast to the burdensome man-made religious traditions of the Jewish leaders:</span><br />
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<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #7030a0;"><strong><em>Matthew 23:4 "For they bind heavy burdens and grievous to be borne, and lay them on men's shoulders; but they themselves will not move them with one of their fingers."</em></strong></span></span></blockquote>
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<span xmlns="">This also includes the religious scene in our world today, they are just as guilty in enslaving every poor soul back into the works of the Law to be saved and stay saved. The Lord said, his yoke is easy, and his burden is light!</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">There is perfect peace and rest in the Lord, when we keep His commandments. There is no fear, when there is perfect faith like the Lords to rely on.</span><br />
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<span xmlns=""><span style="font-size: 48pt;">~</span></span></div>
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<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #70ad47;"><strong><em>1 John 5:4 "For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith."</em></strong></span></span></blockquote>
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<span xmlns="">Whatever is born of God overcomes the world, what does that mean?</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">We'll come to that in a second, whoever or whatever overcomes the world is born of God, even our faith, our faith with lead us to overcome the world, the word "overcome" is the key word which will be explained in the next verse, read on!</span><br />
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<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #70ad47;"><strong><em>1 John 5:5 "Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God?"</em></strong></span></span></blockquote>
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<span xmlns="">Who is he that overcometh the world? </span><br />
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<span xmlns="">We who believe that Jesus is the Son of God is overcome the world, overcome means to believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of God, that is our Faith!</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">Jesus overcame the world, death and the adversary; we who believe on Jesus are made partakers of that victory and we are more than conquerors now that we are in Christ:</span><br />
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<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #7030a0;"><strong><em>Romans 8:37 "Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us."</em></strong></span></span></blockquote>
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<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #7030a0;"><strong><em>2 Corinthians 2:14 "Now thanks be unto God, which always causeth us to triumph in Christ, and maketh manifest the savour of his knowledge by us in every place."</em></strong></span></span></blockquote>
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<span xmlns="">We know that without faith, it is impossible to please God. So what is Faith? Let's take a look in Hebrews 11:</span><br />
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<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #7030a0;"><strong><em>Hebrews 11:1 "Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen."</em></strong></span></span></blockquote>
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<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #7030a0;"><strong><em>Hebrews 11:3 "Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear."</em></strong></span></span></blockquote>
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<span xmlns="">To please God, we must believe in our heart of the love of God, which we cannot see with our naked eye, the love of God, even though we cannot see it with our naked eye; it is more real than anything else.</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">Our very life and eternal fate is determined by believing in salvation through our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. </span><br />
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<span xmlns="">The victory over this world is when the world becomes unimportant in our life. Christians are in this world, but not of this world. We are dead to fleshly lusts of this world, and are putting our faith and trust in Jesus.</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">Our life is living towards that day when we are finally redeemed by the Lord, the day he comes back for us, so that we can be with him forever and to our final home, the new heavens and earth forever eternal lasting.</span><br />
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<span xmlns=""><span style="font-size: 48pt;">~</span></span></div>
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<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #70ad47;"><strong><em>1 John 5:6 "This is he that came by water and blood, even Jesus Christ; not by water only, but by water and blood. And it is the Spirit that beareth witness, because the Spirit is truth. "</em></strong></span></span></blockquote>
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<span xmlns="">John now starts to tell us in the next few verses the testimony that God has given to us that Jesus is the Christ.</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">This is he that came by water, remember this is a testimony to confirm witness that Jesus is the Christ. </span><br />
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<span xmlns="">Remember when Jesus got baptised in water?</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">That was the anointing or the ordination of Jesus and the start of his ministry, remember John the Baptist's mission was to reveal who the messiah is to the people. </span><br />
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<span xmlns="">At that moment, people witnessed, the Father speaking from heaven, the Holy Spirit coming down like a dove and resting on Jesus; that was the witness by water.</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">Secondly the blood is witness as well, speaking of the Lord's crucifixion, his blood spilling for man on the cross.</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">The Holy Spirit bares witness, and there is nothing false about the Spirit, because the Holy Spirit is TRUTH.</span><br />
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<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #70ad47;"><strong><em>1 John 5:7 "For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one."</em></strong></span></span></blockquote>
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<span xmlns="">Why all this commotion about this verse? Because this verse proves the triune nature of our one true God. </span><br />
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<span xmlns="">You know what's real funny is the Mormons, they call God the Father "Elohim", which is not his name at all but a Hebrew word for God (plural form), but then again, they don't worship the true Father nor the true Jesus do they?</span><br />
<span xmlns=""><br /></span>
<span xmlns="">For there are 3 that bear witness in heaven, who is in heaven right now? </span><br />
<span xmlns=""><br /></span>
<span xmlns="">The Father, the Word which is Jesus before he became flesh, and the Holy Spirit; and these 3 are one. </span><br />
<span xmlns=""><br /></span>
<span xmlns="">Amen.</span><br />
<span xmlns=""><br /></span>
<span xmlns="">The Old Testament Laws required two or more witnesses to establish truth:</span><br />
<span xmlns=""><br /> </span><br />
<blockquote>
<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #7030a0;"><strong><em>Deuteronomy 17:6 "At the mouth of two witnesses, or three witnesses, shall he that is worthy of death be put to death; but at the mouth of one witness he shall not be put to death."</em></strong></span></span></blockquote>
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<span xmlns="">So from these verses you can see the correlation with the number of witnesses being given about Jesus being the Christ.</span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span xmlns=""><span style="font-size: 48pt;">~</span></span></div>
<blockquote>
<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #70ad47;"><strong><em>1 John 5:8 "And there are three that bear witness in earth, the Spirit, and the water, and the blood: and these three agree in one."</em></strong></span></span></blockquote>
<span xmlns=""><br /> </span><br />
<span xmlns="">So in the previous verse we have Heaven bearing witness, now John writes to tell us that the witnesses on earth also agree.</span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span xmlns=""><span style="font-size: 48pt;">~</span></span></div>
<blockquote>
<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #70ad47;"><strong><em>1 John 5:9 "If we receive the witness of men, the witness of God is greater: for this is the witness of God which he hath testified of his Son."</em></strong></span></span></blockquote>
<span xmlns=""><br /> </span><br />
<span xmlns="">Man's witness is in part, because of the limited knowledge he has. The witness of God is in power and operating with full knowledge. </span><br />
<span xmlns=""><br /></span>
<span xmlns="">The witness of God was when the voice came from heaven and called Jesus His Son. </span><br />
<span xmlns=""><br /></span>
<span xmlns="">This happened a few times when God's voice was heard speaking from heaven recorded by the 4 Gospels.</span><br />
<span xmlns=""><br /></span>
<span xmlns="">If man gave us a testimony, God's is greater, and the previous 3 verses is God's testimony of his Son. </span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span xmlns=""><span style="font-size: 48pt;">~</span></span></div>
<blockquote>
<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #70ad47;"><strong><em>1 John 5:10 "He that believeth on the Son of God hath the witness in himself: he that believeth not God hath made him a liar; because he believeth not the record that God gave of his Son."</em></strong></span></span></blockquote>
<span xmlns=""><br /> </span><br />
<span xmlns="">Those who believe on the Lord Jesus Christ have the witness also, we have the Holy Spirit of God dwelling in us, whom testifies to us that Jesus is the Christ. </span><br />
<span xmlns=""><br /></span>
<span xmlns="">Whosoever doesn't believe, God has made him a liar, because they don't believe the record that God gave of his son.</span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span xmlns=""><span style="font-size: 48pt;">~</span></span></div>
<blockquote>
<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #70ad47;"><strong><em>1 John 5:11 "And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son."</em></strong></span></span></blockquote>
<span xmlns=""><br /> </span><br />
<span xmlns="">Boom! And what is this record that we've been talking about?</span><br />
<span xmlns=""><br /></span>
<span xmlns="">The record is this: That God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, if you believe on the Son, you have eternal life. </span><br />
<span xmlns=""><br /></span>
<span xmlns="">Amen.</span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span xmlns=""><span style="font-size: 48pt;">~</span></span></div>
<blockquote>
<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #70ad47;"><strong><em>1 John 5:12 "He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life."</em></strong></span></span></blockquote>
<span xmlns=""><br /> </span><br />
<span xmlns="">If we die without the Lord Jesus Christ, we end up in hell, if we die with Christ, we have life, everlasting.</span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span xmlns=""><span style="font-size: 48pt;">~</span></span></div>
<blockquote>
<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #70ad47;"><strong><em>1 John 5:13 "These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God."</em></strong></span></span></blockquote>
<span xmlns=""><br /> </span><br />
<span xmlns="">The Apostle John has always written to us in all his epistles and the Gospel for one main reason, so that we might believe on the name of the Son of God, and that is he whose name is Jesus; and that by believing on him, we know that we have eternal life. </span><br />
<span xmlns=""><br /></span>
<span xmlns="">Never once does John mention anything else other than to believe, if repentance or more precisely repenting of your sin was so important to getting saved, don't you think he would have made a grave mistake in not saying so? </span><br />
<span xmlns=""><br /> </span><br />
<span xmlns="">Would we not see him use the word "repent" at least once?</span><br />
<span xmlns=""><br /> </span><br />
<span xmlns="">No, it is not found anywhere in the writings of John, he writes for the purpose that we might be saved by one thing only, belief.</span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span xmlns=""><span style="font-size: 48pt;">~</span></span></div>
<blockquote>
<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #70ad47;"><strong><em>1 John 5:14 "And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us:"</em></strong></span></span></blockquote>
<span xmlns=""><br /> </span><br />
<span xmlns="">Christians can know with absolute confidence that God answers prayer in accordance with His will, when they approach the throne of grace. </span><br />
<span xmlns=""><br /></span>
<span xmlns="">Hebrews chapter 4 says the following:</span><br />
<blockquote>
<span xmlns=""><br /> </span></blockquote>
<blockquote>
<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #7030a0;"><strong><em>Hebrews 4:16 "Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need."</em></strong></span></span></blockquote>
<span xmlns=""><br /> </span><br />
<span xmlns="">To pray according to God's will is to pray in accord with what He would want for us, not what we would desire or insist that He do for us. </span><br />
<span xmlns=""><br /> </span><br />
<blockquote>
<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #7030a0;"><strong><em>Matthew 6:8 "Be not ye therefore like unto them: for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him."</em></strong></span></span></blockquote>
<span xmlns=""><br /> </span><br />
<span xmlns="">The Father already knows what you need even before you ask him, some people will say why pray if the Father already knows?</span><br />
<span xmlns=""><br /> </span><br />
<span xmlns="">Well, for starters, of course the Father knows all things, all glory to the Father! But, think about it, it would be sinful for us to ask for things, because we just want it, some people are foolish enough to ask for wealth, prosperity and material goods that aren't profitable to advance the Kingdom of Heaven. </span><br />
<span xmlns=""><br /></span>
<span xmlns="">We should be asking ourselves before we pray to God, should I ask God for something that worldly that will only profit my carnal needs or should I ask something that will profit other people?</span><br />
<span xmlns=""><br /> </span><br />
<span xmlns="">Am I profiting for the glory of God or for my own selfish needs?</span><br />
<span xmlns=""><br /> </span><br />
<span xmlns="">Am I stroking my own pride or should I ask for guidance, wisdom, meekness, remember what the Lord says, to do your prayers in secret, so that the Father will reward you in secret. </span><br />
<span xmlns=""><br /></span>
<span xmlns="">Avoid repetitions like constant chanting (Roman Catholics are one group that does this) of words hoping the Father will hear your prayers, for the Lord says, they have their reward.</span><br />
<span xmlns=""><br /></span>
<span xmlns="">John already stated that answered prayer also depends on obedience to God's commandments and avoidance of sin; remember what was said in this study series in Chapter 3?</span><br />
<span xmlns=""><br /> </span><br />
<blockquote>
<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #7030a0;"><strong><em>1 John 3:21-23 "Beloved, if our heart condemn us not, then have we confidence toward God. <sup>22 </sup>And whatsoever we ask, we receive of him, because we keep his commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in his sight. <sup>23 </sup>And this is his commandment, that we should believe on the name of his Son Jesus Christ, and love one another, as he gave us commandment."</em></strong></span></span></blockquote>
<span xmlns=""><br /> </span><br />
<span xmlns="">And the Psalmist wrote:</span><br />
<span xmlns=""><br /> </span><br />
<blockquote>
<span xmlns=""><br /> <span style="color: #7030a0;"><strong><em>Psalm 66:18 "If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me:</em></strong></span></span></blockquote>
<span xmlns=""><br /> </span><br />
<span xmlns="">James Chapter 4 is a great chapter to read as well, he says the following:</span><br />
<span xmlns=""><br /> </span><br />
<blockquote>
<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #7030a0;"><strong><em>James 4:3 "Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts."</em></strong></span></span></blockquote>
<span xmlns=""><br /> </span><br />
<span xmlns="">Those who regard, respect or favour sin in their hearts, the Lord will not hear them. We should be consciously aware of what we ask for, if we ask for what it is according to our own desires, we shall not be heard. </span><br />
<span xmlns=""><br /></span>
<span xmlns="">However, you should pray to be delivered from these temptations, for wisdom and guidance to overcome these temptations.</span><br />
<span xmlns=""><br /> </span><br />
<blockquote>
<span xmlns=""><br /> <span style="color: #7030a0;"><strong><em>James 1:2-7 "My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; <sup>3 </sup>knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. <sup>4 </sup>But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing. <sup>5 </sup>If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. <sup>6 </sup>But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed. <sup>7 </sup>For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord."</em></strong></span></span></blockquote>
<span xmlns=""><br /> </span><br />
<span xmlns="">James says when we are confronted with many different forms of temptation, when this happens our faith is being tried, and our faith should work in patience, patience allows us to have that perfect work, or perfect result so that we may be perfect wanting nothing; that nothing being given into that temptation. </span><br />
<span xmlns=""><br /></span>
<span xmlns="">If we lack the wisdom to overcome that temptation we should pray to God for that wisdom to help us discern the right thing or choice.</span><br />
<span xmlns=""><br /> </span><br />
<span xmlns="">Jesus says the following to his disciples in John chapter 14:</span><br />
<span xmlns=""><br /> </span><br />
<blockquote>
<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #7030a0;"><strong><em>John 14:12-14 "Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father. <sup>13 </sup>And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. <sup>14 </sup>If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it."</em></strong></span></span></blockquote>
<span xmlns=""><br /> </span><br />
<span xmlns="">For the born again believer, we go from spiritual babes (Moment of Salvation – Once Saved Always Saved) and grow into mature spiritual adults (Discipleship – Continued growth to advance the Kingdom of God); the more we learn from the Word of God (Studying the Holy Bible) the more mature we become, and then we can teach others and win more souls and spread the Gospel in love and truth. </span><br />
<span xmlns=""><br /></span>
<span xmlns="">The cost of Salvation to us is free, but it cost the Father His son and by His grace he gave us the opportunity to become his children and joint heirs of the kingdom; we can't lose our salvation. </span><br />
<span xmlns=""><br /></span>
<span xmlns="">But the cost of discipleship is steep, and may cause you to lose everything and everyone that you love, the rewards is something that cannot be described with mere earthly words!</span><br />
<span xmlns=""><br /></span>
<span xmlns="">God will answer your prayers if you are in living in obedience to his commandments: believe on the Son of God, and love one another as we love him.</span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span xmlns=""><span style="font-size: 48pt;">~</span></span></div>
<blockquote>
<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #70ad47;"><strong><em>1 John 5:15 "and if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him."</em></strong></span></span></blockquote>
<span xmlns=""><br /> </span><br />
<span xmlns="">If we know that he hears us, knowing that he hears us is because we have faith in him, it is very important to believe that you receive the thing you are praying for. It is your faith that is the key to getting prayers answered.</span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span xmlns=""><span style="font-size: 48pt;">~</span></span></div>
<blockquote>
<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #70ad47;"><strong><em>1 John 5:16 "If any man see his brother sin a sin which is not unto death, he shall ask, and he shall give him life for them that sin not unto death. There is a sin unto death: I do not say that he shall pray for it."</em></strong></span></span></blockquote>
<span xmlns=""><br /> </span><br />
<span xmlns="">What is this sin unto death?</span><br />
<span xmlns=""><br /> </span><br />
<span xmlns="">This sin is rejecting God's grace. </span><br />
<span xmlns=""><br /></span>
<span xmlns="">The bible says that when a man constantly and totally rejects the message of the Gospel, and that salvation is found in the Lord Jesus Christ, and is by His grace through faith; he becomes a reprobate (rejected), God whom will give this person over to their own vile affections (Read Romans Chapter 1) and lusts of the heart. </span><br />
<span xmlns=""><br /></span>
<span xmlns="">This person is an unsaved, God rejecting soul who is on the eternal path to damnation, this person has no more constraints to hold them back from doing what is vile and filthy.</span><br />
<span xmlns=""><br /> </span><br />
<span xmlns="">God will not override the will of the person being prayed for, the prayer of intercession is a powerful prayer; It is an unselfish prayer for others. </span><br />
<span xmlns=""><br /></span>
<span xmlns="">It is God's will that everyone be saved, but he will not take that choice from us, we must make that choice of our own accord.</span><br />
<span xmlns=""><br /></span>
<span xmlns="">The intercessory prayer for others is effective however, to those have not completely rejected God.</span><br />
<span xmlns="">James says in chapter 5, "is there any sick among you?"</span><br />
<span xmlns=""><br /> </span><br />
<blockquote>
<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #7030a0;"><strong><em>James 5:13-16 "Is any among you afflicted? Let him pray. Is any merry? Let him sing psalms. <sup>14 </sup>Is any sick among you? Let him call for the elders of the church; and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord: <sup>15 </sup>and the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up; and if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him. <sup>16 </sup>Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much."</em></strong></span></span></blockquote>
<span xmlns=""><br /> </span><br />
<span xmlns="">James is talking to the saved, the brethren when he says "is any <span style="text-decoration: underline;">among you</span>?"</span><br />
<span xmlns=""><br /></span>
<span xmlns="">It is correct or right for us to pray for the infirmities and sins of others to be forgiven. </span><br />
<span xmlns=""><br /></span>
<span xmlns="">The only time this would not be answered, would be if the person had totally rejected salvation in Jesus Christ. </span><br />
<span xmlns=""><br /></span>
<span xmlns="">You cannot give a person something that they will not take or accept. </span><br />
<span xmlns=""><br /></span>
<span xmlns="">I know that it is seems futile to pray for loved ones in false religions, deceived by wolves and they refuse to hear the truth, and they are no more any different to a reprobate whom have chosen to reject the truth, but in hopes of one day, before it is too late that they will receive the truth and their eyes be opened. </span><br />
<span xmlns=""><br /></span>
<span xmlns="">If God will not force them to believe, we shouldn't either.</span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span xmlns=""><span style="font-size: 48pt;">~</span></span></div>
<blockquote>
<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #70ad47;"><strong><em>1 John 5:17 "All unrighteousness is sin: and there is a sin not unto death."</em></strong></span></span></blockquote>
<span xmlns=""><br /> </span><br />
<span xmlns="">Jesus said in Matthew chapter 12 the following:</span><br />
<span xmlns=""><br /> </span><br />
<blockquote>
<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #7030a0;"><strong><em>Matthew 12:31 "Wherefore I say unto you, all manner of sin and blasphemy shall be forgiven unto men: but the blasphemy against the Holy Ghost shall not be forgiven unto men."</em></strong></span></span></blockquote>
<span xmlns=""><br /> </span><br />
<span xmlns="">All manner of sin and blaspheming against the Son of man shall be forgiven (Should you seek forgiveness) but blaspheming the Holy Spirit is not forgivable, what is this sin against the Holy Spirit? </span><br />
<span xmlns=""><br /></span>
<span xmlns="">Well if we go to Mark, he tells us exactly what it is:</span><br />
<span xmlns=""><br /> </span><br />
<blockquote>
<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #7030a0;"><strong><em>Mark 3:29-30 "but he that shall blaspheme against the Holy Ghost hath never forgiveness, but is in danger of eternal damnation: <sup>30 </sup>Because they said, He hath an unclean spirit."</em></strong></span></span></blockquote>
<span xmlns=""><br /> </span><br />
<span xmlns="">In verse 30 we are told it is because the Jews claimed Jesus was performing all these miracles not by the power of the Spirit of God, but by an unclean spirit, they are attributing these works to the devil, thus calling the Holy Spirit of God a devil or unclean. </span><br />
<span xmlns=""><br /></span>
<span xmlns="">They are reasoning this in their minds because of unbelief, Jesus said they are in danger of eternal damnation, because they refuse to believe that Jesus is working through the power of God (The Holy Spirit). </span><br />
<span xmlns=""><br /></span>
<span xmlns="">So refusing to believe, and seeing the work and power of God's Spirit is the sin that will lead you to eternal damnation in hell; and at the final destination of the Lake of Fire, which burns with brimstone and fire for all eternity, where the will be wailing and gnashing of teeth.</span><br />
<span xmlns=""><br /></span>
<span xmlns="">It's the same when you give the gospel to someone, they start hearing the gospel, and the power of the Holy Spirit is working away, revealing the truth to the unsaved person and then suddenly at the moment they decide to make the choice they say nope, they reject the gospel, don't believe it, they reject the Spirit.</span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span xmlns=""><span style="font-size: 48pt;">~</span></span></div>
<blockquote>
<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #70ad47;"><strong><em>1 John 5:18 "We know that whosoever is born of God sinneth not; but he that is begotten of God keepeth himself, and that wicked one toucheth him not."</em></strong></span></span></blockquote>
<span xmlns=""><br /> </span><br />
<span xmlns="">All believer may know that whosoever is born of God sinneth not; believers are still capable of falling into sin, so what does it mean that whosoever is born of God does not sin?</span><br />
<span xmlns=""><br /></span>
<span xmlns="">We are have been made righteous by the blood of Christ. We have put on Christ, through him we are made righteous, it is our standing with the Father through Jesus that makes us righteous, whom our Lord Jesus Christ forever lives to make intersession on our behalf that we may approach our Holy Father by the blood of the Lamb which covers our sin forever and ever!</span><br />
<span xmlns=""><br /></span>
<span xmlns="">Those who are born of God is protected by God, the devil has no power over you, and he cannot harm you because you are clothed in the righteousness of Jesus, our Lord.</span><br />
<span xmlns=""><br /></span>
<span xmlns="">Our Lord Jesus Christ, whom overcame with victory over hell, and death and ultimately victory over the devil himself.</span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span xmlns=""><span style="font-size: 48pt;">~</span></span></div>
<blockquote>
<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #70ad47;"><strong><em>1 John 5:19 "And we know that we are of God, and the whole world lieth in wickedness."</em></strong></span></span></blockquote>
<span xmlns=""><br /> </span><br />
<span xmlns="">All who place their faith in the Son of God, the Lord Jesus Christ is of God who worship the Father in spirit. </span><br />
<span xmlns=""><br /></span>
<span xmlns="">There are two families of this world that the bible speaks of, you either belong to the Family of God, or you belong to the family of that wicked one. </span><br />
<span xmlns=""><br /></span>
<span xmlns="">Those who belong to that wicked one belong to the world, living in their own desires and lusts of the flesh, these are they who reject the Son of God, my Lord and my God, his name is Jesus the Christ; who is King of Kings, Lord of Lords, The only High Priest and my Saviour!</span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span xmlns=""><span style="font-size: 48pt;">~</span></span></div>
<blockquote>
<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #70ad47;"><strong><em>1 John 5:20 "And we know that the Son of God is come, and hath given us an understanding, that we may know him that is true, and we are in him that is true, even in his Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God, and eternal life."</em></strong></span></span></blockquote>
<span xmlns=""><br /> </span><br />
<span xmlns="">Those who confess that the Son of God did not come are of anti-Christs, we who believe are born of God and he has given us understanding (we understand through the Holy Spirit, whom he dwells within us, the Spirit of Truth) through the Spirit are we able to know that this testimony is true, because he is truth and because we are in him we may know this, because we are in his Son the Lord Jesus Christ. THIS IS THE TRUE GOD, AND ETERNAL LIFE – this statement is true.</span><br />
<span xmlns=""><br /> </span><br />
<blockquote>
<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #7030a0;"><strong><em>2 Corinthians 4:6 "For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ."</em></strong></span></span></blockquote>
<span xmlns=""><br /> </span><br />
<span xmlns="">I testify also that this is a true statement, I have seen the power of God work through many people and rejoice and glorify the Father when they come to accept the truth and become a born again believer!</span><br />
<blockquote>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span xmlns=""><span style="font-size: 48pt;">~</span></span></div>
</blockquote>
<blockquote>
<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #70ad47;"><strong><em>1 John 5:21 "Little children, keep yourselves from idols. Amen."</em></strong></span></span></blockquote>
<span xmlns=""><br /> </span><br />
<span xmlns="">Beloved brethren, keep yourselves from idols. John makes distinctions with the term "idols" and with "the true God" of verse 20. </span><br />
<span xmlns=""><br /></span>
<span xmlns="">He puts a reference here to the false teachers who withdrew from the brotherhood with which they had been formerly associated with in 1 John 2:19. </span><br />
<span xmlns=""><br /></span>
<span xmlns="">Their false beliefs and practices are the idols from which the readers are commanded to protect themselves from.</span><br />
<span xmlns=""><br /></span>
<span xmlns="">Paul tells of a similar thing in Acts Chapter 17 when he tells the men of Athens to repent from worshiping idols to the one true God.</span><br />
<span xmlns=""><br /></span>
<span xmlns="">Amen.</span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2175516688002798343.post-78795177691216538092014-11-06T15:53:00.001-08:002014-11-06T15:53:46.799-08:00The Rod of Correction - Child Discipline<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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The Bible strongly emphasises the importance of discipline
towards our children; it is something we must all have in order to be
productive as people, and it is much more easily learned when we are young.
Children who are not disciplined often grow up rebellious, have no respect for
authority, and as a result find it difficult to willingly obey and follow God.
God Himself uses discipline to correct us and lead us down the right path and
to encourage repentance for our wrong actions.<br />
<br />
Proverbs 23:13-14 “Withhold not correction from the child: for <i>if</i> thou
beatest him with the rod, he shall not die. <b><sup>14 </sup></b>Thou
shalt beat him with the rod,<br />
and shalt deliver his soul from hell”<o:p></o:p></div>
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Proverbs 13:24 “He that spareth his rod hateth his son: but
he that loveth him chasteneth him betimes.” Betimes means – in a short time or
as soon as the offence has been committed.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Proverbs 22:15 “Foolishness <i>is</i> bound in the
heart of a child; <i>but</i> the rod of correction shall drive it far from
him.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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Providing the rod of correction to the child’s “Seat of
Learning” will deliver them from Hell!<o:p></o:p></div>
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This is the reason why we have a generation of young kids
with no respect for other people and authority!<o:p></o:p></div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2175516688002798343.post-13788706136928335032014-11-06T03:44:00.000-08:002014-11-06T13:37:28.664-08:00Bible Study Series - The 1st General Epistle of John Chapter 4<span xmlns=""></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaYu1QHthUrKZKXGF1KuOtQWjB9wbxkuJtRyTPxqdnbTPs7A40qMCqfdgUbyJUXQXjaZ772hMVYkT0mK2r7XP6cF809ic2dpnsbI1dGDxWG4btN4Y-hYWsIZE9zJcAsT_WiUdZ0wokxEY/s1600/1+John+4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaYu1QHthUrKZKXGF1KuOtQWjB9wbxkuJtRyTPxqdnbTPs7A40qMCqfdgUbyJUXQXjaZ772hMVYkT0mK2r7XP6cF809ic2dpnsbI1dGDxWG4btN4Y-hYWsIZE9zJcAsT_WiUdZ0wokxEY/s1600/1+John+4.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<h1 style="text-align: center;">
<span xmlns="">1 John 4</span></h1>
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<h1 style="text-align: center;">
<span xmlns="">Authorized (King James) Version</span></h1>
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<blockquote>
<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #0070c0;"><strong><em>1 John 4:1 "Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world."</em></strong></span></span></blockquote>
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<span xmlns="">Chapter 3 ended in verse 24 about the Holy Spirit, it seems only fitting that we are now told in chapter 4 that the Holy Spirit isn't the only spirit around.</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">The bible here is giving us a warning, we are told not to believe every spirit. We are told to TRY every spirit whether they are of God: we are told it is because many false prophets, false teachers have gone out into the world.</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">These are lying spirits, unclean and full of deceit, speaking through the mouths of these false prophets.</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">How would you know you're not being deceived?</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">Are we to believe something is true by a feeling?</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">A burning in our bosom perhaps?</span><br />
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<h1>
<span xmlns="">Scepticism is healthy and may save your life!</span></h1>
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<span xmlns="">Whether you're saved or unsaved you should try to have a healthy scepticism concerning any teaching, to be open minded is to miss the strait gate:</span><br />
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<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #70ad47;"><strong><em>Matthew 7:13-14 "<sup> </sup>Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: <sup>14 </sup>because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it."</em></strong></span></span></blockquote>
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<span xmlns="">And when you miss the strait gate, meaning the narrow gate, you're on your way to destruction, in other words you're going to end up in hell. Being open to all manner of doctrines and other religions, accepting that all roads lead to heaven, is heresy and sadly, you will end up in hell.</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">We are warned over and over again not to be deceived, Jesus speaking about end times warns us of the following:</span><br />
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<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #70ad47;"><strong><em>Matthew 7:15 "Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves."</em></strong></span></span></blockquote>
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<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #70ad47;"><strong><em>Matthew 24:23-26 "Then if any man shall say unto you, Lo, here is Christ, or there; believe it not. <sup>24 </sup>For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect. <sup>25 </sup>Behold, I have told you before. <sup>26 </sup>Wherefore if they shall say unto you, Behold, he is in the desert; go not forth: behold, he is in the secret chambers; believe it not."</em></strong></span></span></blockquote>
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<span xmlns="">Here he warns us of false saviours, and false prophets; Jesus tells us not to believe in these things, for the only time we shall see the Lord again will be in the like manner that he ascended into heaven.</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">Anyone who says that they saw Jesus is a liar, even if they claim it to be a vision, should you not question anyone who says they saw the Lord or the Father? </span><br />
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<span xmlns="">How can you believe a story about a young teenage boy who claims (even though he can't get his story right…) to be in a grove, see two heavenly beings and identifying them as the Father (and no man has seen the father and lived) and the Son…I myself have a teenage boy of 14 and boy can he tell some pretty tall tales himself!</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">Why would you believe someone who claims to have had a vision about Hell, seen Jesus and tells them to warn people and then contradict every teaching in the Holy Bible?</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">Paul warns the Corinthians about false teachers:</span><br />
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<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #70ad47;"><strong><em>2 Corinthians 11:13-15 "For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ. <sup>14 </sup>And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. <sup>15 </sup>Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works."</em></strong></span></span></blockquote>
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<span xmlns="">Paul tells the Corinthians that even Satan himself will transform himself into an angel of light, I've heard people say to me that Satan cannot perform or make something appear pure, or give you a "good" feeling; how would you know? </span><br />
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<span xmlns="">If the bible is telling us that Satan can transform himself into an angel of light, and his ministers also appear to be righteous, how do we know if we are being deceived?</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">We are commanded to TRY the spirits, how do we do this?</span><br />
<span xmlns="">Paul says the following to the Thessalonians:</span><br />
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<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #70ad47;"><strong><em>1 Thessalonians 5:20-21 "Despise not prophesyings. <sup>21 </sup>Prove all things; hold fast that which is good."</em></strong></span></span></blockquote>
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<span xmlns="">The <span style="text-decoration: underline;">test</span> or <span style="text-decoration: underline;">to prove</span> is to compare what is being taught with the clear teaching of the Bible. </span><br />
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<span xmlns="">The Bible alone is the Word of God; it alone is inspired and inerrant. Consequently, the way to test the spirits is to see if what is being taught is in line with the clear teaching of Scripture.<br /><br />The bible commends a certain group of Christians known as the Bereans who searched the scriptures daily to confirm the things they were taught were true or not.</span><br />
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<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #70ad47;"><strong><em>Acts 17:10-11 "And the brethren immediately sent away Paul and Silas by night unto Berea: who coming thither went into the synagogue of the Jews. <sup>11 </sup>These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so."</em></strong></span></span></blockquote>
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<span xmlns="">The Bereans are noted to be more noble than the Thessalonians, why? </span><br />
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<span xmlns="">Because the received the word or the teachings with all readiness of mind, and then they <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>SEARCHED THE SCRIPTURES DAILY</strong></span>.</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">To test the spirits, is to know how to examine the scriptures, this is God's Word. Rather than accept every teaching, every eagle-eyed discerning Christians should diligently study the Scriptures. </span><br />
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<span xmlns="">The Christian must show thyself approved, you need to know what the Word of God says to be able to defend yourself against these lying spirits.</span><br />
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<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #70ad47;"><strong><em>2 Timothy 2:15 "Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth."</em></strong></span></span></blockquote>
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<span xmlns="">The Word of God is to be a lamp and a light to our feet, the Psalmist wrote:</span><br />
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<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #70ad47;"><strong><em>Psalm 119:105 "Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path."</em></strong></span></span></blockquote>
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<span xmlns="">We must let the light of God's Word shine on the doctrines of the day; the Holy Bible alone is the standard by which all truth must be judged. God's Word is pure and preserved:</span><br />
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<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #70ad47;"><strong><em>Proverbs 30:5-6 "Every word of God is pure: he is a shield unto them that put their trust in him. <sup>6 </sup>Add thou not unto his words, lest he reprove thee, and thou be found a liar."</em></strong></span></span></blockquote>
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<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #70ad47;"><strong><em>Psalm 12:6-7 "The words of the Lord are pure words: as silver tried in a furnace of earth, purified seven times. <sup>7 </sup>Thou shalt keep them, O Lord, thou shalt preserve them from this generation for ever."</em></strong></span></span></blockquote>
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<span xmlns="">God's Word is pure and preserved, he said every WORD is pure, not CONCEPT, EVERY WORD.</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">Not only is His Word preserved, kept pure, a lamp, and a light to our feet, but his Word is also known as the Sword of the Spirit:</span><br />
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<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #70ad47;"><strong><em>Ephesians 6:17 "And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:"</em></strong></span></span></blockquote>
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<span xmlns="">And it is the two edged Sword used to defend and attack against spiritual wickedness and evil:</span><br />
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<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #70ad47;"><strong><em>Hebrews 4:12 "For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart."</em></strong></span></span></blockquote>
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<span xmlns="">Just like a soldier who handles a sword in battle, he must train diligently with his sword to be able to defend and attack against his enemies, likewise should all self-professing Christians.</span><br />
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<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #70ad47;"><strong><em>2 Corinthians 10:4-5 "(for the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;)<sup>5 </sup>casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;"</em></strong></span></span></blockquote>
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<span xmlns="">Our battle is not a physical battle, but a spiritual one:</span><br />
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<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #70ad47;"><strong><em>Ephesians 6:12 "For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places."</em></strong></span></span></blockquote>
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<span xmlns="">The Holy Spirit uses the power of the Word to save souls and then to give them spiritual strength to be mature warriors for the Lord in fighting this corrupt, evil and wicked world we live in.</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">We must put on the Whole Armour of God! (Obviously this would be another article/sermon of its own!)</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">It's amazing how much you can get from just reading one verse in the bible (and that was just the first verse of chapter 4!), that why you need to be in the Word, and search the scriptures daily because you can learn so much in light of other verses. </span><br />
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<span xmlns="">Continuing on with the study.</span><br />
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<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #0070c0;"><strong><em>1 John 4:2 "Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God:"</em></strong></span></span></blockquote>
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<span xmlns="">John here is telling us, if you will, the first rule to discern if something is of the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is of God! Every spirit that claims that Jesus is the Messiah is of God!</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">This eliminates many religions out there, there are many religions out there that outright denies Jesus. Judaism rejects Jesus entirely, but then there are some denominations of Judaism that acknowledge Jesus but refuses to accept that he is the Messiah, but not only that they flat out reject that he is the Son of God as well as his deity: God manifest in the flesh.</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">Here is the deception, there are many religions that acknowledge Jesus, but hang on, that's not good enough, there were many people named Jesus, in fact how many times have you said you know that guy, or that person but really you have no personal knowledge or relationship with that person. </span><br />
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<span xmlns="">Many religions will profess Jesus, but they deny who he truly is, Islam denies that Jesus is the son of God, but they say that he was a good teacher, they acknowledge him. </span><br />
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<span xmlns="">Jehovah witnesses acknowledge Jesus, but they say he was not God, they believe that he is Michael the Arch Angel, Mormon leaders say Jesus was a direct result of a physical union of God the Father and Mary, but he is the eldest spirit brother of us all, and that Lucifer (Satan) is our spirit brother also begotten by heavenly father and mother, I've asked Mormon missionaries if they believe that Jesus is God, but they never answer. </span><br />
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<span xmlns="">So we have these religions that makes these claims about Jesus, but they deny who he really is and what is written about him in the bible. If you deny any one thing about the Lord Jesus Christ that is taught in the bible then you are deny the true Jesus of the bible, I believe that what the Lord meant when he said, do not believe if they tell you that I am in the desert, or I am in the secret chambers, let no man deceive you!</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">To confess Jesus as the Christ or Messiah, the Anointed One, is to have Him as your Saviour. </span><br />
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<span xmlns="">This, to me, is saying, we must believe that the Word of God took on the form of flesh and dwelt among us. Inside that flesh, dwelt the Spirit of God. He was Emmanuel which means, "God be with us". We must know who Jesus is, before we can have faith in Him for salvation.</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">The Word, this Jesus is God manifest in the flesh, by whom Salvation must be obtained by.</span><br />
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<span xmlns=""><span style="font-size: 48pt;">~</span></span></div>
<blockquote>
<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #0070c0;"><strong><em>1 John 4:3 "and every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world."</em></strong></span></span></blockquote>
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<span xmlns="">Anyone who denies what I explained in the previous verse is of that spirit of antichrist, notice this is singular, it is THE antichrist that shall come, this wicked soul that will eventually come to persecute the saints. </span><br />
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<span xmlns="">The bible says here that this antichrist will spearhead the great Tribulation of the end times, and what is also known as Daniels 70<sup>th</sup> week, in the midst of this week the antichrist will turn his attention to persecute and slay all Christians, all the true believers in Christ.</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">This antichrist spirit is here now, and we can see it clearly working in the children of disobedience, and that great city, Babylon which in our day is definitely the United States of America, why do I say this?</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">Out of all countries in the world, which country has the most apostate churches/religions in the world? America</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">Which Country houses the United Nations as its headquarters (to bring in the one world global government)? America</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">Which Country in the world deceives all other countries with its sorceries and tricks (Movies, TV shows, Fashion, Music, Propaganda)? America</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">Which Country has its presence felt in almost every other nation in the world (Military bases, Embassies, businesses)? America</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">Is this country NOT modern day Babylon?</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">Show me another country that fits the bill in Revelation, and that's chapter 18 I'm referring to!</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">(Would love to do an article on the entire book of Revelation, keep your eyes peeled!).</span><br />
<span xmlns="">2 Thessalonians talks about the coming of the antichrist:</span><br />
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<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #70ad47;"><strong><em>2 Thessalonians 2:3-8 "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; <sup>4 </sup>who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God. <sup>5 </sup>Remember ye not, that, when I was yet with you, I told you these things? <sup>6 </sup>And now ye know what withholdeth that he might be revealed in his time. <sup>7 </sup>For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way. <sup>8 </sup>And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming:"</em></strong></span></span></blockquote>
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<span xmlns="">The final Antichrist will not be something new, but will be the ultimate embodiment of all the antichrist spirits that have perverted truth and propagated satanic lies since the beginning. </span><br />
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<span xmlns="">The man of lawlessness is still to be revealed, but the mystery of lawlessness is already at work. </span><br />
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<span xmlns="">Once he (the antichrist) receives his deadly wound, Satan will counterfeit (by actually possessing the body of the antichrist himself) a resurrection to fool the world into thinking that he is the messiah.</span><br />
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<span xmlns=""><span style="font-size: 48pt;">~</span></span></div>
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<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #0070c0;"><strong><em>1 John 4:4 "Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world."</em></strong></span></span></blockquote>
<span xmlns="">True believers have nothing to fear, for even Satan hosts with their perversions can't take them out of the Lord's hand. We belong to God and have overcome them, I have said before in my articles that term overcome is synonymous with being saved: greater is he that is in you, the Holy Spirit leads into sound doctrine for genuine Christians, proving that salvation has actually transpired.</span><br />
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<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #70ad47;"><strong><em>Romans 8:17 "and if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together."</em></strong></span></span></blockquote>
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<span xmlns="">He that is in us is Christ, the Apostle Paul says this in Galatians:</span><br />
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<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #70ad47;"><strong><em>Galatians 2:20 "I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me."</em></strong></span></span></blockquote>
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<span xmlns="">It is Christ in me that overcomes the enemy.</span><br />
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<span xmlns=""><span style="font-size: 48pt;">~</span></span></div>
<blockquote>
<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #0070c0;"><strong><em>1 John 4:5 "They are of the world: therefore speak they of the world, and the world heareth them."</em></strong></span></span></blockquote>
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<span xmlns="">They are of the world, this "they" is speaking of non-believers, they follow after the lust of the flesh, they live in the world, these people live for the things of this world, and they appeal to their own desires and not the things of God. </span><br />
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<span xmlns="">For this reason, the things of God is foolishness to them from their philosophies to their own selfish desires, they are caught up in the world. </span><br />
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<span xmlns="">They have no hope, because they base everything they believe on what they can see with their eyes and their other senses. They have eyes to see, and they do not see, and ears to hear, and they hear not. </span><br />
<span xmlns="">They place their faith in this world, and they shall perish with this world.</span><br />
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<span xmlns=""><span style="font-size: 48pt;">~</span></span></div>
<blockquote>
<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #0070c0;"><strong><em>1 John 4:6 "We are of God: he that knoweth God heareth us; he that is not of God heareth not us. Hereby know we the spirit of truth, and the spirit of error."</em></strong></span></span></blockquote>
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<span xmlns="">We are of God: Christians will receive this message that John and the other true apostles are bringing. Christians have ears to hear, and they hear; the children of this world will not hear.</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">For this reason, Christians will know the difference between the spirit of truth, and the spirit of error. I can't count how many times I have sat in places listening to sermons, studies and going to churches and to just listen to what people say, and then suddenly my ears tingle, my hairs on the back of my neck raise as if the Holy Spirit within me just raised alarm bells to tell me what I'm hearing is not of the truth. </span><br />
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<span xmlns="">I can even sit there and listen to so-called Christians talk about their faith and immediately know something is off. This is the Spirit bringing in remembrance of the Word to defend you against false teachers or teachings.</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">In stark contrast, demonically evil, wickedly inspired teachers either reject the teaching of God's word, even to question the validity without reason is a wicked thing to do.</span><br />
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<blockquote>
<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #70ad47;"><strong><em>2 Corinthians 4:2-4 "but have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty, not walking in craftiness, nor handling the word of God deceitfully; but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man's conscience in the sight of God. <sup>3 </sup>But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: <sup>4 </sup>in whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them."</em></strong></span></span></blockquote>
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<span xmlns="">God give us a warning to those who will seek to add, change or take away from this book:</span><br />
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<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #70ad47;"><strong><em>Revelation 22:18-19 "For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book: <sup>19 </sup>and if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book."</em></strong></span></span></blockquote>
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<span xmlns="">I've had the deceived and the wicked say to me, but this is only applying to the book of Revelation!</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">Seriously, how wicked do you have to be, to think something like that? </span><br />
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<span xmlns="">Look what is says in other places of the bible then?</span><br />
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<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #70ad47;"><strong><em>Deuteronomy 4:2 "Ye shall not add unto the word which I command you, neither shall ye diminish ought from it, that ye may keep the commandments of the Lord your God which I command you."</em></strong></span></span></blockquote>
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<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #70ad47;"><strong><em>Deuteronomy 12:32 "What thing soever I command you, observe to do it: thou shalt not add thereto, nor diminish from it."</em></strong></span></span></blockquote>
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<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #70ad47;"><strong><em>Proverbs 30:6 "Add thou not unto his words, lest he reprove thee, and thou be found a liar."</em></strong></span></span></blockquote>
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<span xmlns="">Do not tamper with the Lord's Words, these modern bible translators should take heed of the warnings also, one only needs to do a study and background of the so-called older manuscripts which only account for 5% of the majority of texts, and even these older manuscripts don't even agree with themselves in many places let alone agreeing with each other.</span><br />
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<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #0070c0;"><strong><em>1 John 4:7 "Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God."</em></strong></span></span></blockquote>
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<span xmlns="">Let us love one another, James calls this the royal law: for love is of God; and everyone that fulfils this royal law is born of God.</span><br />
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<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #70ad47;"><strong><em>James 2:7-9 "Do not they blaspheme that worthy name by the which ye are called? <sup>8 </sup>If ye fulfil the royal law according to the scripture, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself, ye do well: <sup>9 </sup>but if ye have respect to persons, ye commit sin, and are convinced of the law as transgressors."</em></strong></span></span></blockquote>
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<span xmlns=""><span style="font-size: 48pt;">~</span></span></div>
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<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #0070c0;"><strong><em>1 John 4:8 "He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love."</em></strong></span></span></blockquote>
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<span xmlns="">Those who do not love do not know God, because God is love. This is a true statement, when you find a person filled with hate, you know that he or she, has never experienced that great unselfish love that God has for each of us. </span><br />
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<span xmlns="">There is a need in every person to be loved. Some have never realized that anyone loves them. When you find a person in this condition, if you can make them understand that God loves them, they will change. </span><br />
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<span xmlns="">Too many false prophets will use these verses to show that people who do not love are either unsaved or will use this to teach you can lose your salvation; this is false, this is not a salvation passage! </span><br />
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<span xmlns="">In light of other clear scriptures that contains the word saved, justified, or salvation you cannot get such a teaching from these verses.</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">This is why it is important that you make sure you are teaching sound doctrine, if you were to teach from these verses that you have to love, turn from your sins to be saved, you are teaching a works salvation!</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">Can you honestly say that you as self-professing Christian say you've never hated or disliked anyone?</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">Can you say to yourself you have stopped sinning? </span><br />
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<span xmlns="">If you did, you are a liar, the bible says so.</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">We should love one another, but we will still stumble over our own sins, does that mean you've lost your salvation? No, it's eternal.</span><br />
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<span xmlns=""><span style="font-size: 48pt;">~</span></span></div>
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<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #0070c0;"><strong><em>1 John 4:9 "In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him."</em></strong></span></span></blockquote>
<span xmlns="">The Love of God manifested toward us because he sent his only begotten Son into the World so that we might live through him, notice the word "might", not "will", it says might; again not all believers will suddenly have a change in their lives because they got saved. </span><br />
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<span xmlns="">In fact, there are people who got saved out there who go on living their worldly lives!</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">Consider the Parable of the Sower Jesus gave in Matthew chapter 13:</span><br />
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<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #70ad47;"><strong><em>Matthew 13:19-23 "When any one heareth the word of the kingdom, and understandeth it not, then cometh the wicked one, and catcheth away that which was sown in his heart. This is he which received seed by the way side. <sup>20 </sup>But he that received the seed into stony places, the same is he that heareth the word, and anon with joy receiveth it; <sup>21 </sup>yet hath he not root in himself, but dureth for a while: for when tribulation or persecution ariseth because of the word, by and by he is offended. <sup>22 </sup>He also that received seed among the thorns is he that heareth the word; and the care of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, choke the word, and he becometh unfruitful. <sup>23 </sup>But he that received seed into the good ground is he that heareth the word, and understandeth it; which also beareth fruit, and bringeth forth, some an hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty."</em></strong></span></span></blockquote>
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<span xmlns="">Now what I'm about to say to you is important and you need to understand this, there are 4 groups of people here, there are many more scenarios or situations that are not listed here but generally but, ONLY one group is not saved; that's right and that's the first group, the other group Jesus is talking about are all saved, which category do you think you fit into of the 3 saved groups?</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">If you believe you fit one of them, then you are probably not being truthful to yourself, most Christians would more than likely slip into anyone of these categories throughout our entire lives!</span><br />
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<span xmlns=""><span style="font-size: 48pt;">~</span></span></div>
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<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #0070c0;"><strong><em>1 John 4:10 "Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins."</em></strong></span></span></blockquote>
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<span xmlns="">And in this verse is the whole reason why John was saying those things in the previous verses, the word "herein" is used to introduce something that depends on or arises from what has just been mentioned.</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">So john is explaining what love is and he says this, it is not because we loved God, but it is because God loved us, and because God loved us, he sent his Son, our Lord Jesus Christ to be what?</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">The Propitiation for our sins, to be our SAVIOUR, the anointed one who would come to free us from the very thing that imprisons us; sin.</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">Propitiation can mean atonement, in other words, He paid the penalty for our sins in full, we have no debt to pay, our bill is marked paid in full; the great love of God for man is made real to us in this alone!</span><br />
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<span xmlns=""><span style="color: black; font-size: 48pt;">~</span></span></div>
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<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #0070c0;"><strong><em>1 John 4:11 "Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another."</em></strong></span></span></blockquote>
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<span xmlns="">God taught us by example of the unselfish love that we need to have for each other through the Lord Jesus Christ. If the world today needs one thing, it is love. </span><br />
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<span xmlns="">Take the time to hug someone and say you love them today, greet that stranger you meet on the street, give that person you don't know a smile, let the love that God has shown you shine through you and make someone else's life a little brighter!</span><br />
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<span xmlns=""><span style="font-size: 48pt;">~</span></span></div>
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<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #0070c0;"><strong><em>1 John 4:12 "No man hath seen God at any time. If we love one another, God dwelleth in us, and his love is perfected in us."</em></strong></span></span></blockquote>
<span xmlns="">We know that no man can look upon the face of God and live. Moses came the closest, when he saw the back side of God as He passed by, and because of that, his face glowed for like 3 days and they had to put a veil over his face because it was freaking them out! </span><br />
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<span xmlns="">We can see God by looking at Jesus, who is the image of the Father. The disciples asked Jesus to show "us the father":</span><br />
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<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #70ad47;"><strong><em>John 14:8-10 "Philip saith unto him, Lord, shew us the Father, and it sufficeth us. <sup>9 </sup>Jesus saith unto him, have I been so long time with you, and yet hast thou not known me, Philip? He that hath seen me hath seen the Father; and how sayest thou then, Shew us the Father? <sup>10 </sup>Believest thou not that I am in the Father, and the Father in me? The words that I speak unto you I speak not of myself: but the Father that dwelleth in me, he doeth the works."</em></strong></span></span></blockquote>
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<span xmlns="">Jesus told the disciples, if they had seen Him, they had seen the Father. This just meant that the Spirit of God dwelled within Him. Jesus was the manifestation of the Godhead on the earth. </span><br />
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<span xmlns="">Jesus' actions were not of himself but done to show us the Father, he did nothing of his own will, but the will of the Father; when we are full of God's love, we are full of Jesus. The more "full" of Jesus we are, the more love we have for others.</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">Love is the heart of Christian witness, nobody can see God loving since His love is invisible. Jesus is no longer physically in the world to manifest the love of God. We as Christians ought to make God's love known through our conduct which is in love so that it may benefit our fellow man, and our own brethren.</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">How do people know that everything they see around them is from God, and that he loves us that we might all come to him? Through our display of love to one another we can show the world God's Love!</span><br />
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<span xmlns=""><span style="font-size: 48pt;">~</span></span></div>
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<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #0070c0;"><strong><em>1 John 4:13 "Hereby know we that we dwell in him, and he in us, because he hath given us of his Spirit."</em></strong></span></span></blockquote>
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<span xmlns="">We know this because we dwell in him, and he in us, and why is this possible?</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">Because God has given us his Spirit, the Holy Spirit dwells within us, when Jesus went to heaven to sit at the right hand of the Father, He promised to send the Holy Spirit to dwell within each of us. </span><br />
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<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #70ad47;"><strong><em>John 14:16-17 "And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; <sup>17 </sup>even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you."</em></strong></span></span></blockquote>
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<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #70ad47;"><strong><em>John 14:26 "But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you."</em></strong></span></span></blockquote>
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<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #70ad47;"><strong><em>John 16:7 "Nevertheless I tell you the truth; it is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you."</em></strong></span></span></blockquote>
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<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #70ad47;"><strong><em>Romans 8:9 "But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his."</em></strong></span></span></blockquote>
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<span xmlns="">The fact that we have the Spirit within us, tells us that He has never really left us at all!</span><br />
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<span xmlns=""><span style="font-size: 48pt;">~</span></span></div>
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<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #0070c0;"><strong><em>1 John 4:14 "And we have seen and do testify that the Father sent the Son to be the Saviour of the world."</em></strong></span></span></blockquote>
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<span xmlns="">The purpose of the Father sending his Son, whom is God manifest in the flesh (1 Timothy 3:16) on the earth was for the salvation of all mankind. </span><br />
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<span xmlns="">This Jesus, who was the Word of God in heaven, the bread that came down from heaven, took on the form of flesh as the Son of God to save us. </span><br />
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<span xmlns="">He took on the name Jesus because it means "God is Salvation" or "Saviour". He is our Saviour and our Lord.</span><br />
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<span xmlns=""><span style="font-size: 48pt;">~</span></span></div>
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<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #0070c0;"><strong><em>1 John 4:15 "Whosoever shall confess that Jesus is the Son of God, God dwelleth in him, and he in God."</em></strong></span></span></blockquote>
<span xmlns="">Anyone who confesses that Jesus is the Son of God, God will dwell in him and he in God. Boom! This is an equivalent Salvation passage. </span><br />
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<span xmlns="">Whosoever should confess with their mouth that Jesus is the Son of God, God the Holy Spirit will dwell in him! Let's look at the parallel passages:</span><br />
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<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #70ad47;"><strong><em>Romans 10:9-10 "that if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. <sup>10 </sup>For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation."</em></strong></span></span></blockquote>
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<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #70ad47;"><strong><em>Romans 10:13 "For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved."</em></strong></span></span></blockquote>
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<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #70ad47;"><strong><em>Matthew 10:32 "Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven."</em></strong></span></span></blockquote>
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<span xmlns="">This is in the very words of Jesus Himself. There is no question, when we confess, to confess is to tell a truth. We know in our heart, and confess with our mouth as proof that we are full of Jesus!</span><br />
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<span xmlns=""><span style="font-size: 48pt;">~</span></span></div>
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<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #0070c0;"><strong><em>1 John 4:16 "And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him."</em></strong></span></span></blockquote>
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<span xmlns="">Our families and friends may turn against us, but we know that God loves us. We need never be lonely or blue; we have the love of God filling us. This is not just an sporadic love, but a love that is forever eternal!</span><br />
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<span xmlns=""><span style="font-size: 48pt;">~</span></span></div>
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<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #0070c0;"><strong><em>1 John 4:17 "Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the Day of Judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world."</em></strong></span></span></blockquote>
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<span xmlns="">He is not suggesting sinless perfection, but rather matured love manifest by confidence in the face of judgment, so that we may stand bold in that day: Jesus is God's Son in whom He was well pleased; we also are God's children (Which we learnt in chapter 3) and the objects of His gracious goodness. Jesus called God Father, so may we, since we are accepted in the Beloved!</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">To know this love gives us perfect confidence to stand before the Judge of the world on judgment day. </span><br />
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<span xmlns=""><span style="font-size: 48pt;">~</span></span></div>
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<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #0070c0;"><strong><em>1 John 4:18 "There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love."</em></strong></span></span></blockquote>
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<span xmlns="">As an unsaved sinner, we should have a fear of God, in respect of Judgement and our final destination for those who do not have Christ. All sinners will taste the second death, eternal punishment in the lake of fire. </span><br />
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<span xmlns="">But those who are in Christ and he is in them, the saved, the children of God are in HIS love, it is his love that makes us perfect and casts the fear from out of us, because of this, Christians will stand boldly at the Judgement seat knowing that they have been made righteous by the blood of the Lamb, because of him, our Lord Jesus Christ, his finished work made it possible. </span><br />
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<span xmlns="">You can know you have eternal life, you need not fear death; as the Lord said my yoke is easy, and my burden is light…brethren, you do not longer have to fear any longer for the Love of the Lord is always with us. </span><br />
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<span xmlns=""><span style="font-size: 48pt;">~</span></span></div>
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<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #0070c0;"><strong><em>1 John 4:19 "We love him, because he first loved us."</em></strong></span></span></blockquote>
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<span xmlns="">Just like in the previous verse, it is His love that we come to love him, he loved us first for this reason we love him!</span><br />
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<span xmlns=""><span style="font-size: 48pt;">~</span></span></div>
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<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #0070c0;"><strong><em>1 John 4:20 "If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen?"</em></strong></span></span></blockquote>
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<span xmlns="">This scripture makes me think of what Jesus said, Inasmuch as ye have done it for the least of these, ye have done it unto me. <strong>– Matthew 25:40</strong></span><br />
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<span xmlns="">We cannot express our love for God directly, except in praise. We cannot buy dinner or provide clothing or give money to Jesus. We can, however, buy dinner or provide clothing and money to someone who is hungry, in need of financial assistance or in need of raiment to keep themselves warm in the name of Jesus.</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">When we love our brothers on the earth, we are in turn loving Jesus who made them.</span><br />
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<span xmlns=""><span style="font-size: 48pt;">~</span></span></div>
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<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #0070c0;"><strong><em>1 John 4:21 "And this commandment have we from him, that he who loveth God love his brother also."</em></strong></span></span></blockquote>
<span xmlns="">The commandment from the Lord to love one another as he loved us, we love him and in turn we love one another; this commandment fulfils the law. </span><br />
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<span xmlns="">My Brethren love one another.</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">This pretty much sums up chapter 4.</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">Go to 1 John Chapter <a href="http://wordofchristos.blogspot.com.au/2014/10/bible-study-series-1st-general-epistle.html">1</a> <a href="http://wordofchristos.blogspot.com.au/2014/10/bible-study-series-1st-general-epistle_15.html">2</a> <a href="http://wordofchristos.blogspot.com.au/2014/10/bible-study-series-1st-general-epistle_21.html">3</a> 4 5</span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2175516688002798343.post-59448051794262842072014-11-05T21:15:00.000-08:002014-11-05T21:15:14.048-08:00Bible Study Series - Romans Chapter 4<span xmlns=""></span><br />
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<h1 style="text-align: center;">
<span xmlns=""><span style="color: red;">Romans 4</span></span></h1>
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<h1 style="text-align: center;">
<span xmlns=""><span style="color: red;">Authorized (King James) Version</span></span></h1>
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<blockquote>
<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #1f4e79;"><strong><em>Romans 4:1 "What shall we say then that Abraham our father, as <span style="color: #4472c4;">pertaining<span style="color: #1f4e79;"> to the flesh, hath found?"</span></span></em></strong></span></span></blockquote>
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<span xmlns="">As you recall, chapter 3 ended with a call to establish the Law by or through faith, Jesus did not come to abolish the Law and the prophets, he came to fulfil. </span><br />
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<span xmlns="">The Law is still in effect and by no means gone. Paul said for us to "establish" by faith the Law, the word "establish" means to set up on a firm or permanent basis or foundation, and who is that foundation?</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">That foundation is no other person than the Lord Jesus Christ of course!</span><br />
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<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #c00000;"><strong><em>1 Corinthians 3:11 "For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ."</em></strong></span></span></blockquote>
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<span xmlns="">In the book of the prophet Isaiah we read the following:</span><br />
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<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #c00000;"><strong><em>Isaiah 28:16 "therefore thus saith the Lord God, Behold, I lay in Zion for a foundation a stone, a tried stone, a precious corner stone, a sure foundation: he that believeth shall not make haste."</em></strong></span></span></blockquote>
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<span xmlns="">This scripture is quoted in many other books of the bible, one of them being recorded by Matthew chapter 21 in the words of Jesus himself:</span><br />
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<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #c00000;"><strong><em>Matthew 21:42 "Jesus saith unto them, did ye never read in the scriptures, the stone which the builders rejected, the same is become the head of the corner: this is the Lord's doing, and it is marvellous in our eyes?"</em></strong></span></span></blockquote>
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<span xmlns="">The Lord Jesus Christ is the rock, the foundation, he is the head or chief of the corner stone where the church must build its foundation upon.</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">Now Paul starts Chapter 4 using the patriarch Abraham, whom God promised his seed would be a father of all nations as example to explain faith.</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">"As pertaining to the flesh, has found?" near the end of Chapter 3 the context was about boasting, Paul asks the question where is boasting then? </span><br />
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<span xmlns="">So what works of the flesh did Abraham have to boast with? </span><br />
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<span xmlns="">The scriptural answer would be none, before God for the scriptures says, there is none righteous, and they have all gone out the way. As the next verse explicitly tells us.</span><br />
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<blockquote>
<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #4472c4;"><strong><em>Romans 4:2 "For if Abraham were justified by works, he hath whereof to glory; but not before God."</em></strong></span></span></blockquote>
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<span xmlns="">This scripture concludes that "IF" notice conditional proceeds Abraham's justification by works, so if Abraham were justified by his works, what works does he to glory in?</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">Well, Abraham had the works of circumcision, and the notable event of when he proceeded to offer up his son Isaac to the Lord. But the scriptures says, these works he had to glory in, but not before God. If not before God, then who?</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">Abraham would glory in works before man, NOT God. </span><br />
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<span xmlns="">You know, I've had people challenge me on the whole Works Vs Grace issue and say to me, that this event with Abraham which is also mentioned in James chapter 2, was him being justified by his works, and use this to prove that we have to have good works to get into heaven.</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">They'll say nobody else was around when Abraham offered up Isaac, which is correct; but the event was written down so that man may read of how great of the faith of Abraham must have been in the Lord to do such a thing. Not many of us could do such a thing with our own child.</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">When we read this event, we can conclude to ourselves that this man, Abraham had such great faith in the Lord by his WORKS.</span><br />
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<blockquote>
<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #c00000;"><strong><em>James 2:23 "And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God."</em></strong></span></span></blockquote>
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<span xmlns="">Who is calling him the friend of God?</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">Man is calling him the friend of God. If you interpret this scripture some other way, you create a contradiction, and there is no contradiction in light of other scripture because James is talking to his fellow man, to the saved.</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">The scriptures tell us that Abraham was justified before God long before he got circumcised, Abraham got circumcised around the age of 99 recorded in Genesis 17:24 but we read earlier of the account when he was imputed righteousness by God in Genesis 15:6 which is referred to in the next verse.</span><br />
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<blockquote>
<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #0070c0;"><strong><em>Romans 4:3 "For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness."</em></strong></span></span></blockquote>
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<span xmlns="">So we can see here that Abraham was counted to righteousness before God, because he BELIEVED.</span><br />
<span xmlns="">The word counted has many synonyms in the bible and are used interchangeably such as, <em>imputed, </em>and all convey the meaning of crediting to an account, or chalk up, or accredit. </span><br />
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<span xmlns="">According to scripture we see no reason why Abraham was justified in the sight of God, but to the fact that he believed, this scripture references Genesis 15:6.</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">In fact, some people will say that the Old Testament you had to follow the Law and in the New Testament it is all about grace, this is not true as the bible teaches from the beginning of the cover to the end of the cover that it has always been by grace that man is justified in the sight of God.</span><br />
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<blockquote>
<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #0070c0;"><strong><em>Romans 4:4 "Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt."</em></strong></span></span></blockquote>
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<span xmlns="">To those who work, or try to justify themselves before God for Salvation by their own deeds, believe that it is because we feel we owe God something, a debt; this is NOT grace. </span><br />
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<span xmlns="">Salvation is a free gift from God, by his grace he will impute righteousness to anyone who believes, even to those who are dead in sin.</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">Regardless of what we have done, by God's grace, salvation is obtain through faith, and it is not of our own works, lest any man boasts.</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">The Apostle Paul put's it perfectly in the epistle to the Ephesians in chapter 2:</span><br />
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<blockquote>
<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #c00000;"><strong><em>Ephesians 2:8-9 "For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: <sup>9 </sup>not of works, lest any man should boast."</em></strong></span></span></blockquote>
<blockquote>
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<span xmlns="">Mockers will call this cheap grace, what a heresy! Grace is unmerited favour and not achieved by any man's deeds, no man can boast of his own works to obtain salvation, it is given freely by God's grace to those whom do believe on him.</span><br />
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<span xmlns=""><span style="font-size: 48pt;">~</span></span></div>
<blockquote>
<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #0070c0;"><strong><em>Romans 4:5 "But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness."</em></strong></span></span></blockquote>
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<span xmlns="">I love this verse, it's straight to the point, and every time someone decides to defend their works based beliefs and they say, show me where in the bible does it say that you don't have to do works to be saved?</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">And I put on a big smile and say turn to Romans 4:5 and boom! It says plain as day, to him that worketh NOT, but believe on him, who?</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">God, who justifies the ungodly, who is the ungodly?</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">Mankind…of course, unless you think you're godly enough to come to God on your own good works?</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">Sinners, all of mankind, if you believe on him who justifies the ungodly, YOUR FAITH IS COUNTED FOR RIGHTEOUSNESS!</span><br />
<span xmlns="">Love that verse!</span><br />
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<span xmlns=""><span style="font-size: 48pt;">~</span></span></div>
<blockquote>
<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #0070c0;"><strong><em>Romans 4:6 "Even as David also describeth the blessedness of the man, unto whom God imputeth righteousness without works,"</em></strong></span></span></blockquote>
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<span xmlns="">Even King David, a man who is said to be a man after God's own heart back in the Old Testament who too was dead in sins, was saved by faith. </span><br />
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<span xmlns="">Remember, David committed adultery with Bathsheba the wife of Uriah and had him murdered to cover up his sin with Bathsheba, whom God punished for that act of sin for a season.</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">The doctrine of Imputation is described as being given, inherited or accounted something by another source, or person because you satisfy a condition.</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">David describes this in the book of Psalms Chapter 32:</span><br />
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<blockquote>
<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #c00000;"><strong><em>Psalm 32:1-2 "Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered. <sup>2 </sup>Blessed is the man unto whom the Lord imputeth not iniquity, and in whose spirit there is no guile."</em></strong></span></span></blockquote>
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<span xmlns="">Interesting that this verse recorded in Psalm at the end says to those whose spirit has no guile, if you ever give the gospel to someone or when you're out soul winning, you can come across people who pretend to get saved, or don't really believe it even when they say they do (generally just to get you off their backs) but they really don't believe at all. </span><br />
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<span xmlns="">Or you come across people in other religions and you're trying to evangelise them, especially religions based on works salvation who just won't let go of their religion, these people will not get saved until they do this, it's Faith Alone.</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">Ever tried evangelising to the cults? It's very difficult to get past their indoctrination of their institution of manmade (Or satanic) fables.</span><br />
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<span xmlns=""><span style="font-size: 48pt;">~</span></span></div>
<blockquote>
<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #0070c0;"><strong><em>Romans 4:7 "saying, Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven, and whose sins are covered."</em></strong></span></span></blockquote>
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<span xmlns="">Upon belief, God has forgiven all iniquities committed by the sinner, and whose sins are covered, meaning any future sin you are going to commit will also be covered. </span><br />
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<span xmlns="">When you get saved, you don't automatically stop sinning, you will continue to sin in the flesh.</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">This scripture reinforces the doctrine of eternal security, you cannot lose your salvation.</span><br />
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<blockquote>
<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #0070c0;"><strong><em>Romans 4:8"</em></strong><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana;"><br /> </span><strong><em>Blessed is the man to whom the Lord will not impute sin."</em></strong></span></span></blockquote>
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<span xmlns="">Again, the scripture states how blessed is the man whom the Lord will not IMPUTE sin, which emphasises the fact that all believers will still sin, God knows this until the day of redemption, the Lord's Day when our Lord Jesus Christ returns; known as his second coming.</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">Knowing this, God will not impute or account any sin to the believer that they will commit in the future, but you say, you can't just keep on sinning, and the cheap grace promoters will say you can't just live anyway you want to when you get saved!</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">What these works based Salvationist heretics don't understand is what the bible teaches true believers is what is called the doctrine of Divine Discipline. </span><br />
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<span xmlns="">I will cover this in another post at another time.</span><br />
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<span xmlns=""><span style="font-size: 48pt;">~</span></span></div>
<blockquote>
<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #0070c0;"><strong><em>Romans 4:9 "Cometh this blessedness then upon the circumcision only, or upon the uncircumcision also? For we say that faith was reckoned to Abraham for righteousness."</em></strong></span></span></blockquote>
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<span xmlns="">If we say that Abraham was made righteous by his faith, was it then only given to the circumcised only or upon the uncircumcised as well?</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">Could you only be justified by God's grace ONLY if you got circumcised?</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">We'll find out the answers to these questions in the following scriptures.</span><br />
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<blockquote>
<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #0070c0;"><strong><em>Romans 4:10 "How was it then reckoned? When he was in circumcision, or in uncircumcision? Not in circumcision, but in uncircumcision."</em></strong></span></span></blockquote>
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<span xmlns="">The word "reckoned" means to "count", "add up", "and establish calculation", "figure", or it's synonyms are "believe", "think", "be of the opinion", "be of the view", "be convinced".</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">So here in this scripture, it is written, that Abraham was imputed righteousness when he was uncircumcised and NOT before; also referring back to Genesis 15:6.</span><br />
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<blockquote>
<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #0070c0;"><strong><em>Romans 4:11 "And he received the sign of circumcision, a seal of the righteousness of the faith which he had yet being uncircumcised: that he might be the father of all them that believe, though they be not circumcised; that righteousness might be imputed unto them also:"</em></strong></span></span></blockquote>
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<span xmlns="">Abraham received the sign of circumcision as a seal of the righteousness of his faith when he was still uncircumcised. When Abraham got circumcised, God made a covenant or a promise with him that he would be father to all people that believe, from all nations, kindred's and tongues. </span><br />
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<span xmlns="">The false teachers we're running around trying to pervert the Gospel and undermine Paul by saying to the people that they had to get circumcised or they couldn't be saved, that they had to follow the laws and ordinances to be acceptable to God.</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">But the truth is, God is not a respecter of persons, it doesn't matter what colour you are, what nationality you are or whether you are circumcised or not, if you believe on him, that is good enough!</span><br />
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<span xmlns=""><span style="font-size: 48pt;">~</span></span></div>
<blockquote>
<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #0070c0;"><strong><em>Romans 4:12 "and the father of circumcision to them who are not of the circumcision only, but who also walk in the steps of that faith of our father Abraham, which he had being yet uncircumcised."</em></strong></span></span></blockquote>
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<span xmlns="">Abraham was made a promise of God that he would be a father to all as discussed in the previous verse, be it of the circumcision or uncircumcision it doesn't matter, those who walk in the same steps of faith as according to Abraham when he was made righteous before he received the sign of circumcision, and that Faith, is to believe on the Lord God, whom we now know his name to be Jesus.</span><br />
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<blockquote>
<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #0070c0;"><strong><em>Romans 4:13 "For the promise, that he should be the heir of the world, was not to Abraham, or to his seed, through the law, but through the righteousness of faith."</em></strong></span></span></blockquote>
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<span xmlns="">For the promise, what promise?</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">The promise that he should inherit the world, was NOT made to Abraham and his seed, note the word "seed" is singular not plural, this seed is the Lord Jesus Christ, that the promise was not made through the Law, but through the righteousness of faith, notice how it wasn't worded as just faith?</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">The promise was made through the righteousness of faith, does that not mean that to have faith is to have righteousness?</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">Bingo!</span><br />
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<span xmlns=""><span style="font-size: 48pt;">~</span></span></div>
<blockquote>
<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #0070c0;"><strong><em>Romans 4:14 "For if they which are of the law be heirs, faith is made void, and the promise made of none effect:"</em></strong></span></span></blockquote>
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<span xmlns="">Now read this carefully, those who think keeping and doing the law will get them into heaven, and gives them the right to be heirs are sorely wrong, you couldn't be more wrong than wrong, look at what it says next, FAITH IS MADE VOID, and the promise is made of none effect, that right, the promise is cancelled out. </span><br />
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<span xmlns="">If you try to approach the Holy God by your works of righteousness, this act in itself cancels out Faith, it means you have no faith at all, and you are not under the promise, because the promise was given by the righteousness of faith.</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">If you trust in your own works to get you into heaven, then you don't have faith in God, and there would have been no reason for him to come in the form of man to sacrifice himself would there?</span><br />
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<span xmlns=""><span style="font-size: 48pt;">~</span></span></div>
<blockquote>
<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #0070c0;"><strong><em>Romans 4:15 "because the law worketh wrath: for where no law is, there is no transgression."</em></strong></span></span></blockquote>
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<span xmlns="">The Law works wrath, this is God's wrath, and those who trust in their own works will meet in the end with God's wrath, not something I'd be looking forward to…</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">For where there is no law, there is no transgression. What does that mean? Does that mean that if you have never heard of the law, you cannot sin?</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">God forbid! The answer to this verse is actually found in Romans Chapter 2!</span><br />
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<blockquote>
<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #c00000;"><strong><em>Romans 2:12-16 "For as many as have sinned without law shall also perish without law: and as many as have sinned in the law shall be judged by the law; <sup>13 </sup>(for not the hearers of the law are just before God, but the doers of the law shall be justified. <sup>14 </sup>For when the Gentiles, which have not the law, do by nature the things contained in the law, these, having not the law, are a law unto themselves: <sup>15 </sup>which shew the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and their thoughts the mean while accusing or else excusing one another;) <sup>16 </sup>in the day when God shall judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ according to my gospel."</em></strong></span></span></blockquote>
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<span xmlns="">So here Paul is contrasting those who had the law, the Jews and those who didn't have the law, the Gentiles. We read that the law is written in the hearts of the gentiles, so there is no excuse.</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">Chapter 4 verse 15 is stating that there is no transgression if there is no law; but if we know that the law has been written in our hearts then there is transgression, because God wrote those laws into our hearts, and our conscience either convicts us or allows us to make excuses for our transgressions towards God.</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">This internal law by the way I believe is our moral compass, our boundary that we would normally not step over, and in the case with reprobates: those people who constantly rejects God's calling, God removes this moral compass and gives them over to their own lusts.</span><br />
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<span xmlns=""><span style="font-size: 48pt;">~</span></span></div>
<blockquote>
<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #0070c0;"><strong><em>Romans 4:16 "Therefore it is of faith, that it might be by grace; to the end the promise might be sure to all the seed; not to that only which is of the law, but to that also which is of the faith of Abraham; who is the father of us all,"</em></strong></span></span></blockquote>
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<span xmlns="">For that reason, it is of faith, and by grace through faith, the promise which was made with Abraham can also be given to all the seed. </span><br />
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<span xmlns="">So it is not only given to the Jews, but it is given to all who believe, because Abraham was imputed righteousness by faith, and so are all who come to the Lord by faith because he is the father of us all.</span><br />
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<span xmlns=""><span style="font-size: 48pt;">~</span></span></div>
<blockquote>
<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #0070c0;"><strong><em>Romans 4:17 "(as it is written, I have made thee a father of many nations,) before him whom he believed, even God, who quickeneth the dead, and calleth those things which be not as though they were."</em></strong></span></span></blockquote>
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<span xmlns="">As it is written in Genesis 17:5 where Abram gets his name changed to Abraham by God because he has been made a father of many nations!</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">What's interesting about the last part of the verse, "<span style="color: #0070c0;"><strong><em>even God, who quickeneth the dead, and calleth those things which be not as though they were."</em></strong></span></span><br />
<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #0070c0;"><strong><em><br /></em></strong></span></span>
<span xmlns="">God whom quickens the dead, the word quicken means "to make alive", but the most interesting part of this verse is what comes next, where it is said that God calls all those things which be not as though they were; this means that God speaks and tells us of these as if though they had already happened, even though it actually hasn't happened yet, this is true of biblical prophecy and that we can know, that the Holy bible is God's word because there is no other book in the world that accurately predicts, and is proven to be true with the prophecies written within this holy book.</span><br />
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<span xmlns=""><span style="font-size: 48pt;">~</span></span></div>
<blockquote>
<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #0070c0;"><strong><em>Romans 4:18 "Who against hope believed in hope, that he might become the father of many nations; according to that which was spoken, so shall thy seed be."</em></strong></span></span></blockquote>
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<span xmlns="">Against hope believed in hope, this is faith:</span><br />
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<blockquote>
<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #c00000;"><strong><em>Hebrews 11:1 "Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen."</em></strong></span></span></blockquote>
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<span xmlns="">Abraham believed on the Lord God and was given the promise that he shall be father of many nations, and that same promise is given to his seed, that seed being the Lord Jesus Christ, our Lord and God.</span><br />
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<span xmlns=""><span style="font-size: 48pt;">~</span></span></div>
<blockquote>
<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #0070c0;"><strong><em>Romans 4:19 "And being not weak in faith, he considered not his own body now dead, when he was about an hundred years old, neither yet the deadness of Sara's womb:"</em></strong></span></span></blockquote>
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<span xmlns="">Being not weak in faith, to a works based Salvationist heretic a person with weak faith would be someone who had very little works, this would be their point of view, however, Salvation is not by works, it is by faith, and to say in a biblical truth one who has weak faith is someone who trusts in their own works, rather than completely trusting in the Lord. </span><br />
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<span xmlns="">Trusting in only the Lord is strong faith, we place our trust and hope in something that is not seen, yet hoped for, and it is described in Hebrews chapter 11 as a substance, not nothing.</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">Even at his age of an hundred years old consider he himself not dead, along with his wife's womb to be dead (She was about 90 years old) especially when the angel of the Lord came to tell him and Sarah would born a child at such an old age; this event is recorded in Genesis 18:10.</span><br />
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<span xmlns=""><span style="font-size: 48pt;">~</span></span></div>
<blockquote>
<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #0070c0;"><strong><em>Romans 4:20 "he staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God;"</em></strong></span></span></blockquote>
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<span xmlns="">The last few verses expound more on verse 19, he staggered not, meaning he was not shocked or amazed at the promise given to him by God because of unbelief; but was strong in faith, what we talked about before, his strength of his faith by placing it all on the Lord God, and giving him all the glory!</span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span xmlns=""><span style="font-size: 48pt;">~</span></span></div>
<blockquote>
<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #0070c0;"><strong><em>Romans 4:21 "and being fully persuaded that, what he had promised, he was able also to perform."</em></strong></span></span></blockquote>
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<span xmlns="">Abraham being fully persuaded, it is his faith that he is able to be fully persuaded, and Abraham knowing that God cannot lie, will keep his promise enabling Abraham to perform, or to do God's will.</span><br />
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<span xmlns=""><span style="font-size: 48pt;">~</span></span></div>
<blockquote>
<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #0070c0;"><strong><em>Romans 4:22 "And therefore it was imputed to him for righteousness."</em></strong></span></span></blockquote>
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<span xmlns="">And for that reason, what reason? His Faith of course, he was imputed righteousness. By faith we have been justified by our Lord God's grace.</span><br />
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<span xmlns=""><span style="font-size: 48pt;">~</span></span></div>
<blockquote>
<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #0070c0;"><strong><em>Romans 4:23 "Now it was not written for his sake alone, that it was imputed to him;"</em></strong></span></span></blockquote>
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<span xmlns="">It was not just written for Abraham's sake alone, that it was accredited to him, this is the doctrine of Imputation. We have inherited by faith, righteousness, not ours, but God's righteousness.</span><br />
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<span xmlns=""><span style="font-size: 48pt;">~</span></span></div>
<blockquote>
<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #0070c0;"><strong><em>Romans 4:24 "but for us also, to whom it shall be imputed, if we believe on him that raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead;"</em></strong></span></span></blockquote>
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<span xmlns="">So not just for Abraham's sake, but for us also, for those who believe, whom have faith in He that raised up our Lord Jesus Christ from the dead. </span><br />
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<span xmlns="">This passage reflects on how I got saved, I was in the Old Testament and I believed on Him that raised up our Lord Jesus Christ.</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">Jesus said I and the Father are one, and also if you have the Son, you have the Father. Jesus is God manifest in the flesh, he is the God of the Old and New Testament.</span><br />
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<span xmlns=""><span style="font-size: 48pt;">~</span></span></div>
<blockquote>
<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #0070c0;"><strong><em>Romans 4:25 "who was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification."</em></strong></span></span></blockquote>
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<span xmlns="">Jesus Christ died for our sins, and the sins of the whole world, and God the Father raised him to life so that we all might be justified in his sight.</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">Amen.</span><br />
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2175516688002798343.post-19378508360754070762014-10-23T04:28:00.001-07:002014-11-01T18:06:59.604-07:00Repent of your Sins!<p dir="ltr">Just found the perfect scriptures to destroy the teaching of "Repent of your sins" Crowd!</p>
<p dir="ltr">It is found in Jeremiah Chapter 18:</p>
<p dir="ltr">But the silver bullet is found in these verses:</p>
<p dir="ltr"><i><b>Jeremiah 18:8-10 "If that nation, against whom I have pronounced, turn from their evil, I will repent of the evil that I thought to do unto them. 9 And at what instant I shall speak concerning a nation, and concerning a kingdom, to build and to plant it; 10 If it do evil in my sight, that it obey not my voice, then I will repent of the good, wherewith I said I would benefit them."</b></i></p>
<p dir="ltr">Here we have God repenting of the evil or the good he is going to do to them, depending on their choice.</p>
<p dir="ltr">Repent of your sins is not found in the bible, God has no sin, so why does he repent?</p>
<p dir="ltr">Repentance is to turn from, to change your mind about <font color="#000000">anything!</font></p>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2175516688002798343.post-77333123062258717032014-10-21T17:23:00.001-07:002014-11-06T13:34:14.940-08:00Bible Study Series - The 1st General Epistle of John Chapter 3<span xmlns=""></span><br />
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<h1>
<span xmlns="">1 John 3</span></h1>
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<h1>
<span xmlns="">Authorized (King James) Version</span></h1>
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<span xmlns="">In the previous chapter we learnt a few things, like the difference between "to keep" and "to obey or to do", anyone professing they have no sin is a liar, the Antichrist and antichrists and its definition as Christ rejecters, false prophets/teachers, loving each other and loving not the world.</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">Let us now dive into chapter 3 and see what the Spirit of God is going to teach us in this chapter.</span><br />
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<span xmlns=""><span style="font-size: 48pt;">~</span></span></div>
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<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #c00000;"><strong><em>1 John 3:1 "Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not."</em></strong></span></span></blockquote>
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<span xmlns="">John proclaims for us to BEHOLD! This means to see or observe someone or something of an impressive or remarkable nature. Here he is talking about the Father's love for us. </span><br />
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<span xmlns="">When he says bestowed, means to confer or present an honour, or right, or a gift: to bestow, the Father has given us his love as a gift, it was not earned by us, showing the Fathers grace toward us, for what?</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">The privilege for us to be called the sons of God! And for this reason, the world does not know us because the world did not know him.</span><br />
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<blockquote>
<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #0070c0;"><strong><em>John 1:12-13 "<sup> </sup>But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: <sup>13 </sup>which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God."</em></strong></span></span></blockquote>
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<span xmlns="">And we believers are born of him, because of his virtue, his righteousness.</span><br />
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<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #0070c0;"><strong><em>1 john 2:29 "If ye know that he is righteous, ye know that every one that doeth righteousness is born of him."</em></strong></span></span></blockquote>
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<span xmlns="">Christians or believers are the aliens of this world, the Lord Jesus Christ was not of this world, and as we are born again, born of the Spirit we are no longer considered of this world; as the world rejects God, the world will also reject us because of him.</span><br />
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<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #0070c0;"><strong><em>John 15:18 "If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you."</em></strong></span></span></blockquote>
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<span xmlns="">From this verse, when John makes the proclamation about God's love, we see that from his love, HE initiated our Salvation, for God so loved the world, he gave his only begotten Son…</span><br />
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<blockquote>
<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #70ad47;"><strong><em>Ephesians 1:3-6 "<sup> </sup>Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ: <sup>4 </sup>according as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love: <sup>5 </sup>having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will, <sup>6 </sup>to the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved."</em></strong></span></span></blockquote>
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<span xmlns="">At the return of our Lord Jesus Christ, we will be re-united with our Father, who loves his children with untold love. </span><br />
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<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #70ad47;"><strong><em>Romans 8:17 "and if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together."</em></strong></span></span></blockquote>
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<span xmlns="">Jesus <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>paid the price</strong></span> of adoption for us to be the adopted children of the Father. </span><br />
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<span xmlns="">Jesus is the only begotten Son. We are sons by adoption. We have been <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>bought and paid </strong></span>for by the <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>precious blood of Jesus</strong></span>. We have been presented to the Father without blame, by the Son. Amen!</span><br />
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<span xmlns=""><span style="font-size: 48pt;">~</span></span></div>
<blockquote>
<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #c00000;"><strong><em>1 John 3:2 "Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is."</em></strong></span></span></blockquote>
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<span xmlns="">John addressing believers here, he says that now we are sons of God: those who truly profess their faith will become a child of God at the moment of belief. </span><br />
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<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #0070c0;"><strong><em>Romans 8:16 "The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:"</em></strong></span></span></blockquote>
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<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #0070c0;"><strong><em>John 1:12 "But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:"</em></strong></span></span></blockquote>
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<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #0070c0;"><strong><em>2 Peter 1:4 "whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust." </em></strong></span></span></blockquote>
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<span xmlns="">John says that our true selves has not yet been revealed, that's what he is saying when he says "it does not appear what we shall be:" but he develops this message by saying "but we know that," when he shall appear, our Lord Jesus Christ; we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is.</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">We shall be like him, meaning at the Lords appearing we will somehow be transformed to be like him, in his glory, this process has already begun with our spirits through the work of the Holy Spirit inside us, working us into the image of the Lord:</span><br />
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<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #70ad47;"><strong><em>John 6:63 "It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life."</em></strong></span></span></blockquote>
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<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #70ad47;"><strong><em>Titus 3:5 "not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;"</em></strong></span></span></blockquote>
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<span xmlns="">Our bodies have yet to be redeemed, we are awaiting for the return of our Lord. </span><br />
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<span xmlns="">On that day we shall see him as he is, in all his glory; I can't seem to find a word fitting to describe how glorious, wonderful…I need a word much better than this! But what a day it will be!!!!</span><br />
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<span xmlns=""><span style="font-size: 48pt;">~</span></span></div>
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<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #c00000;"><strong><em>1 John 3:3 "And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure."</em></strong></span></span></blockquote>
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<span xmlns="">Through Faith, we establish the law, we should edify each other and love one another, this "Hope" which is the resurrection, the return of the Lord, that we should seek to purify ourselves in our daily living, our conduct as Christians, even as he is pure. </span><br />
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<span xmlns="">This is <span style="text-decoration: underline;">not a Salvation passage</span>, I know some readers may try to use this as a salvation passage but John is speaking to the saved, and we are not yet done going through this chapter to understand what John is conveying to us in his epistle.</span><br />
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<span xmlns=""><span style="font-size: 48pt;">~</span></span></div>
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<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #c00000;"><strong><em>1 John 3:4 "Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law."</em></strong></span></span></blockquote>
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<span xmlns="">What we have here is John stating the truth about sin, whosoever commits sin, we ALL commit sin, whether we are saved or not, sin is a transgression or an offence against God's Holy character. </span><br />
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<span xmlns="">Now, depending on what side of the coin you are on, will determine your fate. From not having your sins imputed to you as a saved person – <strong><em>Romans 4:7-8 </em></strong>or the unsaved, to everlasting damnation in the lake of fire - <strong><em>Romans 6:23, Revelation 21:8. </em></strong><br /> </span><br />
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<span xmlns="">But regardless, sin is sin, if you sin you transgress the Law of God.</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">The law of God for the Christian is to love God with everything within us, and to love our neighbour as ourselves. If we do that, we will be pleasing God.</span><br />
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<span xmlns=""><span style="font-size: 48pt;">~</span></span></div>
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<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #c00000;"><strong><em>1 John 3:5 "And ye know that he was manifested to take away our sins; and in him is no sin."</em></strong></span></span></blockquote>
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<span xmlns="">He was manifested, that is, God in the flesh (1 Timothy 3:16) to take away our sins. Jesus died to sanctify the believers, to sanctify is to make one holy. </span><br />
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<span xmlns="">It is by HIS WORKS, that we have been imputed HIS RIGHTEOUSNESS, not of our own which is but filthy rags; this is an important teaching to understand, in order for you to understand true salvation you must humble yourself and accept the work of Christ as the only way to heaven.</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">Jesus took on the sin of the whole world, he bore the sins of the entire world, past, present and future sins are covered by our Lord Jesus Christ!</span><br />
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<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #0070c0;"><strong><em>2 Corinthians 5:21 "For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him."</em></strong></span></span></blockquote>
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<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #0070c0;"><strong><em>Ephesians 5:25-27 "Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; <sup>26 </sup>that he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, <sup>27 </sup>that he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish."</em></strong></span></span></blockquote>
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<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #0070c0;"><strong><em>John 3:14-15 "And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up: <sup>15 </sup>that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life."</em></strong></span></span></blockquote>
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<span xmlns="">Jesus was completely without sin. He had never sinned. His body had no broken bones. He was the Lamb without blemish, the perfect sacrifice. </span><br />
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<span xmlns="">He took our sin upon His sinless body. Our sin died on the cross. Our sins were only temporarily covered by the sacrifices of animals in the Old Testament, which had to be performed every year by the priests. </span><br />
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<span xmlns="">Our sins are done away with by <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>the blood of Jesus Christ, our Lord.</strong></span> It is his <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>righteousness</strong></span> that now lives in us until the day of redemption; the Lord's Day.</span><br />
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<span xmlns=""><span style="font-size: 48pt;">~</span></span></div>
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<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #c00000;"><strong><em>1 John 3:6 "Whosoever abideth in him sinneth not: whosoever sinneth hath not seen him, neither known him."</em></strong></span></span></blockquote>
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<span xmlns="">Whosoever lives or dwells in him sinneth not, as believers we take on the Lord's righteousness it doesn't mean the believer is not going to sin at all, if we are to say we sin not, then we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. </span><br />
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<span xmlns="">Look if you were to read these verses on their own it would indeed seem to contradict a multitude of other verses including the verses contained in this epistle that John wrote under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit.</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">So what do these verses mean then?</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">Stay with me, you'll soon see what is really being said with the help of other scriptures in the bible, these verses are stating the absolute facts about sin, we all sin period, with one exception in the person of Jesus Christ our Lord and saviour!</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">Whosoever, meaning whoever (<em>synonyms: </em>whatever person; anyone) that sins has not seen him, neither known him.</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">So what does this verse mean, well anyone that abides or believes on him does not sin, why because in light of other scriptures in the bible, it says we take on his righteousness. Look at what Paul says:</span><br />
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<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #70ad47;"><strong><em>Philippians 3:9 "<sup> </sup>and be found in him, <span style="text-decoration: underline;">not having mine own righteousness</span>, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, <span style="text-decoration: underline;">the righteousness which is of God by faith</span>:"</em></strong></span></span></blockquote>
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<span xmlns="">So if you abide in him you are saved and you sin not, here's the important part of the verse, anyone who sins has not seen him, neither do they know him IF YOU DON'T ABIDE in him.</span><br />
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<span xmlns=""><span style="font-size: 48pt;">~</span></span></div>
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<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #c00000;"><strong><em>1 John 3:7 "Little children, let no man deceive you: he that doeth righteousness is righteous, even as he is righteous."</em></strong></span></span></blockquote>
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<span xmlns="">My dear brethren, let know man deceive you, this is the subject; do not let any man deceive you!</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">Since false teachers were attempting to pervert the fundamentals of the faith, this letter was written to the believers to not fall for their deception, to not be led astray by these false teachers.</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">He that doeth righteousness is righteous, even as he is righteous; this verse literally means what it says, a righteous man will do righteousness, even as our Lord Jesus Christ is righteous.</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">Before we move on (I feel another mini sermon coming on!), I need to expound on what righteousness is and need to make perfectly clear of its implications. </span><br />
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<span xmlns="">If you do not know what righteousness is and how it is implemented in the bible, YOU WILL come away with false doctrines by interpreting scripture with a perverted view.</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">Now let's get this out of the way!</span><br />
<h1>
<span xmlns="">What does it mean to be RIGHTEOUS?</span></h1>
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<span xmlns="">Righteous is synonymous with Justification, in fact being just is being righteous. When the Lord speaks to us through the bible he says we are justified, made righteous, imputed righteousness are all related to Salvation.</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">In fact it can all be summed up like this: <strong>Righteousness is the state of moral perfection required by God to enter heaven.</strong></span><br />
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<span xmlns="">The bible clearly states that man cannot or rather is unable to achieve righteousness through his own efforts:</span><br />
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<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #0070c0;"><strong><em>Romans 3:20 "Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin."</em></strong></span></span></blockquote>
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<span xmlns="">Romans is a book that teaches all about righteousness, and in this passage teaches that anyone who tries to come before God by his own works, or rather, thinks he is going to get into heaven by following the Law shall not be justified (righteous) in HIS sight. </span><br />
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<span xmlns="">By the Law is the knowledge of sin, which means the Law is to make aware that we are sinners.</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">The Law or 10 Commandments is to show us how far we fall short of God's standards. – <strong><em>Romans 3:23</em></strong></span><br />
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<span xmlns="">The only solution to that dilemma is God's plan of salvation.</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">People receive righteousness through faith in Jesus Christ as Saviour. Jesus Christ, the sinless Son of God, took man's sins upon himself and became the willing, perfect sacrifice, suffering the punishment mankind deserved. </span><br />
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<span xmlns="">God the Father accepted Jesus' sacrifice, through which human beings by grace through faith can become <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>justified or made righteous</strong></span>.</span><br />
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<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #0070c0;"><strong><em>Romans 3:24-26 "being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: <sup>25 </sup>whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God; <sup>26 </sup>to declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus."</em></strong></span></span></blockquote>
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<span xmlns="">Christ's perfect righteousness is applied (Doctrine of Imputation) to imperfect humans, believers receive the righteousness of Christ.</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">This process of imputing or crediting the person with righteousness is a free gift from God, which is called the Doctrine of Grace. </span><br />
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<span xmlns="">Salvation by grace through faith in Jesus Christ is <span style="text-decoration: underline;">the essence of Christianity</span>, TRUE Christianity. </span><br />
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<span xmlns="">No other religion offers grace, they all require some type of works on behalf of the participant, and human effort cancels out God's grace.</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">In light of this, <span style="color: #c00000;"><strong><em>1 John 3:7 "Little children, let no man deceive you: he that doeth righteousness is righteous, even as he is righteous."</em></strong></span></span><br />
<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #c00000;"><strong><em><br /></em></strong></span></span>
<span xmlns=""><span style="color: black;">Let no man deceive you, because Jesus is the only righteousness that the Father will accept, and you are righteous because he made you righteous by his precious blood that he shed for you. </span></span><br />
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<span xmlns=""><span style="font-size: 48pt;">~</span></span></div>
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<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #c00000;"><strong><em>1 John 3:8 "He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil."</em></strong></span></span></blockquote>
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<span xmlns="">Those who commit sin are of the devil, the devil sinneth from the beginning as we read about in Genesis. </span><br />
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<span xmlns="">For this purpose, for because of devil, sin crept into the world, and from sin, death; that the Son of God was manifested to destroy the works of the devil, this verse is implying that the devil is the source of sin.</span><br />
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<span xmlns=""><span style="font-size: 48pt;">~</span></span></div>
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<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #c00000;"><strong><em>1 John 3:9 "Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God."</em></strong></span></span></blockquote>
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<span xmlns="">Whoever is born of God does not commit sin, born of God, born again, born of the spirit. </span><br />
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<span xmlns="">Our spirit wrestles with our own flesh, our spirit is born of God and is made righteous by the blood of our Lord Jesus Christ. </span><br />
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<span xmlns="">Our flesh is stained in sin, our flesh has not yet been redeemed, in previous verses we learn that our body will be like his when he returns; glorified like his.</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">So when the bible talks about us being born of God, it is the spirit that is born of God, his seed remains in us through the Holy Spirit working in us, our spirit into his image, our spirit will not sin because our spirit is born of God.</span><br />
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<span xmlns=""><span style="font-size: 48pt;">~</span></span></div>
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<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #c00000;"><strong><em>1 John 3:10 "In this the children of God are manifest, and the children of the devil: whosoever doeth not righteousness is not of God, neither he that loveth not his brother."</em></strong></span></span></blockquote>
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<span xmlns="">The Children of God are manifest, and the children of the devil: anyone who doeth not righteousness is not of God, and we established that to do righteousness is to be imputed with HIS righteousness, the righteousness of the Lord Jesus Christ and to make that happen, you must follow God's plan of Salvation. </span><br />
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<span xmlns="">To do righteous is to be born of God, to be born of God is to be born of the spirit.</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">John makes a distinction as to which family you belong to in this world, you are either part of God's family or part of the devils family, and he who is not righteous, or hates his brother is part of the devils family, he calls you the children of the devil. Jesus speaking to the Jews says the following:</span><br />
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<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #70ad47;"><strong><em>John 8:44 "Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it."</em></strong></span></span></blockquote>
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<span xmlns="">Religious institutions that teach that all are God's children are in err and gravely mistaken in light of these scriptures, God clearly distinguishes that you are either a child of God, or a child of the devil.</span><br />
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<span xmlns=""><span style="font-size: 48pt;">~</span></span></div>
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<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #c00000;"><strong><em>1 John 3:11 "For this is the message that ye heard from the beginning, that we should love one another."</em></strong></span></span></blockquote>
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<span xmlns="">Again John is re-emphasising what was taught from the beginning, and that we should love one another. Doing so will fulfil the Law.</span><br />
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<span xmlns=""><span style="font-size: 48pt;">~</span></span></div>
<blockquote>
<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #c00000;"><strong><em>1 John 3:12 "Not as Cain, who was of that wicked one, and slew his brother. And wherefore slew he him? Because his own works were evil, and his brother's righteous."</em></strong></span></span></blockquote>
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<span xmlns="">Did Cain fulfil the message to love one another?</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">The bible says Cain was of the devil that wicked one, and slew his brother Abel.</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">For what reason did Cain slay his brother?</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">The bible says it was because his OWN works were evil, and his brothers righteous. Time for another mini study!</span><br />
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<h1>
<span xmlns="">Why was Cain's works considered wicked, and his brother's righteous?</span></h1>
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<span xmlns="">By using New Testament scripture to interpret the Old Testament story of Cain and Abel, we can get a better, more comprehensive understanding of why God rejected Cain's offering and accepted his brother Abel's offering.</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">The story begins in Genesis chapter 4:</span><br />
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<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #70ad47;"><strong><em>Genesis 4:3-8 "And in process of time it came to pass, that Cain brought of the fruit of the ground an offering unto the Lord. <sup>4 </sup>And Abel, he also brought of the firstlings of his flock and of the fat thereof. And the Lord had respect unto Abel and to his offering: <sup>5 </sup>but unto Cain and to his offering he had not respect. And Cain was very wroth, and his countenance fell.<sup>6 </sup>And the Lord said unto Cain, Why art thou wroth? And why is thy countenance fallen? <sup>7 </sup>If thou doest well, shalt thou not be accepted? And if thou doest not well, sin lieth at the door. And unto thee shall be his desire, and thou shalt rule over him. <sup>8 </sup>And Cain talked with Abel his brother: and it came to pass, when they were in the field, that Cain rose up against Abel his brother, and slew him."</em></strong></span></span></blockquote>
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<span xmlns="">After the two boys were born and after a considerable amount of time has passed, we learn that both Cain and Abel began to make offering to the Lord.</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">Cain's offering to the Lord were of the produce of fruit frown from the grown, this could've been a mixture of fruit and vegetables. </span><br />
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<span xmlns="">Cain was what we would call in modern times an agriculturalist.</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">Abel made an offer to the Lord his firstlings of his flock and of the fat thereof. Abel would be called a Shepherd, he kept sheep.</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">What are the firstlings of sheep called? A lamb.</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">So then, why did God have respect to Abel's offering and rejected Cain's offering?</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">If we go back in Genesis chapter 3 where we read that God clothes Adam and Eve:</span><br />
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<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #0070c0;"><strong><em>Genesis 3:21 "Unto Adam also and to his wife did the Lord God make coats of skins, and clothed them."</em></strong></span></span></blockquote>
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<span xmlns="">Prior to this, Adam and his wife were only covered by an apron made of fig leaves; this my brethren is a picture of man's own works, his efforts to cover up or, to atone for his own sins.</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">Then before God ejects them from out the Garden of Eden, we read that God makes them clothes, from what?</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">He makes them clothes from coats of skin, and how do you get coats of skin?</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">By slaying an animal of course, <strong>Blood had to be shed! </strong><br /> </span><br />
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<span xmlns="">This verse alludes to the first instance of an animal offering made to cover man in his sins. </span><br />
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<span xmlns="">God basically says get rid of that pathetic little fig leaf apron, which barely covers you and put on these clothes made from animal skins which I, the Lord Almighty have provided to cover you more adequately with.</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">And of course until, the Lord provides for himself the ultimate, perfect sacrifice…</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">Right, so why did God have respect to Abel's offering and not to Cain's offering?</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">Cain brought the fruit of the labour of his own hands, and Abel brought a lamb as an offering to God.</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">Cain presented his own works, while Abel acknowledged himself to be a sinner worthy of death, who could only approach a holy God by means of a blood sacrifice which is a shadow of the true Lamb of God whose blood has purchased His sinful unworthy people.</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">It was in their manner of approaching the only true God that distinguished the one's works as being righteous and the other's as evil.</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">To "do righteousness" is to approach God through the sacrifice of His Son who gave Himself for our sins and clothed us in His own perfect righteousness.</span><br />
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<blockquote>
<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #70ad47;"><strong><em>1 John 2:1-2 "My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous: <sup>2 </sup>and he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world."</em></strong></span></span></blockquote>
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<span xmlns="">We also learn that Cain was very wroth about this incident, his countenance fell, the Lord questions him ever so gently: <span style="color: #0070c0;"><strong><em>Why art thou wroth? And why is thy countenance fallen? <sup>7 </sup>If thou doest well, shalt thou not be accepted? And if thou doest not well, sin lieth at the door. And unto thee shall be his desire, and thou shalt rule over him.</em></strong></span></span><br />
<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #0070c0;"><strong><em> </em></strong></span><br /> </span><br />
<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #0070c0;"><strong><em><br /></em></strong></span></span>
<span xmlns="">After this, we learn that Cain slays his brother in the field. </span><br />
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<span xmlns="">This part of story is another study in of itself, but I'm going to quickly say here that, because Cain failed to humbly accept a correction from God, his pride drove him to murder his own brother, in comparison count the times that you failed to take correction from someone of authority and end did it end up well?</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">I'm going to stop here and continue on with the actual bible study or else we'll be here forever!</span><br />
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<span xmlns=""><span style="font-size: 48pt;">~</span></span></div>
<blockquote>
<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #c00000;"><strong><em>1 John 3:13 "Marvel not, my brethren, if the world hate you."</em></strong></span></span></blockquote>
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<span xmlns="">Don't be in wonder my brothers and sisters, if the world hates you why?</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">Because we are not of this world, and because he is in us, and the world hated him first! So do not be surprised that the world will hate you!</span><br />
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<span xmlns=""><span style="font-size: 48pt;">~</span></span></div>
<blockquote>
<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #c00000;"><strong><em>1 John 3:14 "We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren. He that loveth not his brother abideth in death."</em></strong></span></span></blockquote>
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<span xmlns="">We have passed from death unto life, this is everlasting life, for what reason? </span><br />
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<span xmlns="">Because we love the brethren, he that does not love his brother abides in death, or lives/dwells in spiritual darkness, in wickedness.</span><br />
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<span xmlns=""><span style="font-size: 48pt;">~</span></span></div>
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<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #c00000;"><strong><em>1 John 3:15 "Whosoever hateth his brother is a murderer: and ye know that no murderer hath eternal life abiding in him."</em></strong></span></span></blockquote>
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<span xmlns="">Jesus did not come to abolish the Law, what he came to do was fulfil it, not only did Jesus fulfil the Law but he tells us that the Law is not just about our outward appearances and actions, but that the Law is spiritual and that sin comes from within, what is in our hearts he says the following in Matthew chapter 5:</span><br />
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<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #0070c0;"><strong><em>Matthew 5:22 "but I say unto you, that whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment: and whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca, shall be in danger of the council: but whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shall be in danger of hell fire."</em></strong></span></span></blockquote>
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<span xmlns="">And then goes onto say this in Matthew chapter 15:</span><br />
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<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #70ad47;"><strong><em>Matthew 15:11 "not that which goeth into the mouth defileth a man; but that which cometh out of the mouth, this defileth a man."</em></strong></span></span></blockquote>
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<span xmlns="">Hate comes from within, the mere thought of hating someone could easily manifest itself into a physical outward action resulting in murder. </span><br />
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<span xmlns="">The action is preceded by the thoughts of the heart.</span><br />
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<span xmlns=""><span style="font-size: 48pt;">~</span></span></div>
<blockquote>
<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #c00000;"><strong><em>1 John 3:16 "Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren."</em></strong></span></span></blockquote>
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<span xmlns="">Jesus laid his life for us, this is the love of God, we should lay down our lives for the brethren also, and we should forsake our own lives for the brethren, our fellow saints like our Messiah did for us.</span><br />
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<span xmlns=""><span style="font-size: 48pt;">~</span></span></div>
<blockquote>
<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #c00000;"><strong><em>1 John 3:17 "But whoso hath this world's good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him?"</em></strong></span></span></blockquote>
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<span xmlns="">But whomsoever has this world's good, or material possessions and denies his brother who has need, and has no compassion or sympathy on his brother, how does the love of God dwell in him?</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">This is a question, so it's best not try to give an answer, but to try to understand it, because it may very well be answered shortly!</span><br />
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<span xmlns=""><span style="font-size: 48pt;">~</span></span></div>
<blockquote>
<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #c00000;"><strong><em>1 John 3:18 "My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth."</em></strong></span></span></blockquote>
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<span xmlns="">Brethren, let us not love in word, neither in tongue, in other words that saying goes "you're just all talk!"</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">We must show our love in deed and in truth, else how is our fellow man supposed to profit from our faith in the Lord if we do not show our love through our works towards the brethren? </span><br />
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<span xmlns="">Not A salvation Passage!</span><br />
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<span xmlns=""><span style="font-size: 48pt;">~</span></span></div>
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<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #c00000;"><strong><em>1 John 3:19 "And hereby we know that we are of the truth, and shall assure our hearts before him."</em></strong></span></span></blockquote>
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<span xmlns="">Hereby means "by means of" we know that we are in the truth when we do the deeds of love in truth, the love of God is in us, and because we are of the truth our hearts shall be comforted before him.</span><br />
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<span xmlns=""><span style="font-size: 48pt;">~</span></span></div>
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<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #c00000;"><strong><em>1 John 3:20 "For if our heart condemn us, God is greater than our heart, and knoweth all things."</em></strong></span></span></blockquote>
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<span xmlns="">If our hearts condemn us, the treachery it is capable of, we can be assured that God is greater than our heart and knoweth all things. </span><br />
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<span xmlns="">As believers we are still tempted to give into the lusts of our hearts, but we can be sure because God knows all things, he knows more of what's in our hearts than we do.</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">In light of John's strict teaching above, he may have felt that some readers might start to begin to despair. </span><br />
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<span xmlns="">He assures them that, although our shabby attempts to honour God may leave us feeling defeated inside, God is greater than our own self-awareness and can justify us even when we would condemn ourselves. </span><br />
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<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #0070c0;"><strong><em>1 Corinthians 4:4 "For I know nothing by myself; yet am I not hereby justified: but he that judgeth me is the Lord."</em></strong></span></span></blockquote>
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<span xmlns="">He sees not only our actions, which at times are disillusioned or imprudent, but also the motives and intentions behind them.</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">Sometimes we feel guilty about not helping someone when we really could not, and should not do it. </span><br />
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<span xmlns="">Sometimes we blame ourselves when there should be no blame placed. We cannot, and should not, help everyone that asks. </span><br />
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<span xmlns="">We should be asking ourselves, are we doing this to please God, or are we doing this to please man? </span><br />
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<span xmlns="">If we are unsure we should pray and ask God what to do. </span><br />
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<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #c00000;"><strong><em>1 John 3:21 "Beloved, if our heart condemn us not, then have we confidence toward God."</em></strong></span></span></blockquote>
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<span xmlns="">When a Christian identifies in his life the demonstration of love in their deeds and actions, it results in confidence about his relationship with God. </span><br />
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<span xmlns="">Man will benefit from such works and see our faith and love toward God. </span><br />
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<span xmlns="">In James chapter 2 he asks the question to the brethren, what does it profit? </span><br />
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<span xmlns="">Who is going to receive any benefits from your faith if you don't act on it? (Not teaching about salvation or a faith that isn't there! Every Christian will have days where their faith is dead!)</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">This is talking about how we can now have a clear conscience about our sins, think about it this way, in the Old Testament, the animal offering was only to temporarily atone for ones sins, and it was a temporary covering.</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">When Jesus came he abolished our sins, and gave us a clear conscience. </span><br />
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<span xmlns="">If we know in our heart that we have done the right thing, then we can stand before Jesus on judgment day with a clear conscience. </span><br />
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<span xmlns="">This clear conscience is also associated with rest, we can rest easy!</span><br />
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<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #70ad47;"><strong><em>Hebrews 4:3 "For we which have believed do enter into rest, as he said, as I have sworn in my wrath, if they shall enter into my rest: although the works were finished from the foundation of the world."</em></strong></span></span></blockquote>
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<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #0070c0;"><strong><em>Hebrews 4:10 "For he that is entered into his rest, he also hath ceased from his own works, as God did from his."</em></strong></span></span></blockquote>
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<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #70ad47;"><strong><em>Matthew 11:28-30 "Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. <sup>29 </sup>Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. <sup>30 </sup>For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light."</em></strong></span></span></blockquote>
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<span xmlns="">Even Jesus said it himself, those who come to me will rest, he says to take his yoke upon yourself and learn of him; for he is meek and lowly of heart: and you shall find rest to your souls. </span><br />
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<span xmlns="">His yoke is easy and his burden is light, I notice that people who believe in a works based false religion always say that getting into heaven and living like Christ is hard, if you believe this then you make Jesus a liar and the truth is not in you. You are NOT saved.</span><br />
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<span xmlns=""><span style="font-size: 48pt;">~</span></span></div>
<blockquote>
<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #c00000;"><strong><em>1 John 3:22 "And whatsoever we ask, we receive of him, because we keep his commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in his sight."</em></strong></span></span></blockquote>
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<span xmlns="">Whatever we ask, whatever we ask in prayer, God shall give it, why?</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">The bible says it is because we keep his commandments and do those things that are pleasing in his sight, if we do this, God will answer everything that we shall ask for.</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">In the next verse, we will learn what THE commandment is, and what things we do that are pleasing to his sight.</span><br />
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<span xmlns=""><span style="font-size: 48pt;">~</span></span></div>
<blockquote>
<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #c00000;"><strong><em>1 John 3:23 "And this is his commandment, that we should believe on the name of his Son Jesus Christ, and love one another, as he gave us commandment."</em></strong></span></span></blockquote>
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<span xmlns="">Everything that we read in this chapter and including chapter 2 is culminated in this one verse, this is the eureka moment, the verse that should enlighten everything you have read so far, and honestly speaking, is a verse that ties in with all other scriptures of the entire bible and what it teaches.</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">This is the statement that should be burned into your hearts, the commandment that we have received from heavenly Father is this:</span><br />
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<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #0070c0; font-size: 20pt; text-decoration: underline;"><strong>"That we should believe on the name of his Son Jesus Christ, and love one another" </strong></span></span><br />
<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #0070c0; font-size: 20pt; text-decoration: underline;"><strong><br /></strong></span></span>
<span xmlns="">That's what he commanded us to do, from this we inherit everything that he, himself, the Lord Jesus Christ accomplished all, and the works he did for us so that we could enter into his rest, because it is easy to get saved!</span><br />
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<span xmlns=""><span style="font-size: 48pt;">~</span></span></div>
<blockquote>
<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #c00000;"><strong><em>1 John 3:24 "And he that keepeth his commandments dwelleth in him, and he in him. And hereby we know that he abideth in us, by the Spirit which he hath given us."</em></strong></span></span></blockquote>
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<span xmlns="">He that believes on the name of the Son and loves one another dwells in him, and he will dwell in him. And as a result of this, we know that he abides in us, why?</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">By the Spirit which he has given us, and this Spirit is the Holy Spirit of God.</span><br />
<blockquote>
<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #0070c0; font-size: 18pt;"><strong><em>John 14:16-17 "And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever;<sup>17 </sup>even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you."</em></strong></span></span></blockquote>
<span xmlns="">May hope and understanding come to you all, glory be to the Father, grace and peace be unto you, love our Lord Jesus Christ, in his name, Amen.</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">Go to 1 John Chapter <a href="http://wordofchristos.blogspot.com.au/2014/10/bible-study-series-1st-general-epistle.html">1</a> <a href="http://wordofchristos.blogspot.com.au/2014/10/bible-study-series-1st-general-epistle_15.html">2</a> 3 <a href="http://wordofchristos.blogspot.com.au/2014/11/bible-study-series-1st-general-epistle.html">4</a> 5</span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2175516688002798343.post-88074511167429252032014-10-15T22:17:00.000-07:002014-11-06T13:39:04.902-08:00Bible Study Series - The 1st General Epistle of John Chapter 2<span xmlns=""></span><br />
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<h1>
<span xmlns=""><span style="font-size: 22pt;">1 John 2 Authorized (King James) Version</span></span></h1>
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<span xmlns="">Diving in chapter 2, we notice John starts out by addressing his audience here, he says "My little Children" this is Johns affectionate phrase to the brethren, to all believers in Christ; so when he says this, he is talking to the justified in Christ.</span><br />
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<blockquote>
<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #0070c0;"><strong><em>1 John 2:1-2 "My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous: <sup>2 </sup>and he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world."</em></strong></span></span></blockquote>
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<span xmlns="">John says, my little children, I write to you that you sin not. What does that mean? </span><br />
<span xmlns="">The bible teaches us that, even though we are born again, that moment, that instance, that one point in time that we believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, in a twinkling of an eye we get saved; but did our body change at that moment, did anything change about our physical selves?</span><br />
<span xmlns="">Paul writes to the Galatians in Chapter 5 the following:</span><br />
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<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #0070c0;"><strong><em>Galatians 5:17 "For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would."</em></strong></span></span></blockquote>
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<span xmlns="">The flesh is at war with the spirit, at the moment of Salvation the spirit is quickened, made alive and now wars against the flesh. What your flesh would do your spirit would not do, even though we have been saved, we will still sin, and if we do sin, John says we have an advocate (supporter) with the Father, Jesus Christ the Righteous: he is the propitiation of our sins, the word propitiation means to soothe, pacify, to appease, and not just for us only, but for the world also.</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">That does not mean everyone in the world is forgiven, you have to have the Son, if you don't have the Son, you don't have forgiveness of sins and ultimately; you don't have the Father. </span><br />
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<span xmlns="">This is a generic term, referring not to every single individual, but to mankind in general. The pardon for sin is offered to the whole world, but received only by those who believe. There is no other way to be reconciled to God.</span><br />
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<span xmlns=""><span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 9pt;">John reminds us, for that reason we can go on trusting God and not ourselves and not therefore fall into sin.</span><br /> </span><br />
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<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #0070c0;"><strong><em>1 John 2:3-5 "And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments. <sup>4 </sup>He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. <sup>5 </sup>But whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected: hereby know we that we are in him."</em></strong></span></span></blockquote>
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<span xmlns="">Ok, I'm going to stop here to take a moment to explain something, many people will read verse 3 and say, see, we have to KEEP his commandments, and they'll use it to say you have to DO his commandments to promote a works based religion.</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">My dear friends, Satan has gripped the world in a counterfeit religion, his devices are subtle and if you're not in the inspired Words of God through the KJV bible you will be deceived by the wolves out there. (Don't start me on the modern <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>per</strong></span>version bibles!)</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">The common theme we see in all religions besides true biblical Christianity is a network of systems based on works and self or personal effort. This can be seen through their ideas about God or many gods, the afterlife, reincarnation, and exaltation to becoming a god themselves; these diverse religions will always contain (albeit differing in ways) steps you must take "to progress" or "to make it" upon personal effort.</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">Remember that the diverse religious scene spawned from the tower of Babel (Genesis Chapter 11), where God went down to disperse and confound (confuse) the people because of their ambition to exalt themselves. </span><br />
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<span xmlns="">Satan loves to sow confusion and contradiction, his subtle attacks on the Word of God can be really hard to detect to the unsuspecting person, but if we KEEP and HOLD dearly to the Words of the Lord we will not be easily deceived. Satan's false belief systems all contain these common elements of personal effort and works.</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">Unfortunately, we find many self-professing Christians in the same boat, deceived and in ignorance because they are not continually in the Word. Many of these Christians find themselves unable to enter into spiritual rest by the grace of God and <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>finished</strong></span> work of our Lord Jesus Christ, who is our saviour and redeemer.</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">Christians are unable to rest spiritually due to the legalistic prophesying or preaching by these false teachers and is further instigated by the massive influx of modern bibles in which the way they are translated.</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">Now before I turn this piece into another article of its own, I want to explain what it means to KEEP vs OBEY.</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">So the KJV Bible renders the reading:</span><br />
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<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #0070c0;"><strong><em>1 John 2:3-5 "And hereby we do know that we know him, if we KEEP his commandments. <sup>4 </sup>He that saith, I know him, and <span style="text-decoration: underline;">KEEPETH NOT</span> his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. <sup>5 </sup>But whoso <span style="text-decoration: underline;">KEEPETH</span> his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected: hereby know we that we are in him."</em></strong></span></span></blockquote>
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<span xmlns="">The 1984 NIV renders the verse like this:</span><br />
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<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #385623;"><strong><em>1 John 2:3-5 "We know that we have come to know him if we <span style="text-decoration: underline;">OBEY</span> his commands. The man who says, "I know him," but does <span style="text-decoration: underline;">NOT DO</span> what he commands is a liar, and the truth is not in him. But if anyone <span style="text-decoration: underline;">OBEYS</span> his word, God's love is truly made complete in him."</em></strong></span></span></blockquote>
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<span xmlns="">And here is the 2011 NIV, notice the subtle changes they made in this edition compared to the 1984 version:</span><br />
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<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #c00000;"><strong><em>1 John 2:3-5 "We know that we have come to know him if we <span style="text-decoration: underline;">KEEP</span> his commands. <sup>4 </sup>Whoever says, "I know him, "but does <span style="text-decoration: underline;">NOT DO</span> what he commands is a liar, and the truth is not in that person. <sup>5 </sup>But if anyone <span style="text-decoration: underline;">OBEYS</span> his word, love for God<sup><br /> </sup>is truly made complete in them. This is how we know we are in him:</em></strong></span></span></blockquote>
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<span xmlns="">OK so what's the difference between KEEP and OBEY? For starters it's a BIG Difference. </span><br />
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<span xmlns="">Every well trained bible student will use the bible itself to act as its own dictionary, an online concordance can help and also referrals to the underlying Hebrew or Greek text in the KJV's case we can look at the Textus Receptus online.</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">Now listen, the word translated "TO KEEP" in both Hebrew and Greek <span style="text-decoration: underline;">does not mean</span> "to obey" or "to do".</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">The Hebrew word "Shamar" (Strong's #8104) is translated as to keep, to observe, to take heed to, to preserve, to regard, or to be a watchman.</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">The Greek word "Teereo" (Strong's #5083) is translated to keep, to guard, to watch, to reserve, to hold fast or to preserve.</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">An example would be this, if I wanted to go swimming, I would take out my wallet, my car keys and ask one someone to keep them for me; in other words I want that person to hang on to them and not lose them!</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">Take heed, Satan has his hands in the modern bible versions, think about this; we've had if not, the best and inspired version of the bible given to us in the English language in the form of the KJV bible for around 400 years (where millions of saints lost their lives for) and suddenly the Word of God is being attacked by these counterfeits?</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">This fact alone proves that the KJV is the inspired Word of God in English, otherwise if it were NOT inspired, there would be no reason to bring out other versions would there?</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">You say money? </span><br />
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<span xmlns="">Who is the God of THIS world?</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">Honestly, if your bible version is truly the inspired Word of God, why isn't it being attacked? Why aren't other versions attacking your so-called inspired version? Why are they all attacking the KJV bible?</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">You might say this is an extreme view but, why don't you do a study for yourself, these changes aren't in your face, that would be stupid of them, these changes are subtle and in very strategic places. Think about it, if Satan were to completely reveal himself and his true motives, would you not run in the other direction immediately?</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">The NIV translates the Old Testament word "Shamar" as "to obey" 29 times and as "to do" 5 times. It also translates the New Testament word "Tereeo" as "to obey" 21 times and "to do" 3 times.</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">Satan's hand is at work here to promote a works oriented religion, throw in some careless preaching, and hey! All these people end up in hell…</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">There is too much at stake to let yourself be deceived, please be vigilant!</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">To bring this message home, I will give some examples in the Old Testament of where the word "Shamar" is used and see if you can fit "Obey" or "to do" in the statement in place of the English word "KEEP".</span><br />
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<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #0070c0;"><strong><em>Genesis 2:15 "And the Lord God took the man, and put him into the Garden of Eden to dress it and to <span style="text-decoration: underline;">KEEP</span> it."</em></strong></span></span><br />
<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #0070c0;"><strong><em>Genesis 4:9 "And the Lord said unto Cain, Where is Abel thy brother? And he said, I know not: Am I my brother's <span style="text-decoration: underline;">KEEPER</span>?"</em></strong></span></span><br />
<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #0070c0;"><strong><em>Isaiah 62:6 "I have set <span style="text-decoration: underline;">WATCHMEN</span> upon thy walls, O Jerusalem, which shall never hold their peace day nor night: ye that make mention of the Lord, keep not silence,"</em></strong></span></span><br />
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<span xmlns=""><span style="color: black;">And some New Testament examples of the word "Teereo" is used, see if you can do the same as before.</span></span><br />
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<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #0070c0;"><strong><em>John 2:10 "and saith unto him, every man at the beginning doth set forth good wine; and when men have well drunk, then that which is worse: but thou hast <span style="text-decoration: underline;">KEPT</span> the good wine until now."</em></strong></span></span><br />
<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #0070c0;"><strong><em>Acts 12:5 "Peter therefore was <span style="text-decoration: underline;">KEPT</span> in prison: but prayer was made without ceasing of the church unto God for him."</em></strong></span></span><br />
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<span xmlns="">The bible also makes a distinction between the words "to keep" and "to do", we find an example in Deuteronomy:</span><br />
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<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #0070c0;"><strong><em>Deuteronomy 5:1 "And Moses called all Israel, and said unto them, Hear, O Israel, the statutes and judgments which I speak in your ears this day, that ye may <span style="text-decoration: underline;">learn</span> them, and <span style="text-decoration: underline;">keep</span>, and <span style="text-decoration: underline;">do</span> them."</em></strong></span></span></blockquote>
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<span xmlns="">To KEEP and to OBEY are two very different concepts, when the bible tells us to KEEP the commandments of the Word of the Lord, God is telling us NOT to forsake, let go of, forget, or turn away from, God is telling us rather to guard, preserve, hold on to and cling to them.</span><br />
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<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #0070c0;"><strong><em>1 John 2:6 "He that saith he abide in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked."</em></strong></span></span></blockquote>
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<span xmlns="">Verse 6, what does this mean? If you remember from verse 5, it said whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected: hereby know we that we are in him.</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">In light of other scriptures, this is telling me that if we say that we abide in him and by God's grace we hopefully will not only keep them but also should do and obey them.</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">I don't want to go into this in more detail, as this would be an entire 5000+ word article in itself, but I reckon I've put a handle on this subject so we can continue with the rest of the intended bible study.</span><br />
<span xmlns="">BTW, John is talking to fellow believers here, moving forward!</span><br />
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<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #0070c0;"><strong><em>1 John 2:7-11 "Brethren, I write no new commandment unto you, but an old commandment which ye had from the beginning. The old commandment is the word which ye have heard from the beginning. <sup>8 </sup>Again, a new commandment I write unto you, which thing is true in him and in you: because the darkness is past, and the true light now shineth. <sup>9 </sup>He that saith he is in the light, and hateth his brother, is in darkness even until now. <sup>10 </sup>He that loveth his brother abideth in the light, and there is none occasion of stumbling in him. <sup>11 </sup>But he that hateth his brother is in darkness, and walketh in darkness, and knoweth not whither he goeth, because that darkness hath blinded his eyes."</em></strong></span></span></blockquote>
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<span xmlns="">John is talking to all believers, the word brethren is synonymous with the word believers, which is an archaic term for brother. John says he writes no new commandment, but an old one which ye had from the beginning, and what is this commandment? </span><br />
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<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #0070c0;"><strong><em>John 13:34 "A new commandment I give unto you, that ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another."</em></strong></span></span></blockquote>
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<span xmlns="">So the commandment to love one another, this is not referring to the Laws of Moses or the 10 Commandments; but to love one another is the fulfilment of the Law.</span><br />
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<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #0070c0;"><strong><em>1 John 2:8 "Again, a new commandment I write unto you, which thing is true in him and in you: because the darkness is past, and the true light now shineth."</em></strong></span></span></blockquote>
<span xmlns="">Verse 8 says near the end of the verse it says the darkness is past, and the true light now shines. What does it mean darkness is past?</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">The Law made us aware of our sins, it showed us that we are living in darkness, dead in sins, the law was there to make us realise that we needed a saviour, and now that saviour has come, the Light, the Life, Jesus Christ.</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">At the moment of salvation, our sins are forgiven, not just past sins, but ALL sin you will ever commit will be remembered no more, you are no longer in darkness you now have the light, the true light that shines, the Lord Jesus Christ! </span><br />
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<span xmlns=""><br /> <span style="color: #0070c0;"><strong><em>1 John 2:9 "He that saith he is in the light, and hateth his brother, is in darkness even until now."</em></strong></span></span></blockquote>
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<span xmlns="">Those who profess that they are in the light and hates his brother is still in darkness. <span style="color: black;">This is just saying, those who hate others are not walking in the Light. The perfect Light provided for believers leads us into His perfect love. It does not allow hate of any kind. Hate is of the devil and is surrounded by darkness.</span></span><br />
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<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #0070c0;"><strong><em>1 John 2:10 "He that loveth his brother abideth in the light, and there is none occasion of stumbling in him."</em></strong></span></span></blockquote>
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<span xmlns=""><span style="color: black;">Loving your brother causes you to have no desire to do him harm in any way. The lust of the flesh causes sin. The Light of God helps us see things more clearly, and causes us not to lust. </span></span><br />
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<span xmlns=""><span style="color: black;">In God all things are clear, so true intimate fellowship is possible in Him and with Him when we are in the light. But we can also have intimate fellowship with one another when we are in the light. </span></span><br />
<span xmlns=""><span style="color: black;">In fact, John indicates that fellowship is only possible in the light. When there is deceit, true fellowship cannot occur.</span></span><br />
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<span xmlns=""><span style="color: black;">A friendship can only go as far as there is trust and trust must be based on the truth. </span></span><br />
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<span xmlns=""><span style="color: black;">It is impossible to trust when there is deceit, if trust grows in a relationship that has had some deception in it, it is certainly not on the basis of that deception, but on the basis of assurance that the deception has now ended.</span></span><br />
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<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #0070c0;"><strong><em>1 John 2:11 "But he that hateth his brother is in darkness, and walketh in darkness, and knoweth not whither he goeth, because that darkness hath blinded his eyes."</em></strong></span></span></blockquote>
<span xmlns="">The person who hates his brother is in darkness, and walks in darkness, we cannot see that person clearly. When we hate even ourselves we cannot see clearly. </span><br />
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<span xmlns="">And when we proceed to relate to another then out of hate, we proceed blindly. Here is a wonderful reason to turn our troubled relationships over to God. </span><br />
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<span xmlns="">We cannot possibly move forward when we are looking at a distorted picture of reality.</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">Hate is a product of the devil. </span><br />
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<span xmlns="">The devil is in darkness.</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">This is what Jesus said in John 12,</span><br />
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<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #0070c0;"><strong><em>John 12:35 "Then Jesus said unto them, yet a little while is the light with you. Walk while ye have the light, lest darkness come upon you: for he that walketh in darkness knoweth not whither he goeth."</em></strong></span></span></blockquote>
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<span xmlns="">In the darkness, we cannot see clearly and do not see things that cause us to stumble.</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">In the following next verses (12-14) we read the reason why he is writing this letter…</span><br />
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<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #0070c0;"><strong><em>1 John 2:12 "I write unto you, little children, because your sins are forgiven you for his name's sake."</em></strong></span></span></blockquote>
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<span xmlns="">This is John stating his reason for writing the letter to them. Their sins are forgiven, so they are Christians. They are sons of God. They are not full grown, because he calls them little children. God forgave us our sins, because Jesus paid our debt.</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">What is interesting about this section is that John says he is writing because of things that are already true about each of these groups. He does not say here that he is writing in order to get them to do something new of change the direction of their lives. </span><br />
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<span xmlns="">It seems to me that he writes to remind them of what is already true about them because of what is true about who Jesus is and what He has done. </span><br />
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<span xmlns="">John wants to remind them again of this truth, this reality because, I would think, in the midst of their present circumstances they are being tempted to forget.</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">And remember the little rant I was on about "to keep" and "to obey", and that we established that to keep is to not forsake, let go of, forget, or turn away from, God is telling us rather to guard, preserve, hold on to and cling on to them.</span><br />
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<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #0070c0;"><strong><em>1 John 2:13 "I write unto you, fathers, because ye have known him that is from the beginning. I write unto you, young men, because ye have overcome the wicked one. I write unto you, little children, because ye have known the Father."</em></strong></span></span></blockquote>
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<span xmlns="">When we look at the three groups this is spoken to, it is the progression of spiritual growth in our belief. We come to Christ as little children. </span><br />
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<span xmlns="">We grow to young men as we learn more about God, and are better equipped to resist the devil and overcome him. Then lastly, we rest as old men in the knowledge of God.</span><br />
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<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #0070c0;"><strong><em>1 John 2:14 "I have written unto you, fathers, because ye have known him that is from the beginning. I have written unto you, young men, because ye are strong, and the word of God abideth in you, and ye have overcome the wicked one."</em></strong></span></span></blockquote>
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<span xmlns="">The difference in this verse is being that the little children are omitted. Those remaining have learned to overcome the devil. They have matured by the study of the Word of God.</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">They are not overcome of the devil, because they are grounded in the Word of God. Again, speaking of fathers is just a further knowing of God.</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">Think about it, most of us were taught or heard about God and Jesus, among other things as we were young, I was exposed to God and Jesus at a young age, the seed was sown, but it was delivered by evil trees, those false prophets, I didn't even get become like a little child until 8 months ago (considering I'm in my 30's), you could say I'm a young man now in terms of spiritual growth, the group that has overcome (overcome by the way is synonymous with salvation, getting saved) working our way to become fathers, who are spiritually mature, and as I stated above, the way we achieve this is by constantly reading and studying the Word of God.</span><br />
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</div>
<h1>
<span xmlns="">Love not the World</span></h1>
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<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #0070c0;"><strong><em>1 John 2:15 "Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him."</em></strong></span></span></blockquote>
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<span xmlns="">One of my favourite verses in the bible, I always use this on people who start to talk about their worldly possessions and the babble on about how when we do good works that God will bless us with material things, God knows what we need, and he will provide them for us.</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">There is, of course, one sense in which Christians should love the world, since God Himself did and does. - John 3:16</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">But what it is that is being talked about here is for us to not devote ourselves to the things of this world and forsake the Father, we are to love God first and not put anything before or above him.</span><br />
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<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #0070c0;"><strong><em>Deuteronomy 6:5 "and thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might"</em></strong></span></span></blockquote>
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<span xmlns="">Christians are in the world, but not of the world. Our home is in heaven. We need to keep our thoughts and desires set on things above. Jesus said the following in Matthew chapter 6:</span><br />
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<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #0070c0;"><strong><em>Matthew 6:19-23 "<sup> </sup>Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: <sup>20 </sup>but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: <sup>21 </sup>for where your treasure is, there will your heart be also. <sup>22 </sup>The light of the body is the eye: if therefore thine eye be single, thy whole body shall be full of light. <sup>23 </sup>But if thine eye be evil, thy whole body shall be full of darkness. If therefore the light that is in thee be darkness, how great is that darkness!"</em></strong></span></span></blockquote>
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<span xmlns="">Loving the world, in this sense, would be trying to please the desires of our flesh. To love the world, would make us a carnal man. Christians should be spirit men. The world and the things of the world are carnal.</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">This does not mean that we cannot enjoy the families God has given us, or the blessings we have received from Him. It does mean that we should not be caught up in worldly living. God must be first in our lives. We should not be hanging on to the world, but should eagerly await our home in heaven with Him.</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">No middle ground between these two alternatives exists for someone claiming to be born again. The false teachers had no such singular love, but were devoted to the world's philosophy and wisdom, thereby revealing their love for the world and their unsaved state.</span><br />
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<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #0070c0;"><strong><em>1 John 2:16 "For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world."</em></strong></span></span></blockquote>
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<span xmlns="">Pretty self-explanatory really, while the world's philosophies and ideas and much that it offers may appear attractive and appealing; that is deception. </span><br />
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<span xmlns="">Its true and pervasive nature is evil, harmful, ruinous, and satanic. Its deadly theories are raised up against the knowledge of God and hold the souls of men captive. </span><br />
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<blockquote>
<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #0070c0;"><strong><em>2 Corinthians 2:3-5 "For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: <sup>4 </sup>(for the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) <sup>5 </sup>casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;"</em></strong></span></span></blockquote>
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<span xmlns="">The lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life are what got Eve in trouble in the garden. She looked, desired, and wanted to be as God. Lust of all kinds fall into the category of flesh and worldliness.</span><br />
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<blockquote>
<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #0070c0;"><strong><em>1 John 2:17 "And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever."</em></strong></span></span></blockquote>
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<span xmlns="">This physical world will pass away, and the lust thereof, meaning all sin: but he that does the will of God will abide for ever, God's will is permanent and unchangeable. Those who follow God's will abide as His people forever. While God offers eternal life to His children, the present age is doomed.</span><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<h1>
<span xmlns="">Denying the Son</span></h1>
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<span xmlns="">In the next handful of verses we are going to read about the warnings of us denying the Son.</span><br />
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<blockquote>
<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #0070c0;"><strong><em>1 John 2:18"</em></strong><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana;"><br /> </span><strong><em>Little children, it is the last time: and as ye have heard that antichrist shall come, even now are there many antichrists; whereby we know that it is the last time."</em></strong></span></span></blockquote>
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<span xmlns="">John tells us it is the last time, why does he say that?</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">He said we have heard that antichrist shall come, singular, the Antichrist, this person that is coming is going to be the ultimate opponent of God, God's plans and God's people. - <strong>2 Thessalonians 2:1-12 and Mark 13:14</strong><br /> </span><br />
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<span xmlns="">John then goes onto say that there are many antichrists, those false teachers that are seeking to pervert the Gospel of Christ.</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">That is how we know that it is the last time, meaning we are living in the last time.</span><br />
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<blockquote>
<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #0070c0;"><strong><em>1 John 2:19 "They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would no doubt have continued with us: but they went out, that they might be made manifest that they were not all of us."</em></strong></span></span></blockquote>
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<span xmlns="">This is giving us characteristics of those false prophets, they went out from us, meaning they were among the faithful, amongst the church, but they were not of us; they arose from within the church and departed from true fellowship and lead people out with them. </span><br />
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<span xmlns="">Many times these false teachers and prophets, who are really opposed to Christ, pretend to be Christians. Can you imagine how much worse for you it would be if you end up in a church full of antichrists? </span><br />
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<span xmlns="">What about ending up in a church that doesn't believe in the Jesus or God of the bible?</span><br />
<span xmlns=""><br /></span>
<span xmlns="">Make up their own views of God according to their own lusts of the flesh?</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">What about a church that tells you too can become as a god, isn't that what Satan told Eve in the beginning?</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">What about one that says there certain things you must do behind closed doors, and certain handshakes and passwords that you cannot disclose to the public?</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">Has God hidden the essential message of salvation in the bible?</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">Ask yourselves these questions, if you're in anyone of these churches that teach this stuff you should get out of that place very quickly.</span><br />
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<blockquote>
<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #0070c0;"><strong><em>1 John 2:20 "But ye have an unction from the Holy One, and ye know all things."</em></strong></span></span></blockquote>
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<span xmlns="">The word "unction" means anointing, this would mean an anointing from the Holy Spirit of God; the Oil of Gladness. The Holy Spirit is our teacher and guide.</span><br />
<blockquote>
<span xmlns=""><br /> </span></blockquote>
<blockquote>
<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #0070c0;"><strong><em>1 John 2:21 "I have not written unto you because ye know not the truth, but because ye know it, and that no lie is of the truth."</em></strong></span></span></blockquote>
<span xmlns=""><br /> </span><br />
<span xmlns="">John is writing to the church, and not to the world. Notice the word "know" which is so apparent in John's writings, he reminds them that no compromise of the truth will do, this verse says what it says!</span><br />
<span xmlns=""><br /> </span><br />
<blockquote>
<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #0070c0;"><strong><em>1 John 2:22 "Who is a liar but he that denieth that Jesus is the Christ? He is antichrist, that denieth the Father and the Son."</em></strong></span></span></blockquote>
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<span xmlns="">Another characteristic of antichrists, whosoever denies that Jesus is the Messiah, the Christ is a liar! These people are antichrists, they who deny the Father and the Son.</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">Their blatant rejection of Him as the Messiah is also a rejection of His incarnate deity.</span><br />
<span xmlns="">This includes any perverted unbiblical view of whom the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. </span><br />
<span xmlns=""><br /> </span><br />
<blockquote>
<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #0070c0;"><strong><em>1 John 2:23 "Whosoever denieth the Son, the same hath not the Father: [but] he that acknowledgeth the Son hath the Father also."</em></strong></span></span></blockquote>
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<span xmlns="">John goes onto expound on verse 22 that whosoever denies the Son, does not have the Father: but he that acknowledges the Son has the Father as well. You can't have one without the other! </span><br />
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<span xmlns="">And that just totally kills the Oneness Pentecostals and the Jesus only movement, they say it only Jesus, there is no trinity, there is no 3 in 1 God and stuff like that, but if you don't have the Son, you don't have the Father; a very clear distinction indeed.</span><br />
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<blockquote>
<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #0070c0;"><strong><em>1 John 2:24 "Let that therefore abide in you, which ye have heard from the beginning. If that which ye have heard from the beginning shall remain in you, ye also shall continue in the Son, and in the Father."</em></strong></span></span></blockquote>
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<span xmlns="">The pure gospel message that had been brought to them was to be kept at all cost. Let this gospel message live continually in you. </span><br />
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<span xmlns="">This is simply saying for us to reject the false message of the antichrist. </span><br />
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<span xmlns="">To hang on to the teachings of Christ, and bring the Father and the Son into your life.</span><br />
<span xmlns=""><br /> </span><br />
<blockquote>
<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #0070c0;"><strong><em>1 John 2:25 "And this is the promise that he hath promised us, even eternal life."</em></strong></span></span></blockquote>
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<span xmlns="">We see from this that eternal life is in Jesus. To have Him is to possess eternal life, which is the promise. You can read more about the promise in my article called <a href="http://wordofchristos.blogspot.com.au/2014/09/the-eternal-security-of-believer.html">"Eternal Security" here</a>.</span><br />
<span xmlns=""><br /> </span><br />
<blockquote>
<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #0070c0;"><strong><em>1 John 2:26 "These things have I written unto you concerning them that seduce you."</em></strong></span></span></blockquote>
<span xmlns=""><br /> </span><br />
<span xmlns="">John makes it clear that much of his discourse has been called forth by opponents of conventional teaching. This is identifying another characteristic of false prophets and teachers.</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">"Them that seduce you" is speaking of those who are opposed to Christ who with flattering words is trying to draw you away from the Truth. John is writing to us to be aware of these false teachers.</span><br />
<span xmlns=""><br /> </span><br />
<blockquote>
<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #0070c0;"><strong><em>1 John 2:27 "But the anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in him."</em></strong></span></span></blockquote>
<span xmlns=""><br /> </span><br />
<span xmlns="">The anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you, this is the Holy Spirit, he stays with us, he dwells within us to teach us all things, John says the Spirit will teach us, and that we do not need any man to teach us the things of God. </span><br />
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<span xmlns="">The Holy Spirit teaches us all things that are true, there is no lies being taught by the Spirit.</span><br />
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<blockquote>
<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #0070c0;"><strong><em>1 John 2:28 "And now, little children, abide in him; that, when he shall appear, we may have confidence, and not be ashamed before him at his coming."</em></strong></span></span></blockquote>
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<span xmlns="">For when this day comes, when the Lord appears in the clouds! It shall be a glorious day when the Lord returns!!!</span><br />
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<blockquote>
<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #0070c0;"><strong><em>1 John 2:29 "If ye know that he is righteous, ye know that every one that doeth righteousness is born of him."</em></strong></span></span></blockquote>
<span xmlns=""><br /> </span><br />
<span xmlns="">If ye know that he is righteous, who? The Lord Jesus Christ, we can know that everyone that does righteousness is born of him…such a wonderful truth!</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">This concludes Chapter 2.</span><br />
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Go to 1 John Chapter <a href="http://wordofchristos.blogspot.com.au/2014/10/bible-study-series-1st-general-epistle.html">1</a> 2 <a href="http://wordofchristos.blogspot.com.au/2014/10/bible-study-series-1st-general-epistle_21.html">3</a> <a href="http://wordofchristos.blogspot.com.au/2014/11/bible-study-series-1st-general-epistle.html">4</a> 5Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2175516688002798343.post-13311731755795882182014-10-15T14:51:00.000-07:002014-10-30T04:09:57.529-07:00Bible Study Series – Romans Chapter 3<span xmlns=""></span><br>
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<span xmlns="">Continuing on from chapter 2, in chapter 3 Paul begins with asking a series of questions.</span><br>
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<blockquote>
<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #0070c0;"><strong><em>Romans 3:1 "What advantage then hath the Jew? Or what profit is there of circumcision?"</em></strong></span></span></blockquote>
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<span xmlns="">Now we know that being born a Jew doesn't make you one of God's people in light of Romans Chapter 2:28-29. And we also know that circumcision profits nobody, and being so does not make you part of God's people either according to Romans 2:28-29 as well.</span><br>
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<span xmlns="">So what advantages does being a Jew have, Paul gives the answers in the following verse.</span><br>
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<blockquote>
<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #0070c0;"><strong><em>Romans 3:2 "Much every way: chiefly, because that unto them were committed the oracles of God."</em></strong></span></span></blockquote>
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<span xmlns="">Paul here is saying that the Jews had a greater exposure of God's word, it was delivered to them via the prophets through visions and revelations, and they really experienced what God said he would do in his prophecies!</span><br>
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<blockquote>
<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #0070c0;"><strong><em>Romans 3:3-4 "For what if some did not believe? Shall their unbelief make the faith of God without effect? <sup>4 </sup>God forbid: yea, let God be true, but every man a liar; as it is written, that thou mightest be justified in thy sayings, and mightest overcome when thou art judged."</em></strong></span></span></blockquote>
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<span xmlns="">Paul asks a series of questions here about what if some of them did not believe, shall their unbelief make the faith of God without effect? The fact that some reject the Truth does not make it any less the Truth. Without faith it is impossible to please God.</span><br>
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<span xmlns="">God will fulfil all the promises He made to the nation of Israel, even if individual Jews are not able to receive them because of their unbelief.</span><br>
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<span xmlns="">If some did not believe, it doesn't nullify God's faithfulness, it doesn't impact the faith of God at all, Paul answers his questions by saying absolutely not, he says let God be true, but every man a liar.</span><br>
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<span xmlns="">As it is written:</span><br>
<span xmlns=""><br> </span><strong style="color: #0070c0;"><em>Psalm 116:11 "I said in my haste, all men are liars."</em></strong><br>
<blockquote>
<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #0070c0;"><strong><em>Psalm 51:4 "Against thee, thee only, have I sinned, and done this evil in thy sight: that thou mightest be justified when thou speakest, and be clear when thou judgest."</em></strong></span></span></blockquote>
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<span xmlns="">We see above that men are liars, but it is impossible for God to lie, since He is the Truth. Jesus is the Way, the Truth, and the Life.</span><br>
<span xmlns=""><span style="color: black;"><br> </span>Every man and woman shall stand before this absolute Truth and be judged. We will be justified by Jesus Christ when we Christians stand before Him. </span><br>
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<span xmlns="">Those who rejected Jesus as their personal Saviour will be without excuse!</span><br>
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<blockquote>
<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #0070c0;"><strong><em>Romans 3:5-8 "But if our unrighteousness commend the righteousness of God, what shall we say? Is God unrighteous who taketh vengeance? (I speak as a man) <sup>6 </sup>God forbid: for then how shall God judge the world? <sup>7 </sup>For if the truth of God hath more abounded through my lie unto his glory; why yet am I also judged as a sinner? <sup>8 </sup>And not rather, (as we be slanderously reported, and as some affirm that we say,) Let us do evil, that good may come? Whose damnation is just."</em></strong></span></span></blockquote>
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<span xmlns="">What we're reading here in verse 5-8 is that Paul is anticipating and then answers the objection that his teaching actually impeached the very holiness and purity of God's character.</span><br>
<span xmlns="">Verse 5 says we have no righteousness except that what was purchased for us by the Lord Jesus Christ.</span><br>
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<span xmlns="">Because we are unrighteous, do we presume to judge God for taking vengeance on our unrighteousness?</span><br>
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<span xmlns=""><strong>Those who do not accept Jesus Christ as their Saviour will not take on His righteousness; and they are they, whom are without excuse and deserve God's vengeance.</strong><br> </span><br>
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<span xmlns="">Verse 6 says for then how shall God judge the world? Well, if God condoned sin, He would have no justifiable, righteous basis for judgement would He?</span><br>
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<span xmlns="">Verse 7, <span style="color: #0070c0;"><strong><em>for if the truth of God hath more abounded through my lie unto his glory; why yet am I also judged as a sinner? </em></strong></span></span><br>
<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #0070c0;"><span style="color: black;"><br></span></span></span>
<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #0070c0;"><span style="color: black;">We might try to justify our sin before God, telling God that our lie makes His truth even greater, but He will not go for that poor, weak excuse.</span></span></span><br>
<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #0070c0;"><span style="color: black;"><br></span></span></span>
<span xmlns=""><span style="color: black;">Verse 8, Paul is saying that some liars are going around saying that He says to do evil so that God's good will be greater. Paul just simply says they are lying, they not only lie, but their condemnation is just.</span></span><br>
<span xmlns=""><span style="color: black;"><br></span></span>
<span xmlns=""><span style="color: black;">Heartbreakingly, the apostle's gospel message of salvation by grace through faith alone had been perverted by his opponents who argued it provided not only a license to sin, but outright encouragement to do so. </span></span><br>
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<span xmlns=""><span style="color: black;">In no way does the true gospel encourage us to do sin, and that is what you will hear from the opponents who reject the simplicity of the gospel.</span></span><br>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<h1>
<span xmlns="">No One is Righteous</span></h1>
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<span xmlns=""><br></span>
<blockquote>
<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #0070c0;"><strong><em>Romans 3:9 "What then? Are we better than they? No, in no wise: for we have before proved both Jews and Gentiles, that they are all under sin;"</em></strong></span></span></blockquote>
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<span xmlns="">The "We" Paul is referring to would be fellow Christians in Rome; Christians do not have an inherently superior nature to all the unsaved people which Paul has shown to be standing under God's condemnation. </span><br>
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<span xmlns="">Both Jew and Gentile are ALL under sin, meaning completely enslaved and ruled over by sin, ALL unbelievers are appointed to Wrath.</span><br>
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<blockquote>
<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #0070c0;"><strong><em>Romans 3:10 "as it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one:"</em></strong></span></span></blockquote>
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<span xmlns="">The verse should always be part of a soul winners arsenal, short quick and cuts deep, it says what is says, there is none righteous, no, not one!</span><br>
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<span xmlns="">The Jews could not and did not keep the law and the heathen did not even have a law to keep. All have sinned, but praise and all glory be to the almighty living God, He provided us a Saviour named Jesus. His righteousness is what we must have. </span><br>
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<span xmlns="">Our righteousnesses is but filthy rags.</span><br>
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<blockquote>
<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #0070c0;"><strong><em>Isaiah 64:6 "But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away."</em></strong></span></span></blockquote>
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<span xmlns="">Continuing on…</span><br>
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<blockquote>
<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #0070c0;"><strong><em>Romans 3:11 "there is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God."</em></strong></span></span></blockquote>
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<span xmlns="">This verse clearly implies that the world's false religious systems are clearly a result of fallen man's attempts to escape the true God, not to seek Him. </span><br>
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<span xmlns="">Man's natural tendency is to seek his own interest, to appease his own pride and self-worth, but his only hope is for God to seek him. It is only as a result of God's work in the heart that anyone seeks Him.</span><br>
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<span xmlns="">This describes our generation perfectly. It seems there is no one seeking after God; or at least very few. If we seek God we will find Him.</span><br>
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<blockquote>
<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #0070c0;"><strong><em>Romans 3:12 "They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; there is none that doeth good, no, not one."</em></strong></span></span></blockquote>
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<span xmlns="">Another self-explanatory verse, we have all gone out the way and certainly we have all at one point in our lives that we have been unprofitable, not one of us does good, no not one!</span><br>
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<blockquote>
<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #0070c0;"><strong><em>Romans 3:13 "Their throat is an open sepulchre; with their tongues they have used deceit; the poison of asps is under their lips:"</em></strong></span></span></blockquote>
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<span xmlns="">Their throat is an open sepulchre, a sepulchre is a tomb or cave where a body is placed inside for the body to decay, and it is usually sealed at the entrance. </span><br>
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<span xmlns="">Now this analogy is talking about a sepulchre that is open, and you can imagine the stench of the decaying body coming out of that tomb; absolutely putrid, he likens the open sepulchre to the vile putrid things that come out of their mouths.</span><br>
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<span xmlns="">"With their tongues", we read about our tongues being a little member of our body but can be used as an instrument of evil especially when it comes from someone with an evil heart. James explains this really well, let's take a look:</span><br>
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<blockquote>
<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #0070c0;"><strong><em>James 3:6-8 "And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity: so is the tongue among our members, that it defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire of hell. <sup>7 </sup>For every kind of beasts, and of birds, and of serpents, and of things in the sea, is tamed, and hath been tamed of mankind: <sup>8 </sup>but the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison.</em></strong></span></span></blockquote>
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<span xmlns="">In verse 8 we read a profound statement that no man can tame the tongue; when we receive Jesus as our Saviour, the very first member of our body that we should turn over to Jesus is our tongue. </span><br>
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<span xmlns="">The natural tongue is very evil, if not controlled by the Spirit.</span><br>
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<blockquote>
<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #0070c0;"><strong><em>Romans 3:14 "whose mouth is full of cursing and bitterness:"</em></strong></span></span></blockquote>
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<span xmlns="">Let me ask you something, which generation do you think from all human history would probably be guiltier in cursing and bitterness than any other generation in all the worlds' history?</span><br>
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<span xmlns="">I would tell you it is this generation we are living in now, this current period, when I grew up it was so bad, but now my heart sorrows for this generation we are living in now.</span><br>
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<span xmlns="">Every movie, every song, every idiot box we see it, cursing and bitterness are on every hand. Cursing and bitterness against parents is perhaps #1 on the list.</span><br>
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<blockquote>
<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #0070c0;"><strong><em>Psalm 10:7 "His mouth is full of cursing and deceit and fraud: under his tongue is mischief and vanity."</em></strong></span></span></blockquote>
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<span xmlns="">The Psalmist is referring to wanting the worst for someone and publicly expressing that desire in scathing, scornful language.</span><br>
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<blockquote>
<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #0070c0;"><strong><em>Romans 3:15 "their feet are swift to shed blood:"</em></strong></span></span></blockquote>
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<span xmlns="">The wicked are swift on their feet to shed blood, some of the Jewish leaders wanted all followers of Jesus killed; they even thought they were doing God a favour.</span><br>
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<blockquote>
<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #0070c0;"><strong><em>Romans 3:16 "destruction and misery are in their ways:"</em></strong></span></span></blockquote>
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<span xmlns="">Man damages and destroys everything he touches, leaving a trail of pain and suffering in his wake. In fact, if we did things that were for the good of each other, we wouldn't have filthy rich people would we? </span><br>
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<span xmlns="">And let's be honest, these people didn't get like that because they were God fearing Christians. In order to get to the top and stay at the top you've got to be ruthless, think of how many people would've gotten hurt and ruined along the way to being the number one person in the world?</span><br>
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<span xmlns="">It's like a politician, when they're running for candidacy they're smooth talking right? </span><br>
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<span xmlns="">They tell you what you want to hear, and they'll even say the right things to different groups, even if the groups being spoken to have conflicts of interest…but when they get into power or that position of authority, they don't even care about what they said they would do, in fact most of them would do the opposite of what they promised to do!</span><br>
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<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #0070c0;"><strong><em>Romans 3:17 "and the way of peace have they not known:"</em></strong></span></span></blockquote>
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<span xmlns="">Not the lack of an inner sense of peace, but man's tendency toward strife and conflict, whether between individuals or nations.</span><br>
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<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #0070c0;"><strong><em>Romans 3:18 "there is no fear of God before their eyes."</em></strong></span></span></blockquote>
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<span xmlns="">Biblical fear of God is knowing that he is all powerful, all mighty, all seeing, all everywhere (can I say that, does that make sense?), and knows everything, and knowing this that there is also a penalty for transgressing His Holy character, His Laws; the wicked do not have this fear of God, the world has turned, they have all gone out the way.</span><br>
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<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #0070c0;"><strong><em>Romans 3:19 "Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it saith to them who are under the law: that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God."</em></strong></span></span></blockquote>
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<span xmlns="">What law? </span><br>
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<span xmlns="">God's Law, them 10 commandments you keep hearing about, that's right, and the other laws that hung off it, Moses Laws, and what does it say to them that are under the Law?</span><br>
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<span xmlns="">Who is under the Law? Every single human being on this Earth who has not been redeemed by the saving grace of the Father through faith, through belief on his Son, the Lord Jesus Christ.</span><br>
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<span xmlns="">Just because the Jews had the Law didn't make them any more immutable to the convictions of the Law, they had the Law and didn't keep it, neither are the gentiles are without excuse, it was written on their hearts, you say what about the people that did not hear the Word, well I say, and the bible says it was written on their hearts. </span><br>
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<span xmlns="">The bible says in Hebrews Chapter 9 the following concerning what happens to man when he dies.</span><br>
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<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #0070c0;"><strong><em>Hebrews 9:27-28 "And as <span style="text-decoration: underline;">it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment</span>: <sup>28 </sup>so Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation."</em></strong></span></span></blockquote>
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<span xmlns="">We are appointed once to die, but after this Judgement, now does this say that when we die we have a second chance to be redeemed after we die here without the Lord? </span><br>
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<span xmlns="">No!</span><br>
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<span xmlns="">Every mouth will be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God, meaning there will be <span style="text-decoration: underline;">no excuse for</span> anyone who will be judged guilty by God.</span><br>
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<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #0070c0;"><strong><em>Romans 3:20 "Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin."</em></strong></span></span></blockquote>
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<span xmlns="">Therefore, means for that reason or consequently by the deeds or works of the Law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight. If you try to come to God by your own works or deeds and say to him, but look at all my good works, I am righteous expecting to get into Heaven, expect to be very, very, very, very, very, very, very disappointed. </span><br>
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<span xmlns="">I mean how clearer do you need to read this?</span><br>
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<span xmlns="">For by the Law is knowledge of sin, this means that the Law is to show us that we are sinners, it is our school master our guide to show that we cannot measure up any way or fashion. Through the Law, we are made aware of our sins.</span><br>
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<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #0070c0;"><strong><em>Romans 3:21 "But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets;"</em></strong></span></span></blockquote>
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<span xmlns="">The righteousness of God without the law, he is forever righteous, by his grace has been revealed being spoken of by the law (which was used to show that we are sinners and that we needed a saviour) and the prophets in the Old Testament all testify to the coming of the Messiah.</span><br>
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<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #0070c0;"><strong><em>Romans 3:22 "even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference:"</em></strong></span></span></blockquote>
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<span xmlns="">Interestingly, it is not because of our faith that saved us, but the <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>Faith of Jesus Christ</strong></span> which is the whole reason why we can be saved. Our righteousness is but filthy rags. </span><br>
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<span xmlns="">Our righteousness that is acceptable to God is the righteousness of Jesus Christ that we put on when we accept Jesus as our saviour and Lord. </span><br>
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<span xmlns="">And it says to all, everyone in the world, and upon all them that believe: there is no difference, no difference for what?</span><br>
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<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #0070c0;"><strong><em>Romans 3:23 "for all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;"</em></strong></span></span></blockquote>
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<span xmlns="">For this, whether you are unsaved or saved, believer or non-believer there is no difference, no respecter of persons for ALL have sinned, and come short of the glory of God! </span><br>
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<span xmlns="">No one can live completely free of sin. By the way, great verse to employ if you are soul winning!!!</span><br>
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<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #0070c0;"><strong><em>Romans 3:24 "being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:"</em></strong></span></span></blockquote>
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<span xmlns="">Being justified freely, meaning declared righteous freely by God's grace through the redemption, that is, through the work of our Lord Jesus Christ.</span><br>
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<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #0070c0;"><strong><em>Romans 3:25 "whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God;"</em></strong></span></span></blockquote>
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<span xmlns="">This great sacrifice was not accomplished in secret, but God publicly displayed His Son on Calvary for all to see!</span><br>
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<span xmlns="">Verse 24 ended with a colon (:) meaning verse 25 is going to define or expound more on what he meant in verse 24. Whom? </span><br>
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<span xmlns="">The Lord Jesus Christ of course, had been set forth or to give an account of, Jesus being the propitiation or appeasement through faith in his blood.</span><br>
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<span xmlns="">Christ's violent death satisfied the offended holiness and wrath of God which was appointed against those for whom Christ died.</span><br>
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<span xmlns="">Forbearance means to hold back. Rather than destroying every person the moment he or she sins, God graciously holds back His judgment. God's justice demands that every sin and sinner be punished. </span><br>
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<span xmlns="">God would have been just when Adam and Eve sinned, to destroy them, and with them, the entire human race. But in His goodness and forbearance, He is withholding His judgment for a certain period of time.</span><br>
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<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #0070c0;"><strong><em>Romans 3:26 "to declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus."</em></strong></span></span></blockquote>
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<span xmlns="">To declare what? </span><br>
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<span xmlns="">His righteousness, through the incarnation, sinless life, and substitutionary death of the Messiah, whom is Jesus. </span><br>
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<span xmlns="">By the wisdom of God's plan allowed Him to punish Jesus in the place of sinners and thereby justify those who are guilty without compromising His justice.</span><br>
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<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #0070c0;"><strong><em>Romans 3:27 "Where is boasting then? It is excluded. By what law? Of works? Nay: but by the law of faith."</em></strong></span></span></blockquote>
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<span xmlns="">Boasting is excluded, it plays no part in Salvation, our efforts play not part; do you get it?</span><br>
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<span xmlns="">God holds in contempt human wisdom, not only by not allowing it as a means to knowing Him, but also by choosing to save the lowly. </span><br>
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<span xmlns="">He does not call to salvation many whom the world would call wise, mighty and noble.</span><br>
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<span xmlns="">What was said to the Ephesians sums it all up perfectly:</span><br>
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<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #0070c0;"><strong><em>Ephesians 2:8-9 "For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: <sup>9 </sup>not of works, lest any man should boast."</em></strong></span></span></blockquote>
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<span xmlns="">God came to reveal his wisdom to the poor, the meek and the weak, those who were considered by the so called "elites" of the world nobody's who place their faith, their trust in the Lord Jesus Christ. </span><br>
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<span xmlns="">God clearly received all the credit and the glory for causing such lowly ones to know Him and the eternal truths of His heavenly kingdom.</span><br>
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<span xmlns="">No saved sinner can boast that he has achieved salvation by his own intellect or efforts.</span><br>
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<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #0070c0;"><strong><em>Romans 3:28 "Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law."</em></strong></span></span></blockquote>
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<span xmlns="">Do I really need to explain this verse? It says what it says and you better believe it!</span><br>
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<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #0070c0;"><strong><em>Romans 3:29-30 "Is he the God of the Jews only? Is he not also of the Gentiles? Yes, of the Gentiles also: <sup>30 </sup>seeing it is one God, which shall justify the circumcision by faith, and uncircumcision through faith."</em></strong></span></span></blockquote>
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<span xmlns="">God is God of all, we are all part of God's family. There is one God and Father of us all. </span><br>
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<span xmlns="">Keeping the ordinances of the law will not do away with sin and will not save anyone. Without faith it is impossible to please God. </span><br>
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<span xmlns="">Hebrews 11 is the bible hall of faith, read through that chapter to get a grasp on what faith can do for you.</span><br>
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<span xmlns="">The circumcision are the Jews and the uncircumcision refers to the Gentile, and both can only be saved by faith in Jesus Christ.</span><br>
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<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #0070c0;"><strong><em>Romans 3:31 "Do we then make void the law through faith? God forbid: yea, we establish the law."</em></strong></span></span></blockquote>
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<span xmlns="">Salvation by grace through faith does not make the law any less of importance, but emphasizes its true importance:</span><br>
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<ol>
<li> By providing a payment for the penalty of death, which the law required for failing to keep it;</li>
<li> By fulfilling the law's original purpose, which is to serve as a tutor to show mankind's utter inability to obey God's righteous demands and to drive people to Christ; and</li>
<li> By giving believers the capacity to keep it.</li>
</ol>
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<span xmlns="">The law is not done away with by Jesus, but fulfilled in Him. The law is good, the law is perfect. The law declares the need to be righteous. </span><br>
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<span xmlns="">Jesus makes it possible to be righteous in Him. The law showed us our great need for Jesus as our Saviour, THE MESSIAH!</span><br>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2175516688002798343.post-81381028190942529082014-10-09T19:08:00.001-07:002014-11-06T13:38:07.552-08:00Bible Study Series - The 1st General Epistle of John Chapter 1<span xmlns=""></span><br />
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<span xmlns=""><span style="color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 24pt;"><strong>1 John 1 Authorized (King James) Version</strong></span></span></div>
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<blockquote>
<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #70ad47;"><strong><em>1 John 1:1 "That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, of the Word of life;"</em></strong></span></span></blockquote>
<span xmlns=""><br /> </span>That which was from the beginning, Jesus Christ our Lord is from the beginning, (John 1:1, Psalms 90:2, Psalm 106:48) The Apostles had the privilege of being in the presence of the Lord, they heard him, they saw him, they touched him, Jesus is the Word of life; the Word that created all things.<br />
<span xmlns=""><br /> </span>John is giving a testimony of the Lord Jesus Christ, whom is the eternal life; Jesus went onto say the following:<br />
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<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #70ad47;"><strong><em>John 20:29 "Jesus saith unto him, Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed."</em></strong></span></span></blockquote>
<span xmlns=""><br />Blessed are we that have not seen, but have believed on the Lord!</span><br />
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<blockquote>
<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #70ad47;"><strong><em>1 John 1:2 "(for the life was manifested, and we have seen it, and bear witness, and shew unto you that eternal life, which was with the Father, and was manifested unto us;)"</em></strong></span></span> </blockquote>
<span xmlns="">For the life is manifested, Jesus who is God manifested in the flesh (1 Timothy 3:16, John 1:14). Jesus is that life, only through him will you obtain eternal life. The many disciples, and witnesses, including the Apostles saw this, and they testify to this truth.</span><br />
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<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #70ad47;"><strong><em>1 John 1:3-4 "that which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ. <sup>4 </sup>And these things write we unto you, that your joy may be full."</em></strong></span></span></blockquote>
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<span xmlns="">John is writing this epistle to declare that all the things they have seen and heard of the Lord Jesus Christ, that we may have fellowship, or a friendly relationship in sharing a common interest with the Apostles; which the fellowship is indeed, with the Father and our Lord Jesus Christ, his Son. </span><br />
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<span xmlns="">In fact, the whole reason why God created man in the first place was for us to have fellowship with him. </span><br />
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<span xmlns="">If God is a spirit, then our fellowship with God should be in the new man, the born again spirit of man in fellowship with God because he is a Spirit; man is in the image of God, which is spirit. Flesh fellowship is with flesh, Spirit fellowship is with the spirit.</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">These things are written to the reader so that, we too may have complete joy in our lives from reading the testimonies of those who had been with Jesus. To realize the relationship we can have with the Father and the Lord Jesus does bring joy unspeakable.</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">Those who believe have hope of the resurrection; that the world does not have.</span><br />
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<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #70ad47;"><strong><em>1 John 1:5 "This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all."</em></strong></span></span></blockquote>
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<span xmlns="">What is the message which we have heard of him? Jesus was always doing his Father's will, this message came from the Father, and John and the other Apostles declare that God is light, in him there is no darkness at all.</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">Light and darkness has always been used in the bible as symbolism for good and evil. Light symbolizing holiness and purity; darkness symbolizes evil, deceit, wickedness, and sin.</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">There is no darkness in God only light, so that mean we can completely trust in him.</span><br />
<span xmlns="">Light is also Truth, Life, and Darkness is Lies, Deceit, and ultimately Death.</span><br />
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<blockquote>
<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #70ad47;"><strong><em>1 Timothy 6:16 "who only hath immortality, dwelling in the light which no man can approach unto; whom no man hath seen, nor can see: to whom be honour and power everlasting. Amen."</em></strong></span></span></blockquote>
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<span xmlns="">God lives in unapproachable light, whom no man has seen, or can see (Try telling that to Mr Smith Jr. and his followers in regards to his first vision which there are about 7 different versions of this story).</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">Man on the other hand is in complete darkness, spiritually dead, dead in sins and transgressions; without the Word of Life, we cannot possibly even begin to fellowship with the Father. So we need to be born again (John Chapter 3), born of the spirit to have fellowship with the Father through Christ.</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">From verse 6 and onwards there is a reoccurring theme, John contrasts in his writings between good and evil, important to know is that the bible never uses the word "bad" to denote wickedness, evil or sin; the word "bad" is used to define something of poor quality, or with defects; do a concordance with every single use of the word and you'll see that the bible uses that word differently to how we use it today.</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">John is writing in such a way, that regardless where we are at in our lives, be it we are saved or not, whether we are a believer reading this or a unbeliever we can ponder his writings to reflect on ourselves.</span><br />
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<blockquote>
<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #70ad47;"><strong><em>1 John 1:6 "If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth: <sup>7 </sup>but if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin."</em></strong></span></span></blockquote>
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<span xmlns="">Verse 6 here John continues the thought process of fellowship, he says we are deceiving ourselves, we are lying to ourselves if we say we have fellowship with him but walk in darkness: but if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Christ his Son cleanses us from sin; do you see here if you quoted these verses out of context you can deliberately mislead people into gross error. </span><br />
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<span xmlns="">John here is stating an obvious truth I don't deny this at all, if you walk in darkness you have no fellowship, your deceiving yourself.</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">You can take these verses and say see, you have to turn from your sins, see you have to repent of your sins, but hold on let's keep reading.</span><br />
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<blockquote>
<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #70ad47;"><strong><em>1 John 1:8-10 "If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. <sup>9 </sup>If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. <sup>10 </sup>If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us."</em></strong></span></span></blockquote>
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<span xmlns="">In the last few verses of this chapter, John expands more on verses 6 and 7, on the subject of contrasting darkness and light.</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">In verse 8 he says that any man who says he is without sin or I've heard people say along the lines of, "I've learnt how to give up my sins, and so can you", my friends, <b>if you say you have no sin, you deceive yourself, and the truth is not in us.</b></span><br />
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<span xmlns="">The Psalmist wrote:</span><br />
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<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #70ad47;"><strong><em>Psalm 14:3 "They are all gone aside, they are all together become filthy: there is none that doeth good, no, not one."</em></strong></span></span></blockquote>
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<span xmlns="">And the Apostle Paul writes in the epistle to the Romans:</span><br />
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<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #70ad47;"><strong><em>Romans 3:10 "as it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one:"</em></strong></span></span></blockquote>
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<span xmlns="">Verses 9 and 10, we read if we confess our sins, admit that we are a sinner, that we are not righteous, and John tells us that he is faithful and just to forgive our sins, to cleanse us from ALL unrighteousness, what cleanses us?</span><br />
<span xmlns=""><br /> </span>The answer is given to us in verse 7, <strong>the blood of Christ Jesus cleanses us from ALL sins!</strong><br />
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<ul>
<li><span xmlns=""><strong>Water Baptism does not cleanse us from our sins.</strong></span></li>
<li><span xmlns=""><strong>Taking the weekly sacrament does not cleanse us from our sins! </strong></span></li>
<li><span xmlns=""><strong>The working of Carnal Ordinances does not cleanse us from our sins!!</strong></span></li>
<li><span xmlns=""><strong>THAT PRECIOUS BLOOD OF JESUS CHRIST CLEANSES US FROM ALL OUR SINS!!!</strong></span></li>
</ul>
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<span xmlns="">Verse 10, if you can go around telling people that you have no sin, then I would call you perfect. </span><br />
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<span xmlns="">But the bible, the Word of God tells us differently in that if we say we have no sin, we make him a liar, why?</span><br />
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<span xmlns=""><span style="font-size: 22pt;"><strong>Because it is written in the scriptures that ALL have gone aside, they are ALL TOGETHER become filthy: There is none that doeth good, no NOT one! There is NONE righteous!!!</strong></span></span><br />
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<span xmlns=""><span style="font-size: 26pt;"><strong>…HIS WORD IS NOT IN US!</strong></span></span><br />
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<b>Go to 1 John Chapter 1 <a href="http://wordofchristos.blogspot.com.au/2014/10/bible-study-series-1st-general-epistle_15.html">2</a> <a href="http://wordofchristos.blogspot.com.au/2014/10/bible-study-series-1st-general-epistle_21.html">3</a> <a href="http://wordofchristos.blogspot.com.au/2014/11/bible-study-series-1st-general-epistle.html">4</a> 5</b></div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2175516688002798343.post-39684814091479525882014-10-07T18:29:00.001-07:002014-10-08T18:41:53.718-07:00Wolves in Sheep’s Clothing<span xmlns=""></span><br />
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<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #0070c0;"><strong><em>Matthew 7:15-20 "Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. <sup>16 </sup>Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? <sup>17 </sup>Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit. <sup>18 </sup>A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. <sup>19 </sup>Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. <sup>20 </sup>Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them."</em></strong></span></span></blockquote>
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<span xmlns="">The subject I want to talk about today is the subject of false prophets that will come to you in sheep's clothing.</span><br />
<span xmlns=""><br /></span>When you study the bible, there is a consistent theme that is taught throughout the New Testament that compares false prophets to evil trees; trees that produce bad fruit.<br />
<span xmlns=""><br /></span>Let's go to the book of Jude which contains a similar passage:<br />
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<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #0070c0;"><strong><em>Jude 1:4-5 "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. <sup>5 </sup>I will therefore put you in remembrance, though ye once knew this, how that the Lord, having saved the people out of the land of Egypt, afterward destroyed them that believed not."</em></strong></span></span></blockquote>
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<span xmlns="">Now verse 4 says there are certain men crept in unawares – the wolves in sheep's clothing these people are ungodly men, turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness, and denying the only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ. </span><br />
<span xmlns=""><br /></span>Now verse 5 is talking about how he destroyed the Israelites that did not believe after our Lord delivered them out of the land of Egypt. These false prophets are not saved people according to these verses.<br />
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<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #0070c0;"><strong><em>Jude 1:12-13 "These are spots in your feasts of charity, when they feast with you, feeding themselves without fear: clouds they are without water, carried about of winds; trees whose fruit withereth, without fruit, twice dead, plucked up by the roots; <sup>13 </sup>raging waves of the sea, foaming out their own shame; wandering stars, to whom is reserved the blackness of darkness for ever."</em></strong></span></span></blockquote>
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<span xmlns="">These are unsaved, unbelieving people who are on their way to hell, who creep in amongst the sheep with the intent to beguiling and deceive with their lies and false doctrines.</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">Now it's important to understand that there are people out there who will take Matthew chapter 7 and twist it to say that this applies to all people. </span><br />
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<span xmlns="">They will tell you that if you don't bring forth good fruit, you're not saved.</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">This my friends is a flat out lie, a false teaching designed to teach works salvation, designed to teach you that you have to do the works to get into heaven. </span><br />
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<span xmlns="">They take Matthew Chapter 7 out of context, what does verse 15 say? </span><br />
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<span xmlns="">He says beware of false prophets, and what is another word for prophet?</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">Another word for prophet is the word preacher.</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">He is saying beware of false preachers, beware of false teachers who come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly THEY are ravenous wolves. You should know THEM by their fruits.</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">Who are you going to know by their fruits?</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">False Prophets, False Preachers, and False Teachers. </span><br />
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<span xmlns="">Is he saying you're going to know who is saved by their fruits?</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">In no way is this passage teaching that you are going to know who is saved by their fruits, this teaching is not applied to all people, and unfortunately I have heard a lot of people quote this.</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">It says you will know false prophets by their fruits. False Prophets and preachers in the bible are compared to evil trees, a good preacher or someone who preaches the gospel to the unsaved is likened to a good tree.</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">Think about this verse:</span><br />
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<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #0070c0;"><strong><em>Proverbs 11:30 "The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life; and he that winneth souls is wise."</em></strong></span></span></blockquote>
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<span xmlns="">The bible talks about us as believers, that if we are rooted and grounded in what we believe, if we were to add to our faith, charity, and to charity into temperance and all other things; we would be fruitful. And then he puts a number on it, he says some 30, some 60, and some 100.</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">Now what do you think that is when he talks about a believer bringing forth fruit, and then he puts a number on it?</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">What does it mean to be fruitful?</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">If we look at the very first time in the bible that the word Fruitful is ever mentioned in Genesis chapter 1, what is it talking about?</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">God says, "Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth…"</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">So the first time the word fruitful is ever used, it is talking about animals and humans reproducing, and when they are fruitful and they reproduce there is a multiplication taking place.</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">This is consistent with the saying of some 30, and some 60, and some 100 fold fruit bearing.</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">Think about this, if I had an Orange, this Orange is a piece of fruit, and if this Orange where to reproduce fruit; it would produce fruit after its own kind right?</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">So the Orange will reproduce more Oranges.</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">So as Christians, if we bring forth fruit, when we win another soul, bring forth fruit means we bring forth another believer. If go out and win another soul to Christ, that me bringing forth fruit, because I have now multiplied another spiritual child for the kingdom of heaven.</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">If my wife and I are fruitful, we are going to bring forth fruit after our own kind, which means we're going to have children. We are human, so we are going to produce human children. The orange will produce the orange.</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">Let me ask you this question, what about a human who does not reproduce, does that not make them human?</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">What about an Orange that doesn't reproduce?</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">Does that make it not an Orange?</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">In fact, what percentage of Oranges do you think will actually bring forth fruit after its kind?</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">Some Oranges will be eaten by animals and insects, and some will be consumed by humans bought at the grocery store. It is only a minority of the Oranges that will fall from the tree and die, and waste away and the seed will go into the ground to produce another Orange tree.</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">So when the bible says a good tree will bring forth good fruit and a bad tree will bring forth bad fruit, and that a good tree cannot bring forth bad fruit and vice versa; what the bible is teaching here is that a tree will bring forth fruit after its own kind.</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">So an apple cannot produce a banana, or an Orange cannot produce a mango fruit. But does that guarantee that every orange tree going to reproduce from every fruit?</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">Does every human being going to reproduce?</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">Does that mean that every saved person is going to bring forth other saved people?</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">The answer to the questions is No, but you are going to know what you are going to get.</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">This is what people are mistaking when the read these passages, they think that these passages is teaching that every saved person is going to bring forth fruit, but in reality the bible is teaching if a saved person brings forth fruit; it's going to be good fruit, and if an unsaved, false prophet, false preacher brings forth fruit, it is going to be evil fruit.</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">These fruits will reproduce themselves and keep producing more evil fruit, and the saved person; IF they reproduce, they will reproduce more saved people, more Christians.</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">It is impossible for an unsaved person to get somebody saved. The bible says for it is impossible for a bad tree to produce good fruit, so for example this person can be out somewhere preaching a gospel, going through the motions and even holding a KJV bible in their hands, this person is not going to save anybody.</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">To get someone saved it's a Spiritual job, it's going to take the Spirit of God dwelling inside you to get that person saved. </span><br />
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<span xmlns="">Did Judas Iscariot not go preaching and soul winning?</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">Judas Iscariot was one of the 12 that was sent out 2-by-2 into towns to preach the Word of God and win souls. Now the bible is clear that he was never saved to begin with, he never believe on the Lord Jesus Christ in the first place; from the beginning Jesus said that he was a devil from the beginning. – <strong>John 6:70</strong><br /> </span><br />
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<span xmlns="">A lot of people who don't believe on the eternal security of the believer will use Judas Iscariot as the example that he lost his salvation, but how can that be when Jesus stated that he wasn't saved to begin with? He was a devil from the beginning and you can't lose your salvation.</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">There also people who will say that when the bible is talking about a Christian bringing forth fruit it's not talking about winning someone to Christ, it's talking about seeing changes in the Christians life…who's heard that before? I've heard it plenty and I've been ridiculed and attacked by so called Christians who think they know all there is about being a Christian.</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">They'll also mistaken it for the fruit of the Spirit as well, listen, that's not the fruit of the Christian; that's the fruit of the Spirit. The fruit of the Spirit is what the Spirit produces, and the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, long suffering, generous, goodness, meekness, faith, and temperance, that's what the Spirit produces, why?</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">Because he is reproducing after his own kind. The Spirit embodies all those things, because God is love; the fruit of the Spirit is love, and the bible calls the Holy Spirit the Oil of Gladness – <strong>Psalms 45:7 and Hebrews 1:9</strong></span><br />
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<span xmlns="">Those things mentioned are spiritual qualities brought forth by the Holy Spirit, but look with common sense this is not talking about the fruit of the Spirit, because you see numbers put to the statement, it's not some produce 30 love, some produce 60 love etcetera, this is a multiplication taking place of a Christian producing fruit after his own kind, producing more saved people.</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">The fruit of believers is more believers, the fruit of the Orange is more Oranges, the fruit of my wife and I are children, and the fruit of the saved child of God is another saved child of God!</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">Another reason why people don't like this doctrine is because they don't do any soul winning, and they do not want to be a zero. But in reality when it comes to fruit bearing and if you're not winning anybody to Christ, if you never won anyone to the Lord in your life; you're at zero right now, you're not up to the 30 level yet, this doesn't mean you're not saved, you ARE saved, and you're a child of God.</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">But have you become a Tree of Life?</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">Have you become fruitful?</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">Have you become fruitful and reproduced fruit in your life?</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">Jesus said if you follow me, you might become fishers of men, Is that what he said?</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">No, he said if you follow me, I WILL make you fishers of men. So when you win somebody to the Lord that is you bringing forth fruit.</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">Now if every saved person were to bring forth fruit, then the whole world would probably be saved right now right?</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">But much like the apple tree, only a small percentage of apples ill produce more apples, not all apples will produce fruit so not all saved people will produce more fruit as well. The vast majority of Christians will not bring forth more fruit, this is what Matthew chapter 7 is teaching.</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">Want more proof?</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">So if the bible says, the evil tree cannot bring forth good fruit but according to most people they believe that the fruit of the person is about bring on the changes in their life?</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">Oh how wonderful, you quit drinking that's fruit in his life! </span><br />
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<span xmlns="">Oh look, he quit smoking, there's more fruit in his life!</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">Oh and look again, he got baptised, that's more good fruit in his life!</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">My goodness look, he's joined a church, that's more fruit in his life!</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">OK, let me ask you this question, can an unsaved person quit drinking?</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">Can an unsaved person quit smoking?</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">Can an UNSAVED PERSON get baptised?</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">CAN AN UNSAVED PERSON START DRESSING AND LOOKING DIFFERENTLY?</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">CAN AN UNSAVED PERSON, VOLUNTEER TO DO COMMUNITY WORK AND GIVE TO THE POOR!!!?</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">Look, an unsaved person can do all these things; but you know what an unsaved person can't do?</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">WIN SOMEBODY TO THE LORD JESUS CHRIST!</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">They cannot produce a saved person, let's be smart here and really start thinking for ourselves, you can train a monkey to ride a bicycle, you can train a dog to shake hands and roll over.</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">But you know what a monkey or dog would never be able to do?</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">Bring forth Human fruit. A monkey or a dog will never be able bring forth a human because they are not human.</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">A non-Christian, or an unsaved person is NOT going to be able to bring forth a saved Christian, because they are not saved or a Christian!</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">Paul in the bible calls it "begetting them".</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">Look, this isn't saying that every person you give the gospel to is going to be saved or become a righteous living Christian, a lot of the times when you're talking to people and when you give them the gospel they'll just pretend to get saved.</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">Let's say you said you won 100 people to the Lord, I guarantee you that a handful of those people were lying and just going through the motions and going along with you, deceiving you just to get you off their backs or just deceiving you for whatever reason.</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">Don't let that discourage you, it's not the majority of them but if you are doing your soul winning thoroughly, and presenting the gospel properly most people you talk to will end up getting saved. Now that doesn't mean they are going to go on to produce fruit of their own also, the majority of the people you won to the Lord will probably not go forth to produce fruit.</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">Look, Jesus reached Judas Iscariot, but we know he was a fraud to begin anyway, was he a son of Jesus?</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">No, Judas Iscariot was not his son in the faith at all, Jesus did not make him into a wicked person; he was already a wicked person before Jesus came along.</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">We will not go out there and produce wicked false teachers, they were already out there before you came along, so remember that we did not produce these wicked people, and not everyone you preach to will be get saved, and won over to the Lord.</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">You need to understand that those passages in the bible are really important to understand, you might even ask yourself why we should even bother to learn this doctrine.</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">Because the bible tells us that <span style="text-decoration: underline;">THESE PEOPLE WILL BE AMONG US, AND CREEP IN AMONG US, THEREFORE WE NEED TO BE WARNED OF THEIR EXISTENCE</span>.</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">We also need to make sure that we are not misinterpreting those passages and start teaching a false doctrine about salvation, that people have to quit drinking, be baptised and go to church to be saved because otherwise they didn't bring forth any fruit…YOU DON'T HAVE TO BRING FORTH ANY FRUIT TO BE SAVED.</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">There is a statement that is really similar to Matthew chapter 7 in Matthew chapter 3, let's take a look.</span><br />
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<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #0070c0;"><strong><em>Matthew 3:10 "And now also the axe is laid unto the root of the trees: therefore every tree which bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire."</em></strong></span></span></blockquote>
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<span xmlns="">People will read this verse and take it out of context and say, "see! If you don't bring forth good fruit, you're going to the fire!"</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">But hold on a second, that's not what that verse is saying at all, it says every "tree" NOT every "Person". What does the bible define a tree as from Matthew to Revelation?</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">God uses the tree, to represent a good prophet and a bad prophet.</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">Now is every single person a prophet?</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">A preacher?</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">The bible is not talking about every person here.</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">Look at verse 7 of the chapter, who is John the Baptist talking to?</span><br />
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<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #0070c0;"><strong><em>Matthew 3:7 "But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees come to his baptism, he said unto them, O generation of vipers, who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come?"</em></strong></span></span></blockquote>
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<span xmlns="">John is talking to the religious leaders or the sects known as the Pharisees and Sadducees, he is not even preaching this to the general population!</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">Now the good tree, those who bring forth good fruit are those who are planted by the Father, then there are the evil trees, the corrupt trees which are not planted there by God, the bible calls these trees; twice dead.</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">He says they are trees whose fruit withereth, <span style="color: black;">without fruit, twice dead, plucked up by the roots; raging waves of the sea, foaming out their own shame; wandering stars, to whom is reserved the blackness of darkness for ever.</span><br /> </span><br />
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<span xmlns="">What does it mean to be twice dead?</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">Now all of us, before we were saved were dead in trespasses and sins but we are not twice dead.</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">The one who is twice dead, is the one who becomes two fold more a child of hell, it is the one who becomes what the bible calls "reprobate" or rejected.</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">Let's go on over to Matthew chapter 15.</span><br />
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<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #0070c0;"><strong><em>Matthew 15:12-14 "Then came his disciples, and said unto him, Knowest thou that the Pharisees were offended, after they heard this saying? <sup>13 </sup>But he answered and said, every plant, which my heavenly Father hath not planted, shall be rooted up. <sup>14 </sup>Let them alone: they be blind leaders of the blind. And if the blind lead the blind, both shall fall into the ditch."</em></strong></span></span></blockquote>
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<span xmlns="">One of the funniest verses in the bible is in verse 12, here the disciples say to Jesus after he had finished preaching to the Pharisees, they say to Jesus, "Do you realise that you have offended the Pharisees?" </span><br />
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<span xmlns="">hahaha, very funny because Jesus didn't care one bit, he was preaching the truth and that was all that mattered.</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">Anyway Jesus responds to his disciples by saying to them that every plant that his Father did not plant will be uprooted, leave them be, for they are the blind leaders of the blind, and if the blind lead the blind, both shall fall into the ditch. Jesus is calling the Pharisees the blind leaders, these plants that were NOT planted by his Father in heaven, these plants, these trees that withereth, with no fruit, twice dead shall be plucked up by their roots and cast into the fire.</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">Now just so you don't get me wrong on this subject, but there are pastors and preachers out there who aren't deceiving people intentionally, I agree that there are some trees out there that are sincerely ignorant about what they falsely teach because they didn't know any better for example take the Apostle Paul; remember he used to be the enemy of Christianity, the enemy of the gospel.</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">The Apostle Paul persecuted the church of God, and he says, "But I obtained mercy, because I did ignorantly in unbelief".</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">This tells me that there are preachers and pastors out there that teach false doctrines in ignorance, they don't know any better, but look the other kind of preacher who does it intentionally the bible preaches much more against this type of tree.</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">The Apostle Paul did it in ignorance and suddenly he got saved, obtained mercy from God and became what many would consider one of the greatest preachers the world has ever known.</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">There are a lot of false prophets and preachers out there that are not doing it ignorantly. The bible tells us that there will be many ravenous wolves out there that will creep in among the sheep to devour them in their lies and hypocrisies to lead them all into the pits of hell, remember these prophets and preachers are twice dead, two folds the child of hell. </span><br />
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<span xmlns="">You might ask the question, why would anyone want to do that?</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">Well, let's go through and list the reasons why.</span><br />
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<li><span xmlns="">They are under the power of Satan.</span></li>
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<span xmlns="">Satan can influence anyone, especially the unsaved to do those things that he wants, look at Judas Iscariot; Satan entered him to get him to betray the Lord, Satan was manipulating Judas into doing what he wanted. </span><br />
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<span xmlns="">When it was done, Judas realised what he had done and felt bad about it and repented and brought back the money he sold out Jesus for to the Jewish rulers, they wouldn't accept the money back so Judas just threw it on the ground and ran away and killed himself.</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">He was under the power of Satan, and that is one reason why these false prophets do what they do.</span><br />
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<li><span xmlns="">Another reason why they might do such things is the bible says, teach things they ought not to, for filthy lucre's sake.</span></li>
</ol>
<span xmlns="">Basically, they do this for the money, they have a love for the money, they want to serve mammon.</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">These people are your TV Evangelists, your TV Preacher, you see these preachers who are multi-millionaires and they drive fancy cars, and fancy houses.</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">To sit there and think why these people do that, and you know what? A person who judges everyone by their own heart, and they think to themselves that I am a nice person, I'm a good person, which means that everybody else is good, everybody else is nice; that person is called NAÏVE.</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">And look, many people who profess themselves to be Christians are way too naïve, they think to themselves that, I would never do things like that, I could never imagine doing it; but the fact is, there are wicked evil people out there that would not stop at nothing to destroy, hurt, lie, deceive, to pervert, and to corrupt.</span><br />
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This is what the bible is trying to warn us about. If you don't know that these people are out there, if you don't know that these people exist; YOU WILL BE THEIR VICTIM!<br />
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<span xmlns="">You can be their victim in multiple ways:</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">You can fall for their false doctrines. A lot of people will sit there and listen to a preacher who is not even saved, and you point out to them that they are wrong on the gospel, they're seriously wrong; and these people listening will say, well you can still learn good stuff from this preacher.</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">No! You need to make sure, that if you're listening to anybody, that's including myself that they are biblically sound, and that what they teach is coming from the bible, the Word of God, but even more, THEY HAD BETTER BE SAVED and I've already written articles on how to be saved on my blog site.</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">You know if they're teaching Works Salvation, or they're teaching Baptismal regeneration, teaching a pre-tribulation rapture, teaching you can lose your salvation which is a deal breaker; you shouldn't be listening to anyone who believes you can lose your salvation period.</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">Heading over to the book of Jude:</span><br />
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<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #0070c0;"><strong><em>Jude 1:4"</em></strong><span style="font-size: 13pt;"><br /> </span><strong><em>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."</em></strong></span></span></blockquote>
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<span xmlns="">So in Jude, he talks about how certain men crept in unawares, he talks about how these are the evil trees, trees whose fruit withereth, twice dead and all of this.</span><br />
<span xmlns="">And let's continue from verse 5:</span><br />
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<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #0070c0;"><strong><em>Jude 1:5-7 "<sup> </sup>I will therefore put you in remembrance, though ye once knew this, how that the Lord, having saved the people out of the land of Egypt, afterward destroyed them that believed not. <sup>6 </sup>And the angels which kept not their first estate, but left their own habitation, he hath reserved in everlasting chains under darkness unto the judgment of the great day. <sup>7 </sup>Even as Sodom and Gomorrha, and the cities about them in like manner, giving themselves over to fornication, and going after strange flesh, are set forth for an example, suffering the vengeance of eternal fire."</em></strong></span></span></blockquote>
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<span xmlns="">Now he brings up the story of Sodom and Gomorrha, and he says they went after…strange flesh, they gave themselves over to fornication, but it was not the normal kind of fornication between a man and a woman; the actually went after strange flesh, meaning men with men or women with women, which of course we read that in the story and elsewhere in the bible that is crystal clear.</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">In verse 8 he says the word "likewise", what is the word "likewise" mean here?</span><br />
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<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #0070c0;"><strong><em>Jude 1:8 "Likewise also these filthy dreamers defile the flesh, despise dominion, and speak evil of dignities."</em></strong></span></span></blockquote>
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<span xmlns="">Likewise = in the same manner or in the same way.</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">And he says, likewise also these filthy dreamers defile the flesh, what is that saying?</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">He saying THEY defile the flesh the same way as who?</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">What does that mean?</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">It means they are perverted.</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">If we keep reading, he says likewise also these <em>filthy</em> dreamers defile the flesh, despise dominion, and speak evil of dignities. Let's go to 2 Peter 2 which is the parallel passage to what we've been reading to find out more:</span><br />
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<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #0070c0;"><strong><em>2 Peter 2:1 "But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction."</em></strong></span></span></blockquote>
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<span xmlns="">Look how Peter uses the words false prophets and false teachers, he uses these two terms interchangeably so you know what he's talking about. These false teachers will bring in damnable heresies, not might, WILL bring in these damnable heresies, these false teachers deny the Lord that bought them this is saying that even the Lord Jesus Christ bought sinners through his crucifixion, because of this they will bring upon themselves swift destruction; a very powerful warning here.</span><br />
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<span xmlns=""><br /> <span style="color: #0070c0;"><strong><em>2 Peter 2:2 "And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of."</em></strong></span></span></blockquote>
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<span xmlns="">What's he saying at the end of verse 2?</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">He is saying that these people are going to bring Christianity a bad name. These people will creep in, teach false doctrine, pervert and defile the flesh, and give Christianity a bad name!</span><br />
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<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #0070c0;"><strong><em>2 Peter 2:3 "And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you: whose judgment now of a long time lingereth not, and their damnation slumbereth not."</em></strong></span></span></blockquote>
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<span xmlns="">Feigned words, means they will use fake words, they're going to stay stuff that they don't even believe; they're going to preach things that THEY don't even believe.</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">Judas would've preached the right things when he went door to door, his companions would've thought that he was legit; but he was preaching feigned words, he was saying stuff he didn't really believe.</span><br />
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<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #0070c0;"><strong><em>2 Peter 2:4-6 "For if God spared not the angels that sinned, but cast them down to hell, and delivered them into chains of darkness, to be reserved unto judgment; <sup>5 </sup>and spared not the old world, but saved Noah the eighth person, a preacher of righteousness, bringing in the flood upon the world of the ungodly;<sup>6 </sup>and turning the cities of Sodom and Gomorrha into ashes condemned them with an overthrow, making them an ensample unto those that after should live ungodly;"</em></strong></span></span></blockquote>
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<span xmlns="">Do these verses not parallel the passage sin Jude?</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">Let's just stop for a second at verse 6 for moment and let me ask you this question, is the story of Sodom and Gomorrha an outdated story, was it only just an Old Testament Story?</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">In the Old Testament that's how God was, he was Hell fire and damnation, and now the God of the New Testament is all just accepting and loving, is that how it is?</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">The God of the Old Testament IS the God of the New Testament; Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever, he says in <strong><em>Malachi 3:6 "For I am the Lord, I change not; therefore ye sons of Jacob are not consumed.". </em></strong><br /> </span><br />
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<span xmlns="">Verse 6 of 2 Peter 2 is saying here, is that the New Testament example of what God thinks of sodomy and homosexuality is the story of Sodom and Gomorrha in the Old Testament, that's the New testament example according to 2 Peter chapter 2!</span><br />
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<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #0070c0;"><strong><em>2 Peter 2:7 "and delivered just Lot, vexed with the filthy conversation of the wicked:"</em></strong><br /> </span></span></blockquote>
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<span xmlns="">Sound familiar from the other parallel book? Remember the filthy dreamers, the false teachers, the wolves in sheep's clothing, and the ones who creep in, he said they're the filthy dreamers, and in verse 7 here, he talks about how the sodomites are filthy.</span><br />
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<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #0070c0;"><strong><em>2 Peter 2:8 "(for that righteous man dwelling among them, in seeing and hearing, vexed his righteous soul from day to day with their unlawful deeds;)"</em></strong></span></span></blockquote>
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<span xmlns="">And jumping down to verse 13:</span><br />
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<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #0070c0;"><strong><em>2 Peter 2:13 "and shall receive the reward of unrighteousness, as they that count it pleasure to riot in the day time. Spots they are and blemishes, sporting themselves with their own deceivings while they feast with you;"</em></strong></span></span></blockquote>
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<span xmlns="">While they do what?</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">While they feast with you, they are with you, they are AMONGST YOU, and they creep in privily; Jesus had it in his church, every church will have people who creep in.</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">Unless the church is unsaved, then you wouldn't have to worry about this because they're already there!</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">But if it's a saved church, a bible believing church he says THERE WILL BE FALSE TEACHERS AMONG YOU! </span><br />
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<span xmlns="">He didn't say there might, he didn't say there isn't going to be any false teachers among you, look the Apostle Paul in Acts chapter 20 says, "I KNOW THAT AFTER MY DEPARTING, GREVIOUS WOLVES WILL COME IN; NOT SPARING THE FLOCK".</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">He said, also among your own selves shall men rise up speaking perverse things to draw away disciples after them. He said, I KNOW for a fact, that some of you are a fraud and will rise up and preach heresy after I am gone, and that other people will come in, that after that I'm gone; he says I know it, I know it will happen.</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">2 Peter 2 says it's a fact, Jude says it will happen, it's not something that will be a questionable thing, it's a guarantee that something like this will happen.</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">Continuing on:</span><br />
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<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #0070c0;"><strong><em>2 Peter 2:14-15 "having eyes full of adultery, and that cannot cease from sin; beguiling unstable souls: an heart they have exercised with covetous practices; cursed children: <sup>15 </sup>which have forsaken the right way, and are gone astray, following the way of Balaam the son of Bosor, who loved the wages of unrighteousness;"</em></strong></span></span></blockquote>
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<span xmlns="">Can you see all the common denominators that are coming up throughout all the passages, they do it for the love of money, or they doing it for the lusts of the flesh, or they're committing adultery, or they're beguiling the unstable souls; all these different perverted acts, these false teachers, all manner of wickedness found in the same person; this false prophet, this person who creeps in amongst the sheep.</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">Look at all the stories of these Catholic Priests and child abuse stories, and it's NOT just them, ALL false teachers will be capable of doing all these things; they're called the EVIL TREE, who will ring forth corrupt fruit.</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">You know this doesn't have to be a pastor or a preacher, this can also be a soul winner, this could be a missionary, and this could even be somebody who is leading a bible study.</span><br />
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<span xmlns=""><strong>You know there are people who creep in that are evil people.</strong></span><br />
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<span xmlns="">Now you really need to get this in your head right now, that not everyone who goes to church is automatically saved. </span><br />
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<span xmlns="">Not everyone who goes to ANY church is automatically saved. </span><br />
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<span xmlns="">NOT EVERYONE WHO GOES TO CHURCH, TALKS THE RIGHT TALK, AND EVEN GOES SOULWINNING IS SAVED!</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">There are evil people out there who wilfully will try to deceive you, if you buy into their deceit you will become their fruit, do you get it? You will start to believe their lies, you will start to preach their lies to other unsuspecting people!</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">Jesus is sending us a strong message here, the message is that I have these evil trees (Speaking of Judas Iscariot) in my church, what makes you think that you don't have these evil trees in your church?</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">Just because someone is from church doesn't make them automatically a genuine nice person, agreed? Heck not even a saved person is going to be automatically nice!</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">Here's a bit of advice for parents attending a church with their young kids, ALWAYS keep an eye on your kids, I'm serious, keep an eye on your kids at all times, just because you are in a church doesn't mean you're in a safe environment, if you know that there are evil trees in your church, and the bible says there WILL be evil trees in your church, and God is telling you there evil trees in your church, YOU HAD BETTER KEEP AN EYE ON YOUR KIDS AT ALL TIMES!</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">So what, if the church does background checks?</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">Let me explain something to you, every criminal, every paedophile, and every pervert at one point had a clean record; cos there's always the first offence right?</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">And by the way, they usually don't get caught on the first offence right? I've even heard that many of these creeps will get away with it for many years, 20 years even before they're ever busted.</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">In my opinion, to sit there and say, oh we do background checks has to be the most stupid thing I have ever heard in the world! To sit there and so, oh don't worry about a thing, we did a background check on this person; that doesn't tell me anything unless you could look into the future!</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">Background checks shouldn't even exist, they are just another way for the authorities to squeeze money out you. In a matter of fact, background checks wouldn't be needed if the penalties of the bible were still in force today, because the bible says these types of people deserve death. </span><br />
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<span xmlns="">Don't be offended that I wrote this, in fact, don't get angry at me, get angry at God if you will, he said it, I agree with it.</span><br />
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<span xmlns=""><span style="color: red; font-size: 20pt;"><strong>In fact this next section of my article may very well offend you or make you feel uncomfortable but I need to say this because this is the truth! </strong></span></span><br />
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<span xmlns=""><span style="font-size: 20pt;"><strong><span style="color: red;">If you stop reading my articles from this point on, then you don't have a love for the truth, go find a liberal church, preacher or writer who gives you the smooth talk!</span></strong></span></span><br />
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<span xmlns="">If our Justice system was truly just, then child molesters and murderers, along with the sodomites would be put to death according to God's punishment.</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">In Australia, 1967 was the last time the death penalty was used. In America, about 7-8 years ago, the Supreme Court made a ruling that paedophiles are no longer to be put to death. </span><br />
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<span xmlns="">Look at the world we live in now, everything is backwards on how God wants us to deal with things of life, we are living in a world that no longer does what God wants us to do.</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">To be honest, I would rather be murdered than touched by a sodomite pervert. If someone were to point a gun at me and say we're going to physically abuse me and touch me, molest me, and kill me; I would tell them to just pull the trigger right away.</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">I would rather be killed than to be molested and tortured by some sodomite.</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">I would teach my children this, seriously if someone was pointing a gun at them and told them to get in the car with them. </span><br />
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<span xmlns="">I would always tell them to no matter what, to just scream and run in the opposite direction as fast as they can to safety.</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">I would rather them take the chance of being shot, or killed than them getting into and disappearing into a car with a stranger. They would more than likely suffer a fate worse than death if they got into that car.</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">Tell your children to always run screaming in the operate direction. You may not agree with me here but, I believe this is the best option to take.</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">What I'm saying is that you shouldn't just assume that because you are in church, it doesn't mean it is a safe place. </span><br />
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<span xmlns="">Don't just let your kids wander off on their own; especially the young ones always make sure they are with the older kids if you have them.</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">When it comes to your young kids, the best attitude to have is to suspect no one, trust no one.</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">God says we are living in perilous times, he said that in the last days, perilous times shall come; look we are living those dangerous times right now where you cannot be too careful with your children.</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">Look I'm not saying that everyone in the church is this evil wicked tree, but look there could be 100 people in the church, 99 of them are godly righteous people, but what about that 1 Judas, that filthy dreamer, that 1 evil corrupt tree, that pervert, that defiler of the flesh that the bible says will exist in your church; where the church is giving unfettered access to your child that you should be worried about; it isn't worth it, I would rather teach with the kids around myself where they can hear the complete Word of God being preached, not some watered down version of the Gospel!</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">I'm not trying to teach that you should not allow other people to look after your young children, what I am teaching you is to be very cautious of whom you leave your children with, we are living in perilous times people! It has even come to the point it is so perilous that even family members and extended family members cannot be trusted!!!</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">Please, for your children's sake just be very cautious. We should strive to not be a magnet to these wicked people, now I'm not saying we should avoid all unsaved people, we should give the Gospel to them so that they too can come to the saving grace and mercy of our Lord; what we should be doing though is to try to identify those reprobates (God rejected) people, and to be honest, they do stick out like a sore thumb amongst the rest of the unsaved.</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">The Word of God is our defence, and will help us to discern truth. </span><br />
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<span xmlns="">Now, the bible is teaching that these people that teach perverted doctrine will also pervert the flesh; it's that simple, perverted doctrine = perverted person, not talking about nit-picky doctrines in general, but major doctrines.</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">You may not like what you are reading, you may not agree with what is being talked about and taught, but the 1 thing that I would really like you to take from this article is this, please, I sincerely hope you take this into account that you should not blindly trust people from your church (I don't need to say strangers here, that's a no brainer) because you don't know who the Judas is, and typically by the time you find out, it's already too late.</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">I'm not saying that you should be suspicious of all people, I don't want you giving people the evil stare, looking at them up and down making them feel all uncomfortable, and I just want to advise you to be vigilant and cautious when it comes to your kids; the best way to start is to always watch your kids, especially the very young ones you might have.</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">That 1 Judas, may not be in your church right now, or you might have an entire church full of Judas' (In which case get out as fast as you can!) but that 1 Judas may not be there now in your church, doesn't mean there isn't going to be 1 at the next service and so on.</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">Remember, the bible says they will be there, so be on your guard for these false prophets and teachers.</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">I am going to leave this article with the following verse, turn to 1 John 2.</span><br />
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<blockquote>
<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #0070c0;"><strong><em>1 John 2:18 "Little children, it is the last time: and as ye have heard that antichrist shall come, even now are there many antichrists; whereby we know that it is the last time."</em></strong></span></span></blockquote>
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<span xmlns="">John is telling us that we have heard that there will be the ANTICHRIST (singular), and that he is coming, but even now there are many antichrists (plural), whereby that we know it is the last time.</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">Doesn't this verse tell you that as we get near to the end, the last day; there's going to be more antichrists?</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">And what is an antichrist?</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">The bible says in <span style="color: #0070c0;"><strong><em>1 John 2:22 "Who is a liar but he that denieth that Jesus is the Christ? He is antichrist, that denieth the Father and the Son."</em></strong><span style="color: black;"><br /> </span></span></span><br />
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<span xmlns=""><span style="color: black;">So basically it is this unsaved person, who will creep in amongst us.</span></span><br />
<span xmlns=""><br /> </span><br />
<span xmlns=""><span style="color: black;">How do we know that they are amongst us?</span></span><br />
<span xmlns=""><br /> </span><br />
<span xmlns=""><span style="color: black;">It says in verse 19,</span></span><br />
<span xmlns=""><br /> </span><br />
<blockquote>
<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #0070c0;"><strong><em>1 John 2:19 "They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would no doubt have continued with us: but they went out, that they might be made manifest that they were not all of us."</em></strong></span></span></blockquote>
<span xmlns=""><br /> </span><br />
<span xmlns="">It says "they went out from us", now were these people amongst them?</span><br />
<span xmlns=""><br /> </span><br />
<span xmlns="">It says they went out from us, but they were NOT of us, now some people will misapply this verse to say that this applies to ALL believers, and they'll say, "If they don't continue with us, they're not saved".</span><br />
<span xmlns=""><br /> </span><br />
<span xmlns="">Um no, but when it comes to a preacher, a false teacher, these antichrists, these false prophets he says, "They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would no doubt have continued with us: but they went out, that they might be made manifest that they were not all of us."</span><br />
<span xmlns=""><br /> </span><br />
<span xmlns="">Now look, John had sent out false prophets in his day, what makes you think that we ourselves cannot be fooled also? Maybe when you receive that knock on the front door by that well-dressed person, speaking smooth things, saying all the right things that tickle your ears, would you be fooled?</span><br />
<span xmlns=""><br /> </span><br />
<span xmlns="">All the disciples were fooled by Judas Iscariot, Jesus said to his disciples, one of you is going to betray me, and they responded, "is it I?"</span><br />
<span xmlns=""><br /> </span><br />
<span xmlns="">None of them had any suspicions about each other, they all thought it might be themselves rather than Judas, they said, is it I?</span><br />
<span xmlns=""><br /> </span><br />
<span xmlns="">Jesus even said to them, it is the guy who I hand the sup to after I've dipped it, Jesus dips the sup, hands it to Judas and he says to Judas, "That thou doest, do it quickly"; AND NOT ONE OF THEM UNDERSTOOD!</span><br />
<span xmlns=""><br /> </span><br />
<span xmlns="">EVERYONE AT THE TABLE THOUGHT THAT JESUS WAS SENDING JUDAS TO GO BUY SOMETHING, because he had the bag with the money in it.</span><br />
<span xmlns=""><br /> </span><br />
<span xmlns="">Your enemy, could be that person you would least expect to be your enemy, you know most gun clubs will tell you, that most people who get killed in a gun fight is the result of them being killed by someone they know; even the world is teaching this!</span><br />
<span xmlns=""><br /> </span><br />
<span xmlns="">This may not be a fun, positive, uplifting message, but it's the truth, and this could save your life, your children's life, and perhaps someone that you love.</span><br />
<span xmlns=""><br /> </span><br />
<span xmlns="">Grace and peace to you, and all glory be to our Father in heaven, who is most blessed and the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.</span><br />
<span xmlns=""><br /> </span><br />
<span xmlns="">Amen.</span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2175516688002798343.post-38616833272948716432014-10-07T04:32:00.000-07:002014-10-08T18:42:46.401-07:00Jesus is my Savior<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjftw-P8hytol8K3Bv6eAexcjrikubVDGLUsMNY3Q_srlKfGEHx0ve-dB0pJg2Elc5BtiN-7BY17cx3OMBRb_xc38IjVdGDZoSqz56ElmFZesrmdptXfKjVD-7aq0I-ojwar3T-yiNmETk/s1600/68684d3125447440c26cd991d52fa55f.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjftw-P8hytol8K3Bv6eAexcjrikubVDGLUsMNY3Q_srlKfGEHx0ve-dB0pJg2Elc5BtiN-7BY17cx3OMBRb_xc38IjVdGDZoSqz56ElmFZesrmdptXfKjVD-7aq0I-ojwar3T-yiNmETk/s1600/68684d3125447440c26cd991d52fa55f.jpg" height="353" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2175516688002798343.post-90556620211689409262014-10-06T20:09:00.001-07:002014-10-08T18:43:09.235-07:00Another Testament, anyone?<p dir="ltr"><b><i>Galatians 1:6-7 "I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel: 7 Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ."</i></b></p>
<p dir="ltr">Thought I'd put this up to remind you all that there is ONLY one book on earth that is inspired by the Breath of God.</p>
<p dir="ltr">Amen.</p>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2175516688002798343.post-76251717118121307502014-10-06T19:04:00.000-07:002014-10-08T18:44:39.364-07:00In response to the "Oneness" or "Jesus Only" Movement<span style="background-color: #fff2cc;">I thought I'd do something unconventional to day and post a heated topic I have been involved where a YouTuber was defying the doctrine of the Trinity nature of our God. </span><br />
<span style="background-color: #fff2cc;"><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">The "Jesus Only" movement, also known as Oneness Pentecostalism or oneness theology, teaches that there is only one God, but denies the tri-unity of God. In other words, oneness theology does not recognize the distinct persons of the Godhead: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. It has various forms—some see Jesus Christ as the one God, who sometimes manifests Himself as the Father or the Holy Spirit. The core doctrine of Oneness Pentecostal / Jesus Only is that Jesus is the Father and Jesus is the Spirit. There is one God who reveals Himself in different "modes."</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: #fff2cc;"><br />
Here is my response as recorded in YouTube.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: #fff2cc;"><br />
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.2000007629395px;">Why do you reject the 3 witnesses that are in heaven, are one?</span><br style="color: #333333; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.2000007629395px;" /><br style="color: #333333; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.2000007629395px;" /><span style="color: #333333; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.2000007629395px;">Why do you reject the countless verses that clearly distinguish the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ spoken by the Apostles? Are you and your teachers greater than the Apostles?</span><br style="color: #333333; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.2000007629395px;" /><br style="color: #333333; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.2000007629395px;" /><span style="color: #333333; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.2000007629395px;">1 Corinthians 1:3 "grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ."</span><br style="color: #333333; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.2000007629395px;" /><br style="color: #333333; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.2000007629395px;" /><span style="color: #333333; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.2000007629395px;">2 Corinthians 1:3 "Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort;"</span><br style="color: #333333; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.2000007629395px;" /><br style="color: #333333; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.2000007629395px;" /><span style="color: #333333; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.2000007629395px;">1 Timothy 1:2 "unto Timothy, my own son in the faith: Grace, mercy, and peace, from God our Father and Jesus Christ our Lord."</span><br style="color: #333333; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.2000007629395px;" /><br style="color: #333333; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.2000007629395px;" /><span style="color: #333333; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.2000007629395px;">1 Timothy 2:5 "For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus;" - Who is between God and Men?</span><br style="color: #333333; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.2000007629395px;" /><br style="color: #333333; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.2000007629395px;" /><span style="color: #333333; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.2000007629395px;">2 John 3 "Grace be with you, mercy, and peace, from God the Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of the Father, in truth and love."</span><br style="color: #333333; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.2000007629395px;" /><br style="color: #333333; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.2000007629395px;" /><span style="color: #333333; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.2000007629395px;">John 15:1 "I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman."</span><br style="color: #333333; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.2000007629395px;" /><br style="color: #333333; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.2000007629395px;" /><span style="color: #333333; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.2000007629395px;">And here are verses that distinguish the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.</span><br style="color: #333333; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.2000007629395px;" /><br style="color: #333333; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.2000007629395px;" /><span style="color: #333333; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.2000007629395px;">2 Corinthians 13:14 "The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Ghost, be with you all. Amen."</span><br style="color: #333333; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.2000007629395px;" /><br style="color: #333333; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.2000007629395px;" /><span style="color: #333333; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.2000007629395px;">1 Peter 1:2 "elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through sanctification of the Spirit, unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ: Grace unto you, and peace, be multiplied."</span><br style="color: #333333; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.2000007629395px;" /><br style="color: #333333; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.2000007629395px;" /><span style="color: #333333; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.2000007629395px;">John 14:26 "But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you." - Jesus talking here</span><br style="color: #333333; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.2000007629395px;" /><br style="color: #333333; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.2000007629395px;" /><span style="color: #333333; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.2000007629395px;">2 Corinthians 1:21-22 "Now he which stablisheth us with you in Christ, and hath anointed us, is God; 22 who hath also sealed us, and given the earnest of the Spirit in our hearts."</span><br style="color: #333333; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.2000007629395px;" /><br style="color: #333333; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.2000007629395px;" /><span style="color: #333333; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.2000007629395px;">Terms that Reveal a Plurality, including the Father and Christ:</span><br style="color: #333333; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.2000007629395px;" /><br style="color: #333333; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.2000007629395px;" /><span style="color: #333333; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.2000007629395px;">If you examine the scriptures carefully you will see it.</span><br style="color: #333333; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.2000007629395px;" /><br style="color: #333333; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.2000007629395px;" /><span style="color: #333333; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.2000007629395px;">2 John 1:9 "Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son."</span><br style="color: #333333; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.2000007629395px;" /><br style="color: #333333; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.2000007629395px;" /><span style="color: #333333; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.2000007629395px;">John 8:17-18 "It is also written in your law, that the testimony of two men is true. 18 I am one that bear witness of myself, and the Father that sent me beareth witness of me."</span><br style="color: #333333; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.2000007629395px;" /><br style="color: #333333; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.2000007629395px;" /><span style="color: #333333; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.2000007629395px;">John 14:16 "And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever;"</span><br style="color: #333333; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.2000007629395px;" /><br style="color: #333333; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.2000007629395px;" /><span style="color: #333333; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.2000007629395px;">John 15:23 "He that hateth me hateth my Father also."</span><br style="color: #333333; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.2000007629395px;" /><br style="color: #333333; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.2000007629395px;" /><span style="color: #333333; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.2000007629395px;">Jesus says that He was sent by God the Father. In John 20:21, He says to His apostles "...as my Father hath sent me, even so send I you." </span><br style="color: #333333; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.2000007629395px;" /><br style="color: #333333; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.2000007629395px;" /><span style="color: #333333; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.2000007629395px;">Just as the apostle is sent by Christ and is differentiated from Christ, the Sender, so Christ is sent by the Father and is differentiated from the Father, the Sender. Just as the apostle and Christ are distinguished so Christ and the Father are distinguished. Only several among many passages follow.</span><br style="color: #333333; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.2000007629395px;" /><br style="color: #333333; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.2000007629395px;" /><span style="color: #333333; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.2000007629395px;">John 8:42 "Jesus said unto them, If God were your Father, ye would love me: for I proceeded forth and came from God; neither came I of myself, but he sent me."</span><br style="color: #333333; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.2000007629395px;" /><br style="color: #333333; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.2000007629395px;" /><span style="color: #333333; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.2000007629395px;">John 17:3 " And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent."</span><br style="color: #333333; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.2000007629395px;" /><br style="color: #333333; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.2000007629395px;" /><span style="color: #333333; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.2000007629395px;">John 6:38 "For I came down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of him that sent me."</span><br style="color: #333333; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.2000007629395px;" /><br style="color: #333333; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.2000007629395px;" /><span style="color: #333333; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.2000007629395px;">The "Oneness" or "Modalist" position denies the pre-earthly or pre-fleshly separate conscious existence of the Lord Jesus Christ.</span><br style="color: #333333; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.2000007629395px;" /><br style="color: #333333; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.2000007629395px;" /><span style="color: #333333; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.2000007629395px;">Here's some verses to prove otherwise...</span><br style="color: #333333; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.2000007629395px;" /><br style="color: #333333; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.2000007629395px;" /><span style="color: #333333; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.2000007629395px;">Philippians 2:6-7 "who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: 7 but made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:"</span><br style="color: #333333; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.2000007629395px;" /><br style="color: #333333; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.2000007629395px;" /><span style="color: #333333; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.2000007629395px;">John 1:1 "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God."</span><br style="color: #333333; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.2000007629395px;" /><br style="color: #333333; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.2000007629395px;" /><span style="color: #333333; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.2000007629395px;">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."</span><br style="color: #333333; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.2000007629395px;" /><br style="color: #333333; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.2000007629395px;" /><span style="color: #333333; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.2000007629395px;">The Lord Jesus Christ is Sometimes Distinguished from the Father who is Identified as the One and Only God, this again shows that Jesus is not to be identified as God the Father.</span><br style="color: #333333; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.2000007629395px;" /><br style="color: #333333; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.2000007629395px;" /><span style="color: #333333; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.2000007629395px;">Romans 16:27 "to God only wise, be glory through Jesus Christ for ever. Amen."</span><br style="color: #333333; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.2000007629395px;" /><br style="color: #333333; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.2000007629395px;" /><span style="color: #333333; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.2000007629395px;">1 Timothy 2:5 "For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus;"</span><br style="color: #333333; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.2000007629395px;" /><br style="color: #333333; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.2000007629395px;" /><span style="color: #333333; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.2000007629395px;">1 Corinthians 8:6 "but to us there is but one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we in him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we by him."</span><br style="color: #333333; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.2000007629395px;" /><br style="color: #333333; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.2000007629395px;" /><span style="color: #333333; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.2000007629395px;">Those who espouse the "Jesus Only" position contend that the name of the Father, the name of the Son, and the name of the Holy Spirit is "Jesus"! However, in Scripture, only the Lord Jesus Christ is called by this name.</span><br style="color: #333333; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.2000007629395px;" /><br style="color: #333333; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.2000007629395px;" /><span style="color: #333333; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.2000007629395px;">Matthew 1:21 "And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins."</span><br style="color: #333333; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.2000007629395px;" /><br style="color: #333333; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.2000007629395px;" /><span style="color: #333333; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.2000007629395px;">Luke 1:31 "And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS."</span><br style="color: #333333; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.2000007629395px;" /><br style="color: #333333; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.2000007629395px;" /><span style="color: #333333; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.2000007629395px;">The Father is never called "Jesus"</span><br style="color: #333333; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.2000007629395px;" /><br style="color: #333333; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.2000007629395px;" /><span style="color: #333333; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.2000007629395px;">1 Corinthians 1:13 "grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ."</span><br style="color: #333333; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.2000007629395px;" /><br style="color: #333333; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.2000007629395px;" /><span style="color: #333333; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.2000007629395px;">1 Thessalonians 3:11 "Now God himself and our Father, and our Lord Jesus Christ, direct our way unto you."</span><br style="color: #333333; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.2000007629395px;" /><br style="color: #333333; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.2000007629395px;" /><span style="color: #333333; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.2000007629395px;">1 John 1:3 "that which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ."</span><br style="color: #333333; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.2000007629395px;" /><br style="color: #333333; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.2000007629395px;" /><span style="color: #333333; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.2000007629395px;">If the Lord Jesus Christ is said to have a God and Father Himself, obviously He is not His own God and Father.</span><br style="color: #333333; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.2000007629395px;" /><br style="color: #333333; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.2000007629395px;" /><span style="color: #333333; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.2000007629395px;">John 20:17 "Jesus saith unto her, Touch me not; for I am not yet ascended to my Father: but go to my brethren, and say unto them, I ascend unto my Father, and your Father; and to my God, and your God."</span><br style="color: #333333; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.2000007629395px;" /><br style="color: #333333; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.2000007629395px;" /><span style="color: #333333; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.2000007629395px;">Hebrews 1:9 "Thou hast loved righteousness, and hated iniquity; therefore God, even thy God, hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness above thy fellows."</span><br style="color: #333333; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.2000007629395px;" /><br style="color: #333333; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.2000007629395px;" /><span style="color: #333333; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.2000007629395px;">Revelation 1:6 "and hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen."</span><br style="color: #333333; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.2000007629395px;" /><br style="color: #333333; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.2000007629395px;" /><span style="color: #333333; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.2000007629395px;">I think by now, your "oneness" or "Jesus Only" doctrine starts to fall apart very quickly...</span><br style="color: #333333; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.2000007629395px;" /><br style="color: #333333; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.2000007629395px;" /><span style="color: #333333; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.2000007629395px;">I sincerely hope you try to understand that none of this is taught by man, it comes from the Word of God, and when read in light of the New Testament, we can interpret the Old Testament with greater clarity. </span><br style="color: #333333; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.2000007629395px;" /><br style="color: #333333; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.2000007629395px;" /><span style="color: #333333; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.2000007629395px;">Blessed is the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! Amen.</span></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2175516688002798343.post-82127209038106872982014-09-29T19:42:00.000-07:002014-10-08T18:46:02.068-07:00Rightly Dividing the Word<span xmlns=""></span><br />
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<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #c00000;"><strong><em>2 Peter 3:15-18 "And account that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation; even as our beloved brother Paul also according to the wisdom given unto him hath written unto you; <sup>16 </sup>as also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction. <sup>17 </sup>Ye therefore, beloved, seeing ye know these things before, beware lest ye also, being led away with the error of the wicked, fall from your own steadfastness. <sup>18 </sup>But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen."</em></strong></span></span></blockquote>
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<span xmlns="">I'd like to preach today in this article about understanding the bible, particularly in the epistles of Paul, and could be said in a lot of other places in bible where there are some things that are hard to be understood.</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">It is true that there are some things said in the bible that really confound you, but just as there are hard things in the bible to be understood; there are also things in the bible that can be understood easily as well.</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">So if the bible tells us that there some things hard to be understood, doesn't that tell us that there are a lot of things that can be easily understood in there also?</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">Now you might ask yourself, why are there things in the bibl</span>e that are hard to understand, God is all powerful and all knowing; why didn't he just make everything in the bible easy to understand?<br />
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<span xmlns="">Open your bibles to Matthew 13.</span><br />
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<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #c00000;"><strong><em>Matthew 13:9-10 "Who hath ears to hear, let him hear. <sup>10 </sup>And the disciples came, and said unto him, Why speakest thou unto them in parables?"</em></strong></span></span></blockquote>
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<span xmlns="">The disciples are wondering here as to why he speaks to the people in parables, they wanted to know why Jesus doesn't explicitly tell the people what he wants them to hear. Let's look at the next verses where Jesus answers them.</span><br />
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<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #c00000;"><strong><em>Matthew 13:11-14 "He answered and said unto them, because it is given unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it is not given. <sup>12 </sup>For whosoever hath, to him shall be given, and he shall have more abundance: but whosoever hath not, from him shall be taken away even that he hath. <sup>13 </sup>Therefore speak I to them in parables: because they seeing see not; and hearing they hear not, neither do they understand. <sup>14 </sup>And in them is fulfilled the prophecy of Esaias, which saith, by hearing ye shall hear, and shall not understand; and seeing ye shall see, and shall not perceive:"</em></strong></span></span></blockquote>
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<span xmlns="">You can clearly see from those verses that Jesus is saying, that there are certain things in the bible that are designed so that certain people who might hear it or read will not understand it.</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">Jesus said to his disciples that unto you it is given so that the disciples will understand the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but unto them it is not given.</span><br />
<span xmlns="">The bible says in 1 Corinthians chapter 2 the following.</span><br />
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<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #c00000;"><strong><em>1 Corinthians 2:14 "But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned."</em></strong></span></span></blockquote>
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<span xmlns="">So according to the bible the natural man, the unsaved man, will not be able to understand the things of God: He said it's foolishness unto him, you have to be saved to be able to understand the things of the bible.</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">To an unsaved person, most of the things said in the bible is going to go right over their head, and the bible is purposely written in that way.</span><br />
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<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #c00000;"><strong><em>Matthew 13:15-17 "for this people's heart is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes they have closed; lest at any time they should see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and should understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them. <sup>16 </sup>But blessed are your eyes, for they see: and your ears, for they hear. <sup>17 </sup>For verily I say unto you, That many prophets and righteous men have desired to see those things which ye see, and have not seen them; and to hear those things which ye hear, and have not heard them."</em></strong></span></span></blockquote>
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<span xmlns="">So in those verses, we learn that certain things in the bible were not able to be understood in the distant past, but only to be understood in the later on in human history as certain things would come to pass and God himself revealing more information ultimately in the book of Revelation.</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">There were many people in the Old Testament who wanted to understand the things but it was only given to those in the New Testament generation to fully understand what was being said back then. </span><br />
<span xmlns="">A lot of righteous men and prophets in the Old Testament wanted to understand certain things that was being revealed to them in their day but couldn't understand, and when we move into the New Testament era, we can clearly see that the Apostles began to understand what the old prophets were talking about; the Apostles however didn't quite understand all the things that Jesus was teaching them in their time either.</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">There are certain things in the bible that cannot be understood by the unsaved either, and this is true, I have been in rooms many times where I will quote scriptures from the bible and there will be unsaved people in the room that will not understand a word that was said, and if you read my article on "Love of the truth" you will understand why these people are unsaved and will not understand the words in the bible.</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">There are things in the bible spoken of right from the beginning of time where things could not be understood, and not only until we get further into the stages of human history where more information becomes revealed that will be made available to understand these things much clearer.</span><br />
<span xmlns="">So we see the following things when it comes to understanding the bible.</span><br />
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<ol>
<li><span xmlns="">Some things are hard to understand</span></li>
<li><span xmlns="">Some things are purposely hidden</span></li>
<li><span xmlns="">God wants to keep certain people from understanding things</span></li>
<li><span xmlns="">God also wanted people of different times to understand things at different times</span></li>
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<span xmlns="">Turn to Revelation Chapter 2:</span><br />
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<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #c00000;"><strong><em>Revelation 2:17 "He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; <span style="text-decoration: underline;">To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the hidden manna</span>, and will give him a white stone, and in the stone a new name written, which no man knoweth saving he that receiveth it."</em></strong></span></span></blockquote>
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<span xmlns="">Now manna in the bible is a picture of the Word of God, and the bible tells us this in Deuteronomy Chapter 8.</span><br />
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<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #c00000;"><strong><em>Deuteronomy 8:3 "And he humbled thee, and suffered thee to hunger, <span style="text-decoration: underline;">and fed thee with manna</span>, which thou knewest not, neither did thy fathers know; <span style="text-decoration: underline;">that he might make thee know that man doth not live by bread only, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of the Lord doth man live.</span>"</em></strong></span></span></blockquote>
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<span xmlns="">So according to Deuteronomy chapter 8, we read that the manna represented God's Word, and the bible tells us that there is HIDDEN manna that we can eat from.</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">When we read from God's Word every day we are eating of the manna of God's Word, and we are getting our daily bread from the Word of God; but the bible teaches that that there is HIDDEN manna, something that is hidden, it is something that is purposely put out of the way, put out of plain sight so that someone has to dig deeper and search to find it.</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">So there are things that are easily understood and things that are not easy to be understood and that you really have to be saved, to understand everything in the bible.</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">The bible says to him that overcometh, means to be saved, and of course if you do a search for the word "overcometh" in the bible you will find that it does mean to be saved.</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">But look, just because you're saved doesn't mean that you're going to learn everything in the bible the first time round you finish reading it through right?</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">It's going to take time, it's going to take work, and it's going to take study to dig out that hidden manna; but the fact that you are saved makes you capable of searching out the hidden manna in God's Word.</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">It's all there for you, and you have the ability to understand it all if you are saved. I'm not saying you're going to understand it immediately, I mean what good would that be if you just read the bible once and understood everything, why would you even read it through a second time?</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">There is so much truth in the bible and that if you understood it all at once, your head would probably explode, I mean you probably fall over dead! It'll be like trying to run too many application on your computer at once, and your computer would just freeze or overload; that's what it'd be like.</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">Every time you read the bible you learn something new, and look, don't worry about the part you don't understand, worry about the part that you do understand; it's going to take a life time to understand things of God and we will keep on learning, the bible is an infinite book.</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">Now let's start out with some basic principles to utilize to help us understand the bible.</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">The Hard Stuff</span></h1>
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<span xmlns="">What do you do when you run into hard, difficult, confusing and hard to wrap your head around things to understand in the bible?</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">Number 1, the first and foremost thing you need to understand to wrap your head around these difficult passages to help you understand is this:</span><br />
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<span xmlns=""><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>YOU MUST BELIEVE THAT EVERY VERSE IN THE BIBLE IS TRUE!</strong></span></span><br />
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<span xmlns="">Now if you don't believe that every verse in the bible is true, YOU WILL NEVER UNDERSTAND THE BIBLE!</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">You must believe that every verse in the bible is true, you cannot doubt any aspect of it or you will never understand what is contained in the bible.</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">This must be your first and foremost rule to establish in your foundation to properly exegete the scriptures, this of course ties in with being saved.</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">You have to be saved to understand it, the Holy Spirit that is in you will illuminate things to you.</span><br />
<span xmlns="">But you have to believe that the Word of God has been preserved in our English KJV translation, and that every single verse in there is true.</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">In fact, ANYONE who says that they believe there are contradictions and it is not translated correctly will only NOT understand the bible, but they are NOT saved themselves period.</span><br />
<span xmlns=""><br /> </span><br />
<blockquote>
<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #c00000;"><strong><em>Hebrews 11:3 "<span style="text-decoration: underline;">Through faith</span> we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, <span style="text-decoration: underline;">so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear</span>."</em></strong><br /> </span></span></blockquote>
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<span xmlns="">FAITH is the key to understanding, you must believe the bible in order to understand the bible; for example turn to Mark Chapter 16:</span><br />
<br />
<span xmlns="">Now before I go into this more, if I believe that every verse in the bible is true, because that's our foundation right? That's the first thing that I need to have.</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">I believe that every verse in the bible is true, so that means when I come to two verses that looks as though they are contradicting each other, the first thing that I have to realise is that BOTH VERSES ARE TRUE!</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">They are both God's Word so I must understand that both verses are true. Therefore, I must find a way to understand that scripture whereby both can be true.</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">Now I'm using Mark 16:16 here as an example because this is a scripture that is often used, it is twisted and twisted to teach a false doctrine where it really teaches no such thing.</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">This false doctrine is called Baptismal Regeneration where these false teachers will say that you have to ALSO be baptised by Immersion in water to be saved.</span><br />
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<blockquote>
<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #c00000;"><strong><em>Mark 16:16 "He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned."</em></strong></span></span></blockquote>
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<span xmlns="">This verse can be understood by anyone with Basic English skills that there is a semicolon there denoting a long pause in between the sentence but not signalling the end of a statement. Let's analyse the first half of the sentence.</span><br />
<span xmlns=""><br /> </span><br />
<span xmlns=""><strong>"He that believeth and is baptised shall be saved"</strong><br /> </span><br />
<span xmlns=""><br /> </span><br />
<span xmlns="">Now it's easy to see that this can create problems if the entire statement ended here, but it doesn't does it?</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">And if there are numerous (probably around 100) other verses that tell that Salvation is by faith alone. So how do we figure this scripture out?</span><br />
<span xmlns=""><br /></span>
<span xmlns="">OK, so what's the first thing we need to realise? This verse is true.</span><br />
<span xmlns=""><br /></span>
<span xmlns="">"He that believeth and is baptised shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned" this is a true statement.</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">Now John 3:15 says, "That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life." </span><br />
<span xmlns="">How can both these scriptures be true? </span><br />
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<span xmlns="">Well it's really simple, both of these can be true if the only thing you have to do to be saved is to BELIEVE.</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">And if the only thing you have to do to be saved is to believe, then both verses are true.</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">By this method of interpretation you can then ask yourself, well if the only thing that I have to do to be saved is believe, then John 3:15 is true, and Mark 16:16 if you believe and be baptised you'll be saved is true.</span><br />
<span xmlns=""><br /></span>Let me ask you this, if you believe and walk through a door you'll be saved?<br />
<br />
If you believe and stand on your head you'll be saved?<br />
<br />
The answer to these questions would be yes, because if you believe you'll be saved; there is no contradiction at all here.<br />
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<span xmlns="">Look at the next statement after the semicolon, it says "He that believeth not shall be damned." Does it say, "if you're not baptised you'll be damned."? </span><br />
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<span xmlns="">No, if it did say he that is not baptised then we would have a real problem here, he doesn't say at all, in fact there is no verse in the bible that will even come close to saying that if you're not baptised you'll be damned. </span><br />
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<span xmlns="">Find a verse in the bible that comes out and says that, but I'll find you many verses that say if you don't believe you'll be damned. Where do you want to start? We have a ton of them that'll tell you that.</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">Some people will even say that everyone who believes will get baptised as well, now for the sake of an argument you could say that everyone who believes will automatically get baptised; no we know that that is not true. </span><br />
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<span xmlns="">There are tons of examples in the bible where we see people who believe, don't get baptised like the thief on the cross, what about the great multitudes of people in the book of John who believed on the Lord Jesus Christ but did not confess him openly for fear of the Jews? </span><br />
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<span xmlns="">This is an example of people who believed but didn't want to make it public that they believed because they loved the praise of men, more than they loved the praise of God, look that was wrong of them, that was sinful of them but look, we don't always know who is getting saved or not this happens internally we cannot see it.</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">So remember, all verses in the bible are true, but I'm going to show 3 principles to help you understand this.</span><br />
<ol>
<li><span xmlns=""><strong>Always use the clear scripture to interpret the unclear scripture.</strong></span></li>
</ol>
<span xmlns="">For instance, if you have a clear scripture and a really foggy difficult scripture or dark saying; which one of those scriptures are you going to be wrong about?</span><br />
<span xmlns=""><br /></span>
<span xmlns="">You're more than likely to be wrong about the unclear scripture, so let the clear scripture interpret or outweigh the unclear scripture. But remember, they are both true don't get me wrong here as you continue to grow in the bible the unclear scripture will soon become clear as the Holy Spirit will help you along the way in understanding the scriptures.</span><br />
<span xmlns=""><br /></span>
<span xmlns="">Always start with the clear scripture.</span><br />
<ol>
<li><span xmlns=""><strong>Use the New Testament Scripture to interpret the Old Testament Scripture.</strong></span></li>
</ol>
<span xmlns="">Go to Daniel Chapter 12, this is going to tie into what was said earlier about how the people in the Old Testament did not understand certain things being said to them where as the New testament they did.</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">Now in the Old Testament, did the people then have more knowledge or less knowledge?</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">They had less knowledge right? </span><br />
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<span xmlns="">There are more unclear scriptures in the Old Testament than in the New Testament which conveys more information and is more up-to-date.</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">Now in Daniel Chapter 12, God has just given Daniel a prophetic vision and Daniel says he heard, but understood it not.</span><br />
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<blockquote>
<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #c00000;"><strong><em>Daniel 12:8-10 "And I heard, but I understood not: then said I, O my Lord, what shall be the end of these things? <sup>9 </sup>And he said, <span style="text-decoration: underline;">go thy way, Daniel: for the words are closed up and sealed till the time of the end.</span> <sup>10 </sup>Many shall be purified, and made white, and tried; but the wicked shall do wickedly: <span style="text-decoration: underline;">and none of the wicked shall understand; but the wise shall understand</span>."</em></strong></span></span></blockquote>
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<span xmlns="">So Daniel asks God what all these things meant, and God responds to him by telling him to go thy way, for the words are closed up and sealed until the time of the end. So are the words sealed forever? </span><br />
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<span xmlns="">No, they are sealed until the time of the end.</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">God is saying to Daniel, look you don't understand and you're not going to understand the words are sealed up till the time of the end.</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">Look at verse 10, just like we talked about earlier it says NONE of the wicked shall understand, but the wise shall understand!!!</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">At this time Daniel did not understand but in the future, the wise shall understand and the wicked won't. This is part of the reason why we should use the New Testament scripture as our primary source of authority, not to say that the Old Testament isn't true, EVERY word of the Old Testament is true but let the New Testament guide you and help you clarify the Old Testament.</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">So in Daniel 12 it says sealed till the time of the end right? Well let's go forward to Revelation 22:</span><br />
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<blockquote>
<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #c00000;"><strong><em>Revelation 22:10 "And he saith unto me, Seal not the sayings of the prophecy of this book: for the time is at hand."</em></strong></span></span></blockquote>
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<span xmlns="">So in Daniel 12, God is saying it is sealed and you're not going to understand it, but in Revelation 22 he says Seal it NOT for the time is at hand!</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">If I'm dealing with bible prophecy, what's the clearest book that I should parked in?</span><br />
<br />
Daniel or Revelation? Revelation of course, the word itself means "to reveal".<br />
<br />
<span xmlns="">You need to get into the New Testament to tell you what Ezekiel 38 and 39 means, you need to get into the New Testament to tell you what Daniel and Zechariah means.</span><br />
<span xmlns=""><br /></span>
<span xmlns="">Use the majority of scriptures that agree with each other to interpret the minority of verses, you're more than likely to be wrong about the one obscure verse than you are to be about the many clear verses that you understand.</span><br />
<span xmlns=""><br /></span>
<span xmlns="">Let the majority of verses help you understand that one obscure verse, for example you might have one or two verses like in James chapter 2 where he says faith without works is dead and can faith save him, and you have hundreds of verses that you are saved by faith alone; which one do you think you're probably mixed up on, which one do you think that you are interpreting wrong?</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">No look, when I first came upon James 2 in the bible it totally confounded me, it just blew me away especially after reading that Salvation is faith only and not of works and then coming to these verses that seemed to just punch me in the face.</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">I actually left it and kept reading because I knew that what I had been reading from the beginning of the bible right past Hebrews Hall of Faith Chapter 11 and bang! James 2, what the heck; faith without works is dead?</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">I moved on because I knew that I wasn't understanding it correctly and came back to it many times and finally realised what James was talking about as my knowledge grew that particular confounding passage became clear and the Holy Spirit illuminated me on that matter.</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">So the 3<sup>rd</sup> point here is to <strong>let the clear majority of verses interpret the difficult minority of verses.</strong><br /> </span><br />
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<span xmlns="">Moving along…</span><br />
<span xmlns=""><br /> </span><br />
<span xmlns="">4. <strong>Let the Statements outweigh the Questions</strong><br /> </span><br />
<span xmlns=""><strong><br /></strong></span>
<span xmlns="">A lot of false doctrines are based on questions that are asked in the bible rather than the clear statements of the bible.</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">Look at people who deny faith alone saves, they base their doctrine of works salvation on a question from James 2, which says can faith save him?</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">What about the doctrine of baptisms for the dead? </span><br />
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<span xmlns="">This doctrine is also based on a question rather than a statement in 1 Corinthians 15:</span><br />
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<blockquote>
<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #c00000;"><strong><em>1 Corinthians 15:29 "Else what shall <span style="text-decoration: underline;">they</span> do which are baptized for the dead, if the dead rise not at all? Why are <span style="text-decoration: underline;">they</span> then baptized for the dead?'"</em></strong></span></span></blockquote>
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<span xmlns="">What on earth? </span><br />
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<span xmlns="">Can you see the error one can make when basing a doctrine on questions in the bible rather than a statement?</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">And Paul here isn't even talking to the Christians he is talking about another group (possibly Pagans who did engage in baptising the dead in Corinth), if he were talking about the Corinthians he would be saying, <span style="color: #c00000;"><em><strong>"</strong>Else what shall <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>WE</strong></span> do which are baptized for the dead, if the dead rise not at all? Why are <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>WE</strong></span> then baptized for the dead?'"</em></span></span><br />
<span xmlns=""><br /> </span><br />
<span xmlns=""><span style="color: black;">Always let the statement teach you what the answer is to the question.</span></span><br />
<span xmlns=""><br /> </span><br />
<span xmlns=""><span style="color: black;">Right, now those principles are taken care of let's move on!</span></span><br />
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<blockquote>
<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #c00000;"><strong><em>2 Timothy 2:15 "Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth."</em></strong></span></span></blockquote>
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<span xmlns="">The bible says we need to rightly divide the word of truth meaning we need to differentiate between different things.</span><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0kDgNqa2Iz2bagGxZWyBdJDZ6WNMPsKdd34Zarlx_l6FIvTkrEM1nTniqmWmR-2oTcbJ1iQG7z4T_P6tE_4sTzEfl6NHBZzup3uKX03QVsg7shuhwQGQ7kaF1q9p8bkOosF_Jd_Pv2M4/s1600/1612-1613-King-James-Bible-Cover-hi-res.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0kDgNqa2Iz2bagGxZWyBdJDZ6WNMPsKdd34Zarlx_l6FIvTkrEM1nTniqmWmR-2oTcbJ1iQG7z4T_P6tE_4sTzEfl6NHBZzup3uKX03QVsg7shuhwQGQ7kaF1q9p8bkOosF_Jd_Pv2M4/s1600/1612-1613-King-James-Bible-Cover-hi-res.jpg" height="464" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">KJV 1611 Version</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span xmlns=""><br /> </span><br />
<span xmlns="">There are a few things we need to know to help us differentiate from.</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">First of all we need to differentiate between the Old and New Testament right? </span><br />
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<span xmlns="">Because there are differences in the Old and New Testaments so we need to study the bible to differentiate between the two.</span><br />
<span xmlns=""><br /></span>
<span xmlns="">The wrong way to divide is to say, "Oh that's Old Testament, I don't want to hear it", there are a lot of people who think that, just throw away the Old Testament. That's wrongly dividing the word.</span><br />
<span xmlns=""><br /></span>
<span xmlns="">Rightly dividing the word is understanding that God has made specific changes in the New Testament, and that if something in the Old Testament that has NOT been specifically changed, specifically altered, and specifically repealed it is still in force today.</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">If God didn't specifically repeal it in the New Testament, it IS STILL IN FORCE TODAY. </span><br />
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<span xmlns="">If God did not specifically repeal it; you better be doing it.</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">So what are some of the things that God repealed in the New Testament?</span><br />
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<blockquote>
<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #c00000;"><strong><em>Hebrews 9:10 "which stood only in meats and drinks, and divers washings, and carnal ordinances, imposed on them until the time of reformation."</em></strong></span></span></blockquote>
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<span xmlns="">So we have meats, drinks, divers washing, and carnal ordinances or physical rituals until the time of reformation, which is the time when Christ gave his life for us.</span><br />
<span xmlns=""><br /></span>
<span xmlns="">In Colossians 2 we have a similar list:</span><br />
<span xmlns=""><br /> </span><br />
<blockquote>
<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #c00000;"><strong><em>Colossians 2:16 "<span style="text-decoration: underline;">Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of an holyday, or of the new moon, or of the Sabbath days: <sup>17 </sup>which are a shadow of things to come; but the body is of Christ.</span>"</em></strong></span></span></blockquote>
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<span xmlns="">We see in Colossians 2 that we are no longer have to observe meats, drinks, regard one day as a holyday or the Jewish festivals or of the Sabbath days.</span><br />
<span xmlns=""><br /></span>
<span xmlns="">So we no longer have to keep the dietary laws that were imposed in the Old Testament such as the shellfish and swine (Pig), wherein the New Testament we are told that anything we eat so long as it is received with thanksgiving to God is fine.</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">What about clothing?</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">There are things in the Old Testament that God still has in force:</span><br />
<span xmlns=""><br /> </span><br />
<blockquote>
<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #c00000;"><strong><em>Deuteronomy 22:5 "The woman shall not wear that which pertaineth unto a man, neither shall a man put on a woman's garment: for all that do so are abomination unto the Lord thy God."</em></strong></span></span></blockquote>
<blockquote>
<span xmlns=""><br /> </span></blockquote>
<blockquote>
<span xmlns="">That's right, nowhere in the New Testament has God specifically repealed this law such items that women wear are (ahem) pants/trousers that only men should be wearing; and the same is considered true vice versa as well. This is also known in our time as cross dressing.</span></blockquote>
<span xmlns="">A man should look like a man, and women should look like a woman. God has not repealed this at all in the New Testament.</span><br />
<span xmlns=""><br />There is still many prohibitions in the Old Testament still in force today. You should, get out your bibles and start reading to find out what they are.</span><br />
<span xmlns=""><br /></span>
<span xmlns="">The next point I'd like to move onto is that we need to differentiate between the <span style="text-decoration: underline;">statements of God and the statements of Man. </span></span><br />
<span xmlns=""><br /></span>
<span xmlns="">Remember to always base the truth on statements of the bible and especially rightly divide between a statement and a story or a parable, and always use the statement to interpret the story or the parable.</span><br />
<span xmlns=""><br /></span>
<span xmlns="">Look if the only evidence that you have to back up your doctrine is a story or a question; then I'm sorry, but you have the wrong doctrine!</span><br />
<span xmlns=""><br /></span>
<span xmlns="">A story should only reinforce what you believe, illustrate what you believe, but it <span style="text-decoration: underline;">should not be the foundation of your belief</span>, it should <span style="text-decoration: underline;">NOT be the foundation of your doctrine. </span></span><br />
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<span xmlns="">Everything that you believe <span style="text-decoration: underline;">SHOULD be based on a CLEAR STATEMENT in the bible</span>. </span><br />
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<span xmlns="">We know that a lot people say things in the bible, and those things aren't always true. </span><br />
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<span xmlns="">For example a verily, verily statement should not be outweighed by one that is not consisting of the word verily. Another example is that the Devil speaks in the bible and we know that there is no truth in him. </span><br />
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<span xmlns="">I'll give another example, turn to Luke chapter 2 talking about Jesus:</span><br />
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<blockquote>
<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #c00000;"><strong><em>Luke 2:33 "And <span style="text-decoration: underline;">Joseph and his mother</span> marvelled at those things which were spoken of him."</em></strong></span></span></blockquote>
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<span xmlns="">Notice the inspired KJV bible says Joseph and his mother marvelled; the bible here is clear that Joseph is not Jesus' father, but the modern (Per-) versions of the bible like the New International version (NIV) call's Joseph Jesus' father.</span><br />
<span xmlns=""><br /> </span><br />
<blockquote>
<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #7030a0;"><strong><em>NIV Luke 2:33 "The <span style="text-decoration: underline;">child's father and mother</span> marvelled at what was said about him."</em></strong></span></span></blockquote>
<blockquote>
<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #7030a0;"><strong><em>NASB Luke 2:33 "<span style="text-decoration: underline;">And His father and mother</span> were amazed at the things which were being said about Him."</em></strong></span></span></blockquote>
<blockquote>
<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #7030a0;"><strong><em>ESV Luke 2:33 "<span style="text-decoration: underline;">And his father and his mother</span> marvelled at what was said about him."</em></strong></span></span></blockquote>
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<span xmlns="">This is blasphemy, that is wrong, the NIV and the other modern bibles are teaching a wrong doctrine! </span><br />
<span xmlns=""><br /></span>
<span xmlns="">Joseph is NOT Jesus' father, Joseph is Jesus' stepfather I'll give you that, but in no way does any of the translation calls him a stepfather!</span><br />
<span xmlns=""><br /></span>
<span xmlns="">It's funny when you tell people who attack the KJV and they'll say what about verse 48 where the KJV calls Joseph Jesus's father?</span><br />
<span xmlns=""><br /> </span><br />
<blockquote>
<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #c00000;"><strong><em>Luke 2:48 "And when they saw him, they were amazed: and his mother said unto him, Son, why hast thou thus dealt with us? <span style="text-decoration: underline;">Behold, thy father and I</span> have sought thee sorrowing."</em></strong></span></span></blockquote>
<span xmlns=""><br /> </span><br />
<span xmlns="">Um OK, is God the one doing the talking? </span><br />
<span xmlns=""><br /></span>
<span xmlns="">This is Mary speaking calling Joseph Jesus' father. </span><br />
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<span xmlns="">Listen Roman Catholic! </span><br />
<span xmlns=""><br /></span>
<span xmlns="">Mary isn't God, someone needs to rebuke these Catholics that are defending these modern versions that Mary isn't God!</span><br />
<span xmlns=""><br /></span>
<span xmlns="">Look in the next verse, Jesus corrects Mary for saying what she did:</span><br />
<span xmlns=""><br /> </span><br />
<blockquote>
<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #c00000;"><strong><em>Luke 2:49 "And he said unto them, How is it that ye sought me? Wist ye not that I must be about my Father's business?"</em></strong></span></span></blockquote>
<span xmlns=""><br /> </span><br />
<span xmlns="">See here Jesus rebuking his mother, he says how is it that you sought me? </span><br />
<span xmlns=""><br /></span>
<span xmlns="">Do you not know that I must be about my Father's business? </span><br />
<span xmlns=""><br /></span>
<span xmlns="">Notice the capitalization of the word "Father" being used also compared to the previous verse use of the word when Mary is speaking.</span><br />
<span xmlns=""><br /></span>
<span xmlns="">In essence he's saying to Mary, how is it even possible for my Father to be seeking me when he is in heaven and knows everything? </span><br />
<span xmlns=""><br /></span>
<span xmlns="">He's not looking for me, he knows exactly where I was!</span><br />
<span xmlns=""><br /></span>
<span xmlns="">Jesus is saying I AM about my Father's business, preaching and teaching God's Word, how is it that you say this man, this carpenter is my father and he was seeking me?</span><br />
<span xmlns=""><br /></span>
<span xmlns="">Here is another misconception of Jesus, people who call Jesus a carpenter, the bible makes no indication that Jesus was a carpenter, the only passage that alludes people to believe Jesus was a carpenter is in the book of Mark chapter 6 we read:</span><br />
<span xmlns=""><br /> </span><br />
<blockquote>
<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #c00000;"><strong><em>Mark 6:3 "<span style="text-decoration: underline;">Is not this the carpenter</span>, the son of Mary, the brother of James, and Joses, and of Juda, and Simon? And are not his sisters here with us? And they were offended at him."</em></strong></span></span></blockquote>
<span xmlns=""><br /> </span><br />
<span xmlns="">See how this is a question from people who really didn't know him at all? </span><br />
<span xmlns=""><br /></span>
<span xmlns="">See how you can get the wrong doctrine from a question instead of a clear statement?</span><br />
<span xmlns=""><br /></span>
<span xmlns="">Jesus was more like an engineer, a mister fix it, and jack of all trades, is he not the creator of all things?</span><br />
<span xmlns=""><br /></span>
<span xmlns="">There is no clear evidence that Jesus was a carpenter.</span><br />
<span xmlns=""><br /></span>
<span xmlns="">So we need to differentiate between when God is talking and when man is talking, and when man is talking, what he says may or may not be true.</span><br />
<span xmlns=""><br /></span>
<span xmlns="">One more thing, who is the narrator of the bible when there is nobody talking? The Holy Spirit, the Spirit narrates the story.</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">And when you are struggling with a passage in the bible, <span style="text-decoration: underline;">you've got to put away preconceived ideas</span>.</span><br />
<span xmlns="">A major enemy to the bible is an idea or belief that you have been holding onto causing you to be biased in your interpretations.</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">For example John Chapter 3 is one of the chapters in the bible where a preconceived idea will cause you to misinterpret what Jesus is teaching Nicodemus.</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">The subject being "born again" and greatly misinterpreting the "water" to be baptism is indeed a gross mistake people make, and people who believe in baptismal regeneration will use this chapter to prove their belief.</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">Jesus explains what it is to be born again and contrasts the two births further into the chapter – IT IS NOT ABOUT BAPTISM.</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">Once you get an idea stuck in your head, it prevents you from understanding the passage. </span>You start to assume things that aren't there are there, and insert your ideas about something into the passage to twist and pervert the passage until it fits your idea, until it agrees with your belief rather than what God is teaching you.<br />
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<span xmlns="">In fact the only assumption you should be making at all is what we learnt earlier, THAT ALL VERSES OF THE BIBLE ARE TRUE, every single jot and tittle of the bible is true!</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">PUT ASIDE PRECONCEIVED IDEAS!!</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">Lastly, if in doubt, take the passage literally! We should always assume things are literal in the bible unless it is obvious that it is symbolic – Yes! Common sense is required here.</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">For example if I'm talking to my wife or children, shouldn't they assume that everything I say is literal?</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">Or should they just assume that most of everything I'm going to say is symbolic?</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">If I said, "Honey, I don't feel like hanging around the restaurant after dinner, I'd like you to, as soon as we've finished eating, to round up the kids and head straight for the car and go home". </span><br />
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<span xmlns="">And she thinks to herself, "Hmmm, what did he mean by that? I wonder if he means were starting something new, or he wants us to try something new in our lives"</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">Seriously, is that a literal interpretation or a Symbolic interpretation?</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">Shouldn't she take that as a literal interpretation?</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">If I said to my child, "I've told you a million times for you not to do that!"</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">With any common sense you would interpret that as symbolic right?</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">As if I said not to do that a million times.</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">If you start to think that everything in the bible is symbolic, you will start to get yourself into a lot of false doctrine.</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">We should not waste a lot of our time on someone who thinks everything is symbolic.</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">Hell is not symbolic; it is a literal real place. Get in the truth and walk in the light.</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">May God bless you on your personal journey to know the saviour, but remember it is not whether you know the saviour; it's whether the saviour know YOU.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #0b5394;" xmlns="">Father I hope that whosoever should read these words, can use them and help guide them into trying to understand your Words written in the Holy Bible, I hope they get themselves and their house saved and I ask that my own household come into the fold as well. Please help understand that that the only preconceived ideas we should have is that all scripture, every jot and tittle written in your Word is true, we pray and thank thee in the name of your Son, Jesus Christ.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #0b5394;" xmlns="">Amen</span><br />
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2175516688002798343.post-57958647019039055242014-09-24T20:41:00.003-07:002014-09-25T03:36:46.136-07:00The Good Samaritan<span xmlns=""></span><br />
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<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #5b9bd5;"><strong><em>Luke 10:25-37 "And, behold, a certain lawyer stood up, and tempted him, saying, Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life? <sup>26 </sup>He said unto him, what is written in the law? How readest thou? <sup>27 </sup>And he answering said, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbour as thyself. <sup>28 </sup>And he said unto him, Thou hast answered right: this do, and thou shalt live. <sup>29 </sup>But he, willing to justify himself, said unto Jesus, and who is my neighbour? <sup>30 </sup>And Jesus answering said, A certain man went down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among thieves, which stripped him of his raiment, and wounded him, and departed, leaving him half dead. <sup>31 </sup>And by chance there came down a certain priest that way: and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side. <sup>32 </sup>And likewise a Levite, when he was at the place, came and looked on him, and passed by on the other side. <sup>33 </sup>But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was: and when he saw him, he had compassion on him, <sup>34 </sup>and went to him, and bound up his wounds, pouring in oil and wine, and set him on his own beast, and brought him to an inn, and took care of him. <sup>35 </sup>And on the morrow when he departed, he took out two pence, and gave them to the host, and said unto him, Take care of him; and whatsoever thou spendest more, when I come again, I will repay thee. <sup>36 </sup>Which now of these three, thinkest thou, was neighbour unto him that fell among the thieves? <sup>37 </sup>And he said, He that shewed mercy on him. Then said Jesus unto him, Go, and do thou likewise."</em></strong></span></span></blockquote>
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<span xmlns="">The part I would like to focus on today in Luke Chapter 10 is the parable of the Good Samaritan, starting in verse 25 where it says a lawyer, now a lawyer in those days is not like the lawyers we have today. In those days a lawyer is someone who is an expert in the scriptures, someone who is an expert in the laws of Moses.</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">Now the lawyer stands up to tempt the Lord Jesus, asking Jesus, "What shall I do to inherit eternal life?"</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">Now if you would, flip back over to Matthew chapter 19, here we find a similar story in the bible, I'm going to use this story to help explain the story of the Good Samaritan.</span><br />
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<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #5b9bd5;"><strong><em>Matthew 19:16 "And, behold, one came and said unto him, Good Master, what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life?"</em></strong></span></span></blockquote>
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<span xmlns="">Jesus responds to this question in the following verse.</span><br />
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<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #5b9bd5;"><strong><em>Matthew 19:17 "And he said unto him, Why callest thou me good? There is none good but one, that is, God: but if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments."</em></strong></span></span></blockquote>
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<span xmlns="">Now a lot of people will take these verses and completely misunderstand and stumble over these verses, just like the people in Jesus time, the people who he was speaking to didn't understand what was being said.</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">You need to understand something here with the people in Matthew 19 and Luke 10, Jesus was speaking to people who are very zealous of their religion, the Pharisees, the Scribes and they thought that they were going to go to heaven because of their own righteousness.</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">Let's turn to Romans Chapter 10 for a moment, where it talks about the same type of people here.</span><br />
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<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #5b9bd5;"><strong><em>Romans 10:1-3 "Brethren, my heart's desire and prayer to God for Israel is, that they might be saved. <sup>2 </sup>For I bear them record that <span style="text-decoration: underline;">they have a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge</span>. <sup>3 </sup>For they being <span style="text-decoration: underline;">ignorant of God's righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness</span>, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God."</em></strong></span></span></blockquote>
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<span xmlns=""><span style="color: black;">And in Romans Chapter 9 we read the following.</span></span><br />
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<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #5b9bd5;"><strong><em>Romans 9:31-32 "But Israel, which followed after the law of righteousness, hath not attained to the law of righteousness. <sup>32 </sup>Wherefore? <span style="text-decoration: underline;">Because they sought it not by faith</span>, but as it were by the works of the law. For they stumbled at that stumblingstone;"</em></strong></span></span></blockquote>
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<span xmlns="">The problem with the Pharisees, Sadducees and the scribes is that they believed that by doing good works, they would be saved; they thought by doing the works of the law they would go to heaven.</span><br />
<span xmlns="">But let's see what the bible says should one decide to get into heaven by the works of the law. </span><br />
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<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #5b9bd5;"><strong><em>James 2:10 "For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all."</em></strong></span></span></blockquote>
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<span xmlns=""><span style="color: black;">Let's be honest, nobody can keep the whole law and not offend in one point, there is nobody who can say that they have never lied before, and I'm sure there are people out there who have done worse things than lying…and the bible says if you offend in one point; you are guilty of ALL.</span></span><br />
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<span xmlns=""><span style="color: black;">The bible says for all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God. The bible also says that, if we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us.</span></span><br />
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<span xmlns=""><span style="color: black;">Look, every single one of is sinner, every single one commits sin, and the Pharisees and Scribes actually thought that they were good enough to get into heaven; they were trying to earn their way to heaven by doing good works, but of course John 3:16 tells that for God so loved the world, that he gave us his only begotten Son, and that whosoever believeth in him should not perish and have everlasting life.</span></span><br />
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<span xmlns=""><span style="color: black;">That's what decides on who is saved and is not saved, that fact that you need to put ALL your faith on the Lord Jesus Christ.</span></span><br />
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<span xmlns=""><span style="color: black;">Throughout the four gospels you can see that Jesus is trying to teach these people and show them of their imperfections, Jesus is trying to show them that they are not as good as they think they are; he is trying to get these people to a point where they realise that they are a sinner, that they come short of God's glory, that they're not good enough and that they need Jesus Christ to save them.</span></span><br />
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<span xmlns=""><span style="color: black;">Look at it from this point of view, if people were good enough, if people could get into heaven by their own righteousness, and they lived a good life; then why did Jesus have to die on the cross?</span></span><br />
<span xmlns=""><span style="color: black;">Doesn't make any sense does it?</span></span><br />
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<span xmlns=""><span style="color: black;">Most people think that every person will stand before God and he will judge us by our works, and then say along the lines of, "Oh my child, you did many wonderful works come on in", and the bad people will go to hell, that's what a lot of people think.</span></span><br />
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<span xmlns=""><span style="color: black;">How much is enough good works? There is no such thing as you tried, or do the best we can and then Jesus will fill in the rest for you, NO. If the bible says you offend in one point of the Law, you are guilty of ALL.</span></span><br />
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<span xmlns=""><span style="color: black;">EVERYBODY needs to be saved by putting your faith <span style="text-decoration: underline;">only</span> in Christ Jesus!</span></span><br />
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<span xmlns=""><span style="color: black;">Notice in the four gospels that Jesus did not go around preaching to everybody that he was going to die, be killed, and then get buried for three days and rise from the dead?</span></span><br />
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<span xmlns="">Notice how his disciples didn't even understand this when Jesus told them what was going to happen?</span><br />
<span xmlns="">It wasn't until after all the things that happened to Jesus, and when he ascended back to heaven that the Apostles had fully realised what Jesus meant, all his teaching became clear to them.</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">Now going back to Matthew 19 we should have a clearer understanding at what Jesus is trying to teach here.</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">Now Jehovah Witnesses will twist this passage and will try to teach you two things here, I know this because some of my family are Jehovah Witnesses; anyway they will try to teach you from Matthew 19:17 that you have to earn your way to heaven by works, and also teach that Jesus is not God.</span><br />
<span xmlns="">Let's just quickly go to Romans Chapter 2 first, I just want to explain something here.</span><br />
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<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #5b9bd5;"><strong><em>Romans 2:6-8 "who will render to every man according to his deeds: <sup>7</sup>to them who by patient continuance in well doing seek for glory and honour and immortality, eternal life: <sup>8 </sup>but unto them that are contentious, and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, indignation and wrath,"</em></strong></span></span></blockquote>
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<span xmlns="">What is being said here is if you do everything right, keep the Law and live a perfect life, you will have eternal life and if you don't, you will have the wrath of God abiding on you; now we've already concluded that everyone is a sinner, be it Jew or Gentile, we are all sinners and come short, and in Romans 3:28 we read that, "Therefore <span style="text-decoration: underline;">we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law</span>." </span><br />
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<span xmlns="">You see how easy it is to take Chapter 2 out of context while he is explaining that in order to go to heaven you have to be perfect, but then he goes onto explain how nobody is perfect and that everyone is justified by faith, and not by the works of the Law.</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">Taking Chapter 2 out of context, people will say, see you have to be perfect to go to heaven…</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">There are a lot of people out there on this earth, who think they are perfect, full of pride. They think, talk and act like they have no sin, That God will justify their acts, and that God will understand their circumstances. </span><br />
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<span xmlns="">They will make excuses for their bad actions and choices by saying, God will understand why I do these things because of my up bring, because I had a bad life, or so and so is being bad to me so God will understand the reason why I do behave this way or that. I've heard it, I'm sure you have too.</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">We're all responsible for our own actions, and God will judge you according to your own actions.</span><br />
<span xmlns="">Stop lying to yourselves; you're a sinner and I'm a sinner, which is just the way it is.</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">Now in Matthew 19, let's see what Jesus says to this man.</span><br />
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<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #5b9bd5;"><strong><em>Matthew 19:16 "And, behold, one came and said unto him, Good Master, what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life?"</em></strong></span></span></blockquote>
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<span xmlns="">So let me ask you this, what does this guy think is going to get him into heaven? His works, he ask Jesus what good works should he do to get a ticket into heaven.</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">He's asking Jesus, how good he has to be or what good thing I have to do to have eternal life.</span><br />
<span xmlns="">Now notice what Jesus says to him in the next verse.</span><br />
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<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #5b9bd5;"><strong><em>Matthew 19:17 "And he said unto him, Why callest thou me good? There is none good but one, that is, God: but if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments."</em></strong></span></span></blockquote>
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<span xmlns="">Now the Jehovah Witnesses will say, see right there Jesus is not God!</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">Now wait a second, is Jesus good?</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">Of course he is! Then guess what? Jesus is God, there is none good but one.</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">Jesus is saying to him, why are you calling me good? Why do you think I'm good? Are you saying that I'm God? See, Jesus isn't saying here that he is not God, Jesus is saying that there is only one good, and that's God.</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">Jesus is saying to the man that he is not good, he is trying to show this man his own imperfections, he is saying you're not good, and there is only one that is good and that's God. Jesus is saying to him that you're saying it to me because I'm good, that's because I am God.</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">There is not a Just man on this earth, there is not a man that sinneth not, and this proves that Jesus is God.</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">Jesus continues onto say if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments.</span><br />
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<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #5b9bd5;"><strong><em>Matthew 19:18-19 "He saith unto him, which? Jesus said, Thou shalt do no murder, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness, <sup>19 </sup>Honour thy father and thy mother: and, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself."</em></strong></span></span></blockquote>
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<span xmlns="">Verse 18-19 the young man asks Jesus which commandments, Jesus gives him a list of commands, notice they aren't a complete list at all, this is not some special list that some say Jesus deems these sins more grievous than others.</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">But look at the young man's reply in verse 20.</span><br />
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<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #5b9bd5;"><strong><em>Matthew 19:20 "The young man saith unto him, all these things have I kept from my youth up: what lack I yet?"</em></strong></span></span></blockquote>
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<span xmlns="">Now do you really believe that this man kept all these things from his youth up? </span><br />
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<span xmlns="">He's always loved his neighbours, he's never stolen, and he's never told a lie right back from his youth till now, do you really believe that? Even though the scriptures have spoken, all have sinned?</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">This guy is lying, he's never done all of that, and he's saying to Jesus that he basically feels like he needs something else, he saying, what am I lacking, what do I need to do, I've done it all.</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">Now let's read Jesus response to him in the next verses.</span><br />
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<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #5b9bd5;"><strong><em>Matthew 19:21-22 "Jesus said unto him, <span style="text-decoration: underline;">if thou wilt be perfect</span>, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow me. <sup>22 </sup>But when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful: for he had great possessions."</em></strong></span></span></blockquote>
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<span xmlns="">So here is a man that came to Jesus, thinking that he could earn his way into heaven by keeping the works of the Law; that's NOT what the bible says, it doesn't say that in the Old Testament, and it doesn't say that in the New Testament. The whole bible teaches that it is by faith, and not of works.</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">So here is a man who said, I want to know exactly how good do I have to be, what do I have to do to make sure I'm going to heaven. This guys doesn't even know if he's going to heaven. </span><br />
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<span xmlns="">Nobody, who thinks they are justified by their works can really know for sure if they are going to heaven, because they don't know if they are really good enough; but the answer of course is they are not going to heaven.</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">The young man is saying, what am I missing? </span><br />
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<span xmlns="">Jesus said to the man if he wants to be perfect, let me point it out for an area in what you're lacking where you're NOT perfect.</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">You see this is prime example of what the Law or specifically the 10 Commands is used to achieve, Jesus is using the Law to show this man that he is not perfect and that we need a saviour to save us, and we have that saviour, Christ Jesus.</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">Jesus said to the young man, sell all your belongings and give to the poor. Here is a person who has amassed a great deal of wealth, and Jesus is saying to him, why don't sell it and give to the poor, why aren't you following me?</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">Jesus is saying here that Salvation is not just a list of things that you don't do, he saying why aren't you following me?</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">The young man ends up walking away all sorrowful and not willing to do none of these things, he came to Jesus thinking he was Justified by works, and he left Jesus still thinking he was justified by works; went away sorrowful because he couldn't measure up!</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">Now let's get to the main part of this article which is titled The Good Samaritan.</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">Turning to Luke Chapter 10, here we have a similar story where the key precept is obtaining eternal life or getting into heaven.</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">Now this is a different event but what we have learnt so far is key to understanding this particular parable.</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">Now most people, if not everyone has heard of this story, it's one of the most famous stories in the bible whether you're a believer or not you would have heard this story in its many forms, and like all parables it's true meaning is hidden to the spiritually discerned, the unsaved will not understand the deep spiritual truths of the parables that Jesus taught.</span><br />
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<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #5b9bd5;"><strong><em>Luke 10:25 "And, behold, a certain lawyer stood up, and tempted him, saying, Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?"</em></strong></span></span></blockquote>
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<span xmlns="">Can you see the similarity to the story of the rich young man?</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">It says here, the lawyer is tempting Jesus, now is tempting someone a good thing or a bad thing?</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">The lawyer is trying to catch Jesus, he is trying to trip him up in his words, trying to get Jesus to say something wrong by asking him really hard questions.</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">Jesus responds to him in the following verse.</span><br />
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<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #5b9bd5;"><strong><em>Luke 10:26 "He said unto him, what is written in the law? How readest thou?"</em></strong><br /> </span></span></blockquote>
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<span xmlns="">The lawyer replies.</span><br />
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<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #5b9bd5;"><strong><em>Luke 10:27 "And he answering said, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbour as thyself."</em></strong></span></span></blockquote>
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<span xmlns="">Jesus responds to him with the following.</span><br />
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<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #5b9bd5;"><strong><em>Luke 10:28 "And he said unto him, Thou hast answered right: this do, and thou shalt live."</em></strong></span></span></blockquote>
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<span xmlns="">Jesus is saying here, if you were to do all the commandments perfectly from your youth until now, if you were never to make a mistake, never break the any of the 10 Commandments, never do anything wrong, sell everything that you have and give it all to the poor, follow Jesus your whole life, Love God with all your heart, soul and strength and do likewise to your neighbour just as much as you love yourself; you will go to heaven, but NOONE CAN DO THAT! Not one is able to do that!!</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">OK, theoretically if you did all these things would you go to Hell? No, if you lived a perfect life you would be saved and go to heaven, but we know that it is not true, no one can say they have no sin.</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">But this isn't finished look what the lawyer says.</span><br />
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<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #5b9bd5;"><strong><em>Luke 10:29 "But he, willing to justify himself, said unto Jesus, and who is my neighbour?"</em></strong></span></span></blockquote>
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<span xmlns="">Now Jesus has told that he needs to love his neighbour as he would love himself. Now the lawyer says to Jesus, ok so who is my neighbour, who do I have to love as myself?</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">So this is where Jesus begins to tell a story.</span><br />
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<blockquote>
<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #5b9bd5;"><strong><em>Luke 10:30 "And Jesus answering said, A certain man went down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among thieves, which stripped him of his raiment, and wounded him, and departed, leaving him half dead.</em></strong></span></span></blockquote>
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<span xmlns="">So here is man who is on a trip, just moving along, doing what he normally would do minding his own business but suddenly falls victim to a bunch of thieves waiting for somebody to come along that they can rob.</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">They jump this man, they attack him and look what the bible says, they strip him of his clothes, and they wounded him, possibly stabbing him, they leave him for dead.</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">And then what happens?</span><br />
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<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #5b9bd5;"><em><b>Luke 10:31 "And by chance there came down a certain priest that way: and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side."</b></em></span></span></blockquote>
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<span xmlns="">Here is a priest, someone who is supposed to be a religious man, someone who was giving his life to teach other people to love each other, help each other, but he comes across this guy lying in his own pool of blood and just looks at him. What does he do? He jumps over to the other side and walks right past him. Isn't he the type of person you would see in our society today? You know, that type of person who says I don't want to get involved in that, I don't want to deal with that, not my problem. </span><br />
<span xmlns="">Look at the next verse.</span><br />
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<span xmlns=""><strong><em><span style="color: #0b5394;">Luke 10:32 "And likewise a Levite, when he was at the place, came and looked on him, and passed by on the other side."</span></em></strong></span></blockquote>
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<span xmlns="">The Levite does the same thing…</span><br />
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<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #5b9bd5;"><strong><em>Luke 10:33 "But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was: and when he saw him, he had compassion on him,"</em></strong></span></span></blockquote>
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<span xmlns="">What is the significance of the third man being a Samaritan? The bible said in those days that Jews had no dealings with the Samaritans, it was like a racial thing. </span><br />
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<span xmlns="">The Samaritans were a mixture of different races, when the kingdom of Assyria sacked the northern kingdom of Israel the Israelites of the northern kingdom intermingled with the foreign invader, because of this, the Jews of the southern Kingdom of Israel or the Kingdom of Judah did not want to mix with the Samaritan for this reason, they looked down upon these people.</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">This is pure racial prejudice and is definitely not right, the bible says we are of all one blood. We should not believe that races should be separated and is taught by wicked people like Charles Darwin who pushed his theory of evolution. Evolution pushes racism, period.</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">It doesn't matter what race you are, we are all the same.</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">Now this Samaritan man is looking at this poor fellow on the ground, he's looking at him and he sees he is hurt, in trouble and is dying. The Samaritan is filled with compassion, what going through his mind is that he needs to help this man, my heart goes out to this man, I need to give him some attention or he will die.</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">We then read what the Samaritan does.</span><br />
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<blockquote>
<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #5b9bd5;"><strong><em>Luke 10:34 "and went to him, and bound up his wounds, pouring in oil and wine, and set him on his own beast, and brought him to an inn, and took care of him."</em></strong></span></span></blockquote>
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<span xmlns="">So he sets the man on his own beast, and starts to lead the horse while the injured man lay on the horse and leads them to an Inn and took care of him.</span><br />
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<blockquote>
<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #5b9bd5;"><strong><em>Luke 10:35 "And on the morrow when he departed, he took out two pence, and gave them to the host, and said unto him, Take care of him; and whatsoever thou spendest more, when I come again, I will repay thee."</em></strong></span></span></blockquote>
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<span xmlns="">Now the next day, we read that the Samaritan took out as he was departing some money and gave it to the host or the Inn keeper, and said to him to take care of the guy and that whatever he has to spend more on him he will come back and repay him.</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">These days you can't really walk to a place and say just send me the bill, we no longer live in a world where a stranger can be trusted at all. This story tells me that this man could be of a good reputation with the keeper, why else would he agree to do this?</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">Jesus now gives in the next verse the moral of the story.</span><br />
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<blockquote>
<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #5b9bd5;"><strong><em>Luke 10:36-37 "Which now of these three, thinkest thou, was neighbour unto him that fell among the thieves? <sup>37 </sup>And he said, He that shewed mercy on him. Then said Jesus unto him, Go, and do thou likewise."</em></strong></span></span></blockquote>
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<span xmlns="">Now the lawyer is picking the one person that was probably not the person he would think to treat as his neighbour, a Samaritan.</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">But notice how Jesus turns the story back around to the lawyer?</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">In verse 29 the Lawyer tempting Jesus asked him, who is my neighbour?</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">And in verse 36 Jesus asks the lawyer, "<span style="color: #5b9bd5;"><strong><em>Which now of these three, thinkest thou, was neighbour unto him that fell among the thieves?"</em></strong></span></span><br />
<span xmlns=""><span style="color: #5b9bd5;"><strong><em><br /></em></strong></span></span>
<span xmlns=""><span style="color: black;">Jesus is saying who do you think (of the 3) was neighbour to the guy that fell victim to the thieves?</span></span><br />
<span xmlns=""><span style="color: black;"><br /></span></span>
<span xmlns=""><span style="color: black;">It's not about who is your neighbour, it's not about having a neighbour; it's about <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>BEING</strong></span> a neighbour.</span></span><br />
<span xmlns=""><span style="color: black;"><br /></span></span>
<span xmlns=""><span style="color: black;">It's not about how many friends you have or who is a friend to you, Jesus is saying it's about who YOU are a friend to, who YOU are going to help; Jesus is saying YOU are the one who is going to decide who YOU are going to be a neighbour to.</span></span><br />
<span xmlns=""><span style="color: black;"><br /></span></span>
<span xmlns=""><span style="color: black;">He says it's not that somebody's your neighbour or your friends and family and you're going to help them out. You decide who your friend is, you decide who your neighbour is, and when you see somebody who needs your help, whosoever they are, when you see somebody in need, now is the time to for to be a neighbour to them!</span></span><br />
<span xmlns=""><span style="color: black;"><br /></span></span>
<span xmlns=""><span style="color: black;">That's what he meant by "thou shalt love thy neighbour as thy self" it is the person that YOU love, it's the person that YOU'RE willing to help, it's the person YOU have compassion on; that's YOUR neighbour, NOT who is your neighbour but who YOU are going to be a neighbour to.</span></span><br />
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<span xmlns=""><span style="color: black;">And Jesus tells them to go and do likewise, that's how I want you to live.</span></span><br />
<span xmlns=""><span style="color: black;"><br /></span></span>
<span xmlns=""><span style="color: black;">When you think about this story, reflect for a moment and ask yourself this, is this really the type of person that most people are in this world?</span></span><br />
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<span xmlns=""><span style="color: black;">The type of person that would just pull out hundreds of dollars of money to help somebody out? To go out of their way to help their fellow man <span style="text-decoration: underline;">in need</span>?</span></span><br />
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<span xmlns=""><span style="color: black;">This type of person is rare indeed, much like a virtuous women, this type of person that we all ought to be is a rare jewel indeed. Let's be honest, NOT all self-professing Christians would even do this. </span></span><br />
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<span xmlns=""><span style="color: black;">Not All truly saved persons would do such a thing, it doesn't mean they're not saved, that's why James Chapter 2 asks the question about our faith, what does it profit or who does it profit it we remain dead in our faith?</span></span><br />
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<span xmlns=""><span style="color: black;">Jesus is saying Christianity is about when we see someone in need, we should be that neighbour and offer our assistance.</span></span><br />
<span xmlns=""><span style="color: black;"><br /></span></span>
<span xmlns=""><span style="color: black;">Jesus said, Love God will all thy heart, soul, mind, and all thy strength; he said that comprehends the first half of the Law right there.</span></span><br />
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<span xmlns=""><span style="color: black;">He also said the other half is this, thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself; he said on these two commandments, hang all the Law and the prophets.</span></span><br />
<span xmlns=""><span style="color: black;"><br /></span></span>
<span xmlns=""><span style="color: black;">If you love your neighbour as yourself, you aren't going to steal from your neighbour are you?</span></span><br />
<span xmlns=""><span style="color: black;"><br /></span></span>
<span xmlns=""><span style="color: black;">If you love your neighbour as yourself, you're not going to commit adultery with his wife or vice versa?</span></span><br />
<span xmlns=""><span style="color: black;"><br /></span></span>
<span xmlns=""><span style="color: black;">If you love your neighbour as yourself, you're not going to covet what your neighbour has, you're not go to lie to your neighbour and so on.</span></span><br />
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<span xmlns=""><span style="color: black;"><b><u>Love is the fulfilment of the whole Law according to what the bible says.</u></b></span></span><br />
<span xmlns=""><span style="color: black;"><br /></span></span>
<span xmlns=""><span style="color: black;">So the original question that was asked was, who is my neighbour?</span></span><br />
<span xmlns=""><span style="color: black;"><br /></span></span>
<span xmlns=""><span style="color: black;">But Jesus said, who are YOU going to be a neighbour to? </span></span><br />
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<span xmlns=""><span style="color: black;"><b><u>On a deeper spiritual note, this entire story symbolizes what Jesus has done for us. </u></b></span></span><br />
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<span xmlns=""><span style="color: black;"><b>The beaten man</b> = is us, all the people in the entire world. </span></span><br />
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<span xmlns=""><span style="color: black;"><b>The thieves</b> = Satan and his demons, and his children, they came to steal, kill and destroy. (John 10:10)</span></span><br />
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<span xmlns=""><span style="color: black;"><b>Priest and Levite</b> = the priests and Levites are they that represent the Old Covenant (Old Testament) Laws and Ordinances, they have nothing to offer the wounded man under the Old Covenant. </span></span><br />
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<span xmlns=""><span style="color: black;">They are headed on the path of destruction, trying to keep the Law perfectly but can't. Following the Law leaves no room for Grace. (Romans 4:4 and Romans 11:6)</span></span><br />
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<span xmlns=""><span style="color: black;"><b>The Good Samaritan</b> = Jesus is symbolized by the Good Samaritan, remember there is none good but one, and that is God; and Jesus is good, so he is God. (Parable of the Rich young ruler Matthew 19)</span></span><br />
<span xmlns=""><span style="color: black;">Also note in John 8:48 the Jews accuse Jesus of being a Samaritan.</span></span><br />
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<span xmlns=""><span style="color: black;">We are all dead in our sins, there is not one righteous (Romans 3:10), and the wages of sin is death (Romans 6:23).</span></span><br />
<span xmlns=""><span style="color: black;"><br /></span></span>
<span xmlns=""><span style="color: black;">Jesus came down from heaven not to do of his own will (John 6:38), who is God manifest in the flesh (1 Timothy 3:16) who saw that we needed to be saved because we could not do it ourselves (Romans 3:23). </span></span><br />
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<span xmlns=""><span style="color: black;">God who has compassion and mercy on us would become our neighbour and selflessly offered his own life to save us from the death.</span></span><br />
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<span xmlns=""><span style="color: black;"><b><u>He bandaged our wounds, pouring oil and wine…</u></b></span></span><br />
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<span xmlns=""><span style="color: black;"><b>Oil</b> = the anointing of the Holy Spirit and the marking of ownership. Just as in the story of King David, you are marked by the King of Kings with oil, showing the world that you are his.</span></span><br />
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<span xmlns=""><span style="color: black;"><b>Wine</b> = symbolically being born again, Just like pouring new wine into new wine skins. The person must first be given a new nature. Once you are born again, Jesus through the Holy Spirit can then begin working on regenerating your spirit.</span></span><br />
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<span xmlns=""><span style="color: black;"><b>The Inn</b> = is also symbolized as the Holy Spirit, when we are saved by Jesus the Holy Spirit indwells the believer (2 Corinthians 1:22, 5:5, Ephesians 1:13-14). </span></span><br />
<span xmlns=""><span style="color: black;"><br /></span></span>
<span xmlns=""><span style="color: black;">The Inn is a place of safety and security, in this sense the Holy Spirit is the one who protects us from Satan and his devices and spiritual wickedness.</span></span><br />
<span xmlns=""><span style="color: black;"><br /></span></span>
<span xmlns=""><span style="color: black;">When the Samaritan departs the next day (Jesus </span></span>ascending back to heaven after his death and resurrection) leaving the Holy Spirit to watch over the Church who Jesus says is the Helper. (John 16:13)<br />
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<span xmlns=""><span style="color: black;"><b>The Inn Keeper</b> = the body of believers (the Church), he instructs the Inn Keeper to continue to care for the wounded man and nurse him back to recovery (Life). He gives the Inn Keeper two pence to help with any ongoing costs. Does this mean that Jesus has given the Church enough strength to last for the next 2000 years after his departure?</span></span><br />
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<span xmlns=""><span style="color: black;">The Samaritan tells the Inn Keeper that he will reward (repay) when he returns (2<sup>nd</sup> Coming).</span></span><br />
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<span xmlns=""><span style="color: black;"><b><u>THIS STORY IS ALL ABOUT JESUS...NOT A STORY ABOUT A GOOD PERSON BEING NICE.</u></b></span></span><br />
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<span xmlns=""><span style="color: black;">He is the One and Only Good Samaritan, and by faith in him, we can act as his tools and thus fulfill the duty of a Good Samaritan.</span></span><br />
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<span xmlns=""><span style="color: black;">Now go and do likewise. </span></span><br />
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<span xmlns=""><span style="color: black;">Amen.</span></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0