tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-43110507341813925102024-03-14T05:12:51.578-04:00Does God Mean What He Says?RJhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02128107113336354270noreply@blogger.comBlogger18125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4311050734181392510.post-85033859300374013932019-03-01T11:37:00.001-05:002019-03-01T11:37:35.523-05:00
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<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Frank Sinatra Christians? ("I Did It My
Way")<o:p></o:p></span></h2>
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<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>In
the 1960's Paul Anka penned the lyrics to a song which was made famous by Frank
Sinatra called "My Way."<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is
about a person nearing the end of their life on Earth ("the end is
near", "the final curtain").<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It speaks of life's ups, downs, decisions and choices.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The song may be about having the courage to
live your life without allowing others to unduly control you with their judgments.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Depending on a person's situation, this kind
of courage might be a beneficial thing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>But, as a Christian, could this song ever be an appropriate theme song
for our way of life?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When we are about
to stand before the Creator of the Universe, would we be proud to stand before
our God and proudly proclaim to Him that we did it our way?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"> I mean no disrespect to Mr. Sinatra, but
there are many church leaders and followers of God who, without realizing it,
are attempting to serve God like the popular song suggests.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For them, devotion and loyalty is more about
what they want, what will please the people and what is popular and
entertaining so that visitors will come to "church."<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The safe and guaranteed way, the way that is
right and cannot be wrong,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>gets laid
aside and even ridiculed so that they may keep their newly discovered
improvements on what God has said.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They
are usurping the authority and guidance of the Holy Scriptures to do it
"their" way. Their goal is not complete and careful obedience and
submission to an all wise and all powerful Creator.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They are quick to create<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>new and improved ways to worship and new
doctrines to teach.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They say,
"God's revealed ways are not <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>enough
for our times and our culture."<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So
they let the culture dictate how they do things.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sadly, they are demonstrating that they
believe themselves to be smarter than God.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Jesus did say the way to life is straight and narrow and that few would
find it (Matthew 7:13).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jesus also said
that worshippers who lay aside the teachings of God to follow the teaches of
men worship God in vain (Mark 7:6-9).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Paul
gave an interesting thought in Romans when talking about religious people who
refuse to submit to God's Words.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He
said, "</span><span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">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."
(Romans 3:4).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"> A smarter than
God person would likely say at this point that I am suggesting a
"legalistic" approach to following God.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This would be an example of their not
understanding the scripture and their defining words "their way."<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They might suggest I am proposing we have the
attitude of the "Pharisees."<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
challenge anyone to show me one example in the Bible where God was unhappy with
a person humbly being careful to do things "His way" as revealed in
scriptures.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>God's problem with the
Pharisees was not their careful study of God's Word, but their failure to obey
what they taught and their exaltation of "their" traditions above the
Words of God (Matthew 23:2,3).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In
reality, those who are going beyond the scriptures are more like the Pharisees
than those who humbly and lovingly submit to only God's Word and His revealed
examples of life and worship.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"> We all have a
crucial choice to make.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We can worship
and serve those who were created by God or we can retain God in our knowledge
and reverence His every Word as truth and all sufficient for every
"good" work (Romans 1:25; 2 Tim 3:16,17).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My Bible tells me over and over that doing it
"my way" always has an unhappy ending when I have to face God.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>On the other hand, can you imagine God ever
being displeased with someone on the judgment day saying, "Sorry God, I am
a sinner and you are all wise and knowing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Please forgive me for always trying to worship and serve you "Your
Way" as much as I possibly could."<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><strong>Final
Questions:</strong><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When we attend a gathering or
assembly of those claiming to follow Jesus...:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Are we there to be pleased, entertained and catered to<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>OR are we there to humbly<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>hear the voice of God, a message from our
Creator and Lord which might help us turn from our selfish ways and guide us
closer to the narrow path which leads to eternal life?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Are we there to let God know how Great He Is
and how important His every word is to us? Are we there to please God or to
please ourselves?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Just asking.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
RJhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02128107113336354270noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4311050734181392510.post-66614433271666017112019-01-29T12:15:00.000-05:002019-01-29T12:15:45.982-05:00
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 22pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Are You Going To Heaven?<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>In
38 years of asking that question, I have rarely heard anyone say, "Yes, I
know that for sure." <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The answers I
usually hear are:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>"I hope so",
"If I have been good enough", "If God finds me worthy."<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Most of these answers came from religious
people who believed in God. Of course the messages spoken at funeral homes
imply that everyone is going to make it to heaven.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I wish that was the case. But even a casual
study of the Bible shows that this is not true.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Who can be sure of their place in heaven when this life is over?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 8pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Wishful Thinking:<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Wishful
thinking is hoping for something good, but not having assurance that it is
absolutely a sure thing. Wishful thinking <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>often implies a lack of preparation necessary
to make what is hoped for a reality. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Wishful
thinking might be okay when watching your favorite team play in the Superbowl,
but is it good enough when it comes to where you will spend eternity when your
life on Earth is finished?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Is wishing,
but not knowing for sure if you will go to heaven enough for you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jesus told the story of a prosperous man,
planning for his future on this Earth.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>But, He was giving no attention to what he should have been doing to
prepare for eternity. He was called a "fool."<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 8pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Cambria","serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Luk 12:16-21</span></b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Cambria","serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"> KJV<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And he spake a
parable unto them, saying, The ground of a certain rich man brought forth
plentifully: <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And he thought within
himself, saying, What shall I do, because I have no room where to bestow my
fruits?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And he said, This will I do: I will pull down
my barns, and build greater; and there will I bestow all my fruits and my
goods. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And I will say to my soul, Soul,
thou hast much goods laid up for many years; take thine ease, eat, drink, and
be merry.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But God said unto him, Thou
fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee: then whose shall those
things be, which thou hast provided?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So
is he that layeth up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 8pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Cambria","serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Biblical Faith:<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<br />
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Cambria","serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Someone might say, the above
answers merely show humility and a recognition of the person's complete
dependence on God.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is good.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But, it is only a step in the right
direction. We are all unworthy and undeserving of God's Mercy, but we are not
all going to heaven.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Only those who
humble themselves in the sight of God and submit themselves to His plan of
faith have any hope or assurance of salvation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We must be real disciples (followers) of Jesus Christ.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>How to be disciples is clearly laid out in
the Bible.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>How much time and effort have
we spend in preparing for eternity??<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Cambria","serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Biblical Faith is believing,
trusting and obeying the Words of Jesus. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>"Faith cometh by hearing the Word of God"
(Rom. 10:17) With real faith comes the assurance that God will keep His
promises to save us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>God never lies. But
he also never promises salvation to those who ignore Him and refuse to take the
time to seek His will in their lives. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Bible says you can KNOW if you are going
to heaven OR NOT.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 8pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Cambria","serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Are you a REAL disciple of Jesus?<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<br />
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Cambria","serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Joh 8:31-32</span></b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Cambria","serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"> KJV<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then said
Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are
ye my disciples indeed;<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(32)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And ye shall know the truth, and the truth
shall make you free.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Cambria","serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Cambria","serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Are you prepared for the day you leave this Earth?<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<br />
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Cambria","serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Mat 16:24-26 </span></b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Cambria","serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">KJV<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then said Jesus
unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and
take up his cross, and follow me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>(25)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For whosoever will save his
life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(26)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose
his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Cambria","serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Cambria","serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Are you sure you are among those Jesus promises to come
back and take home with Him?<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<br />
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Cambria","serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Joh 14:1-3</span></b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Cambria","serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"> KJV<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Let not your
heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(2)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In
my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you.
I go to prepare a place for you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>(3)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And if I go and prepare a
place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am,
there ye may be also.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Cambria","serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Cambria","serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Have
Questions? Want Bible Answers You Can Trust For Eternity? Are You Going To
Heaven?<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: center;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Cambria","serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">For
further study contact Robert<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>724-681-2724.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>tarentumchurchofchrist.com<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
RJhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02128107113336354270noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4311050734181392510.post-63759637483766106912019-01-28T14:43:00.001-05:002019-01-28T14:44:31.396-05:00<br />
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 22pt;">"Fake" News About Who Will Go To
Heaven: Exposed.<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 16pt;">(Top Five
Beliefs Which Will Keep "Religious" People Out of Heaven)<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 8pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="border: currentColor; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext 3.0pt; mso-padding-alt: 1.0pt 4.0pt 1.0pt 4.0pt; padding: 0in;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 14pt;">Caution:</span></b><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 10pt;"> God's Word is living,
powerful and eternal (Hebrews 4:12,13; 1 Peter 1:22-25) and may cause you to
question and even change the way you think about what you have been told.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You might even move closer to having
"Biblical" faith which comes by hearing the "Word of God"
(Romans 10:17). <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u>Be aware</u></b> that
believing and obeying what God says would prepare you for the judgment and keep
you from being with the "many" who are on the path to destruction. It
would result in you being among the "few" who find and walk in the
"narrow way." (Matthew 7:13,14)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 10pt;">Romans <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>3:3-4</span></b><span style="color: black; font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 10pt;"> "…<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">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."<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 8pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 14pt;">Fake News Reports You
May Have Heard:<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 14pt;">1.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>"All who believe that God exists will be
saved." <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></b><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif";">(Congratulations: these "all" <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>have arrived at the same level of faith as
demons): </span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 16pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria;">James 2:19-20</span></b><span style="color: black; font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria;">
KJV<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>"Thou believest that there is
one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith
without works is dead?"<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 8pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 14pt;">2.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>"All 'good' people of all religions will
be saved."</span></b><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 14pt;">(</span><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif";">This implies that salvation is a product
of each individual's good deeds even apart from submission and obedience to
God's truth):<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria;">Romans 3:23</span></b><span style="color: black; font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria;">
KJV<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>"For all have sinned, and come
short of the glory of God;"<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria;">John 14:6</span></b><span style="color: black; font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria;">
KJV "Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man
cometh unto the Father, but by me."<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 8pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 14pt;">3.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>"Religious people who follow the
teachings <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>and traditions created by men
will be saved."</span></b><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif";"> (Put
simply, this is trusting the words of men more than the words of God): <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria;">Romans 10:1-3</span></b><span style="color: black; font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria;">
KJV<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>"Brethren, my heart's desire
and prayer to God for Israel is, that they might be saved.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For I bear them record that they have a zeal
of God, but not according to knowledge. For they being ignorant of God's
righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not
submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God."<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria;">Mark 7:7-9</span></b><span style="color: black; font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria;">
KJV<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>"Howbeit in vain do they
worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For laying aside the commandment of God, ye
hold the tradition of men, as the washing of pots and cups: and many other such
like things ye do.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And he said unto
them, Full well ye reject the commandment of God, that ye may keep your own
tradition."<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 8pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 14pt;">4.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>"All who call Jesus their Lord will be
saved."</span></b><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 14pt;">
</span><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif";">(This implies that what we
say is more significant than what we actually do in matters of faith): <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria;">Matthew 7:21</span></b><span style="color: black; font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria;">
KJV<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>"Not everyone that saith unto
me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the
will of my Father which is in heaven."<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria;">Luke 6:46</span></b><span style="color: black; font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria;">
KJV<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>"And why call ye me, Lord,
Lord, and do not the things which I say?"<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 8pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 14pt;">5.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>"The Grace of God universally covers all
people's sins, even if they do not believe and obey the Gospel."<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria;">Titus 2:11-12</span></b><span style="color: black; font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria;">
KJV<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>"For the grace of God that
bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live
soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world."<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria;">2Th 1:7-9</span></b><span style="color: black; font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria;">
KJV<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>"And to you who are troubled
rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty
angels, <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In flaming fire taking vengeance
on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus
Christ: <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Who shall be punished with
everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of
his power;"<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 8pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: center;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria;">**For
MORE information, questions or further study: Contact Robert at 724 681 2724
tarentumchurchofchrist.com<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
RJhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02128107113336354270noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4311050734181392510.post-5517379683318373752019-01-28T13:54:00.000-05:002019-01-28T13:54:03.219-05:00RJhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02128107113336354270noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4311050734181392510.post-41693779579440966212017-03-29T11:44:00.001-04:002017-03-29T12:21:26.593-04:00Baptism On Trial: New Episode of Spiritual Court<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">New Episode of
Spiritual Court: Scriptural Baptism on Trial<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Introduction:</b> Today we will hear the case/ arguments that much of
the denominational world has against scriptural baptism.</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
A.<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The Prosecution will try to prove that baptism is not
essential or necessary to a person's salvation.</div>
1.<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Baptism is only a symbolic act and has
no direct, or essential connection to receiving the <span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"></span> remission
of sins.<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
2.<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>How a person is baptized: As a baby,
sprinkled, poured, etc. is a unimportant and foolish <br />
to debate,
it is the thought that counts.</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
3.<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The prosecution plans to prove that
baptism for the remission of sins is a false teaching, a heresy <span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>and
a complete misunderstanding of baptism.</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
B.<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The Defense (Scriptural Baptism) will defend himself using
only the Word of God, teachings of Jesus <span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>and
the Apostles as his witnesses.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
1.<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>He wants to acknowledge that God, in
His great mercy has made salvation available to the world <span style="mso-tab-count: 3;"> </span>through the
death of Jesus Christ on the cross.<br />
2. <span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>He will attempt to prove that "he
that believeth and is baptized shall be saved"; that baptism is "for<br />
the
remission of sins"; "that we are buried with him by baptism into
death" and "that as many of you <span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>as
have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ".<br />
3.<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>He will attempt to show that God has
made baptism His ordained way to request and receive the<br />
salvation
which has been made possible through the death of Christ.<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
C.<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Today, let us enter the courtroom where baptism is on trial
and listen in as the prosecution attempts to <span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>make
its case against baptism for the remission of sins.</div>
1.<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Today’s Judge will be the Word of God
which liveth and abideth forever (1 Pet 1:23; John 12:48).<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">John 12:47-50</b><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>""As for the person who hears my
words but does not keep them, I do not judge him. For I did not come to judge
the world, but to save it. 48 There is a judge for the one who rejects me and
does not accept my words; that very word which I spoke will condemn him at the last
day. 49 For I did not speak of my own accord, but the Father who sent me
commanded me what to say and how to say it. 50 I know that his command leads to
eternal life. So whatever I say is just what the Father has told me to
say.""</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">1 Pet 1:22-23</b><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>"Now that you have purified yourselves
by obeying the truth so that you have sincere love for your brothers, love one
another deeply, from the heart. 23 For you have been born again, not of
perishable seed, but of imperishable, through the living and enduring word of
God."</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<o:p> </o:p><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Bailiff to Baptism:</b> Do you promise to tell the truth and nothing
but the truth so help you God??</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Baptism:</b> I Do</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Prosecution:</b> We intend to prove today that Baptism is not necessary
for salvation, but that it is merely the outward sign of salvation which has
already occurred at the point of belief alone.</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Baptism:</b> In my own defense, I do not claim that my water has any
power to save a person, but I do assert that I am God’s ordained way for a
believing sinner to request and receive salvation. As God and His Word are my
witness. If I (Baptism) am the outward sign of an inward faith, then not being
scriptually baptized is the outward sign of no inward faith in God's Word.</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<o:p> </o:p><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Prosecution:</b><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Let us begin by
noting that perhaps the majority of the religious, who claim to follow Jesus,
accept sprinkling or pouring water on a baby as God approved
"baptism."<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Would you cast
doubt on this practice accepted by a multitude of people and suggest they have
not complied with God's command to be baptized?</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Baptism:</b> I guess I could say "I Do" again and here is
why.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>First of all, the majority of
scholars agree that my Greek name (baptizo) would be most accurately translated
by the word "immersion."<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Biblically
speaking the word means to dip, to plunge or to immerse.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A few versions actually call me
"Immersion" instead of "Baptism."<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Bible speaks of me also as a burial.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Is sprinkling dirt on top of a body the same
thing as a burial?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>God, in the scriptures,
used a word which means immersion and this is easily proven.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The question is not what did God say, the
question is will God accept men substituting something else in the place of
what He has ordained?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The only reason
why the English Bible contains the word "baptism" is because the
original translators held to a religion which did not teach immersion. So
instead of translating the word "baptizo" accurately, they did what
is called "transliteration."<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>This means they brought a Greek word spelled with English letters into
their Bible.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>By doing this they
essentially hid the meaning of what God's Word says so their human practice of
sprinkling would not clearly contradict what God required.</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
I should also point out that God
requires that to be baptized, one must believe (Mark 16:15,16). He must
understand enough of God's Word (Rm 10:17) to make a personal decision to put
his faith in Jesus.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There are no
commands in the Bible to immerse those who do not believe.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Infants are not acceptable candidates for
faith or baptism.</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
God said literally: He that
believes in Jesus and is immersed shall be saved.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Millions have never done the very first thing
God has required to demonstrate true faith.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It is a matter of simply believing what God has said or not believing
what God has said.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Did God mean what He
said?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Bible teaches "believer
immersion", not unbeliever sprinkling.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<o:p> </o:p><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Prosecution:</b><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We have
witnesses who say that you are merely a Jewish ceremonial washing which the
early Jewish Christians imposed on one another and then on the Gentiles. You
are only symbolic and have no essential role in a person’s salvation.</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Baptism:</b> I must confess that I am very symbolic, but my role in
God’s plan of salvation did not arise out of custom for I was sent directly
from God who inspired men to baptize those who were ready to receive the
kingdom of heaven:</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">1.<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>John first preached me because God told
him to:<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "tms rmn" , "serif";">John 1:33:</span></b><span style="font-family: "tms rmn" , "serif";"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>"And I knew him not: but he that <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">sent me to baptize </b>with water, the same said unto me, Upon whom
thou shalt see the Spirit descending, and remaining on him, the same is he
which baptizeth with the Holy Ghost."<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">2.<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Jesus, who only taught what God gave
Him, taught and baptized even more disciples than <span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>John.<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "tms rmn" , "serif";">John 4:1-2:</span></b><span style="font-family: "tms rmn" , "serif";"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>"When therefore the Lord knew how the Pharisees had heard that
Jesus made and <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">baptized more </b>disciples
than John,<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"> 2 </i>(Though Jesus himself
baptized not, but his disciples,)"<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "tms rmn" , "serif";"><o:p> </o:p></span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Prosecution:</b> Aha! So Jesus did not do the baptizing Himself! That
proves that it is not essential to salvation!</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Baptism:</b> All it proves is that Jesus devoted Himself to teaching
the people their need to be baptized for the remission of sins and assigned His
disciples to do the actual baptizing. Jesus may also have been trying to avoid
the tendency for people to place too much significance on who it was that
actually baptized them, like Paul talks about in 1 Corinthians chapter 1.</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<o:p> </o:p><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Prosecution:</b> So you became very popular in the days of John the
Baptist, but didn’t John tell the people that your days were numbered when he
said that he baptized with water, but that the one who came after him would
baptize with the Holy Spirit. This meant that you were to step aside and be
replaced by Holy Spirit baptism!</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Baptism:</b> Yes, it is true that Jesus would immerse His disciples
with God’s Spirit, which John could not do. But, John did not say that water baptism
would come to an end or no longer have a place in God’s plan to save mankind.
In fact, Jesus Himself preached water baptism for the remission of sins after
His resurrection from the dead, He commanded that His disciples preach the
Gospel to all nations, baptizing in the name of the Father, the Son and the
Holy Spirit. </div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "tms rmn" , "serif";">Mat 28:19-20:</span></b><span style="font-family: "tms rmn" , "serif";"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>"Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name
of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"> 20 </i>Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded
you: and, lo, I am with you alway, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">even </i>unto
the end of the world. Amen."<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
In Mark, Jesus commanded that the
Gospel be preached to every person in the world, adding that those who believed
and were baptized would be saved. Jesus gave His disciples a clear command that
they were to continue practicing baptism all over the world. His instruction is
simple: Belief plus Baptism were made essential to receiving Salvation.</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "tms rmn" , "serif";">Mark 16:15-16:</span></b><span style="font-family: "tms rmn" , "serif";"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>"And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the
gospel to every creature.<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"> 16 </i>He that
believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be
damned."<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<o:p> </o:p><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Prosecution:</b><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Objection!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He did not say that those who believed and
were not baptized would be damned?</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Baptism:</b> But He did say that those who believe and submit to
baptism shall be saved. Could you add the word “not” and still have an accurate
statement from Jesus: “He that believeth and is NOT baptized shall be saved.?”</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Prosecution:</b> (Speechless).</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Prosecution:</b><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Let us move on
to the day of Pentecost, where you again showed up to confuse the disciples
into thinking that you had something to do with the remission of sins, when in
fact the people were already forgiven before they were baptized!</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Baptism:</b> Things did not happen that day as you say. In reality, the
Apostles were simply preaching the message that Jesus had commanded them to
preach. They told them that Jesus was the Christ who God raised from the dead
and exalted as King. When the people heard and believed in Jesus, they asked
the Apostles what they should do now that they understood who Christ was. The
Apostles told them to repent and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for
the remission of their sins, promising them that God’s Holy Spirit would be
with them. That<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>day three thousand souls
gladly received the divine instructions and were baptized, God adding them to
the church as they were saved. </div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "tms rmn" , "serif";">Acts 2:38-41:</span></b><span style="font-family: "tms rmn" , "serif";"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>"Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of
you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive
the gift of the Holy Ghost.<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"> 39 </i>For
the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">even </i>as many as the Lord our God shall
call.<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"> 40 </i>And with many other words
did he testify and exhort, saying, Save yourselves from this untoward
generation.<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"> 41 </i>Then they that gladly
received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">unto them </i>about three thousand
souls."<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "tms rmn" , "serif";">Acts 2:47:</span></b><span style="font-family: "tms rmn" , "serif";"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>"Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord
added to the church daily such as should be saved."<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<o:p> </o:p><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Prosecution:</b><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We have expert
witnesses in the Greek language which say that “for” the remission of sins
should really read “because of” the remissions of sins, meaning that baptism
was only a symbol of the remission of sins that they had already received. </div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Baptism:</b><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Starting with John,
the Bible clearly says that the purpose of baptism is “for the remission of
sins.” </div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "tms rmn" , "serif";">Mark 1:4:</span></b><span style="font-family: "tms rmn" , "serif";"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>"John did baptize in the wilderness, and preach the baptism of
repentance <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">for </b>the remission of <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">sins."<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "tms rmn" , "serif";">The
prophet Ananias told Paul that he should be baptized to wash away his sins in
Acts 22:16:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "tms rmn" , "serif";">Acts 22:16:</span></b><span style="font-family: "tms rmn" , "serif";"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>"And now why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized, and wash away
thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord."<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "tms rmn" , "serif";">No
major translation of the Bible, old or modern translates this passage with the
words “because of.” To show that you are twisting the scriptures consider what
would happen if you translated the same Greek word (eis) to say “because of” in
Matthew 26:28.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "tms rmn" , "serif";">Mat 26:28:</span></b><span style="font-family: "tms rmn" , "serif";"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">"For </b>this is my blood of the new
testament, which is shed <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">for </b>many <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">for </b>the remission of <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">sins."</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "tms rmn" , "serif";">Did
Jesus shed His blood “because of” the remission of sins or because their sins
had already been forgiven? Not hardly. Acts 2:38 simply reveals to believing
sinners God’s ordained way to receive remission of sins in Jesus Christ by
being baptized in His name.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "tms rmn" , "serif";"><o:p> </o:p></span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "tms rmn" , "serif";">Prosecution:</span></b><span style="font-family: "tms rmn" , "serif";"> Those who are deceived into thinking you
are essential to salvation have often been accused of preaching the plan and
not the man! God does not want us to preach baptism, He wants us to preach
Jesus. You have become more important to some than Jesus Himself.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "tms rmn" , "serif";">Baptism:</span></b><span style="font-family: "tms rmn" , "serif";"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The truth is that you cannot “preach Jesus” without telling people how
to receive the remission of sins through His blood. Consider how Philip “preached...Jesus”
to the Ethiopian Eunuch. After hearing an inspired version of the Gospel, the
Eunuch immediately desired to be baptized in water and the inspired teacher
baptized him, sending him on his way rejoicing.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "tms rmn" , "serif";">Acts 8:35-39:</span></b><span style="font-family: "tms rmn" , "serif";"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>"Then Philip opened his mouth, and began at the same scripture, and
preached unto him Jesus.<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"> 36 </i>And as
they went on <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">their </i>way, they came
unto a certain water: and the eunuch said, See, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">here is </i>water; what doth hinder me to be baptized?<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"> 37 </i>And Philip said, If thou believest
with all thine heart, thou mayest. And he answered and said, I believe that
Jesus Christ is the Son of God.<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"> 38 </i>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.<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"> 39 </i>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."<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "tms rmn" , "serif";"><o:p> </o:p></span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "tms rmn" , "serif";">Prosecution:</span></b><span style="font-family: "tms rmn" , "serif";"> Baptism is not necessary for salvation.
It is well documented that most denominations do not see the necessity of
baptizing people immediately and require that the person desiring to be
baptized go through some sort of training. This delay in baptizing them surely
does not place them in danger of being lost!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "tms rmn" , "serif";">Baptism:</span></b><span style="font-family: "tms rmn" , "serif";"> I must differ with your opinion. If a
person is led to believe that they have received remission of sins without
submitting to Christ in baptism, they have put their faith in a false gospel
and even when they get around to being immersed, it would not be a scriptural
baptism. In every example of conversion recorded for us in the Bible, the
believing sinner is immediately baptized for the remission of their sins.
Consider the Phillipian Jailer who was baptized “the same hour of the night.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "tms rmn" , "serif";">Acts 16:33:</span></b><span style="font-family: "tms rmn" , "serif";"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>"And he took them the <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">same
hour </b>of the night, and washed <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">their </i>stripes;
and was baptized, he and all his, straightway."<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "tms rmn" , "serif";"><o:p> </o:p></span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "tms rmn" , "serif";">Prosecution:</span></b><span style="font-family: "tms rmn" , "serif";"> Salvation is a free gift of God, if a
person is required to do something (like being baptized) it is no longer a
“free” gift and they are trying to earn their salvation through some work.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "tms rmn" , "serif";">Baptism:</span></b><span style="font-family: "tms rmn" , "serif";"> Sorry to differ again, but baptism is
not a work we do to earn salvation, it is simply the point of time in our faith
when we humbly submit to God, asking Him to forgive us of our sins. How can you
believe that you have no part in your receiving salvation? Do you not have to
believe? Is not repentance also something you must do? Faith is not saving
faith until it has received the remission of sins in the waters of scriptural
baptism.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "tms rmn" , "serif";"><o:p> </o:p></span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "tms rmn" , "serif"; font-size: 16pt;">CLOSING ARGUMENTS:<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "tms rmn" , "serif";">Prosecution:</span></b><span style="font-family: "tms rmn" , "serif";"> Baptism is not essential to salvation!
What if a person learned of the Gospel in the desert and there was not enough
water to be immersed, would they be lost?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "tms rmn" , "serif";">Baptism:</span></b><span style="font-family: "tms rmn" , "serif";"> If God has established that baptism is
for the remission of sins and His revealed way to receive salvation in Christ,
then I could not scripturally offer any alternative, God would have to judge
such a situation. I would recommend to all who have not received baptism for
the remission of sins, that they obey the Gospel now while they have the
opportunity. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "tms rmn" , "serif";">Though
I do not like to be emphasized so much, I must stand up for the place that God
has given baptism in His ordained way of receiving salvation. I conclude my
case by noting some other important things which occur at the point of baptism.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "tms rmn" , "serif";">1.<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>It is at the moment of baptism that a person enters into the
death of Christ and is raised to a new<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>life:<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "tms rmn" , "serif";">Rom 6:3-6:</span></b><span style="font-family: "tms rmn" , "serif";"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>"Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ
were baptized into his death?<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"> 4 </i>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.<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"> 5 </i>For if we have
been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">in the likeness </i>of <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">his </i>resurrection:<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"> 6 </i>Knowing
this, that our old man is crucified with <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">him,
</i>that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not
serve sin."<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "tms rmn" , "serif";">2.<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>It is at the moment of baptism that a person is put “into”
Jesus Christ.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "tms rmn" , "serif";">Gal 3:26-27:</span></b><span style="font-family: "tms rmn" , "serif";"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>"For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus.<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"> 27 </i>For as many of you as have been
baptized into Christ have put on Christ."<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "tms rmn" , "serif";">a.<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Note
that “all spiritual blessings” are to be found “in Christ.” (Eph 1:3).<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "tms rmn" , "serif";">3.<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Immersion in water is the point of time when we are buried
with Christ and forgiven of our sins.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "tms rmn" , "serif";">Col 2:11-13:</span></b><span style="font-family: "tms rmn" , "serif";"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>"In whom also ye are circumcised with the circumcision made without
hands, in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the circumcision of
Christ:<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"> 12 </i>Buried with him in
baptism, wherein also ye are risen with <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">him
</i>through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the
dead.<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"> 13 </i>And you, being dead in your
sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him,
having forgiven you all trespasses;"<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "tms rmn" , "serif";"><o:p> </o:p></span><span style="font-family: "tms rmn" , "serif";">With
the scriptures as my witness, I have shown that God has made baptism the point
of faith where salvation is granted to the repentant believer. Satan (accuser)
is surely behind the teachings which reject baptism for the remission of sins.
The truth is that those who gladly receive the Word of God will be baptized
immediately just like those three thousand souls who were saved on the day of
Pentecost. Remember the Words of Jesus when He said:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "tms rmn" , "serif";">Mat 7:21</span></b><span style="font-family: "tms rmn" , "serif";">:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>"Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the
kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "tms rmn" , "serif";"><o:p> </o:p></span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "tms rmn" , "serif";">Baptism:</span></b><span style="font-family: "tms rmn" , "serif";"> Each individual must choose what they
believe about me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Does God mean what He
says, thus requiring all true believers to be baptized as He has required for
the remission of sin.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Or, will they put
their trust in the teachings of men which have refused to comply with God's
Word.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One choice demonstrates trust and
confidence in God and His Word.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
other demonstrates trust in the ideas of men more than the Word of God.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "tms rmn" , "serif";"><o:p> </o:p></span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">Mark <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>7:7-9:</span></b><span style="color: black; font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;"> "Howbeit in vain do
they worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For laying aside the commandment of God, ye
hold the tradition of men, as the washing of pots and cups: <u>and many other
such like things ye do.</u><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(9)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And he said unto them, Full <u>well ye reject
the commandment of God, that ye may keep your own tradition."<o:p></o:p></u></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "tms rmn" , "serif";"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "tms rmn" , "serif";"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
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RJhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02128107113336354270noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4311050734181392510.post-74309174466361795902017-03-16T13:25:00.002-04:002017-03-16T13:25:40.764-04:00A Conversation with Sin: Part 2 (Sin talks about Jesus)
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: black; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">A Conversation With Sin:
Part 2<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: black; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Review of Previous
Conversation:</span></span></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-themecolor: text1;">Sin:</span></b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Here are the facts.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am always
created by disobedience to God's law, brought on by selfish human desire<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>usually combined with believing<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>some kind of lie/ untruth.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When I enter a life I always separate that
soul from God and eternal life. </span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-themecolor: text1;">Adam, Eve and
all their descendants were created in the image of God (<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Gen 1:26; James 3:9; 1 Cor 11:17).</b><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>No person was ever born separated spiritually from God because of
something Adam did<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(physically separated
from Eden, Yes).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I only stain the souls
who have by their choice somehow invited me into their lives.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>James explains my arrival very well.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>"But every man is tempted, when he is
drawn away of his own lust, and enticed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it
is finished, bringeth forth death.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Do
not err, my beloved brethren<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">. (Jas
1:14-16).</b><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-themecolor: text1;">I would add to
this several analogies the Bible used to describe me in a person's life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I become a stain on that person's soul
(though your robes be like scarlet…though they be red like crimson…Isa 1:18). I
am like bondage or slavery from which no one can be freed without God's help.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-themecolor: text1;">Rom 6:16</span></b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-themecolor: text1;">: "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?"<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-themecolor: text1;">Joh 8:31-34:</span></b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-themecolor: text1;"> "Then said Jesus to those Jews
which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples
indeed;<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And ye shall know the truth, and
the truth shall make you free. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They
answered him, We be Abraham's seed, and were never in bondage to any man: how
sayest thou, Ye shall be made free? <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jesus answered them, Verily, verily, I say
unto you, Whosoever committeth sin is the servant of sin.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-themecolor: text1;">RJ:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Okay, now we understand more about what the Bible has to say about your
permanent stain.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Is there anything a
person can do to remove you from their life and be restored to a good
relationship with God? <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This would be the
single most important piece of information that anyone could ever learn.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-themecolor: text1;">Sin:</span></b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I can give you the answer to that question in one word:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Jesus.</b><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Not a single person will ever be freed from
my stain and bondage without the blood of Jesus. From the first sin, the
pronounced penalty was "death."<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Everyone who allows me into their life deserves to die physically and
spiritually. But, since the first sin, God has also taught the idea of allowing
another to die in the sinner's place.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He
did this by allowing the best and purest animals to be put to death to give man
a reminder and temporary atonement for their sin.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then, when the time was right, God made the
ultimate sacrifice to make a way so the lost could be free from me at last. The
Bible could not make this simple fact more clear.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-themecolor: text1;">"Even so
we, when we were children, were in bondage under the elements of the
world:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But when the <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">fulness of the time was come, God sent
forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>To redeem them that were under the law, that
we might receive the adoption of sons." (Gal 4:3-5)<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-themecolor: text1;">Joh 14:6 "</span></b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-themecolor: text1;">Jesus saith unto him, I am the way,
the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me."<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-themecolor: text1;">Heb 10:16-19</span></b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-themecolor: text1;"> "This is the covenant that I
will make with them after those days, saith the Lord, I will put my laws into
their hearts, and in their minds will I write them<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">; <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And their sins and iniquities
will I remember no more. Now where remission of these is, there is no more
offering for sin. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Having therefore,
brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus."<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-themecolor: text1;">Eph 2:13 <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>"</span></b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-themecolor: text1;">But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"> are ma</b>de nigh by the blood of Christ."<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-themecolor: text1;">Rev 1:5 "</span></b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-themecolor: text1;">And from Jesus Christ, who is the
faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the
kings of the earth. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Unto him that loved
us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood."</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-themecolor: text1;">As I pointed out
in our last discussion; one of the main purposes of the Bible is to point out
my existence and how I bring eternal separation from God.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But, the Bible's greatest purpose is to
reveal God's plan to bring sinner's back to himself through Jesus Christ.
Speaking of Jesus, Peter said, "Neither is there salvation in any other:
for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be
saved."<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">(Act 4:12).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-themecolor: text1;">RJ:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The Bible is pretty clear that Jesus is the only way mankind can be rid
of you. But, does that mean that you will be removed from the souls of all
people by His sacrifice?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Some say that
God's grace is universal and unconditional? I have heard many people say that a
good God would not allow anyone to go to hell.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-themecolor: text1;">Sin:</span></b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-themecolor: text1;"> <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Salvation is certainly not universal.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>God has made the way of salvation very clear.
Just as I cannot condemn a soul without their own selfish personal decision to
disobey or to ignore God. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No person can
be saved from me without a personal decision to obey Jesus.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No one will make it to God's presence without
me <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>by accident.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jesus is "the author of eternal
salvation unto all them that obey him." (Heb 5:9).</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-themecolor: text1;">Those who choose
not to obey Jesus will face the full consequences of my presence in their lives
when Jesus <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>returns in the judgment. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-themecolor: text1;">2Th 1:7-9 "</span></b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-themecolor: text1;">And to you who are troubled rest with
us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty
angels,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In flaming fire taking
vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord
Jesus Christ:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Who shall be punished
with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory
of his power."<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-themecolor: text1;">There is only
one group of people who will not take me with them to the judgment.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Only those who live and die putting their
trust in what God has revealed to them in their time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This trust, <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>proven by obedience to the Word of God, is
called "Faith."<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Faith comes by
hearing and obeying the Word of God (Rom 10:17). The Grace of God has appeared
to all men (Titus 2:11) and God wants all men to come to repentance (2 Pet
3:9).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But, God requires that each person
accept His offer of forgiveness by having faith.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Paul said it this way, "For by grace are
ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of
God:" (Eph 2:8).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Those who live by
faith will be freed from me and my consequences forever. God demonstated His
love for man by offering a way of salvation to those who deserve to die with me
on their souls.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Forgiveness is never
deserved or earned, but God only offers this gift to those who choose to practice
faith as it is explained in the Bible (Biblical Faith).</span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-themecolor: text1;">RJ:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I have a quick question for you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>If Jesus is the only was way to get rid of you, then what about all the
people who lived before He died on the cross?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>They did not know about God's plan to get rid of you through Jesus.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<br />
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-themecolor: text1;">Sin:</span></b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-themecolor: text1;"> Well actually, there is a saying in
both the Old and New Testament which says it all.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>"The just shall live by faith<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">."<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>(Hab 2:4; Rom 1:7; Gal 3:11; Heb 10:38).</b> <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The "just" means those who God views
as "justified."<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>God sees the
justified, just as if they did not have me in their lives. Remember that this
is not possible without the blood of Jesus. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As for the people who lived before Jesus, the
prophets did speak of Jesus and what God would accomplish through Him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They spoke of an everlasting King. They spoke
of a time when God would remember their sins and iniquities no more. The people
were told of a great servant who would take the punishment they deserved, be
killed and be raised from the dead. There are hundreds of prophecies
foretelling Jesus' work.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For example :<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-themecolor: text1;">Isa 53:4-11:</span></b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-themecolor: text1;"> "Surely he hath borne our
griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of
God, and afflicted. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But he was wounded
for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of
our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>All we
like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the
LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth: he
is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is
dumb, so he openeth not his mouth.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He was taken from prison and from judgment:
and who shall declare his generation? for he was cut off out of the land of the
living: for the transgression of my people was he stricken.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And he
made his grave with the wicked, and with the rich in his death; because he had
done no violence, neither was any deceit in his mouth.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yet it
pleased the LORD to bruise him; he hath put him to grief: when thou shalt make
his soul an offering for sin, he shall see his seed, he shall prolong his days,
and the pleasure of the LORD shall prosper in his hand.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He shall see of the travail of his soul, and
shall be satisfied: by his knowledge shall my righteous servant justify many;
for he shall bear their iniquities.</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-themecolor: text1;">Abraham was told
that one of his descendents would bless all nations. "And in thy seed
shall all the nations of the earth be blessed; because thou hast obeyed my
voice." <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">(Gen 22:18).</b><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-themecolor: text1;">Israel was told
to expect a new covenant with God. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>"And
they shall teach no more every man his neighbour, and every man his brother,
saying, Know the LORD: for they shall all know me, from the least of them unto
the greatest of them, saith the LORD: for I will forgive their iniquity, and I
will remember their sin no more."<b> (Jer 31:34).</b><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-themecolor: text1;">Anyone who
believed God's Word and Promises and obeyed Him had what is called faith. If
they died with faith made alive by their obedience (James 2:20), this left them
in a sort of dry river bed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They were
not yet saved, but were positioned in death and ready for the promise of God
when it was fulfilled.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When Jesus died
on the cross, his blood flowed backwards in time to wash me out of their lives
forever, opening the way back to God.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Jesus blood also flows forward from the cross to all who have had faith
since the cross.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So you see, it is only
by the blood of Jesus that a person can be free from the stain I put on their
soul.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Those without faith will face God
without<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>this cleansing. My presence will
cause them to be thrown into the lake of fire forever (Rev 21).<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-themecolor: text1;">RJ:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Sin, this conversation has been truly helpful.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Bible has verified your existence and
revealed the remedy for the condemnation you bring into every life. Thank God
for His wonderful love and for the gift of His Son on the Cross.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Do you have anything<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>you would like to add as we finish our
conversation?<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-themecolor: text1;">Sin:</span></b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Yes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Let the whole world know
that I am real.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The awful consequences of
my presence in a human life are real.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>There is only one way that I can be removed from a human soul, it is by
faithful obedience to Jesus Christ.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>God
offers salvation freely to all, but gives it only to those willing to accept it
by the simple terms of faith He has revealed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>If a person truly desires to have me removed from their life, they must
obey the Gospel like Peter taught in Acts chapter two.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Those who believed the message about Jesus
asked what they should do.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Peter told
them the simple truth which is still true today.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria;">Act 2:38-41:</span></b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria;"> <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>"Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and
be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of
sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For
the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off,
even as many as the Lord our God shall call.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>And with many other words did he testify and exhort, saying, Save
yourselves from this untoward generation. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then they that gladly received his word were
baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand
souls.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-themecolor: text1;"></span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-themecolor: text1;"><strong>Saving faith
also involves following through and trying to live as Jesus has commanded:<o:p></o:p></strong></span><br />
<br />
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-themecolor: text1;">1Jn 1:6-10</span></b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-themecolor: text1;">: <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>"If we say that we have fellowship with
him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>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.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If we say that we have no sin, we deceive
ourselves, and the truth is not in us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins,
and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If we say that we have not
sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us."</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-themecolor: text1;">Living by faith as
revealed in the New Testament (Biblical Faith) is the only way to be free from
the consequences of my existence in a human life.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-themecolor: text1;">RJ:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Thank you for having this conversation with us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We might have a few more questions for you
later if that is okay.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<br />
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-themecolor: text1;">Sin:</span></b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Sounds good to me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I will be
around.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></span></div>
RJhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02128107113336354270noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4311050734181392510.post-43182886048949130452017-03-14T13:54:00.000-04:002017-03-14T14:04:14.098-04:00A Conversation With Sin<br />
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">A Conversation With Sin:</span></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">An Interview With Sin (A History/
Biography of Sin)<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"> For
just a moment, let us think of sin as if it were a person
(personification).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We understand that
sin is simply a word used to describe mankind's rebellious behavior against the
will of God.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But, for just a little
while, imagine having a conversation with Sin as if it were a person. What
insights could we gain from such a conversation?<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p><span style="font-family: "calibri";"> </span></o:p></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">RJ: Hello Sin, we cannot say we have not
seen you for a while, but thanks for having this conversation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It seems you are pretty popular in the world
right now. Is there anything you would like to say to begin our discussion?<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p><span style="font-family: "calibri";"> </span></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Sin:</span></b><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Well, I would like to begin by saying that
there is a lot of bad press out there about me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I get a lot of blame for the problems of the world and for the problems
people have with God. I readily admit that I ruin everything I touch. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But keep in mind that I only exist because
God's creation has chosen to ignore and disobey Him. So please do not think of
me apart from the people who give me <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>power and ability to do so much harm.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Man is the creation of God. I am the creation
of man.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I mention this because
throughout history my creators have consistently tried to deny me or blame my
existence on others.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am always an
invited guest in the lives of my creators. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It would be far less confusing if people
would just take responsibility for their own decisions to bring me into their
lives.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>God will hold all people
accountable for their own actions.</span></span><span style="color: black; font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>God said through Ezekiel, "The soul that
sinneth, it shall die. The son shall not bear the iniquity of the father,
neither shall the father bear the iniquity of the son: the righteousness of the
righteous shall be upon him, and the wickedness of the wicked shall be upon
him."</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"> (</span></span><span style="color: black; font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Ezek 18:20). <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I know
I bring death and destruction to this world, but I am never the one who pulls
the trigger.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have no say in man's decisions,
I just appear when he creates me.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">RJ:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I can see how this kind of behavior <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>makes things confusing. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>People can never overcome a problem if they
deny its existence or refuse to take responsibility for it. I agreed that those
who create you must accept <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>their role in
your existence. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But rest assured that
many of us recognize that you are real and want to understand you better.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p><span style="font-family: "calibri";"> </span></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Sin:</span></b><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I appreciate your
understanding. Now what would you like to ask me?<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p><span style="font-family: "calibri";"> </span></o:p></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">RJ:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Okay, let us go back to the day you first appeared in the human
world.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I believe you remember Adam and
Eve.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Can you explain to us what really
happened that day?<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p><span style="font-family: "calibri";"> </span></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Sin:</span></b><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I will try, but keep in mind
that I was not there until Eve actually ate the fruit of the forbidden <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>tree. It is only when she broke God's command
that I came into existence. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What I know
is that God had created them and set them up in a paradise<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>called Eden. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He gave them everything they needed and asked
them to tend to the garden.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They could
eat of the tree of life which would have allowed them to <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>live forever. But, God desired that they <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>love and obey him because they wanted to, not
because they had to.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>To give them this freedom
of choice, He created the tree of knowledge of good and evil.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He told them that if they ate of that tree,
they would surely die.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I guess I would
not exist if it had not been for that tree.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Anyway, as I have learned since that time, humanity
has a tendency to be self centered and dissatisfied with their lot in life no
matter how blessed they might be.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
suppose that<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Adam and Eve (especially
Eve?) were curious about something they might be missing out on.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In their imaginations, rebellion must have
promised them something good.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I think
that is what Paul was thinking of when he warned the church about the
"deceitfulness of sin." (Heb 3:13). <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>People universally invite <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>me into their lives thinking<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I will bring them something good, but boy are
they always wrong about that.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>While I
might bring some pleasure or fun with me, it is always temporary and has
terrible consequences.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One fellow
described this false expectation <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>very
well when he said, "Sin always promises more than it can deliver, costs
you more than you planned to pay, takes you farther than you planned to go and
keeps you longer than you plan to stay."<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p><span style="font-family: "calibri";"> </span></o:p></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">RJ: Excuse me, I hate to interupt, but <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am surprised that you have quoted the Word
of God several times.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I never thought of
you as a student of the Bible.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p><span style="font-family: "calibri";"> </span></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">God's Word Identifies and Verifies Sin:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Sin:</span></b><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You should not be surprised, but your
reaction is understandable.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I (sin) am
synonymous with rebellion, wickedness, evil and corruption.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But, I have a very close connection with the
truth.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In fact, if it were not for the truth of God,
I would not even exist.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Don't forget
that "sin is a transgression of the law." (1 John 3:4).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If there was no law (knowledge of right and
wrong from God's perspective), there could be no sin. Paul said that without
the law he would not have known sin (Rom 7:7).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>One of the most beneficial purposes of the Bible is that it reveals my
existence and my identity to the world so they can avoid me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Some think of God's law as a bad thing
because it condemns their behavior.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But,
one of its main purposes is to reveal the reality of my existence.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As Paul said,</span></span><span style="color: black; font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>"Was then that (law of God) 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." <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(Rom 7:13).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Bible clearly reveals and proves my<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>existence and the problem I bring to each
human life.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Most would agree that It
is always good to obey God.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We also know
that God has revealed His will through the scriptures (2 Tim 3:16,17).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As you know, when people choose not to do
that which is good (obey the will of God), <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I appear. </span></span><span style="color: black; font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">"Therefore
to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin." (Jas
4:17).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I do not have a problem with the
truth.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is truth that verifies my
existence.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In fact the number one way my
creators deny my existence is to deny the truth of what God says in the
scriptures.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When this happens, it does
not mean I am not present, it just leads to my not being recognized. I can
always do more damage when I am denied and not recognized. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">RJ: Very interesting. Thanks for that explanation, can you
now continue telling us about that day in the garden?<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Desires, Rebellion and Lies Create Sin:<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Sin:</span></b><span style="color: black; font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt;"> Okay.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>While Eve was obviously struggling with her
human tendencies, Satan showed up in the form of a talking Serpent. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sounds unusual to us now, but who knows how
long Eve had existed?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>How was she to
know that all serpents did not speak? <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As
you know, Satan is known for his hatred of God and everything that God loves. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Kind of like a rebellious and hateful child
with his father. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That is why he is
constantly seeking to do harm to the human race.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Some say <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Satan is proud and obsessed with his own
importance.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Some say he is jealous of
the love God has for the human race.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
cannot explain all his motivations for sure.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>But,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>he is always trying to prove
that God is unworthy of love, respect and obedience.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There are always plenty of humans willing to help
him with his obsession. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Satan can never
defeat God, but he takes great delight in bringing Him dishonor.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The problem with his obsession is that there
is nothing true he can say against God for God is good and pure.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So Satan has transformed himself into <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>the "father of liars." (John
8:44).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You might think that people would
want to avoid lies and liars at all costs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>But, it has been my experience that they are so often ready and willing
to believe a lie when they are trying to justify their disobedience to
God.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The stage was set for my entrance
into the human world. There were two people tempted to disobey God and a liar
there to tell them everything they wanted to hear.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.3in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Now Satan approached Eve and
pretended not to know what God had said.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He asks if God had prohibited them from eating of all the trees of the
garden.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Eve corrected him, saying they
could eat of all the trees of the garden except one in the middle of the
garden.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Eve also shared<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>her knowledge of God's will by telling Satan
of the promised consequences of eating of that tree.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She said if we eat of that tree, "we
shall surely die." (Gen 3:4).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Satan
then boldly lied to Eve and said "you shall <u>not</u> surely
die."<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Satan was the first to
suggest that God did not mean what He said and that He would not do what He said
He would do.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Already Satan was twisting
God's Words (he just added one word: "not"). Satan probably <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>knew there was more than one way to
"die".<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There is physical death
(when the human soul is separated from the body, James 2:26) and there is
spiritual death (when our soul is separated from a close relationship with God
by me,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Isa 59:2).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Did Eve understand the seriousness of being
separated from God's presence and favor?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Did she know she might be separated from the tree of life which would
put her on the path to physical death?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Surely <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>she understood at least
some of the consequences.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But she wanted
to eat the fruit of that tree so much she was ready to believe Satan's
lies.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.3in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Satan then tells Eve that God was
keeping <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>this fruit from her, because He did
not want her to know as much as Him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Satan said that if she ate, she would become like a god herself, knowing
good and evil (Gen 3:5).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then the three
big desires of mankind tempted Eve ("Lust of the flesh, lust of the eyes
and the pride of life" 1 Jn 2:16).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>"And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that
it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she
took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with
her; and he did eat." (Gen 3:6).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In
an instant, I now existed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A product of
lust (human desire) <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>and lies.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.3in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">At first, I did not understand how a
couple of people snacking on some fruit could have brought me into
existence.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But, as I began to understand
the bigger picture, I realized that what had happened was horrifying.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The first two people on earth had just put
their trust in a lying God hater. They <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>had made their choice to rebel against their
Holy and Loving <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Creator, <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>all for the temporary pleasure of a piece of
fruit and the false hope of benefits it would bring them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When I fully got it, I actually felt sad that
the Good Lord had been so dishonored and rejected.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">RJ:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Thank you so
much for explaining<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>your arrival on
Earth. Sin, now that you are in the world, tells us your thoughts about your
place and purpose here.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">I Separate People From God Eternally:<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Sin:</span></b><span style="color: black; font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt;"> Well, the first
thing I <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>realized was that I was really
bad for mankind.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I learned immediately
that my presence in a human life brought them serious consequences. It turns
out (I learned this later from Habakkuk 1:13), that God is too pure to be in my
presence.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Because of me, Adam and Eve
could no longer live in the presence of God and were cast out to live in a
world separated from God's closest presence.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>They destroyed their close relationship with God and lost their access
to the tree of life. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Bible would
later describe their soul's <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>spiritual
condition as death. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Because they chose
to invite me in, life for them and all their descendants would now be difficult
and painful. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>God also cursed the
serpent to crawl on his belly in the dust.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>God promised Satan that one day a descendant of Eve would crush his
head.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I remember Satan was so proud that
he had helped bring me into the world.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He
did not seem at all worried about God's promise concerning <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>his future <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>defeat.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>All he could say as he crawled away laughing was, "I knew I could
prove to the humans that God is not worthy to be obeyed."<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.3in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">But to answer your question, I
actually felt pretty bad. From that day till now, my presence in human life
guarantees that they will be condemned and separated from God forever.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Satan has done everything he can to downplay
this awful consequence.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He likes to
deceive people into thinking that a little "sin" is not such a big
deal. One church even decides if I am "mortal" or "venial"
depending on what was done to create me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Others think in terms of big sins, little sins, many sins or few
sins.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But, Adam and Eve are proof that
any sin at all separates souls from God. I hate to be the bad guy, but do not
be deceived.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If I am in your life at
all, you are lost and separated from God. And If you are old enough to make
moral choices, I am certainly in your life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>"For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God" (Rom
3:23).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am like a fatal worldwide
epidemic which everyone eventually chooses to invite into their life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As you said in the beginning, I am
universally popular.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But please
understand this.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You should not think
of me as big or little, but maybe more like a virus or an infection.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Once you are infected with me, even once, <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>you cannot enter into God's holy
presence.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.3in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">To answer your question, my presence
separates people from God.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I guess you
could say that my purpose and place is to be a visible symptom,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>or sign here to identify this terrible
separation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">RJ:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We understand
that your presence in a human life is spiritually fatal. But some say that
after you came into existence, you are automatically inherited at birth by
every human descendant of Adam and Eve.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>They call this original sin or total hereditary<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>depravity.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Can you explain this to us?<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Sin Is Not Inherited:<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Sin:</span></b><span style="color: black; font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yes, I have heard of that belief.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It does not make any sense when you look at
my<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>original arrival which I just explained.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am a permanent stain on the human soul which
separates them from God.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But, like the
original sin, I only become a part of a person's life when they choose to rebel
against God.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is true that every
person since Adam has been born into a world infected and dominated by my
existence in the lives of so many. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Some
have decided that since this infection is so widespread that it must be
something that all humans have received at birth.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That is bad logic. If the whole world was
infected by some fatal disease, would that prove that all people had been born
with it?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It would prove that the disease was very
contagious.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.3in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">My presence in this world and the
awful consequences of my presence are quite<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>overwhelming and universal in people old enough to know better.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>King David, while overwhelmed with his own
horrible sin, once said, "Behold, I was shapen in iniquity; and in sin did
my mother conceive me. (Psa 51:5).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>David
could have been thinking about a lot of different things.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He could have been referring to a curse
imposed on his family for several generations because of an ancestor's
sin.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He could have been referring to the
fact that both his mother and father were themselves sinners.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But in the context, He was probably just<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>overwhelmed at my universal and awful
presence everywhere and all the time. I assure you that I was all around David
at his birth, but I did not affect his relationship with God until he was old
enough to invite me in himself.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>David in
this verse is grieving over his bad decision and my overwhelming presence in
this world. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.3in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Here are the facts.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Adam, Eve and all their descendants were
created in the image of God (Gen 1:26; James 3:9; 1 Cor 11:17).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No person was ever born separated spiritually
from God because of something Adam did <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(Physically
separated from Eden? Yes). <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I only stain
the souls who have by their choice somehow invited me into their lives.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If every human since<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Adam was born a sinner, then Jesus was also
born a sinner for He "became flesh (human) and dwelt among us" (John
1:14).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jesus was the only human that
ever lived who did not invite <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>me into
his life when He was tempted. (Heb 4:15).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Babies are not sinners, stained and separated from God spiritually. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But when they grow up they all invite me into
their lives for the same reasons Adam and Eve did.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They share the human tendency (some say
nature) to be selfish and self centered.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Everyone is affected by the <u>consequences</u> of my presence in this
world, but I have never permanently stained one soul in God's eyes until they <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>have exercised their freedom of choice and
dishonored their Creator.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Man was and is
created in the image of God.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am not
present or a part of any man's creation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It may be the human tendency to be selfish and easily tempted which
people mistake for my presence.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But,
being tempted is not the same as actually acting on the temptation which brings
me into a person's life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>James explains
my arrival very well.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>"But every
man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth
forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Do not err, my beloved brethren. (Jas
1:14-16).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Now does that sound like<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am present with every baby, or am I born
out of human choice and actions?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">RJ:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Wow, how you
explain that makes it seem so simple. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Thanks
for talking with us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Next time can we
talk about how to get you out of our lives? Is there any way we can be restored to
a close relationship with God?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We look
forward to the answers to these questions.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p><span style="font-family: "calibri";"> </span></o:p></span></div>
<a href="http://tarentumchurchofchrist.com/">Visit Our Website:</a><br />
<a href="mailto:bobthebuilder.55@comcast.net">Email Me:</a>RJhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02128107113336354270noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4311050734181392510.post-68681254925370293162017-01-13T12:41:00.000-05:002017-01-13T12:41:55.613-05:00Is Catholicism the Original Faith?
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 28pt; mso-no-proof: yes;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">It Is or It Is Not:<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 24pt; mso-no-proof: yes;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Catholicism: The Original Faith??<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">This article is not intended to question the
good intentions or sincerity of anyone who might call themselves a Catholic.
But, Biblical Faith requires both <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">SINCERITY
AND TRUTH! (Josh 24:14</b>).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It involves
an eternally important choice between what God says and what man says. Please
honestly consider the following thoughts.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">If the modern Catholic faith is the original
Christian faith, it would have all the characteristics of the original.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Its
teachings would honor God by being identical to the beliefs and practices of
the original church revealed in the holy scriptures. </b><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Have the founders and rulers of Catholicism
been careful not to reject or go beyond the authority of God's Word?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Or have they taken it upon themselves to add,
to take away and to change their church's teaching into something very
different from the original?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Is it
acceptable for a person of true "faith" to live in denial of the
actual inspired teachings of Jesus and the Apostles found in God's Word (The
Bible)?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Leaders of the Roman church profess to believe
that the Bible is the inspired Words of God himself.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But, for many centuries Catholics have not
been encouraged to study the Word of God without "church" authorized
direction. This implies that God spoke words he never meant people to
understand on their own. Bible study is a threat to the clergy's monopoly of
Bible understanding.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A sincere study of
the simple Word of God produces the original faith of the Bible (Romans 10:17).
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When an honest person who believes the
Bible begins to study, they very quickly see the considerable difference
between what they have been taught and the instruction originally given by
God.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Next comes the church officials trying to
explain to them why the Bible does not mean what it says or that it is not
God's final word. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Can you stand before
God in the judgment able to say you have studied and obeyed the Words and Faith
He gave to Jesus and the Apostles?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Or is
your hope dependent on hundreds of years of "clergy" <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>who claim to speak for God with equal or
greater authority than the scriptures. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If this church is truly speaking for God,
there would be no difference between what they teach and what God has taught
through Jesus and the Apostles <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia;">"I marvel that
ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto
another gospel:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Which is not another;
but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But though we, or an angel from heaven,
preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached </span></b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia;">(past tense, original teachings)<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"> unto you, let him be accursed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other
gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed." (The
Apostle Paul in Galatians 1:6-9)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 14pt;">The Bible Contains All
The Truth Needed To<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Understand and
Follow The Original Faith:<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia;">"All scripture is given by
inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for
correction, for instruction in righteousness:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>That the man of God may be perfect (complete), thoroughly furnished unto
all good works."</span></b><span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia;"> <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">(2
Timothy 3:16-17).</b><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Apostle Paul
decreed by true inspiration that, "<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Faith
</b>(the original)<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"> cometh by hearing and
hearing by the Word of God." (Romans 10:17).</b><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Apostle Peter wrote, <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">"If any man speak, <i>let him speak</i> as the oracles of
God…"(<span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">1Peter 4:11).</span></b> The
scriptures forbid human additions to or subtractions from God's Word<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="color: black;">"Every word of God is pure: he is a shield unto them
that put their trust in him. Add thou not unto his words, lest he reprove thee,
and thou be found a liar." (Proverbs 30:5-6:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>note also Rev. 22:18,19).</span></b><span style="color: black;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If given the choice
to believe what God says or what men have said, a true believer will go with
what God has said every time<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>"… 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." (Romans 3:3-4).</b><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A true disciple of Jesus is one who continues
in God's Words.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jesus said <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">"… If ye continue in my word, then are
ye my disciples indeed; And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make
you free." (John 8:30-32).</b> In reality, the Catholic faith, has become
a religion where human tradition and teaching <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>has far more influence and authority than the
Word of God.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="color: black; font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia;">True
Believers Are To Follow and Stand Up For The Original Faith Revealed In
Scripture:<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia;">The first Christians were commanded
to contend for and preserve the faith "once" delivered.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">"Beloved,
when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was
needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you <u>that ye should earnestly
contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints.</u>" (Jude
1:3).</b><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>To worship God by human
teachings and traditions is vain and unacceptable to God.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">"Howbeit
in vain do they worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><u>For laying aside the commandment of God,
ye hold the tradition of men…</u>" (Mark 7:7-8).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia;">A Few Major Differences Between the Original Faith And The
Catholic Faith: Wrong Head, Wrong Priesthood, Wrong Baptism, Wrong Prayers and
Idolatry:<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia;">1.<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Jesus Is the Only Head of the Original Church,
His Body (Not some visible person on the Earth).<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia;">Sadly, every time a Catholic accepts
what the Pope or traditions say instead of the truth given by Jesus and the
Holy Spirit in the scriptures, they are submitting to the wrong head.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia;">"For I bear
them record that they have a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For they being ignorant of God's
righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not
submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God."<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(Romans 10:2-3)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia;">"And He is the
head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the
dead; that in all things He might have the preeminence.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For it pleased the Father that in Him should
all fulness dwell;" (Colossians 1:18-19)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia;">2.<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The Original Faith Had No (Jewish Style)
Priesthood or Clergy which was exalted by different clothing or titles (There
were no "reverends", "cardinals", "popes" or
"fathers").<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia;">The word "reverend" is
found only once in the Bible and there it is referring to God <span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>(Psa 111:9).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Every Christian was a "saint" or "holy one"<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>which means in the original language,
"one set apart" for God's purposes. Many "saints" were
alive and well in the pages of the Bible.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Every Christian was a minister (servant) and part of a holy priesthood
in God's service. Christians did not confess their sins to a "father"
to receive forgiveness.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia;">"Unto the
church of God which is at Corinth, to them that are sanctified in Christ Jesus,
called to be saints, with all that in every place call upon the name of Jesus
Christ our Lord, both theirs and ours:" (1 Corinthians 1:2)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia;">"But be not ye
called Rabbi: for one is your Master, even Christ; and all ye are
brethren.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><u>And call no man your
father upon the earth: for one is your Father, which is in heaven.</u><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Neither be ye called masters: for one is
your Master, even Christ." (Matthew 23:8-10)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia;">"Ye also, as
lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up
spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ." (1 Peter 2:5)<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia;">3.<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The Original Faith taught only believer
baptism (Immersion) for the remission of sins.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia;">Catholic dictionaries and
encyclopedias acknowledge that immersion in water of<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>believers was the baptism originally
practiced in Bible times. The Greek word translated baptism in the Bible means
immersion.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Belief was always required
before baptism in the Bible.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Hundreds of
years after the Bible was written, the men in power decreed that sprinkling
water on infants was an acceptable baptism.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia;">Today, the vast majority of those in
the Catholic faith have not been baptized into Christ the way <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>the Holy Spirit has taught and approved in the
scriptures.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They have laid aside the
Word of God and are trusting and submitting to the teachings of men. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Bible baptism was always immersion. There is
not a single example of a nonbeliever being baptized in the scriptures even if
their parents believed (no infant baptisms). The vast number of people who were
sprinkled as infants, had no knowledge, belief, repentance or personal decision
in what they were later told was their baptism. They were not Biblically
baptized.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia;">"And he said
unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every
creature.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He that believeth and is
baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned." (Mark
16:15-16)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia;">"Now when they
heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the
rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be
baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of
sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost."<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(Acts 2:37-38)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia;">"Know ye not,
that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his
death? 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." (Romans 6:3-4)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia;">4.<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The Original Faith Taught Believers To
Pray Only To The Living God, Not To Deceased Humans.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia;">Like some Pagan religions who offer
prayers and even give homage to their deceased ancestors, Catholic teaching has
decreed that their members can be blessed by offering prayers to deceased
individuals.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Even Jesus' earthly mother
has been exalted to near Deity and petitioned for help constantly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This practice is purely of human origin and
completely foreign to Biblical faith. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No
Christian in the Bible ever offered prayers to another dead Christian.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.3in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia;">It is sad that something as simple as
to whom we must pray could be so corrupted by the teachings of men. Praying to
the dead is very different from <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jesus'
clear teaching on how to pray (Only to the Father). (Catholic practice of
prayer also ignores Jesus' prohibition against vain repetition.)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.3in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia;">"But when ye
pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they
shall be heard for their much speaking." (Matthew 6:7)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia;">"And it came
to pass, that, as he was praying in a certain place, when he ceased, one of his
disciples said unto him, Lord, teach us to pray, as John also taught his
disciples. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And he said unto them, When
ye pray, say, Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom
come. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Thy will be done, as in heaven, so
in earth." (Luke 11:1-2) <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<br />
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia;">5.<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The Use Of Statues (Idols) Was Forbidden
By The Original Faith:<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.3in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia;">God's Word specifically forbids His
people from creating any carved images in the likeness of man or any other
creature for religious purposes. They were not to bow down to them. When they
did, God was angry and there were dire consequences.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>God condemned the use of carved images in the
law of Moses and he also forbids Christian use of idols.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The use of statues is more evidence of pagan
influence on the minds of the creators of Catholic practice.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is also evidence that it is not the
original faith which rejected <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>idolatry. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia;">"Thou shalt
not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of anything that is in
heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under
the earth:" (Exodus 20:4; Deuteronomy 5:8)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia;">"Wherefore, my
dearly beloved, flee from idolatry." (1 Corinthians 10:14) <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia;">"Little
children, keep yourselves from idols. Amen." (1 John 5:21)<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<br />
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="color: black; font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia;">Conclusion:
Biblical Faith<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></div>
<br />
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia;">Please keep in mind we have noted
only a few of the differences between the original faith and the Catholic
faith.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.3in;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Monotype Corsiva"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: FrankRuehl;">If</span></b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia;"> faith cometh by
hearing and hearing by the Word of God (Romans 10:17).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Monotype Corsiva"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia;">If</span></b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia;"> <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>God's Word is truly inspired and reliable for
all teachings and doctrines (2 Tim 3:16,17). <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></b></span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Monotype Corsiva"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia;">If</span></b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia;">
replacing what the Bible says with what men have invented leads to worshipping
God in vain (Mark 7:7-8).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Monotype Corsiva"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia;">If</span></b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia;"> <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jesus and<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>the scriptures have the authority they claim
to have ("all", Matt 28:18). <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></b></span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Monotype Corsiva"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia;">If</span></b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia;">
it is essential that we practice the "faith once delivered" (Jude
1:3).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Then the Roman church is not practicing or teaching the original
faith<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>revealed by God in the scriptures.</b><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This church is </span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Monotype Corsiva"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia;">not teaching</span></b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia;"> its people how to receive the remission of sins in
baptism as taught in the scriptures. This church is </span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Monotype Corsiva"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia;">not holding</span></b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia;"> <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>exclusively to the
true Head of the Bible church. This church is </span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Monotype Corsiva"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia;">not teaching</span></b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia;"> people exclusively Jesus' instruction on prayer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>How many times does a man made church have to
contradict God's Word before people are willing to <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">admit it is not the original?<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia;">Catholicism would not be recognized
by the first Christians as the faith they originally received from God. They
would not recognize its Head, its Priesthood, its Baptism, its Prayers or its
Idols.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Every Catholic must decide if they will make a
change and obey the Biblical faith or if they will continue to trust their
souls to the doctrines and commandments of men.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Catholicism <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>is or it is not the
original.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Since so many of its teachings
contradict and reject the original truths in the Bible, it could not be the
original. Will you trust God's Word or Man's Word??<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.3in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Dear Readers:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Will You Allow God's Word To Make You Think?</b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">What we think about God and Faith is <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>eternally important.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>God's Word should be the source of all we
believe about God and His will for our lives.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Much of the world's religious belief is not found in the Bible.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is time for those who are truly seeking
God to examine themselves and their beliefs in the light of God's Word.</span></div>
<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 8pt;"><o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">"Faith
cometh by hearing and hearing by the Word of God."<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Romans 10:17<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 8pt;"><o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">There is no truth or hope for mankind
without accurate knowledge of God's Word. This series of articles is<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>intended to help us see truths in God's Word
which have been overlooked by<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>many
religions of our time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We are the
church of Christ.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The church you can
read about in your Bibles.</span></div>
<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></b></div>
<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">This
message brought to you because God's Word is True and He deserves to be heard.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></b></div>
<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Tarentum
Church of Christ<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">614
East 9th Avenue<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Tarentum,
PA 15084<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Questions?
Contact:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Robert<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>724 681 2724<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Sunday
Bible Study:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>10am<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Sunday
Morning Worship:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>11am<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Sunday
Evening Bible Study:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>6pm<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">(Fellowship
Meal every 2nd Sunday: No pm study)<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Wednesday
Evening Bible Study:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>7pm<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 18pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">God Bless America!<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 18pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">America Honor God!<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">tarentumchurchofchrist.com<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
RJhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02128107113336354270noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4311050734181392510.post-80676019591829106052017-01-13T08:49:00.002-05:002017-01-13T08:50:44.838-05:00Three Facts Which You Must Understand To Be Saved<br />
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 18pt;">Three Facts: Which You
Must Understand To Be Saved</span></b><u><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 18pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></u></div>
</div>
<br />
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 2pt;"><o:p><span style="text-decoration: none;"> </span></o:p></span></u></b></div>
<br />
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 10pt;">Check The Origin Of What
You Believe:<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 10pt;">In
our time of information overload, our biggest challenge is sometimes figuring
out what is true and what is not true.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>This is especially true when it comes to the subject of
"religion."<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The religious
world is composed of lots of decent people trying to do something good.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The problem is they have lots of ideas and
beliefs with differ from each other and from God's Word.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What is so confusing is that many are claiming
to follow the same God and even the Bible, but they so often contradict one
another.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The unbelievers see all this
religious division as evidence that the Christian religion is a human
invention.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And in a sense, they may be
in some situations<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>correct.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Every one of the hundreds of denominations
and their denominational creeds are the creations of men.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They cannot be found in the Bible.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This division does not make Christianity look
very divine.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Bible condemns
divisions among Christians. (1 Cor 1:10). The Bible does not approve of <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>denominations (divisions), nor does it<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>teach us to become members of these
creations.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Something is not right.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We desperately need to separate the facts
from the imaginations of men.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 2pt;"><o:p><span style="text-decoration: none;"> </span></o:p></span></u></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 10pt;">Few Will Find The Narrow Path:<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 10pt;">There
are not many paths all leading to the same place.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The religious world needs to lay aside all
their human ideas and seek God's only path to salvation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jesus said it this way:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>"</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 10pt;">Enter
ye in at the strait (narrow, difficult) gate: for wide is the gate, and broad
is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in
thereat:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Because strait is the gate, and
narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find
it." (Matt 7:13-14).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Did you hear
that?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>"FEW" will find the
narrow way.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Many will travel the wide
(broad, popular) way to destruction.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>This tract intends to give you some facts that you need to know so you
can be among the "few" who find eternal life with the Father in
Heaven.</span><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 2pt;"><o:p><span style="text-decoration: none;"> </span></o:p></span></u></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 10pt;">Important Facts We All
Need To Know:<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 10pt;">Why was this tract prepared for you?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Because there are a few simple undeniable
facts that everyone needs to rise above the confusion created by well meaning
people.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Facts which we all must
understand before it is too late.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Facts
which will affect our future and what will happen to us when we die.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 2pt;"><o:p><span style="text-decoration: none;"> </span></o:p></span></u></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 10pt;">Fact # One:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There Is A God!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></u></b></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 10pt;">Everything
around us provides evidence of the simple reality that there must be a
God.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Some, who have made up their minds
not to believe in God,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>worship
"Evolution" as their creator.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Evolution is not supported by the overwhelming evidence and is really
just a "hypothesis" (this is a<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>human<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>idea in need of some<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>evidence to move it up to the status of
"theory").<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If you choose to
reject the reality of God, you must explain our existence on this Earth some
other way.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Unbelievers teach us what
they believe by their faith (evolution) and say we are foolish to believe in an
intelligent, all powerful supernatural being as our Creator.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Some reject God as our Creator, but using
their imaginations are convinced we got here because of some Alien from a place
far, far away.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Interesting that they
reject the true unseen Creator for other unseen creators (who also must have
created themselves through evolution). Paul was talking about this type of
faulty reasoning<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>when he spoke of people
who willingly denied the facts. He said they, </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 10pt;">"changed
the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature (creation)
more than the Creator, who is blessed forever." (Rom 1:25)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 10pt;">Here is what we can know for sure.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In all of our human history and research we
have never been able to make something out of nothing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We have never been able to create something
alive out of something which had not been alive previously.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We have not been able to prove that a
nonliving thing given billions of years could turn itself into a<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>living thing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 10pt;">Also, while living things can adapt themselves
to their environment to some extent, there is no known mechanism in any animal
or plant by which they can pass on what they have learned through their
Genetics.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For example, I cannot learn
that I could swim better if I had webs between my toes and then pass on webbed
toes to my children through my DNA.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Evolution contends that this type of thing has to have happened
countless times,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>over and over for every
species of plant and animal.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The odds of
this even happening once are astronomical.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The facts do not support "evolution" and "chance" as
our creator.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 10pt;">Did the universe and every plant and animal
create itself out of nothing completely by chance, or was everything created by
an intelligent, powerful, not of this world Being as the Bible teaches.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The facts favor the existence of a
supernatural Creator God.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Or you can put
your faith in the false human idea that everything made itself.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Known, true science supports an intelligent
Creator.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It takes more faith to believe
in evolution than it does to believe in God. Fact # 1: There Is A God!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 2pt;"><o:p><span style="text-decoration: none;"> </span></o:p></span></u></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 10pt;">Fact # Two:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Bible Is God's Reliable Revelation Of
Himself To Mankind!<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 10pt;">The
Bible itself claims to be inspired by God Himself from beginning to End.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>"</span><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 10pt;">All scripture is
given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for
correction, for instruction in righteousness:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good
works." (2 Tim 3:16-17).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>All we can
know about our Creator God is what He has revealed to us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He has made it clear that He has spoken
through selected men guided by the Holy Spirit and especially through His Son
Jesus Christ.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>"God, who at sundry
times and in divers manners (different times and different ways, rj) spake in
time past unto the fathers by the prophets,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath
appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds;" (Heb
1:1-2).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 10pt;">It is only through the scriptures that we can
know how to approach and please God.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Knowledge of God's Word is essential to having the faith the Bible
requires.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>"<span style="color: black;">But
without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must
believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek
him." (Heb 11:6).<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 10pt;">Believing the fact that God exists is a
beginning, but brings us no benefit if we refuse to hear and obey those things
which He has required of us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>"How
then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they
believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a
preacher?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>….So then faith cometh by
hearing, and hearing by the word of God. " (Rom 10:14-17). To believe Fact
# One without accepting Fact # Two reveals that a person refuses to listen to a
God, they claim to believe in.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Obedience
to God's Word is the only Biblical way to honor and show love to God.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><u>"</u>If ye love me, keep my commandments."
(John 14:14,15).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One can never claim to
have a good relationship with God if they refuse to study and obey His
Words.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="color: black;">"Study
to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed,
rightly dividing the word of truth." (2Tim<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>2:15). <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 10pt;">Many critics challenge the Bible's
reliability, but<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>the evidence verifies
that the Bible is of supernatural origins and is truly the Words of God.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jesus knew the absolute importance of the
Bible when He said, "It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but
by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God." (Matt 4:4).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>To ignore the Bible is to reject the God who
gave it to us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Knowing the Bible is essential
to knowing the God who has provided the Bible.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>This brings us to Fact # Three.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="color: black; font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 2pt;"><o:p><span style="text-decoration: none;"> </span></o:p></span></u></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="color: black; font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 10pt;">Fact #
Three:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jesus Is The Way, The Truth and
The Life and the Only Way To Be With The Father Forever.<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 10pt;">Believing Facts One and Two opens the
way to the third most important fact of all time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The true God has revealed through the
scriptures that the only way we may receive eternal life with the Father is to
accept and obey His Son Jesus.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A person
can never be made acceptable to God if<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>they refuse to obey His Son.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Jesus plainly said,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>"I am
the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by
me." (John 14:6).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The scriptures
tell us that Jesus is the<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>"author
of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him"<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(Heb 5:9).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>God says that many will say they believe in Jesus and even call Him
Lord, but because they do not obey Him, they will be rejected (Matt
7:21-23).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Some think that believing
there is one God is all that is necessary.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>James, by inspiration<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>says
believing<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>is a good start, but even the
demons believe that God <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>exists (James
2:19).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 10pt;">Since Adam, all mankind has at some
point in their lives rejected God's words and sinned.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Our sin separates us from the Eternal God and
eternal life, just as it separated Adam from God.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>"For all have sinned, and come short of
the glory of God" (Rom 3:23).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No
amount of effort to be a good person or to do good works can repair that broken
relationship with God.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If we ignore the
facts noted above we will forever be separated from God and remain in spiritual
death.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>"For the wages of sin is
death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our
Lord"<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(Rom 6:23).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 10pt;">God has repeatedly declared His love
for a world of people who have sinned against Him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In His amazing mercy, He has prepared a way
for a "Few" of those who are lost and separated from Him to come home
to Him to live forever.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This offer is to
all mankind (John 3:16).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But, the offer
of forgiveness is not unconditional.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>To
be saved, we must carefully seek to know and obey God's plan of salvation. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="color: black; font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 2pt;"><o:p><span style="text-decoration: none;"> </span></o:p></span></u></b></div>
<br />
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="color: black; font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 10pt;">Do You
Have The Facts Straight?<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 10pt;">Believing in God is first. Believing
the Bible is God's Word is the second step, if you are willing to study and
obey the scriptures.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Finally accepting
what the Bible says about Jesus is essential to salvation and being with God.
God has revealed the path for those who will choose to be saved.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Most people will ignore the facts and believe
what they want. A "Few" people will put their trust in God and accept
the facts. When God speaks they will seek to obey and remain faithful till they
die.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>These are the "Few" Jesus
was talking about.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If you have questions
about these important facts, we can show you what God actually says.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Nothing but the facts!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No person will ever be ashamed or sorry on
the judgment day that they took some time to study the facts about how to
please God and how to be saved.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>R.
Johnson<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">For an example of three thousand of the
"Few" responding to God's Word, please Read Acts 2:36-47.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That is how we must all respond to the
"FACTS."<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
</div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 2pt;"><o:p><span style="font-family: "calibri";"> </span></o:p></span></b></div>
<br />
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Tarentum Church of Christ<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
<br />
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">614 East 9th Avenue<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
<br />
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Tarentum, PA 15084<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
<br />
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Questions? Contact:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Robert<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>724 681 2724<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Sunday Bible Study:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>10am, 6pm<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Sunday Morning Worship:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>11am<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
<br />
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">tarentumchurchofchrist.com<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
RJhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02128107113336354270noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4311050734181392510.post-31188551255877719282015-12-17T11:45:00.000-05:002015-12-17T12:01:55.226-05:00Is the Final Return of Jesus, the Resurrection and Final Judgment Already Past? (Preterism)<strong><u>Did The Final Coming Of Jesus And The Resurrection Already Happen?? (Preterism) </u></strong><br />
<br />
Some in the Lord's church have moved away from simple teaching of the New Testament and are causing much confusion. Their teachings create doubt about the very resurrection of the dead and the final return of Jesus to judge all mankind. They teach that all the final prophecies of the Bible were fulfilled (figuratively) in 70AD when the Romans destroyed Jerusalem. Does the Bible tell us there will be a yet future resurrection of all the dead and a final judgment day?? The answer is yes. But what about this other teaching often called "preterism." I have found an article written by Olan Hicks which does a great job addressing this subject. It is simple and cuts right to the heart of the matter. I believe it should be made available to any who might be struggling with this particular subject. Hope you enjoy it and it points you to the TRUTH of the scriptures. Robert<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify;">
<b><span style="color: black; font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 14pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: KodchiangUPC; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">A CLOSER LOOK AT THE "AD 70 THEORY"OF LAST
THINGS<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>By Olan Hicks (reformatted by
Robert Johnson)<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Book Antiqua"; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The first time a
preacher friend said to me that the world had ended back in AD 70, I said,
"Wait a minute! I am looking out the window and it is still out there!
What do you mean, it ended? He then explained that he did not mean the literal
earth, the grass, trees, rocks, and dirt. He meant the Jewish age had ended, or
"world," as some translations have it in Mat. 24. To that I had no
objection. It was my understanding that we all believe that "the end"
referred to in Mat. 24:14 was the end of Judaism, destruction of Jerusalem,
especially the temple, in AD 70.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Book Antiqua"; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When the same brother
said to me that the second coming of Christ had occurred at the same time, I
asked, "Have you seen Him?" Again he said "No" and
explained that it was not the literal Jesus in the flesh who had returned, but
that He had come in a<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>symbolic sense,
visiting Jerusalem with destruction. Again I said I did not disagree with
that.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I wondered why this theory was
being set forth as a radical change, something very different to what we had
always believed. I wondered why it was being met with hostility by several
brethren. I soon found out.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify;">
<b><span style="color: black; font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: KodchiangUPC; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b><b><span style="color: black; font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: KodchiangUPC; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">HERE IS THE PROBLEM</span></b><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Book Antiqua"; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I learned that not
only do they say this particular "end" came (of the Jewish age) and
that a symbolic"coming of Christ" occurred in that event, they also
say this was the<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>final
"end,"<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>the<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>last coming<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Book Antiqua"; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">of the Lord that is to be. Jesus is never to actually return
physically! That is the part that is a radical change,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>different to what has been a standard belief
among us. Some advocates of that theory charge that because it is different to
what we have always believed, we are "formatted" against it and
reject it for that reason, that we have been taught to apply the prophecies
differently. ("Freedom's Ring"July. 1998, Cecil Hook. Pg. 5).That
begs the question. I can tell you exactly why I reject it, because it
contradicts all of the explicit inspired statements to the contrary in the New
Testament. To me that seems like a pretty good reason. This part of it is
alarming because so many Bible passages graphically describe a day God has
appointed in which Jesus will descend with a shout, the heavens and earth will
pass away and be replaced with a new<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Book Antiqua"; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">heaven and earth, the dead will be raised, and all men will be judged,
not just the Jewish nation. This theory says that will not happen in actuality.
The reasons why they say that are interesting and we need to look at them.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify;">
<b><span style="color: black; font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: KodchiangUPC; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b><b><span style="color: black; font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: KodchiangUPC; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">MY OWN IN DEPTH STUDY OF THE THEORY</span></b><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Book Antiqua"; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In 1982 I
preached<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>at Warren, Ohio in a weekend
meeting. Max King, the chief introducer of the AD 70 theory,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>was serving as an elder there. He and the
preacher, Terry Siverd, wanted me to consider their theory and they tried to
explain it to me as much as time permitted. But it was a<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>busy schedule and we had but little time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So I grasped as much of it as I could and promised
to study it more later. They gave me a considerable amount of material, books,
etc. and I agreed to reserve any decision about it until I could be reasonably
sure that I was understanding what was being said. I wanted to do that
because<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I feel strongly that drawing
hasty conclusions about any brother is very wrong.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Book Antiqua"; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It took a long time,
actually several years, to get the studying done, as fully as I wanted to,
because I was very busy with things I felt were more demanding. But over a
period of several years I did spend a lot of time working through it. Later, on
a trip to Arkansas, Max graciously came by my home and gave me a copy of his
largest book, "The Cross and the Parousia of Christ." It is a book of
759 pages plus bibliography and index. He also continued to send me his monthly
publication, "The<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Living
Presence," and Ed Stevens, also of that group, has continued to send me
his publication,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>"Kingdom
Council." A couple of other friends who accepted that theory also sent me
materials they wrote. So, as you see, they supplied me with much resource
material on the subject. These are friends who have been courteous to me. This
composition is not </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Book Antiqua"; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">intended to be an ugly expose against them nor anyone who holds that
theory. I believe they are sincere people. But I also believe they are mistaken
in some ways that can have serious consequences.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Book Antiqua"; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I tried to be<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>as objective as I could and I studied
patiently. But the farther I went in study of it the more I became convinced
that serious mistakes lie at the base of it. Here are five</span><b><span style="color: black; font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: KodchiangUPC; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">
</span></b><span style="color: black; font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Book Antiqua"; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">of them.</span><b><span style="color: black; font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: KodchiangUPC; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"> 1. </span></b><span style="color: black; font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Book Antiqua"; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">The </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Book Antiqua"; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">hermeneutic they employ is not sound. </span><b><span style="color: black; font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: KodchiangUPC; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">2.
</span></b><span style="color: black; font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Book Antiqua"; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">There seems to be a strong pre-disposition toward the theory, a
lack of objectivity. They do a lot of what I call "reaching."</span><b><span style="color: black; font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: KodchiangUPC; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">
</span></b><b><span style="color: black; font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: KodchiangUPC; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">3. </span></b><span style="color: black; font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Book Antiqua"; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Their argumentation is often inconsistent. 4. They draw
conclusions and hold them even though they contradict explicit Bible
statements. </span><b><span style="color: black; font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: KodchiangUPC; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">5. </span></b><span style="color: black; font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Book Antiqua"; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Many of their basic premises are purely
theoretical, with absolutely no scripture statement to confirm them. I will
give specific examples of this shortly, but first let's be sure we understand a
couple of things.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Book Antiqua"; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Mark this down: They
do start with scripture statements. As we have already said, the first part of
what they say is correct. They read it in the text of Matthew 24. Jesus did say
a "coming" of some kind would occur within that generation of time.
But from there they quickly go astray and take a quantum leap into what Jesus
did not say, namely that this was the only "coming" there would be.
The speculation gets worse as they continue to theorize and branch out. By
placing arbitrary interpretations on certain prophecies in Daniel and
Revelation, they build a huge pyramid of error, starting with an untenable
misuse of Matthew 24.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Book Antiqua"; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Advocates of this
theory agree that the "coming" in AD 70 was "a symbolic coming
in judgment upon Israel," not a literal coming of the Lord in person. The
scripture supports that. But scripture also declares another fact, that
"The hour is coming in which all who are in their graves shall hear His
voice and come forth. . ." (John 5:28-29).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>To say that this was fulfilled when a few people were raised at the time
of the crucifixion, or perhaps a few were raised later in connection with the
destruction of the temple, is to dispute<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Book Antiqua"; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">what the Lord said. It is an observable fact that "ALL"
the dead did not come forth at that time. All people of the world were not
judged at that time. To say there is no such "day" coming when all
the dead will come forth, no such day as God has appointed in which He will judge
the world in righteousness, is to advance a premise which challenges the
integrity of Jesus in John 5:28-29, of Paul in Acts 17:31, and many others such
as 1 Thess, 4:16-17 and Rev. 21:2-5.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Book Antiqua"; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The reader needs to
understand going in that this is the part of the theory that is disputed. That
an "end" occurred in AD 70 is not disputed and that a
"coming" of Christ occurred in a symbolic sense is not questioned.
But the idea that this was the "end" and the "coming" referred
to in all the promises about the Lord's second coming, that it was the only end
and second coming that will occur, flies in the face of a host of explicit
Bible statements to the contrary. Cecil Hook wrote that ". . .all the
prophecies concerning the coming of Christ have been fulfilled. . ."
(Ibid, pg. 5).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Can this be justified in
the text?Advocates of this theory claim that it is the real teaching of the
Bible over all, that the scriptures I refer to as explicit </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Book Antiqua"; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">statements to the contrary have been misunderstood. Is there any substance
to that?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify;">
<b><span style="color: black; font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: KodchiangUPC; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b><b><span style="color: black; font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: KodchiangUPC; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">HERMENEUTICS AND THE "IMMINENCY PASSAGES"<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Book Antiqua"; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One of the primary
reasons they think that seems to be what they call the "imminency
passages." Evidently they see these as absolute statements that the time
of the return of Christ and the end of the world was very close in terms of
years when they were spoken and could not have been 2,000 years or more in the
future. If the apostle Peter were here I think he would say to them, "But beloved,
do not forget this one thing, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand
years, and a thousand years as one day." (2 Pet. 3:8).<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Book Antiqua"; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Ironically, Peter, in that third chapter, was discussing this very
thing, the delay in the coming of the final day and the fact that some in later
times would not understand it. He explains in the next verse (9) that the
reason for the delay is not that God is slack concerning these promises, but
that He is "longsuffering to usward, not willing that any should perish
but that all should come to repentance." So He continues to wait. But they
deny that the delay exists.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Book Antiqua"; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This points to another
mistake in the AD 70 theory, the idea that the opportunity to get into the
kingdom extends beyond the final day of judgment. Jesus indicated that the
opportunity to repent is extended to mankind only until that day. When once He
has risen up and shut the door, those who stand without and knock and plead for
admission, will not get in. (Luke 13:25).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>God knows that and so He continues to wait and keep the door open. But
these brethren insist that the judgment day has occurred, but the door remains
open and anyone can still come in. The truth is people who would respond to God
must do so "while it is today." There will not be people in God's
eternal city being baptized into Christ. That must be done before the city of
God descends from heaven.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify;">
<b><span style="color: black; font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: KodchiangUPC; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b><b><span style="color: black; font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: KodchiangUPC; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">WHAT ABOUT THE EXPRESSIONS "NEAR" "AT HAND"
ETC.?<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Book Antiqua"; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In most of these
passages the translation is from the Greek</span><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"> </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Book Antiqua"; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">word "mello." So called "preterists" make
three mistakes in usage</span><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"> </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Book Antiqua"; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">of this word. First, they assume that all passages where such
words</span><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"> </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Book Antiqua"; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">occur in reference to an
"end," refer to the same event. Second,</span><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">
</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Book Antiqua"; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">they make the mistake of thinking that God looks at time the same</span><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"> </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Book Antiqua"; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">way we do, and third, they misdefine the word
"mello." In addition</span><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"> </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Book Antiqua"; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">they also ignore all of the "delay" passages in the
scriptures, and</span><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"> </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Book Antiqua"; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">there are several, and
consider only the "imminency" passages.</span><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify;">
<b><span style="color: black; font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: KodchiangUPC; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b><b><span style="color: black; font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: KodchiangUPC; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">THE DELAY PASSAGES</span></b><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Book Antiqua"; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The word
"mello" is usually defined as "about to happen." But it is
a mistake to think that it cannot refer to something that is a long way into
the future. In fact, in Acts 22:16, this word is actually used to mean delay,
as Ananias asks Saul, "Why are you waiting? (from mello). Arise and be
baptized. . ." Here are some instances in the Bible in which it refers to
long periods of time: <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify;">
<b><span style="color: black; font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: KodchiangUPC; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Nearly 400 years: </span></b><span style="color: black; font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Book Antiqua"; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In Mat.11:14
this word is used to say of John the Baptist, "This is Elias which was for
to come." (about to come). Malachi said this nearly 400 years earlier. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify;">
<b><span style="color: black; font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: KodchiangUPC; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">1500 years:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></b><span style="color: black; font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Book Antiqua"; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">In Acts 26:22-23 this word occurs twice in reference to things
then happening "which Moses and the prophets did say should come."
(were about to come - mello). And again that Christ "should show light
unto the people." (was about to show light unto the people - mello). This
prediction took 1500 years to fulfill. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify;">
<b><span style="color: black; font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: KodchiangUPC; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">4,000 years:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></b><span style="color: black; font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Book Antiqua"; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">In Romans 5:4 this word is used to say that Adam was"the
figure of him that was to come." (was about to come - mello). From Adam to
Christ was at least 4,000 years.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Book Antiqua"; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Looking at these
scriptural facts, how can one say that "about to come" cannot refer
to something 2,000 years in the future? Obviously it is a mistake to think that
every passage in which "mello" occurs necessarily refers to something
immediately imminent in terms of earthly time.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Book Antiqua"; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Many scholars
recognize that this word is not just a designation of something imminent, but
is a designation of something that is certain. Thayer, for example, sees it as
denoting "those things which will come to pass by fixed necessity or
divine appointment." (Lexicon, page 397).<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Book Antiqua"; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Mat. 24 itself has
statements indicating delay in reference to the event referred to after verse
34, which is not the same event as is discussed in the verses prior to 34. The
first event was not delayed and had signs by which its approach could be
recognized. The second event will come "in a time when you think
not." (Verses 44 & 50). No signs signalling its approach. But
concerning the second event, when "heaven and earth shall pass away,"
an example of a delay passage occurs at verse 48 where Jesus said that if a
servant </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Book Antiqua"; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">says, "My Lord delays his coming," and begins to mistreat
his fellow servants, he will be punished for it. How could he be convinced that
a delay was occurring or convince anyone else of it unless there was some sort
of delay in that coming?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Book Antiqua"; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Paul also speaks of
this delay in reference to the "day of Christ," in 2 Thess. 2:2-3,
and told them not to be deceived into thinking that it was just at hand. He
said "that day will not come except there come a falling away first."
(Verse 3).<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Book Antiqua"; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Peter, as we have
already mentioned, states that this delay</span><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"> </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Book Antiqua"; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">exists and predicts that people will begin to scoff because of it.
(2</span><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"> </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Book Antiqua"; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Pet. 3:3-4). He even explains why the delay is
necessary. Ironically,</span><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"> </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Book Antiqua"; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">he applies it to the very event we are discussing here and on
which</span><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"> </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Book Antiqua"; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">we differ, the passing away of
the heavens and the earth. The</span><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"> </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Book Antiqua"; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">destruction of Jerusalem was not delayed. Clearly the other event</span><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"> </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Book Antiqua"; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">referred to in Mat. 24, the passing of the heavens
and the earth, was</span><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"> </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Book Antiqua"; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">delayed and still is being
delayed.</span><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Book Antiqua"; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At verse 7 Peter says
that the present heavens and earth are "kept in store" by the same
word that created them in the first place, "reserved unto fire against the
day of judgment and perdition of unGodly men." In these verses he uses the
same words as did Jesus in Mat. 24:35, "euranos," and "ge."
These are not words meaning an "age," as in verse 3 and verse 14 of
Mat. 24. These words mean the physical heavens and the physical earth, the
grass, the rocks, the trees, the atmosphere, and even the sun, moon, and stars.
In that third chapter Peter describes in graphic terms the destruction that is
waiting for this world. Again here Preterists have to reject these explicit
statements in favor of their theory.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Book Antiqua"; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At first exposure I
did not see the AD 70 theory as anything having to do with fellowship or
salvation. To me it seemed to be pretty much a harmless exercise in speculation
about prophecies that men have speculated upon for centuries.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But two factors are making it into much more
than that. First, it ends up in a type of scripture denial that the Bible
speaks of as spiritually fatal, denial of a coming resurrection. Second, it has
in recent years developed an aggressiveness that was not there originally and
this has made it a troublesome "issue," capable of dividing churches.
Paul wrote that to deny a coming resurrection is to reduce faith to vanity and leave
people yet in their sins. (1 Cor. 15:12-17). He also said that when Hymenaeus
and Phyletus taught that the resurrection was past already, they overthrew the
faith of some. (2 Tim. 2:17-18). These brethren are saying these two things,
that no general resurrection is yet to come and that the resurrection has past
already. So it is </span><b><span style="color: black; font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: KodchiangUPC; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">(1)</span></b><span style="color: black; font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Book Antiqua"; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"> destructive of vital elements of the faith and </span><b><span style="color: black; font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: KodchiangUPC; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">(2)</span></b><span style="color: black; font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Book Antiqua"; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"> in recent </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Book Antiqua"; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">years has come to be divisive. So it is a consequential mistake.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify;">
<b><span style="color: black; font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: KodchiangUPC; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b><b><span style="color: black; font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: KodchiangUPC; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">THE SCOPE OF OUR STUDY<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Book Antiqua"; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is not intended
to be an exhaustive treatment of all the arguments offered on behalf of that
theory. It would take a large book to analyze in detail each of the many
avenues of thought which grow out of that basic concept, and it isn't needed.
Getting tangled up in a lot of irrelevant argumentation about possible<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Book Antiqua"; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">interpretations of certain prophecies would not clarify the
central questions involved. Anyone can guess about fulfillments of any prophecy
and likely there will be many varying opinions. But the issues at stake here
are basic, relatively simple questions, on which we have explicit Bible
statements with which to make </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Book Antiqua"; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">comparisons.</span><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Book Antiqua"; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The thing wrong with
their arguments based on prophecies is</span><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"> </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Book Antiqua"; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">not that the words in a given prophecy could not mean what they</span><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"> </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Book Antiqua"; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">say they mean. Usually the application they make is
one possible</span><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"> </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Book Antiqua"; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">meaning, as far as the words
in the text are concerned. But the<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>fact</span><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"> </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Book Antiqua"; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">that a certain meaning is one of several possible
meanings does not</span><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"> </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Book Antiqua"; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">prove that it is the right
one. The answer to each of their arguments</span><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"> </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Book Antiqua"; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">on prophecy is that their interpretation is in conflict with
specific Bible statements to the contrary. No human theory about prophetic</span><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"> </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Book Antiqua"; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">interpretation can be as reliable as the inspired
statements</span><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"> </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Book Antiqua"; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">of</span><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"> </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Book Antiqua"; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">the Bible on the matter in question. What we need
to do is go to</span><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"> </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Book Antiqua"; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">the</span><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"> </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Book Antiqua"; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>core of that
teaching, look at its foundation stones, and see the</span><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"> </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Book Antiqua"; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">picture</span><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"> </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Book Antiqua"; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">it sets forth of "last things," and then compare these
with</span><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"> </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Book Antiqua"; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Biblical</span><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"> </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Book Antiqua"; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">facts. You could strive about words to no profit
for an awful</span><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"> </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Book Antiqua"; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">long</span><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"> </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Book Antiqua"; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">time if you tried to dissect every prophecy they
cite<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>and argue</span><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"> </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Book Antiqua"; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">the</span><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"> </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Book Antiqua"; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">limits of its possibilities. To cut to the chase, so to speak, it
is</span><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"> </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Book Antiqua"; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">simply</span><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"> </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Book Antiqua"; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">that any interpretation which directly contradicts express</span><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"> </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Book Antiqua"; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Bible</span><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"> </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Book Antiqua"; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">statements is not within the realm of possibility. It fails the</span><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"> </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Book Antiqua"; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">first</span><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"> </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Book Antiqua"; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">test of any interpretation, the matter of over all Bible harmony.</span><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Book Antiqua"; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A paper that used to
be published among them carried this caption: "Resolved: The scriptures
teach that the second coming of Christ, including the establishment of the
eternal kingdom, the day of judgment, the end of the world, and the
resurrection of the dead, occurred with the fall of Jerusalem in AD 70."<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Book Antiqua"; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Now, if by "the
end of the world," they mean the end of the Jewish age, they are right. If
by "the return of Christ," they mean the symbolic return in judgment
upon Israel, they are right. If by "the resurrection" they mean that
some individuals were resurrected, again they are right. But if they mean the
end of the physical cosmos, the resurrection of all the dead, and the final
judgment, they are wrong. If by "the return of Jesus" they mean His
triumphant return in glory to raise all the dead, judge the world, and reward His
servants, they are guilty of an error that all eyes can observe for themselves.
They are simply arguing with facts.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Book Antiqua"; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>God made a covenant with
Noah, the sign of which is the rainbow, that "While the earth remains,
seed time and harvest, cold and heat, winter and summer, and day and night
shall not cease." (Gen. 8:22). We can all see that the rainbow has not
ceased to appear in the sky. Therefore the earth still remains. When the </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Book Antiqua"; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">time comes that God sees fit to discontinue it, He will stop
hanging out the sign that says it is still here and intact. How can a Bible believer
observe the rainbow in the sky and still say, "The world ended 1900 years
ago."<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify;">
<b><span style="color: black; font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: KodchiangUPC; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b><b><span style="color: black; font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: KodchiangUPC; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">THE HOLY CITY, NEW JERUSALEM<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Book Antiqua"; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The symbolic
"coming in judgment upon Jerusalem" is a long way from being the
final and ultimate redemption God has in mind for His people. In that day He
will "make all things new." According to the AD 70 theory that
day<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>has already occurred, the Holy city
has come down, but things are still precisely as they were. Instead of there
being "no more death nor sorrow nor crying and no more pain, for the
former things are passed away," (Rev.21:4), we still have cancer, an AIDS
epidemic, death for every one eventually, and crying, and none of these have
passed away.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Book Antiqua"; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But they argue that
these are destined to be only in a spiritual sense. But these are not spiritual
ailments. No one ever got cancer of the spirit. No one gets AIDS in his spirit.
If it is only the spirit that is exempt from these things then nothing has
changed. It has always been that way on earth. But God said, "Behold I
make all things new." The truth is, as Paul said in 1 Cor. 15:50,
"Flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God, nor does corruption inherit
incorruption." This mortal must put on immortality and this corruptible
must put on incorruption. (Vs. 52-53). In Max King's largest book he spends
over 250 pages trying to explain away this entire chapter. When it takes that
much "explaining" to support a theory, you know that theory has
serious problems.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Book Antiqua"; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But their problem is
not just with 1 Cor. 15. It is with the whole bible. When you conclude that
there is no general resurrection day to come, no such scene as that in which
all the dead are raised to stand before the throne of God for judgment, no time
to come when people will exist in spiritual form apart from all of the sorrows
that plague earthly life, you have gotten completely out of touch with the
whole Bible perspective. You can scarcely find a page anywhere in the Bible
that does not disagree with you. You have a </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Book Antiqua"; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">totally different concept than what is pictured there. If the
apostle Paul were here I suspect he would say, "If in this life only we
have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable." (1 Cor. 15:19).<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Book Antiqua"; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In fairness it should
be said that they do believe that people are being taken to heaven in spiritual
form as<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>each one dies. I asked one of
them about that one time and that is what he said. It is a little hard to see
then, why they would deny the features John saw in Rev. 21. They say to me,
"Don't you believe in figurative language in the Bible?" Sure<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I do. But when the word
"figurative" is used to deny the teaching of an entire chapter, such
as Rev. 21, or 1 Cor. 15, that is too much "figurativism."<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify;">
<b><span style="color: black; font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: KodchiangUPC; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b><b><span style="color: black; font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: KodchiangUPC; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">HOW DID BELIEVERS WHO LIVED AT THE TIME </span></b><b><span style="color: black; font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: KodchiangUPC; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">PERCEIVE THE EVENTS OF AD 70?</span></b><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Book Antiqua"; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A few of the apostles
yet lived at this time, as did many folks whom they had personally taught.
Inspiration of the Holy Spirit was still there. So they knew what was going on.
Thus the matter of how believers living at the time saw these events is
important. What was their understanding of the matter?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Book Antiqua"; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When the smoke cleared
and all the dust settled, did they believe that the second coming of Christ had
occurred, as well as the judgment and the final resurrection? Did they believe
the holy city John described in Revelation 21 had come down and they were now
in it? Did they<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>believe the eternal
kingdom of God had come to complete fruition and all of God's promises about
things to occur in the last days had been fulfilled? Did AD 70 change anything
at all as concerns what they were looking forward to?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Book Antiqua"; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In all the information
available from that time period there is not to be found a single shred of
evidence that anyone living at the time saw it the way the AD 70 brethren do
today. There are writings extant which were written by believers at that time
and soon there after, but all of them say the same things precisely about their
faith that were written prior to that time. They were, without exception, still
looking forward to the second advent of Jesus yet to come, admonishing one
another to be prepared at all times as Jesus had </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Book Antiqua"; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">instructed, and holding the hope of a better world to come in a spiritual
realm when this world would eventually perish.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Book Antiqua"; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A very large book
would be filled if all such writings were</span><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"> </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Book Antiqua"; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">quoted. Of course we will not try to do that here but we will
give<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>a</span><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">
</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Book Antiqua"; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">10</span><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"> </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Book Antiqua"; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">couple of "samples"
which are typical of what was said in them all.</span><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">
</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Book Antiqua"; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">These are not inspired writings, of course, and are offered here</span><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"> </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Book Antiqua"; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">simply to indicate what was the viewpoint of eye
witnesses,</span><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"> </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Book Antiqua"; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">believers who lived at the
time and had been taught personally by</span><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"> </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Book Antiqua"; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">the apostles.</span><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Book Antiqua"; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Ignatius was born in
AD 50 and so was 20 years old in AD 70. He was martyred in the year 107. He was
said to have been a personal disciple of the apostle John. Early in the second
century he wrote, exhorting brethren in various places to continue holding to
the hope they had always had. To the Ephesians, for example, he wrote,
"Have a firm belief in the incarnation, the passion, the resurrection of
Christ. These things are no delusive phantoms, but real facts. Let no one
divert you from your hope."<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Book Antiqua"; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Polycarp lived a few
years later but was also said to have been a disciple of John personally. His
writings likewise speak of all these things as yet to come in the future. In
his epistle to the Phillipians he exhorted them to do faithful service to him
"who cometh as judge of quick and dead; whose blood God will require of
them that are disobedient to him. Now he that raised Him from the dead will
raise us also; if we do his will and walk in his commandments and love the
things which he loved..." In the same epistle he said, "For if we be
well pleasing unto him in this present world, we shall receive the future world
also,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>according as He has promised us,
to raise us from the dead." Polycarp said very pointedly, "Whosoever shall
pervert the words of the Lord to his own lust and say there is neither
resurrection nor judgment, that </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Book Antiqua"; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">man is the first born of Satan."</span><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Book Antiqua"; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>AD 70 advocates claim
John's writings, especially the book of Revelation,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>as much of their evidence. But these
disciples of John, along with Barnabas, Clement, and all others who lived in
the writings that they continued to look forward to all that the Christian hoped
for as something yet to come and that it was to occur in another world,
spiritual in nature.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If it happened in
AD 70, all the personal pupils of John who ever wrote, misunderstood it.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify;">
<b><span style="color: black; font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: KodchiangUPC; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b><b><span style="color: black; font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: KodchiangUPC; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">THE TESTIMONY OF THE LORD'S OWN FAMILY</span></b><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Book Antiqua"; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"> A piece of historic information that may have been providentially preserved
to shed light on this question is the testimony of the next generation of
Jesus' own fleshly family. Historian Eusebius records that a few years after AD
70 emperor Domitian decreed that all descendents of David were to be executed.
Jesus and his brothers and sisters were descendents of David. The grandchildren
of Jesus' brother Judas were taken </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Book Antiqua"; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">before the emperor for questioning. Eusebius says that during this
questioning, "When asked also respecting Christ and his kingdom, what was
its nature and when and where it was to appear, they replied that it was not a
temporal nor an earthly kingdom, but celestial and angelic; that it would
appear at the end of the world, when in glory He would judge the quick and dead
and give to everyone according to his works..." Upon which Domitian
despising them, made no reply, but treating them with contempt, as simpletons, commanded
them to be dismissed, and by decree, ordered the persecution to cease.
(Eusebius Eccl.Hist.- pg 103).<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Book Antiqua"; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Regardless of how
appealing this theory may seem to be, it is groundless. There are too many
parts of it that directly contradict explicit scriptures. We do not deny that
the Bible sometimes uses figurative language. But that does not justify this
kind of abuse. The bottom line is the AD 70 theory is incompatible with the Bible.
We have only touched the hem of the garment here. Paul said, "The last enemy
that shall be destroyed is death." (1 Cor. 15:26). Since death is as
common to the race of man now as it ever was, one cannot rationally believe the
AD 70 theory that "all the prophecies concerning the second coming of
Christ have been fulfilled."<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Book Antiqua"; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is not our purpose
to judge, convict, or defeat anyone. This is simply an appeal to God fearing
people to hold fast to the word of God and be not led away by human theories
that contradict it. There is nothing to be gained in the AD 70 theory, no land
of promise in the direction in which it points. It would take away the beautiful
hope described in the Bible and put nothing in its place. The Bible warns that
there is a definite spiritual danger in denying the coming of the day of God,
for in that day things will occur exactly as He has decreed. We must plan on
that. Think about it!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
RJhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02128107113336354270noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4311050734181392510.post-1241543889553295602015-03-31T13:49:00.000-04:002015-12-17T12:11:43.401-05:00Ancient Aliens: Do You Believe?<br />
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<strong><span style="font-size: x-large;">Ancient Aliens: Do You Believe?</span> </strong></div>
<strong>Is God an Alien? Are We Being Visited By Advanced Physical Beings From Across the Universe? The Truth Will Surprise You. There Is Some Evidence That More People Believe In Aliens Than Believe In God.</strong><br />
<br />
<strong>Introduction: When men choose not to retain God in their knowledge they will replace Him with something God has created or something they have conceived in their imaginations:</strong><br />
<br />
<strong>Rom 1:18-25</strong> "For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness; (19) Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them. (20) For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse: (21) Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. (22) Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools, (23) 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. (24) Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves: (25) Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen."<br />
<br />
<strong>A. Back in 1968, </strong><strong><span style="color: black;">Erich von Däniken</span></strong><strong> published a book called "Chariots of the Gods: Unsolved Ancient Mysteries".</strong><br />
1. It proposes that just about everything we cannot explain from the study of history was due to visitation and intervention of advanced alien races from other planets:</div>
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2. He is now a popular guest on many "alien" TV programs.<br />
3. Our so called "history" and "science" channels are full of "UFO", "Alien" and "Abduction" "documentaries."<br />
4. These programs present what they call the "facts" of evidence that not only are we being visited by non human beings from other planets, but often that they actually created human life on this planet and in ancient times were considered gods by humanity.<br />
5. Just about any time of the day or night a channel surfer can watch these people speaking of their theories and imaginations as if they are undeniable and provable facts (not true).<br />
6. Whether it is the stories of supernatural events of the Bible or the amazing creations of past humans, these guys give all the credit to "ancient aliens" or "ancient astronauts". Some propose that even Jesus was an alien from another planet.<br />
7. SETI: (Search for Extra Terrestrial Intelligence) has been sending messages and listening for messages from outer space aliens for more than 50 years (no evidence yet).<br />
8. Since around the 1950s (HG Wells, War of the Worlds) "ET" "information" has been growing in popularity along with the popularity of science fiction programming like "Star Trek", "Flash Gordon", "Star Wars", etc. <br />
<br />
<strong>B. Question: Why do you think this would even be worthy of mention in the church assembly where we are gathered to study the Word of God and honor the One True God??</strong><br />
1. An interesting survey from Great Britian: More people believe in Aliens than believe in God:<br />
2. Ripley's Believe it or Not (by OnePoll, Date??): 1,500 Adults, 500 children.<br />
a. Adults who believe in: Ghosts (55%), Aliens (51%), UFOs (42%), Angels (27%), God (25%).<br />
b. Children who believe in: Ghosts (64%), Aliens (64%), UFOs (50%), God (33%), Angels (27%).<br />
3. It would not surprise me if people in America would be the same or even worse for God's sake.<br />
<br />
<strong>C. When Satan and the imaginations of man get together the result is always the same: A Lie, that God is not the Creator, that we evolved ourselves or were created by (non god) advance physical beings.</strong><br />
1. From entertainment to pseudo history and science programs: The truth of God is under attack!!<br />
2. Like a slow moving disease of misinformation, quietly numbing people's minds to the truth of God!!<br />
3. As the Bible says, this is nothing new: That is "wise" men forgetting God and truth in general.<br />
<br />
<strong>Rom 1:25</strong> "Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature (what is created) more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen."<br />
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<strong>D. History tells us this is nothing new: Mankind has always worshipped God's creation more than God.</strong><br />
1. "Ra" the sun "god", "Zeus", "Baal", "Molech", cats, snakes, cows, dead ancestors, the earth<br />
(mother nature), the sea (Poseidon, Neptune), hundreds of gods in all cultures.<br />
2. From the beginning Satan has even proposed and worked to make man think that even he himself can be God with the right information!<br />
<br />
<strong>Gen 3:4-7</strong> "And the serpent said unto the woman, Ye shall not surely die: (5) For God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil. (6) And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat. (7) And the eyes of them both were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together, and made themselves aprons."<br />
a. The knowledge they received revealed Satan had lied, they had sinned, they were now naked and needed to hide from the true God.<br />
<br />
<strong>E. God is to be set apart in our hearts as the only true God and Creator of all things:</strong><br />
<br />
<strong>1 Pet 3:15</strong>: "But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:"<br />
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<strong>F. **Before I proceed, I want to concede that I believe that life on this Earth is of Alien origin:</strong> <br />
1. If: "Alien" means not of this world and not human then life here came from an "Alien".<br />
2. I believe a non human "Alien" has always been at work here since ancient times.<br />
3. This (non human) Ancient Alien has given us His guidance and knowledge about physical life and what happens after physical life is over. (This non human gets little air time for what He has done and revealed to us humans). (SETI: Are you listening??).<br />
4. This Ancient Alien loves His creation wants them to be with Him forever. (He does not probe, abduct or need to study us, He just wants what is best for us).<br />
5. Neither God nor Jesus are like us or are of this world:<br />
<br />
<strong>Psa 113:2-6</strong> "Blessed be the name of the LORD from this time forth and for evermore. (3) From the rising of the sun unto the going down of the same the LORD'S name is to be praised. (4) The LORD is high above all nations, and his glory above the heavens. (5) Who is like unto the LORD our God, who dwelleth on high, (6) Who humbleth himself to behold the things that are in heaven, and in the earth!"<br />
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<strong>John 8:23</strong> "And he said unto them, Ye are from beneath; I am from above: ye are of this world; I am not of this world."<br />
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<strong>John 17:15-17</strong> "I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil. (16) They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. (17) Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth."<br />
<br />
<strong><span style="font-size: large;">I. Do (Aliens) Extraterrestrials Exist And Are They Visiting Earth?</span></strong><br />
<strong>A. Now listen carefully and I will share with you everything the Bible (God) has to say about the existence of physical intelligent life elsewhere in the Universe. ..................Silence.</strong><br />
<strong>B. Now listen as I share with you all the absolute, scientifically verified evidence that there is alien life on other planets and they have been visiting us since ancient times. .............. Silence.</strong><br />
1. Eyewitness accounts put aliens right up there with Big Foot, the Loch Ness Monster, etc.<br />
2. Are people seeing something? Probably, but are they interpreting what they see accurately??<br />
<br />
<strong>C. Aliens always go hand in hand with evolution (they are more evolved): I never hear anyone asking, where did aliens come from?? (No one is answering the origin question with any verifiable evidence here or in space!)</strong><br />
1. Evolution is a scientifically unproven and impossible hypothesis of the origin of life and how all living things have come to be as they are now.<br />
2. Note: Aliens are almost unanimously believed to be the products of evolution occurring in some other location millions of years before life on earth and thus are advanced beyond us (they are believed by many to even be responsible for the beginning of life here on Earth).<br />
3. Thus we have a theory of life not supported by facts explaining the existence of beings not supported by the facts. (Note: Communication from supposed aliens most always supports evolution and not the Biblical account of creation of Earth and the universe.)<br />
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<strong>D. Real Science and Space Travel: True Science gives evidence against ET visitors: Alien Visitation from across the universe is impossible according to the facts of science and the laws and principles of the universe.</strong> <br />
<strong><u>Speed, Distance and Time:</u></strong><br />
1. -Einstein: Fastest speed possible= Light Speed (186,000 miles per second- could circle the Earth seven times in one second).<br />
a. This is over 11 million miles an hour (Earth is 93 million miles from the Sun- It takes light over 8 minutes to travel from the Sun to the Earth).<br />
2. The Universe is vast in size and distance: <br />
a. Closest star: Proxima Centauri: 4.2 years traveling at light speed.<br />
b. It would take 100,000 years to cross the Milky Way Galaxy.(our galaxy is just one of 100 billion estimated in the observable universe).<br />
c. The <u><strong>nearest</strong></u> Galaxy to us (Andromeda) is 2,300,000 light years away. (Do "aliens" live to be 2 million years old?? "Honey, I have to go to Earth to study some lower life forms, should be back in about 4 million years. Don't wait up for me?")<br />
<strong><u>Energy Shortage:</u></strong><br />
1. The energy force required to travel at light speed would make it impossible (without science fiction).<br />
a. Energy required to move a one pound object to even half of light speed: (Energy of 98 Hiroshima-sized atomic bombs. (energy required to stop would be the same).<br />
b. To propel the space shuttle at half the speed of light it would take the energy of 23 million atomic bombs. (Theory says antimatter engine could do this, but it takes known science 1 year to make enough antimatter to power a light bulb for a few seconds; antimatter is rare in space).<br />
NOTE: Warp Speed (faster than light) does not exist in observable science. Worm holes (short cuts through space) are also only imagined, not proven. (Science Fiction).<br />
<strong><u>Talk About Road Hazards and Known Laws of Motion and Impact:</u></strong><br />
1. Space is full of dust particles (100,000 per cubic kilometer of space). This is a peril for all space travel today, even at relatively lower speeds in orbit). <br />
a. Hitting a speck of dust moving at one tenth the speed of light would be an impact equivalent to 10 tons of TNT. <br />
b. Hitting a pea sized object moving at half the speed of light would be equivalent to 2.2 atomic bombs. (Our space equipment has received damage from small objects moving much slower).<br />
c. How do you scan and avoid objects ahead of you if you are traveling at the speed of light?<br />
<strong><u>G Forces Beyond Imagination:</u></strong><br />
1. The G Force Problem: At 5 G’s a pilot passes out; At 9 G’s a pilot dies in seconds. Making even a slight turn (to avoid obstacles??) at light speed would exert millions of G’s on a ship and its passengers.<br />
2. But, despite this known science of kinetics, many believe in aliens zipping about the universe like we fly around the world (Science fiction is no longer fiction in the minds of those who want to believe—They have evolved and advanced beyond what we know!!).<br />
3. This “science” is often more a faith or personal belief than a fact, especially when its hypothesis’ stand in direct contradiction to know, applied science. ("universal laws" applies to the whole universe or it is not universal).<br />
<br />
<strong>E. We have no solid evidence that ETs exist. If other beings exist and are interacting with mankind, the evidence tells us they are not from a “galaxy far far away.” (Also note exclusive characteristics of the Earth and Solar System allowing life to exist).</strong><br />
<br />
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<strong><span style="font-size: large;">Known science and facts tell us it is not possible for "physical aliens" to visit us from across the universe.</span></strong></div>
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<strong><span style="font-size: large;">II. Are There Other Non Human Beings From Another Realm / Dimension?</span></strong><br />
<strong>A. If these “Aliens” are not from space, then where are they from? Some speak of another dimension where various kinds of beings exist and can move in and out of our world.</strong><br />
1. Example: Reptilians who feed off of bad human emotions and are attempting to enslave mankind.<br />
2. They enter our dimension with their vehicles through portals, or so it is believed by many (Bermuda Triangle?).<br />
3. They are thought by some to be spiritual or “Psychic” beings who can sometimes take physical form. etc. etc.<br />
<br />
<strong>B. A Biblical Reality we may not like to talk about: Part of God’s Creation</strong>.<br />
1. There are other realms in which even humans can be conscious, other than the world we live in:<br />
<strong>Hades</strong>: (grave, sheol OT). Lazarus, Elijah, Abraham, even Jesus Visited.<br />
<strong>Tartarus:</strong> Place where angels who sinned are reserved in chains of darkness until the judgment of God. (2 Pet 2:4)<br />
<strong>Heaven:</strong> Place where God, Jesus, Good angels and dead saints will dwell forever.<br />
<strong>Hell:</strong> Place where evil spiritual beings the spirits of evil humans will dwell forever.<br />
2. There are other beings which have been created by God which exist out of the sight of most human experience: Angels, demons and devils.<br />
<strong>Psa 148:1-5</strong>: "Praise ye the LORD. Praise ye the LORD from the heavens: praise him in the heights. {2} Praise ye him, all his angels: praise ye him, all his hosts. {3} Praise ye him, sun and moon: praise him, all ye stars of light. {4} Praise him, ye heavens of heavens, and ye waters that be above the heavens. {5} Let them praise the name of the LORD: for he commanded, and they were created."<br />
3. Man was made a little lower than these angels and give dominion of God’s creation:<br />
<strong>Psa 8:4-6:</strong> "What is man, that thou art mindful of him? and the son of man, that thou visitest him? {5} For thou hast made him a little lower than the angels, and hast crowned him with glory and honour. {6} Thou madest him to have dominion over the works of thy hands; thou hast put all things under his feet:"<br />
<strong>Heb 1:13-14:</strong> "But to which of the angels said he at any time, Sit on my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool? {14} Are they not all ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation?<br />
<br />
<strong>C. One particular fallen angel is revealed to be the enemy of God and all who would seek to believe and follow God: Satan (the Accuser), The Devil (False accuser, slanderer), Beelzebub</strong>.<br />
1. His revealed purpose and characteristics: Lies, deception, illusions, murder, death: the spiritual separation from mankind from God.<br />
2. He is revealed to be an ever present enemy of those who would live by faith: In the past, present and future, until the end. (He even tempted Jesus while He was on the Earth).<br />
3. He has “his angels”, “his ministers” and the ability to transform (??) (Matt 25:41; Rev 12:7).<br />
<br />
<strong>2 Cor 11:14-15:</strong> "And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. {15} 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."<br />
<br />
4. He is capable of producing lying signs and wonders:<br />
<br />
<strong>2 Th 2:9-12:</strong> "Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders, {10} And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved. {11} And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie: {12} That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness."<br />
<br />
<strong>D. Are we or are we not constantly warned about the potential deceptive and destructive work of these beings?</strong><br />
<br />
<strong>1 Pet 5:8-9</strong>: "Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: {9} Whom resist stedfast in the faith…”<br />
<br />
<strong>Mark 4:15:</strong> "And these are they by the way side, where the word is sown; but when they have heard, Satan cometh immediately, and taketh away the word that was sown in their hearts."<br />
<br />
<strong>Acts 5:3:</strong> "But Peter said, Ananias, why hath Satan filled thine heart to lie to the Holy Ghost, and to keep back part of the price of the land?"<br />
<br />
<strong>1 Cor 7:5:</strong> "Defraud ye not one the other, except it be with consent for a time, that ye may give yourselves to fasting and prayer; and come together again, that Satan tempt you not for your incontinency."<br />
<br />
<strong>2 Cor 2:10-11:</strong> "To whom ye forgive any thing, I forgive also: for if I forgave any thing, to whom I forgave it, for your sakes forgave I it in the person of Christ; {11} Lest Satan should get an advantage of us: for we are not ignorant of his devices."<br />
<br />
<strong>1 Th 2:18:</strong> "Wherefore we would have come unto you, even I Paul, once and again; but Satan hindered us."<br />
<br />
<strong>1 Tim 5:15</strong>: "For some are already turned aside after Satan."<br />
<br />
<strong>Rev 2:9:</strong> "I know thy works, and tribulation, and poverty, (but thou art rich) and I know the blasphemy of them which say they are Jews, and are not, but are the synagogue of Satan."<br />
<br />
<strong>D. There are beings who exist and are involved in what happens in this world, but their main power is deceit and false teachings: They are always defeated by the TRUTH!</strong><br />
(Note: It is kind of hard to find scientific, undeniable evidence for a lie. The way to defend a lie is to prop it up with more lies. Right??)<br />
<br />
<strong>2 Cor 4:3-4:</strong> "But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: {4} 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."<br />
<br />
<strong>1 Tim 4:1:</strong> "Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times (from Pentecost till now) some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils;"<br />
<br />
<strong>E. The Worship or Exaltation of angels, imaginary gods or aliens from the heavens is foolish, but an age old path:</strong><br />
<br />
<strong>2 Ki 21:3-6:</strong> "For he built up again the high places which Hezekiah his father had destroyed; and he reared up altars for Baal, and made a grove, as did Ahab king of Israel; and <strong><u>worshipped all the host of heaven, and served them.</u></strong> {4} And he built altars in the house of the LORD, of which the LORD said, In Jerusalem will I put my name. {5} And he built altars for all the host of heaven in the two courts of the house of the LORD. {6} And he made his son pass through the fire, and observed times, and used enchantments, and dealt with familiar spirits and wizards: he wrought much wickedness in the sight of the LORD, to provoke him to anger."<br />
<br />
<strong><span style="font-size: large;">III. The Gospel According To ET: Satan</span></strong><br />
<strong>A. I cannot confirm or deny the many experience people claim, but I can say with biblical confidence that I am confident of the source and purpose of the many “messages from aliens.” SATAN!</strong><br />
<strong>B. Let us take note of the similarity and differences between “Alien” Guidance and the messages of Satan:</strong><br />
1. According to alien (New age teaching) we are all moving toward a highly evolved existence eventually to be like gods:<br />
<br />
<strong>Gen 3:4-5:</strong> "And the serpent said unto the woman, Ye shall not surely die: {5} For God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then <strong><u>your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods</u></strong>, knowing good and evil."<br />
a. Note: Joseph Smith (founder of Mormonism) claims teachings from an “angel” which if studied, claims men can become like God and rule over their own “terrestrial” planets.<br />
b. Mohammed claims insight and revelation from the Angel Gabriel which inspired him to create the nation of Islam, which denies Jesus as the Messiah and Savior, even that He died.<br />
c. Heaven’s gate cult (38 in 1997) committed suicide so they could be ready to move on to the next level (no space ship showed to take them away)<br />
d. Paul said if even an “angel” gives a gospel different from the original, let him be accursed!<br />
<br />
<strong>Gal 1:8:</strong> "But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed."<br />
<br />
2. According to the ET Gospel, Aliens are coming to save us from ourselves and help us save our planet as if this is all we have: We should be good stewards of our planet, but no matter how well we take care if it, it will not last.<br />
<br />
<strong>2 Pet 3:9-10</strong>: "The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. {10} But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up."<br />
<br />
<strong>1 John 2:14-17</strong>: "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. {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. {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. {17} And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever."<br />
<br />
3. Many who claim contact with Aliens say they have met Jesus and that there are many different ways to the eternal peaceful existence:<br />
<br />
<strong>Mat 24:23-26:</strong> "Then if any man shall say unto you, Lo, here is Christ, or there; believe it not. {24} For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall show great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect. {25} Behold, I have told you before. {26} 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."<br />
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<strong>John 14:6:</strong> "Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me."<br />
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<strong><span style="font-size: large;">Conclusion: Aliens or Angels may be responsible for many spiritual deaths and great deception, but there is only ONE LORD Who we must Worship and Obey: Jesus.</span></strong><br />
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<strong>Col 2:18-19</strong>: "Let no man beguile you of your reward in a voluntary humility and worshipping of angels, intruding into those things which he hath not seen, vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind, {19} And not holding the Head, from which all the body by joints and bands having nourishment ministered, and knit together, increaseth with the increase of God."<br />
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A. When the stories of other beings, cause you to question the truth of the Word of God, believe GOD!<br />
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<strong>Rom 3:3-4:</strong> "For what if some did not believe? shall their unbelief make the faith of God without effect? {4} 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."<br />
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*Non human beings exist, but could not come from "far, far away." <br />
*God is Eternal, the True "Ancient Alien" (Non human).<br />
*Could Paul be warning us about other "created" beings who are deceiving the masses so they will not believe in the True God?? I Wonder!<br />
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<strong>Acts 26:16-18</strong>: "But rise, and stand upon thy feet: for I have appeared unto thee for this purpose, to make thee a minister and a witness both of these things which thou hast seen, and of those things in the which I will appear unto thee; {17} Delivering thee from the people, and from the Gentiles, unto whom now I send thee, {18} <strong>To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me."</strong><br />
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RJhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02128107113336354270noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4311050734181392510.post-19936334629037888452014-12-19T15:00:00.000-05:002014-12-19T15:00:57.699-05:00Christmas: Evil or Good?
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Weathered SF","sans-serif"; font-size: 18pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">The
Truth About Christmas: Evil or Good?</span></span></i></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 16pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Introduction:
Knowledge and Freedoms In The Truth</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span></span> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">It is
essential that our relationship with God be based on the truth: God’s Word is
Truth. (Jn. 17:7). </span></span><span style="font-family: "Tms Rmn","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">"Then said Jesus to those Jews
which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">then </i>are ye my disciples indeed;<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">
32 </i>And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free." (John
8:31-32)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span style="font-size: 16pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">To teach
and preach the traditions of men and give them the same status as the Word of
God makes one a false teacher. </span></span><span style="font-family: "Tms Rmn","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">"Beloved, believe not every
spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false
prophets are gone out into the world." (1 John 4:1)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">True
Christians must keep a clear distinction in their minds between God’s Word and
the traditions and teachings of men. We must never allow the teachings and
traditions of men to be the authoritative basis of our faith, worship and
service to God.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: "Tms Rmn","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">"This
people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">their </i>lips; but their heart is far from
me.<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"> 9 </i>But in vain they do worship me,
teaching <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">for </i>doctrines the
commandments of men." (Mat 15:8-9)</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">For this
reason, we must examine the religious ideas of the world, proving what is good
and <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>acceptable
to the Lord. "</span></span><span style="font-family: "Tms Rmn","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">In every thing give thanks: for this is
the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"> 19 </i>Quench not the Spirit.<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"> 20
</i>Despise not prophesyings.<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"> 21 </i>Prove
all things; hold fast that which is good." (1 Th 5:18-21)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">On the
other hand, there is some degree of individual or personal liberty and freedom
which each person has in regard to how they choose to honor God.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One Christian should never judge another to
be wrong for personally <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>keeping a
traditional holy day if it does not involve some sinful activity. (To do so is
to condemn a servant of God with no scriptural authority). "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: 17 Which are a shadow of things to come;
but the body is of Christ." (Col 2:16-17)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Should we
condemn another Christian because they make a “personal decision” to respect
one day or practice to honor God. "Him that is weak in the faith receive
ye, but not to doubtful disputations. 2 For one believeth that he may eat all
things: another, who is weak, eateth herbs. 3 Let not him that eateth despise
him that eateth not; and let not him which eateth not judge him that eateth:
for God hath received him. 4 Who art thou that judgest another man's servant?
to his own master he standeth or falleth. Yea, he shall be holden up: for God
is able to make him stand. 5 One man esteemeth one day above another: another
esteemeth every day alike. Let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind. 6 He
that regardeth the day, regardeth it unto the Lord; and he that regardeth not
the day, to the Lord he doth not regard it. He that eateth, eateth to the Lord,
for he giveth God thanks; and he that eateth not, to the Lord he eateth not,
and giveth God thanks."(Rom 14:1-6)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">"I
know, and am persuaded by the Lord Jesus, that there is nothing unclean of
itself: but to him that esteemeth any thing to be unclean, to him it is
unclean. 15 But if thy brother be grieved with thy meat, now walkest thou not
charitably. Destroy not him with thy meat, for whom Christ died. 16 Let not
then your good be evil spoken of: 17 For the kingdom of God is not meat and
drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost. 18 For he that
in these things serveth Christ is acceptable to God, and approved of men. 19
Let us therefore follow after the things which make for peace, and things
wherewith one may edify another." (Rom 14:14-19)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Note that
the “weak in faith” are those who do not yet have full knowledge and Biblical
understanding. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But those who have
“knowledge” must be patient and not condemning of those who are sti</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">ll learning as far as some
(non </span><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">sinful) personal convictions.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">"But
take heed lest by any means this liberty of yours become a stumblingblock to
them that are weak. 10 For if any man see thee which hast knowledge sit at meat
in the idol's temple, shall not the conscience of him which is weak be
emboldened to eat those things which are offered to idols; 11 And through thy knowledge
shall the weak brother perish, for whom Christ died?" (1 Cor 8:9-11)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">But one
thing we know for sure:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We cannot
present and teach the teachings of men as if they were the teachings and truth
of God in the church! The purpose of this <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>lesson is to examine the religious teaching
and tradition known as <span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Christmas.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What should a true Christian know about this
holiday? <span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>What is Good about
this holiday?</span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 16pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">I.<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The Truth About Christmas:<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">The first thing we should know is
that neither God, Jesus or the Holy Spirit taught or required <span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>that </span><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span></span><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">the birth of Jesus be remembered with any special activity
or special day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Humans have a “birthday”, but Jesus is eternal and never had a
beginning as we do; He did<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>have a “became flesh” day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Bible does not require us to commemorate
the human birth of Jesus.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But, <span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Jesus and the Holy Spirit (through
the Apostles) did require that we remember His death by<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>partaking
of the Lord’s Supper every first day of the week (Luke 22:19,20; 1 Cor.
11:23ff).</span></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">We should
know that December 25th is believed by most scholars to NOT be the actual <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>birthday
of Jesus.<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Various methods of
determining this day (none being foolproof) place Jesus’ birth in either January,
April, May, March or even June, but not December 25th. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The date of December 25th was decided upon
around 273 AD by the Roman church.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
church’s purpose for this was to create a special day as a substitution for an already <span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>established
pagan celebrations to false gods.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">We should also know that the
original meaning of the term “Christ-mass” is incompatible with the <span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>teachings of the scriptures: <span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Mass” is said to be a sacrifice of the
actual body and blood of Jesus for sins; practiced <span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>again and again. (The “mass” was used to commemorate many
different events, today even <span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>being
used for the funerals of deceased Catholics).</span></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The scriptures teach us that Christ
was offered “ONCE” for the sins of the world. </span></span><span style="font-family: "Tms Rmn","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">"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."(Heb 9:28)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: "Tms Rmn","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">"Who needeth not daily, as
those high priests, to offer up sacrifice, first for his own sins, and then for
the people's: for this he did once, when he offered up himself." (Heb 7:27)</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: "Tms Rmn","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">As
noted earlier, we are commanded to “remember” Christ’s sacrifice in the Lord’s
Supper weekly.</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">We should
know that many, if not most of the traditions and decorations had some origin
in pagan <span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>customs and traditions.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>We
should also know that former association with pagan worship does not in itself
make a </span></span><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">thing unacceptable to
those who know the truth of God.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: "Tms Rmn","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">"As
concerning therefore the eating of those things that are offered in sacrifice
unto idols, we know that an idol <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">is </i>nothing
in the world, and that <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">there is </i>none
other God but one." (1 Cor 8:4)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: "Tms Rmn","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">"Howbeit
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">there is </i>not in every man that
knowledge: for some with conscience of the idol unto this hour eat <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">it </i>as a thing offered unto an idol; and
their conscience being weak is defiled.<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"> 8
</i>But meat commendeth us not to God: for neither, if we eat, are we the
better; neither, if we eat not, are we the worse." (1 Cor 8:7-8)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Idolatry (devotion to false gods) is wrong, but
customs and decorations which have lost their <span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>idolatrous meaning pose no threat,
especially since other gods have never existed.</span></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">We do
know that it would be wrong for the true church to teach others that God
requires us to <span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>celebrate this holiday. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: "Tms Rmn","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">"If any man speak, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">let him speak </i>as the oracles of God; if
any man minister, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">let him do it </i>as of
the ability which God giveth: that God in all things may be glorified through
Jesus Christ, to whom be praise and dominion for ever and ever. Amen." (1
Pet 4:11)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: "Tms Rmn","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">I believe one of the DANGERS <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>of “holy days” is that they give the false
idea that one can be pleasing to God by honoring Him a few times a year and not
in their every day lives.</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 16pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">II.<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>What Is Good About Christmas?<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">As Paul
teaches, we have just “proved” or tested the origins and teachings concerning
Christmas. <span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>But, Paul also
requires that we “give thanks” in everything and “hold to that which is good.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: "Tms Rmn","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">"In every thing give
thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"> 19 </i>Quench not the Spirit.<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"> 20 </i>Despise not prophesyings.<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"> 21 </i>Prove all things; hold fast that which
is good." (1 Th 5:18-21)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Is there any “good” in Christmas
that we should be thankful for?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">There are actually many<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>good truths which are published and emphasized because of Christmas.</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>It
emphasizes the truth that the Word became flesh and dwelt among us. (John 1).</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>It causes
the good news of Jesus’ birth to be told and told again.</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"> </span><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>It emphasizes the
importance of this event to the whole world (“Joy to the world”).</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"> </span><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>It emphasizes
the salvation which Jesus brought to this earth.</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"> </span><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>It emphasizes the need
to praise and glorify God for His wonderful gift.</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"> </span><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Many of the religious songs sung during Christmas are
scriptural in their content.</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">(except the </span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>Santa
songs--Sorry kids).</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">But
perhaps, the best thing about Christmas traditions is it perpetuates the truth
of Jesus when <span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>He said “It is more
blessed to give than to receive.” (Acts 20:35) </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">-It emphasizes love and service to
our fellowman and doing good.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: "Tms Rmn","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">"As
we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">men, </i>especially unto them who are of the household of faith." (Gal
6:10)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Tms Rmn","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span></span><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">-It
emphasizes unselfish concern for others and personal sacrifice: </span></span><span style="font-family: "Tms Rmn","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">"We
then that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak, and not to
please ourselves.<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"> 2 </i>Let every one of
us please <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">his </i>neighbour for <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">his </i>good to edification.<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"> 3 </i>For even Christ pleased not himself;
but, as it is written, The reproaches of them that reproached thee fell on
me." (Rom 15:1-3)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>-It emphasizes the need for each of
us to be more like Christ in our service to others: </span></span><span style="font-family: "Tms Rmn","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">"If
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">there be </i>therefore any consolation in
Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any bowels
and mercies,<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"> 2 </i>Fulfil ye my joy, that
ye be likeminded, having the same love, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">being
</i>of one accord, of one mind.<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"> 3 Let </i>nothing
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">be done </i>through strife or vainglory;
but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"> 4 </i>Look not every man on his own things,
but every man also on the things of others.<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">
5 </i>Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"> 6 </i>Who, being in the form of God,
thought it not robbery to be equal with God:<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">
7 </i>But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a
servant, and was made in the likeness of men:<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"> 8 </i>And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and
became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"> 9 </i>Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name
which is above every name:<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"> 10 </i>That at
the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">things
</i>in heaven, and <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">things </i>in earth,
and <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">things </i>under the earth;" (Phil
2:1-10)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">-It
exposes many to the joy and happiness that comes from sacrifice and giving
ourselves to other</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">s:
A taste of true Christianity? </span><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I believe Christmas has become a yearly
reminder to the world, not only of the birth of </span></span><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Christ, but the joy that
comes from behaving like a Christian (Loving, giving, etc.) <span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">I believe that the giving of gifts
associated with Christmas can be a great teaching tool for<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>both
the young and the old. <span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>One of my most
precious memories of childhood came as a result of Christmas giving: My <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>brother and<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I worked hard cleaning up trash and earned $10.00. I still remember the
joy we <span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>had buying gifts for
our parents and grandparents ($10.00 does not go that far today!).<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">I
believe the Spirit of Christ and His ideas bear much fruit because of the
Christmas tradition. </span></span><span style="font-family: "Tms Rmn","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">"If ye abide in me, and my words
abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"> 8 </i>Herein is my Father glorified, that
ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples.<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"> 9 </i>As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you: continue ye in
my love.<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"> 10 </i>If ye keep my
commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father's
commandments, and abide in his love.<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"> 11 </i>These
things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">that </i>your joy might be full.<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"> 12 </i>This is my commandment, That ye love
one another, as I have loved you.<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"> 13 </i>Greater
love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"> 14 </i>Ye are my friends, if ye do
whatsoever I command you." (John 15:7-14)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span></span><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">As a true,
Biblical Christian, can I be unthankful and completely reject a human tradition
that causes the </span></span><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>importance of Christ to be
proclaimed to the World year after year?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>As a true Christian, can I be unthankful and reject a human tradition
which reminds us to be <span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>kinder, more
generous and helpful to our fellow human beings? Must I find only fault with a
human tradition which causes people to experience Jesus’ truth that <span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>it is “more blessed to give than to
receive?”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 16pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Conclusion: Point me in the right direction!</span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">As true
Christians, we must be aware that the Christmas tradition is not required by
God.<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>But,
after proving that which is unacceptable, how can we not be thankful and hold
to the good<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>that is published and practiced by this tradition???<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Christmas
is of worldly origins, but it is so saturated with the truth of God that we
should be<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>very careful in forming our opinions and what we have to
say against it. <span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Truth is truth and good
news is good news no matter where it comes from, whether for the right <span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>reasons or not, much of the Gospel is being
preached!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Too bad Christmas does not
emphasize God revealed way of accepting the gift of salvation by believing and
being baptized into Christ (Mark 16:15,16).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Tms Rmn","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">We
must speak the truth against that which is false, but we must also learn to be
thankful for that which is good. </span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Tms Rmn","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">"What then? notwithstanding, every
way, whether in pretense, or in truth, Christ is preached; and I therein do
rejoice, yea, and will rejoice." (Phil 1:18)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Christmas cannot do our job for us,
but it just might get some people moving in the direction of wanting to know
“the rest of the story" As reveal by God himself!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Merry Christmas!<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
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<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></div>
RJhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02128107113336354270noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4311050734181392510.post-82349722957748902862014-03-18T20:18:00.000-04:002017-01-13T12:25:11.964-05:00I See Dead People<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";">It Is Or It Is Not: Important To Understand Death</span></span><br />
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I See Dead People?</span></span></h2>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt;"> <span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">The television and movie world continue to make
millions depicting dead people who are not really dead (primarily: vampires,
ghosts and zombies).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Like the heros in
the old Ghostbusters movie, many are even making a living by claiming the
ability to detect and remove these troublesome dead souls who are still
around.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One of my favorite
"ghost" programs<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>is the Ghost
Whisperer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This lady sees dead people
(souls lingering with the living after death). <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The show is about Belinda trying to find out
why they are sticking around and helping them into the light.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Her life's goal is to help as many souls into
the light as possible.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Her character is
noble and selfless in her efforts to be of help to these wayward spirits of the
dead.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Of course, this is a work of
fiction for our entertainment and for their profit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></span></span></h2>
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";">
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</span></span><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Perhaps the reason these stories
about the dead are so popular is because we all know we too shall die. But, of
all the people Melinda has helped into the light, there is never a mention of
God's True plan to save the lost by the Gospel of Jesus Christ. If we lay aside
all the science fiction and the imagination of the entertainment industry, we
can actually gain a clearer picture of what really awaits us after death.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Even more importantly, we should be
especially focused the kind of faith we have while alive and how our choices
affects us after we die.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Please allow me to briefly address
some things the Bible has to say concerning the word "death" and what
waits for us when our time to die finally comes.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 14pt;">Physical Death Is Not
The End Of Our Existence:</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Some would have us think that death means we no longer
exist in any way, shape or form. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But the
Bible teaches us that physical death is not the end of our existence.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">In the book of
Matthew, Jesus is confronted by some religious leaders (Sadducees) who did not
believe in an afterlife.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jesus quotes a
statement made by God<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>"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.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And when the multitude heard
this, they were astonished at his doctrine" (Matthew 22:32-33) </b><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If any of the sincere listeners <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>were on the fence with their beliefs about the
afterlife, they were probably amazed at the plain and simple truth of God's
words. God did not say <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">"I was"</b>
their God. Speaking of the dead, He uses the present tense to proclaim <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">"I am" their God.</b><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Abraham, Isaac and Jacob still existed
somewhere according to God.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The very hope of all
Christian teaching has to do with the resurrection and our relationship with
God after physical death.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
resurrection of Jesus from the dead is clear evidence that it is not all over
for us at physical death. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">"For to
this end Christ both died, and rose, and revived, that he might be Lord both of
the dead and living" (Rom 14:9).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></b>Paul,
by inspiration said, <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">"...there
shall be a resurrection of the dead, both of the just and unjust"<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(Acts 24:15).</b><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jesus said<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">, "Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all
that are in the graves shall hear his voice,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>And shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of
life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation"
(John 5:28-29).</b><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Apostles were to
preach to all the people that Jesus<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">,
...<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>"was ordained of God to be the
Judge of the quick (living) and dead"<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>(Acts 10:42).</b> </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">If we reject the
existence of the afterlife, we are blind to the truth and purpose of the Bible
altogether.</span><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Paul addressed the false
teaching that there is no resurrection and said if this is true then we should
all just </span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">"...eat
and drink; for tomorrow we die" (1 Cor 15:32).</span></b><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The truth is, the Bible was
written to reveal to us what we need to prepare for our after death
existence.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Paul told the church, <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">"If in this life only we have hope in
Christ, we are of all men most miserable" (1 Cor 15:19).</b><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>God, speaking His truth in the scriptures,
tells us <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">the grave is not our
"final resting place."</b> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>But we are not left
to figure out this afterlife stuff on our own, nor are we wise to let Hollywood
explain it all to us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>God's Word is the
authoritative truth about all things eternal.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>In this coming judgment, it is God's Word which will judge us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jesus warns us, <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">"He that rejecteth me, and receiveth not my words, hath one that
judgeth him: the word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last
day" (John 12:48).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 14pt;">Death In the Bible:</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The Bible uses the
word "death" in several different ways depending on its context.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But, it is always speaking more about a
separation (and the accompanying<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>limitations) between two things than it is about something no longer
existing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We also <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>shall see, depending on the context, one might
be "dead" in one sense, but alive in another. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 14pt;">Physical Death: </span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>First of all, there
is physical death: the separation of our spirit from our bodies<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>"For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works
is dead also."<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(James 2:26).</b><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Likewise, physical death is overcome when the
body and spirit are reunited.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">"And they laughed him to scorn,
knowing that she was dead.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And he put
them all out, and took her by the hand, and called, saying, Maid, arise.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And her spirit came again, and she arose
straightway: and he commanded to give her meat."<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(Luke 8:53-55)<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Jesus literally died
physically on the cross.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In His death we
see this temporary separation of body and soul (spirit).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">"He
seeing this before spake of the resurrection of Christ, that his soul was not
left in hell (hades, place of the dead) neither his flesh (body in tomb) did
see corruption." (Acts 2:31).</b> The Greek Word "Hades" is
translated as "hell" along with a number of other words in the King
James Version.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But, "hell" in
this context is not talking about the place of final punishment (Greek: gehenna),
but of Greek: hades, the grave or waiting place of physically dead spirits. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Jesus gives us a
specific account of two men who were dead and buried physically.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One was a self centered rich man and the
other a poor beggar named Lazarus.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They
both had existence after death and had gone somewhere (hades?), like Jesus, with
other dead souls (Abraham was there).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The rich man was in torment because his wicked life had followed
him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He wanted Lazarus to go back to the
world of the living and warn his brothers not to die in his condition.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Abraham told him that, if they would not
believe the scriptures, they would not believe one who had returned from the
dead.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">(Luke 16:19-31).<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>According to Jesus'
words here and what actually happened to Him, we too (our spirits or souls)
will someday be in this place called "hades" <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>when we die physically. How we prepare while
alive will determine which part of hades we will experience. Physical death is
that time of temporary separation of our body and spirit until the resurrection
of all who are in the grave.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 14pt;">Spiritual Death:</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>There is another kind
of death spoken of in the Bible which we will call "spiritual"
death.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>People who are physically alive
can be dead in a spiritual sense.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Spiritual death occurs when a living person's soul is in a state of
separation from fellowship and acceptance with God.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Like
Adam, we are all created in the image of God and are spiritually one with
God.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But when we sin we die spiritually
and are separated from God's fellowship just as Adam was cast out of God's
presence.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Adam did not die physically
that day, but he did die in another way because he lost his good relationship
with God.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Paul explains that, <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">"<u> </u>the wages of sin <i>is</i>
death; but the gift of God <i>is</i> eternal life through Jesus Christ our
Lord." (Rom_6:23)</b>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Paul also
reminds us that<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>"...all have sinned, and come short of
the glory of God." (Rom 3:23).</b><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The Prophet Isaiah says, </span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">"But your
iniquities (sins) have separated between you and your God, and your sins have
hid his face from you, that he will not hear." (Isa </span></b><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">5<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">9:2)</b>. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Ezekiel quotes God as
saying, <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">"Behold, all souls are
mine; as the soul of the father, so also the soul of the son is mine: the soul
that sinneth, it shall die." (Ezek 18:4).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span></b><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Spiritual death is not just about
having sinned.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is about being lost
and unwilling to hear and obey the words and instructions of God about how to
be saved.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is about rejecting God's
invitation to be saved by the blood of His Son Jesus.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Many of these dead do not even realize they
are dead.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They are religious in some
way, but lost because they have never submitted themselves to God's Word, only
the religious teaching of men <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">(Rom
10:1-3).</b><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt;"> Jesus
further supports this idea of being dead (spiritually) while still being
physically alive. When some of His disciples began giving excuses about not
following Him, he told them, <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">"let
the dead bury the dead." (Matt 8:22).</b> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Listen carefully as Paul reminds the
church in Ephesus of their previous state of death<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>"And you hath he
quickened (made alive), who were dead in trespasses and sins: Wherein in time
past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince
of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of
disobedience: Among whom also we all had our conversation (lifestyle, rj) in
times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and
of the mind; and were by nature (habitual lifestyle, rj) the children of wrath,
even as others."<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(Eph 2:1-3).</b><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Of course, obedient faith in the Gospel of Jesus is the
only possible way we can be made alive and restored to a saving relationship
with God.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jesus became the author of
eternal life to <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">"</b></span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">...all them that obey him"
(Heb 5:9).</span></b><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Our response to the
Gospel is very specific.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is not just
believing <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">("the devils also believe
and tremble", James 2:19)</b>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It
is about loving God and obeying His word to demonstrate Biblical faith so we
may receive His precious grace. Have you believed, repented, confessed faith in
Christ and been immersed for the remission of your sins?? <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">(Mark 16:15,16;<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Acts 2:38).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></b>If you have not, then you are still
separated from God. You are dead in a very frightening sense.</span><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 14pt;">Dead To Sin:</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Another kind of death has to do with
a true believer remaining separated from acts of sin.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We are to be dead to sin so that it no longer
controls us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is considering oneself
dead to old ways and old desires.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is being
dead to the old self.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Paul said, <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">"</b></span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">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." (Gal 2:20).</span></b><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Our
submission to God in baptism clearly details when we die to self, are buried
and then raised to live a new life in Christ, thus separated from our sins:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">"God forbid. How shall we,
that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were
baptized into his death?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>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.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For if we have been
planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness
of his resurrection:"<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(Romans
6:2-5).</span></b></div>
<br />
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 14pt;">The "Second Death":</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Finally, there is
another death mentioned in the Bible. While we are alive physically, but still
spiritually separated from God, there is still time to hear and obey the
Gospel.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But, if physical death takes us
while we are spiritually dead, all hope of salvation is gone.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In this "second death" we will be
forever lost and separated from God. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">"He that hath an ear, let
him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; He that overcometh shall not
be hurt of the second death</span></b><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt;"> <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">...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." (Rev 2:11; 21:8). <o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">I See Dead People:</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>It is our work as the
church of Christ to see dead people.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Souls who are separated from God by their sin, but are not yet willing
to hear and obey the truth of the Gospel.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Sort of like Melinda, in the Ghost Whisperer, a Christian's job is to
help as many people into the light of God's Truth as possible.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Unfortunately, this can only be done before
they die physically.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One who dies
separated from God has only the "second death" in the lake of fire in
their future.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After this study you should
be able to see "dead" people.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>If you see one in the mirror, please get your Bible out so the truth can
make you free and ready to meet God <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">(John
8:32).</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Remember, there are
the dead who do not know they are dead.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Will you study the Bible to find out if you or those you love are really
dead while they live <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">(1 Tim 5:6), </b>destined
for the "second death?"<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We
must look for the light before physical death.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Full trust and submission to Jesus and God's Word is our only hope of
receiving a restored relationship with God forever.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 3pt 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">"Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the
world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the
light of life."<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(John 8:12).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">"But if our gospel be hid,
it is hid to them that are lost:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>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." (2 Corinthians 4:3-4).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Jesus compared true obedient faith
in conversion to being born again<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"> (anew)
(John 3:3).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></b>If you understand the
verses we have mentioned along with this one, then the meaning of this popular
statement will be clear to you:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 18pt;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">"Born
once, die twice. Born twice, die once."<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
RJhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02128107113336354270noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4311050734181392510.post-44382263900778703182013-10-01T07:37:00.000-04:002015-12-17T12:03:47.851-05:00A Hyundai, A Jaguar and Biblical Faith<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 18pt;">Dear Friends:<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>This article is written for my many
religious friends who I care about deeply. The love of Christ compels me to
mention some important Bible ideas which many may have never heard.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The words that follow should be especially
significant and worthy of your consideration...<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">*If
you believe that the Bible is inspired by God (His words and teachings).<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">*If
you believe that God is wiser and His Word is more accurate than anything man
has come up with.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">*If
you truly want to know that you have the same faith you can read about in the
Bible.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">*If
you love God and His Word more than anything on this earth.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Then,
please take the time to read this short article.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 20pt;">A Hyundai, A Jaguar and
Biblical Faith?<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<br />
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Can the difference and
similarities <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>between two automobiles and
antique reproductions teach us anything about Biblical Faith?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Let us raise some questions.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<br />
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">An Original or Just
Similar?</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>For a while, <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>the Hyundai auto makers produced a model which
at a glance looked a good bit similar to a certain model of Jaguar (A Jaguar is
more expensive).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I had noticed these
similarities on several occasions myself; similar body style, similar grill,
etc.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then one day I found myself stopped
in traffic behind one of these Hyundai with shiny black <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>paint. I was amused when I noticed that
someone had removed the Hyundai emblem and replaced it with a Jaguar emblem
they must have found at a junk yard.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It
looked a lot like a Jaguar, it wore the name Jaguar, but was it really a Jaguar?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Most anyone <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>could answer that question correctly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No it was not a Jaguar.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Sometimes people are fooled in the
antique / collectible world by products which wear a certain name and appear to
be some valuable original, only to discover later they have purchased a latter
day<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>reproduction.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No matter how sincerely the owner may believe
they have an authentic original, the evidence proves otherwise.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Then there are those who know they
do not have an authentic product, but are content just to enjoy the appearance of
owning a valuable original: fake Rolexes, knock off handbags, fake coins,
reproduction automobiles, etc.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Reproductions<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>are okay when it comes to most material
possessions (as long as they are legal).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>But, those who truly want an authentic original (and the value that
comes with it), must learn to carefully examine the product before they pay
that premium <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>price. There are usually
many experts, books or internet sites to assist us with discerning<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>the real thing from an imitation. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Biblical Faith<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>While possessing an authentic original
is important in the antique or auto business, there is another area of life
where it is even more important, even having eternal consequences.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That is in the realm of Biblical faith.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I say Biblical faith because hundreds of
different faiths and doctrines have been created by men since God's Holy Spirit
inspired the New Testament writers to reveal the true will of God. The Apostle
Paul said that "faith cometh by hearing and hearing by the Word of
God" (Rom. 10:17).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>To put it
simply, any faith, church, <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>or doctrine
(teaching) which has come into existence since God gave mankind the New
Testament in the first century is simply not of Biblical origin.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One might put the name "biblical"
on it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It might be similar to what<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>the Bible says or even contain some of what the
Bible says with additions<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>and subtractions,
but it is not the original simple truth revealed by God. Many if not most might
think at this point, "it does not really matter, as long as we call it
faith, as long as it feels like faith and it looks similar to the
original."<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I must admit that it
would be very comforting to believe that all faiths and teachings which are
similar to what God teaches are as good as the actual Words God has
spoken.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The problem is that the Bible
gives many examples of men choosing to honor, accept and obey what men have
said more than what God has said.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It
never turns out well.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In most cases it
is a fatal mistake.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is never pleasing
to God. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Check out a few of these
examples to see if God means what He says: <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u>Nadab
and Abihu (Lev 10:1-3); The Young Prophet of God (1 Kings 13:15-26); King Saul
(1 Samuel 15:18-23)</u></b>. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There you
have it. Death and rejection because these men valued and obeyed what men said
more than what God said.</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Some readers at this point might be thinking.
This guy is comparing faith to antiques. Who wants an antique faith?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I think it would be much more beneficial to
use the word "original" instead of "antique." <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But, perhaps an even more important word is
"originator."<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Bible is not
supremely important just because it is old, it is important because its
Originator is God. The Almighty Creator who is worthy of all our love and
obedience.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>scriptures claim to be "inspired"
by God and an all sufficient guide for every good work (2 Tim 3:16,17).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>"Inspired" means literally
"God breathed."<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Would any of
us be offended if we communicated our will though words and those who heard us
ignored or changed our words?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What if
those claiming to be our close friends did this?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What if they took upon themselves the
authority to add to or take away from our words?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That would be pretty rude and disrespectful
right?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You know it would be. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But, many "christian" religions today
came into existence because good intentioned church goers have rejected<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>the authority and all sufficiency of God's
Holy Word as revealed by God Himself. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Okay,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>are you thinking I might be putting a little too much emphasis on this
idea of getting back to the original words of God and rejecting everything that
has come after it??<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Let us see if God
Himself has anything to say about it when He inspired the scriptures.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">The Word Is The Standard
of Judgment:<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>We might first note that on the
judgment day, we<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>will not be judged by
the rules or creed books of whatever man made religion we decided to join.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jesus said, "The Words that I speak to
you.. will judge you in the last day" (John 12:48).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If I am going to be judged by the standard of
Jesus' Words, I really need to know what they actually are before I am put to
the test.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Have I examined what I believe
in the light of God's Word? Which words or teachings of God can I ignore
because they do not fit my personal religious beliefs??<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Does
God really mean what He says and can I truly worship and honor Him while
ignoring the details of His clear teaching??<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Religious, but
Rejected??<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Next, let us listen as Jesus clearly
tells us that "many" <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>religious
workers will be rejected by Him on the judgment day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yes, it is true. We must accept this truth
and examine our walk with God.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia;">"Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into
the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in
heaven. <u>Many</u> will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not
prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name
done many wonderful works?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And then will
I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work
iniquity.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Therefore whosoever heareth
these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which
built his house upon a rock:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And the
rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that
house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock."<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(Matthew 7:21-25).<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">There
you go.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>By the mouth of Jesus, we learn
it is possible to be religious, but lost and rejected.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>How can we avoid this??<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>"He that doeth the will of the Father
which is in heaven":<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A wise man
"hears" and "does."</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>"Hold it right there," you say.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Are you suggesting that sincere religious
people who have not taken the time to seek the actual Word and will of God
might be lost?? <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Actually, Jesus' words
imply that those who do their own religious thing and ignore what God has
revealed prove absolutely that they do not know God and He in turn will not
"know" them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>"To
know" in the Biblical sense refers to a close, intimate relationship
between God and man, which cannot exist if one does not hear and obey the
actual words of God. Can the those active religiously be lost?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yes! <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jesus
said the "words that I speak to you, they are Spirit and they are
life..." (John 6:63). "</span><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia;">But he (Jesus)
answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by
every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God." (<span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Matt 4:4)</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span></span><br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">A Common Response?<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">"But,
putting our trust in the religious traditions and the doctrines of our
ancestors is as good in God's eyes as careful submission to the original Words
of God! It is our sincerity that counts most." <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Really? <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jesus, what do you have to say about that??<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia;">"This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth
me with their lips; but their heart is far from me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But in <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u>vain</u></b>
they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men."<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(Matthew 15:8, 9)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia;"><o:p> </o:p></span><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Still not a little
concerned about the Originator of your beliefs and traditions? "Vain"
means useless and <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>ineffective.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Something unable to accomplished the desired
result.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jesus is saying you do not
worship and honor God by teaching and following things which did not come from <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>God. These kinds of faiths actually reject what
God says, so they may freely teach what they want to teach. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">"For laying aside the commandment of
God, ye hold the tradition of men..."<span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"> (Mark 7:8)</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<br />
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia;">The Religious Lost:<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>At this point, let me
point out one more significant example of sincere lost religious people given
to us by the Apostle Paul.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In his letter
to the Romans, Paul expresses his heart felt desire and prayer that his fellow
Israelites be saved.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At this point in
time, the majority of Jews had rejected the mission and teachings of Jesus the
Son of God.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They were lost in their
sins, without hope and destined to die in rebellion to the will and love of
God.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But, while Paul expresses his
desire for them to have a saving relationship with God, he also points out that
they were very religious and full of zeal for God.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Let Paul put it into his and God's own words
for us:<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia;">"Brethren, my heart's desire and prayer to God for Israel is,
that they might be saved. For I bear them record that they have a zeal of God,
but not according to knowledge. For they being ignorant of God's righteousness,
and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted
themselves unto the righteousness of God."<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>(Romans 10:1-3)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>They had zeal, they
had religion, they were involved in religious activity, but they were missing
one important thing. Obedience and submission to God's will. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A sincere heart is good. But it cannot qualify
as Biblical, saving faith if it rejects and refuses to submit to the truths
revealed from God by inspiration.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Paul is acknowledging that they were religious
but lost.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>How sad that one can be so
sincere and so close, but refuse to submit to God's words.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It will be a heartbreaking judgment day for
so many. What are you in your actual knowledge and devotion to the original faith
of the scriptures? We must serve God in sincerity and truth (Josh 24:14, 1 Cor.
5:8).</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>If these inspired
Biblical words do not make you think and want to investigate and prove what you
believe, you are very different from the noble people Paul mentioned in he book
of Acts.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>These souls <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>searched the scriptures "daily" to
see if what the preacher said was true. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>"These (Bereans) 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." (<span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Act 17:11)</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That is the attitude of a true original
Christian.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia;"><o:p> </o:p></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia;">From Heaven or From Men? (Dare
we ask this question?)</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>One day, the
religious leaders of Jesus' day questioned His authority for His teaching and His
actions (In reality, it was their teaching which was not authorized by God's
Word).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Anyway, Jesus answered their question with a
question.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He promised to answer their
question if they would answer His.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His
question was brilliant,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>amazing and yet
so simple.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A question with the power to
cut through generations of pride, ignorance, traditions, man-made confusion and
falsehood. It was a question which, to this day, can still reveal the true
heart of a person's religion and faith. Here it is: " The baptism of John,
whence was it? from heaven, or of men? (Matt 21:25).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jesus actually asked them to focus on the
origin of a religious teaching! Amazing concept right? Have you ever heard of
such a concept before?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>You see, God had sent
Jesus' older cousin John to preach and prepare the people of Judea for the
coming of Jesus.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>John told the people to
repent and be baptized (immersed) for the remission of their sins.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He
said they should follow the great and holy One who would come after him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>John said he was sent by God to baptize (John
1:33).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>John was very successful and the
scriptures say "all Judea" came to him to be baptized.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>So, what was their
answer to Jesus' question?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Are you ready
for it? Wait, wait. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>"We cannot
tell" (Matt 21:27).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A typical response
of the very religious when asked to verify their beliefs with the authority of
God. They must not have wanted an answer from Jesus that badly. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Their thought process is revealed to us so we
might learn and hopefully not find ourselves using a similar line of thinking.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It went like this.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If we say its origin is "from
heaven", Jesus will asked us the obvious; why did you not believe him.
(the Pharisees had rejected the counsel of God against themselves by not being
baptized by John, Luke 7:30).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If we say
it originated "from men", the people will be angry with us because
they are convinced that John is a prophet from God.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Let me simplify it for us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There were only two choices; two possible
answers to the question.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One was to acknowledge
that the command to be baptized for the remission of sins was from God, but we
have refused to accept and obey God's Words.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The second possible answer was to take the stand that this teaching was
not really from God, but had originated in the mind of John himself without any
divine guidance.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Let's see. Humbly admit
we have been living in rebellion to teaching which originated from God in
heaven or face the anger of the many people who did believe that John was sent
from God.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Hummm??<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>How many today will hold on to their religion
no matter how many ways it is different from the original faith?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<br />
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia;">"We Cannot Tell"</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>They took the common
and very popular Agnostic approach. An Agnostic is someone who is absolutely
sure that we cannot know anything<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>for
sure. Sure a good way to avoid conflict, but not a good way to follow God's
Word. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Those with this way of thinking <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>will not take a stand for much of anything
(even God's Word). They are actually kind of proud of their pseudo humility and
humble ignorance. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>How many today cannot
or will not answer this same question when applied to the origin of their faith
and religious teaching??<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Is it from
heaven or from men?? Every belief, tradition and practice of your religion has
one of two origins: Heaven (God's Word) or the minds of men (and probably with
good intentions).<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia;">Only the Original Has Eternal
Value:<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The divided religious
world today is a living testimony to what happens when men depart from the
original faith, the original church, the original baptism and other Biblical
teaches of the scriptures. God saw this coming and lets us know what to do
about it:<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia;">"Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus
Christ, that ye all <u>speak the same thing,</u> and <i>that</i> there be <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u>no divisions among you</u></b>; but <i>that</i>
ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment."
(<b>1Cor. 1:10)<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia;">"Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the
common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort <i>you</i>
that ye should <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u>earnestly contend for
the faith which was once delivered unto the saints</u></b>. 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. 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." (<span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Jude 1:3-5)</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia;">"I charge <i>thee</i> therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus
Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his
kingdom; <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Preach the word; be instant in
season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and
doctrine. For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but
after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching
ears; And they shall turn away <i>their</i> ears from the truth, and shall be
turned unto fables</b>." (2 Tim 2:2-4)<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>An honest study of the New Testament
reveals that the original words of the Originator of scriptures (God), demand
that we do our homework. That "<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">we study
to show ourselves approved (acceptable) unto God"</b>. ( 2 Tim 2:15) <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.3in;">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Did you know that according to the Bible there
is only ONE FAITH, ONE BODY, ONE BAPTISM and One Church (Ephesians 4)? <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Have you found the original beyond a shadow of
a doubt?? Can you show me why you are so sure by using the Word of God?? Salvation
is never on our terms, eternal life is granted to true believers only by God's
revealed Grace and terms.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sound like a
challenge?? If at this point you are overwhelmed by this idea of studying and
finding the original church and teachings of God given in the scriptures, do
not choose to give up the search.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There
are only two paths. From heaven or from men and life or destruction.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It does not pay to be too "broad"
minded on this subject.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia;">"Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide <i>is</i> the gate, and
broad <i>is</i> the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which
go in thereat: Because strait <i>is</i> the gate, and narrow <i>is</i> the way,
which leadeth unto life, and <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u>few
there be that find it</u></b>." (<b>Matt 7:13,14).</b><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Biblical faith is about Jesus and
His Guidance, the Biblical Plan of Salvation, Biblical Baptism, Biblical
Worship, Biblical Teachings and the Biblical Church.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Still not sure you need to look into the
subject??<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Where in the Bible does it
tell you how to become a Protestant (pick a flavor) or a Catholic or any other
man made religion created since the Bible was inspired.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Where does it ever tell you to join a church
of your choice or for that matter how to join a church??<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A fair question if you are serious about
having the original authorized Biblical Faith.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt;"> Remember,
a Hyundai might look similar, have similar features and even bear the name of a
Jaguar, but it is not a Jaguar.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt;"> If
you are content with an aftermarket reproduction of men, that is your
choice.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If you have a heart that truly
wants to know about the original teachings of God and the life it promises,
join us as we strive to be among the "few there be that find
it."<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It might be your time to ask
about the differences between the original teachings of the Bible and all the
teachings and traditions which men have imagined since God revealed His
Word.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">R.
Johnson<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Tarentum
church of Christ<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">614
East 9th Avenue<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Tarentum,
PA<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>15084<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Where
you will find the church and teachings you can read about in your Bible.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Sunday
Bible Study: 10am<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Worship:
11am<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Bible
Study: 6pm<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Wednesday
Bible Study: 7pm<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p>Website: tarentumchurchofchrist.com</o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span> </div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
RJhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02128107113336354270noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4311050734181392510.post-79811317174521091612011-09-28T23:39:00.001-04:002015-12-17T12:13:46.516-05:00Living Across The Street In God’s Neighborhood:<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">In my last blog, we discussed the meaning of the word “Holy”. Travis commented that holy is being more and more like God and that God must make us holy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He is right, but until we realize that it is through His Holy Word that God transforms us, we will always fall short of being what God desires for us to be.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In that blog, I gave an illustration about the religious people of the world who have some belief in the God of the Bible. I suggested that there are many possible places around God where people have become content to stop and <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>live, all the while not being in the one spot at His feet they need to be to become holy and set apart as He would desire.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Today, let us see if Jesus had anything to say about believing in God (In the neighborhood) and falling short of being completely with God.</span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">The “I Believe in God Neighbors”: </span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Some folks believe that a confession that they believe in God is as close as they need to be. They usually back up this belief with efforts on their part to be good people, to do good deeds and to try never to be hurtful or harmful to anyone.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This idea usually creates a kind of self righteousness though they do not realize that is what they have. They are basically under the assumption that by doing “good” things they can balance the scales on the bad things they might have done. They might say, “God knows our hearts”, implying their intentions are honest and sincere. Though their efforts produce some visible good works, they are keeping God at arms length.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They do not have the constant hunger for God’s Word, nor do they want to be totally and completely transformed into what God has revealed for them in the Bible. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They think living across the street from God is an acceptable place to live.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri";">It is true that, we must believe that God exists. This is an essential step in discovering God’s neighborhood. The evidence for God is all around us, that all things must have come from an intelligent Creator, not random chance. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But, is this belief combined with a belief that God means what He says in His Holy Word??<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You might be surprised to learn that the first beings to acknowledge the fact that Jesus was the Son of God, after He began to preach, were the demons (Matt 8:29). James brings merely believing in God into perspective. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">"Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble. But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?" (James 2:19-20).</b> Essentially, those who believe God exists have reached the same level of belief as the demons of New Testament times. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>James says this is good, but far from the faith described in the Bible which will save (this belief is dead).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>By the way, the “works” mentioned here are not self righteous acts, but <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>active faith based on obedience to God’s Word (Rom 10:17).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A few words about the “works” of some neighbors.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Their, “I can do it myself” approach ignores the Holy Word which states that <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">“all have sinned and come short of the glory of God.” (Rom 3:23)</b>. If it were possible to be restored to a right relationship with God by believing He exists and doing good works, then it was not necessary for the Son of God to die on the cross.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The implications of their thinking is that the faith taught in the New Testament is not required to be right with God. They will not cross the street, knock, enter and sit wholeheartedly at God’s feet to hear His every Word.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Did Jesus have anything to say about people who profess to believe, but do not obey? Let us see.</span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">"And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say? Whosoever cometh to me, and heareth my sayings, and doeth them, I will show you to whom he is like: <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He is like a man which built an house, and digged deep, and laid the foundation on a rock: and when the flood arose, the stream beat vehemently upon that house, and could not shake it: for it was founded upon a rock. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But he that heareth, and doeth not, is like a man that without a foundation built an house upon the earth; against which the stream did beat vehemently, and immediately it fell; and the ruin of that house was great." (Luke 6:46-49).</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri";">I think that Jesus is drawing what should be an obvious conclusion. If one truly believes that Jesus is the “Lord” (means: one with right and authority to rule). Why do they not respect, honor and hunger for what the Lord has to say.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Note that Jesus says, whoever comes to Him and “heareth my sayings and doeth them.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This describes the people at God’s feet, not those who live across the street.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Where do you really live in God’s neighborhood?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You will never know till you are willing to hear His Holy Word on that subject. You may have your opinion, but God has His also. Does God mean what He says?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri";">PS:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Do not let the failures and hypocrisy you have seen in some who have claimed to be close to God, cause you to ignore God Himself. Bitterness over the behavior of struggling Christians has kept many souls across the street. Ironically, many will spend their eternity with those they allowed to keep them from Biblical faith. What do you think?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri";">RJ<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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RJhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02128107113336354270noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4311050734181392510.post-32761048636106042882011-09-27T19:20:00.000-04:002011-09-27T19:23:38.740-04:00"Holy" In The Neighborhood?<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Thanks for your comments Travis. Good thoughts from the Word. Also, thanks for being my first registered blogger. Allow me to back up what I think you are saying. I think you are saying that God is the architect of our “holiness.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We cannot make ourselves holy, or invent our own definition of righteousness and then call it “holy.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Faith cometh by hearing and hearing by the Word of God.” <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">(Rom 10:17).</b> But, we must be careful of the misguided ideas in the religious world that a man’s own will or decision has no part in this process.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am not saying you are suggesting this, but others do. The power of God’s Word calls “whosoever will” to hear and obey <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">(Rev 22:17).</b> That is God’s decision, God’s will, God’s way or whatever one wants to call it. Those who seek, will find; those who knock, shall be opened unto. Back to “holy.”</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">It is only by the amazing Word of God that we have a clue about what “holy” really means.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Since the first prophet of God opened His mouth, God has by His Spirit, been trying to reason, instruct and guide mankind back to Himself. The “Holy” Word He delivers is powerful to bring about this desire of God. What does God give the Holy Word the ability to do when combined with faith??</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">*It is the “power of God” unto salvation: (Rom 1:16).</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">*It is the engrafted Word which is about to save our souls:</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">James 1:21-22:</b><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>"Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls. {22} But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves."</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">*It is the “holy scripture” <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>which is able to make us wise unto salvation: (2 Tim 3:15).</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">*It is the incorruptible, everlasting <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>seed which when obeyed can bring <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>about new birth and purify our souls:</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">1 Pet 1:22-23:</b><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>"Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren, see that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently: {23} Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever."</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">*It is the will of God revealed to transform us into a living sacrifice pleasing to God. (Rom 12:1,2).</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">*It is living, <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>powerful and sharp enough to penetrate our minds and reveal to us who we really are and where we stand with God:</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Heb 4:12:</b><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>"For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged 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."</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">*It is the only “holy” guide to what God considers to be good or evil:</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Heb 5:13-14:</b><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>"For every one that useth milk is unskilful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe. {14} But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil."</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Just a few thoughts on<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>the unique purpose and power to change us, which God has declared His Word to have. That is why it is to be preached to every creature (Mark 16:15,16). By the way, no other religious teaching, but God’s Word has this kind of power. It is unique, it is “holy.”</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">There are many ideas in the religious world about what is “holy” (Who, What or Where). But only that which is from God or that which is produced by God’s will is truly Holy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Let me illustrate the word “holy” with an illustration which just popped into my head. It may not be perfect, but get the main point.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The religious world is a like many people who have, in general, discovered <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>where God lives.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Some are content to move into His town or even into His neighborhood, thinking this is enough to qualify as faith. Others buy a house across the street.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Some have camped out at His gate. Some are squating in His yard. Some are standing at His door, but do not have the courage to knock. Some have knocked, entered and plopped themselves down in His living room, content that they are in the house. Some are just outside the door of His room trying to understand Him above the human confusion and noise. Some boldly enter His room and congregate around the walls, singing praises at the awesome presence of God. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But, the only ones who will ever be truly “holy” are those who have planted themselves at His feet, refusing to leave. These feet people, <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>humbly and obediently soak in every Word which comes from His mouth.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Every Word they hear, makes them want to hear more.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Their ears and hearts are being constantly exposed to the holy and eternal Word.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Because they believe what they hear and love God, they obey and are transformed and made new. The Truth makes them free and sets them apart from the world.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Jesus prayed for His disciples to be set apart and different from the world (“sanctified”). He prayed God would accomplish this through His Word of Truth.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">"Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth." (John 17:17)</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">We must never misunderstand or underestimate the power God has placed in His Word to Save and make us Holy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We have now discovered where God can be heard anytime we want to listen.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We now know at least where to learn about true holiness.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Where do you live in God’s neighborhood?</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">"… It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God." (Mat 4:4).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Thanks Travis<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
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</div>RJhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02128107113336354270noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4311050734181392510.post-46264172854901846422011-09-27T08:31:00.000-04:002011-09-27T08:33:10.014-04:00What Is Holy?The basic meaning of the word "Holy" in the Bible is to be set apart for a special purpose. It is something that is made to be different from other things, especially in its intended use or purpose. The furniture and utensils of the Old Testament tabernacle/ temple worship were Holy in that God had designed them for Israel and given each item a purpose. To have used them for any other than the purpose given them by God was an unholy use, it was to defile or make them unclean. King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon started down a dangerous road when he capture these holy items and took them to his temple in Babylon. "Nebuchadnezzar also carried of the vessels of the house of the LORD to Babylon, and put them in his temple at Babylon." (2 Chr 36:7). Later, his son Belshazzer saw the "hand writing on the wall" when he used these special, sacred items at one of his parties (Dan. 5:2ff). These items had been created and given a purpose to be used in acceptable worship to the Almighty God. To ignore the instructions for their use and original purpose was to bring one's self into contradiction and conflict with God.<br />
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Holy is to be set apart for a purpose, but perhaps the most significant part of what makes something holy is Who has made it holy. Most things are created to serve some purpose. A flat screwdriver was created to install or remove flat head screws. If I use the screwdriver as a chisel, I am using it for something which it was not intended. No big deal, the creator could care less. But, when God creates, speaks and gives his opinion on something, His instructions are very important. Only God's Word can reveal what He has created, set apart and given a purpose. What God says about anything is Holy, of special origin, from the only authoritative source in matters of faith. The scriptures are "holy" because of their origin and giver. (The Holy Bible). They must be viewed as holy and set apart from ALL other religious instruction. All teaching and instruction which is of human origin (the majority of religious teaching) may contain some good thoughts, but it is not holy. In fact, if it contradicts the holy teaching of the Bible, it becomes "unholy", "defiled" or "unclean." Fewer and fewer people today actually consider the Bible as God's actual Words given by inspiration (2 Tim 3:16,17). The Bible is no longer "holy" in their minds for what they think, what they feel or what some man has taught is just as special and authoritative in their hearts as the Bible. That which is "holy" is made to have equal status with that which is unholy. They should just scratch the word "Holy" off of their copies of the Bible.<br />
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The priests of Old Testament times were given the job of educating the people to understand, not just God's instructions on the furniture, but on all things He had taught concerning their worship and service to Him. What He said was "holy", it was separated, different, given special importance. What others said was not. Do the religious people of our time have any concept of the difference between what is "holy" and what is not??<br />
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"And that ye may put difference between holy and unholy, and between unclean and clean; {11} And that ye may teach the children of Israel all the statutes which the LORD hath spoken unto them by the hand of Moses." (Lev 10:10-11).<br />
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How important is it for us today to be able to know the difference between what God has said (Holy) and what men have said (unholy) to fill the religions thinking of the world? Holy is not just about what is said, but even more importantly, Who said it.<br />
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"For what if some did not believe? shall their unbelief make the faith of God without effect? {4} God forbid: yea, <strong><u>let God be true, but every man a liar</u></strong>; as it is written, That thou mightest be justified in thy sayings, and mightest overcome when thou art judged." (Rom 3:3-4).<br />
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"And that from a child thou hast known the <strong><u>holy scriptures</u></strong>, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus." (2 Tim 3:15). <br />
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"Therefore I esteem all thy precepts concerning all things to be right; and I hate every false way." (Psa 119:128). <br />
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How would you define "Holy"????<br />
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Is Your Bible Really Holy In Your Heart and Mind???RJhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02128107113336354270noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4311050734181392510.post-4777932488422830492011-09-26T19:53:00.000-04:002011-09-26T19:53:55.484-04:00Hello FriendsI am Robert. I have been striving to humbly serve the Creator as revealed in the Bible since I was 16 years old. Like Jesus and Paul, I have years of experience in carpentary and home construction. I have education in several fields of study, but by far my greatest joy is the study of the eternal and holy Word of God. As the title of my blog, I have asked a question which all of us must ask ourselves. If we answer yes to this question, then it is pretty important that we study to see what God has said. I have made it my life's work to understand and be able to explain what God has revealed to us about His will for our lives and the church He established with the blood of Christ in the 1st century. I will with God's Word as my guide try to answer as many questions as I can about the difference between the original church and the many man made churches which have appeared on earth since the original. I appreciate your prayers in this endeavor. May God guide and bless you if you are truly a "Seeker."RJhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02128107113336354270noreply@blogger.com2