"Christians don't know what they believe." - until they are brainwashed

[Aunty Jane]

Are we not so wonderfully blessed to have not only radio, television, and internet..... we also have satellite that can carry the good news into every corner of the world that people live.

Praise God. View attachment 36613

Wow......what did we do before the Internet then? Is it a substitute for face to face Bible study and witnessing? Is receiving a letter or a post the same as interacting with someone in person?

This work is a search and rescue mission, (Matt 10:11-14) so how do emergency services make sure that they reach everyone possible with a warning about an impending natural disaster? They don’t assume that everyone is on the internet, or that they have their radios or TV on...they go ‘door to door’ because every life is precious.....and if they didn’t, they would have the loss of someone’s life to answer for.
God will hold us accountable if we do not fulfill our commission. (Ezekiel 3:17-21; Matt 28:19-20)

 

[Rella ~ I am a woman]

Wow......what did we do before the Internet then? Is it a substitute for face to face Bible study and witnessing? Is receiving a letter or a post the same as interacting with someone in person?

This work is a search and rescue mission, (Matt 10:11-14) so how do emergency services make sure that they reach everyone possible with a warning about an impending natural disaster? They don’t assume that everyone is on the internet, or that they have their radios or TV on...they go ‘door to door’ because every life is precious.....and if they didn’t, they would have the loss of someone’s life to answer for.
God will hold us accountable if we do not fulfill our commission. (Ezekiel 3:17-21; Matt 28:19-20)

And what will God do if I hit the streets, knocking on doors, doing my best to witness to those who will listen to me , especially if I am educating someone who may have had you at their door the day before witnessing with differing opinions?

One on one is wonderful.... if you can guarantee that what is being witnessed cannot be
countered by someone else. But that cannot be guaranteed even within the same church

We are not face to face, but we are the closest many of us will ever be and I do not
see many advocating for a Zoom session where we can all sit around singing KUMBAYA.

I do see a variety of opinions though and rarely do I see anyone change.. even when it is right there in black and white in the Holy Bible.

But that is just me.

If you are happy going door to door, God bless you. I would never try to stop you.

 

[L.A.M.B.]

Ellen White, Joseph Smith, Charles Russell, the many false prophets, ect. have made proclamations against what God's word has to say about the deity of Christ, the way of salvation and the conditions of a relationship walk with God.

The many false prophets that ppl cling to are supported by their own egos & pride; the need to be singled out as special vessels unto God.

The great commission is this;
Mark 16:15-16 KJV
And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach THE GOSPEL to every creature. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth NOT shall be damned.

WE ARE TO MAKE "FOLLOWERS OF CHRIST" as our fruit, not followers of self or any man !

 

[St. SteVen]

And what will God do if I hit the streets, knocking on doors, doing my best to witness to those who will listen to me , especially if I am educating someone who may have had you at their door the day before witnessing with differing opinions?

One on one is wonderful.... if you can guarantee that what is being witnessed cannot be
countered by someone else. But that cannot be guaranteed even within the same church

We are not face to face, but we are the closest many of us will ever be and I do not
see many advocating for a Zoom session where we can all sit around singing KUMBAYA.

I do see a variety of opinions though and rarely do I see anyone change.. even when it is right there in black and white in the Holy Bible.

But that is just me.

If you are happy going door to door, God bless you. I would never try to stop you.

Great post, thanks.

Here is an interesting thing that I have tried before and would like to do more of.
Book link below.

Admittedly, I don't have the book, but I did try this with a church group once.
If I was doing an evangelism program, this is how I would do it.

It's called a treasure hunt which most are familiar with. (in general terms)
But this is evangelistic. Very fun actually.

There are a list of questions to seek God about. The answers lead you to a person that needs to hear from God.
When you find them, you explain what it is about and show them how you located them. (supernaturally)
Imagine suffering from a physical malady and being approached by a complete stranger that could name it.
Would you listen to them? Absolutely. IMHO

Amazon.com

www.amazon.com

 

[Rella ~ I am a woman]

Ellen White, Joseph Smith, Charles Russell, the many false prophets, ect. have made proclamations against what God's word has to say about the deity of Christ, the way of salvation and the conditions of a relationship walk with God.

The many false prophets that ppl cling to are supported by their own egos & pride; the need to be singled out as special vessels unto God.

The great commission is this;
Mark 16:15-16 KJV
And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach THE GOSPEL to every creature. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth NOT shall be damned.

WE ARE TO MAKE "FOLLOWERS OF CHRIST" as our fruit, not followers of self or any man !

Mark 16:15-16 KJV
And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach THE GOSPEL to every creature. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth NOT shall be damned.

And yet there is no consensus between immersed and sprinkled... or if immersed just washes your sins or is needed for salvation. So that presents another issue.....

So there is that problem if evangelizing to someone....

 

[L.A.M.B.]

In spreading the word of God after one has believed and received the gospel message and has repented and is saved, there is an order set by the apostles for church conduct.

We are not solidary soldiers on a walk alone mission to spread the gospel. It is a community. It is in the interest of a new believer to associate with the others whom believe and follow that set DECORUM for church ministry.

Paul the greatest apostle to the Gentiles stated this

1 Corinthians 1:14-17
14 I thank God that I baptized none of you, but Crispus and Gaius;
15 Lest any should say that I had baptized in mine own name.
16 And I baptized also the household of Stephanas: besides, I know not whether I baptized any other.
17 For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel: not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of none effect.

And this;
1 Corinthians 3:6 KJV: I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase.

The growth of the household of faith is a community of believers acting in accord with the word.

Baptism is not in a described definition in the word, by immersion or sprinkle.
Acts 10:44 For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God. Then answered Peter, Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we? And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord.

This and others does not depict a full body immersion in a huge body of water. So I say unto any ,let your conscience be your guide in your obedience to the word!

Getting wet saves no one, but one must be born again by the word of truth and the Spirit !

 

[quietthinker]

"Christians don't know what they believe." - until they are brainwashed​

Where is the focus?.....To what are people introduced?

 

[quietthinker]

As we know, the cat has scattered the pigeons; some roost confused, some retain loose bowels, some are so cock sure they believe the cat is an illusion or some other denial yet some have found a hiding place in the rock, getting a glimpse of the glory to come.

 

[L.A.M.B.]

As we know, the cat has scattered the pigeons; some roost confused, some retain loose bowels, some are so cock sure they believe the cat is an illusion or some other denial yet some have found a hiding place in the rock, getting a glimpse of the glory to come.

I like this........

• Thou art my hiding place; thou shalt preserve me from trouble; thou shalt compass me about with songs of deliverance. Selah.
  Psalm 32:7

 

[Aunty Jane]

And what will God do if I hit the streets, knocking on doors, doing my best to witness to those who will listen to me , especially if I am educating someone who may have had you at their door the day before witnessing with differing opinions?

That is just the point….why do we witness to all, if Jesus said that only a “few” will actually listen and do something about what they hear? (Matt 7:13-14) Do you understand that no one can come to Christ without an invitation from his Father (John 6:44, 65)….it wouldn’t matter if we witnessed to a thousand people of whom God said “not one of mine”..…..”the god of this world” can only “blind the minds of unbelievers”… (2 Cor 4:3-4)…..he cannot snatch a single one out of Jesus’ hand unless they let themselves be snatched.

One on one is wonderful.... if you can guarantee that what is being witnessed cannot be
countered by someone else. But that cannot be guaranteed even within the same church

But that is how you build your faith. If God has drawn you, what is taught will be proven to you and “you will know the truth and the truth shall set you free”…..you will be free of all the false teachings that Christendom has promoted because there is no trinity to squeeze into ambiguous verses….no immortal soul to suffer in hell….and no going to heaven when no one knows why they will go there.

JW’s have one truth with no disagreements. We have faith in our teachers who always insist that we check all teachings with the entirety of the Bible, like the ancient Beroeans.
If someone responds to our witnessing, God is the one doing the work, not us. But we have the responsibility to preach because that is what forms the basis for salvation.

Jesus said his return as judge would be “just like the days of Noah”….the people,back then had no excuse to ignore Noah’s preaching or the work that he was physically engaged in. God could have said to Noah, “no one else will listen so don’t bother to preach to them……but he gave all the people no excuse to plead ignorance. They chose to ignore Noah just as the Jews in Jesus’ day chose to ignore him and sanction his execution. Today people again have choices to make about who they will believe, because we all get our beliefs from outside of ourselves….it’s why we are told to preach his message…..some will respond but the majority will not. “Few“ are found on the cramped and narrow road to life.

We are not face to face, but we are the closest many of us will ever be and I do not
see many advocating for a Zoom session where we can all sit around singing KUMBAYA.

That is where JW’s differ from all others…..we did not allow the world to rob us of our witnessing just because we were limited from our door to door work. We all wrote letters to as many people as we could. We continued to meet for worship via video conferencing, and we never missed any worship to our God, thanks to modern technology. The world under satan will continue to set up road blocks until God says “enough”….and brings the curtain down on this wicked system and all who support its corrupt rulership.

I do see a variety of opinions though and rarely do I see anyone change.. even when it is right there in black and white in the Holy Bible.

There is much that is not black and white in the Bible….on purpose. Unless we have the correct teachers, we will be lost in all the “why” questions, and never find out the answers because we were too stubborn to listen…just like the first century Jews.

Claiming to be “Christian” accounts for nothing if we are not taught the actual truth by the ones appointed by Christ to “feed” his disciples their “food at the proper time”. (Matt 24:45) Jesus mentions them at this time with a question….”who really is the faithful and discreet slave” appointed by his master. There is only one, and we have to find those who teach the truth, but only if God is willing to invite us into his global family. We can “plant and water” but it’s God who “makes it grow”.

But that is just me.

Its about all of us. We will all stand before the same judge.…and answer to him or what we did, and didn’t do in obedience to his commands. (Matt 7:21-23)

If you are happy going door to door, God bless you. I would never try to stop you.

It wasn’t a suggestion…it was a command from Jesus himself. It’s our assignment and we will answer to his Father for not fulfilling it. (Ezekiel 3:17-21)

 

[St. SteVen]

So there is that problem if evangelizing to someone....

Actually, we shouldn't let aspects of Christian diversity prevent us from sharing our faith.
If someone questions these things we can agree that Christians have many different backgrounds,
The person you are talking to is probably more comfortable in one church over another.
No different than shopping, really. You go with the brand you know and trust.

Embracing Doctrinal Diversity - Unity in diversity

In the same way we have learned to understand and respect cultural diversity, we should learn to understand and respect doctrinal diversity. Can Catholics and Protestants respect one another despite our doctrinal differences? (yes) What about Baptists and Pentecostals? (yes) You name it. How...

www.christianityboard.com

 

[Aunty Jane]

Actually, we shouldn't let aspects of Christian diversity prevent us from sharing our faith.
If someone questions these things we can agree that Christians have many different backgrounds,
The person you are talking to is probably more comfortable in one church over another.
No different than shopping, really. You go with the brand you know and trust.

Really? Christianity is defined by what you individually choose as your truth?
Is that what the Bible really teaches?

How many denominations were there in the original Jewish faith imparted and clearly defined by God at Mt Sinai? Strict adherence was required of those who, of their own volition, vowed to obey their God in all things......did they honor their vow? We all know that Israel’s history is one of disobedience, false worship, punishment, forgiveness and restitution, but God’s purpose was served despite their repeated excursions into false worship. Their punishments were often severe because their disobedience was off the Richter scale. But there was a purpose to his tolerance.

When God had fulfilled his promise to Abraham to produce his Messiah through his descendants, he gave Israel first option to accept their Messiah, but the majority not only rejected him, they orchestrated his murder, accepting the curse that they put on themselves. (Matt 27:25) Jesus sealed their fate. (Matt 23:37-39) God chose a new “Israel”. (Gal 6:16) This was made up of both Jewish and Gentile Christians.

What about Christianity? Was there leeway in any of the teachings of Jesus and the apostles? No! There was one truth, and no deviation was to be tolerated. Anyone found subverting the faith of others by introducing foreign ideas, or watering down Gods word on sexual matters or personal conduct, were dealt with by excommunication.

Paul wrote....
“In my letter I wrote you to stop keeping company with sexually immoral people, 10 not meaning entirely with the sexually immoral people of this world or the greedy people or extortioners or idolaters. Otherwise, you would actually have to get out of the world.
But now I am writing you to stop keeping company with anyone called a brother who is sexually immoral or a greedy person or an idolater or a reviler or a drunkard or an extortioner, not even eating with such a man. 12 For what do I have to do with judging those outside? Do you not judge those inside, 13 while God judges those outside? “Remove the wicked person from among yourselves.”

No ifs or buts there....the shepherds were appointed to judge those “inside” the congregations. God would judge those outside.

John also wrote...
“If anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching, do not receive him into your homes or say a greeting to him. 11 For the one who says a greeting to him is a sharer in his wicked works.” (2 John 10-11)

So again, no leeway for bringing in your own ideas as if you can believe whatever you wish.....that is NOT the Christian Faith. God’s spirit unites people...it does not divide them.

1 Cor 1:10...
“Now I urge you, brothers, through the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you should all speak in agreement and that there should be no divisions among you, but that you may be completely united in the same mind and in the same line of thought.”

Does this describe the denominational church system at all? There are only “wheat and weeds” in this world and we have to decide which one we are.....Jesus is ‘separating’ us as we speak. The “weeds” are counterfeit “Christians” who will be harvested first, and disposed of as garbage. Then the “wheat” will be gathered into the master’s storehouse. (Matt 13:36-42)

This is the inconvenient truth from God’s word......it’s decision time.

 

[St. SteVen]

St. SteVen said:
Actually, we shouldn't let aspects of Christian diversity prevent us from sharing our faith.
If someone questions these things we can agree that Christians have many different backgrounds,
The person you are talking to is probably more comfortable in one church over another.
No different than shopping, really. You go with the brand you know and trust.

Really? Christianity is defined by what you individually choose as your truth?
Is that what the Bible really teaches?

That's not what I meant by Christian diversity.
We have Catholics and Protestants and many denominations after that, which you seem to be opposed to.

What about Christianity? Was there leeway in any of the teachings of Jesus and the apostles? No! There was one truth, and no deviation was to be tolerated. Anyone found subverting the faith of others by introducing foreign ideas, or watering down Gods word on sexual matters or personal conduct, were dealt with by excommunication.

"Was there leeway in any of the teachings of Jesus and the apostles?"
Well, there seems to be many interpretations of what that meant.
As demonstrated by the many denominations that you seem to object to.

So again, no leeway for bringing in your own ideas as if you can believe whatever you wish.....that is NOT the Christian Faith. God’s spirit unites people...it does not divide them.

Again, I think there was some room for interpretation of these things.
Look at all the different views on baptism. And everyone has biblical support for what they believe about that.

Does this describe the denominational church system at all? There are only “wheat and weeds” in this world and we have to decide which one we are.....Jesus is ‘separating’ us as we speak. The “weeds” are counterfeit “Christians” who will be harvested first, and disposed of as garbage. Then the “wheat” will be gathered into the master’s storehouse. (Matt 13:36-42)

Wheat and weeds?
Counterfeit Christians? Disposed of as garbage? Oh my.
So, your little tribe will be saved and no one else?
Seems rather self-serving. (I do it too)

This is the inconvenient truth from God’s word......it’s decision time.

Your way or the highway, is that it?

 

[Aunty Jane]

St. SteVen said:
Actually, we shouldn't let aspects of Christian diversity prevent us from sharing our faith.
If someone questions these things we can agree that Christians have many different backgrounds,
The person you are talking to is probably more comfortable in one church over another.
No different than shopping, really. You go with the brand you know and trust.

By self professed Christians interacting with other self professed Christians, we should at least have some common ground, but in studying the Bible rather than just theology, (which most base their faith on) it highlights many discrepancies. When those discrepancies become obvious, further study is needed to clear things up. For me Interlinear translations as well as a good concordance have been a God-send.
By deepening my study to include those things, so many grey areas have become black and white. If we cannot clearly define what is truth, then the devil has a playground.

That's not what I meant by Christian diversity.
We have Catholics and Protestants and many denominations after that, which you seem to be opposed to.

As I progressed in my studies I could clearly see that most of those fenced in by Christendom’s teachings had no real idea of the big picture as it is portrayed in the Bible. From Genesis to Revelation…it is one story. If we miss the import of that story and the whole reason about why we were put here in the first place, then our focus is going to be on unimportant details that have people bickering and disagreeing about meaningless things compared with God’s first purpose in creating material creatures to live on a material earth “forever”.

"Was there leeway in any of the teachings of Jesus and the apostles?"
Well, there seems to be many interpretations of what that meant.
As demonstrated by the many denominations that you seem to object to.

Its not my objection that people have to worry about. It was Jesus and his apostles who foretold the apostasy that would overtake the Christian faith….Christendom pretends that it never happened but it was already manifesting in the first century, and I can see clearly where the apostasy began….Christendom is the product of that apostasy, which includes all who subscribe to the RCC’s base teachings…..none of which are scriptural.

Again, I think there was some room for interpretation of these things.
Look at all the different views on baptism. And everyone has biblical support for what they believe about that.

Interpretation is the key word here. But baptism is a great subject for study, there are several kinds of baptism mentioned in scripture and we need to understand all of them.

Wheat and weeds?

That is what Jesus called them….and understanding what these “weeds” were is helpful.
the plant mentioned in the parable, is thought to be a well known “weed” that was common in the Middle East. It’s called “bearded darnel” and it was know as “wheat’s evil twin”….it so resembles wheat in the early growing season that it is virtually impossible to tell them apart. By the time it becomes apparent which is which, the root systems are so intertwined that it is impossible to uproot the weeds without taking the wheat with them. So both were to grow together till the harvest time. Jesus knows which is which….but we don’t, unless we see what God and son see in us as individuals. It’s not about labels so much as conduct. We should see complete agreement and unity in those who have God’s spirit.
Division is evidence of the absence of God’s spirit.

Counterfeit Christians? Disposed of as garbage? Oh my.
So, your little tribe will be saved and no one else?

No….it’s not about “my little tribe” as much as who I see fulfilling the criteria that the Bible outlines for genuine Christianity. Garbage exists in all humanity, no matter what label they wear. We are not immune either, but Jesus knows the difference between those who belong to him..…and those who only think they do.

Seems rather self-serving. (I do it too)

Its not self-serving to look for the ones who are serving Christ the way he commanded…the wheat exists in the world, because Jesus said that they are there. We just have to find them. Don’t expect them to be popular. (John 15:18-21) There is a reason for the fact that “few” are on the road to life. (Matt 7:13-14)

Your way or the highway, is that it?

Its “God’s way or the highway”…..no getting away from that. He is a benevolent dictator and his laws are not negotiable….they are fair and equitable…..like it or lump it.

We either live the way he says we should live by following the teachings of his Christ, or we forfeit the gift of life altogether. There are only two choices…..everlasting life or everlasting death……that’s it.….the Bible never held out a “heaven or hell” scenario to mankind. That idea was invented by Christendom.…and it makes no sense because it doesn’t come from God or his word.

Only knowledge dispels falsehood.

 

[St. SteVen]

There are only two choices…..everlasting life or everlasting death……that’s it.….the Bible never held out a “heaven or hell” scenario to mankind. That idea was invented by Christendom.…and it makes no sense because it doesn’t come from God or his word.

Does this mean that you believe in Anihilationism? (as opposed to a forever burning hell)

 

[Aunty Jane]

Does this mean that you believe in Anihilationism? (as opposed to a forever burning hell)

I believe that “hell” is an invention of satan to paint God In the worst possible light and to create a morbid fear of punishment so as to keep the masses, (who were deliberately kept in ignorance), doing as they are told.....too afraid to question or to disobey.

Since Adam was told that he would simply die and return to the dust, (Gen 3:19) humankind had no belief in ‘heaven or hell’ as an expected afterlife from the beginning. God had already created a vast family of spirit creatures in heaven, so why would he want humans to go there when they died? He never gave them a heaven or hell choice...it was either life or death. He has no need or desire to torture anyone. Death is enough.

I’m not sure that “Anihilationism” is the right word for what happens to the dead.
Jesus said it was like “sleeping”......(John 11:11-14)....being in an unconscious state, more like suspended animation.
At Eccl 9:5, 10, Solomon said that the dead in sheol (the common grave) are without consciousness....there is no ability to think or act in the grave. It is the place from which Jesus calls all the dead when he is ruling in his Father’s Kingdom. (John 5:28-29)

A return to life was promised by means of a resurrection which is entirely different to what Christendom teaches about immortal souls.....and most false religions also have these elements.
The words translated as “hell” in most Bibles is no such thing. The worst penalty is “Gehenna”....which is “the lake of fire”....it is called the “second death” because it is a death from which no resurrection is possible. Eternal death is the opposite of eternal life.

So having the big picture, and seeing what God had planned for the human race at the outset, we can see that a rebel spirit steered God’s purpose off course, causing him to take a detour in order to eventually bring us all back to paradise....not in heaven, but right here on earth where he designed us to live in the first place. (Rev 21:2-4)
Earth was never a training ground for heaven. The only ones who go to heaven are chosen by God for a specific role in his kingdom....that of kings and priests, (Rev 20:6) guiding redeemed mankind back into reconciliation with their Creator, restoring his first purpose for humans in the role of caretaker for all of God’s earthly creations.

What God starts....he finishes. (Isa 55:11)

 

[Rella ~ I am a woman]

So having the big picture, and seeing what God had planned for the human race at the outset, we can see that a rebel spirit steered God’s purpose off course, causing him to take a detour in order to eventually bring us all back to paradise....not in heaven, but right here on earth where he designed us to live in the first place. (Rev 21:2-4)
Earth was never a training ground for heaven. The only ones who go to heaven are chosen by God for a specific role in his kingdom....that of kings and priests, (Rev 20:6) guiding redeemed mankind back into reconciliation with their Creator, restoring his first purpose for humans in the role of caretaker for all of God’s earthly creations.

What God starts....he finishes. (Isa 55:11)

Rather then you making statements that you have NOT supported with scripture... give us a scripturally supported outline as you see them?

I believe that “hell” is an invention of satan to paint God In the worst possible light and to create a morbid fear of punishment so as to keep the masses, (who were deliberately kept in ignorance), doing as they are told.....too afraid to question or to disobey.

An invention of satan........................ sheesh.... Satan wrote parts of the Holy Bible ???

Indeed, hell is a most unpleasant topic, but since our Lord Jesus taught on hell, we should not remain silent on the matter. According to the Bible, hell is real (Mark 9:43), it is where sinners are punished (Matthew 5:22), it is a place of torment (Revelation 14:11), and it is eternal (Mark 9:48). Hell was originally created for Satan and his angels (Matthew 25:41).

If hell is real, then we will do well to fear it, and if hell is only a scare tactic, then might the same be said of warnings against tobacco use, drinking and driving, or income tax fraud? Jesus warned of the dangers of hell (Matthew 10:28). Would He have alerted us to the dangers of hell if the dangers were not real? Are those who deny hell’s existence wiser, smarter, and better informed than the Son of God? To deny the perils of hell is to cast doubt on the words of our Savior.

Got Questions has a beautifully condenced answer to you belief..... "I believe that “hell” is an invention of satan to paint God In the worst possible light and to create a morbid fear of punishment so as to keep the masses....


Hell is a place of misery and suffering; hell is where torment and anguish never cease (Revelation 14:11). Whether the flames are literal or symbolic of some even greater woe, we can be certain that all this world has to offer—money, fame, reputation, power, or sexual gratification—is hardly worth the forfeiture of our eternal souls (Mark 8:36–38).

God takes no pleasure in the death of the wicked (Ezekiel 8:32). He finds no satisfaction in those who choose hell over Him. On the contrary, God loved the world so much that He sent His Son to rescue and redeem us (John 3:16). Jesus’ death and resurrection are good news for lost sinners willing to believe that our sin debt has been paid in full. Those who receive God’s grace through faith will live forever with Him.

Jesus is the best God can give us. God has nothing greater to offer than His Son. Those who have placed their faith in Jesus Christ have no reason to fear death and the grave; on the contrary, the best is yet to come. Yet there are those whose hearts are hardened and are more interested in gaining what the world has to offer. What a tragedy this is, for Christ has overcome sin and death and hell on our behalf.

And I will leave with the comment.... if there is no hell of burning fire of punishment.... which would mean that Satan will never be confined or punished.... then it is your Savior that lied by example of the rich man and Lazurus... I say yours as mine would never lie about anything.... NOR WOULD HE MISLEAD

 

[Rella ~ I am a woman]

For me Interlinear translations as well as a good concordance have been a God-send.
By deepening my study to include those things, so many grey areas have become black and white. If we cannot clearly define what is truth, then the devil has a playground.

You are doing more then one Greek/English interlinear berceuse they often vary just like the KJV, NIV, etc?

And also more then one Hebrew interlinears.... for the same reason?

Be certain to include the Septuagin LXX and as much of the Peschitta that you can find.

The Peshitta is difficult to find... but other Aramaic interlinears that vary can be had....

And finally.... DO NOT fail to include... in your studies.... whatever you can read from the ancient historians.

Especially Josephus. He has such extensive writing on everything you might want to read a person living near that time to learn.
Josephus on Jesus... you can find in Wiki.....

I copied a couple of interesting paragraphs which you can see what I mean.

The extant manuscripts of the book Antiquities of the Jews, written by the first-century Jewish historian Flavius Josephus around AD 93–94, contain two references to Jesus of Nazareth and one reference to John the Baptist.[1]

Modern scholarship has largely acknowledged the authenticity of the second reference to Jesus in the Antiquities, found in Book 20, Chapter 9, which mentions "the brother of Jesus, who was called Christ, whose name was James."[7] This reference is considered to be more authentic than the Testimonium.[8][9][10]

The Wiki link is Josephus on Jesus - Wikipedia

 

[Rella ~ I am a woman]

As I progressed in my studies I could clearly see that most of those fenced in by Christendom’s teachings had no real idea of the big picture as it is portrayed in the Bible. From Genesis to Revelation…it is one story. If we miss the import of that story and the whole reason about why we were put here in the first place, then our focus is going to be on unimportant details that have people bickering and disagreeing about meaningless things compared with God’s first purpose in creating material creatures to live on a material earth “forever”.

How about your commentary on that one story.?

 

[St. SteVen]

I believe that “hell” is an invention of satan to paint God In the worst possible light and to create a morbid fear of punishment so as to keep the masses, (who were deliberately kept in ignorance), doing as they are told.....too afraid to question or to disobey.

... He has no need or desire to torture anyone. Death is enough.

I agree.

Thanks for your thoughtful and detailed response.