IS THE REFORMED FAITH BIBLICAL?

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Ritajanice

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Do you agree that "receiving Jesus" is biblical?

(Hey, I quoted chapter and verse. And this particular word in this particular verse is the reason why my user name is what it is.)
I posted that inviting Jesus into one’s life isn’t biblical.."there is no scripture to support this words.

Tell me how one receives Jesus, by what means?

If one speaks out the words of the Bible by receiving Jesus, does that mean to you that one is Born Again @Lambano ?
 

Lambano

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You never answered if you understood my questions.

What I meant in my posts...well, you aren’t understanding them are you?

Meant to draw out what I mean..which means what?
I may or I may not THINK I understand them. I ask questions to make I DO understand where you're coming from. Not just the questions but the unstated context behind the questions. This is a standard practice that I recommend. Otherwise you just end up arguing against what you THINK your opponent believes and not what they REALLY believe.
 
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Johann

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I may be in good company. That's what they said about Jesus.

I'm still waiting for a response from you about this question:

Who determines WHAT is "the broader context"? (the whole Bible view)

See my post #295


Diminished, or realistic?
The questions are more important to me than the answers.
Again, in good company.

Luke 10:26 NIV
“What is written in the Law?” he replied. “How do you read it?”

[
I see that you're not interested in answers, just throwing out [ekpeiradzo] שאלות (questions for the sake of testing)-much like the Perushim & Tzedukim did to Messiah.

Your thread has become divisive, and at this point, I no longer take your contributions seriously.

J.
 
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Ritajanice

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I may or I may not THINK I understand them. I ask questions to make I DO understand where you're coming from. Not just the questions but the unstated context behind the questions. This is a standard practice that I recommend. Otherwise you just end up arguing against what you THINK your opponent believes and not what they REALLY believe.
Ok, I don’t work that way....I wait on the Lord to guide me as of what to say....that is my belief.

What I speak out comes from the Spirit, not saying myself doesn’t speak at times as well.

Children of God are led by His Spirit..
 

Lambano

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Tell me how one receives Jesus, by what means?
The word means in the context of human relationships, "to receive a person, give him access to one's self" and "to associate with one's self as companion, attendant"

How did that apply when John wrote his Gospel?

How does it apply now?
 

Lambano

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Ok, I don’t work that way....I wait on the Lord to guide me as of what to say....that is my belief.

What I speak out comes from the Spirit, not saying myself doesn’t speak at times as well.

Children of God are led by His Spirit..
Again, I have no access to your innermost being, so I have no way of confirming that. So I ask questions.
 

Ritajanice

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The word means in the context of human relationships, "to receive a person, give him access to one's self" and "to associate with one's self as companion, attendant"

How did that apply when John wrote his Gospel?

How does it apply now?
I believe I am being led to call it a day with our discussion.

God Bless as you journey with the Lord.
 

Ritajanice

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Again, I have no access to your innermost being, so I have no way of confirming that. So I ask questions.
I will leave you with this.God Bless.

Matthew 10:18–20Here, Jesus says that when you are brought before VIPs, governors and kings for His sake, do not worry about how or what you should speak because God will give you the words to speak, “for it is not you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father who speaks in you”

Romans 8​

King James Version​

8 There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.
2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.
3 For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh:
4 That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.
5 For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit.
6 For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.
7 Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be.

8 So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God.
9 But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.
10 And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness.
11 But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you.
12 Therefore, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live after the flesh.
13 For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live.
S
18 For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.
19 For the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God.
20 For the creature was made subject to vanity, not willingly, but by reason of him who hath subjected the same in hope,
21 Because the creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God.
22 For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now.
23 And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body.
24 For we are saved by hope: but hope that is seen is not hope: for what a man seeth, why doth he yet hope for?
25 But if we hope for that we see not, then do we with patience wait for it.
26 Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.
27 And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God.
28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.
29 For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.
30 Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified.
31 What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?
32 He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?
33 Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God's elect? It is God that justifieth.
34 Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us.
35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?
36 As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.
37 Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.
38 For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come,
39 Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
 

GodsGrace

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Thank you for sparing me from any more of your false Arminian doctrine. And I hope you find a way to escape that terrible Arminian camp, which has you blinded to the truth of the gospel.

I don't see any scriptures to support your opinion, so yeah.....

I know you can't defend your position, so the only thing left to do is run along :jest: :doldrums:
I've decided to find out who this Arminius fellow is.
I'd think that Calvinists would pick a better example for which to criticize the rest of Christianity...
Seems to me Arminius should not be the choice:
Here are some highlights to his illustrious career.
He was a calvinist but left that theology after careful study of it....



Arminius remained a student at Leiden from 1576 to 1582. Although he enrolled as a student in Liberal Arts, this allowed him to pursue an education in theology, as well. His teachers in theology included Calvinist Lambertus Danaeus, Hebrew scholar Johannes Drusius, Guillaume Feuguereius (or Feugueires, d. 1613), and Johann Kolmann. Kolmann is now known for teaching that the overemphasis of God's sovereignty in high Calvinism made God "a tyrant and an executioner".[3] Although the university in Leiden was solidly Reformed, it had influences from Lutheran, Zwinglian, and Anabaptist views in addition to Calvinism. One Leiden pastor (Caspar Coolhaes) held, contra Calvin, that civil authorities did have jurisdiction in some church affairs, that it was wrong to punish and execute heretics, and that Lutherans, Calvinists, and Anabaptists could unite around core tenets.[3] The astronomer and mathematician Willebrord Snellius used Ramist philosophy in an effort to encourage his students to pursue truth without over reliance on Aristotle.[3] Under the influence of these men, Arminius studied with success and may have had seeds planted that would begin to develop into a theology that would later question the dominant Reformed theology of John Calvin.

"To pious readers, greeting: 'Inasmuch as a faithful testimonial of learning and piety ought not to be refused to any learned and pious man, so neither to James Arminius, a native of Amsterdam [sic], for his deportment while he attended the University of Basel was marked by piety, moderation, and assiduity in study ; and very often, in the course of our theological discussions, he made his gift of a discerning spirit so manifest to all of us, as to elicit from us well-merited congratulations. More recently, too, in certain extraordinary prelections delivered with the consent, and by the order, of the Theological Faculty, in which he publicly expounded a few chapters of the Epistle to the Romans, he gave us the best ground to hope that he was destined erelong — if, indeed, he goes on to stir up the gift of God that is in him — to undertake and sustain the function of teaching, to which he may be lawfully set apart, with much fruit to the Church. I commend him, accordingly, to all good men, and, in particular, to the Church of God in the famous city of Amsterdam ; and I respectfully entreat that regard may be had to that learned and pious youth, so that he may never be under the necessity of intermitting theological studies which have been thus far so happily prosecuted. Farewell ! 'John James Grynaeus, Professor of Sacred Literature, and Dean of the Theological Faculty. — Written with mine own hand. Basle, 3rd September, 1583."

One of Arminius' first tasks was given to him by Ecclesiastical Court of Amsterdam; namely, to refute the teachings of Dirck Volckertszoon Coornhert, who rejected Beza's supralapsarian doctrine of God's absolute and unconditional decree to create men so as to save some and damn others, based on nothing in themselves. The discussion had already begun with two ministers at Delft who had written "An Answer to certain Arguments of Beza and Calvin, from a Treatise on Predestination as taught in the Ninth Chapter of Romans" a document which contradicted both Beza and Coornhert. They proposed that although God's decree to save only some was indeed absolute and unconditional, it had occurred after the fall (proposing infralapsarianism rather than Beza's supralapsarianism). Arminius was tasked with refuting both Coornhert and infralapsarianism theology. He readily agreed to the task, but after greater study found himself in conflict over the matter. He determined to spend greater time in study before continuing his refutation.

In attempting to defend Calvinistic predestination against the teachings of Dirck Volckertszoon Coornhert, Arminius began to doubt aspects of Calvinism and modified some parts of his own view.[25] He attempted to reform Calvinism, and lent his name to a movement—Arminianism—which resisted some of the Calvinist tenets (unconditional election, the nature of the limitation of the atonement, and irresistible grace). The early Dutch followers of his teaching became known as Remonstrants after they issued a document containing five points of disagreement with mainstream Calvinism, entitled Remonstrantiæ (1610).[citation needed]

Arminius wrote that he sought to teach only those things which could be proved from the Scriptures and that tended toward edification among Christians (with the exception of Roman Catholics, with whom he said there could be no spiritual accord).[26] His motto was reputed to be "Bona conscientia paradisus", meaning, "A good conscience is a paradise."[27]


Arminius taught of a "preventing" (or prevenient) grace that has been conferred upon all by the Holy Spirit and this grace is "sufficient for belief, in spite of our sinful corruption, and thus for salvation."[28] Arminius stated that "the grace sufficient for salvation is conferred on the Elect, and on the Non-elect; that, if they will, they may believe or not believe, may be saved or not be saved."[29] William Witt states that "Arminius has a very high theology of grace. He insists emphatically that grace is gratuitous because it is obtained through God's redemption in Christ, not through human effort."[30]
 

GodsGrace

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Where did you correct me?

Where did I say we were saved by faith?....I asked what saved means, as to me if it’s not in its right context it makes no sense....Born Again ...as the minute we are Born Again ( our spirit) we are then immediately saved from eternal damnation/ Gods wrath.

Of course that is one of the reasons why we are Born Again so that we are saved from eternal damnation/ Gods wrath.....that is one reason why we are Born Again....if we aren’t Born Again and saved from eternal damnation.....then we would still be alienated from the Spirit of God? there are other reasons.

That’s interesting, to Glorify Him in what way?

Does the self Glorify God.....or does only the Spirit Glorify God?

How would we know how to Glorify God....just by reading the written word?

What are the differences between the two?

Sorry my friend, how can you die and receive a new spirit?....when you are dead?...

You are being transformed you say into the image of his Son?

When we “ all” get personal, which some seem to do do more than others, ...what’s that all about?

When we throw stones and rocks at a Brother or Sister?

Would you say that is glorifying the Lord?

Should we be concerned after walking many years with the Lord that, if our behaviour doesn’t change, do you think that we should check to see if we are in the faith?

Gosh, is “ stinking corpse “ biblical?



Wow!...they teach that corpses come to life, isn’t a corpse a dead corpse, what’s your understanding of a corpse?

Born Again comes by divine revelation, just as Gods word says.....you can’t see the Holy Spirit birthing our spirit into His.....it most certainly is a mystery how he does it.....

Well, I don’t think anyone is disputing that only God can make our spirit Born Again, I think everyone is clear on that.

Are you an elect of God ,if you are how do you know so?

And who are the ones that aren’t elect?..can you post scripture please to support this...thank you.

I’ve just come to understand Brother, that the elect are the chosen ones I believe by God, I do agree with that as it’s biblical.


What about those who believe they chose God and invited him into their heart....inviting God into one’s heart isn’t biblical is it?...not sure just trying to understand how one chooses God?

I mean my conversion was completely by the will of God.

I would like to know or try to understand how some chose God, what does that mean even?

Shall I start another topic on this question?

As I’m off topic I believe..sorry @GodsGrace ...if Christian Soldier is in agreement I will start another topic.

What do you think?


Look at this.

What does water symbolize in Jesus?
Among the meanings of water in the New Testament, water is a sign of renewal, and of new beginningsas told through the baptism of Jesus in the gospels. God's eternal sustenance, as found in Revelation 22:17: “Let anyone who wishes take the water of life as a gift.”

What does let anyone who wishes take the water of life as a gift?

Isn’t the water of life, Jesus?
You don't need to start a different thread.
You're on a journey in understanding the Christian faith.
This is a good journey and if you listen to what Jesus taught, you will arrive at the correct conclusions.
Your heart and love for Jesus and His love for you will always tell you the truth.

I came to these forums about 40 years after knowing Jesus, in much the same way as you came to know Him...
by calling out to Him and He's been with me all this time.

I'd say that a forum is not the best place to learn theological matters, but here you are, so trust in God and ask many
questions to those that would teach you.
 
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Ritajanice

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You don't need to start a different thread.
You're on a journey in understanding the Christian faith.
This is a good journey and if you listen to what Jesus taught, you will arrive at the correct conclusions.
Your heart and love for Jesus and His love for you will always tell you the truth.

I came to these forums about 40 years after knowing Jesus, in much the same way as you came to know Him...
by calling out to Him and He's been with me all this time.
He will never leave you....Praise God as I know you do, always!!...your heart is for the Lord I know that.
I'd say that a forum is not the best place to learn theological matters, but here you are, so trust in God and ask many
questions to those that would teach you.
Thank you Sis, Lovely post, it really spoke to my heart, like the Lord was gently speaking to me through you, I needed to hear that...God Bless You as you journey with the Lord.
 
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J

Johann

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Don't blame that on me. Takes two to tango.

The question remains unanswered.
Who determines WHAT is "the broader context"? (the whole Bible view)

[
Way over your head-you’ve become so accustomed to ἐκπειράζω (ekpeirazó), constantly testing and probing, that you've fallen into your own snare. It's clear you're not genuinely interested in answers.

Scripture warns against this mindset of endless questioning. Paul writes in 1 Timothy 1:4 not to give attention to myths and endless genealogies, which only produce questions rather than godly edification. Similarly, in 2 Timothy 2:23, Paul advises to avoid foolish and ignorant disputes, knowing they generate strife. The pursuit of questions for the sake of argument or testing others does not lead to truth, but rather division.

I suggest you return to the Word and approach it with sincerity.

Read your Bible, mate.

Honestly, I think @Lambano should be questioning YOU and your motives more seriously.

J.
 

GodsGrace

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Where did you correct me?

Where did I say we were saved by faith?....I asked what saved means, as to me if it’s not in its right context it makes no sense....Born Again ...as the minute we are Born Again ( our spirit) we are then immediately saved from eternal damnation/ Gods wrath.

Of course that is one of the reasons why we are Born Again so that we are saved from eternal damnation/ Gods wrath.....that is one reason why we are Born Again....if we aren’t Born Again and saved from eternal damnation.....then we would still be alienated from the Spirit of God? there are other reasons.

That’s interesting, to Glorify Him in what way?

Does the self Glorify God.....or does only the Spirit Glorify God?

How would we know how to Glorify God....just by reading the written word?

What are the differences between the two?

Sorry my friend, how can you die and receive a new spirit?....when you are dead?...

You are being transformed you say into the image of his Son?

When we “ all” get personal, which some seem to do do more than others, ...what’s that all about?

When we throw stones and rocks at a Brother or Sister?

Would you say that is glorifying the Lord?

Should we be concerned after walking many years with the Lord that, if our behaviour doesn’t change, do you think that we should check to see if we are in the faith?

Gosh, is “ stinking corpse “ biblical?



Wow!...they teach that corpses come to life, isn’t a corpse a dead corpse, what’s your understanding of a corpse?

Born Again comes by divine revelation, just as Gods word says.....you can’t see the Holy Spirit birthing our spirit into His.....it most certainly is a mystery how he does it.....

Well, I don’t think anyone is disputing that only God can make our spirit Born Again, I think everyone is clear on that.

Are you an elect of God ,if you are how do you know so?

And who are the ones that aren’t elect?..can you post scripture please to support this...thank you.

I’ve just come to understand Brother, that the elect are the chosen ones I believe by God, I do agree with that as it’s biblical.


What about those who believe they chose God and invited him into their heart....inviting God into one’s heart isn’t biblical is it?...not sure just trying to understand how one chooses God?

I mean my conversion was completely by the will of God.

I would like to know or try to understand how some chose God, what does that mean even?

Shall I start another topic on this question?

As I’m off topic I believe..sorry @GodsGrace ...if Christian Soldier is in agreement I will start another topic.

What do you think?


Look at this.

What does water symbolize in Jesus?
Among the meanings of water in the New Testament, water is a sign of renewal, and of new beginningsas told through the baptism of Jesus in the gospels. God's eternal sustenance, as found in Revelation 22:17: “Let anyone who wishes take the water of life as a gift.”

What does let anyone who wishes take the water of life as a gift?

Isn’t the water of life, Jesus?
Forgot to answer a question of yours that may be directed toward me:

Yes. Jesus is the water of life.
Water is a sign of washing, of renewal, and of change.


The Isrealites crossed the water to go into their new land/home.

Noah was saved by water because He obeyed God.

Jesus said that streams of living water would flow from those that believe in Him. John 7:37
This happens when we accept the Holy Spirit into our lives...our spiritual rebirth.

And, of course, water is used for baptism...
The washing and regeneration of the person....
The entering into a new life in Christ Jesus.

We need water to survive...
Jesus is our living water.

As Revelation 22:17 states (your verse)
Let THE ONE WHO WISHES take the water of life without cost.

Anyone who wishes
can take of the water of life.
 
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St. SteVen

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St. SteVen said:
Don't blame that on me. Takes two to tango.

The question remains unanswered.
Who determines WHAT is "the broader context"? (the whole Bible view)
I suggest you return to the Word and approach it with sincerity.
Based on who's "whole Bible view"?

Do you honestly think I could go through the same motions and arrive at a different conclusion?

You have your "whole Bible view" and I have mine. (which lacks no sincerity) IMHO
Nothing flippant about my statements. I have given this tons of thought. (200+ topics worth)

Why is YOUR whole Bible view superior to mine?

[
 

MatthewG

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I don't think you need to do anything.

Except love God and love others.

No point in wanting to have sex with the neighbors wife and hope the husband car breaks down before he finds you in the bed with her.

Thats not showing love or devotion towards God, nor love to your neighbor...



Loving God and loving others, is a fact of your faith being in tact... even if you have doubts or you might screw up -> you probably less prone to make those mistakes again...

It has taken me 16 1/2 years to get where I am now, and only 6 of those are filled with faith.
 

MatthewG

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I don't think you need to do anything.

Except love God and love others.

No point in wanting to have sex with the neighbors wife and hope the husband car breaks down before he finds you in the bed with her.

Thats not showing love or devotion towards God, nor love to your neighbor...



Loving God and loving others, is a fact of your faith being in tact... even if you have doubts or you might screw up -> you probably less prone to make those mistakes again...

It has taken me 16 1/2 years to get where I am now, and only 6 of those are filled with faith.



not many people like to think about death,

Let alone realize and recognize their own selfish desires. Or Greed, or whatever...

I'm a selfish man, some say well that's negative to say about yourself.

But what does it matter what you think of me? If you can't love me anyway regardless without even knowing what me and God know... He will work on my heart.



It's not your job to do so.
 
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GodsGrace

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Ok.

How do we know we have Jesus, that was all, just a simple question?

How would I know I have Jesus, just by reading the Bible?

Where else would I have Jesus?...In me that is?

Yes please. thank you.

What does inviting him into your life mean?

Is inviting him into our life biblical?

Sorry, if you feel I’m being a pain, I love to read word for word...I can’t find “ inviting Jesus into my life in scripture “.

Acts 2:38
And Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.


If you repent and are baptized, you will receive the Holy Spirit...this is the same as inviting Jesus into your life.

My favorite verse for this is
Revelation 3:20
Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me.


If you open the door when Jesus knocks, you are inviting Him into your life.

John 1:12
But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God,

If you believe in Jesus, you are inviting/receiving Him into your life and you become a child of God.