Friendly Bible Study - participants must agree to Nicene Creed.

[Carl Emerson]

Fine. But I don't think a discussion on whether Jesus is truly the Son of God needs to be necessarily a trinitarian focussed discussion. Unless one cannot perceive a Father/Son relationship without it. In that case, we definitely do need to discuss the trinity, because basing doctrine on creeds is surely dangerous. Are we allowed to discuss creeds and whether they are necessary and to be criteria for judging one's faith?

Hey - I don't deny that such matters deserve discussion and you are welcome to start a thread accordingly.

Our focus is different - here folks are invited to contribute to a friendly discussion around the text we are reading without the heavy weight of contention so common on other threads.

It seems when one puts up a fence to keep heavy argument out - there is Offence.

Personally I love the scripture and share it's delights with others. It was never meant to be fodder for fights.

 

[Brakelite]

Hey - I don't deny that such matters deserve discussion and you are welcome to start a thread accordingly.

Our focus is different - here folks are invited to contribute to a friendly discussion around the text we are reading without the heavy weight of contention so common on other threads.

It seems when one puts up a fence to keep heavy argument out - there is Offence.

Personally I love the scripture and share it's delights with others. It was never meant to be fodder for fights.

Of course. No problem

 

[Carl Emerson]

Of course. No problem

Feel free to alert me if you raise the issue elsewhere...

 

[Carl Emerson]

@Brakelite @amadeus @Azim @Pearl @Rita @Ritajanice @APAK @MA2444 @faithfulness @GTW27 @Berean @rockytopva @quietthinker @ScottA @Hidden In Him @grace @Oneoff @Hillsage @VictoryinJesus @Angelina @seatts79 @GodsGrace

OK Acts 9...

Amazing that we have a detailed account of Pauls conversion.

It seems like Paul is the 'John the Baptist' of the New Covenant. No one seems to match him.

I love the way Jesus speaks to Ananias - a faithful servant with an ear on the Lord. Otherwise unknown.

Reminds me of Elijah and the otherwise unknown 1500 faithful that God has kept for Himself.

In this age of uncertainty may we be among the faithful unknown at the ready for His command.

Sad that Barnabas who supported Paul so fully in the initial stages later had a falling out with him - but Pauls calling was so unique it would be hard to comprehend and easy to misjudge.

Then there is Peter raising the dead - I expect this will become more common in this late hour.

We had a Pastor in the North of New Zealand who visited our church. He was presented wth a dead child by an angry mother in the middle of a service. He was shocked, and didn't have a clue what to do and felt way out of His depth. But he mustered a simple prayer praying for the child with the church and the child revived in his arms.

Comments on Acts 9 most welcome.

 

[Brakelite]

Verses 1-9. Paul fasted for 3 days, not for enlightenment, but from the shock and horror at what he had done due to his ignorance. That's a lesson for us. We can be so confident in our own conceit and ego, ridicule others because they think different, even persecute them, and be utterly wrong. We will swear black and blue that the Lord is on our side, that we are doing His will, we have the Truth, and everyone else is deceived, because we know Jesus and take our stance from the Bible. And we could be very well fulfilling prophecy.
“2 They shall put you out of the synagogues: yea, the time cometh, that whosoever killeth you will think that he doeth God service. 3 And these things will they do unto you, because they have not known the Father, nor me. ”
John 16:2-3 KJV
Unfeigned Bible
How do we really know we are on the right side, that we are not deceived, and willing to kill others if we believe we are defending truth and country? After all, everyone claims they are following scripture right? And everyone comes to the party with different ideas and opinions.
Elijah brought fire down from heaven that devoured the sacrifice. In Revelation we see the false prophet doing the same. What makes you so confident that you won't trust your senses, and stand on the side of the false prophet? How will you recognise him when he's working all the same miracles that Jesus did? Saying similar things? Using the same expressions? Bringing fire down from heaven as evidence of his divine message?

 

[amadeus]

Joh 14:12

Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father.

Ac 9:15

But the Lord said unto him, Go thy way: for he is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel:

Ac 19:15

And the evil spirit answered and said, Jesus I know, and Paul I know; but who are ye?

Indeed, who are we? Are we doing or will we be doing those "greater works"? If not, why not?

 

[Carl Emerson]

Verses 1-9. Paul fasted for 3 days, not for enlightenment, but from the shock and horror at what he had done due to his ignorance. That's a lesson for us. We can be so confident in our own conceit and ego, ridicule others because they think different, even persecute them, and be utterly wrong. We will swear black and blue that the Lord is on our side, that we are doing His will, we have the Truth, and everyone else is deceived, because we know Jesus and take our stance from the Bible. And we could be very well fulfilling prophecy.
“2 They shall put you out of the synagogues: yea, the time cometh, that whosoever killeth you will think that he doeth God service. 3 And these things will they do unto you, because they have not known the Father, nor me. ”
John 16:2-3 KJV
Unfeigned Bible
How do we really know we are on the right side, that we are not deceived, and willing to kill others if we believe we are defending truth and country? After all, everyone claims they are following scripture right? And everyone comes to the party with different ideas and opinions.
Elijah brought fire down from heaven that devoured the sacrifice. In Revelation we see the false prophet doing the same. What makes you so confident that you won't trust your senses, and stand on the side of the false prophet? How will you recognise him when he's working all the same miracles that Jesus did? Saying similar things? Using the same expressions? Bringing fire down from heaven as evidence of his divine message?

Good questions...

I don't believe that our individual senses of truth are infallible. This is why we are in a body.

But fellowship that operates in Love is a rare experience and we need to be led to the right place where we can fit and be accountable.

Then the corporate discernment kicks in and we are protected from deception.

 

[Carl Emerson]

Joh 14:12

Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father.

Ac 9:15

But the Lord said unto him, Go thy way: for he is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel:

Ac 19:15

And the evil spirit answered and said, Jesus I know, and Paul I know; but who are ye?

Indeed, who are we? Are we doing or will we be doing those "greater works"? If not, why not?

Do you think the 'you' in the greater works is singular or plural?

 

[amadeus]

Do you think the 'you' in the greater works is singular or plural?

Plural! It certainly would have included Paul, but not only Paul. Both my German and Spanish Bibles also show plural forms. Then again, are we not to be like Him...?

 

[Carl Emerson]

Plural! It certainly would have included Paul, but not only Paul. Both my German and Spanish Bibles also show plural forms. Then again, are we not to be like Him...?

Yes for sure - in Character individuals are to be like Him and collectively signs of His Kingdom should be among us.

 

[Brakelite]

Good questions...

I don't believe that our individual senses of truth are infallible. This is why we are in a body.

But fellowship that operates in Love is a rare experience and we need to be led to the right place where we can fit and be accountable.

Then the corporate discernment kicks in and we are protected from deception.

Babylon the Great is a global counterfeit Christian movement. God Himself said that He had people in there, and calls them to come out. That global corporate discernment you speak about followed the false prophet, the beast, and thy dragon all the way into destruction.

 

[Carl Emerson]

That global corporate discernment you speak about

Who said that...

Quote me please...

 

[Brakelite]

Who said that...

Quote me please...

Then the corporate discernment kicks in and we are protected from deception.

 

[Carl Emerson]

Corporate meaning joint - when two or three are in unity He is there.

You added the word global and gave my post an entirely different meaning.

I guess God gets that all the time - folks adding to His Word...

 

[Brakelite]

Corporate meaning joint - when two or three are in unity He is there.

You added the word global and gave my post an entirely different meaning.

I guess God gets that all the time - folks adding to His Word...

Aaah, okay, a little harsh perhaps, nevertheless I do agree with your first premise, that good accountability and a sound relationship with others in prayer and bible study goes a long way, and yep. Christ's promise that He is there where we are is indeed true.
What I was doing was talking that idea to its inevitable conclusion in the context of the times we are living in. Babylon is forming now, into its final and ultimate masterly delusion, and I would suggest that the world is already well on its way to accepting whatever she has to offer. A little more conditioning, a little more convincing... like several major disasters, and most people today will welcome whatever relief/ solution she has to offer.
Question. How do you know those 2 or 3 that you gather with aren't already deceived?

 

[Carl Emerson]

Aaah, okay, a little harsh perhaps, nevertheless I do agree with your first premise, that good accountability and a sound relationship with others in prayer and bible study goes a long way, and yep. Christ's promise that He is there where we are is indeed true.
What I was doing was talking that idea to its inevitable conclusion in the context of the times we are living in. Babylon is forming now, into its final and ultimate masterly delusion, and I would suggest that the world is already well on its way to accepting whatever she has to offer. A little more conditioning, a little more convincing... like several major disasters, and most people today will welcome whatever relief/ solution she has to offer.
Question. How do you know those 2 or 3 that you gather with aren't already deceived?

Well for me, I have saints who I have fellowshipped with over 40 years who have a proven track record of insight and Spiritual fruit. But more importantly the promise that He will be in the midst of the two or three stands firm.

I am well aware of the fact that deception blinds one to itself and without His mercy we are potentially captive to it, but He said "even the very elect would be deceived if it were possible...

It won't be possible.

 

[Carl Emerson]

@Brakelite @amadeus @Azim @Pearl @Rita @Ritajanice @APAK @MA2444 @faithfulness @GTW27 @Berean @rockytopva @quietthinker @ScottA @Hidden In Him @grace @Oneoff @Hillsage @VictoryinJesus @Angelina @seatts79 @GodsGrace

OK folks,


Have a read of Acts 10 and gather your thoughts for discussion in a couple or three days...

 

[Brakelite]

Well for me, I have saints who I have fellowshipped with over 40 years who have a proven track record of insight and Spiritual fruit. But more importantly the promise that He will be in the midst of the two or three stands firm.

I am well aware of the fact that deception blinds one to itself and without His mercy we are potentially captive to it, but He said "even the very elect woulfaithfuld be deceived if it were possible...

It won't be possible.

I'm thinking that those who are thinking they are doing God service and persecuting the saints, also think they are a part of the Elect and immune to deception. No personal offence intended.

 

[Carl Emerson]

I'm thinking that those who are thinking they are doing God service and persecuting the saints, also think they are a part of the Elect and immune to deception. No personal offence intended.

Not fully sure what you mean but if you are referring to the Church leaders who perused and hideously killed believers because they had a different theology - I agree with you and repentance has not been forthcoming to this day in some cases.

 

[Brakelite]

Not fully sure what you mean but if you are referring to the Church leaders who perused and hideously killed believers because they had a different theology - I agree with you and repentance has not been forthcoming to this day in some cases.

Exactly. So in the context of today's spiritual milieu, and much of the Christian world now forming into a similar counterfeit church in the form of a politically engineered union of church and state, there are several deeply important prophetic implications tied in with current developments. Trusting in one's experience, friends, church, traditions, etc I don't think are going to cut it when choosing a side to sit on in the coming crisis. We will all need to read very carefully and not trust our senses when it comes to discerning truth and error. As I said previously, Elijah proved the validity of his message on Mt Carmel by calling fire down from heaven. That trick in the future will be in the hands of the false prophet. I suggest that won't be the only trick in his arsenal to coerce or convince the world, including the church world, into accepting, even welcoming, the mark of the beast. How many people in your church can name the beast, or explain its mark?