And yet miracles were happening at the time that was written.....? Faith cometh by hearing......but the heart may need to be prepared to receive it. Jesus said signs would follow the preaching of the gospel. Jesus Himself preached the word with signs and miracles.....so faith comes by hearing doesn't exclude signs and miracles. Makes sense that if people are coming to Christ and being forgiven of sins that He might sometimes choose to deliver and heal things that had come upon them through their sins. Anyway this is going off topic brother. Shhhhh.
The 4 Eternal Destinies of Humankind
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Amen. Think Epi is doing to much splicing and dicing and needs to go back to the drawing board on this.
I was referring to Epi's belief that outer darkness forever is just one of four destinies and that one being for believers who don't make the grade.
Nevertheless.....the wages of sin is death and the broad way leads to destruction. And we are to fear Him who can destroy both body and soul in hell. And that fallen man is like the beasts that perish, ie, their lives are temporal as opposed to eternal. So that is what I am taking into account with this. I'm not married to the idea and am not going to argue about it though.
I need to have my last say here
Faith And Hearing
by Pastor Cornelius R. Stam
“Faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God” (Rom. 10:17).
This important passage of Scripture is, sad to say, little understood. Many people think of faith in the abstract, as though it had some mysterious power in itself. They speak of faith, but what do they mean? Faith in what? or in whom? Surely it is not possible just to have faith, without something or someone to have faith in.
Faith is not wishing hard, or feeling confident. It is not optimism or presumption or imagination. Faith must have a basis, a foundation. Thus the Christian’s faith is founded on “the Word of God” — on what God has said in the Bible.
The above passage explains: “Faith cometh by hearing.” Isn’t that simple? Isn’t it true? Some have said that “seeing is believing,” but a moment’s reflection will reveal that, like the phrase: “I’m from Missouri,” this saying is an expression of unbelief. When we have seen a thing we need no longer believe it; it has been demonstrated to us. But when we hear [or read] a matter reported, we may either believe or doubt it. “Faith cometh by hearing.” And likewise hearing comes through what has been said. We believe, or doubt, what we hear and we hear what has been said. The Christian’s faith, then, comes by hearing (God) and hearing by the Word of God. All true Christian faith is founded on the Word of God.
Actually the word “hearing,” in Rom. 10:17, however, has the idea of heeding — paying attention, listening eagerly. This is why Gal. 3:5 speaks of “the hearing of faith.” And thus Eph. 1:13, referring to Christ, says: “In whom ye also trusted, having heard the Word of truth, the gospel of your salvation.” Thus, too, we read in John 5:24 the words of the Lord Jesus:
“HE THAT HEARETH MY WORD, AND BELIEVETH ON HIM THAT SENT ME, HATH EVERLASTING LIFE, AND SHALL NOT COME INTO CONDEMNATION, BUT IS PASSED FROM DEATH UNTO LIFE.”
Faith And Hearing
"Faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God" (Rom. 10:17). This important passage of Scripture is, sad to say, little understood. Many people think of faith in the abstract, as though it had some mysterious power in itself. They speak of faith, but what do they mean? Faith in what? or
bereanbiblesociety.org
Eternally Grateful
Well-Known Member
I have witnessed this, Seen people pray for a brother or sister and we find out even the doctor said he is not sure why, but the issue is gone, its a miracle.. God gets the glory, amen!
Justin
“Lord, Increase our faith.” – Luke 17:5
Many people can sympathize with the request of the disciples in Luke 17:5.
They desire a bigger faith, a better faith, a stronger faith, but they don’t know where it comes from, or how it grows. If faith is what pleases God, they want more (Heb 11:6).
They try to exercise their faith to make it stronger, but how can you exercise something that is not a work (Rom 4:5)?
No matter how much they will it, they have no way of knowing or measuring exactly how much faith they have.
Since we walk by faith and not by sight, some will close their eyes and walk through life like blind men trusting God, waiting on faith to fall on them like rain.
How does faith grow strong? From where does faith come?
Jesus said the disciples only needed faith as a mustard seed (Luke 17:6). That doesn’t seem like a lot.
Faith Comes from the Bible
The truth is that Biblical faith comes from one place, hearing God’s word.
“So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” – Rom 10:17
Faith is the result of hearing God’s word, understanding it, and believing it.
The people in the Bible who are said to have “little faith” do not know or believe in the words of God.
Jesus told Peter to walk on the water, but Peter doubted (Mat 14:31).
The Bible Must be Rightly Divided
However, the words of God in our Bible contain many different instructions and for many people it is hard to understand.
As a result their faith remains weak and stagnant.
In order for faith to grow strong we must know which words of God to apply to us.
Jesus said to his disciples that they would have little faith if they worked for new clothes.
“Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which to day is, and to morrow is cast into the oven, shall he not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith?” – Mat 6:30
The truth is, if we don’t work for new clothes today, our old ones will fade away and we will be left naked waiting for God to clothe us.
That is because God has changed his operation. He has dispensed new instructions starting with the Apostle Paul.
“…if any would not work, neither should he eat […or wear new clothes].” – 2 Thess 3:10
When we are able to rightly divide the Bible we can discern which words of God are for our participation. At that point our faith understanding in God’s words changes from a general “whatever you say, Lord” faith, to a “Oh, that’s what you said” faith.
Our faith grows stronger when we rightly divide the word of God.
Strong Faith
Faith is a product of hearing and understanding God’s word (Rom 10:17).
Strong faith results from hearing or reading God’s words rightly divided. The reason it is strong is not because of ourselves, but because of our increased understanding of the power of God and what he is doing today.
There is no faith muscle that you can exercise except the one that turns the pages of God’s word comparing scripture with scripture.
As you study to show yourself an unashamed workmen unto God your faith in God’s words will grow strong.
“Lord, Increase our faith.” – Luke 17:5
Many people can sympathize with the request of the disciples in Luke 17:5.
They desire a bigger faith, a better faith, a stronger faith, but they don’t know where it comes from, or how it grows. If faith is what pleases God, they want more (Heb 11:6).
They try to exercise their faith to make it stronger, but how can you exercise something that is not a work (Rom 4:5)?
No matter how much they will it, they have no way of knowing or measuring exactly how much faith they have.
Since we walk by faith and not by sight, some will close their eyes and walk through life like blind men trusting God, waiting on faith to fall on them like rain.
How does faith grow strong? From where does faith come?
Jesus said the disciples only needed faith as a mustard seed (Luke 17:6). That doesn’t seem like a lot.
Faith Comes from the Bible
The truth is that Biblical faith comes from one place, hearing God’s word.
“So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” – Rom 10:17
Faith is the result of hearing God’s word, understanding it, and believing it.
The people in the Bible who are said to have “little faith” do not know or believe in the words of God.
Jesus told Peter to walk on the water, but Peter doubted (Mat 14:31).
The Bible Must be Rightly Divided
However, the words of God in our Bible contain many different instructions and for many people it is hard to understand.
As a result their faith remains weak and stagnant.
In order for faith to grow strong we must know which words of God to apply to us.
Jesus said to his disciples that they would have little faith if they worked for new clothes.
“Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which to day is, and to morrow is cast into the oven, shall he not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith?” – Mat 6:30
The truth is, if we don’t work for new clothes today, our old ones will fade away and we will be left naked waiting for God to clothe us.
That is because God has changed his operation. He has dispensed new instructions starting with the Apostle Paul.
“…if any would not work, neither should he eat […or wear new clothes].” – 2 Thess 3:10
When we are able to rightly divide the Bible we can discern which words of God are for our participation. At that point our faith understanding in God’s words changes from a general “whatever you say, Lord” faith, to a “Oh, that’s what you said” faith.
Our faith grows stronger when we rightly divide the word of God.
Strong Faith
Faith is a product of hearing and understanding God’s word (Rom 10:17).
Strong faith results from hearing or reading God’s words rightly divided. The reason it is strong is not because of ourselves, but because of our increased understanding of the power of God and what he is doing today.
There is no faith muscle that you can exercise except the one that turns the pages of God’s word comparing scripture with scripture.
As you study to show yourself an unashamed workmen unto God your faith in God’s words will grow strong.
Eternally Grateful
Well-Known Member
oh wow. I did not read the opening, I am a late commer.
Believers who do not make the grade. well that would be everyone, All have sinned and fall short.
The problem with epi is he lowers Gods standard in hopes he can "make the grade" himself..
amen!!
But are we supposed to ignore the bible and just believe what some commentator says just because he said it?There seems to be some confusion about the meaning of Hell and who goes there because of the way the Hebrew word Sheol and the Greek word Hades have been translated in our English Bibles. Since this confusion has led some into an erroneous understanding of what the Bible actually teaches about the intermediate state and the final state of the dead, we think that it is important that we address this subject here.
Sheol is found in the Bible sixty-five times. It is translated “the pit” three times, “the grave” thirty-one times, and “hell” thirty-one times. Hades is used eleven times, being rendered “hell” ten times and “grave” once. Adding to the confusion is that two other words are also translated hell in the New Testament. These are Tartarus, which is found once and Gehenna, which is used twelve times.
The term “Hell” is commonly understood to mean a place of torment where the souls of the wicked go after physical death. This is true. However, because Hades in the New Testament and Sheol in the Old are variously rendered hell or grave, there has been some misunderstanding about what hell and the grave are. Before looking at these words though, we should first give our attention to the Greek word Gehenna, which is always translated hell and used in reference to the Lake of Fire. It is found in Matthew 5:22,29,30; 10:28; 18:9; 23:15,33; Mark 9:43,45,47; Luke 12:5; and James 3:6.
THE FINAL HELL
The Lake of Fire, or Hell, is a literal place of everlasting fire that was originally created by God as a place of punishment for Satan and the angels that followed him in his rebellion against God (Mat. 25:41). Because it is referred to as the place of “outer darkness” (Mat. 8:12; 25:30), we believe that it is most probably located at the farthest reaches of the creation. Gehenna is described in Scripture as a “furnace of fire” (Mat. 13:42); “everlasting punishment” (Mat. 25:46); “the mist [gloom] of darkness” (II Pet. 2:17); the “hurt of the second death” (Rev. 2:11 cf. 20:6,14; 21:8); “a lake of fire burning with brimstone” (Rev. 19:20; 20:10; 21:8).
While Hell was created for Satan and the other fallen angels, the unsaved of humanity from all ages will be with them in this place of torment where “there will be wailing and gnashing of teeth” (Mat. 13:42). This is the “everlasting reward” of all that die in their sins.
While there is no one in the Lake of Fire at this time, it will one day hold a vast multitude. The first residents of this place of righteous retribution will be the Beast (Antichrist) and the False Prophet who, at the end of the Tribulation, will be “cast alive into a lake burning with brimstone” (Rev. 19:19-20). Joining them will be the unsaved of the nations who survive the Tribulation (Mat. 25:31-32,41-46). Also, at Jesus Christ’s return to earth, the rebel Israelites, i.e. unbelieving Jews, who survive the Tribulation, will be denied entrance into the Millennial Kingdom, no doubt to join their Gentile counterparts in the “place of everlasting fire” (Eze. 20:33-38; Mat. 7:21-23; cf. Mat. 24:29-31,45-51). Then, at the end of the Millennial Kingdom of Jesus Christ, Satan will be “cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night forever and ever” (Rev. 20:10). And finally, the unsaved dead of all ages will be raised and judged at the Great White Throne by Jesus Christ and then cast into the Lake of Fire (see Rev. 20:11-15).
PRACTICAL APPLICATION FOR TODAY
A proper understanding of what the Bible teaches about Hell, Sheol, Hades, and the Grave dispels confusion over what happens to the soul at the time of physical death and guards against being led astray by those teaching the false doctrines of soul-sleep, eradication of the soul, the universal reconciliation of mankind, and the annihilation of the lost. All of these erroneous doctrines are of Satan, used of him to dishearten believers and blind the lost to the reality of the cost of spurning the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Our thinking, and therefore our life on a day-to-day basis, is influenced by what we believe. While some of the false doctrines mentioned above are diametrically opposed to each other, they still have one thing in common. They subvert the truth of the immortality of the soul.
Hell, Sheol, Hades, Paradise, and the Grave
There seems to be some confusion about the meaning of Hell and who goes there because of the way the Hebrew word Sheol and the Greek word Hades have been translated in our English Bibles. Since this confusion has led some into an erroneous understanding of what the Bible actually teaches about the i
I question that the lake of fire is a physical place in the physical universe to start with. Our God is a consuming fire. Bible says that everything will be shaken until only what cannot be shaken will remain. His fire tests and consumes everything that can't stand up to it, which is everything that is temporal and not of His Spirit. Anyway we're going off topic again, lol.
Implied in "hearing" is also obeying I believe. Someone who believes only with the carnal mind because of seeing a miracle....is still not saved. But miracles CAN help people to open their HEARTS to receive the word and faith that is not of their own. Or just to bless them and give them a token of God's love and deliverance after coming to faith.I need to have my last say here
Faith And Hearing
by Pastor Cornelius R. Stam
“Faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God” (Rom. 10:17).
This important passage of Scripture is, sad to say, little understood. Many people think of faith in the abstract, as though it had some mysterious power in itself. They speak of faith, but what do they mean? Faith in what? or in whom? Surely it is not possible just to have faith, without something or someone to have faith in.
Faith is not wishing hard, or feeling confident. It is not optimism or presumption or imagination. Faith must have a basis, a foundation. Thus the Christian’s faith is founded on “the Word of God” — on what God has said in the Bible.
The above passage explains: “Faith cometh by hearing.” Isn’t that simple? Isn’t it true? Some have said that “seeing is believing,” but a moment’s reflection will reveal that, like the phrase: “I’m from Missouri,” this saying is an expression of unbelief. When we have seen a thing we need no longer believe it; it has been demonstrated to us. But when we hear [or read] a matter reported, we may either believe or doubt it. “Faith cometh by hearing.” And likewise hearing comes through what has been said. We believe, or doubt, what we hear and we hear what has been said. The Christian’s faith, then, comes by hearing (God) and hearing by the Word of God. All true Christian faith is founded on the Word of God.
Actually the word “hearing,” in Rom. 10:17, however, has the idea of heeding — paying attention, listening eagerly. This is why Gal. 3:5 speaks of “the hearing of faith.” And thus Eph. 1:13, referring to Christ, says: “In whom ye also trusted, having heard the Word of truth, the gospel of your salvation.” Thus, too, we read in John 5:24 the words of the Lord Jesus:
“HE THAT HEARETH MY WORD, AND BELIEVETH ON HIM THAT SENT ME, HATH EVERLASTING LIFE, AND SHALL NOT COME INTO CONDEMNATION, BUT IS PASSED FROM DEATH UNTO LIFE.”
J.Faith And Hearing
"Faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God" (Rom. 10:17). This important passage of Scripture is, sad to say, little understood. Many people think of faith in the abstract, as though it had some mysterious power in itself. They speak of faith, but what do they mean? Faith in what? or
Eternally Grateful
Well-Known Member
I think some look at this, and see an eternal hell
1. The fire will never be quenched, or the lake of fire.
example
Mark 9:43
If your hand causes you to sin, cut it off. It is better for you to enter into life maimed, rather than having two hands, to go to hell, into the fire that shall never be quenched—
2. They also see that Satan and the fase prophet will be tormented day and night forever and ever
Revelation 20:10
The devil, who deceived them, was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone where the beast and the false prophet are. And they will be tormented day and night forever and ever.
3. and finally. We see those judged will be sent to the same place.
Revelation 20:14-15
Then Death and Hades were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. 15. And anyone not found written in the Book of Life was cast into the lake of fire.
1. The fire will never be quenched, or the lake of fire.
example
Mark 9:43
If your hand causes you to sin, cut it off. It is better for you to enter into life maimed, rather than having two hands, to go to hell, into the fire that shall never be quenched—
2. They also see that Satan and the fase prophet will be tormented day and night forever and ever
Revelation 20:10
The devil, who deceived them, was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone where the beast and the false prophet are. And they will be tormented day and night forever and ever.
3. and finally. We see those judged will be sent to the same place.
Revelation 20:14-15
Then Death and Hades were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. 15. And anyone not found written in the Book of Life was cast into the lake of fire.
Eternally Grateful
Well-Known Member
yes.. even Jesus spoke of those who believe based on seeing, and those who believed in not seeing. when he spoke to Thomas who saw the greatest miracle.
Who "opens the Scriptures" @Lizbeth time and time again?
It doesn't say: No man can come to Me unless he is "miracled" and many biblical arguments I can give you-but, as you said, off topic.
Nehemiah 8:8
Context: Ezra and the Levites read the Law to the people.
Verse: "They read from the book, from the Law of God, clearly, and they gave the sense, so that the people understood the reading."
Significance: Ezra and the Levites explained the Scriptures, helping the people understand God’s Word.
Psalm 119:18
Verse: "Open my eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of your law."
Significance: This is a prayer asking God to open one's understanding to comprehend the Scriptures.
New Testament
Luke 24:27
Context: Jesus on the road to Emmaus with two disciples after His resurrection.
Verse: "And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he interpreted to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning himself."
Significance: Jesus explained the Scriptures, revealing how they pointed to Him.
Luke 24:32
Context: After Jesus had disappeared from the sight of the two disciples on the road to Emmaus.
Verse: "They said to each other, 'Did not our hearts burn within us while he talked to us on the road, while he opened to us the Scriptures?'"
Significance: The disciples recognized that Jesus had opened their understanding of the Scriptures.
Luke 24:45
Context: Jesus appearing to His disciples after His resurrection.
Verse: "Then he opened their minds to understand the Scriptures."
Significance: Jesus directly enabled His disciples to understand the Scriptures.
Acts 16:14
Context: Lydia's conversion in Philippi.
Verse: "One who heard us was a woman named Lydia, from the city of Thyatira, a seller of purple goods, who was a worshiper of God. The Lord opened her heart to pay attention to what was said by Paul."
Significance: God opened Lydia’s heart to respond to the Gospel message preached by Paul.
Acts 17:2-3
Context: Paul reasoning with Jews in Thessalonica.
Verses: "And Paul went in, as was his custom, and on three Sabbath days he reasoned with them from the Scriptures, explaining and proving that it was necessary for the Christ to suffer and to rise from the dead, and saying, 'This Jesus, whom I proclaim to you, is the Christ.'"
Significance: Paul opened the Scriptures to show that Jesus is the Christ.
I'll leave you with this and won't mention it again. I believe the Berean Bible Society is biblically sound sister and you should test their teachings BEFORE making a rash remark that it is "just commentary" since we have discernment to discern between truth and error.
[But miracles CAN help people to open their HEARTS to receive the word and faith that is not of their own.]--your words-depends what you mean by "miracle/s" since this is not what the Bible teaches.
Shalom
J.
Problem is--rightly dividing-BEFORE the cross and AFTER the cross and risen Messiah-but we are off topic, let's leave it here.
2 Corinthians 5:16 (ESV):
"From now on, therefore, we regard no one according to the flesh. Even though we once regarded Christ according to the flesh, we regard him thus no longer."
Context and Explanation
Context:
In 2 Corinthians 5, Paul is discussing the transformation that occurs in a person who is in Christ. This chapter addresses the ministry of reconciliation and the new creation that believers become in Christ.
Prior to verse 16, Paul talks about the love of Christ compelling us, and how Jesus died for all, so that those who live might no longer live for themselves but for Him who died and was raised (verses 14-15).
Verse 16 Explanation:
"We regard no one according to the flesh": Paul is saying that believers no longer evaluate others based on worldly standards or external appearances.
"Even though we once regarded Christ according to the flesh": This indicates that there was a time when Jesus was known in a purely human way, by His physical presence and life on earth.
"We regard him thus no longer": Paul emphasizes that believers now understand Christ in a spiritual sense, recognizing Him as the risen Lord and Savior, not just as a historical figure.
Theological Implications
Transformation in Understanding:
Knowing Christ "according to the flesh" refers to understanding Him merely as a human being or historical figure.
After His resurrection and the outpouring of the Holy Spirit, believers are called to know Christ in a deeper, spiritual way, recognizing His divine nature and ongoing spiritual presence.
New Creation:
Paul continues in verse 17 to talk about the new creation: "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come."
This new creation status changes how believers see everything, including their understanding of Christ and their relationship with Him.
Disappointing,
The Berean Bible Society was founded over seventy-five years ago for the sole purpose of helping believers understand and enjoy the Word of God. Our Organization holds without apology to all the fundamentals of the Christian faith and is evangelical, that is, we believe that salvation is by grace through faith alone on the basis of the shed blood of Christ.
We also emphasize the importance of proclaiming the whole counsel of God in light of the Pauline revelation. Insofar as Paul is the apostle of the Gentiles, it is our firm conviction that in his epistles alone we have the doctrine, position, walk, and destiny for the Church, the Body of Christ, during the dispensation of Grace.
When did the Berean Bible Society actually have its beginning? Interestingly, it began in a two-room school house in Preakness (now Wayne), New Jersey. Here a group of believers began to see the importance of understanding the “the mystery” revealed to Paul, and the urgency of proclaiming the unadulterated “gospel of the grace of God”. It was Pastor C. R. Stam’s first pastorate: the Preakness Community Church.
When the school house had to be torn down, the little group felt led of God to launch a building program, even though they were in the depth of the Great Depression. The builder was our beloved Herbert Birchenough, though other members helped put in the basement and served in other ways. In this church the Berean Searchlight was first published.
It was not long before Pastor Stam was addressing a well-filled church each Sunday, with Mr. Ernest Ulmer the Superintendent of a growing, enthusiastic Sunday School. Brother Ulmer’s fervor and godly life were an inspiration to these young people and many of them gave their hearts and lives to the Lord.
Later, in 1945, Pastor and Mrs. Stam moved to Milwaukee, where he joined Pastor Charles F. Baker in establishing the Milwaukee Bible Institute. The Berean Searchlight, however, and Pastor Stam’s broadcast and wire recorded Bible lessons continued from a rented office. It was not a pretentious headquarters, but it was light and roomy, with plenty of storage space.
Pastor Stam recounts:
In September, 1944, the Board of Directors of Grace Gospel Fellowship, after months of prayer and discussion, felt led of God to establish a Bible Institute in Milwaukee, hopefully with Pastor Charles F. Baker as its president and me as its dean. The need was indeed great for a dispensational Bible Institute, and the time was ripe. Thus Pastor Baker and I agreed to meet in Milwaukee the next year to prepare a curriculum and attend to other details connected with the opening of a Bible Institute. Pastor J. C. O’Hair put himself into the promotion of the school, and Mr. T. R. Huston, of Milwaukee, contributed generously toward the financial needs.
Thus the Milwaukee Bible Institute opened its doors for classes on September 15, 1945, with Charles F Baker as president and instructor in Bible Doctrine, and C. R. Stam as dean and instructor in Bible Exposition and Dispensationalism. Other instructors taught other courses, including some being offered at a local evening school by the same name, already in operation at Pastor Baker’s Fundamental Bible Church.
They help me to stay on the highway of holiness and come to my computer hungry and thirsty for many years.
J.
I'm glad you have been encouraged and helped by them brother....but are they infallible?
Ronald Nolette
Well-Known Member
The Bema seat judgment is found described in 1 Cor. 3: 12-15. This is a judgment that takes place in heaven, after the rapture and before the return of Jesus to earth. It is not a salvation judgment, but a judgment of works believers do in His name.
Remember they are in a great house. that means they are saved
As for teh honour and dishonour which they are used. It is "time" and "atima" the play here is vessels used for noble and high purposes and vessels used for ignoble purposes. I have taught my students over the years this example:
Honourable vessels would be the sterling silver tea service
Dis honooooourable vessels are plungers used to unbliock toilets.
They are both in the great house and are save people.
Evangelism: Do you go up to someone on the street and start talking to them about the nature of the kingdom? Do you teach an involved subject like algebra to any passerby?
No, people don't become Christians that way.
People are challenged to "make a decision" for Christ....or else they are socialized by attending a church and begin to make declarations of their newfound and accepted beliefs. Still others become believers through investigation.
And this can be done on the street level. This is about recruitment, a first step...a starting line so to speak.
But too often people are led to believe that they have salvation for this. Of course if people continue in faithfulness to Christ till the end they will be saved. But so often what is being preached actually inoculates people from the truth.
How can people learn the deeper things of God, like algebra, if they can't even count? Wouldn't a person need to count BEFORE moving on into a deeper appreciation of arithmetic?
Enter the 4 destinies. How many are able to even count that far?
My mission is evangelism...bringing the gospel to those who already profess to be believers....many of whom have been deceived into thinking that a right belief means salvation.
Discipleship evangelism: Teaching the true gospel into an actual salvation. Not just a salvation from the lake of fire (1st cut) but a salvation INTO honour and glory. A good end.
No, people don't become Christians that way.
People are challenged to "make a decision" for Christ....or else they are socialized by attending a church and begin to make declarations of their newfound and accepted beliefs. Still others become believers through investigation.
And this can be done on the street level. This is about recruitment, a first step...a starting line so to speak.
But too often people are led to believe that they have salvation for this. Of course if people continue in faithfulness to Christ till the end they will be saved. But so often what is being preached actually inoculates people from the truth.
How can people learn the deeper things of God, like algebra, if they can't even count? Wouldn't a person need to count BEFORE moving on into a deeper appreciation of arithmetic?
Enter the 4 destinies. How many are able to even count that far?
My mission is evangelism...bringing the gospel to those who already profess to be believers....many of whom have been deceived into thinking that a right belief means salvation.
Discipleship evangelism: Teaching the true gospel into an actual salvation. Not just a salvation from the lake of fire (1st cut) but a salvation INTO honour and glory. A good end.
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Enter the 2 eternal destinies--
Matthew 24:24 (NIV):
"For false messiahs and false prophets will appear and perform great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect."
This verse highlights the potential for deception even among believers, indicating that false prophets can be very convincing.
2 Corinthians 11:13-15 (NIV):
"For such people are false apostles, deceitful workers, masquerading as apostles of Christ. And no wonder, for Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light. It is not surprising, then, if his servants also masquerade as servants of righteousness. Their end will be what their actions deserve."
This passage warns about the presence of deceitful individuals who disguise themselves as righteous, emphasizing the need for discernment.
1 John 4:1 (NIV):
"Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world."
This verse advises believers to test and discern spiritual teachings to avoid being deceived.
Galatians 6:7 (NIV):
"Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows."
This verse emphasizes that deception and its consequences are real and warns against misunderstandings regarding divine justice.
Ephesians 5:6 (NIV):
"Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of such things God’s wrath comes on those who are disobedient."
This passage cautions against being misled by false or deceptive arguments, particularly concerning moral and ethical teachings.
These verses reflect the broader biblical theme of being cautious and discerning, recognizing that deception can be a real danger even within a faith context.
You are trying to close the barn door after the horse has already departed. The deceit is IN the modern message. You have already fully accepted the lie.
If we love God we are to obey Him..not just accept Jesus as OUR personal sacrifice. The devil is mocking the gullibility of humans by a false gospel that upholds the flesh...and avoids the cross.
I speak of discipleship, holiness, the power of the cross, and kingdom life, and people react as if those things were evil. Why? Because they have believed a lie...a great delusion.
The modern gospel is based on lawlessness...not grace or salvation. Changing the meaning of words goes a long way to deceiving people who rely on words rather than on an actual encounter with God. After that encounter no amount of words can describe it...and words don't get in the way of a proper understanding. Not so the indoctrinated ones who think they will be judged based on the accuracy of their beliefs. Can these not read? Can these not count? Not when a religious ideology is running the show.
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