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Bible Study: The Commands of Christ

Discussion in 'Baptist Theology & Bible Study' started by Van, Mar 13, 2011.

  1. Van

    Van Well-Known Member
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    A STUDY IN MATTHEW
    THE COMMANDS OF CHRIST


    Always do right, even with the little things.
    (Matt. 3:15)

    Study the Word of God, live by it.
    (Matt. 4:4)

    Do not take actions that depend on God’s action to have a good result, do not put God to the test.
    (Matt. 4:7)

    Worship God and serve Him only.
    (Matt. 4:10)

    Repent and do God’s will.
    (Matt. 4:17)

    Be a fisher of men, follow Christ’s example.
    (Matt. 4:19)

    Be humble and do God’s will.
    (Matt. 5:3)

    Be sorry for your sins and ask for forgiveness.
    (Matt. 5:4)

    Control your emotions, do what is right.
    (Matt. 5:5)

    Focus your desires on doing God’s will.
    (Matt. 5:6)





    Be merciful.
    (Matt. 5:7)

    Guard your heart, keep it pure.
    (Matt. 5:8)

    Avoid needless disputes, help others to work together.
    (Matt. 5:9)

    Do what is right, even if you are persecuted.
    (Matt. 5:10)

    Proclaim Christ, and rejoice and be glad when you are insulted, persecuted or falsely accused of all sorts of evil.
    (Matt. 5:12)

    Preserve and enrich what is good, boldly demonstrate God’s influence on your life.
    (Matt. 5:13-16)

    Do not accept the idea that you are saved from God’s wrath, if you are unwilling to stop your sinful ways.
    (Matt. 5:20)

    You must do more than avoid the acts of sin; you must have a kind and pure heart that does not focus on evil, anger or hatred.
    (Matt. 5:21-22)

    Do not harbor ill will toward those you should love, if you expect to draw near to God.
    (Matt. 5:23-24)

    Settle matters quickly with your adversary.
    (Matt. 5:25)

    Do not commit adultery by looking at a person lustfully.
    (Matt. 5:27)



    If the desires of the flesh cause you to sin destroy them - it is better to crucify the desires of the flesh than for you to go to hell.
    (Matt. 5:29-30)

    Do not divorce your spouse, except for marital unfaithfulness, and do not marry a divorced person, unless the divorced person was the faithful spouse.
    (Matt. 5:31-32)

    Speak truthfully and simply; let your yes mean yes and your no mean no. Do not embellish your statements with oaths or swearing to or by God or anything else.
    (Matt. 5:33-37)

    Do not try and get even with evil people, accept their assaults and do good to them.
    (Matt. 5:38-42)

    Love your enemies, pray for those who persecute you, be perfect, gracious and compassionate as the Lord is perfect, gracious and compassionate.
    (Matt. 5:43-48)

    Be careful to have pure motives; do not do acts of righteousness, such as giving to the needy, before men, but rather in secret so that you will not be guilty of seeking the honor of men.
    (Matt. 6:1-4)

    Pray in private, rather than before men.
    (Matt. 6:5-6)

    When you pray, do not babble or use lots of words.
    (Matt. 6:7-8)







    Pray like this: Pray to the Father
    and recognize His authority.
    Ask for an understanding of His will,
    and the willingness to follow.
    Ask only for what you need,
    and the wisdom to avoid needless desires.
    Forgive anyone you think has sinned against you,
    and ask for forgiveness for your sins.
    Ask for guidance to overcome temptation, and
    for insight to keep falsehoods and lies far from you.
    (Matt. 6:9-15)

    Do not publicly proclaim you are fasting, but fast in a way that will be obvious only to your Father in heaven.
    (Matt. 6:16-18)

    Store up treasures in heaven, for where your treasure is, your heart will be also.
    (Matt. 6:19-21)

    Do not worry about your life, your food, your clothes or what might happen tomorrow. Instead seek the will of God and the willingness to follow and do what is right.
    (Matt. 6:25-34)

    Judge others as you would judge yourself, remember to judge yourself first, and be careful not to apply the commands of God to the unsaved.
    (Matt. 7:1-6)

    Be persistent in prayer, in seeking the good gifts of God.
    (Matt. 7:7-11)

    Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.
    (Matt. 7:12)






    Judge those who claim to speak the word of God by what they produce; false prophets will produce bad results.
    (Matt. 7:15-20)

    Study Christ’s words and put them into practice – for no one who knows Christ practices evil.
    (Matt. 7:21-27)

    Trust Jesus and do not entertain evil thoughts in your heart.
    (Matt. 9:1-5)

    Go and learn what this means:
    “I desire mercy, not sacrifice, for I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.”
    (Matt. 9:13)

    Have compassion on the unsaved; they are like sheep without a shepherd, pray for more workers to increase the number being saved.
    (Matt. 9:36-38)

    When you go and preach “the kingdom of heaven is near” be careful not to act foolishly and be innocent of evil.
    (Matt. 10:16-17)

    Be afraid of the One who can destroy both the soul and the body in hell.
    (Matt. 10:28)

    Proclaim Jesus Christ and His gospel; do not hide your faith.
    (Matt. 10:32)

    Each day keep God first in your life; if you love yourself or anything else more you are not worthy of Christ.
    (Matt. 10:37-39)

    Give to the needs of Christ’s disciples.
    (Matt. 10:42)

    Do not say falsehoods about the Holy Spirit.
    (Matt. 12:30-32)

    The words you say reflect how godly you are - be careful to say good words.
    (Matt. 12:33-37)

    What you say reveals your heart; guard your heart from evil thoughts like hatred, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false testimony and slander.
    (Matt. 15:20)

    Be on your guard against false teaching.
    (Matt. 16:5-12)

    If you want to follow Christ, you must deny yourself, even to the point of dying for Christ.
    (Matt. 16:24)

    Teach little children and all new believers to be holy and perfect; do not cause them to sin.
    (Matt. 18:5-6)

    Do not transport, convey or present the things that cause people to sin.
    (Matt. 18:7)

    Do not look down on new believers, especially little children, God is not willing that any should be lost.
    (Matt. 18:10-14)


    If a fellow believer sins against you, privately show him his fault; if he does not listen, take one or two witnesses and present it again; if he refuses to listen, present it to the church, and if he refuses to listen to the church, treat him as an unsaved person.
    (Matt. 18:15-17)

    If you pray in small groups, ensure that all agree that each request is in the will of God.
    (Matt. 18:19)



    Forgive those who sin against you, no matter how many times it happens.
    (Matt. 18:21-22)

    You cannot get to heaven by doing things; you must be perfect and give up everything, trusting only in Christ.
    (Matt. 19:16-24)

    Submit to the will of God; do not judge it unfair.
    (Matt. 20:1-6)

    Do not worry about who will receive the greatest rewards in heaven; just be a faithful and humble servant of Christ.
    (Matt. 20:20-28)

    Keep your focus on God in prayer, not on comfort or commerce.
    (Matt. 21:12-13)

    Pray in accordance with the will of God and you will receive it.
    (Matt. 21:18-22)

    Give to the government all that is due, and give to God all that is due.
    (Matt. 22:15-22)

    Love God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.
    (Matt. 22:37)

    Love your neighbor as yourself.
    (Matt. 22:39)

    Do not follow the examples of church leaders when the examples do not match the requirements of God.
    (Matt. 23:1-4)

    Do not do righteous things seeking the honor of men, nor accept exalted titles – be a servant.
    (Matt. 23:5-7)


    Do not neglect the important matters: justice, mercy and faithfulness.
    (Matt. 23:23)

    Do not be a hypocrite; do not pretend to be righteous when you are full of wickedness.
    (Matt. 23:27)

    Act each day as if the Lord will return, let him find you a faithful and wise servant.
    (Matt. 24:36-51)

    Be thoughtful; do not overlook any actions necessary to proclaim Christ Jesus each day of your life.
    (Matt. 25:1-13)

    Do not be a lazy servant and fail to increase Christ’s flock.
    (Matt. 25:14-30)

    Be generous, kind and thoughtful; take care of your brothers and sisters in Christ.
    (Matt. 25:31-46)

    Make disciples of all nations, baptizing them with the authority of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit, teaching them to obey everything Christ commanded.
    (Matt. 28:19:20)




    `
     
  2. ituttut

    ituttut New Member

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    We should add one more to blend in with what is called the Great Commission. He said Go into all the World, Preach the Gospel to All. Those that are baptized will be saved. You can tell if they are saved for there will be signs of it. In My Name devils can be cast out, and they will speak with tongues; immune to serpents, drink poisons without ill effect, and heal the sick. Mark 16:15- 18.

    I don't believe we can isolate one Gospel from another, for we only get part of the truth.
     
    #2 ituttut, Mar 13, 2011
    Last edited by a moderator: Mar 13, 2011
  3. Ron Wood

    Ron Wood New Member

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    Apart from the 2 ordinances, baptism and the Lord's supper, Christ only gave 2 commandments: Believe on Him and love your brother. John 6:29, 13:34, 1John 3: 22,23.

    What you have given is a proclamation and explanation by Christ of the spiritual nature of the Law. Believers are not under the commandments of the Law.
     
  4. Van

    Van Well-Known Member
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    Reply to Ron Wood

    There may be some technical way at looking at the words of Jesus, when He teaches to do this and not do that, and say they are not commands. But in the very verse that says to baptize folks, it says to teach them all I have commanded you.

    I suppose a slave would respond to his Lord, I know you said to teach new slaves how to read the Bible, but I thought your directions were merely suggestions rather than stuff you expected me to do. John told us we are to "abide" in the teachings of Christ. Therefore, it is not going to far to think of His teachings as requirements.
     
    #4 Van, Mar 15, 2011
    Last edited by a moderator: Mar 15, 2011
  5. Ron Wood

    Ron Wood New Member

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    And of course you ignored the point that the Lord Jesus was making. He was showing how far from keeping the law we are and our inability to actually keep it. I ask you how many of those commands you have truly kept? If you are going to do what He says as you posit then you had better do exactly as He says without fail.
     
  6. Ron Wood

    Ron Wood New Member

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    Religion says do and live. Christ says believe and love.
     
  7. ituttut

    ituttut New Member

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    I find His Word teaches us differently. Water baptism was an ordinance, and we know the ordinances were nailed to the Cross.

    The Lord's Supper is a request, and not an ordinance, as we learn when he revealed from heaven to do as oft as you will. That means to me, it's up to us, and He would like for us to keep Him in mind as we drink the wine, which of course represents His Blood.
     
  8. David Lamb

    David Lamb Active Member

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    I expect I have misunderstood you, but what you have written impels me to ask: Where does the bible say that the ordinances were nailed to the Cross? If they were, why did Jesus command His disciples, after His crucifixion and resurrection, to baptize?



    Again, I am wondering where in God's Word we are told to "do as oft as you will," or that it's a request, and individual Christians have liberty to comply with that request or not. I don't claim full knowledge of the bible (or indeed anything approaching that), but I must say that I cannot think of a passage that teaches such things.

    In Matthew's account, Jesus says: "Take, eat......drink from it all of you". Mark has: "Take, eat." Luke has: "Do this...." 1 Corinthians 11 has: Take, eat....do this ....... this do."

    In every case the words I have put in bold are in the imperative tense, the tense used for giving instructions, orders, commands.
     
  9. Ron Wood

    Ron Wood New Member

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    What he said^. :thumbs:
     
  10. HankD

    HankD Well-Known Member
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    Matthew 5
    17 Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil.
    18 For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled.
    19 Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.

    So should we keep the 613 mitvoth (commandments) of the Law (Torah - first 5 books of the Bible)?

    While God is immutable, His rules for mankind change from time to time and when He does He lets us know through the scriptures. It was/is a progressive revelation up to the point of the departure of the last apostle.

    Does Matthew 5:17-19 teach us that we should be circumcised according to the Law and keep the Sabbath (upon penalty of death) and the dietary laws therein? Etc... If we isolate this passage from and ignore the rest of the NT revelation then yes we would still be bound by the law.

    Read Acts 10 and 15. We need to consider the whole counsel of God and rightly divide the word of truth.

    HankD
     
  11. Van

    Van Well-Known Member
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    Sanctified

    All mankind was sanctified by the blood of Jesus, because we were transferred from being under the Law to the New Covenant. We are to abide in the Commands (or teachings) of Christ, not the Old Covenant Law. The Opening Post gave about 75 commands and there may be others contained in the other books of the New Testament, but it is a good start, because many of them are repeated in other books.
     
  12. ituttut

    ituttut New Member

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    After He wnt to His Father in Heaven. "Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross", Colossians 2:14.
    Because He could not tell them, for it was secret. The KINGDOM WAS AT HAND, and that is the LAST GOSPEL that could be told, until Israel refused Messiah, their King.
    You can find the scripture to remember Him, when drinking the wine, in I Corinthians 11:25.
    You are speaking His instructions to His earthly Apostles. From heaven Christ Jesus gave different instructions to His heavenly appointed Apostle.
    I cannot say otherwise. You are stopping short pf Damascus Road, when we do that we cannot see, nor can we hear what our Lord Christ Jesus tells us from heaven.

     
  13. David Lamb

    David Lamb Active Member

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    I agree that the English word "ordinances" is used in that verse in some translations. But as I understand it (and if I'm wrong on this, I hope someone who knows Greek will correct me), the ordinances referred to there are the requirements of the law. I find it hard to understand how you, a baptist, can believe that baptism is part of "the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us."



    I'm confused, and as I say so often, that's probably my fault! I asked why Jesus did (positive) tell His disciples to baptize even after His resurrection (I asked because you had said that baptism was nailed to the Cross). Your reply about secrecy would only seem to fit if I had asked why Jesus didn't tell His disciples to baptize



    Yes, that's true. But I didn't ask about the scripture telling us to remember Him. I asked: "I am wondering where in God's Word we are told to "do as oft as you will," or that it's a request, and individual Christians have liberty to comply with that request or not." 1 Corinthians 11.25 says:
    In the same manner He also took the cup after supper, saying, "This cup is the new covenant in My blood. This do, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me."
    I see nothing there that would make the Lord's Supper an "optional extra" for the Christian. The liberty given by the words, "as often as you drink it" is surely that there is no set interval (every day, week, month, etc) at which we must have the Lord's Supper. There doesn't seem to be anything in those words to suggest that a Christian is free to decide for himself whether or not ever to remember the Lord in that way.


    I wonder who you mean by "His heavenly appointed Apostle." The context seems to suggest Paul, but if that's the case, what were the "different instructions" Jesus gave him? Can I remind you that my words which you were replying to in this poart were: In Matthew's account, Jesus says: "Take, eat......drink from it all of you". Mark has: "Take, eat." Luke has: "Do this...." 1 Corinthians 11 has: "Take, eat....do this ....... this do." As you know, in 1 Corinthians 11, Paul is reminding the church at Corinth about the meaning of the Lord's Supper.


    I wasn't deliberately stopping short of Paul's conversion on the road to Damascus. Indeed, as I have just said, I actually quoted words from 1 Corinthians, and Paul clearly didn't write them before he became a Christian.

    Do your words about hearing "what our Lord Christ Jesus tells us from heaven" mean that you believe He reveals things to us apart from, and different to, what is in the bible?

    In closing let me say that I hope nothing I have written causes you offence. That certainly wasn't my intention.
     
  14. Van

    Van Well-Known Member
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    Hi Ron Wood,

    "And of course you ignored the point that the Lord Jesus was making. He was showing how far from keeping the law we are and our inability to actually keep it. I ask you how many of those commands you have truly kept? If you are going to do what He says as you posit then you had better do exactly as He says without fail."

    I completely disagree. Just because we cannot perfectly keep the Commands of Christ, does not support the idea that we are to strive to do so every day of our lives and we carry our cross and follow Him.
     
  15. Van

    Van Well-Known Member
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    Hi Ituttut,

    "I don't believe we can isolate one Gospel from another, for we only get part of the truth."

    I made no attempt to isolate the Commands of Christ taught in Matthew, from the same or new ones taught in other books of the New Testament. However, if some part of any New Testament book is under a cloud, like the ending of Mark, we should not teach that content unless the same thing is also taught in another place.
    __________________
     
  16. Van

    Van Well-Known Member
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    Hi Ron Wood,

    "Religion says do and live. Christ says believe and love."

    Well Christ certainly did say believe and love! But that is not all Christ taught.

    Religion teaches do this and don't do that and you will live, which nicely describes most works based religions. Christianity teaches once a person is saved, they are saved forever. But once a person has been put spiritually in Christ, the baptism into Christ performed by the Holy Spirit, and we arise a new creation created for what? Good works. As we obediently follow Christ, i.e strive to abide in His teachings, we grow in maturity, we learn spiritual things only discerned with the insight of our indwelt Holy Spirit, and thus arrive at heaven "abundantly." If we get sidetracked and for example do not build on the foundation of Christ with stuff of eternal worth, our effort produces no rewards and we enter heaven with little or no rewards, as one escaping from a fire.
     
  17. ituttut

    ituttut New Member

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    Part one, due to length

    [QUOTE=David Lamb;1659692]

    I agree that the English word "ordinances" is used in that verse in some translations. But as I understand it (and if I'm wrong on this, I hope someone who knows Greek will correct me), the ordinances referred to there are the requirements of the law. I find it hard to understand how you, a baptist, can believe that baptism is part of "the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us."
    [l/quote]

    Whatever word we may come up with, it will still have to mean the same thing. And I believe you are right, as a law applies only to a law. I see no harm in using the word DECREE for it will really get us to where we can see what Water Baptism Is, and who it is for. It is for the Kingdom people, and their proselytes.

    John the Baptist came preaching the LAW of Water Baptism for the Nation of Israel. Did not Jesus abide by this decree that Israel was to obey? Jesus accepted the decree (ordinance) brought to those of the Covenant, those of the Circumcision. Jesus tells us in what is called the Great Commission; it is necessary for the seed of Abraham (not Abram the Gentile) by way of Isaac, and Jacob. God's people, His wife are to be Water Baptized for they made an earthly covenant with Him, and they broke that covenant. What does God want them to do in order to receive forgiveness of sin?

    To answer this question we should understand that Peter was to be given the keys to the Kingdom of heaven. We know that Peter did receive the keys, and he told those men of Israel what they must do. And there are some churches, and people, that believe that Gospel that was handed to Peter. Acts 2:36-29, "Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made that same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ. 37. Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do? 38. Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. 39. For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call." If Israel had accepted Messiah, then it would be Israel who would take this Gospel to the whole world. It has not happened to this day.

    I marvel that the great majority of Baptists believe the Great Commission, just as does the Catholic church, and others.
    Jesus could not tell them about DAMASCUS ROAD. He could not tell them it would be the Gentiles WHO would be given the GOOD NEWS GOSPEL of believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved. SAVED HOW? By the Grace of God, through Faith, and no works. It is a Gif.It is only after Damascus Road that this GOOD NEWS CAN BE FOUND.

    Jesus tells us He only came for His People. He came back immediately to show himself to His People, and give the gospel, we find in the Great Commission, to His Apostles at that time, and to them was given the responsibility to take THAT Gospel to the whole world, but only after those of the temple in Jerusalem had accepted their King. It did not happen. His people made Him an outcast; they sent their KING packing, saying good riddance. Those Apostles, filled with the Holy Spirit did their best, but still Israel refused to accept Messiah. The Kingdom that was at hand could not come. It will come, but not until the Body of Christ members are called Home.


    Members of the Body of Christ become members instantly in only one way. Almost All churches require Water Baptism in some form in order to become a member of that church. Many churches believe Water Baptism has nothing to do with their salvation. But that same church will not allow a saved person to join as a member of church, unless they are Water Baptized??
    I didn't explain my belief too well, did I? In looking at your reply (I could be wrong of what you believe), but it sure looks as if you are saying YOU MUST DO SOMETHING. If so, then we are required to do a Work.


    All I'm saying is if for some reason I do not participate is it a Sin? Every time (quarterly), what is called the Lord's Supper is held, do I find it a Sin if I am not there? It is a Memorial to Remember His Death, His Blood Shed for Me. I have been Spiritually Baptized into His death; therefore I am dead to the Law and Ordinances tied to Israel, and free of SIN in the eyes of god the Father. Jesus Christ is Our Passover, and it is a Once forever Salvation. We do things out of LOVE, not because of a Commandment, or Ordinance.
     
  18. ituttut

    ituttut New Member

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    Part Two -finished

    In reading, I hope you can see that Paul is the Only Apostle that Christ Jesus, from heaven, commissioned as an Apostle. And that Heavenly Appointed Apostle Paul is the only Apostle appointed to go to the Gentile. Scripture points this out to us.

    Peter was forced to go One (1) time to preach the Gospel of the Gentile. Evidently this lone event was in order for the Jerusalem church accept the Gospel that Paul was appointed to preach to the Gentile. We know the Jerusalem church was outranged that Peter would go to a Gentile to preach. And on top of that Peter even went into a Heathen Home. And then "gasp", Peter and the others stayed certain days, and even ate with them. Neither James' family, nor any of the other Apostles ever gave heed to the Gentile, thinking Peter had gone off of his rocker. Neither Jesus nor any of His Apostles ever preached the gospel of John the Baptist pointedly, or directly to a Gentile. Again, Scripture is very clear on this.

    All of this was NEW to them. Peter and the others with him were astonished when the heathen received the Holy Ghost. He was not circumcised, never baptized, not subject to any Ordinances at all. THIS WAS UNHEARD OF. How confused, and bewildered they must have been, and until Peter told those that gave Peter the "third degree" in Jerusalem, they were outraged at what Peter had done. Even today, when that Jerusalem church gave their approval of Paul going to the Gentile, some just cannot accept Paul as their Apostle.
    I didn't put it very well did I, i.e., "stopping short" without further clarification. Until I finally understood what happened on Damascus Road, I sometime say I "stopped short" of Damascus Road in understanding of how, when, and why God dispenses His Grace. I find in each dispensation of God, man is to believe God in the time he lives. I believe man has always been saved by Grace. But not until Damascus Road do we find by grace through faith? Since the first sin by man, I believe you may agree, that God in His Grace required man to do a work with his own hands. Scripture bears this out.

    There was a face to face meeting on Damascus Road between Christ Jesus from heaven, and Saul/Paul. Paul at that time was commissioned by Christ Jesus to be The Apostle to the Gentile. Revelation from God, over a period of time, were taught to Paul. Paul passes these New revelations as to our (Gentile) salvation. It is quite different than any before. Peter came to this realization,advising in his second book in the later part of chapter 3, Paul has wisdom that was given to him. Peter, and evidently all the world has a hard time understanding this Wisdom from God.
    Oh no! In the Epistles of Paul we find, and nowhere else about the Body of Christ, the Rapture, and other things not before revealed to man. His words did not come from man, but from God.
    Thank you for your kind words, and I too wish you to see my sincerity, and belief based on what I find in His Word for me, a Genial. I can see very plainly what you see, but along the way while reading the Bible I found something that set me back on my heels. When very young I had a child-illustrated bible of the Old Testament. I was very impressed with Joshua, Moses, Samson, and David. These were my Hero's. But as I grew older I began to notice a difference between them and me. So I could never be just like them, and then in later life I found upon getting serious about studding the Bible more than what is written by man, I concluded I was spending just about all of my time reading about God's earthly people, and not enough time reading the one person Jesus Christ from heaven told me to listen to.

    I am happy to see you believe, take a stand, and ask intelligent questions. I in no way am offended by what you have said, for I have seen what you see. I see without a doubt, I am preMil, as well as preTrib. Before I was PreMill, hoping I was preTrib, but I could not prove it for the Great Commission forces one to be postTrib.

     
  19. ituttut

    ituttut New Member

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    Hello Van. I agree we can't isolate one gospel from another; however we can correctly divide His Word. By this I mean there is a time, and place for everything. There was a time before the Law came. Then we see the Law and the Prophets time was before John (Matthew 11:13). This is consistent of how God operates.

    In the beginning Heaven and Earth were not together. But in eternity the New heaven and earth will not have that great separation.

    In Genesis 1:3 we find God divided the light from the darkness. In verse 6 we see God again dividing. Without a doubt we should notice that God is a God of Division, and is capable of bringing together again. We can see God doing this all the way through the Bible. Until He brings things together again, He wants us to study, not mans word, but His Word so we can see the divisions, and apply to ourselves what applies to us, as we live. He then will Bring it All Togerther.

    We at some point should take notice that God is going to be dispensing His Grace differently after Damascus Road. It is a separation from the Great Commission that we see in Acts 2:38-39. To me this is a leap in faith from the work of man hands, into the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. We Gentiles have not been circumcised, and did not break covenant that Israel made with God, so Water Baptism is not commanded (an ordinance) for me.
    But if we make the proper distinction, what you say is not true. The Great Commission is given in OT, and NT Time. Jesus was alive, and lived in Old Testament Times. After His resurrection we then know preparations are being made for New Testament Time. The Great Commission Jesus Christ gave in Matthew, Mark, and Luke is all in OT/NT Time. The Day of Pentecost was in OT/NT Time, and those signs as shown given to those at Pentecost DO Confirm Mark's Gospel to be True. Should we really try to find a LOOP HOLE in order to try and justify what we believe?

    Some may wish to become proselytes to the gospel of John the Baptist, and that preached only to those of all Israel. But for me, by the operation of God I am circumcised, baptized, and sealed into the Body of Christ. Forever now, God the Father sees that blood on me, and my sins are passed over, never to be again. By no means are we perfect, not sinning. God knows we are in these sinful bodies, He sees the Blood of Jesus Christ. To me that means not only sins are in remission, but also the cure for sin is guarantied. Where is boasting that anything I can do will help?
     
  20. Van

    Van Well-Known Member
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    Hi Ituttut,

    "Should we really try to find a LOOP HOLE in order to try and justify what we believe?" No, but we should support what we teach as doctrine from sources that appear to be written by inspired authors, not additions by uninspired men.

    I could not follow you effort concerning Old Testament and New Testament. The Old Covenant ended at the cross, and the New Covenant began with the sacrificed blood of Christ.

    Of course Mark's gospel is true. Just do not quote Mark 16:9-20 as support for doctrine without also citing a parallel passage in another gospel. Serious doubts exist as to whether these verses belong to the Gospel of Mark.
     
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