Christian Forums - Christian Scriptures http://www.christianforums.com A forum to discuss the Scriptures. en Sun, 22 Nov 2009 06:12:07 GMT vBulletin 60 http://www.christianforums.com/style/misc/rss.jpg Christian Forums - Christian Scriptures http://www.christianforums.com Spirit of Truth - John 16 http://www.christianforums.com/t7419445/ Sat, 21 Nov 2009 23:03:22 GMT In John 16, we find, a revelation, which is also mentioned in other places in the bible about another after Jesus who would bring all truth. who is this another? my bible says it is the hly spirit and what i have been taught says it is the holy spirit but the holy spirit doesnt conform to the... In John 16, we find, a revelation, which is also mentioned in other places in the bible about another after Jesus who would bring all truth.

who is this another?

my bible says it is the hly spirit and what i have been taught says it is the holy spirit but the holy spirit doesnt conform to the attributes jesus told us. have we made a mistake and not followed jesus like he said we should.

help and thanks in advance ]]> Christian Scriptures TR1 http://www.christianforums.com/t7419445/ The Meaning Behind Matthew 27:46? http://www.christianforums.com/t7419211/ Fri, 20 Nov 2009 23:46:09 GMT I'm extremely curious as to the meaning of Matthew 27:46. I've researched it, and it appears to be a much debated verse. I'd like to hear what others think.

Matthew 27:46:

And about the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani? that is to say, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?

I don't understand this verse, for many reasons. 1, being that Jesus is supposed to not only be the son of God, but God himself. If he is God himself, why is he calling out to God? Isn't that an indication that the two are separate?

And secondly, Jesus coming to earth was to fulfill prophecy written in the OT. Jesus knew what his mission was on this earth, and the future events that would take place. Why did he feel that he was being forsaken by God?

That whole verse throws me off, or am I reading it completely out of context? ]]> Christian Scriptures jesuschristmysavior http://www.christianforums.com/t7419211/ 1 Corinthians 11:2-16 - Covering Our Heads During Prayer? http://www.christianforums.com/t7418809/ Thu, 19 Nov 2009 16:25:11 GMT (Re-posting this on this board, after I posted it elsewhere and realized it was in the way wrong area) I am wondering about a certain scripture, and trying to understand exactly what it means. 1 Corinthians 11:2-16 Propriety in Worship 2I praise you for remembering me in everything and for... (Re-posting this on this board, after I posted it elsewhere and realized it was in the way wrong area)

I am wondering about a certain scripture, and trying to understand exactly what it means.

1 Corinthians 11:2-16

Propriety in Worship

2I praise you for remembering me in everything and for holding to the teachings, just as I passed them on to you.
3Now I want you to realize that the head of every man is Christ, and the head of the woman is man, and the head of Christ is God. 4Every man who prays or prophesies with his head covered dishonors his head. 5And every woman who prays or prophesies with her head uncovered dishonors her head—it is just as though her head were shaved. 6If a woman does not cover her head, she should have her hair cut off; and if it is a disgrace for a woman to have her hair cut or shaved off, she should cover her head. 7A man ought not to cover his head, since he is the image and glory of God; but the woman is the glory of man. 8For man did not come from woman, but woman from man; 9neither was man created for woman, but woman for man. 10For this reason, and because of the angels, the woman ought to have a sign of authority on her head.

11In the Lord, however, woman is not independent of man, nor is man independent of woman. 12For as woman came from man, so also man is born of woman. But everything comes from God. 13Judge for yourselves: Is it proper for a woman to pray to God with her head uncovered? 14Does not the very nature of things teach you that if a man has long hair, it is a disgrace to him, 15but that if a woman has long hair, it is her glory? For long hair is given to her as a covering. 16If anyone wants to be contentious about this, we have no other practice—nor do the churches of God.

So my questions from this scripture are:

Does this mean that women should wear a veil, or some sort of covering, when praying? Or does long hair on a woman act as a covering? I don't quite understand which one it means.

Secondly, it says long hair on a man is a disgrace to him. But didn't Jesus have long hair? Of course, it didn't state how long is too long, but modern depictions of Jesus depict him with shoulder length hair.

Can someone explain these a bit more? Thanks! ]]> Christian Scriptures jesuschristmysavior http://www.christianforums.com/t7418809/ <![CDATA[Did Paul Start Christianity? Change Jesus' Claims?]]> http://www.christianforums.com/t7418508/ Wed, 18 Nov 2009 08:03:48 GMT Hello, first of all, I believe in God, and that Jesus is the logos (word) of God, made flesh, or God's incarnation. I believe that he died and rose again on the third day. However, I have trouble believing that he appeared to Saul of Tarsus.

I was wondering if there were any prophecies or predictions about someone like Paul coming about, did Jesus ever say a single man in particular would come after him and organize things?

Do Paul's teaching's differ from Jesus'?

Many people claim to see spectacular things, (Joseph Smith, although he was quite while after) what makes this so special?

Paul hated Christians a lot, would not the most intelligent thing for him to do be to hijack "the way" and make his own warped religion out of it?

Is it possible, if Paul is this shady character, that he could have influenced the Gospels (mainly Luke) and tainted things?

and finally..

Simply, Why should I trust the story and teachings of Paul?


(Basically what I'm trying to say is I'm a Christian struggling with Messianic Judaism arguments) ]]> Christian Scriptures sevenatenine http://www.christianforums.com/t7418508/ Tithing - Expect Blessings? http://www.christianforums.com/t7418294/ Tue, 17 Nov 2009 15:00:56 GMT Recently, I was having a discussion about tithing.

When you tithe, can you expect a blessing in return? I'm really not sure if I am wording this correctly... But I could use some insight on this, because I'm not sure if I understand it correctly.
I have always believed that when you tithe, God promises to return it to you. Someone please clarify! ]]> Christian Scriptures Faith612 http://www.christianforums.com/t7418294/ wikipedia needs an article on Jahdai http://www.christianforums.com/t7418062/ Mon, 16 Nov 2009 19:30:59 GMT wikipedia needs an article on Jahdai i dont know enough about it to do it myself. i only know that Jahdai could either be a wife/concubine or a descendant of Caleb. i dont know what the consensus is about it. wikipedia needs an article on Jahdai

i dont know enough about it to do it myself. i only know that Jahdai could either be a wife/concubine or a descendant of Caleb. i dont know what the consensus is about it. ]]> Christian Scriptures granpa http://www.christianforums.com/t7418062/ Psalm A Day http://www.christianforums.com/t7417938/ Mon, 16 Nov 2009 05:22:30 GMT I have been told that we should study the Psalms and should meditate on them.
So if you don't mind I thought I would place here every day one Psalm starting with psalm 1 until we have finished the whole book of Psalms..... Love Jane


Psalm 1


Psa 1:1 Blessed [is] the man Who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, Nor stands in the path of sinners, Nor sits in the seat of the scornful;


Psa 1:2 But his delight [is] in the law of the LORD, And in His law he meditates day and night.


Psa 1:3 He shall be like a tree Planted by the rivers of water, That brings forth its fruit in its season, Whose leaf also shall not wither; And whatever he does shall prosper.


Psa 1:4 The ungodly [are] not so, But [are] like the chaff which the wind drives away.


Psa 1:5 Therefore the ungodly shall not stand in the judgment, Nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous.


Psa 1:6 For the LORD knows the way of the righteous, But the way of the ungodly shall perish. ]]> Christian Scriptures walking-in-love http://www.christianforums.com/t7417938/ Psalm 39 v 12 http://www.christianforums.com/t7417192/ Thu, 12 Nov 2009 21:25:29 GMT
Quote:
Originally Posted by Psalm 39 v 12
"Hear my prayer, O Lord, listen to my cry for help; be not deaf to my weeping. For I dwell with you as an alien, a stranger, as all my fathers were."
What is the Psalmist saying here? This verse speaks to me so deeply but I need help to understand it. ]]> Christian Scriptures mindlight http://www.christianforums.com/t7417192/ <![CDATA[2 Cor 12 - 'Paul's Vision and His Thorn']]> http://www.christianforums.com/t7416739/ Wed, 11 Nov 2009 01:51:18 GMT Can someone help me understand this passage better? I've just begun really reading and studying the Bible and I am a little confused here.

From the ESV translation:

"I must go on boasting. Though there is nothing to be gained by it, I will go on to visions and revelations of the Lord. 2 I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago was caught up to the third heaven—whether in the body or out of the body I do not know, God knows. 3 And I know that this man was caught up into paradise—whether in the body or out of the body I do not know, God knows— 4 and he heard things that cannot be told, which man may not utter. 5 On behalf of this man I will boast, but on my own behalf I will not boast, except of my weaknesses. 6 Though if I should wish to boast, I would not be a fool, for I would be speaking the truth. But I refrain from it, so that no one may think more of me than he sees in me or hears from me. 7 So to keep me from becoming conceited because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, a thorn was given me in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to harass me, to keep me from becoming conceited. 8 Three times I pleaded with the Lord about this, that it should leave me. 9 But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 10 For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong."

First, at the start of my confusion, is the phrase he uses: "I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago...". What is the point of him prefacing the knowledge of this revelation like that? From the title of that chapter in my Bible (-- Paul's Vision) to all the commentaries that I've come across, it seems that we are led to assume that this man is actually Paul himself. If 'he' heard things that man cannot utter and that which cannot be told, and if God gave him this 'thorn in the flesh' to keep him humble, then that seems the obvious case. So why would he write it like that? Or is that assumption wrong?

Secondly, the term 'third heaven' used in verse 2 also threw me off at first. I had never heard this term before and it wasn't until I'd read some commentaries (bible.cc has been very helpful) that it was explained the idea was the 'first heaven', so to speak, is the 'physical' one we first see - the sky that's above us - while the second is the 'celestial heaven' - the stars and all that "above" the sky - and, finally, the third being what we traditionally think of as heaven. That explanation seems very sensible to me and it makes for great imagery, but where else in the Bible, if at all, is that term used?

And thirdly, from everything I've read there is no general consensus on what Paul's 'thorn' was. Some ideas put forth were a physical weakness/ailment, persecution by others, internal strife and falling out's with others in the church, etc. It doesn't seem the the actual cause is important but I'm curious to hear other people's views on what this thorn was. ]]> Christian Scriptures TheLong http://www.christianforums.com/t7416739/ Stones from heaven destroy army http://www.christianforums.com/t7415466/ Fri, 06 Nov 2009 09:20:53 GMT Can anyone please tell me which scripture it is where there is a fleeing enemy and God destroys them on the run with a hail or rain of firey rocks from heaven? Baz. Can anyone please tell me which scripture it is where there is a fleeing enemy and God destroys them on the run with a hail or rain of firey rocks from heaven?

Baz. ]]> Christian Scriptures bloodhound31 http://www.christianforums.com/t7415466/ Studying the Bible on the Kindle http://www.christianforums.com/t7414971/ Wed, 04 Nov 2009 14:29:27 GMT I have the Kindle DX (the large one) and it has turned out to be a great way to study the Bible. I have several Bible translations on my Kindle and a bunch of study aids. There is this KJV version that lets you jump to any verse in several seconds. ASIN: B002TG4P8Q A similar technique is used in... I have the Kindle DX (the large one) and it has turned out to be a great way to study the Bible. I have several Bible translations on my Kindle and a bunch of study aids.

There is this KJV version that lets you jump to any verse in several seconds. ASIN: B002TG4P8Q

A similar technique is used in the NET Bible with all of their 60 thousand some notes. ASIN: B002V1I4I6

There are also NIV, ESV and NASB but they are not as convenient to use because you have to go to the table of contents, go to a chapter and then manually browse to a verse that you are looking for. It takes some time but definitely usable if you are not in a hurry.

I've also purchased Easton's Bible Dictionary ASIN: B001VEJ09Q

There is also a Matthew Henry Commentary for the Kindle but I have not yet purchased it.

Does anybody else have a Kindle? Do you use it for your Bible study? Please share. ]]> Christian Scriptures BlEv2lv http://www.christianforums.com/t7414971/ Looking for NPP-friendly translation http://www.christianforums.com/t7414823/ Tue, 03 Nov 2009 23:55:58 GMT If anyone is familiar with the New Perspective on Paul, I'm looking for a decent English translation that reflects it, or at least leaves the text ambiguous enough to be read either way (if that's possible!).

Any ideas? ]]> Christian Scriptures ittarter http://www.christianforums.com/t7414823/ Christmas pagan? does it matter? http://www.christianforums.com/t7414104/ Sun, 01 Nov 2009 13:09:54 GMT Christmas pagan? does it matter? Any encyclopedia will reveal that Christmas was introduced into the "church" from pagan festivals involving the rebirth of the sun. After all, if God wanted us to celebrate His Son's birthday (Jews never celebrated anybody's birthday), why didn't he even tell us the date? And why didn't he tell us to celebrate it? And why didn't any early Christians celebrate it?

But then again, many who know these facts, don't really care. Should we? ]]> Christian Scriptures steve4.truth http://www.christianforums.com/t7414104/ Phillipians 4:19 http://www.christianforums.com/t7414063/ Sun, 01 Nov 2009 05:46:37 GMT "But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus"

I have heard it many times and until now I thought I understood it. I hear people quote this mostly when they are in a financial bind, but they say it like this "God said that He would supply all my needs according to His riches in Glory by Christ Jesus". God didn't say this, Paul did. I guess my question is, (A) why do people say this incorrectly, & (B) Where in the bible does God Himself say that He would provide for our needs?

I'm not saying that everyone is wrong, I'm just saying that I don't understand it and would like some insight on it. Thanks in advance! ]]> Christian Scriptures christianboy83 http://www.christianforums.com/t7414063/ Judge not, that ye be not judged. huh? http://www.christianforums.com/t7413645/ Fri, 30 Oct 2009 12:45:41 GMT This is the verse so many use to try to shame Christians for discerning poor behavior, ethics, morals, and values: the "judge not lest ye be judged" verse. So many times people, mostly teens have emailed us saying "judge not lest you be judged" regarding our analysis reports which reveal to their parents the content of movies. Using only Matt 7:1 is entirely incomplete. This verse is not speaking to not judging at all -- it is speaking to not judging unfairly or any other cheap and selfish way. Read the rest of the story ...

Matt 7:2-5 "For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged [if we judge with an evil heart or dark intent, His judgment of us will reflect it; if we judge nobly with honesty and justice, His judgment of us will reflect that, too], and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you...

JUDGE NOT LEST YE BE JUDGED and CAST THE FIRST STONE

ahh yes, i always knew there was somthing wrong with the way certain people used this verse...lol their unfair judgements will be rendered back onto them... it's so poetic...

it's ok to judge as long as it is just. ]]> Christian Scriptures canukian http://www.christianforums.com/t7413645/