• Starting today August 7th, 2024, in order to post in the Married Couples, Courting Couples, or Singles forums, you will not be allowed to post if you have your Marital status designated as private. Announcements will be made in the respective forums as well but please note that if yours is currently listed as Private, you will need to submit a ticket in the Support Area to have yours changed.

  • CF has always been a site that welcomes people from different backgrounds and beliefs to participate in discussion and even debate. That is the nature of its ministry. In view of recent events emotions are running very high. We need to remind people of some basic principles in debating on this site. We need to be civil when we express differences in opinion. No personal attacks. Avoid you, your statements. Don't characterize an entire political party with comparisons to Fascism or Communism or other extreme movements that committed atrocities. CF is not the place for broad brush or blanket statements about groups and political parties. Put the broad brushes and blankets away when you come to CF, better yet, put them in the incinerator. Debate had no place for them. We need to remember that people that commit acts of violence represent themselves or a small extreme faction.

Am I misunderstanding the Bible?

Jul 7, 2011
80
0
Columbia, NC.
✟22,690.00
Faith
Christian
Marital Status
Married
Hi there,
I am a new here, and I have questions about understanding the Bible.
They (many American Christians) told me that if you believe in Jesus, you will be saved.
Yea, I believe in that, I've read John 1:12.
It says that whoever took Jesus in his heart was given the right to become children of God, according the NIV.

The right to become a child of God may not be exactly will be saved, I think.
According the Bible I've read, after took Jesus as the Savior in my heart I must learn what is the love of God and I must treat my neighbors with the love, then I will be one of children of God.

Of course, I am not the one to say how you read the Bible, instead, the Holy Spirit let you to know what that means in the Bible.

But, if I believe in Jesus is the Savior, I will be saved, that's not how the Bible is written.
And I was told many times I do not understand the Bible.
Now what would you think?
 

fm107

Psalm 19:1-4 and Romans 1:20
May 12, 2009
1,152
143
London, UK
✟91,274.00
Country
United Kingdom
Gender
Male
Faith
Protestant
Marital Status
Married
Hi brother,

1 John 3:10
This is how we know who the children of God are and who the children of the devil are: Anyone who does not do what is right is not a child of God; nor is anyone who does not love his brother.

The above verse isn't saying treat your neighbours with love THEN you will be counted child of God. That would be contradictory to this verse:

John 1:12
Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God

It's those who believe and receive Jesus who are children of God. Only belief and acceptance of Christ is required for salvation! And if your a child of God then yes, you are saved.

John 3:36
Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever rejects the Son will not see life, for God's wrath remains on him."

John 3:16
"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.

................................................................

1 John 3:10
This is how we know who the children of God are and who the children of the devil are: Anyone who does not do what is right is not a child of God; nor is anyone who does not love his brother.

So what does this verse mean?

The verse is talking about how to tell apart from somone who is a child of God from the person who is the child of the devil.

We can tell someone isn't a child of God but rather a child of the devil because he doesn't have brotherly love - something Christ shown so greatly in his time down here.

Please feel free to ask any further questions or if your not satisfied with my response, I'd be happy to discuss it further.


May God bless you brother.

Frank
 
Upvote 0
Mar 31, 2011
1,289
60
Babylon
✟24,491.00
Country
United States
Faith
Christian Seeker
Marital Status
In Relationship
No where in the Bible does it say anything about "accepting Jesus Christ in your heart".

Its hard to follow you so forgive me.

Accepting salvation through faith is key, notice fm107 use 3 verses built on believing.
Its near the root of us.

The first he presented deal with are actions.
We must also consider how to encourage each other to show love and to do good things.
(Hebrews 10:24)

James has a good metaphor about reading scripture and not using it.
(James 1:23-24)

No one understands the Bible.

Peace.
 
Upvote 0

1watchman

Overseer
Site Supporter
Oct 9, 2010
6,040
1,228
Washington State
✟358,418.00
Faith
Christian
Marital Status
Married
Some of us understand the Bible, even though we don't speak everything as a verse. The verses of God's Word are all true, but we must apply them properly. We must receive the Lord Jesus into our heart, which is the essence of 1 John 5. We are only saved by being "born again" (John 3) and that is a work in the heart and soul to make one alive unto God. Religious works will not save a soul, but it is a good beginning.

- 1 Watchman
 
Upvote 0

LilLamb219

The Lamb is gone
Site Supporter
Jun 2, 2005
28,055
1,929
Visit site
✟106,096.00
Faith
Christian
Marital Status
Private
Salvation comes in this way...

God gives us faith in order to believe. What do we believe? We trust in Jesus the Christ who is God who came to earth in the form of man, lived the perfectly obedient life we could not and died in our place on the cross for the forgiveness of our sins. He rose again on the 3rd day. He ascended into heaven and will come again with glory to judge.

Salvation is God's work 100%.

So, Doubting Thomas, you say you believe in Jesus...what do you believe? Do you believe that your sins are forgiven?
 
Upvote 0
Jul 7, 2011
80
0
Columbia, NC.
✟22,690.00
Faith
Christian
Marital Status
Married
Thanks Frank for your reply.

With all respect, Frank, do you know who has brotherly love and who doesn't have that love?
I wouldn't think myself that I have brotherly love all the time and on the other hand I feel brotherly love for someone time to time.
This is exactly my point we can't tell What God think about us even the Bible says so, because we do not know ourselves, but only God knows.

We can think and believe all we want about the Bable what it says, however, it is the most important thing for us, Christian, to think what God would do or like to tell us what to do or not to do, not we can demand it because the Bible says so.
After all, Jesus came here to do what's written in Hebrews 9:28.

I read the Bible all the times with asking help of the Holy Spirit so that I wouldn't come to a wrong conclusion such in a hurry, or I could be open minded to accept the Holy Spirit's guide when I am wrong about understanding the Bible.

Frank, I wouldn't think real life is so simple that there is a such person who does right all the time and there is a such person who does do wrong things all the time.
We all do wrong things and right things perhaps in God's eyes.

Jesus came here on this earth to save us from the sins God gave to Adam and Eve to punish for disobeying God, right?
Until Jesus came here and he was crucified, no one had any idea what Jesus was intended to do, include 12 disciples, even they saw the world greatest miracles Jesus caused, didn't have idea Jesus was the Savior according to the Bible.

I am always puzzled with "do what is right" Christians.
Could you tell what is right in God's heart?
After all Christian's right is God's right, isn't it?
Could you know what is God's right?

I guess that is love of God, but what is love of God?
We are supposed to love our neighbors with love of God, sounds easy right?
How about love your enemies?
The Bible says God does.
If we don't, are we the children of the evil?
I don't think so, we do bad things from the flesh=sin God gave us, that's why God gave us His only son to us to save us from our sins, isn't it?


Mark 12:28 One of the teachers of the law came and heard them debating. Noticing that Jesus had given them a good answer, he asked him, “Of all the commandments, which is the most important?”
29 “The most important one,” answered Jesus, “is this: ‘Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. 30 Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength. 31 The second is this: Love your neighbor as yourself. There is no commandment greater than these.”

32 “Well said, teacher,” the man replied. “You are right in saying that God is one and there is no other but him. 33 To love him with all your heart, with all your understanding and with all your strength, and to love your neighbor as yourself is more important than all burnt offerings and sacrifices.”

34 When Jesus saw that he had answered wisely, he said to him, “You are not far from the kingdom of God.” And from then on no one dared ask him any more questions.

What I meant by "treat your neighbors with love" is that love you neighbors as yourself, I did not check into the Bible then. Please accept my apology.

Frank, you wrote >It's those who believe and receive Jesus who are children of God. <
However, the Bible says, " he gave the right to become children of God."
I hope that you would distinguish the difference between "who are children of God" and " who have the right to become children of God."

If >It's those who believe and receive Jesus who are children of God. <is good enough, and it is as same as," Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength." why do you need to love your neighbors as yourself?

Frank, I thank you for letting me think deeper.

Love in Jesus

Tom
 
Upvote 0
Jul 7, 2011
80
0
Columbia, NC.
✟22,690.00
Faith
Christian
Marital Status
Married
No where in the Bible does it say anything about "accepting Jesus Christ in your heart".

Its hard to follow you so forgive me.

Accepting salvation through faith is key, notice fm107 use 3 verses built on believing.
Its near the root of us.

The first he presented deal with are actions.
We must also consider how to encourage each other to show love and to do good things.
(Hebrews 10:24)

James has a good metaphor about reading scripture and not using it.
(James 1:23-24)

No one understands the Bible.

Peace.
Thanks eachallberg for your reply.

>No where in the Bible does it say anything about "accepting Jesus Christ in your heart".

You are right.
I did not find it myself, however, when you love God with all your heart and all your soul and mind and your strength, where would you think accept Jesus Christ at?
It's easy to answer for me.

>Its hard to follow you so forgive me.

You are forgiven.


>No one understands the Bible.

I think everyone understand the Bible in their ways.
No one understand God' way.
That's the reason I would like to read the Bible again and again and again.
My thought about the Bible and God is changing as I get older, seems like it.
And that is a good thing&#12539;&#12539;&#12539;
I don't have to stay in wrong all the time.
 
Upvote 0
Jul 7, 2011
80
0
Columbia, NC.
✟22,690.00
Faith
Christian
Marital Status
Married
Some of us understand the Bible, even though we don't speak everything as a verse. The verses of God's Word are all true, but we must apply them properly. We must receive the Lord Jesus into our heart, which is the essence of 1 John 5. We are only saved by being "born again" (John 3) and that is a work in the heart and soul to make one alive unto God. Religious works will not save a soul, but it is a good beginning.

- 1 Watchman
Thanks 1 Watchman

>Religious works will not save a soul, but it is a good beginning.

I am with you.
Religions don't do anything for me, but faith does.
If anyone with religious mind is there, God bless 'em, I respect 'em.
If we are Christians and we have different idea about God, so let it be, however if we have different understanding about the Bible, I would like to hear it.
Let's talk.
 
Upvote 0
Jul 7, 2011
80
0
Columbia, NC.
✟22,690.00
Faith
Christian
Marital Status
Married
Salvation comes in this way...

God gives us faith in order to believe. What do we believe? We trust in Jesus the Christ who is God who came to earth in the form of man, lived the perfectly obedient life we could not and died in our place on the cross for the forgiveness of our sins. He rose again on the 3rd day. He ascended into heaven and will come again with glory to judge.

Salvation is God's work 100%.

So, Doubting Thomas, you say you believe in Jesus...what do you believe? Do you believe that your sins are forgiven?
Thank you for your love.

Doubting Thomas was taken, so I chose Tomas.
Perhaps, it's Espanol.^^

>what do you believe? Do you believe that your sins are forgiven?

To be honest, I believe God WAS there, somewhere, when He created this universe and human beings.

I could not understand many description in the Bible, so one day I've decided believe every things Jesus said in the Bible.

Do I believe that my sins are forgiven?

I hope He will, though I know it's not an easy job even for Jesus. ^^
I am not sure what Jesus is thinking of me, but I am happy with Jesus in my heart.
 
Upvote 0

LilLamb219

The Lamb is gone
Site Supporter
Jun 2, 2005
28,055
1,929
Visit site
✟106,096.00
Faith
Christian
Marital Status
Private
Thank you for your love.

Doubting Thomas was taken, so I chose Tomas.
Perhaps, it's Espanol.^^

>what do you believe? Do you believe that your sins are forgiven?

To be honest, I believe God WAS there, somewhere, when He created this universe and human beings.

I could not understand many description in the Bible, so one day I've decided believe every things Jesus said in the Bible.

Do I believe that my sins are forgiven?

I hope He will, though I know it's not an easy job even for Jesus. ^^
I am not sure what Jesus is thinking of me, but I am happy with Jesus in my heart.

Your sins were nailed to the cross. They are indeed forgiven.
 
Upvote 0

heymikey80

Quidquid Latine dictum sit, altum viditur
Dec 18, 2005
14,496
921
✟41,809.00
Faith
Calvinist
Marital Status
Married
Politics
US-Republican
The basic problem is that belief that Jesus died for your sins, that isn't solely what is meant by "believe/faith in Christ". The term "believe in [a person]" means far, far more than "believe in [a fact]." And any quick survey of the New Testament reveals that it talks more about belief in a person than belief in a fact about the person.

The personal "believe in [a person]" is more allied with the idea of relying on the person, than simply agreeing that the person did something (like, say, Crucifixion for your sins).

When you believe in someone, you rely on him. You trust what they say as well as what they do. The result of that faith expresses in action as you grow to listen, know, and comprehend what the person is saying that you believe in.
 
Upvote 0
Jul 7, 2011
80
0
Columbia, NC.
✟22,690.00
Faith
Christian
Marital Status
Married
The basic problem is that belief that Jesus died for your sins, that isn't solely what is meant by "believe/faith in Christ". The term "believe in [a person]" means far, far more than "believe in [a fact]." And any quick survey of the New Testament reveals that it talks more about belief in a person than belief in a fact about the person.

The personal "believe in [a person]" is more allied with the idea of relying on the person, than simply agreeing that the person did something (like, say, Crucifixion for your sins).

When you believe in someone, you rely on him. You trust what they say as well as what they do. The result of that faith expresses in action as you grow to listen, know, and comprehend what the person is saying that you believe in.
Thanks for your reply.

>When you believe in someone, you rely on him.

My Question, here, is that am I misunderstanding the Bible.
How am I saved? is the question and not "How do I believe Him?"
I apologize if I misunderstand your post.

When any one believes in the Bible, he/she must believe that the Bible was written with the words from the Holy Spirit, or some like that in my case.

In that case, God=Jesus must have said all He wanted say, don't you think?
Like you say, I can assure you that the Bible said everything we need to know and we can rely on it without any doubt.

My problem is that I was told by many I don't understand the Bible, is that so?
 
Upvote 0

Harry3142

Regular Member
Apr 9, 2006
3,749
259
Ohio
✟27,729.00
Faith
Anglican
Marital Status
Married
Politics
US-Republican
Moses describes in this way the righteousness that is by the law: "The man who does these things will live by them." But the righteousness that is by faith says, "Do not say in your heart, 'Who will ascend into heaven?' " (that is, to bring Christ down) "or 'Who will descend into the deep?' " (that is, to bring Christ up from the dead). But what does it say? "The word is near you; it is in your mind and in your heart," that is, the word of faith we are proclaiming: that if you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved. As the Scripture says, "Anyone who trusts in him will never be put to shame." For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile - the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him, for, "Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved." (Romans 10:5-13,NIV)

Every word and every action that we say and/or do as Christians must emanate from this faith. In order to truly say the words God would have us say, and perform the actions that he would have us perform, the genuineness of what happened 2,000 years ago (Jesus' passion, death and resurrection) must first be accepted as fact, and its relevancy to our own lives accepted.

If that faith is genuine, the works will follow. But they will not be a seperate avenue to salvation; instead, they will themselves be a direct outgrowth of that faith. Just as our hearts beating, our lungs taking in lifegiving air, and our brains immediately starting to assimilate data were natural outgrowths of our live births as indivtduals, our works, both in word and deed, will evolve naturally out of our genuine faith in what God, through his Son Jesus Christ, has already done for us.

Beware of those who would attempt to convince you that you must obey certain rules and regulations in order to earn your own salvation. God has seen to it that our salvation is totally dependent on his actions rather than our own, due to man's overriding tendency to become arrogant. Those who teach that we must obey them rather than putting our trust in God himself have, in my experience (and I've had 65 years of experience), always had an ulterior motive that included an agenda which would either gain for themselves wealth and temporal power, or gain those things for the organizations which they really represent while using the cross as a smokescreen to hide their true motives.
 
Upvote 0
Mar 31, 2011
1,289
60
Babylon
✟24,491.00
Country
United States
Faith
Christian Seeker
Marital Status
In Relationship
Thanks for your reply.

My Question, here, is that am I misunderstanding the Bible.
How am I saved? is the question and not "How do I believe Him?"
I apologize if I misunderstand your post.

The 2nd and 3rd Evangelists give the only account of Jesus marveling at the Centurion's faith. No where else does it show Christ being amazed. (Luke 7:9)

When we get together and Pray and proclaim the Faith we all say, "amen" at the end because we are agreeing (accepting).
Salvation comes through acceptance, we merely accept gifts especially when G_d gives them (Ephesians 2:8-9).

When any one believes in the Bible, he/she must believe that the Bible was written with the words from the Holy Spirit, or some like that in my case.

The Bible was compiled by man, the roman empire to be exact.
It was all written by man, and some was inspired by the Holy Spirit.
Is all of it necessary?
If it has nothing to do with Love than it is meaningless, like the genealogies even Paul rebukes in 1 Timothy 1:4.
Those same 2 evangelists that wrote about the centurions Faith present a family tree that are not same.

In that case, God=Jesus must have said all He wanted say, don't you think?
Like you say, I can assure you that the Bible said everything we need to know and we can rely on it without any doubt.

My problem is that I was told by many I don't understand the Bible, is that so?

No, don't worry. The people that put 66 books together and called it the only infallible Word of G_d threw up barriers up and spread fear. Paul wrote his letters with the guidance of the Holy Spirit. The Spirit of Truth wasn't snuffed out completely. Jeremiah 8:8, Revelation 22:18-19, clearly indicated that the altercation of scripture happens. John had to add threats!

"Woe to you experts in the law, because you have taken away the key to knowledge. You yourselves have not entered, and you have hindered those who were entering."
(Luke 11:52)
Look at the vatican flag.
See keys?
They deceive some by calling them St. Peters keys to the gates of heaven but it is a blatant taunt.
O' foolish roman catholic church empire...

How can we grow when confined, and are only movement is trembling from fear (1 John 4:18).

I believe there is more than just the New Testament that is inspired by the Holy Spirit (John 21:25).

Doubt is not good, but being aware is (Luke 12:1) especially with what your saying amen to.

Its not a problem you don't understand the Bible (1 Corinthians 8:2).


Peace.
 
Upvote 0

fm107

Psalm 19:1-4 and Romans 1:20
May 12, 2009
1,152
143
London, UK
✟91,274.00
Country
United Kingdom
Gender
Male
Faith
Protestant
Marital Status
Married
Thanks Frank for your reply.
With all respect, Frank, do you know who has brotherly love and who doesn't have that love?
I wouldn't think myself that I have brotherly love all the time and on the other hand I feel brotherly love for someone time to time.
This is exactly my point we can't tell What God think about us even the Bible says so, because we do not know ourselves, but only God knows.

Hi Tom,

God tells us that there are signs we can see in a person which would indicate whether a person is saved or not. Of course, only Jesus can truly know.

You asked me if I know if I can know who has brotherly love and who doesn't. Scripture teaches us that we can know this.

James 2:15-16
Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to him, &#8220;Go, I wish you well; keep warm and well fed,&#8221; but does nothing about his physical needs, what good is it?

Love must be in action and not just merely words. So we can tell is a person has brotherly love in how they act. Do they show care etc for his brothers? Or does he send them on their way and not help them in their need?

Here are several more examples from scripture, I urge you to read them all, especially the one I put in bold:

1 John 3:17
If anyone has material possessions and sees his brother in need but has no pity on him, how can the love of God be in him?

1 Timothy 5:8
If anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for his immediate family, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.

Luke 3:11
John answered, "The man with two tunics should share with him who has none, and the one who has food should do the same."

Luke 10:27
He answered: &#8220;&#8216;Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind&#8217;; and, &#8216;Love your neighbor as yourself.&#8217;&#8221;

^Read the parable this verse is associated with!
The Parable of the Good Samaritan = Luke 10:25-37

Brotherly love is something a Christian has. If you seen someone dying on the street and you could help them, would you? A person who turns their back on them doesn't have the love that a Christian should.

Similarly, if a brother comes to you without clothes and no food to feed himself and you had the ability to help him, wouldn't you do so? A person who doesn't cannot be saved because they don't have love.

James 2:15-16
Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to him, "Go, I wish you well; keep warm and well fed," but does nothing about his physical needs, what good is it?

How can the love of God be in such a person who turns back on a person like this. Don't get me wrong, doing these things doesn't get a person saved but rather seeing a person displaying love in such a way confirms to us that they are not just mere professors but are genuinely Christians because they bear good fruit - not bad.

Matthew 7:10
Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them.

Frank, I wouldn't think real life is so simple that there is a such person who does right all the time and there is a such person who does do wrong things all the time.
We all do wrong things and right things perhaps in God's eyes.

Yes we all do wrong, that's why we need to be saved, that is why Christ came.

Isaiah 53:6
We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to his own way; and the LORD has laid on him the iniquity of us all.

Romans 3:23
for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God

Even Christians can sin.

1 John 2:1
My dear children, I write this to you so that you will not sin. But if anybody does sin, we have one who speaks to the Father in our defense--Jesus Christ, the Righteous One.

We aren't perfect (yet) until the Lord comes back for us. We live in an imperfect world and in imperfect bodies. But to be perfect in deed and thought is our aim, to be like Jesus and also our Father in Heaven. Here is what Jesus said:

Matthew 5:48
Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.

Jesus came here on this earth to save us from the sins God gave to Adam and Eve to punish for disobeying God, right?

God didn't give Adam and Eve sins. Sin is something we do. Sin is disobedience to God. Adam and Eve sinned. Jesus came to save us from the consequences of our sin. Eternal death - by that I mean an eternity in Hell and seperation from God.

I am always puzzled with "do what is right" Christians.
Could you tell what is right in God's heart?
After all Christian's right is God's right, isn't it?
Could you know what is God's right?

God has given us consciences. Just listen to it! That's a good start.

2 Timothy 1:3, Acts 23:1, 1 Timothy 1:19, 1 Timothy 1:5, 1 Peter 3:16, 2 Cor 1:12, Acts 24:16 and so on.

Romans 2:15
since they show that the requirements of the law are written on their hearts, their consciences also bearing witness, and their thoughts now accusing, now even defending them.

And finally we have the bible.

If we do make mistakes then learn from them, that is what life is about.

God isn't legal, he is so understanding and so caring it is unimaginable. Just live how you think God would have you live. Try to read the bible more as that teaches you more about him. But stay close to him in prayer and have a strong relationship with him. That's what he wants with his son too.

I guess that is love of God, but what is love of God?
We are supposed to love our neighbors with love of God, sounds easy right?
How about love your enemies?
The Bible says God does.
If we don't, are we the children of the evil?
I don't think so, we do bad things from the flesh=sin God gave us, that's why God gave us His only son to us to save us from our sins, isn't it?

That's right. I should have read this before typing all what I wrote prior!

Yes, we need to learn to love our enemies - it is indeed very hard.

However, the Bible says, " he gave the right to become children of God."
I hope that you would distinguish the difference between "who are children of God" and " who have the right to become children of God."

Think of the word 'right' as 'privilege.' Those who believe are given the privilege/right to be sons.

If >It's those who believe and receive Jesus who are children of God. <is good enough, and it is as same as," Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength." why do you need to love your neighbors as yourself?

Matthew 5:46-47
If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? And if you greet only your brothers, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that?

Love isn't greedy but selfless:

1 Corinthians 13:4-8
Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
Love never fails.

Or think of the rich young man who came to Jesus, he didn't sell his possesion and give them to the poor. He was selfish. God wants us to have true love and to carry out the moral obligation of loving our neighbours, one another and him. For are we any better than the unbeleivers if we only love those who love us?


With love, your brother in Christ.
 
Upvote 0
Jul 7, 2011
80
0
Columbia, NC.
✟22,690.00
Faith
Christian
Marital Status
Married
Amen to your post, Harry3142.

I believe you said it all.
My ulterior motive of "Am I misunderstanding the Bible." was that if any one practice "13 for, &#8220;Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.&#8221;, they must know "10 For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved."

Why is there any need to say that I am misunderstanding the words of the Bible, if your heart was with God's heart?

After all, we've heard and read the Gospel, it's up to us how we read and understand the Bible.
If some one tells me about the Bible out of some different thought rather than the Bible, then yes, I would say that he/she is misunderstanding the Christianity.
However, when we are talking about the same Bible, the different opinions are not to be corrected but to be listen.
Because the judgement is not mine but His.

In certain degree, we do not understanding the Bible perfectly, because the truth of our faith is not in our heart what we think it is, but rather is in God's heart.
We can just hope we are walking the line of God's heart.

16 You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit&#8212;fruit that will last&#8212;and so that whatever you ask in my name the Father will give you. 17 This is my command: Love each other.(John15)

21 &#8220;Not everyone who says to me, &#8216;Lord, Lord,&#8217; will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. 22 Many will say to me on that day, &#8216;Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and in your name perform many miracles?&#8217; 23 Then I will tell them plainly, &#8216;I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!&#8217;(Matthew 7)
 
Upvote 0
Jul 7, 2011
80
0
Columbia, NC.
✟22,690.00
Faith
Christian
Marital Status
Married
The 2nd and 3rd Evangelists give the only account of Jesus marveling at the Centurion's faith. No where else does it show Christ being amazed. (Luke 7:9)

When we get together and Pray and proclaim the Faith we all say, "amen" at the end because we are agreeing (accepting).
Salvation comes through acceptance, we merely accept gifts especially when G_d gives them (Ephesians 2:8-9).



The Bible was compiled by man, the roman empire to be exact.
It was all written by man, and some was inspired by the Holy Spirit.
Is all of it necessary?
If it has nothing to do with Love than it is meaningless, like the genealogies even Paul rebukes in 1 Timothy 1:4.
Those same 2 evangelists that wrote about the centurions Faith present a family tree that are not same.



No, don't worry. The people that put 66 books together and called it the only infallible Word of G_d threw up barriers up and spread fear. Paul wrote his letters with the guidance of the Holy Spirit. The Spirit of Truth wasn't snuffed out completely. Jeremiah 8:8, Revelation 22:18-19, clearly indicated that the altercation of scripture happens. John had to add threats!

"Woe to you experts in the law, because you have taken away the key to knowledge. You yourselves have not entered, and you have hindered those who were entering."
(Luke 11:52)
Look at the vatican flag.
See keys?
They deceive some by calling them St. Peters keys to the gates of heaven but it is a blatant taunt.
O' foolish roman catholic church empire...

How can we grow when confined, and are only movement is trembling from fear (1 John 4:18).

I believe there is more than just the New Testament that is inspired by the Holy Spirit (John 21:25).

Doubt is not good, but being aware is (Luke 12:1) especially with what your saying amen to.

Its not a problem you don't understand the Bible (1 Corinthians 8:2).


Peace.
Thank you, eachallburg

>The 2nd and 3rd Evangelists give the only account of Jesus marveling at the Centurion's faith. No where else does it show Christ being amazed. (Luke 7:9)

>When we get together and Pray and proclaim the Faith we all say, "amen" at the end because we are agreeing (accepting).
Salvation comes through acceptance, we merely accept gifts especially when G_d gives them (Ephesians 2:8-9).

Amen

>The Bible was compiled by man, the roman empire to be exact.
It was all written by man, and some was inspired by the Holy Spirit.
Is all of it necessary?

I think you are correct, and if you talk about the history, I think Jesus was a mere man with great philosophy in a history book.
However, the philosophy leap into a religion and faith, again in my case, therefore we all believe that the Bible was written inspired by the Holy Spirit.

And I like you said some (of the Bible) was written inspired by Holy Spirit.
I know it is only me to think that I do not take Old Testament heavy as the Bible (such as kosher food law) and only the Gospel is important for me.


>Doubt is not good, but being aware is (Luke 12:1) especially with what your saying amen to.

Haha, Doubting Tomas is actually Doubting Thomas, of course, however, my real name is Hirotami and they called me Tommy, then Thomas or Tom when I came to the USA 36 years ago.
My grandmother's cousin was a student of Johns Hopkins University a hundred some years ago.
His name was Inazo Nitobe and he was baptized in Japan, provably as a Methodist.
After He came to the USA, he must be disappointed with the denomination whatever the reason was.
Then he joined Quaker and married Quaker's daughter.
When I recently found the name of the baby son of Inazo and his wife Mary, passed away in few days after born, was Thomas, I had a chill all over my body.

I never had a relationship with famous Inazo and Quaker rather than my mother told me about Inazo who was a cousin on my grandmother.
I lived Maryland and New Jersey, so Philadelphia was my favorite city to visit.
I may have passed where Inazo was riding a buggy, and I may have seen trail or woods Inazo had seen.

William Pen (the founder of Pennsylvania) was a Quaker and Quaker believed we are all equal under God, which was a new and noble idea especially back then.
The idea became Democracy, the Democracy formed the base of the Constitution of the USA, We The People.

Ironically, the Founding Fathers of America was also the Framers of the Constitution and some of them, such as George Washington, were slave plantation owners.

However, many good things had come out of the Constitution in its history, even it was slowly.

Oh well, what was I talking about ?

>Its not a problem you don't understand the Bible (1 Corinthians 8:2).

No, it's not a problem. We do not understand it without the Holy Spirit.
Even I did one night, next morning I never felt the chill again.
However, telling others that you are misunderstanding the Bible is totally different no understand.
Since we don't understand the Bible is no problem, to tell someone you are misunderstanding the Bible is who's words?
Perhaps, the Holy Spirit?

>No, don't worry. The people that put 66 books together and called it the only infallible Word of G_d threw up barriers up and spread fear. Paul wrote his letters with the guidance of the Holy Spirit. The Spirit of Truth wasn't snuffed out completely. Jeremiah 8:8, Revelation 22:18-19, clearly indicated that the altercation of scripture happens. John had to add threats!

This is what I am talking about with "only the Gospel is important for me."
 
Upvote 0

mandelduke

Newbie
Oct 17, 2010
920
46
66
Choctaw Ms
✟23,881.00
Faith
Non-Denom
Marital Status
In Relationship
Romans 10:9 tells us that there are only two things needed for you to go to heaven and be with God forever"If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved." (Romans 10:9)[The world we live in can be a scary place, but Romans 8:28 tells us that God is in control and reminds us that God has a plan to protect us and give our hearts peace. The plan is to have His son Jesus Christ pay the price for our mistakes, even though He did nothing wrong, so that we can have a perfect life in heaven, even though we don't deserve it.​
He offers this as a free gift to you because of His great love for you. For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only son, so that whoever believes in Him will not die, but have eternal life. (John 3:16]Saving faith is trusting in Jesus Christ alone for your salvation. 'For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith--and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God-- not by works, so that no one can boast.' (Ephesians 2:8,9)If you don't have a time in your life when you remember asking Jesus to come into your heart, to forgive you of your sins and change the direction you were heading in your life, today is the day of salvation! It's not a coincidence that you're here reading this information. if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts as you did in the rebellion.
 
Upvote 0