- Nov 17, 2010
- 401
- 22
- Faith
- Baptist
- Marital Status
- Married
- Politics
- US-Republican
Dear Friends,
The many facets of Christianity are so evident on this site, I thought some of my friends out there might be somewhat confused. The Jews and disciples in Jesus' day certainly were. Jesus had much to say about the "umbrella" of ideas that comprise the idea of "Christianity". This idea was placed under the name "Kingdom of heaven". A key idea behind Christendom or the Kingdom of heaven is that not all the members are truly converted.
In Matthew chapter 13, Christ compares the K.o.h. as like:
* A Planter that goeth forth to sow seeds. Some fall in different places,and some even grow...but only 25% actually produce real fruit.
* A planter that sows good seed, which will yield a good harvest, but an enemy sneaks in and plants fake wheat ("tares") that are very similar and grow right along with the real wheat. They are not to be removed until the time of harvest.
* A fisherman that sets his nets, getting a large assortment of fishes. He then sits down and sorts the fish out, some goes into the basket to be kept, some are thrown away.
Christ returns to this theme again,as in chapter 22 where He instructs regarding a king that is preparing a wedding feast for his son. Those that were SUPPOSED to be present at the wedding refused,slew his servants,and made light of the whole thing.This resulted in their destruction.(This was Israel,of course) The servents were then sent out to invite everybody, and the Scripture says that they got "good and bad" people to come to the wedding. When the king went in to look over the guests,one man was without a wedding garment, but didn't know why or couldn't give account anyway. So he was thrown out into outer darkness,bound hand and foot.
So from these few illustration of the Master Preacher we see that the Kingdom of heaven is all that care to come in. But ,as chapter 22 says "many are called, but few are chosen." Here we see illustrated the doctrine of election. "Whosoever will may come" but most won't, and "take of the Water of Life freely" which some will and some won't. So when you see fifteen different "flavors" of the faith or more mentioned on this site, be aware that these are the Kingdom of heaven, some of which are truly converted, and some are not. Without this bit of information, the things that "Christians" say and do makes no sense. But know that the ones who have been called and answered that call in repentence and belief are ABSOLUTELY CONVERTED and saved forever.
And,by the way, in chapter 22, you find that the wedding guests are not the Bride of Christ,which is the Church, but include anybody. However, thnkfully, many of those that are guests are actually a part of the Bride.
Oh, and this difference is not earned...it is a free gift, by grace are ye saved....
Julian of York
The many facets of Christianity are so evident on this site, I thought some of my friends out there might be somewhat confused. The Jews and disciples in Jesus' day certainly were. Jesus had much to say about the "umbrella" of ideas that comprise the idea of "Christianity". This idea was placed under the name "Kingdom of heaven". A key idea behind Christendom or the Kingdom of heaven is that not all the members are truly converted.
In Matthew chapter 13, Christ compares the K.o.h. as like:
* A Planter that goeth forth to sow seeds. Some fall in different places,and some even grow...but only 25% actually produce real fruit.
* A planter that sows good seed, which will yield a good harvest, but an enemy sneaks in and plants fake wheat ("tares") that are very similar and grow right along with the real wheat. They are not to be removed until the time of harvest.
* A fisherman that sets his nets, getting a large assortment of fishes. He then sits down and sorts the fish out, some goes into the basket to be kept, some are thrown away.
Christ returns to this theme again,as in chapter 22 where He instructs regarding a king that is preparing a wedding feast for his son. Those that were SUPPOSED to be present at the wedding refused,slew his servants,and made light of the whole thing.This resulted in their destruction.(This was Israel,of course) The servents were then sent out to invite everybody, and the Scripture says that they got "good and bad" people to come to the wedding. When the king went in to look over the guests,one man was without a wedding garment, but didn't know why or couldn't give account anyway. So he was thrown out into outer darkness,bound hand and foot.
So from these few illustration of the Master Preacher we see that the Kingdom of heaven is all that care to come in. But ,as chapter 22 says "many are called, but few are chosen." Here we see illustrated the doctrine of election. "Whosoever will may come" but most won't, and "take of the Water of Life freely" which some will and some won't. So when you see fifteen different "flavors" of the faith or more mentioned on this site, be aware that these are the Kingdom of heaven, some of which are truly converted, and some are not. Without this bit of information, the things that "Christians" say and do makes no sense. But know that the ones who have been called and answered that call in repentence and belief are ABSOLUTELY CONVERTED and saved forever.
And,by the way, in chapter 22, you find that the wedding guests are not the Bride of Christ,which is the Church, but include anybody. However, thnkfully, many of those that are guests are actually a part of the Bride.
Oh, and this difference is not earned...it is a free gift, by grace are ye saved....
Julian of York
