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gods word
- Thread starter rcr
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It is because he mask himself with such skill that the question is so commonly ask "does such a being really exist". Yesterday at 03:30 PM Quath said this in Post #45
It also says that Satan is a dragon. It does not say the serpent in the garden was a dragon. All you can really draw from it is that Satan is old and he is a serpent. Otherwise, it is reptile profiling. 
Scott (Quath)
The word of God gives us so many examples of his malignant work. That the plainest testimonys of the Scriptures are disregarded or believed to be a lie is an evidence of his success.
None are in greater danger from the influence of evil spirits than those who dispite the direct and ample testimony of the Scriptures, deny the existence of the agency of the devil and his angels.
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God can and does clarify these things when the truth concerning them is sought earnestly and diligently with humility of heart.
Since spiritual things are spiritually discerned, our ability to understand these things is a gift from God.
It is very helpful if first, we believe that He is, and second, believe that He is trustworthy.
Without believing these things, how can anyone expect to recieve Gods gift of spiritual discernment?
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Quath
Senior Member
I look at people that believe in Him and believe that He is trustworthy. In those people, I see that noone agrees with each other about Him. Otherwise there would not be 33,000+ denominations of Christianity if the truth were evident to a Christian.
God could easily clarify which religion is right and which is wrong. God could say the Mormon book is wrong or right. He could state that Catholics represent Him or not. He could do so much stuff that He doesn't do. So by lack of information, He does a lot more damage than Satan ever could.
Scott (Quath)
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The goal isn't to put every answer in your lap, but rather for you to SEEK it. He gave us the bible which is his plan for our salvation. There are so many different denominations because it is taken differenly by different people. Generally, the major principles are agreed upon (except when cults come into play), but the secondary issues that aren't necessary to salvation come into question.
As for other religions, I feel they come about from pagan ideas and satan trying to add confusion to the world so it's harder to discern what is true and what is not. One instance would be buddism that tries to focus on a person being able to control things rather than God (I think, don't know much bout it).
Don't expect it to be ez to know everything. You have to read, pray, and listen from the bible and the spirit to realize his mysterious ways.
As for other religions, I feel they come about from pagan ideas and satan trying to add confusion to the world so it's harder to discern what is true and what is not. One instance would be buddism that tries to focus on a person being able to control things rather than God (I think, don't know much bout it).
Don't expect it to be ez to know everything. You have to read, pray, and listen from the bible and the spirit to realize his mysterious ways.
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Quath
Senior Member
The Bible and Christianity is too confused even on the most basic of issues. For example, "Who or how is one saved?" It is a common issue across Christianity, and yet it is full of contradictions in the Bible.
- By Hearing the Gospel & Belief in God: John 5:24: "He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life".
- By Baptism: John 3:5: "Jesus answered, I tell you the truth, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless he is born of water and the Spirit.'"
- By Grace & Faith, not Works: Ephesians 2:8,9: "For by grace are ye saved through faith
not of works."
- By Faith & Works: James 2:17: "Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone."
- By Keeping the Law: Matthew 19:17: "... if thou wilt enter unto life, keep the commandments."
- By Belief in Christ: John 3:16: "
whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life."
- By Belief and Baptism: Mark 16:16: "He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be ******."
- By Words: Matthew 12:37: "For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned."
- By Calling on the Lord: Acts 2:21: "whoever calls upon the name of the Lord shall be saved."
- Not Works but by Grace & Baptism: Titus 3:5: "Not by works
but according to his mercy
by the washing of regeneration." (Note: some denominations will say the washing refers to Christs blood and sacrifice.)
- According to Proverbs 16:4: God made the "wicked" for "the day of evil" (i.e. judgment & damnation). Of course, this makes no sense in light of passages that confirm or suggest that Jesus died for a small number of the elect; or that suggest all will be saved: John 1:29, 4:42, 1 Corinthians 15:29, Hebrews 2:9, 1 John 4:14.
- Salvation Available to the Chosen Few: Matthew 7:14, 22:14, Luke 12:32, 13:24, John 6:37,65,15:16,19, Romans 8:29, 9:11-23, Ephesians 1:4.
- Salvation Available to Those Who Desire it: Matthew 7:7-8, 11:28, John 3:16, 5:40, 7:37, Acts 2:21, Revelations 3:20.
(Ref: http://www.secweb.org/asset.asp?AssetID=192)
God could easily clear up this simple issue if He desired. However, He does not. So does He not care that people chose the wrong path to being saved?
Scott (Quath)
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Well, first of all you just can't take it verse by verse, but as a whole.
The commandments were given as rules of conduct that a child of God should do. Because of our love for God (a deep love) we don't ever want to break them. Love is a requirement to see him. Also, because God loves us in return he gave us his son to forgive us for the commands we do break, otherwise we would all be destined for hell because we are impure. Now when we believe in Jesus and what he did for us, we can be reborn in the spirit. Baptism is a symbol of the convenant that God will and does save us. We are commanded to do this as a visual symbol to the community that we accept Jesus as our lord and savior. Faith alone will grant us our salvation (faith and love are intertwined). Now a faith without works is dead because if we truely believe then we will want to do good for mankind and God. Works does not get us to heaven but rather proves our faith. Desire for salvation also correlates to faith and thus love. These can't be superficial, but deep within a person. A continual walk with the lord strengthens each.
Personally I don't believe baptism is necessary for salvation, but rather only a strong faith in Jesus. With that we are reborn and baptised into the spirit.
So in all reality, the plan for salvation is quite simple. One verse out of a book of thousands isn't what you should focus on, but rather piece them together and you'll see the whole picture. Open your field of vision and meditate and pray. If you have an open and accepting heart, he will come. What a loving God.
The commandments were given as rules of conduct that a child of God should do. Because of our love for God (a deep love) we don't ever want to break them. Love is a requirement to see him. Also, because God loves us in return he gave us his son to forgive us for the commands we do break, otherwise we would all be destined for hell because we are impure. Now when we believe in Jesus and what he did for us, we can be reborn in the spirit. Baptism is a symbol of the convenant that God will and does save us. We are commanded to do this as a visual symbol to the community that we accept Jesus as our lord and savior. Faith alone will grant us our salvation (faith and love are intertwined). Now a faith without works is dead because if we truely believe then we will want to do good for mankind and God. Works does not get us to heaven but rather proves our faith. Desire for salvation also correlates to faith and thus love. These can't be superficial, but deep within a person. A continual walk with the lord strengthens each.
Personally I don't believe baptism is necessary for salvation, but rather only a strong faith in Jesus. With that we are reborn and baptised into the spirit.
So in all reality, the plan for salvation is quite simple. One verse out of a book of thousands isn't what you should focus on, but rather piece them together and you'll see the whole picture. Open your field of vision and meditate and pray. If you have an open and accepting heart, he will come. What a loving God.
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The book of 2 Peter provides light to your question.
Verse 3:9 says that the Lord does not want anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.
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