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The decline of hell doctrine and church attendance

P1LGR1M

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Theologizing a point not made in the bible to fit your personal theology is kind of what you're at odds with today, so best to start cleaning your own cup first.

But it is in the Bible:

Hebrews 9:11-15
King James Version

11 But Christ being come an high priest of good things to come, by a greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands, that is to say, not of this building;

12 Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us.

13 For if the blood of bulls and of goats, and the ashes of an heifer sprinkling the unclean, sanctifieth to the purifying of the flesh:

14 How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?

15 And for this cause he is the mediator of the new testament, that by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions that were under the first testament, they which are called might receive the promise of eternal inheritance.



I have no fear of Hell, because I am in Christ and He has brought about my Eternal Redemption through His vicarious death in my stead.

Those who are not in Christ are still dead in trespasses and sins, and there is a reason why the Doctrine of Hell still bothers them.

Now, would you mind telling me exactly what church it is you go to? I would like to know what denomination it is that teaches Christ's teaching is satanic, and that the Body of Christ can only have confidence in judgment "for any other reason than love being made perfect in you, a love without fear."


God bless.
 
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Gregory Thompson

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So tell me, exactly what kind of "church" do you go to?


Continued...






That is certainly not my assertion.

Could you show me how you reach this conclusion from this...



...?


Continued...


For some, obviously.


Continued...






Thank you for responding. This conversation will continue going in circles, so I do not think there's much more to add. And I will not reply to the personal questions.

As it is written, a fool is known by a multitude of words. So I will leave it at that, as this amount of words is sufficient.

However, rest assured, I have read all of your posts.

Thanks for the discussion.
 
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Lazarus Short

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One man says "preconceptions" while another has made up his mind by digging and research. You can read about ducks and the way they walk...or you can observe them in the real world and see how they walk.

No, and again you misrepresent what I write, I do NOT reject the "historical narrative of the Jews about their own history, beliefs etc." Likewise, I do not reject the historicity of the the Norse mythology about Hel. What I do reject is the reality and existence of such a place. Get real - Moses had no contact with the ancient Norse, so what are you trying to put over? It is really quite laughable. Call it what you will, I'm tired of your misrepresentations.
 
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Der Alte

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Jesus and His disciples attended synagogues and temple for about 25-30 years. They certainly would have known what the Jews taught about almost everything, including a place of fiery, eternal punishment which the Jews called both Ge Hinnom and Sheol which are written in the 225 BC LXX and the NT as "Gehenna" and "hades."
Jesus used the same terms to refer that place. What Jesus taught about Gehenna and Hades was the same as the then current Jewish belief. If there was no such place why didn't Jesus correct the Jews of His day?
That Moses had no contact with the ancient Norsemen is not germane. The concept of a place of fiery place of eternal punishment was recognized by O.T. Jews. Scriptures posted numerous times. In Korean the name of that place is geeohk. I lived and worked in Korea for almost 15 years. I don't think they had any contact with the Norsemen either.
 
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P1LGR1M

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Actually, the conversation isn't going to continue in circles, because you will simply call me a fool and a liar and leave the conversation.

I'm okay with that because that is the point: to limit the number of people promoting what I view to be false doctrine.

I also suspect that the reason you don't answer the "personal questions" is due to the fact that the contempt you have shown for the Church—the Body of Christ—indicates you are not part of a local assembly and you know this disqualifies you as a spokesman for Christ.

For you—the conversation is a dead-end.

Thanks for reading!


God bless.
 
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Gregory Thompson

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Thank you for revealing your true person to me. Do not expect any further responses.
 
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Saint Steven

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they which are called might receive the promise of eternal inheritance.
And those who were not called?
What do they get as their punishment for not being called?
Does the "punishment" fit the "crime"?
 
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FineLinen

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And those who were not called?
What do they get as their punishment for not being called?
Does the "punishment" fit the "crime"?

He cannot grasp the fact that God has concluded the radical ALL in unbelief for a reason.

"That He might have mercy upon ALL."

Might = eleeō =

To have mercy.

To help the one seeking aid.

To help the wretched to experience mercy.
 
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P1LGR1M

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And those who were not called?
What do they get as their punishment for not being called?
Does the "punishment" fit the "crime"?

Absolutely.

That there will be differing degrees of punishment can be seen here:


Hebrews 10:26-29
King James Version

26 For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins,

27 But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries.

28 He that despised Moses' law died without mercy under two or three witnesses:

29 Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace?



And here:


2 Peter 2:20-22
King James Version

20 For if after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, they are again entangled therein, and overcome, the latter end is worse with them than the beginning.

21 For it had been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than, after they have known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered unto them.

22 But it is happened unto them according to the true proverb, The dog is turned to his own vomit again; and the sow that was washed to her wallowing in the mire.



God bless.
 
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Der Alte

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Hope you don't mind. I'd like to expound a little on these vss.
KJV Hebrews 10:26-29
26 For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins,
27 But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries.
28 He that despised Moses' law died without mercy under two or three witnesses:
29 Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace?
This passage speaks about a fate worse than death without mercy vs. 28. Some people argue that a person cannot lose their salvation. It is true in the sense that they don't wake up one morning and somewhere, somehow their salvation is missing like a lost possession. But this passage clearly mentions a person who was "sanctified by the blood of the covenant." That is not someone who only heard the gospel somewhere, sometime. A worse punishment than dying without mercy.
Hebrews 6:4-6
(4) For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost,
(5) And have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come,
(6) If they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame.
If a person is not a part of the body they can't fall away. Only true believers can fall away.

 
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P1LGR1M

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We'd be in disagreement on this, my friend, because the Writer of Hebrews spends the first half of the Chapter showing that when we are sanctified by the Sacrifice of Christ we are made complete in regards to remission of sins—forever.

He doesn't turn around and then cancel his teaching just offerred.

If you will notice in v.28 he is contrasting the unbelievers under Law with the unbelievers who have rejected Christ, His Sacrifice, His Covenant, and the ministry of the Spirit of God (the Comforter's convicting ministry is the obvious reference).

Christ is the One sanctified in v.29.

Those sanctified by Christ are sanctifed once, and this justifies the insertion of "for all."

Those who are sanctified by His Sacrifice are made perfect (complete) forever. The context of the chapter is remission of sins, and the Writer contrasts what the sacrifices of the Law couldn't do with what Christ's Sacrifice does do. That is why His Sacrifice is not offered continually as the sacrifices of the Law were.

Salvation in Christ is everlasting (has no end) and is Eternal (because we are in Him Who is Eternal).

To say that we can "lose" that is to say we had something to do with gaining it in the first place. It is to say that He will leave and forsake us.

And we just don't find this in the Book of Hebrews.

I would highly recommend a study of telos and its variants as used by the Writer of Hebrews. The Theme of Perfection in Hebrews is the end of the loss of salvation hoax.




God bless.
 
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Der Alte

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Be that as it may. I only quoted scripture and emphasized what it said.
Hebrews 6:1-6
(1) Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection; not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God,
(2) Of the doctrine of baptisms, and of laying on of hands, and of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment.
(3) And this will we do, if God permit.
(4) For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost,
(5) And have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come,
(6) If they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame.
There is only one impossibility mentioned here. It does not say that it is impossible for someone to fall away. If it is not a possibility to fall away, why even mention it?
 
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P1LGR1M

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I never said it is impossible for someone to fall away, I only said it is impossible for a Christian to lose salvation. You ignored what I said about the first passage you made that assertion about and jumped to this one.

So let's look at the first one:


Hebrews 10:25-29
King James Version

25 Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.

26 For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins,

27 But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries.

28 He that despised Moses' law died without mercy under two or three witnesses:

29 Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace?



Again, the contrast is between Old Testament unbelievers and New Testament unbelievers, not Christians that sin/fall away and unbelievers. Would you admit that v.28 is speaking about those who rejected the Law? Does not v.29 describe those who have rejected Christ, His Covenant, His Sacrifice (by which He was sanctified (Hebrews 5:9)), and the Spirit of God? Does not v.25 warn not to forsake the assembling of the brethren? As the manner of some is?

Verse 26 states in the negative the same thing that we see the Writer say a few verses earlier in the positive:


Hebrews 10:14-18
King James Version

14 For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified.

15 Whereof the Holy Ghost also is a witness to us: for after that he had said before,

16 This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, saith the Lord, I will put my laws into their hearts, and in their minds will I write them;

17 And their sins and iniquities will I remember no more.

18 Now where remission of these is, there is no more offering for sin.



Why is there no more sacrifice for sin here? Because remission of sins in an eternal context was promised by God and fulfilled by the Cross.

The same reason applies to v.26, there no more sacrifice for sins here because they are rejecting the only sacrifice by which they can receive remission of sins...

Hebrews 10
King James Version


26 For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins,


He clarifies the sin in view, and that is rejection of God's will. Those who rejected Moses' Law (The Covenant of Law) will fare better than those that reject the New Covenant:


28 He that despised Moses' law died without mercy under two or three witnesses:

29 Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace?



Now, as to Chapter 6:




Can I ask you, what does it mean to "go on unto perfection?"


God bless.
 
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Der Alte

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Vs. 26 if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins,
What happens then?

But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries.
Aren't the adversaries those who sinned willfully vs. 26 and have no more sacrifice for sins.
Worse punishment than death without mercy for those who were sanctified by the blood of the covenant, and considered it an unholy thing and trod underfoot the Son of God.
Evidently there were some who did not heed the warning.
Verse 26 states in the negative the same thing that we see the Writer say a few verses earlier in the positive:
Hebrews 10:14-18
King James Version
14 For by
Evidently there are some that do NOT go on to perfection. None of this negates anything I said.
"how much sorer [worse] punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified [made holy], an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace?
"Sanctified" was an accomplished fact. This is talking about Christians.
 
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Hmm

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I never said it is impossible for someone to fall away, I only said it is impossible for a Christian to lose salvation.

I've read this several times and my head hurts. Tbh,.my brain is trying to escape through my ears. What is the distinction you are trying to make between falling away and salvation? Think of me as a child. Can you express your point clearly enough so that I can understand?
 
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P1LGR1M

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Yes: get a roll of duct tape. Carefully apply it around your head numerous times.

This will keep your brain intact while I address brother Der Alte's post, lol.

If, after reading the previous response to him, and the response to come, I still haven't made it clear what I mean by distinguishing between those who fall away (those who associate with Christ) and losing salvation (those who are born again believers immersed in Eternal Union with God) I will try to clarify it in another post.


God bless.
 
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Hmm

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Yes, that's what I asked you to do, no? Explain your point (assuming you have one) to me as if I was a child. Instead of an explanation I get all this...

This is all very disappointing and bewildering. What on earth are you actually saying ???!!!!

I can't sleep until I know and it's 10:30pm in the UK so please hurry.
 
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P1LGR1M

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Vs. 26 if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins,
What happens then?

Eternal Judgment.

That is what happens to every man and woman that rejects Christ, His Covenant, His sacrifice, and the ministry of the Spirit of Grace.

But how do those who have been sanctified forever and have been forgiven forever...


Hebrews 10:10-14
King James Version

10 By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.

11 And every priest standeth daily ministering and offering oftentimes the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins:

12 But this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God;

13 From henceforth expecting till his enemies be made his footstool.

14 For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified.



Do you see that the context is remission of sins and that His Sacrifice is contrasted with the sacrifices of the Law (Hebrews 10:1-4)?

So how exactly is one sanctified once and those who are sanctified are made complete in regards to remission of sins forever—suddenly lose the benefit of the very remission of sins that God promised in the New Covenant?


Hebrews 10:15-18
King James Version

15 Whereof the Holy Ghost also is a witness to us: for after that he had said before,

16 This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, saith the Lord, I will put my laws into their hearts, and in their minds will I write them;

17 And their sins and iniquities will I remember no more.

18 Now where remission of these is, there is no more offering for sin.



There is no more sacrifice for sins necessary because the sin has been forgiven in completion, as opposed to the remission of sins enjoyed through the sacrifices of the Law (Hebrews 10:1). Those sacrifices could not make perfect, or in other words, bring to fulfillment, bring to an end, the reason why those sacrifices were offered in the first place: remission of sin.

We see that the Old Testament Saints sins still had to be redeemed by the Cross (Hebrews 9:15) and that the Old Testament Saints died not having been made perfect, because they did not receive the promises in their lifetime:


Hebrews 11:39-40
King James Version

39 And these all, having obtained a good report through faith, received not the promise:

40 God having provided some better thing for us, that they without us should not be made perfect.



They were made perfect in regards to sin when Christ died in their stead and bestowed the promise of the New Covenant upon them:


Hebrews 12:23
King James Version

23 To the general assembly and church of the firstborn, which are written in heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect,



So it is impossible to teach the exact opposite of what the Writer teaches in the first half of the chapter. This would mean, if Christians were in view, that God will renege on His promise and remember their sin again, and that His statement through the Writer that He has perfected forever those who are sanctified by the Offering of Christ is not true.

Either this verse is true...


Hebrews 10:14
King James Version

14 For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified.



Or it isn't.

Me, I know it's true.


Consider:


Hebrews 10:1-4
King James Version

1 For the law having a shadow of good things to come, and not the very image of the things, can never with those sacrifices which they offered year by year continually make the comers thereunto perfect.

2 For then would they not have ceased to be offered? because that the worshippers once purged should have had no more conscience of sins.

3 But in those sacrifices there is a remembrance again made of sins every year.

4 For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and of goats should take away sins.



Those sacrifices could not make the comer thereunto, the worshiper (as well as the one providing the service, the Priest (Hebrews 9:8-9)) complete in regards to remission of sins.

But the Sacrifice of Christ, of which the sacrifices of the Law were a shadow of the "good things to come," not only makes the comer thereunto complete, but does so forever.

Forever.

So again, if one has received remission of sins in completion as was promised by God, how then can it be said God will then remember their sins again?

See the problem there?

As you have asked many people many times, my friend, so too will I ask you:

Does forever mean forever or doesn't it?


Continued...
 
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P1LGR1M

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Oh sorry, I didn't know you were from the UK. That explains why you have no sense of humor.

Just kidding! lol

Read the responses to Der Alte. Like I said, I am in the middle of responding to him and I am at a point where my head's going to explode too, so doing the best I can.


God bless and good night.
 
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