Bible Discussion Replies PAGE 1483

Thank you for those thoughts, GiGi. I too have been blessed by your writings. I can't seem to get away from the fact that Paul spoke of Jesus as the "last Adam" ( 1 Corinthians 15:45).

There is so much to learn & absorb in that tiny verse & so excuse my few thoughts here. In that phrase, 'last Adam', we see that Jesus was brought forth wholly from God Almighty without human contribution:

1. The first Adam was made from the dust of the Earth by God, the last Adam was begotten from the Essence of God by God. Not created, but begotten.

2. The first was pure & then fell into deception & sin instead of standing on the spoken Word of God to him; the second was also pure but resisted all the thrusts of Satan, using the Word of God against him, even by His Own Authority.

3. The first received the sin nature as a result of disobedience & fall, & passed that corruption to all his progeny; the second had no sin nature that Satan could call upon to commit sin but that Satan had to use every deceivable means to make Jesus succumb to become like the first Adam, who earned sin's nature & separation from God.

4. The first could never provide the righteous example or extend Grace for his descendants to receive & live by; the second gave us both His Example & Salvation's Grace to change us inwardly & live forever in His Presence.

5. Of necessity or probability, the first's coming necessitated the coming of another; but by giving & naming Jesus 'the last', there can be no other after Him. This being our Heavenly Father's only & perfect solution to bring sinful man back to Himself - if this Sacrifice failed in life or at the Cross, God had no other option for our redemption.

Can we even comprehend the great worth & incalculable extent of God's love for us to give us so great salvation?

Thank you brother! May the Lord Bless you and Grace. Thank you for praying with me!

Thanks, Chris.

I will study it a bit more and maybe Docetism, as you suggested. I don't think I am called at this time to dig deeper into this heresy, just wanted to follow up on the heads up given me by the Holy Spirit, who has blessed me with a discerning heart. We are in deceptive times, and so many people are just not well grounded spiritually and are easily led into dubious practices and experiences that are a mimicry as well as a mockery of the work that the Holy Spirit actually does in the life of believers as well as some truly unbiblical things that involve the occult and pagan idolaterous practices. I don't want to have anything to do with such things. I don't seek after spiritual experiences, but am open to the work of the Spirit in ways that align with Scripture, which they always will if they are of the Spirit. Gnostics seek after hidden knowledge thinking they are going deeper into the things of God, but, like the Jewish rabbis who use the Talmud or Kabbalah books and practices to find hidden meaning in each and every word, letter, jot and tittle of the Torah, they are practicing divination and reaching into the spirit world in dangerous ways. Those who pursue hidden knowledge even in Scripture end up missing the truth about Jesus in the Word and can make this pursuit and idol.

Thank you so much sister! Thank you for lifting my father in prayer to the Lord.

Re: GiGi

I will add you and your request to my prayer list. May the Lord bring your sons back into His grace and mercies. God bless your aching heart and give you comfort in His name.

The LORD shine His face upon you and your family and be gracious unto you. The LORD lift up His countenance upon you, and give you peace. The LORD bless you and keep you. Numbers 6: 24-26

I will say of the LORD, You are my refuge and my fortress; my God, in Him will I trust. Psalms 91:2

May you rest comfortably in the arms of the LORD this evening and days to come.

Yes GiGi, now that will be a very enlightening subject for you to study: Gnosticsm. As you know, the word has its root in 'Gnosis' = knowledge (especially on spiritual matters/insight). It was running rampant in the early Church (through false teachers) & very evident today in all religions & sadly, Christianity. The apostles had to deal with it (see 1 John as being specifically written to believers to warn them & being his exposition on this subject & its entrance into Christianity). While you're at it, have a look at Docetism, an off-shoot of Gnosticsm.

A blessed brother from a previous Fellowship I attended, actually spent several years researching this subject & published a very thick book of over 700 pages, entitled: "Many will be deceived: An Urgent Message to Christians". In it he writes of 'Satan's chronology of deception, through: Greek philosopy, Gnosticsm, False eschatologies, Replacement Theology, Spiritual Elitism, Church liberalism, Darwinism, Communism, Nazism, etc.' Just sharing this if you wanted to dig deeper into the subject, available on Kindle as well. The book is very heavy-going; taking me over a year to work through. Blessings.

Your body is the Temple of God if you have His Holy Spirit , therefore injecting vaccines is not something you should be doing if at all possible . They have hurt and even killed people , thats a fact .

Brother Rick, I was just interested to know what people refer to when they say that their Church was blessed with a prophecy today. My understanding of prophecy is a prophetical utterance received from God for events still in the future, not published previously. Of course, Israel & Judah received many prophecies over different periods by different prophets, but as reminders of what God would do to them (both good & bad) in respect to their behaviour & His Promises. But if today's Church believes that prophecies can be, for example, 'The Lord has spoken that Mrs. Jones will be healed of cancer by early next year' or 'Mr. Smith will secure that job that seems impossible to get', I don't connect this to biblical prophecy - a Word from God, yes - but I would think that many believers already get clear Words or spiritual impressions from the Spirit to say or do certain things. Is this prophecy, is my question?

Yes GiGi, now that will be a very enlightening subject for you to study: Gnosticsm. As you know, the word has its root in 'Gnosis' = knowledge (especially with spiritual matters/insight). It was running rampant in the early Church (through false teachers) & very evident today in all religions & sadly, Christianity. The apostles had to deal with it (see 1 John as being specifically written to believers to warn them & being his exposition on this subject & its entrance into Christianity). While you're at it, have a look at Docetism, an off-shoot of Gnosticsm.

A blessed brother from a previous Fellowship I attended, actually spent several years researching this subject & published a very thick book of over 700 pages, entitled: "Many will be deceived: An Urgent Message to Christians". In it he writes of 'Satan's chronology of deception, through: Greek philosopy, Gnosticsm, False eschatologies, Replacement Theology, Spiritual Elitism, Church liberalism, Darwinism, Communism, Nazism, etc.' Just sharing this if you wanted to dig deeper into the subject, available on Kindle as well. The book is very heavy-going; taking me over a year to work through. Blessings.

Nash, seek the Lord to see if he wants you to share other aspects of your encounter, dreams, etc. It may be that these are just for you to have privately, but if they are disturbing you, maybe seeking counsel with a pastor or mature Christian friend would be helpful. I see no need to reveal things on this site just because people are curious.

Isaiah 52:14,

I am so glad the Lord reached out to you in an amazing way. He knew that that visitation was exactly what you needed to become freed from the bondage of Islam. My son just married a Muslim woman a few months ago from Asia. I hope you will agree in prayer for her to have a hunger for the truth like you had and bring her to salvation soon. Thank you.

I agree in prayer with you. I pray for my sons to come back to Jesus everyday for 20 years now. I don't understand how it happened that their faith was cast aside, but I kind of think that Satan stripped them of it at a fragile time in their teen years. I pray that God will restore what the devil stole from them. They need him, but do not know it at this time. They will never be at peace deep within without Jesus.

I understand that many people "need" to go out and try on what the world offers, either in fleshly matters or spiritual matters, but I also know that this is never good for them. I pray for God to deliver them from evil and to renew their first love for Him that they had as children. This world is such a pull on youth, especially. So many people in its grasp, we pray for God to send the right person to share the gospel (even again) with these people and that those of us who speak of Christ, live a life that honors him and gives no reason for someone to reject Jesus because we are obviously hypocritical. We are sinners, yes, but repentant sinners, not delighting in our sinful choices or excusing them away, but admitting to them humbly and attesting to the forgiveness we have in Christ when we confess them and believe He is faithful and just to forgive us and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. And then we get up the next day, wash and repeat, so to speak. Martin Luther said, "I die daily" referring to sinning, but also refers to the truth that we rise daily in the forgiveness of Christ. He was emphasizing that we cannot go one day without sinning, but every day we can confess our sins and forgiven and renewed in the life of Christ.

Sacha, "animal" skins. Maybe the covering on their bodies initially was transparent and then God clothed them with what we know of as skin. Just another take.

Thanks Mishael, I am just learning about this site, and your suggestions will be helpful to me.

Hi, Line upon line, precept upon precept, is in reference to learning from Scripture how to live God's way. Reading and studying Scripture, and perhaps, somewhat systematically instead of haphazardly, will profit the learner over time. Line by line, is to avail yourself to the whole counsel of God in Scripture, reading the whole bible repeatedly over your years here; reading the Scripture in context, not going here and there, plucking verses out of context; and reading Scripture with comprehension one sentence at a time, so to speak. Precept upon precept is to build up your knowledge of God's revelation to mankind, one idea upon another to deepen your understanding of God's work in history and how to apply the concepts to your life. It is building upon a foundation of faith in Jesus into the full measure of what God would have you become in Christ. There are other ways to consider these concepts and I hope others will chime in. I wrote what it means to me. Thank you for asking. I was thinking about that verse just a day ago!

how do you here the voice of GOD, is it a thought that comes to mind, or can you actually hear him speak to you

Hello Chris and those on this thread. I, too, have not memorized large chunks of Scripture, but have read through the Bible many times. The Holy Spirit is faithful to bring to us to remembrance of a Scripture heard or read at appropriate times. We are blessed to have Bible in hand or online in our own language and concordances, likewise to help us finding the verse brought to mind and read it in context.

that said, I have committed to memory verses that are of special meaning to me or a number of verses on a specific theme. I often do as you do, read and re-read (rote learning is effective) I also think that having the verse read out loud . to me is also an aid to memorization, along with trying to put the verse into a simple song. having something tangible to remind you of the verse can help, if there is something tangible to use, like a rock to remember that Jesus is the rock that followed the Israelites in the wilderness, for example. Having a buddy to memorize the same verse and making time to practice reciting to each other can help. using the time on a walk is a good time to practice a verse saying it in the cadence of your walking step, or if you like swinging, say it as you go back and forth on a swing or in a rocker. These are all things that help me, and as a teacher of young children, I know that such methods work well for memorization tasks. The most important thing is that we be doers of the word and not just readers. Scripture is written that we may have eternal life in Christ and as a guide to apply to our daily life so we can live a godly life in a wicked, fallen world, as a light in the darkness, among other reasons.

Martha, I don't think a stronghold can keep our prayers from God. he is knowledgeable about every one offered who answers may be hindered by unconfessed or unrepentant sin in the life of the one who prays or the one who is prayed for. On the other hand, God may delay an answer simply because it wasn't the right time inn God's wisdom to answer it. Sometimes prayers are not answered how we like because we have asked wrongly, not in accordance to the revealed or unknown will of God. Romans 8:31-39 tells us that God if God is for us, who can stand against us and no one can keep God from giving us all things (paraphrase), especially that nothing can separate us from the love of God in Crist Jesus our Lord. So, keep on asking God for what you need, and leave the answers up to Him and His perfect and good counsel.

what happens at the marriage super of the lamb??

Chris, well stated. I have recently studied and thought deeply on the matter of Jesus' DNA. For a long time I thought he had his Y chromosome from the Holy Spirit and the X chromosome from Mary, but upon diving into this, I realized that all of Jesus' DNA was from the God, as Adam's was. This is the only way that Jesus could be conceived without sin or the sin nature, as you said. If, for argument's sake, we say that Jesus' DNA was half from the Holy Spirit and half from Mary, He would have the sin nature, but would it have been possible for Him to live a sin-free live with this nature? I couldn't really say, since He was fully God and fully man, which none of us are or will ever be. So, genetics is an interesting way to view this idea from, but that, Jesus never passed His DNA, which is physical matter, on to anyone. he never fathered any children. I know that you agree with this, but I have read so many people's ideas that think he married Mary of Magdala and had children. (This such an idea is a heresy and is reflected in the stories of the "Holy Grail" of the Knights of Templar.) I just wanted to put this out there because it think it is important to identify false doctrines and refute them, as you do so often in your posts. Thank you for your diligence and adherence to sound doctrine. As Christians, following sound doctrine is important in our mortal life and many people have not been taught about the historical Christian doctrines that have undergirded the church since the beginning or have been taught that doctrines don't matter, or who do not have much desire to discover these sound doctrines. Paul commended Timothy for having been nourished in the words of faith and of the good doctrine which you have carefully followed. (Ep:4:6)

Hi Eric Lopez, Yahweh and Jesus have the power to keep someone from recognizing them. Usually he does this to test their faith. We have to remember who we are dealing with. The Almighty Yah has all power in his hand.

Celeste,

you are correct. Fasting is a good spiritual work. It can be a fast planned a head of time or at regular intervals, for some people, or it can be a fast when something serious arises that warrants a time to fast and pray, and sometimes one is prompted to fast though the reason and situation is unknown to the person, but the Holy Spirit prays with the person as intercession is made for an unknown circumstance.

you have spoken well in this posy, Mishael. Everyone receives the indwelling and filling of the Holy Spirit at conversion. Some people have a later experience similar to what happened in the book of Acts. This is the Holy Spirit readying someone for a definite calling or to equip someone to exercise a specific spiritual gift. Ephesians 5:18 speaks of being filled with the Holy Spirit, which I have been taught is to be continually filled and refilled. There have been times in my life where I just tootle along living for God, and other times when I feel the Spirit pressing hard on me to do or say certain things or just have a troubling in my heart and I pray without knowing specifically what I am to pray for, but knowing that the Spirit prays with us. In each of these situations, the result of me following these leads have helped and blessed others or I find out within a day or so that someone had a major trauma or diagnosis, (one person had a life-threatening stroke) or that someone died (this has happened to me twice). In all of these situations I felt that i should fast and pray before doing or saying anything. I don't think it is always wise to be quick to share a prompting or urge. Taking it to the Lord first and waiting on Him is always wise.

Lynda

I once beleived in the teaching of the Bible. The stories i was taught about the bible were not as perfect as stated. And of all the not so correct teaching. i find this to be the most insane thing ive ever seen or heard

Hi, just jumping in, if I may. In the past week I have felt led to study some on Gnosticism, as one of its tenets is for adherents who "have the inner light" will receive special revelations and hidden knowledge outside of Scripture. Perhaps you could study this a bit, also. "The Gnosticism of Modern Evangelicalism" is a good article. There are more. Much of Gnostic practice is really occultism. For this reason, I am not drawn to participate in situations where people relay a "prophecy" from God or when people tell me that the "Spirit told me to tell you" type of conversations. I am not saying that these things cannot be legit, but most of the time, I think they are not, especially if someone claims to receive such prophecies and knowledge in "private" settings. Something to consider.

Hi , it's me again , third reply to you which is just a thought from me : I noticed that there isn't any more mention of Adam and Eve offering any more sacrifices for their sin , could it be because God Himself killed that ram and made those skins for them and that was enough for them for the whole of their lives ? Recognise the pre cursor ? Just a thought .

Hi James , my second answer to your question : I should also have pointed out that this scenario is echoed in Genesis Ch 4 , when Cain offers , as a sacrifice , of the fruit of the ground , in others words vegetation , taking us back to the way in which Adam and Eve originally tried to covers their own sin with leaves , this offering is not acceptable to God . Abel offers of the firstlings of his flock and the fat thereof , blood has been shed . This offering is acceptable to God . Sorry I didn't say this in my first reply to you .

And again, the story of Jacob and Esau is referred to again in Hebrews 12:14-17, where believers are exhorted to pursue peace with all people and holiness, warned to avoid any root of bitterness from springing up to cause trouble, which defiles many and leads many to become fornicators and/or profane like Esau. The text in Hebrews goes on to tell how Esau sold his birthright for a morsel of food, and then later, wanted to have the inheritance back with its blessing but he was rejected due to his lack of repentance. From these N.T. Scripture we can consider that Esau di not wish to follow the ways of Isaac and his grandfather, Abraham. He wanted to run his own life his way. He is described as a fornicator and profane. This may be literally so or figuratively so, or both. Either way, Esau was rejected by God as the heir of the promise for reasons God knew in His perfect wisdom inn election of some to be vessels of his wrath an others to be vessels of his mercy. ( Romans 9:22-24) I suggest reading the whole section in Romans 9:1-33.

So, apparently God in his foreknowledge elected Jacob the heir of the promise, and Esau, in his free will choice to depart from the way of faith of his father and grandfather, was not elected. For me, I do not wrestle much with this matter, as I trust God's way and wisdom. If I was an unbeliever and read these Scriptures, I would be disturbed and either reject God or seek how to be saved, which depends, ultimately, on God's foreknowledge and election. God will never turn away a contrite heart who desires to be saved. He will make a way for this person to hear the gospel and give faith to believe by grace. Jacob was not a perfect brother, by any means. But, would become a man of God as he grew in grace and knowledge of God in his lifetime. I am reminded that later in history, God will identify himself as the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. They were elected and blessed by God despite their failings, but acted on the faith God seeded in them

Hi David, It is a pleasure to discuss spiritual beliefs with others, even when we have theological differences! Now to Adam's ability of free will. Before Adam received the "breath of life" as recorded in Genesis 2:7, he had no life. All the faculties' we humans have, were in place. However, he could not choose to give himself life until the Spirit entered him. This is the only way we can have spirit living. Adam lost this at the tree. We can choose evil over Good. Remember Esau, he could choose to turn his back on God, but what did he experience in terms of giving himself back to God's promise? Hebrews' 12:17, "For ye know how that afterward, when he would have inherited the blessing, he was rejected: for he found no place of repentance, though he sought it carefully with tears."

As you well stated, "they lost the Spirit connection with God." Since then, humans, have lost that connection with God, and we are incapable of living the Spirit life of God by our choice. This is why Paul writes in Ephesians 1:4, "According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love." We are drawn to Spirit living by God's grace. God calls us. We do not choose Him; He must choose us. God commanded Adam and Eve to leave the Garden. They lost the Spirit of God in them. Therefore, they had no right to enter again. Cherubim angels guarded them from returning to Eden, though like Esau, I am sure they regretted their actions with tears.

We have the human capability to believe, but this is not saving faith. Saving faith, required to sustain our connection with God, is not something we grow into. It is a gift, Ephesians 2:8-9. And not a choice on our part. Recall that Jesus is the "Author and Finisher of our faith." Everything spiritual that Scripture says the redeem have is from God, and not of ourselves.