And when they were come to the multitude, there came to him a certain man, kneeling down to him, and saying, Lord, have mercy on my son: for he is lunatick, and sore vexed: for ofttimes he falleth into the fire, and oft into the water. And I brought him to thy disciples, and they could not cure him.
Then Jesus answered and said, O faithless and perverse generation, how long shall I be with you? how long shall I suffer you? bring him hither to me. And Jesus rebuked the devil; and he departed out of him: and the child was cured from that very hour.
Then came the disciples to Jesus apart, and said, Why could not we cast him out?
And Jesus said unto them, Because of your unbelief: for verily I say unto you, If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you. (Matthew 17:14-20 KJV)
I come across this blog on the internet speaking of unbelief.
QUOTE
Imagine you had a successful ministry that saw you healing the sick and casting out demons everywhere you went. Then one day a father brings his son to you, the boy has a seizure right in front of you, and you can't heal him. How would you react? Would you;
(a) conclude that it's not God’s will to heal all the sick?
(b) tell the father that God can heal but He is not going to heal your son right at this moment - maybe in eternity?
(c) speculate that the son has some unconfessed sin in his life?
(d) declare that the boy is healed even though he is still writhing on the ground?
(e) be puzzled?
If you chose (a), then you've built a theology based on your experience that is contrary to the promises of God (Acts 10:38, 1 Peter 2:24). If you chose (b), then you've joined the ranks of those false comforters who say things like, "God used to heal in the Bible, but now He’s on a break." If you chose (c), then you're saying sin can stop the power of God, which it can't – otherwise no sinner could get saved. If you chose (d), the father would think that you're nuts. If you chose (e), then your reaction is the same as the disciples' when they were confronted with this situation.
UNQUOTE
The writer is quite obviously coming from a Charismatic view point. He went on to conclude that the reason why healing miracles do not happen is because of our unbelief.
I do agree that God does heal miraculously, but must He always do that? Can He do it through doctors? Can God choose not to perform miracles? Must God always heal, based on Acts 10:38 and 1 Peter 2:24?
You know of Jesus of Nazareth, how God anointed Him with the Holy Spirit and with power, and how He went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with Him. (Acts 10:38 NASB)
He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed. (1 Peter 2:24 ESV)
I read and read Acts 10:38 and 1 Peter 2:24, but I cannot see any support that God must heal, or He must perform miracles. Faith can move mountains, but it is subject to the sovereignty and the will of God.
This is the confidence which we have before Him, that, if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. (1 John 5:14 NASB)
God can perform miracles, but He is not obliged to perform it on call, like a performer. He is not our servant, He is our Lord. He does not always appear in an awesome earth shattering manner. He does not always heal in a dramatic way.
And he said, Go forth, and stand upon the mount before the Lord. And, behold, the Lord passed by, and a great and strong wind rent the mountains, and brake in pieces the rocks before the Lord; but the Lord was not in the wind: and after the wind an earthquake; but the Lord was not in the earthquake: and after the earthquake a fire; but the Lord was not in the fire: and after the fire a still small voice. (1 Kings 19:11-20 KJV)
Elisha sent a messenger to him, saying, "Go and wash in the Jordan seven times, and your flesh will be restored to you and you will be clean." But Naaman was furious and went away and said, "Behold, I thought, 'He will surely come out to me and stand and call on the name of the Lord his God, and wave his hand over the place and cure the leper.' Are not Abanah and Pharpar, the rivers of Damascus, better than all the waters of Israel? Could I not wash in them and be clean?" So he turned and went away in a rage. Then his servants came near and spoke to him and said, "My father, had the prophet told you to do some great thing, would you not have done it? How much more then, when he says to you, 'Wash, and be clean'?" (2 Kings 5:10-13 NASB)
God is glorified, both in miracles and the mundane.
Thursday, August 20, 2015
Tuesday, August 18, 2015
Obama In Islamic Prophecy
Here is an interest article I found in Forbes, written by Amir Taheri on 10/26/2008 at 1:33PM. I quote it in full below.
QUOTE
Obama and Ahmadinejad
Is Barack Obama the "promised warrior" coming to help the Hidden Imam of Shiite Muslims conquer the world?
The question has made the rounds in Iran since last month, when a pro-government Web site published a Hadith (or tradition) from a Shiite text of the 17th century. The tradition comes from Bahar al-Anvar (meaning Oceans of Light) by Mullah Majlisi, a magnum opus in 132 volumes and the basis of modern Shiite Islam.
According to the tradition, Imam Ali Ibn Abi-Talib (the prophet's cousin and son-in-law) prophesied that at the End of Times and just before the return of the Mahdi, the Ultimate Saviour, a "tall black man will assume the reins of government in the West." Commanding "the strongest army on earth," the new ruler in the West will carry "a clear sign" from the third imam, whose name was Hussein Ibn Ali. The tradition concludes: "Shiites should have no doubt that he is with us."
In a curious coincidence Obama's first and second names–Barack Hussein–mean "the blessing of Hussein" in Arabic and Persian. His family name, Obama, written in the Persian alphabet, reads O Ba Ma, which means "he is with us," the magic formula in Majlisi's tradition.
Mystical reasons aside, the Khomeinist establishment sees Obama's rise as another sign of the West's decline and the triumph of Islam. Obama's promise to seek unconditional talks with the Islamic Republic is cited as a sign that the U.S. is ready to admit defeat. Obama's position could mean abandoning three resolutions passed by the United Nations Security Council setting conditions that Iran should meet to avoid sanctions. Seeking unconditional talks with the Khomeinists also means an admission of moral equivalence between the U.S. and the Islamic Republic. It would imply an end to the description by the U.S. of the regime as a "systematic violator of human rights."
Obama has abandoned claims by all U.S. administrations in the past 30 years that Iran is "a state sponsor of terrorism." Instead, he uses the term "violent groups" to describe Iran-financed outfits such as Hamas and Hezbollah.
Obama has also promised to attend a summit of the Organization of the Islamic Conference within the first 100 days of his presidency. Such a move would please the mullahs, who have always demanded that Islam be treated differently, and that Muslim nations act as a bloc in dealings with Infidel nations.
Obama's election would boost President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's chances of winning a second term next June. Ahmadinejad's entourage claim that his "steadfastness in resisting the American Great Satan" was a factor in helping Obama defeat "hardliners" such as Hillary Clinton and, later, it hopes, John McCain.
"President Ahmadinejad has taught Americans a lesson," says Hassan Abbasi, a "strategic adviser" to the Iranian president. "This is why they are now choosing someone who understands Iran's power." The Iranian leader's entourage also point out that Obama copied his campaign slogan "Yes, We Can" from Ahmadinejad's "We Can," used four years ago.
A number of Khomeinist officials have indicated their preference for Obama over McCain, who is regarded as an "enemy of Islam." A Foreign Ministry spokesman says Iran does not wish to dictate the choice of the Americans but finds Obama "a better choice for everyone." Ali Larijani, Speaker of the Islamic Majlis, Iran's ersatz parliament, has gone further by saying the Islamic Republic "prefers to see Barack Obama in the White House" next year.
Tehran's penchant for Obama, reflected in the official media, increased when the Illinois senator chose Joseph Biden as his vice-presidential running mate. Biden was an early supporter of the Khomeinist revolution in 1978-1979 and, for the past 30 years, has been a consistent advocate of recognizing the Islamic Republic as a regional power. He has close ties with Khomeinist lobbyists in the U.S. and has always voted against sanctions on Iran.
Ahmadinejad has described the U.S. as a "sunset" (ofuli) power as opposed to Islam, which he says is a "sunrise" (toluee) power. Last summer, he inaugurated an international conference called World Without America–attended by anti-Americans from all over the world, including the U.S.
Seen from Tehran, Obama's election would demoralize the U.S. armed forces by casting doubt on their victories in Iraq and Afghanistan, if not actually transforming them into defeat. American retreat from the Middle East under Obama would enable the Islamic Republic to pursue hegemony of the region. Tehran is especially interested in dominating Iraq, thus consolidating a new position that extends its power to the Mediterranean through Syria and Lebanon.
During the World Without America conference, several speakers speculated that Obama would show "understanding of Muslim grievances" with regard to Palestine. Ahmadinejad hopes to persuade a future President Obama to adopt the "Iranian solution for Palestine," which aims at creating a single state in which Jews would quickly become a minority.
Judging by anecdotal evidence and the buzz among Iranian bloggers, while the ruling Khomeinists favor Obama, the mass of Iranians regard (and dislike) the Democrat candidate as an appeaser of the mullahs. Iran, along with Israel, is the only country in the Middle East where the United States remains popular. An Obama presidency, perceived as friendly to the oppressive regime in Tehran, may change that.
Amir Taheri is the author of 10 books on Iran, the Middle East and Islam. His new book The Persian Night: Iran Under the Khomeinist Revolution will be published by Encounter Books in November.
UNQUOTE
QUOTE
Obama and Ahmadinejad
Is Barack Obama the "promised warrior" coming to help the Hidden Imam of Shiite Muslims conquer the world?
The question has made the rounds in Iran since last month, when a pro-government Web site published a Hadith (or tradition) from a Shiite text of the 17th century. The tradition comes from Bahar al-Anvar (meaning Oceans of Light) by Mullah Majlisi, a magnum opus in 132 volumes and the basis of modern Shiite Islam.
According to the tradition, Imam Ali Ibn Abi-Talib (the prophet's cousin and son-in-law) prophesied that at the End of Times and just before the return of the Mahdi, the Ultimate Saviour, a "tall black man will assume the reins of government in the West." Commanding "the strongest army on earth," the new ruler in the West will carry "a clear sign" from the third imam, whose name was Hussein Ibn Ali. The tradition concludes: "Shiites should have no doubt that he is with us."
In a curious coincidence Obama's first and second names–Barack Hussein–mean "the blessing of Hussein" in Arabic and Persian. His family name, Obama, written in the Persian alphabet, reads O Ba Ma, which means "he is with us," the magic formula in Majlisi's tradition.
Mystical reasons aside, the Khomeinist establishment sees Obama's rise as another sign of the West's decline and the triumph of Islam. Obama's promise to seek unconditional talks with the Islamic Republic is cited as a sign that the U.S. is ready to admit defeat. Obama's position could mean abandoning three resolutions passed by the United Nations Security Council setting conditions that Iran should meet to avoid sanctions. Seeking unconditional talks with the Khomeinists also means an admission of moral equivalence between the U.S. and the Islamic Republic. It would imply an end to the description by the U.S. of the regime as a "systematic violator of human rights."
Obama has abandoned claims by all U.S. administrations in the past 30 years that Iran is "a state sponsor of terrorism." Instead, he uses the term "violent groups" to describe Iran-financed outfits such as Hamas and Hezbollah.
Obama has also promised to attend a summit of the Organization of the Islamic Conference within the first 100 days of his presidency. Such a move would please the mullahs, who have always demanded that Islam be treated differently, and that Muslim nations act as a bloc in dealings with Infidel nations.
Obama's election would boost President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's chances of winning a second term next June. Ahmadinejad's entourage claim that his "steadfastness in resisting the American Great Satan" was a factor in helping Obama defeat "hardliners" such as Hillary Clinton and, later, it hopes, John McCain.
"President Ahmadinejad has taught Americans a lesson," says Hassan Abbasi, a "strategic adviser" to the Iranian president. "This is why they are now choosing someone who understands Iran's power." The Iranian leader's entourage also point out that Obama copied his campaign slogan "Yes, We Can" from Ahmadinejad's "We Can," used four years ago.
A number of Khomeinist officials have indicated their preference for Obama over McCain, who is regarded as an "enemy of Islam." A Foreign Ministry spokesman says Iran does not wish to dictate the choice of the Americans but finds Obama "a better choice for everyone." Ali Larijani, Speaker of the Islamic Majlis, Iran's ersatz parliament, has gone further by saying the Islamic Republic "prefers to see Barack Obama in the White House" next year.
Tehran's penchant for Obama, reflected in the official media, increased when the Illinois senator chose Joseph Biden as his vice-presidential running mate. Biden was an early supporter of the Khomeinist revolution in 1978-1979 and, for the past 30 years, has been a consistent advocate of recognizing the Islamic Republic as a regional power. He has close ties with Khomeinist lobbyists in the U.S. and has always voted against sanctions on Iran.
Ahmadinejad has described the U.S. as a "sunset" (ofuli) power as opposed to Islam, which he says is a "sunrise" (toluee) power. Last summer, he inaugurated an international conference called World Without America–attended by anti-Americans from all over the world, including the U.S.
Seen from Tehran, Obama's election would demoralize the U.S. armed forces by casting doubt on their victories in Iraq and Afghanistan, if not actually transforming them into defeat. American retreat from the Middle East under Obama would enable the Islamic Republic to pursue hegemony of the region. Tehran is especially interested in dominating Iraq, thus consolidating a new position that extends its power to the Mediterranean through Syria and Lebanon.
During the World Without America conference, several speakers speculated that Obama would show "understanding of Muslim grievances" with regard to Palestine. Ahmadinejad hopes to persuade a future President Obama to adopt the "Iranian solution for Palestine," which aims at creating a single state in which Jews would quickly become a minority.
Judging by anecdotal evidence and the buzz among Iranian bloggers, while the ruling Khomeinists favor Obama, the mass of Iranians regard (and dislike) the Democrat candidate as an appeaser of the mullahs. Iran, along with Israel, is the only country in the Middle East where the United States remains popular. An Obama presidency, perceived as friendly to the oppressive regime in Tehran, may change that.
Amir Taheri is the author of 10 books on Iran, the Middle East and Islam. His new book The Persian Night: Iran Under the Khomeinist Revolution will be published by Encounter Books in November.
UNQUOTE
Saturday, August 8, 2015
What Will Jesus Do?
Someone in the crowd said to him, "Teacher, tell my brother to divide the inheritance with me." But he said to him, "Man, who made me a judge or arbitrator over you?" (Luke 12:13-14 ESV)
We have many social issues today - climate change, racial discrimination, rich poor divide and so on. Some pastors have use the pulpit to talk about social issues, claiming that this is what Jesus would do if He were on earth today. But what does the Bible tell us about Jesus's action while He was on earth?
We know Jesus did not do these:
He did not lead an army to liberate the Jew from the Romans;
He did not start a movement to free the slaves in the Roman Empire;
He did not lead a protest against corruption and unjust tax collectors;
He did not even attempt to judge an individual's inheritance problem.
For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. (John 3:17 KJV)
Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many. (Matthew 20:28 KJV)
I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance. (Luke 5:32 KJV)
This saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance: "Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners" - and I am the worst of them. (1 Timothy 1:15 HCSB)
Jesus's primary purpose in His first coming is to save sinners.
To answer the question, "What Will Jesus Do?" in the context of today's social ills and personal injustice based on the Bible's description of Jesus, I believe He would say, "Repent! Change yourself, not the world."
And he saith unto them, Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men. (Matthew 4:19 KJV)
We have many social issues today - climate change, racial discrimination, rich poor divide and so on. Some pastors have use the pulpit to talk about social issues, claiming that this is what Jesus would do if He were on earth today. But what does the Bible tell us about Jesus's action while He was on earth?
We know Jesus did not do these:
He did not lead an army to liberate the Jew from the Romans;
He did not start a movement to free the slaves in the Roman Empire;
He did not lead a protest against corruption and unjust tax collectors;
He did not even attempt to judge an individual's inheritance problem.
For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. (John 3:17 KJV)
Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many. (Matthew 20:28 KJV)
I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance. (Luke 5:32 KJV)
This saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance: "Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners" - and I am the worst of them. (1 Timothy 1:15 HCSB)
Jesus's primary purpose in His first coming is to save sinners.
To answer the question, "What Will Jesus Do?" in the context of today's social ills and personal injustice based on the Bible's description of Jesus, I believe He would say, "Repent! Change yourself, not the world."
And he saith unto them, Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men. (Matthew 4:19 KJV)
Wednesday, August 5, 2015
Millennium, New Heaven and New Earth
"For behold, I create new heavens and a new earth, and the former things shall not be remembered or come into mind. But be glad and rejoice forever in that which I create; for behold, I create Jerusalem to be a joy, and her people to be a gladness. I will rejoice in Jerusalem and be glad in my people; no more shall be heard in it the sound of weeping and the cry of distress. No more shall there be in it an infant who lives but a few days, or an old man who does not fill out his days, for the young man shall die a hundred years old, and the sinner a hundred years old shall be accursed. They shall build houses and inhabit them; they shall plant vineyards and eat their fruit. They shall not build and another inhabit; they shall not plant and another eat; for like the days of a tree shall the days of my people be, and my chosen shall long enjoy the work of their hands. They shall not labor in vain or bear children for calamity, for they shall be the offspring of the blessed of the Lord, and their descendants with them. Before they call I will answer; while they are yet speaking I will hear. The wolf and the lamb shall graze together; the lion shall eat straw like the ox, and dust shall be the serpent's food. They shall not hurt or destroy in all my holy mountain," says the Lord. (Isaiah 65:17-25 ESV)
In the book of Isaiah, the millennium and new heaven and new earth is viewed as one.
In the book of Isaiah, the millennium and new heaven and new earth is viewed as one.
Tuesday, August 4, 2015
Sun And Moon Unemployed
And the city has no need of sun or moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light, and its lamp is the Lamb. (Revelation 21:23 ESV)
The sun shall be no more your light by day, nor for brightness shall the moon give you light; but the LORD will be your everlasting light, and your God will be your glory. Your sun shall no more go down, nor your moon withdraw itself; for the LORD will be your everlasting light, and your days of mourning shall be ended. (Isaiah 60:19-20 ESV)
In the new heaven and new earth, the sun and moon will be retrenched. They will lose their job.
The sun shall be no more your light by day, nor for brightness shall the moon give you light; but the LORD will be your everlasting light, and your God will be your glory. Your sun shall no more go down, nor your moon withdraw itself; for the LORD will be your everlasting light, and your days of mourning shall be ended. (Isaiah 60:19-20 ESV)
In the new heaven and new earth, the sun and moon will be retrenched. They will lose their job.
Monday, August 3, 2015
After Death
Many religions provide unprovable details on what happened after one died.
Chinese Pure Land Buddhism
Upon death, most people's consciousness will be in a limbo state for an indefinite period of no more than forty-nine days. In this state the consciousness experiences a floating sequence of scenes without the power to choose. Every seven days during this period the consciousness will experience a dying process. This period ends when the consciousness is drawn by its karma and takes rebirth in one of the six realms. According to this view, death may be considered as a gate through which the consciousness departs from one life and begins the journey to a new life. Buddhists believed in 超度 (deliverance or liberation ritual) which help the dead to reborn.
Below is a quote from Welcome to World Jenchen Buddhism on rebirth:
After a person dies, approximately how many days does it take for him to be reborn?
After a person dies, before he is reborn, he becomes a 中阴身. (Chung-ying-shen: It is an intermediate existence between death and rebirth to the next life. When ordinary people die, they are not immediately reborn. Between death and their next birth, there is a short period of one to 49 days, during which the soul is of a dank gaseous form. It is invisible to the ordinary people at large, and is a mind-consciousness without a physical body.) There is a 49-day period for rebirth. Although it is stated to be 49 days, it is not necessary that rebirth takes place only on the 49th day. A person who has great virtuous roots and has performed great virtuous deeds ascends immediately to the heavens as soon as he dies. If he had been a great sinner in his lifetime, he immediately descends to hell. During the 49-day period, the conditions for rebirth are not predetermined for the average person who neither was virtuous nor evil in his lifetime. Such a person will search for the condition for his rebirth within the 49 days. The 49-day period is divided into terms of 7 days. If the condition for rebirth arises during any of these 7-day terms, he can be reborn into one of the 6 realms, depending on his conduct during his lifetime. If all seven 7-day terms expire but he still finds no condition for rebirth, then he naturally enters into the realm of ghosts.
Roman Catholics
Roman Catholics do not believed that Christ's atonement alone is sufficient for the average believers. Thus after death, they would end up in a temporary place called Purgatory, which will purged them of the rest of their sins through suffering. However, they also believed that the saints have more than enough merit for their salvation. These merits are deposited with the Church, which have the authority to release them to those suffering in Purgatory, to meet the holiness necessary to enter the joy of heaven and cut short their suffering. To do so, the Church also commends alms giving, indulgences, and works of penance undertaken on behalf of the dead.
Bible
We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord. (2 Corinthians 5:8 KJV)
... The rich man also died and was buried. While being tormented in the place of the dead, he looked up and saw Abraham at a distance with Lazarus at his side. (Luke 16:22-23 CEB)
The Bible tells us that the soul of a believer goes immediately to the presence of God and the soul of an unbeliever goes immediately into conscious torment. Does the Bible give a lot of details on what happen after death? Surprisingly, the Bible gives minimal detail about what happen after death. Why?
Verily, verily, I say unto thee, We speak that we do know, and testify that we have seen; and ye receive not our witness. If I have told you earthly things, and ye believe not, how shall ye believe, if I tell you of heavenly things? And no man hath ascended up to heaven, but he that came down from heaven, even the Son of man which is in heaven. (John 3:11-13 KJV)
Many people do not believe in what the Bible says about provable things on earth. How will one believe if the Bible tells of unprovable things after death?
No one has gone up to heaven except Jesus who came down from heaven. No one has come back from the dead, except Jesus. Yet many people rather believe in those who do not come from heaven and who never come back from the dead. They claimed that they are somebody and had been beyond death but unlike Jesus, there are no witnesses or documentary proof. These are the people that provide many details and which cannot be proven.
Chinese Pure Land Buddhism
Upon death, most people's consciousness will be in a limbo state for an indefinite period of no more than forty-nine days. In this state the consciousness experiences a floating sequence of scenes without the power to choose. Every seven days during this period the consciousness will experience a dying process. This period ends when the consciousness is drawn by its karma and takes rebirth in one of the six realms. According to this view, death may be considered as a gate through which the consciousness departs from one life and begins the journey to a new life. Buddhists believed in 超度 (deliverance or liberation ritual) which help the dead to reborn.
Below is a quote from Welcome to World Jenchen Buddhism on rebirth:
After a person dies, approximately how many days does it take for him to be reborn?
After a person dies, before he is reborn, he becomes a 中阴身. (Chung-ying-shen: It is an intermediate existence between death and rebirth to the next life. When ordinary people die, they are not immediately reborn. Between death and their next birth, there is a short period of one to 49 days, during which the soul is of a dank gaseous form. It is invisible to the ordinary people at large, and is a mind-consciousness without a physical body.) There is a 49-day period for rebirth. Although it is stated to be 49 days, it is not necessary that rebirth takes place only on the 49th day. A person who has great virtuous roots and has performed great virtuous deeds ascends immediately to the heavens as soon as he dies. If he had been a great sinner in his lifetime, he immediately descends to hell. During the 49-day period, the conditions for rebirth are not predetermined for the average person who neither was virtuous nor evil in his lifetime. Such a person will search for the condition for his rebirth within the 49 days. The 49-day period is divided into terms of 7 days. If the condition for rebirth arises during any of these 7-day terms, he can be reborn into one of the 6 realms, depending on his conduct during his lifetime. If all seven 7-day terms expire but he still finds no condition for rebirth, then he naturally enters into the realm of ghosts.
Roman Catholics
Roman Catholics do not believed that Christ's atonement alone is sufficient for the average believers. Thus after death, they would end up in a temporary place called Purgatory, which will purged them of the rest of their sins through suffering. However, they also believed that the saints have more than enough merit for their salvation. These merits are deposited with the Church, which have the authority to release them to those suffering in Purgatory, to meet the holiness necessary to enter the joy of heaven and cut short their suffering. To do so, the Church also commends alms giving, indulgences, and works of penance undertaken on behalf of the dead.
Bible
We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord. (2 Corinthians 5:8 KJV)
... The rich man also died and was buried. While being tormented in the place of the dead, he looked up and saw Abraham at a distance with Lazarus at his side. (Luke 16:22-23 CEB)
The Bible tells us that the soul of a believer goes immediately to the presence of God and the soul of an unbeliever goes immediately into conscious torment. Does the Bible give a lot of details on what happen after death? Surprisingly, the Bible gives minimal detail about what happen after death. Why?
Verily, verily, I say unto thee, We speak that we do know, and testify that we have seen; and ye receive not our witness. If I have told you earthly things, and ye believe not, how shall ye believe, if I tell you of heavenly things? And no man hath ascended up to heaven, but he that came down from heaven, even the Son of man which is in heaven. (John 3:11-13 KJV)
Many people do not believe in what the Bible says about provable things on earth. How will one believe if the Bible tells of unprovable things after death?
No one has gone up to heaven except Jesus who came down from heaven. No one has come back from the dead, except Jesus. Yet many people rather believe in those who do not come from heaven and who never come back from the dead. They claimed that they are somebody and had been beyond death but unlike Jesus, there are no witnesses or documentary proof. These are the people that provide many details and which cannot be proven.
Sunday, August 2, 2015
Signs of a True Apostle
The signs of a true apostle were performed among you with utmost patience, with signs and wonders and mighty works. (2 Corinthians 12:12 ESV)
Last of all, as to one untimely born, he appeared also to me. (1 Corinthians 15:8 ESV)
The office of the Apostles were held by the Twelve and Paul.
The important qualities of the office of Apostles that do not any succession:
There was also a spiritual gift of apostle (this is not to be confused with the office - they are separate). Among those who had the spiritual gift were James (1 Corinthians 15:7; Galatians 1:19), Barnabas (Acts 14:4, 14; 1 Corinthians 9:6), Andronicus and Junias (Romans 16:7), possibly Silas and Timothy (1 Thessalonians 1:1; 2:7), and Apollos (1 Corinthians 4:6, 9). This latter group had the gift of apostleship but not the apostolic "office" conferred upon the Twelve and Paul. Those who had the gift of apostle, then, were those who carried the gospel message with God's authority. The word "apostle" means "one sent as an authoritative delegate." This was true of those who held the office of Apostle (like Paul) and those who had the spiritual gift (like Apollos). Though there are men like this today, men who are sent by God to spread the gospel, it is best NOT to refer to them as apostles because of the confusion this causes since many are not aware of the two different uses of the term apostle.
Taken from this website "Apostles & Prophets":
Paul sometimes uses the term "apostle" in a broader sense for a messenger like a legate (2 Corinthians 8:23; they are called apostles of the church)", a non-technical term with a general meaning. There is a difference supported in scripture to be an apostle of the Lord, personally chosen and sent by him; and an apostle of the church, sent out by the body of believers. This broader usage made it possible to include others who would be considered false apostles, messengers (2 Corinthians11:14; Revelation 2:2). Paul also uses the word for a group of witnesses who had seen the risen Lord before him and had received a specific call to an apostleship. This group was larger than the Twelve.
Last of all, as to one untimely born, he appeared also to me. (1 Corinthians 15:8 ESV)
The office of the Apostles were held by the Twelve and Paul.
The important qualities of the office of Apostles that do not any succession:
- Chosen by Christ;
- Eye-witnesses of Christ;
- Writers of New Testament.
There was also a spiritual gift of apostle (this is not to be confused with the office - they are separate). Among those who had the spiritual gift were James (1 Corinthians 15:7; Galatians 1:19), Barnabas (Acts 14:4, 14; 1 Corinthians 9:6), Andronicus and Junias (Romans 16:7), possibly Silas and Timothy (1 Thessalonians 1:1; 2:7), and Apollos (1 Corinthians 4:6, 9). This latter group had the gift of apostleship but not the apostolic "office" conferred upon the Twelve and Paul. Those who had the gift of apostle, then, were those who carried the gospel message with God's authority. The word "apostle" means "one sent as an authoritative delegate." This was true of those who held the office of Apostle (like Paul) and those who had the spiritual gift (like Apollos). Though there are men like this today, men who are sent by God to spread the gospel, it is best NOT to refer to them as apostles because of the confusion this causes since many are not aware of the two different uses of the term apostle.
Taken from this website "Apostles & Prophets":
Paul sometimes uses the term "apostle" in a broader sense for a messenger like a legate (2 Corinthians 8:23; they are called apostles of the church)", a non-technical term with a general meaning. There is a difference supported in scripture to be an apostle of the Lord, personally chosen and sent by him; and an apostle of the church, sent out by the body of believers. This broader usage made it possible to include others who would be considered false apostles, messengers (2 Corinthians11:14; Revelation 2:2). Paul also uses the word for a group of witnesses who had seen the risen Lord before him and had received a specific call to an apostleship. This group was larger than the Twelve.
Saturday, August 1, 2015
God's Great Condescension
That God allowed Himself to be described in four gospel is a great condescension on His part. Just look at our small planet. How many satellites do we need if we want to view the whole globe simultaneously?
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