Leaderboard

Why would God ever need a fallen one to be over His church? I do not think it possible.

Does anyone really believe that God would place His children under the guidance and control of the fallen angles? I don't.

I don't think any explanations will be needed. Just my opinion.

A. Please clarify what do you mean by straight forward? B. Yes, the shellfish argument is quite ineffective. The different fabrics argument is in the same category as well. Those are weak arguments by people who don't know God's Word in my opinion. Now, this doesn't mean that this is a free license to eat whatever you want and be obese. Remember we who Believe are the new temples of God - the Holy Spirit lives in us. The issue of homosexuality is significant because it affects all areas of life. Comparing the issue of homosexuality to dietary laws is like comparing a F22 fighter plane to a toy remote plane IMO. God bless, GE Straight forward as in I believe it is a simple passage to understand concerning the passages you have provided about food and clothing along with the passages about homosexuality. They are clear for me to understand. Excellent! This was my intent. God bless you! In Christ, GE

Beware, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief in departing from the living God; but exhort one another daily, while it is called 'Today', lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin." Hebrews 3:12-13 "Therefore we must give the more earnest heed to the things we have heard, lest we drift away. For if the word spoken through angels proved steadfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just reward, how shall we escape if we neglect so great a salvation? ..." Hebrews 2:1-3 "Now all these things happened to them as examples, and they were written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the ages have come. Therefore, let him who thinks he stands, take heed lest he fall." I Corinthians 10:11-12 All of these warnings would be meaningless if Christians could not fall away. Therefore, the very existence of these warnings proves that Christians can fall from grace. But, this point is made even clearer when we investigate examples of Christians who struggled against falling away, and some who actually did. then you Have the very final warnings given by Jesus, in Revelations..............I guess Jesus didn't get the memo that you couldn't be deceived and led away into sin that leads to death

I always took that verse to be directed to the people of that particular church.

Thank you and God continue to bless you Gary

they do seem to love God more, having been forgiven more than average

Very true, Qnts2.

I agree that we are to have compassion. From my understanding, we are not to judge people by outward appearances. In this case, I believe we are to have compassion, find out what state they are in, and share the gospel of salvation if they do not know Jesus. But, I tend to think that the answer to most of societies and peoples ills could be solved with the gospel of salvation. The exceptions are those which threaten the life and safety of other people, and these must be acted upon hopefully by civil authorities.

Thanks Wingnut for adding to the discussion. If I were to advocate for the "woman is the church" position, I would probably suggest that perhaps the 12 apostles, as representatives of the church. If fact, if there were not 12 tribes, I would probably go there, if for know other reason it is one of the 12s in the Bible that jumps into my head. However, the 12 tribes, though it occurred to me, did not strike me as powerful enough that I wanted to include it in my 'argument'. However, it does seem a more natural fit that the 12 apostles. Perhaps someone else might have another option for what that 12 might represent. Gary, thanks for the 'reassessment' of me, although I did not feel in any way attacked or belittled, I still appreciate that you took the time to inform me, that you did come to some kind of wrong conclusion about me or what I said. Not everyone here bothers to do that. Our thoughts come from two places and you can tell where they come from by where they lead us too but in some cases it isn't always apparent. Multiple views expressed over a single passage can lead to confusion so we know who is the author of that. I was offered in thought that the word constellations, which are groupings of stars, is not found in scripture. There are 12 constellations in all that make up the course that the sun travels through throughout the year. The King of these twelve groups of stars is Leo the Lion who is at the head of Virgo the Virgin and Leo then could be considered the 'crown' of the twelve. Take it for what it is worth. The idea that a group of celestial bodies can be referred too as a star but be meaning constellation makes more sense to me especially since I cannot find any use of the term constellation in ancient Greek. The purpose proposed for naming the crown of twelve stars at the head is simply to more accurately define who the Virgin is that is in question if this be the case. No dogma here. Can't say I have any of it 'nailed' down for certain. What I seek to consider is what impact do the thoughts I am being offered have upon my actions? What is it that I will do considering what I have believed? All of the talk about the stellar alignment on October 16th, 2012 combined with all of the other thoughts that point to signs of the end of the age has caused me to ask "What should I be doing?" and in turn answered by Hebrews 10, provoking others unto love and good works, though increasing the frequency of our meetings. For this cause, I have to go as I have an assembly this evening for that very purpose. Peace in Christ. Gary, I think the constellation Virgo is one of the things represented by the woman too. I just think this passage of scripture about her has layers of meaning & not just one. It does seem to be the constellation that was visible at the time of Jesus' birth and I believe it being seen again, with similar alignment of stars or planets with it, signals the time of the "manifestation/revealing of the sons of God" of Romans 8:19. natural-- Mary & birth of Jesus spiritual-- His church & birth of His son(though we be many)

Maybe you just missed it, lol

Actually I agree, I do not think in general, that most people have an improved appearance with make up. I guess it is a matter of taste, but I would never paint a tree blue, just because I like the color, I think trees are beautiful as God made them. In the case of the Walmart employee, I think his expectations are not realistic, if he wants to step outside the norm, he cannot reasonably expect to be treated in ways that a 'normal' person would be. However, I do thing this blurs the distinction between genders and I know some people think that is a good thing, I so not. To add a little perspective to this, I would say that is is equivalent to women getting tatoos, since that was once the pervue of men only (at least in the states) or perhaps rarely that of those outside of normal, polite society, prostitutes, side show 'freaks' and the like. But this shows also, that societies change and acceptance eventually occurs, one day makeup on men might be as common and acceptable as tatoos are on women now. Is that man effeminate? I would have to say "yes" definetly, and offer the evidence of the mistaken identification of the gender.

I think make up on women is silly to begin with. I can see it for being in front of the camera like a tv anchor or actor or an actor on stage, but as you stated it, that is just too much. It does seem to be more and more popular though. It seems that the distinction between men and women is getting blurred.

Peace Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword. For I am come to set a man at variance against his father, and the daughter against her mother, and the daughter in law against her mother in law. And a man's foes shall be they of his own household. He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. And he that taketh not his cross, and followeth after me, is not worthy of me. He that findeth his life shall lose it: and he that loseth his life for my sake shall find it. Matthew 10:34-39 His Name Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. John 14:27 Is Jesus For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counseller, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. Isaiah 9:6

I would venture to say that most college students who claim that the Bible shouldn't be taken literally have never cracked a Bible open. Most minds of mush just parrot clichés they've heard. First ask them if they've ever read the Bible. If so, ask them what they mean by the term "literal." Most unbelievers are unaware that the Bible contains various genres of literature eg. historical/narratives, law, wisdom literature, poetry, prophecies, letters/epistles, apocalyptic literature, parables, etc. Ask them which passages should be taken literally and which ones figuratively. If they are honest, in the end your peers will find that we should interpret the Bible in exactly the same way that we interpret other genres of literature - no difference!

Strangely Thy word is true from the beginning: and every one of thy righteous judgments endureth for ever. Psalms 119:160 Most Will Not Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee. Psalms 119:11 Eat Thy words were found, and I did eat them; and thy word was unto me the joy and rejoicing of mine heart: for I am called by thy name, O LORD God of hosts. Jeremiah 15:16

Yes miracles still happen today. (I know you probably expect healing testimonies ) The biggest miracle to happen in the last 65 years has been the re-emergence of Israel. We often talk about the miraculous exodus of the children of Israel under the leadership of Moses but the Bible expressly talks about this being overshadowed in the last days by an even greater exodus from the four corners of the earth. Verse provided if needed.