Dad Ernie

Greetings Tess, There is only one that ever was or ever will be - PERFECT, and that is Christ. Sin is committed when one disobeys God, as Adam did. How do we overcome sin? By the "Spirit of God". Nowhere does the scriptures say that ANY man received the Holy Spirit to be IN THEM prior to Pentecost. Jesus, Himself, makes this statement. Because God gave Adam the ability to choose, God placed before him a test - the two trees. But Adam listened to his wife instead of obeying God and thus he sinned. At no time have I said that God created "sin". I have said that God subjected ALL CREATION TO VANITY (frailty), lower than the angels, and often tempted by the lusts of the flesh. Let another more wiser than I continue with this discussion. I have asked you to respond to some simple questions and you apparently refuse. God Bless and have a Great Easter, Dad Ernie

Greetings, I have often wondered about Judas. He doesn't seem to be a very savory character. His suicide would appear to indicate he regreted his act. We have to keep the following in mind as well: Psalms 109:6-9 Set thou a wicked man over him: and let Satan stand at his right hand. 7 When he shall be judged, let him be condemned: and let his prayer become sin. 8 Let his days be few; and let another take his office. 9 Let his children be fatherless, and his wife a widow. Acts 1:20 For it is written in the book of Psalms, Let his habitation be desolate, and let no man dwell therein: and his bishoprick let another take. then we have another verse: Luke 22:3 Then entered Satan into Judas surnamed Iscariot, being of the number of the twelve. So we also see: Matthew 16:23 But he turned, and said unto Peter, Get thee behind me, Satan: thou art an offence unto me: for thou savourest not the things that be of God, but those that be of men. Luke 22:31-32 And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat: 32 But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren. Well, we know from Job that Satan must get permission in order to do anything. So the question is: "Did God give Satan permission to enter into Judas, so that he would be the instrument by which Jesus was betrayed"? I believe that is the answer. Blessings, Dad Ernie

Greetings, Because of the environment today and particularly because of the "feminist movement", this topic should probably be in the "Controversial" forum. However, many good responses have already been given, but I will add my 2C. I was listening to the story of Solomon today and it was brought up about his wandering of the flesh to take many "gentile" women to himself as wives and concubines, which the Lord had already said not to do because they would lead him into worship of false gods. Well, this is the way of those who marry outside the body of Christ. So now that is one issue that we must deal with. Kids again present another problem. For those who profess Christ, the Bible makes it abundantly clear how we are to relate to one another. Each has a role to perform, which is not to lessen the importance of either role in a marriage. For both are needed to make a good marriage work. But even within the church the "feminist movement" has moved in and is accepted as part of the New religion. This is a very sad situation, for indeed it causes many problems which God did not intend. Men are to love their wives as Christ loves the church. That is a very heavy responsibility, which includes teaching the wife, rebuking and correcting her if needed, but always in love. This need not be burdensome for a praying family, and for those truly submitted to Christ. Women, in my mind, have an onerous position. There is a saying: "Men work from sun to setting sun, and a woman's work is never done." I know that proverb is not entirely accurate Biblically, but it seems to be the norm in most marriages. Once children are involved, the big chores of their care appear to lay with the woman. It is good to see men helping with those chores, as well as with cooking and the dishes and of course laundry and cleaning the house, but this brings in another area whre men have become weak in. I am dismayed at the men involved in "sports" or "games" of various sorts, golf, horses or whatnot and neglect the needs of their family. Almost every men's group that I have been a part of, the first thing out of someones mouth is "What do you think about the Giants or the Broncos"? et al. Even when they come together for the purpose of fellowship in Christ. I don't find this among women's group. But what I find there often is gossip. This too is bad. So neither are without fault in the marriage. So as Christ and Paul says, "It is better NOT to marry" because it detracts from the true, full worship of God. We cannot expect our spouse to be a doormat, but we are to be devoted to one another, even as we are to be devoted to the rest of the Body of Christ. Well, sorry, you got 10C worth. Forgive please. Blessings, Dad Ernie

G2937 κτίσις ktisis ktis'-is From G2936; original formation (properly the act; by implication the thing, literally or figuratively): - building, creation, creature, ordinance. G2936 κτίζω ktizō ktid'-zo Probably akin to G2932 (through the idea of the proprietorship of the manufacturer); to fabricate, that is, found (form originally): - create, Creator, make. What you and AK propose is that a "perfect world" was created by God and that after Adam sinned, God modified His creation to accommodate the new paradigm of sin to which Adam succumbed. My Bible says that on the 7th day God rested from all the works His hands had made. Does that mean anything to you? Of course not, without a major paradigm shift of your own. Once God finished His creation, He looked over all that He had created and said it was "very good" - and again I add - for the purpose for which He created them. Now did God NOT KNOW of the sin that Adam would commit? You seem to think so. Yet the Lamb's Book of Life was written from the FOUNDATION OF THE WORLD, which you seem to overlook and never respond to. In another part of the Forum another poster suggested that God had Plan A, which was to Adam and all his progeny to live in a "perfect world", but when Plan A fell apart, God had a backup Plan B, in which He sent Christ to REDEEM the human race back to Himself, yet, scripture tells us that Christ was "slain from the foundation of the world". So, no there was NO PLAN A, God has always had ONE plan, for Adam and ALL his progeny and that is "salvation and redemption by Christ alone". This is the most blatant strawman I have ever seen. Are you kidding? Show me ANYWHERE, any quote, where AK or myself have advocated that there is any other way to God except Christ? The fact is, you have no way of reconciling the consequences of your belief, therefore all you can do is create strawmen and twist what we are saying so that you can "refute" it. AK is correct, you are teaching heresy. To say that God created man in an already fallen state is outright heresy and should not be taught on this board (or anywhere else). Again, God did not create man in a "fallen state". Why don't you read my posts? He created man "a little lower than the angels", subjected to the "frailties" (vanity) of flesh and of this world. Without eating of the fruit of the Tree of Life, Adam would have died, can't you see that? AK, in fact has written that Adam DIDN'T NEED CHRIST. According to God's PLAN, if Adam were ever to see the New Heavens and the New Earth, he most certainly WOULD NEED CHRIST. Do you think the New Heavens and New Earth were an AFTERTHOUGHT OF GOD? Or was it, as the scriptures clearly indicates, that His plan was was conceived EVEN BEFORE THE FOUNDATION OF THE EARTH. Quit listening to man, and start listening to the Word of God. You seem to think that by my answering the following questions, that I may receive some pertinent revelation and stop being a "heretic" as you and AK are so fond of referring to me as. Well, to reveal to the board, that indeed I have examined your questions and have attempted to respond to them with reasonable, scriptural responses, so will I undertake to give YOU AND AK an answer to which you will undoubtedly disagree. You accept the "natural man's" view of "perfection", and NOT what God's PERFECTION is. God said that all His hands had created were VERY GOOD - PERIOD! Nowhere in the scriptures does God say that all His creation is PERFECT. The only ONE perfect that has walked on this earth is Christ. To say that Adam was created perfect, or in fact any of God's creation was PERFECT, is to put it on a par with Christ and God, which it never was, nor can it be. Read 1 Cor 15. Where have I stated that "man in God's image" is anything less than what God created it? He said it was included in all His hands had made and that it was VERY GOOD, and with this I agree and understand. It has not changed and thus I can look at another man and know that for one reason or another he/she is there for a purpose for which God created, and as such I must respect them and even love them, even my enemies. What sin brought into this world was "enmity with God" because God's hates sin and cannot abide in or with it. It also brought death (physically), to which we remain subject. But Christ has made it possible to be "reconciled" with God through Him via His Holy Spirit. One day, we shall also be reconciled "physically", but in a state like unto Christ's where there dwells no sin. This proves a point. You and AK keep saying that YES, we are in God's image, but "marred". Aren't you adding to the scriptures by this? Just WHAT is marred? Adam's character? His moral self? His loving self? Just what? Are you saying that these and other characteristics are in the same category as God's? If so, you are self deceived. Genesis 9:6 Whoso sheddeth man's blood, by man shall his blood be shed: for in the image of God made he man. James 3:9 Therewith bless we God, even the Father; and therewith curse we men, which are made after the similitude of God. 3669 homoiosis {hom-oy'-o-sis} from 3666; TDNT - 5:190,684; n f AV - similitude 1; 1 1) a making like 2) likeness: after the likeness of God 3669 3669 homoiosis {hom-oy'-o-sis} from 3666; TDNT - 5:190,684; n f AV - similitude 1; 1 1) a making like 2) likeness: after the likeness of God 1 Cor 11:7 For a man indeed ought not to cover his head, forasmuch as he is the image and glory of God: but the woman is the glory of the man. I have already responded to this, but you seem to insist. A counterfeit dollar bill is made in the LIKENESS of a REAL dollar bill, but to an expert, there is a difference. Study to show yourself approved, a workman unto God, RIGHTLY DIVIDING THE WORD OF TRUTH. What we are "waiting/hoping for" is for complete reconciliation with God, both soul and body. Today, those of us who know Christ, know Him via the Holy Spirit. This IS TODAY! We are NOT waiting to be RECONCILED TO THE IMAGE OF ADAM - PRE-FALL! It is to God we shall be reconciled through Christ. The creation waits IN HOPE for the MANIFESTATION of the Son's of God. That day has not yet arrived. We are told: 1 John 3:2 Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is. 3664 homoios {hom'-oy-os} from the base of 3674; TDNT - 5:186,684; adj AV - like 47; 47 1) like, similar, resembling 1a) like: i.e. resembling 1b) like: i.e. corresponding to a thing This is the PERFECTION you and AK are applying to the WHOLE HUMAN RACE, which is false, for that day has yet to come. Now why would you ASSUME that I am intimating that we will continue sinning in heaven? How foolish! God is NOT the author of sin for He cannot sin against Himself, and in another place after having been accused of his affair with Bathsheba, David confesses: "It is against you alone Oh God which I have sinned." Here again, you prove you do not know what you are speaking of. The PERFECTION which God desires/demands is nothing less than the perfection of Christ: Hebrews 5:9 And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him; 5048 teleioo {tel-i-o'-o} from 5046; TDNT - 8:79,1161; v AV - make perfect 12, perfect 4, finish 4, fulfil 2, be perfect 1, consecrate 1; 24 1) to make perfect, complete 1a) to carry through completely, to accomplish, finish, bring to an end 2) to complete (perfect) 2a) add what is yet wanting in order to render a thing full 2b) to be found perfect 3) to bring to the end (goal) proposed 4) to accomplish 4a) bring to a close or fulfilment by event 4a1) of the prophecies of the scriptures Now which is it? Adam was TELEIOO, or was Christ made TELEIOO? Make your choice. You appear to have a lot of questions for which you think you have resolved the answers with your paradigm. Please reconsider: Proverbs 3:5-7 Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. 6 In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. 7 Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the LORD, and depart from evil. Now if you may be so kind, how about answering these questions FROM THE SCRIPTURES: 1) WHEN did God conceive of the Plan of Salvation? 2) WHAT is the Plan of Salvation? 3) HOW is the Plan of Salvation delivered? 4) WHY did God produce this Plan of Salvation? 5) WHEN will the Plan of Salvation be complete? Even for Adam? Thank you and God Bless, Dad Ernie

You are assuming things I said which are not in evidence. As I have written, All creation was subjected to "vanity", perhaps another better word is "frailty". Angels are perpetual, they do not die, thus the Lake of Fire was created for the "fallen ones" into which those who reject Christ will also be thrown. God DID NOT CREATE SIN, but gave two things to Adam in regards to "eternal life". One was the Tree of Life. As long as he partook of it, he lived: Genesis 3:22 And the LORD God said, Behold, the man is become as one of us, to know good and evil: and now, lest he put forth his hand, and take also of the tree of life, and eat, and live for ever: If Adam had been allowed to stay in the Garden, he most surely would have continued to eat of the Tree of Life - yet with sin. God could not allow that. For sin MUST be put away from us if we are to be RECONCILED WITH GOD. Second, God gave Adam the ability to choose, as well as he does us: Deuteronomy 30:19 I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live: This is a common theme through the entire Bible, from Adam's first choice between the good tree and the bad tree, to the choice of living for Christ or pay the just penalty for rejecting Him. You appear to be in a group I have encountered before who believe that there is more than one way to receive salvation. If Christ is NOT the ONLY WAY, but Adam could have remained obedient for his 930 years or longer, then it is you my friend who are preaching "another Gospel". The frailty of man, as I have pointed out, which includes Adam is that to attain "eternal life", one needs a source outside himself to achieve it. Did not God say: Genesis 2:17 But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die. Had death been mentioned before this? Who could have caused it? Who could have prevented it? Only the Tree of Life could provide Adam "eternal life" - in the physical and by eathing of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, Adam made the choice of NOT CHOOSING TO OBEY GOD. Did God create Adam NOT TO CHOOSE? If so, then Adam would have been a ROBOT, doing nothing more than carrying out the Father's every wish, with NEVER A THOUGHT to disobeying Him. Now we have Jesus who faced a horrible future and this is what HE did: Luke 22:42 Saying, Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done. I see Adam's CHOICE and Jesus's CHOICE as corrollary, in that Adam, "of the flesh", chose disobedience, while Jesus, "of the spirit", chose to do God's will. Adam even compounded his sin by saying: Genesis 3:12 And the man said, The woman whom thou gavest to be with me, she gave me of the tree, and I did eat. So we can actually see several "sins" that Adam committed: 1) He listened to his wife instead of God. 2) He ate of the poisoned tree, knowing full well what God had commanded. 3) After eating of the tree, his eyes were opened and SAW that he was naked, but decided to COVER HIMSELF, and hide. 4) Then he blamed Eve for "tempting" him. Temptation is NOT THE SIN - it is the ACT that is the SIN. 5) And lastly, he made no personal confession even though he was certainly aware that God knew his every thought. So where did Adam acquire all these "devious acts" or "acts of unrighteousness"? You are trying to tell me that Adam didn't need Jesus, even before the fall. Well, I know that in myself, there is nothing good, and I have been a Christian for a good many years now. The "saving grace" in which I live, is by and through Christ, as He ministers daily to me through the Holy Spirit. Through Adam I was separated from that Tree of Life and thus, as with all flesh, I die. In the spirit, even as Paul, I must die daily to the things of this world, so that my life can be found in the only ONE that can provide "eternal life". If we are to see Adam in Heaven, it will be because of Christ and the payment He provided for Adam's sin. I believe we SHALL SEE ADAM there because we know that Jesus went and preached to those in prison UNTIL THE ADVENT OF CHRIST and HIS RESURRECTION. The most "idyllic" part of God's creation was the Garden of Eden. Do you believe that it was a better area than "east of Eden": Genesis 3:24 So he drove out the man; and he placed at the east of the garden of Eden Cherubims, and a flaming sword which turned every way, to keep the way of the tree of life. This is how God describes that locale: Genesis 3:17-18 And unto Adam he said, Because thou hast hearkened unto the voice of thy wife, and hast eaten of the tree, of which I commanded thee, saying, Thou shalt not eat of it: cursed is the ground for thy sake; in sorrow shalt thou eat of it all the days of thy life;18 Thorns also and thistles shall it bring forth to thee; and thou shalt eat the herb of the field; Did "east of Eden" have a "curse" upon it prior to Adam's fall or after? Knowing that ALL CREATION WAS CREATED SUBJECT TO VANITY, my vote is that outside of the Garden, life was scarce to none and Adam had to work at it if he were to see ANY LIFE produced, and this only by God's grace. Well, I have tried to explain these things to you and Tess as well as the scriptures reveal. To say that man has some "intrinsic" value, in my opinion, is alien to the scriptures. Adam, before the fall, and all mankind after the fall need the intercession of Christ for "eternal life". Adam proved that man IS NOT GOD. Man is "frail", subjected to "vanity" as God has said "in hope". The choice IS YOURS. If you think YOU have some redeemable quality in you, other than Christ, for your "redemption and restoration" to the good graces of God, then I am afraid for your very soul. Blessings, Dad Ernie

Greetings, Swordfish, stated the proposition of being in the image well. When Adam sinned, God could no longer have thee distinctive fellowship with him that he had prior. IOW, Adam died spiritually upon sinning. When Adam was kicked out of the Garden, he no longer had access to the Tree of Life, and he physically died. Both of these have been passed to us, his progeny. Christ could never have died "spiritually", since He and the Father are one. And the reason He died physically is because "cursed is the man who hangs on a tree", and Christ had to be "lifted up" in order to die physically. He could have avoided death altogether, but He had us in mind and paid the penalty for our sins. Please look up the word "image" in the Hebrew. It means likeness or similarity. Adam was NOT God and thus NOT perfect. Please reread the Romans verse I initially gave. Adam was NOT JUST MARRED, when he fell, the whole human race fell with him and thus there is no intrinsic value in the human race. The only reason God has continued to deal with man is that HE IS LOVE, and had a plan BEFORE ADAM for the salvation of all men, that is, those who would confess their sins (which Adam did not, nor Eve) and repent of their rebellion against God and accept the righteousness of Christ as their ONLY way of reconciliation with the Father. Again, God created his creation subject to VANITY, IN HOPE..... He did this BEFORE ADAM was even created. Blessings, Dad Ernie

Greetings Shiloh 357, You may want to consider: 1 Cor 9:19-23 For though I be free from all men, yet have I made myself servant unto all, that I might gain the more. 20 And unto the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might gain the Jews; to them that are under the law, as under the law, that I might gain them that are under the law; 21 To them that are without law, as without law, (being not without law to God, but under the law to Christ) that I might gain them that are without law. 22 To the weak became I as weak, that I might gain the weak: I am made all things to all men, that I might by all means save some. 23 And this I do for the gospel's sake, that I might be partaker thereof with you. Blessings, Dad Ernie

Greetings Apothanein Kerdos, Paul speaks of reconciliation to God as follows: Rom 5:10 For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life. 2 Cor 5:18 And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation; Eph 2:13-18 But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ. 14 For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us; 15 Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace; 16 And that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby: 17 And came and preached peace to you which were afar off, and to them that were nigh. 18 For through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father. Col 1:20-22 And, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven. 21 And you, that were sometime alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now hath he reconciled 22 In the body of his flesh through death, to present you holy and unblameable and unreproveable in his sight: We have not been reconciled to the "image of Adam", but to God through Christ. Adam lost that conciliation with God when he sinned and was booted out of the Garden. What does this have to do with the "image of God"? There is only ONE that is PERFECT - EVER, and that is God! Adam was NEVER made PERFECT. Being a man, he needed Christ just as much as we do today. In the Garden of Eden, Adam ate of the Tree of Life, and it sustained him. The Tree of Life is the TYPE, of which Christ is the ARCHTYPE. Was Adam's name written in the Lamb's Book of Life? Scripture doesn't say, but if he were to have gotten into heaven - THEN he needed Christ. What is it that Christ overcame? DEATH! And this was imposed upon Adam and all the Adamic race when Adam sinned. Today, we eat of Christ daily, and if we don't we will surely DIE! If Adam, needed Christ, then Adam WAS NOT PERFECT - he was among the creation God called "very good", and again I add "for the purposes to which God created him." But you see, you are ADDING to God's Word, something that is never said - that the original creation WAS PERFECT! Please refer back to the original scripture I gave. God subjected ALL creation to VANITY, IN HOPE.... Angels were posted around the Garden of Eden to prohibit anyone from ever re-entering it. In it was the Tree of Life which no man would again taste UNTIL Christ, who was slain from the foundation of the world, would come and RECONCILE man to God. Again I refer you to the Romans' verse when God says: HE SUBJECTED CREATION TO VANITY IN HOPE..... I add to God's Word only for clarity's sake. My added words only clarify what is said elsewhere. Do you really need me to explain this to you? Is the Love you show to someone a "work"? Is the Compassion you show to someone a "work"? Are the emotions you show a "work"? Then why don't you consider: Romans 6:19-20 I speak after the manner of men because of the infirmity of your flesh: for as ye have yielded your members servants to uncleanness and to iniquity unto iniquity; even so now yield your members servants to righteousness unto holiness. 20 For when ye were the servants of sin, ye were free from righteousness. Psalms 14:3 They are all gone aside, they are all together become filthy: there is none that doeth good, no, not one. Psalms 53:2-34 God looked down from heaven upon the children of men, to see if there were any that did understand, that did seek God. 3 Every one of them is gone back: they are altogether become filthy; there is none that doeth good, no, not one. Isaiah 64:6 But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away. When God said there is NONE that doeth GOOD, did that mean Adam BEFORE THE FALL? Had he been GOOD, he would have obeyed God! Yet because of the "frailty" of the flesh, he was quickly overcome by lustful desires. Today, if we are born again, we have the Holy Spirit within us guiding and leading us away from sin. Did Adam have that? Of course not, Christ had not yet been revealed, neither had the Spirit of God been given to men, including Adam. Well someone needs their daily dose of scripture. If this is the case, abortion, stem cell research, murder, lust, or anything that destroys the body should not be viewed as a sin. Only things which destroy the spirit should be sinful...if I murder someone it should not be a sin because I have only destroyed what is unrighteous and has no value. You mentioned "straw men" in a post to Ruck (I believe), yet what are you doing here? Consider: Job 17:14 I have said to corruption, Thou art my father: to the worm, Thou art my mother, and my sister. Psalms 22:6 But I am a worm, and no man; a reproach of men, and despised of the people. Isaiah 41:14 Fear not, thou worm Jacob, and ye men of Israel; I will help thee, saith the LORD, and thy redeemer, the Holy One of Israel. Then consider: Psalms 8:5 For thou hast made him a little lower than the angels, and hast crowned him with glory and honour. Hebrews 2:7 Thou madest him a little lower than the angels; thou crownedst him with glory and honour, and didst set him over the works of thy hands: Hebrews 2:9 But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honour; that he by the grace of God should taste death for every man. 1 Corinthians 15:45 And so it is written, The first man Adam was made a living soul; the last Adam was made a quickening spirit. 1 Cor 15:49-50 And as we have borne the image of the earthy, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly. 50 Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption. Jesus was made "in the image of Adam (PREFALL)". Is not Jesus made like unto us? If not, then how could He have died for our sins? I have already said, God created man FOR HIS OWN PURPOSES. Another poster said it well: "Adam AND US were created to reveal the Glory of God". or words to that effect. You need to get down off your high-horse AK and smell the flowers. You give yourself too much credit. Blessings, Dad Ernie

Greetings All, As Ruck has said, nowhere in the scriptures does it say that man was created "perfect", in fact, after the 6th day, God looked upon ALL His hands had created and said it was very good. Let me add to God's Word by saying "for the purposes to which He intended it. Too many have made too much out of "being in God's image". What I mean by that is they have gone far beyond what the scriptures actually say. When you look at the verses in context, we find that "like God", He has given us a certain amount of dominion over this earth. Read the verses in context. You will find that we do not look, in appearance, like God, we cannot LOVE as God loves, we cannot show mercy or grace as God reveals it to us. We are created "below the angels", for Jesus was made in likeness of Adam, a little lower than the angels. As far as loving humanity because of some intrinsic worth or value, that idea is absolute nonsense, because there is NONE righteous no not one! All have fallen short of the glory of God - even Adam! Jesus was created in the likeness of Adam BEFORE the fall, because He retained (on this earth) complete and free communion with the Father. Adam lost that for us when he was booted out of the Garden and lost access to the "Tree of Life". This meant DEATH! And DEATH fell upon the whole human race because of Adam's sin. Jesus came to deliver us from this DEATH and put us back in communion/fellowship with God. It would be worth your while to read and consider the following: Romans 8:20 For the creature was made subject to vanity, not willingly, but by reason of him who hath subjected the same in hope, Read this in Context. I know that many expositors disagree with this, and so may many of you, but give it some DUE consideration because the Lamb's Book of Life was written BEFORE the FOUNDATION OF THE EARTH, which means, before Eden. Everyone's name was there in The Book at the very beginning. I would only ask that you consider that HE KEPT THE ERASER. Blessings, Dad Ernie

Greetings Buck The System, There is no paradox. Unless one is born-again, they have no salvation. The salvation is there alright, but one must take hold of it in the person of Jesus Christ. Once that is done, He sends the Holy Spirit to "guide you unto all truth", for the "unspiritual" cannot receive the things of God: 1 Cor 2:13-14 Which things also we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual. 14 But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. Now if you are seeking "wisdom", it appears that you are seeking in all the wrong places. Man will give you many different answers, but God has only ONE answer, so: James 1:5-8 If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. 6 But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed. 7 For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord. 8 A double minded man is unstable in all his ways. so, if you want to gain wisdom about ANY subject: 2 Tim 2:15-16 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. 16 But shun profane and vain babblings: for they will increase unto more ungodliness. Blessings, Dad Ernie

Greetings, Regarding: All I can say is this: 1 John 2:18-20 Little children, it is the last time: and as ye have heard that antichrist shall come, even now are there many antichrists; whereby we know that it is the last time. 19 They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would no doubt have continued with us: but they went out, that they might be made manifest that they were not all of us. 20 But ye have an unction from the Holy One, and ye know all things. 1 John 2:21-25 I have not written unto you because ye know not the truth, but because ye know it, and that no lie is of the truth. 22 Who is a liar but he that denieth that Jesus is the Christ? He is antichrist, that denieth the Father and the Son. 23 Whosoever denieth the Son, the same hath not the Father: (but) he that acknowledgeth the Son hath the Father also. 24 Let that therefore abide in you, which ye have heard from the beginning. If that which ye have heard from the beginning shall remain in you, ye also shall continue in the Son, and in the Father. 25 And this is the promise that he hath promised us, even eternal life. 1 John 4:1-3 Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world. 2 Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God: 3 And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world. 2 John 1:7-11 For many deceivers are entered into the world, who confess not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist. 8 Look to yourselves, that we lose not those things which we have wrought, but that we receive a full reward. 9 Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son. 10 If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed: 11 For he that biddeth him God speed is partaker of his evil deeds. or perhaps Matthew 7:15 Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. Among us there are those who do not recognize Christ as God or the Messiah as foretold by the prophets. They acknowledge Him perhaps as a great and good teacher, but deny that He IS GOD. Blessings, Dad Ernie

Greetings All, I thought this was of sufficient interest to post: With Israel or Without Her By Malcolm Hedding No issue arouses heated debate in the Church like the question of Israel. Much of this discussion is provoked by theological differences, not just political ones. Some believe that because of Jesus' finished work on the cross, Israel no longer enjoys a national destiny before God, especially after they rejected his Messianic credentials. The 'People of God' are now exclusively the Church and any biblical references to a future for Israel in the Land of Canaan are taken in a spiritual sense as referring to the New Testament Church. This is called Replacement Theology. Although this belief is built upon a very shaky theological foundation, it is nonetheless tenaciously held onto by many "streams" of Christianity. A Closer Look In all honesty, Replacement theology is nowhere supported in the Bible. It is a mere presupposition; a theory and nothing more! However, its destructive impact has been all too clear. It has been long used by anti-Semites to legitimize their hatred of Jews. In addition, much of the anti-Israelism that exists in the wider Church today springs from this root and in many ways it is the 'new brand' of anti-Semitism. Replacement theology can only be sustained if one can in some measure prove that the Abrahamic Covenant has been abolished. Yet this a hopeless task, because Paul's epistle to the Galatians asserts that all the blessings that Jesus purchased for us are given to the world so as to fulfill the demands of the Abrahamic Covenant (Galatians 3:8-9; 13-14; 29). In addition, the book of Hebrews encourages us to keep trusting in the New Covenant because God is faithful and never breaks a promise. In this case, the promise referred to is the Abrahamic Covenant, which not only declares God's promise to bless the world but also His promise to give to the Jewish people the Land of Canaan as an "everlasting possession" (Hebrews 6:13-20; Genesis 17:7-8). A New Theory To prove then that the Abrahamic Covenant has been abolished is thus well nigh impossible. Given this reality, some Replacement theologians then assert that while it has not been abolished, it has been reconstructed! That is, the part of the Covenant that promises an eternal homeland to the Jews has been removed. We need to note four things in this regard: 1. It is pure presupposition, as the Bible nowhere teaches or endorses this point of view. 2. It attacks the character of God. In Genesis 17:7-8 God says that the Land of Canaan is given to the Jewish people as an everlasting possession. If Replacement Theology were true then this makes the God of the Bible a liar! Even the perverse prophet Balaam knew that, "God is not a man that he should lie" (Numbers 23:19). 3. It contradicts scripture everywhere. Even Jesus spoke of a latter day regathering of the Jews to the Land of Israel and to Jerusalem, affirming that the Kingdom would be restored to Israel in Zion, but at a time that only His Father knew (Luke 21:24; Acts 1:6-7). Jeremiah affirms that Israel would be regathered after correction and exile and exist as a nation forever before God (Jeremiah 31:10-12; 31:35-37). All the Hebrew prophets speak very plainly about this future day of restoration to the land and glory for Israel (Joel 3:18-21). 4. It is disproved by historical events. The restoration of Israel in our time enjoys remarkable biblical validation. To ignore this is to play the ostrich and put everything down to remarkable coincidence! I have met many theologians who have been quite prepared to do this. One even wrote, "Modern day Israel is indeed a remarkable miracle with biblical credentials that appear to be amazing. However, in all honesty this miracle is an immoral one!" Such is the blindness of replacement adherents. Their minds are made up and we should not confuse them with facts! Facts like the return of the Jews from all over the world, the recovery of Jerusalem, the recovery of the land's agricultural potential, the return of the Jews from "the North", the global dispute over Jerusalem and the worldwide phenomenon of Christians who love Israel and pray for her. All these facts are in the Bible! "Judah will be inhabited forever and Jerusalem through all generations... The LORD dwells in Zion!" Joel 3:20-21 The Incompetent Messiah According to Zechariah, a time will come when all nations will come against Israel to disinvest her of Jerusalem (Zechariah 12:1-3). At that time the Messiah will come to destroy those nations and to defend Jerusalem (Zechariah 12:7-9). But why would the Messiah come to defend what for Replacement theologians is an historical accident without biblical foundations? Is He incompetent or is the modern- day restoration of Israel evidence of God's hand and purpose? Colliding Thoughts Israel's journey, which includes her restoration to her ancient homeland, will always be a contested one. Such is her history. This journey according to her prophets will conclude with her meeting her Messiah. This will bring in the "Age of Redemption" as the Jewish Sages put it (Zechariah 14). Those who subscribe to Replacement theology cannot connect with the Purpose of God and, in many cases, find themselves working against it. In their refusal to stand with Israel, they end up standing with her enemies and this can mean supporting Islamic terrorism! A church in this position is far from the heart of God and has forgotten the warning of the Abrahamic Covenant, "I will bless those who bless you and curse those who curse you! " (Genesis 12:3). -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The writer is the Executive Director of the International Christian Embassy Jerusalem

Greetings, I have yet to meet a Christian who has matured without the Word of God being fully tucked into their heart and mind. God does not automatically pour out knowledge into our minds, but instead uses His Word to bring us along to maturity. A person who never "studies to show themselves approved", is like a tree that never received any water or nourishment. It will spring up for a time, but will quickly fade away. The parable of the sower is a good example. Fertile ground, one with access to good nourishment and water will produce good fruit, and by their fruit shall you know them. I don't expect a baby Christian to "know" very much, but if they truly love the Lord, they will desire to get to know Him through His Word. If they don't, I question their faith AND their salvation. Blessings, Dad Ernie

Greetings Nana Simmons, You might want to download E-Sword Bible Software. You can add numerous commentaries and research tools to it - ALL FOR FREE, but donations are accepted. You may even get the basic on CD for a minimum donation, and then add to it. You will find a wealth of very good information in it. Blessings, Dad Ernie

Greetings Elihu's Girl, I am not a "Ministry person", yet I have been posting on every area of this forum for a very long time. We are to share all good things that we receive with others, even with the "Ministry". So don't fear that you cannot post those things which are edifying to the body. Thank you for your post. It was a good Bible Study. Blessings, Dad Ernie

Greetings David from New Bern, Are you positing this as a serious question, one which you would like to have the answer, OR are you throwing your statement out to the crowd just to get responses? Is it edifying? Anyone who suggests that knowing Christ without knowing His Word, I question their faith, perhaps even their salvation. I believe the Canon of Scripture is currently closed. What we have in the form of the Bible is God's "inspired Word" to us. It is good and profitable to make the person of and in Christ whole in all ways. What is the answer you were looking for? Blessings, Dad Ernie

Greetings JustHis, There are as many "opinions" as there are expositors of eschatology. I include myself as one of them, so always take everything man says with a grain of salt. Take it to the Lord, pray and study. Then the Holy Spirit will reveal to you what the truth is. It is my belief that the "False Prophet" will arise out of the "Laodician Church", for God will "spew them out of His mouth". They will have long departed from "sound Gospel". So whether the person is of Jewish or other nationality, I do not know. Scripture appears silent on this. Only Eisogesis gives you the result. The anti-christ is only described by John in his Epistles. It is not mentioned elsewhere, even in the latter book of Revelations that John wrote. Too much has been made of this term, albeit a true one, it is applicable to all who deny that Jesus is the Christ and has come in the flesh. Again, the anti-christ is a SPIRIT, NOT just one person. Blessings, Dad Ernie

Greetings JTartar Revelation 17:8 The beast that thou sawest was, and is not; and shall ascend out of the bottomless pit, and go into perdition: and they that dwell on the earth shall wonder, whose names were not written in the book of life from the foundation of the world, when they behold the beast that was, and is not, and yet is. Revelation 20:2-3 And he laid hold on the dragon, that old serpent, which is the Devil, and Satan, and bound him a thousand years, 3 And cast him into the bottomless pit, and shut him up, and set a seal upon him, that he should deceive the nations no more, till the thousand years should be fulfilled: and after that he must be loosed a little season. At the coming of the Lord, Satan is bound for 1,000 years, the power and authority he gave to the nations is destroyed with the destruction of Babylon (a mystery). At the end of the 1,000 years, Satan is loosed once again and gathers THE NATIONS once again to come against the camp of the Saints, but the Lord with a Word shall destroy them. I agree that the MoB is the imprisonment of mens minds and actions by Satan. Blessings, Dad Ernie

Greetings Kitty Lover, I am at the opposite spectrum from you. I am retired, recently divorced, 6 kids and 12 grandkids. I am now living in the same town as my mom, her husband and brothers and sisters, none of whom are saved. Having spent from 1975 to now getting to know our Lord and Savior, it pains me to see the corruption of my family. I know where they are coming from for I was once of their mentality. I find myself crying over them because they don't have a clue. I am closest to my mother, but what I say to her goes in one ear and out the other. She loves the world more than she does Christ, though she says she prays, it soon becomes obvious that her prayers fall on deaf ears. I am hoping and praying that Christ in me, the hope of glory, is greater than the bonds that bind her and all my family. I sympethize with you whole heartedly. But we have an inward assurance and peace that they will never know unless they become born again. As much as it depends upon you, be at peace with you family and your school. Stand fast in Christ, and He will lift you up. That is an assurance we have. The days are too short to be wandering from our Savior. Obey your parents and the authorities, always praying for them. Perhaps God may touch their hearts. You have my love and prayers. Dad Ernie

Greetings Lasere, So have similar situations occurred in the past? How well do you relate with people? Did you make your wishes known BEFORE you had your hair done? Are you assertive? Do you believe that Jesus Loves You? There comes a calm quite self-assurance with Christ, knowing that ALL THINGS work for our good and His Glory! Before you take action, I would examine myself first. If what you say is true, they stepped over their bounds, but you have to remember that you are responsible for you. Someone could get a paper-cut by you throwing papers at them. That is enough to put you in jail. Please take these things to Jesus and let Him be your avenger, but you need His peace above all. Blessings, Dad Ernie

Greetings Butero, Consider what is meant by these two verses: Acts 16:31 And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house. James 2:19 Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble. So is the mental exercise of "believing" enough for salvation? What does Jesus say: John 3:5-7 Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. 6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. 7 Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again. and Paul: Romans 8:9 But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his. again: Jesus: Matthew 10:20 For it is not ye that speak, but the Spirit of your Father which speaketh in you. and Paul: 1 Corinthians 14:2 For he that speaketh in an unknown tongue speaketh not unto men, but unto God: for no man understandeth him; howbeit in the spirit he speaketh mysteries. To conclude - one must not only BELIEVE, but he/she must be BORN AGAIN IN THE SPIRIT OF GOD. Believing alone is insufficient for salvation - ask any demon. Consider: 1 Cor 14:27-28 If any man speak in an unknown tongue, let it be by two, or at the most by three, and that by course; and let one interpret. 28 But if there be no interpreter, let him keep silence in the church; and let him speak to himself, and to God. I think you misquoted the scriptures. I am happy to know that we can find agreement. Blessings, Dad Ernie

Right on Tess!! Sometimes Jesus healed without having any signs of faith at all. Other times, even gentile dogs (the Centurian) had very great faith. Peter, whom God revealed that Jesus was the Christ, began to doubt as he put his eyes on the storm, instead of Jesus. Satan loves to distract us with every sort of doubt he can think of to throw into the works of our lives. But I look at Joni Erikson Tada as one of the most stout defenders of the faith in our day and age who for the most of her life now has been a parapalegic and boy what a testimony honoring Christ. Sure God could heal her completely AND WILL DO SO ONE DAY, but for now, she serves His purposes wonderfully, bringing great honor and glory to God and His Son. Blessings, Dad Ernie

Greetings Butero, I am not sure I understand your point here. Unless we receive the Holy Spirit, HOW can we understand what God is saying? Do you find the following verse interesting: 1 Corinthians 14:22 Wherefore tongues are for a sign, not to them that believe, but to them that believe not: but prophesying serveth not for them that believe not, but for them which believe. What good does it do the church, if tongues are spoken and no one understands? Are they not for a sign to the unbeliever? Someone may have one gift, another will have yet another gift. Some prophesy, others interpret. The interpreters do the work of giving understanding and meaning to the UNBELIEVERS for whom it is a SIGN that God is among them. As I stressed before, He who has an ear, let him hear what the SPIRIT is saying to the church. Blessings, Dad Ernie

Greetings Ruck, Perhaps the BURNT offering, was intended to reveal that the offering was only a TEMPORARY institution UNTIL the REAL sacrifice was completed - meaning Jesus???? Do you suppose? But Jesus, if he were to obey the entire law would have to have been BURNT at the stake, instead, He was only CRUCIFIED, without a bone being broken. I too immediately thought of Cain and Abel and the "better" sacrifice that Abel offered. Where do you think he learned that from? Don't you suppose that Adam TAUGHT both Cain and Abel about the "covering" God afforded him and Eve by the SACRIFICE of an animal to provide a TEMPORARY COVERING for them? What did God do? Just make a SKIN OF AN ANIMAL appear WITHOUT KILLING AN ANIMAL for it? Yes, He could, but an overriding principle throughout the scriptures is that "without the shedding of blood, there is no remission of sins." Now if you can't accept that, I don't know what to say. Blessings, Dad Ernie

Greetings Buck, I can understand your confusion, but why don't you study it for yourself instead of depending upon man? Consider: James 1:5-8 If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. 6 But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed. 7 For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord. 8 A double minded man is unstable in all his ways. and 2 Timothy 2:15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. It is WISE to have a "multitude of counselors", and God uses them as tools to clarify our own thinking on a matter. But now YOU KNOW where to get TRUE WISDOM. Are you willing to spend the time in the Word of God to FIND THE TRUTH? Otherwise, you are only getting OPINIONS. Blessings, Dad Ernie