65Michael

So is " Christianity" some how exempt from faults, deceptions, false doctrines and influence from satan?

The best I can tell you is for the most part. If we are deceived we are lead to the truth by the Holy spirit. So while we can be deceived for a time. We are lead to the truth. This is only for those who truely believe. If your a false believer you will not see the truth. For some not even if it smacks you in the face over and over. As long as we walk this earth satin will seek to tempt most of us. I don't know for sure but I think some are so strong in their faith that satin leaves them alone. I've not been able to do that yet. Maybe a few are able to shed their faults completely. I haven't been able to but I'm trying. Most of us are works in progress. There is some false doctrine out there. The mormens leave out some of what Jesus said. So many know the Bible by hart that it can't be changed without most people finding out about it. That is why cults go into sucluesion. The mormens are a cult. If anyone post false doctrine on a Christian chat it will be refuted and most likely removed. For the most part Christians are safe from it here and at most other online Christian chats. In a church you'll have to figure it out for your self.

John 14:⁶ Jesus *said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me.

Thank you for your answer but all Christians know and believe this statement. I most certainly do. I even have a good understanding of it. If I didn't I would still just believe. In one true God. Can you tell me your understanding of this statement Jesus made?

  Hello Michael, Jesus is the only way to heaven, without Him, a person is lost.  So any religion that does not hold to this truth is false, and the followers of said religion are in big trouble.  If you are talking about denominational divisions within Christianity, these all spring up from doctrinal differences.  I don't hold to any denomination, I am simply a Christian, and I view anyone who claims Jesus as Lord to be a brother or sister.  God bless you.

Thank you for your reply Brother. I like you claim no denomination. I too am simply a modist Christian. I just want to be a better Christian. God bless

One thing that we have is the witness of the Spirit and a guarentee of our inheritance in heaven. My belief in God is not just a belief system. I believe in God because I know Him personally, the Holy Spirit bears witness to who He is. 

John 14:15 “If you love Me, keep My commandments. 16 And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever— 17 the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him; but you know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you. 18 I will not leave you orphans; I will come to you.

Ephesians 1:13 In Him you also trusted, after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in whom also, having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise, 14 who is the guarantee of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, to the praise of His glory.

1 John 3:23 And this is His commandment: that we should believe on the name of His Son Jesus Christ and love one another, as He gave us commandment.

24 Now he who keeps His commandments abides in Him, and He in him. And by this we know that He abides in us, by the Spirit whom He has given us.

I grew up in the Church, I believed in God for a while but I never saw power in it. Mix that with situations of  I thought it was a powerless belief system so I went looking for something real. I ended up into wicca and many other new age practices. While I was dabbling into that stuff I had alot of crazy experiences, especially with the demonic. When I was 16, I was with a girl at the time who had become possessed by a demon, had three voices coming out her mouth and was trying to slice through her wrist. I got the knife out of her hand and had her restrained, I didn't know what to do then suddenly I just heard, "rebuke it in Jesus name" I did and she spit up and was completely normal. At this time, I was not a believer but God was showing me that Jesus has a name above any other.

After many other encounters, I was 18 years old and coming off drugs. I got in a fight with God and started shouting question after question at Him. The next day my sister brought me to Church, I didn't want to go but she made me. The worship started and I started feeling this love, peace, and joy wash over me and then suddenly a hatred rose up and I kept hearing, "I'm not giving my life to Jesus!" But I recognized that wasn't my thought. Right when that was going on, the lady on the worship team spoke something in tongues. I got hit with the presence of God and I was trembling in snot and tears, I got delivered, all the anger was gone. Then the pastor said, I feel like God is saying to change my sermon, so I'm going to preach something different today. Then, he answered the questions I shouted at God. After that I gave my life to the Lord and got filled with His Spirit. That was 12 years ago.

There was such a huge difference between me believing when I was growing up and encountering God and receiving His Spirit. His Spirit bears witness of the one true God and is the proof, Jesus is the only way and the guarantee of my salvation. This is how every believer is convinced, the Holy Spirit. Though everyone's coming to Jesus is different, it's the Holy Spirit that leads us in truth that convinces and convicts our hearts of the reality of Jesus.

Romans 8:14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God. 15 For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, “Abba, Father.”

Since I gave my life to the Lord, there's been this internal knowing of God, this awareness of His presence. I do alot of street ministry, and when I pray over people many of them say they feel really lite and filled with peace. It's the presence of the Holy Spirit, He's real and He's tangible. He also bears witness to the Gospel through doing what only God can do. My friend was praying over a girl whose shoulder was messed up and Jesus healed it. Just then a Muslim man walked up and at first wanted to fight us because he thought we were hitting a girl he had a crush on. She testified her arm got healed and I asked him if he had any pain in his body. He had bullet wounds from years ago, that cause him constant pain. After a quick prayer he was like, "What did you do to me? I'm a Muslim!" I shared with him the reality of Jesus and His precious good news. He is the only one who can do that! He is the only way, and offers the only guarantee of our salvation. His Spirit living inside of us.

That is a wonderful and amazing story! Thank you for sharing. God bless

Well I disagree. I know some may not like this, but even the churches of God are not immune to deception. My view on this is one thing, but if you like the bible, trust it, then consider what Jesus himself said about several different stages of HIS church in Rev. 2:4, Ephesus  " Lost their first Love", a serious deception. Pergamos was doing things, Rev. 2:15, that Jesus Hated! Jesus own church doing things he hated. Jesus had things against the church called Thyatira, Rev. 2:20. You suggest the " Final " word is protected, well in Rev. 3:20, the " Final stage" of the church of God is seriously deceived; the Laodicea era; they are so bad off, Jesus is NOT even " In" the church, but its STILL a church of God. Jesus is on the " Outside knocking", meaning he is not IN this church. He's trying to get in. But they are all wrapped in the " Prosperity influence", Rev. 3:17, and Jesus calls HIS church here" wretched, miserable, poor, blind and naked!"

 

That's some serious name calling by Jesus here; and its describing a church of his.

Jesus may well be talking about the Mormens. I can't say for sure. They have removed some of what Jesus said from the Bible. I pray some will find their way!!!

You know, I just can't understand why some people think that false doctrines can only come from wolves? I think most false doctrines in any church, much less Christianity, comes from its own ranks of believers who are serious about their belief, just seriously wrong about how they have interpreted something in scripture. False doctrines come from mostly sheep. Those are the most deadly ones as well. When wrong believers think themselves right about a topic. That is the nature of deception; a deceived believer does not know they are deceived; but when a believer thinks they are immune to deception, they are deceived already.

 

Christianity cannot be protected from deception. No religion can.

 

In a way you are right. Christianity has always been attacked by deception. It's Satan's nature to deceive because he despises the truth and Satan always works through men.

However, the final word is protected. You can deceive yourself as to what the Bible says even with good intentions, and others can deceive you as to what the Bible says -  especially if you have never read it yourself.

But the Bible itself remains the same, and for those who have no access to the Bible the Holy Spirit is there to give them the truth.

You have brought up some very good points. One perception can lead to deseption. If you want to be angery you can find biblical text to support your anger. The easy way to see the falseness of this is to ask is this anger because of love or bigotry. Anger over protecting the innocent is righteous anger. Even then it is wrong to act out in anger. We are to love our enimies too. As for Biblical text being protected. I know that Mormon's have removed some of what Jesus said from their Bible's. I just found that out yesterday. I don't know about any other's making changes. I also know that they do not believe Jesus is God. So as far as I'm concerned their not really Christians. They do not believe Jesus is God either. I wish I knew more about it. My baby sister is a Mormen. I understand the appeal though. To many Christians make it seem like we worship Jesus not God. I had a problem with that for a long time myself. The Holy spirit taught me the truth. I have found many who see things correctly since coming back on board the right ship.

I'm not sure what a 'one one God religion' means' but, hey, I'll give it a shot.  There is ONE God, ONE religion (with many denominations) known as Christianity.  All the other 'gods' and false religions are of no consequence at all and their adherents will not see the Kingdom of God.  And, yes, the one true God owns all of Creation and Heaven as well.

Thank you for trying. I do wish I could have such a simplistic few of religion. The problem is that I like Jesus,God, and the Holy spirit love all mankind. My hart is filled with grief that so many are lost. So I want to understand better so as to help more of those who are lost find their way. So there is consequence to all other religions. For me,God, Jesus,and the Holy spirit. As to ownership. God gave us this world to take care of for a time. God gave us free will so that we can chose to lead or follow. So we do own our self's until we decide to follow a believe of some kind. I chose a God of love, exceptence, and forgiveness. That to me is the Christian way. To many of us show anger to follerss of different religions. I do believe the Bible tells us not to do this. To share our love and the love of our God to all of mankind. When we come into contack with these people we should be a good exsamble of our faith. Even if we can't teach them. Maybe they have something to teach you that God wants you to know. God teaches through life experience. Not just what is written in Biblical text.

Jesus said: I am the way, the truth, and the light.

What is the way? What does Jesus mean? Are we to search for the truth? I know that the more you know the less likely you are to be fooled. I have been told that Jesus was among the most learned at age 12. I can't say Quote because I don't know for sure but this or a passage like this is in the Bible. So is this what Jesus ment?

 

Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.

John 14:6

 

May I ask who you believe Jesus is for you?

I answered your question in a reply already. Thank you for asking!!!

Jesus is the way which is to say that he is the code of conduct. He taught the way of God. It isn't hard to understand. It is hard to accept. For the consequences of believing have tremendous implications.

I like a person who is not afraid of the truth!!! Thank you for being you!! Amen

Michael, what is the truth? Who do you believe Jesus is?

Well you have asked 2 very good questions. The first: what is truth? The best way I can think of to explain the truth about people is this. The word perception is important to understand. Perception is based on what each of us has learned from the world around us and how much we allow our emotions to influence us. Everyone sees the truth at least a little bit different from everyone else. If you have had a good life for the most part. You don't think there is any need for change. If you have had a hard life you feel that change is needed. If you listen to the media in your country you tend to believe what they tell you. If you seek out many different sources for information you can find something that is more acin to the truth. The only way to really know the truth is to live through it or to listen to the Holy spirit. If you listen to the Holy spirit you know the truth as soon as it is presented to you. Even this has limitations. If you never heir, see, read or live it you still don't know it. If you think you already know the truth. You stop seeking it. If your wise you never stop seeking the truth. Jesus is the only man to live who could really know the truth because he is God. We are not God. We can only learn a limited amount about the truth. I would like to share just a little more of the truth with you since you asked. The truth about leadership throughout the world. In a tottalien type government might makes right. IE the military puts down any rebelioe by force. This happens in comunisum also. I can't speak for Social governments. I don't know much about them. I do understand the government here in the USA. People here in the USA seem to think politicians are carupt because they don't keep their promises. They keep the promises they make to the people that pay for their campaigns. If they didn't they would lose there jobs. Each side makes deals with big businesses to get money to run for office. Most of the time both sides make the same deal. So big businesses get what they want either way. The politician does what he can for the people but he or she can only do so much without upsetting the people that pay for them to get and keep their job. Their not carupt. Their just doing their job as best they can. If anyone ever runs for office looking to change campaign financing they have my vote. That is as much of the truth as I have time to write right know.

Know for your second question: Who is Jesus to me? Well first and foremost. Jesus is God! This is just my theory. I am just a man and cannot be sure. I was not there. Jesus was born a seemingly normal baby. A vessel devoid of any knowledge of the world around him. The wise men brought to him grate wealth. His family and the wise men fled to Egypt. All of the wealth was spent on scrolls. Jesus learned and understood all about mankind from mankind. I believe once Jesus had learned all that the wise men could teach him. Jesus traveled to places God sent him to. To learn more. The Jews and the Egyptians both worshipped one God. So Jesus understood all that mankind knew of one God. I think Jesus went to learn about other religions. Then Began his ministry. He died for the sins of all mankind. He left his friend ( The Holy spirit) for all mankind as well. These two gifts are for anyone who seeks out the one true God of love. Even if they never learn about Jesus they still get the benefit of the gifts. To me Jesus is the best big brother anyone could ever hope to have. To walk as close in Jesus's footsteps as I can is all I want from this life. God bless

There is much truth in the Bible. I believe that the Bible is "God breathed", and God's Word. So a good place to search for wisdom and truth might be to start in Proverbs. The whole Bible tells us more about God, how He interacts with people, what His personality is like such as slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love. Jesus had written the Bible with the Holy Spirit so He knew and understood it better than his teachers. He understood the true meaning.

I am so not sure that it was speaking of what the world considers knowledge as being truth. But I do love to learn and our kids have called me a nerd. lol They love to give me a bad time.

I like that you love to learn!!! For me it is difficult to learn from book. I have Dyslexia. Math is pretty tough when you can't memorize the formulas. Any language even English is very hard. I couldn't communicate online without spell check. I have genius level IQ. Probably much higher then I test to have. Most all people who have my IQ and much lower can read 75 to 150 pages an hour. I can only read 28 to 32 pages an hour. I have to read each word 3 times or do any math problem the same way. I learn very fast from modeling. God has taught me much from life experiences. Well keep on learning and I'll keep on trying to too. God blessings

Exactly what you said. The truth is there if you look for it but only if you do it with an open and humble mind.

Many Christians are afraid to look for the truth. It's okay though, they don't need to look for it - they already have it. But for others, they will find the truth if they do it without a hardened heart.

Jesus comes to those who look for him. There is only one road to salvation among many other roads that lead to death. If you want to find the right road (the only way) let Jesus be your guide.

Thank you for your answer. I agree with your first paragraph. I'm not so sure about the second. Jesus is our leader!!! I think it might be our responsibility to follow his lead.

The way--Jesus is the only way to be forgiven, the only way to come to the Father God, and the only way to heaven.

The way to become a Christian is to turn away from our sinful lives and turn to Jesus for forgiiveness. He died to pay for our sins with His blood. He took our sins on Himself on the cross, and give His perfect life to be placed on our record. So He took our place and took our punishment.

The truth--the truth is only found in Jesus Christ. No other religion presents the truth. Our God is not a man that he should lie. Jesus said that satan is the father of lies.

The life--Eternal life and forgiveness is found only through Jesus. He is our Creator and the source of life. Col. 1:15-16 John 5:21 NKJV For as the Father raises the dead and gives life to them, even so the Son gives life to whom He will.

The passage about Jesus listening to His teachers and asking quesions when He was 12 was in Luke 2:41-50. v.47 And all who heard Him were astonished at His understanding and answers.

When we receive Jesus' forgiveness and choose to follow Him as our Savior, and acknowledge Him as Lord over our lives, He gives us His Holy Spirit to help us understand the Bible, to guide us and comfort us in this life. He also puts His seal, His mark of ownership on us, as a down payment on our going to heaven.

The

Thank you for your answer. I like you am a Christian. What you have said is true and very important. I am trying to find out if we are to learn more then just the truth about God. Jesus did this so as Christians are we to follow his lead?

The way--Jesus is the only way to be forgiven, the only way to come to the Father God, and the only way to heaven.

The way to become a Christian is to turn away from our sinful lives and turn to Jesus for forgiiveness. He died to pay for our sins with His blood. He took our sins on Himself on the cross, and give His perfect life to be placed on our record. So He took our place and took our punishment.

The truth--the truth is only found in Jesus Christ. No other religion presents the truth. Our God is not a man that he should lie. Jesus said that satan is the father of lies.

The life--Eternal life and forgiveness is found only through Jesus. He is our Creator and the source of life. Col. 1:15-16 John 5:21 NKJV For as the Father raises the dead and gives life to them, even so the Son gives life to whom He will.

The passage about Jesus listening to His teachers and asking quesions when He was 12 was in Luke 2:41-50. v.47 And all who heard Him were astonished at His understanding and answers.

When we receive Jesus' forgiveness and choose to follow Him as our Savior, and acknowledge Him as Lord over our lives, He gives us His Holy Spirit to help us understand the Bible, to guide us and comfort us in this life. He also puts His seal, His mark of ownership on us, as a down payment on our going to heaven.

The

Thank you for your answer. Everyone here that is a Christian knows the Bible teaches us the truth about God and Jesus. My question is more about the truth of the world we live in. Are we as Christians responsible to learn more then just the truth about God. Jesus learned from mankind about mankind. I'm sure he learned a lot. Are we to learn this too?

Jesus said: I am the way, the truth, and the light.

What is the way? What does Jesus mean? Are we to search for the truth? I know that the more you know the less likely you are to be fooled. I have been told that Jesus was among the most learned at age 12. I can't say Quote because I don't know for sure but this or a passage like this is in the Bible. So is this what Jesus ment?

Me too!! Amen

Does any one one God religion have exclusive rights to the glory of heaven? Hope this doesn't upset anyone!!!

Are you saying is one religion the true religion like Catholic or Baptist?

I was asking this as well. The answers have been informative and helpful. I am still hopeful that someone will help me understand why we as Christians can't stand together as one. Why we are so divided? You know together we stand and divided we fall.

I do not support denominations.There is too much politics involved.I label myself a "Christian".

As far as denominations go, I wrote on this topic here, if you care to read it.

http://omegazine.com/blog/divided.html

Thank you Omegaman. That was some good reading. I hope many have and will read what you've written!!!

John 14:⁶ Jesus *said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me.[/quote

Thank you for your answer but all Christians know and believe this statement. I most certainly do. I even have a good understanding of it. If I didn't I would still just believe. In one true God. Can you tell me your understanding of this statement Jesus made?

Does any one one God religion have exclusive rights to the glory of heaven? Hope this doesn't upset anyone!!!

Are you saying is one religion the true religion like Catholic or Baptist?

I was asking this as well. The answers have been informative and helpful. I am still hopeful that someone will help me understand why we as Christians can't stand together as one. Why we are so divided? You know together we stand and divided we fall.

I think that Jesus did and does speak for God. That thay are one and the same. So I would answer my own question with a yes. I would like to know how other Christians feel about this and why? Some Biblical text to prove your point would be helpful.

Does any one one God religion have exclusive rights to the glory of heaven? Hope this doesn't upset anyone!!!

What do you think reality is? Explain like I'm 5, please.

 

What is this place? What is going on? What is the point?

 

I would like you (everyone who reads this) to explain reality to me in the way that you understand it, or think of it, but in terms that are simple enough for a 5 y/o to understand, please.

 

Also, if you reply, could you do so before reading other's replies? I would prefer uninfluenced posts, so that people answer more inline with their own way of thinking - I am looking for what comes natural from you all, so to speak.

 

Thanks if you answer.

Well reality is kind of different for everyone. God made each of us different. What you see, heir, feel, taste, and learn are all unique to you. Well all of it put together is anyway. Lots of things taste like chicken but the way chicken tastes to you might be different to someone else. Even colors can be different. Most people are color blind in at least one color. God made us unique. So you will need to figure out your own unique reality as you grow into an adult. Learn as much as you can and your reality will be as close to a true reality as is possible for you.

I was doing good in church and I slowly slipped out. I've been thinking a lot about Jesus lately, to tell you the truth I never stopped. I just feel like a huge disappointment, and if I did get back into church then I would just disappoint again. I suffer from near crippling social anxiety, its horrible I'm to the point where all I want to do is sleep stay home and go to work. I can't even stand to have people over to my house, its so bad my sister moved here a couple weeks ago and she started wanting to come over to my house during the week I stressed out so bad over it I actually broke out in shingles. I stopped going to my church on more than one occasion all because when the pastor wife was in the pulpit she said in front of the church lets welcome back Brother "Cpanthers786". I would like to think God has a purpose for me matter of fact I wish he does. I just don't know how im supposed to serve him when i can barley speak to a stranger. I know through God all things are possible, im no fool I know this. Im lost and im hurting so bad right now it isint funny. Please pray for me please.

My sister is a paranoid schizophrenic. There's medication for it. Also BDSD can cause this problem too. There's medication for that too. Tell your doctor and see what he says. Some prayer can't hurt either. Mind if I pray for you?

i am sorry I don't know where to post this. I consider myself a Christian although only recently returned to the fold as I had backslidden. Anyway as a Christian shouldn't I understand the bible.? The Parables and Letters plus Prophesy often puzzle me.

Nice question. All I can share with you is how it works for me. When I was young only 16. I tried to read the Bible. It but me to sleep. I would read one or two paragraphs and out I went. I did this for months. I was determined to learn the word of God. It never stopped putting me out. So I decided. That wasn't the way God wanted me to learn. Before I started I had made a prayer to God asking him to make me the person he wanted me to be. I asked for more then that. Everything I asked for had to do with knowledge and understanding. So the Bible thing kind of through me. I already know a lot about Jesus and his ministry. I also already know that the spirit was real. I had had 2 out of body experiences. I only had faith that God was real. I didn't know what to believe about Jesus. 33 years latter I still haven't read much of the Bible. I got all the knowledge I asked for and quite a bit more of it. I don't just have faith that God is real. I know God is real. I know Jesus is real too. I also know you can't find one without the other being there to. There one and the same. Jesus was sent here to teach us and to change the Covent . Jesus is the way. How he was raised is the way. He was of the most learnied at 12 years of age. That's in the Bible somewhere. I've had 4 people tell me that. Everyone said the same thing. That gives me reason to trust it. So learning is important. Not just the Bible but about most anything. Let the holy Spirit be your guide. If you have a question find an answer. We are all different. God wants us to learn for our self's. The more you know the less likely you are to be fooled and the easier it is to understand just about anything. Even the Bible. What Jesus had to say is fairly easy to understand. So as for the Bible that's a good place to start. As for the rest I would get lots of different perceptions and then deside on your own. Doesn't matter if you agree with anyone else. Your a unique person and that's what God wants you to be.

The lack of modisty in faith. Some do axially believe they fully understand the will of God. That we should all believe just as they believe. I'm that way about a few things myself. I really don't know much to argue about. The little I do know seems to cause disagreements. I was surprised by this many times. I had to learn to support my knowledge. Still even when I use biblical text to present my knowledge they simply dismiss what I say. Saying whatever dode. This problem has to do with perception of knowledge sometimes and the desire to remain ignorent at others. We are all unique individuals. We all perseive things a little differently. Some people will attack you for your different perception or their desire to remain ignorent. I've had it happen a lot of times. When faced with the real truth and it conflicts with a false doctrine learned over many years people will even become violent. This problem is what we who seek to learn and share truth must face with modesty and love in our harts. May God be with you in your jurny to the truth that is God.

I like your paper. Science is still very young and has a long way to go!! I try to keep up with it as best I can. It's to bad that they don't want to recognize the spirit or God. I'm certain they one day will. I've know that the spirit is real since I was 12. I had a very real out of body experience. This happened one more time when I was 14. Unfortunately it is not possible to prove this to anyone. Science might one day find a way to detect the spirit. Science is important!!! There going to be wrong most of the time. Every now and then they find something worth knowing. The light bulb for instance. I believe it took over 10 thousand tries to make the first one. So it may take many millions if tries before they figure out what we already know. God is real. The spirit is real. God did create the physical realm and all life. We just need to be patient with them. There a little slow but they will figure it out when God lets them. Mean while we can enjoy the show.