Billiards Ball

Baptism is very important both as a symbol and a step of obedience, while not being salvific. Baptism is IDENTIFICATION, it is (still today) a Jewish practice. Jews baptized Gentiles to identify with Jehovah only, not Jesus, when they convert to Judaims John baptized to identify with God and repentance - denying the religious this baptism The NT baptism is "I identify that Jesus is God, and that God is Father, Spirit and Son... I'm born again now".

For a couple, a strong marriage helps, yes. There are tests you can take online, but you can start with your comfort level with strange cultures, hardships and travel. When a person says, "I can't be away from McDonald's for five years . . . "

The present universe (including Earth) will be destroyed by atomic blasts (the elements breaking apart as in 2 Peter) and God will make a new universe and Earth not subject to death. Believers will enjoy, unbelievers will be put aside from this uncorrupted universe. Trust Jesus to enter this sacred space. Trust Jesus for eternal life!

You CAN know God's will if you're born again. Read this verse carefully and you'll see how to KNOW God's will: Eph 5:17 - Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord's will is. "Foolish" is Bible for "immoral". Behave as a born again Christian ought and you'll KNOW what do, what is right, what to think, how to feel . . . the Lord's will for YOU.

The old man is destroyed, the flesh is at war with the Spirit, requiring refilling of the Spirit/wearing the Eph 6 armor, etc.

Paul spoke before Occam, warning people of complex doctrine, lest they be deceived.

The Bible demonstrated both choice and being chosen - two examples: Choice = you exercise your free will to accept or reject Jesus Chosen = anyone who is born again will be conformed to Christ/made perfectly holy to enter Heaven

Pastors should have open doors/assistants when counseling opposite-sex persons, pastors should allow women to handle women's sex issues and same for men. PERIOD end of story!

Read John's gospel and say what I said, "God, if you exist, help me understand what I'm reading and the logic of it. Speak to me if you exist."

What's bothering you, so we can find Bible words that fit your particular need? Thanks.

God does not do what? Jesus died and rose for everyone who ever sinned against God or their brother. If two people have their backs turned, one must be proactive. Christians are to be proactive in forgiveness and reconciliation unless the other is abusing them.

A chief forum issue is this--where skeptics and atheists are on forums, they assault any Christian statements--as long as you bear in mind 2 Tim 2:24-26 and also come from a teaching position while LIMITING the time you spend responding to mockers...

Since no one answered your question biblically, ahem, Romans 14 should be read. It says if you're asking "should I watch this?" then you shouldn't. Someone else can watch it. Read Romans 14 to find out WHY that it is so.

It's simple--if sad--most Christians and most Christian teachers/leaders/influencers are uninformed about the coming age, the Millennium where Christ will reign and rule on Earth BEFORE the final judgment and eradication of death.

Religion, starting with "Religious knowledge of good and evil in the Garden," is man's attempt to perfect himself/cover His own sin. Trust Jesus for forgiveness of sin and eternal life, then watch this relationship bloom.

The context (whole chapter) seems to do with the Return of the Messiah and the Antichrist's faithless covenant with Israel and the nations . . . or at least there seems to be rich prophecy there of same.

The NT quote about "forgetting the past" is made by Paul, who says it's worth forgetting his religious training of "get to Heaven by good deeds/following the OT Law" for "trust Jesus for salvation". It's important to review some early trauma with Jesus, for healing. If you pursue counselors, look for born again counselors.

Not to oversimplify (haha) but you're correct as soon as we see the words "believe and faith" in the Bible are best rendered as TRUST. I TRUST God will guide the doctors and/or that God will heal me with or without doctors. I've TRUSTED God for eternal life and TRUST I have assurance forever. I TRUST Christians to misunderstand and misuse the word "faith".

I am assured that this debate will remain fruitless until the mods close this thread. Please everyone remove the speck in my eye before you remove the logs on your Internet.

Frustrating to see an assurance thread linger, without dying. People conflate salvation and sanctification verses. One of them is free and a one-time act. The other takes effort and time.

For ANY and EVERY teacher/advice/study, check against the scriptures.

It should be "God told me to tell you [thing], does that align with your experience and the teachings of the Bible?"

Jesus bless you! I'm glad you turned to study Christianity, but have you trusted Jesus for salvation AND for pain relief?

Philosophy is not wrong, there is room in the Bible for the gray areas, for example, two pastors can disagree per their philosophies regarding effective ministry. The empty philosophy the Bible spoke of is any personal or school of philosophy not rooted in Bible doctrine.

The quote applies to non-Christian religions. Since the Bible is inerrant and univocal, it stands every possible logical and hypothetical (scientific, rational, etc.) test.