rob1

Is it possible that Jesus was using figurative speech to show how powerful belief is? (As a man believes in his heart, so is he.) Faith is powerful because it determines what we are and what we do.

I have been thinking lately about faith, and what it means. Jesus is the Way, the Truth and the Life. Satan is the father of lies. God our Father wants us to know the truth, to have the opportunity to choose Him. (without hearing the truth we would have no chance) Faith is believing what you have not seen. If we believe the bible and the testimony of christians that Jesus is the Son of God sent to die on the cross for the sin of the world, then we have faith, because we believe these things without seeing them. (I don't see how a person could get to this point and not put his trust in Christ. In fact it may be impossible.) In events of time there is only one true account; though there are often many stories and exaggerations and lies. Faith in a lie is obviously powerless;but,faith in the truth is total freedom(powerful). (Is this what Jesus meant by moving a mountain with faith?) Know the truth and the truth will make you free. Faith is not only the key to salvation, but also the key to sanctification, and good works will grow as fruit.

No, doubt this is true. And His desire is that all would repent and believe.

Yes, but with the Holy Spirit conviction there is still a choice to made. To blieve or not to believe the truth.

Sorry, but it doesn't make much sense to me. If God already decided who would be saved, then whats the point. God created us with a free will. He gave us the free will to love Him or not to love Him. We are not simply machines. We are created in His image. To say that He decided who would love Him and who would not is contrary to His purpose and makes those who say they love Him nothing more than computers that are programmed what to do.

Dispensations are divisions of ages. We know that we are in the age of Grace. We know there is coming a perfect age when Christ will reign. There are other divisions that are not as easily seen because they may not be clearly stated in the bible. I have some books written by Clarence Larkin that are excellent resources. You can find some of his writtings and some excellent pictures and diagrams that he drew on the internet.

This is exactly what I was thinking. The world will also say that hard times make them stronger. That is a known principle common to all. But, the christian will not become stronger...he will become weaker, more dependent on God. When we are weak, then we are strong.

I read in 'The Purpose Driven Life' that all trial are a test of our faith. I have a view which may not be opposed to his but it is different. I believe trials are used by God to build our relationship with Him. The world experiences the same trials as we, but the effect should be different. We are a new and different creation. Therefore, the trials of life effect us in a different way. Trials cause us to go to the Father in prayer because Jesus made it possible and the Holy Spirit comforts us. My question is; are trials a tests of our faith to inform God, or has the new birth caused a shift in cause and effect for the christian so that now trials bring us to God ; and are for our benefit?

Babel was dispering people the languages for making themselves equal to God Acts was bringing all the languages together for the purpose of praising God <{POST_SNAPBACK}> I understand what each did; but is there a relation. Were the tongues at Pentecost a sign that God had provided the way to Heaven that man was reaching for at Babel? Or, is it as the charismatics say, evidence that a person has been filled with the Spirit? Or both?

How do the dividing of tongues by God at the Tower of Babel and the tongues at Pentecost relate to each other?

nebula, thank you for the explanation. I guess the thing that interests me about this is that a person could be born without a man being involved. This is the highest level of rebellion of a world whose religion is science. To say that we don't need God to create life or we don't have to do it His way. Several things interest me about the possibility of this type birth. 1.Jesus was born by a miracle of God. He was 100% God and 100% man. He was sinless; the sin nature of Mary was not passed to Him though He came from her egg. So her DNA is obviously not contaminated. Their blood never mixed; the blood of mother and child are completely separated in the womb. question:Would a person born from an egg only have the sin nature? Would such a person be recognized by God as His creation? Would he have a soul or be no more than an animal? 2.The prefix 'anti' means 'in stead of' or 'in the place of'. Jesus said He came in His Father's name and we did not accept Him, but one would come in his own name and him we would accept. question:What could be more deceptive than a man who claims to be without sin? I know these questions are purely speculation and any answers add to it, but it is still interesting for those of us watching and waiting for His return.

You all seem to know too much to think seriously about this. Qestion: what is the antichrist? what is the beast? <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Rev. 13 & 14 I know these are symbolic images but, if the beast here is a government only, how do you create its image and how do people worship it?

I am new here and I have a question for some of you biblical scholars. If a person is cloned; 1. will he have a soul or will he be no more than an animal or "beast"? 2. if he is cloned from a woman will he have the sin nature? ( is the sin nature passed from father to child?) 3. if he is born without the sin nature (Jesus born of a virgin, no man involved) could he have supernatural power or would he be an easy target for satan to possess? The antichrist is called the beast He has power to perform signs and wonders People will worship him as a God