gop_jeff

I never even thought about that Scripture in regards to that saying... very interesting. Thanks for the insight!! :t3:

I'm sure many here are familiar with the phrase, "If you had been the only one, He still would have died for you," meaning that Jesus would have gone through His death and resurrection for the purpose of saving one person from sin. Where does this phrase come from? Is there any Biblical basis for it? Is there any reason to think that out of the entire human race, only one of us would have been made with sin, and only one of us would have needed it? Or am I just being anal-retentive over a phrase that is supposed to be uplifting and encouraging?

OK... Historically speaking, the religious Jews requested that Jesus be crucified. The Romans carried out the execution. This is clear from reading the Bible. Spiritually speaking, the sin of all mankind - including you, me, everyone on this board, and everyone in all of history - was the reason that Jesus had to be killed. And He did it willingly, out of love. END OF DISCUSSION!!!

Greetings, I am wondering if anyone can help me find an article that explains the typical evangelical Christian views towards Israel, i.e. the Biblical view of Israel and the last days of Earth, Israel's importance in history from a Christian perspective, etc. This is for the other message board i belong to, where I am about the only evangelical Christian. This is a notly debated topic, and I'm looking for some articles to read and/or post to explain my position. Not sure where to start. Any assistance would totally ROCK!!! Thanks, Jeff

My avatar is from the Boondocks. I was somewhat perturbed that one could not upload their own avatar for use on these boards, but I realize that the mods want to keep the images clean - for good reason. Anyway, one of the other members of the board was gracious enough to help out, so now I have an avatar! But I agree, avatars can certainly lead to lust if they are done provocatively. As Jessica Rabbit once said, "I'm not bad... I'm just drawn that way!"

Closer and closer as time goes by! :t3:

Here is that passage: "10Like grapes in the wilderness, I found Israel. Like the first fruit on the fig tree in its first season, I saw your fathers. But they came to Baal-peor and consecrated themselves to the thing of shame, and became detestable like the thing they loved. 11Ephraim's glory shall fly away like a bird-- no birth, no pregnancy, no conception! 12Even if they bring up children, I will bereave them till none is left. Woe to them when I depart from them! 13Ephraim, as I have seen, was like a young palm planted in a meadow; but Ephraim must lead his children out to slaughter. 14Give them, O LORD-- what will you give? Give them a miscarrying womb and dry breasts. 15Every evil of theirs is in Gilgal; there I began to hate them. Because of the wickedness of their deeds I will drive them out of my house. I will love them no more; all their princes are rebels." It says that "I will love them no more." Does that mean that God quits caring for us? Or does it mean that God will quit actively showing love towards those who, like this passage, have turned their backs on God and chased after other gods, committing wickedness in so doing? I think it's the latter. Elsewhere, Gods says that "he who comes to me, I will in no way cast out." So if we repent, God will certainly show love towards us again - as most of the OT prophets proclaimed.

I thought that it was seven years , not 42 months (3 1/2 years).

Unworthy Servant, I think it can all be summed up by Paul's words (Romans 10:8-13): "But what does it say? "The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart" (that is, the word of faith that we proclaim); because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved. For the Scripture says, "Everyone who believes in him will not be put to shame." For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; the same Lord is Lord of all, bestowing his riches on all who call on him. For "everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved."" If you believe that Jesus is alive through God's power, though he was executed at the hands of men, and make a confession to that belief, then Paul states that you are saved. I think that that gift of salvation and of eternal life is what keeps the perspective for me. The fact that God would show so much love for me is mind-boggling, and the only thing I can think to do in return is what he asks me - to believe in His Son.

I could not agree more wholeheartedly. While we should certainly not be naive about temptation or anything, we have no reason to fear the devil's schemes if we have Jesus on our side.

Calamity, What we can ascertain from the Word is that Satan is a finite being. He is not able to read minds or know our thoughts. And yes, I'm sure that he or one of his minions could hear prayers, read journals/board posts, etc. But I also think that when we pray, we are communicating with God, who is powerful enough to prevent any bad from happening to us about what we pray for. In fact, I would argue that if we pray to God for forgiveness, or help with a certain sin, whatever demonic being there is in the area would run for fear of facing the power of God's answer to that prayer!

I got spanked often as a child. In fact, my mom told me that when I was very young (3 and 4), my dad would fly off the handle when disciplining me. I do remember getting spanked often, until I was about 9, and I got spanked and I didn't cry. That was the last time he ever spanked me. Then, as a teen, I got hour-long lectures every day... UGGHH that got old! But I understand that he wanted me to grow up with the right work ethic. I know he loved me, he just didn't show it in the way that many of us do.

catsmeow, I don't know how much of a reader you are, but I would recommend reading C.S. Lewis's The Problem of Pain. It covers many questions we have about pain and suffering, why it happens, why it's necessary, and what our response should be. It has been a while since I read it but I enjoyed it thouroughly. Jeff

No rollar coasters? No downhill skiing? I'm going to be too busy playing music for God to be worried with roller coasters, skiing, or cards! :t3:

Pastor*Paul, I have fasted on a few occasions. While the Bible does seem to indicate different means of fasting, I have always abstained from all foods, but I did drink water. I have learned a few things from my experiences: 1. Start slow. Fasting for four days the first time you try it is not a great way to start. 2. The purpose for your fast should be to concentrate on God, and His will for you, or your relationship with Him. You can fast, but if you are not fasting in order to spend time with God, it's more like starving yourself without reason. 3. How often you fast is up to you, but fasting shouldn't be done just because. In scripture, fasting always seems to be tied to a special event. Good luck! Jeff

Great question fiddle! This is a strong piece of evidence for the pre-trib argument. If these are humans (which many seem to think they are), how did they get there? Paul seems to indicate that all of us Christians are going to be taken to heaven at once, and he makes no exception for any elders. How, then, did these people get there, unless the whole church had been raptured? BTW - if the 24 elders are 12 from the OT, and 12 from the new, one would think that John was one of the 12 elders from the new. If that is true, then John would have been looking at himself bowing down... pretty trippy!

Any Greek scholars out there want to help with this one...? Where did the word "Church" come from? As I search my MKJV, I find that Matthew attributes Jesus with speaking the word twice: "You are Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church," and "And if he (a brother who sins against you) shall neglect to hear them, tell it to the church. But if he neglects to hear the church, let him be to you as a heathen and a tax collector." (Matt. 16:18; 18:15) After this, the word is used throughout the NT. But where did the word come from? Why did Jesus introduce this new word into the lexicon? What was the significance of it? I understand what the Bible says about the church, and that it is more than a building, etc. etc. I'm wondering what the significance of the word is... in other words, how would the disciples have reacted to it, and how would it shape their thinking about God and Christ?

While I understand the historical significance of the KJV, I find it extremely hard to follow while I read it. Therefore, I don't use it unless nothing else is available.

I would have been either Solomon, because he was extremely wise, as I strive to be, or Peter, who kept screwing up, but who eventually became the leader of the infant church.

I am also very late to this discussion... I prefer the ESV (English Standard Version) and the NIV, as they are both very accurate and very readable. I also have an NASB and an NKJV that I read from time to time.

I also served five years in the US Army. In fact, I cam e back to the Lord during my freshman year at West Point. I do not think that being a Christian disqualifies you from being a soldier. In fact, I can think of a few times when soldiers, who in Jesus' day were looked down on, are honored in the New Testament. 1. The centurion at the cross is quoted as saying "Surely this man was the Son of God" - the first Gentile to make such a comment. 2. The centurion whose servant Jesus healed was said to have greater faith in Christ than any Israelite Jesus had come across. 3. The first Gentile to be baptized and receive the Holy Spirit was a centurion. (See Acts 10, I believe). Moreover, not once were any soldiers told, by John the Baptist, Peter, Paul, or Jesus himself, to leave armed service. I can find no reason why serving in the military would be mutually exclusive with faith in Christ.