Questions about the Bible

[ReverendRV]

Hypostatic Union ~ by ReverendRV * May 20

John 1:1+14 KJV; In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.

This is the account of how Jesus Christ came into being. The Apostle John tells us Jesus is the ‘Word’ of God, and because of this, Jesus is God. There was a moment in time where the God of Creation condescended and entered into his Creation to become a Creature; the Man Jesus of Nazareth. You ask, “But how is that possible? The Bible tells us that God does NOT change!” ~ You are correct; so since God became flesh, this had to be accomplished in such a way that it wouldn’t cause God to Change. There is a Doctrine in Theology called Monophysitism which says that God did change his Essence when he became Flesh; but because God does not change, we know that this Doctrine is wrong. The correct Doctrine is called the Hypostatic Union. This means that God became a Man through a ‘Union’, but this doesn’t cause a change in the Nature of God. ~ Here is an example of a Hypostatic Union, that’s found within the pages of the Bible…

People have been Marrying since the beginning. Because of this, we don’t have a problem understanding that ‘the two become One’. The Bible says, “For this reason a Man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his Wife, and the two shall become One flesh; the Husband will cleave to his Wife'. The Man and Woman do not become a new amalgamation, but their spirits do cleave to the point they become one in a mingling, which is so extensive that their Souls cannot be unwound. Even if you unite yourself with a Harlot, the two have become One. ~ I watched an episode of the television show ‘Mythbusters’. They put the Myth to the test that if you interlace each page of two large telephone books together, you can’t pull them apart. When applying a pulling force, the pages will Cleave to one another through Friction. The Mythbusters played tug-of-war and could not pull them apart. They tied the phone books between two trucks and could not pull them apart. Finally, they tore them asunder between two tanks. This is an example of a Hypostatic Union. The two phone books were essentially ‘one’ because of their cleaving to each other, even though neither phone book became the other phone book. An Atlanta phone number did not become a phone number in a Dallas phone book because of this Union; no change of Essence took place. ~ Jesus is the Godman because of a Hypostatic Union…

Have you kept the Ten Commandments? If you’ve committed Adultery and become united with a Harlot, then you can find Forgiveness for your Sins. Go to God the Father through the Godman Jesus Christ! He is our Advocate; there is no one more suited to mend the broken relationship between Man and God than the Godman himself! Jesus died on the Cross for our Sins so that we will not have to die for our Sins in an Eternal Hell; what a ‘middle man’! Have Faith in the risen Christ as your Savior and you will never be put to shame, you will be Saved from Sin and Hell and you will dwell in the paradise of Heaven. Repent of your Sins, Confess Jesus Christ as your Lord God and read your Bible. ~ But there’s a sad irony; there’re some who call themselves Christians who do not believe that God became flesh. They try to separate the Man from God, or God from the Man; but Separation from God is Death. We Cleave to Jesus Christ through Faith in him…

Matthew 19:6 NKJV; "So then, they are no longer two but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let not man separate."

@Agra Man @Hodgie I'm putting one of my Gospel Tracts a day here. You can get caught up reading them, then 'One a day, will keep the devil away'...

 

[ReverendRV]

I have a Dream ~ by ReverendRV * May 21

Titus 1:12,13 NIV; One of Crete's own prophets has said it: "Cretans are always liars, evil brutes, lazy gluttons." This saying is true. Therefore rebuke them sharply, so that they will be sound in the faith.

Martin Luther King Jr had a dream that one day people of all colors would be equal, but he lived in a time that was filled with racial prejudices. Doctor King was a Baptist Minister who God used to bring an end to the injustices of that day. Ultimately, he forfeited his life for the sake of his cause; but due to his efforts, America is a much better place. ~ Prejudice means to pre judge a Case before it has gone to Court; much like how the media reports a Case, and tries someone in ‘the Court of Public Opinion’. Our Verse shows how a false prophet could control your thinking about a People. Lying, Laziness and Gluttony ARE Sins; what do you call someone who tells Lies? Have you ever Lied? Even if you don’t always Lie, in God’s eyes you always bear the stigma of a Liar. This is just one of the Ten Commandments; care to continue? You say, “No! Now you show your prejudice by saying I’m always a Liar.” ~ God is a Judge who is qualified to pre judge you; he is Holy and knows everything. The Bible says we are Condemned for Sin already…

MLK Jr’s namesake is the Protestant Reformer, Martin Luther; and he had a dream too; here’s the jist of it. One night he a dream; or was it a nightmare or a vision? He never was sure. He found a dark figure at the foot of his bed; Satan himself. The Devil unrolled a long scroll filled with the Sins Luther committed. While they were being read off to him, he was terrified to the point he could feel his Salvation slipping away. Can you imagine being told by the Devil that he has a record of your most depraved, secret Sins? Since God knows everything, we are condemned already, ~ God sends the Evangelist to unroll the scroll of God’s Law in order to bring you to the knowledge of Sin, this is what the Ten Commandments are for. Sinners go to a Devil’s Hell for all eternity. Does this bother you? Wake up and hear the Good News!

God Loves the world so much that he gave his only begotten Son, and whoever believes in him will not perish but have everlasting Life. Jesus is the only person who never Sinned, thus he is a pure Being. His blood was clean enough to remit Sin forever and ever. Jesus died on a Cross to be the Sacrifice for the Sin of the world. He was buried three days, but was Resurrected by the Holy Spirit; conquering death and the grave. Jesus imparts eternal Life to all whom he Forgives; we are Saved by God’s good Graces through Faith in the Risen Savior Jesus Christ, without our trying to earn it with our good Works. Repent of your Sinful ways, Confess Jesus Christ as your Lord God; and find a Bible believing Church who will help you follow your dreams. ~ Before his dream was over, God spoke to Martin Luther and told him to have Satan unroll the scroll all the way. The Devil refused but Luther told him ‘In the name of Jesus Christ, unroll the scroll!” Satan did so and at the bottom were these words written in scarlet; ‘The blood of Jesus Christ cleanses from all Sin, Martin Luther’s account paid in full with the blood of Jesus Christ!’.

Romans 8:1 NASB; Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus,

 

[ReverendRV]

I Love you more ~ by ReverendRV * May 22

Luke 7:47 KJV; Wherefore I say unto thee, Her sins, which are many, are forgiven; for she loved much: but to whom little is forgiven, the same loveth little.

Thank God that we’re not Saved because we Love God. This verse is part of the account of a woman of Ill repute. A Pharisee invited Jesus to his home to eat, and the woman found out he was there. She entered the home and sobbed at the feet of Jesus so much that she had to use her hair to dry him. She kissed his feet and anointed them with fragrant oil. The Pharisee thought to himself ‘If Jesus were a true Prophet, he would know a Sinner was touching him’. Jesus responded to him and asked, ‘If a large Debtor and a small Debtor couldn’t pay, but their Debts were forgiven; which one would love their Lender more?’ He answered by saying ‘The one who had the greater Debt would love the most’; and Jesus told him he was correct. He told the Pharisee about the little things he did wrong when they gathered at his house that night, things a Pharisee should never forget to do. ~ Surely if he could be forgiven, couldn’t a Harlot also be forgiven?

Do you love God even a little? Probably not; the Bible says that we are the ones who are at enmity with God. It means that it’s our fault we’re Enemies; not his. Have you ever told a Lie? What do you call those who’ve Lied to you? God has never Lied to you, God cannot Lie; so the Enmity is your fault. Have you ever Stolen anything? What do you call those who have Stolen from you? God hasn’t Stolen from you because he owns everything; how could an owner Steal from himself? Since God owns it all, haven’t you Stolen from your Neighbor; and from God? In our Nation we don’t kill people for Stealing, but since God owns it all, we live in his Kingdom too; and his Laws are more strict. ~ These were just two of the Ten Commandments; if God judged you by his Law, would you be innocent or guilty? Will you go to Hell or to Heaven? You say, ‘No one is perfect’; but the Bible says “Be ye perfect as God is perfect”. ~ Now what??

If the truth be told, only one person has ever lived who deserves to go to Heaven; and that’s the Lord Jesus Christ. He was born of a Virgin so he could be a Virgin to Sin. He kept his Virginity to Sin, all of his Life and was good enough to be the sacrifice for the Sin of the world. He went to the Cross to pay the price for Sins he never committed, and he bled to death. But after three days in the tomb, he rose from the grave and went to Heaven; to prepare a place for us to be with him in Paradise. We’re Saved by the Grace of God through Faith in the Resurrected Savior Jesus Christ, without Works lest we should boast. Repent of your Sins, Confess Jesus Christ as your Lord God and Love Jesus by loving his Church and his Word; the Bible. ~ Do you know some true Christians, who seem to love God less than other people you know? Some come to Christ early in life and have less to be forgiven; others come to Christ later with a Sin burden that seems impossible to forgive. Jesus loves much because he is Love; how could he not?

Luke 7:48-49 KJV; And they that sat at meat with him began to say within themselves, Who is this that forgiveth sins also? And he said to the woman, Thy faith hath saved thee; go in peace.

 

[ReverendRV]

Idealotry ~ by ReverendRV * May 23

Numbers 32:4 NET; the land that the LORD subdued before the community of Israel, is ideal for cattle, and your servants have cattle."

Many of us have seen pastures in the mountains that had cows standing on slopes, and we wondered why their owners couldn’t have found a more Ideal field for them; one more level. But did you know the Bible tells us that God owns the cattle on a Thousand “hills”? The thing about our Ideals is that they are speculative. ~ Margaret Sanger is famous for founding ‘Planned Parenthood’; but she is infamous for her Ideals about Racism and Eugenics. Today, Planned Parenthood facilities are located in areas which are mostly populated by People of Color. We’ll live and die for our Ideals, but when our ideal comes into conflict with different Ideals, we can become combative. Hitler’s Anti-Semitism was fueled by Sanger exporting her ideals across the Atlantic. A War was wagged in part against her Ideals; yet they linger…

Sanger suggested that Pauperism, Prostitution and Criminality are results of poor breeding. Has anyone Stolen from you, even if it was your child taking money from your wallet? Society correctly calls them Thieves; have you taken money from your mother’s purse? Has anyone ever Lied to you? Society calls these people Liars; have you ever told a Lie? Doesn’t this make you a Lying Thief? You object, “Why are you trying to make me live by your Ideals, you said yourself that they are speculative; my mother didn’t press charges.” Ideals may be speculative but those are two of God’s Ten Commandments. “But God is speculative because no one has ever seen him!’ ~ You almost got me with this one; if it hadn’t been for the Lord Jesus Christ. If God had never entered into this world, you’d be right. If Jesus judged you by his standard, would you be innocent or guilty? Would you go to Heaven or to Hell? Does this bother you??

God is not an Ideal, he is a person; the Lord Jesus Christ. The Bible says that God Tabernacled with us; like a person in a tent which is the body. For God so Loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son; that whosoever believes in him shall not perish but have everlasting Life. As the Godman, Jesus Christ lived a Sinless life and earned the reward of Heaven for himself. But because of his great Love, he shares HIS right to Heaven with all who believe that his bloody death on the Cross will pay for their Sins against a Holy, Holy, HOLY God. Jesus rose from the grave and conquered Death, having many witnesses we can rely on. We’re Saved by Grace through Faith in the Resurrected Savior Jesus Christ, without Works lest we should boast. Repent of your Sins, confess Jesus Christ as your Lord God and begin your search for a Biblical Church. ~ There are many Ideals within the Bible, such as the Proverbs 31 Woman. When God is the source of your Ideals, then be proud of the person you can be; for they are true Ideals. Jesus Christ is the Exodus 20 Man, since only he can keep the Ten Commandments; we keep the Royal Law of Christ…

James 2:8 NASB; If, however, you are fulfilling the royal law according to the Scripture, "YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF," you are doing well.

 

[ReverendRV]

Grafting ~ by ReverendRV * May 6

Romans 11:24 KJV; For if thou wert cut out of the olive tree which is wild by nature, and wert grafted contrary to nature into a good olive tree: how much more shall these, which be the natural branches, be grafted into their own olive tree?

I was having a discussion with a group about how Roman Catholics and Evangelicals present the Gospel of Jesus Christ; what’s the difference? One Catholic offered the conclusion of the Council of Orange from A.D. 529 as their view of the Gospel. Since I don’t have the space to reproduce it here, it was similar to the Good News of the Evangelical Gospel. I responded by saying that the Protestants agree with much of what the Councils of the early Church stated; but the differences come up because of the later Councils. A Lutheran spoke up and said that if this is the Roman Catholic Gospel, then they owe an apology to the Reformer Martin Luther for Excommunicating him for believing the Gospel that the Church used to profess. ~ This gave me cause to think of our topic verse. It is a symbol of the difference between the people of God, the Jews; and the people of God, the Church. The Horticultural practice of grafting in branches from one tree into another tree is used as a symbol of Gods ‘Favor’ for his people over time. First it was Israel and when they Fell, God favored the Gentiles. ~ But you ask, “What does this have to do with now?”

Something similar has happened in modern times. The early Church had the Gospel but there came a time another branch was grafted into it by the Religion of men. These Horticulturalists trained the Gospel tree’s shape by twisting it in such a way that this added branch now seemed to be the tree’s trunk, and the true trunk appeared to be the spurious branch. You ask, “Why is this new branch a problem?” Because the branch they added is from the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil; and the tree that it was added to is the Tree of Life! The Bible teaches us these two trees were in the Garden of Eden, and that the Tree Adam and Eve ate from first would control their destiny. The Tree of Knowledge bore fruit that killed them when they ate it; this Tree is symbolic of the Ten Commandments. God intended the Ten Commandments to be used to show people they are Sinners; have you ever Trespassed and picked an apple from someone else’s tree? That’s Stealing, and God punishes Sinners by sending them to a Devil’s Hell. ~ World Religions like Judaism and Catholicism, and Cults like Mormonism and Jehovah’s Witnesses Graft this poisonous branch into the Gospel by saying we are Saved by our good Works. But the Bible says that if we want to be Saved by Works, then Grace is no longer Grace. The remaining good branches of this religious tree stop bearing the fruit of Life; because that good tree is now made bad. ~ Prune things you think you can do to earn your way to Heaven, and make the tree Good…

The Bible says there is coming a day when Israel will be grafted back into the good Olive Tree, but room for them will need to be made by cutting off the Gentiles; your time is ticking. The Gospel of Jesus Christ is a Tree of Life; here is its fruit! God sent his Unique Son to be born of a Virgin, so that he could be the Sinless sacrifice that Atones for our Iniquity. He shed his blood on the Cross for the Remission of Sin, was buried, but conquered death by rising from the grave! By Grace are ye Saved, through Faith in Jesus as your Lord God and Savior; this is not by Works so that no one can boast in themselves. If you can boast, then your tree does indeed have a branch from the Tree of the knowledge of good and evil. Its fruit is meant to show you naked before God; be ashamed. Confess Jesus Christ as your Lord God and be clothed in his Righteousness…

Matthew 12:33 NIV; "Make a tree good and its fruit will be good, or make a tree bad and its fruit will be bad, for a tree is recognized by its fruit.

 

[Eleanor]

Grafting ~ by ReverendRV * May 6

Romans 11:24 KJV; For if thou wert cut out of the olive tree which is wild by nature, and wert grafted contrary to nature into a good olive tree: how much more shall these, which be the natural branches, be grafted into their own olive tree?

I was having a discussion with a group about how Roman Catholics and Evangelicals present the Gospel of Jesus Christ; what’s the difference? One Catholic offered the conclusion of the Council of Orange from A.D. 529 as their view of the Gospel. Since I don’t have the space to reproduce it here, it was similar to the Good News of the Evangelical Gospel. I responded by saying that the Protestants agree with much of what the Councils of the early Church stated; but the differences come up because of the later Councils. A Lutheran spoke up and said that if this is the Roman Catholic Gospel, then they owe an apology to the Reformer Martin Luther for Excommunicating him for believing the Gospel that the Church used to profess. ~ This gave me cause to think of our topic verse. It is a symbol of the difference between the people of God, the Jews; and the people of God, the Church. The Horticultural practice of grafting in branches from one tree into another tree is used as a symbol of Gods ‘Favor’ for his people over time. First it was Israel and when they Fell, God favored the Gentiles. ~ But you ask, “What does this have to do with now?”

Something similar has happened in modern times. The early Church had the Gospel but there came a time another branch was grafted into it by the Religion of men. These Horticulturalists trained the Gospel tree’s shape by twisting it in such a way that this added branch now seemed to be the tree’s trunk, and the true trunk appeared to be the spurious branch. You ask, “Why is this new branch a problem?” Because the branch they added is from the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil; and the tree that it was added to is the Tree of Life! The Bible teaches us these two trees were in the Garden of Eden, and that the Tree Adam and Eve ate from first would control their destiny. The Tree of Knowledge bore fruit that killed them when they ate it; this Tree is symbolic of the Ten Commandments. God intended the Ten Commandments to be used to show people they are Sinners; have you ever Trespassed and picked an apple from someone else’s tree? That’s Stealing, and God punishes Sinners by sending them to a Devil’s Hell. ~ World Religions like Judaism and Catholicism, and Cults like Mormonism and Jehovah’s Witnesses Graft this poisonous branch into the Gospel by saying we are Saved by our good Works. But the Bible says that if we want to be Saved by Works, then Grace is no longer Grace. The remaining good branches of this religious tree stop bearing the fruit of Life; because that good tree is now made bad. ~ Prune things you think you can do to earn your way to Heaven, and make the tree Good…

The Bible says there is coming a day when Israel will be grafted back into the good Olive Tree,

Actually it states: "IF (not "when") they do not persist in unbelief, they will be grafted back into the one olive tree of God's people going all the way back to Abraham (Ro 11:16); i.e., the church, of both OT and NT saints (Heb 11:40, 12:22-23).
And in which unbelief they have persisted for 2,000 years now, and counting.

That is not a statement of grafting back, that is a conditional promise, with no guarantee of fulfillment apart from meetng its condition.

but room for them will need to be made by cutting off the Gentiles; your time is ticking.

Where do we find that in the text of Ro 11:16-36?
Gentiles will be cut off only for unbelief, as was Israel (Ro 11:20-21), for God does not spare unbelief.

The Gospel of Jesus Christ is a Tree of Life; here is its fruit! God sent his Unique Son to be born of a Virgin, so that he could be the Sinless sacrifice that Atones for our Iniquity. He shed his blood on the Cross for the Remission of Sin, was buried, but conquered death by rising from the grave! By Grace are ye Saved, through Faith in Jesus as your Lord God and Savior; this is not by Works so that no one can boast in themselves. If you can boast, then your tree does indeed have a branch from the Tree of the knowledge of good and evil. Its fruit is meant to show you naked before God; be ashamed. Confess Jesus Christ as your Lord God and be clothed in his Righteousness…

Matthew 12:33 NIV; "Make a tree good and its fruit will be good, or make a tree bad and its fruit will be bad, for a tree is recognized by its fruit.

 

[ReverendRV]

Actually it states: "IF (not "when") they do not persist in unbelief, they will be grafted back into the one olive tree of God's people going all the way back to Abraham; i.e., the church, of both OT and NT saints (Heb 11:40, 12:22-23).
And in which unbelief they have persisted for 2,000 years now, and counting.

That is not a statement of grafting back, that is a conditional promise, with no guarantee of fulfillment apart from meetng its condition.

Where do we find that in the text of Ro 11:16-36?
Gentiles will be cut off only for unbelief, as was Israel (Ro 11:20-21), for God does not spare unbelief.

It's found in Premillenial Dispensational Eschatology...

I'm not a Premillenialist, but I become All things in Hope to Win some. Saint Paul used the Mystery Religion of Athens, to Preach Christ and him Crucified. America has been influenced by Premillenial beliefs, so many of the Lost think Rapture Theology is Orthodox Christianity; even if they are Atheists. Using someone's POV, is okay. I wrote a Gospel Tract using Astronomical Science, which does not match YEC. A Calvinist said I shouldn't have done that. The thing is though, it's okay to become an Astrophysist; in Hope to Win some Astrophysists to Christ...

This Thread is more about Gospel Tracts, than about critiquing the Gospel Tracts. Feel free to add Gospel Tracts here. I've been Posting one a day. You found one to critique in less than a week; it may not be long before you find another to critique Most of my Gospel Tracts are not Reformed, but perhaps 10-15 of 366 are Calvinistic...

We can debate my Gospel Tracts; I couldn't stop that from happening...

 

[Eleanor]

It's found in Premillenial Dispensational Eschatology...

I'm not a Premillenialist, but I become All things in Hope to Win some. Saint Paul used the Religion of Athens, to Preach Christ and him Crucified. America has been influenced by Premillenial beliefs, so many of the Lost think Rapture Theology is Orthodox Christianity; even if they are Atheists. Using someone's POV, is okay. I wrote a Gospel Tract using Astronomical teachings, which do not match YEC. A Calvinist said I shouldn't have done that. The thing is though, it's okay to become All things in Hope to Win some...

This Thread is more about Gospel Tracts,

I hear you, but I'm thinking Gospel tracts should stay with NT apostolic teaching rather than modern theories, which apostolic teaching I pointed out.

And beautiful tracts they are.

than about critiquing the Gospel Tracts. Feel free to add Gospel Tracts here. I've been Posting one a day. You found one to critique in less than a week; it may not be long before you find another to critique Most of my Gospel Tracts are not Reformed, but perhaps 10-15 of 366 are Calvinistic...

We can debate my Gospel Tracts; I couldn't stop that from happening...

 

[ReverendRV]

Imminent ~ by ReverendRV * May 25

1 Thessalonians 5:6 NASB; so then let us not sleep as others do, but let us be alert and sober.

Recently I have been studying some things which have gotten my attention and made me start thinking about the Imminent return of the Lord Jesus Christ; meaning he could come back at any time. Every day that passes brings his return closer and closer; Jesus is coming soon. You object, “The Church has been promising this for a long time; how much longer until he returns?!” ~ The year 2018 marked the 70th Anniversary since Israel became a Nation. The Bible says Man’s days shall be 70 years, one Generation; and this generation shall not pass away until these things are fulfilled. Recently there were Signs in the Heavens that are meant to get our attention; four Blood Moons, a Solar Eclipse, etc. Jesus fulfilled the Jewish Springtime Feasts on their usual dates; some expect him to return on the Feast of Trumpets to Rapture the Church. ~ You object, “But Jesus said that no one knows the hour or day he will return!”

I see that you are full of objections today; so let me answer by starting off with some other objections. ~ Have you ever committed Murder? Some have done the deed, others haven’t. Should God judge people for Murder? We agree; no objections so far. Have you ever Hated anyone? Jesus said Hatred is Murder committed from the Heart; before you did or didn’t do it, you wished they were dead. Now you object; but it’s too late because Jesus is God’s Judge and he told us how he would rule on the matter. Have you ever committed Adultery? Again, some have but not all have; can God judge people for Rape? Jesus said that when you look upon a woman with Lust, you’ve committed Adultery in your Heart against her Will! ~ The last thing you need to happen is to go to Court with Jesus as your Judge; you need to settle out of Court, with Jesus is your Lawyer. Many Judges also work as Lawyers on the side; I see it quite often…

You’re Condemned to Hell already but you can have a Pre Trial right now without facing the Judge of the world at the end of time. ~ For God so Loved the world, he gave his only begotten Son; so that whoever Believes in him shall not perish but have Everlasting Life! Let the Record show that Jesus lived his whole Life without Sinning and was Judged by God himself to be Innocent. Also let the Record show that Jesus will share his Righteousness with all who’ll give him their bad record. This unfair trade lets him take the Fall for our Sins, by shedding his blood and Dying on a Cross. But the Good News is that Jesus was raised from the dead by God! We’re Saved by Grace through Faith, without Working to earn our right standing. Repent of your Sins, Confess Jesus as your Lord God and find a Church that will teach you the Bible. ~ The Feast of Trumpets is called a one day Feast but it takes two days. This is because ‘no one knows the day or hour’ the New Moon will return. Messianic Jews are looking for Jesus to come back SOON! Since Jesus kept the Spring Feasts on their exact days, Jesus may keep the Fall Feasts on their exact days too…

James 5:8 ESV; You also, be patient. Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand.

 

[ReverendRV]

Impeccable Salvation ~ by ReverendRV * May 26

Hebrews 2:18 ESV; For because he himself has suffered when tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted.

This verse is speaking of Jesus Christ. Here we learn much about what Temptation is; and what it isn’t. The Bible tells us that Jesus lived a life without Sinning; so automatically we learn that being Tempted is not a Sin in and of itself. You say, “But that’s Jesus, he couldn’t Sin since he’s God.” ~ There is a debate within the Church whether or not Jesus could have Sinned; whether he was Peccable (Vulnerable to Sin) or Impeccable (Invulnerable to Sin). A reason Christians debate it, is because of the Chalcedonian Creed; it confesses that Jesus is %100 God and %100 Man, but One person; and this Union is achieved without mixing the Natures of God and Man. Since Christ’s Nature is unmixed, was his Humanity as Peccable as Adam’s Humanity was? ~ There isn’t enough room here to defend one view over the other, but I will say I believe that Jesus was Peccable like Adam and Eve were; they fell into Sin. Because of this, the whole world also fell with them; we are now even more Peccable than they were. Have you ever told a Lie? See how much easier it is for us to Sin? ~ You object, “Then how in the world did Jesus NOT Sin in his life??”

The devil could say Jesus had an unfair advantage. The Bible tells us Jesus was full of the Holy Spirit more than anyone else. Also, God himself made a Covenant amongst the persons of the Trinity, that he would Save his People. Another reason is because of God’s Sovereign Providence. ~ Wouldn’t you say that this IS fair, because Jesus suppressed the expression of his Divinity in order to live on the level of An Unfallen Adam? Jesus Christ is called the Second Adam for a reason; he is our Second Chance! Sin entered the world through one Man, and Death through Sin, and in this way Death came to all people because All Sinned. By the Trespass of the first Man, Death reigned through that Man, how much more will those who receive God's abundant provision of Grace and the gift of Righteousness rule in life through the Second Man! Receive the gift of Righteousness by having Faith in the resurrected Jesus Christ as your Lord God and Savior. Repent of Sin and find a Church that Loves the Bible; one that will teach that your Eternal Security is Impeccable…

Should you be worried that you can Lose your Salvation? Yes and No; Christians also debate about this. There are Verses that teach we should beware, but there are Verses that comfort us when it comes to our Eternal Security. I support the Doctrine of the Perseverance of the Saints; this is believed by many Evangelicals. It teaches both sides of the coin when it comes to being Secure and the need to Persevere. ~ But ultimately I side with Once Saved Always Saved, and Impeccability; because like Peccability versus Impeccability, there are other things that tip the scales. Jesus said that he would Lose NONE of his people; that’s good enough for me. Your Salvation is Impeccable because your Savior is Impeccable. Confess Christ as Lord and you will be Forgiven of your Sins…

John 3:16 KJV; For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

 

[ReverendRV]

Imputation ~ by ReverendRV * May 27

Romans 5:13 KJV; (For until the law sin was in the world: but sin is not imputed when there is no law.

Warning! Reading this Gospel Tract could cost you your life!! Many things come with warning labels these days; medicine comes to Mind. Some medicines even come with warnings that they can cause other conditions to develop that you do not want; in clinical studies, taking a medicine has led to some patients dying. If a Pill causes a different ailment to develop, this is much like the Biblical understanding of Imputation; adding something to another person’s Being, they didn’t have before. ~ One day, the Evangelist Ray Comfort realized something about the Gospel; it is incomplete without the Bad news of the Ten Commandments prevening (going before) the Good News of the Gospel. He developed an Evangelism method which has led MANY Souls to Salvation. This is where the warning applies; when a Preacher uses the Ten Commandments, God uses the Preacher to Impute the Law of God. Let me show you how this works. Have you ever told a Lie? What do you call someone who Lies? A Liar; right? See, when I showed you the Law of God and you saw that you broke it; this changed who you are, and now you are a Liar. Have you ever Stolen anything? What do you call a person that Steals? Now you are a Lying Thief. Have you ever Lusted, or Hated anyone? Jesus said Lust makes you an Adulterer at heart and Hatred makes you a Murderer at heart. ~ Imputation awakens something in you that you don’t want to be; Sinners go to Hell for all Eternity…

The Apostle Paul describes it like this; “But Sin, seizing the opportunity afforded by the Law of God, produces every kind of Coveting. I was alive without the Law once; but when the Commandment came, Sin revived, and I died.” ~ Sin is in the world; and now in you. The Law is like an alarm clock which wakes the sleeping Giant within. ~ But you don’t have to die in your Sins; since they were Imputed once, they can be Imputed a second time! In the Bible we read about Atoning Sacrifices. In the past on the Day of Atonement, two goats were Sacrificed; one shed it’s blood on an Alter but the other one had the Sins of Israel Confessed (Imputed) onto its head, and it was led into the wilderness to never return. This isn’t practiced anymore since there’s no longer a Temple to conduct Sacrifices; but there is an alternative Sacrifice of Atonement we all can benefit from; behold the Lamb of God!

God provided a Sacrifice by sending his very own Son to be born innocent like a spotless sacrificial Lamb. Jesus lived a life of keeping the Ten Commandments and this pleased God. There came a time that Jesus had to die and shed his blood on the Cross; like the goat of old. But Jesus is also like the Scapegoat, the Sins of every believer was Imputed to this innocent man; to never be seen again. We are Saved by the Grace of God through Faith in the Resurrected Lord and Savior Jesus Christ! When we do this there is a third Imputation; Christ’s good record is now your good record, and you are good enough to go to Heaven. Find a Bible believing Church, Repent of your sins and Confess Jesus to be your Lord God. ~ Imputation is often translated as a credit that goes to your account; having an Eternal Being’s goodness as your very own, is Priceless and can never be exhausted…

Romans 4:3 ESV; For what does the Scripture say? “Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness.”

 

[makesends]

Imputation ~ by ReverendRV * May 27

Romans 5:13 KJV; (For until the law sin was in the world: but sin is not imputed when there is no law.

Warning! Reading this Gospel Tract could cost you your life!! Many things come with warning labels these days; medicine comes to mind. Some medicines even come with warnings that they can cause other conditions to develop that you do not want; in clinical studies, taking a medicine has led to some patients dying. If a Pill causes a different ailment to develop, this is much like the Biblical understanding of Imputation; adding something to another person’s Being, they didn’t have before. ~ One day, the Evangelist Ray Comfort realized something about the Gospel; it is incomplete without the Bad news of the Ten Commandments prevening (going before) the Good News of the Gospel. He developed an Evangelism method which has led MANY Souls to Salvation. This is where the warning applies; when a Preacher uses the Ten Commandments, God uses the Preacher to Impute the Law of God. Let me show you how this works. Have you ever told a Lie? What do you call someone who Lies? A Liar; right? See, when I showed you the Law of God and you saw that you broke it; this changed who you are, and now you are a Liar. Have you ever Stolen anything? What do you call a person that Steals? Now you are a Lying Thief. Have you ever Lusted, or Hated anyone? Jesus said Lust makes you an Adulterer at heart and Hatred makes you a Murderer at heart. ~ Imputation awakens something in you that you don’t want to be; Sinners go to Hell for all Eternity…

The Apostle Paul describes it like this; “But Sin, seizing the opportunity afforded by the Law of God, produces every kind of Coveting. I was alive without the Law once; but when the Commandment came, Sin revived, and I died.” ~ Sin is in the world; and now in you. The Law is like an alarm clock which wakes the sleeping Giant within. ~ But you don’t have to die in your Sins; since they were Imputed once, they can be Imputed a second time! In the Bible we read about Atoning Sacrifices. In the past on the Day of Atonement, two goats were Sacrificed; one shed it’s blood on an Alter but the other one had the Sins of Israel Confessed (Imputed) onto its head, and it was led into the wilderness to never return. This isn’t practiced anymore since there’s no longer a Temple to conduct Sacrifices; but there is an alternative Sacrifice of Atonement we all can benefit from; behold the Lamb of God!

God provided a Sacrifice by sending his very own Son to be born innocent like a spotless sacrificial Lamb. Jesus lived a life of keeping the Ten Commandments and this pleased God. There came a time that Jesus had to die and shed his blood on the Cross; like the goat of old. But Jesus is also like the Scapegoat, the Sins of every believer was Imputed to this innocent man; to never be seen again. We are Saved by the Grace of God through Faith in the Resurrected Lord and Savior Jesus Christ! When we do this there is a third Imputation; Christ’s good record is now your good record, and you are good enough to go to Heaven. Find a Bible believing Church, Repent of your sins and Confess Jesus to be your Lord God. ~ Imputation is often translated as a credit that goes to your account; having an Eternal Being’s goodness as your very own, is Priceless and can never be exhausted…

Romans 4:3 ESV; For what does the Scripture say? “Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness.”

Well posted. But having James White's picture doesn't lend authority —only intimidation.

 

[ReverendRV]

Well posted. But having James White's picture doesn't lend authority —only intimidation.

I will one day decide on a picture to keep...

I usually like to use Spurgeon. Everyone likes him...

 

[Deleted member 5]

Well posted. But having James White's picture doesn't lend authority —only intimidation.

I won't say anything about James White. He may find it and make an episode about me.

 

[ReverendRV]

In your blood, Live! ~ by ReverendRV * May 28

Ezekiel 16:4-5 NLT; On the day you were born, no one cared about you. Your umbilical cord was not cut, and you were never washed, rubbed with salt, and wrapped in cloth. No one had the slightest interest in you; no one pitied you or cared for you. On the day you were born, you were unwanted, dumped in a field and left to die.

What a terrible fate! In ancient days it was common place for children to be abandoned straight from birth. Women and children were second class citizens until the emergence of Christianity. Christians had so many opportunities to raise orphans because of this; after all, we want to be like our great God and Father. ~ These Verses describe a time in which God modeled this for us by choosing a people for himself; the Jews. Ezekiel says; “'This is what the Sovereign LORD says to Jerusalem: Your ancestry and birth were in the land of the Canaanites, your father was an Amorite and your mother a Hittite. On the day you were born your cord was not cut, nor were you washed with water to make you clean, nor were you rubbed with salt or wrapped in cloths. No one pitied you or had compassion enough to do any of these things for you. Rather, you were thrown out into the open field, for on the day you were born you were despised. And when I passed by you and saw you wallowing in your blood, I said to you in your blood, 'Live!' I said to you in your blood, 'Live!'” ~ One day, if God were to pass by you, might he despise you?

Ezekiel calls the parents of the abandoned child an Amorite and a Hittite, even though the Jews come from Abraham and his wife Sarah; who were Chaldeans. But since people are Sinners, God calls them by the name of Sinful nations. Since children want to be like their parents, the world has followed their parents in Sin. Adam and Eve Sinned by eating the fruit from a banned tree, and their first son killed their second son; Sin has abounded in the world since. But you say, “I can see that murder is a Sin but why is something as small as eating fruit a Sin?” Have you ever told a Lie? Have you ever Lusted for another person? They may seem like nothing; like a piece of fruit, but both break the Ten Commandments of God. God himself is the standard of Righteousness; and he is Infinite. Even Murder would be small when compared to infinite Good. Would you be innocent or guilty? Sinners are judged Guilty and sentenced to an eternal Hell as punishment…

What we need is for someone to pass near us and have pity on us. But you ask, “Doesn’t this say that God had pity on the Jews? What about us?” The Bible says everything that was written in the past was written for us too! For God so Loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in him shall not perish but have everlasting Life! Jesus Christ was Sinless and Holy; he died on the Cross by bleeding to death; but arose from the grave on the third day! We’re Saved by Grace through Faith but not by any Works we do. Our Works are like polluted blood we’re born from. Jesus is the Son of God sent into the world as a Sinless Sacrifice for all who will believe. Without the shedding of Blood there is no Remission of Sin, but the Blood of the risen Christ cleanses us from all Sin; trust in him as your Savior and you will be Forgiven!

Romans 10:9 NIV; If you declare with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.

 

[makesends]

In your blood, Live! ~ by ReverendRV * May 28

Ezekiel 16:4-5 NLT; On the day you were born, no one cared about you. Your umbilical cord was not cut, and you were never washed, rubbed with salt, and wrapped in cloth. No one had the slightest interest in you; no one pitied you or cared for you. On the day you were born, you were unwanted, dumped in a field and left to die.

What a terrible fate! In ancient days it was common place for children to be abandoned straight from birth. Women and children were second class citizens until the emergence of Christianity. Christians had so many opportunities to raise orphans because of this; after all, we want to be like our great God and Father. ~ These Verses describe a time in which God modeled this for us by choosing a people for himself; the Jews. Ezekiel says; “'This is what the Sovereign LORD says to Jerusalem: Your ancestry and birth were in the land of the Canaanites, your father was an Amorite and your mother a Hittite. On the day you were born your cord was not cut, nor were you washed with water to make you clean, nor were you rubbed with salt or wrapped in cloths. No one pitied you or had compassion enough to do any of these things for you. Rather, you were thrown out into the open field, for on the day you were born you were despised. And when I passed by you and saw you wallowing in your blood, I said to you in your blood, 'Live!' I said to you in your blood, 'Live!'” ~ One day, if God were to pass by you, might he despise you?

Ezekiel calls the parents of the abandoned child an Amorite and a Hittite, even though the Jews come from Abraham and his wife Sarah; who were Chaldeans. But since people are Sinners, God calls them by the name of Sinful nations. Since children want to be like their parents, the world has followed their parents in Sin. Adam and Eve Sinned by eating the fruit from a banned tree, and their first son killed their second son; Sin has abounded in the world since. But you say, “I can see that murder is a Sin but why is something as small as eating fruit a Sin?” Have you ever told a Lie? Have you ever Lusted for another person? They may seem like nothing; like a piece of fruit, but both break the Ten Commandments of God. God himself is the standard of Righteousness; and he is Infinite. Even Murder would be small when compared to infinite Good. Would you be innocent or guilty? Sinners are judged Guilty and sentenced to an eternal Hell as punishment…

What we need is for someone to pass near us and have pity on us. But you ask, “Doesn’t this say that God had pity on the Jews? What about us?” The Bible says everything that was written in the past was written for us too! For God so Loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in him shall not perish but have everlasting Life! Jesus Christ was Sinless and Holy; he died on the Cross by bleeding to death; but arose from the grave on the third day! We’re Saved by Grace through Faith but not by any Works we do. Our Works are like polluted blood we’re born from. Jesus is the Son of God sent into the world as a Sinless Sacrifice for all who will believe. Without the shedding of Blood there is no Remission of Sin, but the Blood of the risen Christ cleanses us from all Sin; trust in him as your Savior and you will be Forgiven!

Romans 10:9 NIV; If you declare with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.

The picture of the infant, from birth abandoned and helpless, is very appropriate.

 

[ReverendRV]

The picture of the infant, from birth abandoned and helpless, is very appropriate.

You will probably like all of my Gospel Tracts...

 

[ReverendRV]

Incubus ~ by ReverendRV * May 29

Genesis 6:4 NIV; The Nephilim were on the earth in those days, and also afterward, when the sons of God went to the daughters of humans and had children by them. They were the heroes of old, men of renown.

Some Christians believe that the Nephilim Were Demons, partly because the root word for Nephilim is “to Fall”, and partly because they seem to be categorized differently than the women; the daughters of Man as opposed to the sons of God. But do these distinctions really mean that Demons procreated with women and produced a different race of Men? ~ There are no Verses in the Bible that teach this. Adam is called the son of God in the Gospel of Luke, so we have other options than just Demons. In the Book of Hebrews we find that the first chapter is dedicated to teach us that no Angel has ever been called a son of God; certainly no Fallen Angel could qualify either. Satan loves it when he hears us call Angels sons of God, because that makes HIM equal with God. The Jews recognized this when Jesus said he and God his Father are One, it meant that he is equal with God. Satan elevates himself at Christ’s expense…

Since a Demon can’t procreate with us, just who exactly are the Fallen Ones? After all, Jesus said he was there when Satan Fell from Heaven like a bolt of lightning; right? But we have other options to consider; Adam and Eve. They had one Law to keep, but they broke it and ‘Fell’ into Sin. ~ Are you also Fallen like Adam and Satan? Have you ever told a Lie? What do you call people that Lie? The Bible calls Satan a Liar. Have you ever stolen anything? What do you call those who steal? Yes, the Bible calls Satan a Thief too. Have you ever Hated someone and wished they were dead? Jesus said that this is Murder from the heart. Again, the Bible calls Satan a Murderer. These are just three of the Ten Commandments, if God judged you and Satan this way, would you be innocent or guilty? Would you go to Heaven or Hell? Does this bother you? If it does, then you have crashed like lightning; who’s around to see you Fall like this?

Jesus has seen you Fall; either he will Judge you or Save you. ~ For God so loved the world that he gave his only Begotten Son, that whosoever believes in him shall not perish but have everlasting Life! Jesus is able to see you because he is the Son of God who became a Man in order to live a Sinless life for us. This secured his position as the Head of Humanity, and gives us the right to say we lived a Life as good as his; but only if we give him our Sins. This means that since God caught Jesus with our Sins, he is punished instead of us. Jesus shed his blood and died on the Cross to satisfy the Wrath of God against your Sins. But since Jesus is the Way, the Truth and ‘the Life’, he arose from the dead; just like we will when he comes back for his Church. We’re Saved by the Grace of God through Faith in the risen Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, not by Works lest we should boast. Repent of your Sins, Confess Jesus as Lord and find a Bible believing Church. ~ Never believe that a Demon can procreate; if it’s true, then the Deity of Christ is suspect. The Pharisees said he did Miracles by the power of the Devil; this is the Unpardonable Sin…

Luke 11:15 KJV; But some of them said, He casteth out devils through Beelzebub the chief of the devils.

 

[ReverendRV]

Independence Day ~ by ReverendRV * May 30

Galatians 5:1 (NASB)

It was for freedom that Christ set us free; therefore keep standing firm and do not be subject again to a yoke of slavery.

The 4th of July is the day we celebrate our Independence. Thank God for the Soldiers that fought for our Nation so we can be Free. The Founding Fathers based our Constitution on Christian Morals. Our money says “In God We Trust”, our Pledge of Allegiance says we are “One nation under God”; and In 'America the Beautiful' we sing about how “God shed his Grace on Thee”. We could go on and on about how our Founders acknowledged God. They understood the need of God in everything they do. They understood, "The Lord is the Spirit, and wherever the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom”. They understood in order for our Country to be successful and prosperous, we need the Holy Spirit’s presence here with us. In America we have Freedom of Religion; we have the right to Worship however we want. We are truly blessed we live in a Nation where we are not convicted for what we believe about God and Religion…

“Jesus answered them, ‘Truly, truly; I say to you, everyone who commits Sin is the slave of Sin’”. We ARE Slaves to Sin; let’s face it, it is easy to Sin. One Sin leads to another; and another. We keep spiraling deeper and deeper, and are further separated from God. Did you know we are Separated from God by our Sin? Even a little one; all Sin deserves death in Gods eyes. We Sin and don’t even know it; do you ever put anything before God? Like Sports, Work, Hobbies, etc? That is called Idolatry, and it’s one of the 10 commandments. Have you ever insisted that you don’t work on the 4th of July because it’s a holiday, but then you don’t have any issues working on a Sunday? That’s two Sins in one act; you put taking the holiday off, before taking Gods day off. Back in the day, if you needed to get something from the store, you better go get it on Saturday, because all of the stores would have been closed on Sunday. ~ Those were just 2 of the 10 commandments, that you may not have even known you were breaking. If you came up against God’s Judgment right now, how do you think you would do? Go to Heaven; or to Hell?

Christ has freed us from the burden of Sin. “Thank God! Once you were slaves of Sin, but now you wholeheartedly obey this teaching we’ve given you. Now you are free from your slavery to Sin, and you have become slaves to 'Righteous living'. We live in the Land of the Free, while living in slavery to Sin. How can we become free from Sin you ask? For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, that whosoever believes in him shall not perish but receive eternal life. Jesus lived a perfect life, and paid the price for our Sins, by shedding his blood on the Cross. Jesus had the power to Forgive Sin when he walked on this earth. Jesus’s came to offer us Forgiveness and still does. Since he defeated death and arose from the grave, he ascended into Heaven to sit at the right hand of the Father. We still have the opportunity to accept Jesus at our Lord and Savior so we can be Forgiven and delivered from our Sinful Nature. We’re Saved by Grace through Faith without Works lest we boast. Repent of your Sins now…

Romans 8:1-4 NLT; So now there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus. And because you belong to him, the power of the life-giving Spirit has freed you from the power of sin that leads to death. The law of Moses was unable to save us because of the weakness of our sinful nature. So God did what the law could not do. He sent his own Son in a body like the bodies we sinners have. And in that body God declared an end to sin's control over us by giving his Son as a sacrifice for our sins.

 

[ReverendRV]

Influencers ~ by ReverendRV * May 31

1 Kings 15:13 KJV; And also Maachah his mother, even her he removed from being queen, because she had made an idol in a grove; and Asa destroyed her idol, and burnt it by the brook Kidron.

Asa did what was right in the sight of the Lord; he removed all the abominations from the Land of Israel. We even see in our Verse that he removed his own mother as the Queen Mother, because of the horrid image that she had made; she had been Worshiping false gods. What she was devoting her attention to, she reflected it back outwardly. She broke the second Commandment by worshipping a carved Idol, and it encouraged others to Sin along with her. Asa removed his mother from her position of high esteem, because of the image she was projecting to the people. ~ Remember the old commercials with a father and his young son, and the boy did everything his daddy did? It was sweet; until the boy watched his daddy smoke a cigarette. Maacah was teaching Israel some bad habits, giving them a Spiritual Cancer…

What kind of things are we giving our attention too? ~ What do you watch on the Television? When you see crude humor, do you think it’s funny? Have you seen a beautiful people on TV and have immoral thoughts about them? What kind of Music are you listening to? Does the music you listen to have lyrics that glorifies bad behavior? Then maybe without intending to, you put what you’ve been giving your attention to, back out there to influence other people. This behavior perpetuates incorrect behavior. But what can seem harmless to one person, can be deadly to another. Did your child start smoking because the family smokes? Do they Drink because of you? Do they deny the existence of God because of you too? Then you’re guilty of building Idols for them which cause them to Sin against the God of Heaven. Jesus said if you cause a child to stumble, it’s better for you to be thrown into a river with your neck chained to a Stone, than to meet hiBm on Judgment day. If he judged you, will you be innocent or guilty?

I hope I’ve influenced you a little; let me continue. ~ For God so Loved the world he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in him shall not perish but have everlasting Life. Jesus Christ is the Son of God who was born of the Virgin Mary, for the purpose of being born into this world without inheriting the Original Sin Burden of Adam. From then on, Jesus had to live his entire lifetime without accruing any personal Sin; and he made it through Life Sinless. By accomplishing this, he kept the Mosaic Covenant for Israel, and the Edenic Covenant for everyone else. Because of his Righteousness, Jesus qualified to be the Spotless Lamb of God which takes away the Sin of the World. He did this by bleeding to death on the Cross of Rome, for the Remission of Sins he never committed; and by rising from the Dead for all who believe! We’re Saved by the Grace of God through Faith in Jesus Christ, not by trying to influence God with our good Works. Repent of your Sins, Confess Jesus Christ as your Lord God; join a Biblical Church and become an Influencer for the Kingdom of God. ~ There’s no substitute for the Gospel of Jesus Christ; but there’s a popular saying in the Church; your Life may be the only Bible people read…

1st Peter 2:12 NIV; Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us.