Sunday, February 18, 2007

Things to check out

A few posts and articles to check out.
Bruce Metzger dies at age 93.

Terry Rush on the importance of Criticism.

John Ortberg - Ten Deadly Sins of Preaching.

Wade Tannehill - Series of "Can God Be Persuaded to Act?"

What do we Mean By Biblical Inspiration? - F.F. Bruce brought to you by biblicalstudies.org.uk
This site is an excellent source of biblical scholarship if you have never visited it.

2 comments:

Stoned-Campbell Disciple said...

Thanks for the Link on Metzger and Bruce.

Shalom,
Bobby Valentine

Anonymous said...

Signs and Wonders
Well, all your comments were based on what you think, but can we profit from what you think is right and wrong, your idealism. Or can we profit more from what the bible say on what is right and what is wrong? Of course, critical thinking is needed but, the conclusion should not be based on what you think, but what the bible say. Let the bible explain itself not ourselves. If the bible say something more so about the great signs and wonders, even the gift of healing, then ask the bible for its explanation too!

Isaiah 34:16. Look in the book of the LORD and read: No one of these shall be lacking, For the mouth of the LORD has ordered it, and his spirit shall gather them there

This is robert's statement: The gifts, on the other hand, are pushed aside and neglected and as a result people in the mainline church are scared or “weirded out” by the gifts and basically live content in ignorance of this topic that the Bible seems to regard as important. So I fight for them, and all the more vigorously, because it is badly needed at this time.

Robert, remember, Jesus has warned already of the false prophets that shall rise after Him. Also, even during and before He said about the warning, there are false prophets already, but what is so great about this false prophets that will rise after Jesus or in the future? The false prophets will use these doctrine of gifts even healing and miracle, and signs and wonders too, to fool people on believing on them, to depart from the truth, even the elect.

What is the sign of a false prophet? Let us hear what Jesus said: Matthew 24 :4-5 And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you. For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many.

You might have noticed that most of the denominations that calls themselves christians or born-again, not to exaggerate but some even call themselves, born-again-christians! They use the name of Jesus Christ as their groups' name. You can give an example if you want to of those groups nowadays!

Second, Jesus foretold too that: Matthew 24:24-25 For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect. Behold, I have told you before.

This becomes the primary doctrine of the false prophets to attract people. Robert, these charismatic gifts were then used to draw people away from the kingdom of God!

But, do not worry, if we where forewarned by Jesus, of course, He gave instructions too so that we will be able to distinguish a false prophet from that of sent by God and Jesus Christ?

John 7:17-18 If any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or whether I speak of myself. He that speaketh of himself seeketh his own glory: but he that seeketh his glory that sent him, the same is true, and no unrighteousness is in him.

Revelation 1:3 Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein: for the time is at hand.

Therefore, it is the doctrine of those speakers that we should be critical about if what they say is true or their invention. Is it in the bible? Is it logical and biblical?

Paul also gave a warning and said: Galatians 1:8 But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed.

Unfortunately, some people, some individual, even if they read the verses I mentioned, this is what they do:

2 Timothy 4:3-4 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.

I did not say that miracles and wonders will not occur in the church anymore but it is not the primary doctrine that we should use to attract people in believing the word: 2 Timothy 2:15 diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling the word of truth.

Those who do not handle the word of truth accurately are false prophets. They keep on tagging themselves as an apostle and offers miracles because they have established their own church. These anti christs have not reached the understanding about the composition of the church and to where a person should be affiliated with to become a Christian. It is the Church of God as mentioned by Paul where we should be affiliated. The church has been existing even before. It is the church where Paul belongs to, the body where Jesus Christ is the head. You can find there already the apostles, prophets, miracles etc:

1 Cor 12:28-30
And in the church God has appointed first of all apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then workers of miracles, also those having gifts of healing, those able to help others, those with gifts of administration, and those speaking in different kinds of tongues.
Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Do all work miracles?
Do all have gifts of healing? Do all speak in tongues[a]? Do all interpret?

All I am saying is that, since we have access to the bible, let as be critical and be biblical minded of what people say because through the doctrine that they shall preach, they shall be known if they are correctly dividing the word of truth or not.

Paul said: Hebrew 5:11-14 We have much to say about this, but it is hard to explain because you are slow to learn. In fact, though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you the elementary truths of God's word all over again. You need milk, not solid food! Anyone who lives on milk, being still an infant, is not acquainted with the teaching about righteousness. But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained themselves to distinguish good from evil.

Hebrews 6:1-2 Therefore let us leave the elementary teachings about Christ and go on to maturity, not laying again the foundation of repentance from acts that lead to death,[d] and of faith in God, instruction about baptisms, the laying on of hands, the resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgment. And God permitting, we will do so.

Going back to what Jesus warned the apostle, even to us who wants to follow his commandments, about the false prophets that will show great signs and wonders, what did Apostle Paul said about it? Paul said, If God allow, we will do so. Have not you noticed that Paul has written so much about the doctrines and what Christians should do in the house of God which is the Church of God? And this is what I am inviting you to learn about.

As I am too a student of the True Word of God, may I refer you to our website where there are clips about our doctrine, found in the bible, as discussed by our Presiding Minister, Brother Eliseo Soriano. If you have slower connection, you can visit www.angdatingdaan.org. To God be the glory!

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