How the gospel is perceived by two distinct groups of hearers

"For the preaching of the cross is
them that perish foolishness;
but unto us which are saved, it is the power of God."
1 Cor 1:18 

How the same gospel is perceived by two distinct groups of people: "them that perish" and "us which are saved."

1 Cor 1:18 "For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God."

The gospel ministry comes to two distinct groups of people.

One group is designated as 'them that perish' (present participle, i.e. the perishing ones, a verbal noun).  To this group, the glorious gospel - the good news that declares God's power in saving condemned sinners - is perceived as foolishness.

The other is described as 'us which are saved' (present participle, i.e. the saved ones, a verbal noun). To this group, the glorious gospel - the good news that declares God's power in saving condemned sinners - is perceived as what it is: the message declaring the power of God is saving them!

God HAS SAVED them (applied eternal salvation to them, i.e. effectually called them out of their native state of sin and death to that of grace and salvation) independent of, and apart from the gospel ministry.

This passage repudiates the common fable of gospel regeneration, i.e. that the gospel ministry comes to those who are perishing, and through the preaching and hearing of the gospel, the Holy Spirit regenerates those who are still dead in trespasses and sins, to enable them to believe the gospel, in order to be saved.

The gospel comes to those that ARE SAVED, the SAVED ONES. Can anything be plainer? Only those who ARE SAVED are able to perceive the gospel for what it is, a message declaring the power of God in having saved His chosen ones.

The gospel is NOT the power of God; the gospel is the message declaring the power of God in saving His people. So many can't even distinguish the two!!!

Jesus is the power of God in salvation. The gospel is the good news which declares that power.

1Co 1:24 But unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God.

Romans 3:11 "There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God" -- that's the condition of a man by nature, if he is not saved by God's free and sovereign grace!!!

"Let us go on unto perfection..."

"Let us go on unto perfection*..."

1. Stuck, not going on...

Hebrews 5
12 ¶For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat.
13 For every one that useth milk is unskilful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe.
14 But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.

Note: we can be stuck in so many ways; stuck in erroneous teaching, in traditions, etc.

2. Call to Go On...
Hebrews 6:1a "Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection..."

a. Who are called to go on unto perfection?
- those who were once enlightened,
- those who have tasted of the heavenly gift,
- those who were made partakers of the Holy Ghost,
- those who have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come.  (Hebrews 6:4-5.)

Some of these, according to their works, receive blessing: others, according to their works too, are nigh unto cursing, whose temporal end is to be burned.

The solemn truth is illustrated thus...

3. Two Responses and their Consequences

Hebrews 6
7 ¶For the earth which drinketh in the rain that cometh oft upon it, and bringeth forth herbs meet for them by whom it is dressed, receiveth blessing from God:
8 But that which beareth thorns and briers is rejected, and is nigh unto cursing; whose end is to be burned.

Verses 7-8 speak of those mentioned in verses 4-5, those who have been so blessed.

*perfection: maturity, 

So many Speak of Rescuing the Perishing.

So many speak of rescuing the Perishing.

LET'S ASK SOME QUESTIONS:
- Who are the perishing?
- And just what is the perishing spoken of?
- And how do they want to rescue the perishing?

It all depends on what is meant by 'perishing' and rescuing?

Whatever, these few things are fixed and non-negotiable.

Jesus Christ ALONE, and ALREADY HAS, rescued His elect in the eternal sense, having secured their eternal redemption from eternal damnation. These can never and will never perish in the eternal sense. God will, in His approved and appointed time, apply the accomplished eternal redemption to each elect personally, effectually calling them to grace and salvation, thus immutably fitting them for eternal glory.

But these effectually called elect can and will perish in the temporal sense. And the gospel ministry is intended to rescue them, and ONLY THEM, from perishing in the temporal sense... converting them to the truth of their eternal redemption and teaching them 'that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world.'

The rescuing that the gospel ministry can achieve is RESTRICTED to rescuing God's children from perishing in the temporal sense... from ungodliness and worldly lusts that will harm their spiritual well-being as God's redeemed people.

The gospel ministry is intended SOLELY for God's children, to rescue them from perishing in the temporal sense. The gospel ministry CANNOT rescue the non-elect in any sense! The gospel has no rescuing efficacy for those dead in trespasses and sins. Food has no rescuing capacity for the dead - it is that basic!

Heb 5:12 "For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat."

It is a wee presumptuous of the deformed neo-calvinists to think that they are involved in rescuing those that are dead in trespasses and sins. They believe in particular redemption, and yet won't see its necessary implications, and they want to think themselves of rescuing those of whom God had NO redemptive interest or purpose at all. 

==========

Mark Thomas
None need rescuing that Christ hath saved. None can be rescued that Christ hath not saved. I am content therein. ·

- Not eternally.
- His work ALONE therein suffices. None other can.
- Not collaborative. Not jointly. Not synergistic. Eternally, Christ alone saves.
- Utter and alone monergism by the Triune Godhead alone. No other eternal salvation exists.

Max Witherington
Amen. period

Elaine Housley
Those perishing from the influence of a godless culture. Witnessing of the liberty found in Christ. Most prefer license to liberty. There is much that can be done to rescue those from false thoughts!

Those perishing from the lack of the Grace of Christ. I could add other "perishings" to the list, but am short on time right now. Just think about it . . .

Jerry Chapin
"And of some, have compassion, making a difference: And others, save with fear, pulling them out of the fire: hating even the garment spotted by the flesh." Jude 22, 23

Charles Page
"None need rescuing that Christ hath saved. None can be rescued that Christ hath not saved." ????

Doesn't the temporal life extend beyond death and cease at the resurrection of the body? Does time cease at death or at the resurrection? Glorification is not at death but at the resurrection and is a massive change of every elect person. Massive, I say, massive!

sing
Christ's works of eternal redemption saved His people from the eternal wrath of the Lake of Fire. 
The gospel ministry is capable of saving God's children from hell during the disembodied state after death and before resurrection. Man continues in the temporal realm after death; God's redeemed shall enter the eternal realm after the resurrection and glorification. Time ends at glorification; the state of eternity for the redeemed shall begin at the resurrection and glorification. 

Hell and paradise are temporal; the lake of fire and heaven are eternal. 

The Impressive Church has Left its First Love!

#firstlove

🙋🙋
Sir, I have a few questions on this passage, Rev 2:1-4.

1 ¶Unto the angel of the church of Ephesus write; These things saith he that holdeth the seven stars in his right hand, who walketh in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks;
2 I know thy works, and thy labour, and thy patience, and how thou canst not bear them which are evil: and thou hast tried them which say they are apostles, and are not, and hast found them liars:
3 And hast borne, and hast patience, and for my name's sake hast laboured, and hast not fainted.
4 Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love.

Q1.  Who is the recipient of the rebuke "thou hast left thy first love"?
Q2.  Why is there such a stern rebuke despite having so many praises and commendations?
Q3.  How do we know whether we have left the First Love?  Please illustrate with examples.

Thanks so much.

------------
sing
Thanks for the good questions
Q1.  Who is the recipient of the rebuke "thou hast left thy first love"?

A1. "unto the angel of the church of Ephesus write..."
- the angel of the church is the messenger (angelos), an envoy, one who is sent by God.
- the pronoun "thou" (1st person singular) refers back to the angel of the church.
- what is shown to him as the messenger of the church is intended for the whole church, collectively viewed as a singular entity.
- so, the message is directed to the church as one singular body and not to any specific or particular individual.
- all the things said about the church, whether commendations or censures, are true of the majority, not all, that made up the church of Ephesus when the message was delivered.
- As a whole, the church HAS LEFT her first love even though there might have been a few individuals who can, with clear conscience, claim otherwise. Nevertheless, the church has left her first love unto the Lord and Husband and Head of the church.
- this evil has happened, is happening, and shall happen to churches throughout church history.

The same message is directed to each child of God in churches in every generation;

v7 ¶He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.

Three things to note here:
- He who has an ear to hear these spiritual things is necessarily a child of God.
- Such are expected to be associated with the churches of Jesus Christ; they are to be members of local churches.
- These things the Spirit of Christ said to the church in Ephesus are also directed to other churches.

Q2. Why is there such a stern rebuke despite having so many praises and commendations?

A2. To understand why there is such a rebuke, we need to ask a more basic question: what is meant by the first love?

What is the first love?
- first (protos): adjective, indicating first in rank, in honour; not first in time or earliest.
- love (agape): NT speaks of 4 kinds of love; the love spoken of here is love as the fruit/effect of divine grace, a love as a product of God's love shown towards us. See 1John 4:19 "We love him, because he first loved us"

The first love is the love reserved for God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ - love that is first in honour and rank is properly due to Them, and His people.

Mark 12:30 KJV — And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment.

It was this first love that INITIALLY animated/empowered/enabled the church (a body of saints) to do those things that Christ commended them for.

The church must have exhibited that first love at the beginning; otherwise how can it be said that she has left it? See Eph 1:

The first love is NO LONGER in the activities commended by Christ; those activities are no longer ANIMATED by that first love.

Without that first love animating these activities, they shall soon degenerate into outward customs and traditions.

Those things were NO LONGER done out of that first love unto God; they were for a host of other reasons.

It's like a marriage with the first love intact but later the first love has left same marriage even though it keeps up the nice appearances.

But only Christ can see beyond those impressive outward appearances of commendable things.

Q3.  How do we know whether we have left the First Love?  Please illustrate with examples.

A3. How does a church know whether she has NOT left the first love?

How do I know whether I have NOT left the first love?

Let us first remind ourselves of one important truth:

1Co 2:11a "For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him?"

Only the spirit of the man knows the things within him; others cannot truly know the things within a man - his thoughts, his motives for action, etc. BUT, God sees and knows all things; nothing is hidden from Him.

Despite the many commendable things done by the church in Ephesus, the all-seeing Lord sees and knows the rot within. Man sees outwardly only but only the spirit of a man sees the things in his own heart; even then, the heart is so inclined to self-deceit. See Jer 7:9. So, "Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life." Pro 4:23

ONLY a man's own spirit knows whether the things he does is done out of that first love to God, or out of other reasons: e.g. a sense of duty, a rote routine, to maintain reputation, to impress others, to find favour, etc.

Without the first love, all those right and commendable good works shall soon degenerate into joyless burdensome chores... that was what has happened in the church in Ephesus. That's what has happened in many marriages too.

The ONLY remedy prescribed by the all-seeing Lord is:

v5: Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works.

The first works and the first love are related: the first works are works that manifest our first love to God. WithOUT the first love, our services and works are like DEAD sacrifices instead of living sacrifices.

Rom 12:1
I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. 

Chinese words confirm the biblical truths

#先 - first
#生 - born
#先生 - firstborn

~~ by Brother Joe Chin

先生？(xian sheng)

Ever wonder why Chinese women call their husband 先生 (read as xian sheng)? This is worth pondering.

Wife addresses her husband as 先生。

When addressing a gentleman in Chinese, the salutation 先生 is used.

When visiting a traditional medicine doctor, he would be addressed as  先生 or Sin Seh (pronounced in Hokkien dialect), especially in Penang. This is true for teachers as well.

Japanese and Korean used the same honorific title to address their teacher or master as SenSei (先生）。

The word 先生 literally meant first-born or born first. Traditional Chinese words have meanings derived from the bible, ie. Blessedness 福 (One man in the garden with God)

Righteousness 義 （A lamb over me - a sacrificial lamb over me)

Boat 船 (A vessel with 8 people on board - referring to Noah's ark in Gen 6)

It crossed my mind when Pastor spoke of firstborn, just like Adam was 'formed' before Eve.

"For Adam was first formed, then Eve." 1 Timothy 2:13

Henceforth, women since ancient times would esteem their husbands as 先生 (first-born).

It also makes sense that a person who is born first, would have attained higher knowledge and mastery, that the firstborn should be called a teacher.

Perhaps Adam taught Eve the names of the animals and plants. However, he did not stop his wife from entertaining the devil; well that's another topic for another day.

I hope the word 先生 is more meaningful to you.

Saving faith is not faith that saves

#savingfaith

What is saving faith?

Saving faith is not faith that saves; it is the faith that is an effect of salvation already freely bestowed by God. Saving faith is not the instrument to obtain salvation; it is evidence of that salvation.

Saving faith is the faith that receives and rests in Christ Jesus and His righteousness and blood as the only ground and hope for eternal salvation.

Saving faith is distinguished from historical faith; the latter acknowledges and believes that Jesus was a historical figure who lived and died in the first century. The devil has faith but it is not saving faith.

One is constrained by historical facts; it is only a fool who denies historical facts; the other is a fruit of the salvation freely bestowed by God, in Jesus Christ.

Saving faith is a grace, one of many, worked in the heart of a child of God by the indwelling Spirit, one who is already born of God. It is one of the fruits worked by the indwelling Spirit in the born-again man.

That faith worked in the heart makes possible the believing of the truth of the salvation ALREADY bestowed by God's free and sovereign grace; it is believing what is ALREADY true, not to make it come true.

(Believing the gospel of Jesus Christ does save; it saves from ignorance, lies, superstition, fables, etc.; receiving and resting in Christ enables one to experience the blessedness of his righteousness in Christ, assurance, hope, etc. These are temporal salvation, relating to his well-being as a child of God.) See less

Inquiry on theological education.

A little conversation with Ben Askar*

1.57AM Thu
Ben Askar: Hi

8:47PM Thu
sing: Hi Ben.

BA
Hi, Beloved Brother. How are you? Brother, is there any Bible College that gives free distance education you knew. I like to learn the word of God

sing
To a self-learning man, bible colleges and seminaries are now irrelevant. There are lots of theological writings online. The most important thing is to pick trustworthy sources.

Otherwise, you learn....

I know of an excellent website where I learn and teach myself the word of God. Visit www...

(Check out John Gill's works also - his Body of Doctrinal and Practical Divinity as well as his commentary on the whole Bible.)

Have you ever asked the question, "Does a bible college have a biblical mandate?" What does the Bible say about the theological training of men?

2 Timothy 2:2 KJV — And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also.

(To be self-teaching, you need to learn to ask endless relevant questions when you study the Scriptures. One needs a thinking mind to ask apt questions.)

BA
Great. Thank you; this will be great help for me. Yes, I'm going through the website.

sing:
Otherwise you...* learn heresies, damnable heresies.

2 Peter 2:1 KJV — But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction.

BA
That's I have afraid

sing
What do you mean?

BA
I may learn damnable heresies

sing
Why do you say that? Unless one has been taught and learned the truth, he wouldn't have a clue that he had imbibed damnable heresies.

BA
Because we are in India. You know now trolling is covid sent by God. All the Christians say.

sing
On what basis do they say that? COVID is caused by man's sin. God didn't send it; God permitted it to happen and let it spread to humble the proud and haughty men who fear not God.

=====

*Ben Askar (son of a soldier) is not his real name; the exchanges are real.

Mr and Mrs Askar (pictured) send their warmest greetings.

Be such a sanctifying spouse. Amen

[08/08/2022 21:16] JinXing Sir, what is the interpretation of 1 Corinthians 7:16? "For what knowest thou, O wife, whether thou shalt save thy husband? or how knowest thou, O man, whether thou shalt save thy wife?

Q. What is the wife or husband save from?

[09/08/2022 00:36] Sing Lau
The context is honouring the marriage bond despite being unequally yoked - a spouse is converted post-marriage. "... let him not put her away... let her not leave him." v12-13.

v14 speaks of the sanctifying effect a believing spouse has upon the unbelieving spouse - the godly life of the believing spouse has a restraining effect, both positively (promoting righteous living) and negatively (denying ungodliness) - upon the unbelieving spouse, and their children too.

Verse 16: If the believing man sends away his unbelieving wife or an believing wife leaves the unbelieving husband, then the opportunities of godly influence and testimony to the unbelieving spouse are absent.

The life and testimony of a godly spouse is an instrument for the conversion of the unbelieving spouse.

So, honouring the marriage bond in an unequally yoked marriage - as a result of post-marriage conversion of one spouse - may be the very means God is pleased to bless for the conversion of the unbelieving spouse.

Preserve and cherish the marriage bond; let a candle burn brightly in a home... the Lord may be pleased to bless such testimony to save the unbelieving spouse.

[09/08/2022 12:09] Sing Lau:
1 Corinthians 7:14 KJT — For the unbelieving husband is sanctified by the wife, and the unbelieving wife is sanctified by the husband: else were your children unclean; but now are they holy.

Unclean and holy are used as opposites here; 'unclean' is illegitimate, 'holy' is legitimate. The offspring of any lawful marriage, between a man and a woman, is clean, is legitimate. It's not holy in any spiritual sense - only baby sprinklers (paedobaptists) imagine so. That which born of the flesh is flesh. John 3 :6


[09/08/2022 12:09] Sing Lau:
I'm wondering the whole morning to myself - why did two good men ask the same question: "How is the unbelieving spouse sanctified by the believing spouse? - maybe our gracious Lord wants us to note an important lesson that is overlooked and be such a spouse.
IF an unbelieving spouse is sanctified by the believing spouse, THEN how much more so a believing spouse is sanctified by his/her believing spouse. Be such a sanctifying spouse. Amen
A godly spouse is one special blessing of God to a man/woman: his/her godly life is capable of making a little heaven on earth. Think carefully about it; be such a spouse.
An ungodly Christian spouse - and there are not a few of them - can cause hell on earth. 

They have addicted themselves to the ministry of the saints

1 Cor 16:15 “I beseech you, brethren, (ye know the house of Stephanas, that it is the firstfruits of Achaia, and that they have addicted themselves to the ministry of the saints,)
Q1. How should we interpret this verse?
Q2. How should we apply it to our earthly pilgrimage?

======= 

Verse 15 is half a sentence; it needs to be read together with verse 16. They make a two-verse paragraph. This two-verse paragraph is closely connected with the next two-verse paragraph. The two paragraphs are on the same subject.

1Co 16:15-16
¶ I beseech you, brethren, (ye know the house of Stephanas, that it is the firstfruits of Achaia, and that they have addicted themselves to the ministry of the saints,) that ye submit yourselves unto such, and to every one that helpeth with us, and laboureth.

Note the words in brackets; leave them out first, and the two verses read, “I beseech you, brethren, that ye submit yourselves unto such, and to every one that helpeth with us, and laboureth.”

Put this way, Paul’s main message in the paragraph becomes clear – exhorting the proud, self-absorbed, and aloof Corinthian believers to submit to those men who help and labour with the Apostle Paul. Stephanas was such a man. Apostle Paul provides more information about him, powerful information that should convict and move any reasonable men to comply with Paul’s beseechment, “… submit yourselves unto such…”

The words in brackets give a concrete example of the men the Apostle Paul is speaking about; Stephanas was such a man, a man most useful to Apostle Paul and his ministry, such “that helpeth with us, and laboureth.” In addition to that, Stephanas and his household have addicted themselves to the ministry of the saints, something most appreciated by the Apostle Paul; it complements well with Paul’s ministry. To be addicted is to be devoted to it, heartily and with diligence; they cheerfully and voluntary give themselves to minister to the saints, likely needy saints. Such good and useful men deserve the respect and honour from believers.

Q2. How should we apply it to our earthly pilgrimage?

- Lead the whole household to imitate him… support the work your pastor is doing; be fellow labourers.
- Don’t be like the Corinthian believers.

Sense or Sound

#蜈蚣 - wú gōng : centipede
#无公 - wú gōng : without husband
#老公 - lǎo gōng : husband

We saw a gorgeous centipede on the hiking trail. I picked it up to show it to my Wifey, and asked, "Darling, what do you call a centipede in Chinese?"

She said, 蜈蚣.

I exclaimed, " Huh, 无公! Why is it called 'without husband'? What a funny name! Are they all widows?

She explained, "No, don't be silly; they are different words with the same pronunciation."

See how important it is to know the sense from the sound!

Let me give you a simple example.

"Whosoever believeth... have everlasting life" is a DESCRIPTION of the believing ones, they have everlasting life. But so many understand it as a PRESCRIPTION of what the spiritually dead must do in order to get everlasting life.

John 3:16 KJT                              
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.

Still don't understand? I will make it simpler still.
"Whosoever eats has life" is a description of the eating ones, they have life. No sane mind would understand that as a prescription for the dead, i.e. what the dead must do to get life.

Soundbytitis is a dreadful disease; it hinders the mind from discerning the sense of what's read or heard.

"The most difficult subjects can be explained to the most slow-witted man if he has not formed any idea of them already; but the simplest thing cannot be made clear to the most intelligent man if he is firmly persuaded that he knows already, without a shadow of doubt, what is laid before him." - Leo Tolstoy 

Open the Bible first, then discuss.

I wrote in a men's group a few days ago after someone vaguely suggested I might stifle challenges when I set rules for orderly discussion.

Someone insinuated, “... or even worse, a method to prevent challenges.”

My answer: This is a church of Jesus Christ; every member has the same voice; every member can challenge anything that goes on in the church – just make sure that he has the Bible held firmly in his left hand as he raises his challenges with his right hand. Every member ought to know his rights and his responsibility.

Though I loathe needless contention, I'm not one who shun or stifles challenges. All I request is, "just make sure that he has the Bible held firmly in his left as he raises his challenges with his right hand." Just don't bring Calvin, Luther, Gill or your ex-pastor - with no disrespect to any of them - in your left hand... because that betrays that your "sola scriptura" is just a religious shibboleth - all too common in Christendom.

With the Bible wide open in the left hand, any challenges by the right hand will drive everyone back to the Bible; this exercise will benefit all who are Bible students.

2Tim 2:
24 And the servant of the Lord must not strive*; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient,
25 In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth;
26 And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will.

*"to strive: to engage in a war of words, to quarrel, wrangle, dispute... contention. 
========

Mark Thomas
Lock ‘em up, sheriff!

Sing
This little sheriff wants to line them up with the Scriptures!

Bill Taylor
Amen! Let God be true and every man a liar. Sound bites and deference to historic suppositions are worthless in the light of God's word.

Secular Israel and Theocratic Israel.

 God destroyed Jerusalem
in AD70 

#secularIsrael
#theocraticIsrael

YuenLeong
Psalm 83:4 They have said, Come, and let us cut them off from being a nation; that the name of Israel may be no more in remembrance.

Sir, I heard some ppl quoted this verse n applied it to today's context between Israel's nemesis and Israel. Is it correct to quote this verse in today's context?

sing
The modern secular Israel established in 1948 by men and the biblical theocratic Israel constituted by the LORD of hosts at the foot of Mt Sinai are completely different entities.

The theocratic Israel the Bible speaks of HAD NO relationship whatsoever with the modern secular Israel.

The LORD God of Israel was completely done with the theocratic Israel in 70AD..

Too many just refused to believe this biblical fact; they chose to believe some fables instead.

Titus 1:14 KJT — Not giving heed to Jewish fables, and commandments of men, that turn from the truth.

YuenLeong
But could they be the remnants who will return as quoted in Romans 9-11?

sing
Read the text again!
Just let it say what it says; entertain no other ideas.

The context speaks of the enemy's intent for the destruction of theocratic nation of Israel.

4. They have said, Come, and let us cut them off from being a nation; that the name of Israel may be no more in remembrance.

"... cut them off from being a NATION..."

"... that the name of Israel (theocratic nation Israel) be no more in remembrance."

The ability to let the text say what it says is the first basic rule of rightly dividing the word of truth.

YuenLeong
But would God let them finish off theocratic Israel? Coz in Ps 83:13-18, the Israelites were praying to God for help. But even if it's not the theocratic Israel, it doesn't mean that Christians today should not support the country Israel (although maybe it is no longer a theocratic nation)

sing
It was LORD God Himself who FINISHED OFF the theocratic Israel in 70 AD.  The end of theocratic Israel was prophesied by His prophets, and the Lord Jesus Christ Himself solemnly warned of its destruction and abolition. However, before its appointed end, the theocratic Israel was providentially kept and preserved by the power of its covenant-keeping God.

Jews and the theocratic kingdom of Israel are two distinct entities

YuenLeong
Supporting Israel means that v r against the evil enemies.

sing
You can support Israel all you want; just don't equate modern secular Israel with the theocratic kingdom of Israel in the Bible.

I support Israel on moral ground; as I would any other nation, it has the right to exist and self defense.

YuenLeong
Based on church history, the evil forces are always against Christianity. The Israel of today, even though its no longer a theocratic nation, is still being persecuted by its evil foes. Just based on this fact alone, I will support them.

Well, anyone who suffered for God's name sake, deserves to be protected

sing
Yes, do all in your power to protect such. God bless you.

I don't know in what way the secular Israel has suffered for LORD God's sake. They have been hated for being Jews.

We Make a Sure Covenant

#surecovenant

Nehemiah 9 KJT
32 Now therefore, our God, the great, the mighty, and the terrible God, who keepest covenant and mercy, let not all the trouble seem little before thee, that hath come upon us, on our kings, on our princes, and on our priests, and on our prophets, and on our fathers, and on all thy people, since the time of the kings of Assyria unto this day...
38 And because of all this we make a sure covenant, and write it; and our princes, Levites, and priests, seal unto it.

Nehemiah 10
28 ¶And the rest of the people, the priests, the Levites, the porters, the asingers, the Nethinims, and all they that had separated themselves from the people of the lands unto the law of God, their wives, their sons, and their daughters, every one having knowledge, and having understanding;
29 They clave to their brethren, their nobles, and entered into a curse, and into an oath, to walk in God's law, which was given by Moses the servant of God, and to observe and do all the commandments of the LORD our Lord, and his judgments and his statutes...

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Their confession: "Now therefore, our God, the great, the mighty, and the terrible God, who keepest covenant and mercy..."

Their response:
- "We make a sure covenant, and write it..."
- "They clave to their brethren..."
-  "They entered into a curse, and into an oath, to walk in God's law..."

1. "We make a sure covenant, and write it..."
- what's a covenant?
- what is a sure covenant?
- why is it a sure?

2. "... all they that had separated themselves from the people of the lands..."
- separated from something...
- cleave to another.
- have you?

3. "... every one having knowledge, and having understanding... "
- of what?
- have you?

4. "... They clave to their brethren, their nobles... "
- will you?
- have you?

5. "... entered into a curse"
- what's this?
- will you? have you?

6. " ... and [entered] into an oath..."
- what's this?
- will you? have you?

7. What did they covenant to do?
- Are you in covenant with a community of God's saints?
- How do you view your covenant with them?

Consider these things.

May the Lord richly bless each one who does so. Amen.

Feel free to ask your questions.

"How to be saved" or "How we are saved"

Necessity is a noun that means

something is required, indispensable,

or completely unavoidable.
If so, can there be any salvation
when there were no inspired Scriptures?

I saw this meme here:https://www.facebook.com/103324528776372/posts/114513047657520/

Does the special revelation, God's inspired Scriptures, tell us how to be saved, or does it tell us how we are saved, or both?

What does it mean to know God savingly? Is it having enough knowledge of the special revelation in order to be saved by God, or are we saved freely by God's grace so that we are enabled to discern the truth of our salvation revealed in the inspired Scriptures?

Give me your thoughts.

Thanks

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Mark Thomas
Mat 16:15-17
Oh He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am?
And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.

And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven.

Marty-Sandy Smith
Jesus Christ alone saved us from death in trespasses and sins unto eternal life in himself, without the participation of the scriptures, the gospel, the church, the law, or any other effort of human beings (besides himself). He trod the winepress alone! And since eternal salvation is by Jesus Christ alone, there is no possibility of the intended recipients failing to get it.

The special revelation of inspired scripture, and the preaching of the true gospel, tells us how Jesus Christ has already saved us in this manner. When we come to him in belief of this truth, he gives us rest.

The special revelation of inspired scripture, and the preaching of the true gospel, tells us how to be saved from ignorance, error, darkness, guilt, despair, deceit, and discouragement while we live in this world, waiting to go home to Jesus Christ, or for him to come back and take us home. When we take his yoke upon us in following the teachings of scripture, we find rest in our day to day lives.

From what does faith in Christ saves a man?

A few simple questions to assist us in rightly dividing the word of truth:

1. Who is able to believe on the Lord Jesus Christ?

2. Unto whom is the call directed?

3. How does believing on Jesus Christ save a man?

4. What does his believing on Jesus Christ save him from?

Just simple and honest questions; they are no trick questions, I can assure you.

May the Lord bless you with a blessed day of worship and fellowship in the Lord Jesus Christ.

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Reggie Lee

The best 4 questions a theologian can ask. And when I say theologian, I mean every Christian that is serious about doctrine.

To whom did Christ send you out to teach?

To whom did Christ send you out to teach?

Matt 28: 18 And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. 19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: 20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

The Lord said, ' Go ye therefore, and teach all nations..."

The Lord DID NOT say, "Go ye therefore, and preach to all nations, that I may do My work of regenerating the dead through your preaching." But this is what so many preachers and their followers believe the Lord is saying!

Who did Jesus send out the Apostles to TEACH?

- God's children (elect already regenerated by the sovereign activity of God apart from any activities of preachers) among the nations?

- Sinners still dead in their trespasses and sins, who are not only devoid of any ability to discern spiritual things but are positively hostile towards spiritual things?

Who were the Apostles sent out to teach?

To whom does the Lord Jesus Christ give His servants pastor/teacher to teach, to feed, to shepherd? 

And while you are considering that,

- how was the Lord Jesus Christ with His Apostles to the end?
- what is the end of the world spoken of?
- Has the "end of the world" spoken of already occurred, or is it still a future event?

Give us your considered judgments. Thanks.

Allan Turda
Furthermore, the Great Commission does not speak of saving people from hell; it is instead speaking of discipleship. It is amazing how an erroneous understanding of the doctrine of eternal salvation makes people put words into verses which are not there. "Go ye therefore and teach all nations", the Greek says "Going therefore disciple all the nations..." No word/words, idea or whatsoever about getting people saved. "baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit." Again, only born again believers are to be baptised. "Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you..."

This is definitely discipleship in the process.

If we can only, first of all, clear our minds from what we have been taught in Bible Colleges and Bible Institutes, and then read the Bible objectively, we will see things differently, and the Lord, helping us, we will see things correctly.

Sing F Lau
Your last statement is so apt.
Prejudiced and poisoned minds are not easy to detox!

Only the regenerated (i.e. God's children by His own free and sovereign activities, without the preachers) are capable of being taught the gospel truth and made disciples.