On Asking Questions (7) : an honest question deserves a good answer

 The dazzling flower of roselle.

 These are fruits of roselle.
Flowers and fruits are related;
they are different and distinct.

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September 15, 2021

A question:
Sing, the more I read your explanation of conversion, the more sense I can see in it. "God demands His children to believe the gospel of their salvation... because that is the truth of what God HAS DONE for them." So true! But are you saying that at no time ever, was the child of God in a depraved state?

An answer:

Brother Dell, it gives me comfort that someone UNDERSTANDS what I'm saying. Whether anyone agrees or not, I couldn't care less.

You asked a good question. I love questions. A biblical position can withstand the most vigorous cross-examination, and will NEVER be shown or exposed to be erroneous or contradictory.

An unbiblical position will very soon be shown to be full of contradictions and logical fallacies! And that's what the popular Calvinism IS - I have proven it again and again, and again. Just peruse some articles in the blog!

When asking questions, it is important to ask them PRECISELY, otherwise, you may not get the right answer.

Are these two questions the same?
You asked: "But are you saying that at no time ever, was the child of God in a depraved state?"
Do you actually want to ask this: "But are you saying that at no time ever, was an elect of God in a depraved state?"

A biblical distinction is the essence of sound theology.

A child of God is distinct and different from an elect of God; a child of God is an elect of God whom He has effectually called out of his native state of sin and death (state of total depravity) to that of grace and salvation in Jesus Christ. So, a child of God is NO longer in a depraved state, NO never any more.

An elect of God, by nature, was conceived in sin, born in sin, grow up in sin...

See Eph 2:1-3... note 'EVEN AS OTHERS' at the end.
2:1 ¶ And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins; 2 Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience: 3 Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others.

So, if your question is:
"But are you saying that at no time ever, was an elect of God in a depraved state?",
then the answer is: an elect of God is in his native depraved state UNTIL he is effectually called out of that native depraved state, by God's free and sovereign grace, into the state of grace and salvation.

An elect who is effectually called is a child of God.

A child of God who is converted to Christ through the gospel ministry is a believer, and when baptized, a disciple. Among God's children who are baptized, there are good and bad disciples.

There are God's children who are not brought to faith through the gospel ministry.

The gospel ministry is INTENDED for God's children... such need to be brought to know and believe the truth of THEIR salvation.

The work of FEEDING has to do with the LIVING! It's that basic. The Apostles knew what they need to do. Read John 21:15-17.

I hope this helps.

On Asking Questions (6) : simple questions drive away fables

October 7, 2018 
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. To 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.

 ==========

Reggie Lee
The best 3 questions a theologian can ask. And when I say theologian, I mean every Christian that is serious about doctrine.

Joseph
Three very pertinent questions, bro.

On Asking Questions (5) : answering a fool's questions

Proverbs 26:4 KJV —

Answer not a fool according to his folly,

lest thou also be like unto him.

Proverbs 26:5 KJV —

Answer a fool according to his folly,

lest he be wise in his own conceit.

 

Matthew 22
43 He saith unto them, How then doth David in spirit call him Lord, saying,
44 The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand, till I make thine enemies thy footstool?
45 If David then call him Lord, how is he his son?
46 And no man was able to answer him a word, neither durst any man from that day forth ask him any more questions.

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August 15, 2020

#know_the_difference
Proverbs 26:4 KJV —
Answer not a fool according to his folly, lest thou also be like unto him.

Proverbs 26:5 KJV —
Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he be wise in his own conceit.

If you are a teacher, you need not fear someone asking questions that may betray the foolishness of the inquirer. Please guard against your own unnecessary prejudice against the inquirer; this will squander a genuine opportunity to help the inquirer.

If the inquirer is really a fool, you have the opportunity to show him that he is a fool by answering him according to his folly. I request for this kindness to be shown to me; show me my folly; don't give up on me so soon.

Or, you can just leave the inquirer alone after having answered him according to his own folly, when you are certain that he's a fool indeed.

Only an unasked question is a foolish question. So, let's be kind to entertain the questions of those whom you feel are fools. The thing is, even the questions of fools may teach us a few things if we are still teachable.

Apparently, foolish questions may open up truth unknown to the wise. Also, sometimes a wise man may ask seemingly foolish questions to help fools, wise in their own eyes, to see their folly.

May the Lord bless each who read this.

Amen.

On Asking Questions (4): apt questions lead to clearer Scriptures

 

November 24, 2020 
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#first_resurrection
#second_death
#a1000years

The first resurrection, the second death, and a 1000 years

I may sound silly. Still, I need to ask; I'm already notorious for asking questions.

Please help me with some light. Thank you in advance.

Re 20:6 Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years.

Concerning Rev 20:6, leu us ask some questions:

1. Concerning the first resurrection:
a. What is this first resurrection?
- When does/did the first resurrection take place?
- Who are those who have a part in the first resurrection?
- Who are those who have no part in the first resurrection?
- Where do the Scriptures speak of this first resurrection?
- Why are those who have a part in the first resurrection “holy and blessed”?

b. Does the first resurrection imply the second resurrection?
- If yes, what is the second resurrection?
- If yes, when will be the second resurrection be?
- Will those who have a part in the first resurrection be partakers in the second resurrection?
- Is there any difference between the first and the second resurrection?

2. Concerning the second death:
a. what is this second death?
- When will the second death happen?
- What’s the power of the second death?
- Why does the second death has no power over all those who have a part in the first resurrection?

b. Does the second death imply the first death?
- If yes, what is the first death?
- If yes, what happened at first death?
- If yes, when did/does the death happen?

3. Concerning the “1000 years”:
a. What is the 1000 years?
- when does/did the 1000 years start?
- when will the 1000 years end?
- when did the first resurrection happen with respect to the 1000 years?
- For those who had a part in the first resurrection, how long do/will they reign with Christ?

You too may have some questions arising from Rev 20:6, ask away.

Thank you for your help.

On Asking Questions (3) : simple questions expose obvious inconsistencies.

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January 15, 2015

Biblical distinction is the essence of sound theology

Ephesians 2:
5 Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;)...
8 "For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God..."

Is the salvation by the grace of God...
- "through your faith in Christ," or
- "through the faith of Christ."

Which is spoken of in Eph 2:8?

Is it saying
For by grace are ye saved through your faith in Christ..., or
For by grace are ye saved through the faithfulness of Christ...

Since "by grace are ye saved" when you were STILL dead in trespasses and sin, through whose or what faith were ye saved?

(Your faith in Jesus Christ? The you are capable of faith when still dead in trespasses and sin?)

These are not difficult questions

Please give me a simple and direct answer, without the so called deep analysis, the reformed shibboleths, or the deformed jargons. Please, I have heard enough of them!

Are you capable of that - just a simple answer?

Thanks.
======

63 comments

Sing F Lau
Has the gospel truth of "BY/THROUGH THE FAITH Jesus Christ" ever registered with you?

You will never learn that precious truth if you don't read and learn from the KJ Translation of God's word. There are perVersions.

Rom 3:22 - "BY FAITH OF..."
Even the righteousness of God which is BY FAITH OF Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference.

Gal 2:16 - "BY THE FAITH OF... BY THE FAITH OF..."
Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but BY THE FAITH OF Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified BY THE FAITH OF Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.

Phl 3:9 - "THROUGH THE FAITH OF..."
And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is THROUGH THE FAITH of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith.

Dan Hya
The context of Ephesians chapter 2 does not in anyway suggest or imply that it is man's faith.

Linda Lancaster
Dan, the faith we have is the faith that we have been given from above. We have no faith of our own.

Dan Hya
I couldn't agree more, Sis. Linda. I believe the point Bro. Sing wants to make is not the "origin of faith" but "by whose faith" we have been saved as Eph.2:8-9 teaches.

Linda Lancaster
Dan, they are one and the same thing, the origin and by whose 'faith' is GOD Almighty.

Julio Jr Perez Postrero
Faith of the Savior..

Jesus Christ, the author and finisher of man's faith.

Dan Hya
No, they are not. Man's faith from God is not causative of his salvation.
Christ's faith or faithfulness in the redemptive work is.
Christ's faith saves.
Man's faith is for pleasing God, for, without it, it is impossible to please God.
If you believe they are one and the same, Bro. Sing's question necessitates the distinction.

Julio Jr Perez Postrero
Faith of the Savior that saves eternally. And man's faith is just one of the fruit of salvation...

Man's faith can't save eternal.. only the faith of JESUS CHRIST..
a big difference!..

Linda Lancaster
The faith I have in the redemptive work of Christ on the cross is a gift from God

The faith I have has been given to me by Jesus. I have no faith of my own. I have the faith of Jesus that enables me to believe in his redemptive work until salvation and eternal life.

Julio Jr Perez Postrero
Jesus Christ did not give man faith to save themselves eternally.

That is a big error.

He is the Saviour alone.
He is enough.

Man should not partake in the glory that only belongs to Christ... shame to man.

Man's faith is not the cause of salvation..it is the result of being saved... Gal 5;22

Linda Lancaster
I did not say that Julio, I know that He is the Saviour, but I have to believe that He is the Saviour and that is why I have to have the gift of faith that is given to me by God/Jesus.

Julio Jr Perez Postrero
Why do you have to believe that He is the Saviour? Does that make you saved?
It's become your choice. Please try to understand the context of eph.2:8-9,

Romans 3:3 For what if some did not believe? shall their unbelief make the faith of God without effect?

Can you answer this question from the bible. Tnx.

Sing F Lau
Why is it so difficult?
Is salvation by the grace of God......
- "through your faith in Christ," or
- "through the faith of Christ."
That is a question simple enough, isn't it?
If it is unclear to you, please say so.
Then I will make it less clear for you.
What is your answer?

Sing F Lau
"... they are one and the same thing, the origin and by whose 'faith' is GOD Almighty."
This is why this apostolic command is ever relevant:
2Ti 2:15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

Linda Lancaster
Because the bible says in Rom 10:9 "that if you confess with your mouth that Jesus Christ is Lord, and believe (have the faith of God) in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved" Rom 10:10 "For it is with your heart that you b… See more

Sing F Lau
Some sincere folks are SO OBSESSED with the faith that the Spirit of God worked in them (and which enabled them to believe) - that they are incapable of reading what the Scriptures speak about the FAITH OF JESUS CHRIST in their salvation!!!

They just keep on blah blah blah about their faith (which they piously qualify as a gift from God. They don't reveal the HARD fact they are the ones who must do the believing, without which they would remain incapable of being saved by God.) That much for their pious and religious talk!

Sing F Lau
The Bible declares that EXCEPT a man be born again, THAT IS, given eternal life, SAVED by God, he CAN NOT see, nor enter the kingdom of God? Why? He is still in his native state of sin and death.

Confession - seeing, and entering - can only be made by those ALREADY SAVED by God's free grace.

Linda Lancaster
Sing, it is through the faith of Christ that enables me to believe that I am saved by grace

Sing F Lau
No, Linda.
It is through the faith of Christ Jesus THAT YOU ARE SAVED!
It is through the faith the Spirit of God worked in you that enables you to believe that you are saved.
You are just not willing to acknowledge that truth from Eph 2:8.
You are obsessed with the faith worked in you by the Spirit of God.
The faith of Christ and the faith the Spirit of God worked in you are TOTALLY TWO DIFFERENT THINGS!

Linda Lancaster
Sing, I will inbox you, because my computer is very slow at the moment, only 2g.

Sing F Lau
Say all that you need to say here. Thanks. So, don't inbox me. It will not be read.

Julio Jr Perez Postrero
It's because God saved you first before you can have faith from the Lord...

Julio Jr Perez Postrero
Faith of man cometh by hearing...simply to please God, not to be used to get eternal life...very big error.

Jenny Fry
Jn3:16

Dan Hya
Sis. Linda, since you acknowledge that faith comes from or originates with God, do you also acknowledge that a man dead in sins does not possess faith?
I hope this method will be more helpful.

Julio Jr Perez Postrero
Jn 3:16 does not mean faith comes first before eternal life.

Ephesians 2:8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 2:9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.

"Lest any man should boast."

Sing F Lau
Jenny Fry, John 3:16 has no magic! <LOL>
John 3:16 is a statement declaring a FACT about the believing ones - they have everlasting life, they POSSESS eternal life, the explanation for their believing. And the fact that they possess everlasting is attributed to God SO LOVED them in Jesus Christ.

Even so, "Whoever eats has life..." This is a statement declaring something about whoever eats; such has life, possesses life, and is in the state of living! The statement does not offer life to the dead who will but eat. All the sound-minded people instantly recognize and acknowledge that to make the statement to mean the latter is just sheer stupidity, lacking common sense.

But so many insist that that is what John 3:16 says, i.e. it is making an offer to the dead, that whosoever will believe shall receive everlasting life!

Julio Jr Perez Postrero
Through faith of Christ..that's what the bible teaches.

Julio Jr Perez Postrero
That's for u... glory to you.

What about the faith of Christ?

Julio Jr Perez Postrero
Galatians 2:16 Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.

Jenny Fry
I believe in God's Word as it stands. "....Sirs, what must I do to be saved? And they said, Believe on The Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved...." Couldn't be clearer than that

Julio Jr Perez Postrero
A man is justified by the faith of WHO?

What salvation is talking about? Jenny Fry? Eternal salvation?

Did you study the context?

Jenny Fry
Eternal life.
Eternal life with God

Julio Jr Perez Postrero
There are types of justification, timely and eternal justification, that speaks about eternal justification..

Do you mean, eternal justification is not by grace?..

Julio Jr Perez Postrero
There are also types of salvation.. time salvation and eternal salvation...
You are lacking in this... Jenny Fry.. you mixed the types of salvation..that is your problem... that's why you rather choose to believe the error than what is really the bible teaches.

Julio Jr Perez Postrero
Matthew 24:13 But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved. Luke 1:71 That we should be saved from our enemies, and from the hand of all that hate us; Acts 2:40 And with many other words did he testify and exhort, saying, Save yourselves from this untoward generation. 1 Peter 3:21 The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ:

Jenny Fry
But in both instances that I quoted, it was eternal salvation meant. Again I say, I believe God's Word as it stands!!

Sing F Lau
I believe God's Word as it stands. "....Sirs, what must I do to be saved? And they said, Believe on The Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved...." Couldn't be clearer than that
======
That sounds so pious and religious, "I believe God's word as it stands."
The jailer asked, "Sirs, what must I do to be saved?"
If it couldn't be clearer than that, then help to answer a few simple questions:
- What did the jailer want to be saved from, do you know?
- What was uppermost in his mind when he uttered that question? His head or his deliverance from eternal condemnation?
- Why did he want to take his own life?

And was Apostle Paul asking a man STILL DEAD in his native state of trespasses and sins [i.e. NOT SAVED] to perform a spiritual act in order to get SAVED? I know there is no such STUPID people who ask a dead man to wink his eyes in order to be made alive.

But I have heard enough STUPID Christians saying that sinners dead in trespasses and sins are commanded to do or perform some acts in order to get saved. And to be sure they are understood, they added, they are talking about eternal salvation.

There is no need to be offended by my using the adjective STUPID. It simply means LACKING COMMON SENSE. STUPID is a proper adjective.

Sing F Lau
Good night. It's 1.29am where I live. I just came in from my midnight walk.

Julio Jr Perez Postrero
May the grace of understanding from God...don't choose to be ignorant..
Tim 2:15.

Jenny Fry
Sing, why did the jailer fall down before Paul & Silas? Because he knew they were responsible for all the miracles....they had been praying & singing praises to God! Secondly, we were all dead in trespasses & sin when we asked Jesus to save us.

Sing F Lau
Jenny, who do you think I should believe - you, or Jesus?
You said, "we were all dead in trespasses & sin when we asked Jesus to save us."

First, I advise you to speak for yourself, "I was all dead in trespasses and sins when I asked Jesus to save me." Don't speak for me UNLESS you are given PLAIN instruction to do so.

Second, Jesus speaks for me, and He said, "Except a man be born again (i.e given eternal life, SAVED with eternal salvation), he CANNOT..... he CAN NOT see (perceive the truth concerning the truth of) the kingdom of God... CAN NOT enter the kingdom of God.

You have just believed the complete OPPOSITE.... that "the dead in trespasses and sins can perceive who Jesus is and ask him to save him. BUT you have claimed, "I believe God's Word as it stands." That's the greatest joke!

You have believed a BIG lie, and are oblivious of it... instead very haughty and confident, claiming "I believe God's Word as it stands."

Go, think and reflect first before further comment. Thanks.

Jenny Fry
Thirdly, would Paul have told the jailer to believe on the Lord Jesus Christ to save him from physical danger? I don't think so.

Jenny Fry
"And Jesus answering said unto them, They that are whole need not a physician; but they that are sick. I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance." Lk5:31-32

Sing F Lau
Whether you think so or not does not matter the least. What Christ Himself declares alone matters.
A man who is able to perform a spiritual act like believing is evidence of his SAVED STATE by the free grace of God. A dead man cannot wink his eyes to be made alive.

Believing in the Lord Jesus Christ CAN and DOES save a man from all sorts of physical dangers. It saved many Jews from being SLAUGHTERED and ROASTED like pigs by the Romans in 70AD.

Read Acts 2:37-40.
Go and read the account of the jailer a bit closer. The jailer nearly took his own life; why? Why did all the prisoners, though all their bonds loosened not escape? What would have happened had only one of them escaped?

Please stop blah blah blah like an odious woman!!! I advise go and think a bit. I have given FAR too much time to a woman!

And please don't just quote Scriptures. The devil does it very well, and I'm not even impressed.

Constanzia Dyess
Best answer I know of, way more eloquently explained that my limited ability 🙂
http://flintriverpbc.org/rad.../183-that-verse-ephesians-2-8

Ronald D Stewart
It is not our faith but the faith given in grace from God when we hear; see; read; the Word of God and the Holy Spirit makes us aware of our need as a sinner of a Saviour; the blood is the only way to the Father / no exceptions / His gift was His Son Jesus anything else would be an insult /for: "all our works 'ARE' a filthy rag"

Sing F Lau
"All our works ARE a filthy rag"
===========
And man's act of believing in Jesus Christ is among those WORKS. Jesus said so. Some would be so impudent to dispute with Jesus again. Just wait and see!!!

John 6:28-29
Then said they unto him, What shall we do, that we might work the works of God? Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent.

Believing is a WORK done by those ALREADY SAVED by God.
Only such are capable of believing.
Those still in their native state of sin and condemnation are incapable.
Their believing save them from lies, superstition, ungodliness, temporal consequences of sins, etc, etc.

Norvel Mann
Sing, the text is self explanatory. We are saved by grace through faith and that faith is the gift of God. There is no other way to read the text and be true to the language.

Ronaldo Lopez
KJV

Sing F Lau
Elder Man with a double 'n' has spoken!
Self-explanatory indeed, but the minds of SO MANY, including PBs elders, are so prejudiced... that they miss the plain obvious truth!

The GIFT is eternal salvation through the redemption of Christ.
The GIFT of that salvation is through faith.

Is the GIFT of salvation by the grace of God...
- "through your faith in Christ," or
- "through the faith of Christ"?