<div class="quote_poster">rafy Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">I still do not understand. Why is it that the bible tells me to kill all those who do not rest on the Sabbath? Why is it that the bible tells me to kill all those who blaspheme the Lord?</div>Well, the command isn't directed to you, but to the people of Israel. One thing to note is that it is a different dispensation, the Messiah had not come yet, they were given the Law to show them what they should and shouldn't do, and that God would judge them for their disobedient sinful acts. The implementation of judgement of the Law was through the nation of Israel. (Other times God used other forms of Judgement, like Sodom and Gomorrah - brimstone and fire, the world in Noah's time - the Flood, etc) <div class="quote_poster">Quoting rafy:</div><div class="quote_post">If the word of God is perfect, why would the bible contradict itself by telling one to kill, and then telling one not to kill?</div> God gave his scriptures at different times and places. <div class="quote_poster">Quoting Hebrews 1:1:</div><div class="quote_post">1God, after He spoke long ago to the fathers in the prophets in many portions and in many ways</div> <div class="quote_poster">Quoting rafy:</div><div class="quote_post"> Why was it written in the bible so long ago that the world was flat, when it was in fact round? Why were people labeled as heretics and executed who tried to convince everyone that the world was in fact round?</div> 1. The bible doesn't have falsities like the general shape of the entire world is flat. 2. I don't know why people were executed, Christians aren't to execute others. <div class="quote_poster">Quoting John 8:7:</div><div class="quote_post">7When they kept on questioning him, he straightened up and said to them, "If any one of you is without sin, let him be the first to throw a stone at her."</div> CHristians are to know that God will judge all sins, and not to take judgement into their own hands: <div class="quote_poster">Quoting Romans 12:19-21:</div><div class="quote_post">19Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God's wrath, for it is written: "It is mine to avenge; I will repay,"says the Lord. 20On the contrary: "If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head." 21Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.</div> Lord-willing, I will answer the remaining questions at another time, May God bless you all, Greg W
With this talk about how literal the Bible should be taken, I remembered a video I saw a while back. It is obviously biased away from the Bible, but I ask those that are arguing the Christian side to watch the video. Click to watch video <a href="http://www.liveleak.com/view?i=74c_1186155251&p=1" target="_blank"> And another video</a>
<div class="quote_poster">Downtown Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">With this talk about how literal the Bible should be taken, I remembered a video I saw a while back. It is obviously biased away from the Bible, but I ask those that are arguing the Christian side to watch the video. Click to watch video</div> It's almost the same discussion we've had before. People quoting parts of the Bible without having read the New Testament and such.
<div class="quote_poster">shapecity Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">Why would God write laws, which would later become obsolete?</div> God gave scripture with a purpose to different prophets at different times, the scriptures were not complete until the sacrifice of the eternal Lamb of God. One example I went over was the Sabbath, that the Israelites needed rest, and they were to follow the Sabbath on the 7th day (Saturday), however once Lord Jesus had come, in Him was eternal rest, there was a better rest, and Jesus was the Lord of the Sabbath. <div class="quote_poster">Matt 11:28-30:</div><div class="quote_post">"Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light." </div> Another example was that the people of Israel were told to sacrifice the lamb at the first passover, and continued to do it annually. <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">5'Your lamb shall be an unblemished male a year old; you may take it from the sheep or from the goats. </div> However once the Lamb of God, Jesus Christ, <div class="quote_poster">Quoting 1 Peter 1: 18-25:</div><div class="quote_post"> "For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your forefathers, but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect. He was chosen before the creation of the world, but was revealed in these last times for your sake. Through him you believe in God, who raised him from the dead and glorified him, and so your faith and hope are in God. </div>a holy divine sacrifice, was offered, there was no longer a need for yearly sacrifices. As Jesus' death was sufficient for paying the penalty of sins. So Jesus fulfilled the need of the passover lamb sacrifice, and other burnt offerings, etc. I know my answer is short, and it would take more time to go over other laws, but if you are interested, God-willing we could go over other laws in more depth. <div class="quote_poster">Quoting rafy Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">So, how can you possibly say that Christianity is the right religion? What proof do you have, besides this bible that your religion is the correct religion? What makes Christianity so different from Greek "mythology" or Norse "mythology"?</div>Christianity believes in a God that is all-powerful, eternal, hears prayers of those who seek Him, sent His glorious Son, Lord Jesus, because of His love for the world. The Holy Spirit worked through many authors over a large span of time, His holy word includes prophecies of the Christ who would take the sins of the world upon Him. The Holy Spirit indwells believers and strengthen those who ask to be strengthen, helps them not sin, be loving, longsuffering, patient, etc. No other religion has the Truth. <div class="quote_poster"> John 14:6:</div><div class="quote_post">I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.</div> <div class="quote_poster">Quoting shapecity Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">I understand people lived differently then, but if God wrote the bible and it was perfect, why would the way people live change? Why would he allow them to want to change?</div> Different dispensations of scripture, Adam and Eve were taught certain things, and as each prophet came, more Holy word was given to them through the Holy Spirit according to the purpose of the time. Through the Law people learned that they had sinned and fell short of the glory of God, and Jesus Christ is the only way we can have eternal life. May God bless you all, Greg
<div class="quote_poster">Skiptomylue11 Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">Christianity believes in a God that is all-powerful, eternal, hears prayers of those who seek Him, sent His glorious Son, Lord Jesus, because of His love for the world. The Holy Spirit worked through many authors over a large span of time, His holy word includes prophecies of the Christ who would take the sins of the world upon Him. The Holy Spirit indwells believers and strengthen those who ask to be strengthen, helps them not sin, be loving, longsuffering, patient, etc.</div> The problem is that every side believes that. Politically speaking, every side is praying and believing in a "God" that will help them slaughter millions of other people. If one side wins, they claim God heard them. So does that mean God didn't love the other side as much since he didn't help them win? <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">No other religion has the Truth.</div> That is the most ridiculous thing I have ever heard. Forgive my bluntness, but my biggest problem with organized religion is the high level of arrogance. Jesus taught humility, not exaltation. Don't embarrass your messiah. <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Different dispensations of scripture, Adam and Eve were taught certain things, and as each prophet came, more Holy word was given to them through the Holy Spirit according to the purpose of the time. Through the Law people learned that they had sinned and fell short of the glory of God, and Jesus Christ is the only way we can have eternal life.</div> Correct me if I'm wrong, but I thought the holy spirit wasn't even mentioned in the Old Testament. I thought that Jesus said after his death was when the Holy Spirit would be sent to his disciples for guidance and comfort. I though that the Old Testament was written with a more direct communication between man and God such as Moses being spoken too from the burning bush. At this point, I think you're using the "Holy Spirit" as a buzz word to try to give credibility to an argument that isn't holding any water. <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">May God bless you all, Greg</div> This last line in every one of your posts I find very offensive. I don't want to be included among those you refer to when speaking to an invisible man. In return, I will not ask a voodoo priestess to put a hex on you. Deal?
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Downtown:</div><div class="quote_post">The problem is that every side believes that. Politically speaking, every side is praying and believing in a "God" that will help them slaughter millions of other people. If one side wins, they claim God heard them. So does that mean God didn't love the other side as much since he didn't help them win?</div> I just want to make it clear that not all religions intend to assimilate/conquer other faiths. Rather, the groups that do promote that are really in the minority, when you consider the vast amount of belief systems that fall under the category of "religion."
<div class="quote_poster">Downtown Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">The problem is that every side believes that. Politically speaking, every side is praying and believing in a "God" that will help them slaughter millions of other people. If one side wins, they claim God heard them. So does that mean God didn't love the other side as much since he didn't help them win?</div>Well, Christians shouldn't be fighting/killing, the other side (non-Christians), but being loving and helping them. <div class="quote_poster"> Romans 12:14-21:</div><div class="quote_post">14 Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. 15Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. 16Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited. 17Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody. 18If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. 19Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God's wrath, for it is written: "It is mine to avenge; I will repay,"says the Lord. 20On the contrary: "If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head." 21Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.</div>Christians are to overcome evil with good. So by doing good deeds unto others. God loves people and wants them to be saved:<div class="quote_poster">Quoting John 3:16:</div><div class="quote_post">16"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son,[a] that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.</div> <div class="quote_poster">Quoting 1 Tim 2:4:</div><div class="quote_post">4who wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth.</div> <div class="quote_poster">Quoting Downtown Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">That is the most ridiculous thing I have ever heard. Forgive my bluntness, but my biggest problem with organized religion is the high level of arrogance. Jesus taught humility, not exaltation. Don't embarrass your messiah.</div> Jesus did teach Christians are to be humble, but Christians are to exalt Jesus, as Lord Jesus humbled himself to death on the cross for not His own sins, mankind's sins. <div class="quote_poster">1 John 2:2:</div><div class="quote_post">He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world.</div> <div class="quote_poster">Quoting Downtown Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">Correct me if I'm wrong, but I thought the holy spirit wasn't even mentioned in the Old Testament. </div> The Holy Spirit is co-eternal, all-powerful, holy, righteous and un united in purpose with the Father and Son, and is in the Old Testament: <div class="quote_poster"> Genesis 1:1-2:</div><div class="quote_post"> 1 In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. 2 Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters.</div> <div class="quote_poster">Quoting Numbers 11:16-17:</div><div class="quote_post">16The LORD therefore said to Moses, "Gather for Me seventy men from the elders of Israel, whom you know to be the elders of the people and their officers and bring them to the tent of meeting, and let them take their stand there with you. 17"Then I will come down and speak with you there, and I will take of the Spirit who is upon you, and will put Him upon them; and they shall bear the burden of the people with you, so that you will not bear it all alone. </div> <div class="quote_poster">Quoting 1 Samuel 10:6:</div><div class="quote_post">6"Then the Spirit of the LORD will come upon you mightily, and you shall prophesy with them and be changed into another man.</div> <div class="quote_poster">Quoting 1 Samuel 16:13:</div><div class="quote_post">13Then Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him in the midst of his brothers; and the Spirit of the LORD came mightily upon David from that day forward. And Samuel arose and went to Ramah. </div> <div class="quote_poster">Quoting Ezekiel 11:5:</div><div class="quote_post">5Then the Spirit of the LORD fell upon me, and He said to me, "Say, 'Thus says the LORD, "So you think, house of Israel, for I know your thoughts.</div> There are more examples, if you would like more. <div class="quote_poster">Quoting Downtown:</div><div class="quote_post">I thought that Jesus said after his death was when the Holy Spirit would be sent to his disciples for guidance and comfort.</div> Yep, you are right that Jesus promised the Comforter to come after His death.<div class="quote_poster">Quoting John 16:5-15:</div><div class="quote_post"> 5"But now I am going to Him who sent Me; and none of you asks Me, 'Where are You going?' 6"But because I have said these things to you, sorrow has filled your heart. 7"But I tell you the truth, it is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you; but if I go, I will send Him to you. 8"And He, when He comes, will convict the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment; 9concerning sin, because they do not believe in Me; 10and concerning righteousness, because I go to the Father and you no longer see Me; 11and concerning judgment, because the ruler of this world has been judged. 12"I have many more things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now. 13"But when He, the Spirit of truth, comes, He will guide you into all the truth; for He will not speak on His own initiative, but whatever He hears, He will speak; and He will disclose to you what is to come. 14"He will glorify Me, for He will take of Mine and will disclose it to you. 15"All things that the Father has are Mine; therefore I said that He takes of Mine and will disclose it to you. </div> The Holy Spirit would work through people in the Old Testament, but usually it was only of some individuals. The Holy Spirit through various prophets wrote the books of the bible. <div class="quote_poster">Quoting 2 Tim 3:16:</div><div class="quote_post">16 All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; </div> <div class="quote_poster">Quoting Downtown Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">This last line in every one of your posts I find very offensive. I don't want to be included among those you refer to when speaking to an invisible man. In return, I will not ask a voodoo priestess to put a hex on you. Deal?</div> That is fine. May God bless you all (except Downtown, and those who do not want His blessings) , Greg W
