Billy Graham

[Aquila]

Originally Posted by Evang.Benincasa

Total rulership and authority.

So you mean, "Total rulership and authority". Is that an absolute and total rulership and authority, or is it conditional?

Does God have the Sovereign authority to do as He desires... even if we don't understand how, why, or the criteria of His choices?

[Aquila]

In explaining God's Sovereignty, I've often said this...

If you took a gun and blew the head off of an individual because he offended you... is that murder?

The answer is typically, "Yes." And, that is correct.

But if God takes a lightening bolt and blows the head off an individual because he offended God... is that murder?

And the answer is of course a, "No." And, that is correct.

God is sovereign. He can do things that we are not permitted to do. He can make decisions we are not authorized to make. He can choose to do things in accordance to His divine will and secret eternal counsel... that defy what we think He should be doing.

God is God.

And by commending the souls of those who only had a traditional or rudimentary faith in Christ to God... we allow God to judge as He so pleases, trusting that the judge of all the earth will always do right regardless of what He chooses to do.

[Aquila]

Tell me EB... if a police officer grants a warning to a speeder... or if a judge throws out the tickets issued to a speeder...

Does that mean that the speed limit has changed?
Does that mean that the speed limit has no relevance any longer?
Does that mean that anyone who speeds can be assured of a warning or of having tickets dismissed?
Does that mean that there are now two speed limits?

Yes or no?

[Evang.Benincasa]

Originally Posted by Aquila

So, you don't study, draw conclusions based on your knowledge, understanding of the Scriptures? Does this mean you only believe what you're told without being a Berean?

That isn't what you meant? Unless you didn't understand what Joe was talking about?

Originally Posted by JoeBandy

I am just pointing out scriptures . You are the expert into forming them into meaning what you want them to.

Originally Posted by Aquila

Joe, in all fairness... we all tend to read the Scriptures and formulate their meaning in accordance to our understanding. Let's not be too hard on EB. lol

If you understood Joe's post, then your "all" meant that everyone come up with their own personal view. Therefore no one is right, everyone is wrong, because they formulted their own personal opinion as their truth. Get it? But you are talking about Acts 17:11? So, how long did it take those Bereans to find out if Paul was telling the truth? A lifetime? I await your answer on that, and please don't rabbit trail on me. Stick with explaining how LONG it took for the Berean church to find out if Paul was telling them the truth. Thank you in advance.

Originally Posted by Aquila

Paul got his through direct inspiration from the Holy Spirit. Are you saying that you do too? Are your posts as authoritative as Scripture itself?

Chris, in 2 Peter 3:15-16 Peter explains that only those who are ignorant and unstable cannot know what Paul is talking about. His wisdom came from God, yet in Colossians 2:2-3 Paul instructs the church that they must have that same wisdom. Was this some new concept? No, Ecclesiastes 2:26 is a promise that we also can have wisdom from God. Posts are scripture themselves? No one can create something new which would hold authority over the New Testament. If that is what you are trying to say? Paul was shining light on the OT shadow, where we as the church can only agree. If you post a truth which agrees with the Bible, what authority does it have? If you post Jesus wanted us to baptize in His name. Does that have authority? Does it?

Originally Posted by Aquila

They don't believe that Paul received direct inspiration from the Holy Spirit. Do you?

Again, if you understood Joe's post then it would be that everyone made it up in. Therefore the Rabbi agrees. Do I believe that Paul received direct inspiration of course. Peter also said that men were inspired by the Holy Ghost to write the scripture. He added that it was not of any private interpretation. Therefore Paul, Peter, James, Moses, Isaias didn't give their own opinion. Therefore we shouldn't give our own opinion.

Originally Posted by Aquila

Nope. It's that we're all learning. Well, except you. Either you already know it all... or... you have beef with learning. [/q



Nope. Christ isn't divided.



Actually, that's not what I've said. What I have said is that while we have the fullness of truth... it is up to God to judge those who are on the outside, not us.

1 Corinthians 5:11-12 English Standard Version (ESV)
12 For what have I to do with judging outsiders? Is it not those inside the church whom you are to judge? 13 God judges those outside. “Purge the evil person from among you.”

Let judgment start in the house of God. Let God judge the outsiders. He is Sovereign and knows what is best.

[houston]

Originally Posted by Evang.Benincasa

Salvation by works???? Yet, I'm called the legalist?

some kind of irony

[houston]

Originally Posted by n david

LOVE WINS!

This guy says so . . .



Stop reading Rob Bell!

Love Wins: A "more spiritually satisfying way of understanding heaven, hell, God, Jesus, salvation and repentance . . ."

I purchased that a few years ago. Read it. Laughed. It's collecting dust somewhere in my bedroom.

[houston]

Originally Posted by Aquila

There is a difference between works of service, love, and compassion... verses works of the law, legalism, or tradition.

Either way... they don't get you in.

[Evang.Benincasa]

Originally Posted by Aquila

So, you don't study, draw conclusions based on your knowledge, understanding of the Scriptures? Does this mean you only believe what you're told without being a Berean?

That isn't what you meant? Unless you didn't understand what Joe was talking about?

Originally Posted by JoeBandy

I am just pointing out scriptures . You are the expert into forming them into meaning what you want them to.

Originally Posted by Aquila

Joe, in all fairness... we all tend to read the Scriptures and formulate their meaning in accordance to our understanding. Let's not be too hard on EB. lol

If you understood Joe's post, then your "all" meant that everyone come up with their own personal view. Therefore no one is right, everyone is wrong, because they formulted their own personal opinion as their truth. Get it? But you are talking about Acts 17:11? So, how long did it take those Bereans to find out if Paul was telling the truth? A lifetime? I await your answer on that, and please don't rabbit trail on me. Stick with explaining how LONG it took for the Berean church to find out if Paul was telling them the truth. Thank you in advance.

Originally Posted by Aquila

Paul got his through direct inspiration from the Holy Spirit. Are you saying that you do too? Are your posts as authoritative as Scripture itself?

Chris, in 2 Peter 3:15-16 Peter explains that only those who are ignorant and unstable cannot know what Paul is talking about. His wisdom came from God, yet in Colossians 2:2-3 Paul instructs the church that they must have that same wisdom. Was this some new concept? No, Ecclesiastes 2:26 is a promise that we also can have wisdom from God. Posts are scripture themselves? No one can create something new which would hold authority over the New Testament. If that is what you are trying to say? Paul was shining light on the OT shadow, where we as the church can only agree. If you post a truth which agrees with the Bible, what authority does it have? If you post Jesus wanted us to baptize in His name. Does that have authority? Does it?

Originally Posted by Aquila

They don't believe that Paul received direct inspiration from the Holy Spirit. Do you?

Again, if you understood Joe's post then it would be that everyone made it up in. Therefore the Rabbi agrees. Do I believe that Paul received direct inspiration of course. Peter also said that men were inspired by the Holy Ghost to write the scripture. He added that it was not of any private interpretation. Therefore Paul, Peter, James, Moses, Isaias didn't give their own opinion. Therefore we shouldn't give our own opinion.

Originally Posted by Aquila

Nope. It's that we're all learning. Well, except you. Either you already know it all... or... you have beef with learning.

One more time, if you understood what Joe was posting then you were agreeing that everyone formulated their own truth. Not being too hard on EB would be acknowledging that you agreed with his statement and that you as well formulated your own personal truth. Or did you not have a clue to what you were agreeing on? I await your post on how log the Bereans figured out what Paul was teaching was true.

Originally Posted by Aquila

Nope. Christ isn't divided.

Tell me what that means?

Originally Posted by Aquila

Actually, that's not what I've said. What I have said is that while we have the fullness of truth... it is up to God to judge those who are on the outside, not us.

1 Corinthians 5:11-12 English Standard Version (ESV)
12 For what have I to do with judging outsiders? Is it not those inside the church whom you are to judge? 13 God judges those outside. “Purge the evil person from among you.”

Let judgment start in the house of God. Let God judge the outsiders. He is Sovereign and knows what is best.

Excuse me?

Wait, Chris, who is outside?

That judgement is condemnation.

He does know what is best, therefore He gave us His word, and preachers who will preach it honestly. Bro, 1 Corinthians 5:11-12 isn't talking about God making a decision on a roll of the dice of who gets through the narrow gate. I guess Jesus didn't know about this doctrine of your's. Because this sure is an off ramp from the broadway to the narrow way and strait gate.

If it wasn't so sad it would be funny.

Let God be true and every man a liar.

[houston]

Originally Posted by Evang.Benincasa

Please forgive me, are you saying that you are the example of Christian maturity?

That was quite condescending, was it not?

[Evang.Benincasa]

Originally Posted by houston

I purchased that a few years ago. Read it. Laughed. It's collecting dust somewhere in my bedroom.

Well, Chris, you didn't laugh enough, and the book missed the garbage can. .