How can we tell if a spirit is from God, how can we discern false prophets? It’s not always easy, as indicated by Jeremiah thinking some false prophets were real ones! Jer. 14:13-14 But I said, “Ah, Sovereign Lord, the prophets keep telling them, ‘You will not see the sword or suffer famine. Indeed, I […]
Category: Theology
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Finney’s theology
I have appreciated Charles Finney’s writings, yet after a question was raised with regard to an article, I went checking further: “The Christian, therefore, is justified no longer than he obeys, and must be condemned when he disobeys or Antinomianism is true … In these respects, then, the sinning Christian and the unconverted sinner are […]
First, it may be helpful to ask if the apostles, if Jesus, could heal anyone at will… Luke 5:17 And the power of the Lord was present for him to heal the sick. This would imply that sometimes the power of the Lord was not present to heal. Now faith is not invariably required, either, […]
What about someone who is sincerely seeking God, and yet has never heard of Christ? 1 Cor. 1:21 “For when in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe.” Though this seems to say that people only come to […]
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Sabbath – Is it required?
The Sabbath was part of the ceremonial law, and the ceremonial law is a shadow of a reality to come. When the foreshadowed reality comes, then the ceremony is not necessary any more. There was ceremonial law, moral law, and civil law in the Old Testament: “‘Thou shalt not covet’ is a moral precept; ‘Thou […]
If the Mosaic civil law was to be binding in NT times, why wasn’t Paul taken out and stoned when he converted? Or if he didn’t kill anyone, why was he not at least beaten, “eye for eye, wound for wound…” If the civil authorities don’t carry out a law, Jewish people in that day […]
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Suffering – What is the reason?
Proverbs 20:30 Blows and wounds cleanse away evil, and beatings purge the inmost being. EZE 14:23 “Then they will comfort you when you see their conduct and actions, for you will know that I have not done in vain whatever I did to it,” declares the Lord God. (NASB, UNASB, YLT) Now this is the […]
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Unpardonable sin?
What does it mean to sin against the Holy Spirit? Here are some verses which may be pertinent: EX 23:20-21 “See, I am sending an angel ahead of you to guard you along the way and to bring you to the place I have prepared. Pay attention to him and listen to what he says. […]
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Women in ministry?
1CO 14:33 As in all the congregations of the saints, women should remain silent in the churches. They are not allowed to speak, but must be in submission, as the Law says. But what law is Paul referring to? There is no Mosaic law forbidding women to speak in the assembly, actually the opposite seems […]
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Invincible chess master?
“It takes a truly wise and creative God to guarantee victory without having to control every detail of history. By contrast, to simply control others so that you always get your way is a sure sign of insecurity and weakness.” “Though she cannot be certain of how her opponent will move, for her opponent is […]