Christian Perspectives Concerning the Law

[TGBTG]

Originally Posted by NotforSale

Thanks for the thorough answer. Much to consider.

I still find the act of Faith and the Christian movement to be a complicated one, especially using spectral evidence. The afterlife cannot be verified, other than ancient writings and dogmas that can be traced to the Catholic Church and other cultures that have mystified beliefs.

Much of my feelings about Religion(s) have evolved over many years of observing the bold expressions by people (including myself), which claimed absolute Truth, only to find it was an absolute assumption and even a lie. Men that use the unseen to captivate an audience are easily driven into a fairy tale, and the followers are the victims.

I also find it interesting how Christians can deem Jesus Christ as God in flesh, but just imagine a MAN walking into your Church claiming such a thing. We would call him a nut. Whether we admit it or not, a claim such as this from any human being would be hard to accept by any people, unless, the people involved are easily swayed in the mind.

I know this is a harsh doubt, but to ignore the validity of this experience of those 2 thousand years ago, we continue to do what most Christians do; accept something without truly understanding the impact, affect, and nature of a particular allegation made outside of our time element. I’ve seen this so much in the Church, and my heart grieves at how little we truly consider the World, past, present, and future. We are so locked into the “Now”, our ability to understand even those 100 years ago is a struggle grappled down by today’s ideal.

This is why it is so easy for us to say, “Jesus IS God”. He isn’t here and now telling us He IS God, walking up and down our aisles and streets under these bold claims. We pass the buck, knowing we don’t have to really face the FACTS. We seem to ignore that this was probably the greatest known problem with those accepting Jesus as the Messiah, as his proclamation of being the “I AM” was way too hard for the Jews to accept. Back then and to this day, devout Jews don’t even refer to God as a “He”, as this limits God and belittles the Almighty Spirit that fills EVERYTHING.

NFS, what you are saying is definitely something to ponder over. However, I would like for you to consider in your exploration of religion the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. The whole of Christianity hinges on this fact.

Now, if we look consider just secular history, it is known that Christians were taken to carthage where they they fed to animals for not denying Jesus Christ. What do you think of that? Notice, they had a choice to deny Christ yet they did not. They died for Jesus Christ whom they believed in.

Also, we can look at the bible where the apostles were persecuted for their belief in the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Do you think the apostles would have willingly died for their belief in Jesus Christ if they did not witness his resurrection?

Also, what could make a man like Paul who killed members of the church all of a sudden start believing in Jesus Christ to the point of saying he was ready to die for the name of Jesus Christ?

And lastly, we've seen modern day Christians in the Arab world and in communist countries die for their faith in Jesus Christ?

What I'm trying to articulate is that when we come by faith to believing in the resurrection of Jesus Christ and confess him as Lord, the Spirit of God bears witness with our spirits that we children of God. We are so gripped by the reality of Christ's presence in our lives that not even death can shake our faith. Now, I realize if you've not believed on Jesus Christ, you will not have had this experience. However, God chooses for us to come to him in faith and then he will manifest himself to us.

Consider this scripture as you explore your journey in life...

Heb 11:6 ...for he that comes to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.

God bless...

[NotforSale]

Originally Posted by TGBTG

NFS, what you are saying is definitely something to ponder over. However, I would like for you to consider in your exploration of religion the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. The whole of Christianity hinges on this fact.

Now, if we look consider just secular history, it is known that Christians were taken to carthage where they they fed to animals for not denying Jesus Christ. What do you think of that? Notice, they had a choice to deny Christ yet they did not. They died for Jesus Christ whom they believed in.

Also, we can look at the bible where the apostles were persecuted for their belief in the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Do you think the apostles would have willingly died for their belief in Jesus Christ if they did not witness his resurrection?

Also, what could make a man like Paul who killed members of the church all of a sudden start believing in Jesus Christ to the point of saying he was ready to die for the name of Jesus Christ?

And lastly, we've seen modern day Christians in the Arab world and in communist countries die for their faith in Jesus Christ?

What I'm trying to articulate is that when we come by faith to believing in the resurrection of Jesus Christ and confess him as Lord, the Spirit of God bears witness with our spirits that we children of God. We are so gripped by the reality of Christ's presence in our lives that not even death can shake our faith. Now, I realize if you've not believed on Jesus Christ, you will not have had this experience. However, God chooses for us to come to him in faith and then he will manifest himself to us.

Consider this scripture as you explore your journey in life...

Heb 11:6 ...for he that comes to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.

God bless...

As far as becoming a martyr, people of all faiths do this. Dying for a cause is nothing new, including those in our Country who've died on battlefields for the sake of Freedom and protection of their families. Even those who were devout to Hitler died with their hand on their heart, empowered by patriotism, while millions of innocent people were being slaughtered in Concentration Camps.

So I think using the examples of those who died for the cause of Christ might be a little off base, as men like Jim Jones convinced people to die for "Jesus".

I do appreciate your simplistic approach to Faith. That's a big, thumbs up!

Unfortunately, many in the Apostolic Church don't quite agree with you. The New Birth and Conversion experience is complicated and is laced with "Works". But not just the Apostolic Church, most Religions require a host of adherences in order to qualify them as a “Member”, this also leading to Salvation.

Certain examples in Scripture deeply support your simplistic views; the Thief on the cross, the sinner smiting his breast, the woman caught in adultery. These and more are basic experiences, with powerful conclusions, without the complex railings of Religion.

Not sure if you’ve seen my other posts, but I am a Christian and have been pastoring for 15 years. I came into the Apostolic Movement 33 years ago, and, I do love God. People on this Forum have accused me of not being a Christian because of my bold and honest questions, but I view my pursuit of Truth as something that God appreciates.