The New Birth

"A NEW HEART also will I give you, and A NEW SPIRIT will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh. AND I WILL PUT MY SPIRIT WITHIN YOU, and CAUSE YOU to walk in my statutes, and ye shall keep my judgments and do them." Ezekiel 36:26,27.

We were born sinners and in need of redemption. God robed Himself with flesh in the Lord Jesus Christ, who came to bare away our sin.

He gives us a new heart, a new spirit, and puts His Spirit within us, enabling us by His Holy Spirit of Grace (Heb 10:29) to walk with Him in holiness. He "causes us" to walk in His Word - His law.

"I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh, I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me." Galatians 2:20.

The old man of sin was crucified with Christ, so that we may walk in newness of life. When His Spirit lives within us, we are empowered by His Spirit to obey His Word.

The mark of false religion, is the idea of earning our own salvation, by our own works. "...the plowing of the wicked is sin." Proverbs 21:4. As long as we are in bondage to sin, it is impossible to earn our own salvation.

Jesus said, "Not every one that saith, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the Kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father, which is in heaven.

MANY will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? And in thy name have cast out devils? AND IN THY NAME DONE MANY WONDERFUL WORKS?

And then will I profess unto them, I NEVER KNEW YOU: depart from me, ye that work iniquity." (lawlessness) Matthew 7:21-23.

Jesus said, "Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the Kingdom of God." John 3:3.

When we are born of His Spirit, we become His children, having His life within us. And our Father knows us, because, we are His children. And we know Him - "And I will give them an heart to know me, that, I AM the Lord..." Jeremiah 24:7.

We are incapable of earning our own salvation, because, we are sinners. It is by putting our faith in the works of the sinless Lamb of God - the Lord Jesus Christ, that, we are brought into the Father's Kingdom.

First, we must agree with God, that, we are sinners. Then, we believe, that, Jesus bore our sin upon the cross. Finally, we receive Him as our Lord, inviting His Spirit to live within us.

This brings us to eternal life, and we will live with Him in His Kingdom forever!

I thank you for your faithfulness to The Word and the clarity of your posts.

Who are the Bereans?
Eddie

I am running into more and more atheists, and those who say, that, Jesus is "a god" in Christian forums.

Also, Catholics, that, believe, they are born again, because, they were baptized in water.

At www.canadiancontent.net, there are more atheists, than, Christians.

God has His sheep, that, need to know the Truth.

I overhead a disscussion at work where between a Jehovah witness and a Christian. The Christian was saying to the Jehovah witness that he did not know Jesus. The Jehovah witness was saying he did.

As I went in to talk I said "can I ask you a question" to the Jehovah witness. He replied yes you can". I ask him "where is Jesus in your life". He replied "here, there and everywhere".

I asked the Christian "can I ask you a question" he replied "yes". "Where is Jesus in your life". He replied "he is my heart". I then turned to the Jehovah witness and asked him to ask me where Jesus is in my life. He asked and I replied "he is in my heart". This I told is why we say you don't know Jesus because if you did you would say he is in your heart.

That is what being born from above is. Your heart is made knew. The old heart is gone, you now get a new heart with a new Throne and Jesus sits on the Throne.

Know can I ask you a question where is Jesus in your life. Is here, there and everywhere or is he in your heart.

Although He is in my heart, He is much more, He is my life, my new nature, my new life, He is the Person of God Himself the Son of God, making me a son of God by The Seed of God being born again in me. There are not enough words to bring forth the worth, the hope and the love that the Christ in me is, His life is now my life.

In Christ my all in all: Phillip

I then turned to the Jehovah witness and asked him to ask me where Jesus is in my life. He asked and I replied "he is in my heart".

I've actually seen two Russellites staggered by this simple truth. They singled out my friend Dan, who was but a babe in Christ at the time (he must have been thought of an easy kill for them, like two jackals creeping up on a lame antelope) and they began bedazzling him with scripture references to Daniel and future kingdom dates and Messianic prophecies showing Jesus had come back in 1914 with his invisible kingdom. "But how can this be?" he asked the two witnesses.

"So, where is Jesus right now?" they shot back, "according to this verse, and this timeline and these calculations we just went through..."

"He's in me" was all he said. The two were floored. I am an eye-witness to this, because it happened in my kitchen. Their mouths popped open like fish. I tell you, the silence was awkward, and they shot a glance at each other. Finally, one of them started flipping pages in his bible and said, "Yes, but we also need to consider [i]these[/i] others verses in light of their contexts and..."

But it was clear what had happened. See, I don't think telling people Jesus lives in your [i]heart[/i] is as nearly effective as simply saying He lives [b]in your body[/b] as a whole. Period. When you mention "heart" and Jesus in the same sentence you can appear as a banal religious person. Everyone has Jesus in their "hearts": millions of Roman Catholics, Mormons, the "[i]spirit[/i] of Jesus" dwells in the hearts of Kaballists - or so they believe - and even according to the beliefs of some New Agers. But when you simply say "Christ lives in me" such a witness takes on a whole new sphere of power; it denotes more than just a lame country-and-western song (how many godless country songs have the "Jesus in the heart" concept mixed into their lyrics). This is nothing more than a platitudinous, sappy "heart and soul" feeling as unregenerate man sees it, and skeptics can easily trounce it.

Do rods turn into snakes, Do severed hands write upon walls, Do fish swallow wayward prophets? Do donkeys talk? Do virgins conceive? Do men walk upon water? Do men rise from the dead? YES!!!

"For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us, which are saved, it is the power of God." 1 Cor 1:18.

The preaching of the Gospel, will, always, be foolishness to those who perish, but, I will preach it anyway.

Well, here we go...Though, I come from an extended family, of six doctors and six nurses, Jesus has been my Healer, for, almost forty years!

According to Mark 16:17,18, by His Spirit within me, I have healed the sick, cast out demons, and raised one man from the dead.

Why? Because I believe God's Word.

2 Tim 3:16 in the Greek, says, "All Scripture is GOD BREATHED..."

When is the last time, that, you heard your preacher, teach Mark 16:17,18?

"And these signs SHALL follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they SHALL speak with new tongues; They SHALL take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it
SHALL not hurt them; they SHALL lay hands on the sick, and they SHALL recover."

"So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God." Romans 10:17.

When is the last time, that, you heard your preacher, teach Mark 16:17,18?

On just about every broadcast on TBN.

How about your preacher?

How about your preacher?

Brother, I don't have a preacher (I myself am a preacher); but I do have a pastor who heads a fellowship I serve in if that is what you mean. He preaches the full counsel of God.

It's a matter of obedience to all of God's Word.

I don't mean to sound harsh in the posts, but I think I see where all this is heading. I think the Western chuch has enough fantastical Mark 16 extrapolations while at the same time being devoid of true holiness and sobriety and humilty. The fact that Mark 16 is brought forth with an unsolicitated blazing gun of self-witness shows something to be amiss.

The gospel is supernatural, but miracles take a back seat to purity and self-control. Judas saw all the miracles of Jesus and hanged himself. The disciples all forsook Him after witnessing 3 and a half years of Mark 16:17-18. Let's be sober here and focus on the [i]real[/i] meat of the matter: humilty, purity, self-discipline, the solemn issues of the inward things of the heart.

It's a matter of obedience to all of God's Word.

If all of God's Word is obeyed proportionately, Mark 16 will be put in a proper perspective and the manifestation of the supernatural not elevated to heights it was never meant to attain.

Jesus said, that, these signs would follow them that believe.

It is a question of faith in His Word.

Jesus said, that, these signs would follow them that believe.

Absolutely! And I've seen the signs, I've seen them in church, on the street while preaching, at home while praying. Miracles, healings, demons cast out, instant weather changes. Amazing things to give God glory for. But I have learned not to dwell on them. In just about every case when a sign occured, it was spontaneous. Unless, of course, when we were praying for something in specific and God instantly answered the prayer.

I give God glory and move on. I don't like talking about them, because I know the unhealthy perversion that can come from it, and I certainly don't like mentioning myself in it, because the temptation is always there to steal some glory like Hezekiah and the sunshadow.

Do you know how you can steal the glory?

All you have to do is [i]think[/i] to yourself, this miracle happened because [i]I[/i] prayed for it or had faith or whatever. It's so subtle you won't even realize it at first. It grows in the dark like a cancer. You begin to trust in your faith more than in God who gives the faith. I was once praying for a Jewish friend that God would grant him repentance and give him to Christ, when I heard the Spirit's voice tell me that if God saved him as I was praying it would do much harm to me. It would cause me to boast secretly in my prayer.

When the miraculous happens, it happens, but I don't chase after it, I don't major on it, I don't preach ornately upon it. It's simply ancillary to everything else in ministry, and the Word takes ultimate precedence always and in everything. We should give miracles and the supernatural the same priority as the Bible does. When the seventy returned fired-up that demons were being cast out in Christ's Name, Jesus brought them back on track and got their vision refocused on the heavely things above. Personally, I couldn't care less about about gifts when fruit is in question. Gifts can destroy you, but the same can never be said of fruit.

What do you think?

I agree with you...I don't major on the supernatural either. I've heard many things, that, don't line up with God's Word.

Many Pentecostals follow emotion, rather, than God's Word...

We must be very careful not to follow our own hearts:

"Let not thine heart decline to her ways, go not astray in her paths.

For she hath cast down many wounded: yea, many strong men have been slain by her.

Her house is the way to hell, going down to the chambers of death." Pro 7:25-27.

A few years ago, in Canada, they were barking like dogs...The Holy Spirit would never condescend to that.

We must line up with His "God Breathed" Word. 2 Tim 3:16.

If you have noticed, there is more and more spiritualism on television...we must be very careful.

But, on the other side, I have seen much unbelief in many churches.

Dr. R.C. Sproul said, that, they hardly teach the Word in seminaries anymore...a sign of the end.

I have SkyAngel, and am disappointed by the entertainment, basic Gospel messages, and comedy.

We are in a spiritual warfare with the powers of darkness. Can you imagine, Jesus or the Apostles entertaining the multitudes?

Also, I am in many Christian forums...some, seem to be more social clubs, than, anything else. I'm not saying, that, there isn't a place for that...but, I believe, that, the time is short.

We need to be as the Bereans, and study the Scriptures, daily, so that we will be full of God's Word.

My passion is to embrace His every Word, and to teach His Word to others. In most forums, I am "Herald."

If His Word steps on my toes, than, I will repent.

Actually, I think you may have missed one tiny comment I made after quoting sscr01, when I said 'Bring it on, brother.'

Linn, I read your "bring it on" cheerleading. But I was expecting him to "bring it on" in much the same way as he had been: mentioning the supernatural in God's Word and showing how it flys in the face of logic and contributes to the foolishness of the gospel. What I didn't expect, however, was the unsolicited accounts of raising the dead [i]because[/i] he believes in the Word. I suppose if we follow this stream of thought those who do not raise the dead do not believe fully in the Word. This was the subtle shift; it suddenly became personal with the mentioning of [i]I[/i] and [i]God did this though me[/i] and with such statements an unspoken idictment of faithlesness for those who do not follow in the same.

When the charismatic banditos come out with both guns drawn and blazing, we need to quickly restore balance lest confusion overtake the village. Before we put on our pom-poms and cheerlead what we know not, I think we we ought to first take a moment and see where it's all going.

Brother Paul

When the charismatic banditos come out with both guns drawn and blazing, we need to quickly restore balance lest confusion overtake the village. Before we put on our pom-poms and cheerlead what we know not, we ought to first take a moment and see where it's all going.

Brother that is one of the best posts I have read.

Whether you meant to or not, it brought a grin to my face, and I laughed heartily as I pictured a band of masked men trying to sneak into the town.

You know they called some of those "banditos" snake oil sales men, and I think the term in many cases still fits.

Of course you probably know the old west much better than me, as I live in California. ;-)

Bring it on brother!!! :-P

With all due respect, the glory goes to Him...I fall very short of what He wants.

When Jesus did miracles, and when we do miracles, it reveals Him as the Creator of all things.

Reinhard Bonhke, has ministered in Africa for decades. The meetings are up to 2 million strong.

About a year ago, a woman went through the prayer line with a sheet over her arms.

A Nigerian pastor said, that, she started screaming. He went to see what was wrong. She said, "My daughter is alive!" He responded, "Of course, she is. She said, "No! She died yesterday.

She was a Muslim.

On the 700 Club, many Hindus, Buddhists...get healed first, and then saved.

Jesus did miracles to show, that, He is God. If the Spirit of God is within us, we are able, by His Spirit to do miracles.

If we would, only, believe His Word.

Of course you probably know the old west much better than me, as I live in California.

Do I know the old west? Brother, you're talking to guy whose last name is "West" and he lives in Texas. I shoot deer out my bathroom window and grow jalapeno and habanero peppers on my front porch. My wife is Mexican and we love our barbeque and smoked turkey legs and fried catfish. I can go on and on, but I'll stop here as to not embarass myself further. You sort of get the picture.

Brother Paul

Let's be sober here and focus on the real meat of the matter: humilty, purity, self-discipline, the solemn issues of the inward things of the heart.

Humility and purity? It seems that one can only get a glimpse of such on the Cross nowadays but hardly anywhere else. These words alone are hardly even mentioned in our churches, let alone in our culture.

Pride is practically ingrained into our children's minds from the first day they go off to kindergarten and even Sunday schools, by constantly being told "you need to be proud of yourself, " you need to work on your self-esteem". Humility?

Licentiousness spreads like wild fire in every corner of this world, in our living room, our classroom, on our television, while our childrens' ears are plugged in listening to music of human sickness.. Purity?

Brother Paul, praise God for bringing to our attention of these solemn while much neglected issues. It is very hard indeed for God-fearing parents to raise their children in these "days of Noah".A couple old friends of mine,very Godly Christians,lost their son to satanism, and their daughter was sexually assaulted. What trials!!

Yes, brother Philip (Christinyou), it is important for us to always recognize our standing IN Christ. Surely The Lord Christ Jesus alone is our only assurance and safeguard in maintaining, to some degree of humility and purity.It is because of Christ presence in us, we are enabled to partake these traits. Praise Him.

Thank you, encouraged,

mamaluk

With all due respect, Jesus said, "These signs SHALL follow them that believe..."

Do we believe Him, or not?

When Moses disobeyed the Lord and struck the rock twice, God charged him with unbelief. Num 20:12. The children of Israel disobeyed the Lord, and were not able to enter the Promised Land, because of unbelief. Heb 3:19. Jesus did not do many works in Nazareth, because of their unbelief. Mt 13:58

Unbelief comes out of an EVIL heart. Heb 3:12.

"...he that believeth not God, hath made Him a liar..." 1 John 5:10.

Do you believe Him?

It's not about glorifying ourselves - it is about glorifying Him!

Now I also know Katy would say that the gift of healing is not for church members. I don't know what you feel about this.

Linn, I bear witness to divine healing (if you had read my post) and miracles and whatever else you'd like to discuss. I've witnessed the miraculous on more than one occassion, and I've seen amazing things that some here wouldn't believe if I told them. I've done most of my growing in Pentecostal churches and I am not a cessationist by any means. Did you even read my second-to-last post? Not the stupid one about the "old west" :)

Someone recently posted that Dorcas (in Acts 9) was not saved, and Paul raised the young man who fell out of the window (or maybe he didn't but that has become a popular interpretation of the incident) but either way, the grace of God to us includes some pretty amazing enablings and insights, all for His glory alone.

I'm sure the "Dorcas not being saved" allegation highly offended you. I can't answer for these things, as I didn't say them, and I have no authority to make a judgment one way or the other. I can only respond to what I perceived as a gung-ho "flash and miracle" post that attempts to build an all-encompassing Taj Mahal out of Mark 16:17-18. The gauntlet was thrown down: "Which one of [i]your[/i] preachers preach on Mark 16:17-18? When was the last time?"

It was a public challenge, and so I answered saying that if I wanted to hear Mark 16 expounded and testified, I'll just flip on TBN and get an earful of the accounts of the dead being raised and limbs growing out, and cancer healed, and people getting out of debt, etc.

I am also not convinced that all the supernatural things he mentioned earlier (i.e. severed hands writing on walls, donkeys talking) equates to the true gospel message's foolishness. The foolishness of the gosepl is the cross - and you can have the cross without all the supernatural pizazz. In fact, the cross of Christ is the most [i]sobering,[/i] albeit foolish thing I know of...and the foolery that pertains to it is not quirky and enshrouded with oohs and ahhs and severed hands and floating axeheads - if this were the case, people would flock to it like they flocked to see Jesus feed the multitudes and heal the sick and raise the dead. The cross, however, is the embodiment of God's wisdom; it is therefore the epitome of foolishness for those that perish. When it came time for the true gospel manifestation of Golgotha (not miracles, not signs) all the crowds left Him, and even the closest eleven deserted Him in the garden.

These were the people, mind you, who had all witnessed the oohs and aahs of Mark 16:17-18 on a regular basis. I'll say what I believe and let chips fall as they may: people who are living Mark 16:17-18 in the true sense never need mention or call public attention to the fact that [i]they are living it[/i].

Bro. Paul said: These were the people, mind you, who had all witnessed the oohs and aahs of Mark 16:17-18 on a regular basis. I'll say what I believe and let chips fall as they may: people who are living Mark 16:17-18 in the true sense never need mention or call public attention to the fact that [i]they are living it[/i] .

Hebrews 11:35 - 40 (NKJV) 35Women received their dead raised to life again. Others were tortured, not accepting deliverance, that they might obtain a better resurrection. 36Still others had trial of mockings and scourgings, yes, and of chains and imprisonment. 37They were stoned, they were sawn in two, £were tempted, were slain with the sword. They wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins, being destitute, afflicted, tormented— 38of whom the world was not worthy. They wandered in deserts and mountains, in dens and caves of the earth. 39And all these, having obtained a good testimony through faith, did not receive the promise, 40God having provided something better for us, that they should not be made perfect apart from us.

Brother Paul, I perceive that you and I were brought up in a similar background called now “classical Pentecostalism”… a far cry from what has become of the heritage of those humble men and women of God who when they prayed, prayed for God’s will to be done whether it was for healing or for grace to suffer, and when it was the “whole church” that prayed with no one but God getting the credit if there were a healing, and certainly there were plenty of them. On the other hand just as in the New Testament among those who associated with the apostle Paul, there were plenty of them, just as down through church history, from whom the Lord got great glory by their endurance of all sorts of sufferings and remaining faithful to God, glorifying God through twisted and afflicted bodies. As I asked on another thread, which takes more faith: to be healed, or to believe as Job did, “though he slay me, yet will I trust Him”?

Far, far too much of faith in the eternal God relegated to present circumstances, far too little practice of:
2 Corinthians 4:16 - 18 (NKJV) 16Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day. 17For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, 18while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal.

Clint

What?....Now wait just a minute here!...Are you trying to tell me that Jesus is alive and still works miracles like raising the dead?

The audacity of Jesus and the Holy Ghost!

Is that blatant disregard or what?

If this Jesus isn't stopped its gonna end up looking like the bible is true!!!!

Then look at the mess!!

David

He'll probably want us to do that dead raisin too!

Cant we just stay religious?

I know Jesus is religious and would never expect us to be like him.

Uh run that by me again.

Amen!!!!!

Are you a believer?

Jesus said, "These signs SHALL FOLLOW THEM THAT BELIEVE..." Mark 16:17,18.

We can Pontificate all we want, but, faith is simply believing God's Word.

You, either, believe God's Word, or, you don't...it's that simple.

[b]

22 Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren , see that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently
23 Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever.
24 For all flesh is as grass, and all the glory of man as the flower of grass. The grass withereth, and the flower thereof falleth away:
25 But the word of the Lord endureth for ever...

Isaiah 40
3 The voice of him that crieth in the wilderness,
Prepare ye the way of the LORD,
make straight in the desert a highway for our God.
4 Every valley shall be exalted,
and every mountain and hill shall be made low:
and the crooked shall be made straight,
and the rough places plain:
5 And the glory of the LORD shall be revealed,
and all flesh shall see it together:
for the mouth of the LORD hath spoken it.

6 The voice said, Cry. And he said, What shall I cry?
All flesh is grass,
and all the goodliness thereof is as the flower of the field:
7 The grass withereth, the flower fadeth:
because the spirit of the LORD bloweth upon it:
surely the people is grass.
8 The grass withereth, the flower fadeth:
but the word of our God shall stand for ever.

1 Peter 1:25
'...And this is the word which by the gospel is preached unto you.

The point of mentioning Romans 8, is to affirm our sonship, by which we do indeed have a spiritual responsibility to obey the word that we preach. If we imagine that will bring us glory, we are missing the heart of Christ's general word to the world, of how far astray they are. It is humbling to apprehend that He did indeed bring the kingdom of heaven near to man, proclaiming peace, and goodwill.

Romans 8
10 And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness.
11 But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you.

12 Therefore, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live after the flesh.
13 For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live.
14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.

15 For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.
16 The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:
17 And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.

Sis Dorcas, you have no idea how these Scriptures speak to me now..I'm so so much in needing to be hearing/reading them now. I re-read them several times, thanks for your work. Most times, I rest contented only to read nothing but Scriptures alone. Well assured, I could use some of that fervent and unfeigned love from the brethren too.

Remind ourselves often with these Words in ICor 13:

[b]If I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but do not have love, I have become a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal[/b]....love is patient,.... love is kind.....love is not rude.....

Praise Thee Lord!

amen! to love Jesus and love the bretern,well i suppose you cant go wrong.

Did i say that right?

David

Jhn 6:64 But there are some of you that believe not. For Jesus knew from the beginning who they were that believed not, and who should betray him.

If He knew who would not believe, He knows who will believe, because His Father has given them to Him and prepared them to believe, that Jesus Christ is the Son of God and be saved.

Jhn 10:26 But ye believe not, because ye are not of my sheep, as I said unto you.

His, "sheep hear His voice".

John 11:25 Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live:

How being dead can they believe?

2Cr 4:4 In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.

How will the glorious gospel of Christ shine unto us?

2 Corinthians 4:6-7 For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us.

God commands it to shine unto and into our hearts.

It is the Faith of God, being the reason we believe that Jesus Christ Is the Son of God.

This is the excellency of Power of God.

Yet none that seek Him will be turned away, How do we seek Him? Will any seek Him with out the Power of God to turn us from darkness to light?

In Christ by the Power of God, I believe: Phillip

His Voice is His Word.

"Faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God."

The Disciples said, "...ye received the Word of God, which ye heard of us, ye received it not was the word of men, but as it is in truth, THE WORD OF GOD..." 1 Thess 2:13.

We will, all, be held accountable to Him, for how we believed, and lived His every Word.

Hi everyone,

sscr01, you said,

"We will, all, be held accountable to Him, for how we believed, and lived His every Word."

When I read this I thought of these...

[b][color=660000]He that speaketh of himself seeketh his own glory: but he that seeketh his glory that sent him, the same is true, and no unrighteousness is in him. [/color][/b]

- John 7:18(KJV)

[b][color=660000] I have many things to say and to judge of you: but he that sent me is true; and I speak to the world those things which I have heard of him. [/color][/b]

- John 8:26(KJV)

[b][color=660000] Judge not, that ye be not judged. For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again.[/color][/b]

- Matthew 7:1-2(KJV)

Jesus said, "He that rejecteth me, and receiveth not my Words, hath one that judgeth him: the Word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day.

For I have not spoken of myself; but the Father which sent me, He gave me a commandment, what I should say and what I should speak.

And I know that His commandment is life everlasting: whatsoever I speak therefore, even as the Father said unto me, so I speak." John 12:48-50.

Jesus spoke, only, the Words, that, the Father gave Him to speak.

"He that saith he abideth in Him, ought himself so to walk, even as He walked." 1 John 2:6.

He said, "And these signs SHALL follow them that believe; In my name SHALL they cast out devils; they SHALL speak with new tongues;They SHALL take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it SHALL not hurt them; they SHALL lay hands on the sick, and they SHALL recover." Mk 16:17,18.

You can dance around it, all you want, but, these signs are to follow believers.

If they don't follow you, it's because you don't believe Him.

"For I have not spoken of myself; but the Father which sent me, He gave me a commandment, what I should say and what I should speak."

"You can dance around it, all you want, but, these signs are to follow believers.

If they don't follow you, it's because you don't believe Him."

Are these your words or His?

Jesus said, that, "These signs SHALL follow them that believe...

Are you a believer?

sscr01,

You said,

"You can dance around it, all you want, but, these signs are to follow believers.

If they don't follow you, it's because you don't believe Him."

Are these your words, or are they God's?

ChrisJD,

It sounds like you are arguing with Jesus...He said, these signs would follow "believers."

Hi sscr01,

You said,

'It sounds like you are arguing with Jesus...He said, these signs would follow "believers."'

Before this you said,

"We will, all, be held accountable to Him, for how we believed, and lived His every Word"

And later you said,

"You can dance around it, all you want, but, these signs are to follow believers.

If they don't follow you, it's because you don't believe Him."

Are these your words, or God's?

In the Hebrew, Isaiah 53:4 says, "Surely He has borne our sicknesses and our pains..."

Matthew 8:16,17 says, "When the even was come, they brought unto Him many that were possessed with devils: and He cast out the Spirits WITH HIS WORD and healed all that were sick:

That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Isaiah the prophet, saying, Himself took our infirmities, and bare our sicknesses."

The word, "salvation," also, means, "healing, health and deliverance."

Why, do we so readily, believe, that, He bore our sin and not our sickness?

"And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship Him...THE LAMB SLAIN FROM THE FOUNDATION OF THE WORLD." Rev 13:8.

Our sins and sickness were carried away before man sinned.

I do believe "slain from the foundation of the world" has to do with the foreknowledge of God.?

Its interesting that the first and second Adam "ate",and what revolved around this eating.

Notice also that Jesus ate with his resurrected body and said something like "a spirit hath not flesh and body like mine" (mind boggling!)

Also, that in the marriage supper....there will be eating.

David

Dorcas, I guess I was thinking a little scattered.

I was just thinking that it was such a milestone.
God warning them not to eat the forbidden fruit.
Then they ate it anyway.
then to fast forward to Jesus and the different instances of Jesus associated with eating.(first and second Adam)

I just thought it interesting.

And then to think if he were spirit only he would not eat anything?

David