We always have some kind of relationship with God. Sometimes, it's just not a very good one!
Baerly said- Simon Was about to lose his soul in (Acts 8:22). If he had not repented and prayed for forgivness like Peter told him to he would have lost his soul. Is this what you mean by not so good.
We become Christians when we heed Christ's call to follow him.
Baerly said- We cannot be a christian till our sins are washed away (Isaiah 59:1,2).God can have no part with sin. The word of God says sins are washed away at baptism,I believe it(Acts 22:16). Not only that but the word of God also says Baptism saves (1Peter 3:21). Wouldn't one be lost before he can be saved? So according to
(1Peter 3:21) even this verse gives credence to (Acts 22:16).
That's too literalistic an interpretation for me. Jesus forgave the sins of many, for many reasons. He forgave the sins of the paralytic. He forgave the sins of the woman with the hemorrhage. He forgave the sins of the prostitute. He forgave the sins of the blind man. He forgave the sins of the thief on the cross. None of these folks were baptized. To place the point of forgiveness on baptism is to do two things: 1) It places the efficacy of grace sqaurely upon our action, 2) It makes baptism into a magic act instead of a sacrament.
Baerly Said- My friend, every instance you just brought up was during the O.T. - No one was commanded to be baptized for the remission of sin to receive the Holy Spirit under the O.T. -As long as Jesus was living he could forgive sins any way he wished.The moment he died his N.T. LAW went into affect (Heb.9:15-17). Everyone from then on had to be baptized to have their sins washed away, literally (Acts 22:16 ; 2:38). Also wouldn't you say that Naaman literally was cleansed of Leprosy in
(2Kings 5). That happened to help us understand water baptism in the N.T. (Rom. 15:4).
In answere to your 1.You got it right. God blesses those who are obedient to him with his grace. Isn't that exactly what (Heb.5:9) says. He became the author of eternal salvation to all them that obey him. How about (Acts 10:34,35),He that feareth him and worketh righteousness,is accepted with him. A far as you 2. I would say Baptism saves according to the word of God (1Peter 3:21). ANd I am your friend for telling you that (Gal.4:16). Really now, how hard could it be to be baptized?
If God told me to eat dirt to have my sins wahsed away I would start eating dirt.
I would respectfully caution you not to make a determination of the condition of another's heart -- especially one whom you don't know. I could just as easily turn "the good soil" and "ask, seek, knock" back upon you for not seeing things "my way."
Baerly said- My friend,I do not want to upset you.That would accomplish nothing and would be sin on my part.But if I show someone the word of God, out of true love for my friends soul,there can be nothing wrong with that.Now,as far as me making a judgment upon someone I do not know, I just got through reading where you rejected baptism.You said it,that is how I knew how you felt about baptism.So I do know you enough to see that you and Naaman had alot in common in (2Kings 5). If I am wrong I will be willing to apologize.I do not wish to make enemies,that is easily done in our day and time. If I did not care about your soul I would read what you said laugh and move on without saying a word. But that is not what I done.I will take the time and see if you will accept the word of God, all the while reasoning over the scriptures.I do not care about winning a debate,I care about winning your soul to Christ alone. For we know when we oppose the scriptures we actually oppose our Lord (John 12:48). If I understand the bible,no one can go to heaven opposing the word of God.
I applaud you for your developing faith and spiritual walk, but please don't pick up pebbles on your way and throw them at others, just because they're not walking exactly the same path, or wearing the same hiking boots as you. Instead,I invite you to "walk in love as Christ has loved us, and gave himself for us, an offering and sacrifice to God."
Baerly said- My friend,May I suggest that I am walking in the love of Christ and youhave not recognized it. Jesus said to go to all the world and teach them to observe all the things whatsoever he commanded(Matt. 28:18-20). That is what I am doing. If I am incorrect according to the N.T. please show me and I will repent. I am not teaching my words,but those of Jesus. If you get upset that is ok,infact it is a good thing.Those on the day of Pentecost got hurt (pricked in hearts)and then they asked what must they do to be saved? You know what Peter told them? To repent and Be Baptized for the remission of your sins (Acts 2:38).That harmonizes with
(Acts 22:16). Please look at the scriptures and check it out.
Baerly said- Thank You, for the compliments. Please think about this,aren't you making a judgment upon me too? Just a thought. Rather than talking about animals,I had rather you take the New testament and show me I am wrong.--in love Baerly
Again, myopia is a debilitating disorder. Thanks for the condemnation and judgment, but I'm returning it. It doesn't fit. It's like trying to put pantyhose on an ostrich.[/quote]
Baerly said- Simon Was about to lose his soul in (Acts 8:22). If he had not repented and prayed for forgivness like Peter told him to he would have lost his soul. Is this what you mean by not so good.
We become Christians when we heed Christ's call to follow him.
Baerly said- We cannot be a christian till our sins are washed away (Isaiah 59:1,2).God can have no part with sin. The word of God says sins are washed away at baptism,I believe it(Acts 22:16). Not only that but the word of God also says Baptism saves (1Peter 3:21). Wouldn't one be lost before he can be saved? So according to
(1Peter 3:21) even this verse gives credence to (Acts 22:16).
That's too literalistic an interpretation for me. Jesus forgave the sins of many, for many reasons. He forgave the sins of the paralytic. He forgave the sins of the woman with the hemorrhage. He forgave the sins of the prostitute. He forgave the sins of the blind man. He forgave the sins of the thief on the cross. None of these folks were baptized. To place the point of forgiveness on baptism is to do two things: 1) It places the efficacy of grace sqaurely upon our action, 2) It makes baptism into a magic act instead of a sacrament.
Baerly Said- My friend, every instance you just brought up was during the O.T. - No one was commanded to be baptized for the remission of sin to receive the Holy Spirit under the O.T. -As long as Jesus was living he could forgive sins any way he wished.The moment he died his N.T. LAW went into affect (Heb.9:15-17). Everyone from then on had to be baptized to have their sins washed away, literally (Acts 22:16 ; 2:38). Also wouldn't you say that Naaman literally was cleansed of Leprosy in
(2Kings 5). That happened to help us understand water baptism in the N.T. (Rom. 15:4).
In answere to your 1.You got it right. God blesses those who are obedient to him with his grace. Isn't that exactly what (Heb.5:9) says. He became the author of eternal salvation to all them that obey him. How about (Acts 10:34,35),He that feareth him and worketh righteousness,is accepted with him. A far as you 2. I would say Baptism saves according to the word of God (1Peter 3:21). ANd I am your friend for telling you that (Gal.4:16). Really now, how hard could it be to be baptized?
If God told me to eat dirt to have my sins wahsed away I would start eating dirt.
I would respectfully caution you not to make a determination of the condition of another's heart -- especially one whom you don't know. I could just as easily turn "the good soil" and "ask, seek, knock" back upon you for not seeing things "my way."
Baerly said- My friend,I do not want to upset you.That would accomplish nothing and would be sin on my part.But if I show someone the word of God, out of true love for my friends soul,there can be nothing wrong with that.Now,as far as me making a judgment upon someone I do not know, I just got through reading where you rejected baptism.You said it,that is how I knew how you felt about baptism.So I do know you enough to see that you and Naaman had alot in common in (2Kings 5). If I am wrong I will be willing to apologize.I do not wish to make enemies,that is easily done in our day and time. If I did not care about your soul I would read what you said laugh and move on without saying a word. But that is not what I done.I will take the time and see if you will accept the word of God, all the while reasoning over the scriptures.I do not care about winning a debate,I care about winning your soul to Christ alone. For we know when we oppose the scriptures we actually oppose our Lord (John 12:48). If I understand the bible,no one can go to heaven opposing the word of God.
I applaud you for your developing faith and spiritual walk, but please don't pick up pebbles on your way and throw them at others, just because they're not walking exactly the same path, or wearing the same hiking boots as you. Instead,I invite you to "walk in love as Christ has loved us, and gave himself for us, an offering and sacrifice to God."
Baerly said- My friend,May I suggest that I am walking in the love of Christ and youhave not recognized it. Jesus said to go to all the world and teach them to observe all the things whatsoever he commanded(Matt. 28:18-20). That is what I am doing. If I am incorrect according to the N.T. please show me and I will repent. I am not teaching my words,but those of Jesus. If you get upset that is ok,infact it is a good thing.Those on the day of Pentecost got hurt (pricked in hearts)and then they asked what must they do to be saved? You know what Peter told them? To repent and Be Baptized for the remission of your sins (Acts 2:38).That harmonizes with
(Acts 22:16). Please look at the scriptures and check it out.
Baerly said- Thank You, for the compliments. Please think about this,aren't you making a judgment upon me too? Just a thought. Rather than talking about animals,I had rather you take the New testament and show me I am wrong.--in love Baerly
Again, myopia is a debilitating disorder. Thanks for the condemnation and judgment, but I'm returning it. It doesn't fit. It's like trying to put pantyhose on an ostrich.[/quote]