WHO SHOULD WE FOLLOW?

[Ronald Nolette]

Ahhhhh.....
Great question!
And I happen to have an answer to that.

Do you know the two greatest Commandments?

Love the Lord thy God with all thine heart, soul, and might.
Love thy neighbor as yourself.

Now this is the crux. Objectively God is primarily concerned with your relationships with other people and Himself (the sole Author of Good) All of the Laws ever written are covering these two commandments....everything you do needs to be filtered by these as well.

As you chase God and "continually work out your salvation with fear/joy and trembling" you also improve the quality of relationships you have with others who are in your life.

That doesn't mean that just anyone gets to partner with you as you make your life a type of ministry in the world. Not saying that you need to become clergy that works for a church but instead in your chosen career path you can minister to others in the methods that seem best to you.

As you mature in your walk and focus on the things that are really important in this world....wise and emotionally mature women will take notice of you. And that's who you want to notice you. Some of the immature and unstable ones will as well....but you need to keep these unbeneficial women out of your life. (Usually they are the first ones to approach you....be very careful)

The good ones hang back to see how you deal with the others....and then they will become available somehow trying subtley to gain your attention while in your sphere.

Because, if you begin to have a real Godly care and concern for others around you....asking questions without being a nosy busybody....(I'm sure you understand social etiquette and norms) but about their normal life stuff....parents, siblings, hobbies and etc. You will notice when one of these women wear a new dress or gets their hair done....wears a new subtle perfume....or unconsciously fidgets with their hair or something when you speak with them. (Don't stare at their fidgeting)

And as you develop a stronger and more deep relationship (slowly and carefully) you can figure out if you and her can lead a God centered life together by joining your two ministries together to form a larger ministry.

That's how it works.....

GLTY.

All that to say almost nothing.

You do not pray over who your partner should be? You do not seek the face of the one who cares so deeply and personally that He even has your hairs counted?

God chooses our mates, we foind them while on the road of a godly life and He lets us know which one is THE one.

 

[Doug]

If you do not know that, you shouldn't be trying to teach people. You are in need of milk and cannot digest meat from Scripture.

You didnt answer............does God tell you verbally who to marry? Please tell me, its not in Paul's epistles

 

[JohnDB]

All that to say almost nothing.

You do not pray over who your partner should be? You do not seek the face of the one who cares so deeply and personally that He even has your hairs counted?

God chooses our mates, we foind them while on the road of a godly life and He lets us know which one is THE one.

I do apologize for YOUR lack of reading ability. I covered that, but you missed it in your haste to once again try to tell the world how I, and everyone else, is so incorrect.

 

[MatthewG]

Follow what Jesus said “worship God in spirit and in truth.” Learn from everyone else but don’t trust them. Seek out for truth.

There is no perfect church that exist on the earth.

 

[Ronald Nolette]

You didnt answer............does God tell you verbally who to marry? Please tell me, its not in Paul's epistles

No not in an audible voice. but in that still small voice in your spirit that is unmistakenly God. He cares about the details of your life. He gives us much leeway in the everyday things, but in the matters that deeply affect our lives, He communicates, if you would only listen.

 

[Ronald Nolette]

I do apologize for YOUR lack of reading ability. I covered that, but you missed it in your haste to once again try to tell the world how I, and everyone else, is so incorrect.

YOu should not be so smug and stick your nose in the air. A pigeon may dump in it. If you knew me at all, you would know how extremely stupid you sound. And as I did not read all you rposts, I didn't know you covered it. I just commented on the one post I saw! Which did not cover it. Or if it did, it was so lost in all that word salad as to not even know it was there.

 

[JohnDB]

YOu should not be so smug and stick your nose in the air. A pigeon may dump in it. If you knew me at all, you would know how extremely stupid you sound. And as I did not read all you rposts, I didn't know you covered it. I just commented on the one post I saw! Which did not cover it. Or if it did, it was so lost in all that word salad as to not even know it was there.

Meaning your ability for reading comprehension is rather low....

Got it.

I'll try to make things easier for you next time I think you might try to read my writing.

 

[Doug]

No not in an audible voice. but in that still small voice in your spirit that is unmistakenly God. He cares about the details of your life. He gives us much leeway in the everyday things, but in the matters that deeply affect our lives, He communicates, if you would only listen.

ok thanks
I will just stick to his word

 

[complete]

[1Corinthians 1:11-12 KJV] 11 For it hath been declared unto me of you, my brethren, by them [which are of the house] of Ce, that there are contentions among you. 12 Now this I say, that every one of you saith, I am of Paul; and I of Apollos; and I of Cephas; and I of Christ.

The contentions in the church were caused by some of the members. What was the basis for these contentions?

[1Corinthians 1:13-15 KJV] 13 Is Christ divided? was Paul crucified for you? or were ye baptized in the name of Paul? 14 I thank God that I baptized none of you, but Crispus and Gaius; 15 Lest any should say that I had baptized in mine own name.

The contentions centered on water baptisms. The members contentions originated upon who had authority. Whoever one was baptized by, determined who was to be followed and who had authority.

[1Corinthians 4:6 KJV] 6 And these things, brethren, I have in a figure transferred to myself and [to] Apollos for your sakes; that ye might learn in us not to think [of men] above that which is written, that no one of you be puffed up for one against another.

The authority they were to follow was not to be based on who baptized them, but who God set in place.

[1Corinthians 4:16 KJV] 16 Wherefore I beseech you, be ye followers of me.

Paul was exhorting the members to adhere to his authority.

Hello @Doug,

The address on the envelope of any letter received through the post tells us who the contents apply to. If I were to read a letter by accident written to my sister I would perhaps recognise the sender, but the contents would soon show me that I had inadvertently read a post addressed to someone else. The same thing applies to the word of God. e.g., if you read the letter of Peter for example there should be no mistaking who he is addressing, for it says:- 'Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, to the strangers scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, Elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through sanctification of the Spirit, unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ: Grace unto you, and peace, be multiplied.'

Peter is writing to believing Jews (the elect) who were scattered throughout the nations: Who were strangers and pilgrims in a foreign land. So although all Scripture is given by inspiration of God and profitable to all who read it, it may not apply to you, having particular reference to a particular people, or to a dispensation in which the instruction given no longer applies.

As a believer in the Lord Jesus Christ, I love reading the words that He uttered, especially in the light of the fact that what He uttered were the words of God Himself, for He only said the words given to Him of the Father. Yet I also know that He came to the lost sheep of the house of Israel, to confirm the promises made to the Fathers. He came unto His own, but His own received Him not, but to as many as received Him gave He the right to become sons of God, even to them that believe on His Name.

Paul, as the Apostle of the risen Christ to the Gentiles, is obviously the Apostle to whom we should apply ourselves, but even he was given two dispensations (stewardships- (1 Cor. 9:17 & Col. 1:27) the one at the beginning of his ministry, and the other nearing the close. The earlier ministry was written during the period when the return of Christ was perceived to be imminent, due to the preaching of Peter, and the promise made in Acts 3:19-21. Yet the promise made could not be fulfilled, because the condition was not met, which was the repentance of the nation of Israel. So when Israel went away into the darkness of unbelief, Paul became the Lord's Prisoner, during which He had the time to write the epistles which contain the truth revealed to him, concerning the church which is the body of Christ, it's construct and hope. (Eph. Phil. Col. 2 Tim. Titus and Phile.). These contain the truth for today. These are the epistles that should govern our walk and witness during this time of the Gentiles, prior to Israel's repentance and re-establishment in the purpose of God.

Thank you
In Christ Jesus
Chris

 

[Ronald Nolette]

Meaning your ability for reading comprehension is rather low....

Got it.

I'll try to make things easier for you next time I think you might try to read my writing.

Doesn't do anything to prove you do not know me and suck at pretending you do.

 

[Ronald Nolette]

Hello @Doug,

The address on the envelope of any letter received through the post tells us who the contents apply to. If I were to read a letter by accident written to my sister I would perhaps recognise the sender, but the contents would soon show me that I had inadvertently read a post addressed to someone else. The same thing applies to the word of God. e.g., if you read the letter of Peter for example there should be no mistaking who he is addressing, for it says:- 'Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, to the strangers scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, Elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through sanctification of the Spirit, unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ: Grace unto you, and peace, be multiplied.'

Peter is writing to believing Jews (the elect) who were scattered throughout the nations: Who were strangers and pilgrims in a foreign land. So although all Scripture is given by inspiration of God and profitable to all who read it, it may not apply to you, having particular reference to a particular people, or to a dispensation in which the instruction given no longer applies.

As a believer in the Lord Jesus Christ, I love reading the words that He uttered, especially in the light of the fact that what He uttered were the words of God Himself, for He only said the words given to Him of the Father. Yet I also know that He came to the lost sheep of the house of Israel, to confirm the promises made to the Fathers. He came unto His own, but His own received Him not, but to as many as received Him gave He the right to become sons of God, even to them that believe on His Name.

Paul, as the Apostle of the risen Christ to the Gentiles, is obviously the Apostle to whom we should apply ourselves, but even he was given two dispensations (stewardships- (1 Cor. 9:17 & Col. 1:27) the one at the beginning of his ministry, and the other nearing the close. The earlier ministry was written during the period when the return of Christ was perceived to be imminent, due to the preaching of Peter, and the promise made in Acts 3:19-21. Yet the promise made could not be fulfilled, because the condition was not met, which was the repentance of the nation of Israel. So when Israel went away into the darkness of unbelief, Paul became the Lord's Prisoner, during which He had the time to write the epistles which contain the truth revealed to him, concerning the church which is the body of Christ, it's construct and hope. (Eph. Phil. Col. 2 Tim. Titus and Phile.). These contain the truth for today. These are the epistles that should govern our walk and witness during this time of the Gentiles, prior to Israel's repentance and re-establishment in the purpose of God.

Thank you
In Christ Jesus
Chris

So are you like doug and say we should give short shrift to Peter, James and the gospels as they were asritten to Jews? And Hebrews? Are you saying that these books which god insured would be in the Bible have no meaning for gentiles?

 

[Ronald Nolette]

ok thanks
I will just stick to his word

Well I will give you a concrete example.

I was driving with my middle son. I needed gas and was going to gas up at a station a little further on for it was cheaper. I heard that still small voice say gas up at the station coming up. I shrugged it off and that still small voice said go and gas up there. I didn't and went to the station I wanted. After gassing up, I saw th elight was changing and pulled out. what I didn't realize is that a guy was screaming down the road and was going to run the red light. He whacked my car and totaled it. Me and my son were unharmed. If I had listened to the voice of God, I would have not gotten into the accident.

But good luck with just the Word alone. god speaks and never violates His word. sorry you will miss out.

 

[LoveYeshua]

I can esteem all that Jesus said and commanded is the word of God, but I dont have to think he was commanding me to obey all he said

Yes Doug, Christ was commanding all of us to obey all he said. I am sorry you do not know this. I am also sorry you do not put Christ first and above all else. Did you forget the first commandment?

“Therefore whoever hears these sayings of Mine, and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on the rock… But everyone who hears these sayings of Mine, and does not do them, will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand.”Matthew 7:24–27

-Jesus does not just want people to listen; He expects them to do His words. Hearing without doing is explicitly called foolish.​

“But why do you call Me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and not do the things which I say?”Luke 6:46

-Claiming to esteem Jesus while ignoring His commands is contradictory to His own words. He defines true discipleship by doing His words.​

“If you love Me, keep My commandments.”John 14:15
“If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love, just as I have kept My Father’s commandments and abide in His love.”John 15:10

-Love for Jesus is inseparable from obedience. Esteem alone is not enough.​

Jesus clearly states that all will be judged according to what He has said:

“But I say to you that for every idle word men may speak, they will give account of it in the day of judgment. For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.”Matthew 12:36–37

“He who rejects Me, and does not receive My words, has that which judges him—the word that I have spoken will judge him in the last day.”John 12:48

-Jesus emphasizes that His words carry judgment. Esteeming them without obeying them is insufficient; they are the measure by which all will be evaluated.​

 

[complete]

So are you like @Doug and say we should give short shrift to Peter, James and the gospels as they were asritten to Jews? And Hebrews? Are you saying that these books which god insured would be in the Bible have no meaning for gentiles?,

'All scripture is given by inspiration of God,
and is profitable
for doctrine,
for reproof,
for correction,
for instruction in righteousness:
That the man of God may be perfect,
throughly furnished unto all good works.'
(2Timothy 3:16-17)

Hello there, @Ronald Nolette,

Forgive me, I have only now seen your response (above) to my post (reply #29).

I do not think, as you suggest, that we should, 'give short shrift to Peter, James and the gospels' (quote) at all: for all Scripture is profitable; as the verse quoted above tells us; (though that was referring to the Old Testament Scriptures). yet though all is for us, not all is about us. That is why we need to 'rightly divide' them (2Tim 2:15).

@Doug and I, though having acknowledged the Mystery, revealed to the apostle Paul concerning the Church which is The Body of Christ, with Christ as it's Head;, yet, unfortunately, disagree on the timing of it's inception. which prevents us agreeing on it's application.

I believe that the letters written by Paul while in prison at Rome, are the only epistles in which the truth concerning The Mystery is made known, following it's Divine revelation to Paul as it's Steward. Those epistles are, Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, 2 Timothy, Titus and Philemon. The epistles written previously by Paul, cannot contain these truths because they had been 'hid in God' since the world began (Eph. 3:8-9 & Col.1:26). therefore were unknown to him.

'Whereof I am made a minister,
according to the dispensation of God
which is given to me for you,
to fulfil the word of God;
Even the mystery
which hath been hid from ages and from generations,
but now is made manifest to His saints:
To whom God would make known
what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles;
which is Christ in you, the hope of glory:
Whom we preach,
warning every man, and teaching every man in all wisdom;
that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus:
Whereunto I also labour,
striving according to His working, which worketh in me mightily.'
(Col 1:25-29)

Thank you
In Christ Jesus
Chris

 

[Ronald Nolette]

'All scripture is given by inspiration of God,
and is profitable
for doctrine,
for reproof,
for correction,
for instruction in righteousness:
That the man of God may be perfect,
throughly furnished unto all good works.'
(2Timothy 3:16-17)

Hello there, @Ronald Nolette,

Forgive me, I have only now seen your response (above) to my post (reply #29).

I do not think, as you suggest, that we should, 'give short shrift to Peter, James and the gospels' (quote) at all: for all Scripture is profitable; as the verse quoted above tells us; (though that was referring to the Old Testament Scriptures). yet though all is for us, not all is about us. That is why we need to 'rightly divide' them (2Tim 2:15).

@Doug and I, though having acknowledged the Mystery, revealed to the apostle Paul concerning the Church which is The Body of Christ, with Christ as it's Head;, yet, unfortunately, disagree on the timing of it's inception. which prevents us agreeing on it's application.

I believe that the letters written by Paul while in prison at Rome, are the only epistles in which the truth concerning The Mystery is made known, following it's Divine revelation to Paul as it's Steward. Those epistles are, Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, 2 Timothy, Titus and Philemon. The epistles written previously by Paul, cannot contain these truths because they had been 'hid in God' since the world began (Eph. 3:8-9 & Col.1:26). therefore were unknown to him.

'Whereof I am made a minister,
according to the dispensation of God
which is given to me for you,
to fulfil the word of God;
Even the mystery
which hath been hid from ages and from generations,
but now is made manifest to His saints:
To whom God would make known
what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles;
which is Christ in you, the hope of glory:
Whom we preach,
warning every man, and teaching every man in all wisdom;
that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus:
Whereunto I also labour,
striving according to His working, which worketh in me mightily.'
(Col 1:25-29)

Thank you
In Christ Jesus
Chris

Sorry but you are too narrowly dividing Paul. Even Peter and James and Barnabbas and Silas et. al. knew what the church was. they may not have delineated it like Paul did, but then again, god chose the writings that covered all we would need for righteous living.

But the church was hinted at in the old, when God said He would take out of the Gentiles, a people for His name.

 

[complete]

Sorry but you are too narrowly dividing Paul. Even Peter and James and Barnabbas and Silas et. al. knew what the church was. they may not have delineated it like Paul did, but then again, god chose the writings that covered all we would need for righteous living.

But the church was hinted at in the old, when God said He would take out of the Gentiles, a people for His name.

'All scripture is given by inspiration of God,
and is profitable
.. for doctrine,
.... for reproof,
...... for correction,
........ for instruction in righteousness:
That the man of God may be perfect,
throughly furnished unto all good works.'
(2Timothy 3:16-17)

Hello @Ronald Nolette,

Thank you for responding: but I will not proceed with any debate on this issue here: For the question under discussion, 'Who Should We Follow?' would be derailed. I stand by what I have said in my earlier responses [replies #29 & #34] .

God has placed me in Christ Jesus (1Cor.1:30-31), our risen and glorified, Saviour, Lord and Head: and I am complete in Him (Col. 2:10).
The risen Lord appointed Paul to be His apostle to the Gentiles, by the will of the Father (Eph.1:1). So in following the Stewardship of Paul, in the prison epistles, I know that I am walking in obedience to my Saviour.

'Giving thanks always for all things
unto God and the Father
in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ;
Submitting yourselves one to another
in the fear of God.'
(Eph 5:20-21)

Praise His Holy Name!

In Christ Jesus
By God's grace
Chris

 

[complete]

* The Testimony of The Lord's Prisoner:-

'Who now rejoice in my sufferings for you,
and fill up that which is behind of the afflictions of Christ
in my flesh
for His body's sake,
which is the church:
Whereof I am made a minister,
according to the dispensation of God
which is given to me for you,
to fulfil the word of God;
Even the mystery which hath been hid
from ages and from generations,
but now is made manifest to His saints:
To whom God would make known
what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles;
which is Christ in you, the hope of glory:
Whom we preach,
warning every man, and teaching every man in all wisdom;
that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus:
Whereunto I also labour,
striving according to His working,
which worketh in me mightily.'
(Col.1:24-29)

Praise God!

(Eph. Phil. Col. 2Tim, Tit. Phile.)

 

[Ronald Nolette]

'All scripture is given by inspiration of God,
and is profitable
.. for doctrine,
.... for reproof,
...... for correction,
........ for instruction in righteousness:
That the man of God may be perfect,
throughly furnished unto all good works.'
(2Timothy 3:16-17)

Hello @Ronald Nolette,

Thank you for responding: but I will not proceed with any debate on this issue here: For the question under discussion, 'Who Should We Follow?' would be derailed. I stand by what I have said in my earlier responses [replies #29 & #34] .

God has placed me in Christ Jesus (1Cor.1:30-31), our risen and glorified, Saviour, Lord and Head: and I am complete in Him (Col. 2:10).
The risen Lord appointed Paul to be His apostle to the Gentiles, by the will of the Father (Eph.1:1). So in following the Stewardship of Paul, in the prison epistles, I know that I am walking in obedience to my Saviour.

'Giving thanks always for all things
unto God and the Father
in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ;
Submitting yourselves one to another
in the fear of God.'
(Eph 5:20-21)

Praise His Holy Name!

In Christ Jesus
By God's grace
Chris

Let me ask you this in light of your response.

You said all Scripture is profitable but you follow Paul. Does that mean you place less value on the rest of Gods Inspired word?

 

[complete]

Let me ask you this in light of your response.

You said all Scripture is profitable but you follow Paul. Does that mean you place less value on the rest of Gods Inspired word?

'And when they agreed not among themselves,
they departed,
after that Paul had spoken one word,
Well spake the Holy Ghost by Esaias the prophet unto our fathers,
Saying, Go unto this people, and say,
Hearing ye shall hear, and shall not understand;
and seeing ye shall see, and not perceive:
For the heart of this people is waxed gross,
and their ears are dull of hearing,
and their eyes have they closed;
lest they should see with their eyes,
and hear with their ears,
and understand with their heart,
and should be converted, and I should heal them.
Be it known therefore unto you,
that the salvation of God is sent unto the Gentiles,
and that they will hear it.'
(Act 28:25-28)

Hello @Ronald Nolette,

I love the whole of God's word and would not neglect any part of it: but the prison letters themselves are of particular interest to me, because of the fact that they were written in order to make known to believers what God had revealed to Paul to impart, something which until then had been 'hid in God' (Eph. 3:9 & Col. 1:26); that Christ was now 'in' or 'among' them (the Gentiles), independent of Israel as a nation, for salvation had been 'sent' to the Gentiles (Acts 28:28). There would now be total equality, and unity, not heard of previously, for until then gentile believers were grafted into the Olive Tree of Israel: This would no longer be possible, for Israel as a nation had rejected their Messiah and King, both in the land and in the diaspora, and they would be scattered among the nations, and their temple destroyed. These letters written by Paul are especially relevant today, for they refer particularly to the church which is the Body of Christ, for which company Christ is Head. This was God's provision in the light of those forthcoming events, for those believers remaining following that destruction.

'Who now rejoice in my sufferings for you,
and fill up that which is behind of the afflictions of Christ
in my flesh for His body's sake, which is the church:
Whereof I am made a minister,
according to the dispensation of God which is given to me for you,
to fulfil the word of God;
Even the mystery which hath been hid from ages and from generations,
but now is made manifest to His saints:
To whom God would make known
what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles;
which is Christ in you, the hope of glory:'
(Col 1:24-27)

Thank you for you enquiry.
Within the love of Christ Jesus
our risen and glorified
Saviour, Lord and Head.
Chris

 

[Ronald Nolette]

'And when they agreed not among themselves,
they departed,
after that Paul had spoken one word,
Well spake the Holy Ghost by Esaias the prophet unto our fathers,
Saying, Go unto this people, and say,
Hearing ye shall hear, and shall not understand;
and seeing ye shall see, and not perceive:
For the heart of this people is waxed gross,
and their ears are dull of hearing,
and their eyes have they closed;
lest they should see with their eyes,
and hear with their ears,
and understand with their heart,
and should be converted, and I should heal them.
Be it known therefore unto you,
that the salvation of God is sent unto the Gentiles,
and that they will hear it.'
(Act 28:25-28)

Hello @Ronald Nolette,

I love the whole of God's word and would not neglect any part of it: but the prison letters themselves are of particular interest to me, because of the fact that they were written in order to make known to believers what God had revealed to Paul to impart, something which until then had been 'hid in God' (Eph. 3:9 & Col. 1:26); that Christ was now 'in' or 'among' them (the Gentiles), independent of Israel as a nation, for salvation had been 'sent' to the Gentiles (Acts 28:28). There would now be total equality, and unity, not heard of previously, for until then gentile believers were grafted into the Olive Tree of Israel: This would no longer be possible, for Israel as a nation had rejected their Messiah and King, both in the land and in the diaspora, and they would be scattered among the nations, and their temple destroyed. These letters written by Paul are especially relevant today, for they refer particularly to the church which is the Body of Christ, for which company Christ is Head. This was God's provision in the light of those forthcoming events, for those believers remaining following that destruction.

'Who now rejoice in my sufferings for you,
and fill up that which is behind of the afflictions of Christ
in my flesh for His body's sake, which is the church:
Whereof I am made a minister,
according to the dispensation of God which is given to me for you,
to fulfil the word of God;
Even the mystery which hath been hid from ages and from generations,
but now is made manifest to His saints:
To whom God would make known
what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles;
which is Christ in you, the hope of glory:'
(Col 1:24-27)

Thank you for you enquiry.
Within the love of Christ Jesus
our risen and glorified
Saviour, Lord and Head.
Chris

Well I too am a deep fan of the Pauline epistles. but you write as to make it seem the rest of Scripture is inferior. While the OT does not have the same value as the NT for our lives, it does give invaluable insight for us a followers of Jesus.

BTW the passages you cited have nothing to do with your argument favoring Paul.