The Word of God is For Believers ONLY

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jeremiah1five

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The Law. Written by Moses (a believer) to and for Covenant Israel (other
believers).

The Psalms. Written by Solomon, David, etc. (believers) to and for Covenant
Israel (other believers)

The Prophets. Written by Ezra, Ruth, Samuel, Ezekiel, Daniel, Malachi, etc
(believers) to and for Covenant Israel (other believers).

The Gospels. Written by Matthew, Mark, Luke, John (believers) to and for the
Church (other believers).

The Acts of the Holy Spirit. Written by Luke the Physician (believer) to and
for the Church (other believers).

The Epistles. Written by Paul, Peter, James, John, etc. (believers) to and
for the Church (other believers).

The Revelation of Jesus Christ. Written by John (believer) to and for the
Church (other believers).

Jesus Himself speaks to His disciples in response to the question of why He
speaks to the people in parables:

Mark 4:11-12
11 And he said
unto them, Unto you it is given to know the mystery of the kingdom of God: but
unto them that are without, all these things are done in parables:
12 That seeing they may see, and not
perceive; and hearing they may hear, and not understand; lest at any time they
should be converted, and their sins should be forgiven them.

Jesus, in speaking parables presents some aspect or teaching of the Gospel of
the kingdom of God to the people and also instructs, commands, and invites them
to repent and be saved, and actively prevents the people from seeing, hearing,
and understanding to prevent them from repenting and being converted. The reason
for this is simple: the people are not worthy of the salvation, the mercy and
the grace of God.

Jesus, in another place says:

John 6:63
63 It is the spirit
that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you,
they are spirit, and they are life.

The Word of God is
spirit and life. The unconverted are flesh and death. Both, as Paul described
and taught, are contrary one to another:

Galatians 5:17
17 For the flesh lusteth
against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the
one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would.

Paul
says elsewhere:

1 Corinthians 2:14
14 But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are
foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are
spiritually discerned.

Man is flesh, the Word of God is spiritual. Man
cannot "receive" the things of the Spirit of God "neither can he know
[them]" because of this judgment upon them of God. It is only through
God converting the individual and putting His Spirit in them does a man become a
spirtual man and then the Word of God can be heard, can be seen, can be
understood, and in this the Word of God applies to the believer in Covenant with
God.

The Word of God is for believers ONLY.
 

Rocky Wiley

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Aug 28, 2012
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When you state it was written to us, can you quote the scripture that says something like, 'to the churches of the future' or somthing else that is very clear?
It was written 'for us', that part is true.
 

dragonfly

Well-Known Member
Apr 19, 2012
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The Word of God is For Believers ONLY

Psalm 68:11 The Lord gave the word: great was the company of those that published it.

Romans 10:8 But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach; 9 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. 10 For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. 11 For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed. 12 For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him. 13For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.

14 How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher? 15 And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things! 16 But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Esaias saith, Lord, who hath believed our report? 17 So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

18 But I say, Have they not heard? Yes verily, their sound went into all the earth, and their words unto the ends of the world.


1 Corinthians 1:17 For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel: not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of none effect.

18 For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish, foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God. 19 For it is written, I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and will bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent.
20 Where is the wise? where is the scribe? where is the disputer of this world? hath not God made foolish the wisdom of this world? 21 For after that 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. 22 For the Jews require a sign, and the Greeks seek after wisdom: 23 But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumblingblock, and unto the Greeks foolishness; 24 But unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God. 25 Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men; and the weakness of God is stronger than men.



Exodus 12:49 One law shall be to him that is homeborn, and to the stranger that sojourns among you.

Numbers 15:16

29 Ye shall have one law for him that sins through ignorance, both for him that is born among the children of Israel, and for the stranger that sojourns among them.
 

jeremiah1five

Member
Jan 30, 2013
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Rocky Wiley said:
When you state it was written to us, can you quote the scripture that says something like, 'to the churches of the future' or somthing else that is very clear?
It was written 'for us', that part is true.
I am not understanding you. Can you elaborate?

dragonfly said:
Psalm 68:11 The Lord gave the word: great was the company of those that published it.

Romans 10:8 But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach; 9 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. 10 For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. 11 For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed. 12 For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him. 13For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.

[SIZE=10.5px]14 How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher? 15 [/SIZE]And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things! [SIZE=10.5px]16 [/SIZE]But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Esaias saith, Lord, who hath believed our report? [SIZE=10.5px]17 [/SIZE]So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

[SIZE=10.5px]18 But I say, Have they not heard? Yes verily, their sound went into all the earth, and their words unto the ends of the world.[/SIZE]


1 Corinthians 1:[SIZE=10.5px]17 For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel: not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of none effect.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=10.5px]18 For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish, foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God. 19 [/SIZE]For it is written, I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and will bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent.
[SIZE=10.5px]20 Where is the wise? where is the scribe? where is the disputer of this world? hath not God made foolish the wisdom of this world? 21 [/SIZE]For after that 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. [SIZE=10.5px]22 [/SIZE]For the Jews require a sign, and the Greeks seek after wisdom: [SIZE=10.5px]23 [/SIZE]But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumblingblock, and unto the Greeks foolishness; [SIZE=10.5px]24 [/SIZE]But unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God. [SIZE=10.5px]25 [/SIZE]Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men; and the weakness of God is stronger than men.



Exodus 12:49 One law shall be to him that is homeborn, and to the stranger that sojourns among you.

Numbers 15:16

29 Ye shall have one law for him that sins through ignorance, both for him that is born among the children of Israel, and for the stranger that sojourns among them.
I believe I understand those Scriptures. I take them in context to who they are addressed to: Believers.

How do you understand those passages. We can break it down together if you'd like, maybe one or two at a time?
 

Axehead

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I know what you are saying about the "Word of God being for Believers", but His word came to all of us when we were unbelievers.

So, a case could be made that the Word of God is for "Whosoever". He calls all men to repent and believe on the Lord Jesus Christ.

That is His word!
 
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jeremiah1five

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Axehead said:
I know what you are saying about the "Word of God being for Believers", but His word came to all of us when we were unbelievers.

So, a case could be made that the Word of God is for "Whosoever". He calls all men to repent and believe on the Lord Jesus Christ.

That is His word!
His Word was sent to His elect, those whose names were written by God in the book of life of the Lamb slain from before the foundation (creation) of the world.

Isaiah 55:11
11 So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.

And that is the calling and saving of His elect.

All the elect to whom the Word of God is given shall all repent and come to the knowledge of the Truth at their appointed time.

You must know that the Word of God does two things: it justifies the righteous, and condemns the guilty.

As I said, He calls to all to repent, but He also actively prevents their repenting. The reason? Men are unworthy of His grace, His mercy, and this "so-great salvation."
 

dragonfly

Well-Known Member
Apr 19, 2012
1,882
141
63
UK
Hi Jeremiah,

Do you believe Jesus Christ did not die for everyone who has ever lived and will ever live?

Btw, I don't really want to break down those scriptures together. I hope you will come to realise that unless preachers proclaim 'the word of God', to 'unbelievers', not only will unbelievers not have any possibility of being saved, but preachers will have failed to obey God's word to them.

In the light of that small but important point, your thesis makes no New Testament sense whatever. Or Old Testament sense, for that matter. The Bible is stacked with history of believers telling God's word to unbelievers, which, if the unbelievers had received it, would have guided them to salvation.
 

jeremiah1five

Member
Jan 30, 2013
77
1
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Texas, USA
dragonfly said:
Hi Jeremiah,

Do you believe Jesus Christ did not die for everyone who has ever lived and will ever live?

Btw, I don't really want to break down those scriptures together. I hope you will come to realise that unless preachers proclaim 'the word of God', to 'unbelievers', not only will unbelievers not have any possibility of being saved, but preachers will have failed to obey God's word to them.

In the light of that small but important point, your thesis makes no New Testament sense whatever. Or Old Testament sense, for that matter. The Bible is stacked with history of believers telling God's word to unbelievers, which, if the unbelievers had received it, would have guided them to salvation.
I believe Jesus Christ died for God's elect. Who are God's elect? Their names are written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from BEFORE the foundation (creation) of the world (Rev. 13:8 ).

Btw, I don't really want to break down those scriptures together. I hope you will come to realise that unless preachers proclaim 'the word of God', to 'unbelievers', not only will unbelievers not have any possibility of being saved, but preachers will have failed to obey God's word to them.
God is not dependent upon His servants in order to save someone. God saves merely on His promise to save.

You have to admit that before God created anything in existence that He first contemplated a people in His Mind. This people were contemplated in the Mind of God as a holy, righteous, and a "saved" people. That's the only way He can contemplate this people for there is no sin in God, nor is there death in God. There is a "book" of life of the Lamb and it has names written in it of those who were contemplated in His Mind, and whom He intends to save. Now, let me put this to you...I don't know if you ever studied the word "loss" or "lost" but the Hebrew word implies to "miss" or to "fall," or "misplace." There are several meanings for several words. I believe that when God first contemplated His people in His Mind they were always a "saved" people. He began to create heaven, earth, matter, and man. When He did this, that people became "lost" or "misplaced," or "fallen," by virtue of their creation in the mass of humanity that were to be born of Adam and Eve. Since these thoughts of a "saved" people are now "lost" in the human race, God had a plan to set forth to call out this people He first contemplated in His Mind. And He will gather this people throughout TIME to Himself. It was God's plan, the Son implemented that plan, and the Holy Spirit in the world today applies that plan to God's elect. God did not create man and then sit around in TIME to see who will "accept Jesus into their hearts," He is actively calling forth His people out of the world and to Himself.
God does not depend on preachers. God saves merely on His promise to save.

2 Peter 3:9
9 The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.

Notice to whom Peter is speaking to: "to them that have obtained like precious faith with us through the righteousness of God and our Saviour Jesus Christ" 2 Peter 3:9.

Notice who Peter is saying the promise of repentance is given to: "us-ward," or in other words, believers.A person does not go to eternal separation from God because someone didn't preach Christ to that person. Salvation is of the Lord (Jonah 2:9). Who becomes saved is already determined by God. And since it is the Word of God (doesn't have to be preached or written), by which we are saved, God does send forth His Word to do that which He sent it to do. Man does not frustrate the will of God. He will do all His good pleasure.

Philippians 2:13
13 For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.


In the light of that small but important point, your thesis makes no New Testament sense whatever. Or Old Testament sense, for that matter. The Bible is stacked with history of believers telling God's word to unbelievers, which, if the unbelievers had received it, would have guided them to salvation.
The Word of God does two things: it justifies the righteous, and condemns the guilty. If someone in that history comes to God or His Christ, that person begun their existence in the Mind of God. In creation God is providing a body to that name in the book of life of the Lamb. And being that Christ also had a body prepared for Him, we too, have a body prepared for us. And it is fashioned after Christ, the last Adam, and not fashioned after Adam of Genesis. When God created man God looked to the day of Christ's birth and fashioned Adam (man) after that image of God. We are being conformed into the image of Christ (Rom. 8:29), not Adam. After all, what better image of a Father is there than a Son.

There is more to this that I hope in time I will provide on post. There is much to consider. There is much to learn.
 

Axehead

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May 9, 2012
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jeremiah1five said:
I believe Jesus Christ died for God's elect. Who are God's elect? Their names are written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from BEFORE the foundation (creation) of the world (Rev. 13:8 ).

God is not dependent upon His servants in order to save someone. God saves merely on His promise to save.

You have to admit that before God created anything in existence that He first contemplated a people in His Mind. This people were contemplated in the Mind of God as a holy, righteous, and a "saved" people. That's the only way He can contemplate this people for there is no sin in God, nor is there death in God. There is a "book" of life of the Lamb and it has names written in it of those who were contemplated in His Mind, and whom He intends to save. Now, let me put this to you...I don't know if you ever studied the word "loss" or "lost" but the Hebrew word implies to "miss" or to "fall," or "misplace." There are several meanings for several words. I believe that when God first contemplated His people in His Mind they were always a "saved" people. He began to create heaven, earth, matter, and man. When He did this, that people became "lost" or "misplaced," or "fallen," by virtue of their creation in the mass of humanity that were to be born of Adam and Eve. Since these thoughts of a "saved" people are now "lost" in the human race, God had a plan to set forth to call out this people He first contemplated in His Mind. And He will gather this people throughout TIME to Himself. It was God's plan, the Son implemented that plan, and the Holy Spirit in the world today applies that plan to God's elect. God did not create man and then sit around in TIME to see who will "accept Jesus into their hearts," He is actively calling forth His people out of the world and to Himself.
God does not depend on preachers. God saves merely on His promise to save.

2 Peter 3:9
9 The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.

Notice to whom Peter is speaking to: "to them that have obtained like precious faith with us through the righteousness of God and our Saviour Jesus Christ" 2 Peter 3:9.

Notice who Peter is saying the promise of repentance is given to: "us-ward," or in other words, believers.A person does not go to eternal separation from God because someone didn't preach Christ to that person. Salvation is of the Lord (Jonah 2:9). Who becomes saved is already determined by God. And since it is the Word of God (doesn't have to be preached or written), by which we are saved, God does send forth His Word to do that which He sent it to do. Man does not frustrate the will of God. He will do all His good pleasure.

Philippians 2:13
13 For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.



The Word of God does two things: it justifies the righteous, and condemns the guilty. If someone in that history comes to God or His Christ, that person begun their existence in the Mind of God. In creation God is providing a body to that name in the book of life of the Lamb. And being that Christ also had a body prepared for Him, we too, have a body prepared for us. And it is fashioned after Christ, the last Adam, and not fashioned after Adam of Genesis. When God created man God looked to the day of Christ's birth and fashioned Adam (man) after that image of God. We are being conformed into the image of Christ (Rom. 8:29), not Adam. After all, what better image of a Father is there than a Son.

There is more to this that I hope in time I will provide on post. There is much to consider. There is much to learn.
We do not know who God's elect is, do we? Therefore we are to take the Gospel to every creature as the Lord commanded.


Mark 16:15-16


King James Version (KJV)


15 And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.
16 He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.




Luke 6:47


King James Version (KJV)


47 Whosoever cometh to me, and heareth my sayings, and doeth them, I will shew you to whom he is like:

As far as we are concerned, He is the God of "whosoever", since the elect is only known to Him.
 

jeremiah1five

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We do not know who God's elect is, do we? Therefore we are to take the Gospel to every creature as the Lord commanded.
Are you an apostle with the same calling as the eleven to whom this command is given? The answer is an emphatic "No." You are not an apostle with the same command Christ gave to His eleven apostles.


Mark 16:15-16
King James Version (KJV)

15 And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.
16 He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.

First, as above, you are not an apostle of Christ with the same calling and command as His eleven. But that is the error of the churches that teach we are all thumbs in the Body of Christ. That command is given specifically to the eleven disciples. I am not given that command and I believe neither are you. But leave that command to whom it is given. Jesus is King, and the kingdom principle exists in the kingdom of Christ. This means that we are not all apostles with the same calling and command as the eleven disciples. The royal baker does not stroll down to the royal motor-pool, remove the keys from the rack, and proceed to take the royal coach out for a spin. Nor does the royal chauffeur stroll down to the royal kitchen and begin to bake goodies. Each member in the royal court of the King each have their particular gift and calling. We do not interfere nor emulate the gift and calling of another member in the Body of Christ. The eye cannot operate and function like the elbow, and the foot cannot operate and function like the ear. But we have been placed into the particular place in the Body of Christ as it has pleased God. We are all not thumbs in the Body of Christ. If so, where is the hearing or where is the seeing?
Jesus' command in Mark 16 was given specifically to His eleven disciples.


Luke 6:47


King James Version (KJV)


47 Whosoever cometh to me, and heareth my sayings, and doeth them, I will shew you to whom he is like:

As far as we are concerned, He is the God of "whosoever", since the elect is only known to Him.




The "whosoever" is understood in context to the elect. It does not have general connotations, but specific connotations. It is not open-ended, but closed-ended.
The elect pre-conversion are known only to Him, but the elect post-conversion are known to us. We do not know who is to be saved before they are saved, but we do know who they are after they are saved.
 

dragonfly

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Apr 19, 2012
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Hi Jeremiah1five,

Thanks for your reply to my post. It is interesting to read how you see things. You've obviously done a lot of thinking, so here are three verses I'd like you to place within your scheme as you know it now, or, alternatively, adjust your scheme so that these verses can be included in it.

Exodus 32:33 And the Lord said unto Moses, Whosoever hath sinned against me, him will I blot out of my book.

Psalm 69:28 Let them be blotted out of the book of the living, and not be written with the righteous.

Revelation 3:5 He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels.


Many thanks.
 

jeremiah1five

Member
Jan 30, 2013
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Texas, USA
dragonfly said:
Hi Jeremiah1five,

Thanks for your reply to my post. It is interesting to read how you see things. You've obviously done a lot of thinking, so here are three verses I'd like you to place within your scheme as you know it now, or, alternatively, adjust your scheme so that these verses can be included in it.

Exodus 32:33 And the Lord said unto Moses, Whosoever hath sinned against me, him will I blot out of my book.

Psalm 69:28 Let them be blotted out of the book of the living, and not be written with the righteous.

Revelation 3:5 He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels.


Many thanks.
Dragonfly, I appreciate your respect and acknowledge it.

On Exodus 32:33, such statements appear several times in Scripture, but there is no example of this ever occurring in the text of the Bible. The language is correct, though, anyone who has sinned against God (non-elect) when the "book" was written in eternity may have been blotted out. Maybe we were all written in the book, every person who will be born from Adam until the Second Coming of Christ, but after several drafts ( :) don't we go through many drafts when we write a book?), God may have seen the ones who He will not give to Christ and blotted them out? Who knows how this "book" was made ( I don't believe it is a book like we have books in our 3rd dimension), but in referencing the book in Scripture there is no one who has ever been blotted or added after the book was made (closed?).

Psalm 69:28 is a prayer of David. There is nothing wrong with his desire to see his enemies suffer such an extreme judgment of God. David knows these enemies are not of God. And based upon the other parts of his prayer knows they will never be of God. The implication in English seems to say these enemies are written in the "book of the living" to start with, and maybe they are (?) But if they are do you think God will do this for David? If they are not, then his prayer is one of anguish in the throes of much suffering at the hands of his enemies and David wants God to exact the ultimate form of "justice."

Revelation 3:5 is the same thinking in reverse. God does not blot out names He Sovereignly has placed in the book of life. Blotting a name out is just not done for this implies error and mistake on the part of God.

Revelation 13:8
8 And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.
 

Axehead

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May 9, 2012
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jeremiah1five said:
Are you an apostle with the same calling as the eleven to whom this command is given? The answer is an emphatic "No." You are not an apostle with the same command Christ gave to His eleven apostles.




First, as above, you are not an apostle of Christ with the same calling and command as His eleven. But that is the error of the churches that teach we are all thumbs in the Body of Christ. That command is given specifically to the eleven disciples. I am not given that command and I believe neither are you. But leave that command to whom it is given. Jesus is King, and the kingdom principle exists in the kingdom of Christ. This means that we are not all apostles with the same calling and command as the eleven disciples. The royal baker does not stroll down to the royal motor-pool, remove the keys from the rack, and proceed to take the royal coach out for a spin. Nor does the royal chauffeur stroll down to the royal kitchen and begin to bake goodies. Each member in the royal court of the King each have their particular gift and calling. We do not interfere nor emulate the gift and calling of another member in the Body of Christ. The eye cannot operate and function like the elbow, and the foot cannot operate and function like the ear. But we have been placed into the particular place in the Body of Christ as it has pleased God. We are all not thumbs in the Body of Christ. If so, where is the hearing or where is the seeing?
Jesus' command in Mark 16 was given specifically to His eleven disciples.







The "whosoever" is understood in context to the elect. It does not have general connotations, but specific connotations. It is not open-ended, but closed-ended.
The elect pre-conversion are known only to Him, but the elect post-conversion are known to us. We do not know who is to be saved before they are saved, but we do know who they are after they are saved.
You are mistaken. You do not have to be an Apostle to preach the Gospel. You have to be "In Christ" to be a minister of reconciliation and an Ambassador of Christ. Freely you have received, freely give!! The Apostles could not preach to all nations. The Lord uses His entire church to be witnesses of Him.

Mar 13:10 And the gospel must first be published among all nations.

After the Apostles died, the Lord will continue to preach the gospel IN ALL THE WORLD through His church.
Mat 24:14 And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.


Rom 10:13 For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.

Just need a preacher of the Gospel to preach the Good News. Don't need an Apostle.

Rom 10:14 How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher?
Rom 10:15 And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!

Any man that is "in Christ" has been reconciled to God and has been given the ministry of reconciliation. All Believers in Yeshua are ambassadors of Christ and represent Christ and the Good News of the Gospel.


2Co 5:17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.
2Co 5:18 And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation;
2Co 5:19 To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation.
2Co 5:20 Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God.

Axehead


The Church is for believers but the word of God is for everyone who lends his ear to hear.
 

jeremiah1five

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You are mistaken. You do not have to be an Apostle to preach the Gospel. You have to be "In Christ" to be a minister of reconciliation and an Ambassador of Christ. Freely you have received, freely give!! The Apostles could not preach to all nations. The Lord uses His entire church to be witnesses of Him.
The Greek word "apostolos" means "commissioned." Jesus Christ commissioned His twelve (Matt. 10:1), then His eleven surviving disciples to "do a thing" for Him, that is, to go and preach the gospel to the four corners of the then known world. He spent three years preparing the eleven for the specific mission. So, if one is commissioned" by the King in the kingdom of God to a ministry or calling "to do something" for God, why do you take it upon yourself to do the same thing? Christ didn't call you to that ministry. Christ didn't place you and every believer in the Body of Christ to that function. Let the mouth do what the mouth is called to do, and you find out what your calling and ministry is in the Body of Christ because, as I said, we are not all apostles with the same calling.
The "we" in 2 Cor. 5:20 is, as I said, Paul and Timothy - THEY we called to be ambassadors for the risen Christ. Notice the language of "we" and "us" and "we" again.

2 Corinthians 5:20
20 Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God.

Who's the "we?" Who's the "us?" Answer: Paul and Timothy (2 Cor. 1:1).

After the Apostles died, the Lord will continue to preach the gospel IN ALL THE WORLD through His church.
Mat 24:14 And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.
Yes, so leave that calling to whom it is conferred upon. We are not all apostles in the Body of Christ. Some of us are not the mouth. Some of us are the eye or the ear. But in your version of the Body of Christ we are all just one big mouth. Maybe we should all stop talking and listen for awhile....listen to what the Spirit is saying to the Church.



Rom 10:13 For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.
Just need a preacher of the Gospel to preach the Good News. Don't need an Apostle.
Contradiction. The Bible says Jesus needs an apostle:



Ephesians 4:11
11 And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;

And let me be completely Biblical. These five ministries are represented each by a digit in the hand of God. The hand represents "service." And if you had your doctrine in the right place you would KNOW that each member is called of Christ and is commanded to minister their gift and calling TO the members of the Church, NOT the world:

Ephesians 4:12
12 For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:

It doesn't say: "for the perfecting of the world, for the work of the world, for the edifying of the world," does it? No, it does not. So, be obedient to the text of Scripture because Christ does not use anyone who has not been rightly taught and discipled in His Word.

And one more thing. The terminology of "whosoever shall call upon the Lord shall be saved," is terminology that is used in the Old Testament of people who are already in Covenant with God, who are already saved. "Calling upon the Lord" is terminology used of people who have right relationship with God, who are worshiping God. Christ says that men love darkness and hate the light NEITHER come to the light. Paul says that the natural man receives not the things of the Spirit of God AND he can't know them because they are spiritually discerned (judged). No dead person can effect their own resurrection and come out of the grave themselves, regenerate themselves, baptize themselves into the Body of Christ, give themselves a calling and spiritual gifts, and then expect to be known of Christ. It is these people that THINK they are saved and are not that He will confess I never knew YOU! There's a reason why Christ spoke in parables to the people.

Mark 4:11-12
11 And he said unto them, Unto you it is given to know the mystery of the kingdom of God: but unto them that are without, all these things are done in parables:
12 That seeing they may see, and not perceive; and hearing they may hear, and not understand; lest at any time they should be converted, and their sins should be forgiven them.

In every parable Christ spoke to the people He teaches something of the kingdom of God, and even makes a call to repent, and in every parable actively prevents the people from understanding and repenting. Why? Because man is not worthy of God. Salvation is of the LORD (Jonah 2:9). God controls who is saved and who is not saved. Paul was a preacher, he said, and God specifically called him to go to Gentiles and preach (herald) God's message. Romans 10:9-10 are words of Paul of himself to a people who are already saved. It is not a formula for salvation. (Rom. 1:7).




Any man that is "in Christ" has been reconciled to God and has been given the ministry of reconciliation. All Believers in Yeshua are ambassadors of Christ and represent Christ and the Good News of the Gospel.
2Co 5:17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.

2Co 5:18 And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation;
2Co 5:19 To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation.
2Co 5:20 Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God.

"Any man in Chrsit" IS reconciled to God, but ambassadorship was given specifically to Paul and Timothy. And as I said above, you miss understanding the "we" the "us" and the "we" in that passage. Timothy was with Paul in Ephesus when Paul wrote that letter. The "we" and "us" and "we" are Paul and Timothy (2 Cor. 1:1). Syudy it a little bit closer and get your doctrine right, Axehead.

The Church is for believers but the word of God is for everyone who lends his ear to hear.
No, the Church are believers and the Word of God is to and for believers ONLY. You obviously are missing the point of Moses (a believer) writing the Pentateuch to believers, the prophets who are believers writing and prophesying to believers (Israel), and the Psalms written by believers to and for believers. And in the New Testament the gospels were written by four believers to and for other believers, the epistles were written by believers to and for other believers. This is easy to read for each letter is addressed to the Church:

Romans 1:7
7 To all that be in Rome, beloved of God, called to be saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ.

1 Corinthians 1:2
2 Unto the church of God which is at Corinth, to them that are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints, with all that in every place call upon the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, both theirs and ours:

2 Corinthians 1:1
1 Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, and Timothy our brother, unto the church of God which is at Corinth, with all the saints which are in all Achaia:

Galatians 1:2
2 And all the brethren which are with me, unto the churches of Galatia:

Ephesians 1:1
1 Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, to the saints which are at Ephesus, and to the faithful in Christ Jesus:

Philippians 1:1
1 Paul and Timotheus, the servants of Jesus Christ, to all the saints in Christ Jesus which are at Philippi, with the bishops and deacons:

And on and on and on.

But if you want to maintain the Word of God is for the world despite the evidence to the contrary then you just keep believing it. I'm not here to change anyone's mind. That's the ministry of the Holy Spirit. Those whose ear He has opened and whose eye has been opened will both hear and see what the Spirit is saying to the Churches.

Others, and the unbelieving will not.
 

jiggyfly

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jeremiah1five said:
The Law. Written by Moses (a believer) to and for Covenant Israel (other
believers).

The Psalms. Written by Solomon, David, etc. (believers) to and for Covenant
Israel (other believers)

The Prophets. Written by Ezra, Ruth, Samuel, Ezekiel, Daniel, Malachi, etc
(believers) to and for Covenant Israel (other believers).

The Gospels. Written by Matthew, Mark, Luke, John (believers) to and for the
Church (other believers).

The Acts of the Holy Spirit. Written by Luke the Physician (believer) to and
for the Church (other believers).

The Epistles. Written by Paul, Peter, James, John, etc. (believers) to and
for the Church (other believers).

The Revelation of Jesus Christ. Written by John (believer) to and for the
Church (other believers).

Jesus Himself speaks to His disciples in response to the question of why He
speaks to the people in parables:

Mark 4:11-12
11 And he said
unto them, Unto you it is given to know the mystery of the kingdom of God: but
unto them that are without, all these things are done in parables:
12 That seeing they may see, and not
perceive; and hearing they may hear, and not understand; lest at any time they
should be converted, and their sins should be forgiven them.

Jesus, in speaking parables presents some aspect or teaching of the Gospel of
the kingdom of God to the people and also instructs, commands, and invites them
to repent and be saved, and actively prevents the people from seeing, hearing,
and understanding to prevent them from repenting and being converted. The reason
for this is simple: the people are not worthy of the salvation, the mercy and
the grace of God.

Jesus, in another place says:

John 6:63
63 It is the spirit
that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you,
they are spirit, and they are life.

The Word of God is
spirit and life. The unconverted are flesh and death. Both, as Paul described
and taught, are contrary one to another:

Galatians 5:17
17 For the flesh lusteth
against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the
one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would.

Paul
says elsewhere:

1 Corinthians 2:14
14 But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are
foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are
spiritually discerned.

Man is flesh, the Word of God is spiritual. Man
cannot "receive" the things of the Spirit of God "neither can he know
[them]" because of this judgment upon them of God. It is only through
God converting the individual and putting His Spirit in them does a man become a
spirtual man and then the Word of God can be heard, can be seen, can be
understood, and in this the Word of God applies to the believer in Covenant with
God.

The Word of God is for believers ONLY.
Your statement concerning the Gospels seems contrary to your quote of what Jesus said about the parables.

You stated;
"The Gospels. Written by Matthew, Mark, Luke, John (believers) to and for the
Church (other believers)."

and then you said;

Jesus Himself speaks to His disciples in response to the question of why He
speaks to the people in parables:

Mark 4:11-12
11 And he said
unto them, Unto you it is given to know the mystery of the kingdom of God: but
unto them that are without, all these things are done in parables:

Do you realize that the parables Jesus spoke are contained within the gospels?
 

jeremiah1five

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jiggyfly said:
Your statement concerning the Gospels seems contrary to your quote of what Jesus said about the parables.

You stated;
"The Gospels. Written by Matthew, Mark, Luke, John (believers) to and for the
Church (other believers)."

and then you said;

Jesus Himself speaks to His disciples in response to the question of why He
speaks to the people in parables:

Mark 4:11-12
11 And he said
unto them, Unto you it is given to know the mystery of the kingdom of God: but
unto them that are without, all these things are done in parables:

Do you realize that the parables Jesus spoke are contained within the gospels?
Yes, I do. I read the gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John, and they record Jesus speaking to the people at large many parables. But the ability to understand those stories/parables and their meaning as it applies to the kingdom or God and the kingdom of heaven is given to only His disciples (believers).
 

jiggyfly

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jeremiah1five said:
Yes, I do. I read the gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John, and they record Jesus speaking to the people at large many parables. But the ability to understand those stories/parables and their meaning as it applies to the kingdom or God and the kingdom of heaven is given to only His disciples (believers).
Do you see your contradictory statements?
 

Rocky Wiley

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Aug 28, 2012
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jeremiah1five said:
Yes, I do. I read the gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John, and they record Jesus speaking to the people at large many parables. But the ability to understand those stories/parables and their meaning as it applies to the kingdom or God and the kingdom of heaven is given to only His disciples (believers).
Hi Jeremiah1five,

Totally agree with you, only believers see the things of God, others are blind.

Mat 15:1 Then came to Jesus scribes and Pharisees, which were of Jerusalem, saying,
Mat 15:2 Why do thy disciples transgress the tradition of the elders? for they wash not their hands when they eat bread.
The scribes and Pharisees looked at the natural, not the spiritual. They worried about their hands.
Mat 15:3 But he answered and said unto them, Why do ye also transgress the commandment of God by your tradition?
Tradition was what they had been taught, accepting it instead of searching out God's word.
Mat 15:4 For God commanded, saying, Honour thy father and mother: and, He that curseth father or mother, let him die the death.
God simply said to Honour thy father and mother.
Mat 15:5 But ye say, Whosoever shall say to his father or his mother, It is a gift, by whatsoever thou mightest be profited by me;
Mat 15:6 And honour not his father or his mother, he shall be free. Thus have ye made the commandment of God of none effect by your tradition.
They added to it, just as the serpent did to Eve,this time by way of tradition.
Mat 15:7 Ye hypocrites, well did Esaias prophesy of you, saying,
Mat 15:8 This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me.
Mat 15:9 But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.
They thought they were pleasing God by doing the things taught by man, tradition.
Mat 15:10 And he called the multitude, and said unto them, Hear, and understand:
Mat 15:11 Not that which goeth into the mouth defileth a man; but that which cometh out of the mouth, this defileth a man.
He that repeats tradition rather than God's word, diefileth himself.
Mat 15:12 Then came his disciples, and said unto him, Knowest thou that the Pharisees were offended, after they heard this saying?
Mat 15:13 But he answered and said, Every plant, which my heavenly Father hath not planted, shall be rooted up.
Jesus responds by stating, in my words, Every man that teaches tradition instead of God's word will be removed from his kingdom.
Mat 15:14 Let them alone: they be blind leaders of the blind. And if the blind lead the blind, both shall fall into the ditch.
All that follow after the tradition of men will fall away from God.
Mat 15:15 Then answered Peter and said unto him, Declare unto us this parable.
Mat 15:16 And Jesus said, Are ye also yet without understanding?
Mat 15:17 Do not ye yet understand, that whatsoever entereth in at the mouth goeth into the belly, and is cast out into the draught?
Mat 15:18 But those things which proceed out of the mouth come forth from the heart; and they defile the man.
Mat 15:19 For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies:
Mat 15:20 These are the things which defile a man: but to eat with unwashen hands defileth not a man.

Many prophecy teachers today preach tradition when it comes to prophecy. When someone tells you that Jesus never said that he would return in the disciples generation, check it out for yourselves.

The word of God is true.

Rom 3:3 For what if some did not believe? shall their unbelief make the faith of God without effect?
Rom 3:4 God forbid: yea, let God be true, but every man a liar; as it is written, That thou mightest be justified in thy sayings, and mightest overcome when thou art judged.

Rev 22:18 For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book:
Rev 22:19 And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book.
 

7angels

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is the bible just for believers? the answer is no. there are many concepts within the word that work for believers and unbelievers. one example is faith. faith works whether you are a believer or not. faith only requires that you have a joyful expectation of something good. what i think is amazing is that unbelievers can do what most believers don't do. another example is prayer. the bible does not say we have to be a christian to pray and get our prayers answered. the word teaches that all we need to do is call upon the name of the Lord. the Word is full of promises that can apply to both Godly and ungodly people. the bible is also full of history so it is very valuable to historians who may or may not be christians. God is not a respecter of persons but is a respecter of principles.

God bless
 
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Selene

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jeremiah1five said:
His Word was sent to His elect, those whose names were written by God in the book of life of the Lamb slain from before the foundation (creation) of the world.

Isaiah 55:11
11 So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.

And that is the calling and saving of His elect.

All the elect to whom the Word of God is given shall all repent and come to the knowledge of the Truth at their appointed time.

You must know that the Word of God does two things: it justifies the righteous, and condemns the guilty.

As I said, He calls to all to repent, but He also actively prevents their repenting. The reason? Men are unworthy of His grace, His mercy, and this "so-great salvation."
And you know for certain that you are one of those elect whose names is already in the Book of Life?