Baptism is it required?

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RichardBurger

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WHY THESE KINDS OF HERESIES CONTINUE AMONG SINCERE PEOPLECopied from Eric Landstrom's web site.http://www.ovrlnd.com/FalseDoctrine/baptizmalregen.html1. Students fail to understand the nature of Church Age salvation because he or she is unsaved, or fails to understand the command to" rightly divide the word of truth" (found only in the KJV). The unsaved (natural man) cannot understand these things, because they are spiritually discerned. The new birth, along with a careful study of God's word is essential to a proper understanding of the Holy Scripture:1 Corinthians 2:14 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. Any interpreter of the Holy Scripture must be certain he or she is truly born again. This statement is not designed to challenge the student’s relationship with God, but is designed to cause all students of Scripture to be absolutely certain they are saved. It is clearly possible to be deceived (Rev. 12:9).2 Corinthians 11:4 For if he that cometh preacheth another Jesus, whom we have not preached, or if ye receive another spirit, which ye have not received, or another gospel, which ye have not accepted, ye might well bear with him. 2 Timothy 2:15 Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. Unless the student realizes the parenthetical nature of the Church Age in doctrine, he or she will have difficulty separating the commands given for the preaching of the Kingdom gospel and the gospel of the grace of God committed unto Paul. When Christ gave what is commonly called the "great commission", salvation was not by grace through faith. They were commanded to teach all nations to observe (do) the things he had commanded them before his crucifixion. If one chooses to rely on baptism as part of the plan of salvation, he must also include all the commandments of the Lord Jesus Christ while he taught on earth. During that period of time a man inherited eternal life. Mark 10:17 And when he was gone forth into the way, there came one running, and kneeled to him, and asked him, Good Master, what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life? Luke 10:25 And, behold, a certain lawyer stood up, and tempted him, saying, Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life? Luke 18:18 And a certain ruler asked him, saying, Good Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?In each case above, Christ answered with a set of works to be performed. (look them up!) A Jew could then inherit eternal life. However, you cannot inherit eternal life. Paul makes it clear that for the Church Age saint eternal life is a free gift! Romans 5:15 But not as the offence, so also is the free gift. For if through the offence of one many be dead, much more the grace of God, and the gift by grace, which is by one man, Jesus Christ, hath abounded unto many. Romans 5:16 And not as it was by one that sinned, so is the gift: for the judgment was by one to condemnation, but the free gift is of many offences unto justification. Romans 5:18 Therefore as by the offence of one judgment came upon all men to condemnation; even so by the righteousness of one the free gift came upon all men unto justification of life. Among the commandments Christ taught them to observe (other than baptism) were:1. Luke 6:35 But love ye your enemies, and do good, and lend, hoping for nothing again; and your reward shall be great, and ye shall be the children of the Highest: for he is kind unto the unthankful and to the evil. Is lending, without expecting the money or item to be returned, a part of the gospel Paul preached? Wouldn't it be in opposition to a gospel that clearly is by grace alone without works?2. Matthew 5:40 And if any man will sue thee at the law, and take away thy coat, let him have thy cloak also. (Do not defend yourself, rather reward the enemy!) Again, in the Kingdom gospel, the requirements for becoming children of God were more than simple faith. While this sounds like heresy to multitudes of fundamental people, they cannot deal with the scriptures under discussion, but will always twist the scriptures to make them fit their own theology.These are only a smattering of the things Christ taught as part of the doctrine for the coming Kingdom. Read the gospels for a full accounting. 3. If a student fails to see the progressive nature of Bible revelation. Isaiah 28:9, 10 Whom shall he teach knowledge? and whom shall he make to understand doctrine? them that are weaned from the milk, and drawn from the breasts. For precept must be upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little: 4. If a student lacks an understanding of the nature of the two Kingdoms predominant in the four gospels. By confusing the Kingdom of Heaven with the Kingdom of God, he fails to see the outward sign of Baptism which is associated in the gospels with ones position in the Kingdom of Heaven, and grace, which alone qualifies a sinner to enter the Kingdom of God. The following brief, scriptural synopsis of the two Kingdoms should help clear this up.God and Heaven are not the same. Things different are not the same! God is the creator of heaven. It was not simply a difference of word usage among the writers, but rather that two separate kingdoms were being offered to Israel when Christ showed up. A. The Kingdom of Heaven: Matthew 3:2 And saying, Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand. Matthew 4:17 From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, Repent : for the kingdom of heaven is at hand. Heaven is a real physical place. Likewise, the Kingdom of Heaven speaks of a real physical kingdom with a real physical, literal King, Jesus Christ. God is a Spirit. (John 4:24) Likewise the Kingdom of God is a spiritual kingdom.Matthew 8:11 And I say unto you, That many shall come from the east and west, and shall sit down (literally!) with Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, in the kingdom of heaven. Matthew 11:12 And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffereth violence, and the violent take it by force. Notice in the first verse that folks come from all over and literally sit down with the patriarchs in the Kingdom. Also notice that it can suffer violence and force. To be brief, Bible Believing Christians refer to this coming kingdom as the Millennium, a 1000 year period of peace with Christ on the throne. (Rev 20:2-6) This Kingdom was "at hand" when Jesus preached, but was postponed when Israel said "We have no king but Caesar." (John 19:15).Paul tells us in reverse what the Kingdom of God is not, and what it is:Romans 14:17 For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost. The Kingdom of God is a spiritual kingdom. Of this kingdom Jesus said:Luke 17:21 Neither shall they say, Lo here! or, lo there! for, behold, the kingdom of God is within you. Peter, who was the apostle to the circumcision (Galatians 2:7) spoke (Acts 2) to a forgiven people (Luke 23:34) and re-invited them to receive their King. Acts 2:30 Therefore being a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him, that of the fruit of his loins, according to the flesh, he would raise up Christ to sit on his throne; Someone who sits on a throne is a KING!Failure to understand the kingdom nature of the early Acts message (until chapter 7) results in the student attempting to weld together two irreconcilable messages. Paul NEVER attaches baptism to salvation as a requirement, only as an ordinance. In ANY of his presentations of the gospel of the grace of God Baptism is NEVER mentioned until the transaction is completed. Paul was saved when God arrested him on the road to Damascus. Acts 9:17Notice that Ananias calls him Brother Saul in both verses.And Ananias went his way, and entered into the house; and putting his hands on him said, Brother Saul, the Lord, even Jesus, that appeared unto thee in the way as thou camest, hath sent me, that thou mightest receive thy sight, and be filled with the Holy Ghost. Acts 9:17Came unto me, and stood, and said unto me, Brother Saul, receive thy sight. And the same hour I looked up upon him. Acts 22:13Ananias' instruction to Saul later in Acts 22:16, was simply as far as Annanias had come in understanding the nature of the gospel he had heard. Strange as it may seem, it was his disciple, Saul of Tarsus, who would later be given the revelation of the gospel of grace, a distinctive Church Age gospel which put men and women directly into Jesus Christ rather than into the Kingdom of Heaven. The gospel of grace preached by Paul was a mystery that he was chosen to unveil. Romans 16:25 Now to him that is of power to establish you according to my gospel, (as opposed to Peter's gospel) and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery, which was kept secret since the world began, Ephesians 6:19 And for me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the gospel, Colossians 1:26 Even the mystery which hath been hid from ages and from generations, but now is made manifest to his saints: Colossians 1:27 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: Colossians 4:3 Withal praying also for us, that God would open unto us a door of utterance, to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am also in bonds: What is so mysterious then? Colossians 1:27 gives it for us. It is Christ in you. The mystery is that one could be called, saved, justified, made righteous, and even glorified by an act of faith without works. Baptism was required for salvation while the gospel of the Kingdom was being preached. Because the King and Kingdom were rejected by Israel (Acts 7) the gospel of the Kingdom was put "on hold" until after the Church Age, and the mystery of the grace of God revealed to Paul, is now preached. After the Rapture of the Church, the Kingdom gospel will once again be preached, and Acts 2:38 will be the proper message. We must rightly divide the word.5. Students fail to understand the doctrinal writings of Paul as relates to baptism. Paul makes it clear there is only one baptism which saves. A study of the New Testament will reveal seven different baptisms. Which one is the saving baptism?A. John's Baptism. Water, unto repentance with confession of sins. Matthew 3:6B. Christ Holy Ghost: Matthew 3:11 Fire: Matthew 3:11 The cross: Matthew 20:22. C. Paul, water as an ordinance: NT Church Age D. Moses cloud and in the sea: 1 Cor 10:2 E. The Holy Spirit into Christ: 1 Cor 12:13.It will have to be E., 1 Corinthians 12:13For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit. How can one be certain which baptism it is that does the job?Ephesians 4:5,6 One Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all. There is now only one baptism that puts you into Christ, and it is not water. Salvation in this age is by grace through faith - period! The fact that folks are baptized in water following salvation in Paul's ministry no more teaches baptismal regeneration anymore than the fact that he admonished them to be faithful in gathering (Heb. 10:25) makes church attendance a requirement. Baptism in Church Age doctrine is an ordinance. There are two ordinances. 1. The Lords supper, a memorial supper designed by the Lord to show HIS death till he comes. Baptism is an ordinance designed to show YOUR death to sin and your resurrection life in him. It is understandable that one who relies on a simple proof text method of study without taking into account the dispensational nature of the Scripture would fail to understand the place of baptism in Kingdom doctrine as well as Pauline doctrine. One should remember the admonition of Paul in Galatians in light of his declaration of the gospel in I Corinthians 15:1-5.1 Corinthians 15:1-5 Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain. For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; 4 And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures: And that he was seen of Cephas, then of the twelve: Galatians 1:8 But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed. Galatians 1:9 As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed. By the way, an indication of the dispensational nature of the Scripture can be seen in an angel preaching another gospel uncursed!Revelation 14:6 And I saw another angel fly in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people, In conclusion, Paul makes it clear that baptism is not important in his preaching of the gospel.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. 1 Corinthians 1:14 I thank God that I baptized none of you, but Crispus and Gaius; This would be a rather irresponsible thing to say if baptismal regeneration is anything more than a heresy.If you are counting on your baptism to get you to heaven, infant or otherwise, pay careful attention to the words of Paul, by the inspiration of the Holy Ghost: Galatians 1:9 As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed.MAY ALMIGHY GOD OPEN YOUR EYES TO THIS FALSE DOCTRINE AND SPARE YOU FROM THE LAKE OF FIRE."BELIEVE ON THE LORD JESUS CHRIST AND THOU SHALT BE SAVED" Acts 16:31Posted by Richard
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watt

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In The Name Of The Father And Of Son And Of The Holy SpiritHere I Am Again To Share The Truth Of God Love(richardburger;55023)
please... Dont Use Flesh When You Interpreted The Word Of God.If You Use Your Flesh.. You Are Just Creating Sin To Your Self...why I Say This, Because Someone Will Be Astray When They Read Your Post. Who Is Responsible?? Definitely He Who Use Flesh...for Flesh 100% Against God Will.From Watt****what I Have Learned Has Been Taught To Me By The Holy Spirit Using The Word Of God, Over A Period Of More Than 50 Years. Please Stop Making These Stupid Remarks As If You Are The Only One That Has Been Taught By The Holy Spirit.I Suppose, Since You Think You Are The Only One That Teaches The Truth, You Are Not Leading Anyone Astray. I Am The One Doing That, Right? How Is Your Ego Watt?No Hurt Feeling My Friend....the Truth Is Here. Jesus Is God, His Word Is "the Word Of God" He Is The Master So We Must Follow 100% Of His Words. But You Guys Very Funny Always Like To Refer To Apostle ... I Am NOT Saying You Cannot Refer To Them. They Receive The Same Spirit.....but We Must Pray For The Holy Spirit To Lead Us For Every Word That Written In Bible Is Inspired By The Holy Spirit...let The Spirit Help Us.With Flesh...we Will Never Find The Truth. Well.. To You I Am Stupid ....Stupid Like A Little Children, . Thank And Praise The Lord!!....but Jesus Said "the Kingdom Of God Belong To People Such As These"What I Do Is Give My Opinion Of What The Scriptures Mean To Me. I Force No One To Believe As I Do And I Certainly Don't Try To Intimidate Others To Believe As I Do By Saying What You Said Above. But My Efforts Are To Get People To Study The Word Of God To See If I Am Right.Richard
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well That Is What You Expected From Others... But It Goes Up Side Down. There Are Many People's Out There Is Seaching For God. When They Read "christian" They Will Come In And Start Reading All The Post...to Them "the Truth Is Here" And They Will Keep That Knowledge In Theit Heart, Mind And Soul.What Happen If Some Of The Post, The Bible "THE WORD OF GOD' Wrongly Interpreted, They Will Keep It In Their Heart, Mind And Soul ..so THE WORD OF GOD Become Corrupted In Them. Who Will Responsible? .......THE WORD OF GOD IS SPIRIT AND THEY ARE LIFE...... May God Forgive All Our SinAmenFrom Watt
 

Alpha and Omega

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In The Name Of The Father And Of Son And Of The Holy SpiritHere I Am Again To Share The Truth Of God LoveNo Hurt Feeling My Friend....the Truth Is Here. Jesus Is God, His Word Is "the Word Of God" He Is The Master So We Must Follow 100% Of His Words.But You Guys Very Funny Always Like To Refer To Apostle ... I Am NOT Saying You Cannot Refer To Them. They Receive The Same Spirit.....but We Must Pray For The Holy Spirit To Lead Us For Every Word That Written In Bible Is Inspired By The Holy Spirit...let The Spirit Help Us.With Flesh...we Will Never Find The Truth.Well.. To You I Am Stupid ....Stupid Like A Little Children, . Thank And Praise The Lord!!....but Jesus Said "the Kingdom Of God Belong To People Such As These"May God Forgive All Our SinAmenFrom Watt
No we do not think you are stupid. The only thing we think is stupid is you saying that we use flesh every time we interpret a scripture. Which you are absolutely wrong. We think you are confused very much so. However there is something that is good and it seems that you really care about God but just do not accept any criticism and/or listen to what God says.I cannot remember Jesus saying the kingdom of GHod belongs to stupid people.
 

watt

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In The Name Of The Father And Of The Son And Of The Holy SpiritHere I Am Again To Share The Truth Of God Love(alpha And Omega;55040)
no We Do Not Think You Are Stupid. The Only Thing We Think Is Stupid Is You Saying That We Use Flesh Every Time We Interpret A Scripture. Which You Are Absolutely Wrong. We Think You Are Confused Very Much So. However There Is Something That Is Good And It Seems That You Really Care About God But Just Do Not Accept Any Criticism And/or Listen To What God Says.See!!! As You Said " Which You Are Absolutely Wrong"..... Again You Use Your Flesh To Answer Me, not The Holy Spirit.When Baptism Is Not Valid In The Eyes Of The Lord...sorry There Is No Truth In That Person.Human Knowledge And Wisdom Was Originally From The Tree Of Knowledge Of Good And Evil Which Within Our Self.... As I Always Mentioned It To You all "the Flesh."This Is So Called "the Flesh" People's Always Proud To Them Self With the fullness of This Knowledge within them...to Those Without This 'knowledge' Especially The Little Children.. They Will Say "he Is Stupid"....this Is Very Common In Our Daily Life....Remember Flesh Will Never Lead Us To God....GOD Will Say "I DONT KNOW YOU"
May God Forgive All Our SinAmenFrom Watt
 

RichardBurger

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[quote name='watt;55096May God Forgive All Our SinAmenFrom Watt[/QUOTE]****God has already forgiven the sins of a person when that person places his/her faith' date=' trust, confidence and hope in the work of God on the cross. If a person does not believe his/her sins are forgiven then they are not forgiven because they do not believe in Jesus.Since I believe my sins are forgiven I don't need to pray that they "may be forgiven" because they already are.Richard [img']style_emoticons//smile.gif[/img]
 

watt

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IN THE NAME OF THE FATHER AND OF THE SON AND OF THE HOLY SPIRITHERE I AM AGAIN TO SHARE THE TRUTH OF GOD LOVE(RichardBurger;55102)
****God has already forgiven the sins of a person when that person places his/her faith, trust, confidence and hope in the work of God on the cross. If a person does not believe his/her sins are forgiven then they are not forgiven because they do not believe in Jesus.Since I believe my sins are forgiven I don't need to pray that they "may be forgiven" because they already are.Richard
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YES.. YOU RIGHT...BUT SOMETHING WHICH IS THE MOST IMPORTANT WE MUST REMEMBER. AS JESUS ANSWER:- "MY MOTHER AND MY BROTHERS ARE THOSE WHO HEAR THE WORD OF GOD AND DO IT" (LUKE 8:21)Faith, trust, confidence and hope in the work of God on the cross IS NOT ENOUGH. WE MUST DO IT.. Good example the two criminal hanging with JESUS on their cross :-One of the criminals who hung there hurled insults at him: "Aren't you the Christ? Save yourself and us!" But the other criminal rebuked him. "Don't you fear God," he said, "since you are under the same sentence? We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong." Then he said, "JESUS, remember me when you come into your kingdom." JESUS answered him, "I TELL YOU THE TRUTH, TODAY YOU WILL BE WITH ME IN PARADISE." (Luke 23: 39 -43)SEE!! one of the criminal SPOKE TO JESUS "JESUS, remember me when you come into your kingdom." WHEN HE SPOKE TO JESUS, YES...HE DID IT IN ACTION.... BY ASKING JESUS TO REMEMBER HIM.Today, as we all know JESUS, HE IS GOD AND NOW IN HEAVEN...GOD IS SPIRIT. SO WE PRAY TO HIM IN SPIRIT OF TRUTH. THAT IS HOW WE MUST DO IT.MAY GOD FORGIVE ALL OUR SIN.AMENFROM WATT
 

RichardBurger

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It was said: "Faith, trust, confidence and hope in the work of God on the cross IS NOT ENOUGH."The words Faith, trust, and confidence are used to define "belief."Sorry but according to the scriptures it is enough.Richard
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watt

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In The Name Of The Father And Of The Osn And Of The Holy SpiritHere I Am Again To Share The Truth Of God Love(richardburger;55117)
it Was Said: "faith, Trust, Confidence And Hope In The Work Of God On The Cross Is Not Enough."The Words Faith, Trust, And Confidence Are Used To Define "belief."Sorry But According To The Scriptures It Is Enough.Richard
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The Truth Is Here ...according To The Scriptures And According To JESUS:- As JESUS Answer:- "MY Mother And MY Brothers Are Those Who Hear THE WORD OF GOD And Do It" (luke 8:21)Belief cannot be complete, unless it goes together with action "DO IT"..only Then Its Will Be Considered "Belief" May God BlessAmenFrom Watt
 

RichardBurger

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in The Name Of The Father And Of The Osn And Of The Holy SpiritHere I Am Again To Share The Truth Of God Lovethe Truth Is Here ...according To The Scriptures And According To Jesus :- As Jesus Answer:- "my Mother And My Brothers Are Those Who Hear The Word Of God And Do It" (luke 8:21)Belief Not Enough Too..but Must Do It ..only Then It Will Be Considered "belief" May God BlessAmenFrom Watt
You have opened this door so please explain what you mean by "And do it."In this age of God's grace we are commanded to believe in Jesus. Those that have placed their belief, faith, trust and confidence in the work of God on the cross are "doing it."But, perhaps you have something else in mind.Richard
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watt

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IN THE NAME OF THE FATHER AND OF THE SON AND OF THE HOLY SPIRITHER I AM AGAIN TO SHARE THE TRUH OF GOD LOVE(RichardBurger;55133)
You have opened this door so please explain what you mean by "And do it."In this age of God's grace we are commanded to believe in Jesus. Those that have placed their belief, faith, trust and confidence in the work of God on the cross are "doing it."But, perhaps you have something else in mind.Richard
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You are right...Today's Treasure: " 'My mother and brothers are those who hear God's word and and do it' " (Luke 8:21). CHRIST'S priority for the believer's life is not how much he or she studies the Word, enjoys attending Bible study, or discusses Scripture. HIS priority for the believer is to hear THE WORD OF GOD and do it. Receive it internally.Express it externally. Based on Luke 8:21, our kinship to JESUS CHRIST is directly revealed through what we do with the THE WORD OF GOD. Studying GOD'S WORD is not enough and not just a good idea ; it is the very warmth and vitality of the family bloodline—proof that we are family to JESUS CHRIST. The parable of the sower helps us understand the obstacles that can bring our kinship to CHRIST into question. Consider CHRIST'S interpretation of the parable in Luke 8:11-15. HE identified the SEED AS THE WORD OF GOD . In the parable the seed falls on four types of soil. The seed that falls along the path "are the ones who hear, and then the devil comes and takes away the word from their hearts, so that they may not believe and be saved" (v.12). The seed on the rock "are the ones who receive the word with joy when they hear it, but they have no root. They believe for a while, but in the time of testing they fall away" (v.13). The seed that fell among thorns "stands for those who hear, but as they go on their way they are choked by life's worries, riches and pleasures, and they do not mature" (v.14). The seed on good soil "stands for those with a noble and good heart, who hear the word, retain it, and by persevering produce a crop" (v.15). See!! All four had the same relationship with THE WORD OF GOD: they heard it. We cannot overemphasize the importance of applying and obeying THE WORD OF GOD. You see, all four types of soil heard THE WORD, yet only one produced a harvest. It is not enough to hear THE WORD! We have just stumbled on my greatest burden for THE BODY OF CHRIST. How many people sit in church services where Scripture is never taught? They're not even hearing THE WORD OF GOD! Furthermore, what masses of believers hear THE WORD but continue to live in defeat because they don't apply it? Now let's consider each of the types of soil the seed of GOD'S WORD fell on. The seed along the path. Note the activity of Satan. JESUS pictured him as a bird of the air. Ephesians 2:2 calls him:"the ruler of the kingdom of the air." Luke 8:12 tells us Satan possesses the ability to come and take away THE WORD from a hearer's heart. The Greek word for "take away" gives the image of an owl swooping down, snatching its prey in its claws, and soaring back victoriously to its perch. Scripture implies countless reasons Satan desires to snatch THE WORD from us before we've internalized it. Contrary to the hopes of some, hell won't be an eternal party. No one will be glad they came. Eternity is a longtime for regrets. Imagine the evil nature of one who seeks to keep people from being saved. The seed on the rock. The rocky soil represents the shallow hearers of THE WORD. These go a step further than those along the path. They do actually receive THE WORD. Perhaps you are troubled by the thought of Satan's ability to come and snatch THE WORD. Understand that Satan can't take anything the believing hearer claims. Once we've received THE WORD, it's out of his reach. He can try to distort our understanding of it, but he cannot steal it. As we'll soon see, however, we can give it up by our own volition. The rocky soil didn't just receive THE WORD. It received THE WORD with joy! How eye-opening to realize that we can hear THE WORD and receive it joyfully, yet never let it penetrate the depths. Listen, some of THE WORDS of GOD are hard! I think He'd rather see us receive a WORD, wrestle over it with tears, then let it take root, than to jump up and down with ecstatic joy for only a while. The shallow hearer believes.until the time of testing (v.13). What a terrible shame! We miss one of life's most awesome experiences if we don't see GOD'S WORD stand upunder our trial. HE wants to show us it works. HE wants to show us He works! If we stop believing and did not put into practice, we will never know the power and faithfulness of God. If you've developed a few deep roots of faith, you probably had times in your life that, in retrospect, you recognize were shallow, but at the time you were oblivious to your lack of maturity. Just think: in several years, if we cooperate with God and keep growing, we're probably going to shake our heads over a few things that characterize us now! The seed that fell among thorns. We've seen hearers of THE WORD confront demonic thievery and life's adversity. As influential as these two can be, the thorns are probably a greater daily threat. These hearers are defeated by the distractions of the world: worries, riches and pleasures. THE WORD for "riches" is ploutos, meaning "material goods,...abundance." We don't have to be rich to be distracted by riches. You don't have to have much to want more. Working ourselves into the ground to afford more things is symptomatic of this distraction. THE WORD for "pleasures" is hedone, from which we get our term hedonism. Hedonism views "pleasure, gratification and enjoyment" as the chief goals of life. Walking with CHRIST is the greatest pleasure of my life. But even this sacred pleasure cannot be my goal. Knowing and pleasing CHRIST must be my goal. Distraction of all kinds is my biggest challenge in this pursuit. Distracted hearers choke on their own worldly appetites. Luke 8:14 says they also don't mature, which is a tragedy. THE WORD mature comes from two Greek words: telos, meaning "end, goal, perfection," and phero, meaning "to bring, bear." The hearers of THE WORD who are distracted by the constant call of the world will never fulfill GOD'S awesome plan for their lives. According to 1 Corinthians 2:9, distracted individuals miss life's greatest treasure. No mind has even "conceived what GOD has prepared for those who love HIM." The seed on good soil. The good soil represents the one who hears THE WORD and retains it. "Retains" pictures chewing THE WORD up and swallowing it until it occupies a place in us. When GOD'S WORD is deliberately internalized, it will be authentically externalized because it's no longer what we do—it's a part of who we are. Isaiah 55:11 declares GOD'S WORD will not return void. It will accomplish the purposes for which He sent it. That's a fact. But I want it to accomplish and achieve in me, don't you? When this generation asks who CHRIST'S brothers and sisters are, I want Him to point us out joyfully. For our kinship to be obvious, we've got to hear GOD'S WORD and do it. When He sends forth HIS WORD, may He find fertile soil in each of us. LORD JESUS, thank YOU for YOUR WONDERFUL WORD. I know the power to be transformed is in the authentic application of Scripture. Please make my heart a place of fertile soil where the seed of YOUR WORD can be planted and grow deep roots. JESUS, teach me how to immediately receive YOUR teaching and obey it before my enemy, a trial, or any worldly distraction can steal it from me. I pray this in YOUR awesome name, Amen. MAY GOD BLESS ALLAMENFROM WATT
 

watt

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In The Name Of The Father And Of The Son And Of The Holy SpiritHere I Am Again To Share The Truh Of God Love(kriss;55137)
finally Watt A Post That Actully Says Something... Very Nice
Thanks And Praise The Lord!!May All Your Praise Goes To The Glory Of God.AmenFrom Watt
 

watt

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IN THE NAME OF THE FATHER AND OF THE SON AND OF THE HOLY SPIRITHERE I AM AGAIN TO SHAR3E THE TRUTH OF GOD LOVE(Alanforchrist;54076)
You disagree with all the scriptures that Supajag quoted, and put your own interpretaion on Jn 3: 5.The "Water" is the word of God. John 15: 3, Ephesians 5: 26.
Sorry...you use FLESH AGAINI dont come up with my own interpretation as what you say. JOHN 3:5 is JESUS OWN WORD.THE TRUTH OF JOHN 3:5 IS HERE :-JESUS REPLIED " TRULY I SAY TO YOU, UNLESS ONE IS BORN AGAIN OF WATERAND SPIRIT HE CANNOT ENTER THE KINGDOM OF GOD"And again in EPHESIANS 5:26, it DID NOT SAY "The "Water" is the word of God" but it refer to THE WORD OF GOD....AS JESUS ALSO DID MENTIONED THE SAME THING IN JOHN 15:3 AND ST. JAMES ALSO EXPLAINED CLEARLY "THE WORD" IN JAMES 1:18-21.MAY GOD BLESSAMENFROM WATT
 

treeoflife

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(watt;55980)
IN THE NAME OF THE FATHER AND OF THE SON AND OF THE HOLY SPIRITHERE I AM AGAIN TO SHAR3E THE TRUTH OF GOD LOVESorry...you use FLESH AGAINI dont come up with my own interpretation as what you say. JOHN 3:5 is JESUS OWN WORD.THE TRUTH OF JOHN 3:5 IS HERE :-JESUS REPLIED " TRULY I SAY TO YOU, UNLESS ONE IS BORN AGAIN OF WATERAND SPIRIT HE CANNOT ENTER THE KINGDOM OF GOD"And again in EPHESIANS 5:26, it DID NOT SAY "The "Water" is the word of God" but it refer to THE WORD OF GOD....AS JESUS ALSO DID MENTIONED THE SAME THING IN JOHN 15:3 AND ST. JAMES ALSO EXPLAINED CLEARLY "THE WORD" IN JAMES 1:18-21.MAY GOD BLESSAMENFROM WATT
Sorry, Watt, you are using flesh again. Please stop using flesh when you speak. You cannot speak truth unless you speak by God's Sprit. Remember not to use flesh.
 

watt

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IN THE NAME OF THE FATHER AND OF THE SON AND OF THE HOLY SPIRITHERE I AM AGAIN AGAIN TO SHARE THE TRUTH OF GOD LOVE(treeoflife;55982)
Sorry, Watt, you are using flesh again. Please stop using flesh when you speak. You cannot speak truth unless you speak by God's Sprit. Remember not to use flesh.
Oh yes... I AM INSPIRED BY THE HOLY SPIRIT. BUT YOU, YES....100% USING FLESH...HA HA HAAS YOU SAID "Watt, you are using flesh again. Please stop using flesh when you speak"WHERE?? SHOW ME....GOD BLESS ALLAMENFROM WATT
 

treeoflife

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(watt;55984)
IN THE NAME OF THE FATHER AND OF THE SON AND OF THE HOLY SPIRITHERE I AM AGAIN AGAIN TO SHARE THE TRUTH OF GOD LOVEOh yes... I AM INSPIRED BY THE HOLY SPIRIT. BUT YOU, YES....100% USING FLESH...HA HA HAAS YOU SAID "Watt, you are using flesh again. Please stop using flesh when you speak"WHERE?? SHOW ME....GOD BLESS ALLAMENFROM WATT
See, you use flesh again. If you didn't use FLESH, you would understand, but you do not understand and that is why I say you use flesh. Please do not use flesh when you ask questions. I can only answer questions valid when they are not asked in flesh. You must ask in SPIRIT, not FLESH.God BlessAmenTree
 

watt

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IN THE NAME OF THE FATHER AND OF THE SON AND OF THE HOLY SPIRITHERE I AM AGAIN AGAIN TO SHARE THE TRUTH OF GOD LOVE(treeoflife;55985)
See, you use flesh again. If you didn't use FLESH, you would understand, but you do not understand and that is why I say you use flesh. Please do not use flesh when you ask questions. I can only answer questions valid when they are not asked in flesh. You must ask in SPIRIT, not FLESH.God BlessAmenTree
Ha ha ha you failed to proof it to me. Why?? because THE WORD OF GOD IS SPIRIT.AS A CHRISTIAN WE MUST BRING THE LIGHT OF CHRIST NOT DARKNESS....FROM THE PREVIOUS POST,THE TRUTH OF JOHN 3:5 IS HERE :-JESUS REPLIED " TRULY I SAY TO YOU, UNLESS ONE IS BORN AGAIN OF WATERAND SPIRIT HE CANNOT ENTER THE KINGDOM OF GOD"... IF YOU DID NOT FOLLOW YOU ARE NOT IN THE KINGDOM OF GOD....SO SIMPLE!!!And again in EPHESIANS 5:26, it DID NOT SAY "The "Water" is the word of God"...... HERE WRONG INTERPRETATION !!!but it refer to THE WORD OF GOD....AS JESUS ALSO DID MENTIONED THE SAME THING IN JOHN 15:3 AND ST. JAMES ALSO EXPLAINED CLEARLY "THE WORD" IN JAMES 1:18-21. ....GOD BLESS ALLAMENFROM WATT
 

treeoflife

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Ah, ah. I told you that you use flesh and you used it again. I cannot prove anything to you if you do not use SPIRIT. You must not use flesh.God blessAmenTree
 

watt

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IN THE NAME OF THE FATHER AND OF THE SON AND OF THE HOLY SPIRITHERE I AM AGAIN AGAIN TO SHARE THE TRUTH OF GOD LOVE(treeoflife;55987)
Ah, ah. I told you that you use flesh and you used it again. I cannot prove anything to you if you do not use SPIRIT. You must not use flesh.God blessAmenTree
See!! you failed to proof it...As you said "I can only answer questions valid when they are not asked in flesh. You must ask in SPIRIT, not FLESH."... You dont even know what you are talking about. If you felt sleepy go and sleep.Check back my post and you answer me....alright.MAY GOD BLESSAMENFROM WATT