Brakelite
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A painting of porcelain ruddy cheeked dolls. European dolls.. Not middle eastern. Forgive my lack of enthusiasm.
Friendly Bible Study - participants must agree to Nicene Creed.
- Thread starter Carl Emerson
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Yes of course - but the colours and lighting are exceptional. Jump on a train and have a look...
To me it isn't true to scripture either, but we now have some dialogue going.
Nameaboveallnames
Active Member
Pardon the interruption, but I have a sincere question:
Why is a belief in the Nicene Creed a prerequisite for fellowship?
Why is a belief in the Nicene Creed a prerequisite for fellowship?
Welcome NAAN,
Given the history of constant argument around the fundamentals of faith on this forum we wanted to move on with a common agreement on the essential foundation of Christianity agreed by the Church Fathers early in the life of the church. We could have chosen the Apostles Creed but the Nicene Creed seemed better to avoid endless debate from our JW and Mormon friends among others.
Brakelite
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I think that was a wise choice. Later creeds attempted to be too specific, going beyond what scripture actually revealed, albeit I do have one issue with the Nicene, because to me it appears to contradict itself. But I'm willing to live with it....
@Brakelite @amadeus @Azim @Pearl @Rita @Ritajanice @APAK @MA2444 @faithfulness @GTW27 @Berean @rockytopva @quietthinker @ScottA @Hidden In Him @grace @Oneoff @Hillsage @VictoryinJesus @Angelina @seatts79 @GodsGrace @RedFan
OK team,
I was getting much better response when I was taking a topical approach to bible study.
Given that feedback on Acts has reduced to Zero I would like to return to a subject matter that should encourage more participation.
Let's look at the issue of God's Love - in the Greek - Agape.
For some reason I once believed that only the saved who were indwelled by the Holy Spirit and motivated by the very Love of Jesus could express Agape.
I was aware that the works not motivated by the Love of Jesus come to nothing. 1 Cor 13:3
Then as I pondered on Jesus teaching about loving ones enemies, He mentioned that even sinners love those who love them. Luke 6:32
I admit I was somewhat surprised to read that in that verse - the Greek is indeed Agape.
So I had to conclude that there was a function of God's Love in 'common grace' that promoted social cohesion among the unsaved.
Yet we are called to a love far beyond that - given that Jesus said 'greater love has no man than he lay down his life for his friends.' and went on to demonstrate this supremely on the cross.
Now a strong moral ethic in todays culture is called reciprocity - meaning returning a favour - this is what the unsaved do.
But Jesus is calling us to love far beyond that.
You will note that the sin of Sodom was indifference to the poor.
They had nothing to give.
Reaching out to the poor then is primary to responding to God's Love.
Yet the priority is first to the household of the saints. Gal 6:10
In that we often fail miserably - the goal among the saints is for equality 2 Cor 8:14
Maybe if we attended to this, the love among the saints would be more visible to the world. John 17:23
Then we would have multitudes drawn to faith.
Family is all about looking after and being looked after.
That is the Agape of God.
Unbelievers know this...
That is what they are looking for.
OK team,
I was getting much better response when I was taking a topical approach to bible study.
Given that feedback on Acts has reduced to Zero I would like to return to a subject matter that should encourage more participation.
Let's look at the issue of God's Love - in the Greek - Agape.
For some reason I once believed that only the saved who were indwelled by the Holy Spirit and motivated by the very Love of Jesus could express Agape.
I was aware that the works not motivated by the Love of Jesus come to nothing. 1 Cor 13:3
Then as I pondered on Jesus teaching about loving ones enemies, He mentioned that even sinners love those who love them. Luke 6:32
I admit I was somewhat surprised to read that in that verse - the Greek is indeed Agape.
So I had to conclude that there was a function of God's Love in 'common grace' that promoted social cohesion among the unsaved.
Yet we are called to a love far beyond that - given that Jesus said 'greater love has no man than he lay down his life for his friends.' and went on to demonstrate this supremely on the cross.
Now a strong moral ethic in todays culture is called reciprocity - meaning returning a favour - this is what the unsaved do.
But Jesus is calling us to love far beyond that.
You will note that the sin of Sodom was indifference to the poor.
They had nothing to give.
Reaching out to the poor then is primary to responding to God's Love.
Yet the priority is first to the household of the saints. Gal 6:10
In that we often fail miserably - the goal among the saints is for equality 2 Cor 8:14
Maybe if we attended to this, the love among the saints would be more visible to the world. John 17:23
Then we would have multitudes drawn to faith.
Family is all about looking after and being looked after.
That is the Agape of God.
Unbelievers know this...
That is what they are looking for.
Last edited:
Brakelite
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Early in Christian walk, not long after I was married, my wife and I were appointed youth leaders in our local church. Later, when my wife became pregnant, she pulled away from youth group duties later in the pregnancy, and more essentially, after the child was born. I continued in the leadership on my own. However, I made the mistake of spending more time and giving more attention to the youth, than I did my wife and young child, reasoning I was "serving God". Big mistake. While we can all express agape love for one another, and assuredly ought to be doing so, we must prioritise the most important. Family always comes before church. Our "brothers and sisters" in Christ ought to never hold a place in our lives above that of our blood.
@Brakelite @amadeus @Azim @Pearl @Rita @Ritajanice @APAK @MA2444 @faithfulness @GTW27
Hi there,
We seem to be experiencing a technical glitch which stops folks being alerted to posts.
It seems we have exceeded the number of members that can be referenced at once.
Please reply if you are alerted to this post.
Hi there,
We seem to be experiencing a technical glitch which stops folks being alerted to posts.
It seems we have exceeded the number of members that can be referenced at once.
Please reply if you are alerted to this post.
No, I was not alerted till now.I manually went to your Bible study group because you left a link in your DM.
Brakelite
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Been flat out moving to another house sit. Will try to sort out the matter next week.
Brakelite
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Moving house is a tedious exercise. All blessings to you guys. How you're new place becomes a true home...albeit temporarily.
Got this from the New Posts.
I hear you're moving.
Close by?
The place in your OP sounded really nice.
What are we up to/doing??
Hi there, We are up in Raukaka in the North of NZ for 7 weeks house sitting.
It has been full on and I have not been able to devote the time to working out how to address the glitch we struck in trying to alert 24 members at once.
It was confusing for me - posting and getting no response - not realising folks were not being alerted.
When things settle down we can kick it off again.
Did you like our journey through Acts or do you prefer topical study ?
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