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Jesus had no problem with showing Thomas His pierced hands and feet. According to Jesus' response, there was nothing wrong with that Thomas demanding it. However, even Mary who saw the empty tomb did not believe Jesus was resurrected until she saw Jesus alive first hand.
My bible says faith is the first step in salvation- per Acts 3:19, John 1:12, Romans 10:8-13.Believing in the Name and work of Jesus Christ. Nothing else.
In the same way that James and Jude, the brothers of Jesus did not believe in Him until after His resurrection. God is very patient and does things to encourage people to believe the Gospel. If we look at the example of Gideon, we see that God was very patient with him, giving him signs and assurances until he was ready to do what God was asking of him. Gideon was afraid, and asked for two fleeces, and even after that God got him to go down into the Midian camp where he heard a guard discussing a dream, and the other guard interpreting it for him. That convinced Gideon and he went back to the 300 and said, "Let's go and do this!" Gideon and his 300 were not like the brave U.S. marine tough guys. They were just ordinary men not knowing what was going to happen. In the end, the 300 defeated Midian without even carrying swords. It wasn't the 300, but it was the Lord who defeated that mighty army when Gideon and his 300 did what God told them to do.Yet Jesus told Thomas that blessed are they who believe, having not seen - which includes everyone alive after His ascension.
In fact we are saved how? By faith in His death, burial and resurrection.
What is faith?
The substance of THINGS HOPED FOR, the evidence of THINGS NOT SEEN.
Heb 11:1 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.
So how was Thomas saved by faith in His death, burial and resurrection, when he only believed in what he saw with his own eyes?
We demonstrate the truth of the Gospel to the world around us through the fruits of righteousness that the Holy Spirit does in us.Believing in the Name and work of Jesus Christ. Nothing else.
We demonstrate the truth of the Gospel to the world around us through the fruits of righteousness that the Holy Spirit does in us.
Yet Jesus told Thomas that blessed are they who believe, having not seen - which includes everyone alive after His ascension.
In fact we are saved how? By faith in His death, burial and resurrection.
What is faith?
The substance of THINGS HOPED FOR, the evidence of THINGS NOT SEEN.
Heb 11:1 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.
So how was Thomas saved by faith in His death, burial and resurrection, when he only believed in what he saw with his own eyes?
Jesus did not say those who believed without seeing were "more blessed" than Thomas. In typical Christian error, you just assume they are "more blessed," and more preferred by Jesus.Yet Jesus told Thomas that blessed are they who believe, having not seen - which includes everyone alive after His ascension.
In fact we are saved how? By faith in His death, burial and resurrection.
What is faith?
The substance of THINGS HOPED FOR, the evidence of THINGS NOT SEEN.
Heb 11:1 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.
So how was Thomas saved by faith in His death, burial and resurrection, when he only believed in what he saw with his own eyes?
Acts 3:19 does not say "repent and stop sinning." It says "repent that your sins may be blotted out," which is what the Blood of Jesus does.My bible says faith is the first step in salvation- per Acts 3:19, John 1:12, Romans 10:8-13.
No repentance, no salvation. Acts 3:19
No confession with your mouth the faith in your heart and CALLING UPON the name of the Lord, no salvation. Romans 10:8-13
No choosing to receive Jesus (by calling on the name of the Lord, Romans 10:13), no becoming a child of God, John 1:12
Shalom Aleichem
I can't speak for myself, and I won't. But there are nine - love, joy, peace, gentleness, kindness, goodness, patience, faithfulness, and self control. The fruit of righteousness is for others around us so that they see Christ in us.Speak three fruits of righteousness in yourself given by the Holy Spirit.
The Apostle Paul did not hesitate to state the ones he had. He did not speak a faux humility as an excuse to be silent.
If you can't speak for yourself, then how do you have a testimony of God's presence in your life?I can't speak for myself, and I won't. But there are nine - love, joy, peace, gentleness, kindness, goodness, patience, faithfulness, and self control. The fruit of righteousness is for others around us so that they see Christ in us.
Acts 3:19 does not say "repent and stop sinning." It says "repent that your sins may be blotted out," which is what the Blood of Jesus does.
Thanks for bringing to the table just another false reading of God's Word which can easily be corrected by the Scripture's content. Repentance in Acts 3:19 says nothing about trying to stop sinning.
Please bring more of your ideas.
Perhaps it is needed here some help for you to see that "repentance" and "confession" are very different.Shalom
John wrote that we must confess our sins, to have them forgiven:
1Jn 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us oursins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
Paul preached both faith AND repentance is necessary, not just faith:
Act 20:20 Andhow I kept back nothing that was profitable unto you,but have shewed you, and have taught you publickly, and from house to house,
Act 20:21 Testifying both to the Jews, and also to the Greeks, repentance toward God, AND faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ.
Repentance towards God, and faith towards Jesus: both are needed, and are separate - repentance is not automatically part of faith.
And Paul further elaborates that repentance AND faith are required
Act 26:19 “Therefore, O King Agrippa, I was not disobedient to the heavenly vision,
Act 26:20 but declared first to those in Damascus, then in Jerusalem and throughout all the region of Judea, and ALSO to the Gentiles, that they should repent AND turn to God, performing deeds in keeping with their repentance.
In one text, Paul preached repentance toward God AND faith towards Jesus - in another that we should repent AND turn to God.
Then in Acts 3:19, we are told to repent and be converted for the forgiveness of our sins:
Act 3:19 Repent therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out
In that text, repentance clearly precedes conversion and forgiveness of our sins - and as 1 John 1:9 makes plain, repentance includes confessing our sins to God, for their forgiveness.
Albert Barnes explains this about Acts 3:19:
“Sin cannot be pardoned before man repents of it. In the order of the work of grace, repentance must always precede pardon. Of course, no man can have evidence that his sin is pardoned until he repents. Compare Isa 1:16-20; Joe 2:13”.
Repentance must always precede pardon.
And the account by Jesus of the unforgiving servant asking God to forgive his sins and the king then forgiving him, and 1 John 1:9, backs that up perfectly.
If it were true as some claim that repentance happens after conversion, or is part of it, then Acts 3:19 would say this: Be converted and repent, that your sins be forgiven - instead of saying to repent and be converted.
Peter also told those 3,000 who were added to the church that day, to repent, and be baptized, in Acts 2:38.
It is unequivocally clear that repentance is separate from faith; that repentance is needed, alongside faith, as part of being saved ; and that repentance includes asking God to forgive our sins, and not just changing our minds about sin.
Because the Gospel is not about me at all. I'm just a poor sinner and nothing at all, but Jesus Christ is my all in all. So, it is all about what Jesus did for me when He suffered, died on the Cross, then rose again to give victory over the grave. So, my testimony is that I am a miserable, vile sinner saved by the grace and mercy of God. Nothing more.If you can't speak for yourself, then how do you have a testimony of God's presence in your life?
So, you are convinced Jesus does not want you to speak for yourself, to describe how the Holy Spirit has guided you into obedience and submission through rebirth.Because the Gospel is not about me at all. I'm just a poor sinner and nothing at all, but Jesus Christ is my all in all. So, it is all about what Jesus did for me when He suffered, died on the Cross, then rose again to give victory over the grave. So, my testimony is that I am a miserable, vile sinner saved by the grace and mercy of God. Nothing more.
Sad...God has not filled you with the Holy Ghost.In Scripture, whenever the Holy Spirit is shown to have been accomplishing something, and His Power has made an incredible occurrence, it is easily seen by all those present. The perception of the Holy Spirit is not confined to one person.
Today, the vast majority of "Pentecostal" accounts given about the "voice" or appearance of the Holy Spirit are spoken by an individual, and is a narrative about what he/she alone has "sensed," has "felt in their spirit," has heard the Holy Spirit "speak," or has somehow "seen" like waves of light or a shimmering phenomenon.
By definition, bith a "sign" and an "act" from God is something seen by lots of people, is easily understood with observation or by simple prophetic disclosure, is relevant to current events, produces a strong benefit for the people present, and does not need a committee of opinions to discern.
The supernatural events supposedly shown by "Pentecostals" is largely uncertain, unverifiable, has no real purpose, no real effect, and merely results in emotional activity.
I hope this clears up any questions. Let me know of your experiences with this.
Do you even understand what it is you ask? What is it that God wants of us... a boast or declaration in a prideful display or a very simply and often silent humility? When it is time to speak, is it not God's time and when it is time to be silent, is it not also God's time?Speak three fruits of righteousness in yourself given by the Holy Spirit.
The Apostle Paul did not hesitate to state the ones he had. He did not speak a faux humility as an excuse to be silent.
I will take that on board and consider it.So, you are convinced Jesus does not want you to speak for yourself, to describe how the Holy Spirit has guided you into obedience and submission through rebirth.
I guess I believe you. Too bad, because Jesus commands in Matt. 5:16 "Let your light shine before men."
Regards.