A recent rumour has gone around claiming the following, that I have caused a division in Sam Shamoun's marriage and thus they are splitting up.
This is another lie. I don't know Sam Shamoun's wife, or his children. I only know him.
I have never had any contact with Shamoun's wife nor his children and I am not one who wants to hurt a fellow Christian brothers marriage.
Seriously, I have better things to do with my time than putting to death these rumours.
Answering Judaism
Saturday, 6 June 2015
Tuesday, 2 June 2015
The heresy of Universalism: Examination of proof texts used by them.
I shall be taking a look at some texts raised by Answering Abraham on the subject of Universalism. I will take a look at some of the biblical texts raised and some of the points raised but not all. We'll have to see what the Lord Wills.
The original article can be found here: http://answeringabraham.blogspot.co.uk/2015/05/introduction-and-defense-of-trinitarian.html
This will not necessarily be in order just to clarify.
Let's take a look at the relevant texts. They have been copied from the articles with AA's highlights present for all to see:
""For while we were still helpless, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. (For rarely will anyone die for a righteous person, though for a good person perhaps someone might possibly dare to die.) But God demonstrates his own love for us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, because we have now been declared righteous by his blood, we will be saved through him from God's wrath.For if WHILE WE WERE ENEMIES WE WERE RECONCILED TO GOD through the death of his Son, HOW MUCH MORE, since we have been reconciled, will we be saved by his life? Not only this, but we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received this reconciliation. So then, just as sin entered the world through one man and death through sin, and so death spread to all people because all sinned– for before the law was given, sin was in the world, but there is no accounting for sin when there is no law. Yet death reigned from Adam until Moses even over those who did not sin in the same way that Adam (who is a type of the coming one) transgressed. But the gracious gift is not like the transgression. For if the many died through the transgression of the one man, HOW MUCH MORE DID THE GRACE OF GOD and the gift by the grace of the one man Jesus Christ MULTIPLY to the many! And the gift is not like the one who sinned. For judgment, resulting from the one transgression, led to condemnation, but the gracious gift from the manyfailures led to justification. For if, by the transgression of the one man, death reigned through the one, how much more will those who receive the abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness reign in life through the one, Jesus Christ! Consequently, just as condemnation for all people came through one transgression, so too through the one righteous act came righteousness leading to life for all people. For just as through the disobedience of the one man many were made sinners, so also through the obedience of one man many will be made righteous. Now the law came in so that the transgression may increase, but where sin increased, grace multiplied all the more, so that just as sin reigned in death, so also grace will reign throughrighteousness to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord." (Romans 5:6-21)"
Paul refers to in the context what happened at the time of conversion, namely while the believers before their conversion were lost and were enemies of God, Christ has now set them free. The text is explicit to point out that the exclusivity of salvation, the position that Christ ALONE saves, is evident not only on a surface reading, but also a careful handling and exegesis of the text.
While the grace of God may be open to all, that doesn't mean all will receive, only Christ himself can quicken the individual and bring about redemption. It is by the grace of God that man can come into the faith.
Salvation is open to all, but unless man is quickened and repents toward God, he shall NOT be the recipient of eternal life.
"Who will separate us from the love of Christ? Will trouble, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword? As it is written, "For your sake we encounter death all day long; we were considered as sheep to be slaughtered." No, in all these things we have complete victory through him who loved us! For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor heavenly rulers, nor things that are present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in creation will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord." (Romans 8:35-39)"
I have spoken on this text in another article:
http://answering-judaism.blogspot.co.uk/2015/01/comments-on-romans-8-and-other-texts.html
In addition to the article provided, The text in context is referring to the believers in Jesus and who will separate them from the Love of God. The unbelievers are already condemned and separated from God and it is their own sin that will keep them away from God and his presence for eternity. The statement of not being separated from Christ by external means are only applicable to those are in Christ Jesus, Not to those are not of his sheep.
"For if their rejection is the reconciliation of the world, what will their acceptance be but life from the dead?...For I do not want you to be ignorant of this mystery, brothers and sisters, so that you may not be conceited: A partial hardening has happened to Israel until the full number of the Gentiles has come in. And so all Israel will be saved, as it is written: "The Deliverer will come out of Zion; he will remove ungodliness from Jacob. And this is my covenant with them, when I take away their sins." In regard to the gospel they are enemies for your sake, but in regard to election they are dearly loved for the sake of the fathers. For the giftsand the call of God are irrevocable. Just as you were formerly disobedient to God, but have now received mercy due to their disobedience, so they too have now been disobedient in order that, by the mercy shown to you, they too may now receive mercy. For God has consigned all people to disobedience so that he may show mercy to them all. Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments and how fathomless his ways! For who has known the mind of the Lord, or who has been his counselor? Or who has first given to God, that God needs to repay him? (Romans 11:15;25-35)"
The believers in Jesus are the ones who have received mercy, since Paul is addressing those particular churches. There is nothing even in the text to suggest that "all" literally means all men will be saved. The usage of the word all has to be defined.
"He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation, for all things in heaven and on earth were created by him– all things, whether visible or invisible, whether thrones or dominions, whether principalities or powers– all things were created through him and for him. He himself is before all things and all things are held together in him. He is the head of the body, the church, as well as the beginning, the firstborn from among the dead, so that he himself may become first in all things. For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in the Son and through him to reconcile all things to himself by making peace through the blood of his cross– through him, whether things on earth or things in heaven." (Colossians 1:15-20) "
Who is the body that Jesus is the head of in the context, the church, not the unbelievers. Jesus is sovereign over all, but not all submit to his Lordship. The emphasis on ALL here is on the nature of Jesus, namely where all things derive their existence from, who is the one by all things consist and that Christ is has dominion over creation as YHWH God. Paul is NOT saying that all human beings are going to be saved, he is only making the point on who is the creator and sustainer of of all things, namely Jesus Christ.
"For if only in this life we have hope in Christ, we should be pitied more than anyone. But now Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. For since death came through a man, the resurrection of the dead also came through a man. For just as in Adam all die, so also in Christ all will be made alive. But each in his own order: Christ, the firstfruits; then when Christ comes, those who belong to him. Then comes the end, when he hands over the kingdom to God the Father, when he has brought to an end all rule and all authority and power. For he must reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet. The last enemy to be eliminated is death For he has put everything in subjection under his feet. But when it says "everything"has been put in subjection, it is clear that this does not include the one who put everything in subjection to him. And when all things are subjected to him, then the Son himself will be subjected to the one who subjected everything to him, so that God may be all in all. Otherwise, what will those do who are baptized for the dead? If the dead are not raised at all, then why are they baptized for them? (1 Corinthians 15:19-29)"
There are two different alls that are being conveyed here. In Adam, all man are dead in sin and transgression, depraved and unfit for doing good. We have inherited the sin of Adam, the adamic nature.
The all in Christ statements are not saying all men are in Christ, we have a secondary all that is present. The all will be made alive in Christ refers to those who have been drawn to Christ and are under his lordship. Not every human on this planet submits or is even in Jesus' flock, hence the all who are made alive in Christ, cannot refer to those who are enslaved to another religion but only to those who belong to Jesus. Even the context says "those who belong to him".
As for the baptism of the dead, Paul is referring to a practice by pagans and using them as an illustration to drive the point home that even the pagans know that there is a Day of Reckoning. The baptism for the dead is not a reference to Christian baptism, but to pagan baptism.
"For the love of Christ controls us, since we have concluded this, that Christ died for all; therefore all have died. And he died for all so that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised. So then from now on we acknowledge no one from an outward human point of view. Even though we have known Christ from such a human point of view, now we do not know him in that way any longer. So then, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; what is old has passed away– look, what is new has come! And all these things are from God who reconciled us to himself through Christ, and who has given us the ministry of reconciliation. In other words, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting people's trespasses against them, and he has given us the message of reconciliation. Therefore we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were making His plea through us. We plead with you on Christ's behalf, "Be reconciled to God!" God made the one who did not know sin to be sin for us, so that in him we would become the righteousness of God. (2 Corinthians 5:14-21)"
"And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent his Son to be the Savior of the world." (1 John 4:14)"
The very context of the two passages speaks itself, it even EXPLICITLY says " if anyone IS IN CHRIST". Only those who are in Christ Jesus will be the recipients of eternal life and if God has quickened an individual, they will only receive eternal life IF they repent. Only those in Jesus who have repented and accepted his offer of salvation will be reconciled to God. Those who are not in Christ are not a new creation, they are dead and lost.
"Jesus said, "This voice has not come for my benefit but for yours. Now is the judgment of this world; now the ruler of this world will be driven out. And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself." (Now he said this to indicate clearly what kind of death he was going to die.)" (John 12:30-33 )"
Ellicot has an interesting comment on this particular context:
"Will draw all men unto me.—Better, . . . unto Myself. The words “all men” are not to be limited by interpretations which refer them to nations, or to elect persons within nations; but are to be taken in all the fulness of their width as meaning simply what they say—“all.” The drawing unto Himself is the assertion of His reign over the world, from which the prince of evil shall be cast out. He will Himself be the centre of the new kingdom, from which none shall be shut out. These Greeks who are drawn to Him now are the first-fruits of the harvest of which the whole world is the field, and of which the last day is to be the great ingathering. The word “draw” occurs once in the New Testament, besides this passage, in a moral sense (John 6:44; comp. Note on it there). It is accomplished in the work of the Holy Spirit, whose mission to the Church was dependent on the ascension of our Lord (John 7:39; John 16:7); and the promise is fulfilled even in the case of those who resist the Holy Spirit’s influence. They are drawn by the moral power of the life and death and resurrection of Christ brought home to them by the Holy Ghost; but no moral power can compel a will which is free. (Comp. Note on John 6:37.) The whole mission-work of the Church and every effort which Christianity brings to bear upon the evil of the world implies this moral drawing; and implies, too, the power of man to reject it. But we may not say this moral power is not leading men to Christ, where we can least trace it, and we may not say that there is any limit where its influence ends. (Comp. Note on 1Peter 3:19.)" http://biblehub.com/commentaries/john/12-32.htm
"I have come as a light into the world, so that everyone who believes in me should not remain in darkness. If anyone hears my words and does not obey them, I do not judge him. For I have not come to judge the world, but to save the world. The one who rejects me and does not accept my words has a judge; the word I have spoken will judge him at the last day. (John 12:46-48)"
Jesus isn't denying he will judge on the last day. Looking at both texts from John 12, just read in between the verses at the context and you'll see what the context is actually saying:
"34 The crowd spoke up, “We have heard from the Law that the Messiah will remain forever, so how can you say, ‘The Son of Man must be lifted up’? Who is this ‘Son of Man’?”
35 Then Jesus told them, “You are going to have the light just a little while longer. Walk while you have the light, before darkness overtakes you. Whoever walks in the dark does not know where they are going. 36 Believe in the light while you have the light, so that you may become children of light.” When he had finished speaking, Jesus left and hid himself from them."
Why is Jesus telling his hearers to believe in the light? There wouldn't be such an exhortation if universalism is even remotely true.
"As it is written in the book of the words of Isaiah the prophet, "The voice of one shouting in the wilderness: 'Prepare the way for the Lord, make his paths straight. Every valley will be filled, and every mountain and hill will be brought low, and the crooked will be made straight, and the rough ways will be made smooth, and all humanity will see the salvation of God.'" (Luke 3:3-6)"
"What do you think? If someone owns a hundred sheep and one of them goes astray, will he not leave the ninety-nine on the mountains and go look for the one that went astray? And if he finds it, I tell you the truth, he will rejoice more over it than over the ninety-nine that did not go astray. In the same way, your Father in heaven is not willing that one of these little ones be lost. (Matthew 18:12-14)"
Putting aside the issue of loosing ones salvation or not, let's look carefully. In Matthew, Jesus is speaking about himself going after one of the believers who are going astray and him bringing that believer back. The sheep in context are believers, not unbelievers. As for the context of Luke, all men will see the salvation of God, but not all recieve salvation.
"This is good, and pleases God our Savior, who wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth. For there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for ALL men — the testimony given in its proper time."(1 Timothy 2:3-6)"
"The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance." (2 Peter 3:9)"
"This saying is trustworthy and deserves full acceptance. In fact this is why we work hard and struggle,because we have set our hope on the living God, who is the Savior of all people, especially of believers. (1st Timothy 4:9-10)"
"He IS the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the sins of the whole world." (1 John 2:2)"
In the four texts, Christ is the Saviour of all men, but not all men will be saved, simply because the atonement of Jesus will only cover those who have repented and in the Old Testament as AA should know, the Day of Atonement or Yom Kippur would only cover the Jewish people who repented, not every single Jew. No Repentance, No Salvation, plain and simple.
God desires man to come to repentance and without repentance, you will perish. A call to repentance is part and parcel of the Gospel.
There is one particular point that comes to mind that AA brings up which I wish to repond to:
"The first part almost answers itself. If Universalism is true, and you whom possess a truth seeking and truth bearing property have no choice but to value and desire truth (the contrary is impossible), then you will participate in the truth and be a Christian Universalist. This reason alone is sufficient but what are some other factors? If Christian Universalism is true, then the Triune God created you to be loved by him with his image bearing property inferred on you to love others, to love your Creator and seek and desire God’s love, this nature you possess then is inescapable and only fulfilled by the Triune Lord of the Creation. Your spiritual and emotional needs would be best met in full abundance by your Creator. The unique Christian Triune God exists and no other uncreated Creator exists, hence all other religions are incomplete, inadequate or incompatible with reality, aka: false. "
The only way to love the creator God, is to believe in Jesus and it's only through Jesus that we can know the Father. Any other religion will NOT bring you to salvation nor will help you come closer to God. Every man cannot have their spiritual and emotional needs met unless the God of the Bible has dominion over their life in the sense of being under his Lordship.
Furthermore, to quote the words of David Pawson "Christians KNOW the love of God because they have experienced it and are in position to UNDERSTAND it". To preach God's love without the individual experiencing it and understanding it is very dangerous, for it gives the audience the impression that God is tolerant and indulgent and overlooks sin. God's love itself can only be understood once one has been regenerated.
"You should have the same attitude toward one another that Christ Jesus had, who though he existed in the form of God did not regard equality with God as something to be grasped, but emptied himself by taking on the form of a slave, by looking like other men, and by sharing in human nature. He humbled himself, by becoming obedient to the point of death– even death on a cross! As a result God exalted him and gave him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee will bow– in heaven and on earth and under the earth– and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord to the glory of God the Father. (Philippians 2:5-11)"
"They sang a new hymn: "Worthy are you to receive the scroll and to break open its seals, for you were slainand with your blood you purchased for God those from every tribe and tongue, people and nation. You have appointed them as a kingdom and priests to serve our God, and they will reign ON THE EARTH." Then I looked and heard the voice of many angels in a circle around the throne, as well as the living creatures and the elders. Their number was ten thousand times ten thousand– thousands times thousands–all of whom were singing in a loud voice: "Worthy is the lamb who was killed to receive power and wealth and wisdom and might and honor and glory and praise!" Then I heard EVERY CREATURE– in heaven, ON EARTH, UNDER THE EARTH, in the sea, and ALL THAT IS IN THEM– singing: "To the one seated on the throne and to the Lamb be praise, honor, glory, and ruling power forever and ever!" And the four living creatures were saying "Amen," and the elders threw themselves to the ground and worshiped. (Revelation 5:9-14)"
The context of those confessing Jesus as Lord in Philippians 2 is a reference to what will happen when Jesus returns. Unbelievers realize their beliefs and life were wrong and though they bow the knee to Jesus, but it is too late for them to come to Jesus and be saved and they shall go away into everlasting fire and judgement.
The individuals found in revelation are those who PRAISE YHWH as their God, not those who deny him or give lip service to him. Those who are singing in the context have salvation and are not lost. People who deny Jesus or pay lip service, will not truly glorify Jesus at all.
More articles may be written if the Lord Wills, but that may be another time.
Answering Judaism
The original article can be found here: http://answeringabraham.blogspot.co.uk/2015/05/introduction-and-defense-of-trinitarian.html
This will not necessarily be in order just to clarify.
Let's take a look at the relevant texts. They have been copied from the articles with AA's highlights present for all to see:
""For while we were still helpless, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. (For rarely will anyone die for a righteous person, though for a good person perhaps someone might possibly dare to die.) But God demonstrates his own love for us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, because we have now been declared righteous by his blood, we will be saved through him from God's wrath.For if WHILE WE WERE ENEMIES WE WERE RECONCILED TO GOD through the death of his Son, HOW MUCH MORE, since we have been reconciled, will we be saved by his life? Not only this, but we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received this reconciliation. So then, just as sin entered the world through one man and death through sin, and so death spread to all people because all sinned– for before the law was given, sin was in the world, but there is no accounting for sin when there is no law. Yet death reigned from Adam until Moses even over those who did not sin in the same way that Adam (who is a type of the coming one) transgressed. But the gracious gift is not like the transgression. For if the many died through the transgression of the one man, HOW MUCH MORE DID THE GRACE OF GOD and the gift by the grace of the one man Jesus Christ MULTIPLY to the many! And the gift is not like the one who sinned. For judgment, resulting from the one transgression, led to condemnation, but the gracious gift from the manyfailures led to justification. For if, by the transgression of the one man, death reigned through the one, how much more will those who receive the abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness reign in life through the one, Jesus Christ! Consequently, just as condemnation for all people came through one transgression, so too through the one righteous act came righteousness leading to life for all people. For just as through the disobedience of the one man many were made sinners, so also through the obedience of one man many will be made righteous. Now the law came in so that the transgression may increase, but where sin increased, grace multiplied all the more, so that just as sin reigned in death, so also grace will reign throughrighteousness to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord." (Romans 5:6-21)"
Paul refers to in the context what happened at the time of conversion, namely while the believers before their conversion were lost and were enemies of God, Christ has now set them free. The text is explicit to point out that the exclusivity of salvation, the position that Christ ALONE saves, is evident not only on a surface reading, but also a careful handling and exegesis of the text.
While the grace of God may be open to all, that doesn't mean all will receive, only Christ himself can quicken the individual and bring about redemption. It is by the grace of God that man can come into the faith.
Salvation is open to all, but unless man is quickened and repents toward God, he shall NOT be the recipient of eternal life.
"Who will separate us from the love of Christ? Will trouble, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword? As it is written, "For your sake we encounter death all day long; we were considered as sheep to be slaughtered." No, in all these things we have complete victory through him who loved us! For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor heavenly rulers, nor things that are present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in creation will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord." (Romans 8:35-39)"
I have spoken on this text in another article:
http://answering-judaism.blogspot.co.uk/2015/01/comments-on-romans-8-and-other-texts.html
In addition to the article provided, The text in context is referring to the believers in Jesus and who will separate them from the Love of God. The unbelievers are already condemned and separated from God and it is their own sin that will keep them away from God and his presence for eternity. The statement of not being separated from Christ by external means are only applicable to those are in Christ Jesus, Not to those are not of his sheep.
"For if their rejection is the reconciliation of the world, what will their acceptance be but life from the dead?...For I do not want you to be ignorant of this mystery, brothers and sisters, so that you may not be conceited: A partial hardening has happened to Israel until the full number of the Gentiles has come in. And so all Israel will be saved, as it is written: "The Deliverer will come out of Zion; he will remove ungodliness from Jacob. And this is my covenant with them, when I take away their sins." In regard to the gospel they are enemies for your sake, but in regard to election they are dearly loved for the sake of the fathers. For the giftsand the call of God are irrevocable. Just as you were formerly disobedient to God, but have now received mercy due to their disobedience, so they too have now been disobedient in order that, by the mercy shown to you, they too may now receive mercy. For God has consigned all people to disobedience so that he may show mercy to them all. Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments and how fathomless his ways! For who has known the mind of the Lord, or who has been his counselor? Or who has first given to God, that God needs to repay him? (Romans 11:15;25-35)"
The believers in Jesus are the ones who have received mercy, since Paul is addressing those particular churches. There is nothing even in the text to suggest that "all" literally means all men will be saved. The usage of the word all has to be defined.
"He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation, for all things in heaven and on earth were created by him– all things, whether visible or invisible, whether thrones or dominions, whether principalities or powers– all things were created through him and for him. He himself is before all things and all things are held together in him. He is the head of the body, the church, as well as the beginning, the firstborn from among the dead, so that he himself may become first in all things. For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in the Son and through him to reconcile all things to himself by making peace through the blood of his cross– through him, whether things on earth or things in heaven." (Colossians 1:15-20) "
Who is the body that Jesus is the head of in the context, the church, not the unbelievers. Jesus is sovereign over all, but not all submit to his Lordship. The emphasis on ALL here is on the nature of Jesus, namely where all things derive their existence from, who is the one by all things consist and that Christ is has dominion over creation as YHWH God. Paul is NOT saying that all human beings are going to be saved, he is only making the point on who is the creator and sustainer of of all things, namely Jesus Christ.
"For if only in this life we have hope in Christ, we should be pitied more than anyone. But now Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. For since death came through a man, the resurrection of the dead also came through a man. For just as in Adam all die, so also in Christ all will be made alive. But each in his own order: Christ, the firstfruits; then when Christ comes, those who belong to him. Then comes the end, when he hands over the kingdom to God the Father, when he has brought to an end all rule and all authority and power. For he must reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet. The last enemy to be eliminated is death For he has put everything in subjection under his feet. But when it says "everything"has been put in subjection, it is clear that this does not include the one who put everything in subjection to him. And when all things are subjected to him, then the Son himself will be subjected to the one who subjected everything to him, so that God may be all in all. Otherwise, what will those do who are baptized for the dead? If the dead are not raised at all, then why are they baptized for them? (1 Corinthians 15:19-29)"
There are two different alls that are being conveyed here. In Adam, all man are dead in sin and transgression, depraved and unfit for doing good. We have inherited the sin of Adam, the adamic nature.
The all in Christ statements are not saying all men are in Christ, we have a secondary all that is present. The all will be made alive in Christ refers to those who have been drawn to Christ and are under his lordship. Not every human on this planet submits or is even in Jesus' flock, hence the all who are made alive in Christ, cannot refer to those who are enslaved to another religion but only to those who belong to Jesus. Even the context says "those who belong to him".
As for the baptism of the dead, Paul is referring to a practice by pagans and using them as an illustration to drive the point home that even the pagans know that there is a Day of Reckoning. The baptism for the dead is not a reference to Christian baptism, but to pagan baptism.
"For the love of Christ controls us, since we have concluded this, that Christ died for all; therefore all have died. And he died for all so that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised. So then from now on we acknowledge no one from an outward human point of view. Even though we have known Christ from such a human point of view, now we do not know him in that way any longer. So then, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; what is old has passed away– look, what is new has come! And all these things are from God who reconciled us to himself through Christ, and who has given us the ministry of reconciliation. In other words, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting people's trespasses against them, and he has given us the message of reconciliation. Therefore we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were making His plea through us. We plead with you on Christ's behalf, "Be reconciled to God!" God made the one who did not know sin to be sin for us, so that in him we would become the righteousness of God. (2 Corinthians 5:14-21)"
"And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent his Son to be the Savior of the world." (1 John 4:14)"
The very context of the two passages speaks itself, it even EXPLICITLY says " if anyone IS IN CHRIST". Only those who are in Christ Jesus will be the recipients of eternal life and if God has quickened an individual, they will only receive eternal life IF they repent. Only those in Jesus who have repented and accepted his offer of salvation will be reconciled to God. Those who are not in Christ are not a new creation, they are dead and lost.
"Jesus said, "This voice has not come for my benefit but for yours. Now is the judgment of this world; now the ruler of this world will be driven out. And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself." (Now he said this to indicate clearly what kind of death he was going to die.)" (John 12:30-33 )"
Ellicot has an interesting comment on this particular context:
"Will draw all men unto me.—Better, . . . unto Myself. The words “all men” are not to be limited by interpretations which refer them to nations, or to elect persons within nations; but are to be taken in all the fulness of their width as meaning simply what they say—“all.” The drawing unto Himself is the assertion of His reign over the world, from which the prince of evil shall be cast out. He will Himself be the centre of the new kingdom, from which none shall be shut out. These Greeks who are drawn to Him now are the first-fruits of the harvest of which the whole world is the field, and of which the last day is to be the great ingathering. The word “draw” occurs once in the New Testament, besides this passage, in a moral sense (John 6:44; comp. Note on it there). It is accomplished in the work of the Holy Spirit, whose mission to the Church was dependent on the ascension of our Lord (John 7:39; John 16:7); and the promise is fulfilled even in the case of those who resist the Holy Spirit’s influence. They are drawn by the moral power of the life and death and resurrection of Christ brought home to them by the Holy Ghost; but no moral power can compel a will which is free. (Comp. Note on John 6:37.) The whole mission-work of the Church and every effort which Christianity brings to bear upon the evil of the world implies this moral drawing; and implies, too, the power of man to reject it. But we may not say this moral power is not leading men to Christ, where we can least trace it, and we may not say that there is any limit where its influence ends. (Comp. Note on 1Peter 3:19.)" http://biblehub.com/commentaries/john/12-32.htm
"I have come as a light into the world, so that everyone who believes in me should not remain in darkness. If anyone hears my words and does not obey them, I do not judge him. For I have not come to judge the world, but to save the world. The one who rejects me and does not accept my words has a judge; the word I have spoken will judge him at the last day. (John 12:46-48)"
Jesus isn't denying he will judge on the last day. Looking at both texts from John 12, just read in between the verses at the context and you'll see what the context is actually saying:
"34 The crowd spoke up, “We have heard from the Law that the Messiah will remain forever, so how can you say, ‘The Son of Man must be lifted up’? Who is this ‘Son of Man’?”
35 Then Jesus told them, “You are going to have the light just a little while longer. Walk while you have the light, before darkness overtakes you. Whoever walks in the dark does not know where they are going. 36 Believe in the light while you have the light, so that you may become children of light.” When he had finished speaking, Jesus left and hid himself from them."
Why is Jesus telling his hearers to believe in the light? There wouldn't be such an exhortation if universalism is even remotely true.
"As it is written in the book of the words of Isaiah the prophet, "The voice of one shouting in the wilderness: 'Prepare the way for the Lord, make his paths straight. Every valley will be filled, and every mountain and hill will be brought low, and the crooked will be made straight, and the rough ways will be made smooth, and all humanity will see the salvation of God.'" (Luke 3:3-6)"
"What do you think? If someone owns a hundred sheep and one of them goes astray, will he not leave the ninety-nine on the mountains and go look for the one that went astray? And if he finds it, I tell you the truth, he will rejoice more over it than over the ninety-nine that did not go astray. In the same way, your Father in heaven is not willing that one of these little ones be lost. (Matthew 18:12-14)"
Putting aside the issue of loosing ones salvation or not, let's look carefully. In Matthew, Jesus is speaking about himself going after one of the believers who are going astray and him bringing that believer back. The sheep in context are believers, not unbelievers. As for the context of Luke, all men will see the salvation of God, but not all recieve salvation.
"This is good, and pleases God our Savior, who wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth. For there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for ALL men — the testimony given in its proper time."(1 Timothy 2:3-6)"
"The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance." (2 Peter 3:9)"
"This saying is trustworthy and deserves full acceptance. In fact this is why we work hard and struggle,because we have set our hope on the living God, who is the Savior of all people, especially of believers. (1st Timothy 4:9-10)"
"He IS the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the sins of the whole world." (1 John 2:2)"
In the four texts, Christ is the Saviour of all men, but not all men will be saved, simply because the atonement of Jesus will only cover those who have repented and in the Old Testament as AA should know, the Day of Atonement or Yom Kippur would only cover the Jewish people who repented, not every single Jew. No Repentance, No Salvation, plain and simple.
God desires man to come to repentance and without repentance, you will perish. A call to repentance is part and parcel of the Gospel.
There is one particular point that comes to mind that AA brings up which I wish to repond to:
"The first part almost answers itself. If Universalism is true, and you whom possess a truth seeking and truth bearing property have no choice but to value and desire truth (the contrary is impossible), then you will participate in the truth and be a Christian Universalist. This reason alone is sufficient but what are some other factors? If Christian Universalism is true, then the Triune God created you to be loved by him with his image bearing property inferred on you to love others, to love your Creator and seek and desire God’s love, this nature you possess then is inescapable and only fulfilled by the Triune Lord of the Creation. Your spiritual and emotional needs would be best met in full abundance by your Creator. The unique Christian Triune God exists and no other uncreated Creator exists, hence all other religions are incomplete, inadequate or incompatible with reality, aka: false. "
The only way to love the creator God, is to believe in Jesus and it's only through Jesus that we can know the Father. Any other religion will NOT bring you to salvation nor will help you come closer to God. Every man cannot have their spiritual and emotional needs met unless the God of the Bible has dominion over their life in the sense of being under his Lordship.
Furthermore, to quote the words of David Pawson "Christians KNOW the love of God because they have experienced it and are in position to UNDERSTAND it". To preach God's love without the individual experiencing it and understanding it is very dangerous, for it gives the audience the impression that God is tolerant and indulgent and overlooks sin. God's love itself can only be understood once one has been regenerated.
"You should have the same attitude toward one another that Christ Jesus had, who though he existed in the form of God did not regard equality with God as something to be grasped, but emptied himself by taking on the form of a slave, by looking like other men, and by sharing in human nature. He humbled himself, by becoming obedient to the point of death– even death on a cross! As a result God exalted him and gave him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee will bow– in heaven and on earth and under the earth– and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord to the glory of God the Father. (Philippians 2:5-11)"
"They sang a new hymn: "Worthy are you to receive the scroll and to break open its seals, for you were slainand with your blood you purchased for God those from every tribe and tongue, people and nation. You have appointed them as a kingdom and priests to serve our God, and they will reign ON THE EARTH." Then I looked and heard the voice of many angels in a circle around the throne, as well as the living creatures and the elders. Their number was ten thousand times ten thousand– thousands times thousands–all of whom were singing in a loud voice: "Worthy is the lamb who was killed to receive power and wealth and wisdom and might and honor and glory and praise!" Then I heard EVERY CREATURE– in heaven, ON EARTH, UNDER THE EARTH, in the sea, and ALL THAT IS IN THEM– singing: "To the one seated on the throne and to the Lamb be praise, honor, glory, and ruling power forever and ever!" And the four living creatures were saying "Amen," and the elders threw themselves to the ground and worshiped. (Revelation 5:9-14)"
The context of those confessing Jesus as Lord in Philippians 2 is a reference to what will happen when Jesus returns. Unbelievers realize their beliefs and life were wrong and though they bow the knee to Jesus, but it is too late for them to come to Jesus and be saved and they shall go away into everlasting fire and judgement.
The individuals found in revelation are those who PRAISE YHWH as their God, not those who deny him or give lip service to him. Those who are singing in the context have salvation and are not lost. People who deny Jesus or pay lip service, will not truly glorify Jesus at all.
More articles may be written if the Lord Wills, but that may be another time.
Answering Judaism
Sunday, 31 May 2015
Clearing the air: Answering x and y
I have recently been accused by xgamer AKA. Mercury2014 AKA. Xgamer_Julian. He has accused me of stealing Sam Shamoun's ministry, which I have not done.
The reason I call myself Answering Judaism is because I answer Jewish Objections to Jesus, whereas Sam calls his website Answering Islam because he answers Muslim objections to Jesus.
Calling yourself Answering x or Answering y, doesn't mean you are stealing from another individual.
There is even an ANSWERING ABRAHAM for goodness sake. Does that mean he is stealing from Sam, NO!!! (Oh and I didn't steal from him either.)
Also, I have been accused of making money through my website by "web trafficking" Let me be VERY clear.
I do NOT ask for donations. I do not earn money through this site, let alone my ministry: http://answering-judaism.blogspot.co.uk/2015/03/donation-to-ministries-for-what-purpose.html
If anyone comes across xgamer, DO NOT believe his vicious lies and deception about me.
Answering Judaism
PS. The lie and false claim that I harrassed Sam Shamoun daughter I respond to here: http://answering-judaism.blogspot.co.uk/2014/01/clarification-and-personal-apology-to.html
The reason I call myself Answering Judaism is because I answer Jewish Objections to Jesus, whereas Sam calls his website Answering Islam because he answers Muslim objections to Jesus.
Calling yourself Answering x or Answering y, doesn't mean you are stealing from another individual.
There is even an ANSWERING ABRAHAM for goodness sake. Does that mean he is stealing from Sam, NO!!! (Oh and I didn't steal from him either.)
Also, I have been accused of making money through my website by "web trafficking" Let me be VERY clear.
I do NOT ask for donations. I do not earn money through this site, let alone my ministry: http://answering-judaism.blogspot.co.uk/2015/03/donation-to-ministries-for-what-purpose.html
If anyone comes across xgamer, DO NOT believe his vicious lies and deception about me.
Answering Judaism
PS. The lie and false claim that I harrassed Sam Shamoun daughter I respond to here: http://answering-judaism.blogspot.co.uk/2014/01/clarification-and-personal-apology-to.html
Genealogies: A response to Ijaz Ahmad.
"An interesting verse from the Bible:
What do you think?"
Comments
Ijaz Ahmad is misreading the text. It is not saying genealogies in and of themselves are useless, the point that Paul is making is not to waste time with heretics who refuse to be corrected:
"9 But avoid foolish controversies and genealogies and arguments and quarrels about the law, because these are unprofitable and useless. 10 Warn a divisive person once, and then warn them a second time. After that, have nothing to do with them. 11 You may be sure that such people are warped and sinful; they are self-condemned."
The genealogies that Christians should be concerned with are those of Jesus' family trees, because they are relevant to the Gospel themselves. Paul is not talking about skipping Matthew 1 or Luke 3, nor is he saying they are useless. He is saying "If an individual isn't going to heed your warning or accept correction, don't bother continue arguing with him."
Also, the phrase "God is not a God of confusion" is talking about orderly worship, NOT God in general:
"1 Corinthians 14:26 What then shall we say, brothers and sisters? When you come together, each of you has a hymn, or a word of instruction, a revelation, a tongue or an interpretation. Everything must be done so that the church may be built up. 27 If anyone speaks in a tongue, two—or at the most three—should speak, one at a time, and someone must interpret. 28 If there is no interpreter, the speaker should keep quiet in the church and speak to himself and to God.
29 Two or three prophets should speak, and the others should weigh carefully what is said. 30 And if a revelation comes to someone who is sitting down, the first speaker should stop. 31 For you can all prophesy in turn so that everyone may be instructed and encouraged. 32 The spirits of prophets are subject to the control of prophets. 33 For God is not a God of disorder but of peace—as in all the congregations of the Lord’s people.
34 Women[f] should remain silent in the churches. They are not allowed to speak, but must be in submission, as the law says. 35 If they want to inquire about something, they should ask their own husbands at home; for it is disgraceful for a woman to speak in the church.[g]
36 Or did the word of God originate with you? Or are you the only people it has reached? 37 If anyone thinks they are a prophet or otherwise gifted by the Spirit, let them acknowledge that what I am writing to you is the Lord’s command. 38 But if anyone ignores this, they will themselves be ignored.[h]
39 Therefore, my brothers and sisters, be eager to prophesy, and do not forbid speaking in tongues. 40 But everything should be done in a fitting and orderly way."
It is the subject of proper and right worship that Paul is talking about.
Hope this article helps
Answering Judaism.
"But avoid foolish controversies and genealogies and arguments and quarrels about the law, because these are unprofitable and useless." - Titus 3:9.
Avoid genealogies.....? So does that mean we should skip Matthew 1 and Luke 3, because they're unprofitable and useless?
"For God is not a God of confusion..." - 1 Corinthians 14:33.
Comments
Ijaz Ahmad is misreading the text. It is not saying genealogies in and of themselves are useless, the point that Paul is making is not to waste time with heretics who refuse to be corrected:
"9 But avoid foolish controversies and genealogies and arguments and quarrels about the law, because these are unprofitable and useless. 10 Warn a divisive person once, and then warn them a second time. After that, have nothing to do with them. 11 You may be sure that such people are warped and sinful; they are self-condemned."
The genealogies that Christians should be concerned with are those of Jesus' family trees, because they are relevant to the Gospel themselves. Paul is not talking about skipping Matthew 1 or Luke 3, nor is he saying they are useless. He is saying "If an individual isn't going to heed your warning or accept correction, don't bother continue arguing with him."
Also, the phrase "God is not a God of confusion" is talking about orderly worship, NOT God in general:
"1 Corinthians 14:26 What then shall we say, brothers and sisters? When you come together, each of you has a hymn, or a word of instruction, a revelation, a tongue or an interpretation. Everything must be done so that the church may be built up. 27 If anyone speaks in a tongue, two—or at the most three—should speak, one at a time, and someone must interpret. 28 If there is no interpreter, the speaker should keep quiet in the church and speak to himself and to God.
29 Two or three prophets should speak, and the others should weigh carefully what is said. 30 And if a revelation comes to someone who is sitting down, the first speaker should stop. 31 For you can all prophesy in turn so that everyone may be instructed and encouraged. 32 The spirits of prophets are subject to the control of prophets. 33 For God is not a God of disorder but of peace—as in all the congregations of the Lord’s people.
34 Women[f] should remain silent in the churches. They are not allowed to speak, but must be in submission, as the law says. 35 If they want to inquire about something, they should ask their own husbands at home; for it is disgraceful for a woman to speak in the church.[g]
36 Or did the word of God originate with you? Or are you the only people it has reached? 37 If anyone thinks they are a prophet or otherwise gifted by the Spirit, let them acknowledge that what I am writing to you is the Lord’s command. 38 But if anyone ignores this, they will themselves be ignored.[h]
39 Therefore, my brothers and sisters, be eager to prophesy, and do not forbid speaking in tongues. 40 But everything should be done in a fitting and orderly way."
It is the subject of proper and right worship that Paul is talking about.
Hope this article helps
Answering Judaism.
Wednesday, 13 May 2015
Dopplegangers attack on Jews
It has been brought to my attention that there are fake nics masquerading as me attacking the Jews on Paltalk with anti-semitic slurs.
Let me make this absolutely clear
I am not an anti-semite. I ABHOR SUCH EVIL
To the Jews who have received anti-semitic slurs, you can rest assured that those nics do not come from me, but actually masquerade as me.
It offends me my Jewish friends when you are slandered in this way. You have had to put up with enough from many of the Gentiles and I don't desire to put any more wood on the fire of anti-semiticism.
If you have been offended on Paltalk, come to me and I will talk to you and we can sort this mess out.
Answering Judaism.
See this article as well: http://answering-judaism.blogspot.co.uk/2015/05/dopplegangers.html
Let me make this absolutely clear
I am not an anti-semite. I ABHOR SUCH EVIL
To the Jews who have received anti-semitic slurs, you can rest assured that those nics do not come from me, but actually masquerade as me.
It offends me my Jewish friends when you are slandered in this way. You have had to put up with enough from many of the Gentiles and I don't desire to put any more wood on the fire of anti-semiticism.
If you have been offended on Paltalk, come to me and I will talk to you and we can sort this mess out.
Answering Judaism.
See this article as well: http://answering-judaism.blogspot.co.uk/2015/05/dopplegangers.html
Warning about Dopplegangers
If you see these fake nics, Stay away from them.
bobo557 (not bobo577)
Bobo775
b0bo577
Answering-Judaism
Answering_Judaism
Ansvvering_Judaism
Answering_Judiasm
Answring Judasm
Answering Joodaism
My TRUE nics on Paltalk are bobo577 and Answering Judaism.
Keep your distance from the fake nics I have listed
Answering Judaism.
PS. The nic Answering Jews isn't me either.
bobo557 (not bobo577)
Bobo775
b0bo577
Answering-Judaism
Answering_Judaism
Ansvvering_Judaism
Answering_Judiasm
Answring Judasm
Answering Joodaism
My TRUE nics on Paltalk are bobo577 and Answering Judaism.
Keep your distance from the fake nics I have listed
Answering Judaism.
PS. The nic Answering Jews isn't me either.
Wednesday, 6 May 2015
Christian Swingers? Is there such a thing?
The answer is a no, Let's just get that out of the way.
An article written by Carey Lodge of Christian Today reported a bodybuilding couple who engage in the practice of swinging (Not sitting on a park swing and rocking back and forth, but a practice involving the swapping of spouses and partners to have sexual activity for recreation). You can find the original article by Lodge here: http://www.christiantoday.com/article/christian.swingers.god.uses.us.to.spread.his.word/41004.htm
These "Christian Swingers" known as Christy and Dean Parave engage in this practice with their excuse being for the sake of evangelism. Let's review the comments:
"God has put me here to spread his word and our lifestyle community is a great place to do it"
No, the exhortation to repent of our sins is how we are to spread his word. The only thing you'll be spreading are sexually transmitted disease and spiritually dead individuals. Engaging in sin is NOT a for of evangelism at all, it is the opposite of evangelism.
"You can't get closer to someone than having sex with them"
The closest you should get to someone who you are not married to is a friend, not jumping into the sack with them. The way to present the Gospel is what it is, what Christ has done, what you are to do and exhort them to repent. You live the Christian life and provide the expostion at the same time and be a light to the nations. Jesus said in Matthew 5:16:
"16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven."
"I'm getting to people that will probably never even visit a church"
The only reason you are getting people into your church like that is because you are appealing to their fleshly nature. You are appealing to the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes and the pride of life (1 John 2:15) to get them into the church, but not actually getting them out of their sin into Christ's church.
The Gospel is not for tickling one's ears, it should disturb the sinner to the core and make them realize what a wretched evil soul they are and that they have offended a holy God and need salvation. The people are not interested in Jesus because you have given the Gospel to them or if you have, it isn't the Gospel they are interested in, it's the satisfaction of the flesh they are interested in,
"If all the swinger are sinners what's the best way to talk to the sinners? To join them, right?"
WRONG!!! You don't join in sin in order to reach out to someone. By this logic presented by the Paraves, This means Christians can engage in witchcraft, homosexuality, murder, drunkeness and other sins, in order to reach out to the groups entangled in those sins. Doesn't 1 John 2:15 ring a bell with these people?
"I don't think God would be mad at what we're doing. At first I was conflicted but the more we looked at it the more it makes sense to us,"
Christy, The reason you were conflicted was because you KNEW you were doing wrong and your conscience was warning you not to engage in the behaviour. And thanks to the fact you and Dean have ignored your consciences, you both have now seared your consciences and ruined them. There is a warning about searing the conscience:
"4 The Spirit clearly says that in later times some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits and things taught by demons. 2 Such teachings come through hypocritical liars, whose consciences have been seared as with a hot iron. 3 They forbid people to marry and order them to abstain from certain foods, which God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and who know the truth. 4 For everything God created is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving, 5 because it is consecrated by the word of God and prayer."
Although the Paraves are not guilty of the crimes of let's say 119 ministries or Roman Catholicism and others like them, the Paraves ARE guilty of following doctrines of demons and have in effect, destroyed their own conscience.
How does it making sense mean it is right to engage in swinging? That excuse can be used for anything by this twisted logic.
God has given man a conscience, They no God exists deep down and hate him and try to suppress the truth by wickedness (Romans 1:18-32).
Your hearts are decieving you Paraves, think about what you both are saying.
"Dean and I are both in agreement with this lifestyle, so we're not committing adultery. God put people on the earth to breed and enjoy each other – I feel God is always with me and he has put us here for a reason."
It makes no difference whether it is consent or not, adultery is what you are both engaging in and unless you repent, God's wrath is upon you and he will be against you. Again, consent can be twisted into an excuse for immorality.
Read the following:
"Galatians 5:19 The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; 20 idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions 21 and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God."
"1 Corinthians 6:9 Or do you not know that wrongdoers will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor men who have sex with men[a] 10 nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God."
Also the command to be fruitful and multiply and enjoying sexual pleasure is in the confines of BIBLICALLY solid marriages, not in fornication, not in homosexuality or promiscuity or bestiality or any wicked sexual sin in the eyes of God. You cannot truly enjoy sex outside biblical marriage. In fact you are guilty of desecrating marriage and profaning sex if you indulge in sexual sin of this sort.
"If I can go to the next swinger's event and get 10 people to believe in Christ...my job is done,"
No Dean, What you have done is tickle peoples ears and allow them to continue in their sin, something which Jesus will hold you and Christy accountable for when you stand on the day of judgement and I sincerely hope you both are not pastors or teachers, as you will be held more accountable on the Day of Judgement for what you have been teaching to others. Even if you were not teachers, Jesus will still demand a reason why you have done what you have done.
I exhort all, Do not give Dean and Christy any donation for their "ministry" nor support them, for they have abandoned the faith and have been mislead by their own desires. Pray for their repentance yes, but do not fellowship with them.
Answering Judaism.
An article written by Carey Lodge of Christian Today reported a bodybuilding couple who engage in the practice of swinging (Not sitting on a park swing and rocking back and forth, but a practice involving the swapping of spouses and partners to have sexual activity for recreation). You can find the original article by Lodge here: http://www.christiantoday.com/article/christian.swingers.god.uses.us.to.spread.his.word/41004.htm
These "Christian Swingers" known as Christy and Dean Parave engage in this practice with their excuse being for the sake of evangelism. Let's review the comments:
"God has put me here to spread his word and our lifestyle community is a great place to do it"
No, the exhortation to repent of our sins is how we are to spread his word. The only thing you'll be spreading are sexually transmitted disease and spiritually dead individuals. Engaging in sin is NOT a for of evangelism at all, it is the opposite of evangelism.
"You can't get closer to someone than having sex with them"
The closest you should get to someone who you are not married to is a friend, not jumping into the sack with them. The way to present the Gospel is what it is, what Christ has done, what you are to do and exhort them to repent. You live the Christian life and provide the expostion at the same time and be a light to the nations. Jesus said in Matthew 5:16:
"16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven."
"I'm getting to people that will probably never even visit a church"
The only reason you are getting people into your church like that is because you are appealing to their fleshly nature. You are appealing to the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes and the pride of life (1 John 2:15) to get them into the church, but not actually getting them out of their sin into Christ's church.
The Gospel is not for tickling one's ears, it should disturb the sinner to the core and make them realize what a wretched evil soul they are and that they have offended a holy God and need salvation. The people are not interested in Jesus because you have given the Gospel to them or if you have, it isn't the Gospel they are interested in, it's the satisfaction of the flesh they are interested in,
"If all the swinger are sinners what's the best way to talk to the sinners? To join them, right?"
WRONG!!! You don't join in sin in order to reach out to someone. By this logic presented by the Paraves, This means Christians can engage in witchcraft, homosexuality, murder, drunkeness and other sins, in order to reach out to the groups entangled in those sins. Doesn't 1 John 2:15 ring a bell with these people?
"I don't think God would be mad at what we're doing. At first I was conflicted but the more we looked at it the more it makes sense to us,"
Christy, The reason you were conflicted was because you KNEW you were doing wrong and your conscience was warning you not to engage in the behaviour. And thanks to the fact you and Dean have ignored your consciences, you both have now seared your consciences and ruined them. There is a warning about searing the conscience:
"4 The Spirit clearly says that in later times some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits and things taught by demons. 2 Such teachings come through hypocritical liars, whose consciences have been seared as with a hot iron. 3 They forbid people to marry and order them to abstain from certain foods, which God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and who know the truth. 4 For everything God created is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving, 5 because it is consecrated by the word of God and prayer."
Although the Paraves are not guilty of the crimes of let's say 119 ministries or Roman Catholicism and others like them, the Paraves ARE guilty of following doctrines of demons and have in effect, destroyed their own conscience.
How does it making sense mean it is right to engage in swinging? That excuse can be used for anything by this twisted logic.
God has given man a conscience, They no God exists deep down and hate him and try to suppress the truth by wickedness (Romans 1:18-32).
Your hearts are decieving you Paraves, think about what you both are saying.
"Dean and I are both in agreement with this lifestyle, so we're not committing adultery. God put people on the earth to breed and enjoy each other – I feel God is always with me and he has put us here for a reason."
It makes no difference whether it is consent or not, adultery is what you are both engaging in and unless you repent, God's wrath is upon you and he will be against you. Again, consent can be twisted into an excuse for immorality.
Read the following:
"Galatians 5:19 The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; 20 idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions 21 and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God."
"1 Corinthians 6:9 Or do you not know that wrongdoers will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor men who have sex with men[a] 10 nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God."
Also the command to be fruitful and multiply and enjoying sexual pleasure is in the confines of BIBLICALLY solid marriages, not in fornication, not in homosexuality or promiscuity or bestiality or any wicked sexual sin in the eyes of God. You cannot truly enjoy sex outside biblical marriage. In fact you are guilty of desecrating marriage and profaning sex if you indulge in sexual sin of this sort.
"If I can go to the next swinger's event and get 10 people to believe in Christ...my job is done,"
No Dean, What you have done is tickle peoples ears and allow them to continue in their sin, something which Jesus will hold you and Christy accountable for when you stand on the day of judgement and I sincerely hope you both are not pastors or teachers, as you will be held more accountable on the Day of Judgement for what you have been teaching to others. Even if you were not teachers, Jesus will still demand a reason why you have done what you have done.
I exhort all, Do not give Dean and Christy any donation for their "ministry" nor support them, for they have abandoned the faith and have been mislead by their own desires. Pray for their repentance yes, but do not fellowship with them.
Answering Judaism.
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