05/2019 Census: Interest in a Christian Discussion Group

RAMOSS said:

In the Jewish faith, the Messiah is not going to be God.

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...excepting Messianic Judaism, who do believe Jesus Christ was the Messiah and coming King. But I digress.

What can I say? The very kernel of the schism between Jews and Christians in the First Century is that the former rejected Christ as the Messiah, rejected his teachings and the teachings of his apostles, while the latter (down through today) did not. Comparative religion 101.

Put some Jewish scholars and some Christian scholars in the same room, they're bound to disagree on a few other things too.

COTO said:

...excepting Messianic Judaism, who do believe Jesus Christ was the Messiah and coming King. But I digress.

What can I say? The very kernel of the schism between Jews and Christians in the First Century is that the former rejected Christ as the Messiah, rejected his teachings and the teachings of his apostles, while the latter (down through today) did not. Comparative religion 101.

Put some Jewish scholars and some Christian scholars in the same room, they're bound to disagree on a few other things too.

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THe people who call themselves 'messianic Jews' are not of the Jewish faith. The vast majority of them aren't even of Jewish heritage. Evangelistic Christians tend to be on their 'temple' boards.. and they are financed by Christian evangelistic groups. It is a deceptive practice that Christians use to try to convert Jews away from the Jewish faith.

COTO said:

The OT was addressed to physical Israel then and Spiritual Israel today.

Incidentally, not all Israelites were Jews. Judah was only one of the twelve tribes of Israel. Moses and Aaron themselves were Levites, of the priestly tribe of Levi, not Judah. Most specific addresses are to the Children of Israel (all twelve tribes, also called the Hebrews [sons of Eber, a patriarch of Jacob]), the House of Judah (the tribes of Judah and Benjamin), and the House of David (descendants of the first king of Israel, Christ and King David both being physical descendants of the scepter tribe of Judah).


There is another one of you here! :2wave:

Hiding in the bushes, no doubt.

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I mix it up pretty good from time to time. Got the unbelievers all upset and in a tizzy because of the WORD OF GOD. But that's normal.

"Some years ago, an old English preacher by the name of Smith Wigglesworth remarked, “If you leave people as you found them, God is not speaking through you. If you are not making people either mad or glad, there is something wrong with your ministry. If there’s not a war going on, you’re not doing your job.”

God’s Little Troublemakers << The Righter Report

Been at the range the last couple of days breaking in some new firearms (Dan Wesson Specialist and the Wilson Combat EDC X9).

God bless!

Logicman said:

I mix it up pretty good from time to time. Got the unbelievers all upset and in a tizzy because of the WORD OF GOD. But that's normal.

"Some years ago, an old English preacher by the name of Smith Wigglesworth remarked, “If you leave people as you found them, God is not speaking through you. If you are not making people either mad or glad, there is something wrong with your ministry. If there’s not a war going on, you’re not doing your job.”

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I limit my advocacy to times and venues where I have some hope of convicting people rather than simply provoking them.

"Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the middle of wolves: be you therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves." (Matthew 10:16, AKJV)

"Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men. If it be possible, as much as lies in you, live peaceably with all men. Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place to wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, said the Lord." (Romans 12:17-19, AKJV)

Even declining to partake in immoral activities and defending one's views during private conversations is challenging enough circa 2019. Be careful you're using the Word to admonish and instruct in a spirit of concern, not to antagonize or put the whammy on people. Exercise discretion.

Logicman said:

God’s Little Troublemakers << The Righter Report

Been at the range the last couple of days breaking in some new firearms (Dan Wesson Specialist and the Wilson Combat EDC X9).

God bless!

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Praise God and pass the ammunition?

I've never understood American gun culture.

COTO said:

I limit my advocacy to times and venues where I have some hope of convicting people rather than simply provoking them.

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Just telling them the truth provokes some people, just it did with Jesus in John chapter 8.

COTO said:

Praise God and pass the ammunition?

I've never understood American gun culture.

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It's part of our DNA. If we never had a gun culture we'd still be under British rule. Or Japanese rule, etc. The liberals think if we outlaw firearms there wouldn't be anymore gun violence. The criminals who would refuse to give up their guns laugh at that argument.

Logicman said:

Just telling them the truth provokes some people, just it did with Jesus in John chapter 8.

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I know. Even so, Christ always sought to do the Will of his Father; he wasn't just a self-righteous bully who antagonized people for no reason. He knew men's hearts, was full of God's Spirit, was learned and knowledgeable in scripture, and was uniquely qualified for his priesthood. He preached a message of repentance and lived a life free of hypocrisy.

This is a high standard to live up to, even for a trained and dedicated minister. Yet how often have we seen somebody untrained, undisciplined, hypocritical, ignorant of scripture, drunk on self-righteousness, invoking Christ's name without any regard for audience, venue, or purpose?

I don't mean to accuse you or anyone here of anything. Just emphasizing the need for discretion and constant introspection. We want to be a part of the solution, to ideally bring people closer to God and his Law, not drive them away. It's critical not to lose sight of that.

COTO said:

I know. Even so, Christ always sought to do the Will of his Father; he wasn't just a self-righteous bully who antagonized people for no reason. He knew men's hearts, was full of God's Spirit, was learned and knowledgeable in scripture, and was uniquely qualified for his priesthood. He preached a message of repentance and lived a life free of hypocrisy.

This is a high standard to live up to, even for a trained and dedicated minister. Yet how often have we seen somebody untrained, undisciplined, hypocritical, ignorant of scripture, drunk on self-righteousness, invoking Christ's name without any regard for audience, venue, or purpose?

I don't mean to accuse you or anyone here of anything. Just emphasizing the need for discretion and constant introspection. We want to be a part of the solution, to ideally bring people closer to God and his Law, not drive them away. It's critical not to lose sight of that.

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Yes, indeed. But it's also necessary that people be convicted of their sins, and some ministers are just too timid to do that. Especially liberal ministers who rarely if ever would advise people living in sinful lifestyles that they have to repent to be saved. Repentance is not a part of their repertoire.

"Why was John the Baptist beheaded? Was he a reed swayed by the breeze of political correctness? Was John one of those guys who wanted everyone to be his buddy? Was he someone who sought after his own well-being and personal indulgences? John the Baptist spoke out strongly against the corrupt religious leaders of his day. He went after King Herod and reminded him of his adultery. He called the Sadducees and Pharisees a “Brood of Vipers!” He wasn’t playing the world’s game and looking out for his own welfare and popularity. He wasn’t practicing “tolerance” and preaching a watered-down gospel that sends people to hell. He was preaching the word of God, trying to turn someone to repentance and salvation, and for that he was labeled a troublemaker and eventually put to death.

Why was Paul beaten and persecuted? Why was James put to death with the sword? Why were the prophets and the apostles martyred? They didn’t go after these guys for preaching love and tolerance. They went after them because they exposed sin, corruption, and idolatry, and took a stand for what’s right in the eyes of God. They were God’s little troublemakers, and the world couldn’t handle it. The world stood convicted of its sin, and in order to justify its own worldliness and unrighteousness it chose instead to kill the messengers. Sound familiar?

And herein lies the crux of this message: Exposing sin and confronting apathy and unrighteousness are critically essential to salvation. Without conviction there is no need for a savior. And if the world has no need for a savior, then Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection have absolutely no relevance or significance."

God’s Little Troublemakers << The Righter Report

Cheers!

COTO said:

I know. Even so, Christ always sought to do the Will of his Father; he wasn't just a self-righteous bully who antagonized people for no reason. He knew men's hearts, was full of God's Spirit, was learned and knowledgeable in scripture, and was uniquely qualified for his priesthood. He preached a message of repentance and lived a life free of hypocrisy.

This is a high standard to live up to, even for a trained and dedicated minister. Yet how often have we seen somebody untrained, undisciplined, hypocritical, ignorant of scripture, drunk on self-righteousness, invoking Christ's name without any regard for audience, venue, or purpose?

I don't mean to accuse you or anyone here of anything. Just emphasizing the need for discretion and constant introspection. We want to be a part of the solution, to ideally bring people closer to God and his Law, not drive them away. It's critical not to lose sight of that.

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But he was his father.

Logicman said:

Yes, indeed. But it's also necessary that people be convicted of their sins, and some ministers are just too timid to do that. Especially liberal ministers who rarely if ever would advise people living in sinful lifestyles that they have to repent to be saved. Repentance is not a part of their repertoire.

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Fair enough. As long as we recognize these were men trained and ordained for ministry of the Word (John the Baptist was the high priest of the Levitical order; the Apostles were taught by Christ himself) preaching in amphitheaters, synagogues, temples, and agoras. They weren't scripturally ignorant yahoos crashing funerals or lingering outside brothels to accost sinners.

Also bear in mind that they were enjoined to pass through cities that would not receive them or listen to them (Matthew 10:14), not to stay there berating people who categorically refused to listen, striving to draw blood from a stone.

But yes. While the gospel of repentance may be "come as you are", it most definitely isn't "stay as you are", and there's nothing that infuriates people quite so much as being told they're acting shamefully or immorally.

"I have given them your word; and the world has hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. I pray not that you should take them out of the world, but that you should keep them from the evil. They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. Sanctify them through your truth: your word is truth." (John 17:14-17, AKJV)