Pastors, teachers, and lay leaders will find this insightful guide a must-have tool for sharing the good news of salvation by faith alone with Catholic friends and family members. Anyone interested in sharing the gospel with Muslim friends or understanding the doctrines and historical basis of Islam will appreciate this addition to the popular Reasoning from the Scriptures series. Using an easy-to-follow question-and-answer format, Reasoning from the Scriptures with Muslims covers issues, including Muhammad and Jesus Christ—what are their roles?
Islam today—what different groups exist, and how can Muslims be reached with the good news? Each chapter examines a Muslim belief and compares it with biblical Christianity. Readers will find this an invaluable tool for discussing and sharing the words and life of Jesus Christ with Muslim friends and acquaintances. Did you know that: The name of Jesus is removed from Masonic rituals to avoid offending anyone?
The "secret" name of Masonry's god specifically includes Jehovah, Baal, and Osiris? Many people are unaware of the far-reaching impact the Masonic Lodge has today. Ron provides accurate information on the structure and beliefs of Masonry, then carefully contrasts its practices with Scripture. Continuing the easy-to-follow question-and-answer format of the Reasoning from the Scriptures series, this informative guide reveals the occultic symbolism, secret oaths, and hidden rituals that are an integral part of Masonic tradition.
Readers will discover honest, fact-based insights on the dangers of this fraternal order and specific suggestions for sharing biblical truth with Masons. No other book answers the Jehovah's Witnesses' misinterpretation of Scripture so immediately and shows how to use the same Scripture in leading Jehovah's Witnesses to Christ.
Highlights false prophecies of Jehovah's Witnesses' leaders, errors in the New World Translation Bible, their unbiblical views. One significant clue the Bible offers is a fascinating look at New Babylon. But are we to understand these prophecies symbolically or literally? Fact-filled, easy-to-understand, and visually appealing, this series delivers the essential knowledge you need to know to effectively witness biblical truths to people led astray by false teachings.
The book of Revelation begins and ends with guarantees that its inspiring message leads to blessing. Popular Bible teacher and author Ron Rhodes guides readers on an encouraging journey through this prophetic book, interpreting its picturesque language and revealing its reassuring promises.
Each short chapter is perfect for a group Bible study or a personal quiet time and includes Scripture Reading and Insights—a short passage of Revelation and easy-to-understand notes on each verse Major Themes—brief summaries of the most important ideas Digging Deeper with Cross-References—several other passages readers can look up on relevant topics Life Lessons—practical and helpful applications to everyday life Questions for Reflection and Discussion—thought-provoking starters for group discussions or personal journaling Readers who may have been confused or intimidated by Revelation will appreciate this easy-to-understand and practical presentation of its empowering truths.
Known for their extensive research and Bible knowledge, these authors offer readers the essential facts they need to evaluate and discuss today's issues regarding the Jehovah's Witnesses, a religious organization, and the Watchtower Society. The concise, easy-to-follow information helps readers answer such questions as: What is the Watchtower Society and what power does it hold? Is the Watchtower Society's translation of the Bible accurate? Is the Society's teaching on salvation biblical? Whether the reader is merely curious or searching for specific information, The Facts on Jehovah's Witnesses will give them what they are looking for—easy-to-understand, factual, and relevant information about this group.
Are you getting the spiritual nourishment you need? We feel sick, light-headed, and occasionally depressed, or we become irritated and edgy. Optimal health requires optimal nutrition. The same is true spiritually speaking.
Without sufficient and regular biblical nutrition, our inner life begins to suffer the consequences. We become shallow and selfish, more demanding and less gentle, and quick to react impatiently, rashly, and angrily. John [Jesus said:] The Devil. So the Devil was the source of the first lie, spoken in Eden. He used the serpent as a visible mouthpiece. The Genesis account is not using fictional creatures to teach a lesson.
See also Revelation Illustration: It is not unusual for a ventriloquist to make it appear that his voice comes from another source. Compare Numbers , which tells that Jehovah caused Balaams she-ass to speak. If the first man Adam was simply allegorical, what about the last Adam, Jesus Christ?
The last Adam became a life-giving spirit. The first man is out of the earth and made of dust; the second man is out of heaven. Thus denial that Adam was a real person who sinned against God implies doubt as to the identity of Jesus Christ.
Such denial leads to rejection of the reason it was necessary for Jesus to give his life for mankind. Rejection of that means repudiation of the Christian faith. How did Jesus himself view the Genesis account?
Since Jesus believed the Genesis account to be factual, should we not believe it too? You might reply: Many people have said that. But if I were to do something that you wanted me to do, would you condemn me for it?
Then, if Adams sin was Gods will, why was Adam driven out of Eden as a sinner? Would it be just or loving to condemn a person for doing something that you yourself planned for him to do?
Then perhaps add: 1 Jehovah is a God of love. Perfection did not rule out the exercise of free will to disobey. Adam chose to rebel against God, despite the warning that death would result.
See also page Ancestor Worship Definition: The practice of honoring and venerating dead ancestors ceremonially or otherwise in the belief that they are conscious in an invisible realm and can help or bring harm to the living and are therefore to be appeased. Not a Bible teaching. Are dead ancestors aware of what the living do and are these ancestors able to help living persons? Job , An earthling man expires, and where is he?
His sons get honored, but he does not know it. At his death he cannot take along anything at all; his glory will not go down along with him himself. His soul finally comes only as far as the generation of his forefathers. Nevermore will they see the light. Is it not true that food placed on an altar or a grave remains untouched?
Does not this indicate that the dead are unable to benefit from it? See also the main heading Spiritism. Is there reason to fear that our dead ancestors will harm us? Is there a spiritual part of a person that survives the death of the body?
All the soulsto me they belong. As the soul of the father so likewise the soul of the sonto me they belong. The soul that is sinningit itself will die. Also verse 20 Ps. His spirit goes out, he goes back to his ground; in that day his thoughts do perish. Scientists and surgeons have found no evidence of any conscious, living part of humans that survives when the body dies.
See also pages , under the heading Death. Would you prefer that your children and grandchildren show respect and love for you. Children trained in Bible principles show such honor that brings joy to the hearts of their parents while they are alive. When spirit mediums claim to deliver messages from the dead, from where do these actually come? Should there be application to dead persons in behalf of living persons?
Would God warn us against such a practice if it truly put us in touch with our loved ones? Acts As we were going to the place of prayer, a certain servant girl with a spirit, a demon of divination, met us. She used to furnish her masters with much gain by practicing the art of prediction. See also pages , under Spiritism. To whom should our worship be directed?
Luke Jesus said to him: It is written, It is Jehovah your God you must worship, and it is to him alone you must render sacred service. John , The hour is coming, and it is now, when the true worshipers will worship the Father with spirit and truth, for, indeed,. God is a Spirit, and those worshiping him must worship with spirit and truth. What hope is there for a future uniting of family members, including those who have died?
John , Do not marvel at this, because the hour is coming in which all those in the memorial tombs will hear his voice and come out, those who did good things to a resurrection of life, those who practiced vile things to a resurrection of judgment.
Antichrist Definition: Antichrist means against or instead of Christ. The term applies to all who deny what the Bible says about Jesus Christ, all who oppose his Kingdom, and all who mistreat his followers.
It also includes individuals, organizations, and nations that falsely claim to represent Christ or that improperly ascribe to themselves the role of Messiah. Does the Bible refer to only one antichrist? This is the deceiver and the antichrist. Notice that the many antichrists of 1 John are here referred to collectively as the antichrist.
Is the coming of the antichrist reserved for some future time? Furthermore, this is the antichrists inspired. That was written near the end of the first century C. By last hour John evidently meant the end of the apostolic period. The other apostles had died, and John himself was very old. Some of those identified as antichrist Persons who deny that Jesus is truly the Messiah 1 John Who is the liar if it is not the one that denies that Jesus is the Christ [or, Messiah, anointed one]?
This is the antichrist. Compare John ; Luke Apostates 1 John , There have come to be many antichrists. They went out from us, but they were not of our sort. Those who oppose Christs true followers John , If they have persecuted me, they will persecute you also. But they will do all these things against you on account of my name. Individuals and nations that oppose Christ as King or that themselves falsely claim the Messianic role Ps.
See also Revelation , ; God, actually a rebellion against Jehovah God. Some apostates profess to know and serve God but reject teachings or requirements set out in his Word. Others claim to believe the Bible but reject Jehovahs organization. Should we expect that apostates will arise within the Christian congregation?
Some identifying marks of apostates They seek to make others their followers, thus causing sectarian divisions Acts From among you yourselves men will rise and speak twisted things to draw away the disciples after themselves. These very ones will quietly bring in destructive sects and will disown even the owner that bought them. Also, with covetousness they will exploit you with counterfeit words. They may profess to believe in Christ but treat lightly the preaching and teaching work he assigned to his followers Luke Why, then, do you call me Lord!
They may claim to serve God but reject his representatives, his visible organization Jude 8, These men, too, indulging in dreams, are defiling the flesh and disregarding lordship and speaking abusively of glorious ones. Too bad for them, because they. So they congregated themselves against Moses and Aaron and said to them: That is enough of you, because the whole assembly are all of them holy and Jehovah is in their midst.
Why, then, should you lift yourselves up above the congregation of Jehovah? As for Aaron, what is he that you men should murmur against him? When Korah got all the assembly together against them at the entrance of the tent of meeting, then Jehovahs glory appeared to all the assembly.
Jehovah now spoke to Moses and Aaron, saying: Separate yourselves from the midst of this assembly, that I may exterminate them in an instant. Not only do they abandon the true faith but they then beat their former associates, using public criticism and other methods to hinder their work; the efforts of such apostates are devoted to tearing down, not building up Matt.
But if ever that evil slave should say in his heart, My master is delaying, and should start to beat his fellow slaves and should eat and drink with the confirmed drunkards, the master of that slave will come on a day that he does not expect and in an hour that he does not. Hymenaeus and Philetus are of that number. These very men have deviated from the truth, saying that the resurrection has already occurred; and they are subverting the faith of some. Would faithful Christians welcome apostates into their presence, either personally or by reading their literature?
If anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching, never receive him into your homes or say a greeting to him. By smooth talk and complimentary speech they seduce the hearts of guileless ones. Would any serious harm come from satisfying ones curiosity about the thinking of apostates? Compare Isaiah , How serious is apostasy? Apostolic Succession Definition: The doctrine that the 12 apostles have successors to whom authority has been passed by divine appointment.
In the Roman Catholic Church, the bishops as a group are said to be successors of the apostles, and the pope is claimed to be the successor of Peter.
It is maintained that the Roman pontiffs come immediately after, occupy the position and perform the functions of Peter, to whom Christ is said to have given primacy of authority over the whole Church. Was Peter the rock on which the church was built? And the gates of the underworld can never hold out against it.
Notice in the context [vss. Whom did the apostles Peter and Paul understand to be the rock, the cornerstone? This is the stone. As scripture says: See how I lay in Zion a precious cornerstone that I have chosen and the man who rests his trust on it will not be disappointed. That means that for you who are believers, it is precious; but for unbelievers, the stone rejected by the builders has proved to be the keystone, a stone to stumble over, a rock to bring men down.
What was the belief of Augustine who was viewed as a saint by the Catholic Church? In this same period of my priesthood, I also wrote a book against a letter of Donatus. But I know that very frequently at a later time, I so explained what the Lord said: Thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my Church, that it be understood as built upon Him whom Peter confessed saying: Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God, and so Peter, called after this rock, represented the person of the Church which is built upon this rock, and has received the keys of the kingdom of heaven.
For, Thou art Peter and not Thou art the rock was said to him. But the rock was Christ, in confessing whom as also the whole Church confesses, Simon was called Peter. Bogan, Book I, p. Did the other apostles view Peter as having primacy among them? Luke , JB: A dispute arose also between them [the apostles] about which should be reckoned the greatest, but he said to them, Among pagans it is the kings who lord it over them, and those who have authority over them are given the title Benefactor.
This must. If Peter were the rock, would there have been any question as to which one of them should be reckoned the greatest? Since Jesus Christ, the head of the congregation, is alive, does he need successors?
It follows, then, that his power to save is utterly certain, since he is living for ever to intercede for all who come to God through him. What were the keys entrusted to Peter? In Revelation, Jesus referred to a symbolic key used by himself to open up privileges and opportunities to humans Rev. I have opened in front of you a door that nobody will be able to close. Peter used keys entrusted to him to open up to Jews, Samaritans, Gentiles the opportunity to receive Gods spirit with a view to their entering the heavenly Kingdom Acts , JB: Peter stood up with the Eleven and addressed them in a loud voice: Men of Judaea, and all you who live in Jerusalem.
God has made this Jesus whom you crucified both Lord and Christ. You must repent, Peter answered and every one of you must be baptised in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. The promise that was made is for you and your children, and for all those who are far away, for all those whom the Lord our God will call to himself. Acts , JB: When the apostles in Jerusalem heard that Samaria had accepted the word of God, they sent Peter and John to them, and they went down there, and prayed for the Samaritans to receive the Holy Spirit, for as yet he had not come down on any of them: they had only been baptised in the name of the Lord Jesus.
Then they laid hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit. Verse 20 indicates that Peter was the one taking the lead on this occasion. Acts , JB: They reached Caesarea the following day, and Cornelius [an uncircumcised Gentile] was waiting for them. Peter addressed them. While Peter was still speaking the Holy Spirit came down on all the listeners. Did heaven wait on Peter to make decisions and then follow his lead?
Acts , 14, JB: They were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and began to speak foreign languages as the Spirit gave them the gift of speech. Then [after Christ, the head of the congregation, had stirred them up by means of the holy spirit] Peter stood up with the Eleven and addressed them. See verse Hurry down, and do not hesitate about going back with them [to the home of the Gentile Cornelius]; it was I who told them to come.
Compare Matthew , Is Peter the judge as to who is worthy to enter the Kingdom? Was Peter in Rome? Rome is referred to in nine verses of the Holy Scriptures; none of these say that Peter was there. First Peter shows that he was in Babylon.
Was this a cryptic reference to Rome? His being in Babylon was consistent with his assignment to preach to the Jews as indicated at Galatians , since there was a large Jewish population in Babylon.
The Encyclopaedia Judaica Jerusalem, , Vol. Has an unbroken line of successors been traced from Peter to modern-day popes? Jesuit John McKenzie, when professor of theology at Notre Dame, wrote: Historical evidence does not exist for the entire chain of succession of church authority. The New Catholic Encyclopedia admits:.
Claims of divine appointment mean nothing if those who make them are not obedient to God and Christ Matt. When the day comes many will say to me, Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, cast out demons in your name, work many miracles in your name? Then I shall tell them to their faces: I have never known you; away from me, you evil men!
See also Jeremiah Have the claimed successors to the apostles adhered to the teachings and practices of Jesus Christ and his apostles? A Catholic Dictionary states: The Roman Church is Apostolic, because her doctrine is the faith once revealed to the Apostles, which faith she guards and explains, without adding to it or taking from it. London, , W. Addis and T. Arnold, p. Identity of God The Trinity is the term employed to signify the central doctrine of the Christian religion.
The Catholic Encyclopedia , Vol. XV, p. Neither the word Trinity, nor the explicit doctrine as such, appears in the New Testament. The doctrine developed gradually over several centuries and through many controversies. There is the recognition on the part of exegetes and Biblical theologians, including a constantly growing number of Roman Catholics, that one should not speak of Trinitarianism in the New Testament without serious qualification. There is also the closely parallel recognition on the part of historians of dogma and systematic theologians that when one does speak of an unqualified Trinitarianism, one has moved from the period of Christian origins to, say, the last quadrant of the 4th century.
New Catholic Encyclopedia , Vol. XIV, p. Celibacy of the clergy Pope Paul VI, in his encyclical Sacerdotalis Caelibatus Priestly Celibacy, , endorsed celibacy as a requirement for the clergy, but he admitted that the New Testament which preserves the teaching of Christ and the Apostles. Jesus Himself did not make it a prerequisite in His choice of the Twelve, nor did the Apostles for those who presided over the first Christian communities. Cephas is an Aramaic name given to Peter; see John See also Mark , where reference is made to the mother-in-law of Simon, or Peter.
Before the Christian era, Buddhism required its priests and monks to be celibate. Lea, p. New York, , p. Separateness from the world Pope Paul VI, when addressing the United Nations in , said: The peoples of the earth turn to the United Nations as the last hope of concord and peace; We presume to present here, together with Our own, their tribute of honor and of hope.
John , JB: [Jesus Christ said:] If you belonged to the world, the world would love you as its own; but because you do not belong to the world, because my choice withdrew you from the world, therefore the world hates you.
Resorting to weapons of war Catholic historian E. Watkin writes: Painful as the admission must be, we cannot in the interest of a false edification or dishonest loyalty deny or ignore the historical fact that Bishops have consistently supported all wars waged by the government of their country.
I do not know in fact of a single instance in which a national hierarchy has. Whatever the official theory, in practice my country always right has been the maxim followed in wartime by Catholic Bishops. Morals and Missiles London, , edited by Charles S.
Thompson, pp. We are to love one another; not to be like Cain, who belonged to the Evil One and cut his brothers throat. In the light of the foregoing, have those who claim to be successors to the apostles really taught and practiced what Christ and his apostles did? The Bible associates the name, not with a nuclear holocaust, but with the coming universal war of the great day of God the Almighty. Such opposition will be shown by global action against Jehovahs servants on earth, the visible representatives of Gods Kingdom.
Will humans be permitted by God to ruin the earth by what some call a thermonuclear Armageddon? The productive land [Hebrew, tevel; the earth, as fertile and inhabited, the habitable globe] also becomes firmly established so that it cannot be made to totter. What is Armageddon, as referred to in the Bible? And they gathered them together to the place that is called in Hebrew HarMagedon [Armageddon]. Will Armageddon be fought only in the Middle East?
Rulers and armies of all nations will be assembled in opposition to God Rev. Use of the name Armageddon HarMagedon cannot mean that the war will be fought at a literal Mountain of Megiddo There is no literal Mountain of Megiddo; only a mound about 70 feet 21 m high where ruins of ancient Megiddo are found.
The kings and military forces of the entire inhabited earth could not fit into the literal Plain of Esdraelon, below Megiddo. The plain is triangular, only 20 miles 32 km long and 18 miles 29 km wide at the. The name is fitting because of Megiddos role in history; the plain below Megiddo was the site of decisive wars There Jehovah caused the defeat of Sisera, the chief of the Canaanite army, before Judge Barak. Who or what will be destroyed at Armageddon? It will crush and put an end to all these kingdoms, and it itself will stand to times indefinite.
Furthermore, the world is passing away and so is its desire, but he that does the will of God remains forever. This means the second death. Will the destruction be forever? Will there be survivors? Seek righteousness, seek meekness. Probably you may be concealed in the day of Jehovahs anger. When the wicked ones are cut off, you will see it.
John God. And they keep on crying with a loud voice, saying: Salvation we owe to our God, who is seated on the throne, and to the Lamb. These are the ones that come out of the great tribulation. What will happen to young children at Armageddon? The Bible does not directly answer that question, and we are not the judges. However, the Bible does show that God views the young children of true Christians as holy. Would it not be wise for parents to pursue a course that would result in their children being looked on with favor by God both now and at Armageddon?
Is the love of God violated by destruction of the wicked? Luke , 8: Shall not God cause justice to be done for his chosen ones who cry out to him day and night, even though he is longsuffering toward them? I tell you, He will cause justice to be done to them speedily. Is it possible to take a neutral position?
Compare Deuteronomy , Whose influence is pushing the nations to the world situation that will result in war against God? They are, in fact, expressions inspired by demons and perform signs, and they go forth to the kings of the entire inhabited earth, to gather them together to the war of the great day of God the Almighty.
Compare Luke , 6; 1 John ; also Acts , 39; 2 Chronicles , 16, Babylon the Great Definition: The world empire of false religion, embracing all religions whose teachings and practices do not conform to the true worship of Jehovah, the only true God.
Following the Flood of Noahs day, false religion had its beginning at Babel later known as Babylon. So Babylon the Great became a fitting name for false religion as a whole. What evidence points to the identity of Babylon the Great, referred to in Revelation? It could not be the ancient city of Babylon. Revelation was written at the end of the first century C. Later Alexander the Great planned to make Babylon the capital of his eastern empire, but after his death Babylon gradually lost importance.
III, p. In the symbolism of Revelation, Babylon the Great is referred to as a great city, a kingdom that rules other kings. It is described as having relations with political rulers and. Ancient Babylon was outstandingly noted for its religion and its defiance of Jehovah Gen. And the beginning of his kingdom came to be Babel [later known as Babylon]. An ancient cuneiform inscription reads: Altogether there are in Babylon 53 temples of the chief gods, 55 chapels of Marduk, chapels for the earthly deities, for the heavenly deities, altars for the goddess Ishtar, for the gods Nergal and Adad and 12 other altars for different gods.
Keller, p. The Encyclopedia Americana comments: Sumerian civilization [which was part of Babylonia] was dominated by priests; at the head of the state was the lugal literally great man , the representative of the gods.
Reasonably, therefore, Babylon the Great as referred to in Revelation is religious. Being like a city and an empire, it is not limited to one religious group but includes all religions that are in opposition to Jehovah, the true God. Ancient Babylonian religious concepts and practices are found in religions worldwide Egypt, Persia, and Greece felt the influence of the Babylonian religion.
The strong admixture of Semitic elements both in early Greek mythology and in Grecian cults is now so generally admitted by scholars as to require no further comment.
These Semitic elements are. Jastrow, Jr. Their gods: There were triads of gods, and among their divinities were those representing various forces of nature and ones that exercised special influence in certain activities of mankind. Babylonian and Assyrian Religion, Norman, Okla. Hooke, pp. This Greek philosophers [Platos] conception of the divine trinity.
Nouveau Dictionnaire Universel Paris, , edited by M. Lachtre, Vol. Use of images: [In Mesopotamian religion] the role of the image was central in the cult as well as in private worship, as the wide distribution of cheap replicas of such images shows.
Fundamentally, the deity was considered present in its image if it showed certain specific features and paraphernalia and was cared for in the appropriate manner. Oppenheim, p. Belief regarding death: Neither the people nor the leaders of religious thought [in Babylon] ever faced the possibility of the total annihilation of what once was called into existence.
Death was a passage to another kind of life. The Religion of Babylonia and Assyria, p. Position of the priesthood: The distinction between priest and layman is characteristic of this [Babylonian] religion. Encyclopdia Britannica , Vol. Practice of astrology, divination, magic, and sorcery: Historian A.
Sayce writes: [In] the religion of ancient Babylonia. This art we call astrology. Engberg, p. Babylon the Great is like an immoral harlot, one living in shameless luxury Revelation says: Come, I will show you the judgment upon the great harlot who sits on many waters [peoples], with whom the kings [political rulers] of the earth committed fornication, whereas those who inhabit the earth were made drunk with the wine of her fornication.
And upon her forehead was written a name, a mystery: Babylon the Great, the mother of the harlots and of the disgusting things of the earth. Revelation adds that she glorified herself and lived in shameless luxury. Is it not true that the dominant religious organizations have made it a practice to consort with political rulers for power and material gain, though this has resulted in suffering for the common people?
Is it not also true that their higher clergy live in luxury, even though many of the people to whom they should minister may be impoverished? Why can religions that profess to be Christian properly be viewed as a part of Babylon the Great, along with those who know nothing of the God of the Bible? Whoever, therefore, wants to be a friend of the world is constituting himself an enemy of God. So, though they know what the Bible says about God, they make themselves his enemies if they choose friendship with the world by imitating its ways.
Satan himself keeps transforming himself into an angel of light. It is therefore nothing great if his ministers also keep transforming themselves into ministers of righteousness.
But their end. Thus Jehovahs chief adversary, Satan the Devil himself, is really being honored by all who do not worship the true God in the manner that He has appointed, even though they may claim to be Christians. See also 1 Corinthians Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and expel demons in your name, and perform many powerful works in your name?
And yet then I will confess to them: I never knew you! Get away from me, you workers of lawlessness. Why is it urgent to get out of Babylon the Great without delay? Luke Keep awake, then, all the time making supplication that you may succeed in escaping all these things that are destined to occur, and in standing before the Son of man. What will happen to people who did not know Bible truth but lived and died in the past as part of Babylon the Great? Acts God has overlooked the times of such ignorance, yet now he is telling mankind that they should all everywhere repent.
Acts There is going to be a resurrection of both the righteous and the unrighteous. As to which ones of the unrighteous will be raised, God will decide. Job For a fact, God himself does not act wickedly, and the Almighty himself does not pervert judgment.
Baptism Definition: The word baptize comes from the Greek baptizein, meaning to dip, to plunge. A Greek-English Lexicon, by Liddell and Scott Christian water baptism is an outward symbol that the one being baptized has made a complete, unreserved, and unconditional dedication through Jesus Christ to do the will of Jehovah God.
The Scriptures also refer to Johns baptism, baptism with holy spirit, and baptism with fire, among others. Do persons who really believe Gods Word hold back from being baptized? Acts Those who embraced his word heartily were baptized.
Acts When they believed Philip, who was declaring the good news of the kingdom of God and of the name of Jesus Christ, they proceeded to be baptized, both men and women. Acts Now as they were going over the road, they came to a certain body of water, and the [Ethiopian] eunuch said: Look! A body of water; what prevents me from getting baptized?
With that he commanded the chariot to halt, and. Christian water baptismis it by sprinkling or by complete immersion? Mark , Jesus. And immediately on coming up out of the water he saw the heavens being parted. Acts They both went down into the water, both Philip and the eunuch; and he baptized [immersed, ED, Ro] him. Was infant baptism practiced by first-century Christians? Acts When they believed Philip. However, later on, Origen C.
Religious historian Augustus Neander wrote: Faith and baptism were always connected with one another; and thus it is in the highest degree probable. That it first became recognised as an apostolic tradition in the course of the third century, is evidence rather against than for the admission of its apostolic origin. Does Christian water baptism result in forgiveness of sins?
Thus, not baptismal water but the blood of Jesus cleanses us from sin. Verses 5, 6, also Acts , show that what John did was directed, not to all people, but to the Jews.
Because of the sins of the Jews against the Law covenant and to prepare them for Christ. Acts Repent, and let each one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for forgiveness of your sins.
Did the baptism itself bring forgiveness to them? Consider: This was stated to Jews who shared responsibility for the death of Christ. Of what? That they now put faith in Jesus as the Messiah, the Christ. Only by their doing this could their sins be forgiven. Also Acts Who is baptized with holy spirit? For truly by one spirit we were all baptized into one body, whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free, and we were all made to drink one spirit.
Now you are Christs body. John Unless anyone is born from water and spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. A person is born from spirit at the time of his baptism with that spirit. Luke shows that only a little flock have that privilege.
Do all who are baptized with holy spirit speak in tongues or have the gift of healing? Not all are apostles, are they? Not all perform powerful works, do they?
Not all have gifts of healings, do they? Not all speak in tongues, do they? See also Healing and Tongues, Speaking in. Baptism for the deadwhat does it mean? The Greek preposition hyper, here translated for, also means over, on behalf of, instead of, for the purpose of, etc. Was Paul suggesting baptizing living persons in behalf of those who had died unbaptized? The only other scriptures that directly mention death in connection with baptism refer to a baptism that the individual himself undergoes, not a baptism on behalf of another person, one who is dead Rom.
Also Mark , 39 Col. Rendering in New World Translation is grammatically correct and in agreement with these other Bible texts 1 Cor. In Religion without Violence, Ochs reflects on the practical and philosophic lessons he has learned from hosting hundreds of Scriptural Reasoning engagements.
He introduces the "scriptural pragmatism" of Scriptural Reasoning. He provides guidance on how to introduce and facilitate Scriptural Reasoning in the classroom.
He shows how reading out of the "hearth" of a faith can contribute to peace building across religions. And, drawing on the resources of rabbinic tradition, Augustine, and Charles Peirce, he moves beyond practice to reflect on the implications of Scriptural Reasoning for discerning what kinds of "reasoning" best address and help repair societal crises like religion-related violent conflict.
The Bible as we know it today is best understood as a process, one that begins in the tenth century BCE. In this revelatory account, a world-renowned scholar of Hebrew scripture joins a foremost authority on the New Testament to write a new biography of the Book of Books, reconstructing Jewish and Christian scriptural histories, as well as the underappreciated contest between them, from which the Bible arose.
The sources of the Gospels are also under scrutiny. The New Testament, the authors show, did not develop in the wake of an Old Testament set in stone. Rather the two evolved in parallel, in conversation with each other, ensuring a continuing mutual influence of Jewish and Christian traditions.
With this volume, a group of scholar-practitioners of Islam, Judaism and Christianity invite readers to share in their understanding of scriptural text study and disciplined reasoning. Grapples with questions ranging from the nature of scripture and revelation to the relevance of philosophies such as idealism, pragmatism and phenomenology.
Offers a constructive alternative to modernity, going deep into the scriptures while also drawing critically on modern philosophies and methodologies. A timely publication, of interest to all those interested in interfaith dialogue or in the nature of scriptural study. Every person who has ever lived has wondered about that place beyond mortality--Shakespeare called it the undiscovered country.
People have longed to uncover the secrets that shroud death and the afterlife. Because God wrote the Bible for the sole purpose of helping men and women prepare for eternity, there's no better place to go for trustworthy answers. Bible expert Ron Rhodes takes us to the Scripture to provide an incredibly clear and inspirational picture of the next life.
Explore the wonder of heaven and the afterlife. Anticipate what is to come on the other side of eternity. Do most Christians agree on the big issues? And what about other topics—dispensationalism, interpretive views, timing of events…are they too complex for most folks to understand?
Not at all! In this concise and easy-to-read review, respected Bible teacher Ron Rhodes identifies eight of the most important end-times discussions. Avoiding complex arguments, he highlights the most important biblical passages, summarizes a few of the most popular interpretations, and provides succinct conclusions. Skip to content. Reasoning from the Scriptures with the Jehovah s Witnesses. Reasoning from the Scriptures with Catholics. Reasoning from the Scriptures with Catholics Book Review:.
Reasoning from the Scriptures with the Mormons. Reasoning from the Scriptures with the Mormons Book Review:. Reasoning from the Scriptures with Muslims.
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