@Shane
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Hello to all my brothers and sisters in Christ. Paul has recently been a topic that I've been checking out a lot lately. But before I pose some questions let me say that when various scriptures (like the one mentioned by Sultan earlier on) say the scriptures are the word of God. I think we all can agree that the New Testament wasn't compiled in the form that it is today especially when that's where the quote came from. With a little investigation of history one finds out that the Bible in it's present day form was ultimately decided by Constantine at the Council of Nicea in the 4th century around AD 325. So without getting into a lot of history (you can do that on your own time if you don't know about all that) let me post a few scriptures for you all to respond to.
On the sum of the commandments:
Paul says:
Rom.13
[9] The commandments, “You shall not commit adultery, You shall not kill, You shall not steal, You shall not covet,” and any other commandment, are summed up in this sentence, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.Jesus says:
Matt.22
[37] And he said to him, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.
[38] This is the great and first commandment.
[39] And a second is like it, You shall love your neighbor as yourself.
[40] On these TWO commandments depend ALL the law and the prophets.On being justified:
Paul says:
Rom.3
[24] they are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption which is in Christ Jesus,
[28] For we hold that a man is justified by faith apart from works of law.
Rom.5
[9] Since, therefore, we are now justified by his blood, much more shall we be saved by him from the wrath of God.Jesus says:
Matt.12
[37] for by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.On the cost of eternal life:
Paul says:
Rom.6
[23] For the wages of sin is death, but the FREE gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.Jesus says:
Matt.19
[29] And every one who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or lands, for my name's sake, will receive a hundredfold, and inherit eternal life.
Luke.14
[28] For which of you, desiring to build a tower, does not first sit down and count the cost, whether he has enough to complete it?
[33] So therefore, whoever of you does not renounce all that he has cannot be my disciple.On what is honorable among men:
Paul says:
2Cor.8
[21] for we aim at what is honorable not only in the Lord's sight but also in the sight of men.
Rom.12
[17] Repay no one evil for evil, but take thought for what is noble in the sight of all men.
Rom.14
[18] he who thus serves Christ is acceptable to God and approved by men.
1Cor.10
[33] just as I try to please all men in everything I do, not seeking my own advantage, but that of many, that they may be saved.Jesus says:
Luke.16
[15] But he said to them, You are those who justify yourselves before men, but God knows your hearts; for what is exalted among men is an abomination in the sight of God.
Luke.6
[26] Woe to you, when all men speak well of you, for so their fathers did to the false prophets.On the destiny of the Law and the Prophets:
Paul says:
Rom.10
[4] For CHRIST is the END of the LAW, that every one who has faith may be justified.Jesus says:
Matt.5
[17] Think not that I have come to ABOLISH the LAW and the prophets; I have come not to abolish them but to fulfill them.
[18] For truly, I say to you, till heaven and earth pass away, not an iota, not a dot, will pass from the LAW until all is accomplished.On the number to be saved:
Paul says:
Rom.11
[25] Lest you be wise in your own conceits, I want you to understand this mystery, brethren: a hardening has come upon part of Israel, until the full number of the Gentiles come in,
[26] and so ALL Israel will be saved; as it is written, “The Deliverer will come from Zion, he will banish ungodliness from Jacob.Jesus says:
Matt.7
[13] Enter by the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the way is easy, that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many.
[14] For the gate is narrow and the way is hard, that leads to life, and those who find it are FEW.On the number and identity of pastors (shepherds):
Paul says:
Eph.4
[11] And his gifts were that some should be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, some pastors (shepherds) and teachers,Jesus says:
John.10
[16] And I have other sheep, that are not of this fold; I must bring them also, and they will heed my voice. So there shall be one flock, one shepherd.[HOW MANY DENOMINATIONS HAVE FORMED SOLELY ON THE LETTERS OF PAUL?]
On the number and identity of leaders:
Paul says:
1Cor.4
[15] For though you have countless leaders in Christ . . ..Jesus says:
Matt.23
[10] Neither be called leaders, for you have ONE leader, the CHRIST.On total depravity:
Paul says:
Rom.3
[9] What then? Are we Jews any better off? No, not at all; for I have already charged that all men, both Jews and Greeks, are under the power of sin,
[10] as it is written: “None is righteous, no, not one;
[22] For there is NO DISTINCTION;
[23] since all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, . . ..Jesus says:
Matt.12
[35] The GOOD man out of his good treasure brings forth good, and the EVIL man out of his evil treasure brings forth evil.
Luke.6
[45] The GOOD man out of the good treasure of his heart produces good, and the EVIL man out of his evil treasure produces evil; for out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks.
Matt.23
[35] that upon you may come all the RIGHTEOUS blood shed on earth, from the blood of INNOCENT Abel to the blood of Zechari'ah the son of Barachi'ah, whom you murdered between the sanctuary and the altar.On unconditional election:
Paul says:
Rom.9
[16] So it depends NOT UPON MAN's will or exertion, but upon God's mercy.Jesus says:
Matt.7
[21] Not every one who says to me, `Lord, Lord,' shall enter the kingdom of heaven, BUT HE WHO DOES THE WILL of my FATHER who is in heaven.
[22] On that day many will say to me, `Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?' [23] And then will I declare to them, `I never knew you; depart from me, you evildoers.On payment or reward for preaching the gospel:
Paul says:
1Tim.5
[17] Let the elders who rule well be considered worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in preaching and teaching;
[18] for the scripture says, “You shall not muzzle an ox when it is treading out the grain,” and, “The laborer deserves his wages.
1Cor.9
[11] If we have sown spiritual good among you, is it too much if we reap your material benefits?
[12] If others share this rightful claim upon you, do not we still more?Jesus says:
Matt.10
[7] And preach as you go, saying, `The kingdom of heaven is at hand.'
[8] Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse lepers, cast out demons. You received without paying, give WITHOUT PAY.
[HOW MANY PEOPLE ARE TURNED OFF BY THE TIME SPENT ASKING FOR MONEY]In 1 Corinthians 8 Paul declares it's OK to eat meat sacrificed to idols yet in other area's of the New Testament it is CLEARLY PROHIBITED.
” For it seemed good to the Holy Spirit, and to us, to lay upon you no greater burden than THESE NECESSARY THINGS:
That you ABSTAIN FROM MEATS offered to IDOLS, and from blood, and from things strangled and from fornication…”
(Acts 15:28:29)
” But I (Jesus) have a few things against thee, because thou hast there them that hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Ba
lac to cast a STUMBLING BLOCK before the children of Israel, TO EAT THINGS SACRIFICED TO IDOLS “
(Revelation 2:14)I'm excited to hear what some of you have to say about these.
…And Michael, even if you are right about some of what you are saying, how many people will listen to what you have to say with an open mind when you come across hatefully and disrespectfully. The WORD is a 2 edged sword to fight the devil, not to slice up our fellow brothers and sisters in Christ.
Let's all remember who the enemy is here, and keep in mind he doesn't want us seeking out truth. “TRUTH WILL SET YOU FREE”
God Bless you all!!!
Shane
