Mike Boll,Cats are formed, i.e made, in the likeness of a cat in their mother's womb. An embryonic cat does not look like what we call a cat but by the time it is born it does.

Irene,The rebuke of a brother who sins must be both soft and firm as you say.Sometimes it is best to avoid those who continue to sin after being rebuked.The moderators are the ones given the sword of wrath on this site.

Irene,It is true that if you see your brother sin you are to rebuke them. Since the sin is public it is reasonable that the rebuke be public as well. Discretion, which I seldom show, may lead you to send a private message instead. That later is a course that holds closer to the progression Jesus teaches. One is taught to watch themselves so…[Read more]

mikeboll64,Do the words “turn the other cheek” and “be slow to anger” mean nothing to you?Are you compelled to blind yourself to words you do not wish to see or hear?I ask because that seems to be what your responses imply.Is the Spirit of Righteousness in you quiet or is it in abhorrence of your unChristlike attitude. Instead take these words…[Read more]

Mike Boll,Ignore Gene’s definition of free will and look instead at the ideas he expresses. Do you agree with Gene that Adam acted out of his own will instead of submitting himself to God’s?I believe you do.

Ed J.Both Mike Boll and Martian are displaying bad fruit, whether one or another started it is irrelevant.  They both need to see they are falling short of being righteous as God is righteous and confess their sin knowing that he will cleanse them of the desire to give in to Satan's wiles.  God is testing their hearts and I hope their eyes b…[Read more]

Mike Boll 64,I believe Gene is not always clear about his points. Adam's choice was influenced by his internal will even though God created him upright. It is possible Adam acted in ignorance but assuming the fruit of the tree of knowledge was unique he should have known better.

Mike Boll 64,Perhaps Martian is persecuting you with his words but I believe he is also sincere in his criticism of you though he may speak from ignorance at times. Currently it appears as if the devil has him in chains for his words give voice to anger, frustration, and hurt which you inadvertently caused.Jesus instructs us to rejoice when…[Read more]

Terraricca and seekingtruth,From what I see your disagreement with Gene stems from divergent views of the definition of the word combination “Free Will”.That would seem to fit the definition of an argument over words and we are warned against engaging in such arguments.That is why I suggested using the word “voluntary” instead as it seems to by a…[Read more]

Mike Boll 64,Shimmer is practicing diplomacy as she dislikes division in the family of God. I believe she is hoping that she can reconcile Martian to the need to suffer the evil of others instead of being quick to anger and painting with a wide brush.

Worshipping Jesus,John 17:20-21(NIV) read:Quote “My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me.This passage answers your question as Jesus…[Read more]

Worshipping Jesus,I agree that you can argue the three are part of the unity of the spirit but so are those students of Christ that have been reborn in spirit as well as the angels. They all have the divine nature of righteousness and holiness and have already attained through faith or are striving to obtain by faith a righteousness that is like…[Read more]

Martian,Do not call evil what is good in your frustration. Instead trust in God and show that patience through suffering others that disagree with you as God uses them to test you.

Worshipping Jesus,You wrote:Quote Hebrew names also carry within the nature of the person.Agreed!You wrote:Quote All authority and power is given to Jesus. I agree, although I will point that God gave Jesus the authority. Thus Jesus speaks and acts in God’s name as the Spirit of God dwells in them both.You wrote:Quote Jesus said baptize in the “…[Read more]

Gene,I am not arguing over the definition of “Free will” with you but I am seeking a word that is equivalent to what I mean when I use the word combination of “Free Will”. It seems that we agree on the word “voluntary”.

Worshiping Jesus,How do you choose to reconcile Jesus' command to immerse his student in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost with the actions of the Eleven who chose instead to immerse them solely iin the name of Jesus?

Gene and Adam,Dennison is correct and Gene definition of Free Will is not my definition of free will. The use of different definitions merely confuses the issue and does not further the conversation. It is an argument over words which we are warned against engaging in.Scripture uses the word “freewill” though the word “voluntary” is a possible…[Read more]

Just Askin,You wrote about Nick Hassan:Quote I asked several times what the matter was but all i got was “God is spirit” – does that sound like a sane person?Sounds completely sane to me since Jesus did the same thing.   For example , a woman asks about liquid water and Jesus switches the subject to  Spiritual water.It is true Nick wrote more l…[Read more]

Mikeboll64,Yes, Scripture does declare that we are made in the likeness of man. The type of man it describes before we are resurrected is “earthly” and after resurrection is “heavenly”. I have not looked to make sure that “man” equals “human being”.In addition Paul’s teaching to the Romans confirms this with the following passages.Romans 8…[Read more]

Mike Boll 64,You wrote:Quote I have shown you what the scripture CLEARLY says, and despite MANY tedious replies from you, not once have you tried to explain how someone who already is a human being can be made in the likeness of a human being.The teacher Paul answers your question by stating that those who are in Christ and perhaps other human…[Read more]