Hey, I'm new here obviously. I just wanted to say hi to everyone. I joined yesterday and didn't have much time to write then. I'm 22. I'm a stay at home mom. I have a beautiful baby boy named Colin. He's going to be a year on January 16th. I have a wonderful husband that I've now been married to for 2 and a half years. I currently live in Minnesota but we're looking to move somewhere else, according to God's will. I'm open to suggestions on that. I just love people and want the best for all of you.
Hey there, Dani. It is always wonderful to meet fellow believers. It sounds like you have your hands full with a toddler and a husband to care for. I think marriage and parenting are two of Gods highest callings, don't you? Where are you thinking of moving, any ideas? We want the best for YOU and your family, too, Dani. We are so glad you decided to join us as we study Gods Word Gods Way.
I've been a Christian for about 7 years. I would consider myself nondenominational because I believe denominations cause too much separation.
I was delighted to hear that denominations have popped up on YOUR radar screen as something that should cause us concern. That is called "discernment" and it is something that God gives us as we grow in Grace. God never called anyone to a "denomination", but to Himself and a MESSAGE. He also tells us clearly that we are to " Endeavour to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace." Eph. 4:3 The Unity of the Spirit has to do with the following verses in Ephesians 4 which give us the content of that which we are to guard so carefully. Read prayerfully:
Ephesians 4:3 Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.
Ephesians 4:4 There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling;
Ephesians 4:5 One Lord, one faith, one baptism,
Ephesians 4:6 One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you
To call yourself Christian I believe that you should believe Jesus died for our sins, rose again the third day........
And you are absolutely correct BECAUSE that is what scripture TELLS US! In Gods present economy, and Pauls wonderful gospel of the GRACE OF GOD, is exactly WHERE we find this wonderful message that is called the "gospel of OUR salvation." Let's look at it shall we:
Ephesians 1:13 In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of
your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise.
The DEATH, BURIAL and RESURRECTION
IS the power of God unto salvation to all who believe.
Romans 1:16 For I am not ashamed of
the gospel of Christ: for
it is THE power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.
1 Corinthians 15:1 Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you
the gospel which I (Paul, not Peter)
preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand;
1 Corinthians 15:2
By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain.
1 Corinthians 15:3 For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that
Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures;
1 Corinthians 15:4 And that
he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:
You also ADDED this part, and this is what I want us to take a look at together:
AND (emphasis mine here) ...
we should ask forgiveness and accept this and repent of our sins continually.
I want us to find THOSE instructions anywhere in the verses given us by Paul.
Where does Paul tell us that we must ask for forgiveness in order to BE forgiven?
This is just something to get our minds to SEEING what is there and whats NOT in this wonderful good news message that Paul has for we who are the Body of Christ.
Paul doesn't tell us to ASK for something that God has already GIVEN US, does he? Lets look at the scriptures and let them answer that question FOR US:
Ephesians 1:7 In whom we
have redemption through his blood,
the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;
Scripture tells us that we already
HAVE forgiveness of sins and that it is according to the riches of His GRACE (not according to "our asking for it.")
That forgiveness was secured FOR us by Christs Death, Burial and Resurrection, and NOT by anything WE did.
NO One was "asking for forgiveness" when Jesus died for the sins of the world 2000 yrs ago...so that cannot be a requirement. Do you see this from the scriptures?
I know this probably sounds new to you. It did to all of us when WE first considered it too, but it is of the utmost importance! It is "churchianity" and the "traditions of men" that ADD to "the simplicity that is IN Christ", and that causes alot of confusion instead of clarity. You seem like a lady who wants to GROW in Grace and stand on the truth of Gods Word, and thats a GOOD THING.
Whatever we believe should be in line with the Bible. Other than that, there are areas where we may interpret differently that do not have answers in the Bible(or may be interpreted differently.) If we would accept these differences we could all be just plain Christian instead of (Lutheran, Methodist, etc.)
AMEN to that! We should also be aware that there are instructions given to Israel under JUDAISM (or the gospel of the KINGDOM) that should not be mixed in with or confused with the Gospel of the GRACE of God which we are under today. The confusion that we see all around us with regard to what the Bible MEANS, would be easily solved if we followed Gods instructions NOT to mix that which was given to Israel as HER instructions, with the instructions given to US as the Church which is His BODY. We are to let scripture interpret scripture by studying Gods Word , Gods WAY , as found in 2 Tim. 2:15.
We are delighted to have you with us to study Gods Word , Gods Way. You will find it simplifies things so much more, and that you will actually understand your Bible in a wonderful new way.
Please, make yourself at home and if you have any additional questions, feel free to post them.
Your forum Host and sister in Christ,
Christine
Grace Teacher Ministries
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