Many Christians Have Blasphemed The Holy Spirit.

Alright, so I read the chapter, and it is clear that it was talking to the Jews.
One thing that people that hold to the position that some things only apply to the Jews have to realize is: if this is true then only what is directed to the gentiles applies to us if we are not of Jewish decent. So that leaves out most of what was said and promised in the bible, as most of the bible is directed to the Jews.

There are many places in the bible that say that we(gentiles) share in the blessings and promises to Israel. We have become a part of spiritual Israel through faith in Jesus.
 
One thing that people that hold to the position that some things only apply to the Jews have to realize is: if this is true then only what is directed to the gentiles applies to us if we are not of Jewish decent. So that leaves out most of what was said and promised in the bible, as most of the bible is directed to the Jews.

There are many places in the bible that say that we(gentiles) share in the blessings and promises to Israel. We have become a part of spiritual Israel through faith in Jesus.

Thank you for saying it for me!
 
One thing that people that hold to the position that some things only apply to the Jews have to realize is: if this is true then only what is directed to the gentiles applies to us if we are not of Jewish decent. So that leaves out most of what was said and promised in the bible, as most of the bible is directed to the Jews.

There are many places in the bible that say that we(gentiles) share in the blessings and promises to Israel. We have become a part of spiritual Israel through faith in Jesus.
So we only share in promises and not in obligations.
 
So we only share in promises and not in obligations.
If by obligations you mean the law, then that's right we are no longer bound by the law. But, this does not mean we are not obligated to live righteously: for Christ did not come to do abolish/destroy the law but to fulfill it. We walk in righteousness and do good works not by our own power but by the power/enabling of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit bears the good fruit.
 
Thanks Mykuhl.
It could also be said, "How hard it is for those that trust in poverty to enter into the kingdom of God."
Despite the constant condemnation of the so called prosperity gospel, in my mind there is an even greater bondage in the church to the poverty gospel.

Ya know you make a good point. Those who think that by being in poverty...will earn them a place in Heaven....are in a way trying to earn salvation keeping themselves in bondage to the law and not able to obey God by giving something to someone, because they lack the funds or faith to do so. Because just like the rich person trusting in riches or money....they are doing the same thing just on the other side.
 
Ya know you make a good point. Those who think that by being in poverty...will earn them a place in Heaven....are in a way trying to earn salvation keeping themselves in bondage to the law and not able to obey God by giving something to someone, because they lack the funds or faith to do so. Because just like the rich person trusting in riches or money....they are doing the same thing just on the other side.
That reminds me of something that happened decades ago.
A church friend came to me because he was struggling in his business. As we talked, he came up with the following nonsense. "I believe that God is keeping me in poverty so that I always have to turn to him for everything, instead of being able to do what I want to do."
I pointed out to him what James said.-
James2v14What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save them? 15Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothes and daily food. 16If one of you says to them, “Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it?17In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.

My friend gloried in his poverty because it made him feel righteous, self righteous, but as I pointed out, if anyone came to him hungry and in need, he had absolutely nothing to give other than the pious advice, "Go in peace, keep warm and well fed."

As Jesus said in Matthew9v29 "Be it unto you according to your faith."

My friend had abundant faith for being poor, and that is exactly what he always got. In no way was he being kept in poverty by God.
In their manic condemnation of the so called "prosperity gospel," many christians have adopted abundant faith for poverty, thus poverty is what they get.

Even if my friend wanted to help someone in need, he would first have to go away and pray for provision, which was unlikely to come because of his belief in poverty.

As a businessman, I did a lot of ministry and counseling with fellow businessmen to help them understand how the Lord would bless them within their business life. Indeed we saw many businessmen have their lives turn around as God intervened.

One day I was asked to call someone in another town who was in trouble financially. I called him and introduced myself. I was met with a tirade of dogma as he launched himself against this "evil prosperity gospel." I had not even spoken a word!
As I tried to encourage him to come to our monthly business fellowship meetings, he kept going back to the same mantra. I tried to give him some testimonies but he was deaf to any good thing I could say. He was emphatic that the purpose of the gospel was solely to get people to heaven, and that it was never God's purpose that we should receive any material blessings at his hand.

As I parted from the conversation, I simply said to him, "Well my friend, be it unto you according to your faith." He was determined that his God wanted him to be poor, and that was his constant experience.
 
hmm... the Rich and the Poor again....

despise and judge, we should not....

to summarize how I see Paul is saying in the first part of Romans 14 the Rich despise the Poor...the Poor judge the Rich....

which, we should not be in, in the last part, Paul is saying:
Therefore let us pursue the things which make for peace and the things by which one may edify another
Do not destroy the work of God for the sake of food
 
hmm... the Rich and the Poor again....

despise and judge, we should not....

to summarize how I see Paul is saying in the first part of Romans 14 the Rich despise the Poor...the Poor judge the Rich....

which, we should not be in, in the last part, Paul is saying:
Therefore let us pursue the things which make for peace and the things by which one may edify another
Do not destroy the work of God for the sake of food
Aha, I am not sure what you mean here. Can you enlighten me a little.
 
Aha, I am not sure what you mean here. Can you enlighten me a little.
As I understand Romans 14
those who eat meat = Rich = they have MORE to choose from what to eat…
those who do not eat meat = Poor = they have LESS to choose from what to eat…

Is Romans 14 more on the Weak the Strong?
Yes, can be, as Paul seems to say on some verses…
But there are also verses that it is more on Christian Liberty: Let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind.
 
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As I understand Romans 14
those who eat meat = Rich = they have MORE to choose from what to eat…
those who do not eat meat = Poor = they have LESS to choose from what to eat…

Is Romans 14 more on the Weak the Strong?
Yes, can be, as Paul seems to say on some verses…
But there are also verses that it is more on Christian Liberty: Let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind.
I must be stupid Aha, because I can't see any connection with either my comment or any other comment on the thread. Please help me understand what you are trying to say and what the connection is.
 
I must be stupid Aha, because I can't see any connection with either my comment or any other comment on the thread. Please help me understand what you are trying to say and what the connection is.
1. what am trying to say...
2. what the connection is...

may I ask what is your understanding of Romans 14.... after that, I can explain how...
 
1. what am trying to say...
2. what the connection is...

may I ask what is your understanding of Romans 14.... after that, I can explain how...
I never mentioned Romans14, nor did anyone else as far as I can see. It would be better if you went straight to the point of your comment.
 
I never mentioned Romans14, nor did anyone else as far as I can see. It would be better if you went straight to the point of your comment.

hmmm... I can't explain further if you do not want to say/explain what is your understanding on Romans 14... am looking for common ground to start on...
 
hmmm... I can't explain further if you do not want to say/explain what is your understanding on Romans 14... am looking for common ground to start on...
If you can't explain what you mean properly, why post at all?
However I suspect you are looking for me to say Romans14 is about judging others?
 
If you can't explain what you mean properly, why post at all?
However I suspect you are looking for me to say Romans14 is about judging others?

As I see Romans 14: it is more accepting others....

Ok, am referring to this friend of yours, saying:
He was emphatic that the purpose of the gospel was solely to get people to heaven, and that it was never God's purpose that we should receive any material blessings at his hand.

I do not agree with that…. but if he seems to be “fully persuaded”…

Are we going to change his mind?

by "fully persuaded" it means that is how they see how to give thanks to God.... in the same manner of the example of Paul...
 
As I see Romans 14: it is more accepting others....

Ok, am referring to this friend of yours, saying:
He was emphatic that the purpose of the gospel was solely to get people to heaven, and that it was never God's purpose that we should receive any material blessings at his hand.

I do not agree with that…. but if he seems to be “fully persuaded”…

Are we going to change his mind?

by "fully persuaded" it means that is how they see how to give thanks to God.... in the same manner of the example of Paul...
That being the case, what point is there in teaching anything at all. If true, your stance needs to be applied to every last comment made on every other thread on this forum, and in every church sermon throughout the world. We should perhaps just leave everyone to their bondages.

And as for my "friend", (he was unknown to me), if you go back and read the comment you will see what I did. He utterly rejected everything he presumed I stood for and was not prepared to countenance any other thought, so I simply left him to the bondage that he believed in.

I do not make it my business to convince anyone against their freewill choices. If people wish to engage in debate, conversation or discussion on a controversial subject then yes I will happily join in. If their mind is closed, then they will reap the fruit of their faith, for good or bad.
That was the purpose of my comment. If people condemn belief in the abundant provision of God, then they will reap the fruit of that.
 
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It's basically the teaching that God wants you to be rich materially. The teachers in this gospel (which really is not gospel) have other damnable teachings, such as the lie that we are all small gods, but that is the basic gist of it.
Oh yes, the words of a certain Mr. Dollar.
Basically what was said was that we are created in the image of God, who obviously is God. Then there was a thing about dogs that come together and bring forth dogs, and in the same way we are little gods.
I think my eye brows covered my receding hair line when those words hit the ear drum. I was stunned.
That said, I think many people believe the same way, but in all honesty - we cannot compare to God in one single bit, we cannot set ourselves equal to Him in one way, it's indescribable.
 
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