Let's Study The Holy Bible

[Lorenzo]

The Lord Jesus Christ tells us there would be few who will find salvation, many loose their way, many fall into their sins, many have lost their will to find HIM.

Is it too late? Of course Not! Repent and Be Saved!

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12Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets.

13Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat:

14Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.

-Matthew 7:12-14

[Lorenzo]

Question: "What is true friendship according to the Bible?"


Answer: The Lord Jesus Christ gave us the definition of a true friend: "Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends. You are my friends if you do what I command. I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master's business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you" (John 15:13-15). Jesus is the pure example of a true friend, for He laid down His life for His "friends." What is more, anyone may become His friend by trusting in Him as his personal savior, being born again and receiving new life in Him.

There is an example of true friendship between David and Saul's son Jonathan, who, in spite of his father Saul's pursuit of David and attempts to kill him, stood by his friend. You will find that story in 1 Samuel chapter 18 through chapter 20. Some pertinent passages are 1 Samuel 18:1-4; 19: 4-7; 20:11-17, 41-42.

Proverbs is another good source of wisdom regarding friends. "A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity" (Proverbs 17:17). "A man of many companions may come to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother" (Proverbs 18:24). The issue here is that in order have a friend, one must be a friend. "Wounds from a friend can be trusted, but an enemy multiplies kisses" (Proverbs 27:6). " As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another" (Proverbs 27:17).

The principle of friendship is also found in Amos. "Can two walk together, except they be agreed?" (Amos 3:3 KJV). Friends are of like mind. The truth that comes from all of this is a friendship is a relationship that is entered into by individuals, and it is only as good or as close as those individuals choose to make it. Someone has said that if you can count your true friends on the fingers of one hand, you are blessed. A friend is one whom you can be yourself with and never fear that he or she will judge you. A friend is someone that you can confide in with complete trust. A friend is someone you respect and that respects you, not based upon worthiness but based upon a likeness of mind.

Finally, the real definition of a true friend comes from the Apostle Paul: "For scarcely for a righteous man will one die; yet perhaps for a good man someone would even dare to die. But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us" (Romans 5:7-8). "Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends." (John 15:13). Now, that is true friendship!

[Lorenzo]

Let us now examine the notion of selectivity and totality in regards to Scriptural Studies.

I personally am not comfortable when I discuss scripture with individuals who are so selective in scriptural references. Amen, I listen to their examples, but selectivity in verses and not reading the entire verse; before said verse and after said verse is something that gets me.

As I have told to my fellow Christian brothers whom I have had the pleasure in studying the Blessed Word with, it is best to study Scripture in its totality and in reading not only the words and taking the message, but also reading 'in between the lines'.

When you read and study the Holy Bible, read the whole book. And contemplate every single verse, every single passage, every single chapter, every single book.

---

Revelation 22:18-19 "I warn everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: if anyone adds to them, God will add to that person the plagues described in this book; if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God will take away that person's share in the tree of life and in the holy city, which are described in this book."



Yours In Christ,
Lorenzo

[Lorenzo]

Brothers, Sisters,

Let us now examine the topic of REPENTANCE.

[Lorenzo]

The Bible speaks about repenting from sin. To repent means to change one’s mind, to turn from, and turn to God. Here mind is referred to but the heart is implied. John the Baptist came crying Repent! Repent! Jesus Christ began His ministry with a call to repentance in Matt 4: 17. This call is not to the nation of Israel or nation but it is now the call of repentance to the individual. When we repent and turn to God for Salvation we must exercise or use our faith to receive Salvation.

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There are two types of repentance and we can see both in the Old Testament and the New Testament. I will call them this way throughout this text.

1. WORLDLY REPENTANCE

2. TRUE REPENTANCE

What does it mean when I say True Repentance or spiritual repentance?

What does it mean when I say Worldly Repentance?

Let us look at both ways through the word of God:

1. WORLDLY REPENTANCE

Turn your Bible to Exodus Read Chapter 9:

9:1 This was the fifth time God impelled Moses back to Pharaoh with this demand, “Let my people go!” Moses may have been tired and discouraged, but he continued to obey. Is there a difficult conflict you must face repeatedly? Don’t give up, don’t quit, when you know what is right to do. Moses discovered, persistence and patience is a virtue of God and God will reward obedience.

9:12 God gave Pharaoh numerous opportunities to observe Moses’ warnings. But in the end God seemed to say, “All right, Pharaoh, have it your own way,” and Pharaoh’s heart developed into permanently hardened. Did God deliberately harden Pharaoh’s heart and make null and void his free will? No, he merely confirmed that Pharaoh wholeheartedly chose and preferred a life of resisting God. Likewise, after a lifetime of resisting God, people may possibly find it impossible to turn to him. Don’t delay until just the right time before turning to God. Act now as you still have the opportunity. If you persistently ignore God’s voice, eventually you will be unable to hear God’s call at all.

Focus: 9:27-34 After promising to let the Hebrews go, Pharaoh immediately broke his promise and brought even more trouble upon the land. His actions reveal that his repentance was not real. We do damage to ourselves and to others if we pretend to change but don’t mean it

Pharaoh represents the world’s type of repentance. Pharaoh cried out to Moses’ and said he repented but as soon as the plague or hardship was removed he returned to the same sin. How many times have been guilty of refusing to obey God’s word and asking for forgiveness and shortly after the hardship is over we return to the same sin or thing that brought us into bondage in the first place. Pharaoh experienced the power and might of the one true living God and the world of Pharaoh would learn about the Lord through these experiences. Pharaoh represents the natural or physical mans reasoning against the word of God or the spiritual conflict between man and God. Natural disasters can cause us to call out in fear and helplessness; along with hardships or difficulties man cries out but this is not the same as true repentance but arises from the terror of the difficulty or hardship. Man will return to his sin when this type of repentance or bargaining is done. Pharaoh feared the hardships of the plagues but he did not fear or turn to the Lord with a true heart repentance.

Review:

1. Pharaoh did not acknowledge his sin or tendency to do wrong.
2. The nation and Pharaoh did not realize his sin was rebellion against God.
3. They never admitted their sin to God and turned from it.
4. Pharaoh never trusted in God’s willingness to forgive although God demonstrated his patience and Willing to relent.
5. Pharaoh never accepted forgiveness because the hardness of his heart.



2. TRUE REPENTANCE:

Turn your Bible to verses Ezra10 and read.

10:1-2 Focus verses: 3-4-11 Ezra prayed earnestly from the heart. A large crowd wept with him. The hearts turned to repentance and turned to God.

10:3 Why were the reasons these men were commanded to send away their wives and children? Even though the measure was extreme, intermarriage to pagans was strictly forbidden and outlawed (Deut. 7:3-4), and even the priests and Levites had intermarried. This might be compared today as to a Christian marrying a devil worshiper. Although a hardnosed solution, it only involved 113 of the approximately 29,000 families. These marriages were outside the law with pagans who served other gods. They were not covenant marriages. Even today, many are not in covenant marriages. They were believers marrying unbelievers.

Ezra’s strong action, although very difficult for some people, was necessary to preserve and protect Israel as a nation dedicated to God. Some of the exiles of the northern kingdom of Israel had lost both their spiritual and physical characteristics through intermarriage. Their pagan spouses were the root the people worshiping idols. Ezra did not desire this to happen to the exiles of the southern kingdom of Judah.

10:3-4, 11 Following, Ezra’s earnest heart rendering prayer, the people confessed their sin to God. They asked for direction and the God’s way and will in restoring their relationship with God. True repentance does not end with words of confession; this would be mere lip service. Repentance must lead to corrected behavior, actions and changed attitudes. When you sin and are truly sorry or remorseful, confess your sin to God, ask His forgiveness, and accept His grace, mercy and forgiveness. Then, as an act of appreciation for your forgiveness, make the needed corrections. 1 John 1:9 (KJV) If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

10:11 As believers in Jesus Christ, all our sins are forgiven. Christ Jesus’ death cleansed us from all sin. Why do we still confess our sins? Confession is more than appropriation of Christ’s forgiveness for what we have done wrong, and we do not have to re-confess sins that were previously confessed. Confession is agreeing with God that our thoughts, words, attitudes and actions are wrong and contrary to God’s will. It is recommitting ourselves, to do his will and to renounce any acts of disobedience. Confession is turning away from sin and asking God for fresh power to live for him.

Focus verses: 3-4-11

Ezra prayed earnestly from the heart. A large crowd wept with him.

The people repented from the heart but repentance did not stop with confession. The people turned from their sin, wrong deeds and actions or deeds. True repentance will not stop at confession or it is only lip service. Confession is agreeing with God that our thoughts, actions, behaviors and attitudes are opposing to his word and will. True repentance will lead to change. Confession and repentance brings about recommitting to God’s will and word, and renouncing our disobedience to God. Disobedience is rebellion and the Bible or word says this is the same as witchcraft. Disobedience brings death. Obedience brings life.

[Lorenzo]

Let us talk about Our Father's Love.

Brothers, Sisters, what do you think about our Heavenly Father's Love?
What does Scripture say about HIS Love for Us?
Give personal and scriptural points.

hehehe!

[gwargz]

Lorenzo says: Guys, remember that wherever we are, or whoever we are with,
do things for the Glory of the Lord and do not offend those around you.
Let us be like Christ and imitate him, despite our personal iniquities.

Brother Lorenzo, pagka-chada sa mensahe sa Holy Spirit nga mikunsad nimo (read above).
God is truly using you. Keep it up, Bro. God bless you.

[Lorenzo]

Good afternoon, bro!
ma lipay pood ko that these messages helped, bro.
Mo post rapood ko after biblical contemplation, salamat sa blessings nimo, bro.
And May the Lord God Bless You too! Bless all of us!

Please join me in this thread, bro.

We are reminded, bitaw, that we are the Temples of the Holy Spirit.
For we all have been purchased at a price. Which is Christ on the Cross.



Yours in Christ,
Lorenzo

[Lorenzo]

A member asked me a question, regarding the quote from St. Vincent De Paul,
""Strive to live content in the midst of those things that cause your discontent. Free your mind from all that troubles you, God will take care of things. You will be unable to make haste in this [choice] without, so to speak, grieving the heart of God, because he sees that you do not honor him sufficiently with holy trust. Trust in him, I beg you, and you will have the fulfillment of what your heart desires" (St. Vincent de Paul, Letters).

This member asked me what St. Vincent De Paul meant by this quotation? What is the biblical complement to this quotation and what should we take from this said verse?

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My response:

Glory be to the Lord God: The Eternal Father, The Son Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit--who proceeds from the Father and the Son. Whose righteousness is from everlasting to everlasting. Whose wisdom speaks and pierces through every soul it seeketh and wills to awaken. Blessed be God in The Highest! Bless His Name!

Brother, thank you for your question and for addressing this quotation from St. Vincent De Paul, who is the patron of the sick and the impoverished. When we analyze the life of Blessed Vincent De Paul, we realize and understand that his life was that of a follower of Christ. And we are reminded through his works in helping, feeding, clothing, and praying for the poor and ill that it was Christ who willed us to be compassionate towards those who were poor, afflicted, dying, and needy. For we are reminded that it is works that illustrates our faith that we profess with our mouths.

James 2:20-22
Do you want proof, you ignoramus, that faith without works is useless? Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered his son Isaac upon the altar? You see that faith was active along with his works, and faith was completed by the works.

Our works of faith completes and illustrates/ validates ones' faith. Faith is completed in good works.
One cannot have the other, as we are reminded in:

James 2:14-18
What good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can that faith save him? If a brother or sister has nothing to wear and has no food for the day, and one of you says to them, "Go in peace, keep warm, and eat well," but you do not give them the necessities of the body, what good is it? So also faith of itself, if it does not have works, is dead. Indeed someone might say, "You have faith and I have works." Demonstrate your faith to me without works, and I will demonstrate my faith to you from my works.


Brother, this resounds back to the message given to us by St. Vincent De Paul in his phrasing, ""Strive to live content in the midst of those things that cause your discontent. Free your mind from all that troubles you, God will take care of things. You will be unable to make haste in this [choice] without, so to speak, grieving the heart of God, because he sees that you do not honor him sufficiently with holy trust. Trust in him, I beg you, and you will have the fulfillment of what your heart desires"

We must strive to live in holy trust with God, and to live peacefully within our own soul and in complete trust in GOD. Even if there is discord amongst brethren that look down on us, say ill things about us behind our backs, because of our trust in God or in completing a task and action that we know that God is in support and in defense of.
Remember, brother, that nothing in this life is ever popular, especially the RIGHT things. This world that we live in is ruled by the devil, and his demons. His lies and his perverse satisfaction in causing discord amongst brothers; and in making what is wrong popular and what is RIGHT subject to criticism.

We are reminded to live in faith in GOD and in upholding our HOLY TRUST in God by showing our Good works.
For we are reminded in Matthew that we are a light upon the house, and that we should shine forth our good works so that others will see our good works and GLORIFY OUR ETERNAL FATHER WHO IS IN HEAVEN.

Matthew 5;16
"Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven."


Trust In God. In Everything you do Glorify Him. For it is said that, "WE CAN DO ALL THINGS THROUGH HIM WHO STRENGTHENS US." In GOD, all things are possible. ALL THINGS.


GOD BLESS YOU BROTHER!
Yours In Jesus Christ,
Lorenzo

[bugsay]

Bro Lorenz,

Thanks for the enlightenment.
Taas kaayo ang imong mensahe nga di ikalimod nag gigahinan gyud nimo'g panahon.
Abi nako ug mag doctor lang ka, mag Pari pud diay...hehehehe
Salamat Bro.

Bugsay

[fdaray]

The simple  of meaning of repentence: turning away from sin and ask forgiveness to God.


1 john 1:9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness

[Lorenzo]

Bro Lorenz,

Thanks for the enlightenment.
Taas kaayo ang imong mensahe nga di ikalimod nag gigahinan gyud nimo'g panahon.
Abi nako ug mag doctor lang ka, mag Pari pud diay...hehehehe
Salamat Bro.

Bugsay

Brother,

To The Lord God be the Glory, Honor and Praise. To HIM and all to HIM.
Praise be to GOD who through the grace of the Holy Spirit--who proceeds from the Father and the Son--willed it that you ask that question--for it is proof and manifest of your hunger and thirsting after Righteousness of GOD'S WORD.

Praise be to GOD for all things.

May Our Lord Jesus Christ who is LORD be with you.
May the Grace of Our Lord--which is a Gift of Divine Providence--always abound in your life and in the lives of your children.

Your Brother in Christ,
Lorenzo

[Lorenzo]

Piety, Persistence, Penitence, and Prayer



Read Luke 18.


1 Then Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up. 2 He said: “In a certain town there was a judge who neither feared God nor cared about men. 3 And there was a widow in that town who kept coming to him with the plea, ‘Grant me justice against my adversary.’ 4 “For some time he refused. But finally he said to himself, ‘Even though I don’t fear God or care about men, 5 yet because this widow keeps bothering me, I will see that she gets justice, so that she won’t eventually wear me out with her coming!’ “ 6 And the Lord said, “Listen to what the unjust judge says. 7 And will not God bring about justice for his chosen ones, who cry out to him day and night? Will he keep putting them off? 8 I tell you, he will see that they get justice, and quickly. However, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on the earth?” 9 To some who were confident of their own righteousness and looked down on everybody else, Jesus told this parable: 10 “Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. 11 The Pharisee stood up and prayed about himself: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other menâ€"robbers, evildoers, adulterersâ€"or even like this tax collector. 12 I fast twice a week and give a tenth of all I get.’ 13 “But the tax collector stood at a distance. He would not even look up to heaven, but beat his breast and said, ‘God, have mercy on me, a sinner.’ 14 “I tell you that this man, rather than the other, went home justified before God. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.” 15 People were also bringing babies to Jesus to have him touch them. When the disciples saw this, they rebuked them. 16 But Jesus called the children to him and said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. 17 I tell you the truth, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.”

---

In studying Luke chapter 18 it may be good to pause and look back on the gospel of Luke from the vantage point of the Book of Acts. Dr. Luke wrote both of these books as companion volumes. We seldom study or teach them as such, although we probably should. These books were written a number of years after the death, burial, resurrection and ascension of our Lord. They were written at a time when the church was born and was rapidly growing. It was also a time when the church was predominantly Gentile, but when the Judaizers were working very hard to make law-keeping Jewish proselytes out of Christians and treating them as second-class citizens in the kingdom of God. Furthermore, it was a time when the first generation of believers, including the apostles, were about to pass from the scene.

The Books of Luke and Acts made a great contribution to the church in many ways, but pause with me to consider two specific areas which will shed light on what we are about to study in Luke. First, it was becoming evident that the kingdom of God was not likely to commence as quickly as some thought and hoped. As we now well know, there was to be some period of delay between the first and second comings of our Lord. The kingdom of God would be established, but not immediately. When Luke wrote this gospel the saints were coming to this conclusion, and Luke’s writing was intended to demonstrate that this delay was hinted at, indeed clearly implied, by our Lord’s words to His disciples. Our text in verses 1-8 points to this delay and to its implications.

Second, the church Luke described in the Book of Acts was constantly hounded, resisted, and rejected by the legalistic Jews who wished either to Judaize Gentile saints and the church or to keep them at arm’s length as second-class citizens of the kingdom of God. This opposition to the church by the Judaizers is a frequent theme in Acts, and Luke sets out to describe its roots and its remedy in the gospel account which he penned. By describing the opposition to our Lord by the Pharisees in the gospels, Luke prepares us for the opposition to the church by the Judaizers in Acts. Just as the Pharisees looked down on Jesus and the “sinners” He attracted and received in the gospel of Luke, the Judaizers looked down on Paul and the Gentile Christians. Why, after reading Luke, should we be shocked to see the opposition of the Jews to the church in Acts? Furthermore, in his gospel Luke sets out to show us very clearly that while the Pharisees (not to mention the Jews in general, including the disciples) rejected and resisted the grace of God being bestowed on Gentiles (especially Samaritans!â€"cf. Luke 4:16-30; 9:51-56), Jesus from the very outset purposed to save them, and He would not be hindered from doing so (cf. Luke 4:24-27).

My point is to establish that we are intended to understand this passage in Luke and, indeed the whole gospel, not only in the light of what has gone before but also in the light of what is going to happen (which is dealt with in the Book of Acts). We should understand the Book of Acts in the light of the preparatory writing of the gospel of Luke. Thus, Luke is indeed a prerequisite to understanding Acts. Much of the error in interpreting Acts may be the result of an inadequate grasp of Luke and its preparatory message.

Our text contains two major paragraphs. One unifying element is the common ingredient of prayer, which is a theme in both paragraphs. In the first (verses 1-8), we have the prayer or petition of the persistent widow which is constantly put before the unjust judge. In the second paragraph (verses 9-14), we have the prayer of the self-righteous Pharisee contrasted with the penitent prayer of the tax-collector.

Take note that in our text the Lord Jesus is teaching His disciples two lessons in contrast. The first lesson, that of perseverance in prayer, is taught by contrasting God, the righteous Judge who will speedily bring justice to the earth, with the unrighteous judge who reluctantly and only under duress gives the persistent widow the vindication and justice for which she petitioned. In the second paragraph, Jesus taught the attitude which is prerequisite for all prayerâ€"humility. Thus, we see the smug self-righteousness of the Pharisees contrasted with the repentant contrition of the tax-collector. The underlying spirit of both is revealed by their prayers.

In this text we can learn much about ourselves from our prayer life. We will also find that Jesus has much to teach us about the kind of prayer befitting the saint who awaits the coming kingdom. We should consider carefully these words spoken by our Lord and recorded under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit by Luke for our instruction and edification so that we may live in a way that is pleasing to Him, by His grace.

[Lorenzo]

The Context of Luke 18;


The gap between Jesus and the Pharisees began early in Luke’s gospel (chapter 5) and has been ever widening as the ministry and the message of the Lord Jesus Christ has unfolded. The Pharisees have already decided that Jesus will not be their Messiah, and thus they have begun to seek various occasions to renounce Him publicly (11:53-54). Their opposition to Jesus has progressed from questioning (11:53-54, etc.) to grumbling (15:1-2), to outright scoffing (16:14). Jesus has not been taken back by this nor has He in any way let up on them. He has already spoken some scorching words, directly renouncing their pride and hypocrisy (cf. 11:37-52). But in addition, He has spoken numerous parables which put the Pharisees in a bad light (cf. chapters 15 and 16).

One of the problems of Pharisaism was that it was hypocritical (12:1, etc.). Their hypocrisy was rooted in a desire to please men rather than God, which resulted in a conformity to human standards and values rather than God’s law (16:14-18). This resulted in an emphasis on appearances rather than on the attitudes of the heart (16:15). Thus those whom Pharisaism and others would have praised, Jesus cast in a very different light. Of those who would have been condemned on the basis of external appearances, Jesus spoke favorably. Talbert points out the way in which our Lord has consistently been overturning the contemporary value system, as outlined by Luke:

“The story fits into the general theme of status reversal in the third gospel. The New Age will overturn the values and structures of the present evil age. We meet this theme in the birth narratives (1:51-53) and in the Sermon on the Plain (6:20-26). In the travel narrative (9:51â€"19:44) Jesus’ teaching anticipates this eschatological reversal even now in overturning the estimate of what is virtue and what is vice. Consider 10:29-37 (good Samaritan/bad priest and levite); 10:38-42 (good inactive Mary/bad active Martha); 11:37-41 (good unclean/bad clean); 12:13-34 (good poor/bad rich); 14:7-11 (good humble/bad exalted); 15:11-32 (good prodigal/bad brother); 16:19-31 (good Lazarus/bad rich man); 18:18-30 (good poor/bad rich). Into this thematic context 18:9-14 fits (good tax collector/bad Pharisee) as another example of Jesus’ reversal of values. How can it be? What is wrong with so obviously good a man as the Pharisee? What can be right about so obviously perverse a person as the publican?”27

In the 17th chapter of Luke’s gospel, the focus has changed to the coming kingdom of God, introduced by the question of the Pharisees concerning the timing of the coming of the kingdom (17:20). Jesus briefly answered their question and then turned His attention to His disciples, instructing them concerning the kingdom. The topic is still the kingdom of God when we come to chapter 18. Verses 1-8 have to do with the disciple’s need to persist in praying for the coming of the kingdom (even though its arrival may appear late), and adversity, persecution, and injustice may suggest that the coming of the kingdom and the establishment of justice on the earth therefore seems unlikely. The second paragraph in chapter 18 turns from prayer for justice to prayer for mercy. Here, the self-righteous prayer of the Pharisee is contrasted with the penitent prayer of a tax-collector. Jesus turned the tables once again by saying that it was the penitent tax-collector who went away justified, rather than the pious-appearing Pharisee.

[Lorenzo]

"What does the Bible say about jealousy?"


Answer: When we use the word “jealous,” we use it in a sense of being envious of someone who has something we do not have. This kind of jealousy is a sin and is not characteristic of a Christian; rather, it shows that we are still being controlled by our own desires (1 Corinthians 3:3). Galatians 5:26 says, “Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other.”

The Bible tells us that we are to have the perfect kind of love that God has for us. “Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.” (1 Corinthians 13:4-5). The more we focus on ourselves and our own desires, the less we are able to focus on God. When we harden our hearts to the truth, we cannot turn to Jesus and allow Him to heal us (Matthew 13:15). But when we allow the Holy Spirit to control us, He will produce in us the fruit of our salvation, which is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control (Galatians 5:22-23).

Being jealous indicates that we are not satisfied with what God has given us. The Bible tells us to be content with what we have, for God will never fail or forsake us (Hebrews 13:5). In order to combat jealousy, we need to become more like Jesus and less like ourselves. We can get to know Him through Bible study, prayer, and fellowship with mature believers. As we learn how to serve others instead of ourselves, our hearts will begin to change. “Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will isâ€"his good, pleasing and perfect will” (Romans 12:2).

[Lorenzo]

I shall put this on the floor for anyone to answer, a question was asked, "What are the things that the Lord hates and specifically detests, and what are the ways for us to receive redemption to save us from being thrown into hell because of it?"

[Lorenzo]

A question was asked,:


But surely you must admit that the origins of Christmas, especially the symbolism and ceremonies associated with it, are rooted in Paganism.  How do you answer this?



----

Stop and take a breath.  Okay, let's review what we know about the origin of the annual celebration of Christmas.



First, we have reliable records from the middle of the fourth century indicating that Christians celebrated Christmas in the churches of Rome.  The earliest record of Christ's birth being celebrated on December 25th is A.D. 354 in a work called Chronography.  The Chronography documented the various seasons and festivals of the churches in Rome, most of them commemorating the death of Martyrs. By A.D. 398 Christ's birth was being celebrated on December 6th all across the empire--except in Armenia (January 6th).



Second, the story of how December 25th was chosen has been caricatured for many years.  The Christian leaders who gave us the great Trinitarian and Christological Creeds of the fourth and fifth century were not so theologically naïve as to simply import a pagan feast into the church wholesale in order to pacify some recently baptized and nominally Christian pagans.  This is absurd.



On the contrary, the facts suggest it was the pagan Roman emperor Aurelian in A.D. 274 who introduced the pagan feast of the "invincible Sun" (sol invictus) in order to counteract the influence of the growing Christian population and their celebration of the birth of Jesus during this time of the year.  Pagans were imitating and aping Christians, not visa versa.  If you want to learn more about this, read William J. Tighe's excellent article Calculating Christmas: The Story Behind December 25.  His summary is worth quoting:



Thus, December 25th as the date of the Christ's birth appears to owe nothing whatsoever to pagan influences upon the practice of the Church during or after Constantine's time. It is wholly unlikely to have been the actual date of Christ's birth, but it arose entirely from the efforts of early Latin Christians to determine the historical date of Christ's death.



And the pagan feast which the Emperor Aurelian instituted on that date in the year 274 was not only an effort to use the winter solstice to make a political statement, but also almost certainly an attempt to give a pagan significance to a date already of importance to Roman Christians. The Christians, in turn, could at a later date re-appropriate the pagan "Birth of the Unconquered Sun" to refer, on the occasion of the birth of Christ, to the rising of the "Sun of Salvation" or the "Sun of Justice."



Third, there is sufficient historical evidence that the church's choice of December 25 as the festival of Christ's nativity was reached by independent calendrical calculation on the part of Christian scholars and pastors.  It was chosen for symbolic and chronological purposes as believing scholars reflected on the symbolism of the seasons and the chronological information available to them.



They believed that God initiated the new creation on the same day in which the old creation was made and redeemed the world on the same day as well (Spring).  The new creation began with the incarnation of the Word at the annunciation (March 25).  Add nine months to this and you get December 25th.



Whatever you think about this line of reasoning, it is anything but pagan!   The church deliberately chose December 25th because 1) they believed that Jesus was born sometime in the winter, and 2) having Christmas around the time of the winter solstice would enable the church to highlight the themes of darkness and light so prominent in the Gospel records.  The pagans did not own the seasons; they tried to commandeer them from God and his people.  And so in order to reclaim the seasons from the pagans, the church chose December 25th.  This would counteract whatever pagan winter festivals were out there that honored various sun gods and turn people instead toward "the Sun of righteousness arising with healing in his wings" (Mal. 4:2; Luke 1:78).  We have sermons from this time (Augustine's #202, for example) that argue this way.



Now, again, whatever you think of the early church's reasoning, it is distinctively Christian and not in any way a syncretistic incorporation of paganism.  The idea that Christians in the fourth and fifth century were so compromised and stupid that they just thought up a way to bring a pagan celebration into the church so as to keep the nominally baptized pagans happy is a vicious lie.



The early church Fathers were not as dumb as we often think.  Ponder what has happened since that time. For centuries every year throughout the world the story of Jesus' incarnation and birth has been told.  And the old sun gods (Sol, Osiris, Horis, and Mithra) are forgotten.  Does anyone think that we are still commemorating these false gods?  Phooey.  Even if December 25th was a date that pagans in pre-Christian history worshiped some sun god or other, does it matter one wit?  Does it mean that we still worship them?  That Christmas is a pagan holiday?  The true Sun of Righteousness has vanquished the old, impotent gods.

[Lorenzo]

Okay, but you didn't deal with all the pagan symbolism used in Christmas celebrations, especially the Christmas tree??

----

This is ludicrous.  Jeremiah condemns gilded, carved images that are erected for idolatrous worship.  There is nothing here about using trees to decorate one's home during a holiday.  The prophet condemns "carved images" (pesel, 10:14).  The "axe" used by the workman (10:3) on the tree refers to an instrument to carve the wood, a chisel. Literally v. 3b says that the tree is "worked by the hands of an engraver with a tool."  Using this carving tool the worker makes an idol in the likeness of men and beasts, which is then "clothed with violet and purple" (10:9, 14).  They cannot walk or speak and have no power to do good (10:50).  Jeremiah 10 is a sarcastic indictment of pagan idolatry along the lines of Psalm 115 and Isaiah 40 and 44.  The prophet says absolutely nothing about the modern practice of using cut fir trees to decorate one's home.

Well, then, do we Christians "know why we have trees in our homes"?  Is it to worship them?  Do they ward off witches, evil spirits, and ghosts during the Christmas holidays?  I want to say, "of course not," but I suppose that there may be someone out there who brings an evergreen tree into their home in order to perform such rituals.  If so, then that person is using the tree in an idolatrous manner.


But there is a difference between symbolism and idolatry.  In the light of Jeremiah 10 and the danger of "carved images," it is instructive to note that God ordained all sorts of carved and embroidered images for the Tabernacle and Temple--even trees!


Around all the walls of the house he carved engraved figures of cherubim and palm trees and open flowers, in the inner and outer rooms
(1 Kings 6:29).

Moreover, these carved trees are plated with gold!

He covered the two doors of olivewood with carvings of cherubim, palm trees, and open flowers. He overlaid them with gold and spread gold on the cherubim and on the palm trees
(1Kings 6.32).

If any Christian bows down to the tree, seeks advice from it, attempts to communicate with God or the devil through it, or worships it or God through it as a medium, then that Christian is an idolater.  But using a tree for such things is a far cry from the way Christmas trees function in a faithful Christian's home.  Christians decorate trees with lights and ornaments because it brings them joy and delight as they commemorate the birth of Jesus.  If you don't like it, then don't buy a tree.  But don't accuse another believer of idolatry based on the supposed pagan origin and function of Christmas trees.

[Lorenzo]

I shall put this on the floor for anyone to answer, a question was asked, "What are the things that the Lord hates and specifically detests, and what are the ways for us to receive redemption to save us from being thrown into hell because of it?"

Proverbs 6:16-19
There are six things the LORD HATES, seven that are DETESTABLE to him: haughty eyes, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked schemes, feet that are quick to rush into evil, a false witness who pours out lies and a man who stirs up dissension among brothers.

    •• There are seven things listed that God hates, that He detests.

        • Many mistakenly conclude that God is love only. But this Scripture tells us that there are things â€" even people! â€" that God hates.

        • Let’s examine ourselves to see if we are doing any of the things that God is said to hate:



---------

1) “HAUGHTY EYES”: “a PROUD look” â€"

Proverbs 11:2 When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom.
Proverbs 16:18 Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall.

    •• Shortened by many to “Pride goes before a fall.”

        • A pastor who fell into adultery once told me: “I thought I was doing a good enough job God would overlook it.” Pride before a fall!

        • Another minister was heard to say not long before he fell into sin and disgrace: “This is the most anointed ministry on the face of the earth today.” Pride before a fall!

        • A young man said to a pastor friend of mine, “I’m having trouble with pride.” My friend succinctly and wisely replied, “Why? What do you have to be proud about?”

    •• The fast track to a fall? â€" Pride

        • Contrast Jesus' Beatitude: “Blessed are the poor in spirit” (Matthew 5:3).

        • God hates pride.

2) "A LYING TONGUE" â€"

Revelation 21:8 ...and all liars â€" their place will be in the fiery lake of burning sulfur. This is the second death.

    •• God hates lies.

        • Psalms 5:5b-6a ...you hate all who do wrong. [6] You destroy those who tell lies.

        • Parents, teach your kids always to speak truth.

        • Jesus: “I am...the Truth...”

        • Good relationships cannot be built without honesty.

        • Decent societies cannot survive on a foundation of falsehood and lies.

    •• God hates a lying tongue.

3) "Hands that shed INNOCENT BLOOD" â€"

Joel 3:19 But Egypt will be desolate, Edom a desert waste, because of violence done to the people of Judah, in whose land they shed innocent blood.

    •• God hates the shedding of innocent blood.

    • That is one of the reasons God judged Egypt.

    • Imagine the blood guilt of abortion doctors!

    • Imagine the blood guilt of the judges and politicians who allow the shedding of the blood of innocent, unborn babies!

4) "A HEART that DEVISES WICKED SCHEMES" â€"

Jeremiah 17:9, KJV The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?

    •• Jesus gave a list of sins and said that they proceed “out of the heart” (Matthew 15:19).

    •• Proverbs 4:23, KJV Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.

    NIV: “Guard your heart...”

    •• God hates the heart given over to wicked schemes.

5) "Feet that are QUICK to rush INTO EVIL" â€"

    •• Quote #4 above, about the heart’s tendency to wickedness, has already brought up evil.

    •• The hated conduct here is the quickness to rush into evil.

Titus 2:6 Similarly, encourage the young men to be self-controlled.

    •• Self-control is the antidote to quick falls into temptation.

        • For example, (Proverbs 29:11) “A fool gives full vent to his anger, but a wise man keeps himself under control.”

    •• God hates a swiftness to rush into evil.

6) "A FALSE WITNESS who pours out LIES" â€"

    •• “False witness” â€" violates one of the Ten Commandments.

        • God hates those who lie about other people.

        • God hates those who do harm and disservice to His system of justice.

        • I was once selected for jury duty in a trial in which the accused had allegedly been drinking alcohol. In the questioning of us potential jurors, integrity required that I had to speak up about my beliefs and preaching against alcohol. I was admittedly not impartial from the outset, and the judge rightly dismissed me from the jury selection.

    •• God hates a false witness.

        • Notice that this is a person that God hates! I’ve heard Christians say that God hates no one. That sounds noble, but it is anti-Scriptural. Here it is clearly said that “...the Lord hates ... a false witness.”

        • See below for another type of person the Lord hates.

7) "A man who STIRS UP DISSENSION among BROTHERS" â€"

Titus 3:10 Warn a divisive person once, and then warn him a second time. After that, have nothing to do with him.

    •• Another PERSON that God hates!

        • A pastor friend of mine was once counseling a very divisive person. The pastor concluded with the startling statement, “...and besides that, GOD HATES YOU.”

        • I imagine that the man he was counseling was shocked. But the Bible clearly declares that “...the Lord hates ... a man who stirs up dissension among brothers”.

        • “...a man...” â€" that is a person that God hates.

    •• What is a fast track to incurring God’s hatred? â€" be a talebearer, a gossip, a person who sows seeds of discord.

        • Contrast the Beatitude: “Blessed are the peacemakers” (Matthew 5:9).

[Lorenzo]

A question was asked, "Is stealing a sin, and what other forms of theft/ stealing are there?"



-----------

We break this commandment, “Thou shalt not steal,” WHEN WE COMMIT SACRILEGE, that is, when we STEAL FROM GOD. In Malachi 3:8-9, God charged Israel with this crime when He stated: “Will a man rob God? Yet ye have robbed me. But ye say, Wherein have we robbed thee? In tithes and offerings. Ye are cursed with a curse; for ye have robbed me, even this whole nation.” You see, this is a sin laid at the door of most of the so-called Christians of our day because they have refused to financially support the maintenance of God’s cause on earth. Yes, God’s work goes begging today because church members have spent their money on pleasureâ€"things that are not necessary and vanity; they have spent it on self rather than having honored God with the firstfruits of their increase, their tithes and offerings. My friend, are you stealing from God that which honors Him as the Giver of all things?

Listen again! IDLENESS IS A FORM OF STEALING! It is playing the part of the drone, compelling the rest of the hive to support him. This one sin is slowly but surely bringing our nation to economic ruin. All of our social give-away programs to people who are able to work but who are just plain lazy and will not work is making them thieves before God. They are stealing from the people! The Bible says, “Six days shalt thou labour” (Ex. 20:9); and again in II Thessalonians 3:10: “...if any would not work, neither should he eat .”

This is one of the most awful running sores of our government: stealing from people and giving to those who do not or will not work. This sin runs our nation deeper and deeper into deficit spending, thereby causing inflation; so they can sponsor women’s lib, killing of unborn babies and all sorts of programs that lead the people deeper and deeper into sin. And my friend, this is nothing more than the breaking of this 8th commandment: “Thou shalt not steal,” and thereby sinning against God.

I’ll go further. Our elected senators and congressmen, whether on a state or national level, are stealing from the people when they take our tax money and make thieves out of lazy people who will not work. My friend, God does not think lightly of this sin!

Brother, this goes on and on! LYING ADVERTISEMENTS break this 8th commandment. Profiteering is another form of theft, for we read in I Thess. 4:6: “That no man go beyond and defraud his brother in any matter. “ Therefore, to make an enormous profit on a person is stealing, which brings down the wrath of God. A person becomes a thief and breaks this commandment when he borrows and does not return what is borrowed. Ps. 37:21 says: “The wicked borroweth, and payeth not again...“ Again, a man who transfers property to his wife or someone else just before he goes bankrupt is a thief in the sight of God. Also a man who has declared bankruptcy and later prospers financially but fails to pay his creditors to the full is stealing in the sight of God. Tenants steal from their landowners when they needlessly damage their property and furnishings; those who evade their income tax also break this 8th commandment. All of this brings down the wrath of God!

Another form of stealing and the breaking of this 8th commandment is GAMBLING. Did you know that billions of dollars change hands in our country every year by gambling? God calls this stealing; a man who gambles is a thief because he is obtaining money for which he has done no honest work!

Stealing is usually one of the first sins children commit: stealing in the home from father or mother, from the grocery store, or playmates in school. My little children, I warn you that this is the breaking of God’s holy law, and unless it is repented of, it will send you to hell.
The list goes on: men take tools off the job that don’t belong to them, justifying themselves by saying: “The company is big enough to afford them,” or “Other men are doing it, why shouldn’t I?” This is stealing; and brother, it is stealing when you rob your company of an honest day’s work, or when you lie about an injury to collect workman’s compensation!

Lawyers steal when they take advantage of a client and deal falsely with him. Judges steal when they award enormous amounts of money to people just because the insurance companies have the money. Then they steal from us because our insurance policies go up!

EXTORTION is another form of stealing which brings down the judgment of God: “Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God?...nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners... (I Cor. 6:9-10). People or companies who charge high interest on loans are thieves in the sight of God because they are stealing from the people, as those who bought and sold in the temple (Matt. 21:12-13).

Those who receive stolen goods knowingly are acting as thieves before God because they are accessories to the theft. And dear friend, whether a man steals with his gun in a bank robbery or with his pen in forging a check, his stealing breaks this 8th commandment and he is under the judgment of God.

Our whole nation today is caught up in the sin of stealing by trying to get something for nothing. Our newspapers are filled with stories of white collar crimes of stealing. Our insurance rates have gone out of sight because of the plague of this sin. Prices are raised in most stores to compensate for the billions of dollars lost every year through stealing. Children are taught to steal by their parents, and our jails are filled with criminals whose crime is stealing in one form or another.

This running sore of the sin of stealing today is that which is done by so-called gospel MINISTERS WHO ROB THE PEOPLE OF THE TRUTH OF GOD’S WORD! The man who claims to be a shepherd but never feeds his people with the true Word of God is a thief and a robber, and stands guilty before God of breaking this 8th commandment. When a man preaches that salvation is by some form of works which we do, he is robbing precious souls of the truth of God’s Word, which says it is “not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost” (Titus 3:5).

When a man preaches that salvation is only by believing , leaving out repentance, he is a thief because he is robbing precious souls of the truth of God’s Word which says that unless a man repents, he will perish! (Luke 13:3,5). You see, there must be a turning to God from sin; there must be a hatred for sin as being against God; and there shall be fruits suitable for repentance, which is a changed life and walking in righteousness and true holiness.

[Lorenzo]

Theft is Theft. Stealing is Stealing.

Either one steals money, or steals a video game, food, or a song from online by downloading things illegally, it is still THEFT!

One will say, "Oh well stealing from a store is more severe than downloading a song illegally."

WRONG!

YOU ARE SINNING! YOU ARE STEALING! YOU ARE BREAKING THE 8TH COMMANDMENT OF GOD, "THOU SHALL NOT STEAL!"

No one is free from this.

REPENT!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Lorenzo]

A question was asked, "Where is Eucharistic Adoration mentioned in the bible? How is it biblically supported?"


ANSWER:

Twelve Biblical Reasons For Wanting To Spend One Hour With Jesus In The Blessed Sacrament

1. He is really there!
"I myself Am the Living Bread come down from Heaven." (Jn 6:35)

2. Day and night Jesus dwells in the Blessed Sacrament because of his Infinite love for you!
"Behold I will be with you always even to the end of the world," because "I have loved you with an everlasting love, and constant is My affection for you." (Mt 28:20; Jer 31:3)

3. The specific way that Jesus asks you to love Him in return is to spend one quiet hour with Him in the Blessed Sacrament.
"Where your treasure is, there is your heart...." "Could you not watch one hour with Me?" (Mt 6:21; 26:40)

4. When you look upon the Sacred Host, you look upon Jesus, the Son of God.
"Indeed, this is the will of My Father, that everyone who looks upon the Son and believes in Him shall have eternal life. Him I will raise up on the last day." (Jn 6:40)

5. Each moment that you spend in His Eucharistic Presence will increase His Divine Life within you and deepen your personal relationship and friendship with Him.
"I have come that you may have life, and have it more abundantly." "I am the Vine and you are the branches. Whoever remains in Me and I in Him shall bear much fruit because without Me, you can do nothing." (Jn 15:5)

6. Each hour you spend with Jesus will deepen His Divine Peace in your heart.
"Come to Me all of you who are weary and find life burdensome and I will refresh you..." "Cast all of you anxieties upon the One who cares for you..." "My Peace is My Gift to you." (Mt 11:28; 5:7; Jn 14:17)

7. Jesus will give you all the Graces you need to be happy!
"The Lamb on the Throne will shepherd them. He will lead them to the springs of life-giving water." (Rev 7:17)

8. Jesus is infinitely deserving of our unceasing thanksgiving and adoration for all He has done for our salvation.
"Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive honor, glory and praise." (Rev. 5:12)

9. For Peace in our country!
"When My people humble themselves and seek My Presence... I will revive their land." (2Chr 7:14)

10. Each hour you spend with Jesus on earth will leave your soul everlastingly more beautiful and glorious in heaven!
"They who humble themselves shall be exalted...." "All of us, gazing on the Lordââ,¬â,,¢s glory with unveiled faces, are being transformed from glory to glory into His very image." (Lk 18:14; 2Cor 3:18)

11. Jesus will bless you, your family and the whole world for this hour of faith you spend with Him in the Blessed Sacrament.
"Blessed are they who do not see and yet believe..." "Faith can move mountains..." " What is needed is trust... " "Behold I come to make all things new." (Jn 20:29; Mk 11:23; Mk 5:36; Rev 21:5)

12. Each moment you spend with Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament brings joy, pleasure, and delight to His Sacred Heart!
"My joy, My pleasure, My delight is to be with you." (Prov 8:31)

[Lorenzo]

Dear Brothers and Sisters, let us talk and discuss about the best kind of topic there is in the BIBLE.

LOVE.


What is Love?
The answer is clear.


"Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.

--1 Corinthians 13:4-7


This is TRUE Love. The Love of Christ. Let your love for your spouse, partner, children, friends be like that of Christ's Love for You!


Blessings and Peace be with you All, my beloved.

[Lorenzo]

Brothers and Sisters, have you ever thought about the actions you have acted on, and pressed on others? Have your actions been hurtful? Have they been good? Were they justified? Was it out of malice ? The Lord our God tells us that our actions are implemented and manifested because of our inner heart and the condition that is within the heart.

We are told by the Lord our God to conduct ourselves appropriately and with consideration of others as well as yourself. We are told this in Sirach Chapter 7.

Heed:

'Do no evil, and evil will not overtake you. void wickedness and it will turn aside from you. Sow not in the furrows of injustice, lest you harvest it sevenfold. Do not plot to repeat a sin; not even for one will you go unpunished. Say not: "He will appreciate my many gifts; the Most High will accept my offerings."

Be not impatient in prayers, and neglect not the giving of alms. Laugh not at an embittered man; be mindful of him who exalts and humbles.

Plot no mischief against your brother, nor against your friend and companion. Delight not in telling lie after lie, for it never results in good.

----

Dear brothers and sisters, be mindful and loving in your actions. For the Lord loves the doers AND hearers of the WORD.



Amen!

[Lorenzo]

Brothers,

Be sensible in your actions and your remuneration in regards to family and friends. We have to be mindful of our duties in family life, and not forget where we come from, the children we have, the husbands and wives we have sworn allegiance and oaths to before the Eyes of God, do not blaspheme.

Heed:

"Barter not a friend for money, nor a dear brother for the gold of Ophir,
Dismiss not a sensible wife; a gracious wife is more precious than corals.
Mistreat not a servant who faithfully serves,
nor a laborer who devotes himself to his task.
Let a wise servant be dear to you as your own self.
If you have sons, chastise them;
bend their necks from childhood.

If you have daughters, keep them chaste,
and be not indulgent to them
Giving yoru daughter in marriage ends a great task;
but give her to a worthy man.

If you have a wife, let her not seem odious to you;
but where there is ill-feelin, trust her not.

With your whole heart, honor your father;
your mother's birthpangs forget not.
Remember, of these parents youw ere born;
what can you give them for all they gave  you?

With all your soul, fear The LORD YOUR GOD,
revere his priests.
With all your strength, love YOUR CREATOR,
forsake not his ministers.
Honor God and respect his priest.
Give him his portion as you have been commanded.

To the poor man also extend your hand,
that your blessins will be complete;
Be generous to all the living, and withhold not your kindness from the dead.

Avoid not those who weep,
but mourn with those who mourn;
Neglect not to visit the sick---for these things you will be loved.

--SIRACH 7:18-35

[Lorenzo]

Where is the Holy Priesthood specifically referred to by St. Peter in the Holy Bible?


Answer:

1 Peter 2: 4-5,

As you come to Him, the living Stoneâ€"rejected by men but chosen by God and
precious to Himâ€" you also, like living stones, are being built into a
spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices
acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.

[Lorenzo]

A question was asked of me, "What happens when one person dies? Do ghosts exist?"


Answer:
Scripture declares truth and answers your question in Hebrews Chapter 9, verse 27:
"And just as it is appointed for men to die once, and after that comes judgment."


When a man or woman dies, his or her soul is judged before the judgement seat of Christ.
According to his or her faith and his or her works.
Salvation in Christ or Eternal Damnation in the Pyre that is Hell.

[lgbluer]

its so nice to be in this thread

[Lorenzo]

So let's REJUVINATE this thread!


For all the new Tubag Boholers;
Have you ever felt the need to cry out to God?
Do you know why you had to?

It is indeed, biblically speaking, necessary to build and focus attention to the Lord.
In times of Struggle or in times of Success, He is there.
That is why...we must Walk humbly with Our God.


Share your experiences.
And let us talk.



Lorenzo

[Lorenzo]

its so nice to be in this thread

Its good to have you here, Cecil.

[Lorenzo]

Dong Enzo naserious kog ahat naka basa ani nga thread. Pero murag exempted ko ani dah!

Tig timpla lang ko og coffe niyu ha..

Bulak, I invite you again to come join us.
Let us drink coffee and talk too.

[vhinz08]

Where can we read the word purgatory in the bible, is it true that there´s a purgatory as what the catholic claims, that the soul will go to this place to purify those who die but still imperfectly purified.

[Lorenzo]

Where can we read the word purgatory in the bible, is it true that there´s a purgatory as what the catholic claims, that the soul will go to this place to purify those who die but still imperfectly purified.

God Bless Your Question, Vhinz.
First let me thank you, brother, for joining our conversation and discussion.
The question that you ask was asked because the Holy Spirit,who lives within your body (as our bodies are the Temples of the Holy Spirit) directed you to this discussion to have a better / firmer grasp in the concept of Salvation and the means to Salvation. So I want to thank you for 2 things:
1. Your joining our faithful discussion here
2. Your question regarding Salvation, and specifically on the concept of Purgatory.

That said, Let us Talk.

But before we discuss this, let us usher a prayer for the Holy Spirit to OPEN OUR HEARTS AND MINDS to accept and be directed by His Instructions. To Understand Effectively and Faithfully: Lord, guide us our hearts and minds to bear and understand the things that we wish to learn, in faith and assurance that you will provide for our needs in this holy venture. We ask This in Your Name, Lord Jesus Christ, the Only Begotten Son of God The Father. God The Holy Spirit open our hearts. In Jesus Name. Amen.

~~~



The Roman Catholic Church teaches us , brothers and sisters, that :
“There is a purgatory, and the souls there detained are assisted by the suffrages of the faithful, but especially by the most acceptable sacrifice of the altar” (Promulgation Council of Trent).

And it was in the Council of Trent that all Biblical passages and books were augmented and united under one book. So by authority of the Lord God that was placed in the hands of the Early Church Fathers, compiled the Holy Bible in its Complete Form. And with it, the addressing that there indeed is a state of Purgatory. By Authority and Legitimacy that the Church claims from Jesus Christ, Alone, who placed it on the shoulders of the Church by Apostolic Succession of Peter's Chair.


This dogmatic definition contains 3 points of faith that all Catholics are required to believe:

1. There is a purgatory

2. After death, souls suffer there for their sins

3. The living can extend assistance to such souls


---

There is a purgatory



Forgiveness of sin in the next â€" Matthew 12:32

“Under the earth” â€" Revelations 5:2-3; Philippians 2:10



After death, souls suffer there for their sins

“You will not come out of it till you pay the last penny” â€" Matthew 5:26

“Matthean Parallel” (See: Matthew 18:23-35)

“Lazarusian Incident” (See: Luke 16:19-31)

Spirits in prison â€" 1 Peter 3:18-20; 4:6


The living can extend assistance to such souls


Restrain not grace from the dead â€" Ecclesiasticus (Sirach) 7:37

See: Ruth 1:8

Offerings/Sacrifice for the dead

2 Maccabees 12:38-36

“And making a gathering, he sent twelve thousand drachms of silver to Jerusalem for sacrifice to be offered for the sins of the dead, thinking well and religiously concerning the resurrection” (2 Maccabees 12:43, Douay-Rheims Bible).


Fasting for the for the dead

1 Samuel 31:13;

1 Chronicles 10:12

2 Samuel 1:12


Prayer for the dead

2 Maccabees 12:44-46

“It is therefore a holy and wholesome thought to pray for the dead, that they may be loosed from sins” (2 Maccabees 12:46, Douay-Rheims Bible).


See: Nehemiah 1:4-6, cf. Nehemiah 2:5


----


Understanding Purgatory:


1. Understanding the doctrine of purgatory demands knowing the nature/attributes of God:

God is Holy (Habakkuk 1:13; Isaiah 6:3; Revelations 4:8; Leviticus 11:44

God is Just (1 John 1:9; Revelations 15:3)

God is Merciful (Psalm 116, Lamentations 3:22, Psalm 103:8 )

See: Ruth 2:20

God is Love (1 John 4:8, 16)


2. Understanding the doctrine of purgatory demands a proper understanding of the concept of sin:


Gradation (degrees) of sin

Mortal Sin vs. Venial Sin (1 John 5:16-17, NRSV)

[Lorenzo]

What Does Purgatory Really Mean?

HOPE!


It means what it has always meant: hope! The good news of the gospel was proclaimed long ago by Jesus:

"The Spirit of the Lord is upon me,
because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor.
He has sent me to proclaim release to the captives
and recovering of sight to the blind,
to set at liberty those who are oppressed,
to proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord." (Luke 4:18-19).

Purgatory is the assurance that there will, in the end, be absolutely nothing to dim the mirror of our lives from reflecting the glory of God. We, who have been captive to sin for so long, will be released. Moreover, as sharers in the life of Christ, we have an extraordinary promise from him. For he tells us, "Truly, truly, I say to you, he who believes in me will also do the works that I do; and greater works than these will he do, because I go to the Father." (John 14:12). In other words, we not only receive grace from him, we do his works of grace with him, for we are "fellow workers" with Christ (1 Corinthians 3:9). This means (among other things) that, as he prays for us, so we can pray for one another with his power and authority. And such prayers can be made not only for the living, but for the dead as well. We can, therefore, help those in Purgatory who are still being purified, just as we can help those on earth-by our prayers and offerings of love, especially in the mass. For, as Paul tells us, "we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another" (Romans 12:5). That unity with God and with each other is not severed by death. Therefore, we can continue to pray for those who have died with the hope of Christ that our prayers will be of real help to them as we "bear one another's burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ" (Galatians 6:2). It's all there in Scripture.

[lawrence]

Pero asa man ang purgatory ani?
Unless the God you are talking about is a God of assumptions.
Also, vhinz asked if where can we read the word "purgatory" and not where can we read the meaning or assumed to mean of the word purgatory.

God Bless Your Question, Vhinz.
First let me thank you, brother, for joining our conversation and discussion.
The question that you ask was asked because the Holy Spirit,who lives within your body (as our bodies are the Temples of the Holy Spirit) directed you to this discussion to have a better / firmer grasp in the concept of Salvation and the means to Salvation. So I want to thank you for 2 things:
1. Your joining our faithful discussion here
2. Your question regarding Salvation, and specifically on the concept of Purgatory.

That said, Let us Talk.

But before we discuss this, let us usher a prayer for the Holy Spirit to OPEN OUR HEARTS AND MINDS to accept and be directed by His Instructions. To Understand Effectively and Faithfully: Lord, guide us our hearts and minds to bear and understand the things that we wish to learn, in faith and assurance that you will provide for our needs in this holy venture. We ask This in Your Name, Lord Jesus Christ, the Only Begotten Son of God The Father. God The Holy Spirit open our hearts. In Jesus Name. Amen.

~~~



The Roman Catholic Church teaches us , brothers and sisters, that :
“There is a purgatory, and the souls there detained are assisted by the suffrages of the faithful, but especially by the most acceptable sacrifice of the altar” (Promulgation Council of Trent).

And it was in the Council of Trent that all Biblical passages and books were augmented and united under one book. So by authority of the Lord God that was placed in the hands of the Early Church Fathers, compiled the Holy Bible in its Complete Form. And with it, the addressing that there indeed is a state of Purgatory. By Authority and Legitimacy that the Church claims from Jesus Christ, Alone, who placed it on the shoulders of the Church by Apostolic Succession of Peter's Chair.


This dogmatic definition contains 3 points of faith that all Catholics are required to believe:

1. There is a purgatory

2. After death, souls suffer there for their sins

3. The living can extend assistance to such souls


---

There is a purgatory



Forgiveness of sin in the next â€" Matthew 12:32

“Under the earth” â€" Revelations 5:2-3; Philippians 2:10



After death, souls suffer there for their sins

“You will not come out of it till you pay the last penny” â€" Matthew 5:26

“Matthean Parallel” (See: Matthew 18:23-35)

“Lazarusian Incident” (See: Luke 16:19-31)

Spirits in prison â€" 1 Peter 3:18-20; 4:6


The living can extend assistance to such souls


Restrain not grace from the dead â€" Ecclesiasticus (Sirach) 7:37

See: Ruth 1:8

Offerings/Sacrifice for the dead

2 Maccabees 12:38-36

“And making a gathering, he sent twelve thousand drachms of silver to Jerusalem for sacrifice to be offered for the sins of the dead, thinking well and religiously concerning the resurrection” (2 Maccabees 12:43, Douay-Rheims Bible).


Fasting for the for the dead

1 Samuel 31:13;

1 Chronicles 10:12

2 Samuel 1:12


Prayer for the dead

2 Maccabees 12:44-46

“It is therefore a holy and wholesome thought to pray for the dead, that they may be loosed from sins” (2 Maccabees 12:46, Douay-Rheims Bible).


See: Nehemiah 1:4-6, cf. Nehemiah 2:5


----


Understanding Purgatory:


1. Understanding the doctrine of purgatory demands knowing the nature/attributes of God:

God is Holy (Habakkuk 1:13; Isaiah 6:3; Revelations 4:8; Leviticus 11:44

God is Just (1 John 1:9; Revelations 15:3)

God is Merciful (Psalm 116, Lamentations 3:22, Psalm 103:8 )

See: Ruth 2:20

God is Love (1 John 4:8, 16)


2. Understanding the doctrine of purgatory demands a proper understanding of the concept of sin:


Gradation (degrees) of sin

Mortal Sin vs. Venial Sin (1 John 5:16-17, NRSV)

[Lorenzo]

Pero asa man ang purgatory ani?
Unless the God you are talking about is a God of assumptions.
Also, vhinz asked if where can we read the word "purgatory" and not where can we read the meaning or assumed to mean of the word purgatory.

A good question asked, Lawrence.

So you ask:

Where Is the 'word' Purgatory in the Scripture? Why Is it Not specifically mentioned?
No. Just the term "Purgatory" arose after the time of the apostles, just as the terms "Trinity", "Christianity", "Second Coming", and "Bible" did. But the idea of Purgatory was already present in the period before Jesus was born. So, for instance, we find a Jewish hero named Judas Maccabeus, about a century and a half before Jesus, praying for the dead and specifically asking they be forgiven their sins after they have died (2 Maccabees 12: 43-45). This practice, known as the "kaddish.", continues in Judaism to this day and was well-established among Jews in Jesus' own time. Likewise, we find the New Testament frequently assuming the existence of Purgatory. Jesus, during his time in the grave, is said by Peter to have "preached to the spirits in prison, who formerly did not obey" (1 Peter 3: 18-20). Similarly, Jesus teaches that certain sins (notably unforgiveness) will be liable to judgment and imprisonment in the next. But he also implies this punishment is not necessarily eternal: "Truly I say to you, you will never get out until you have paid the last penny" (Mt. 5:21-26). Such imagery fits neither heaven (where there are no prisons) nor hell (where there is neither repentance nor "getting out", and therefore no point in preaching). It does, however, fit Purgatory.

Jesus also implies the existence of Purgatory or "forgiveness in the age to come" when he tells his disciples "Whoever says a word against the Son of man will be forgiven; but whoever speaks against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven, either in this age or in the age to come" (Matthew 12:32). The Church after Jesus did not, therefore, "invent" Purgatory. On the contrary, it simply repeated and clarified what Jesus and the apostles had taught them concerning the promise of hope for the afterlife.


I hope that helped.

[Lorenzo]

Addendum,

Lawrence, one must also take into consideration that one has to be sensitive in language forms. We have to understand and accept that the compilation of scriptural work and many words and expressions were altered in its translation into English. From the original Greek.

As the original was in Greek, then translated into Latin, and then into other languages: English, French, German, etc.

[Lorenzo]

For all who are interested in studying Scripture, I would like you all (for Catholics, and non-catholic Christians) to note and consider the following:



For Catholics, it is important to know the following facts about the Septuagint:

1. The Apostles and New Testament writers quoted principally the Septuagint. In fact, of the three hundred and fifty Old Testament quotations found in the New Testament, about three hundred are taken directly from the Septuagint.

2. The Jews, who had universally accepted the Greek Septuagint for centuries, became alienated from it after the Christian Church in her apologetical controversy with Jewish writers pointed out the Messianic passages, which were more clearly and forcibly presented in the Greek Septuagint than in the Hebrew version.

3. Some of the New Testament writers made use of the additional books contained in the Septuagint, particularly the Book of Wisdom, which seems to be a familiar theme in St. Paul’s Epistles. The Epistle of St. James â€" to take another example â€" shows an acquaintance with the Book of Ecclesiasticus. Thus, the Apostles and New Testament writers made reference to these additional books in their preaching and writing, and thereby gave them their approval.

4. The Greek Septuagint was the only Bible text of the Old Testament that was universally read in the primitive Church both in the East and in the West. The additional books were accepted in the early Christian Church from the very beginning. The Epistle of Pope Clement, written before the end of the first century, makes use of Ecclesiasticus and Wisdom, gives an analysis of the book of Judith, and quotes from the additional sections of the book of Esther. The same is true of other early Christian writers.

5. The oldest Christian Bibles in existence today (Codex Vaticanus, dating from the first half of the fourth century; Codex Sinaiticus, dating from the fourth century, Codex Alexandrinus, belonging to the fifth century, and the Codex Ephraemi, also belonging to the fifth century) contain all the books of the Old and New Testaments, just as we find them in our Catholic Bibles today.

And if we want to know the reason why our Catholic Bibles have the very same books as the oldest biblical manuscripts in existence, we must simply look at the history of the Church founded by Christ and understand that these books of the Old Testament and the New Testament were in the possession of the Church from the very beginning. Pope Damasus in the year 382 A.D. confirmed the authentic books of Sacred Scripture, and the Council of Carthage in 397 A.D. reiterated this Canon of Sacred Scripture.

[lawrence]

Addendum,

Lawrence, one must also take into consideration that one has to be sensitive in language forms. We have to understand and accept that the compilation of scriptural work and many words and expressions were altered in its translation into English. From the original Greek.

As the original was in Greek, then translated into Latin, and then into other languages: English, French, German, etc.

Then how would you believe in such book nga daghan naman diay na alterations?  Sa ato pa diay your reference is not acceptable based on your predicament.  Why find the hassle of understanding a book that has lots of alterations?

Maccabees is only for Bibles with deuterocanonicals and not present in all.

[Lorenzo]

Then how would you believe in such book nga daghan naman diay na alterations?  Sa ato pa diay your reference is not acceptable based on your predicament.  Why find the hassle of understanding a book that has lots of alterations?

Maccabees is only for Bibles with deuterocanonicals and not present in all.

FAITH, my dear Lawrence.



God Bless You.

[lawrence]

FAITH, my dear Lawrence.



God Bless You.

NO.  that's what we call BLIND OBEDIENCE.

[Lorenzo]

(In the Original Greek)

εἰμί δέ πίσÏ,,ιÏ, ἐλπίζω á½'πόσÏ,,ασιÏ, πρᾶγμα á¼"λεγχοÏ, οὐ βλέπω
(Hebrews 11:1 )


(In The Original Latin)

est autem fides sperandorum substantia rerum argumentum non parentum
Hebrews 11:1


(In Cebuano Bisaya)
Karon ang pagtoo mao ang pasalig kanato sa mga butang nga atong ginapaabut, ug ang panghimatuod sa pagkaanaa sa mga butang nga dili nato makita.
Hebrews 11:1

[Lorenzo]

NO.  that's what we call BLIND OBEDIENCE.

On the contrary. There is nothing 'Blind' about Faith.

Let's get back to Scripture Study.

[Lorenzo]

Brothers and Sisters,

I want to bring up to you all the beautiful Parable of the Wheat and the Tares (Weeds). Let's Read it shall we.

Matthew 13:24-30
24 Another parable He put forth to them, saying: “The kingdom of heaven is like a man who sowed good seed in his field;  25 but while men slept, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat and went his way.  26 But when the grain had sprouted and produced a crop, then the tares also appeared.  27 So the servants of the owner came and said to him, ‘Sir, did you not sow good seed in your field? How then does it have tares?’  28 He said to them, ‘An enemy has done this.’ The servants said to him, ‘Do you want us then to go and gather them up?’  29 But he said, ‘No, lest while you gather up the tares you also uproot the wheat with them.  30 Let both grow together until the harvest, and at the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, “First gather together the tares and bind them in bundles to burn them, but xgather the wheat into my barn.”

~~

THE PARABLE EXPLAINED

   A. IN ANSWER TO THE DISCIPLES' REQUEST, JESUS IDENTIFIES...
      1. THE SOWER - "He who sows the good seed is the Son of Man"
         a. I.e., Christ, who in His preaching went about proclaiming
            the gospel of the kingdom - cf. Mt 4:23
         b. Who is identified in Daniel's vision as one who received a
            kingdom - Dan 7:13-14
         c. Who after His ascension claimed to have received such
            authority - Re 2:26-27; 3:21
      2. THE FIELD - "The field is the world"
         a. Into which the Son of Man came to sow the seed
         b. Over which the Son of Man now exercises His authority,
            i.e., His kingship - cf. Mt 28:18; 1Pe 3:22; Re 1:5
      3. THE GOOD SEED (WHEAT) - "The good seeds are the sons of the
         kingdom"
         a. Those who gladly own Jesus as their Lord and King,
            submitting to Him freely
         b. I.e., His disciples, who observe all that He commands - cf.
            Mt 28:19-20
         c. When we compare this with "The Parable Of The Sower", we
            come up with slightly mixed metaphors...
            1) The disciples are those who constitute the "good soil",
               in which the seed has been sown (The Parable Of The
               Sower)
            2) But in The Parable Of The Wheat And Tares, the disciples
               are the "good seed" themselves
         d. Thus, when one receives the "seed" of the kingdom (the Word
            of God), they become "good seed" (a son of the kingdom)
      4. THE TARES - "The tares are the sons of the wicked one"
         a. Those later defined as they that..
            1) Offend
            2) Practice lawlessness - cf. Mt 13:41
         b. Though within the realm of the Lord's reign (for the Lord
            will later gather them out of His kingdom), they clearly
            are not submitting to the Lord's authority!
         c. Their actions reveal that they are really "sons of the
            wicked one"!
      5. THE ENEMY - "The enemy who sowed them is the devil"
         a. Who tried to tempt Christ and failed - cf. Mt 4:1-11
         b. Who now tries to destroy the efforts of Christ to save
            souls and enlarge the influence of His kingly rule
      6. THE HARVEST - "The harvest is the end of the age"
         a. That "age" in which...
            1) The gospel of the kingdom is being preached
            2) People who receive the gospel can become the "sons of
               the kingdom"
            -- I.e., the present gospel dispensation - cf. Col 1:13;
               Re 1:9
         b. An "age" that will end with a great "harvest", identified
            elsewhere as the glorious coming and appearance of our Lord
            - cf. Mt 26:31-32; 1Ti 6:14-15
      7. THE REAPERS - "The reapers are the angels"
         a. Angels will accompany Christ when He comes again - 2Th 1:
            7-9
         b. They will separate the wicked from among the just - cf. Mt
            13:49

B. JESUS STRESSES THE MAIN POINTS OF THE PARABLE...
      1. In verse 40...
         a. The problem of the "tares" will not be fully addressed
            until the "harvest"
         b. This is done out of consideration for the "good seed" (cf.
            Mt 13:29)
      2. In verse 41...
         a. It is at the end of the age that the Son of Man will
            finally resolve this problem
         b. With His angels He will "gather out of His kingdom all
            things that offend, and those who practice lawlessness"
            (i.e., the sons of the wicked one)
      3. In verse 42...
         a. Those so gathered out of His kingdom will properly dealt
            with!
         b. Cast into "the furnace of fire", where there will be
            "wailing and gnashing of teeth!"
      4. In verse 43...
         a. The blessedness of the "righteous" (the good seed, the sons
            of the kingdom) is described
         b. After the harvest they will "shine forth as the sun in the
            kingdom of their Father"!

[Jesus ends His explanation of the parable with the same admonition
that followed the telling of The Parable Of The Sower:

           "He who has ears to hear, let him hear" - Mt 13:9

D. ONE MAY BE IN THE KINGDOM NOW, BUT NOT IN THE FUTURE!
      1. Note that the angels will gather certain ones "out of His
         kingdom - Mt 13:41
      2. Those ones who were "in the kingdom" are then "cast into the
         furnace" - Mt 13:42
      3. Who would these be?
         a. Those who "offend" (cause others to stumble)
            1) Against which Jesus warned His disciples - Mt 18:6-7
            2) Against which Paul warned the Christians at Corinth and
               Rome - 1Co 8:11-13; 10:31-11:1; Ro 16:17-18 (cf. 14:13,
               19-21)
         b. Those who "practice lawlessness" (do things without
            authority)
            1) Remember the warnings of Jesus and John - Mt 7:21-23;
               2Jn 9
            2) The way to avoid lawlessness is given in Col 3:17
      4. Because of the very real danger of not "entering our heavenly
         rest", we find warnings to persevere - cf. He 3:12-14; 4:1-2,
         11

E. A PLACE OF PUNISHMENT IS THE REWARD OF THE WICKED!
      1. We saw where those "that offend" and who "practice
         lawlessness" would...
         a. Be cast into the "furnace of fire"
         b. Experience "wailing and gnashing of teeth"
      2. This punishment of the wicked is a recurring theme in several
         of the parables...
         a. The Parable Of The Dragnet - cf. Mt 13:49-50
         b. The Parable Of The Unforgiving Servant - cf. Mt 18:34-35
      3. And as described in the Judgment Scene, Jesus talks of a place
         prepared for the wicked - cf. Mt 25:41, 45-46
      4. Thus a proper proclamation of the gospel of the kingdom must
         of necessity include a warning to those who do not receive the
         kingdom!
         
CONCLUSION

1. Indeed, this very parable is a warning to all not to allow
   themselves to be influenced by the wicked one!
   a. As Peter wrote, our adversary is very much seeking to destroy us!
      - 1Pe 5:8
   b. But if we can allow the word of God to abide in us, we can
      overcome the wicked one - cf. 1Jn 2:14

2. We learn from this parable, then, that the kingdom of heaven...
   a. Will spread as people become "sons of the kingdom" (by heeding
      the Son of Man)
   b. Will not preclude the efforts and influence of the devil (so
      expect to see some "tares")
   c. Though inaugurated with the Son of Man's first coming (especially
      with His ascension to the right hand of God and the outpouring of
      the Spirit on the day of Pentecost - Acts 2), the kingdom of
      heaven will not be fully culminated until...
      1) The Son of Man returns with His angels
      2) He gathers all things out of His kingdom that offend and
         practice lawlessness
      3) And delivers the kingdom to God (cf. 1Co 15:24)

3. At that time...
   a. We will have an abundant entrance "into the everlasting kingdom
      of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ" - cf. 2Pe 1:11
   b. "Then the righteous will shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of
      their Father" - Mt 13:43


"He who has ears to hear, let him hear!"

[lgbluer]

thanks for the words for the day...,

[lawrence]

On the contrary. There is nothing 'Blind' about Faith.

Let's get back to Scripture Study.

wow. this is a good study. if we can't explain, let's move on to the next topic.

by the way, is it your own understanding that is being discussed in this study or other people's understanding?

[Lorenzo]

Then how would you believe in such book nga daghan naman diay na alterations?  Sa ato pa diay your reference is not acceptable based on your predicament.  Why find the hassle of understanding a book that has lots of alterations?

Maccabees is only for Bibles with deuterocanonicals and not present in all.

The Book of Maccabees was found in the earliest versions of the Holy Bible as seen in Codex Vaticanus, which was printed and compiled in the early 4th century as well as in the Septuagint, for those that do not know what the Septuagint is, it is the Bible that was written in the original Greek.

It is essential for us, Christians who read Scripture and aware of the chronology of Scripture, that the language of the day during the early Church was Greek. Greek at the time was the acceptable written form, even the Romans, who then ruled what was the Mediterranean world, utilized the Greek writing and language to communicate with the people whom they controlled; namely the region of Judea, Egypt, as well as Asia Minor; namely because Greek was the language of trade in that region of the world.

One can see this in that the Book of Corinthians, Thessalonians, which are specific books in the New Testament, which were sermoned in what was known as Corinth and Thessalonikki, which are Greek states. Much of the early gentiles that converted to Christianity due to the proliferation of the Faith by the Apostles and Disciples were inadvertently Greek, Jews, Romans, and slaves. Much of the early church were composed of Greeks, and the life and accounts of Apostle Paul implicates and illustrates this. If one reads thoroughly New Testament, one can see this.

The English Version of the New Testament, particularly the generalized ones, do not completely emphasize the message, or inadvertenly over simplify it. Let alone that the King James Version follows the implementation of Martin Luther and removed over 7 books of the Original Holy Bible. That is why one cannot find the Book of Maccabees in Protestant Versions. Martin Luther removed these books because they legitimized the Catholic Authority and if he kept it, it would have undermined the cause to split form Ecclesiastia Catholica. So, he removed it. Even specific verses in The Book of James that stress the notion of Good Works and Salvation. As Christians and as Bible Reading Christians, we have to know the full message of The Gospel of Christ. If we limit ourselves by reading an oversimplified version, then Truth is limited and hampered.  Namely because these books solidify and defend the institutions of the Sacraments and the Catholic Doctrine of the existence of Purgatory.

This is why when I study the Holy Bible, I read from the Original Holy Bible. The Roman Catholic Bible. The Complete Form.
I Highly Emphazie the importance of reading a CATHOLIC BIBLE. The COMPLETE Form. The TRUTH.

I answered the question you had, as well as tried my best to point out the specific biblical passages that supports the Catholic Church's Doctrine of the existence of Purgatory. It is given to you. It is given to all of us.

It is only emphasized that we be aware of the original translation and be sensitive to the different wordings in proliferation gand spreading the Word of God. Because in my opinion, just because there are alterations in some phrases, this does not hamper the Blessed Message, which is the GOOD NEWS. The Gospel of Christ which the Church has continuoulsy defended and proliferated since its inception in Pentecost.

Discussion stands. Know that your question was answered. It is not my responsibility that you believe or not, it is merely the brotherly love that we have for one another that the Good News be Spread. As it is said.

Faith comes to those and those who are blessed to see what the eyes cannot see.
He who has ears ought to hear.


John 8:32
Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.

[Lorenzo]

wow. this is a good study. if we can't explain, let's move on to the next topic.

by the way, is it your own understanding that is being discussed in this study or other people's understanding?

Lawrence, your questions were answered. But if you do not believe, there is no point in discussing with you.
If you do not have faith, then there is no point.

Faith is not blind, Faith is a blessing from God.
Faith speaks when the heart is full of Blessing from the Lord God.
Faith Sees what the Eyes Cannot See.
Faith Sees and Manifests the Presence of the Holy Spirit of God.

God Bless You.

[Lorenzo]

A State After Death of Suffering and Forgiveness: Purgatory

Some specific bible verses that point to this state.


Matt. 5:26,18:34; Luke 12:58-59 â€" Jesus teaches us, “Come to terms with your opponent or you will be handed over to the judge and thrown into prison. You will not get out until you have paid the last penny.” The word “opponent” (antidiko) is likely a reference to the devil (see the same word for devil in 1 Pet. 5:8 ) who is an accuser against man (c.f. Job 1.6-12; Zech. 3.1; Rev. 12.10), and God is the judge. If we have not adequately dealt with satan and sin in this life, we will be held in a temporary state called a prison, and we won’t get out until we have satisfied our entire debt to God. This “prison” is purgatory where we will not get out until the last penny is paid.

Matt. 5:48 - Jesus says, "be perfect, even as your heavenly Father is perfect." We are only made perfect through purification, and in Catholic teaching, this purification, if not completed on earth, is continued in a transitional state we call purgatory.

Matt. 12:32 â€" Jesus says, “And anyone who says a word against the Son of man will be forgiven; but no one who speaks against the Holy Spirit will be forgiven either in this world or in the next.” Jesus thus clearly provides that there is forgiveness after death. The phrase “in the next” (from the Greek “en to mellonti”) generally refers to the afterlife (see, for example, Mark 10.30; Luke 18.30; 20.34-35; Eph. 1.21 for similar language). Forgiveness is not necessary in heaven, and there is no forgiveness in hell. This proves that there is another state after death, and the Church for 2,000 years has called this state purgatory.

Luke 12:47-48 - when the Master comes (at the end of time), some will receive light or heavy beatings but will live. This state is not heaven or hell, because in heaven there are no beatings, and in hell we will no longer live with the Master.

Luke 16:19-31 - in this story, we see that the dead rich man is suffering but still feels compassion for his brothers and wants to warn them of his place of suffering. But there is no suffering in heaven or compassion in hell because compassion is a grace from God and those in hell are deprived from God's graces for all eternity. So where is the rich man? He is in purgatory.

1 Cor. 15:29-30 - Paul mentions people being baptized on behalf of the dead, in the context of atoning for their sins (people are baptized on the dead’s behalf so the dead can be raised). These people cannot be in heaven because they are still with sin, but they also cannot be in hell because their sins can no longer be atoned for. They are in purgatory. These verses directly correspond to 2 Macc. 12:44-45 which also shows specific prayers for the dead, so that they may be forgiven of their sin.

Phil. 2:10 - every knee bends to Jesus, in heaven, on earth, and "under the earth" which is the realm of the righteous dead, or purgatory.

2 Tim. 1:16-18 - Onesiphorus is dead but Paul asks for mercy on him “on that day.” Paul’s use of “that day” demonstrates its eschatological usage (see, for example, Rom. 2.5,16; 1 Cor. 1.8; 3.13; 5.5; 2 Cor. 1.14; Phil. 1.6,10; 2.16; 1 Thess. 5.2,4,5,8; 2 Thess. 2.2,3; 2 Tim. 4.8 ). Of course, there is no need for mercy in heaven, and there is no mercy given in hell. Where is Onesiphorus? He is in purgatory.

Heb. 12:14 - without holiness no one will see the Lord. We need final sanctification to attain true holiness before God, and this process occurs during our lives and, if not completed during our lives, in the transitional state of purgatory.

Heb. 12:23 - the spirits of just men who died in godliness are "made" perfect. They do not necessarily arrive perfect. They are made perfect after their death. But those in heaven are already perfect, and those in hell can no longer be made perfect. These spirits are in purgatory.

1 Peter 3:19; 4:6 - Jesus preached to the spirits in the "prison." These are the righteous souls being purified for the beatific vision.

Rev. 21:4 - God shall wipe away their tears, and there will be no mourning or pain, but only after the coming of the new heaven and the passing away of the current heaven and earth. Note the elimination of tears and pain only occurs at the end of time. But there is no morning or pain in heaven, and God will not wipe away their tears in hell. These are the souls experiencing purgatory.

Rev. 21:27 - nothing unclean shall enter heaven. The word “unclean” comes from the Greek word “koinon” which refers to a spiritual corruption. Even the propensity to sin is spiritually corrupt, or considered unclean, and must be purified before entering heaven. It is amazing how many Protestants do not want to believe in purgatory. Purgatory exists because of the mercy of God. If there were no purgatory, this would also likely mean no salvation for most people. God is merciful indeed.

Luke 23:43 â€" many Protestants argue that, because Jesus sent the good thief right to heaven, there can be no purgatory. There are several rebuttals. First, when Jesus uses the word "paradise,” He did not mean heaven. Paradise, from the Hebrew "sheol," meant the realm of the righteous dead. This was the place of the dead who were destined for heaven, but who were captive until the Lord's resurrection. Second, since there was no punctuation in the original manuscript, Jesus’ statement “I say to you today you will be with me in paradise” does not mean there was a comma after the first word “you.” This means Jesus could have said, “I say to you today, you will be with me in paradise” (meaning, Jesus could have emphasized with exclamation his statement was “today” or “now,” and that some time in the future the good thief would go to heaven). Third, even if the thief went straight to heaven, this does not prove there is no purgatory (those who are fully sanctified in this life â€" perhaps by a bloody and repentant death â€" could be ready for admission in to heaven).

Gen. 50:10; Num. 20:29; Deut. 34:8 - here are some examples of ritual prayer and penitent mourning for the dead for specific periods of time. The Jewish understanding of these practices was that the prayers freed the souls from their painful state of purification, and expedited their journey to God.

Baruch 3:4 - Baruch asks the Lord to hear the prayers of the dead of Israel. Prayers for the dead are unnecessary in heaven and unnecessary in hell. These dead are in purgatory.

Zech. 9:11 - God, through the blood of His covenant, will set those free from the waterless pit, a spiritual abode of suffering which the Church calls purgatory.

2 Macc. 12:43-45 - the prayers for the dead help free them from sin and help them to the reward of heaven. Those in heaven have no sin, and those in hell can no longer be freed from sin. They are in purgatory. Luther was particularly troubled with these verses because he rejected the age-old teaching of purgatory. As a result, he removed Maccabees from the canon of the Bible.

[Lorenzo]

This discussion of faith is quite beautiful actually. It proves to us, brothers and sisters, that we should not have to put lip service and or prove ourselves to the thoughts of men. But prove our worthiness only to the ONE who matters and not be a self seeking, self reighteous pharaiscal individual. Hypocrisy, as they say.

To God ALONE be Honor, Praise, and Majesty. To God alone should we prove ourselves to. And never, ever, to the eyes of man. For it is the LORD YOUR GOD, who has power to Save and Destroy.

~~~

Again, it is the beauty and mystery of FAITH.
Amen, my brothers and sisters. Amen!

[Lorenzo]

The topic of Faith refers back to the Wisdom of God. Wisdom comes from God. As Faith is a gift we choose to accept that is the very essence and umbilical cord that connects us, as Christian brothers and sisters, to one another to our Sovereign King, Jesus Christ, who sits on the Right Hand of God The Father.

So let us talk more about this issue, which seems to me is quite necessary in this day of age.

FAITH

Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. - Hebrews 11:1

In Hebrews we are actually given the definition of what faith is. Simply put it is something that you believe in even though you can't see it. For example, we all believe that there is oxygen to breathe but none of us can see it. Or if you've ever been to camp they sometimes have campers do this trust building activity where someone closes their eyes and crosses their arms and falls backwards and their friends catch them. They can't see your friends but they have faith that you'll catch them. Like I said in the opening having faith in God is the same way, you can't see him but you believe that he exists.

If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind. - James 1: 5,6

James Chapter 1 reveals something that I don't think many people know. God says that when we ask him something he will tell us what we should do but only if we have faith that he will answer. If we go before God with a question and we're not sure if he's really going to answer but we thought we'd ask anyway, then you're not going to get your answer. So next time you ask God for wisdom about something, believe that he is going to answer and he will.

Let children come to me. Don't stop them! For the Kingdom of Heaven belongs to such as these. - Matthew 19:14

Faith is the key to any Christian's salvation. Christians can't spend eternal life with God if they don't have it. Christians should always have faith in God. I know it sounds simple, too simple to sound possible but everything will truly be fine if we just give everything over to God.

Its the beauty and simplicity of Faith.

[Lorenzo]

Jealousy, is a vice that comes from an evil spirit. It was jealousy that prompted Satan to rebel against God. It was jealousy of God's perfect creation man that led to Satan in tempting Eve to take and eat of the Tree of Knowledge. It was jealousy that led Cain to kill Abel. It was jealousy that led the brothers of Joseph to sell him into bondage into Egypt, despite the righteous innocence of Joseph. Jealousy is a vice and a sin that is propagated by the Father of Lies, Satan.

Let us talk about the issue of Jealousy and how Scripture defines it. And how we, as brothers and sisters in Christ, can overcome it in Jesus' Name.

----------

"What does the Bible say about jealousy?"

When we use the word “jealous,” we use it in a sense of being envious of someone who has something we do not have. This kind of jealousy is a sin and is not characteristic of a Christian; rather, it shows that we are still being controlled by our own desires (1 Corinthians 3:3). Galatians 5:26 says, “Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other.”

The Bible tells us that we are to have the perfect kind of love that God has for us. “Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.” (1 Corinthians 13:4-5). The more we focus on ourselves and our own desires, the less we are able to focus on God. When we harden our hearts to the truth, we cannot turn to Jesus and allow Him to heal us (Matthew 13:15). But when we allow the Holy Spirit to control us, He will produce in us the fruit of our salvation, which is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control (Galatians 5:22-23).

Being jealous indicates that we are not satisfied with what God has given us. The Bible tells us to be content with what we have, for God will never fail or forsake us (Hebrews 13:5). In order to combat jealousy, we need to become more like Jesus and less like ourselves. We can get to know Him through Bible study, prayer, and fellowship with mature believers. As we learn how to serve others instead of ourselves, our hearts will begin to change. “Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will isâ€"his good, pleasing and perfect will” (Romans 12:2).

[Lorenzo]

Now that we have talked about FAITH, brothers and sisters, we should also defend the FAITH that we have and so love!

One did ask, "Does the Bible / Scripture call us to defend the Faith?"

Lets see what the bible has to say:

The classic verse promoting apologetics (the defense of the Christian faith) is 1 Peter 3:15, which basically says that believers are to make a defense "for the hope that you have." The only way to do this effectively is to study the reasons for why we believe what we believe. This will prepare us to "demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ,” as Paul said we should (2 Corinthians 10:5). Paul practiced what he preached; in fact, doing apologetics was his regular activity (Philippians 1:7). He refers to apologetics as an aspect of his mission in the same passage (v.16). He also made apologetics a requirement for church leadership in Titus 1:9. Jude, an apostle of Jesus, wrote that "although I was very eager to write to you about the salvation we share, I felt I had to write and urge you to contend for the faith that was once for all entrusted to the saints” (v.3).

Where did the apostles get these ideas? From the Master Himself. Jesus was His own apologetic as He stated time and again that we should believe in Him because of the evidence He provided for what He taught (John 2:23; 10:25; 10:38; 14:29). In fact, the whole Bible is full of miracles specifically being done by God to confirm what He wanted us to believe (Exodus 4:1-8; 1Kings 18:36-39; Acts 2:22-43; Hebrews 2:3-4; 2 Corinthians 12:12). People rightly refuse to believe something without evidence. Since God created humans as rational beings, we should not be surprised when He expects us to live rationally. As Norman Geisler says, “This does not mean there is no room for faith. But God wants us to take a step of faith in the light of evidence, rather than to leap in the dark.”

Those who oppose these clear biblical teachings and examples may say things like “the Word of God does not need to be defended!” But which of the world’s writings are the word of God? As soon as someone answers that, he is doing apologetics. (How well he does it might be another story!) Some claim that human reason cannot tell us anything about God—but isn’t that a "reasonable" statement about God? If not, then there is no reason to believe it, and if so, then they have contradicted themselves. A favorite saying is, “If someone can talk you into Christianity, then someone else can talk you out.” Why is this a problem? Did not Paul himself give a criterion by which Christianity should be accepted or rejected in 1 Corinthians 15? It is only misplaced piety that answers in the negative.

Now, none of this is to say that bare apologetics, free from the influence of the Holy Spirit, can bring someone to saving faith. This creates a false dilemma in the minds of many. But it does not have to be “Sprit vs. Logic.” Why not both? We must not confuse the fact that the Holy Spirit is required to move one into a position of belief with how He accomplishes this feat. With some people God uses trials; in others it is an emotional experience; in others it is through reason. God can use whatever means He wants. We, however, are commanded to use apologetics in as many or more places as we are told to preach the gospel. How is it then that all churches affirm the latter but so many ignore the former?

[ms da binsi]

What is wrong with this thread???

you only discusses the issues in your taste! i dont think that is an essence of a good teacher!!!!!


how can you convince people to believe in what you say when they see what you are doing?


you can't give what you don't have.


James 2:20, "...that faith without works is dead."


Im sorry, this site is no longer a FORUM!

[Lorenzo]

I will now begin a reading of The Bible, from Old Testament to the New Testament.
This will probably take couple of months even years to complete, but I would like to share with all of you,
and perhaps we all can take a message or two and even contribute to the Study of Scripture.
So do join me  in the reading. We start from the beginning and will continue till the end of the New Testament.
Points and key issues will be addressed regarding the reading, which should be done on daily basis.
Let us continue to Study the WORD of GOD.

Thank You.

[Lorenzo]

What is wrong with this thread???

you only discusses the issues in your taste! i dont think that is an essence of a good teacher!!!!!


how can you convince people to believe in what you say when they see what you are doing?


you can't give what you don't have.


James 2:20, "...that faith without works is dead."


Im sorry, this site is no longer a FORUM!

We will discuss issues pertaining to the Bible. And the study of Scripture. This will not include personal issues or personal matters that does not involve Scripture but only to attack one's faith. This thread is for the means of studying the Word of God. From Old Testament to New Testament. Thank You.

Let us keep this purely Biblical. There are other threads that can be used to channel personal. This is For Biblical Study.
Since it was created 2 years ago. Thank You.

And we are not all perfect teachers. We do what we can with the means that we have. We all must humbly walk with our GOD even if others do not agree. Let them. But this thread will remain purely a BIBLE STUDY.

Thank You.

[ms da binsi]

We will discuss issues pertaining to the Bible. And the study of Scripture. This will not include personal issues or personal matters that does not involve Scripture but only to attack one's faith. This thread is for the means of studying the Word of God. From Old Testament to New Testament. Thank You.

Let us keep this purely Biblical. There are other threads that can be used to channel personal. This is For Biblical Study.
Since it was created 2 years ago. Thank You.

And we are not all perfect teachers. We do what we can with the means that we have. We all must humbly walk with our GOD even if others do not agree. Let them. But this thread will remain purely a BIBLE STUDY.

Thank You.

So we should listen to our STUDENTS!

Dili naman ni bible study oi!

mura naman ni ug kadtong mga suicide bombers nga lugoson ug pa tuo ang mga tawo...

there is nothing wrong with this study but you have to listen too.

It feels life we are in a HAMAS here.

[Lorenzo]

We will now begin reading the Book of Genesis.
I invite all of you to read. We begin today on Friday and will end next Friday by starting the Book of Exodus.

The first passage of Genesis:

"In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. The earth was without form, and void, and darkness was on the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters. Then God said,"Let there be light." And there was Light.
{Genesis 1:1-3}

Genesis continues throughout about the creation of the World. What are your views on this? (refer to chapter 1 and 2)

[Lorenzo]

So we should listen to our STUDENTS!

Dili naman ni bible study oi!

mura naman ni ug kadtong mga suicide bombers nga lugoson ug pa tuo ang mga tawo...

there is nothing wrong with this study but you have to listen too.

It feels life we are in a HAMAS here.

If you would like to talk about bible scripture, you are more than welcome to include your views. We're now discussing Genesis. Your comparison of Bible Study to Hamas is unfair and libelous. Where do we condone the death and destruction of innocent peoples? Or the bombing of innocent peoples. This thread was started to share the Word of God. Not plan for the destruction and deaths of innocent peoples. No one is forcing a view on anyone. No one is forcing you to read this. If you do not want to take part, don't take part.



Sincerely and Honestly,
Lorenzo

[Brownman]

Peace to all my brothers and sisters, All God wants to see is Peace On Earth and If people felt better about themselves and if they got rid of the everyday stresses of life and stopped fighting about things, then we could all find more balance and harmony.

[Brownman]

"For this is the message that ye heard from the beginning, that we should love one another."

John 3:11

[simplylee]

Faith comes from hearing and hearing by the Word of GOD, therefore we can not have faith without the Word of GOD which is in our stream of consciousness that will result in good deeds.
what we need to do is daily intake of bible doctrine, a classroom type of learning or listening to a recorded teaching.
nobody became a professional just by reading, learning about GOD or the Word of GOD needs to have a teacher who has the gift of teaching (given by the HOLY SPIRIT)

[hubag bohol]

Sorry, I just stumbled into this thread. May I ask a few questions?

1. What does the title of this thread mean? When it says "Tubag Bohol Version", does it speak for a) all Tubag Bohol members, b) all administrators, or c) the thread starter? Whose version is it, really?

2. What is the objective of Tubag Bohol? Is it supposed to be a pulpit for doctrinal spoon-feeding, or a forum of ideas that entertains diverse points of view?

3. Where do we draw the line between what belongs in a topic and what doesn't? Should one be considered out of topic simply for presenting an earnest intervention to a runaway prattle?

I invite all readers to share their ideas on the above questions. I hope these questions will be answered and not deleted for being adjudged as out of topic. Thank you.

[Lorenzo]

Faith comes from hearing and hearing by the Word of GOD, therefore we can not have faith without the Word of GOD which is in our stream of consciousness that will result in good deeds.
what we need to do is daily intake of bible doctrine, a classroom type of learning or listening to a recorded teaching.
nobody became a professional just by reading, learning about GOD or the Word of GOD needs to have a teacher who has the gift of teaching (given by the HOLY SPIRIT)

This is what we were told in our Collegiate Bible Study, that wherever there is teaching the Word of God, the power of the devil, who cannot help but to question the faith of the elect, and to plant seeds of doubt, corrosive division and proliferation of discordance of the faithful. It is in these times that the brother and sister in CHRIST should roar in defense of the faith.

We are all students and learners of the faith. And it is indeed helpful as well as effective if read scripture daily. And to talk with similar individual of the faith. It is unproductive to even take issues that are antagonistic to the faith. As it is an attempt of the devil (who hides in sheeps clothings) to try to question and stumble the faithful.

It is the ancient enemy of THE LORD.

And we, brothers and sisters, must put on the armor of God when we battle the devil. In all of his forms. In all of his tactics.

THE GOOD NEWS must not be silenced. And it is the will of the Father, that the GOSPEL OF CHRIST be shared to ALL THE WORLD.


GLORY, HONOR AND PRAISE BE TO THE LORD JESUS CHRIST.
THE SALVATION OF THE WORLD!

[Lorenzo]

"For this is the message that ye heard from the beginning, that we should love one another."

John 3:11

Amen, brother. Yes, indeed, we are told to find peace with our brothers and sisters. But at the same time, we are told to defend the faith and to not be afraid when our faith is questioned. For the LORD is our STRENGTH.

Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armour of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armour of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled round your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

Ephesians 6:10-17

[Lorenzo]

Let us get back to the business of studying the WORD of GOD.


Let us get back to Genesis Chapter 1 and 2.


1 John 5:4-5    For every child of God overcomes the world; and the victorious principle which has overcome the world is our faith. Who but the man that believes that Jesus is the Son of God overcomes the world?

[Scarb]

1 Corinthians 10:13 (NIV)
No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.

[hubag bohol]

1 Corinthians 10:13 (NIV)
No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.

How about the temptation to dominate the rest of creation?

[Lorenzo]

1 Corinthians 10:13 (NIV)
No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.

God Bless You, Ate Blue.


~~

I will now begin a reading of The Bible, from Old Testament to the New Testament.
This will probably take couple of months even years to complete, but I would like to share with all of you,
and perhaps we all can take a message or two and even contribute to the Study of Scripture.
So do join me  in the reading. We start from the beginning and will continue till the end of the New Testament.
Points and key issues will be addressed regarding the reading, which should be done on daily basis.
Let us continue to Study the WORD of GOD.


I invite you all to a strict regimen in studying the Word of God.
Thank You.

[Lorenzo]

1 Corinthians 10:13 (NIV)
No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.

Thank you for bearing the glad tidings, Ate Blue!

As it is said, blessed are they who bring glad tidings of the Lord!


Romans 10:15 As it is written, "How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!"

[Lorenzo]

Everything in the Word of God is flawless.

Hark! It is flawless. It is purified by the Holy Spirit.

Proverbs 30:5, "Every word of God is flawless; he is a shield to those who take refuge in him."

[Scarb]

Variant translations or interpretations of certain debatable passages,
or possible textual emendations (i.e. alterations of the original Hebrew or Greek)
is for us non-depth Theologian inadequate,and I'm not sure where it should go? sowe po...

Note: just a morsel from me 

[Scarb]

How about the temptation to dominate the rest of creation?

doncha wori, d'Angel will come unto jah and guide them to d'cliff - peace jokes ajehehehe

[hubag bohol]

doncha wori, d'Angel will come unto jah and guide them to d'cliff - peace jokes ajehehehe

I hope and pray that I will be there when it happens--and maybe I can suggest which cliff?

[Lorenzo]

Variant translations or interpretations of certain debatable passages,
or possible textual emendations (i.e. alterations of the original Hebrew or Greek)
is for us non-depth Theologian inadequate,and I'm not sure where it should go? sowe po...

Note: just a morsel from me 

In essence, certain excerpts that we may have difficulty in understanding, should not hamper the Core Message of the Gospel Of Christ.

[islander]

How about the temptation to dominate the rest of creation?

yeah.  i'm curious too because there seems to be someone who wants to dominate the rest of creation.  lawrence, where are you?

[islander]

the devil can quote the bible too.  peace, brothers and sisters.  bless you.  (p.s. i wonder why lawrence is suddenly silent?)

[hubag bohol]

Kinsa kaha diay ni si Lawrence? Magduda man pud ta aning pangalana...

[hubag bohol]

the devil can quote the bible too. 

Bwahaha, wais nis Ms. Isle kay wa mo-quote sa Bible. Na hala, ako na lang:

Matthew 4:5-6 (King James Version)

Then the devil taketh him up into the holy city, and setteth him on a pinnacle of the temple,

And saith unto him, If thou be the Son of God, cast thyself down: for it is written, He shall give his angels charge concerning thee: and in their hands they shall bear thee up, lest at any time thou dash thy foot against a stone.

[islander]

o, sige, mo-quote na ko, doblehon pa:

Thou hypocrite, first cast out the beam out of thine own eye; and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother's eye. (Matthew, 7:5)

Give not that which is holy unto the dogs, neither cast ye your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn again and rend you. (Matthew, 7:6)


tagsa-tagsa na lang ta ug hunahuna kung kinsa o unsa ang pearls ug kinsa o unsa ang swine, tubag bohol version.

[simplylee]

1 Corinthians 10:13 (NIV)
No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.

AMEN to this!

[Lorenzo]

Let us get back to the business of Studying Scripture.


We left of on the study of Genesis.
The basis of Genesis includes the following:

The beginning of human history (1:1â€"11:25)

God creates the universe and all living things (1:1â€"2:25)
Sin in Eden (3:1â€"4:16)
The first generations of human beings (4:17â€"5:32)
Noah and his descendants (6:1â€"11:25)
The beginning of God’s people, Israel (11:26â€"50:26)


Abraham, Sarah, and Isaac (11:26â€"23:20)
Isaac and his family (24:1â€"28:9)
Jacob and Esau and their families (28:10â€"36:43)
The story of Jacob’s son, Joseph (37:1â€"50:26)


Question for the topic on Readings of Genesis:

Here are some questions for all to think and ponder on and answer.

How does the Bible’s description of creation fit with modern theories
about how the world began? Do you see any conflicts between the
two? Why or why not?

Why did God send a flood to destroy the earth and its people? (6:4-
7,11-13) Why was Noah chosen to build the boat? What promise did
God make to Noah after the floodwaters went down? (8:21; 9:9-11)
What do you make of the existence of a flood story in the writings of a
number of ancient peoples?

What is your overall impression of the first eleven chapters of
GENESIS? How would you describe the purpose of GENESIS so far?




Lorenzo.

[Lorenzo]

Vhinz08 Asked:

Where can we read the word purgatory in the bible, is it true that there´s a purgatory as what the catholic claims, that the soul will go to this place to purify those who die but still imperfectly purified.

His question was addressed with the following answer:

God Bless Your Question, Vhinz.
First let me thank you, brother, for joining our conversation and discussion.
The question that you ask was asked because the Holy Spirit,who lives within your body (as our bodies are the Temples of the Holy Spirit) directed you to this discussion to have a better / firmer grasp in the concept of Salvation and the means to Salvation. So I want to thank you for 2 things:
1. Your joining our faithful discussion here
2. Your question regarding Salvation, and specifically on the concept of Purgatory.

That said, Let us Talk.

But before we discuss this, let us usher a prayer for the Holy Spirit to OPEN OUR HEARTS AND MINDS to accept and be directed by His Instructions. To Understand Effectively and Faithfully: Lord, guide us our hearts and minds to bear and understand the things that we wish to learn, in faith and assurance that you will provide for our needs in this holy venture. We ask This in Your Name, Lord Jesus Christ, the Only Begotten Son of God The Father. God The Holy Spirit open our hearts. In Jesus Name. Amen.

~~~



The Roman Catholic Church teaches us , brothers and sisters, that :
“There is a purgatory, and the souls there detained are assisted by the suffrages of the faithful, but especially by the most acceptable sacrifice of the altar” (Promulgation Council of Trent).

And it was in the Council of Trent that all Biblical passages and books were augmented and united under one book. So by authority of the Lord God that was placed in the hands of the Early Church Fathers, compiled the Holy Bible in its Complete Form. And with it, the addressing that there indeed is a state of Purgatory. By Authority and Legitimacy that the Church claims from Jesus Christ, Alone, who placed it on the shoulders of the Church by Apostolic Succession of Peter's Chair.


This dogmatic definition contains 3 points of faith that all Catholics are required to believe:

1. There is a purgatory

2. After death, souls suffer there for their sins

3. The living can extend assistance to such souls


---

There is a purgatory



Forgiveness of sin in the next â€" Matthew 12:32

“Under the earth” â€" Revelations 5:2-3; Philippians 2:10



After death, souls suffer there for their sins

“You will not come out of it till you pay the last penny” â€" Matthew 5:26

“Matthean Parallel” (See: Matthew 18:23-35)

“Lazarusian Incident” (See: Luke 16:19-31)

Spirits in prison â€" 1 Peter 3:18-20; 4:6


The living can extend assistance to such souls


Restrain not grace from the dead â€" Ecclesiasticus (Sirach) 7:37

See: Ruth 1:8

Offerings/Sacrifice for the dead

2 Maccabees 12:38-36

“And making a gathering, he sent twelve thousand drachms of silver to Jerusalem for sacrifice to be offered for the sins of the dead, thinking well and religiously concerning the resurrection” (2 Maccabees 12:43, Douay-Rheims Bible).


Fasting for the for the dead

1 Samuel 31:13;

1 Chronicles 10:12

2 Samuel 1:12


Prayer for the dead

2 Maccabees 12:44-46

“It is therefore a holy and wholesome thought to pray for the dead, that they may be loosed from sins” (2 Maccabees 12:46, Douay-Rheims Bible).


See: Nehemiah 1:4-6, cf. Nehemiah 2:5


----


Understanding Purgatory:


1. Understanding the doctrine of purgatory demands knowing the nature/attributes of God:

God is Holy (Habakkuk 1:13; Isaiah 6:3; Revelations 4:8; Leviticus 11:44

God is Just (1 John 1:9; Revelations 15:3)

God is Merciful (Psalm 116, Lamentations 3:22, Psalm 103:8 )

See: Ruth 2:20

God is Love (1 John 4:8, 16)


2. Understanding the doctrine of purgatory demands a proper understanding of the concept of sin:


Gradation (degrees) of sin

Mortal Sin vs. Venial Sin (1 John 5:16-17, NRSV)

What Does Purgatory Really Mean?

HOPE!


It means what it has always meant: hope! The good news of the gospel was proclaimed long ago by Jesus:

"The Spirit of the Lord is upon me,
because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor.
He has sent me to proclaim release to the captives
and recovering of sight to the blind,
to set at liberty those who are oppressed,
to proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord." (Luke 4:18-19).

Purgatory is the assurance that there will, in the end, be absolutely nothing to dim the mirror of our lives from reflecting the glory of God. We, who have been captive to sin for so long, will be released. Moreover, as sharers in the life of Christ, we have an extraordinary promise from him. For he tells us, "Truly, truly, I say to you, he who believes in me will also do the works that I do; and greater works than these will he do, because I go to the Father." (John 14:12). In other words, we not only receive grace from him, we do his works of grace with him, for we are "fellow workers" with Christ (1 Corinthians 3:9). This means (among other things) that, as he prays for us, so we can pray for one another with his power and authority. And such prayers can be made not only for the living, but for the dead as well. We can, therefore, help those in Purgatory who are still being purified, just as we can help those on earth-by our prayers and offerings of love, especially in the mass. For, as Paul tells us, "we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another" (Romans 12:5). That unity with God and with each other is not severed by death. Therefore, we can continue to pray for those who have died with the hope of Christ that our prayers will be of real help to them as we "bear one another's burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ" (Galatians 6:2). It's all there in Scripture.

[Lorenzo]

Brothers and Sisters, be active in your daily Biblical Readings.

I would like to share with all of you readers of Scripture to what Mary Elizabeth Sperry wrote concerning this issue.

Listed here are 10 points for fruitful Scripture reading.

Bible reading is for Catholics. The Church encourages Catholics to make reading the Bible part of their daily prayer lives. Reading these inspired words, people grow deeper in their relationship with God and come to understand their place in the community God has called them to in himself.

Prayer is the beginning and the end. Reading the Bible is not like reading a novel or a history book. It should begin with a prayer asking the Holy Spirit to open our hearts and minds to the Word of God. Scripture reading should end with a prayer that this Word will bear fruit in our lives, helping us to become holier and more faithful people.

Get the whole story! When selecting a Bible, look for a Catholic edition. A Catholic edition will include the Church's complete list of sacred books along with introductions and notes for understanding the text. A Catholic edition will have an imprimatur notice on the back of the title page. An imprimatur indicates that the book is free of errors in Catholic doctrine.

The Bible isn't a book. It's a library. The Bible is a collection of 73 books written over the course of many centuries. The books include royal history, prophecy, poetry, challenging letters to struggling new faith communities, and believers' accounts of the preaching and passion of Jesus. Knowing the genre of the book you are reading will help you understand the literary tools the author is using and the meaning the author is trying to convey.

Know what the Bible is â€" and what it isn't. The Bible is the story of God's relationship with the people he has called to himself. It is not intended to be read as history text, a science book, or a political manifesto. In the Bible, God teaches us the truths that we need for the sake of our salvation.

The sum is greater than the parts. Read the Bible in context. What happens before and after â€" even in other books â€" helps us to understand the true meaning of the text.

The Old relates to the New. The Old Testament and the New Testament shed light on each other. While we read the Old Testament in light of the death and resurrection of Jesus, it has its own value as well. Together, these testaments help us to understand God's plan for human beings.

You do not read alone. By reading and reflecting on Sacred Scripture, Catholics join those faithful men and women who have taken God's Word to heart and put it into practice in their lives. We read the Bible within the tradition of the Church to benefit from the holiness and wisdom of all the faithful.

What is God saying to me? The Bible is not addressed only to long-dead people in a faraway land. It is addressed to each of us in our own unique situations. When we read, we need to understand what the text says and how the faithful have understood its meaning in the past. In light of this understanding, we then ask: What is God saying to me?

Reading isn't enough. If Scripture remains just words on a page, our work is not done. We need to meditate on the message and put it into action in our lives. Only then can the word be "living and effective."(Hebrews 4:12).

[ms da binsi]

Sorry, I just stumbled into this thread. May I ask a few questions?

1. What does the title of this thread mean? When it says "Tubag Bohol Version", does it speak for a) all Tubag Bohol members, b) all administrators, or c) the thread starter? Whose version is it, really?

2. What is the objective of Tubag Bohol? Is it supposed to be a pulpit for doctrinal spoon-feeding, or a forum of ideas that entertains diverse points of view?

3. Where do we draw the line between what belongs in a topic and what doesn't? Should one be considered out of topic simply for presenting an earnest intervention to a runaway prattle?

I invite all readers to share their ideas on the above questions. I hope these questions will be answered and not deleted for being adjudged as out of topic. Thank you.

Lawrence was banned by Lorenzo since Lorenzo can't answer Lawrence's questions and even erased his posts just for Himself (Lorenzo) to look good.

Lawrence was banned with a reason: Blasphemy to God. Which I believe wasnt.  Lawrence was only asking Lorenzo about some inquiry about God and Faith which is in fact the main thought of this topic.

Now how can we justify if everything is already erased???

[hubag bohol]

Lawrence was banned by Lorenzo since Lorenzo can't answer Lawrence's questions and even erased his posts just for Himself (Lorenzo) to look good.

Lawrence was banned with a reason: Blasphemy to God. Which I believe wasnt.  Lawrence was only asking Lorenzo about some inquiry about God and Faith which is in fact the main thought of this topic.

Now how can we justify if everything is already erased???

Oh, my God! Torquemada lives again! 

[hubag bohol]

And this is supposed to be a Bible study? Looks like a school for hypocrisy! 

[bugsay]

Oh, my God! Torquemada lives again!  

ugghhh...gi one-two punch combo diay si Lawrence....

[ms da binsi]

And this is supposed to be a Bible study? Looks like a school for hypocrisy! 

this post will be gone tomorrow so do we, Hubs! lol!

[bugsay]

And this is supposed to be a Bible study? Looks like a school for hypocrisy!  

Bible study?...hmmmm leave it to the scholars...

Bible sharing tingale...maka relate tag gamay....toink

[ms da binsi]

Bible study?...hmmmm leave it to the scholars...

Bible sharing tingale...maka relate tag gamay....toink

or maybe this is what is called Tubag Bohol Version...

[bugsay]

aw. o diay.....basin version lang sa usa ka tawo ang gikuha ani...hehehe

[hubag bohol]

this post will be gone tomorrow so do we, Hubs! lol!

Well, if I'm banned for this, so be it. I just wish to leave a question: If Hubag goes, can Tubag be far behind?

And in the meantime, I'll be enjoying my last moments here...

[hubag bohol]

aw. o diay.....basin version lang sa usa ka tawo ang gikuha ani...hehehe

Bwahaha, version of one creature, that is...

[ms da binsi]

nd in the meantime, I'll be enjoying my last moments here...

So do I

[islander]

Oh, my God! Torquemada lives again! 

Oh, my God!  I didn't join this forum to be quartered!

[hubag bohol]

Oh, my God!  I didn't join this forum to be quartered!

You won't be hanged, drawn, and quartered, Ms. Isle, don't worry...









You will be burned at the stake!

[islander]

Lawrence was banned by Lorenzo since Lorenzo can't answer Lawrence's questions and even erased his posts just for Himself (Lorenzo) to look good.

Lawrence was banned with a reason: Blasphemy to God. Which I believe wasnt.  Lawrence was only asking Lorenzo about some inquiry about God and Faith which is in fact the main thought of this topic.

Now how can we justify if everything is already erased???

And I thought this forum is for expressing different thoughts and ideas and not for some members who think highly of themselves as authorities on everything.  Ugh!  So who decides who has blasphemed, or sinned? 

[ms da binsi]

Oh, my God!  I didn't join this forum to be quartered!

you'll be cornered soon!

[ms da binsi]

And I thought this forum is for expressing different thoughts and ideas and not for some members who think highly of themselves as authorities on everything.  Ugh!  So who decides who has blasphemed, or sinned? 

I will give you some bucks if you can answer that question...would u dare?