Pleasing God

Hebrews 11:6 "But without faith it is impossible to please Him: for he that cometh to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him."

So what about those who....
1. believe another "gospel"  (or)
2. worship another "god" (or)
3. athiests (or)
4. agnostics

In other words, all those that deny the exclusive claim of Jesus Christ or add anything, such as baptism, decisions, or "good works" to the Gospel do not please God no matter how "hard they pray" or how many "good works" they do or how "religious", "moral" they think they are or act.

The Scriptures clearly address this in.....John 3:36  "He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him." Jesus Christ (The Messiah) came to save His people (Matthew 1:21; Revelation 5:9) from their sins and His wrath (Romans 5:9; I Thessalonians 1:10; Revelation 14:19; Revelation 19:15). 

When Jesus Christ began His early ministry He said (Mark 1:15) "And saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel."  

I'll leave you with the Words of the LORD....

Ephesians 2:8-9 "For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.  Romans 10:13-17  "For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.   How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? (14) how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher? (15) And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things! (16) But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Esaias saith, Lord, who hath believed our report?  (17) So then faith [cometh] by hearing, and hearing by the word of God."

Contending for the Faith against a J.W.

Well, Michael apparently is waiting on me to finish responding to his questions before he writes me back, which I hope he does. Below is the email that I have sent to him tonight. Pray that the Lord will open Michael's eyes as well as those of his family.

Date: June 16, 2010 12:27 a.m.

Michael,

I hope all is going well. I appreciate your patience in me getting back to you regarding the remaining questions from last time:

I. Why did Jesus say He could only do the things He saw the Father do (John 5:19)?

He said (John 5:19) because as God in flesh he was able to do the same things that God the Father could do. No mere man or angel could rightfully say this. If Jesus is the second person of the *Trinity, then he would naturally be able to do whatever the Father can do. Therefore, Jesus is divine.

* The word "trinity" is a term used to denote the Christian doctrine that God exists as a unity of three distinct persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Each of the persons is distinct from the other, yet identical in essence. In other words, each is fully divine in nature, but each is not the totality of the other persons of the Trinity. Each has a will, loves, and says "I" and "You" when speaking. The Father is not the same person as the Son, who is not the same person as the Holy Spirit, who is not the same person as the Father. Each is divine, yet there are not three gods, but one God. There are three individual substances, or persons. The word "subsistence" means something that has a real existence. The word "person" denotes individuality and self awareness. The Trinity is three of these, though the latter term has become the dominant one used to describe the individual aspects of God known as the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
Included in the doctrine of the Trinity is a strict monotheism which is the teaching that there exists in all the universe a single being known as God who is self-existent and unchangeable (Isaiah 43:10; 44:6,8). Therefore, it is important to note that the doctrine of the trinity is not polytheistic as some of its critics proclaim. Trinitarianism is monotheistic by definition and those who claim it is polytheistic demonstrate a lack of understanding of what it really is.
•The Trinity
•God is three persons
•Each person is divine
•There is only one God.
Many theologians admit that the term "person" is not a perfect word to describe the three individual aspects/foci found in God. When we normally use the word person, we understand it to mean physical individuals who exist as separate beings from other individuals. But in God there are not three entities, nor three beings. God is a trinity of persons consisting of one substance and one essence. God is numerically one. Yet, within the single divine essence are three individual subsistences that we call persons.
•Each of the three persons is completely divine in nature though each is not the totality of the Godhead.
•Each of the three persons is not the other two persons.
•Each of the three persons is related to the other two, but are distinct from them.
The word "trinity" is not found in the Bible. But this does not mean that the concept is not taught there. The word "bible" is not found in the Bible either, but we use it anyway. Likewise, the words "omniscience," which means "all knowing," "omnipotence," which means "all powerful," and "omnipresence," which means "present everywhere," are not found in the Bible either. But we use these words to describe the attributes of God. So, to say that the Trinity isn't true because the word isn't in the Bible is an invalid argument.
Is there subordination in the Trinity?
There is, apparently, a subordination within the Trinity in regard to order but not substance or essence. We can see that the Father is first, the Son is second, and the Holy Spirit is third. The Father is not begotten, but the Son is (John 3:16). The Holy Spirit proceeds from the Father (John 5:26). The Father sent the Son (1 John 4:10). The Son and the Father send the Holy Spirit (John 14:26; 15:26). The Father creates (Isaiah 44:24), the Son redeems (Gal. 3:13), and the Holy Spirit sanctifies (Romans 15:16).
This subordination of order does not mean that each of the members of the Godhead (Col. 2:9; Romans 1:20) are not equal or divine. For example, we see that the Father sent the Son. But this does not mean that the Son is not equal to the Father in essence and divine nature. The Son is equal to the Father in his divinity, but inferior in his humanity. A wife is to be subject to her husband but this does not negate her humanity, essence, or equality. By further analogy, a king and his servant both share human nature. Yet, the king sends the servant to do his will. Jesus said, "For I have come down from heaven, not to do My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me" (John 6:36). Of course Jesus already is King (Phil 2:10-11; Rom. 14:11), but the analogy shows that because someone is sent, it doesn't mean they are different than the one who sent him.
Critics of the Trinity will see this subordination as proof that the Trinity is false. They reason that if Jesus were truly God, then He would be completely equal to God the Father in all areas and would not, therefore, be subordinate to the Father in any way. But this objection is not logical. If we look at the analogy of the king and the servant we certainly would not say that the servant was not human because he was sent. Being sent does not negate sameness in essence. Therefore, the fact that the Son is sent does not mean that He is not divine any more than when my wife sends me to get bread, I am not human.
Another important point about the Trinity is that it can be a difficult concept to grasp. But this does not necessitate an argument against its validity. On the contrary, the fact that it is difficult is an argument for its truth. The Bible is the self revelation of an infinite God. Therefore, we are bound to encounter concepts which are difficult to understand -- especially when dealing with an incomprehensible God who exists in all places at all times. So, when we view descriptions and attributes of God manifested in the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, we discover that a completely comprehensible and understandable explanation of God's essence and nature is not possible. What we have done, however, is derive from the Scripture the truths that we can grasp and combine them into the doctrine we call The Trinity. The Trinity is, to a large extent, a mystery. After all, we are dealing with God Himself.
It is the way of some to reduce biblical truth to make God comprehensible and understandable by their minds. To this end, they subject God's word to their own reasoning and end in error. The following verses are often used to demonstrate that the doctrine of the Trinity is indeed biblical:
•Matt. 28:19 "Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit,"
•I Cor. 12:4-6 "Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit. 5And there are varieties of ministries, and the same Lord. 6And there are varieties of effects, but the same God who works all things in all persons."
•2 Cor. 13:14 "The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, be with you all."
•Eph. 4:4-7 "There is one body and one Spirit, just as also you were called in one hope of your calling; 5one Lord, one faith, one baptism, 6one God and Father of all who is over all and through all and in all. 7But to each one of us grace was given according to the measure of Christ’s gift."
•I Peter 1:2 "according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, by the sanctifying work of the Spirit, that you may obey Jesus Christ and be sprinkled with His blood: May grace and peace be yours in fullest measure."
•Jude 20-21 "But you, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith; praying in the Holy Spirit; 21keep yourselves in the love of God, waiting anxiously for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to eternal life."

II. You mentioned Col. 1:15 and stated that Jesus was created. However that actually indicates His preeminence over His creation.

From my understanding Col. 1:15 is used by the Jehovah's Witnesses to say that Jesus is the first created thing. This verse says, "He [Jesus] is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation." As you pointed out last Friday, The Jehovah's Witnesses maintain that "firstborn" means first created. But this cannot be the case for several reasons.
First, there is a Greek word for "first created" and it is not used here.
Second, firstborn can certainly mean the first one born in a family. However, it can also mean preeminence and it is transferrable title. We see that Manasseh was called the firstborn and Ehraim is the second born in Gen 41:51-52. But in Jeremiah 31:9 Ephraim is called the firstborn." Therefore, "firstborn" is a title of preeminence that is transferrable and does not mean first created as is demonstrated by verses 16 through 20.

My next e-mail will demonstrate other verses pertaining to:
1.Forgiveness of sins.
2.Reading the human heart.
3.Raising the dead.
4.Equality with the Father.
5.No man seeing God, yet being seen by man.
Keep in mind that blasphemy was a capital crime (Leviticus 24:16).


Michael, I praise God that we spoke last Friday and I earnestly pray that we can continue this dialog. Isaiah 55:11.

Until next time,
Jeremiah

River Bend 2010 - Day 4

Bessie Smith Strut

What an evening! There were 4 of us out there evangelizing (handing out tracts and preaching the Law and the Gospel) in the midst of a sea of people parading up and down the boulevard drinking, getting drunk, and carousing. You could feel the apathy of the people, except for an occassional person who would reach for a tract or want to talk. During that time there were 3 different stampedes of the crowd surging in a wave of a sea of people for some unknown reason(s). We thanked God that He protected us. I had several conversations of some folks as well as did the other evangelists. We had periods of conversations and periods of preaching and reading out loud the Word of God. To Him be the glory and praise forever, Amen!

Contending for the Faith against a J.W.

Below is the response to my initial e-mail to the Jehovah's Witness regarding our conversation on Day One of Riverbend 2010 June 11. Following it is my reply.

Date: Saturday, June 12, 2010, 11:03 AM


Jeremiah,

None of this has anything to do with what discussed about Jesus being
Almighty God. Let's not be negative but stick to one main Bible
doctrine at a time. I am still waiting on your supporting scripture
that you said you would show me.

Thanks,

Michael





Date: Sunday, June 13, 2010 12:13 AM

Michael,

Good to hear from you. Fair enough, although I was not being negative just inquisitive. I'll begin this evening by addressing two questions that I remember you asking last evening and will address the others (John 5:19; Col. 1:15) later since it is so late tonight.

I. Let's begin where you asked if Jesus was God, why He prayed to the Father in John 17?

Jesus prayed to the Father because as a man, under the Law (Gal. 4:4; Matt. 5:18), he needed to pray to the Father. The Bible teaches that he was both God and man (Col 2:9; John 8:58 with Ex. 3:14). In Colossians 2:9 "of the Godhead" in the root form greek is θεότης and the transliteration is theotēs and is deity (state of being God). Also, Jesus has two natures. Therefore, we will see two types of scripture concerning Jesus: those that seem to focus on His divine-side, and those that seem to focus on His human-side. It seems as though you are ignoring, or changing, the divine-side scriptures and concentrating on those that describe His human-side. The two natures of Jesus (His Hypostatic Union) can not be ignored. Also, God is a Trinity which means that the Father, Son, and the Holy Spirit are all divine, but are distinct persons, not three gods. The person of the Son prayed to the person of the Father. This makes sense since Jesus was fully divine and fully human at the same time.


Next, you asked last evening ...
II. Why did Jesus say the Father was greater than He in John 14:28?

He said this because His position was different than that of God the Father, not His nature. Hebrews 2:9 says that Jesus was made for a little while lower than the angels and Galatians 4:4 says, He was under the Law. Therefore, as a man he was in a lesser position than the Father, but not different in nature. This would also explain why he grew in wisdom and stature (Luke 2:52).



By comparison and one similiar to what you used last evening, a husband is the head of the family and the wife is not. Though their positions are different, he has greater authority, their natures are the same. This is how it works with Jesus. His nature is the same as the Father, but he was sent by the Father (John 6:44) and was in a lesser position due to his incarnation and being under the Law (His human-side of the hypostatic union).


I will address the other two in my next e-mail. Thank you.

Jeremiah

Riverbend 2010 - Day 2

Evangelism! Tonight was a good evening, because God allowed me to talk to a variety of folks ranging from those who had a church background to those that had none, to the proud, to the humble, and to some one involved in a cult, the yellow deli's (sp?), who was spreading his cult's poison by passing out their tracts.

The night began by handing out tracts and engaging folks in conversation if they were amiable. Three of those conversations really stood out to me this evening. One was a lady who was full of pride and self reliance in her own "goodness" to attain salvation, she mentioned that she had had a church background. So I got her permission to ask her a few questions to see how she would measure up to God's Standard, (The 10 Commandments). As I was going through the Law with her I noticed a change of her countenance to one of concern as she admitted her guilt. Her countenance began to changed again to one of resolution as she began to fall back on her works. She then stated she felt her own "good" works would be recognized by God and rewarded. I tried to converse with her, but she then got up and walked away. The second one was when the cultist (Yellow Deli (sp?)) tried to proselytize me. Well, as I attempted to converse with him he continuously twisted and perverted Scripture. So, I had to pull out my Two-Edged Sword and wield it. PRAISE GOD! However, he just kept up the constant peppering and jumping around to various Scriptures so that I finally latched on to one of his references and read the text within the context and tried to discuss it. As you can imagine he didn't like that and became irritated with me and walked away in a agitated state and hurried pace. As he walked away I left him a warning to repent and believe the Gospel for today is the day of salvation and should he not repent and believe on the Son the wrath of God will remain on him. As I was warning him I noticed his pace seemed to constantly quicken. The last conversation that stands out tonight was one with two older teenage guys. One didn't have any church background and the other had very little. As I took them through the Law you would've seen a very concerned expression on their faces that grew more solemn as we progressed. They admitted their guilt before a Holy and Righteous God and were very concerned with their spiritual state and their coming judgement of God's eternal wrath. I shared the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ with them. Please pray for these two guys and everyone that I spoke with tonight for God is sovereign and knows who they are and His word will not return void (Isaiah 55:11). Thank you.