Growth Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.

[sourberry]

Whoever were followers of John the Baptist (if there were any) became followers of Christ once He started His ministry. John would have made sure to accede his ministry over to Christ, therefore, bringing his to an end.

So you are suggesting the ministry of John the Baptist is not needed today? I do not have an answer.

But what I see is that the Bride is divided today. The Bride, that is greater than me, is divided. You see?

 

[Knotical]

John was brought into the fold of the church (the bride) and I am sure that his place in heaven was assured (only someone that is a part of the church can be).

You seem to apply this title of "friend of the bridegroom" as something to be proud of. Since those who are saved (part of the church, thus the bride) will be with Jesus in Paradise (Heaven), there is only one thing that is left for those who are not saved. How can anyone be proud of not being saved?

 

[Knotical]

So you are suggesting the ministry of John the Baptist is not needed today? I do not have an answer.

But what I see is that the Bride is divided today. The Bride, that is greater than me, is divided. You see?

The ministry of John the Baptist ended at the baptism of Christ. John's mission was fulfilled in that moment as his ministry pointed to the coming of the Messiah (Christ). What else would John have had to do from then on but to support Christ's mission.

 

[sourberry]

Really, what benefit would there be for just being a "friend" of the bridegroom? That would not get you into heaven.

You, the Bride, will be judging the world, when time comes. You see?

 

[Knotical]

You, the Bride, will be judging the world, when time comes. You see?

Try again. It is God that will be judging the world, including those who are part of the church (bride). It is those who have been saved that will escape what they deserve, the rest will spend eternity in hell.

 

[Edward]

So you are a disciple of John the Baptist and follow his teaching? John was a good man, a very good man. Let's examine some of his teaching which has been recorded:

Mark 1: 6-11
6 And John was clothed with camel's hair, and with a girdle of a skin about his loins; and he did eat locusts and wild honey;
7 And preached, saying, There cometh one mightier than I after me, the latchet of whose shoes I am not worthy to stoop down and unloose.
8 I indeed have baptized you with water: but he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost.
9 And it came to pass in those days, that Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee, and was baptized of John in Jordan.
10 And straightway coming up out of the water, he saw the heavens opened, and the Spirit like a dove descending upon him:
11 And there came a voice from heaven, saying, Thou art my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased./(KJV)

John teaches here that there is one mightier than himself, the latchet of his shoes he is not worthy to stoop down and loosen. It goes on to say that it is the Lord Jesus whom is Gods son, that the Father is well pleased with. How do you reconcile this into your status of John that you hold?

It's like a chess game brother. John was a pawn, or perhaps even a rook or knight, point being he was not the King. The lesser pieces are certainly important, but are not the King. Period.

 

[Knotical]

How did baptism originate? What does dunking someones head in water have to do with anything?. I had never heard of it before John. It just said the dude John prepared the way dunking heands in water. lol.

Jesus said is is proper to do it to fulfill all righteousness?. Where was baptism written or the meaning of it?. Was it a new custom that John started. Did an angel come tell him to start doing it or something?

Baptism was the replacement of circumcision that was ushered in when Christ started his ministry and commanded his disciples to do for all new believers in the name of God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit (trinity). Baptism is written about all throughout the New Testament.

 

[sourberry]

Try again. It is God that will be judging the world, including those who are part of the church (bride). It is those who have been saved that will escape what they deserve, the rest will spend eternity in hell.

You, the Bride, will be judging the world, when time comes, as I think.

You will judge John the Baptist, as I think, for you are greater than him. You will judge me, for you are greater than me.

And your judgement will be fare, because you are one body with the bridegroom, Jesus Christ, as I think.

 

[Knotical]

You, the Bride, will be judging the world, when time comes, as I think.

You will judge John the Baptist, as I think, for you are greater than him. You will judge me, for you are greater than me.

And your judgement will be fare, because you are one body with the bridegroom, Jesus Christ, as I think.

No, not at all. This is completely against biblical teaching. The only One who is able to judge humanity is God. We will not be judging anyone. We are the ones that will be judged.

 

[Edward]

FYI, Baptism signifies the death and burial of the flesh man, and the raising of the new man, a 'born again' man.

 

[sourberry]

How did baptism originate? What does dunking someones head in water have to do with anything?. I had never heard of it before John. It just said the dude John prepared the way dunking heands in water. lol.

Jesus said is is proper to do it to fulfill all righteousness?. Where was baptism written or the meaning of it?. Was it a new custom that John started. Did an angel come tell him to start doing it or something?

If I could give you five likes, I would give you five likes. And if I could give you a hug, I would give you a hug.

With love.

 

[Tristan]

How did baptism originate? What does dunking someones head in water have to do with anything?. I had never heard of it before John. It just said the dude John prepared the way dunking heands in water. lol.

Jesus said is is proper to do it to fulfill all righteousness?. Where was baptism written or the meaning of it?. Was it a new custom that John started. Did an angel come tell him to start doing it or something?

It's symbolic. You don't need to be literally baptized to be saved. I was baptized and nothing changed but the fact that I had a new memory.

You, the Bride, will be judging the world, when time comes, as I think.

You will judge John the Baptist, as I think, for you are greater than him. You will judge me, for you are greater than me.

And your judgement will be fare, because you are one body with the bridegroom, Jesus Christ, as I think.

God does the judging.

John the Baptist was clearly a believer, so I would put him as being part of the symbolic bride. I would say that the friends of the bride are those who are not part of the Church. They're a part of the wedding party...so it seems clear to me that God is not casting them out, is he?

What about the parable of the 10 virgins? Who are they? They're supposed to go to the wedding, but only half of them had enough oil to make it. So just because you're a part of the bride doesn't make you saved.

 

[reba]

Kiwidan the best way i know how to describe this is an attitude of the heart.. When we start learning some of the tings we did/do were/are sinful. We seek His face and pray to not do those things... We are called babes , babes have to grow to become men it is a growing processes. Romans 7&8 we can read of Pauls struggle and His revelation it is done in Christ..

 

[Edward]

What is born again?. I never been baptised in water, but i do have faith. Born again cannot really make one sinless can it, or are people who are 'born again' sinless?. Like Paul says (i think going from memory so dont quote me) , "now your born again should you continue sinning?, by all means no, stop sinning!"

But who can stop sinning?.

So is "born again" the acceptance of Christ and believing in his death and resurrection and asking forgiveness?, doing ones best they can even they will still fall many times and must come to repent?, or is 'born again' suppose to be a new person who now becomes 'sinless' after being baptised in water?.

I would like to meet someone who is "born again" either way that has never sinned since. Maybe there are. I dont know.

Who here is born again and can say they are sinless since being baptised either way?

Or, is the whole meaning the last day, where one will be classed as sinless and given a fresh white robe?, even they were not sinless here right now, but there faith and trust got them through the narrow gate?

Isaiah 43:25
25 I, even I, am he that blotteth out thy transgressions for mine own sake, and will not remember thy sins./

Jeremiah 31:34
34 And they shall teach no more every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, Know the Lord: for they shall all know me, from the least of them unto the greatest of them, saith the Lord: for I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more./

Hebrews 8:12
12 For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their iniquities will I remember no more./

Hebrews 10:17
17 And their sins and iniquities will I remember no more./(KJV)

The very existance of a church and a gospel are indeed promises of forgiveness of sins. The assurance of pardon lies in the covenent of grace. The first covenant left us under condemnation, but one main design of the new covenant is to bring us into justification. Why would there be a new covenant at all if our unrighteousness can never be removed?

Hebrews 10:16-17
16 This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, saith the Lord, I will put my laws into their hearts, and in their minds will I write them;
17 And their sins and iniquities will I remember no more.
18 Now where the remission of these is, there is no more offering for sin./

Would God lie and make a covenant just to mock sinners with groundless hope? Certainly not. "now where the remission of these is, there is no more offering for sin" What this means is the one sacrifice that Jesus made is an end of sin. Under the old law they had to keep offering again and again in sacrifice. There was remembrance of sin made every year on the day of atonement-but now the Blessed one has entered, once and for all, within the veil and has put away sin forever by the sacrifice of Himself, so that there remains no more of a need of a sacrifice for sins. The Lord will never demand another victim, nor seek another offering. The sufferings of Jesus are so sufficient that no believer shall be made to suffer penalty for his unrighteousness.

Repent, it is said (be sorry for your sins and turn from them). Change your mind about them and hate them, then confess them for it is written; "only acknowledge your iniquity." Go home and mourn your transgressions before your offended Lord, sincerely, fully and with deep regret, and He will take away your sins, for it is written that he that confesses and forsakes his sins shall find mercy. This is the Lords way. Acknowledge that you are guilty, and ask that you be guilty no more. Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ and you shall be saved. That saving includes an act of amnesty and oblivion to all of your sinful thoughts, words and acts! Trust the Lord Jesus. That is the crux of it. Being born again means a person converted to a life of personal faith in Jesus Christ. You must trust Him on this!

 

[farouk]

Repentance is a much neglected aspect of the Gospel. In Mark 1, the Lord Jesus's beginning to preach is recorded, and repentance was central to it.

 

[sourberry]

What is born again?

kiwidan, you are not the only one who asks this question. The MASTER of Israel does.

"There was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews: The same came to Jesus by night, and said unto him, Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that thou doest, except God be with him. Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.

Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother's womb, and be born? Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.

That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again. The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit.

Nicodemus answered and said unto him, How can these things be? Jesus answered and said unto him, Art thou a master of Israel, and knowest not these things?"​

Many may attempt to answer your question, kiwidan. However, Jesus has already answered it in the most comprehensive way, and in the most appropriate way, as I think. We may say: please tell us more. But there is NO MORE. You see?

With love.

 

[sourberry]

Repentance is a much neglected aspect of the Gospel. In Mark 1, the Lord Jesus's beginning to preach is recorded, and repentance was central to it.

Repentance is so rewarding, I think. I think repentance permits for the Holly Spirit to dwell in our hearts.

 

[sourberry]

John the Baptist was clearly a believer, so I would put him as being part of the symbolic bride. I would say that the friends of the bride are those who are not part of the Church. They're a part of the wedding party...so it seems clear to me that God is not casting them out, is he?

Israel had priests and non-priests, all are the people of God.

Priests do not have a land of their own to feed them, for they are of the kingdom of heaven, as I think. These priests are an image of the bride, as I think.

Priests feed on what Jesus tells his bride to feed on, as I think: "Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they?".

 

[Knotical]

Just because someone is part of the "wedding party" does not necessarily mean they are believers. It is only those who are part of the church (true believers that have been saved by grace through faith in Jesus Christ) who will be saved, are saved. Anyone who is not part of the church will be cast out.

 

[Tristan]

Just because someone is part of the "wedding party" does not necessarily mean they are believers. It is only those who are part of the church (true believers that have been saved by grace through faith in Jesus Christ) who will be saved, are saved. Anyone who is not part of the church will be cast out.

"Oh, hey, come to my wedding party. We're celebrating!"

A few hours later:

"Party's over! Get out! You're all going to die now!"

For some reason I don't see that as the case.