Quote:
Originally Posted by chette777
Thanks George for that added blessing. I knew about the contemporariness of Job and his friends with Noah and Shem. but it sometimes good to see it afresh. I am sure it blest everyone else too.
Just a reminder. The things I have been sharing are not doctrinal, and have little scriptural support(there are some). we have to stretch ourselves in dwelling into these things. so as long as we remember if we disagree with God he is always right. these things we discuss are not for babes in the word but for mature Christians willing to know the height, width, the breath and depth of things the Lord has revealed but doesn't say much about in scripture. this is for fun. But God is to be glorified.
So enjoy dwelling into the things of God. Just don't knock each other and remember not to make it a doctrine.
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Aloha brother Chette,
I agree with you 100%. We have to be careful that we don't alienate each other over issues and matters that are very difficult to prove {because of a lack of Scriptural information or lack of "spiritual understanding" on the part of one (or both!) of the brethren engaged in a debate}.
I believe as you do about the creation, but I will not debate over the issue. I believe in a pre-tribulation rapture of the church, but I will not debate the issue. I believe in the church of God as being more than just a "Local" Church, but I will not debate the issue. {I will state my position, but not engage in lengthy arguments over these matters}.
These are all issues that are very difficult to deal with either because a lack of Scripture (Creation & the "mechanics" thereof) or in the case of the "rapture" and the "church", because of the fact that they are both "
mysteries", hidden from man and not revealed until God revealed them to the Apostle Paul. And they are still "mysteries" to most of mankind and many genuine Christians.
I am a tee-totaler, but I will not condemn a brother who has a glass of wine with his meals. I don't celebrate Christmas, but I don't judge a fellow Christian who does. From 1973 - 1998 we home schooled all of our children, but I do not judge a brother if he sends his children to a government school. I will not be a member of a church that is "
incorporated", but I do not judge Christians who are members of "
incorporated" churches.
There plenty of issues where I will judge a matter and contend for the faith; but I try real hard to deal with the "weightier matters", and not get bogged down in issues that lead to division.
The following are some of the issues or matters of doctrine where I will contend and/or defend "vigorously" {These are the major issues which are the basis of our faith and upon which we can fellowship}:
1. The Inspiration of Scripture (Of the words of God - NOT just the "originals")
2. The preservation of Scripture (That God has preserved His words through His people - the Jews 1st. & the Christians 2nd.)
3. The divine revelation of Scripture (That Scripture is Gods words for mankind)
4. God (The Triune Godhead as presented in the Bible)
5. Satan (As an existing being – The father of evil)
6. Angels (As existing)
7. Devils (Evil spirits as existing)
8. Creation (The Biblical account)
9. Man (As possessing three parts – a Body, a Soul, and a Spirit)
10. The Soul (As existing and being 1 part of the 3 parts of man)
11. The Spirit (As existing and being 1 part of the 3 parts of man)
12. Evil (As Existing - The Biblical concept of)
13. The Heart (As the seat of a person’s thoughts, imaginations, affections, will, etc.)
14. Sin (The Biblical Account of the fall – The sinful nature of all mankind.)
15. Redemption (All of mankind’s need for Salvation)
16. Signs, wonders, miracles (As recorded in the Bible)
17. World wide Flood (The Biblical Account)
18. Division of Mankind (Into three basic races: Shem, Ham, and Japeth)
19. Accountability (That individuals are responsible for their own actions – not society.)
20. Judgment (That a time will come when God is going to judge all of mankind.)
21. Heaven (As a place of Eternal Life with God)
22. Hell (As a place for Eternal Punishment.)
23. Hebrews – Jews – Israel (As being God’s earthly chosen people.)
24. Jesus Christ: (As the Creator of the world and the universe.)
(As to his Incarnation – Miraculous Conception & Birth)
(As being the bodily manifestation of the Godhead.)
(As being the fullness of the Godhead bodily.)
(As the Jews [Hebrews] Messiah.)
(As the one and only Saviour of mankind and the world.)
(As Rising from the dead.)
(As the Head of the Church – which is His body here on earth.)
(As the King of Kings and Lord of Lords.)
25. The Blood Atonement (That Jesus Christ’s Blood paid the price for sin – sins.)
26. Born Again (That a person needs to be born again in order to enter into the Kingdom of God.)
27. The Church (Christ’s Bride – The Pillar and Ground of the Truth.)
28. Marriage (God’s Institution – Between one man and one woman.)
There are plenty of Biblical issues to defend, or contend for, but those that I have listed are the "Major Issues", upon which we all should be able to fellowship around.
To think that any of us has a complete "understanding" of the Scriptures is not wise. If we can find Christians that are of "one mind" on the issues listed above, we should strive to have fellowship with them, and avoid, if possible, divisive topics. {Unless we are able to "discuss" them decently and in order, and without rancor.}
I have some very close Christian friends who do not agree with me on some matters, but we agree on all of the issues listed above. This Forum is a testimony to Christian love and tolerance in that there are some real fine brethren with whom we may disagree (the "rapture"; "gap" or no "gap"; "Local" church vs. "Universal" church, etc., etc.).
I struggle all the time with "balance" in my life - contending for the faith, without being a Pharisee or "doctrinaire". I know that the following is absolutely true and imperative:
John 13:34 A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another.
35 By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.
The trouble today is, that it sometimes is very difficult for me to discern WHO my brother in Christ is! 
Paul speaks about false brethren: "in perils among false brethren" [2Corinthians 11:26], but they are extremely difficult to identify (especially on a Forum such as this) and I don't want to accuse someone of something unless I am sure of who, or what they are.
I thank God for this Forum, not only because of the edification I have received from some of the brethren here, but also because it has given me an opportunity to form friendships with Christian brethren from around the world - whom I would not have known if it were not for this Forum. 