Take care and let me give you a link to explore. Add it to your bookmark

http://www.apostolicfaith.org/

Let all that are truly ‘Born again CHRISTians’ remember to pray for our brothers and sisters in Jesus Christ (Eph 6:18), that our Wonderous GOD will keep them whole in spirit, soul and body (1 Thess 5:23).

Your brother only by the Grace of GOD,

Nick

The Lincoln argument many of you have been spouting is crap. There is a ton of proof that Lincoln was president as their are historical records of the time. Most were based on eyewitnesses of the event, but it is true, the whole thing could be wrong, but that’s the point. The whole Lincoln thing could be an elaborate hoax, but we assume based on scientific processes what sorts of facts and data will lead to better understanding and accuracy and what sorts of information will be potentially false and misleading. *All* of the info on all these links I followed for a few links in were of the latter category.

As for proving that God doesn’t exist. Why is it OUR responsibility to prove that he doesn’t exist. You should have to prove that he does exist. Scientists are discovering how our world works more and more every day. They have disproved the adam and eve story as well as the creation story, as well as tons of stuff in scripture. Religion has never brought anything to the table that man couldn’t have brought without it and probably better. Science can show that life on earth as we know it not only can have happened without the need of a god, but probably did. Science doesn’t have all the answers, but it’s getting them fast and picking up steam. Religion is losing ground. Religion is making outrageous claims, so outrageous proof should be required. Instead we are demanded to believe in an imaginary world because we will be doomed to some hell if we don’t, and we do it hoping to escape the inevitability of death. Total waste of time and money in my book, and this is from a 40 year Mormon (yes, Christian).

God will get His glory.. God may you give us the Grace to pray and love these people..

In #3 the first historical record takes place 40 years after Jesus’ supposed death. Any eyewitness that would be able to remember something about Jesus would likely be around 10 years old. Which would make that person 50+-ish at 70AD, that is far beyond the average life expectancy, 28, at that time according to Encyclopedia Britannica.[http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/393100/mortality] And I don’t think anybody would accept witness accounts that were written 40 years after they occurred.

After those two I just stopped reading this all together.

An atheist is a prideful , selfish , idiot that will be screaming and gnashing his or her teeth for all of eternity .

God doesn’t send people to hell , people chose to go there .

Prior to tackling this question, let’s meditate Matthew 27:44:

Matthew 27:44, “The thieves also, which were crucified with him, cast the same in his teeth.”

As the phrase, cast the same in his teeth, is mentioned in Matthew 27:44, it implies that both the thieves did sin against the Lord.

Did one of the thieves repent from sin? Let’s meditate Luke 23:42-43 carefully below:

Luke 23:42-43, “And he said unto Jesus, Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom. And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, To day shalt thou be with me in paradise.”

Nothing is mentioned in Luke 23:42-43 that the thief did repent from sin and it should be there or else it would not be possible for him to inform Luke 23:42, “…Jesus (that), Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom…”

If you would refer the word, Lord, in Luke 23:42, you would have discovered that the definition of the word, Lord, in Luke 23:42 coincides the word, Lord, in Romans 10:9 that the thief directly approached Jesus and demanded Him to take control of his life to be his Master. As the phrase, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom, is mentioned in Luke 23:42, it implies that the thief did request Jesus to accept or in other words, to receive him in paradise. Or in other words, this thief did sincerely ask Jesus to come and take control of his life to be his Master and that caused Him to mention that he Luke 23:43, “…shalt be with (Him) in paradise.”

Detailed analyses with the commencement of Acts 18 prior to tackling Acts 19:2 as follows:

Acts 18:1, “…Paul…came to Corinth;” Acts 18:4, “And he reasoned in the synagogue…persuaded the Jews and the Greeks.” Acts 18:23, “And after he had spent some time [there], HE DEPARTED, and went over [all] the country of Galatia and Phrygia…”

From the above extracts, it is obvious that Acts 19:2 should not have any relationship prior to Acts 18:23 since Paul departed Corinth as mentioned in Acts 18:23. Thus, we have to meditate from Acts 18:24 in order to find out the reason why the query in Acts 19:2 has been raised.

Who was the man that commented that he knew Acts 18:25, “…only the baptism of John.”? It was none other than Acts 18:24, “…APOLLOS…” He was Acts 18:24, “…an eloquent man, [and] mighty in the scriptures…“ Strong Concordance refers Apollos in Acts 18:24 to be a Christian with the following extract: A learned Jew from Alexandra and mighty in Scripture who became a Christian and a teacher of Christianity. This can be located at: http://www.blueletterbible.org/lang/lexicon/lexicon.cfm?Strongs=G625&t=KJV.

Was this man guided by the truth of the Lord? Yes, he was guided since Acts 18:25, “(mentions that) THIS MAN WAS INSTRUCTED IN THE WAY OF THE LORD; and being fervent in the spirit, he spake and taught diligently the things of the Lord…“
Apollos took the step in reaching out to the Jews in the synagogue about God’s truth since Acts 18:26, “(mentions that)…he began to speak boldly in the synagogue: …”

Not only that, Apollos could even guide Acts 18:26, “…Aquila and Priscilla…(by) expound(ing) unto him the way of God MORE PERFECTLY.” Refer to the Strong Concordance to find out who was this Aquila as mentioned in Acts 18:26? Aquila was a Jew of Pontus, a tent maker to Christ, companion and ally of Paul in propagating Christianity. Certainly! He is a believer. This definition can be located at http://www.blueletterbible.org/lang/lexicon/lexicon.cfm?Strongs=G207&t=KJV.

Who was Priscilia then? Priscilia was a Christian woman, the wife of Aquila, and the reference of her personality can be located in the website at http://www.blueletterbible.org/lang/lexicon/lexicon.cfm?Strongs=G4252&t=KJV.

Did Apollos know that grace is to live by faith? Let’s meditate Acts 18:27 as follows:

Acts 18:27, “(mentions that) And when he was disposed to pass into Achaia, the brethren wrote, exhorting the disciples to receive him: who, WHEN HE WAS COME, HELPED THEM which HAD BELIEVED THROUGH GRACE:”

As the phrase, when HE…come, helped them…which HAD BELIEVED THROUGH GRACE, is mentioned in Acts 18:27 with the phrase, the disciples…receive him, it implies that Apollos knew that grace is by faith. The word, grace, in Acts 18:27 has been defined in the Strong Concordance to be Christianity faith as extracted below: of the merciful kindness by which God; exerting his holy influence upon souls; turns them to Christ; keeps, strengthens, increases them in Christian faith, knowledge, affection, and kindles them to the exercise of the Christian virtues The above definition of the word, grace, can be located in the website address as follows:
http://www.blueletterbible.org/lang/lexicon/lexicon.cfm?Strongs=G5485&t=KJV.

This man, Apollos, even believed that Jesus is Christ since he spoke to the Jews and to convince them that Jesus is Christ as mentioned in Acts 18:28, “(that) For he mightily convinced the Jews, [and that] publickly, shewing by the scriptures that Jesus was Christ.”

As Apollos had already been a believer as mentioned in Acts 18:25, why is it Acts 18:25, “(mentions that he)…know…only the baptism of John.”? The only possible reason for Scripture to mention that he knew only John’s baptism is he was speaking concerning the knowledge of the baptism of John and the baptism by the Holy Spirit instead of including other knowledge that was pertaining to whether he knew Jesus is Christ as well as other knowledge. By comparing the two baptisms, Apollos replied that he knew only John’s baptism since he was ignorant about the baptism by the Holy Spirit and this led him to Acts 19:2, “(mention that)…We have not so much as heard whether there be any Holy Ghost.” Or in other words, Apollos already believed Jesus is Christ (Acts 18:28) and had already known the way of God (Acts 18:25) and that grace is to live by faith (Acts 18:27). The only thing that he did not know is baptism by the Holy Spirit as spelt out in Acts 19:2 and that caused Acts 18:25, “(to mention that he knew)… only the baptism of John.”

Even though Apollos believed that Jesus is Christ (Acts 18:28) and had already known the way of God (Acts 18:25) and believed that grace is to live by faith (Acts 18:27), yet he was asked whether he has received the Holy Spirit since Acts 19:2, “(mentions that)…Have ye receive the Holy Ghost since ye believed?…” and lately he was led to be baptized by Paul and John as mentioned in Acts 19:4 to receive the Holy Spirit in Acts 19:6. Take note that there is a gap (between Acts 18:28 in which it is highlighted that Apollos believed in Jesus and Acts 19:6 that he received the Holy Spirit ) in which he believed and yet the Holy Spirit was not with him. He only received the Holy Spirit in Acts 19:6 instead of at the time of his belief that Jesus is Christ in Acts 18:28. As there is a gap that Apollos believed in Jesus and yet the Holy Spirit was not with him, it implies that believing does not lead to immediate receipt of the Holy Spirit and that there is a possible absence of the Holy Spirit when a person believes in Jesus.

For instance, if the concept of ‘believing leads to immediate receipt of the Holy Spirit’ is true, Apollos should not be asked whether there is Holy Spirit within his body (Acts 19:2) and there should not be any mentioning of the receipt of the Holy Spirit in Acts 19:6 since he had believed Jesus to be Christ (Acts 18:28) and that the Holy Spirit should have come automatically into his body. As the phrase, Have ye received the Holy Ghost since ye believed, is mentioned in Acts 19:2 despite Apollos believed that Jesus is Christ (Acts 18:28) and had already known the way of God (Acts 18:25) and believed that grace is to live by faith (Acts 18:27), it implies the possible absence of the Holy Spirit when a person believes in Jesus.

Some commentators might argue that Peter had not seen the Holy Spirit fell upon the gentiles as He had on the Jews and that Jewish Christians never would have accepted the gentile Christians and these led them to pray for the Holy Spirit as mentioned in Acts 8:15. Discuss.

Let’s meditate Acts 8:5-17 carefully prior to tackling the query above:

Acts 8:5-6, “…PHILIP WENT DOWN TO THE CITY OF SAMARIA, AND PREACHED CHRIST UNTO THEM…” Acts 8:8-10, “…But there was a certain man, called Simon,… bewitched the people of Samaria,…saying, This man is the great power of God.”

Did the Samaria believe in Jesus after Acts 8:5, “…Philip (had)…preached Christ unto them…”? Yes, they did believe since Acts 8:12, “(mentions that)…THEY BELIEVED…concerning the kingdom of God, and the name of JESUS CHRIST…”

After Acts 8:12, “(Samaria had)…believed…(in) Jesus Christ”, did they follow up with water baptism? Yes, they did since in the latter part of Acts 8:12, “(it is mentioned that)…THEY WERE BAPTIZED, BOTH MEN AND WOMEN.”

Not only Samaria had been baptized, Acts 8:13, “…Simon himself believed also: and…(had been) baptized…”

What did the apostles do after knowing Samaria had Acts 8:12, “…believed (in)…Jesus Christ…(and) were baptized (with water baptism)…”? Acts 8:14-17, “…when the apostles which were at Jerusalem HEARD that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent unto them Peter and John: Who, when THEY were come down, PRAYED FOR THEM, THAT THEY MIGHT RECEIVE THE HOLY GHOST.”

Did Samaria receive the Holy Spirit immediately after Acts 8:12, “…they (had) believed (in)…Jesus Christ…”? No, they did not receive the Holy Spirit at the time of their belief since Acts 8:14-17, “(mention that)…the apostles…heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they…c(a)me down, PRAYED FOR THEM, THAT THEY MIGHT RECEIVE THE HOLY GHOST.” Obviously there is a gap (between Acts 8:12 in which they had believed in Jesus and yet Acts 8:17 that they received the Holy Ghost) in which the Holy Spirit was not inside their bodies at the time of their belief. As Acts 8:14-17, “…the apostles… (came) down, (and) prayed for (Samaria) that they might receive the Holy Ghost” after Acts 8:12, “… they (had) believed… (in) Jesus Christ…”, it implies that believing does not lead to immediate receipt of the Holy Spirit.

Did Samaria receive the Holy Spirit immediately after Acts 8:12, “…they…were baptized (with water baptism)…”? No, they did not receive the Holy Spirit immediately since Acts 8:14-17, “(mention that)…THEY…come down, PRAYED FOR THEM, THAT THEY MIGHT RECEIVE THE HOLY GHOST: (For as yet he WAS FALLEN UPON NONE OF THEM: ONLY THEY WERE BAPTIZED IN THE NAME OF THE LORD JESUS.) …”

For instance, if the doctrine, that believing leads to immediate receipt of the Holy Spirit, is true, the people of Samaria should have received the Holy Spirit in Acts 8:12. For instance, if the doctrine, that water baptism could direct immediate receipt of the Holy Spirit, is true, the people of Samaria should have received the Holy Spirit in Acts 8:12. As the people of Samaria did not receive the Holy Spirit until Acts 8:17, “…Peter and John…prayed for them…”, it implies the possible absence of the Holy Spirit at the time of belief.

Now, let’s tackle the question above that some commentators support that Samaria should be treated as gentile Christians and these led them to pray for the Holy Spirit:

Who were these Samaria? The following are the extracts from Strong Concordance and it could be located at: http://www.blueletterbible.org/lang/lexicon/lexicon.cfm?Strongs=G4540&t=KJV

Samaria = “guardianship”
1)A TERRITORY IN PALESTINE, which had Samaria as its capital

The phrase, a territory in Palestine, is mentioned in this definition and yet in the ancient map of Israel, Palestine was located at the border of Israel and yet Samaria was classified as part of Israel.

As Samaria was part of Israel (1 Kings 16:29, 21:18, 22:51, 2 Kings 3:1, 3:6, 10:36, 13:1, 13:10 and 15:8) instead of to be considered as gentiles, it is erroneous to interpret Acts 8:5-17 to be the event that Peter had not seen the Holy Spirit fell upon the gentiles and that Jewish Christians did not accept them and these caused them to pray for the receipt of the Holy Spirit.

Nevertheless, the event in Acts 8:5-17 does provide the proof that believing does not lead to immediate receipt of the Holy Spirit and that is why sinner’s prayer should be stressed.

The following are four distinctive cases from the Bible that have brought us to the attention that not all the people, that proclaim Jesus is Lord, have received the Holy Spirit:

a) Instance that Saul could proclaim that Jesus to be the Lord prior to receiving the Holy Spirit.

Let’s meditate Acts 9:1-18 with detailed analyses as follows:

Acts 9:1, “And Saul, yet breathing out threatenings and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord, went unto the high priest,” Acts 9:4, “And HE FELL TO THE EARTH, and heard a voice saying unto him, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me?”

After falling down, did Saul question the Lord who was He? Yes he did question the Lord since Acts 9:5, “(mentions that)…he said, WHO ARE THOU, LORD? …”

What was the reply to Saul after questioning who was He? The Lord admitted that He was Jesus since Acts 9:5, “(mentions that)…the Lord said, I AM JESUS whom thou persecutest…”

Did Saul call Jesus to be the Lord after realizing that the One that he spoke to was none other than Jesus Himself as mentioned in Acts 9:5? Acts 9:6, “And he trembling and astonished said, LORD, WHAT WILT THOU HAVE ME TO DO? …”

If you would refer to the definition of the word, Lord, in Acts 9:6 from Strong Concordance, you would have discovered that its original meaning is identical to the word, Lord, in Romans 10:9 that is defined as allowing Jesus to take control of Saul’s life to be his Master. Or in other words, when Saul mentioned the word, Lord, in Acts 9:6, it implies his desire to have Jesus to take control of him to be his Master.

Could Saul have sight problem after opening his eyes? Acts 9:8, “And Saul arose from the earth; and when his eyes were opened, he saw no man: but they led him by the hand, and brought him into Damascus.”

Did Saul receive the Holy Spirit when he called Jesus to be the Lord in Acts 9:6 after realizing that Jesus is Lord in Acts 9:5? No, he did not receive the Holy Spirit when he called Jesus to be the Lord in Acts 9:5 since Acts 9:17, “(mentions that)…Ananias…said, BROTHER SAUL, …that THOU MIGHTEST RECEIVE THY SIGHT, AND BE FILLED WITH THE HOLY GHOST” and Acts 9:18, “…immediately there fell from his eyes as it had been scales: and he received sight forthwith, and arose, and was baptized.” Thus, despite Saul proclaim Jesus to be the Lord in Acts 9:6 after realizing that the One that he spoke to was none other than Jesus in Acts 9:5, yet he only received the Holy Spirit in Acts 9:18 since the phrase, there fell from his eyes as it had been scales…and was baptized, is mentioned then.

Nevertheless, there is an obvious gap (between Acts 9:6 in which he called Jesus to be the Lord and Acts 9:18 that the Holy Spirit came upon him) in which he believed in Jesus and yet the Holy Spirit was not with him, it implies that a person that calls Jesus to be his Lord might not necessarily have received the Holy Spirit.

What was the reason that the Holy Spirit was not with Saul even though he did proclaim Jesus to be his Lord in Acts 9:6 and that led him to be baptized with the Holy Spirit in Acts 9:18?

Let’s meditate James 2:17-19 for clarification:

James 2:17-19, “Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone. Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works. Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble.”

As the phrase, faith…hath not works is dead, is mentioned in James 2:17, it implies that our confession to Jesus to be our Lord has to be accompanied with action or else our faith is in vain. As the word, Lord, in Romans 10:9, 10:13 and 1 Corinth 12:3 has been defined in the Strong Concordance as allowing Jesus to come and control the lives of non-Christians to be their Master, they have to follow with action to request the Holy Spirit to come into their lives and that is why there is a need for the request of the receipt of the Holy Spirit. We are told from the Scripture not to be the hearers of God’s words but be the doers.

James 2:19 mentions that even the devils believe and yet tremble. The reason is simply that the devils believe and yet they do not follow with action to receive Him as their Master.

The same is mentioned in Matthew 7:21, “(that) Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the Kingdom of heaven; but HE THAT DOETH the will of my father which is in heaven.” Non-Christians are urged to be the doers of the Scripture instead of hearers. When the Scripture demands non-Christians to call Jesus as the Lord, it demands them to allow Jesus to come into their lives to take control of them.

Despite Saul proclaimed Jesus to be his Lord in Acts 9:6, his action to receive Jesus Christ was in Acts 9:17-18 and that caused him to be converted then.

b) Instances below that give us the implication that people could proclaim Jesus to be the Son of God even prior to the resurrection of Jesus:

i) Matthew 14:33, “Then they that were in the ship came and worshipped him, saying, of a truth thou art the Son of God.”

ii) Matthew 27:54, “Now when the centurion, and they that were with him, watching Jesus, saw the earthquake, and those things that were done, they feared greatly, saying, Truly this was the Son of God.”

iii)Mark 15:39, “And when the centurion, which stood over against him, saw that he so cried out, and gave up the ghost, he said, Truly this man was the Son of God.”

iv) John 1:49, “Nathamael answered and saith unto him, Rabbi, thou art the Son of God; thou art the king of Israel.”

v) John 11:27, “She saith unto him, Yea, Lord: I believe that thou art the Christ, the Son of God, which should come into the world.”

The following are the extracts that prove that those people, that are mentioned in Matthew 14:33, 27:54; John 1:49, 11:27, and Mark 15:39, did not receive the Holy Spirit prior to the resurrection of Jesus:

i) John 7:39, “(But this spake he of the Spirit, which they that believe on him should receive, for the Holy Ghost was not yet [given]: because that Jesus was not yet glorified.)”

ii) John 16:7, “Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you.”

Despite Matthew 14:33, 27:54; Mark 15:39; John 1:49 and John 11:27 were the events occurred prior to the day that Jesus was glorified and these people should not have received the Holy Spirit as mentioned in John 7:39 and 16:7, yet they could proclaim Jesus as the Son of God at the absence of the Holy Spirit. This gives the ultimate conclusion that those people, that could proclaim Jesus to be the Son of God in this modern society, do not give any strong proof that they have God to be dwelt within their bodies.

c) Instances from the Scripture to prove that demons could comment that Jesus is the Son of God and yet God do not dwell within their bodies. The following are the extracts:

i) Matthew 8:29, “And, behold, they cried out, saying, What have we to do with thee, Jesus, thou Son of God? art thou come hither to torment us before the time?”

ii) Mark 3:11, “And unclean spirits, when they saw him, fell down before him, and cried, saying, Thou art the Son of God.”

iii)Luke 4:41, “And devils also came out of many, crying out, and saying, Thou art Christ the Son of God. And he rebuke them suffered them not to speak: for they knew that he was Christ.”

iv)Luke 8:28, “When he saw Jesus, he cried out, and fell down before him, and with a loud voice said, what have I to do with thee, Jesus, thou Son of God most High? I beseech thee, torment me not.”

From the above explanation, these could arrive at the conclusion that it is irrational to determine whether a person has received the Holy Spirit by simply hearing him/her in proclaiming that Jesus is the Son of God.

d) The less obvious event that proves that believing does not lead to immediate receipt of the Holy Spirit is taken from Acts 8:27-39 about the conversion of the eunuch. The following is the analysis:

Acts 8:27-28, “…a man of Ethiopia, an eunuch…had come to Jerusalem for to worship, was returning, and sitting in his chariot read Esaias the prophet”

What did Philip do when he met the eunuch? Acts 8:35, “…Philip opened his mouth, and began at the same scripture, and preached unto him Jesus.”

When did Philip believe in Jesus as mentioned in Acts 8? Let’s Meditate Acts 8:36-37 below prior to tackling this question:

Acts 8:36, “… THE EUNUCH SAID, See, here is water; WHAT DOTH HINDER ME TO BE BAPTIZED?” Acts 8:37, “And Philip said, If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest. And he answered and said, I BELIEVE THAT JESUS CHRIST IS THE SON OF GOD.”

Some might support that the eunuch believed in Jesus in Acts 8:37 since Acts 8:37, “(mentions that he).. answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.” However, some might argue that it should be in Acts 8:36, “(since)…the eunuch said, …what doth hinder me to be baptized?” Their support to be in Acts 8:36 would be due to there should not be any justifiable reason for him to ask to be baptized if he did not believe in Jesus. In any of the above analyses, the eunuch should have started to believe in Jesus either in Acts 8:36 or in 8:37.

Did Acts 8 mention that he did receive the Holy Spirit after believing? No, it did not mention that, except the phrase, be baptized him, is mentioned in Acts 8:38. The following is the extract:

Acts 8:38, “And he commanded the chariot to stand still: and they went down both into the water, both Philip and the eunuch; and he baptized him.”

As nothing is mentioned whether the eunuch did receive the Holy Spirit except the phrase, he baptized him, in Acts 8:38, it might come to the conclusion that he only received the Holy Spirit in Acts 8:38.

For instance, if he only received the Holy Spirit in Acts 8:38, there is a gap of time in which the Holy Spirit should not be with him in the early part of Acts 8:38, “(that mentions that)…he commanded the chariot to stand still…” and he had not received the Holy Spirit until after the latter part of Acts 8:38 despite he had believed in Jesus in either Acts 8:36 or 8:37.

You guys don’t believe in God because you simply cannot SEE what we SEE.

You guys don’t believe in God because you simply cannot FEEL what we FEEL.

You guys don’t believe in God because you simply cannot HEAR what we HEAR.

and YOU are here because your’e curious why are you not like us

You probably call us BLIND compared in your ways,
But we call you BLIND too compared in our ways.

God advocates LOVE ,MERCY, and HOPE.

but YOU cannot simply accept HIM because you love your’e EVIL desires more than RIGHTEOUSNESS.