September 14, 2008 7:40 AM
Sam wrote:
Well, we close out another chapter in our lives. One of the most significant chapters IN our lives, as well....the glorious resurrection of our Saviour. What good news that is. Unfortunately, I am not 100% positive Mark wrote all of these words. If you're using an NIV,you might see the added footnote that 'the earliest manuscripts and some other acient witnesses do not have Mark 16:9-20" which tells the story of Jesus supposedly appearing to Mary and the other disciples and others. Could this have been made up later by some author who wanted to make sure the world believed this remarkable story????? This reflects on my thoughts about belief, faith and knowledge. I guess we just have to put faith in the writings of 'intelligent men' over the centuries as our Bible(s) have been written, modified and created to make certain points. Because, without that faith, our religion would be dead. People NEED something to believe in. I feel sorry for the aethiests, not because I consider them to be wrong (but they might not be), but because they have nothing to really put their faith into for their soles after they die. I pray and believe that a Heaven of some sort exists and awaits mankind. Some believe that the 'new Heaven' is actually a rebuilt earth. Some think this earth has already been rebuilt (the destruction of Jerusalem being the destruction of 'the earth') and that THIS is Heaven...for both living bodies and souls of the dead (what some refer to as the spiritual world). Some think Heaven is eons in distance above the earth. Some think it is simply all around us in a different 'zone'. I don't know what to believe about Heaven, only that Jesus refers to it and says it exists. John visited it, or was that just in his dreams? Whether Mark actually wrote about Jesus appearing on earth (as did some other authors) or not, I guess it doesn't really discount much, as the few recordings we do have of Jesus telling us about what would happen to him, and to us, can be pretty convincing. But, it takes faith, believe, and ya know, possibly a bit of knowledge as well. Reply to this
September 14, 2008 4:59 PM
Tony wrote:
We cannot pick and choose which scriptures to believe, 2nd Timothy 3:16, 16All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, 17so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work." We either believe or we don't, that's my opinion. Some things are hard to believe, take the beginning of the bible for instance. God created the world and everything in it in seven days! Either this is the greatest book of fiction ever written, or it is true. If it is fictitious what do we have to lose by following it? Nothing. If it is real, which I whole heartidlty believe, what do we have to lose? Eternal life in heaven verses hell, a fuller life in this world, Good family and friends, you can add more to both lists. What we have for our bibles and what is listed in them is what we need for this life. I do agree that we must research and make sure that it is not false doctrine, as the bible does say to be on our guard for that also. Reply to this
September 14, 2008 5:40 PM
Tony wrote:
14Later Jesus appeared to the Eleven as they were eating; he rebuked them for their lack of faith and their stubborn refusal to believe those who had seen him after he had risen. What would Jesus reaction be to us if in todays time He was to appear to us, not the second coming but just an appearance. After we got over the fright and disbelief what do you think we would do? The disciples had Jesus with them for three years, He dies, three days later He is risen and soon afterwords people come to the disciples and say that they saw Jesus. How in the world do you not believe in the power of Jesus after three years of healing the blind, the lepers and raising the dead! If the disciples had so little faith after being with Him for so long, where should we be? I believe there is scripture for this also, something about believing without seeing. I see where those snake handlers get there religion, but how is this taken out of context. Have you ever heard of anyone drinking poison, on purpose, and surviving? It would seem to me that would be testing God and we are told, by scriptures, not to test God in some areas (Mathew 4 verse 7 Jesus answered , It is also written do not put the Lord your God to the test) but to test HIm in others,Malachi 3;10 "Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house, and test me now in this," says Yahweh of Armies, "if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough for." To test or not to test, I think it is all a matter of the heart. Jesus tell the Pharisees "if I drive out demons by the Spirit of God, then the kingdom of God has come upon you." talking about a house divide here. If Jesus is the Kingdom of God, have we missed it or do we need to follow in His footsteps to be in the Kingdom? Just a thought. Reply to this
Well, we close out another chapter in our lives. One of the most significant chapters IN our lives, as well....the glorious resurrection of our Saviour. What good news that is. Unfortunately, I am not 100% positive Mark wrote all of these words. If you're using an NIV,you might see the added footnote that 'the earliest manuscripts and some other acient witnesses do not have Mark 16:9-20" which tells the story of Jesus supposedly appearing to Mary and the other disciples and others. Could this have been made up later by some author who wanted to make sure the world believed this remarkable story????? This reflects on my thoughts about belief, faith and knowledge. I guess we just have to put faith in the writings of 'intelligent men' over the centuries as our Bible(s) have been written, modified and created to make certain points. Because, without that faith, our religion would be dead. People NEED something to believe in. I feel sorry for the aethiests, not because I consider them to be wrong (but they might not be), but because they have nothing to really put their faith into for their soles after they die. I pray and believe that a Heaven of some sort exists and awaits mankind. Some believe that the 'new Heaven' is actually a rebuilt earth. Some think this earth has already been rebuilt (the destruction of Jerusalem being the destruction of 'the earth') and that THIS is Heaven...for both living bodies and souls of the dead (what some refer to as the spiritual world). Some think Heaven is eons in distance above the earth. Some think it is simply all around us in a different 'zone'. I don't know what to believe about Heaven, only that Jesus refers to it and says it exists. John visited it, or was that just in his dreams? Whether Mark actually wrote about Jesus appearing on earth (as did some other authors) or not, I guess it doesn't really discount much, as the few recordings we do have of Jesus telling us about what would happen to him, and to us, can be pretty convincing. But, it takes faith, believe, and ya know, possibly a bit of knowledge as well.
Reply to this
We cannot pick and choose which scriptures to believe, 2nd Timothy 3:16, 16All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, 17so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work." We either believe or we don't, that's my opinion. Some things are hard to believe, take the beginning of the bible for instance. God created the world and everything in it in seven days! Either this is the greatest book of fiction ever written, or it is true. If it is fictitious what do we have to lose by following it? Nothing. If it is real, which I whole heartidlty believe, what do we have to lose? Eternal life in heaven verses hell, a fuller life in this world, Good family and friends, you can add more to both lists. What we have for our bibles and what is listed in them is what we need for this life. I do agree that we must research and make sure that it is not false doctrine, as the bible does say to be on our guard for that also.
Reply to this
14Later Jesus appeared to the Eleven as they were eating; he rebuked them for their lack of faith and their stubborn refusal to believe those who had seen him after he had risen. What would Jesus reaction be to us if in todays time He was to appear to us, not the second coming but just an appearance. After we got over the fright and disbelief what do you think we would do? The disciples had Jesus with them for three years, He dies, three days later He is risen and soon afterwords people come to the disciples and say that they saw Jesus. How in the world do you not believe in the power of Jesus after three years of healing the blind, the lepers and raising the dead! If the disciples had so little faith after being with Him for so long, where should we be? I believe there is scripture for this also, something about believing without seeing. I see where those snake handlers get there religion, but how is this taken out of context. Have you ever heard of anyone drinking poison, on purpose, and surviving? It would seem to me that would be testing God and we are told, by scriptures, not to test God in some areas (Mathew 4 verse 7 Jesus answered , It is also written do not put the Lord your God to the test) but to test HIm in others,Malachi 3;10 "Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house, and test me now in this," says Yahweh of Armies, "if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough for." To test or not to test, I think it is all a matter of the heart.
Jesus tell the Pharisees "if I drive out demons by the Spirit of God, then the kingdom of God has come upon you." talking about a house divide here. If Jesus is the Kingdom of God, have we missed it or do we need to follow in His footsteps to be in the Kingdom? Just a thought.
Reply to this