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imhotep
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More agreement between NT and apocrypha
a) Wisdom 15:7 => The potter also tempering soft earth, with labour fashioneth every vessel for our service, and of the same clay he maketh both vessels that are for clean uses, and likewise such as serve to the contrary: but what is the use of these vessels, the potter is the judge.
b) Romans 9:21 => Or does not the potter have a right over the clay, to make out of the same lump one vessel for a noble purpose and another for an ignoble one?
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imhotep
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More agreement between NT and apocrypha
1.
a) Sirach 5:13 => Be swift to hear, but slow to answer.
b) James 1:19 => And let every man be swift to hear, but slow to speak, and slow to anger.
2.
a) Sirach 9:8 => Turn away thy face from a woman dressed up, and gaze not about upon another's beauty.
b) Matthew 5:28 => But I say to you, that whosoever shall look on a woman to lust after her, hath already committed adultery with her in his heart.
3.
a) Sirach 28:2 => Forgive thy neighbour if he hath hurl thee: and then shall thy sins be forgiven to thee when thou prayest.
b) Matthew 6:12,13-15 =>
12 And forgive us our debts, as we also forgive our debtors.
14 For if you will forgive men their offences, your heavenly Father will forgive you also your offences.
15 But if you will not forgive men, neither will your Father forgive you your offences.
4.
a) Sirach 33:1 => No evils shall happen to him that feareth the Lord, but in temptation God will keep him, and deliver him from evils.
b) Matthew 6:13 => And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.
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OLAADEGBU (m)
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@imhotep,
This is the testimony of Peter when he was about to depart from this earth;
2 Peter 1:16-21 (King James Version)
16 For we have not followed cunningly devised fables, when we made known unto you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of his majesty.
17 For he received from God the Father honour and glory, when there came such a voice to him from the excellent glory, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.
18 And this voice which came from heaven we heard, when we were with him in the holy mount.
19 We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts:
20 Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation.
21 For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.
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OLAADEGBU (m)
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@imhotep,
This is the testimony of John the beloved;
1 John 1:1-3
1 That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, of the Word of life;
2 (For the life was manifested, and we have seen it, and bear witness, and shew unto you that eternal life, which was with the Father, and was manifested unto us;)
3 That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ.
And the Admonition of Paul;
2 Timothy 3:14-17 (King James Version)
14 But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them;
15 And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.
16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:
17 That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.
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imhotep
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@imhotep,
This is the testimony of Peter when he was about to depart from this earth;
2 Peter 1:16-21 (King James Version)
16 For we have not followed cunningly devised fables, when we made known unto you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of his majesty.
17 For he received from God the Father honour and glory, when there came such a voice to him from the excellent glory, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.
18 And this voice which came from heaven we heard, when we were with him in the holy mount.
19 We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts:
20 Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation.
21 For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.
Peter never saw the bible as you have it today. Let us now cross-reference some of Peter's writings with the apocrypha 1. a) 1 Peter 1:7 => so that the genuineness of your faith, more precious than gold which though perishable is tested by fire, may redound to praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ. b) Sirach 2:5 => For gold is tested in the fire, and acceptable men in the furnace of humiliation. |
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imhotep
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@imhotep,
This is the testimony of John the beloved;
1 John 1:1-3
1 That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, of the Word of life;
2 (For the life was manifested, and we have seen it, and bear witness, and shew unto you that eternal life, which was with the Father, and was manifested unto us;)
3 That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ.
Neither did John the beloved see the bible as you have it today. Let me repost this cross-reference -> 1. a) Sirach 2:15 => Those who fear the LORD disobey not his words; those who love him keep his ways. b) John 14:23 => Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: |
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imhotep
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@imhotep,
And the Admonition of Paul;
2 Timothy 3:14-17 (King James Version)
14 But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them;
15 And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.
16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:
17 That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.
Now, think carefully => The bible was compiled and approved about 320 years after Paul wrote this to letter Timothy. So, which scripture was Paul referring to??Obviously here, and in most references to "the Scriptures" that we find in the New Testament, Paul is speaking of the Old Testament; so if this passage is going to be used to set the limits on inspired authority, then the entire New Testament will be excluded!!! |
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OLAADEGBU (m)
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2 Peter 3:15-18
15 And account that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation; even as our beloved brother Paul also according to the wisdom given unto him hath written unto you;
16 As also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction.
17 Ye therefore, beloved, seeing ye know these things before, beware lest ye also, being led away with the error of the wicked, fall from your own stedfastness.
18 But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen.
This is Paul's statement;
1 Corinthians 14:37 (King James Version)
37 If any man think himself to be a prophet, or spiritual, let him acknowledge that the things that I write unto you are the commandments of the Lord.
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imhotep
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2 Peter 3:15-18
15 And account that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation; even as our beloved brother Paul also according to the wisdom given unto him hath written unto you;
16 As also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction.
17 Ye therefore, beloved, seeing ye know these things before, beware lest ye also, being led away with the error of the wicked, fall from your own stedfastness.
18 But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen.
Peter was talking about the writings of Paul. Only the epistles of Paul. The bible was also put together about 320 years after this letter of Peter. |
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OLAADEGBU (m)
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Peter was talking about the writings of Paul. Only the epistles of Paul.
This is for your perusal; 1 Corinthians 14:37 (King James Version) " If any man think himself to be a prophet, or spiritual, let him acknowledge that the things that I write unto you are the commandments of the Lord." 1 Thessalonians 5:27 (King James Version) " I charge you by the Lord that this epistle be read unto all the holy brethren." Colosians 4:16 " And when this epistle is read among you, cause that it be read also in the church of the Laodiceans; and that ye likewise read the epistle from Laodicea." |
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imhotep
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More agreement between NT and apocrypha
1.
a) Mark 4:5 => Other seed fell on rocky ground, where it had not much soil, and immediately it sprang up, since it had no depth of soil;
b) Sirach 40:15 => The children of the ungodly will not put forth many branches; they are unhealthy roots upon sheer rock.
2.
a) Luke 1:52 => he [The Lord] has put down the mighty from their thrones, and exalted those of low degree;
b) Sirach 10:14 => The Lord has cast down the thrones of rulers, and has seated the lowly in their place.
3.
a) Luke 13:29 => And men will come from east and west, and from north and south, and sit at table in the kingdom of God.
b) Baruch 4:37 =>Behold, your sons are coming, whom you sent away; they are coming, gathered from east and west, at the word of the Holy One, rejoicing in the glory of God.
4.
a) John 17:3 => And this is eternal life, that they know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom thou hast sent.
b) Wisdom 15:3 =>For to know thee is complete righteousness, and to know thy power is the root of immortality.
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imhotep
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This is for your perusal;
1 Corinthians 14:37 (King James Version)
"If any man think himself to be a prophet, or spiritual, let him acknowledge that the things that I write unto you are the commandments of the Lord."
1 Thessalonians 5:27 (King James Version)
"I charge you by the Lord that this epistle be read unto all the holy brethren."
Neither Peter nor Paul approved the Canon of Scripture. A group of bishops did so in the year 393 AD. Google " Synod of Hippo" or search http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki |
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imhotep
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Let us now cross-reference some of the works of Paul (et al) with the apocrypha
1.
a) 1 Corinthians 2:16 => "For who has known the mind of the Lord so as to instruct him?" But we have the mind of Christ.
b) Wisdom 9:13 => For what man can learn the counsel of God? Or who can discern what the Lord wills?
2.
a) 1 Corinthians 6:12 and 10:23 => "All things are lawful for me," but not all things are helpful. "All things are lawful for me," but I will not be enslaved by anything. "All things are lawful," but not all things are helpful. "All things are lawful," but not all things build up.
b) Sirach 37:28 => For not everything is good for every one, and not every person enjoys everything.
3.
a) 1 Corinthians 10:20 => No, I imply that what pagans sacrifice they offer to demons and not to God. I do not want you to be partners with demons.
b) Baruch 4:7 =>For you provoked him who made you, by sacrificing to demons and not to God.
4. [baptism on behalf of the dead!!!]
a) 1 Corinthians 15:29 => Otherwise, what do people mean by being baptized on behalf of the dead? If the dead are not raised at all, why are people baptized on their behalf?
b) 2 Maccabees 12:44-45 => For if he were not expecting that those who had fallen would rise again, it would have been superfluous and foolish to pray for the dead. But if he was looking to the splendid reward that is laid up for those who fall asleep in godliness, it was a holy and pious thought. Therefore he made atonement for the dead, that they might be delivered from their sin.
5.
a) Ephesians 4:14 => so that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the cunning of men, by their craftiness in deceitful wiles.
b) Sirach 5:9 => Do not winnow with every wind, nor follow every path: the double-tongued sinner does that.
6.
a) James 1:13 => Let no one say when he is tempted, "I am tempted by God"; for God cannot be tempted with evil and he himself tempts no one;
b) Sirach 15:11-20 =>
11: Do not say, "Because of the Lord I left the right way"; for he will not do what he hates.
12: Do not say, "It was he who led me astray"; for he had no need of a sinful man.
13: The Lord hates all abominations, and they are not loved by those who fear him.
14: It was he who created man in the beginning, and he left him in the power of his own inclination.
15: If you will, you can keep the commandments, and to act faithfully is a matter of your own choice.
16: He has placed before you fire and water: stretch out your hand for whichever you wish.
17: Before a man are life and death, and whichever he chooses will be given to him.
18: For great is the wisdom of the Lord; he is mighty in power and sees everything;
19: his eyes are on those who fear him, and he knows every deed of man.
20: He has not commanded any one to be ungodly, and he has not given any one permission to sin.
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imhotep
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More agreement between NT and apocrypha
1.
a) James 3:6 => And the tongue is a fire. The tongue is an unrighteous world among our members, staining the whole body, setting on fire the cycle of nature, and set on fire by hell.
b) James 3:10 => From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brethren, this ought not to be so.
c) Sirach 5:13 => Glory and dishonor come from speaking, and a man's tongue is his downfall.
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OLAADEGBU (m)
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@imhotep,
The Jews were the custodians of the holy inspired scriptures and this they did faithfully hence they were called the oracles of God. They could discern the Word of God from the words of men.
When Jesus Christ began His earthly ministry He quoted from the Law and the prophets and the climax of this was when He was at the mount of transfiguration, where Moses, who represented the law and Elijah, who represented the prophets had a conversation about His death with Him Luke 9:30-31. There was no time that Jesus approved of the apocrypha except to say that the Jews made the Word of God of no effect because of their traditions. Matthews 15:1-9
Jesus Christ committed the writing of the new testament to His Apostles. There were 5 different kinds of apostles; The first set were those who were eye witnessess of Jesus Christ before and after His resurrection; The second type was those who did not witness Him but received a revelation of Him and was given the commission to plant churches in the Gentile world and also to privilege to write the scripture; The third type where those who were sent to plant churches; and the last were those who were sent out to deliver messages to ministers.
The 12 Apostles and Paul were given the task of completing the new testament, either by writing or giving their account of what they witnessed. The last of the apostles to have written the scripture was John around 70-90 A.D. when He received the message of revelation.
The whole church by this time new what was accepted as the scriptures and separated them from the heretical writings. About 300 years after the last scripture was written the gnostics began to write their own versions with fictitious names claiming to be from Judas, Thomas, Barnabas etc Others claimed to have been written by Enoch and so on and were striving to be included in the scriptures. This was why the church council had to compile all inspired scriptures and separate them from the apocrypha and gnostic gospels.
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imhotep
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@imhotep,
The Jews were the custodians of the holy inspired scriptures and this they did faithfully hence they were called the oracles of God. They could discern the Word of God from the words of men.
But they FAILED to discern the Word of God - Christ Himself. The whole church by this time new what was accepted as the scriptures and separated them from the heretical writings. About 300 years after the last scripture was written the gnostics began to write their own versions with fictitious names claiming to be from Judas, Thomas, Barnabas etc Others claimed to have been written by Enoch and so on and were striving to be included in the scriptures. This was why the church council had to compile all inspired scriptures and separate them from the apocrypha and gnostic gospels.
If you are talking about the Apocryphal gospels, they were flatly rejected by the Church. This is very different from the so-called jewish apocrypha (Judith, Esther, Tobit, Widsom, Sirach, etc). Get the difference? More on the apocryphal gospels here => http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apocryphal_gospels |
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OLAADEGBU (m)
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But they FAILED to discern the Word of God - Christ Himself. If you are talking about the Apocryphal gospels, they were flatly rejected by the Church. This is very different from the so-called jewish apocrypha (Judith, Esther, Tobit, Widsom, Sirach, etc). Get the difference? More on the apocryphal gospels here => http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apocryphal_gospelsBoth the apocryphas (Jewish or gnostic) were not inspired by God hence they did not make it into the Bible. I will leave you with the quotation of the brother of John Wesley, 'Charles' "The Bible must be the invention either of good men or angels, bad men or devils, or of God. However, it was not written by good men, because good men would not tell lies by saying 'Thus saith the Lord;' it was not written by bad men because they would not write about doing good duty, while condemning sin, and themselves to hell; thus, it must be written by divine inspiration" (Charles Wesley, McDowell, Evidence That Demands a Verdict, 1990:178). I have got to go now and when am back I will entertain you on the criteria that was used to canonise the Bible. Goodbye and God bless. |
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imhotep
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Both the apocryphals (Jewish or gnostic) were not inspired by God hence they did not make it into the Bible. I will leave you with the quotation of the brother of John Wesley, 'Charles'
Dogmatic statements. The jewish apocrypha was part of your bible until Martin Luther came around in the 16th century. I have got to go now and when am back I will entertain you on the l'itmus test' that was used to canonise the Bible.
I have given you enough cross-references between the NT and the Jewish apocrypha. There are many more cross-references between the OT and the jewish apocrypha. I know that you will most likely give us a series of dogmatic arguments that keep silent about the beautiful cross-references - or attempt to sweep them under the carpet. Goodbye and God bless.
Have a nice weekend. |
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imhotep
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"The Bible must be the invention either of good men or angels, bad men or devils, or of God. However, it was not written by good men, because good men would not tell lies by saying 'Thus saith the Lord;' it was not written by bad men because they would not write about doing good duty, while condemning sin, and themselves to hell; thus, it must be written by divine inspiration" (Charles Wesley, McDowell, Evidence That Demands a Verdict, 1990:178).
@olaadegbu I was expecting a quote from the bible. I have not quoted anything from the Pope for you here. |
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imhotep
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More agreement between the NT and the apocrypha
1.
a) Tobit 13.17 => For Jerusalem shall be built up with sapphires and emeralds, and precious stone: thy walls and towers and battlements with pure gold.
b) Revelation 21.19 => And the foundations of the wall of the city were garnished with all manner of precious stones. The first foundation was jasper; the second, sapphire; the third, a chalcedony; the fourth, an emerald
2.
a) Tobit 13.18 => And all her streets shall say, Alleluia; and they shall praise him, saying, Blessed be God, which hath extolled it for ever.
b) Revelation 19.1 =>And after these things I heard a great voice of much people in heaven, saying, Alleluia; Salvation, and glory, and honour, and power, unto the Lord our God:
3.
a) Wisdom 5.16 => Therefore shall they receive a glorious kingdom, and a beautiful crown from the Lord’s hand: for with his right hand shall he cover them, and with his arm shall he protect them.
b) 2 Timothy 4.8 => Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.
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JeSoul (f)
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my dear Imhotep,
this is why it is so difficult and frustrating discussing with you. You've regressed to mentioning Martin Luther and sola this and that when ALL you had to do was respond to the points I raised. Martin Luther is the source of all this. I don't care about ML, lets just leave him out and discuss the bible as it is! That's really all I want to do. Not delve into what was said or done or implied or taught in the past, but simply in the scriptures as we see it today. Abi we self we don't have the God-given brains to read, decipher and understand? I only said that you should not rejoice too early. There are many many many other passages. Take a look at bawomolo's thread for starters. please, Bawo's thread is a joke. Infact this is a perfect case to apply the words of Prv 26:5 - answer not a fool according to his folly.  Besides I have no desire to "discuss" those kinds of topics with an unbeliever. The bible says in 1 Cor 2: 13 This is what we speak, not in words taught us by human wisdom but in words taught by the Spirit, expressing spiritual truths in spiritual words. The man without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him, and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually discerned. This is Bawomolo's greatest problem, that's why any discussion with him has been and will prove pointless. Please don't, my dear sister. What and what do you find impossible? Your responses to questions honey. You don't directly focus on the words that are said but reply with either another point or another question. :-x makes it hard to bring up an issue and follow through to the end. I tire oh!  I have only so much time to steal while at work to surf Nairaland. |
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imhotep
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Your responses to questions honey. You don't directly focus on the words that are said but reply with either another point or another question. :-x makes it hard to bring up an issue and follow through to the end. I tire oh! I have only so much time to steal while at work to surf Nairaland. @Jesoul Ok, my dear sister. Where do we start from? |
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JeSoul (f)
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@Jesoul
Ok, my dear sister. Where do we start from?
make we start from the beginning  hows that? but it go be from next week, I'm off Nairaland this weekend You know honestly, I hate we all have to 'fight' so much, though I understand it's because we're all so passionate about what we believe. I promise I shall try to be nicer to my catholic brothers and sisters, but the truth shall still be relentless oh!  We shall discuss by God's grace come next week. Deal? handshake of peace? |
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imhotep
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make we start from the beginning hows that? but it go be from next week, I'm off Nairaland this weekend You know honestly, I hate we all have to 'fight' so much, though I understand it's because we're all so passionate about what we believe. I promise I shall try to be nicer to my catholic brothers and sisters, Me too. Deep down, I know there is something un-Christ-like about all the rancour. but the truth shall still be relentless oh! We shall discuss by God's grace come next week. Deal? handshake of peace? @Jesoul Deal. Handshake of peace, and brotherly (sisterly) love. |
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JeSoul (f)
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Me too. Deep down, I know there is something un-Christ-like about all the rancour. Yes you are right on that  we can all definately do better. @Jesoul
Deal. Handshake of peace, and brotherly (sisterly) love.
right back at you!  have a great weekend my dear. Godbless. |
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~Lady~ (f)
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JeSoul and Olaadegbu
Did you read my post?
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Pastor AIO
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Me too. Deep down, I know there is something un-Christ-like about all the rancour.
Well done. Now the question I ask is: Where did all this un christlike behaviour come from? For it has a source. This is not a question that you have to answer to me. You have to reflect on it deep down in your soul and discover the source of your unchristlike behaviour. Work it out for yourself and when you find the answer keep it to yourself and deal with the situation. |
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JeSoul (f)
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JeSoul and Olaadegbu
Did you read my post?
I'm not trying to revive the thread but Lady just wanted to say yes I did read your post, and you did not answer my main question to you which is why I did not continue on. |
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~Lady~ (f)
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I'm not trying to revive the thread but Lady just wanted to say yes I did read your post, and you did not answer my main question to you which is why I did not continue on.
Which question is that? I believe I answered your questions. You wanted me to explain what the poster said, and I posted to show that the poster lied. If the poster posted what was actually in the Bible, then I would explain, but he didn't, he made it up. I was trying to show you that you jumped on the badwagon without doing your research. To me what you did was read a post and then replied to it without checking whether or not it is true. All the verses from the Catholic Bible he quoted was untrue. They weren't in the Bible. So please which question should I be answering again? |
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JeSoul (f)
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funny, you quoted the verses, sure you did, but the verses are still saying the same thing the poster said! The verse from the poster vs what you posted is essentially the same thing, just a insignificant lines omitted. The gist of the story is still the same. Did you think that that is the first time I have seen that verse? That is not the 1st, 2nd or 3rd or the last time I have seen articles or write-ups on that verse. So no, I did not jump on any bandwagon blindly. And you did not refute anything. What I asked you to do was explain what that verse was teaching catholics. What I asked was for you to explain what that verse means. So please which question should I be answering again?
This one: I'm just seeking some clarification on how the smoking of a fish can possibly drive out demons/evil? Care to? |
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~Lady~ (f)
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funny, you quoted the verses, sure you did, but the verses are still saying the same thing the poster said! The verse from the poster vs what you posted is essentially the same thing, just a insignificant lines omitted. The gist of the story is still the same. Did you think that that is the first time I have seen that verse? That is not the 1st, 2nd or 3rd or the last time I have seen articles or write-ups on that verse. So no, I did not jump on any bandwagon blindly.
And you did not refute anything. What I asked you to do was explain what that verse was teaching catholics. What I asked was for you to explain what that verse means.
Quote from: ~Lady~ on Today at 05:56:55 PM
So please which question should I be answering again?
This one: I'm just seeking some clarification on how the smoking of a fish can possibly drive out demons/evil? Care to? NO, it is not the same thing. For crying out loud, go and read the Book. Start from the beginning and read the book. Your knowledge of it tells me that you have not. Look at the context in which it is used. I also noticed that you didn't speak on the other lies. |
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OLAADEGBU (m)
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Both the apocryphas (Jewish or gnostic) were not inspired by God hence they did not make it into the Bible. I will leave you with the quotation of the brother of John Wesley, 'Charles'
I have got to go now and when am back I will entertain you on the criteria that was used to canonise the Bible.
Goodbye and God bless.
Here we go again on the reasons why the some books were included in the canon, and who and when were these decisions made and does any council or group of people have the right to insist that the "7 deleted books" be included in Bible? The Bible is a collection of 66 books that are remarkably united by a common theme. Jesus Christ is its subject our good its design and the glory of God its goal. It reveals to us God's redemption of the human race. These books have been collected, unanimously and accepted as the inspired Word of God by God's providence. The Old testament containing 39 books was recognised and preserved by God's people after God authorized the writing of the manuscripts. This were divided into three groups: The Law, the prophets and the Psalms. Moses wrote " all the Words of the Lord" Ex.24:4 These writings were circumspectly laid by the ark of the covenant Deut.31:26; Joshua 24:26; 1Sam.10:25; Dan.9:2; Nehemiah 9:14,26-30. This Law was read and revered as the Word of God. Obviously, not all Jewish religious literature was considered as the inspired Word of God such as the book of Wars of the Lord Numbers 21:14; The book of Jasher Joshua 10:13 and other books which did not survive the centuries 1 Kings 11:41The Jewish Torah was first called "Moses and the prophets" and as it grew in numbers it was called "The Law, Prophets, and the Writings("The Psalms"). It is pertinent to note here that Our Lord Jesus Christ ratified this threefold division when He spoke of " the Law of Moses, and the Prophets and the Psalms" Luke 24:44 after His resurrection. These books were regarded as canonical as soon as they were written and properly interpreted as they were in perfect harmony with the other books of the old testament. The Old testament in the Bible is based on the Hebrew Old Testament canon that was accepted by the God-fearing Jews. Secondly, Jesus Christ ratified them by His frequent references to the Old Testament as the unbreakable Word of God. For His approval of these books, we can confidently conclude that the Old Testament canon is authoritative and no one has the audacity to insist that the Jewish Apocrypha "the so called 7 deleted books" be included in the Old Testament canon. The book of Malachi was the last book in the canon which was written about 400 BC and it took about 400 years (the silent years) when God did not speak directly to any of His people before God spoke again in the New testament. This gap period was the time that the so called "7 deleted books" apocrypha was written. God in His providence had preserved His Words by His people who were responsible for Israel's spiritual life without the benefit of a council to debate the merits of each book. The council that met at Jamnia in AD 90 only ratified what the Jews had already accepted 5 centuries earlier. |
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